Wellness Wednesday! Kitchen Remedies

I found this wonderful article in Parenting magazine, May 2010 issue, about the most healthy herbs you can use while cooking.

Tasty? Check. Fragrant? Check. Healthy? Check. Not only pleasing to the palate and the sniffer, these herbs offer unique health benefits, too. They've got minimal calories and zero salt, so go ahead and liberally add these fresh herbs to your favorite foods.

Basil: Toss two teaspoons onto pizza to get 5 percent of your daily requirement of magnesium, a mineral that works to maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heartbeats steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong.

Cilantro: Stir into salsa to top your tacos for a tasty way to reduce potential bacterial contamination in the meat. The Romans used the herb to preserve meat more than 2,000 years ago! Cilantro is also traditionally used to promote healthy digestion.

Dill: Dress up tuna salad and you could be helping your body maintain healthy cholesterol levels at the same time. Named after a Norwegian word that means "to lull," dill can also have a soothing effect and may relieve indigestion.

Parsley: Mix two teaspoons of dried parsley into a salad for 150 percent of your daily vitamin K needs, which is important for healthy blood clotting and bone health. You'll also be getting a nice dose of vitamin C and vitamin A.

Rosemary: Add it to marinades to help cut your cancer risk; its antioxidants may combat potential carcinogens created when meats are broiled or rilled at temps above 400F.

Thyme: Sprinkle two teaspoons of dried thyme into a stew or salad dressing to get nearly 20 percent of your daily iron needs. It's often used in tea or found in cough syrups to ease dry, hacking coughs and to soothe a sore throat, as well.