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

I was making a recipe that called for poultry seasoning, when I realized I didn’t have any, so, I decided to make my own homemade poultry seasoning. This recipe is quick and easy, and you probably have all these herbs and spices in your pantry.   Homemade Poultry Seasoning Recipe Ingredients 4 teaspoons dried sage 3 teaspoons dried thyme 2 teaspoons dried marjoram 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1 1/2 teaspoons dried rosemary 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (it seems strange to add nutmeg to

An herbal electuary is a thick paste, made with powdered herbs and honey.  It’s a wonderful way to take your herbs, because the honey makes it taste great. So, this is ideal for children, who may not like the taste of herbs.  However, do not  give honey to children under 12 months of age, because honey can contain bacteria that produces toxins in a baby's intestines.  Herbal Electuaries The use of herbal electuaries dates back thousands of years.  They were used in ancient Ar

These Gluten-free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins are delicious and perfect for the cool Autumn weather, as well as for Halloween!   Gluten-free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe Ingredients 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup walnut oil or a good-quality vegetable oil 2 large eggs 3/4 cup pumpkin puree or canned pumpkin 1/4 cup water 1 1/2 cups gluten-free flour, such as Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour 3/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon gro

Whether you grow summer squash or buy it from the Farmer's Market or the supermarket, there’s an abundance of it right now. In addition to yellow and crookneck squash, as well as zucchini, you may find other varieties, especially at your local Farmer's Market, such as pattypan, zephyr, and eight ball squash. Not sure what to do with all this summer squash? Then try these few summer squash recipes. They’re all vegetarian and gluten-free.  Summer Squash Recipes Skillet Summer S

A sun tea is a type of herbal infusion made with herbs and water. But, rather than heating water on the stove, you use the power of the sun to heat up the water to make your sun tea. Making Sun Teas You can use fresh herbs from your garden, as well as dried herbs. Some examples of herbs and flowers to include are: lavender, rose petals, calendula, chamomile, lemon balm, feverfew, yarrow, red clover, peppermint, spearmint, catnip, echinacea, tulsi (holy basil), thyme, nettles

This is my first year growing Japanese eggplants, aka, Chinese eggplants, so I’ve been eager to try them.  Compared to Italian eggplants they’re long and thin, sweeter, and less bitter, which means they don’t need to be salted ahead of time to release their bitterness.  Also, because their skin is thin, they will absorb the flavors of anything that’s cooked with them.   If you don't grow Japanese eggplants, you can find them at your local Farmer's Market or supermarket. Eith

Quick and easy salads are my go-to in hot weather.  Try this refreshing lemony white bean salad. White beans are a powerhouse of protein and fiber. It serves 3-4 people. Lemony White Bean Salad Recipe Ingredients 1 3/4 cups cooked white beans such as Cannellini or Great Northern, or one 15.5 oz canned white beans 1/4 cup of onion of your choice (yellow, red or scallions), finely chopped 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves or basil, finely chopped

Herbal salves are useful for a variety of skin issues, including cuts, scrapes, bruises, irritated skin, dry skin, acne scars, arthritis, and so much more. They’re also easy to make, so this is the perfect project for beginner herbalists. So give it a try - make these herbal salves for natural skin care. Herbal Salves for Natural Skin Care Where to Get Your Herbs If you're a gardener, then you're all set; you can grow some of these herbs. If you don't wish to start from seed,

Do you have a lot of zucchini from your garden this year? If so, try this light Gluten Free Zucchini Bread. It's also dairy-free. Gluten Free Zucchini Bread Recipe Ingredients 1 3/4 cup of Bob's Red Mill Gluten-free 1 to 1 Baking Flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon cloves 1/2 cup Walnut Oil (or a good quality vegetable oil) 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar

Start preparing for the cold and flu season now. One herb that is beneficial for respiratory health is mullein (Verbascum Thapsis). It's abundant now; so forage what you can if you see it growing while walking or hiking. However, don't pick any herb that grows along a busy highway or road (which mullein does); rather go in about a mile to gather any plants. Read more about mullein for respiratory health - it's history and benefits. Mullein for Respiratory Health The History o

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

There’s nothing like raw fruits in the summertime, because they’re so refreshing and cooling. But now that we’re in fall, we need more...

Although summer is coming to an end next month, there’s still a lot of food and herbs growing in our gardens. I use this Summer Vegetable...

Salmon is a great source of vitamin D, E, B12, selenium and many B vitamins. This is my favorite salmon recipe, “Citrusy Salmon with...

Now that we're in Fall, and cold and flu season is around the corner, it's time to make Elderberry Syrup. It's a wonderful immune...

Both blueberries and lavender are in abundance right now; and together they make a tasty jam. This recipe calls for only four...

Herbal-infused culinary oils are great to use in stir-fries, sautés, pasta dishes, marinades, and oil and vinaigrette salad dressings. ...