Amaranth is a seed that has been part of the Aztec diet for more than 8000 years, when the Aztecs would collect the seeds in the wild. They also used the seeds to make flour for baked images of their gods during festivals and for tributary payments. The plant began to be cultivated in Mexico approximately 4000 B.C.E. and continues to be a native Peruvian crop.
Black beans are a species of the common bean and are native to areas in Central and South America. They were brought to Europe in the 15th century and became a major crop in India and China. Today, they are a staple in many international cuisines. Black beans are rich in nutrients and are used to prevent many diseases. Ayurveda uses black beans to regulate Pitta and Kapha doshas and recommends they be avoided by those with Vata dosha.
Sprouting seeds is a smart and healthy way to use up any leftover seeds you may have from your garden. Sprouted seeds have been recorded as being consumed and grown over many centuries. Not only does sprouting seeds provide a quick way to grow and provide fresh vegetables, but it also allows for a way for food to be grown indoors during the cold weather.
If you’re following a strictly plant-based diet, you’re probably aware of how difficult it can be to decipher whether or not a packaged food is vegan. Many people assume that products that don’t contain meat, butter, cheese, or eggs are surely vegan; however, unfortunately, it is much more complicated than that.
Does one ever enjoy a supper that is so healthy, he or she temporarily feels that all is right not only in the larger world schematics (however heavily floating the dinner is in suspended disbelief), but that everything is copacetic within the integral subset of one’s own body? The other night, I ingested such a nutritious, tastily-fortified dinner— And, you may also partake:
You might think of mochi as the neon-green or fluorescent pink-colored ice cream treat popular at Japanese restaurants, but mochi is a traditional Japanese food that has been eaten for hundreds of years. While once considered a "Food for the Gods," mochi remains a talisman of prosperity and luck in Japanese culture–especially during New Year's celebrations. While sweet mochi is delicious as a treat, the more traditional brown rice or glutinous rice mochi makes a satisfying and healthy snack. Here's why:
The Ancient Aztecs used the Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia spp.) as food and medicine. I know it doesn’t look like something you’d want to grab – or even eat – but it’s packed full of powerful properties.
Tea is, and has always been, far more than just something to quench the thirst and please the palate. For thousands of years, tea has been one of the go-to medicines for many ancient healers. Not only can different teas provide healing properties, they also provide preventative means for the body. For instance, green tea is packed full of antioxidants, which oxidize and help repair any damaged cells that could cause potential health issues.
Drinking juice is a pleasant way to keep your diet packed with nutrients. If you use organic ingredients, you can also avoid absorbing pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that are unfortunately often found in many contemporary food products. A juicer processes the fruits and vegetables you need into an easily digestible and tasty form.
Yeast has been used since the days of the ancient Egyptians. It is a single celled microorganism that needs the same nutrients as humans, and because it is grown on sugar-based entities that lack some of the essential nutrients, the yeast manufactures its own vitamins, minerals and amino acids using a biochemical reaction. In its active form it is used as a rising agent in breads. When heated it becomes inactive and takes two forms: brewer’s yeast and nutritional yeast, both high in nutrients.