HERBS, SPICES, CONDIMENTS, SEASALT, & SWEETENERS
Every kitchen should stock a selection of both fresh and organic dried herbs and spices. Make sure dried products are not irradiated. Fresh herbs can be easily grown in small pots on a veranda, patio, or in a sunroom.
Many good brands of organic dried mixed herbs and mixed spices can be found at your local health stores/market and/or online sites.
Simply Organic: http://www.simplyorganic.com/, Morton &
Bassett’s Herbs from Provence, and Sea Seasonings (seaweed) are excellent products.
AVOID herbs, spices, and condiments that contain sugar/dextrose, HFCS, damaged oils, MSG/hydrolyzed vegetable protein/flavor enhancers, refined salt, colorings, preservatives, and/or other chemicals.
Celtic sea salt, from Selina Naturally: http://www.selinanaturally.com/, comes in three varieties: Light Grey, Fine, Flower of the Ocean. These fine seasalts are superior to other seasalts. Always keep a supply of the Light Grey in stock.
When needed in a recipe, use unrefined natural sweeteners that don’t spike insulin levels, such as date sugar, stevia, palm/coconut sugar, rice syrup (Lundberg), molasses, or unsulfured dried fruits. While unboiled honey and/or pure fruit juice are less harmful than refined sugar and artificial sweeteners, these simple sugars still spike insulin levels and thereby increase body fat. AVOID refined and artificial sweeteners, which are very damaging.
BENEFICIAL: Ginger, licorice root, cayenne pepper, turmeric, horseradish, molasses, parsley
NEUTRAL FREQUENTLY: Anise, apple pectin, basil, bay leaf, bergamot, caper, caraway, cardamon, carob, chervil, chilli powder, chive, cilantro (coriander leaf), clove, coriander seed, cream of tartar, cumin, dill, fenugreek, garlic, lecithin, mace, marjoram, mint, mustard (dry), nutmeg, oregano, paprika, pepper (peppercorn/red flakes), rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, seasalt, seaweed, senna,
tamarind, tarragon, thyme, vanilla, wintergreen yeast (brewers)
NEUTRAL INFREQUENTLY: Agar, arrowroot, chocolate, honey, maple syrup, mayonnaise
(undamaged oils), molasses, pickles, rice syrup, sugar (brown/raw), tamari (low-sodium, wheat free), vinegar (apple cider)
HERBAL TEAS
Herbal tea can be a soothing delight first thing in the morning, for a mid afternoon social, or after meals. Celestial’s Minty Magic, Nerada’s Mint, or Traditional Medicine’s Organic Ginger assist with digestion. Celestial’s Sleepy Time and various other teas with camomile help relax the body when under stress or at bedtime. Celestial also produce a pleasant caffeine-free Green tea with Jasmine,
which is rich in antioxidants.
Vital’s Rooibos is another fine caffeine-free tea that is rich in antioxidants and magnesium. It is especially nice with fresh lemon, mint, and a bit of honey.
Herbal tea can also be a good remedy when feeling ill. For example fresh ginger tea with
consumption of the raw ginger, greatly helps to alleviate the discomfort of food poisoning.
For healthy coffee substitutes try the many delightful caffeine-free flavours by Teeccino:
They also make a nice variety of gluten-free (barley-free) dandelion flavours.
Celestial (American) produces the largest varieties of herbal teas:
http://www.celestialseasonings.com/.
Traditional Medicinals (American) produces the best ginger tea and has among the highest standards.
http://traditionalmedicinals.com/.
Nerada, (Australian) produces the best Rosehip tea (rosehip, ginger, lemon grass), which is a good in the morning or when ill.
They also have a nice mint tea: http://www.neradatea.com.au/.
Vital Health Foods, (South African) produces the best Rooibos tea.
MASTERS OF HEALTH ONLINE MAGAZINE - WHEREVER YOU GO. JUNE 2017