saffron incense organic

Create a romantic menu for your Sweetie Pie

Herbs and spices are an excellent way to create a romantic dinner for your sweetie pie!  Adding so much depth of flavour and originality to any dish, most herbs and spices are minimally processed and good for all parts of your health. Plus, your dinner companions will oohh and ahh at your culinary expertise! As an added bonus, cloves are renowned to be a great aphrodisiac. Bon appetit! Just remember not to overdo the garlic my friends…

Try them alone or together, fresh or dried, and you’ll be amazed at the combinations that you can come up with.  Because of their dazzling personalities, they are an excellent replacement for sugar and salt. 

Plus, they come in all varieties such as sweet, spicy, pungent, savory, musky or peppery, so take your pick.   Nothing beats the fresh scent of herbs in the summer (or year round); try growing your own at home.  There are lots of easy-to-use products on the market today to grow at home, guaranteeing that no pesticides or harsh chemicals will come into contact with you or your family.  If you aren’t into a grow-op in your kitchen, your local health food store or farmer’s market probably carry organic options for you.  Here’s a look at some common choices:

Basil – Bright green, rounded leaves are a signature hallmark of Basil.  Do you say Bay-zil or do you say Baah-zil?  No matter how you say it, it tastes great.  A member of the mint family, it’s a shoe-in for Italian meals, Curried dishes, fresh salads and even desserts!  Basil is an excellent remedy for the common cold, diarrhea, and anxiety, as well as carrying some awesome antibacterial properties.

Cayenne Pepper – Used by Native Americans for centuries, Cayenne pepper is made from the dried pulp of chilli peppers.  Chalk-full of ‘capsaicin’, a compound known to destroy Cancer cells, cayenne pepper is widely known to help heal ulcers and haemorrhoids, reduce harmful plaque in your arteries and rebuild intestinal lining and stomach cells.  It is an excellent spice for heart health as it improves overall circulation & lowers cholesterol, as well as removes toxins from your blood.  Ay Karumba!

Cilantro (Coriander) – A versatile herb, with its’ delicate green leaves can sometimes be confused with its’ distant cousin, Parsley.  No mistaking the aromatic pungent perfume of Cilantro however, it’s likely to show up in Mexican, Asian, or Spanish cuisine.  This guy has been around for years and years, dating way back to Biblical times.  Prosperous in vitamin C, Cilantro is also a huge supporter of the digestive system and is a fungicide too. 

Cinnamon – What a fantastic spice!  Usually used in great amounts around the Holidays, cinnamon can also be used year-round for lowering blood pressure and harmful cholesterol levels.  In addition, try adding cinnamon to your diet to eliminate Candida or to reduce the symptoms of yeast infections.  As if that weren’t't enough, cinnamon has been proven to reduce the spreading of Cancer cells, to reduce pain in arthritis patients, and act as a natural food preservative, inhibiting bacterial growth.  Try it for brain health and memory!

Cloves – Hailing from the Clove tree that typically grows in tropical climates, cloves come from the flower buds at the tips of this evergreen species.  Cloves are superstars when it comes to fighting halitosis, diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, & cholera, muscle spasms and flatulence.  Also used in some parts as an aphrodisiac, cloves offer anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, analgesic, digestive, and metabolic help when needed.  They may also be used as an insect repellant.

Dill – Where would the world be without this amazing herb?  It has brought us so many good things! An undisputed champion in places like Scandinavia and Russia, (where incidentally it was born) dill carries with it the benefits of being an anti-bacterial plant, as well as one that protects you from free-radicals and dangerous toxins in your cells.  Try it on Fish, in soups, with smoked salmon and on chicken.  Dee-lish!

Garlic – Does the “King” really need an introduction?  Certainly applause: Well, thank ya, thank ya very much……”  Garlic is widely known for its’ help with digestion, fighting infections, speeding up healing, and lowering blood cholesterol and fats.  Delicious any way you slice it; it’s the jack of all herbs!

Ginger – Across the board, Ginger gets around!  In soups, drinks, main courses, desserts and cookies, Ginger is a super star.  Either in sweet dishes, spicy dishes, or savoury dishes, Ginger adds that “Je ne sais quoi”.  If Garlic is the King, then Ginger must be the Queen as it helps to promote a healthy gut.  Relief from gas, indigestion, nausea, cramps, and diarrhea are all part of her repertoire.  As well, Ginger is a famous anti-inflammatory and pain killer, blood detoxifier, and skin cleanser.  Phew!

Oregano – With a flavourful, pleasant aroma, Oregano is found in, and used for many purposes throughout the world.  It has remarkable anti-bacterial properties, known to stage off parasites and the bacteria species that are commonly found to cause food poisoning.  Besides that, Oregano is thought to help retard the aging process and prevent certain Cancers due to its high anti-oxidant levels.  You gotta love that!!  Apply some oil of Oregano on the soles of your feet next time you feel a cold coming on – it won`t last long!

Parsley – Typically the “Garnish Herb”, is so much more than just a plain ‘ole garnish.  Often thrown out or cast aside on dinner plates, Parsley is seriously under-rated and normally used only for its good looks.  You should never judge a book by its’ cover because it is said to help detoxify your body, reduce inflammation, prevent halitosis, aid digestion, prevent kidney stones and ease menstrual cramping.  Virtually good for every system in the body, it should be called the “Wonder Herb” instead.

Saffron – A heart-healthy spice, Saffron has quite a number of positive attributes!  Lowering blood cholesterol, anti-cancer, anti-depressant, and anti-asthmatic, just to name a few, saffron is wonder-spice for many organs and body parts.   Most commonly known for its’ digestive abilities, saffron may also be used to combat issues of the urinary system comprised of the bladder and kidneys or used as a mild sedative.

Rosemary – So delicate, yet robust and memorable at the same time, Rosemary looks an awful lot like pine needles.  Its’ taste however is classified as fragrant and woody.  Hailing from the Mediterranean, it’s no wonder that this herb is often seen in Italian, Greek, and French cuisine.  From tea to desserts, and even pizza, try adding a little Rosemary to see what happens! Rosemary is packed calcium, B6 (the stress vitamin) and iron, giving you a little ‘umpff’ during the day.  In addition to this, Rosemary is thought to improve memory – who could ask for more?

Thyme – Listed last alphabetically, it certainly isn’t the least of herbs!  With its powerful taste, it packs a punch in soups, stews, sauces, stocks and salads.  Originating from Africa, Asia, & Northern Europe, Thyme was once thought to be the herb of ‘courage’ and was used as aromatherapy, in incense, and as a sleep aid.  More than likely, you will find Thyme in Caribbean, Turkish, or Lebanese kitchens, but it is also a staple in Spain and France.  Paired with Lamb, it is to die for!  Try it also to soothe lung ailments, overgrowths of fungus, or as an antiseptic.

Turmeric – An excellent anti-inflammatory, turmeric may also be used for digestion, for immunity, for brain health & cognitive function, as well as for preventing cancer and diabetes.

So, what are you making tonight??

[groupmage source="groupon" location=0 display=5]
[groupmage source="crowdsavings" location=1 display=5]

Illume Oversized Retro 16.2 oz 3 wick Natural Candle ILLUME is known for its vibrant home fragrances which have a loyal celebrity following including Madonna, Tricia Yearwood, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Colin Farrell and Christina Aguilera….

Illume Travel Tin 1.9 oz Natural Candle ILLUME is known for its vibrant home fragrances which have a loyal celebrity following including Madonna, Tricia Yearwood, Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Colin Farrell and Christina Aguilera….