At one point in our global history, spices were among the most valuable resources on the planet. Exotic flavors like turmeric, ginger, and pepper were highly sought after and became competitive sources of commerce in Asia, Africa, and Europe. The discovery of cinnamon, in particular, was kept a secret for decades in an attempt to protect the fortune that came with its trade. Travelers in search of it (including Christopher Columbus) were told about the dangers of venomous sna

Good news guac lovers—avocados are your best friend for more reasons than just being your go-to party ingredient. The super fruit (yes, it’s really a fruit) is densely packed with nutrients that provide incredible healing powers, from lowering cholesterol levels to providing you with great skin and hair.Avocados are so high in nutrients, in fact, that they are often referred to as a “superfood”—especially since they are so easy to add to almost any meal. So, while your taste

Plain old vegetable oil is so 2000-and-late. Coconut oil is today's choice for those in the know—and it's more than a flash in the pan. A lot of the buzz surrounding coconut oil comes from its medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). This type of fat is rapidly metabolized in the liver so it’s immediately available as an energy source; it’s also easier to burn off and harder to store as fat. Some MCTs, like lauric acid, work to keep you healthy by eliminating disease causing microbe

Less is more when it comes to really good sea salt, face bronzer, and apparently, vitamin E. Function of vitamin E When it was discovered at University of California, Berkeley in 1922, researchers determined that there wasn’t a singular “vitamin E.” The term actually encompasses a group of eight compounds called tocopherols and tocotrienols that are found in various fruits, veggies, animal proteins, and grains. Vitamin E is typically fat-soluble, which means that it can be st

Every time you pick up your phone to check Facebook or go back to the pantry for “just one more” chocolate, your brain is messing with you. But self-control is much easier than you might think. Meditation is the trick. Whatever it might be that has a hold over you, the chemical process in the brain is the same: The hypothalamus releases dopamine, creating a heightened experience of feeling good that stays in your memory, reminding you to repeat that behavior—even if it’s not

by Arielle Haspel for Thrive Market Pumpkin spice latte. Salted caramel mocha. S’mores frappuccino. These are just some of the seasonal offerings diehard Starbucks fans have historically lined up to get their hands on. This spring, the chain’s beverage du jour is the caramelized honey frappuccino. The only problem? With 68 grams of sugar per serving, it isn’t exactly good for you. But you can satisfy your sweet tooth by blending up a healthier version at home. Naturally sweet

The nutrition facts on the back of packaged foods have been the butt of jokes for years. You practically need a calculator to figure out how much sugar you’re eating, let alone figure out who what those “percent daily values” really mean. The Food and Drug Administration must have been listening, because today, it announced a long awaited update to the black and white chart—and it’s a total game-changer for anyone trying to eat healthier. As First Lady Michelle Obama said in

You grill sausages, corn on the cob, and even pizza—so why not lettuce? If romaine hearts aren't yet a part of your barbecue repertoire, they should be. The outer leaves soften and char as they grill, while the core remains crunchy. Drizzle them with an avocado-lime dressing and serve warm for a show-stopping summer salad. Grilled Romaine Salad With Avocado-Lime Dressing Yield: 6 servings Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients For the avocado-lime dressing: 1 avocado, pitted 1