Old NH360

Prep/cook time: 27 minutes Serves 3 / Rich, fresh, and spicy. Don’t be intimidated by the number of ingredients—this

Joint health Zukes Hip Action Glucosamine and Chondroitin help alleviate joint pain for dogs and cats with hip

Flavor profiles of and how to use Balinese long pepper, green, Javanese comet’s tail, pink, and Szechuan

Natural Foods Merchandiser interviews John Weidman, deputy executive director of The Food Trust in Philadelphia, about

Natural sweeteners offer an alternative to the refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup found in conventional products. They can be used in place of sugar or HFCS in any product, from baked goods and cereals to beverages and chewable vitamins.

A botanical is any plant valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Botanical medicines can be derived from either the roots or the aerial parts, such as flowers, bark, seeds and leaves. All herbal supplements and phytomedicines are botanical products. For much of human history, botanicals were the only medicines available. There are well-developed botanical healing traditions in many parts of the world; these include Ayurveda, TCM, Native American healing traditions, and many others. The efficacy of these herbal approaches is underscored by the many pharmaceuticals that are derived from traditional medicinal plants.

Historically, herbal remedies consisted of whole plants or parts of plants, often blended for synergistic effect. However, contemporary research and methods have led to the creation of standardized extracts, which are herbal extracts processed in such a way that the active healing compounds appear at a defined level in the finished botanical product. Botanical supplements are marketed in a variety of forms, including tinctures, extracts, capsules and tablets.

Recipes are a set of instructions designed to help people learn how to put foods together into delicious dishes. Each recipe includes the recipe name; a detailed list of food ingredients and corresponding amounts; ordered instructions that are easy to follow and that result in a finished dish, such as an entrée, salad, soup, or dessert; and any additional notes, such as equipment or special techniques, that will help the cook succeed in producing something good to eat. Healthy recipes often include a nutritional analysis as well.

Because food is the starting point and the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, recipes made with real foods—not, as Michael Pollan says, “edible foodlike substances”—form the basis of healthy eating. With an emphasis on plant foods, healthy recipes offer the most nutrients and the best economic value for anyone desiring to improve their overall well being. No real foods are off-limits in a healthy eating plan; anything that is a true food (even butter) can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

Babies and children are the number-one reason adults (parents) begin investigating and then making purchasing decisions within the natural and organic sector. Because parents want the best for their children, they are willing to invest in better quality foods, body care, and lifestyle products for their offspring (even if they don’t do the same for themselves!). As children become teenagers, kids (especially girls) become more aware of and concerned about what they put on and in their bodies, as well as the impact those choices have on the environment—making young people the next generation of consumers dedicated to natural choices.

Parents seek out avenues for introducing their children to healthy choices, starting with natural, whole-food meals and snacks free of artificial colors (which are linked to nutrient deficiencies and learning disorders). In addition, parents are concerned about the growing obesity epidemic in children, as well as disorders such as autism and ADHD. Supplements that parents may adopt early on for their children include magnesium and calcium for immunity, bone building, and nerve function; omega-3 fatty acids to help regulate weight and encourage focus; probiotics and enzymes for proper digestive function and allergy-related conditions, such as asthma and eczema; and vitamin C to boost immunity.

Probiotics are strains of yeast and bacteria that help the human body maintain optimal wellness; they aid digestion, stimulate immune function, play a role in preventing allergies, colon cancer and dermatitis, and are helpful in the treatment of intestinal conditions. In supplements, functional foods and cosmeceuticals, probiotics may be used in a number of ways. As supplements, they are sold as stand-alone products as well as blended with other ingredients, including prebiotics, for immune and digestive issues. In functional foods, probiotics are often found in yogurt and other cultured milk products, such as kefir, most commonly as the bacteria Lactobacillus (including L. acidophilus) and Bifidobacterium, as well as the yeast Saccharomyces boulardii.

Prebiotic substances, including FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and inulin, are often combined with probiotics to provide the necessary food for healthy bacteria growth. Prebiotics, particularly FOS, are also found in skin care, where they are though to help protect skin from the effects of harmful bacteria.