Soquel Homesteaders Market
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Get to know your neighbors! Learn some cool stuff! Eat yummy food! Support our local farmers! We are starting a new market called The Soquel Homesteaders Market on the Second … Read More

Grow Your Own in August!
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It is great to know that you can keep planting seeds and seedlings well into August and into Fall, at least for those of us in more temperate climates. August … Read More

Watermelon and Arugula Salad
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Jill Troderman   Fresh, crisp and so delish! Perfect on a hot summer day. Watermelon is 92% water so it is a wonderful fruit to keep you and your family … Read More

2nd Santa Cruz Community Harvest Festival on September 23, 2023.
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Save The Date! September 23, 2023 The 2nd Santa Cruz CommUNITY Harvest Festival 2023 with Painted Mandolin, Superblume, Anthony Arya and Joe Waters, and award-winning Jessica Malone!! Come and enjoy this … Read More

The Food Tree Holistic Nutrition and Wellness Teacher Training
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Spring SessionsMarch 25th 10 am – 4 pm (9:30 am arrival) April 8th 10 am – 4 am (9:30 am arrival) From Toddlers to Teens and Everyone In Between, Kids … Read More

How to Create a Plentiful Indoor Herb Garden
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Please enjoy this article I contributed to. Read below to learn great tips on growing your own herbs. Creating an indoor herb garden can be one of the most fulfilling … Read More

Grow Your Own: June in the Garden
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June in the Garden While we are busy dismantling the old Earth and creating a New Earth, spending time in nature is pure healing medicine. Whether you love to grow … Read More

Grow Your Own Garden May Guide
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Warm weather, blue skies, chirping birds…Spring is finally here and I have a ton of great garden tips to share with you for the month of May. There are plenty … Read More

Vegetable Nori Rolls with All the Fixin’s
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Nori is dried seaweed that is in the genus of red marine algae, called Porphyry. It is loaded in vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc and, iodine. Nori is … Read More

Taming Inflammation with Turmeric
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Known as a super tonic, turmeric is attributed to having numerous beneficial health properties. To be clear, turmeric is spice botanically known as Curcuma longa and is part of the … Read More

Five Favorite Foods to Eat During Cold and Flu Season
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Colds and flu now have their own season and that season is fully upon us! Lucky us. So, instead of falling prey to a host of un-unfriendly germs, why not … Read More

Hot Mulled Apple Cider
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Mulled Apple Cider is a delicious seasonal drink to be enjoyed with the best of company or in the peace and tranquility of solitude.   Ingredients: 1 gallon  fresh unfiltered apple … Read More

Watermelon and Arugula Salad
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Happy Summer!  I want to share my absolute favorite summer salad with you. It is the perfect combination of savory, sweet, crunchy and is so refreshing on a hot day.  The benefits of … Read More

Bee Love Facial
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We love bees! They bring buzz to our gardens and honey to our tea. I have always had a strong affinity towards these little yellow and black striped beauties, but … Read More

February Garden Calendar
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Spring is in the air, but the calendar reminds us we are still in the middle of winter. I’m sure the folks back east probably don’t need any reminders. But, … Read More

Getting Dirty in November ~ Garden Calendar
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We have the privilege to enjoy gardening all year round in California but don’t hate us for it! Our dear friends elsewhere, start lushing over all those garden catalogues during … Read More

Top Five Ways to Rock a Healthy School Lunch
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Summer’s over which means back to packing school lunches! Here are five ways to pack a healthy lunch that will sure please your crew: Kids make their own! Pack a … Read More

Willow Rooting Hormone for Plant Propagation
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Forget about using chemical hormones to root your plant starts. Instead, with this recipe, you can make your own NATURAL rooting hormone using branches from the willow genus. Willow trees … Read More

Gardening In May
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Gardening in May   Whether you are baking in full sun or still experiencing winter like weather, you can still get a head start on this years garden. Look below for … Read More

Herbal Infused Water
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Enjoy this simple and lovely deliciousness of herbal infused water with any thirsty summertime crowd. Infused water is one of the easiest ways to incorporate herbs into your daily life … Read More

Nicest Way To Send a Thank-You-Note
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  Whatever the reason to send a thank you note, appreciation, or even a little love letter, it’s a nice gesture in our email – text worshiping world to actually … Read More

Getting Dirty in December ~ Garden Calendar
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Cool winter winds rustle the last remaining leaves on deciduous trees. Get out there and enjoy the outdoors! PLANT START IN FLATS DIRECT SOW PLUS many other gardeny things to … Read More

Shepherd’s Pie, Vegetarian Style
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Introducing the ultimate veggie comfort food -Veggie Shepherd’s Pie! And, not surprisingly, is both of my sons’ favorite dish. Well, we all love this dish, especially on a cold winter … Read More

Five Flu Fighting Foods Your Kids Will Love
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  Flu season is best navigated by a good dose of common sense and a good helping of nutritive foods to keep you and your family healthy. As a family … Read More

Girl's Night Out at Shops at the Hook October 23, 2014
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Girl’s Night Out October 23rd, Thursday at Shops at the Hook and Pleasure Point Apothecary  in Santa Cruz, CA. Come enjoy a night of treats, pampering and shopping with your gal pals. … Read More

Minestrone Soup
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Fall weather is in the air and this hearty rich soup is the perfect food to help us transition into the cooler months ahead. Enjoy. Minestrone Soup Serves: 6-8 Preparation … Read More

October Garden Calendar
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Autumn is already here but why am I surprised? It’s as if I want to slow down the natural cycles to enjoy just a few more hot summer days. However, … Read More

Getting Dirty in September ~ Fall Garden Calendar
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Just because summer is over it doesn’t mean it’s time to put away your gloves and trowel. In fact, September is a great time of year to garden and the … Read More

August Garden Calendar
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August is one of my favorite months to garden in. For one, I love that we can just eat our way through it!  I love the sun kissed smell of … Read More

July Garden Calendar
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It is the beginning of July, thankfully warm, and therefore we can officially say summer is here. The hot sun and long days feels glorious. July is a peak month … Read More

A Moms Perspective on School Sugar Bribes
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CHAPEL HILL — An e-mail from one of my children’s teachers to all parents in the class said in part, “The week of the EOGs we will have daily themes to … Read More

Adzuki Bean Burgers
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Pronounced “ah-zoo-kee”, these lil’ bitty red beans are simply scrumptious.  They provide a delightful nutty flavor and a nice texture along with a good deal of protein, too. Ingredients 1 … Read More

Calendula – First Aid (Calendula officinalis)
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  Like a mini burst of sunshine in the garden, Calendula is a darling amongst herbalists and gardeners. Calendula has amazing skin healing properties and is primarily used topically in … Read More

Rooting Mediums for Plant Propagation
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Here is a list of ideal potting mixes to use for plant propagation. Experiment to see which mixes and in what combinations work best for your cuttings. Ideally, rooting medium will … Read More

Asparagus Says Spring!!
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  Spring is here and so are the asparagus shoots. In our modern day quest to eat locally grown foods in season,  asparagus is the vegetable to start with. The … Read More

The Dirty Truth About Antibacterial Soap
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  Wash your hands!!! We say it to the kids all day long. We see signs for the employees in restaurant bathrooms and then pray that they wash their hands! … Read More

Lovers! Beware of Nutrition Vampire Number 2 on Valentine’s Day!!
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Partially Hydrogenated Oils are Jill’s Number 2 Nutrition Vampire Real earth grown fats like mono-poly-and even saturated fats in the right balance are not only good for you but are … Read More

Classic Chocolate Truffles
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  Who Says Chocolate Isn’t A Health Food? Mood booster- check √ Heart healthy treat- check √ Delicious and nutritious-  check √ These truffles are literally out of this world! The … Read More

Natural Post Holiday Cleanse
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I hope you enjoyed every indulgence the holiday season offered! But if the season to be jolly has left you with a jiggle around your middle or feeling mentally and … Read More

Cast In Iron
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Get your inner pioneer woman on and start a-cookin’ in that cast iron pan!  Cast iron is my absolute favorite type of kitchen cookware. My brother Jeff is a fabulous … Read More

Getting Dirty In January – Garden Calendar
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The Happy New Year brings all kinds of new opportunities to spend more quality time growing your favorite fruits, vegetables and herbs.  We also take time to tune in to … Read More

Herbal Medicine Chest
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Fall is a good time to start gathering herbs for the chilly days and winter months ahead. These roots, shoots, leaves and flowers are beneficial to help restore and sustain … Read More

Happy Food Day!
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Food Day is happening October 24th, 2013 all over the country! Food Day is a project spearheaded by Jamie Oliver in conjunction with CSPI promoting the benefits of teaching kids … Read More

No Bake Granola Bars
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Thank you to our friends at Nut Kreations located in downtown Santa Cruz, CA who have generously shared this yummy and healthy raw and vegan recipe! This is a great after school … Read More

Swami Nitya on Yoga as the Call to Awaken to One World
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 7pm-9pm  Pacific Wellness Center Annex 4841 Soquel Dr. Soquel, CA RSVP Jill @  831-476-2303 x103  $15- $25 donation requested Swami Nityamuktananda Saraswati “The original meaning of the … Read More

Join Us for Health Happy Hour!! July 25th 5:30-7pm Free
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  Discover 7 Essential Do’s and Don’ts For Surviving Family Feeding Frenzy Enjoy an evening filled with fun and food as we explore the ups and downs every parent deals … Read More

Date & Cashew Nut Truffles
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This delish raw vegan recipe is generously shared by an amazingly inspiring friend, Health Coach and Fitness Trainer, Brenda Chapman, from all the way over in Australia! Here is what she … Read More

Avoid The Food Tree’s Number 1 Nutrition Vampire
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Aspartame, and its aliases, NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful and now AminoSweet, are found in products like Diet Coke/Pepsi, diet/ sugar free beverages including diet shakes, chewing gum, Jello, yogurt, cookies, candy, … Read More

Herbal Spotlight~ Nettles
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Botanical name – Urtica dioica, Urtica urens Health Benefits Ahhchooo! Don’t let the last few weeks of chilly weather get you down. Boost your system with the medicinal herb, Stinging Nettles. … Read More

Decongestion & Cough Relief Tea
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Help is on the way for those who may be suffering with cold and flu related respiratory congestion and rattling cough or if you are plagued with dreaded seasonal allergy … Read More

Winter Hair Care- Restorative Hair Oil
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Dry cold winter weather can strip your hair of its natural oils leaving your locks like fly away frizz. If this happens to you or your loved ones, help is … Read More

Meditation Monday
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Start the week of with Meditation Monday, beginning March 11th every Monday from 11am – noon at the Pacific Wellness Center in Soquel. Gentle movements, guided meditation, inspirational readings.  Drop off … Read More

Beet and Feta Salad
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This dish is graced with nutritional royalty, the beet, which is full of rich flavor and texture. We also introduce under- appreciated fennel to the mix adding vital nutrients such … Read More

Frozen Ice Pop Favorites
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Wow, who knew crafting the tastiest and most tempting ice pop could be such an eclectic art!  The flavor combos are quite endless and it’s pretty hard not to create … Read More

Stevia Lemonade
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This perfect summer time thirst quencher is delicious, sugar-free and is naturally sweetened by the amazing herb, Stevia. Stevia doesn’t interfere with blood sugar regulation so is a great drink … Read More

Killer Refried Beans
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Refried beans aren’t really refried at all! Refried beans are actually just mashed pinto or black bean with savory items added like sauteed garlic and onions and a little liquid to make them smooth. … Read More

Food Tree Magnetic Boards!
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The Food Tree Magnetic Boards are the perfect fun and engaging learning tool for preschool through 5th graders reinforcing real honest to goodness nutrition education. We are offering The Food … Read More

Putting Your Volunteers to Work
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Whoop Whoop! That is how I feel when I find a volunteer. Volunteers are everywhere but I’m not talking about the kind you need to solicit for your kid’s school … Read More

Asparagus Says Spring!!
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Spring is here and so are the asparagus shoots. In our modern day quest to eat locally grown foods in season,  asparagus is the vegetable to start with. The growing … Read More

Curb Your Cravings-Holistic Nutrition Class this Wed!
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Wednesday March 14,  10:00 to 11:00 AM    Reserve your space today! We all get them and we all try our hardest to resist but sometimes they get the better … Read More

Holistic Nutrition Classes for March 2012
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From Stress to Serenity, Now! Wednesday March 7, 2012                                  10:00 AM to 11:00 AM … Read More

Pacific Wellness Center 2012 January Classes
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2012 is sure to bring in wonderful new opportunities to enhance your health and wellness. And to start this year off with a kick we invite you to join us … Read More

Sweet Potato Salad
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This roasted sweet potato dish is warming for a chilly winter night or perfect to brighten up any lunch or brunch. Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidant carotenoids that will … Read More

For a Thriving Thanksgiving
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We are thrilled to be able to screen the newly released full length documentary,Thrive, What On Earth Will It Take, at the Pacific Wellness Center, next Friday, December 1st. I … Read More

Occupy Wall Street
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The Global Revolution has begun!! It is now 3 weeks into the Occupy Wall Street non-violent protest that has grown into a nation wide movement joining the rest of the … Read More

Grand Opening of Pacific Wellness Center!
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You are invited to the Pacific Wellness Center Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!! Saturday October 15th from 1pm-5pm Come and celebrate with delicious organic local food & wine, infused … Read More

Late Summer Harvest Soup
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This recipe is shared by Live Earth Farm, Watsonville, CA- What great neighbors to have! Transform summer’s bounty into this incredibly beautiful soup with bursts of sweet peppers drifting in … Read More

Spoons and Other Essentials
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“Plastic Spoon”  by Maxistentialism.com        

Suck it in!!
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And other great tried and true tricks to keep the jiggle away from your middle!! Tried and True Trick # 1: Start by sucking it in! This simple tip will … Read More

The GOOD 30-Day Challenge: Waste Less
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A Good 30 Day Challenge to WASTE LESS for the month of July. Read on to hear their suggestions because according the the the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American produces about … Read More

Breakfast Quinoa with Nuts and Berries
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Make Quick and Easy Quinoa for a Creative New Take on Breakfast Clear away the fog of what to make for breakfast by starting with a base of easy to … Read More

Ancient Healing Through Breath
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Breathing. We do it all day long but how often do we actually pay attention and bring our awareness to the quality of our breath? We often forget what the … Read More

Pleasure Point Apothecary
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Happy Channukah, Merry Christmas and Blessings for an Amazing New Year!! Providing Medicinal and Culinary Herbs, Nutrition Counseling, Vitamins and Supplements, Plants, Books, Green Gifts, Classes, and more! Closed November 25-27 for Thanksgiving Holiday … Read More

Welcome to Holistic Family Nutrition
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Boost Health and Vitality – Raise Healthy Happy Eaters – Achieve Your Healthy Weight The journey towards optimal health is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and … Read More

Chocolate Truffles
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Why We Live for and Love Chocolate Chocolate is, has been, and will probably always be one of the most amazing foods on the planet. It is an aphrodisiac, an … Read More

Dare to Go Raw On Super Bowl Sunday
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Go totally raw this Super Bowl Sunday and enjoy the simplicity and tasty flavors of Nutty Raw Soft Tacos. I go to “watch the game” but  secretly, ok – no … Read More

What’s Up With Wheatgrass?
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Get infused with super green foods. Wheatgrass is one of those foods that bring up images of hippies in the kitchen getting down and juicy with health foods. Well, speaking … Read More

Mediterranean Gigante Beans
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You can never have a shortage of bean recipes especially since we want to be eating these power packed protein and fiber delicacies daily. This satisfying winter dish calls for … Read More

Orange and Tahini Dressing
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Oranges along with other members of the citrus family are in season right now, so make the best of using this versatile family that is packed with antioxidants like –everyone … Read More

2011 New Years Resolutions for Mind Body and Spirit
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ECO-HERBALISTA WISHES YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS AND ENLIGHTENING NEW YEAR in 2011!!! I want to share my favorite Green New Year’s Resolutions from my own list and from … Read More

Remedies For A Night of Revelry
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Heal Your Hangover and Start the New Year Bright Whether you are one of the smart and well disciplined to ring in the New Year with a morning chakra balancing … Read More

The New Age of Peace
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May we find in our hearts the space to honor the mother earth upon which we live, reminding us of the sacredness of life during the darkest and longest nights … Read More

Almond Nut Nog
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Raw, vegan, and alcohol free (or not!), this nutritious delicious drink is the perfect treat to serve your family or guests during the holidays. This recipe calls for you to … Read More

DIY Holiday Craft ~ Create garlands, wreaths, and swags
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Bring the rustic beauty of nature to your home by making a garland, wreath or swag. I was inspired to write about this DIY project by my dear friend Heather … Read More

Curb Your Consumerism, 24 Greenest Holiday Season Favorites
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Parties, dinners, presents, decorations, travel; these are the celebrated activities and symbols of the Holiday Season. However, this year we have felt and continue to feel unprecedented planetary strain through … Read More

Curried Sweet Potato Latkes
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Celebrate Hanukkah with Curried Sweet Potato Latkes! If you haven’t ever tried a sweet potato latke this is definitely the one to try. And they’re great even when it’s not … Read More

Healthy Dessert Class ~ December 8th in Soquel
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Learn to make HEALTHY DESSERTS just in time for the Holiday Season!! Come join us for a night of SWEET Fun!! December 8th 6-9pm, Soquel About the class: This season, … Read More

Cheddar and Green Onion Whole Wheat Muffins
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Cheddar cheese surrounded by savory green onion bits melting together nestled in a warm muffin …..mmmm. Do I need to say more? I am thinking of hording these delectable muffins … Read More

From Vase To Plate with Edible Flowers
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Great news! We can eat flowers! Certain edible kinds, that is! Edible flowers are more abundant than you might think. The flowers growing in your backyard could just very well … Read More

National Revolt Against TSA – National Opt Out Day Nov. 24th
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Refuse the Naked Body Scanner and Invasive “Enhanced” Pat Downs Welcome to the New World Order. Enhanced security measures are being employed at airports across the country and are causing … Read More

Relaxing Hot Salt Bath
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In my quest for inner and outer peace I hear the words “Peace Begins With Me”, a mantra my dear friend Chris uses all the time, and I am glad … Read More

Charles Hambleton from The Cove
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Jill recently caught up with “real life pirate” Charles Hambleton, producer of the Academy Award winning film, The Cove, in an Eco-Herbalista interview exclusive! If you haven’t already seen it, we … Read More

Halloween ~ Witches’ New Year
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We feel magic all around us as Halloween, Witches’ New Year, Samhain (pronounced Sow-en), or All Hallows Eve is celebrated October 31st. This holiday steeped in lore begins the onset … Read More

Creamy Broccoli Soup
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Soup! It’s a classic comfort food and this one is perfect for keeping warm and cozy on those chilly days and nights. You can whip up this delicious nutritious dish … Read More

Walnut Lentil Pate ~ aka old school "Mock Chopped Liver"
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Passed on to me via my Aunt Marilyn via Lois via….. Consider yourself now part of the family! This is a vegetarian version of Chopped Liver-eww –that still sounds off … Read More

The Greatness of Green Tea (Camillia sinensis)
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“Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one.” (Ancient Chinese Proverb) There is a treasure chest filled with health claims when it comes to analyzing … Read More

Love Your Local…Brewery! Featuring Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing
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We love Santa Cruz and we love our favorite local hometown brewery, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing. I couldn’t wait to give a shout out about them after Elizabeth and I … Read More

Barley and Pea Pod Salad
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The history of barley follows an amazing journey through many cultures and continents around the world reaching back into the latter part of the Stone Age. This ancient grain is … Read More

Lavender Honey Butter
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Tell me if this doesn’t sound like a fair deal and please don’t take this as ethical parenting.  My son wanted to watch a very important football game so I … Read More

Stressing the Importance of Reducing Stress
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Herb of the Month:  Ashwagandha Stress! We have too much of it and it can end up making us sick.  According to the Center for Disease Control, stress accounts for up … Read More

Gazpacho
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Gazpacho is a classic summer dish filled with a cornucopia of garden bounty. This delicious chilled soup, originating from Spain, was the food of the field worker and comes loaded … Read More

Pepitas!!!
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We love love love these simple, tasty, and oh so very healthy little treats. Pepitas, or “little seed of squash” are the Spanish name for pumpkin seeds. These green seeds … Read More

Fermentation Nation
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Did you know that 80% of your immune system is located in the digestive tract? Since that’s the case, it’s essential to keep those pipes healthy, especially during the fall … Read More

Slim & Trim Tea
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Who’s up for a good tummy slimming and trimming tea? The summer sun is here, finally warming our skin. This tea is just the jumpstart I need to stimulate my body … Read More

DIY: Grow Your Own Sprouts
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Sprouting is a such simple, fun, and cost effective way to grow nutrient dense foods for you and your family. I mean come on! This has to be one of … Read More

Oat Nut Cookies
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These delicious treats take care of the fiercest sweet tooth! This cookie provides the familiar tastes of an old fashioned oatmeal cookie rolled up into a healthier version! And is … Read More

Broccoli with Garlic Walnut Sauce
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This is a simple, yet so very delicious way to enjoy beautiful broccoli. This recipe is adapted from my favorite vegetarian cookbook, The Passionate Vegetarian, by Crescent Dragonwagon. And yes, … Read More

Stevia ~ The Sweet Herb of Paraguay
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Start your spring off light and guilt free by enjoying the benefits of nature’s most amazing herbal sweetener, Stevia.

Interview with Katy Thompson from Copper Moon Apothecary
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The Eco-Herbalistas are continually amazed by the inspirational people we meet every day in Santa Cruz.  This is a  community filled with progressive, eco-conscious, creative people.   Some of our favorite … Read More

Cannellini Bean Chowder
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Delicious! This hearty nutrient-dense soup is sure to be a crowd pleaser! Loaded with vitamins, minerals and plenty of fiber that helps to regulate blood sugar. This is a complete … Read More

Sesame Green Bean Salad
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This light dish is perfect for those wonderful summer days ahead! Serves: 6 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Ingredients 2 pounds green beans, ends trimmed 1 tbsp … Read More

Vanilla, the Unbeatable Bean
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  Mysterious as vanilla is, it a common plant in many parts of the world that evokes feelings of comfort and seduction. I invite you to become a bit more … Read More