It’s estimated that between 24 and 50 million Americans are living with an autoimmune disease, and most of these people are women, according to Stanford Medicine. Research has shown that yoga may be an important tool in helping to reduce chronic inflammation, thereby reducing autoimmune disease symptoms and strengthening the immune system. Yoga for Autoimmune Diseases About Autoimmunity Autoimmune diseases are long-term conditions that typically last a lifetime. While there's

The summer months fall under Pitta dosha in Ayurveda, and July is the peak of this Pitta season. Pitta is comprised of the elements of fire and water, but mostly fire. It rules all transformation in the body, such as digestion, absorption, and assimilation of nutrients.  People who have a predominance of Pitta dosha tend to have a medium build, good muscle tone, healthy digestion, and piercing eyes. They’re also passionate, very motivated, enthusiastic and brilliant, as well

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, such as Band-Aids, gauze, tape, small scissors, a tweezer, etc. So, now that it’s summer and we’re outside more, be sure to have a First Aid Kit for all your summer activities. You could create your Herbal First Aid Kit from scratch and add the basic first aid ite

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

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,

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

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 First think about which herbs you like to cook w

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

Aaahhh – it’s May! There’s a lot of “green” in nature, and flowers are blooming. The days are getting longer and warmer, so we turn our attention to being outdoors more. To stay healthy, follow some of these health tips for May, including diet, herbs, and lifestyle. Health Tips for May Diet With the cold weather behind us, you may notice that you’re craving lighter foods like fruit and vegetables. Well, this is your body’s way of telling you to lighten up your diet. It’s time

If you don’t have the time or the space for growing vegetables, consider an herb garden. Growing herbs is easier than growing vegetables...

If you can’t grow your vegetables and herbs from seeds because you just don’t have the time. nor space, then you’ll have to purchase seedlings from your local garden center. But don't just choose the first seedlings you see; there are 7 considerations for choosing your seedlings. What to Look for When Choosing Seedlings Moist Soil Gently touch the soil in the container to make sure it’s moist; a moist soil indicates that the plant is being cared for by the shop. If it’s too d

Choosing the right space to grow vegetables and herbs is key to having an abundant harvest. People will think that you have a "green thumb", but in reality - you just planned well. To choose the right garden space, you'll need to take into consideration sunlight exposure, having a good water source, good quality soil, proximity to house and accessibility, and marking off the area that you select. Follow these tips for choosing the right garden space. 5 Tips for Choosing the

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 self-care tips for April. Self-care Tips for April Diet 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,

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

Seasonal eating for spring simply involves eating produce that is currently in season, because this produce is at its peak in taste and nutrition. Also, by eating produce that is in season, you support local agriculture and minimize your carbon footprint, since the food isn't transported from distant locations. Seasonal Eating for Spring Spring produce is often referred to as "cool-season" crops because they begin to germinate in cooler soil and can endure low temperatures we

Today 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 he

My grandmother was a housewife in the 1930s through the 1950s. Sometime during this period, she found a recipe for Irish bread in the Boston Globe ; but I’m not sure in which year she found it. However, her Irish bread was a favorite in our family. Since having to go gluten-free, I’ve tried to make it by substituting the flour with gluten-free flour, but it just doesn’t come out right. This is a heavy, dense bread to begin with, but it was much too heavy. This year, I decide