The Herbs and foods for Winter Health

What are your favorite winter herbs and foods for health?
 When we feel well and healthy we don't think about how to keep it this way. Our home-based wisdom has long been lost among the threads of medical advice that have been spun since grandma.  Most Grandmas don't really know anymore, either.

 It's not any one's fault, really. It is when we get sick, that we think about the remedies to cure our ailments. This is natural. But, our diets are integral part of our overall health with many wonderful sources of life-giving and health-giving foods, herbs and spices right here in the kitchen. But, this is December! No! Wait until after the holidays!

Yes, this is December and there is so much emphasis on the  holidays and the wonderfully tasting foods that go with them. The holidays appear as winter does and our focus is on our celebrations of being together -and eating, heartily, what we often complain about afterward. We desire to provide the relishes of the season or we expect to be served them. Despite their calories, this is the time to party, right? We go for it. Whether it be office parties or family gatherings, this doesn't seem to be the time to develop and maintain a sense of order and self-control with  what we eat and how we eat through the season.

OK, I admit it.  I am not that much different than anyone else. I love my glass of red wine and dark chocolate, too, etc, etc. So, what I am proposing? I am proposing to NOT eliminate foods but to CHOOSE TO ADD foods that are life-giving into our menus over the winter season. This works especially well with families who have picky eaters or who have  hard core meat and potato fans with big appetites. i.e. I am not advocating skipping out on the celebration of fun eating. I am saying lets add on healthy additions to our diet in between all the fun. Game?

 What would a winter health-promoting diet look like? What should we include in our diets "in between the fun"? Should we exclude any foods? Perhaps it is something to contemplate before the New Year and to make gradual, step by step eliminations  as time goes on.  Over time the new foods and herbs will push over the old foods and habits. After all is said and promised, we can, at least, try.
 I know that we can do this. I don't believe if we punish ourselves over what we eat that we will feel better about what we do eat. Staying healthy or eating healthy is not about punishment. Nope. Not. We have to believe we are nurturing ourselves. If not, then go back to go. Not ready.

OK, OK, where's the list?
When we are cooking each day for ourselves and/or our families we should include
 GARLIC and
ONIONS as often as we can. I think I can include garlic in a recipe every day. Make your own salad dressings and include chopped fresh garlic. Add Garlic to stir fry, soup, stew, meats, fish, veggie sauces and spreads. Add
SHALLOTS and
LEEKS in soups and in stir fry. Add ginger. Fresh ginger is amazing. Don't be shy from
HORSERADISH either. It is adds a spark and heat to foods. It can clear the sinuses like nothing else! Cook with herbs such as
BASIL,
THYME,
ROSEMARY,
PARSLEY and
SAGE.

Choose the warming spices such as
CINNAMON,
CARDAMON,
CLOVES and
NUTMEG in cooking.  It is no wonder that  our  ancestors mixed these wonderful aromatic spices with our
APPLES,
PUMPKIN and
SQUASHES; Butternut, Acorn, Turban and Blue Hubbard, for winter meals. Buy organic and locally grown roots, vegetables, fruits, grains and meats when you can. Keep it local, fresh, and organic. Think roots. Have a root vegetable with meals as often as you can fit it  in. The roots include,
SWEET POTATOES,
WHITE AND RED POTATOES,
CARROTS,
TURNIPS,
 RUTABAGA,
BRUSSEL SPROUTS,
CELERIAC,
 BEETS, and
PARSNIPS. Eat the winter greens such as
KALE It is a bit bitter for children so add butternut  squash or carrots. Steam Kale and carrots or Butternut squash together and flavor with honey if needed. Use
MUSHROOMS of any kind. They are immune system protective, anti-inflammatory and cancer fighting. Saute in garlic and olive oil, or slice raw in salads.
Our antioxidant berries are our native fruits the cranberries here in New England. Use
CRANBERRIES for pancakes and breads, or sprinkle dried cranberries in salads with walnuts. While oranges often can cause sinus congestion, use lemons and limes for salad dressings and Red Grapefruits at breakfast for added vitamin C.
BROCCOLI has all the nutrients and vitamins for healthful living. Broccoli protects against cancer, heart disease, stroke, vision problems and bone loss.

The winter months have shorter days. It is part of our well-being to have plenty of rest. Allow the night to fall and darkness to  close in on the evening. Get plenty of rest now and through the winter months. It is OK to sleep more now. You will naturally be more awake later, and you will be up for more hours as the days lengthen. Our activities and lives often don't allow us to follow the ebb and flow of the seasons. Yielding to the closing in of winter and creating warmth with the herbs and foods we eat will help keep us healthy throughout the winter before us.

I found this old CHAI TEA recipe that does NOT use black tea as a base.
Try it tell me what you think:

Grate 1 oz of fresh ginger,
add seven peppercorns,
a cinnamon stick
5 whole cloves, and
15 Cardamon seeds.
Heat in one pint of water and simmer for 10 minutes. Then add 1/2 cup of milk and simmer for another 10 minutes. Add a sprinkle of nutmeg and a few drops of vanilla extract. Drink 1 cup of the tea sweetened with honey, twice per day or as needed for warmth.

Coming next: Kitchen and herbal remedies for sniffles and colds.