Where to get Herbs

Looking for medicinal or nutritional herbs?

Here are a few reliable sources:

• Tonic Food Clubs very own Andrea Hamelrath, PhD, DAH, HHP-Holistic Integrative Therapist. Email Andrea for a list of tinctures currently available ahamelrath@hotmail.com

• Located at 4765 Voltaire st San Diego, CA 92107

• Located online or  1862½ Bacon St. San Diego, CA 92107

• Herb Pharm has great products you can find at Henry’s or Whole Foods

Spring: Oregano and Blueberries

It’s superfood blueberry and antioxidant dense oregano week! Enjoy these powerful ingredients in food, drink and dessert.  Check out our recipe ideas:

Menu:

• Seared Duck Crostini: with Blueberry Balsamic Reduction, brown sugar, chicken stock simmered until thick
• Gorgonzola Crostini: with Oregano Honey
• Herb Chicken with Blueberry Chutney:

Marinate chicken for 2 hours with:

1 1/2 tsp olive oil

3/4 tsp basil

3/4 tsp oregano

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp black pepper

~~~Grill chicken, serve with chutney

Blueberry Chutney:

2 cups blueberries

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup minced onion

1/4 cup golden raisins

3 T cider vinegar

1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp red pepper

dash of clove

1 garlic clove, minced

~~~simmer for 20 minutes or until thick

• Oregano Meatloaf:

1 1/2 lbs ground beef

1/2 lb ground pork sausage

2 eggs

1 cup herb crackers, crumbs

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 cup green pepper

1/2 cup onion

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt

pepper

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 package dry onion soup mix

1/2 cup milk

1 can tomato paste, save half to pour over top before baking

1/3 green apple, diced

pinch of cayenne

1/2 tsp garlic powder

~~~Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees

• Blueberry White Chocolate Butter Cake:

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 pint fresh blueberries

1/2 cup butter, room temp

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Topping:

1/3 cup flour

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup cold butter

~~~Bake 35 min

• Peanut Butter and Blueberry Jam Tart: peanut butter cookie crumble crust, frozen blueberries, cream cheese, egg, brown sugar, vanilla
• Chocolate Brownies: gluten free!

Tonic:

• Blueberry, Oregano Lemonade: local meyer lemons, sweetened with stevia

Medicinal/nutritional benefits:

Blueberries are considered superfoods because of all the antioxidants, phytoflavinoids, potassium and vitamin C they contain. They can lower your risk of heart disease, cancer and lower cholesterol. Eat a handful of fresh, frozen or dried for a powerfully healthy snack!

Oregano is an aromatic herb with many benefits and uses.  It is antibacterial containing the volatile oils carvacrol and thymol.  Also anti-fungal, antimicrobial and a great source of antioxidants and vitamins.

Tinctures!

Andrea’s Apothecary has just finished pressing a fresh batch of herbal tinctures.

• Lung and Respiratory Relief
• Sustainable Energy
• Heart Health

If you’re interested in have a custom herbal recommendation, contact Andrea at:  ahamelrath@hotmail.com

Spring: Almonds and Strawberries

Strawberry season has arrived! Eat them for your health-and because they are the most delicious spring berry!

Menu:

• Spinach Salad-carrots, yellow peppers, hard boiled egg, almonds, strawberries. Balsamic dressing: strawberries, orange juice, olive oil, lecithin
• Fish Cakes-canned wild Alaskan salmon, almond flour, corn meal, Cajun spice, soy sauce, egg, vegenaise, Thai chili paste, rice vinegar.  Strawberry mint relish: brown sugar, red chili paste, lime.        Tarter Sauce: vegenaise, paprika, capers, lemon.  Jamaican Calypso Hot Sauce!
• Almond Torte-almond meal, egg, maple syrup.  Top with chocolate ganache and fresh strawberries. Gluten Free!

Tonics:

• Castle Rock Zinfandel
  
• Jameson
  

Nutritional/medicinal benefits:

• Almond-full of good fat!  High in magnesium, vitamin E, amino acid trytophan (creates serotonin!). Almonds are not only full of good fat, they help convert “bad” cholesterol into the good stuff. Almonds are highly beneficial for people with heart disease or diabetes.
• Strawberry- Great source of vitamin C and B, manganese, and phenols (in the seeds). High in antioxidants, strawberries promote heart health, are anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory.

Community Supported Agriculture

Tonic Food Club loves CSA’s here in San Diego! 

Be Wise Ranch is a certified organic farm. They have been growing delicious food since 1977. Their CSA program brings farm fresh produce to San Diego locals.  Check out the drop sites….there may be one in your neighborhood!

Support your local farmers!  Check out their webpage: 

bewiseranch.com

Winter: Sesame and Orange

Menu:

Ecstasy Hand Rolls: tempura prawns, “cutie” orange, nori, sushi rice (cooked and tossed with seasoned rice vinegar), bonito, chili sauce

Tuna Salad with Pita: capers, tahini, fresh parsley, grilled onion, lemon, olive oil, cayenne, salt, pine nuts, liquid smoke

Sesame Sweet Potato: half and bake potato. mix orange juice, soy, garlic, ginger, brown sugar, miso, flour. drizzle over sweet potatoes and broil. top with sesame seeds

Tahini Pasta: toss cooked linguine with:

• 3/4 cup tahini
• 1T soy sauce
• 1T rice vinegar
• 2T sugar
• 1t ginger (or ginger juice)
• chili oil (to taste)
• 3T sesame oil
• dash of black pepper
• 2 lrg cucumbers, seeded and slices into thin strips
• bean sprouts
• green onion

Sesame Rice: cooked rice tossed with sesame oil and sesame seeds

Orange Asparagus: top baked asparagus with orange juice and olive oil

Teriyaki Salmon: soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, orange juice, orange zest, ginger. marinate salmon for 30 min and then bake.

Dessert:

Ricotta & Blood Orange Dip: ricotta, mint, blood orange, amaretto. serve with chocolate “chips”

Tonic:

Tangerine Margaritas: tangerine juice, tequila, lime, triple sec

Chinese Dessert Wine

Chocolate Wine

Nutritional/medicinal benefits:

Sesame: If you grind up sesame seeds you have a better chance of absorbing all the “good” fat. Increases HDL (High-density lipoprote…also known as the good cholesterol).  The black sesame seeds are thought to be an aphrodisiac for men (may have to do with the kidney cleansing action).  Sesame oil (not toasted) is tridoshic -meaning it is beneficial for all body types according to Ayurveda.  Use it in massage for it’s balancing effect.

Orange: High in vitamin C…especially in the pith (white part). High in bioflavinoids (a “super” type of antioxidants).  When you take vitamin c supplements be sure to get the ones that contain bioflavinoids.  Aromatherapy uses orange and citrus to uplift and detox.  Use the essential oil of Neroli (orange blossom)as a cure all for sexual functions.  It regulates and strengthens for both men and women.  Use a drop of orange essential oil in your water to curb appetite as well as aid in weight loss.

Winter: Bell Peppers and Paprika

Peppers and peppers are the ingredients this week! Lot’s of vitamin C to keep your immune system strong.  Enjoy!

Menu:

Red Pepper Hummus: serve with pita bread

Roasted Pepper Crostini: sourdough baguette, goat cheese, mango chutney, balsamic reduction

Pumpkin Soup:

6 cups pumpkin

8 T butter

2 onions

4 garlic cloves

1 T paprika

1/2 tsp cumin

1 green apple

4 cups broth (chicken or vegetable)

1 cup milk

3/4 cup cream

1 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp sage

salt, pepper, sugar to taste

Chipotle Chili: turkey, onion, garlic, kidney beans, potato, corn, tomato, green bell pepper, paprika. serve with goat cheese mozarella

Brown Rice Salad: edamame, red and yellow bell peppers, carrot, green onion, soy and olive oil

Shrimp from the Garden: grape tomatoes, celery root, celery, fennel, red bell pepper, paprika

Sausage, Peppers, and Onions: sweet Italian sausage, bell peppers, onion, oregano, basil, garlic, salt and pepper, splash of beer

Tonic:

Grappa-served in glow in the dark shot glasses

Nutritional/medicinal benefits:

Bell peppers are very high in Vitamin C.  Red, yellow and orange are a great source of beta-carotene.

Paprika is also high in vitamin C.  It has antibacterial agents and can aid in regulating blood pressure. As a stimulant, paprika peppers improve circulation and digestion.

Winter: Cumin and Apples

Cumin is a fantastic culinary/medicinal herb to incorporate into your cooking.  With it’s high level of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, cumin helps protect against heart disease.  Enjoy this pungent spice with anything from eggs in the morning (thanks for the idea Samia!) to chicken, tacos, or curry.

Happy eating!

Menu:

Mac n’ Cheese with Cumin: edammame, fried crispy onions on top

Okra Curry: coconut milk, curry, peas, onion, serve with brown rice

Fried Onion and Apples: deep fried deliciousness!

OJ Biscuits: basic biscuit recipe, orange juice, cumin

Sweet Potato Chipotle Bake: with cumin

Slaw: apple, cabbage, carrots, sunflower seeds, serve with a lime, cumin dressing

Mashed Potato: with apples and brie

Carrot and Beet Salad: with a mustard and cumin dressing

Apple and Blue Cheese Pastry: walnuts, baked to golden perfection

Tonic:

Chocolate Cake Sips: half Frangelico, half citrus vodka. shake with ice and serve with a little sprinkle of brown sugar

Medicinal/nutritional benefits:

Cumin is a powerful medicinal/culinary herb! It has 3 compounds anodyne (to relieve pain), 7 compounds anti-inflammatory, 4 compounds anti-edema (swelling), 11 compounds antibacterial.  It kills worms, cools the body on a hot day, relieves cramping, eases headaches, and tastes great!

Winter:Persimmon and Ginger

Oh persimmons….has enough exotic pull to bring anyone out of a winter funk.  This “sassy little fruit” is sugar sweet, slippery, and just plain fun! Try it on it’s own, in a salad or stewed with other wintry fruits to put over ice cream. Yum!

Menu:

Apple Cabbage Salad: pickled ginger, sesame oil, salt and pepper.

Cumulus Cloud: coconut rice, persimmon pulp, ginger, cinnamon

Ginger Spinach Salad: fresh persimmon, apple, walnuts.  Dressing: orange, ginger, olive oil

Teriyaki Edamame: steamed edamame with fresh ginger and teriyaki sauce

Persimmon Chimichurri: cilantro, mint, garlic, jalapeno, persimmon, ginger, olive oil, lime, salt and pepper. served with fresh bread

Shrimp and Fermented Black Bean Sauce: ginger, scallions

Fennel Spinach Salad: persimmon, macadamia nuts, red wine vinaigrette

Cheese Plate: served with chocolate covered walnuts, ginger crackers, raspberry jam

Tonic:

Ginger Tea: with agave nectar

Fernet-Branca Bitters

Mescal: from Oaxaca-thanks Isela, it was delicious!

Nutritional/Medicinal Benefits:

Persimmons are demulcent (soothes and protects internal tissue) and cholagogue (promotes bile flow).  They are high in vitamin B and beta-carotene.  High in antioxidants, it is especially good for treating/preventing colon cancer, jaundice, liver and gallbladder disorders.

Ginger is mostly known as a a treatment of nausea and motion sickness. It’s spicy flavor also increases circulation and helps to warm up the body during the cold months.

Winter: Saffron and Pears

The winter months inspire us to curl up with warm stews and sweet, spiced fruits.  This week Tonic Food Club had saffron soups and cooked pears to keep us warm.  Both will ward off parasites and support the immune system.  If you’re feeling the effects of the seasonal cold you’ll benefit from moving mucus (pears) and sweating it all out (saffron).  Try a few of our ideas below for some new and creative ways to use these two incredible ingredients!

Menu:

Wilted Arugula Salad: fresh pears, walnuts, blue cheese

Feta, Beet, Pear Flatbread: whole wheat crust, garlic herb crust, garlic, scallion, Italian dressing, pepper, sardines….yum!

Leek and Pear Soup: potato, yellow onion, butter, organic chicken broth, cream, saffron

The Left Ventricle (Stew): garlic, onion, parsnip, smoked eggplant, pears, sour cherries, cauliflower, saffron

Bouillabaisse with Saffron Rice Cake:saute: onion, garlic, fennel, celery, red pepper, thyme, clove, bay leaf, tomato, olive oil.

Add: white wine, white fish, shrimp, scallops, calamari, clams, muscles, crab, fish stock, lemon, water, salt

Rice Cakes: cook white rice in organic chicken broth and saffron. mix cooked, cooled rice with an egg and form little cakes. roll in flour and sear till golden brown. serve one rice cake in each bowl of seafood stew!

Stuffed Poached Pears: hollow halved Anjou pears, stilton blue cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries.

Poaching Liquid: apple cider, olive oil, red wine

Tonic:

Ginger Pear-tinis: ginger syrup, pear vodka, shaken and served with fresh pear and a sugar rim!

Medicinal/Nutritional Benefits:

Pears help to create mucus….brings moisture when one is too dry or aids in moving mucus out. Soothing to the stomach and great for the gallbladder, treating gallstones.

Saffron is an aphrodisiac as well as anti-parasitic.  In a recent 6 week trial saffron was given to patients with mild to moderate depression and had the same beneficial results as Prozac. Wow!

Be sure to add saffron to your diet….it’s good for health and happiness!