Green Options

Trail mix is a favorite fall time snack of mine. Fun to take on hikes and picnics, it always hits the spot. Try mixing some seasonal seeds in your favorite nut mix to stay healthy this season. Here is a simple recipe with remarkable immune boosting powers.

Sunflower Seeds: Rich in vitamin E, magnesium and selenium, sunflower seeds are high in phytosterols which are known cholesterol reducers.

Pumpkin Seeds: Carve that cute [...]

Organic red potatoes are in season and make a delightful accompaniment to any meal. Their bite size is great for all sorts of side dishes. These little lovelies taste good boiled and mashed, baked and browned, tossed in a summer salad or simply enjoyed on their own. Red potatoes are just as healthy as they are delectable. According to the World’s Healthiest Foods:

“Analysis of Red and Norkotah potatoes revealed that these spuds’ phenolic content rivals that of broccoli, spinach and Brussels sprouts, and includes flavonoids with protective activity against cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and certain cancers.”

Nothing heralds summertime to me quite like watermelon. Reminiscent of childhood picnics and parties, this sweet, pink, fleshy fruit always cools me down on hot days. Did you know that watermelon:

• helps with inflammation?
• may help prevent asthma when eaten?
• is concentrated with amazing antioxidants?
• prevents colon cancer, diabetes and arthritis from developing?
• happens to be a a great internal cleanser as it’s more than 90% water?
• is a great source of vitamins A & C? 
• contains beta carotine?
• has a high lycopene content? 
• aids in free radical elimination and may prevent cancer formation?

Weeks ago I wrote “The Healing Dish: Shiitake Mushrooms and Organic Baby Bok Choy” and now I have a new healthy meal to share.

The other evening for dinner we enjoyed this soothing organic miso soup stewed with fresh ginger and napa cabbage, carrots and organic sweet potatoes, and delightful enoki mushrooms.

Healing ginger imparts a sweet, tangy, yet delicate flavor that soothes and delights the tummy. Napa cabbage is a nice stew vegetable and enoki mushrooms have a soft texture and delicious mild flavor. Carrots and sliced fresh sweet potatoes (or yams) make this miso very hearty.

Keep reading to learn the recipe and more about the healing powers of this simple dish.

I’ve scored some fantastic organic sweet potatoes from the market lately. Here are some ideas for cooking with them:

1. Sweet Potato Coconut Mash: This is another option for making mashed potatoes, try mashing and blending soy, regular or vanilla almond milk into a bit of long baked sweet potatoes. Smart cafes like Lettus, are known for mixing healthy organic virgin coconut oil into it, and pairing it with pumpkin seed encrusted tempeh, with a magical homemade green sauce, mmm…
2. Moroccan Roasted Organic Spiced Sweets: Bake or boil a couple sweet potatoes moist. Chop and mix a pinch of cumin, ginger, salt, cinnamon, allspice (optional) and a sprinkle of coriander and cayenne in a small bowl. Mix in skillet with a teaspoon of organic olive oil or pop in the oven until browned.

“In Fiore is Italian for In Bloom…”

Founded in 1999, In Fiore was created out of a desire to recreate the wisdom and traditions of couture European Apothecaries. The founder currently studies in a new program that will merge homeopathy and energy medicine into the blooming In Fiore lines.

Right now, I am longing to try is this VITALE Toning Floral Essence:

In Fiore Vitale is “an aloe-based toning essence with fourteen herbal infusions including chamomile flowers and nettles, and essential oils of cypress, rose, and myrrh that revitalize and

Wellness Formula is a blend of healing ingredients,

The immune system is our guardian angel if you will, it heals us with unconditional love, responds quickly to outside influences, and protects the body in microscopic, unconsciously controlled ways. When illness attacks hit, there is a way to consciously address these problems to support your natural healing system. The answer is Wellness Formula. It works very well when allergies or colds strike, and when we encounter extreme conditions and need a boost.

A key benefit of the daily wellness vitamins are increased and sustained antioxidant defense.

The maker Source Naturals provides a nice overview on how to befriend your immune system with this formula and explains the benefits of the blend: