Did you know that in Morocco fresh seasonal fruits are more commonly eaten than cooked desserts. That’s not a bad way to live! Fresh seasonal produce is not only more delicious than out of season produce, but it is also more nutrient-dense. Plus, eating fresh fruit will help reduce your intake of the excess calories, refined carbs, and sugars that are in traditional desserts. To get back to Morocco, though, this recipe is a traditional Moroccan dish that is very easy to make. It is a great combination of fresh citrus flavors with nutty pecans and aromatic cinnamon.

Because the ingredient list is so short, it is your job to procure the best and freshest oranges you can find. Depending on where you live, certain oranges may or may not be available. If possible, do your best to get Cara Cara oranges, which have a mildly pink flesh that is extra sweet. Tangelos, navel oranges, and blood oranges are also great options, provided they are available at your local grocery store. Blood oranges are incredibly striking and make for a visually appealing dish, but using other oranges will not make this dish taste worse or anything like that.

Now, the last important ingredient to be particular about is the cinnamon. Some people prefer cinnamon sold by specific brands, while others prefer specific types of cinnamon. For example, Vietnamese and Ceylon are two varieties of cinnamon that have a well-balanced and complex flavor. Penzeys makes a cinnamon blend of Ceylon, Vietnamese, Korintje, and China cinnamons. Together, those four cinnamons create a beautifully aromatic blend that perfectly complements the sweet and tangy oranges.

SHARE:

The post Moroccan Cinnamon Oranges appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you want to sneak more vegetables into your diet, smoothies and popsicles (believe it or not) are two of the best ways to do so. That is especially true if you have children and want to sneakily get them to enjoy more vegetables. These popsicles are more like smoothie pops because you blend the ingredients together prior to pouring the mixture into popsicle molds. In doing so, you completely disguise the carrots amongst the blended orange flesh, fresh orange juice, and agave nectar. You and your child(ren) will not even notice the carrot in this recipe!

As a general rule of thumb, most things that make a smoothie delicious also make for a great popsicle. That could be green smoothie popsicles or these orange carrot popsicles. Not only are carrots rich in beta-carotene, but they also have a naturally sweet flavor, so your taste buds won’t be shocked by any pure carrot flavor. It’s not like you’re taking a big snap of a carrot after enjoying wings or anything like that! Although, if you are familiar with eating carrots, you know that beneath the subtle woody flavor is a natural sweetness. If you feel more adventurous once you finish cleansing, add some steamed beets or boiled sweet potatoes to this recipe!

For popsicle molds, we love environmentally-friendly silicone molds, especially since the popsicles come out of them so easily. You can also use quick freeze molds, which do come at a higher price point because they have quick-freezing technology that will freeze popsicles in minutes. Finally, if you want a popsicle for on-the-go purposes, you can get single-use plastic push pops. These are great for serving kids. Don’t have popsicle molds? No problem! You can use muffin tins, shot glasses, ice cube trays, or yogurt containers!

SHARE:

The post Orange Carrot Popsicles appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Do you regularly eat candy, rainbow-colored cereals, or packaged desserts? Whether you do or not, you may or may not know that the U.S. is making efforts to ban artificial food dyes by the end of 2026. Lots of foods, even the unexpected ones, could take on new colors under the plan from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

A Plan To Get Rid Of Artificial Dyes

This plan urges major U.S. food manufacturers to halt the usage of two artificial colorings: Citrus Red 2 and Orange B. It also calls for the manufacturers to voluntarily give up six additional dyes by the end of 2026. Those dyes include:

• Yellow No. 5
• Yellow No. 6
• Blue No. 1
• Blue No. 2
• Red No. 40
• Green No. 3

Too long have major food producers fed American petroleum-based chemicals without their knowledge or consent. In fact, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that these poisonous chemicals offer zero nutritional benefits. They also pose serious, measurable threats to the health and development of children. Kennedy Jr. aims to put an end to that era. 

Although nutritionists and researchers agree that artificial food dyes offer no health benefits, the research linking these dyes to potential health risks is limited. Additionally, the existing research has been largely conducted on animals. For this reason, it is hard to say whether artificial dyes are dangerous. What is certain, though, is that these dyes do not improve health. They are replaceable and they are unnecessary and it benefits people to avoid them as much as possible. 

Unexpected Foods That Contain Artificial Dyes

Sure, you know that brightly colored gummy worms have zero nutritional value and they contain artificial dyes. What you may not know is that seemingly wholesome foods may also contain these dyes. We aim to highlight them below. 

Fresh Oranges

Are you shocked, or are you shocked? In the past, the FDA allowed companies to add Citrus Red 2 to the skins or oranges with the intention of making slightly greenish peels appear more orange. The peels of certain oranges may not become bright orange as they ripen, due to local climate conditions. For that reason, the FDA permitted the use of Citrus Red 2 to make the fruit appear more orange and perfectly ripe. 

Smoked Salmon

Fancy a bit of bagels and lox? When you buy salmon, or salmon fillets, the flesh is naturally orange. Well, smoked salmon can get its bright orange color from several dyes on the proposed ban list. Those dyes include Yellow No. 5 and No. 6 and Red No. 40. Some food manufacturers even use all three of those dyes, in addition to others, including Blue No. 1.

Salad Dressings

There are many bottled salad dressings, including French, Italian, and ranch, that may contain artificial dyes. It all depends on the manufacturer. For example, Kraft makes a French dressing that contains Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6, while Hidden Valley’s Light Golden Italian Dressing contains Yellow No. 6. There are other dressings that contain Blue No. 1 as well as Yellow No. 5. 

Wasabi Peas

This is not everyone’s go-to snack, but they are highly addictive to a lot of people. They are crunchy and flavorful, but they happen to be vibrantly green, which is cause for concern. For example, Valued Natural Wasabi Peas contain Yellow No. 5 and Blue No. 1. Oregon Farm Fresh Snacks Willamette Wasabi Mix contains both of those dyes, in addition to Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 6. 

Trail Mix

If you know anything about the content that Dherbs publishes, we always warn people about dried fruit. Most dried fruit contains added sugars, preservatives, and dyes to keep it looking like the fresh version of the fruit. Varieties without added sugars or dyes tend to appear brown or less attractive to consumers. The same can be said for the dried fruit in several varieties of trail mix. For example, CJ’s Trail Mix contains Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Red No. 40. Kirkland Signature Trail Mix sold at Costco contains those same artificial dyes.

SHARE:

The post These Surprising Foods Contain Artificial Dyes appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Depending on where you live, you might be in a weird limbo between spring and summer. The weather can fake you out, getting warmer for a few days, only to have a crisp chill in the air the next. On those warmer days, though, it is great to incorporate some hydrating, refreshing ingredients into your diet. That’s why we put together this lovely citrus salad, which is just as flavorful as it is beautiful.

If we could insert just a little of our own opinion here….we would tell you that we could eat this salad whenever the weather is warm. It just screams warm vibes on the beach or chill afternoons in the park. You can also enjoy this citrus salad in the comfort of your own home! And even though the word “salad” is part of the recipe, it is truly just a combination of different citrus fruits. Even the dressing contains lime! Because this salad contains three citrus varieties, it is very rich in vitamin C, which helps to optimize immune function and encourage collagen production, which contributes to healthier-looking skin.

This salad consists of Cara Cara oranges (although any orange variety is acceptable to use) and grapefruit. Cara Cara oranges are naturally sweeter, complementing the tart and slightly bitter flavor of grapefruit. Make sure to peel the oranges and grapefruit, ensuring you remove any excess pith (the white inner part of the peel). Cut your fruit into segments to give your salad an elevated look. Don’t have time for all that fancy jazz? Cut the oranges and grapefruit as you please and toss the pieces in the dressing.

SHARE:

The post Citrus Salad With Mint Agave Dressing appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

This is not your average fruit salad, people. This jicama salad, known as xec, is a citrus salad from the Yucatan state in Mexico. Xec is actually the Mayan word for salad, or ensalada. It is a quick and easy dish that is a classical side during the Day of the Dead. The ingredients in this salad may change depending on the time of year, as people use the seasonal produce that is available. Typically, though, the salad is made up of jicama, citrus fruit, and either chili powder or freshly diced serrano or habañero peppers. A classic ingredient list is as follows:

• Jicama
• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Mandarin (or tangerine)
• Sour orange
• chili powder
• Salt
• Pepper

In Yucatan, jicama is in season from November to January. It’s very common to see this salad sold by local vendors in markets in Mexico, but the ingredients can vary with the seasons. Mangos come into season during February and dragon fruit, pineapples, and other fruits and vegetables arrive during spring. Feel free to get adventurous with seasonal produce or use this recipe that is a great mix of fresh flavors.

The hardest part of making this fruit salad is the prep work, specifically the peeling of the jicama. Make sure to remove any excess skin and then dice the jicama up into bite-size pieces. It’s very common to squeeze half of a lime over the jicama to help awaken some natural flavor. This process also helps to prevent the jicama from browning.

SHARE:

The post Jicama Citrus Salad appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Have you ever had sudden, painful cramps that just don’t seem to go away? One potential cause is that you are low in potassium. Low potassium levels can also cause muscle weakness, fatigue, muscle spasms, tingling, or numbness. Heart palpitations or skipped heartbeat can be more severe symptoms of low potassium levels. 

It’s possible to fight leg cramps and other issues that stem from low potassium levels by simply increasing your potassium intake. The amount of time it takes to correct low potassium levels depends on how low they are. 

Symptoms Of Low Potassium

The only real way to know if your potassium levels are low is to take a blood test. You will get a more accurate reading of your levels via this route. That said, there are a few telltale symptoms of potassium deficiency that you should be aware of. These symptoms include:

• Muscle cramps, twitching, or severe weakness
• Heart palpitations
• Constipation
• Tingling and numbness

If potassium levels are very low, you may need to take a potassium supplement, or get an IV to elevate them back to a normal range. The quickest way to increase potassium levels in emergency situations is via an IV, which should be administered by a professional in a controlled setting. One report found that an IV can raise potassium levels within 20 to 30 minutes. If you have borderline potassium levels after a sweaty workout, you can use various foods to help bring them back up quickly. Continue reading to learn what foods and drinks may help you do that. 

Sip An Electrolyte Drink

Electrolyte-rich drinks can help replenish minerals, vitamins, and water lost via sweat or periods of diarrhea and vomiting. Not all electrolyte drinks are high in potassium, though. And you should not simply resort to sugary sports drinks to replenish electrolytes, as the preservatives, dyes, and added sugars do more harm than good. Coconut water, for example, is a great electrolyte-rich beverage, but make sure to buy one that is free of added sugars. 

Drink Some Orange Juice

Just as we said previously, the quality of the beverage matters. Many store bought orange juices contain added sugars and preservatives. Go directly to the source by juicing oranges! One cup of orange juice provides nearly 500 milligrams (mg) of potassium, which equates to 11% of the recommended daily intake (RDI). Orange juice may be a convenient way to raise potassium levels, but it tends to be high in sugar. You can also eat oranges to get the same nutrients, plus the fiber that will help the body absorb the natural sugars more slowly. You would need to eat two oranges to get the same amount of potassium as one cup of OJ.

Eat A Banana

This is a classic potassium-rich food, so eat a banana or two next time you are dealing with leg cramps. One medium banana contains 422 mg of potassium, and the potassium in bananas can increase levels within 30 to 60 minutes, per a 2012 health journal. In one study, researchers tested whether eating one or two bananas would increase potassium levels in adult athletes prone to leg cramps. Although there were mild increases in potassium levels in both groups after 30 to 60 minutes, the time it took to increase levels would not benefit an athlete experiencing cramps during competition. To avoid cramps, health experts recommend consuming potassium-rich foods regularly, especially before exercise. 

Eat Some Watermelon

Researchers note that one wedge of watermelon has 320 mg of potassium, making it a great choice for raising potassium levels. Watermelon is also a water-rich fruit (91% water), so it helps to enhance your hydration efforts. It is also rich in vitamins A & C, magnesium, and offers some iron and calcium. According to research, eating watermelon after a workout can help replace water, magnesium, and potassium that you lose via sweat. Drinking watermelon juice after a workout has been associated with reduced muscle soreness after 24 hours. 

Consider Supplementation 

If you consume all of the aforementioned items and your potassium levels remain low, you may want to consider a potassium supplement. Before you start supplementing, consult your healthcare professional to determine whether the supplement is right for you, and to understand proper dosage. The potassium you get via diet and what you supplement should not exceed the RDI, unless directed by your doctor.

SHARE:

The post How To Raise Potassium Levels When Your Body Needs More appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Taste the flavors of fall in this unique spiced orange cranberry smoothie! The spices are aromatic and perfectly complement the tartness of cranberries, sweetness of pear, and acidity of fresh oranges. Although this smoothie only contains fruit, it packs a serious nutritional punch. It offers lots of antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Because of the impressive nutrient content, this is a great smoothie to enjoy post-holiday meal. It really helps kickstart the digestive process after the big holiday feast!

If you have frozen cranberries, you can use them instead of fresh cranberries. That said, fresh cranberries have a limited window of availability in grocery stores, so we encourage you to get your hands on them while they are in stores. Save some other cranberries for a homemade cranberry sauce (click here for recipe). What we don’t want you to do, however, is use frozen orange juice from concentrate. You need freshly squeezed orange juice, but you also need to peel an orange, separate the segments, and freeze overnight. This will enhance that orange flavor in your smoothie.

Since there are some tart flavors in this smoothie, feel free to add some raw agave nectar or maple syrup for sweetness. If you use a ripe pear, though, the natural sugars will help balance the tart cranberries and oranges. Please enjoy this refreshing and unique smoothie that represents autumn to a T!

SHARE:

The post Spiced Orange Cranberry Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

We truly love fall and winter! It is a magical time of year when stress levels are high because of family gatherings, end-of-the-year projects, and the inevitable gift-buying craze. Well, that’s not really why we love this time of year, although, we do believe that you can easily work through these things with the right mindset. The reason we love this time of year is because of the impressive seasonal produce items that arrive in grocery stores. We’re talking about blood oranges, cranberries, butternut squash, leeks, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and more!

This salad has quite the long list of nutrients, let alone flavors. It is colorful, textural, and highly addictive. Because of the use of kale, broccoli, and radicchio, it can last a lot longer than another salad that uses romaine or green leaf lettuce. The ingredients we mentioned are sturdier and hold up when dressed. This salad is especially rich in vitamin C, which gives your immune system a helping hand during cold and flu season.

You can enjoy oranges year round, but blood oranges are a special seasonal treat. They are visually stunning and offer a unique flavor that differs from your standard orange. Their subtle acidity pairs beautifully with the refreshing cherry tomatoes and sweet mandarins. The various fruits balance the more bitter kale, peppery radicchio, and broccoli. Speaking of broccoli, you don’t have to include big florets in your salad. You can chop it up so that eating it raw is easier and less crunchy.

SHARE:

The post Blood Orange Kale Salad appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Let us introduce you to one of our finest fall elixirs: our zesty homemade carrot orange juice. Each sip is filled with the sun-kissed, sweetly tart oranges, sweet and crunchy carrots, crisp apples, and a zing of ginger root. This is not just a flavorful juice; rather, it is a helpful beverage that may help boost immune function and promote decongestion.

Carrots contain a lot of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A—an essential nutrient for immune function. Some refer to oranges as the citrus champions, and for good reason! They contain a lot of vitamin C, which gives your immune system a helping hand. The apple adds a touch of sweetness, while the ginger kicks it up a notch with its spicy warmth. Ginger is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Now, let’s talk about congestion, which is why you are all here. It is exhausting to be congested. You blow and blow, and yet you can never seem to clear your sinuses. This juice is like a warm hug for your sinuses. The vitamin C from the oranges works to thin mucus, while ginger acts as a natural decongestant, helping to open up those airways to help you breathe more easily. Plus, this juice aids your hydration efforts, which is integral to help get over congestion or sinus colds.

Sip on this vibrant concoction and allow the flavors to dance on your taste buds while your sinuses get the relief they crave. Who knew that a glass of juice could be both a delicious treat and a powerful decongestant? Cheers to health, people!

SHARE:

The post Carrot Juice To Help Relieve Sinus Congestion appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Lately, we’ve been on a seasonal produce kick. Summer offers beautiful stone fruits, but it also is the best season for fresh watermelons. The best thing about juicing watermelons, besides the addictive flavor, is that the juice helps encourage optimal hydration. Watermelons are over 90% water and contain necessary electrolytes, which work to fight against dehydration on hot summer days.

Now, not everyone owns a juicer, but most people have blenders. Juicers can be great if you use them all the time, but they do take up a lot of space. Depending on where you live, space might not be on your side. To conserve space, and to make your life easier, this recipe uses a blender and a fine mesh sieve or strainer. Ideally, you squeeze the oranges and grapefruit to get their juice and blend the watermelon with the fresh ginger root. Poor the citrus juice in a large pitcher and strain the blended watermelon mixture into that same pitcher. Mix everything up and you have yourself a refreshing glass of summer goodness.

Since fresh turmeric root is not always easy to find, this recipe calls for turmeric powder. If you want to use fresh turmeric and have it available to you, use about one to two inches of fresh turmeric root. Just make sure that you peel it. Otherwise, use the amount of turmeric powder listed in the recipe below.

SHARE:

The post Watermelon Orange Ginger Turmeric Juice appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.