It became very clear to me that I did not want to live the life that I observed there, and at the age of 23 I made the connection that positive change in the world begins with how we live our personal lives. The stress, tension, and unhealthy relationships that filled the lives of the people on Capitol Hill was what was being generated in the world. I made a decision to nurture balance and health in my own life and create change from there.

I love Red Powder on rice and apply it lavishly to eggs dishes. I put this herbal sprinkle in our summer smoothies and green drinks. It is a really delicious addition to rice dishes and is super yummy mixed with yogurt. You can even add it to oatmeal, granola or sprinkle it on winter squash or sweet potatoes. Toss the watermelon and blueberries together in a large bowl. Pour in the syrup and sprinkle with the small leaves or strips of basil. Toss again and chill for at least 1 hour. As we begin the fall and winter season, it is important to make special preparations for the long, cold months ahead. The winter season places a strain on our bodies and with shorter days and less sunlight, our immune system lowers. Having remedies at the ready, to use at the first sign of cold and flu is the best means to assuring health. We should use herbs in the early stages of a cold, before it has a chance to settle in and get comfortable. Ginger is a classic remedy for helping the body to throw off a cold. It is warming and stimulating to the immune system. Preparing ginger in the form of a tincture (an alcohol extraction) means you can simply squirt some into hot water and you have an instant tea. And in true herbalista style, it that tastes great! Jerry shows you how to incorporate these fresh herbs into your everyday home meals. So whether preparing a workday supper for the family, a special dinner for two or four, or a feast for a table of guests, using fresh herbs in your cooking will result in fresh and vibrant food. Issues of Women's Health have been at the center of my teaching and practice. When I was 19 years old I had a tumor surgically removed from my pituitary gland. It was the result of having taken a very strong birth control pill that is no longer used. This personal history has inspired me to continually search for healthier ways to approach the female experience. My deepest ongoing exploration is of issues surrounding the female cycles of menarche, menstruation, fertility, sexuality and menopause.

How to Make Herbal Sprinkles

Bring the sugar, water, and cinnamon to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce the heat and simmer the syrup for 3 minutes. Stir in the basil leaves and remove from the heat. Let the syrup cool to room temperature. Strain, and stir in the lemon juice.

PROPERTIES: analgesic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, cardiovascular tonic, carminative, circulatory stimulant Herbs in the kitchen not only augment the flavor of what you eat, they support your overall health and wellness on a daily basis. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus)is an incredibly fragrant grass that is enjoyed in meals and medicines alike. From Asia to the Americas, its lemony zest flavours Thai curry and Peruvian soup. Ayurveda employs lemongrass to soothes infection and fever. The tea is a aromatic treat, soothing to the nervous system and delicious, whether served hot or cold. In the Lemon Mohini, I’ve used jaggery to sweeten. Jaggery is an unrefined, whole cane sugar used in Ayurvedic medicine. Due to it’s trace mineral content, it is a healthier alternative to refined sugar and also adds a depth of flavor. This drink is an homage to the sweet healing I received from my time spent at the Sivananda ashrams in Berlin and Canada.

Red Powder

Until recently, the fresh herbs available in supermarkets were limited to parsley and maybe dill. Today, thyme, rosemary, basil, cilantro, mint, and sage are among the many fresh herbs as close as the produce section or the farmer's market. Not to mention marjoram, lovage, tarragon, lavender, shiso, and so many others. The long, cold, nights and gray days of winter can leave us feeling a little blue. This tea blend combines the power of herbal adaptogens with warming spices. Adaptogens help our bodies handle to stressful environments, balances body systems, and nourishes us at the deepest level. Tulsi basil is an adaptogen that promotes the metabolism, protects the heart, balances blood sugar, enhances immunity, promotes longevity, and tastes great! A species of basil, it has a spicier and more floral flavor than the common italian basil. Tulsi is also known as holy basil and is worshipped by Hindus as the avatar of goddess Lakshmi. Tulsi grows quite easily here in Atlanta and will last well into the fall. By combining Tulsi with a digestive chai blend, we can warm our hearts and bodies to stay healthy and happy in these final days of winter.

While working on my Bachelors Degree in International Relations at San Francisco State University, I made a conscious decision that I wanted to be of service; to help people and make the world a better place. I went to work on Capitol Hill where I thought one could have the most influence in making change. I was a legislative aid intern with Congresswoman Barbara Boxer. The melon will release juice and thin the syrup. Spoon the fruit and syrup into glasses or bowls and serve cold. Red Powder is a great way to include anthocyanin rich herbs into your diet. Herbal sprinkles bring the healing qualities of your apothecary to the center of your daily culinary experience. From the time that I was a very young child my family would spend the Spring and Fall seasons fishing and diving at the Mendocino Coast. Every Summer we camped in remote areas of the Sierra Mountains. Our Sierra trips involved going into the forest and making our own camp ground. We would spend several weeks fishing, swimming, hiking, and in the evenings we sang and told stories by the fire. From my childhood experiences of harvesting food from the sea and sleeping under the mountain stars, I learned to love the Earth and her abundance. Float a muslin bag filled with one heaping tablespoon of mulling blend per quart of cider or liter of wine.GARDENING TIPS: Paprika adapts to different regions, but it thrives in warm weather. It does not like extended frost and grows in warm, dry climates in full sun. It likes well-tended garden beds with good water drainage and moist soil. My Grandfather was an ecologist and the first Parks and Recreation Director in Vacaville. He worked to save open space and preserve the creeks and trees. From him I learned a deep respect for the Earth. Every Spring and Fall after the first rains I would go with my parents and grandparents to the hills above Vacaville and harvest wild mushrooms. I can still smell the pans full of frying mushrooms and onions from this semi-annual family ritual mushroom feast. From those hills and my family I learned of the joy and spirit of hunting wild foods. Well, that is true, they do add flavor. What they really do for us though is to help us digest food more efficiently. Your spice cabinet is full of herbs that increase your ability to digest your food. Kami’s passion for herbal medicine was propelled by an excruciating brain surgery at 19 years old that was the result of a medication side-effect. Awakening from the slumber of the standard drug solution approach to health, she was called by the plants. Now her 30 years of teaching herbal medicine has helped thousands of people learn to use herbal remedies as the centerpiece of their health care plan. She has taught herbal medicine at the University of California School of Nursing and the Integral Health Master’s degree program at the California Institute of Integral Studies. She is the author of The Herbal Kitchen and her live and online workshops fuel the home herbalism movement to revitalize our relationship with the plant world and work with herbal medicine for home wellness care.