I was a vegetarian/vegan for about eight years and fell off the wagon a couple of years ago for various reasons, but to this day, my diet is still largely plant-based. When I first started out as a vegetarian, I lived in Coachella, California. My options for animal-free meat alternatives was limited in this small…
Beetroot Salad Recipe and Benefits
Have you ever spotted beets in the grocery store and scratched your head about what to do with it? Prior to growing it in my garden, I also had no idea. I didn’t even know what it tasted like. After all, beets were not exactly a staple in my diet growing up as a Filipino…
Sweet Potato Leaves Recipe: Contains more Antioxidants than Spinach
In much of Asia, dishes with sweet potato leaves are common, but it hasn’t gained as much popularity in the U.S. If you like spinach, broccoli, cabbage, and kale for their nutritional value, you should love sweet potato leaves. This uncommon but highly nutritious leafy green contain more antioxidants compared to spinach. Antioxidants are compounds…
Armenian Cucumber Salad: Great Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant
My first time eating an Armenian cucumber was during my trip to Antalya, Turkey. It was a hot day in June and there was a cart full of this refreshing fruit. Next to it was Turkish ice cream. For some reason, that day I opted to taste this peculiar cucumber-looking fruit. I’m glad I did…
Moringa Benefits: From Cardiovascular to Joint Health
My dad and I both enjoy gardening, and a year ago he boasted about his moringa forest. He claims that moringa benefits extend to relieving joint pains, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing inflammation. I didn’t doubt him since plant-based foods contain vital nutrients and compounds necessary for maintaining a healthy body. In my research, sure enough,…
Mint Tea Benefits: Remedies Digestive and Respiratory Infections
From an upset stomach to the common cold, mint tea can be an effective natural remedy. Mint health benefits are due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-viral properties. When I start to feel any digestive problems or respiratory infection developing, mint tea is my go-to medicine. Click on this link or scroll down below for…
Chamomile Tea for Sleep
In my quest to find a hot beverage to reduce my coffee consumption, I have fallen in love with chamomile tea. Coffee is not all bad since it contains antioxidants that are good for the body, but the caffeine it contains can sometimes be too much. When I drink more than 2 cups of coffee,…
Top 7 Herbs for Sleep
I don’t always have trouble sleeping, but when I do, I turn to herbal remedies. There are a lot of prescription medications that help induce sleep, but they come with a long list of adverse side effects. Hence my tendency to opt for herbal remedies. Food and herbs have known bioactive compounds that regulate the body….
Lemon Verbena Tea for Anxiety
Ever heard of lemon verbena and its health benefits? Until a few months ago, I had no idea what this herb was. I came across it by chance on one of my garden shopping trips. The aroma of this herb can be characterized as citrus smelling, akin to lemons. It smelled so good that I…