As we head towards winter, the days continue to get shorter and colder, beckoning us to slow down and stay home more often. While we may feel inclined to stay home and settle in, we also have many celebrations this month. To balance the hustle and bustle of the holidays, be sure to eat healthily when you’re not celebrating, and get some rest. To help you maintain balance during the festive season, here are some self-care tips for December. December Self-Care Tips Food In gene

Thanksgiving is coming next week!  Try a new soup or side-dish from the list below for your family and friends. These Thanksgiving side dishes are all gluten free, soy free, and dairy free.   7 Thanksgiving Side Dishes Roasted Butternut Squash Soup Butternut Squash & Apple Soup with Ginger Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread Roasted Butternut Squash with Ghee & Maple Syrup Roasted Sweet Potatoes in Coconut Oil Baked Acorn Squash with Cranberries Homemade Cranberry Sauce   Have a happy

Living with an autoimmune disease can feel like walking a tightrope. Every day brings new challenges, and finding balance often seems elusive. But what if there was a way to nurture your body, mind, and spirit all at once? That’s where the power of holistic health benefits comes in. By embracing a whole-person approach, you can take meaningful steps toward feeling better, reducing flare-ups, and reclaiming your life. Let’s explore how you can achieve balance through simple, p

For a nourishing meal to help combat the symptoms of a cold, flu, or allergies, there's nothing like good old-fashioned chicken soup. This soup has the added benefit of roasted green chili, which is a staple here in New Mexico. Green chili is hot, pungent and will help thin the mucus congestion. I like to make a big pot of this Chicken and Vegetable Soup with Roasted Green Chili and freeze any leftovers for when I’m sick and want something light and hot. Also, when I’m sick,

The combination of butternut squash, apples, and ginger makes this soup warming and gratifying. Butternut squash has been absorbing the sun's energy all summer long in the garden. This stored "sun" energy gives squashes a warm heartiness that can comfort you through cold, blustery days. Adding apples to this soup is an extra bonus, because cooked apples are warming and easy to digest. Lastly, the addition of ginger warms you up and helps relieve mucus congestion. So make

As the days get shorter and colder, and sometimes windy, stay inside and cozy up with a mug of Pumpkin Spice Latte.     Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe Ingredients 1 cup milk or milk alternative such as almond milk 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree 1 teaspoon ghee (clarified butter) 1 teaspoon of Pumpkin Spice (or make your own with 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg and a pinch of ground cloves) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Sweetener of your ch

A good night's sleep is so important for overall health. If you're having trouble sleeping, make a cup of Golden Milk at night for a good night's sleep. Golden Milk, aka Turmeric Milk, is a warm, spiced milk that supports both the immune system and the nervous system. Turmeric is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and high in antioxidants, Antioxidants are compounds that fight cell damage and protect your body from oxidative stress. Cinnamon and ginger are also high in antiox

The leaves are turning color, and the Balloon Fiesta is starting this weekend here in the Albuquerque area. It’s a beautiful sight – lots of colorful balloons with colorful changing leaves. So, now that we’re fully into Fall (or Vata season), it’s important to stay warm and build immune health. The holidays are right around the corner, so be sure to get some rest to calm the nervous system. Follow some of these selfcare guidelines for October. Selfcare Guidelines for October

In late September, summer comes to an end and autumn begins. The mornings and evenings are becoming cooler, the leaves are starting to turn color, and soon the smell of apples and pumpkins will fill the air. Autumn is Vata season in Ayurveda, and has the qualities of dry, cold, windy, and rough. We need to balance these qualities with moist, warm, stable, and smooth. So, follow some of these selfcare tips for September. September Selfcare Tips Diet Minimize or avoid raw foods

Fruit crisps are a tasty combination of juicy, sweet fruit with a crispy topping; but many crisp recipes call for too much sugar. This crisp has less sugar than most, and you can cut down on the sugar even more if you'd like. Both blueberries and peaches are in season now, and together they make the perfect summertime dessert combination in this Gluten Free Blueberry-Peach Crisp. Gluten Free Blueberry-Peach Crisp Recipe Topping Ingredients 1/4 cups gluten free flour blend, su

There’s nothing more nourishing than cooking with the fresh vegetables and herbs you grow in your garden; however, gardens are seasonal. So, preserving your food to enjoy later in the year is a great way to still have nourishing food. Also, you may not always be able to eat all the food that you grow, so preserving your harvest prevents you from wasting food.   Preserving Your Harvest Before you begin, follow these simple tips: use high-quality, unblemished food; wash your ha

Although we’re still in summer, which is Pitta season in Ayurveda, we can feel that summer is winding down, preparing us for the transition to Autumn. Fall begins Vata season, which is characterized by the qualities of cold, dry, light, and mobile. Many of us notice these qualities in our bodies in the Fall, which can manifest as dry, rough skin; dry mucus and nasal passages; chapped lips, increased urination at night; depleted electrolytes in the body; earaches; insomnia; co

Looking for an easy summertime appetizer or snack? Try this classic Italian appetizer made with fresh juicy melon (cantaloupe) and thinly sliced prosciutto with mint leaves.   Melon with Prosciutto and Mint History of Melon with Prosciutto This classic Italian appetizer is called “prosciutto e melone” and is a combination of salty cured ham with sweet, juicy melon. In ancient Rome, people combined cured meat with fruit for health reasons. A renowned Roman doctor, named Galen,

This simple and quick Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with a Lemon Dijon Dressing is high in fiber and tastes great too. Serve it on top of salad greens, as a side dish, or as a light lunch with pita bread, pita chips, or crackers. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing Recipe Ingredients for Lemon Dijon Dressing: 2.5 tablespoons olive oil (can use Garlic Oil ) 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard 1/4 teaspoon honey Salt and pepper to tast

The days are longer and warmer, children are out of school, and we turn our attention to summer activities, such as vacationing, pool parties, picknicks, and barbecues. To stay cool and healthy this June, follow some of these selfcare tips. Selfcare Tips for June Diet With the summer heat, you’ll want to focus on smaller, lighter meals, because they’re easier on your digestion, especially during the heat of the day. Choose from any of these seasonal foods.  Fruits that are in

Memorial Day is this weekend, which signifies the beginning of summer. So, for any of your summer parties and activities, try this quick and easy loaded hummus platter that is half dip and half salad. Loaded Hummus Platter Recipe Ingredients: 2 cups of hummus, homemade or store-bought 1/4 cup olives, pitted and chopped, (I like to use a mix of green and black olives) 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved 1 cup diced cucumber 1/3 cup of diced red onion 1 half sweet pepper, diced (or tr

A recent study published in the Nutrients  journal examined the impact of the Mediterranean diet on autoimmune disorders, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s disease. Autoimmune diseases have become more prevalent and are often underdiagnosed. It's even common for some people to have more than one autoimmune disease. The Mediterranean Diet and Autoimmune Diseases The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods , such as grains, f

Sheet pan salmon with spring vegetables is a tasty spring meal. Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and the seasonal vegetables are a good source of fiber. The fish and vegetables are seasoned with Baharat, a savory and sweet Middle Eastern spice blend. Baharat means "spice" in Arabic, and it is one of many Eastern Mediterranean spice blends. If you can't find Baharat in your supermarket, it's easy to make. Sheet Pan Salmon with Spring Vegetables Recipe Ingredients 1 tables

Spinach with Chickpeas and Yogurt is a tasty spring-time dish or side dish - perfect for Easter or another spring holiday. Spinach with Chickpeas and Yogurt Recipe Ingredients: 1 large yellow onion, diced 1 clove garlic, minced 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 cups of fresh baby spinach (or use a 10-oz box of frozen spinach, thawed, and squeezed-dry) 1 3/4 cup of chickpeas or a 15-oz can chickpeas, drained 1 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg Salt and p

For a quick meal, make these gluten-free chicken tenders. They're crispy on the outside but moist in the middle. Gluten-free Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients:  1/2 pound boneless chicken tenders, skinless (or cut a chicken breast into strips) 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 2 tablespoons Olive oil 4 tablespoons Gluten-free Italian breadcrumbs 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or tinfoil. Combine