Kale is a member of the species Brassica oleracea, which includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower and broccoli. It has been cultivated for more than 2000 years and though originally found wild in the Mediterranean region it is a cold climate tolerant plant. The term kale is derived from the Scottish word “kail” and the word was used in the 19th Century, referring to dinner.
Who doesn’t love chili? On a cold winter’s eve, there is nothing more quintessential, filling the house full of rich aromas and setting the stage for a hearty meal. Every family has their own recipe passed down generation after generation, but why not try a new rendition of an old favorite? Maybe it will become the new staple. Super easy and quick to prepare, this homemade comfort food is perfect for the busy family on-the-go.
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.
Chia is a species of the sage plant which produces pods filled with tiny seeds. It is a New World plant that has long been used by the Native Peoples of Central America, northern South America and southwestern North America. The term chia is the Aztec word for strength. When soaked in water, it changes into a gelatin-like consistency that was used to make refreshing drinks and porridges. The Aztecs also dried and ground the seeds to make flour for baking breads. They sprouted the seeds for salads and sprinkled them on many dishes and stored the seeds for future use.
As the seasons change and the weather gets cooler, we start to crave more warming and nourishing foods. Unfortunately, the change in seasons also tends to bring more busyness to our lives - school functions, late hours, and holidays all colliding at the same time. It’s a double-edged sword -- craving the heaviness of winter foods while also unable to spend hours in the kitchen.
The agave plant ranges from the southwestern United States down through Central America to the northern regions of South America. It is the same plant that is used to make tequila. For centuries, the native peoples gathered the plants and removed the leaves to extract the sap from the core. They boiled the sap to form a thick nectar. Agave nectar did not find its way into modern America until the 1990’s when the process of hydrolysis could be applied to the agave. This process heats the extracted agave juice in a mass production, making it a viable commercial product.
It is sweet potato season! This yummy recipe is one of my absolute favorites for fall and is a great complement to a meal with roasted chicken or turkey or as the main course in a vegetarian meal with a side salad. The combination of the sweetness of the potatoes and the savory flavor of the black beans with the added accent of the herbs used here is simply divine. Sweet potatoes are a wonderful source of Vitamins A and C and potassium, and they also help regulate our blood sugar and contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
I have tried many different pizzas in my lifetime but my favorite is made in a brick oven; brick oven pizza is just amazing! Today I want to share with you this delicious recipe, including instructions on using the brick oven. Tip: make sure you get the fire in the oven going for about 2-3 hours before cooking. Also, the pizza stone must sit in the oven for an hour before baking.
Planting a vegetable garden that remains free of aphids and bothersome bugs may seem difficult, but not with an age-old trick: companion planting. By planting certain vegetables with their companion plants, herbs or flowers, some form of cultural benefit is created. Planting cucumbers underneath sunflowers, for example, helps both plants; the cucumbers take up the otherwise unused space underneath the sunflowers, while the sunflowers provide shade for the cucumbers.
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.