Healthy Dressings

One of healthiest herbs that you can include in your diet is fresh cilantro. Abundant in chlorophyll, iron, and a wide variety of phytonutrients, fresh cilantro provides protection against a wide spectrum of diseases, and may even protect you against a buildup of heavy metals.

Guacamole is one healthy side dish that is hard to find in good form at a local grocery store. Believe it or not, some brands of prepackaged guacamole don't even contain avocados.

It takes about 3 minutes to whip up a super healthy and tasty side of guacamole. All you need are ripe avocados, a red onion, half a lemon, and sea salt.

I've tried a number of hummus recipes over the years, and while I've enjoyed just about all of them, nothing beats the ultra simple version that I started with several years ago. All it calls for are chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt - profoundly simple and profoundly good.

I've long maintained that pasteurized dairy products should be avoided whenever possible, as regular intake of dairy is associated with a number of health challenges, the most common of which are: chronic ear infections, nasal congestion, acne, eczema, a variety of autoimmune illnesses, and even cancer.

I almost never eat dairy products, but like a lot of people who follow a dairy-free diet, I find myself craving different types of cheese from time to time. I mean, come on, nothing provides a mouthful of flavor like a nice helping of cheese, right?

Think of this unique chickpea guacamole to be a combination of hummus and avocado. Rich in both healthy fatty acids and healthy protein, this side dish can easily be a part of a satisfying meal when combined with your favorite grain dish. We love it with brown rice or quinoa.

This simple and delicious black bean tahini dip is abundant in calcium, folate (folic acid), manganese, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and vitamin B1.

This dip is also rich in healthy protein, including an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is helpful for promoting restful sleep and good nervous system health.

Guacamole has long been one of my favorite dishes. It's rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, phytonutrients that are good for keeping our eyes healthy, and a number of other health-enhancing nutrients. Best of all, guacamole is simple to put together and goes well with just about anything.

As I mentioned in my post on eating calcium-rich plant foods to promote optimal bone health, sesame seeds are an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, all of which your body needs to build and maintain healthy bones and teeth. So if you want to ensure that you optimally nourish your bones and teeth as you age, consider mastering the following Asian-style sesame sauce recipe. Depending on how much water you use, this recipe can produce a light salad dressing, a dip for raw vegetables, or even a rich alternative to mayonnaise.

One of the most common health concerns that people consult with me for is how to prevent osteoporosis. I routinely review bone scan results and food diaries of people who diligently follow conventional recommendations on calcium intake, and are discouraged by worsening test results.

In my experience, the most common mistake that people make is eating too much dairy. Many health practitioners routinely advise their patients to get anywhere from 1200 to 1500 milligrams of calcium every day, and many people turn to milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products to meet this requirement.

If you enjoy cream cheese, I encourage you to give the following dairy-free and healthy cream cheese recipe a try. It calls for sweet cashews, a touch of fine olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh herbs as an optional ingredient.

Cashews are rich in a number of health-promoting nutrients, including magnesium, copper, tryptophan, and healthy fatty acids. A diet that is rich in high quality cashews can help keep your teeth and bones healthy, and help prevent high blood pressure.