When you think about the herb, thyme, what comes to mind? Probably rich, French country dishes, with so many calories and so much fat that it makes your hips bigger just thinking about it!

If you avoid cooking with this fragrant herb, though, you are missing out on thyme's amazing health benefits, like antioxidant power and antibacterial properties. Thyme is such a flavorful herb -- wouldn't it be nice to enjoy it in some healthy dishes?

Remember, you can substitute fresh thyme for dried in almost any recipe (just use a little less) to get more of the beneficial oils in the herb.

• Artichokes with yogurt mustard is easy to make and enjoy, with all the health benefits of artichokes, yogurt, lemon and herbs.
• Mansion BBQ spice mix combines thyme and lots of other healthy herbs and spices for a delicious rub for meats. Or, if you like a little more kick to your rubs, try this Cajun spice mix that includes even more thyme.
• Black Beans and rice recipe is full of fiber and veggies; just use brown instead of white rice for a more healthful dish.
• Braised artichokes with tomatoes and thyme is a perfect topping for pasta, spaghetti squash or brown rice.
• Chicken breasts roasted with pine nuts, honey and thyme gives you low-fat chicken breasts and lots of flavor.
• Chicken in green pumpkin seed sauce bursts with green things: herbs, pepitas, zucchini, green chilies and lettuce.
• Cranberry herb sauce would be delicious on meats or over quinoa or brown rice with chick peas.
• Figs stuffed with olive tapenade combines the healthy figs and olives with thyme -- what a powerhouse of a dish, in both flavor and nutrients!

Are you convinced that thyme can be part of a healthful diet yet?