“The health of a nation’s food system is a critical issue of national security. Food is about to demand your attention.” -Michael Pollan, Farmer in Chief

Join Basmati.com every week for a Q&A session with one of Basmati’s practitioners, Melissa Hill (FDN-P)! We know that there is a lot of confusing information out there, which can make applying health advice overwhelming.  Sometimes, it’s best to ask a practitioner directly, so each week we’ll cover a common health question!

Gemini Full Moon—Dec. 3, 2017

Writing this Full Moon article has been my biggest astrological writing challenge to date! I have tried, off and on over the course of a week, only to end up frustrated by distraction and confusion by a Gemini Moon and a retrograde Mercury!

Even with the vast social networks and instant communication we have available to us, many of us feel alone.

We feel separate and isolated from others. Our longing for deep and meaningful connection is tangled up in the facades that we carry and try to match to another’s. And we think we are alone in this.

Basmati.com sits down with Dr. Marija Helt to talk about her work as a clinical herbalist,  the use of essential oils and her love of mushrooms and their healing benefits!

The huckleberry is a member of the Ericaceae family, also known as the Heath family. The genus contains eight species and the plant is native to North America, from Ontario and Minnesota south to Louisiana, and east to the Atlantic coast.

Half Moon Pose/ Ardha Chandrasana

Benefits:

Strengthens arms, legs, and core.

Improves balance.

Stretches arms, legs, chest, and back. 

Foundation & General Alignment:

Arm and leg are foundation of pose, hand can be flat on ground or up on finger tips.

Leg that is straight out is toned and in line with body.

Upper body is as straight as possible.

Other arm is extended upward.

Body is flat, black is not curved and legs are bent.

My mother is Christian, but she is a Bhakti yogi, no doubt. Her entire spiritual practice is that of no-minded devotion. She is not about the letter of the law, but rather the heart behind her worship. I admire that about her, and though I do not believe in the same way she does, I can learn a lot from her devotion.

Winters bring about dry skin. Isn’t that an understatement! From chapped lips to itchy backs and cracked feet to peeling hands—the cold and dry winds of this freezing season becomes a sore point with the skin! Here are some natural and organic ways to keep the skin well-nourished minus synthetic and harmful chemicals.

It's the holiday season, and if you're hosting a get-together, that means making tons of food! It can be quite overwhelming, especially when you're still trying to be as healthy as possible. Thankfully, there are ways to create a healthy holiday feast that's both delicious and nutritious. This guide will show you how to make great vegetarian (and some vegan) dishes utilizing seasonal food that will both delight and fill your guests.