It's that time of year. That’s right, I’m talking about the avalanche of everything pumpkin spice. Lattes, baked goods, protein shakes, hand soaps, room sprays and, yup, even toilet paper. Love it or hate it, pumpkin spice is here for the next couple months.
When you think of berries, you probably imagine plump blueberries or succulent strawberries picked at the peak of perfection. It is not often that juniper berries, which are not truly berries at all, come to mind. These antioxidant-rich, heart-healthy “berries” are actually a bitter spice originating from the female seed cones that come from juniper plants, a type of conifer, which is a cone-bearing shrub or tree.
Nutmeg is native to Indonesia on the Spice Islands and grows on an evergreen tree known as Myristica fragrans. Its name is derived from the Latin word “mix,” meaning nut, and “muscat,” meaning musky. Nutmeg was exploited by a few traders who knew where the archipelago was located and they monopolized the market.
Make the most of apple season this fall with my easy homemade applesauce! You can enjoy this recipe on its own, with pancakes or in other main dishes. If you like baking, applesauce can also be used as a healthy vegan alternative to eggs, butter or oil. I’m a big fan of cinnamon, but feel free to get playful with different spice combinations or leave them out altogether to experience the pure apple flavor.
*Makes about 2.5 cups*
Ingredients
Many people love their morning cup of coffee and couldn’t fathom getting through their day without it. While there are some known health benefits to coffee, most people don’t know how to get the most out of this morning ritual. They negate any health benefits by taking it alone on an empty stomach or combining it with too much sugar, artificial sweeteners, and creamers. Instead you can make your morning cup quite delicious and health promoting – it’s all about what you put in it!