With shorter days and colder nights, you need recipes that are warm, comforting, and hardy. At the same time, you don’t want to make a recipe that takes four hours to make. That’s the great thing about this vegan butternut squash and chickpea stew. After about 15 minutes of prep work, the total cooking time is about 30-40 minutes. Now that’s the kind of time in the kitchen we’re talking about!

This stew is inspired by Moroccan flavors because it is infused with spices and ingredients from that area. Coriander and cinnamon are very aromatic and will fill your kitchen with their intoxicating aromas while the stew simmers. Plus, you have the pungent and spicy harissa that you add to the stew. Harissa is a North African red chili paste or sauce made from a few simple ingredients. More often than not, harissa contains garlic, olive oil, chiles, citrus, and a few warm spices. It can be a bit spicy, tangy, slightly sweet, and smoky, so you can add a little more or less to this stew depending on your spice tolerance.

Although you can enjoy this stew on its own, it does go great with couscous or rice. This decision is entirely up to you, though, because it is just as tasty with or without those side dishes. The crazy thing about this stew is that it is even better the next day after you reheat it. And don’t forget that you can always mix in a little extra dollop of harissa to enhance the spice level.

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A stye is a common eye condition that results in a red, swollen lump on the edge of the eyelid. Styes are common eye conditions that affect millions of people. While a stye may not be a life-threatening condition, it is irritating, embarrassing, and occasionally painful. More often than not, you can use home remedies to get rid of styes, and this article aims to cover five remedies that experts recommend. 

What Causes A Stye? 

A stye is a bacterial infection that results in a swollen bump near the eyelashes on the eyelid. The reddish bump can look like a pimple and results from an oil gland infection in the eyelid. Researchers claim that the staphylococcus bacterium is typically responsible for the infection. Dead skin, dirt, or oil build-up can clog the oil glands around the eye and cause bacterial build-up. That’s why eye makeup, frequent eye touching, rosacea, or expired cosmetics can increase the risk of stye development. 

In most cases, styes can be treated at home and they often go away within 7-10 days. To accelerate recovery, use the following home remedies.

Use A Warm Tea Bag

It’s helpful to use a warm cloth compress to provide relief, but it may be more beneficial to use a tea bag. Use a black tea bag because it contains antibacterial properties, and it may help reduce swelling. Add a black tea bag to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for one minute. Remove the tea bag from the water and allow it to cool for a couple minutes. Apply it to the affected eye and leave it on for 5-10 minutes. If you have a stye on each eye, use a separate tea bag for each eye. Do this twice daily to accelerate recovery. 

Avoid Eye Makeup

It’s a natural instinct to want to cover the stye with makeup, especially if you go out in public, but do your best to avoid makeup. Not only does makeup delay the healing process, but it can also irritate the stye and make it worse. It’s possible that more bacteria can spread into the area by applying more makeup. Make sure to clean your eye with water at least five to six times per day. This will offer a cooling effect and it may reduce the severity of the infection. 

Cucumbers Or Potatoes

One of the best things you can do to provide relief is to put something cool and refreshing on the affected eyelid. Apply a cold cucumber slice over the eye with the stye to help decrease inflammation and irritation. Cucumbers also work to enhance hydration and reduce possible swelling. Alternatively, you can apply a chilled potato slice on the eye if you don’t have a cucumber. It remains colder for a lot longer than a cucumber slice. 

Rinse With Mild Soap And Water

Many health experts advise that people avoid harsh or synthetic soaps when it comes to cleaning the eye area. It’s best to choose soaps that are hypoallergenic and chemical-free. There are many natural soaps that have proven to be effective against bacteria that exists in the eyelid. OCuSOFT, for example, may be able to kill seven different bacterial strains. If you don’t want to use soap, you can use a gentle saline solution to help promote drainage. A saline solution will also promote the breakdown of bacterial membranes. The most important thing to remember is to use warm water, not hot water. 

Massage & Coriander Rinse

Many people find that gently massaging the area with lid wipes is a great way to promote drainage. Don’t try to pop the stye, though! Before you get anywhere near your stye, make sure that your hands are clean. Once the stye drains, make sure to keep the area clean and avoid touching your eyes as much as possible. If it hurts to massage your eye, stop massaging right away. If you don’t want to massage, you can use a coriander rinse. Some sources recommend making a tea-like liquid by pouring boiling water over coriander seeds. Once the liquid cools, strain the seeds and use the liquid to gently cleanse the eye. The antibacterial properties may help naturally get rid of a stye quickly.

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No matter what diet you follow, it’s imperative to season your food. Nobody just eats things as they are without a little extra flair and assistance from spices and seasonings. By this logic, all food has the potential to taste amazing, but people seem to think that seasonings are exclusive to meat-centric diets. We have good news: if you recently made the switch to a plant-based diet, you can enhance your food with powerful spices. 

More often than not, the food in the Standard American Diet has excess calories, added flavors, processed ingredients, dairy products, and unhealthy fats. Now, some of those ingredients make their way into plant-based food options, specifically the varieties that come in packages. That means that vegetarians and vegans can be unhealthy if they eat the wrong foods. Fresh fruits and vegetables have unlimited potential to create complex flavors, but they need the assistance of herbs and spices to make that happen. They won’t simply dazzle you with inherent flavors on their own.

Of course, there are common seasonings that you know: sea salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, paprika, and oregano. In order to transform your plant-based meals from bland to fantastic, you need to give your spice cabinet or drawer a facelift. Use these spices in combination with each other, and the ones you already know about, and you won’t even recognize your plant-based meals!

Nutritional Yeast

If you’re going plant-based, make sure that you keep nutritional yeast in your kitchen at all times. Not only is it loaded with vitamin B12, but it also adds a nutty, cheesy flavor to all sorts of dishes, including sauces, dressings, dips, roasted vegetables, and more. It’s like the plant-based alternative to Parmesan cheese!

Cayenne Pepper

Do you like a little extra kick in your food? Don’t set your mouth aflame; rather, use this spicy seasoning sparingly. Cayenne pepper goes great in homemade soups, stir-fries, sauces, dips, and plant-based entrees. In addition to the adding a fiery flair to your food, cayenne pepper offers a long list of health benefits. Studies have shown that cayenne pepper helps to alleviate migraines, decrease inflammation and pain, improve metabolism, and expel mucus. 

Cumin

Cumin powder comes from the cumin seed. You can purchase either variety, but it’s easier and more time efficient to purchase the powder version. You have to toast and grind the seeds prior to seasoning your food if you purchase the seeds. Cumin is a classic spice in Mediterranean and Latin cuisines, but you can also use it in Middle Eastern dishes. It adds an earthy and fragrant taste to stews and soups, especially curries. 

Turmeric

This vibrantly orange spice is a wonderful seasoning to accrue, no matter what diet you subscribe to. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and for being a signature ingredient in curries. You can also use it as a hearty seasoning for roasted vegetables, especially root vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets. It has a mild, mustard-like flavor that can be slightly bitter, so mix it with cumin, sea salt, and black pepper for a more well-rounded flavor profile.

Tarragon

This herb has a very assertive flavor, so the number one rule is to use it sparingly. Tarragon has the ability to take over an entire dish, which means you don’t need more than a dash or a pinch. The herbaceous quality of tarragon, which also has an anise or licorice flavor, is great for savory dishes, especially ones with mushrooms, potatoes, spinach, artichokes, and leeks. 

Cardamom

Common in Indian cuisine, cardamom is a warming spice that has a mildly sweet flavor. It goes great in dishes that contain rice, carrots, lentils, squash, and sweet potatoes. Additionally, it complements the strong flavors of cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, and ginger. It’s also an essential ingredient in chai spice, making it excellent for tea.

Coriander

In case you haven’t noticed, a lot of spices start with “C,” with four of them being on this list. That’s just mere coincidence. Fun fact: coriander seeds actually bloom into cilantro. When it comes to the seeds, though, grind them up into a fine powder and use them in Hispanic or Indian cuisine. The inherent pepperiness and earthy flavor lends coriander to savory dishes that utilize tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Add it to soups sauces, chilis, and marinades!

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About 50% of American adults have high blood pressure, and only one in four people with high blood pressure has it under control. There is no single cause of high blood pressure; rather, health experts attribute high blood pressure to a combination of excess salt intake, poor diet, stress, lack of exercise, and obesity. Managing your salt intake, however, may be one of the best things you can do for your heart.

We’ve been taught that salt is an essential seasoning. In fact, people often review food with comments such as, “It’s too salty,” or, “It needs more salt.” When people say these simple critiques of a dish, they actually mean that the food needs more or less acidity. There are many ways to enhance the flavor and increase the acidity level of a dish without using salt. People just get lazy and don’t want to experiment with other spices. Since salt can contribute to the development of high blood pressure, it’s worth knowing about salt alternatives. 

What Is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases your risk of stroke and heart disease, two leading causes of death worldwide. High blood pressure is determined by the amount of blood the heart pumps and the resistance of blood flow in the arteries. If you have narrow arteries, the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body. This increases your blood pressure.

Nutritionists recommend using the following salt alternatives to keep sodium levels in check. Start cooking with them and let us know if they work for you. 

10 Salt Alternatives

Lemon Juice Or Zest

Lemon, or any citrus fruit, brings a bright acidity to a dish. Both the juice and zest act similarly to salt in that they elevate the acidity and enhance the other flavors in the dish. You can finish a dish with a squeeze of lemon, you can marinate with lemon juice, or you can sauté with lemon juice. Adding lemon zest will give a slightly bitter note, so be aware of that. 

Nutritional Yeast

The cheese-like flavor from nutritional yeast goes great in pasta sauces, popcorn, or even quinoa. It doesn’t contain dairy; rather it is deactivated yeast in the form of powder or flakes. It’s a much healthier alternative to salt because it contains vitamin B12, fiber, and protein.

Chives

The intense oniony flavor of chives brings out the inherent flavors of the other ingredients in whatever you’re cooking. They go great in salads, mashed potatoes, and sauces. If you use fresh chives, add them to the dish at the last minute or so before serving because heat destroys the flavor.

Coriander

Did you know that coriander seeds actually blossom into cilantro? They offer a very lemony and floral essence when you grind them up and season your food with them. Whole coriander seeds are excellent for broths, curries, and soups. They also offer a wide range of antioxidants, including tocopherols, quercetin, and terpinene. 

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

If you’ve ever made a salad dressing with apple cider vinegar, you know that you don’t need the addition of salt. The bright, acidic flavor makes it an excellent salt alternative, and it is incredibly versatile as well. Additionally, apple cider vinegar is great for improving alkaline levels and reducing cholesterol.

Coconut Aminos

Coconut aminos is not completely free of sodium. It does contain about 90 milligrams (mg) of sodium per teaspoon, but soy sauce contains 280 mg of sodium per teaspoon. It offers the same saltiness of soy sauce with a subtle hint of sweetness. You can use it in sauces, dressings, stir-fries, and marinades. 

Dill

Both dried dill and fresh dill offer a signature flavor that is similar to fennel or celery. It’s a great salt substitute that goes well with potatoes, cucumbers, or salad dressings. If you mix dill with lemon juice and olive oil, that goes great on wild caught fish. 

Black Pepper

Salt and pepper are the king and queen of seasonings, but you can rely on pepper to offer that subtly spicy savoriness to dishes, especially if you’re trying to reduce your sodium intake. You can season almost anything with pepper! What’s great about pepper is that the chemical compounds can help fight inflammation!

Garlic

Similar to onion, garlic offers a pungent aroma and flavor to your food. It’s a staple ingredient in most cuisines, and for good reason! Garlic is rich in allium, which is a compound that can help to improve cognitive function, boost the immune system, and reduce blood pressure. 

Ginger

Ginger is like garlic in that it has a pungent flavor. If you add ginger to stir-fries, beverages, soups, sauces, dressings, or marinades, you may notice that you don’t need salt. Ginger is slightly bitter, but it has a sweet undertone. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce muscle soreness and improve joint health.

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When you come down with a cold, you don’t always make the best dietary decisions. Instead of resorting to canned soups that are filled with chemical preservatives that can worsen cold symptoms, provide the body with nutrient-dense foods that can help you reduce the duration of the cold. Slurp this soup down and you may reduce the amount of time that you have the sniffles.

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High cholesterol is one of the most common health ailments that can lead to heart disease. Too much cholesterol can clog your arteries and cause a heart attack or lead to arteriosclerosis. Did you know that you don’t have to take medication to reduce your cholesterol levels? You can use fresh ingredients to naturally get rid of bad cholesterol in the body.

There is good cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein). HDL helps to control LDL levels and helps keep blood vessels healthy. The goal is to maintain healthy HDL levels because the cells in your body need it. All you have to do is make small changes to get your cholesterol down to a healthy level.

When it comes to using foods to naturally lower cholesterol, it is best to eat a healthy plant-based diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts and seeds. Consuming dairy products, meat, meat products, added sugars, and processed foods will only raise cholesterol levels, so we suggest not eating them.

It is also best to avoid cholesterol-lowering medications because they can cause memory loss, muscle pain, and elevated liver enzymes. Naturally lower your LDL levels and support HDL levels by following the tips below.

#1: Garlic

Garlic is a superfood with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. It can help you avoid clogged arteries by preventing cholesterol from sticking to arterial walls. You’ll reap the most benefits by eating garlic in its raw form. You can add garlic to juices, dressings, or sauces. Eat at least 2-4 cloves a day.

#2: Coriander

You may be more familiar with cilantro, which grows from coriander seeds. Generally used in curries or sauces, this aromatic spice helps increase HDL levels while decreasing LDL levels. Boil 1 cup of water with 1 tablespoon of coriander seeds and let it simmer for 3 minutes. Strain the tea and drink when it is palatable. You should drink this once or twice a day.

#3: Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is the mother of all herbal remedies. It helps to improve the pH balance in the body and can reduce skin rashes or calm conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis. If you want to lower blood pressure and LDL levels, apple cider vinegar is what you need. Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in 1 cup of warm water. Drink this once or twice a day to see results.

#4: Oatmeal

For this remedy, it is important that you don’t buy pre-packaged or flavored oatmeal. Those processed ingredients only contribute to bad cholesterol build-up. You want to get steel cut oats because they are a great source of fiber that helps prevent cholesterol from entering the bloodstream. Eat one bowl of oatmeal a day to see positive results. You can add fresh berries, raw almonds, and bananas for more benefits.

#5: Cinnamon

While this is a classic dessert spice, cinnamon can actually support weight loss and can cut down your bad cholesterol by 18%. It cannot solely lower your cholesterol, but you can combine it with other remedies in this article. Brew some cinnamon tea by boiling 1 cup of water with ¼ cup of cinnamon sticks. Strain the tea and you can drink it warm or let it cool. You may need to sweeten it with a little stevia or agave syrup.

#6: Onions

Onions have been known to bring down cholesterol levels because of their quercetin content. Cooking onions can reduce the potency of this powerful flavonoid, which is why it is more beneficial to consume raw onions. Since onions aren’t the most popular vegetable to eat raw, try making an onion tonic. Quarter one red onion and blend it. Strain the juice through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer. Mix an equal amount of raw honey into the onion juice and sip on this daily.

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