If you work, breathe, eat and drink, you will most likely benefit from cleansing, detoxification fasts, and supportive juicing. Cleansing diets and health fasting may seem new to North American society, but they have a long history in human culture and are often part of centuries old religious rituals. Spring and summer are the ideal […]

From ancient times, the spring season has been greeted with ceremony and rituals along with the gathering of all fresh, wild edibles, which were inevitably green (since most plant activity begins with green buds and shoots). In fact, all of the common greens we see in stores and markets today have their origins in wild […]

It may come as a surprise to learn that the ubiquitous herb we call parsley was the favorite pasture cover of the Greek gods, who raised their immortal fire-breathing steeds on it. This is perhaps not surprising if we consider that it was thought to have sprung from the blood of the Greek hero, Archemorus. […]

(Updated Nov. 16, 2020) It is a different experience ingesting Cannabis than smoking it, but certainly not a new one. Legend has it that the Indian God Shiva introduced bhang, an edible form of Cannabis, for the pleasure of humankind. In our book, Healing Cannabis Edibles, we’ve researched eight medical conditions that can be alleviated […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'The Bitter Tastes of Spring'. Gather dandelion in the spring when the leaves are young and tender and the bitter astringent quality is still present but not overpowering. Be sure to snip from areas that have not been exposed to chemical pesticides and car exhaust. Ingredients 4 cups packed fresh, […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'The Bitter Tastes of Spring'. Simple, healthy, and a great way to start a meal, use just radicchio or a combination of radicchio and other bitter greens in this recipe. (Makes 4 servings.) Ingredients 4 heads radicchio 3 Tbsp olive oil 1 clove garlic, crushed 2 Tbsp lemon juice salt […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'The Bitter Tastes of Spring'. Greens and beans are a balanced combination of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. This is a perfect spring soup. Use sorrel and chives or other green herbs that are just now emerging from their long winters’ sleep. Ingredients 2 Tbsp olive oil 1 sweet onion […]

(Editor’s note: In Part One of this article, Pat Crocker reviewed a list of healthy choices that can add a touch of sweetness to any dish without the usual refined sugar. Those recommendations included carob powder, coconut sugar, unpasteurized honey, and date sugar.) This month we continue with a review of healthy sweeteners by adding […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'Sweet Solutions – Healthy Alternative Sweeteners for the Festive Season I treat these gems as medicinal truffles because they are definitely a ‘sweet’, and yet they deliver the medicinal benefits of herbs. Be sure to use organic ingredients. I recommend taking two or three power balls every day. (Makes 4 […]

Are you hosting a holiday party for guests who are diabetic or counting calories? Are you following a Ketogenic Diet (low carb / moderate protein / high fat), or eating to prevent cancer and other diseases? Or are you simply cutting carbs in an effort to improve your immunity? If you answered ‘yes’ to any […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'Freshen Up Your Spring Menu with Plant-Based Meals'. (Makes ½ cup) Ingredients ½ cup walnuts ¼ cups pitted black olives 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves 3 Tbsp extra-virgin olive or avocado oil 1) In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine walnuts, olives, and thyme. Pulse for 10 […]

The first green spikes poking through winter’s crusty grip seem to be my trigger for initiating all sorts of gritty tasks like cleaning cupboards and lightening up closets.

From the Vitality Food Feature 'Freshen Up Your Spring Menu with Plant-Based Meals'. It’s like a decadent, oozing burger, full of texture and flavour and yet it is deliciously, perfectly in line with reducetarian principles. You can use sliced tomato or dill pickle in place of the avocado.  (Makes 4 stacks.) Ingredients 4 large Portobello […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'Freshen Up Your Spring Menu with Plant-Based Meals'. In the northern hemisphere, when the sun makes its climb towards the spring equinox, the earth goes green with anticipation of renewal. This is when our thoughts turn to love and our diet turns to light, cleansing foods. Of all the seasons, […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'FIRE UP YOUR WINTER MEALS'. (Makes 1 cup) Ingredients 3 cloves garlic 1 slice candied ginger (or 1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated) 1/2 red onion 15 cayenne peppers 12 fresh or dried lemon verbena leaves (or 4 stalks lemongrass, minced) 6 sprigs fresh cilantro (or flat-leaf parsley) 3 sprigs fresh […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'FIRE UP YOUR WINTER MEALS'. Sweet and hot, we add a dash of sour to this ultimate of comfort foods. Add parsley or other fresh green herbs, or add shredded, cooked chicken for a hearty meal. (Makes 4 to 6 servings) Ingredients 3 Tbsp coconut oil 1 onion, chopped 1 […]