Favorite Finds

Renew and refresh your life with items to add zest and enhance well-being.

by tamira franz, director of health & wellness mollie stone’s markets

The cold season can be a challenging time to stay energized, motivated, and healthy. It’s a time when we seek comfort and familiarity, but now is a good time to regroup and refresh the grocery list with options that add a touch of zest, enhance well-being, and prepare the soul for spring.

We have all been told prevention is better than the cure and heard of folk remedies or read self-care blogs about foods revered to boost the immunity, lift the doldrums, or ward off colds. Why not refresh your grocery list and stock up with items to renew and balance your lifestyle? At Mollie Stone’s we offer fresh and seasonal products to make a difference in people’s lives.

Here are items to add to your next grocery list, along with easy recipes.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is made from the fermentation of apple cider. Chances are you have heard about the benefits of vinegar, particularly apple cider vinegar, for health and medicinal uses. While there are many claims about the tart golden-hued liquid—from warding o colds by gargling to curbing appetite by ingesting a tablespoon before a meal— the fact is, apple cider vinegar will zest up your next meal or snack. Here are some ideas to use it:

Substitute in recipes calling for red or white vinegar. If you love popcorn and want a low-calorie substitute for butter, fill a spray bottle with apple cider vinegar, finely spray popcorn, and top with a little salt or pepper. Drizzle a teaspoon on top of your fresh salad or mix it with your favorite salad dressing. It also pairs nicely with bean or potato salads. Use instead of lemon to give beverages a zing!

For a refreshing beverage, try Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar drinks (note their new look).

Turmeric

Turmeric, used in Asia for thousands of years as a culinary and medicinal spice, is referred to as the “spice of life.” A member of the ginger family, turmeric is available fresh as a root in the produce department, as an herbal supplement in the vitamin department, or as a ground spice in the grocery aisle. Due to increasing awareness and consumer appeal, turmeric is included in well-known tea and beverage brands. In addition to reaching for the newest juice or box of tea enhanced with turmeric, try experimenting with the fresh root or ground spice as suggested below. Just be careful to use sparingly: As you become accustomed to the flavor, it can easily overpower the recipe with its pungency.

Try fresh turmeric as a beverage tonic: Remove the peel and grate a small amount.

When making an omelet, add freshly grated turmeric to the pan before cooking the eggs.

Use turmeric root or powder in pureed soups such as split pea, butternut squash, or cauliflower. Blend the fresh root or a pinch of powder into a smoothie. Use the powder to make Golden Lattes.

Did you know? Navitas sources organic turmeric powder specifically from a source with high curcumin, the revered compound in turmeric that gives it its antiinflammatory properties. Pair with a pinch of black pepper to enjoy the maximum nutritional benefits of turmeric powder.

Honey

Honey is a good source of antioxidants and known to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. It has a long medicinal history from the ancient Greeks to modern home remedies where a spoonful has been used to soothe a sore throat or act as an alternative to cough syrup for generations. Honey is a versatile ingredient that livens up a variety of dishes, from sweet to savory. Try these ideas:

Satisfy your snack cravings by tossing thinly sliced sweet potatoes with honey and ghee (clarified butter), then arrange on a lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake at 400°F on each side for approximately 5 minutes. Remove from oven and sprinkle with cinnamon, salt, and pepper. (Recipe courtesy of the National Honey Board.)

For an added boost, try Wedderspoon Immunity Gummies. O ered in two flavors, the gummies are crafted with authentic Manuka honey and vibrant whole fruits like kiwi and apple, plus 100% RDI from naturally sourced organic Amla. The Berry gummy is made with a probiotic for immune and digestive support. The Citrus gummy is made with zinc and selenium for an immune boost. Both are free of artificial ingredients and contain no cane sugar.

Spring Cleaning

by neka pasquale m.s. lac, founder of urban remedy

Spring is the time when the body comes out of the dormant yin stage of winter. It goes into the yang stage of new beginnings, represented by sprouting, growing, and movement. It is the time between winter and summer when seeds sprout, flowers bloom, and the dry hills turn green again.

In our hectic lives, the liver and body become overloaded. From the poor food we eat, the unhealthy lifestyle we might lead, and the environmental toxins we come in contact with, we can feel tired, sluggish, and out of sorts. By cleansing the liver, we rejuvenate our body and mind and may slow down the aging process.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, the free flow of liver and gallbladder energy is the number one disease preventative. It is the best way to guarantee health and harmony. Take advantage of spring’s manifestation in your body. For your liver, decide to do some emotional spring cleaning.

Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha, an evergreen shrub that grows in Asia and Africa, is commonly used for stress. And Rowdy Mermaid, an innovative organic beverage company, o ers a happy twist on soda with its good-mood soda containing 200 milligrams of ashwagandha extract, low sugar (4-5 grams) and only 20-25 calories per can. Feel the good mood in classic flavors: Cola, Lemon Lime, Orange, and Grape. Did you know? Ashwagandha is an important herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine originated in India more than 3,000 years ago and is considered one of the world’s oldest medical systems.

Eating smaller portions greatly reduces the stress put on the liver. Also, incorporate foods that cool and cleanse the liver such as organic fresh greens, apple, cherry, grapefruit, lemon, sprouts, wheat and barley grasses, beets and their greens, kale, parsley, onions, turmeric, mint, apple cider vinegar, quinoa, oats, sunflower seeds, green tea, seaweed, dandelion root, chamomile flowers, asparagus, and all green vegetables. (Juicing green vegetables is highly recommended.)

Urban Remedy Deep Cleaning and Glow juice, all our greens juices, Matcha Mint Tea Latte, and our seasonal salads, are all excellent choices.