This is one of my favorite salads to make when the air grows cooler and my body is craving something healthy and warm. The roasted sweet potatoes add heartiness to the greens and the warm vinaigrette, inspired by Ina Garten, is the perfect complement. The first time I made this, my husband said it was one of the best salads I have ever made (and trust me, I’ve made a lot)!
{photos courtesy of Justin Chesney}
I am excited about this cold tonic and immune system booster! If I ever feel a sickness coming on, I often reach for a clove of garlic, so this blend of garlic, raw honey, and probiotics sounded perfect. I think of garlic as nature’s antibiotic-it boasts antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and even anti-cancerous properties! Garlic is a powerful immune system booster that stimulates the multiplication of white blood cells, which fight off infection in your body. This is due largely in part to the sulfur containing compound allicin, which I discovered is even more easily assimilated into your body after fermentation! And if that’s not enough, the raw honey added to the tonic is full of natural vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants! Just like garlic, raw honey is also antiviral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and it’s great for coating sore throats and reducing irritation. Combine the power raw honey and garlic with benefits of probiotics from the fermentation process and you have the perfect immune boosting, kick-your-cold-in-the-butt team!
I have been making kombucha for a couple of years now, and I love that I always have some on hand whenever I want a refreshing drink and a good boost of probiotics. If you know me, you probably know I am a big proponent of probiotics, especially from fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, etc. Good bacteria is essential to our health. Did you know that 70-80% of our immune system is located in our gut? That’s pretty huge! Even more of a reason to be mindful of what we are putting into our bodies. Probiotics, or good bacteria, kill off bad bacteria that are hanging out in our intestine, which leads to a more balanced gut, and in turn a stronger immune system. Probiotics have also been shown to decrease inflammation in the body (think arthritis, asthma, Chrohn’s disease). What’s really interesting to me is how a woman’s gut health during pregnancy and birth can influence the health of her child. All the more reason to drink up this fizzy drink! Continue reading
Oh, the holidays—the home-cooked meals, recipes and traditions that have been passed down for generations, parties, cocktails, dinners with friends, thoughtful gifts, relaxing with family, running around checking things off your to-do list, glistening snow, twinkling lights, and treats, lots of treats! Staying healthy during the busy holiday season can seem daunting, but if you follow these simple suggestions it’s as easy as a slice of homemade apple pie. Continue reading
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“Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable of doing it. On the contrary, if I have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it even if I may not have it at the beginning.”
-Mahatma Gandhi
Friends, I am embarking on a new adventure. Since April, I have been studying to be a holistic health coach with IIN. It has been fantastic and fulfilling, and I feel I have already learned so much. I’m excited to continue discovering and growing and would love to share these gems with you. For some time now, I have been tossing around the idea of starting a blog. Various friends have encouraged and even championed me to do so. The thought overwhelmed me. I felt pressure to be someone I’m not–to create a beautiful blog with eloquent writing and stunning photography. I pondered the idea, and my intentions, and the reality is, I would love to have a space to share, and discuss, and connect. I have never considered myself a writer or a photographer, but I would love to stretch my creative muscles. In a way, for me, starting this blog is akin to skydiving. You feel overwhelmed by the thought of jumping out of that plane, and your mind is racing with all the things that could go wrong, but then you take that leap into a sea of clouds and it’s exhilarating. Like Gandhi says, “Man often becomes what he believes himself to be.” If I trust myself to be real and honest, and share my passions, I can only hope others will connect. I am passionate about wellness and food and love to share this passion with others, and this seems like a perfect canvas to do so. If you’re interested, join me on my journey. Ask questions, make comments…let this be an interactive community where we can learn together how to nourish both our bodies and our souls.
Bloom & Nourish 
