Maple syrup is the concentrated extract of the sap of maple trees. It adds a rich, deep flavor to foods and drinks.
Make sure to look for 100% pure maple syrup, not maple-flavored corn syrup. As with all sweeteners, organic varieties are best.
Adapted from “The Cane Mutiny,” New Age Magazine, March/April 1999.
Food Focus: Peppercorns We are all familiar with black pepper as a seasoning. How many of us know that it is actually a medicinal berry that grows from a vine? Black, white, and green peppercorns are all berries from the same vine. Black peppercorns are actually dried green peppercorns that are picked before they ripen. If they…
Cilantro (This article appeared in the December, 2010 issue of A Healthy You.) The leaves of the coriander plant are called Cilantro. It is also known as Chinese Parsley. It is a sweet and fragrant herb that has been used medicinally in many cultures for many years. It is also a very good source of…
Food Focus: Winter Squash (This article appeared in the October 2011 issue of A Healthy You and was prepared as part of a collaborative effort with other IIN Health Coaches).) As members of the Curcurbitaceae family, winter squash come in a multitude of sizes and colors. With hard shells, some have a shelf life of…
Food Focus: Sprouts (This article appeared in the May,2011 issue of A Healthy You) In the spring season, seeds flaunt their vitality and energy by sprouting. Sprouts of all varieties contain the building blocks of life in the form of vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and simple sugars. In their early growth state, sprouts are very…
Food Focus: Beans (This article appeared in the February, 2011 issue of A Healthy You.) Beans. They are good for the heart. Beans are found in most traditional cultures as a staple food, offering grounding and strengthening properties that enhance endurance: Beans, or legumes, which include peas and lentils, are an excellent source of plant-based…
Food Focus: Tomatoes Folklore Tomatoes used to be grown solely for decorations. In fact, during Colonial times, tomatoes were thought to be poisonous and that its poison would turn blood into acid. Meanwhile, the native people of South and Central America regarded tomato seeds as aphrodisiacs. The first tomatoes were probably first cultivated in Peru…