Welcome to the Food Wisdom Chronicle!
The Chronicle is a bilingual publication that I write as a volunteer service for the Women's Building Community Food Bank in San Francisco and the People's Grocery Grub Box in Oakland. It is inspired by a seasonal food or herb and motivated by a belief that food wisdom is fun, helps to build healthy communities and should be readily available to all.
If you would like to volunteer to translate The Chronicle into other languages or would like to print and distribute it for private purposes please contact me.
"Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food."
-Hippocrates
The Food Wisdom Chronicle
May, 2009
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)…
Basil is just beginning to pop up at farmer’s markets and in gardens all over the bay area. While you may not have it at the food bank, you can probably find it at local produce stands and grocery stores. While there are many different types of basil that are particular to different cultures and dishes all over the word, the most common in this country is sweet basil, perhaps sometimes referred to as Italian basil. It has broad, light green leaves, thin stems and mature basil shoots will birth small white flowers.
As with many culinary herbs basil is anti-bacterial, helping to eliminate unfriendly food born pathogens as well as other viruses and bugs that you may have been exposed to. Basil is also a digestive aid. As an ingredient in food, as a garnish or in tea basil will help relieve gas, bloating, indigestion, cramping, nausea and even constipation. No wonder it is such a common ingredient in rich, heavy Italian foods!
Basil is also high in Vitamins A & C, making it a good herb to include in your diet for nutritional purposes as well. Basil also promotes circulation and is relaxing to the nervous system. Basil tea or fresh basil leaves bruised and placed on the forehead is an effective remedy for a headache, especially one related to stress or tension! With this in mind, basil makes a good evening time tea, perfect for after dinner or before bed. It will help you digest your food and calm you down for a good nights rest. Try making fresh basil tea with a bit of rosemary, orange peel or cinnamon and sweeten with honey to remove the bitter edge.
Possibly the most common basil dish is pesto! Pesto is a condiment that is made with basil, olive oil, nuts, garlic and sometimes Parmesan or other hard, salty cheeses. It is delicious on pasta, eggs, sandwiches, as a dip or sauce for greens and steamed vegetables or as a garnish on soups and other dishes. Pesto is delicious, and it will help you digest and thus enjoy any food you eat it with. If you would like to learn how to make pesto and many other things please visit my cooking blog, www.cooknthyme.blogspot.com.
The more you eat the better you feel, so eat your basil at every meal!
By Brittany Wood NickersonHealing with food, one day at a thyme…
Crónica de la Comida Sabia
Mayo, 2009
La Albahaca (ocimum basilicum)…
La albahaca está comenzando a aparecer en los ‘farmers' markets’ y en jardines de toda el área de la Bahía. Aunque no lo encuentre en el banco de alimentos, es probable que lo encuentre en puestos de venta de vegetales y en supermercados. Existe una gran variedad de tipos de albahaca y la más común es la albahaca dulce, conocida a veces como albahaca italiana. Esta tiene hojas anchas, color verde claro, tallos delgados y los brotes maduros de albahaca darán florecitas blancas.
La albahaca, como muchas otras hierbas culinarias, es un bactericida, ayudando a eliminar patógenos originarios de la comida, así como otros virus y microbios a los que pudimos haber estado expuestos. Como ingrediente dentro de la comida, como un simple adorno o como infusión, la albahaca le ayudará a aliviar la indigestión, los calambres intestinales, el gas, la náusea y aún el estreñimiento. ¿Será por esto que se utiliza tanto en esas comidas italianas tan ricamente elaboradas?
El alto contenido de vitaminas A y C en la albahaca la convierte en una hierba nutricional; promueve la circulación y relaja el sistema nervioso. El té de albahaca o las hojas frescas machacadas y colocadas en la frente, es un remedio efectivo para el dolor de cabeza, sobre todo cuando es producto de la tensión nerviosa. Con esto en mente, la albahaca se recomienda como infusión nocturna, perfecta después de la cena o antes de acostarse. Intente mezclar un poquito de infusión de albahaca con una ramita de romero, una cascarita de naranja o canela y endulzarlo con miel para quitar el amarguito.
Posiblemente, el plato de albahaca más conocido es el ¡pesto! Pesto es un condimento compuesto de albahaca, aceite de oliva, nueces, ajo y a veces queso parmesano (u otro queso duro y salado). Es delicioso sobre pasta, huevos, sándwiches, como salsa sobre verduras cocinadas al vapor o como adorno en sopas y otros platos. El pesto es delicioso y le ayudará con la digestión para que disfrute de cualquier comida que ingiera. Si desea aprender cómo preparar el pesto y otras ricas recetas, visite mi blog de cocina, www.cooknthyme.blogspot.com.
Escrito por Brittany Wood Nickerson
Curando con comida, paso a paso…
~The information on this site is not meant to diagnose or treat any illnesses, conditions or diseases and should not be used in place of medical advice.