The holidays are behind us and we’re now in the heart of Winter, or “cold and flu season”. To ward off viruses and bacteria as well as to strengthen the respiratory system, learn about Garlic - January's herbal ally. Garlic - January's Herbal Ally Botanical Information Garlic (Allium sativum) is an edible bulb belonging to the amaryllis family. Originating from Central Asia, it is closely related to onions and leeks. Garlic is distinguished by its head composed of separate cl

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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