Archives November 2022

Holiday cooking season

Hello fall and winter holiday cooking season, y’all! Nothing says cozy and yummy in this cold climate like a spicy pot of my healthy collard greens recipe. Collard greens are steeped in the traditions of the black diaspora in the Americas and beyond. They are also a favorite dish for this time of the year. However, I’ve since switched this dish up and made it into a much healthier and healing version of the original recipe. Granted, while most folks have their own little somethin’, somethin’ they add to the mix, mine takes it to another level.

A little bit of history regarding this dish

While most folks in North America now associate collard greens with the southern region of the country, this dish is unique. It’s roots tie back to the dark history of this country. Collard greens is a dish that evolved from the creativity and tenacity of the lived experiences of enslaved black people. This dish has since become a southern delight and staple during the holidays in the U.S. When African enslaved people toiled and suffered at the hands of white supremacy and slave masters, they were fed scraps and unwanted portions, cuts of meat, etc. These food scraps consisted of greens that were considered inedible weeds or low quality by slave owners. Enslaved Africans took these scraps, coupled with their knowledge of spices and food ways, and created a dish that nourished and sustained the body.

An indomitable will to survive and preserve cultural food ways

Out of their drive to survive and thrive, Africans in the diaspora adapted their native spices, herbs, knowledge and creativity. In the end, they made food that was both palatable and delicious. We now call much of these adaptations and innovative foods “soul food”. Now, collard greens have become popularized as the “cool and spicy” food to eat and part of “American” culture.  My version has been further adapted to craft a healthy collard greens recipe that builds on the history of my people.

Health benefits of this delicious recipe 

1. fibre is just one of the many benefits of this recipe.
2. Vitamins k, A, B, C and E are some of the amazing nutrients in these greens. Also, they’re rich in essential minerals. These include potassium, phosphorus, manganese, selenium, iron, magnesium and zinc).

3. Bone broth is loaded with collagen, is gut healing, and promotes immune function. Not only that, it also improves bone and joint health, as well as anti-inflammatory.

4. Other ingredients provide a great source of protein and are anti-inflammatory. You can read more about the health benefits of these spices on anothe one of my post when you click this link.

Ingredients for this healthy collared greens recipe

1. Collard greens (4 cups thin shredded)

2. mustard greens and, or purple kale (2 cups, thin shredded)

3. smoked turkey necks (1 pound)

4. Organic bone broth (2 cups)

5. Smoked paprika (2 tablespoon)

6. Curry powder (1 1/2 tablespoons)

7. Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon)

8. Onion powder (1/2 teaspoon)

9. 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

10. 2 garlic cloves

9. Allspice (1/4 teaspoon)

9. Sea salt (1 1/2 tablespoon of sea salt)

10. Chili powder (1/2 teaspoon)

11. Turmeric powder (1/2 teaspoon)

12. Fresh ground black pepper (1/4 teaspoon)

You can adjust both the salt and chili powder according to your taste. We love our version of this healthy collard greens recipe, spicy! Also, I’ve got more healthy and delicious dishes right here

Also, check out the video of this recipe right here, to see just how delicious this amazing recipe is!

Preparation (approximately 2hrs)

what would ordinarily take you over 6 hours to prepare, we can cut down the time to 2hours. This is because in order to make a great quality bone broth, the bones must simmer for about 6 hours. Extracting the collagen and other beneficial nutrients from the bones requires a lot of time. Especially if you want to reap all of the health benefits as well as develop the flavour of the broth. Using an organic bone broth brand saves you a lot of time. However, I prefer to make mine from scratch.

bring your bone broth to a gentle simmer while adding in your spices, etc. Next, add the smoked turkey bones, garlic and red onions. Allow it to simmer for about 45 mins and then add in your shredded greens. Once you’ve added the shredded greens, turn down the heat to medium-low heat and allow to simmer for an hour. Occasionally stir the greens and take a fork to shred the meat from the turkey neck bones. Allow to simmer on very low heat for an additional 15 mins and then turn off the heat. Next, allow it to sit for a few mins and then serve hot with corn and flax meal bread.

A great after-dinner holiday tea (or tisane)

Happy holidays to everyone around the world and bon appetite! With all of the delicious dishes being served for the holidays, I can’t forget about drinks. My after dinner holiday tea recipe is a perfect way to end our holiday meal. For different parts of the world, the spices vary for this soothing beverage.

A brief history

For centuries, people have created beverages as accompaniments to their meals. This is especially true for the holiday and festival seasons. From parts of Africa, the middle and Asia, many drink after dinner teas on regular basis. In Victorian England, these were known as tisanes rather than tea. Tisanes are usually made from fresh or dried plant parts like leaves, flowers, crushed seeds, etc. As to whether or not other folks have their own after dinner holiday tea recipe, I’m guessing I’m not alone.

Health benefits of my after dinner tea recipe

If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll remember that I’m all about function and flavor. I love creating an after dinner tea recipe each season. Since it’s fall heading into winter, here, it’s time for my holiday blend. today’s recipe is no different and features a blend of spices that are great for the stomach. This after dinner holiday tea recipe also includes spices that remind of you fall and winter goodies! All of these ingredients are particularly great for gut health, which is the back bone of our immune system.

More on this

My spice blend is anti-inflammatory, supports the immune system, is anti-microbial and anti-viral. For example, caraway and coriander alleviate bloat, IBS, and indigestion. Other benefits of this tea blend include, helping to alleviate diarrhoea as well as constipation. Mint soothes the stomach and helps alleviate nausea. All if not most of these ingredients, promote a healthy gut, immune system and so much more. You can read more about the benefits in some of my favourite tea recipes like this one by clicking right here!

Here are the ingredients you will need

1. 1/4 cup of ginger (fresh)

2. 1 teaspoon of caraway seeds, freshly ground

3. 1/2 teaspoon of coriander

4.  1/2- 1 whole medium cinnamon stick

5. 1/4 cup of finely shredded mint leaves

6. 1/4 tea spoon of fresh, ground green cardamom

7. 1/4 cup of  gingered honey

8. 24 ounces of filtered water

About the gingered honey

For how to make gingered honey, click here to get the recipe and how you can switch it up for a variety of purposes. Since I’m an avid herbal tea drinker, I love to make my own gingered honey. Don’t be afraid or intimated about making it yourself because it is easy to make. Just keep in mind that you will need to give it sufficient time to cure and develop it’s potency.

Making your after dinner holiday tea

First, bring your water to a gentle boil and then add your fresh ground ingredients. Toss in your cinnamon stick and fresh shredded ginger, turning down the heat to a low simmer for about 10 mins. Next, add your gingered honey with your fine shredded mint leaves for an additional 3-5 mins. Finally, turn off the heat and strain your after dinner holiday tea. You can then garnish your tea with a pinch of fresh mint and add more honey to taste.

Final thoughts before you go

Spices add flavour, complexity and in a lot of instances, a variety of healing elements to every dish you create. This is one of the main reasons why I’m so passionate about decolonizing your traditional food ways in addition to knowing what is actually in your food. Food has a tremendous capacity to heal the body and is often the first place to go in order to heal your body naturally. If you have doubts about the power of spices in your food, you can read what John Hopkins Medicine states right here. Also, make sure you subscribe and follow my blog to get the latest updates, posts, and more!

Ginger as a kitchen staple

Ginger is one of the most versatile and healing spices (herbs) around my kitchen! In my opinion, there are very few things that beat out ginger when it comes adding a dose of healing to my food and drinks. My honeyed ginger recipe changes with the seasons but in all cases, I have to make sure it ages sufficiently to get the most benefits out of it. This is one spice that I never allow myself to run out of because it has so many medicinal and culinary uses.

Ingredients for the honeyed ginger recipe

1. 8 oz raw honey (set aside an additional 2oz to cover your completed batch)
2. 1/4 cup fresh grated ginger
3. 1 small fresh squeezed lemon
4. 1 small fresh lime
5. 1/4 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon (optional)

Bringing it together

Now that you have all of the ingredient, first add the fresh squeezed lemon and lime juice to the the fresh grated ginger. Next, thoroughly mix in the cinnamon (fresh ground or powdered) to your mixture. Finally, be sure to fully incorporate the honey to your honeyed ginger recipe. Make the honey completely cover the ginger so none is left exposed.

Final preparation and storage

Once your batch is fully mixed, store it in a glass wide-mouth jar with a tight seal and place it in the fridge to cure for two weeks. Stir your mixture every 2-3 days and keep it in the fridge. This gingered honey can be added to your herbal teas, or take a teaspoon a day to boost your immune system.

Health benefits 

Ginger has been used as a cure-all, herbal remedy, and in cooking recipes, for generations. Ginger eases digestive discomfort, is anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial. To read more about the numerous health benefits click here and here. Also, be sure to subscribe and save this (pin it on Pinterest)!

We are in the last quarter of 2022 and it is time to make the right shift for staying healthy and living your best life! If You’re not there yet, that’s okay because its never too late to improve your life. That being said, there are so many cheap fall and winter selfcare ideas that I’m about to share today. First of all, selfcare is not optional especially with everything that it is happening on the global front.

More on selfcare

It took me a long time to appreciate the true importance and impact of selfcare on every aspect of life. It took tragedy and my on health care issues to realize that I needed to break the cycle of self-neglect and socio-cultural conditioning. That is the same conditioning (and control) that made me believe it was selfish to honor my own needs, desires, etc. This is especially true for women because from the cradle we’re basically taught that our lives, desires, wants, positioning, etc are not of equal value. Women are taught (largely by society and culture) that our worth and validation is tied to “something” outside of ourselves.

A brief reminder

For the average woman, especially non-eroupean, selfcare is something of a luxury even now! Not only that, many folks are struggling to financially and need affordable ideas and tips. Today’s cheap winter selfcare ideas are ones that can also be adapted to other seasons of the year too.

Selfcare is a radical life saving practice that empowers, nurtures, heals, and renews our beings. It literally forces us to do the internal work (i.e. healing, renewing, self-development, etc) necessary for wholeness and autonomy. This is also why, selfcare is often demonized and restricted to cute memes and hashtags in social media. The reality is that most societies and cultures don’t view selfcare as a necessity, especially when it comes to women. 

Just a few fall and winter selfcare ideas to get you started

1. yoga – yes I said it! Yoga, regardless of the variety is a great self care practice. It helps not only with your physical health, it’s also great for your mental and emotional health (i.e. stress reduction, managing anxiety, depression, etc).
2. Hot herbal tisanes for am detox and boosting immunity.
3. Herbal foot detox bath (with herbs, essential oils and Epsom salt).
4. Detox body bath soak (with herbs and essential oils- please consult your physician prior to preparation).
5. Bone broth and psyllium husk soups and stews (boosts immune system and psyllium is a probiotic for gut health as well).
6. Personal growth activities – reading books on personal growth, mindset, spiritual guidance, etc.

More selfcare ideas that are great for the fall and winter months

1. Doing a weekly personal needs checklist or assessment; using a journal or notebook on paper or in the notes app, etc.
2. 5-10 min daily mediation practice / quiet time. These routines can done be first thing in the morning, during your exercise routine, going for a walk, etc.
3. Do a seasonal cleaning and clearing session-a play on spring cleaning. Fall clearing is removing and discarding the clutter in your home that you’ve built up since the beginning of the year. It also includes all of those things you struggled to release during your spring cleaning. Meaning, stuff that kept you from moving forward, emotional baggage, etc. You’ll realise you never really needed that stuff but kept it out of fear of change, the unknown, habit, etc.
4. Create or revamp your meditation space to reflect the new season of fall. I can’t over emphasise how important it is to have and or create, a space that is yours alone and is specially crafted for you to decompress and meditate. Over the last few years, I’ve learned that each season is naturally powerful and that power is further amplified when you create a space that not only reflects your own personality and aesthetic, but also the season as well. You are essentially creating a power amplifier that is uniquely tailored to your own energy.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)

Let’s not forget that the fall and winter seasons are typically the times when people become affected by SAD. Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that is related to changes in seasons. So, a good selfcare routine means that you’ll have the tools you need in order to help you get through these tough times. Bottom line, there are many cheap and creative selfcare ideas out there. They are out there if you really want to change your life before the new year!

For many more selfcare strategies, tips and ideas check out my other posts on selfcare 365 days a year! Plus, don’t forget to comment and follow my blog for more life changing tips!