Buckwheat & Buckwheat Leaf: The Ingredient in Buckwheat that May Prevent a Stroke

There’s no doubt that we’re all somewhat familiar with buckwheat, and many relish one particular aspect about it: yes, buckwheat is gluten-free! I frequently talk with people who tell me they can’t eat grains because they’re now “gluten-free.” They’ve become part of what I now playfully call the gluten-free craze, and I often refer them […]

Asparagus Flan

Summer is in full swing now, and the days are filled with activity. We often have guests around this time of year, which presents us with lots of opportunities for last-minute entertaining. Easy yet classy dishes that can be whipped up on short notice are always welcome. With that said, I like to keep discs […]

Sauces of Summer

Summer is the time to pick, prepare, grill, and/or just gobble up raw all kinds of luscious, fresh foods. And we’re right in the thick of it, my friends. This is the perfect time to make some simple changes to your nutrition routine—and love every bite of it—with a few uncomplicated sauces of summer that […]

How Container Herbs Will Boost Your Nutrition

Did you know that herbs can do so much more than just enhance the aroma or flavor of your favorite recipes? They’re also loaded with nutrients. You can add herbs to your favorite salads, soups, and other dishes to reap the yummy benefits of fats, essential oils, fiber, sterols, minerals, and vitamins. If you want […]

Spiced Whole Grain Almond Biscotti with Aniseed and Cardamom

I have a confession to make: I have a hard time truly relaxing without feeling guilty about it. I’m ambitious, and I have many shoes to fill as a single mother with a household and business to attend to (not to mention my own personal hobbies and needs). Frequently, I feel like I just don’t […]

Declare Your Health Independence

Independence Day—the day we celebrate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress back on July 4, 1776. My challenge to you is to make July 4, 2017, be the day you declare your health independence. Health independence simply means taking personal responsibility for your health. We’re not talking about the […]

20 Essential Herbal Tea Recipes: Tasty Blends for Health & Comfort

Herbal teas are reaching an astounding following throughout every corner of our little planet! Yes, more and more of us are buying expensive boxed teas, and we’re giving or receiving them as gift sets for all kinds of occasions. One of the biggest trends now is growing fresh herbs, many of which are uniquely suited […]

Butter Burgers

Many moons ago, back at the turn of the century (man, that sounds totally weird!), I spent a few years in Calgary managing a cake shop in a trendy neighborhood. My boss had lots of friends in high places, which opened doors to some interesting connections for me. One opportunity that stands out from the […]

Garlic: All That and a Bag of Chips

Garlic. It’s pungent, robust, and even a little sweet when prepared a certain way. It lends itself to every cuisine on the planet and gives recipes that little extra something that makes all the difference in the final product. And on top of its many culinary qualities, garlic offers natural medicinal benefits as well. Garlic […]

A Little Bit of Magic: Fertility, Fat-Soluble Vitamins, and Chinese Medicine

A few years back, a patient came to me with severe polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which was causing her a heck of time conceiving a second child. When she asked me if Chinese medicine could help her, I replied that acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine could enhance her fertility, help resolve the PCOS, and return […]

Blackened Swordfish Skewers with Pineapple, Jicama, and Coconut Salad

Many years ago, I worked at a small, family-owned bakery since childhood, and I remember a very interesting coworker named Alan. Whenever someone would claim that summer solstice was the first day of summer, Alan would correct them with a theory of his. To this day, I’ve never heard it discussed outside of those bakery […]

Signs of the Times

As our world advances, so too do the issues we deal with on a regular basis. Most of us are aware of the health concerns associated with sitting for too long. After so many years of the Standard American Diet (SAD), we know how important it is to get (and keep) our blood sugar levels […]

The Lymphatic System: Detox with Gentle Herbal Methods

The lymphatic system is often associated with cancer, so I thought it would be good to alert my readers to some TLC (tender loving care) methods that may prevent some of the more serious disorders that come with toxic lymph glands.  The importance of keeping the lymph glands healthy applies to just about all of […]

Ham, Parsnip, and Sauerkraut Fritters

I love a nice, fresh ham roast, with its addictive crackling skin and succulent, briny flavor. For some reason, ham seems mostly reserved for holidays and special occasions. Yet I could easily eat them more often. And I would, if the small size of my family could support the sheer size of such a meal […]

A Worthy Summer Reading List

Something about lazy summer days makes me think of attacking my reading list. A few of the titles are fiction, and a few are nonfiction. Some suggested, some self-discovered. Some opened up and partially read, others brand new and inviting me in. They all have two things in common: they’ve been piling up next to […]

Radically Rooted in Health and Wellness

Back when I was in chiropractic college, I remember the day in pathology class (the study of sickness) when my instructor held up a pot with a beautiful, colorful, vibrant, wonderfully scented flower. It filled our classroom with a sweet and pleasant aroma. Our instructor talked about the secret part of the plant. He explained […]

Powerful Exercises You Can Do Anywhere—No Equipment Required

There are almost as many excuses for not exercising as there are people who make them. Not enough time, you might say to yourself. Can’t find the perfect activity, you lament. And so on. We all know how it goes. But have you ever considered that it might be easier to throw in the metaphorical […]

Grain Salad Recipes Galore: Hot Weather Nutrient Dense Choices

Like millions of other outdoorsy types (myself included), you’ve probably noticed that increasingly warm weather is right around the corner. This is when our appetites seem to slow down and we’re likely to eat less. Sometimes when it’s hot enough, we can even eat as little as one full meal a day, plus a few […]

Cornmeal-Crusted Fish with Spicy Herbed Remoulade Sauce

Last week, I was given a bag of fragrant, native, yellow stone-ground cornmeal from Anson Mills with the request that I “please make something out of it.” Well, of course the first thing that came to mind was cornbread. But anyone who knows me knows that I like to take the road less traveled and […]