Recipe

The first time I encountered the stinging nettle, I was unaware. I met its dark green leaves at a friend’s house (a friend who has a definite imp on her shoulder) and she asked me to touch them. Unsuspectingly and whole-heartedly I did, to a hand that felt it had just been stung by a million different bugs. Admittedly, it’s not very painful, but it does leave you with a buzzy feeling of ants walking down your veins. However, the rather prickly exterior of this plant hides many benefits within.

Have you ever tried a facial steam? Facial steams are great for clearing your pores and can be customized to your liking. They're fairly simple to make and only really require herbs and water.  Facial steams can also be great for people who are suffering from colds, allergies, or congestion (of any sort). That's because they promote healthy circulation through increased perspiration: This helps your skin's blood vessels to dilate, which in turn improves blood flow. Of course that's only one benefit: Facial steams also cleanse, hydrate, nourish, and calm the skin.

It’s easy to write-off sweet baked goods, especially the kind that come in packages from the grocery or convenience store. Often laden with excess sugar, salt, and fat, the common baked good has been unfairly demonized. With the use of real fruit, good quality butter, and whole wheat flour, these Whole Wheat Banana Nut Muffins with Chocolate Chips are as good for the soul as they are for your health.

Semolina is a healthy way to get your carb fix and if you make it this way, your tongue will thank you too, be it for the savory breakfast or the sweet post-dinner dessert. 

Nightshades contain some of the world's most poisonous and beloved plants all at once. Potatoes, tomatoes, and peppers are all related to belladonna (deadly nightshade), jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), and mandrake, yet we love eating them!

I bet I’m not the only one who grew up eating those really cheap, easy-to-make ramen noodles with flavor packets. (The oriental flavor was vegetarian-friendly.) So, I’d take them to school, and eat them dry (gross, I know). Whether we like to admit it or not, when prepared according to the instructions, that sodium bomb ramen was pretty good (tasting) nonetheless.

I thought I was up to date on probiotic-packed fermented products, but it turns out I was missing one very old, and very important tonic: beet kvass. I was first introduced to this powerful beverage sometime last year, when a stall at the local farmer’s market I frequent suggested I try their homemade kvass. 

Vegan chocolate is ridiculously simple to make. In fact, you're going to wish you knew how to make it sooner, instead of spending money on pre-made chocolate. Even if you're not a vegan, you'll appreciate the simplicity of this recipe. Not to mention it tastes great (especially for those who love dark chocolate)! To make matters better, not only is it healthier for you but it's also easier: This is a no bake recipe!

Going gluten free, even if you’re not celiac, is becoming increasingly common. While it might seem like a fad–alongside the sudden popularity of kale and bacon–there is research to back this growing trend.

I tend to get canker sores a lot. They're always inside my mouth and they’re such a pain to deal with. That's why I decided to share this recipe today: It's specifically designed to treat canker sores. That's because rosemary and tea tree oil have antibacterial properties (and are also great at preventing plaque build up). Not to mention I cannot stand how conventional mouthwash is loaded with synthetic chemicals (and alcohol, which burns your mouth). This one is all-natural and totally easy to make at home.