Kale is a healthy and nutritious plant food. It’s low in calories but high in vitamins, so it’s among the most nutrient dense foods. A cup of kale contains Vitamins A, B6, C, and K, manganese, calcium, copper, potassium, magnesium and more. Kale with raisins and toasted pine nuts is my favorite kale recipe. Kale with Raisins and Pine Nuts Recipe Ingredients: 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts 2 cups water 3/4 pounds (6 cups) chopped kale 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 teaspoons extra-virgi

As we transition from winter into spring, you may be suffering with sinus or other respiratory issues. If so, try Nasya Oil for sinus and respiratory health. Whether your sinuses are dried out from indoor heating, or you have some congestion due to allergies, you may benefit from this classic oil treatment from Ayurveda. Nasya Oil Benefits Nasya Oil can soothe and protect the nasal passages, clear the sinuses, and support respiratory health. I'm prone to sinus congestion

The seasons are getting ready to transition again.  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, as well as the tree sap.  Our bodies will also try to loosen up and release excess fat and congestion.  So, if you feel congested, heavy, and sluggish, follow these self-care tips for March to help your body transition into spring later this month. Self-care Tips fo

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

Whether you’re living with heart disease or simply want to keep your heart healthy, consider practicing yoga.  The heart is a muscle that works continuously, even while you sleep; so, it’s important to take care of it.  Cardio exercises, such as brisk walking, jogging, and dancing, are great for your heart; however, according to John Hopkins University School of Medicine, yoga is a relaxing form of exercise that’s also good for the heart.    About Yoga In yoga, we move throug

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 i

February is American Heart Month! Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, the world's biggest killer is ischemic heart disease, accounting for 13% of the world's total deaths. So in honor of American Heart Month, let's take a look at twelve foods to incorporate into your diet for a healthy heart.   12 Foods for a Healthy Heart Berries Berries are superfoods! They deliver the phytonutrients you

In February, we're still experience cold weather, but we may also enjoy some warmer days here and there, pointing to the warmer weather that will be coming in spring. The days are noticeably longer now too. It's natural to want to slim down, rejuvenate, and refresh yourself in late-winter, so consider following some of these diet and lifestyle guidelines. February Guidelines Diet You may notice that your body naturally wants some lighter foods now, particularly green leafy

Sweet potatoes are considered a superfood.  They’re one of the most nutritious vegetables with lots of vitamins and minerals.  Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants, which protect your body from free radicals, promoting gut health and brain health.  They’re high in fiber and complex carbs, so they may be an ideal food for those with blood sugar issues.  Sweet potatoes are rich in beta carotene, which is converted to vitamin A to support your immune system and eye health

This nutritious and hearty lentil soup is an excellent high-fiber lunch option. As a high-fiber food, lentils offer a feeling of gratification and fullness, helping you stay satiated all afternoon. Fiber also reduces your risk of heart disease, helps lower blood pressure, regulates blood sugar, and helps protect against colon cancer. So, prepare a batch of this soup for lunch. Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe Ingredients 1 cup green or brown lentils  1 tablespoon olive oil (or ga

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

According to US News, the Mediterranean Diet has been named the healthiest diet for the eighth year in a row, followed by the DASH Diet, Flexitarian Diet, and MIND Diet.  What these diets, or eating plans (I don't like the word "diet"), have in common is an emphasis on plant-based foods and limiting or avoiding refined grains, added sugars and highly processed foods.  Most importantly, they offer a flexible approach to eating without being restrictive. They're highly adaptabl

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

Have you ever had a bowl of oatmeal that looked like a gelatinous blob?  Well, there are a few simple tricks to making a rich, creamy bowl of oatmeal.      Creamy Oatmeal Tips You'll need to use steel cut oats or old-fashioned rolled oats; this doesn't work for instant oatmeal. If you're gluten-free, Bob's Red Mill food company offers gluten-free options. The amount of liquid is important.  You need three to four times the amount of liquid to dry oats; so, if you’re using a

On a chilly winter day, prepare a pot of this filling Tuscan White Bean Soup to keep cozy and warm. To make it vegetarian, simply leave out the sausage, or try my Mediterranean White Bean Soup recipe. Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil or garlic-infused olive oil 3 garlic cloves, minced (omit if using garlic-infused olive oil) 1/2 large onion, diced 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 celery stalks, diced   1 pound ground Italian sausage 2 te

This creamy, coconut curry is gluten-free and vegetarian, so it's great for a meatless Monday. Or if you've been eating too much heavy, difficult-to-digest foods lately, this will give your digestive system a little break. The ingredients in this dish are very nutritious and wholesome. Chickpeas are high in fiber, and as a bean, help to reduce cholesterol, as studies have shown. Chickpeas also contain a higher amount of the amino acid, tryptophan, than other legumes, which me

“Sunshine in a bowl” – that’s what I think of when having butternut squash soup.  It’s the perfect fall/winter soup.  Roasting the squash, however, kicks it up a notch, because roasting gives the soup an earthy, caramelized sweet flavor.  Butternut squash is hearty and grounding.  It’s high in beta-carotene and alpha carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A; and vitamin A is important for the immune system, which may need a little boost right now.  The spices of cinnam

Pumpkin Bread was one of my favorite autumn foods growing up, which I still make in the fall, but now it's gluten-free. Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread Recipe Ingredients 1 can pumpkin or 15 oz. fresh pureed pumpkin 3 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 cup good quality vegetable oil or walnut oil 2/3 cups water 2 tsps. baking soda 1 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. each of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves 3 1/3 cups gluten-free flour, such as Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten-free Flour 1 cup chopped walnuts 1 cu