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

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

It's time to make Fire Cider! Fire Cider is an old folk remedy that is made in Autumn for the cold winter months. It can help boost the immune system, clear up sinus congestion, warm you up on a cold day, and aid digestion. Fire Cider is a combination of an herbal infused vinegar, sweetened with local honey – so it’s hot and sweet. Because it’s an old folk remedy, there are a lot of variations of the recipe. Most recipes call for garlic, onion and horseradish infused in apple

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

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

Even though we are still in summer, which is Pitta season in Ayurveda, we can sense that summer is coming to an end, getting us ready for the transition to Autumn. In many regions, the hot, humid days of June and July have passed, (unless you live where I do, and it's monsoon season). Either way, the midday sun remains strong in August. Autumn marks the beginning of the Vata season, characterized by cold, dry, light, and mobile qualities. To prevent these qualities in your bo

First aid kit with mortar and pestle, herbs, capsules, and bottles Today marks Memorial Day, often regarded as the unofficial beginning of summer. With summer here, and more time spent outdoors, be sure to have a First Aid Kit ready for all your summer activities. One of the assignments in my herbal training was to create an Herbal First Aid Kit. My kit contained dried herbs, salves, and tinctures based on my and my husband’s needs. I also included some basic First Aid items,

Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure, another heart disease, pre-diabetes, or diabetes? If so, your doctor may have told you to cut down or eliminate salt from your diet. Salt adds flavor to foods, but so do other spices and herbs. Try any of these 12 herbs and spices instead of salt when you cook. In addition to making your food taste great, these herbs have health benefits. 12 Herbs and Spices for Cooking Basil (Ocimum basilicum) Basil is an anti-inflammatory,

Sunset Summer Solstice The days are longer and warmer, children are out of school (or almost), 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 Food 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. In other seasons, lunch i

Potted herbs on a sunny windowsill If you can’t have a garden due to a lack of space or you don’t have the time for one, consider starting an indoor herb garden. Growing herbs indoors is convenient because the herbs are easily accessible for cooking. They don’t take up much space and it's easy to care for them. They’ll need at least 5-6 hours of sunlight each day, so pick a sunny spot. However, each herb has its own set of conditions. Start an Indoor Herb Garden Hand chopping

If you don’t have the time or the space for growing vegetables, consider an herb garden. Growing herbs is easier than growing vegetables because herbs are less prone to pests and disease, and they require less care than vegetables. They're also forgiving of different growing conditions. However, like vegetables, herbs also have companions that they grow best with to enhance growth and flavor. You can have a vibrant, abundant herb garden by simply knowing which herbs grow well

April is within Kapha season, according to Ayurveda, and is characterized by increasing warmth and moisture. This moisture can lead to a buildup of Kapha dosha in our bodies, causing heaviness, lethargy, and congestion. If this sounds like you, then try some of these selfcare tips for April. Selfcare Tips for April Food We need a diet that is light, warm, and dry to drain dampness and to support the liver. Light, warm, dry foods include greens like dandelions, beet greens, le

Tomorrow is the first day of spring and many of us are sick with colds and allergies. Spring colds are different from winter colds, in that the mucus is thicker, and we may have achy muscles and joints (like the flu), swollen lymph nodes, and ear pressure. So, if you're suffering with a spring cold or allergies, follow some of these suggestions. Try These Tips for a Spring Cold or Allergies Herbs and Spices Cook with lots of warm, pungent, and astringent herbs and spices to

The seasons are getting ready to transition again. According to Ayurveda, the season of spring goes from mid-February through mid-May in the northern hemisphere, so we're actually in mid-spring right now. We’re preparing to leave the harsh, frigid winter for the warmth of spring. In nature, everything will loosen up – the rivers will flow due to the melting snow, and the tree sap will begin to flow. Our bodies will also try to loosen up and release excess fat and congestio

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for one-third of global deaths, claiming approximately 17.9 million lives annually. CVDs encompass heart and blood vessel disorders, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rheumatic heart disease, among others. The World Health Organization reports that heart attacks and strokes account for four out of five CVD fatalities, with one-third occurring in individuals under 70 years old. To lower your risk of

For Valentine’s Day make a batch of these Rose Petals and Chocolate Chip Herbal Candies for you and your valentine. Rose Petals and chocolate are classic aphrodisiacs. Rose is the "Queen of Flowers" and has been known for thousands of years for its beauty and fragrance. Rose fills your heart with love and peace. If you don’t have dried rose petals, check your local herb shop, or you can order online from Mountain Rose Herbs. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is high

If you love garlic, then you’ll love this garlic-infused olive oil recipe. It’s great for so many recipes, such as stir-fries, sautés, roasted vegetables, mixed into mashed potatoes, home-made hummus, and salads. Actually, for any recipe that calls for oil, I use my garlic oil. For those that love garlic but can’t eat it because of digestive issues, such as colitis, Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel, SIBO etc., and must follow a Low-FODMAP diet (FODMAP stands for F ermentable

Whipped body butters are super-rich and great for your skin. They're very effective at rejuvenating dry, damaged skin; and can be applied all over or just on problem areas, such as elbows, knees, or the heels of the feet. Although you can use them any time of the year, they’re especially beneficial during these cold winter months. This recipe is a bit time-consuming, but so worth it. It yields about 10 ounces of butter. Whipped Body Butter Recipe Materials Needed 2 oz. Unref

It's January and we’re in the “dead of winter” now, which has the energetics of cold, heavy, and slow, and can cause stagnation in the body. To counteract these energetics we want warm, light and mobile, so try a few of these selfcare tips for January. January Selfcare Tips Food Cut down on, or avoid, heavy or gooey foods such as dairy and wheat. We need warming foods now to combat the cold, so avoid raw foods. Instead, eat cooked foods, and try broth, soups, and stews.

If life has been hectic lately with all the holiday celebrations, why not relax one afternoon and cozy up with a mug of Peppermint Hot Chocolate? Peppermint is refreshing and stimulating to the nervous system, so it’s a great pick-me-up. It also encourages healthy digestion; and if you've been over-indulging, it's a carminative, so it can help with gas and bloating. Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients 2 tablespoons dried peppermint leaf 2 cups milk or milk alte