Get to know the SCOBY and other kombucha basics. Welcome to the world of kombucha!

The days are getting warmer and longer, and what better way to usher in the spring season than with a healthy mocktail that has a sweet, warm, and tangy essence. Let this drink both refresh and soothe you with its digestive, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting ingredients. Rain or shine, this beverage will taste celebratory and delicious.

Palm Springs is a health and wellness destination: endless vitamin D, nearly daily farmers markets, creme de la creme tennis courts, natural hot springs and date shakes. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of nine vegan– and vegetarian-friendly restaurants you can’t miss while in town.

Who says CBD mocktails can’t be warm, cozy and heart-opening? This mocktail is everything you asked for in winter, complete with a chocolate milk mustache and beaming heart chakra. A cup of nourishing goodness you can dress up or down. So, here we go!

I’d been looking for an effective way to monitor my day-to-day health in-between appts, when I came across @vesselhealth 😍Then they gifted me a few test strips to try out…

You just have to pee on the test strip (or, dip it), then scan it using the Vessel app to receive your results and recommendations within minutes. Kind of like a pregnancy test for your overall health.

A rejuvenating fall mocktail recipe for those perfect crisp fall days. This large batch of apple, pomegranate, and ginger juice will keep in the fridge for 2 to 3 days. To serve, simply pour it over ice along with sparkling water and mix in your favorite CBD tincture.

Until semi-recently, we all feasted on what we could grow. There was no option to have fruits and vegetables imported to our local or mega grocery stores, from other parts of the county or world. We enjoyed what was available to us, right here, and now.

This refreshing summer recipe makes a large batch of watermelon and mint juice that will keep in the fridge for two to three days. To serve, simply pour it over ice along with sparkling water and your favorite CBD tincture mixed in. This recipe was tested with Cordial Organic’s Enhance Whole Flower CBD Herbal Tincture.

Golden beets, aka Beta Vulgaris, are underground edible roots. Although not as famous as their red counterparts, they are often favored for the beautiful golden color, smoother texture and milder and sweeter flavor. Due to their nutrient density, they are highly acclaimed by nutritionists and have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. So, if you haven’t tried them out, then it’s time to give red beet’s golden sister a try.

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Persea Americana aka Avocados are just about every Californian’s favorite superfood. Their creamy, rich texture and mild flavor allows for versatility in both sweet and savory dishes. They can be used as a hip topping on toast, tacos, and nachos, or make the most excellent dip (hello, guac!). Avocados can add the perfect creaminess to any smoothie, or be used to thicken a dessert pudding. Although native to tropical climates, Callifornia produces 90% of the nation’s crop, and San Diego is the top producer in the state.

Fun fact: They are from the same family (lauraceae) as cinnamon.

Kabocha squash is the new pumpkin alternative. Actually, it’s known as Japanese pumpkin. You may have already tried it dipped in tempura batter while dining at a Japanese restaurant. This versatile and nutrient-dense winter squash is perfect for stuffing, roasting, pureeing, and more. While in-season (fall and winter), they are often found at farmer’s markets (come visit our stall!) or health food and Asian markets. Although it looks like a green pumpkin, its reddish-yellow flesh has a sweet taste and velvety texture, similar to a sweet potato.

My mom recently survived the inflammatory phase of COVID-19, and it was quite scary/isolating. I am writing this post to discuss what protocol we used, and what I wish we would have known beforehand. We do not claim to provide medical advice and are simply recounting our experience and the advice we were given by medical professionals.

An indoor plant movement has truly begun, and they are more popular than ever before. Plants make any space that much more aesthetically pleasing, bringing nature and all of its health benefits into our homes, regardless of what kind of setting you live in. They are the next best thing to getting a pet, and they are 100% landlord approved. You can have them in pots, hanging, on the floor, in boxes, or in a garden-like setting. Depending on the type of plant, they smell fresh and great, like lemon trees, mint, rosemary, lavender and roses. Yes, you can grow all of these indoors. And for those who ‘think’ they do not have a green thumb, please consider low maintenance plants like snake plants, air plants and cacti that barely need attention. There are also dried plants, like eucalyptus, and fake plants that require no maintenance. But come on, I know you can do better than that.

Aside from beautifying your space, plants also have psychological and health benefits. Check out this list of reasons why you may want to consider a plant, or two, or just go full Jumanji.

As gluten-free products, restaurants, and restaurant menu options become more mainstream, many are curious about the gluten-free diet and its health benefits. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye which you generally found in bread, cereals, and grains. Those who avoid it generally have celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder) which makes up 1% of the population, gluten (wheat, barley, rye) allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, due to adverse physical effects and reactions. There are also those with MTHFR mutations, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other health challenges who the diet is indicated for. When a gluten-free diet is recommended by a health provider, there can be various benefits and relief associated, such as:

Quin Butler of Hungry Vegan Lion works to promote her belief that “Everyone deserves to be happy and healthy.”

I wrote both the Hot Dish and In Season columns for Edible magazine’s Spring 2020 Issue.