Pizza is not part of my diet. Ever, really. All that cheese, grease, and bread makes it just too dangerous for me. If you're a pizza lover, though, and you make your own pie, add to your sauce this one special ingredient: Oregano.

Oregano contains some great essential oils, ripe with a substance called (E)-beta-caryophyllene, which binds to certain cell receptors and prevents inflammation -- often present in heart disease, cancer, and other health conditions. Mice know this to be true. And researchers think humans may benefit all the same.

It's not clear how much (E)-BCP is in oregano but it seems the lowest dose of the compound is most effective. A little dash will do ya, then. Sprinkle black pepper, rosemary, and cinnamon on your dishes too -- they also contain the compound.

Source

Natural and organic foods are often seen as boring and bland by those who are used to salty and chemical-infused processed foods, but it does not have to be that way. Ever try using fresh herbs in that salad or with that salmon?

Cilantro, Rosemary and Thyme are three of my favorites. Even squeeze a fresh lemon onto that veggie plate? That's another idea to spruce up the taste of some great feeds that don't have a load of MSG to get those taste buds excited while the food behind it is hardly adequate for normal nutrition.

The next time you find yourself trying to eat a healthier regimen of meals, but are discouraged by the bland taste you think may be there, try some fresh herbs (not bottled if possible) and spices. Personally, I use pepper on most foods I eat, although I understand that is too much for many of you. There are, however, many (many) alternatives.

Source

Omega-3s have the medically proven ability to reduce the amount of fat in your blood and help lower triglycerides. Triglycerides are a huge risk factor in heart attacks. Not only are they good for the heart but they help with depression, type 2 diabetes, fatigue, dry and itchy skin, brittle hair and nails, joint pain and other inflammation in the body, and the inability to concentrate. Here are some top 10 food sources for Omega-3s. Start a healthy habit by adding some of these items to your daily diet and remember to buy organic when available.

Flax Seeds
Dried Ground Cloves
Walnuts
Salmon, Halibut, Cod
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Dried Ground Oregano
Mustard Seeds
Brussel Sprouts
Cooked Soybeans

Source

I'm a huge fan of using non-salt spices to make all those lovingly-prepared foods taste good without subjecting myself to all those fake, taste-enhancing chemicals used on so many processed foods these days.

Most food sold in pre-packaged containers is essentially "dead" with a shelf life of many months. So, to combat that fact, chemicals like MSG and others are used to give that taste that consumers have grown used to.

There is nothing wrong, however, by buying frozen vegetables and other meals (without a slew of chemicals) and using your own spice cabinet to pump up the taste. When I fix a whole-wheat sandwich with fresh vegetables, for example, garlic and pepper go on as the taste enhancers -- not meat filled with sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (yuck).

In a neat side note, how about becoming more sharper mentally by using spices regularly? That's a side effect worth using pepper and other spices (like majoram and oregano) all the "thyme."

Source