vitamin A

3 Soups For A Super Immune System

I love eating soup, but did you know certain soups can boost immunity? Whenever you're starting to feel sick or under the weather, I really recommend eating some soup. But not just any soup: These three immune boosting soups will help you get back on your feet in no time. Whipping up these soups will not only taste good, but also help you stay healthy.

Superfood 101: Wheat!

Wheat is a member of the family Poaceae ⁄ Gramineae or Grass family of the genus Triticum L. or wheat containing the species Triticum aestivum L. or common wheat. The plant is native to southwestern Asia and has been eaten for approximately 12,000 years. Wheat arrived in the western hemisphere in the late 15th century with Christopher Columbus and the pilgrims but it was not until the 19th century that the plant was cultivated.

Superfood 101: Spinach!

Spinach is a member of the family Chenopodiaceae or Goosefoot family of the genus Spinacia L. or spinach P containing the species Spinacia oleracea L. or spinach P. The plant is native to ancient Persia (now Iran and surrounding areas) and migrated into India, where it was named the “Persian vegetable,” then found its way into China through Nepal in approximately 647 C.E. In 827 C.E.

Superfood 101: Bell Peppers!

Bell peppers are a member of the family Solanaceae or Potato family of the genus Capsicum L. or pepper P containing four species. The plant is known by its scientific name capsicum and is commonly called sweet pepper. The name bell pepper was derived from the shape of the fruit. Though in the genus Capsicum, bell peppers do not contain capsicum, a substance that produces the heat in peppers.

Superfood 101: Peas!

Peas are a member of the family Fabaceae or Pea family of the genus Pisum L. or pea P containing the species Pisum sativum L. or garden pea P. Residue of peas were found in the teeth of Neanderthal dating to approximately 46000 years ago and it is believed peas were used as a staple food about 23000 years ago and domesticated about 11000 years ago.

Your Guide To Summer Flowers: Roses

Roses are a member of the family Rosaceae or Rose family of the genus Rosa L. or rose P. The plant has approximately 150 natural species and is native to the Northern Hemisphere from Alaska to Mexico and northern Africa. Fossil evidence has found the rose to be thirty-five million years old. It is thought that the first garden cultivation of roses took place 5000 years ago in China.

Superfood 101: Tapereba (Hog Plum)!

Tapereba is a member of the family Anacardiaceae or Sumac family of the genus Spondias L. or mombin, containing the species Spondias mombin L. or yellow mombin. The tree is native to tropical America and grows throughout the tropical regions of the world. It is a tropical plant that does well in warm climates and does not tolerate frost. It is also known by the nomenclatures Yellow Mombin and Spondias mombin.

Superfood 101: Sapoti!

Sapoti is a member of the family Sapotaceae or Sapodilla family of the genus Sapota Mill., also known as sapota P, containing the species Sapota zapotilla (Jacq.) Cov. or manilkara zapota P. The plant is also called pouteria sapota, mamey sapote, marmalade tree, red mamey, and zapote. Sapoti is native to some islands in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.

5 Herbs & Vegetables For The Low-Maintenance Gardener

As you plan your garden for this year, consider what type of gardener you are—or want to be. Some folks love spending meditative hours in the garden, pruning and weeding and maintaining plants. Others (like me, this year) may prefer to “sow and go”—to set seeds and watch the magic happen without extensive investment of time and energy.

Superfood 101: Guava!

Guava is a member of the family Myrtaceae, commonly known as the Myrtle family of the genus Psidium L. or guava P, containing the species Psidium guajava L. or guava P. The plant is thought to be native to Mexico and Central America but it is not certain because of the widespread and longtime seed disbursement by man and animals.