It's herb time!
Spring is in full swing! I ™ve got my
fresh herbs planted ¦do you? This is a great time of year to spend a few bucks on
fresh herb plants at your
local farmer's market or garden supply.
Here are the top five reasons to grow your own
fresh herbs.
- A few herbs, such as oregano, have been shown to have some of the highest antioxidant levels. This means they help prevent chronic diseases and cancer. Check out www.oracvalues.com to learn more about these herbs.
- Add just a little, get a lot of flavor! Fresh herbs put a different spin on the same dish you ™ve been making all year. Your family might even think it's a different dish!
- You can plant them in the ground or in pots. Since it's difficult to grow herbs through the winter, you can plant them in pots and bring them in when the warmer seasons are over. Even if you plant them in the ground in the Southern, warmer states, most will come back next year!
- You get to provide nourishment to something! It's always rewarding to pull off an herb garden. I ™m not going to fib ¦it's certainly not the easiest thing to do. They can be finicky at times, especially when outside in super hot climates. But when it works, you will have plenty to share!
- Here's a small pairing table if you decide to experiment with growing your own herbs. These are the most commonly used and known herbs but there are so many more. For example, this year I planted purple basil and can't wait to use it! Remember everyone has a different palate and you ™ll sometimes find your own combinations.
| Oregano |
Common in Greek and Mexican dishes and anything with tomato sauce |
| Rosemary |
Goes great with your proteins: steak, chicken, salmon and trout |
| Thyme |
Use in French and Mediterranean cuisine, add to soups and stews |
| Basil |
Use in Mediterranean dishes, pesto sauces, pasta dishes, soups, salads and as a garnish |
| Mint |
Great for tea, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, accompanying curries and as a garnish |
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