The Top 8 Easily Grown Herbs You Can Use to Prepare Healthy Ready to Eat Snacks

 

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Dessert Herbs that Grow Easily in Any Home Garden

Some of the best nutrients that nature provides us comes packaged up in small containers. Herbs are some of those things.

Offering a fresh from Mother Earth taste to your recipes, herbs are some of the healthiest foods you can eat. Adding character, spice, appeal and health benefits to every dish they are invited to, many of them make the transition from savory to sweet dishes easily with their delicate flavors and aromas.

According to Brian Hetrich, a gardening expert and naturopathic doctor at the Hippocrates Healthy Institute “half the nutritional value of plants are lost within thirty minutes of harvesting.” This means that no matter how healthy and appealing they look at the market, they have already lost a great deal of nutrients that nature freely provided.

Not so with a fresh herb home garden…

The great thing about most herbs is that they can easily be grown right at home…in a garden or planter. (although they can grow easily in planters, herbs love to spread out too so don’t be afraid to give them room in your garden). This allows us to pick them right as we’re ready to use them taking advantage of all their nutrients and health benefits.

Planting indoors is easy:

• Planting tray of some sort

• Organic potting mix

• Seeds or starter plants easily obtained at any nursery or garden center for a nominal price.

Here’s 8 of the top and most popular kitchen herbs that are easily grown in any garden:

Rosemary: Pretty and aromatic, the scent of this herb has been shown to improve memory. It has also been shown to fight cancer cells with its carnosic acid compounds. Frequent watering in full sun. Simply touching it will releasing its unique scent.

Thyme: As long as it gets plenty of sunshine, this herb grows well in indoor gardens because its stays relatively small in size. Long known for its antiseptic properties and its success as a remedy for respiratory problems, it is calorie free so you can add it freely to any soup, salad or side dish.

Parsley: Common yes. Often overlooked and shoved aside, yes. Parsley is nutrient rich with more than ½ the daily recommended intake of vitamin K contained in just one tablespoon. It also offers vitamins A and C. Not much sunshine is required for them to thrive but make sure to keep the soil from getting too dry. It’s hard to renew wilted parsley.’

Cilantro: This popular staple of both Asian and Mexican cuisines is a great source of fiber and supplies a hefty dose of iron. It helps clear heavy metals from our body by attaching itself to them and drawing them out of the tissues. The seeds of cilantro are the spice known as coriander.

Cilantro is a little more challenging to grow in a home garden because it requires deep soil in order to thrive. You can sow the seeds outdoors in the spring and summer and will continue to regrow from seed that drop from harvested plants throughout the growing season. Grown in full sun or light shade.

Basil: This popular herb offers a warm and spicy flavor to any dish. It offers a wealth of vitamins including A, K and C as well as magnesium, potassium, iron and calcium.

Grown in a sunny location the seeds can be sown directly into the garden in late spring or started from seed indoors in early spring and transplanted into your garden later on. Basil’s rich minty aroma is a nice addition to any peach dish.  Make sure you keep pinching off the flower heads so that the plant will keep throwing out new leaves all season.

Dill: This flavorful aromatic herb offers a healthy dose of antioxidants such as beta-carotene. Requiring full sun, this easy to grow herb needs a garden or large post to grow in and soil that is deep but not too dense.

Lavender: Lavender is often used as a seasoning for baking. Its distilled oils have been useful and versatile as herbal remedies. Grown by seed indoors and then transplanted outdoors in full sun in early spring, lavender does not tolerate excessive moisture or humidity.

Peppermint: This aromatic and tasty herb has talents beyond the kitchen. It is an excellent deterrent for many pests such as rodents, ants and spiders so plant it around your home and garden.

Peppermint leaves are a refreshing healthy addition to many beverages and desserts. Grown indoors than transplanted outside they can also be grown directly outdoors. Full sun or partial shade is best.

Most veggies and many herbs can be used with great success in desserts and treats and can be key to getting the required daily requirements of nutrients that your body needs.

Want to prepare healthy ready to eat snacks using herbs? Watch this video – Healthy Chocolate Mint Protein Muffins Recipe (Low Calorie) | Sweet Guilt Free Dessert & Snack

It’s time to step out of your comfort zone, expand beyond your traditional recipes and upgrade them to a more nutritional level – “Blended Bites will help you do just that.

Author Bio:

Carolyn Hansen is the author of The Blended Bites Healthy Snack and Dessert Recipe Collection. This is a one-stop resource for delicious, healthy, guilt-free snacks that you can eat every day. And even better, EVERY ONE of these recipes are RAW healthy snack foods that taste as good as their fattening counterparts.

You can NOW satisfy your snack urge without any negative impact on your weight loss and fitness goals, and without sweating over a hot stove. These easy-to-prepare snacks contain no sugar, no flour or butter and are paleo friendly.

So, if you want to get your hands on recipes for desserts and snacks that you will not need to feel guilty about eating the next time you have a craving for something delicious, be sure to check out Carolyn Hansen’s books at Blended Bites, where she will show you how to take control of your blender and churn out mouth-watering desserts and snacks that will have the kids in your neighborhood lined up around the block for a sample.

How to Get Rid of Terrible Toxins and Excess Body Fat

 

Click HERE to Get These Super Healthy Sweet Treats & Dessert Recipes

New evidence is emerging regarding the role of the level of toxins in the body as a contributing factor in excess weight. As these toxins are stored in our body in fat cells, those with a higher body fat percentage generally store a greater amount of toxins.

Today more than 80,000 chemicals are in active production and our exposure to these toxins is greater than at any other time in history. More than 3,000 chemicals are added to our food supply and more than 10,000 chemicals in the form of solvents, emulsifiers and preservatives are use in food processing and storage.

The unfortunate truth is we are continually subjected to poor air quality, chemically contaminated food and water, household cleaners, paint fumes, pharmaceutical drugs, pesticides and heavy metals.

It’s not surprising, given the ever increasing amount of toxins in our environment and the foods we eat, that many people suffer a level of toxicity that surpasses the point that their body’s own natural detoxification system can cope with.

When these destructive chemicals find their way into our bodies, they can remain there for years wreaking havoc and causing damage. This damage alters our metabolism (our body’s engine) causing enzyme dysfunction and nutritional deficiencies, creating hormonal imbalances and lowering our threshold of resistance to chronic disease. Chemicals and toxins build up in the body and end up causing problems regardless of body weight.

When body fat begins to accumulate it’s usually an indication that toxins are accumulating too because the body retains fats as a way to protect the vital organs in the body from the toxins that we ingest or create through stress. 

If you currently struggle with excess body fat, especially around the mid-section, it is a visible sign of toxic build up and a good indication that the liver is not functioning as efficiently as it should.

Truth is, everything that crosses our lips must be used by our body or it must be neutralized and eliminated as a waste product. Otherwise it gets stored in your body and piles up like garbage.

Our body’s reaction to a toxic substance is simple: protection, and there are two primary ways that the body takes action against these toxins. First, it will try to flush them out. If that fails, it will try to lock them away.

However, if toxins build up faster than they can be eliminated and reach a level beyond which the body’s detoxification pathways can cope, then the body begins to “dilute” the amount of circulating toxins in an attempt to protect organs and tissues.

It does this by diluting them and storing them in water and fat. Because most of these toxins are fat soluble the body will also make new fat cells to store them as far away from vital organs as possible similar to the way a nuclear power plant seals in concrete and buries toxic radioactive waste. These toxins get sealed up in fat cells and locked away where they seemingly cannot harm us.

IMMUNE SYSTEM

It seems that our highly intelligent immune system does not allow for the removal of excess fat and water if the level of toxins that is stored in them puts our life in jeopardy by their release into the bloodstream. It simply protects us by keeping toxins locked safely away.

Unfortunately, these type of fat cells that are used to store waste are particularly stubborn and the body will not give them up easily. This is the primary reason that so many people have great difficulty losing excess weight. In reality, it becomes nearly impossible to keep body weight down unless the total toxic load is decreased first.

In order for this to happen, we need to shift our diets to healthier foods in order to detoxify the body. This gives the body a chance to cleanse, repair and strengthen itself. Once we get rid of the “terrible toxins” in our body, the protective layer of fat disappears too!

With so many processed foods hitting the shelves these days it is imperative that we steer clear of these “toxic overloads” and stick with what Mother Nature has given us naturally if we want to experience health and healthy weight.

A proper exercise program that incorporates strength training strengthens the entire body and helps it function properly and cleanse itself. However, no amount of exercise will overcome a diet loaded with processed foods.

Want to get rid of terrible toxins and excess body fat? Watch this video – 11 Unexpected Ways to Free Your Body from Toxins

Eating clean is not an option, it is mandatory towards detoxifying the body.

Choose organic fruits and vegetable to avoid chemicals, pesticides and herbicides and give your body a chance to eliminate the accumulated toxins. At the very least, your goal should be to eat “clean” at least 80% of the time.

This does not mean that you have to give up desserts and treats if you plan and choose the right ingredients – even desserts can be made healthy, nutritious using veggies and fruits and will help you meet your daily requirements too…and it’s good for you!

If you are ready to take your traditional desserts and turn them into “life giving” desserts grab my “50 Desserts with Hidden Veggies. “  In it you will discover no bake, Paleo friendly, no sugar, gluten free healthy sweet treat and dessert recipes…

Author Bio:

Carolyn Hansen is the author of The Blended Bites Healthy Snack and Dessert Recipe Collection. This is a one-stop resource for delicious, healthy, guilt-free snacks that you can eat every day. And even better, EVERY ONE of these recipes are RAW healthy snack foods that taste as good as their fattening counterparts.

You can NOW satisfy your snack urge without any negative impact on your weight loss and fitness goals, and without sweating over a hot stove. These easy-to-prepare snacks contain no sugar, no flour or butter and are paleo friendly.

So, if you want to get your hands on recipes for desserts and snacks that you will not need to feel guilty about eating the next time you have a craving for something delicious, be sure to check out Carolyn Hansen’s books at Blended Bites, where she will show you how to take control of your blender and churn out mouth-watering desserts and snacks that will have the kids in your neighborhood lined up around the block for a sample.

How to Avoid Symptoms and Signs of Gluten Intolerance?

 

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There’s one food that is at the heart of many different problems today when it comes to health as well as body weight, that food is gluten.

Gluten is coming into greater awareness and getting a lot of attention as more and more people are getting educated about what gluten can do for you and to you.

Gluten is a type of protein found in foods that contain wheat, barley and rye. Many people lack the specific digestive enzymes and capability to break down and digest gluten. When they do ingest gluten, it causes a variety of symptoms to occur.

Those with Celiac disease have a condition where if gluten is consumed it causes damage to the villi that line their intestinal tract. This causes serious malabsorption of nutrients to occur.

Previously only those with full-blown Celiac disease restricted gluten from their diets.

However, with all the attention that gluten is getting these days, many individuals recognize the symptoms and realize that they be may suffering from gluten insensitivity and taking proactive steps to eliminate it from their diets.

Truth is, gluten can really be detrimental to your overall health; far more so than some people realize so it’s really important to learn all there is to know about why gluten has surfaced as a health issue.

Over-consumption of gluten containing foods on a regular basis still has very negative consequences. It can actually increase the risk for a number of other additional diseases as well.

The symptoms of gluten intolerance range quite heavily from one person to another. Some people experience a range of symptoms while others experience a few.

Typical gluten intolerance symptoms include:

Digestive issues: Gas stomach pain, bloating, and constipation can come on very quickly after consuming gluten containing foods. If consumed on a day to day basis these symptoms will take a while to subside.

High Levels of body fatigue: when consuming gluten containing foods some people will note that they experience a high level of fatigue. They may feel lethargic and some even experience a sharp decline in physical performance related activities as well.

Hormonal imbalances: Hormonal imbalances can also take place after consuming gluten containing foods. It can lead to issues such as PMS, libido problems, PCOS or even infertility in some cases.

Brain Fog and Neurological symptoms: A very common symptom in those who are sensitive to gluten. Becoming mentally tied, having a hard time concentrating and not being able to think straight are all symptoms of gluten insensitivity. Feeling dizzy or even slightly off balance after eating foods containing this protein will often accompany brain fog.

Headaches: Those very sensitive to gluten often experience headaches on a regular basis. Sometimes it’s just a normal headache that is experienced but in some cases they cause migraines when these foods are consumed.

Inflammation and inflammatory conditions: One of the biggest issues concerning gluten containing foods is that they increase the level of inflammation present in the body. When inflammation becomes very chronic and wide spread in the body you put yourself at risk for a wide number of different diseases such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and heart disease. Chronic inflammation is nothing to fool around with. It is a serious problem that must be addressed if you are going to sustain proper health.

Mood imbalances: Many people are not aware that the foods they eat can and do impact their moods but the connection is very strong. Feelings of anxiety, depression, mood swings, bipolar disorder and attention deficit disorder can all be experienced when consuming gluten containing foods.

If you resonate with many of these symptoms, you are likely suffering from gluten intolerance and you need to be eliminating as many of these gluten containing foods from your diet as possible.

If you are going to go gluten free it’s important that you make an effort to go completely gluten free. Eliminating gluten from your diet isn’t something that can be done successfully 80% of the time. The minute you eat anything that contains gluten, the negative side effects begin coming back so it’s really an all or nothing at all kind of thing.

Be aware that gluten is found in many foods that you least expect so it’s imperative to pay attention to your diet and identify potential problem foods. You must take time to read any food label that you are going to be consuming to make sure it does not contain gluten.

Cut gluten partially out and you’ll still be struggling and putting yourself at risk for all the negative health issues mentioned previously. As long as any gluten is in your diet, the effects will manifest in your body.

Want to avoid symptoms and signs of gluten intolerance? Watch this video  – Vegan No-Bake Cheesecake (Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Easy)

Going gluten free doesn’t mean that the “fun foods” are gone for good. For some incredibly delicious sugar and gluten free veggie based dessert and treat recipes visit: “Blended Bites” a compilation of 50 desserts and sweet treats that use veggies as either the main/star ingredient or playing a supportive role. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at what the possibilities are once you open yourself to them!

Author Bio:

Carolyn Hansen is the author of The Blended Bites Healthy Snack and Dessert Recipe Collection. This is a one-stop resource for delicious, healthy, guilt-free snacks that you can eat every day. And even better, EVERY ONE of these recipes are RAW healthy snack foods that taste as good as their fattening counterparts.

You can NOW satisfy your snack urge without any negative impact on your weight loss and fitness goals, and without sweating over a hot stove. These easy-to-prepare snacks contain no sugar, no flour or butter and are paleo friendly.

So, if you want to get your hands on recipes for desserts and snacks that you will not need to feel guilty about eating the next time you have a craving for something delicious, be sure to check out Carolyn Hansen’s books at Blended Bites, where she will show you how to take control of your blender and churn out mouth-watering desserts and snacks that will have the kids in your neighborhood lined up around the block for a sample.

A Higher Fiber Nutrients Rich Dessert Recipe – Chocolate Zucchini Bars

 

Click HERE to Get These Super Healthy Sweet Treats & Dessert Recipes

Zucchini, a summer squash (also goes by the name courgette), has its origins in America although countries like Japan, China, Romania, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and Argentina are the largest producers of Zucchini today.

Although there are a few varieties from yellow (golden) to light green and dark green, the dark green is the one most often found and that most people are familiar with.

This healthy summer squash is actually considered a fruit but most often used as a veggie. It looks similar to a cucumber (and also has numerous seeds like cucumbers) and offers much in the way of health benefits:

Boasting high levels of vitamin C, protein, fiber and carbohydrates. It also offers healthy doses of potassium, folate and Vitamin A, and helps promote eye health and other diseases that occur from vitamin C deficiency such as scurvy and sclerosis and it even helps those who bruise easily.

Zucchini is grown year round and enjoyed raw, sliced or cooked. It is often shredded and used in breads as well as cold and hot salads. Full grown zucchini are a bit tough and too fibrous to enjoy but young zucchini offer a soft covering with a subtle taste and buttery white flesh.

The whole squash, the flesh, seeds and skin of a zucchini can be eaten and enjoyed. It has even been known to help reduce weight (how’s that for an added benefit?) while boosting nutrition because it is very low in calories providing only 17 per g.

The peel of zucchini is good source of dietary fiber, helping reduce constipation and offering some protection against colon cancers. It also contains no saturated fats or cholesterol.

Here’s a great Zucchini recipe to get you started. This is just one of many you’ll find in “Blended Bites” a collection of some of my favorite dessert recipes that use veggies/fruits as a main ingredient.

Creating desserts like this take that awful “guilt” out of the equation. 

Chocolate Zucchini Bars

Base

• 1 cup almonds

• ½ cup sunflower seeds

• 1 cup dates, soaked at least 30 minutes and drained

• ¼ cup cocoa or cacao powder

• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence

Place almonds and sunflower seeds into a food processor and process until mixture is broken down and crumbly. Add other ingredients and process until well combined. Spoon out into a small dish or pan and spread out evenly.

Filling

• 2 cups desiccated coconut

• 1 cup zucchini, peeled and diced (about 1 medium zucchini)

• ¼ cup coconut oil, warmed until liquid

• 2 tablespoons honey

Blend all ingredients together until are well combined. Spread over base mixture.

Topping

• ½ cup cocoa or cacao powder

• ¼ cup coconut oil, warmed until liquid

• 1 tablespoon honey

• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Mix all together in a small bowl and swirl on top of filling. Place into fridge to firm up then cut into bars.

Want to have another high fiber nutrients rich dessert recipe? Watch this video – High-fibre chocolate fudgy brownie bites

Ready to take your traditional type desserts and turn them into “life giving” desserts? Grab my “50 Desserts with Hidden Veggies. “  In it you will discover no bake, Paleo friendly, no sugar, gluten free, healthy sweet treat and dessert recipes…

It’s time to make every bite you take count!

Author Bio:

Carolyn Hansen is the author of The Blended Bites Healthy Snack and Dessert Recipe Collection. This is a one-stop resource for delicious, healthy, guilt-free snacks that you can eat every day. And even better, EVERY ONE of these recipes are RAW healthy snack foods that taste as good as their fattening counterparts.

You can NOW satisfy your snack urge without any negative impact on your weight loss and fitness goals, and without sweating over a hot stove. These easy-to-prepare snacks contain no sugar, no flour or butter and are paleo friendly.

So, if you want to get your hands on recipes for desserts and snacks that you will not need to feel guilty about eating the next time you have a craving for something delicious, be sure to check out Carolyn Hansen’s books at Blended Bites, where she will show you how to take control of your blender and churn out mouth-watering desserts and snacks that will have the kids in your neighborhood lined up around the block for a sample.

How to Create Healthy Homemade Snacks with Lemons?

 

Click HERE to Get These Super Healthy Sweet Treats & Dessert Recipes

Improve Your Health and Your Disposition with Lemons

The lovely little yellow lemon is packed with flavor but thankfully not with calories.

One whole lemon is only 12 to 20 calories, yet provides our bodies with nearly all of our daily vitamin C requirements.

Vitamin C among other things, builds collagen in the body. Collagen is essential for smoothing out wrinkles and lines in the face.

But, lemons are way more than flavor and vitamin C. They are a real powerhouse of antioxidants known as flavonoids that help reduce the risk of heart disease, inflammation and even have the ability to fight certain cancers.

Flavonoids help to locate and eliminate potentially harmful particles called free radicals that could otherwise damage the body’s cells and DNA. Additionally, lemons help to improve cholesterol levels, lower blood pressure and relieve heartburn. They provide both antioxidant and antibacterial properties.

This small but powerful superfood not only provides us with Vitamin C, but also provides many B vitamins, iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium and fiber. When enjoyed with foods high in iron (such as leafy greens) they can help the body to absorb it.

Even though lemons themselves (before you eat them) are acidic in nature, they actually work to keep your body alkaline – a healthy pH level. They also boost the immune system and benefit the digestive system and are known to help with weight loss because the fiber they provide is pectin and studies have shown that pectin reduces hunger cravings (because it helps us to feel fuller longer.)

Like most fruits and vegetables, the whole fruit is what provides full health benefits…so don’t be afraid of using the peel (where most of the vitamin C is found.)

Although the big punch of vitamin C is located in the peel of the lemon, all of it can and should be used…juice it, zest the peel, or use the lemony flesh in any dish that requires a bit of brightening up. Citrus enhances both savory and sweet dishes.

Don’t be duped into buying pre-squeezed lemon juice. Go for the real thing if you really want to benefit from this little yellow jewel. When buying fresh lemons choose the ones that are fully yellow and if possible go organic. Any green left on the lemon means that it has not yet ripened fully.

Avoid lemons that are wrinkled, dull in appearance or excessively hard. Most people are not aware that you can even freeze citrus whole…including lemons. So, there really is no reason to not have fresh lemons at your fingertips. It’s always best to go fresh but this works in a pinch.

Although drinking lemon water has been a mild trend for a while now, this trend is growing rapidly as more and more people discover the exceptional benefits that lemon water provides. Best when used in warm water and perfect as your morning “stimulant.” It’s great for flushing out toxins and preventing constipation.

In a recent study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, “regularly consuming vitamin C led to younger-looking skin with less wrinkles.” How’s that for a benefit?

Even the scent of lemons is pleasant to most people and has been found to improve moods as well as decrease stress levels.

Want to create healthy homemade snacks with lemons? Watch this video – Easy Healthy Lemon Bars (5 ingredients!)

So, what are you waiting for? The next time life hands you lemons, make lemon juice!

Looking for some exciting dessert and treat recipes using lemons that actually contribute to your health? Are ready to take your traditional desserts and turn them into “life giving” desserts?  “50 Desserts with Hidden Veggies” is your answser. In it you will discover no bake, Paleo friendly, no sugar, gluten free healthy sweet treat and dessert recipes… It’s time to make every bit count!

Author Bio:

Carolyn Hansen is the author of The Blended Bites Healthy Snack and Dessert Recipe Collection. This is a one-stop resource for delicious, healthy, guilt-free snacks that you can eat every day. And even better, EVERY ONE of these recipes are RAW healthy snack foods that taste as good as their fattening counterparts.

You can NOW satisfy your snack urge without any negative impact on your weight loss and fitness goals, and without sweating over a hot stove. These easy-to-prepare snacks contain no sugar, no flour or butter and are paleo friendly.

So, if you want to get your hands on recipes for desserts and snacks that you will not need to feel guilty about eating the next time you have a craving for something delicious, be sure to check out Carolyn Hansen’s books at Blended Bites, where she will show you how to take control of your blender and churn out mouth-watering desserts and snacks that will have the kids in your neighborhood lined up around the block for a sample.