Eat

Usnea is an incredible lichen that has many healing properties.  Lichen is an organism that grows in symbiotic relationship consisting of fungi and algae. A lichen grows slowly up against other surfaces in the wild. Usnea grows in forests all over the world, and it is known throughout as Old Man's Beard. Many people have likely seen the lichen and walked right past it. There are several hundreds of species of Usnea, but the species that hold the best healing properties are Usnea barbata and Usnea hirta.

When I think of breakfast, the first thing that comes into my mind are pancakes. And although I don’t always have the time to make them in the morning, I do enjoy eating them once in a while. Over the years I’ve tried to alter recipes that I have loved by trying to make them healthier. Pancakes were always something I enjoyed eating as a kid, but as an adult I find that the pancake box mix you get at any super market just isn’t as healthy as I would like it to be. So, I researched and looked everywhere until I finally found a healthier version to make.

Canola oil is a manmade product created in Canada. According to the U.S. Canola Association,

“Canadian scientists used traditional plant breeding in the 1960s to eliminate the undesirable components of rapeseed and created ‘canola,’ a contraction of ‘Canadian’ and ‘ola’. Canola oil is prized for its heart-healthy properties with the least saturated fat of all culinary oils.” The small seeds, about the size of poppy seeds, yield about forty-four percent oil.

A rose by any other name is … a raspberry. The raspberry is a member of the same family as the rose and the blackberry.

According to Ayurvedic principles, Fall and Spring are considered ideal times to cleanse the body and prepare for the coming season. During these transitions, we’re often left feeling heavy or out of balance. If you’ve felt this way, adding kitchari to your diet, or doing a kitchari cleanse, may be very beneficial.

Maybe you have read the studies. Maybe you just love creating things for yourself. Perhaps you want to live more sustainably -- whatever the reason, there is no time like the present to stop purchasing cartons of milk at the grocery store and start making your own nut milks, quickly and easily. It is healthier, more economic and so much fun.

Garlic and honey are both individually renowned for their medicinal properties, a few of which include antibacterial components as well as components that increase health. Garlic and honey are both very well-known for being great ancient medicines  Ancient cultures and traditions have used both garlic and honey as staples to holistic healing. Turns out, they can be even more powerful together. When combined, garlic and honey can pack some serious healing power into even just a little spoonful.

Easing Anxiety Naturally with Calming Foods

If you experience bouts of anxiety, you’re not alone. There are a whole lot of people out there who suffer from anxiousness, but do not want to resort to taking anti-anxiety pills. If you are one of these people, you may be delighted to know that there are numerous foods that can help calm anxiety naturally. Well, that’s one less thing to worry about. Who knew eating certain foods could help in such a big way?

I recently talked about the impact of heat on food, and suggested that even using heat only below 200 degrees can make a big difference in preserving the nutrients of our food.

I made nachos the other day at 200 degrees and the cheese still melted.

Choosing a Juicer

Have you decided you want to give this juicing thing a try? You can buy fresh-squeezed juice at juice bars and restaurants everywhere, but they can be very expensive, especially if you make it a regular habit. It’s probably time to start looking into getting a juicing machine for your home.