herbs

It's nice to know that there are things that titillate the palate that can be satisfying, calorie-free, and nutritious. We've all heard the healthy benefits of brown rice but by itself it is boring. Spice it up with herbs. Here are some herbs that are packed with flavor and have nutritional benefits:

Cilantro (Coriander) - Cilantro and its seed, coriander, are a source of vitamins A and K, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese and copper.

Thyme - Another antioxidant powerhouse, thyme contains vitamin C, potassium, calcium, and iron.

Mint - A source of vitamins A and C, calcium and iron, mint also has traces of protein-building amino acids and disease fighting flavonoids.

Parsley - Good source of vitamin C filled with cancer-inhibiting carotenoids, vitamins A and K, iron, calcium and folate.

Another nice thing about herbs is they can be used in salads, soups, meats, vegetables, potatoes, breads, and desserts depending on the herb. Goodbye salt and butter a diet saboteur! These particular herbs are low-maintenance to grow on a sunny sill and water frequently if fresh is your bag. No need to start from scratch, buy seedlings at any garden center. Munga!