Ancient societies, particularly those of the Americas and China, have consistently used cayenne pepper therapeutically. A powerful anti-inflammatory, cayenne pepper is currently all-the-rage for cleansing and detoxifying regimes such as the Master Cleanse, which uses the spice’s health boosting properties to stimulate circulation and neutralize acidity in the body.

Cayenne pepper has been used for a variety of diseases and ailments including heartburn, delirium, tremors, gout, paralysis, fever, dyspepsia, flatulence, sore throat, atonic dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, menorrhagia in women, nausea, tonsillitis, scarlet fever and diphtheria.

The list below will expound upon more of the many health benefits of cayenne pepper.

Continue reading: “17 Health Benefits of Cayenne Pepper”

We have all heard much buzz lately about buying fair trade and organic products, particularly in reference to daily commodities such as coffee. But what does “fair trade” actually mean? And why is it so important to buy fair trade, organic coffee?

What is Fair Trade?

Fair Trade refers to the system of buying and selling goods and commodities in a way which the local producers and communities involved in the growth and production of the commodity are honored and paid a fair wage. Fair trade also may include policies that honor the local natural environment involved in the production, as well as the promotion of people-to-people connections, fairness and sustainability.

Continue reading: “Why You Should Buy Organic, Fair-Trade Coffee”

Its quite a shame that most people have lost their connection to the natural flow of the seasons, particularly in regard to how we spice our foods. Spices have long been used in Ancient China and India to balance the human body during the extremes of the seasons. According to traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda), it is important to use cooling spices during the summer months, as to avoid excess internal heat in the body.

Known as the “pitta,” or fire season, summer can lead to excess inflammation, acne, rash, sweating and even heat stroke. To keep the body cool during the summer months, Ayurveda recommends eating large amounts of cooling foods such as leafy bitter greens, cucumber, watermelon and coconut water. This 5,000 year-old food philosophy also places heavy emphasis on the use of cooling spices in the summer.

Here are ten of my favorite summer spices, that can help you cool off.

Continue reading: “9 Organic Spices to Cool You Off in The Summer”

Just because you live in an urban setting without adequate yard space, or in an especially cold or inhospitable climate, doesn’t mean that you can’t maintain a delicious selection of fresh fruits and vegetables year round.

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By setting up a proper aquaponic growing system, you can almost guarantee a healthy pay off. The costs and difficulty associated with aquaponics, hydroponics, and other soil-less gardening techniques have plummeted over the past several years, and today, you can set up an entire garden for a small fraction of what it cost in the past.

What is Aquaponics?

Aquaponics is a technique for growing plants in a controlled, recirculating water-based environment, rather than in soil. In many ways, it is similar to a hydroponic growing system. Which is to say that they are both soil-less gardening methods that use recirculated water to grow crops.

The primary difference being that, with aquaponics, the nutrients necessary to sustain plant growth come from animals living in the water. Normally, a hydroponic system requires the nutrients be added to the water supply.

Fish (or similar aquatic animals) are kept in one portion of the system. Their waste is carried to the plants which use it as fertilizer. This de-toxifies the water so it can be safely re-circulated back to the fish. If properly maintained, this symbiotic loop can continue almost indefinitely.

Continue reading: “Aquaponics: How to Grow Your Own Food in Water”

Ever wonder what farmers did hundreds of years ago to fight off crop pests? Long before the invention of harmful chemical pesticides (yes, the kind that is linked to cancerous cellular activity), farmers and householders came up with multiple remedies for removing insect infestations from their garden plants.

The following list will offer some of our favorite, all-natural, inexpensive, organic methods for making bug-busting pesticides for your home garden.

1. Neem

Ancient Indians highly revered neem oil as a powerful, all-natural plant for warding off pests. In fact, neem juice is the most powerful natural pesticide on the planet, holding over 50 natural insecticides. This extremely bitter tree leaf can be made in a spray form, or can be bought from a number of reputable companies.

To make your own neem oil spray, simply add 1/2 an ounce of high quality organic neem oil and ½ teaspoon of a mild organic liquid soap (I use Dr. Bronners Peppermint) to two quarts of warm water. Stir slowly. Add to a spray bottle and use immediately.

2. Salt Spray

For treating plants infested with spider mites, mix 2 tablespoons of Himalayan Crystal Salt into one gallon of warm water and spray on infected areas.

3. Mineral oil

Mix 10-30 ml of high-grade oil with one liter of water. Stir and add to spray bottle. This organic pesticide works well for dehydrating insects and their eggs.

Continue reading: “10 Homemade Organic Pesticides”