Food & Recipes

  • Italian Bread Dipping Oil

    Makes 1 cup

    1 cup extra virgin olive oil
    1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (optional)
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
    1 tablespoon chopped parsley
    1 tablespoon chopped oregano
    1 to 2 minced fresh garlic cloves to taste
    ½ teaspoon salt
    1 teaspoon fresh ground course black pepper
    Dash of red pepper flakes (optional)
    1 tablespoon finely chopped sundried tomatoes (optional)
     

    Mix all ingredients together. Let sit to allow flavors to meld for at least an hour or two before serving. Serve in a shallow bowl with thick slices of crusty Italian bread.

  • Women and Plant Medicine: A Natural "Herstory"

    Women use herbs as they progress through cycles of life in every corner of the globe. Plants nourish, heal, protect, lift spirits, give solace, strengthen, provide joy, offer hope, and provide every conceivable system of support to both the “selves” and “cells” of women everywhere.

    A historical perspective on the role of women as healers
    By Ellen Kamhi PHD, RN, AHN-BC
  • Match Game

    For thousands of years, people have utilized assorted methods to extract various types of oils, searching for that sweet, fatty substance to enhance the flavor of their food.

    Wander through the world of culinary oils to find out what's best for your cuisine.
    By Cara Lucas
  • Rainforest Superfoods: The Açai Story

    The Amazon Rainforest is home to millions of beautiful and unique animals and plants. Often called “the lungs of the planet,” the Amazon Rainforest is just about as large as the continental United States.

    Once in a while, a "new" food is introduced to the western world that causes a bit of a stir.
    By Brooke Holmgren
  • Gluten-Free Done Easy

    Whether you’re new to the gluten-free lifestyle or are a seasoned veteran who enjoys wheat-, rye-, and barley-free fare, finding quick and easy gluten-free options can be a challenge.

    Off-the-shelf options simplify the gluten-free lifestyle.
  • Sautéed Collard Greens & Kale

    Weekly Recipe: 
    Weekly
    [title]
    Chances are you use the same oil for every sauté dish. But if you pick oil unique to the dish you are cooking, you can produce much better flavor. Put away your vinegar and replace it with grapeseed oil to bring out the delicious, subtle flavors of these greens.

    1 large bunch collard greens, about 1 to 1-½ pounds
    1 large bunch kale, about 1 to 1-½ pounds
    3 tablespoons grapeseed oil or olive oil
    6 cloves garlic, minced
    ½ teaspoon salt
    ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
    Juice of ½ lemon
    A few dashes hot pepper sauce (optional)

    1. Rinse collard greens and kale in a large bowl of cold water. Drain and cut off tough stems. Cut leaves into ¼-inch strips. You should have about 8 packed cups.

    2. In a well-seasoned heavy skillet or wok, heat the grapeseed oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring for 30 seconds. Add half of the collard greens and cook, stirring, for another 30 seconds.

    3. Add half of the kale and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute, until it begins to soften. Add the remaining greens and cook, stirring constantly, for about 10 minutes, until the greens are tender.

    4. Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Add a few drops of hot pepper sauce, if desired.

  • Herbed Vinaigrette Recipe

    This herbed vinaigrette recipe can be prepared with any one of a number of dried herbs including thyme, marjoram, basil, chives, or tarragon. Also, try incorporating ½ teaspoon of Herbs de Provence.

    ¾ cup olive, peanut, avocado, or other salad oil
    ¼ cup white wine vinegar
    1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
    2 tablespoons chopped parsley
    ½ teaspoon dried herbs (any one of either thyme, marjoram, basil, chives, or tarragon)
    Kosher salt and ground white pepper (or freshly ground black pepper) to taste

    1. Combine mustard and vinegar in a glass bowl and whisk together briefly.

    2. Place the mustard-vinegar mixture along with the oil, herbs, and seasonings in a blender. Blend for about 10 seconds or until fully combined.

    3. Transfer to a glass bowl and let stand for 30 minutes to let the flavors mature. Whisk dressing immediately before serving.

  • Homemade Mayonnaise

    Making a homemade mayonnaise is not difficult or time consuming. Plus, depending on your tastes, you can alter the recipe just how you like. Follow this recipe to get a silky, rich mayo you can’t buy in stores.

    1 large egg yolk, at room temperature 30 minutes
    ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    ¾ cup olive oil (or oil of choice), divided
    1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
    1 ½ teaspoons fresh lemon juice
    Salt to taste

    1. Whisk together yolk, mustard, and ¼ teaspoon salt until combined. Add about ¼ cup oil drop by drop, whisking
    constantly until mixture starts to thicken.

    2. Add vinegar and lemon juice, then remaining ½ cup oil in a very slow, thin stream, whisking constantly until well blended. If at any time it appears that oil is not incorporating into the mixture, stop adding oil and whisk vigorously until smooth, then continue adding oil.

    3. Add salt to taste. Chill and cover until ready to use.

    Note: The fresher the egg, the better it will incorporate into the mixture. Try using safflower, sunflower, or black truffle olive oil for subtle taste variations.

  • Focus On: Iron

    WHAT is it? An abundant metal found nearly everywhere on earth, iron is necessary for human life. Without iron, our bodies wouldn’t be able to deliver oxygen to our muscles, brain, and other vital organs.

    [ Benefits ]

  • Strawberry Yogurt Shake

    You might find it hard to believe this delectable shake is made from yogurt and not ice cream.

    Serves 4

    4 cups plain yogurt
    2 bananas, peeled and frozen
    1 tablespoon vanilla
    2 tablespoons maple syrup
    2 1/2 cups hulled, fresh strawberries
    4 strawberries for garnis

    Combine all ingredients except the garnish in a blender and mix until thoroughly combined. Divide equally between four glasses and add a whole or sliced strawberries as a garnish on each.

    Combine all ingredients except the garnish in a blender and mix until thoroughly combined. Divide equally between four glasses and add a whole or sliced strawberries as a garnish on each.