As the summer heat rises, be sure to stay hydrated. Hydration is important for regulating your body temperature, keeping your joints lubricated, preventing infections, delivering nutrients to cells, keeping your organs functioning properly, and for improving cognition, mood and sleep. Stay Hydrated Dehydration means you’re losing more water than you’re taking in. You’re also losing electrolytes, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium. In the summer heat, you may lose mo

I grow a lot of basil, so I make fresh pesto, which can be refrigerated for up to a few days or stored in the freezer for up to three months. But if you don't make your own pesto, just purchase a container from your supermarket. Try this one-pan pesto chicken and roasted veggies recipe for an easy meal. Pesto Chicken with Roasted Veggies Recipe Ingredients 1/3-1/2 cup of Basil Pesto 1 lb. chicken breast, chopped into bite-size pieces 2 zucchinis, chopped into quarter moo

Herbal ice cubes are so refreshing during the hot summer months. They can add flavor to a glass of plain water or iced tea. Flowering herbs, such as lavender, chamomile, roses, or calendula, are great to use. You can add flowers to an ice cube tray, cover with water, and freeze; or you can make an infusion (a tea) with the herbs first in order to get the therapeutic benefits of the herbs. Here's how to do it. Herbal Ice Cubes Directions Add about 3 tablespoons of flowers

This simple and quick avocado, tomato, and cucumber salad is great on top of salad greens, as a side dish for a main meal, or as a light lunch served with bread or crackers. Avocado, Tomato and Cucumber Salad Ingredients 1 avocado, seeded and diced 1 cucumber, peeled and diced 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in halves 1/4 red onion, diced Juice of 1/2 lemon 1 tbl. extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper to taste 1/4 cup of fresh herbs of your choice, such as cilantro, basil, oregan

Gardening has many health benefits; but not just physical benefits. It's also good for the mind and spirit. Health Benefits of Gardening Physical Benefits Gardening is a great way to eat healthier, especially if you grow organic produce. People who garden eat a lot more vegetables (and fresher) than those who don't; and a plant-forward diet has been associated with increased benefits to the heart, reduced cancer risk, and longevity. Also, gardening is great exercise for the

Facial scrubs are a type of exfoliation for the face, neck, and upper chest area. Exfoliation removes the build-up of dead skin cells from the epidermis, leaving your skin clean and silky smooth. Other benefits of exfoliation include: follicles and pores become unclogged, your skin can breathe better, your skin texture improves, your skin's overall function is stimulated, and circulation to the area increases. Exfoliation also helps with the absorption of moisture. There

The first weed that pops up in the spring is the dandelion, which is an important food source for pollinators, such as bees. However, we're now seeing more flowering plants for bees, and Red Clover is one of them. I gather Red Clover blossoms here in the New Mexico mountains, and often I’m picking the blossoms right next to the bees. Of course, I only take what I need and leave the rest for them and other insects. Red Clover's Benefits I gather these wonderful blossoms bec

If you're experiencing burnout and need some stamina, consider adaptogens. The term “adaptogen” refers to a group of herbs that improves stamina and immunity. They also promote well-being and longevity. These herbs help us adapt to stress and to recover from the effects of stress, as well as to balance and restore the body. There’s a wide spectrum of adaptogens from soothing and nourishing to more stimulating. Also, some adaptogens help improve mental performance, which is

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1/3 of Americans will experience long-term anxiety sometime in their life. ...

I have many vials of essential oils; but there are six that I absolutely must have because of their therapeutic benefits to the skin....

Welcome to spring! This is the season of rebirth, renewal, and growth. As the days get warmer, the snow melts creating more moisture in...

Shea butter comes from Africa, and is traditionally used by Africa drummers to moisturize and heal their hands. It has anti-inflammatory,...

Although we’re still in winter, our bodies are beginning to prepare for spring. As nature goes through a spring thaw, so do our bodies,...

Baked pears with star anise are the perfect wintertime tonic. Pears are anti-inflammatory, calming to the heart, and high in vitamin C and copper. The warming spices of star anise, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg aid digestion; and star anise is also good for heart health as a cardiac stimulant. Baked Pears with Star Anise Recipe Ingredients 2 pears - peeled, halved, and cored 1 teaspoon ground star anise 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground clove 1/4 teaspoon gro

The cold outside temperatures can chap your skin, and the indoor heat can dry out your skin. This is a damaging combination; so, it’s...

In Ayurveda, excess mucus is caused by “sweet blood”, which is blood that’s high in sugar, fats, or proteins. The mucus is thick, white,...

Do you tend to over-indulge during the holiday season? If so, give your digestive system some support with any of these 10 herbs. There are many herbs that aid digestion; but these are my favorites, and I always have them on hand. 10 Digestive Herbs for the Holidays Cardamom is a dry, light, and warming herb that stimulates the appetite, helps expel gas, and encourages healthy digestion. It can also help reduce nausea. Cinnamon is a hot, light, sweet herb that helps rekindl

Nettles (Urtica dioica), commonly called stinging nettles, is an old folk remedy for treating muscle and joint pain, including arthritis...

With the warm weather coming to an end here in New Mexico, I'm just now picking the end-of-season green tomatoes before it freezes. ...