Spice rubs are unique in that while there are many different ways to add spices to food, before, during and after cooking, spices are most effective when added prior to the cooking process. The most popular way to do this is by allowing the food to marinate in spices mixed with some kind of liquid, such as olive oil, citrus juice or wine. Another delicious to add extra flair to your cooking methods are to use a spice rub.

What are Spice Rubs

A spice rub is really quite simple; it is nothing more than a mixture of spices and herbs that are literally “rubbed� on to the surface of the food before it is cooked. One of the oldest and most common spice rubs is coarsely-ground black pepper.

For Spice rubs, the grind is important; unlike table spices and those added during sautéing or boiling, these spices are of either of a fairly coarse grind or simply crushed. Spice rub may be applied to the food several hours prior to cooking in order to impart the flavors; it may be left on during the cooking process or removed just prior to applying heat.

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A recent news article from local ABC news station WLS-TV in Chicago announced earlier this year that Dr. Marcia Schurer a 56-year-old woman lost 35 pounds – 20 percent of her weight – four years ago and has kept it off ever since. The secret in her success lies in a low fat diet. This is the entire recipe for Grilled Chicken with Chili Spice Rub they share.

For those who want to purchase pre-mixed spices and seasoning blends Starwest also offers a selection of all natural organic rubs including Organic Mediterranean Seafood Rub, , Organic Savory Beef Rub, and Organic Roasted Pork Rub. Starwest all-natural rubs are each made from a delicious combination of certified organic spices, seasonings, and herbs that add unique flavor to meat, seafood and vegetables.

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Bulk natural oils are used in all manner of skin and hair care products, as well as for cooking. Some bulk natural oils can also be used as carrier oils, which means they are combined with other ingredients to create a massage oil or other types of body oils. They are available in a wide variety, including Apricot Kernel, Coconut, Grapeseed oil, Olive, Sesame, Jojoba, Lanolin and several others.

Apricot Kernel oil is one of the natural oils for skin care. Apricot Kernel oil is very moisturizing, and thus is a common ingredient in cosmetics and in shampoos and conditioners to moisturize the scalp.

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Please enjoy this informative article re-published from our recent fall newsletter.
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Improving Digestive Health With Carminative Herbs
by Christa Sinadinos, Clinical Herbalist

The digestive system is considered the foundation of health by many natural health practitioners. Digestion consists of two fundamental processes, assimilation and elimination, which generate energy for the physical body and provide the nutrients which maintain the body processes and systems.

Eating high quality, unprocessed, whole foods provides fuel for the body, but the digestive system has to function properly in order to assimilate the nutrients. A number of factors can reduce the digestive capacity including stress, eating quickly, consuming cold foods, and drinking iced beverages. Additionally, the use of alcohol, recreational drugs, antibiotics, and other medications can also hinder digestion. Some of these factors can be remedied by eating foods which are served warm or at room temperature, and by relaxing while consuming a meal.

Another way to improve digestion is by utilizing flavorful, carminative herbs. Herbs with carminative properties help to reduce flatulence and bloating. They are beneficial for treating colic, as well as for decreasing smooth muscle cramping and griping pains (intestinal cramping). Some carminative herbs increase bile flow, which improves the digestion of fats. Examples of carminative herbs which improve assimilation include the following: anise, cardamom, coriander, cumin, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, orange peel and peppermint.

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In the spirit of the season, Starwest offers you this Fall Favorite: a Recipe for Pumpkin Bread. Enjoy!

Mmm Fall Pumpkin Bread

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water and
sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour,
baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. Stir the dry
ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the
prepared pans.

3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Celebrating the holidays with family is a highlight of the year. With the Holidays quickly approaching, look to Starwest for the best in culinary delights to share with your family. We have a selection of delicious and unique recipes waiting for you on the Starwest Holiday recipes page! Pies, soups and cookies are part of the selection.

Holiday Recipes »

Let us know if you have any family favorites.

Avocados are the fruit from the Persea americana tree, which is native to warm climates such as those found in Mexico, South and Central America and the Caribbean, although they are also grown in California and Florida as well. The fruit will only ripen once it has been picked from the tree. Oil can be pressed from the fruit, and natural avocado oil is both edible as well as used in body care products such as massage oil.

There are both color and scent differences between refined and unrefined avocado oil that you will want to know about before you buy avocado oil. Refined avocado oil has no scent and is pale gold in color. Unrefined avocado oil has a deep green to brown color and does have a strong scent. Refined oil is sometimes preferred for facial lotions and skin moisturizing treatments because it is odor free, but both work well for smoothing and keeping the skin supple.

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Although “pumpkinâ€� comes from the Greek word pepon – meaning “melonâ€� – pumpkins are not Greek, nor melons. Although they are now grown in many parts of the world, the pumpkin is a North American native and a member of the squash family.

Because pumpkins are usually ripe and ready for harvest in October and November, pumpkin pie has become a tradition during fall holidays. Not only is its nutty, sweet flavor excellent for pies and other pastries, pumpkin is also an excellent source of lutein and beta carotene (which gives pumpkins their characteristic orange color). In addition, a recent study in China suggests that consuming pumpkin may help mitigate some of effects of diabetes (from the London Daily Telegraph, 9 July 2007).

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October Lavender Sale

We’re having a lavender sale! For the month of October, the following items are 10% off our already fantastic prices:

• Whole Extra & Select Lavender Flowers – Both Organic & Conventionally Grown
• Organic Lavender Dryer Bags
• Lavender Essential Oils – Both Organic & Conventional
• Lavender Hand & Body Lotion
• Lavender Aromatherapy Touch-ons
• Lavender Flower Water

Be sure to visit our SPECIALS page for other great deals and discounts on herbal products!

Astragalus root is a widely known medicinal herb that has long been a staple of Chinese herbal medicine. Practitioners of Chinese medicine have used this powerful root to stimulate and strengthen the immune system. Astragalus herb is thought to help keep your immune system healthy so it fights off free radicals and diseases. More recently, the use of the herb is catching on with practitioners of alternative medicine in the rest of the world.

The Astragalus root, otherwise known as astragalus membranaceous, is thought to be a powerful herbal supplement. Astragalus root comes from a perennial plant of the pea family which grows in northern China and Mongolia. As an herbal remedy, it has been used for literally thousands of years in China for therapeutically healing. Hard to believe something so small can hold such big benefits.

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