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February 13, 2019

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Liquid Concentrates - good choice for complete adsorption of natural botanical compounds

Liquid Concentrates Turmeric Ginger and Pepper
With 60 serves per bottle Liquid Concentrates can be part of your daily wellness.

Natural super plants like ginger and turmeric contain a wide range of phytochemicals. These are the naturally occurring bioactive compounds that act on our bodies natural processes. 

The question is how to get these powerful compounds to where they are needed in the body?

At Verdant Kitchen® we use our deep knowledge and experience gained from being organic farmers, processors, chemists, formulators, and manufacturers. We understand that the end result can never be better than the ingredients used. We have learned to build processes that treat these natural ingredients with gentle processing so as not to degrade the very compounds that we are trying to deliver in our products.

Let's first look at the source of these phytochemicals. Ginger and turmeric each have over 50 biologically active compounds. There is a lot of press about these key compounds.  Curcumin, found in turmeric is one compound that gives turmeric it's bright yellow color. Many high-quality medical studies have looked at the positive impact it can have on a healthy inflammatory response. Likewise, gingerol from the ginger root has well documented positive results at reducing nausea from motion sickness and exhibiting positive impacts on circulation, headache, cell repair, and anti-clotting. 

It would be wrong to assume that curcumin, no matter the positive effects it can deliver, is the only bioactive compound in turmeric. Medical research surrounding ginger and turmeric grows every day and much of it is focused on the cascading reactions and interactions that the many different bioactive compounds have on our bodies.

These bioactive compounds are made by the plant cells and are often held within the cellulose matrix of the plant. To make them available to be adsorbed by our bodies, we need to consider how to best prepare and use them.

 

Key Considerations to Ensure Maximum Natural Quality

  • Use "whole roots" rater than isolates or heavily processed ingredients to ensure you provide a broad cross-section of the many bioactive compounds founds in the natural plants and herbs. Your body will use what it needs and is well tuned to utilize these compounds that have been ingested for over 10,000 years of human history.
  • Ensure the plants are grown sustainably and without synthetic pesticides and herbicides.
  • Using our raw food temperature process prepares the plant materials and minimizes any degradation.

Best Ways to Get Maximum Positive Impact in Your Body

Whole Root Powder Capsules

Pros: Very convenient. Easy to carry and store. Measured dose. The product is finely ground providing a high surface area for your digestive system to adsorb more easily. May release slowly across your entire digestive system

Cons: Need to swallow a capsule. Active compounds are still bound up in the cellulose matrix. Not all compounds are water soluble so this can limit or slow adsorption. Not well suited to add to foods or beverages.

Liquid Concentrates

Pros: Easy to use and carry. Liquid concentrates can be easily added to beverages. Easy to control dosage. During preparation, the whole roots are extracted in a cane sugar-based alcohol solution. Many of the bioactive compounds that are not soluble in water are very soluble in alcohol. This provides a high level of available adsorption.

Cons: Not very suitable for direct consumption as the undiluted concentrate can have a very strong flavor. 

Oil base Concentrates

Pros: Easy to use. As an oil based concentrate, they can be easily added to foods and cooking. Easy to control dosage. During preparation, the whole roots are extracted in a food grade oil. Many of the bioactive compounds that are not soluble in water are VERY soluble in oils. This provides a high level of available adsorption.

Cons: Not very suitable for taking direct as the undiluted concentrate can have a very strong flavor. 
These natural and potent plant-based materials that are "Made in Nature", when properly prepared can help support your body's systems and help you return to the "Natural State of Wellness"that we all seek.

 

January 18, 2019

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A faster recovery from Norovirus - peak season for the stomach bug is January/February

A recent conversation with a colleague "It was 2am. I woke up and there was something terribly wrong. I had returned from a flight around 9pm and had felt fine when I went to bed but now my stomach was in knots, I had a fever and was aching. I felt weak. I raced for the bathroom....." and the rest of the story for the next 48 hours was very, very unpleasant. 

Fortunately there are ways to help recover and get back on your feet. The "FBF" Fight Back Five™ - Ginger, Turmeric, Mint, Honey and Lemon will be you BFFs before all this is over.

 

Norovirus Case Peaks January to March Each Year

 

Source : CDC Center for Disease Control Prevention

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The culprit, most probably Norovirus. This highly contagious virus shows itself with peak outbreaks in North America around January and February. The CDC ( Centers for Disease Control ) report that this is a story repeated over 20 Million times a year and results in over 50,000 hospitalizations from the dehydration and complications that result. The young and old are particularly susceptible. The symptoms of nausea, cramps, throwing up, diarrhea, fever, aches can leave you weak for days.  

 

Centers for Disease Control - Norovirus control

The CDC advises that this is a virus spread by direct contact with infected people or food or surfaces they have contacted. The best defense is like your mother told you - wash your hands, don't touch your mouth and avoid touching things that infected people have touched.  All of this is good advice but try going to the mall, airport, cruise ship, day care, aged care, office, restaurant, dorm room, cafeteria...and touch nothing that someone else has touched. Fact is 20 million of us are going to get it anyway - so do what you can to reduce the chance of infection and make sure you have a plan to help speed recovery for you and your loved ones. What most people need help with includes:

  • Cramps
  • Nausea
  • Inflammation
  • Gentle Rehydration

 Fortunately, there are time tested foods that many people, including my colleague, have reported may help you through the worst of it and get you back on your feet ASAP.

We have arranged a curated list of products rich in the Fight Back Five™ The key reported benefits of these ancient ingredients include:
 Ingredient Helps With
Ginger Nausea
Turmeric Inflammation
Ginger or Turmeric Green Tea Hydration, nutrients
Honey Inflammation, nutrients
Lemon Hydration, vitamins, nutrients

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are shelf stable products that you can have on hand when the inevitable happens. Keep some at home and as an emergency package for your next trip, your kids dorm and your parents aged care ro

 

Verdant Kitchen


 


 

December 17, 2018

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recipe ›  

Ginger Pomegranate Glazed Cornish Hens

December 12, 2018

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Linzer Cookies - Gluten Free Ginger and Lemon

Ginger Lemon Linzer Cookies
Our thanks to SundayBacon for the great recipe and beautiful images.

Download the Recipe 

Linzer Cookies are a holiday classic. Linzer cookies take their name from the Austrian city of Linz which claims historic providence for this treat often found around Christmas time. Called a Linzer Torte in Austria, the pastry has a dough lattice over a jam filling. This Gluten Free (and Vegan with a few alternative ingredients) version, is such a beautiful table centerpiece or handmade personal gift. They are also packed with two kinds of our warm fragrant ginger. The varieties of ginger we have chosen have an underlying citrus base flavor, boosted with organic lemons. 

 

Makes: 18-20 cookies

Prep Time: 60 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 3/4 cups gluten-free flour blend

1 cup almond meal

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 large egg, room temperature (let 1 Tbsp flax + 3 Tbsp water sit for about 15 minutes for a flax egg to make these vegan)

3/4 cup butter (use vegan butter sticks to make these vegan)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp lemon zest

1/2 tsp Verdant Kitchen Ground Ginger 

1 cup Verdant Kitchen Ginger Preserves with Lemon 

1/4 cup Verdant Kitchen Ginger Bites 

1 cup powdered sugar

 

DIRECTIONS

MAKE THE DOUGH

  1. In a bowl, whisk to combine gluten-free flour, almond meal, baking powder, Verdant Kitchen Ground Ginger & salt

  2. In a separate bowl (you can use a stand mixer with paddle attachment or hand mixer here), cream the butter or butter substitute

  3. Add the 2 sugars and cream another 2 minutes until fluffy

  4. Add vanilla extract and egg then mix another minute until creamy

  5. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and blend until dough forms and all ingredients are well incorporated, scraping down sides as needed with a rubber spatula

  6. Divide dough into 2 balls then place each ball between 2 sheets of parchment paper

  7. Use a rolling pin to roll the dough to about 1/4 inch thick then transfer dough to refrigerator for at least 30 minutes

BAKE THE COOKIES

  1. Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in the middle

  2. Using a big cookie cutter (This will be what you want the shape of the cookie to be. Here, I chose flowers), cut 38-40 cookies and lay half of the cookies about 1 inch apart on a cookie lined with parchment paper

  3. Use the small cookie cutter (Here, I chose a little circle) to cut a peek-a-boo cutout for the preserves in the remaining half of the cookies then lay the cookies about 1 inch apart on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper

  4. Reshape and re-roll the cookie dough left after cutting. If it is difficult to work with, set it in the fridge again for 10-15 minutes

  5. Bake cookies 12-14 minutes, in batches, if needed, until lightly golden and just set. They may seem a bit soft but will harden as they cool. Be sure to allow the cookies to completely cool

ASSEMBLE THE COOKIES

  1. When cookies are completely (for real - completely!) cooled, spread out the cookies with the peek-a-boo cutout then use a sifter to sprinkle with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar

  2. Lay whole cookies (the ones without the peek-a-boo window) out and set 1 tsp Verdant Kitchen Ginger Preserves with Lemon in the center of each then top with a peek-a-boo cookie and place a piece of Verdant Kitchen Ginger Bites in the middle.

 

Verdant Kitchen Products used in this recipe

 

 

December 09, 2018

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Raw Ginger Bread Truffles

Get the Recipe

Holiday cookie & treat season is upon us! It’s a magical time of year. This recipe and images are brought to us from our friends at Danidelicious. One of their healthy and delicious creations.
One of my favorite treats to make during this season is raw truffles. It’s a delicious, rich treat made from raw, healthy ingredients and coated in antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. 

And who says holiday indulgences can’t be good for you too? 
It’s also a no-bake dessert so it's easy and quick to whip up…..the perfect treat to make if you’re not a big baker or you're rushed for time. 
These gingerbread truffles have a gooey, spiced-filled center and luscious dark chocolate coating. They are the perfect gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, healthy holiday dessert!
Servings 12 truffles

Ingredients

For filling

  • 1 cup dates
  • 3/4 cup Verdant Kitchen Candied Ginger Pecans
  • 1/2 cup regular pecans
  • 1 tablespoon molasses
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • Pinch sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons Verdant Kitchen Ginger Bites plus an additional tablespoon for topping

For chocolate coating

  • 6 ounces dark chocolate chips I used a dairy-free kind
  • 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
  • Pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. In a food processor, add the dates and blend until it forms a thick paste. Remove date paste from food processor and set aside.
  2. Add the candied pecans and regular pecans to the food processor and pulse until the nuts are broken down but still a bit chunky (about 20 seconds). Add back in date paste with molasses, vanilla, and spices and blend until all incorporated. Add in ginger bites and pulse until they are well mixed in with the other ingredients.
  3. Use a spoon or small ice cream scoop to scoop out a small amount of the mixture and roll into a ball. Complete this process until all of the filling mixture is used. It should make about 12 truffles. Place in fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
  4. Once the truffles are firm, the next step is to coat them in the dark chocolate. Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on medium power in increments of 30 seconds until the chocolate is fully melted. Stir in sea salt.
  5. Dunk each truffle into the chocolate mixture using a fork to remove the truffle from chocolate and remove any access chocolate. Set coated truffle on a baking rack so any access chocolate will drip off. While the chocolate is still wet, add a couple of ginger bites on top. Repeat this process until all the truffles are coated. Set in fridge for at least an hour to set up.
  6. Serve and enjoy!

Recipe Notes

These will store in the fridge for up to two weeks. 

 

Verdant Kitchen Products used in this recipe

      

 

December 05, 2018

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Brie with Ginger Preserve and Candied Ginger Pecans - a show stopping cheese plate

Brie with Ginger Preserve and Ginger Candied Pecans
A soft, nutty bloomy-rind Brie pairs beautifully with ginger. This simple crowd favorite can be made in 5 minutes. After you prepare the Brie you can warm it just a little to maximize flavor
It could not be easier -
  • Cut the Brie wheel in half and spread a layer of Ginger Preserve with Lemon over the cut surface.
  • For an added kick take a piece of the lemon from the bottle and place it in the center of the cut surface.
  • Place the top on the Brie to make a delicious Ginger Preserve sandwich
  • Add a layer of Ginger Preserve over the top of the Brie and decorate with Candied Ginger Pecans
  • Serve with your choice of crackers and dried and fresh fruit.
 

 

Verdant Kitchen products in this recipe:

     

 

December 03, 2018

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Cinnamon Bun - Holiday Ginger Swirl

Cinnamon Bun - Christmas Ginger Swirl

 

This festive and delicious ginger glazed bun is the essence of the holiday season. Just imagine a hot chocolate, tea or coffee, a piece of this bun, and friends. It's a happy vision.

Packed full of holiday favors, it will fill your home with warm and inviting aromas. Ginger, cinnamon, molasses, and dried fruit in a Ginger Honey glazed yeast dough make this a family classic.

 

Makes 6 large buns.

Prep time 2 hours

Cooking time 40 minutes

Ingredients👇


For the dough
4 cups Bread Flour
2 cups water
1 TSP Sea Salt
1 packet Active Dry Yeast
1 TBSP Vegetable Oil
1/4 cup chopped Verdant Kitchen Bare Ginger
1 TSP ground Cinnamon
1 TBSP Molasses
8 oz Mixed Peel

For fruit swirl
1 cup mixed chopped dried fruit of your choice. I used dried figs, raisins, currents, dried strawberries, and cranberries 
1/4 cup chopped Verdant Kitchen Bare Ginger

For the Glaze
1 TBSP Verdant Kitchen Ginger Infused Honey in 1 TBSP hot water

 

Directions👇

✅Mix together the dough ingredients and knead by hand or machine until smooth and elastic (10-15 min)
✅Place in a bowl and allow to rise in a warm draft-free place for 1 hour
✅Roll out to 1/2 thick rectangle and cover with Fruit Swirl dried fruit
✅Roll up the dough and then cut into 6 x 2 inch (approx) pieces
✅Arrange cut side up to show the swirls in a parchment lined round baking tray (I used one that held 4 of the pieces and cooked two separately as individual buns on a flat baking tray)

✅Bake at 400F for 25 minutes, remove and brush with the Glaze. 
✅Return to the oven and bake an addition 5-10 minutes until golden brown
✅Remove from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack ready to enjoy

Download the recipe

Verdant Kitchen Products used in this recipe 
November 30, 2018

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For people with health challenges the right gift can make a big difference

The holiday season provides us with an opportunity to make a difference in peoples lives. In a special way, your gift choices can bring joy to people with health challenges both big and small. 

We founded Verdant Kitchen on the belief that some natural foods have an outsized ability to help promote wellness and to have a positive impact on our lives. We have had the great fortune to help improve the quality of life for so many people over the past few years.

"Chemo patients need these. Nice tin for carry in chemo bag or handbags." Denise H on Ginger Bites

 

A few days ago I was feeling unwell. I had picked up a chest cold on my trip to the SEMA show in Vegas a few weeks back and try as I did, I could not get rid of it. A course of heavy antibiotics quickly got it under control but let me feeling very nauseous - a few pieces of Bare Ginger every 3 hours I felt no nausea. My problem was a small and temporary one, but it reminded me how disruptive pain, discomfort, nausea, and exhaustion can be. Health issues, even small and temporary ones, can rob your quality of life.

 

"They make most queasiness during a flight go away without medication for me, which is helpful, but I also keep them in my desk just for snacking." Michelle E. on Turmeric Dusted Baby Ginger. 

 

As excited as I am about great flavor I am more excited to develop products that help build and maintain strong active lives.

Here are a few ideas for you. Our food, supplements, and collections can be a gift in themselves but also consider building your own gift box around your Verdant Kitchen selections. These include simple items you can pick up at any grocery or drug store. Think of things to help stay warm, moisturized, entertained and relaxed. Warm socks, scarves, and soft blankets. Natural ingredient based moisturizes and lip balm. Books and magazines or audio books and subscriptions are always appreciated.

Rather than come up with an exhaustive list, here are some starting point suggestions. Think about your friends and family who may be putting on a brave face but would really appreciate a gift that made them feel brighter and better able to cope with the holidays.

Prescription medications and chemotherapy often cause nausea, low appetite and a rejection of many familiar tastes. 

"Ginger Syrup was the only thing that got me through my breast cancer treatments" Meredith on Ginger Syrup in water as a drink to sip.

for higher levels of Ginger consider our Farm Fresh capsules

People who suffer from Motion Sickness - for those who suffer from motion sickness, it can ruin travel. Ginger can help reduce nausea that is the result of motion sickness.

I loved this quote from Katie M

"..not the flavor for me AT ALL, but when I read it’s helpful for morning sickness, I had to give it a try! these are in tiny tolerable pieces and seemed to tame the nausea a bit."

Pregnant Moms often have a unique battle with nausea. We have so many moms tell us that our ginger products really helped them.

Ida M on nausea she suffered during pregnancy.

"Got this to help fight my pregnancy nausea. Love being able to use a natural remedy. The sugar makes it super tasty."

Ida chose the Ginger Bites, but similar items include Bare Ginger and Crystallized Ginger.

 

For people battling various arthritic diseases, consider warm Ginger Turmeric Green Tea and Turmeric Infused Honey as individual items or gift collections.

 

 

Check out more ideas in gift giving from our blog The Six Essentials for Great Gifts

 

November 15, 2018

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Gifts ›  

The Six Essentials for Great Gifts

Gift choices and giving should be a natural pleasure but often it feels stressful. 

Why does it sometimes fill us with dread ? How do we get something for the person that has everything? We looked to leading psychologists, philosophers, and grandmothers for answers. What they said made sense. Their advice not only opened a new universe of potential gift ideas but changed gift giving back to what it should be - a time to appreciate and honor others.

We give gifts to celebrate others. In the end, it does not matter if it is to say thank you for kindness, to a stranger as an act of compassion, to our partners, parents, siblings, co-workers, or children we have created these 6 Essentials for Great Gifts:

1. Be Personal - Gift giving is one to one. It is your opportunity to connect directly with someone. This is a gift for them and no one else. You chose it for them. Spend some time to look at the next 5 Essentials and you will meet this #1 essential of gift giving.

2. Look to the Past or to the Future - Gifts can celebrate the past or the future. Memories of past times, a great flavor, a familiar texture, a happy scent from our past that is full of joy. Pick a gift that connects to time. Future times are full of promise. Are they planning a trip? Moving house? Getting married? Having a child? Find a gift that can be part of that future or that helps connect to a happy past time.

3. Be an experience - choose gifts that can be enjoyed. Experiences are best shared. Find gifts that can be enjoyed many times. Wonderful snacks, beautiful aromas, and great tastes can be enjoyed over and over. Small happy experiences that can be repeated and shared many times make for great gifts.

4. Include a little bit of yourself - make the gift connected to you. Add a special note about the history or providence of the gift. Add something that made it special to you and gives more information on why you are sharing it.

5. Make them happy - gifts should make them happy. Gifts that make them comfortable, relieve their stress, or provides them with relaxation are appreciated.

6. Be what they need - a gift that solves a problem is a good gift. If your gift is to help someone climb a mountain next month then that is a great thing but most people have simpler ambitions.  Not everyone feels well or is leaving for an outward bound adventure in the next month. Gifts that bring simple comfort, warmth, and better mobility are always well received.

At Verdant Kitchen® we have curated a selection of individual items, gift collections, and gift sets from $5 to $60. They include gifts that prepare for great adventures or bring simple comfort when times are tough. We work to craft gifts that bring joy to those who receive them and to those give them.
November 12, 2018

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recipe ›  

Ginger Coconut Farina Bowl - a sweet, warm and gluten free start to your winter morning

Thanks to our Instagram friend @sundaybacon for the image and recipe

Start the day with this sweet, gluten-free and nutritious Ginger Coconut Farina  Fun fact Growing up in Australia 🇦🇺I ate Farina (milled wheat flour) as my daily hot cereal. This gluten-free recipe has @bobsredmill brown rice flour version.

Ingredients:
For the Farina 👇
1/2 cup @bobsredmill brown rice Farina
1 1/2 cup coconut milk
2Tbsp dried cherries
2 Tbsp walnuts, chopped
1 Tbsp @verdantkitchen Ginger Bites - we added these to boost the ginger. You can use some grated or dried ginger.

For the topping👇
1/4 cup fresh berries
2Tbsp @verdantkitchen Ginger Syrup
1 Tbsp sliced Almonds
1Tbsp Pumpkin seeds
1 Tbsp unsweetened coconut

Durections👇
✅Bring coconut milk, cherries and Ginger Bites to a boil
✅Add Farina, cover, reduce heat & simmer 8 minutes, stirring occasionally 
✅Scoop the goodness into a bowl and load with the toppings
✅Drizzle with @verdantkitchen Ginger Syrup

 

 

Verdant Kitchen Products in this Recipe

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