herbs Archives - Womens Post

New Year’s Eve parties are all about the appetizers, well that and the beverages.

While wine or champaign may seem like the most socially-acceptable gift for a host of a New Year’s party, why not pair it with a delicious and hot appetizer — like Jalapeno Poppers. Because seriously, who doesn’t love something with a little bit of heat and a whole lot of cheese?

There are many ways to make Jalapeno Poppers. You can wrap them with cheddar and dough, and then fry them in hot oil. You can even wrap the jalapenos with cheese and bacon! But, the easiest way to make these delicious morsels is to use — and don’t laugh! — Pillsbury Crescent Rolls.

Yes, I’m serious! And if you mock, I dare you to try it! Not only is it so simple there are hardly any measurements, but you really can’t screw it up.

Here’s what you’ll need:

A tube of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

6 Jalapenos

Half a container of herb cream cheese

Lemon

Cilantro

*Note, this recipe makes about a dozen poppers. Double recipe if you want more.

Instructions

Cut the jalapenos in half and remove all the seeds. Mix herb cream cheese in a bowl with a handful of cilantro and a dash of lemon. Add pepper and salt if you desire. Make sure you can taste the cilantro in the mix. Fill each jalapeno with the cream cheese mixture.

Open the Pillsbury Crescent Rolls and cut along the lines of the triangles. Depending on the size of your jalapenos, you may need to cut these triangles in half. Take the dough and wrap it around the jalapenos. Bake as instructed on the container.

Let cool and serve.

That’s it! It’s so easy and is bound to be a crowd pleaser. The fluffy dough is a perfect contrast to the heat of the jalapenos and the sweetness of the cream cheese mixture. And it goes perfectly with either a glass of wine or a pint of beer. Plus, the dough is great to soak up the alcohol, so maybe make a double batch just to be safe?

Sure, you can order these from any restaurant and they will come with lots of melted cheese and fried goodness — but this slightly healthier and cheaper version is perfect for that New Year’s Eve party. Enjoy!

For most women, menstrual cramps are a terrible experience. It can feel like you are being torn apart from the inside out. For myself, it is as if my hip bones are being pulled in two opposite directions and my lower legs go completely numb. In other words, it’s hell. In these moments, all I want to do is sink into a pile of chocolate and cozy blankets for a few days, but alas I must continue through the daily grind.

Unfortunately, most of us can’t simply stay home and wallow — we have to continue working and living our lives. Traditionally, women have used herbs to help with menstrual cramps before drugs become available in convenient little pills. Medications don’t always relieve all of the pain or symptoms associated with our time of the month, so why not try some natural remedies. They worked for our ancestors and they will work for us.

One of the best herbs for cramps is ginger. It is easy to find in grocery stores and is known to soothe menstrual cramps as well as aide in bloating. Simply shave a few slivers of ginger and place into a cup of boiling water with a spoonful of honey and a splash of lemon. Having a mug of homemade ginger tea nightly will help alleviate menstrual pain substantially.

Halloumi salad with fennel, croutons and pomegranate.

Another option to help ease cramps is fennel. Fennel contains anethole, which is a compound that helps to ease pain. There are many ways to eat fennel both raw and cooked, and it has a celery-like texture. Slice the fennel into thin pieces and add to a salad. Use the leafy fronds (the top of the fennel) to add to salad. You can also cook chopped fennel and put it in a delicious tomato fennel soup. Roasted fennel is simple, but delicious if you like the liquorice taste.

Another herb that has truly magical qualities is sage. Along with helping menstrual cramps, it also lifts the mood and increases memory. Sage goes well with asparagus and can be added for extra flavour in a variety of Italian pasta sauces. It also pairs well with pineapple. Sage tea also helps with sore throats and in the summer, frozen sage in ice cubes makes a refreshing drink during your menstrual cycle.

Common pain relievers can have negative health side effects for some people, and natural remedies can provide an alternative. By incorporating ginger tea into your evening routine and sage into your pasta sauce, some of the symptoms of cramps may be alleviated. Any solution to helping get rid of cramps is a welcome one, and using herbs is surely a delicious way to get rid of pain.

herbs

Holiday Baking: Jalapeno Poppers

Want a natural way to get rid of menstrual cramps?