Stock Up on Natural Pantry Staples - Spices

Spices such as ginger (great for digestion and the immune system), saffron (a heart-healthy antioxidant), and paprika (an anti-inflammatory) can transform a bland meal into something extraordinary.

To increase your spice intake, try a curry blend (typically a combination of turmeric, coriander, cinnamon, cumin, and paprika, among others), which promotes perspiration and increases metabolism. Stocking curry pastes makes using this spice blend even easier. Like herbs, make sure to replace your spices after 6 months and always buy organic when available.

Stock Up on Natural Pantry Staples - Dried Herbs

For those times when you can't get fresh herbs, keep dried thyme, sage, and oregano on hand to boost the flavor of nearly any dish. Lavender is also great for its stress-busting benefits (add some to marinara or stir dried lavender into sauces for lamb or chicken and sprinkle it into the cavity of a chicken before roasting). To maximize dried herbs' potential, don't skimp on price (always buy organic herbs to avoid pesticides in your herbs), and replace every four to six months.

Stock Up on Natural Pantry Staples - Dried Mushrooms

Skip the white buttons and portabellos and opt for immune-building shiitakes, maitakes (also known as hen-of-the-woods), and porcinis. Shiitakes and porcinis are known for their cancer-fighting power, while maitakes help lower blood pressure and blood sugar (great for those with diabetes).

Use these mushrooms for their low-calorie, intense flavor. Rehydrate them in water and then add (with their strained, flavored liquid) to risottos, stir-fries, sautes, and tomato sauces.

Stock Up on Natural Pantry Staples - Garlic

This superfood inhibits 72 known infectious agents, including those that cause the common cold. Garlic also protects against ulcers and may help eliminate metals, such as lead, from the body. A cornerstone of many cuisines, it's also great on its own, roasted and spread on warm bread. Need garlic roasters or prefer garlic pills, find them here.

Alternative to Artificial Fragrances - cont.

Are you searching for alternatives to health-hazardous artificial fragrances? Try the naturally scented products below.

• Beeswax Lip Balm by Burt's Bees. A touch of peppermint oil blends with honey-tinged beeswax for a tingly lip treat
• Fabric Softner by Ecover. The calming aroma of lavender creates a fabric softner that leaves clothes soft and sweetly scented
• Unscented Baby-Mild Pure-Castile Soap by Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps. Mild for the sensitive skin, with vitamin E. if you haven't tried Dr. Bronner's yet - you must!

Alternatives to Artificial Fragrances-cont.

Are you searching for alternatives to health-hazardous artificial fragrances? Try the naturally scented beauty products below.

• Almond Moisture Cream by Weleda. Relax skin with a combo of sweet almond and plum kernel oil in this gentle cream
• Unscented Very Emollient Body Lotion by Alba Botanica. Pamper dryness with aloe, chamomile, and green tea (my favorite-there is even Alba with SPF 16!)

Alternatives to Artificial Fragrances

Are you searching for alternatives to health-hazardous artificial fragrances? Try the naturally scented cleaners below. Unscented goods steer clear of fragrance, while essential and other plant-derived oils please the nose in scented ones.

• Natural Blue Eucalyptus & Lavender Detergent by Seventh Generation. Your laundry will smell fresh, not cloying.
• Free & Clear Liquid Laundry Determent by Ecos. Gets the job done without scent; good for the fragrance-sensitive.

Do Not Throw Compact Fluorescent Lamps Away!

We all have heard that CFL light bulbs are better than incandescent but did you know you need to recycle old CFL lights? CFL releases mercury vapor when broken; just one CFL contains about 5 milligrams of mercury, enough to contaminate up to 6,000 gallons of water beyond what is safe to drink. Imagine what thousands of broken CFL in our landfills could do to our water supply!

Mercury is emitted into the atmosphere and redeposited in our water and land as it winds its way through the waste stream. So be sure to recycle your old CFL bulbs and pass it on!

Natural Egg Dyeing

Spring has sprung - or promises to, anyway. If you're dyeing eggs in celebration, engage nature in the process this year. Natural ingredients like herbs and spices offer an endless variety of hues for dyeing eggs -- from the soft purple shades of hibiscus to the rich gold tones of turmeric.

The more eggs you're dyeing, the more dyestuff you'll need. Have fun experimenting with herbs and spices to see what colors they impart, but here are some suggestions to get you started:

Reddish blue/lavender: Hibiscus flowers

Deep gold: Turmeric root powder

Pale yellow: Safflower petals

Pale orange: Curry powder

Reddish brown: Chili powder

Orange: Paprika

Soft brown: Dill seed

Tannish yellow: Yarrow

Other natural products that make lovely dyes:

Beet juice or beet powder, berries, coffee, juice, lemon and orange peels, red cabbage leaves, tea, onion skins. For Natural Egg Dyeing Directions email us at customerservice@ediblenature.com

Easy Weight Loss Solution #3

White Tea
Compounds in white tea may stall the growth of new fat cells, as well as trigger the breakdown of fat in existing fat cells, according to a report in Nutrition & Metabolism. White Tea is low in caffeine and high in antioxidants, and could be helpful in averting the many health problems linked to buildup of fat around the waistline - the worse kind of fat.

Easy Weight Loss Solution #2

Vitamin D for Weight Loss?
The evidence: In a study of 38 overweight men and women, University of Minnesota researchers found that those with higher vitamin D levels lost more weight when placed on a low-calorie diet. Additionally, Vitamin D is proven to be so important to health -- in terms of bone strength, heart health, and cancer prevention -- it should be incorporated into your health routine even if weight loss isn't your top priority.

Easy Weight Loss Solutions

Of course we all know eating right & exercising are the key to weight loss, but a few simple tricks to jump start your metabolism and enhance your efforts couldn't hurt, right?

Capsaicin and Green Tea
The evidence: New research suggests that adding capsaicin (the chemical that gives hot peppers their spicy kick) and green tea to your diet could quash your hunger and cut calorie intake. So add some hot peppers to your stir-fry and drink a few cups of green tea to boost your metabolism.

Green Your Bathroom Space - Beautify Organically

Organic Skincare & Cosmetics

A 2007 study released by the Environmental Working Group found triclosan, phthalates, and bisphenol A in treated wastewater in San Francisco Bay. These potentially harmful chemicals are in some personal-care products and their packaging. Limit your exposure by using USDA-certified organic products.

Green Your Bathroom Space

Keep the Air Clean

Combine 30 to 40 drops total of up to three different oils (we like a lemon-lavender combination) with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix the oils and spritz as needed.

Green Your Bathroom Space - Use Recycled TP

Use Recycled Toilet Paper

If every family in the United States replaced one roll of conventional toilet paper with a roll of 100 percent recycled material, we'd save 423,900 trees in a year.

NEW AROMATHERAPY APP

Aura Cacia's new iPhone application puts the power of aromatic, natural, life-enhancing aromatherapy in your own hands. Download it for free today! Once you find the perfect essential oil for you, buy at below retail prices at www.EdibleNature.com

Green Your Bathroom Space - Tub Scrub

Here's a nontoxic but effective way to clean your tub: Add one teaspoon of liquid soap and several drops of an antibacterial essential oil (such as tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or peppermint) to one cup of baking soda. Add just enough water to form a paste, and use it with a sponge or brush to scour bathtub surfaces. Or you can buy form our quality, natural bathroom cleaners.