Who would have thought that eating a handful of basil would relieve menstrual cramps? I first heard about basil for menstrual cramps when I was taking my herbalist training program and the teacher told us that eating 10 to 12 leaves would relieve menstrual cramps. This is just the...
As Americans, we typically associate oregano with Italian dishes (mmmm, pizza), however this aromatic herb is popular all around the world for its flavor; not only in Italy, but also the Philippines, Spain, Latin America, the Middle East and Greece. Did you know that oregano is actually a Greek word...
Black beans are a common food staple that are widely used in many classic South American dishes. These versatile beans have also found favor in American cooking. The United States is now one of the top growers of this bean that has a subtle flavor and enhances dishes like...
It’s a seasonal tradition to carve pumpkins in October and the majority of us scoop out and throw away that stringy inner goop without a second thought. Well, when the season rolls around this year, think twice! Inside that icky orange mess are gems of nutrition— the pumpkin seeds!...
What’s red, round and bursting with goodness? The tomato, of course! This juicy fruit (yes, a botanical fruit!) provides a veritable smorgasbord of vitamins and other essential elements that keep your body happily humming along. These include potassium, folic acid and vitamins A, C and E and the powerful...
Raw unfiltered honey is the nectar of the gods! Well, actually it’s the nectar of flowers mixed with the saliva of bees. It is hands down the preferred sweetener over table sugar, as it is unprocessed and contains a wealth of nutrients that can do everything from taming allergies to...
Amaranth is often lumped into the “ancient grain” category, however, it’s not actually a grain, but a seed. One amaranth plant may produce as many as half a million seeds! This ancient grain-like seed has been used for thousands of years as a source of food and even used...
Rosemary is native to the Mediterranean, but it now commonly found in home gardens, as it is quite easy to grow. The characteristic flavor of this robust, woodsy herb adds depth and interest to soups, sauces, stews, roasts and the like! Although just a small sprinkle of this herb...
Yes, salmon is one of the all-star foods that we are just head over heels in love with here at Good Decisions. It is one of the few foods that is incredibly rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which is a game changer for anyone who suffers from joint pain,...
Olive oil is just about as as prevalent as drinking water in the Mediterranean. It’s basically used in every meal! This tasty golden nectar made from olives is the central reason to why we associate the people of this region of the world with amazing longevity, ample health, and gorgeous, vital skin...
I think sage is one of those mysterious herbs that most of us don’t quite know how to cook with. It also seems to have this sort of luxurious mystique to it. For instance if you’re out to eat and see “sautéed carrots with sage” on the menu, one might think to themselves…...
Sunflower seeds are an American staple at baseball games. Even though the players with a fondness for spitting might simply use them as an alternative to chewing tobacco, they are reaping many health benefits. Not to mention that they are most likely the healthiest food you’ll find in the entire stadium!...
Really? Beef? An all-star food? Why, yes! For many years the mainstream media and our doctors drilled into our head the notion that red meat raises cholesterol and causes heart disease. Fortunately a great deal of new research is disproving this theory. When it comes from a healthy, happy cow...
Did you know that there are more nutrients in spinach per calorie than any other food on the planet? It’s no wonder Popeye ate so much! This leafy green is loaded with phytonutrients, vitamins, and minerals including magnesium, manganese, folate, iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E,...
So what’s the deal with the sweet potato fry craze these days? Most people tend to have a general idea that sweet potatoes are more nutritious than the regular white variety, but is it true? Because they sure do taste pretty awesome. The answer is, yes, they are more...
The phrase “cool as a cucumber” says it all. This unassuming vegetable is both cooling for the body, as it is made up of 95% water, and is just straight up cool because of it’s array of other calming and stabilizing health benefits! It’s abilities range from the mundane— aiding digestion,...
Pure Maple Syrup is one of nature’s sweeteners that actually has some wonderful health benefits. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not telling you to go ahead and have pancakes for breakfast every morning (although I do love a good whole grain buttermilk short stack myself), but it is a big thumbs up...
We all know that dill pairs fabulously with pickles, but most of us probably aren’t aware of all the benefits that this tangy, fern-like herb can provide us with. Let’s just say that after you’re done reading this, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were to grab for dill the next time...
I’m thinking that many of you may be more familiar with thyme’s reference in the Simon & Garfunkel song than you are with actually using this herb in your kitchen. Well, we’re going to change that because thyme not only adds complexity and flavor to a multitude of dishes,...
Mint is well known for freshening our breath, but did you know it can also help to ease many ills? This herb has hundreds of varieties that have been used for medicinal purposes from the time of our early ancestors, and is particularly popular is Ayurvedic medicine. Mint can...
When I think of horseradish, I instinctively associate it with that supremely tangy shrimp cocktail sauce. To be quite honest, it never even crossed my mind that it would be used for anything else…until now! Not only has this plant’s pungent properties been used for centuries to aid in...
Even if you’re a huge papaya fan, you’ve most likely never given a second thought to those somewhat squishy, clear-coated black little seeds that are hiding inside such a delicious fruit. Well, if you happen to be dealing with parasites, you definitely want to think twice before throwing them...
The benefits of cauliflower are often forgotten about among the amazing diversity of more brightly colored vegetables that are valued for their potent nutrition. Just because the color of our common variety of cauliflower isn’t a show stopper like it’s vibrantly green cousin broccoli, don’t underestimate it’s power! Cauliflower is...
These salty mollusks are wonderfully rich gifts from the sea! If you can become accustomed to their slippery texture, eating oysters will provide you will a vast array of nutrients to benefit your health. They are incredibly high in zinc and other minerals and are known to boost your metabolism, fortify your...
If you’ve ever visited Wisconsin, I’m sure you took notice that the Friday Night Fish Fry is almost as important as Packer’s football to a majority of the population there. While both are time-honored traditions, those who participate in this long-standing fish fry ritual may not realize that a superfood is actually hiding in that heaping...
When I think of beautiful, young looking skin, the first food I think of is cantaloupe. It has been said that a diet high in bright orange fruits and veggies is better than the fountain of youth and I’d have to agree! Cantaloupe is nutrient dense, which means it...
Asparagus, an Aphrodisiac? Did you know that this long, slender, easy to cook vegetable is as good for your love life as it is for your health? Asparagus is said to be an aphrodisiac, as it is high in nutrients such as vitamin E which helps support the production of...
Cranberries aren’t just for Thanksgiving, or at least they shouldn’t be, based on the cornucopia of health benefits they bring your way. For starters, cranberries are extremely high in vitamin C and contain notable amounts of manganese, copper, iron and fiber. Mix in the berries’ antibacterial and antioxidant effects, and...
I was first exposed to fennel when my Italian stepfather brought out a small plate of fresh fennel slices after an extremely filling five-course Italian meal. At the time I could not have even eaten a wafer-thin mint, as I was that full, but I somehow managed to chew...
Mmmm, avocado….one of my absolute favorite foods. I can’t help but salivate over the thought of homemade guacamole as I write this! Let’s just agree that this creamy, pear-shaped fruit is unlike any other. With it’s heart-healthy fat, powerful antioxidants and potent nutrient content, this fruit should be a staple...
These earthy-flavored jewels contain more than 80 nutrients! While beets are rich in folate, manganese, vitamin C, potassium, copper and fiber, the real all-star component is the antioxidant that gives them their neon magenta purple color, called betalains. Betalains are pigments that function as phytonutrients and are similar to anthocyanins, which...
For many of us, dandelions bring back childhood memories of making a wish and blowing the soft, cottony seeds across the lawn. For a smaller population, they are the first sign of spring and an opportunity to feast on one of the healthiest foods for next to nothing. Dandelion greens have...
Don’t judge a fish by it’s size! While anchovies may come in small packages, their nutrient content packs a mean punch. They are rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin C, potassium and loads of other vitamins and minerals. These guys are also loaded with protein! As you may recall from high school biology,...
We all know that sports drinks are hydrating. They are designed to replenish electrolytes lost during exercise.The typical go-to are popular sports drinks like Gatorade®, especially since professional athletes constantly appear on television proclaiming the value they have for any and every workout. We know a pro athlete would never lie to the...
There is no doubt that bone broths truly are magical liquids. Now this just might evoke images of hunchbacked witches stirring a cauldron full of bubbling liquid, but don’t let that scare you away from cooking up your own batch! A cup of heart-warming, homemade bone broth will not only begin...
Kidney Beans are an amazing source of protein for many people all over the world. Did you know that they are named “kidney” beans because they are shaped and colored like the actual organ? These hearty beans are rich in many nutrients and very high in dietary fiber. When it...