ginger

Waking up in the morning or winding down from a long day, there is nothing like a good cup of tea. Good quality teas, however, can be expensive and hard to find. What's worse is when you go to reach for a bag, and realize the bag is empty. While most consumers rely on purchasing pre-blended tea bags, you can make your own tea using fresh ingredients already in your kitchen. A little creativity and prep is all it takes to be minutes away from a soothing mug. Here are a few tips to follow when delving into homemade teas.

The first time I got my own place, I imagined a kitchen stocked full of all the dried herbs and spices I could possibly desire. I wanted to have everything on hand so no dish would go without. Hitting the spice aisle, I quickly realized I had no idea where to begin. Stocking up on spices for a new kitchen can be mind-boggling when you don't know where to begin -- not to mention expensive. Other than salt – which you’re using in nearly every dish – which herbs and spices are the most convenient to have on hand

Stir fried foods make great lunches: They're so easy to whip up in a moment’s notice! If you want to give your stir fry a slight Asian twist, try this easy recipe. It should be enough to make two servings and tastes fantastic. If you don't have the exact vegetables I list, that's okay, too: You can substitute them with your favorites and keep the seasoning the same instead. You can also pair this recipe with noodles or quinoa instead of rice, if you so choose. It's all a matter of preference and availability.

Base ingredients:

Cold? Cough? Stomach a bit upset? Make a ginger garlic broth that you can sip as a soup, or have with rice to detoxify your system and heal yourself with these Ayurvedic ‘heating’ herbs.

I am a predictable eater, especially when I know what I love to eat. Beets are one vegetable for which I will always reach, and so I find ways to incorporate them into classics…like this bright and beautiful beet ginger hummus, pulsing with warming, slightly spicy flavors I love. This recipe is awesome not just for the flavor, but because it brings some real vibrant color into the kitchen during the winter season. It reminds me of the strong magenta of a peony or a really rich summer fruit, and the ginger in it warms like the feeling of summer sunlight. It’s delightful!

 Almost every house has a kitchen cabinet or a rack designated just for their cooking spices. Did you know that a majority of those spices contain beneficial healing and medicinal properties? Many spices can be used for both healing and preventing ailments.

Topping off your bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon in the early morning sure is pleasurable to the palette, but it is also great for aiding in proper brain function. There are so many edible medicines –  whether they’re used to heal, cure or to simply prevent health issues that taste delicious.

Complex Carbs & Fats: Root Vegetables and Healthy Fats

All-Purpose Potatoes

Average Cost In U.S. and Midwest Region

White Potatoes: $0.31 per pound

Sweet Potatoes: $1- $2 per pound

Time to Reach Maturity

White Potatoes: 70- 120 days

Sweet Potatoes: 90 days

It’s almost cranberry season! I saw a package of fresh cranberries at the market and thought it was the “perfect juice experiment.”

Tis the season for all things pumpkin. After trying some pumpkin-orange juice at a fancy-schmancy restaurant; I knew I had to try juicing this autumnal squash at home.

With fall now upon us and winter just around the corner, it’s natural to crave warm, sweet desserts. While pumpkin pie and holiday cookies might be your weakness, here are a few healthy alternatives to satisfy your craving for sweets while boosting your body with nourishing foods.  

Baked Squash