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Ramen Noodles with Shiitake Mushrooms

Savory and slurpy

By The Taste for Life Test Kitchen
A bowl of ramen noodles with half a hard-boiled egg and cilantro in a small white bowl with brown chopsticks resting on top.
Anna Jakutajc Wojtalik/Unsplash
Prep Time
30 minutes prep time + hard-boiled egg cook time
Number of Servings
4
Ingredients
  • 6 shiitake mushrooms
  • 2 (3 oz) packages ramen noodles (discard flavor packets)
  • 2 Tbsp avocado oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp fresh minced ginger root
  • 4 c low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1⁄2 cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and cut in half
  • 1 Tbsp white and/or black sesame seeds
Directions
  1. Remove stems from mushrooms. Discard or save for another use. Slice mushrooms into strips. Set aside.
  2. Cook ramen noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.
  3. Heat oil in a soup pot set over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger and saute for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  4. Add broth to pot and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer mixture for 10 minutes. Stir in soy sauce. 
  5. Divide cooked noodles among 4 bowls. Pour 1⁄4 of broth mixture over each bowl. Garnish each bowl with 1⁄4 of the cilantro, 1⁄2 of a hard-boiled egg, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Nutrition Info
Per serving: 326 Calories, 16 g Protein, 80 mg Cholesterol, 40 g Carbohydrates, 3 g Total sugars (0 g Added sugars), 3 g Fiber, 13 g Total fat (2 g sat), 494 mg Sodium, ★★★★ Phosphorus, ★★★ Vitamin B3 (niacin), ★★ Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B6, ★ Vitamin B12, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Zinc
 
Contributor

The Taste for Life Test Kitchen

The Taste for Life staffers have a wide variety of backgrounds and dietary needs. We're always experimenting in the kitchen, and love to share what we cook—and what we learn in the process.

Roasted Carrot Soup

By The Taste for Life Test Kitchen
Photo by Foodie Factor from Pexels
Prep Time
60 minutes
Number of Servings
Serves 4
Ingredients
  • 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 2 1⁄2-inch strips
  • 2 Tbsp oil, divided
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 Tbsp minced fresh ginger
  • 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • Salt
  • 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh thyme for garnish (optional)
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°.
  2. Toss carrot strips with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Transfer to a baking pan and roast for 25 minutes, or until carrots are tender and lightly browned in certain places, turning halfway through.
  3. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pot set over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 4 minutes. Add ginger, roasted carrots, broth, and salt to taste. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, and cover pot. Cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  4. Transfer carrot mixture to a blender and blend on high until smooth. Serve garnished with fresh thyme, if desired.
Nutrition Info
23 Calories, 2 g Protein, 15 g Carbohydrates, 4 g Fiber, 7 g Total fat (1 g sat), 407 mg Sodium, ★★★★★ Vitamin A, ★★ Vitamin K, ★ Vitamin B6, C, E
Contributor

The Taste for Life Test Kitchen

The Taste for Life staffers have a wide variety of backgrounds and dietary needs. We're always experimenting in the kitchen, and love to share what we cook—and what we learn in the process.

Baked Eggs with Tomatoes, Red Bell Pepper & Garlic

By The Taste for Life Test Kitchen
Baked Eggs with Tomatoes, Red Bell Pepper & Garlic in a iron pan on a dark background.
 ID 164486330 © Oleksandr Sorokin | Dreamstime.com
Prep Time
30 min prep time
Number of Servings
2
Ingredients
  • 2 Tbsp coconut oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
  • 1⁄2 tsp paprika
  • 1 cup diced, canned tomatoes
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400°.
  2. Heat oil in an oven-safe pan set over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and paprika. Sauté for 5 minutes. 
  3. Add tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat and season with salt and pepper.
  4. Make a small hollow in one side of tomato mixture using a spoon. Crack one egg into hollow. Make a second hollow in other side of pan using spoon. Crack second egg into this hollow. (Alternately, you can bake eggs and tomato sauce in their own individual-sized baking dishes.)
  5. Transfer baking dish to oven. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until whites are cooked but yolks are still runny. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.
Nutrition Info
Per serving: 217 Calories, 7 g Protein, 8 g Carbohydrates, 2 g Fiber, 18 g Total fat (13 g sat), 437 mg Sodium, ★★★★★ Vitamin C, ★★ Vitamin A, B2 (riboflavin), B6, ★ Vitamin B12, E, Folate, Phosphorus
Contributor

The Taste for Life Test Kitchen

The Taste for Life staffers have a wide variety of backgrounds and dietary needs. We're always experimenting in the kitchen, and love to share what we cook—and what we learn in the process.

Sustainable Fish Oil

How to choose an omega 3 that's good for you and the planet

By The Taste for Life Staff

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are among the most widely recommended supplements for heart, brain, eye, and joint health. But as global demand for fish oil rises, so do concerns about overfishing, marine ecosystem damage, and long-term ocean sustainability.

Omega 3s for Your Health and Ocean Health

Several species of fish are used to make fish oil. Most are small, oily species, including mackerel, anchovies, and sardines. On the plus side, most small fish reproduce quickly—and the gear used to catch them does relatively little harm to other marine life and the undersea environment.

Environmental Defense Fund states on its website, “fish oil supplements are an acceptable choice for ecologically concerned consumers.” There are also nonfish options, including omega 3s derived from the crustacean krill and algae. Algal oil is derived from marine algae. Marine algae is a food source for fish, which accumulate EPA and DHA by eating algae.

What Does "Sustainable Fish Oil" Mean?

Roughly a third of global fish stocks are overfished. Sustainable fish oil comes from fisheries that: 

  • Harvest fish populations at levels that don't deplete stocks
  • Minimize damage to marine ecosystems
  • Avoid excessive bycatch (unintended species caught in nets)
  • Are independently monitored 

Look for Trusted Certifications

The key is to be informed. Read the ingredients on supplement bottles to learn the source of the fatty acids, and visit the producers’ websites to find out about their harvesting and production techniques. 

One simple way to feel good about your purchase is to buy supplements certified by the Marine Stewardship Council. Look for the council’s Certified Sustainable Seafood logo on the label. To earn the logo, seafood and seafood products must meet the organization’s best practice guidelines and must originate from a sustainable fishery.

More Useful Sources

The Environmental Defense Fund offers useful guides to help you select fish oil supplements that are the most healthful for you and your family, and to select types of fish that are most environmentally sustainable.

The Marine Stewardship Council also has a searchable database listing certified sustainable products, including omega-3 supplements.

Contributor

The Taste for Life Staff

The Taste for Life staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. We believe learning is a life-long process, and love to share the knowledge we gain.

Histamine Intolerance

Foods and supplements that can help

By Lisa Fabian

It can be hard to believe that eating healthy food can cause unpleasant issues and make someone ill. But that’s exactly what happens when someone has histamine intolerance.

What Is Histamine?

Histamine is a naturally released compound created by the body’s immune system. It’s perhaps best known for its role in wreaking havoc for those who experience allergies and anaphylactic symptoms.

What Does Histamine Do?

Though histamine gets a bad rap, it’s important for regulating digestion by triggering the production of stomach acid. Histamine is also necessary for the central nervous system, cognitive functioning, and the sleep-wake cycle.

Histamine is also pivotal to the body’s inflammatory response. It signals the immune system to prepare for action against potential invaders. 

What Causes Histamine Intolerance?

But here’s where the problem starts: enzymes in the body eventually break down histamine, so it won’t build up in the blood. When the body doesn’t produce enough of these necessary enzymes, the breakdown of histamine is affected and histamine intolerance develops.

Meet HMT and DAO

Two of the enzymes that break down histamine are histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT), which is found in the central nervous system, and diamine oxidase (DAO), which is found in the digestive tract.

HMT is typically more influenced by genes, while DAO is produced in the intestines. If someone has experienced intestinal damage, the body’s production of DAO can be affected. 

Conditions such as celiac disease, IBS, SIBO, leaky gut, and gluten intolerance, as well as medications like antidepressants, NSAIDs, immune modulators, antihistamines, and histamine blockers can lower DAO and contribute to the overproduction of histamine. 

When low levels of DAO and HMT enzymes are in the body, histamine can run amok and histamine intolerance results. An individual begins to react to all sorts of foods and other harmless allergens.

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

Symptoms are broad and varied, making it particularly difficult to diagnose histamine intolerance.

One study shows that up to 55 percent of individuals with digestive issues also have histamine intolerance. 

How do you know if you have histamine intolerance?

Here’s a list of some of the symptoms that can occur:

  • Anxiety 
  • Bloating 
  • Cardiovascular issues:
    • low blood pressure
    • irregular heartbeat 
  • Diarrhea 
  • Dizziness 
  • Eczema 
  • GI disorders 
  • Headaches and migraines 
  • Hives 
  • Hormonal issues and imbalances
  • Itchy skin 
  • Itchy tongue 
  • Leaky gut 
  • Menstrual cycle irregularities 
  • Nasal issues:
    • congestion
    • difficulty breathing
    • runny nose
    • sneezing 
  • Nerve-related issues:
    • numbness
    • tingling
    • burning 
  • Rosacea
  • Skin flushing 
  • Sleep issues 
  • Watery eyes 

It’s important to note that histamine intolerance is not a food allergy, although annoyingly some of the symptoms appear the same. 

Irregularity of Symptoms

Another frustration with histamine intolerance is the occurrence of symptoms. Issues seem to come and go with seemingly no rhyme or reason.

For example, you may eat a high-histamine meal in the morning and low-histamine foods for lunch. Symptoms begin a few hours later in the afternoon, making you think it was something you had for lunch.

In reality, it was the morning meal that put you over your histamine threshold.

Histamine in Foods

Almost all foods and beverages contain histamine, even healthy ones. The presence of histamine increases as a food ages, ferments, or spoils, which is why leftovers can be a problem for those with histamine intolerance.

Common Food Triggers

This list represents some of the histamine-rich foods and beverages out there.

Many of these items are considered high-histamine; others are histamine liberators, which means they trigger the body’s release of histamine; and a few inhibit or block the action of the DAO enzyme.

When figuring out which foods trigger histamine intolerance, start by avoiding the following.

  • Aged and fermented cheeses 
  • Avocados 
  • Bananas 
  • Canned fish:
    • tuna
    • mackerel
  • Chocolate 
  • Citrus fruits 
  • Cured meats:
    • lunch meat
    • bacon
    • hot dogs
  • Dried fruit 
  • Eggplant 
  • Fermented items:
    • buttermilk
    • cottage cheese
    • kefir
    • kombucha
    • sauerkraut
    • sour cream
    • soy sauce
    • yogurt 
  • Nuts (including peanuts) 
  • Pineapple 
  • Shellfish 
  • Strawberries 
  • Tea:
    • black
    • green
    • white 
  • Tomatoes 
  • Vinegar-based and pickled foods:
    • mustard
    • pickles
    • ketchup

It can be depressing to realize all of the foods that can contribute to histamine intolerance. But keep in mind that everyone has different food triggers, and not everyone with histamine intolerance will react to all of the above.

There are blood tests that check for histamine and enzyme ratio levels. But if you can’t or don’t want to get your blood tested, following a histamine-reducing diet is another way to see if histamine is affecting you.

Low-Histamine Foods

Here are some lower-histamine items to consume:

  • Berries:
    • blackberries
    • blueberries
    • raspberries 
  • Coconut water (fresh) 
  • Cooked eggs 
  • Dairy substitutes:
    • coconut milk
    • hemp milk
    • rice milk
  • Fresh fish, meat, or poultry 
  • Fresh fruit:
    • apples
    • cantaloupe
    • grapes
    • kiwi fruit
    • mangoes
    • pears
    • pomegranate
    • watermelon
  • Gluten-free grains:
    • amaranth
    • millet
    • quinoa
    • rice
    • teff 
  • Herbal teas
  • Oil (olive or coconut) 
  • Vegetables:
    • artichokes
    • arugula
    • asparagus
    • Brussels sprouts
    • carrots
    • cauliflower
    • potatoes
    • rutabagas
    • sweet potatoes
    • turnips 

Avoiding Triggers

There’s no doubt that a histamine-reducing diet can be restrictive, but it does help manage and relieve symptoms. Follow it strictly for two to four weeks. 

Reintroduce the high-histamine foods you excluded, one at a time, to see if problematic symptoms return. If a food causes no reactions, add it back to your diet.

It helps to keep a food journal to track re-introduced foods and any symptom reemergence.

Precautions

Keep in mind that a histamine-reducing diet should not be followed long term, since it reduces healthful nutrients that come from eating a wide variety of foods.

Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any elimination diet to ensure proper nutritional intake. And don’t stay on a histamine-reducing diet for too long, especially if it’s not working.

Treatment

The time it takes for the body to eventually lower its histamine levels and restore healthy equilibrium varies greatly, from a few weeks to many months.

  • Medicines and Supplements

    Some healthcare providers may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to control histamine amounts in the body.

    These include epinephrine injections, corticosteroids, antihistamines, and supplements (herbal, vitamin, mineral).

    Consider taking DAO enzyme supplements before meals to help reduce symptoms linked to dietary histamine.

    Supplementing with vitamin B6 may also help, as it is a cofactor for DAO enzyme production and has been shown to improve DAO levels. 

    Quercetin is a plant flavonoid with mast cell stabilizing and anti-inflammatory properties. 

    Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine that can break down circulating histamine and reduce inflammation.

  • Comorbidities

    Histamine intolerance is typically not an isolated condition. It generally occurs along with other health conditions, particularly gastrointestinal issues.

    When these other conditions are treated and a person gets better, histamine intolerance also improves.

“The food list,” Histamine Intolerance Awareness, www.histamineintolerance.org.uk

“Histamine,” Cleveland Clinic, 3/28/23

“Histamine intolerance: all you need to know” by Amy Myers, MD, 2024

“Histamine intolerance: symptoms, diet & treatment” by Amy Burkhart, MD, RD, The Celiac MD, 2024

“Listen to your body: 10 signs of histamine intolerance you shouldn’t ignore” by Dr. Becky Campbell, 2023

“Which foods are high in histamine?” by Jennifer Huizen, Medical News Today, 2/9/23

Contributor

Lisa Fabian

Contributing Editor

Lisa Fabian is an award-winning freelance writer with more than 25 years of experience in the publishing industry. She's enjoyed covering topics as diverse as arts and crafts, boating, food, and health and wellness.

Digestive Enzymes

By The Taste for Life Staff

Have you noticed that your digestion isn’t what it used to be? One of the reasons is that the body's production of enzymes slows with age. These protein molecules work throughout the digestive tract to give us energy.

The good news is that supplemental enzymes, taken when you eat a meal, can aid digestion. They are especially useful for people who have lactose intolerance or trouble digesting fats. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common enzymes and their uses.

Enzymes and Their Purpose
Enzyme What It Digests Uses
Bromelain  Proteins
  • pain and swelling
  • sinus infections
  • colitis
Cellulase Fiber
  • blood sugar regulation
  • cholesterol regulation
  • intestinal tract detoxification
Invertase Carbs
  • sugar digestion
  • bacterial infections
Lactase Lactose (milk sugar)
  • Lactose intolerance
 Lipase Fats
  • Celiac disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • indigestion
  • IBS
Pancreatin Proteins, fats, carbs
  • digestive problems
  • viral infections
  • sports injuries
  • food allergies
  • autoimmune disorders
Papain Proteins, fats, carbs
  • pain and swelling
  • diarrhea
  • psoriasis

"Digestive enzyme supplementation in gastrointestinal diseases" by G. Ianiro et al., Current Drug Metabolism, 2016
"The Health Benefits of Cellulase"; "The Health Benefits of Invertase;" by Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, Global Healing Center, www.globalhealingcenter.co
"Systematic review: Efficacy and safety of pancreatic enzyme supplements for exocrine pancreatic insufficiency" by J.R. Taylor et al., Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics

Contributor

The Taste for Life Staff

The Taste for Life staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. We believe learning is a life-long process, and love to share the knowledge we gain.

Digestive Enzymes

By CJ Puotinen

Enzymes are proteins that act as catalysts that speed the completion of natural chemical processes in the body. Our bodies produce enzymes, and we also obtain them from raw foods.

After age 40, our ability to produce enzymes decreases by 20 to 30 percent. The presence of enzymes in the saliva of young adults is as much as 30 times higher than in people over age 69. Because enzymes in food are destroyed by heat, cooked and processed foods can’t help us make up the difference, and this can lead to an enzyme deficiency.

Some scientists believe that we could live longer and be healthier by preventing the loss of enzymes. This is where enzyme supplements come in.

Digestive Support

The most familiar enzymes are sold for digestive support. Historically, pancreatic enzymes from pigs and cattle have addressed pancreatic insufficiency, while plant-based enzymes such as bromelain from pineapple break down proteins.

Other widely used enzymes include papain from papaya and rutin, derived from the plant Sophora japonica. Taking plant-based enzymes 40 minutes before meals can help with heartburn, according to Jacob Teitelbaum, MD.

The common enzymes that can help digest food (and prevent heartburn) are amylase (which helps digest carbs), cellulase (which helps digest the fiber in fruits and veggies), and lipases (which help digest fattier foods).

Some research has shown that digestive enzymes help prevent undigested food particles from entering the blood-stream, and a 2005 study published in Clinical Immunology demonstrated the efficacy of bromelain as a treatment for colitis.

Enzyme Therapy

Enzyme supplements can be taken to improve other conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases, or to speed the healing of trauma injuries.

This approach, called systemic oral enzyme therapy, involves taking enteric-coated digestive enzymes between meals. The enteric coating prevents enzymes from interacting with stomach acid, so they reach the small intestine before breaking down.

The medical journal Arthritis recently reported that a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated adults with moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee who received an enteric-coated enzyme product, the NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) diclofenac, or a placebo. The enzyme combination performed as well as diclofenac while producing fewer side effects and reducing reliance on analgesic medication. Both out-performed the placebo.

Bromelain may have anti-platelet activity so it’s not recommended for those taking blood thinners, and it’s also not recommended for children with cystic fibrosis.

“Digestive Enzymes: Help or Hype?” by Tamara Duker Freuman, US News & World Report

Disease Prevention and Treatment ($38.64, LE Publications, 2013) n “The Role of Enzyme Supplementation in Diges-tive Disorders” by M. Roxas, Altern Med Rev

“The Safety and Efficacy of an Enzyme Combination in Managing Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial” by W.W. Bolten et al., Arthritis, 1/31/15

“Should You Add Enzyme Supplements to Your Shopping List? Mayo Expert Explains Pros & Cons,” www.MayoClinic.org

“Systemic Enzyme Therapy in the Treatment and Prevention of Post-Traumatic and Postoperative Swelling” by V. Kamenicek et al., Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech

“Treatment with Oral Bromelain Decreases Colonic Inflammation . . .” by L.P. Hale et al., Clin Immunol

Contributor

Protect Your Heart Against Inflammation and Disease

Helpful nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle habits

By The Taste for Life Staff

Heart disease doesn't develop overnight, and it isn't caused by cholesterol alone. Increasingly, researchers understand cardiovascular disease as an inflammatory process that unfolds silently over years. When inflammation persists, it can damage blood vessel walls, encourage plaque buildups, and make existing plaque more likely to rupture, triggering heart attack or stroke. 

Chronic Inflammation and the Progression of Disease 

The immune system’s response to injury, inflammation is an important reaction that allows the body to protect itself. But when inflammation becomes chronic, the immune system may begin to attack itself, damaging the walls of blood vessels and leading to hardening of the arteries.

“When I spot someone with obvious signs of metabolic syndrome—usually a middle-aged person with a big stomach—I know that a lot of inflammation is going on,” says Hyla Cass, MD, at UCLA School of Medicine, “and that he or she has a high risk of heart disease and high blood pressure,” which strains both the heart and blood vessels.

“Fat cells in the belly, also called visceral fat, create a lot of inflammation,” she continues. “If you’re insulin resistant or diabetic, the state of high insulin and high blood sugar is creating even worse inflammation,” forming “plaques in the twists and turns of the blood vessels that feed the muscular walls of the heart. This, in turn, drastically increases the risk of having a heart attack.” 

Other factors increase risk too. LDL (lousy) cholesterol works to spackle and fill plaques. If it’s oxidized by free radicals, the inflammatory process continues, causing even more damage and inflammation in a vicious circle.

“Keep in mind that high levels of LDL, triglycerides, and other bad fats in the blood are likely to be effects of the inflammation that is the real direct cause of heart disease,” Dr. Cass adds.

Dietary Habits That Lower Inflammation

For starters, have a simple lab test that measures C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker for heightened inflammation in the body. Elevated CRP has been linked to greater risk for heart attack, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease.

Next consider eating an anti-inflammatory diet like the popular Mediterranean diet. This healthy eating pattern emphasizes fruits, vegetables, olive oil, and limited meat eating and has been shown to have a positive impact on heart health, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and sleep apnea.

Choose omega-3-rich fish (salmon, sardines, and mackerel) and grass-grazed meat if you eat animal protein. Replace saturated and trans fats with vegetable protein such as soy, which is high in fiber and nutrients. Consume more antioxidant-rich, brightly colored fruits and vegetables. One study suggests that substances in tomatoes can halt or even reverse oxidative stress and help protect vascular tissues, for example. 

“Think of sugars and refined grains as slow-burning fires” that stoke inflammatory processes in the body “and omega-3 fats as cool, quenching water,” explains Dr. Cass.

Enjoy fiber-rich whole grains, linked to a 40 percent lower risk for coronary heart disease. They’re high in heart-healthy fiber, B vitamins like folate and B6, magnesium, and vitamin E. 

Research validates the link between a healthy diet with lower LDL and total cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and higher HDL (good cholesterol), all of which protect the heart.

Do you have food sensitivities? If so, eliminating allergens can help reduce inflammation.

Season your food with anti-inflammatory herbs and spices (curry, garlic, ginger, rosemary, turmeric) rather than salt, which is linked to high blood pressure. “Sip green tea once or twice a day,” Dr. Cass also suggests, since this tea is rich in antibacterial and antioxidant ingredients. Indulge in a little dark chocolate, an excellent source of antioxidants that may even lower blood pressure.

Or a handful of nuts: Flavonoids in almonds help prevent LDL oxidation in experimental research.

Added Protection

An anti-inflammatory lifestyle extends far beyond diet. Exercise, restorative sleep, and stress management all play essential roles in cardiovascular health. Even short, 10-minute workouts throughout the day, most days of the week, help fight heart disease. 

A number of studies show that nutritional supplements and herbs—particularly those high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories—help fight cardiovascular disease and hypertension. In addition to omega 3s, consider coenzyme Q10 for energy (particularly useful for people on statins) and magnesium to help support blood pressure.

Anyone diagnosed with cardiovascular disease should discuss supplementation with a healthcare provider. 

“Mediterranean diet as a tool to combat inflammation and chronic diseases . . .” by C. Tsigalou et al., Biomedicines, 7/8/20

"Plant foods, antioxidant biomarkers, and the risk of cardiovascular disease . . ." by D. Aune, Advances in Nutrition, 11/19

"Role of physical activity in cardiovascular disease prevention . . ." by Y. Sun et al., Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 1/19/25

Supplement Your Prescription by Hyla Cass, MD (Basic Health, 2007)

 

Contributor

The Taste for Life Staff

The Taste for Life staff come from a wide variety of backgrounds and specialties. We believe learning is a life-long process, and love to share the knowledge we gain.

Shatavari Rose Libido Vitality Tea

By Maria Noël Groves, RH (AHG)
an herbal libido tea blend in a mason jar
Image courtesy of Maria Noël Groves, RH (AHG)
Prep Time
5 to 10 minutes, plus 1 hour steep time.
Number of Servings
Makes one 16 oz serving.
Ingredients

  • Basic Version

    • 2 Tbsp oat straw (soothing nutrition)
    • 1 Tbsp linden leaf and flower (gentle relaxation and moistening)
    • 1⁄2 tsp shatavari (hormone, libido, and stress support)
    • 2 tsp fennel seed (flavor)
    • 1⁄8 tsp nutmeg (flavor)
    • 2 tsp or a sprinkle of rose petals/buds (flavor)

  • Optional Additions

    • 1⁄4 tsp beet powder (pink color, sweetness, libido support)
    • 1⁄2 to 1 tsp damiana (calming, uplifting, hormone and libido tonic)
    • 1 tsp tulsi/holy basil (calming yet energizing, uplifting, flavor)
    • 1 Tbsp marshmallow root (cut/sifted, not powdered) (moistening, subtle sweetness)
    • 1⁄4 tsp vanilla extract (flavor, sweetness)
Directions
  1. Combine dry ingredients in a 16-ounce container. Cover with just-boiled water.
  2. Steep for at least 1 hour, though several hours (or overnight or throughout the day) is even better.
  3. Strain, squeezing out all the mucilaginous and nutritious goodness, and sip hot or cold, plain or with added sweetener and creamer. Oat milk with honey or maple syrup is quite nice.
Contributor

Maria Noël Groves, RH (AHG)

Maria Noël Groves, RH (AHG), is the best-selling, award-winning author of Herbal Gut Health, Body into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self Care, Grow Your Own Herbal Remedies, and Herbal Remedies for Sleep. 

Maria’s a registered professional herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild and a graduate of the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine and Rosemary Gladstar’s Sage Mountain. Learn more about Maria and herbs at Wintergreen Botanicals. Find her remedy-making tips at wintergreenbotanicals.com/kitchenapothecary101

Bloody Mary Mocktail

By Derick Santiago
Recipe Source
From Make It a Mocktail Recipe Deck by Derick Santiago ($16.99, Adams Media, 2024)
Ingredients
  • 1⁄8 tsp salt for glass rim
  • 1⁄8 tsp ground black
  • pepper for glass rim
  • 1 lemon wedge for glass rim
  • 3 oz canned tomato juice
  • 2 oz cucumber juice
  • 1⁄2 oz lemon juice
  • 4 dashes hot sauce
  • 3 dashes Worcestershire sauce
  • Pinch salt and ground black pepper
  • Garnish, placed on one spear:
    • 1 lemon wedge
    • 3 cherry tomatoes
    • 1 cucumber ribbon
    • 1 jalapeño slice
Directions
  1. Combine the 1⁄8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper on a small plate. Wet half the rim of a highball glass using 1 lemon wedge. Dip wet part of rim in salt and pepper mixture. Set aside.
  2. In the larger part of a Boston shaker tin, combine juices, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and the pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Put some large cubes of ice in the smaller tin of the Boston shaker, and cover with a julep strainer.
  4. Pour contents of larger tin into smaller tin through strainer. Strain mixture back into larger tin. Repeat five times.
  5. Fill rimmed glass with ice cubes. Strain mixture into glass. Add spear of lemon, tomatoes, cucumber, and jalapeño for garnish.
Nutrition Info
40 Calories, 2 g Protein, 0 mg Cholesterol, 10 g Carbohydrates, 5 g Total sugars (0 g Added sugars), 2 g Fiber, 1 g Total fat (0 g sat), 443 mg Sodium, ★★★★★ Vitamin C, ★ Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B6

Hold the hangover! If you're looking to get the full-on cocktail experience without the booze, in a fun and functional package, the Make It a Mocktail Recipe Deck is for you!

As more and more people embrace the alcohol-free lifestyle, the range of mocktail recipes continues to grow. From plays on classic cocktails to mocktails to new flavor concoctions, the options are endless.

The 50 mocktails in the card deck are divided by base alcohol-free spirit and perfect for a delicious drink anytime you want.

bookshop.org
Contributor

Derick Santiago

The Mocktail Wiz

Derick Santiago, The Mocktail Wiz, always loved mixing drinks. He took a mixology class and always mixed drinks for his friends. When he decided to stop drinking, he thought he was going to give up this hobby until he realized that he could still make drinks that are balanced and complex without the alcohol!

Making zero-proof or virgin drinks is actually extra challenging, forcing him to be creative with the ingredients that he uses so it is not just merely a mixture of different juices but something that is balanced, something that can actually be thoroughly enjoyed.

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