(Originally published in 2019; Updated in 2025) Do you want to live to be 110? You might be surprised by how many people are reluctant to answer that question with enthusiasm. One reason is that they believe their final 10 years will be full of pain. So, a better angle would focus on one’s ‘health’ […]

(Originally published in 2011; Updated in 2025) Peanut butter sandwiches in lunchboxes and “peanuts and Cracker Jacks” at the ball game are things of the past. Whether you’re avoiding allergenic foods to prevent a fatal allergic reaction, or to alleviate skin rashes, itchy throats or gastrointestinal upset, food allergies have a profound affect on the […]

(Originally published in 2017; Updated in 2025) Relax and take cheer; Lemon Balm is here. This refreshingly humble member of the Mint family (Melissa officinalis) is often considered to be a weed. Yet it is a surprisingly hip and helpful herb. Aromatherapists use its essential oil to comfort people such as the terminally ill or […]

(Originally written in 2017; updated in 2025) Grandma used to say that the next best thing to admiring flowers while  strolling through the yard or  summer woodlands was picking a handful to be used for "prettying up the plate". For her, dining on a delectable flower was one of life's simplest pleasures. My grandparents had […]

(Updated April 2025) During the fall and winter months when the days are shorter, we tend to stay indoors and be more sedentary. Our bodies begin to build up layers of insulating fatty tissue to protect us from the cold. When spring arrives, a shift occurs and our natural tendency is to burn off the […]

Ayurveda is a holistic system indigenous to India and practised worldwide. The word Ayurveda is a Sanskrit term meaning "science of life." Ayu means "life" or "daily living", and Veda is "knowing". Ayurveda was first recorded in the Vedas – which are ancient Hindu scriptures. Widely practised in India, this holistic health approach encompasses the […]

(Originally published in 2003; Updated 2025) What better way to herald summer than with a glass of homemade wine made with ingredients gathered from nature in the spring? With a modicum of effort, unique and delicious wines can be made using almost any edible plant material including herbs, fruit, flowers, leaves, roots and even tree […]

Herbalists and other healers have long championed the bitter taste of certain herbs and garden greens. Yet the majority of North Americans still shun these essential foods, preferring salty and sweet over the equally important sour and bitter.

(Editor’s note: The following collection of recipes was originally published in December 2017 and has been updated for re-release this month.) The holidays are a time when friends and family gather around the table to break bread and catch up on news and gossip. Traditional holiday menus tend to be heavy on the meat, but […]

Chile Pepper Medicine Turns Up the Heat

The mighty capsicum (botanical name for pepper) has been named 2016 Herb of the Year by the International Herb Association.

As our local markets bulge with the fall harvest, I feel a growing sense of urgency to capture the amazing variety and freshness that local food has to offer. Whether you’re an organics-obsessed foodie or enjoy hunting for the perfect pumpkin, autumn trips to market are bound to cause a twinge of the winter is-almost-here […]

From the Vitality Food Feature 'SIMMERED FALL SUPPERS'. From the Vitality Food Feature 'Lemony Herbs Add Zest and Zing to Spring Meals'. (Makes about 1-1/2 cups) Ingredients 1 Tbsp coriander seeds 2 tsp cumin seeds 1 tsp fenugreek seeds ½ tsp green peppercorns 1 star anise 4 cloves garlic 2 shallots or ½ cup chopped […]

Summer is the season for lighter fare and nothing says light and bright better than a colourful array of grilled fruits. They can be the crowning glory to any indoor or outdoor feast, and not only do grilled fruits make for a luscious dessert — they are perfect for serving as appetizers and side dishes, […]

Summertime is finally here and hydration is key to enjoying the season with optimum health. On days when it’s hazy, hot, and humid I turn to my favourite cool herbal beverages for refreshment. I hope you'll enjoy these tasty recipes and learn how easy it is to make herbal iced tea preparations.  These are some […]

1890 could be called “the year the human diet started to go downhill”. That was the year that a new milling technique which removed fibre from whole grains to produce white flour swept the country. Although celebrated as progress, the milling technique displaced beneficial nutrients and created refined carbohydrates which were widely consumed in the […]

Most people who use herbs and other natural remedies have certain favourites that they rely on when needed. However, one place often overlooked as a source of healing remedies is the kitchen cupboard. It’s good to know what healing tools we have available to us because we never know when we are going to need […]