7 Ridiculously Delicious Ways to Use A Pomegranate

We are being happily seduced  into the autumn season. An abundance of pomegranates is one of our favorite signs that the season has come. Those beautiful, yet complex fruits with their scarlet red stained color never cease to excite us with culinary ideas and the countless ways in which to use them.

Fortunately for us, pomegranates are as rich in nutrients as they are in taste and color, fighting for the top spot on the ORAC scale as one of the foods most concentrated in antioxidants.

Pomegranates have historically been used as a heart tonic and blood builder, but it is their polyphenol content that makes this fruit so seductive.

Polyphenols are turning heads in the research world, generating new expectations for improvements in health. But all this buzz isn't just about antioxidants: polyphenols boost the ability to reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, normalize blood pressure and prevent prostate cancer. Not too shabby for such a delicious fruit!

Sprinkle Pomegranate Arils on Desserts | (Shown above) This chocolate cake from our cooking class with Botanica is topped with a sprinkle of arils for a healthy, festive touch you could pull off with almost any baked good. Get the Recipe
Make a Tonic | Everyday, gut health pro, Donna Gates makes this simple tonic made with water kefir -- a fermented drink similar to kombucha -- and red juice like pomegranate or tart cherry. Here's Why

Top a salad | Have a salad recipe that's boring, but workable? Add a handful of pomegranate seeds to the top for beauty, that sweet and sour flavor and a pop of excitement. Try the Recipe

Make Ottollenghi's Cauliflower Salad | No Ottolenghi recipe ever fails. This delicious side dish is absolutely incredible and, of course, topped with pomegranate. Try the Recipe

Put them on pancakes | Skip chocolate chips and pop some beautiful pomegranate arils on top of our weekend pancake stack. Try the Recipe

Add them to tacos | You'll just have to trust us on this and give it a try. Pomegranate arils with lime over fresh fish tacos are absolutely incredible. Try the Recipe

Make Pomegranate Chocolates | Want a double dose of polyphenols? Make these simple, freezer chocolates spiked with pomegranate seeds. Pretty, unexpected and pretty much addictive. Try the Recipe 

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Meet Tania Whittier, The Non-Toxic Stylist Behind Kristen Bell’s Blonde

We met Tania Whittier at Beverly Hills' Méche Salon, surrounded on all sides by women giving inarguably good L.A. hair.

When we heard through the grapevine that Tania was the latest L.A. stylist to embrace non-toxic treatments (there are surprisingly few!), we knew we needed to meet her ourselves -- and to try the goods.

Whittier's top clients include Kristen Bell (that epic blonde) and Maya Rudolph (those insanely smooth bobs). We asked Tania to talk to us about why she decided to embrace more non-toxic products in her process. Like us, she believes that it will be consumers who drive the trend, just as they've done in every other area of clean beauty.

If you're ready to consider a cleaner approach to your salon visits, listen up...

The Chalkboard: Let's start right in with the most 'dangerous' stuff. What's wrong with a Brazilian blowout for those who are not in the know? 

Tania Whittier: The classic Brazilian Blowout is a treatment that uses formaldehyde in its formula -- a toxic gas. When mixed with keratin, formaldehyde creates an adhesive that allows the keratin to sit on the cuticle layer of the hair. You apply the product, blow-dry the treatment into the hair, then flatiron. It's the flat-ironing at high heat that creates a toxic gas that can be breathed in. It can also give you a headache and watery eyes. You may be able to suck it up for a monthly treatment, but what about the effect it's having on a stylist giving those blowouts everyday?

TCM: Yikes! Thankfully, there are natural alternatives for hair texture treatments. Let's talk about it! Can you explain the "cleaner" texture treatments you've become so popular for?

Tania Whittier: Nontoxic is the next generation in hair care. This means no more ammonia, PPD, resorcinol of formaldhyde.

PPD - Paraphenylenediamine is know as a possible carcinogen that has allergic reactions. Can create reddening and swelling of face along with dermatitis.

Resorcinol- used in coloring and may be toxic to environment as well as our immune system.

Ammonia- Swells the hair cuticle to allow color absorption, allergic reactions include itchy scalp and watery eyes.

Formaldehyde- known to be a human carcinogen resulting in watery eyes,headaches, burning sensation in throat, difficultly breathing and can aggravate asthma symptoms.

Using a non-toxic smoothing treatment has become a no-brainer for me. Of course it's safer, but it also allows me to create different looks. When you use a non-toxic treatment you have to process it, just like haircolor. That means the cuticle layer of the hair is opened, keratin and amino acids are entering the cortex layer of the hair, and I have more flexibility about the final texture. Once the treatment is done processing you rinse everything out of the hair before blowdrying and flat ironing, unlike a Brazilian.

TCM: What would you like more stylists to realize about going "clean"?

Tania Whittier:  I would love stylists to realize that clean haircolor and non-toxic smoothing treatments are worth the investment! Clean color works like traditional color and non-toxic treatments work better. More importantly, it’s safer for us. More and more clients are requesting clean treatments and I think that trend is only going to grow. If you work in a competitive market, consider going clean an investment in your future.

TCM:  What are some of the brands you've come to love most for treatments?

Tania Whittier: There are so many non-toxic smoothing treatments out there now! They all do different things for different types of hair. Some of my favorites are Puraluxe, Leaf and Flower, Cezanne and Pure Brazilian Clear.

My goal with my clients is to customize a treatment for them based on their hair goals. Some clients just want to reduce frizz, but keep the curls, others want truly straight hair. Clients also like to use treatments to make the curl textures on their hair more uniform.

TCM: Beyond just texture, you create some pretty great blonde in Hollywood too. If readers aren't convinced to go clean yet, they can just check out your client, Kristen Bell. Has the non-toxic color you use gotten better over time yet?

Tania Whittier: Clean haircolor has gotten so much better and, yes, you can get some beautiful tones with clean haircolor now. My favorite clean line is O&M, based in Australia.

TCM: What would you say to those who are hesitant to try clean or natural color or treatments? 

Tania Whittier: Maya recently said in an interview with Byrdie that the one hair thing she did during quarantine was her non-toxic smoothing treatment. She did notice the difference when she made the switch to non-toxic and loved it. I switched Kristen over to clean haircolor and she didn’t see a difference.

I tell clients that clean color and non-toxic treatments have come a long way and you now can create the same looks with better products. The products need to continue improving, but that’s why it’s so important to support the movement toward clean beauty -- so we can continue to make 'better for you' even better!

Read next | Fall Beauty Trend Report: The 5 Best Healthy Hair Treatments At Home

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Do Women Suffer In Silence When It Comes To Digestive Issues?

When it comes to digestive issues, are you the “suffer in silence” type? Turns out you’re not alone.

An estimated 100 million women struggle with gut health issues, yet most of us don’t talk about it. Often, we simply accept that occasional stomach discomfort is a “normal” part of being a woman that we must quietly endure throughout our lives.

Stigma around digestive issues in women -- whether actual, perceived or internalized -- can keep many of us from attaining the tools we need to deal with our health positively.

Let’s normalize the conversation around gut health.

Let's empower more women to make digestive wellness a priority -- who cares if we’re fit, well-nourished and have glowing skin if our gut is uncomfortable and totally out of sorts. Both digestive and vaginal health are wellness lifestyle issues too crucial for women to ignore.

Why Self-Care Without Balanced Digestion?

A daily probiotic is certainly a less exciting purchase than a clean skincare product and a less obvious self-care habit than a good bubble bath. But, as some of us know all too well, once our digestion is off, we’re just not having that much fun.

Having all the trappings of self-care without a digestive health routine is kind of like splurging on makeup, but not skincare -- the former is a fun cover up, but the latter creates a lasting effect that’s far more worth it in the end.

You Guessed It: It’s All About A Good Probiotic

Probiotics are the only way to add good, new bacterial species to the microbiome and boost your body’s overall wellness.

We learned from Renew Life, a company founded by a woman for women, that a woman’s gut and vagina are home to two very different microbiomes -- but the right probiotic can support your digestive and immune health, as well as promote vaginal and urinary health.

Renew Life makes Women’s Care Probiotic 90 Billion, the number one women’s probiotic in the U.S. Again, created specifically for women by women, this high-CFU formula contains 12 probiotic strains (including the #1 most studied strain, L. rhamnosus GG) that help promote a healthy digestive system, along with balanced vaginal pH and yeast levels, and urinary and immune health.*

The Microbiome: Women Vs. Men

Women’s bodies are complex, and our microbiomes—the delicately balanced ecosystems of microorganisms within our bodies that help maintain our health by supporting nutrient absorption and immune function—are vastly different from men’s (and more susceptible to a host of issues).

Each part of your body has its own microbiome—from your skin to your gut and, in women, your vagina. Our microbiomes are powerful, complex and essential to maintaining our health, producing vitamins, breaking down food to extract nutrients, and supporting our immune systems.

Renew Life Women’s Care Probiotic includes 12 probiotic strains that promote everyday digestive, immune, and urinary health, including two strains shown to help promote vaginal pH and yeast balance specifically.

Digestive care is critical self-care. We know how important microbiome balance and gut health is in the context of overall wellness—and how much of an impact your digestive comfort is when it comes to showing up as your best self. One of the easiest, most effective ways to proactively care for your digestive system is by taking a daily probiotic supplement tailored to your body’s needs.

Just the Facts Ma’am

There are a lot of probiotic products available these days. Here are a few keys that made us consider partnering with Renew Life specifically:

+ The probiotic potency and quality are third-party verified.
+ DNA verification of strain ID are provided for the majority of their products.
+ Their claims are backed with reliable scientific evidence and clinically studied strain amounts.
+ The brand maintains a Scientific Advisory Board and Women’s Wellness Council

Women’s Care Probiotic 90 Billion is the thing if you’re female and looking for a daily probiotic that can support your unique microbiome everyday.

We also chose to work with Renew Life because of their wide range of other wellness solutions that, when taken together, promote the total balance your body’s needs: super critical omega 3 oil, plant-based digestive enzymes, prebiotic fiber and a smart range of detoxification and cleanse products.

Shop Renew Life Women’s Care Probiotic 90 Billion for 10% off plus free shipping with our exclusive code: RENEWYOU

60-day Complete Money-Back Guarantee. Not valid on auto ship orders or other promos. Valid only at Renewlife.com. This story is brought to you in partnership with Renew Life . From time to time, TCM editors choose to partner with brands we believe in to bring our readers special offers. The Chalkboard Mag and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.

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What the Heck Is A Castor Oil Pack? How To Use The Traditional Therapy

What the heck is a castor oil pack? The simple therapy has been used for eons by natural health devotees, but it may be one of the last at-home self-care practices that wellness dabblers adopt. It's not as easy as whipping out a jade roller or downing a glass of lemon water, but castor oil packs can be simple to use once you learn how.

What's the use of a castor oil pack? And why has it remained a staple in the toolkit of natural health practitioners world-wide? We wanted to review the basics and asked the absolute O.G. in the space, Heritage Store, if they would explore the topic with us. Since the '60's, Heritage Store he been the resource on the topic and the most popular brand of castor oil you'll see on natural health food shelves everywhere.

We talked with Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS, the brand's Director of Education and Anya Wolfenden, MA, Director of Innovation and Formulation about the best way to use a castor oil pack at home and the history of it's uses for health and wellness...

How To Use A Castor Oil Pack + Why Bother 

TCM: To start, for the uninitiated, what is a castor oil pack?

Anya Wolfenden, MA: A castor oil pack is the application of ample castor oil on a piece of unbleached wool or cotton flannel externally placed on the body, such as on the abdominal region, joints, or muscles. This application is generally accompanied by heat, either a hot water bottle or an electric heating pad.

TCM: What are the benefits of using a castor oil pack?

Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS: The castor oil pack (COP) is a wonderful addition to any self-care regimen. A castor oil pack can be applied to a variety of areas on the body, however most often it is applied to the abdominal region spanning the liver to the large intestine. The abdominal area is where the Peyer’s patches are located, small areas of lymph tissue found throughout the small intestines. Castor oil packs are commonly used over the gallbladder/liver area on the right upper abdominal quadrant and are a soothing component of a healthy cleansing regimen.

TCM: Naturally, as you're connected to a natural health brand, you've got to be conservative about any claims.  Do you yourselves use castor oil pack or recommend them to your friends? 

Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS: I have personally used castor oil packs to ease abdominal tension over the gallbladder / liver abdominal area. Along with the addition of consuming a cleansing fiber, such as psyllium husk and a high fiber diet, it helps provide a free-flowing, calm and comfortable feeling.

I like to use castor oil packs to relax for 30-60 minutes before bed with a hot water bottle.

Anya Wolfenden, MA: I find castor oil packs wrapped around a stiff joint, or placed on the back also soothe and moisturize the skin to make it supple.”

TCM: Can you tell us a bit about the history of castor oil packs? How did they become a popular therapy? 

Anya Wolfenden, MA:  Castor Oil Packs were one of the Heritage Store’s first legacy products when we began in 1969.

Castor oil is referred to as “Palma Christi,” which means Palm of Christ in Latin, because of its healing nature. It
has been used for over 3500 years in cultures all around the world for many beneficial properties. First
described in the Ebers papyrus of ancient Egypt, castor seeds have been found in tombs of Egyptian
Pharaohs and the oil has been rumored to be an ancient beauty secret used by Cleopatra.

Castor oil used as a pack on the body was recommended to be applied over the abdominal area by doctors,
naturopaths, osteopaths, massage therapists, chiropractors, and other holistic practitioners. It became a well-known therapy featured in Dr. Gott’s health advice column about bursitis of the knees, and books
such as Dr. William McGarey’s, The Oil That Heals and Heal Arthritis, Dr. Gladys McGarey’s The
Physician Within You, Dr. John Pagano’s, Healing Psoriasis, and Dr. Christiane Northrop’s Women’s
Bodies, Women’s Wisdom.

TCM: You mentioned that castor oil packs can be used in a healthy cleansing regimen. Are they beneficial during cleanses and detox protocols?

Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS: Using castor oil packs along with healthy cleansing diets, help to provide personal focus on areas of stagnation in the body. By gently helping the natural process of elimination along, many feel more cleansed and lean as their systems re-balance, so that may be a lovely benefit if one is drinking plenty of water and getting things moving.

Over the five plus decades, Heritage Store has received thousands of testimonials from customers, friends and practitioners who have successfully incorporated them into their various cleansing protocols. The physical application of a castor oil pack on the body, similar to the therapeutic approach of massage, combines well with healthy detoxification protocols to encourage the body’s natural movement to help support the feeling of rejuvenation and vitality.

TCM: And there are also benefits for women during their menstrual cycle specifically, isn't that right? 

Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS: Yes, castor oil packs provide a comforting addition to monthly care for women. The timing of this application a week before the cycle begins can contribute to the philosophy of self-care. Relaxing and nourishing the physical body is especially beneficial for women to feel their best during their monthly cycles. A self-care ritual of monthly castor oil packs before the cycle begins (not during menstruation)
may support a woman’s overall well-being, including a sense of balance and rhythm.

TCM: Why is the castor plant so beneficial? 

Jennifer Rasp-Bickerton DC, MS:  Castor oil is produced from the castor bean (seed). The oil has a 90% concentration of an omega-9 fatty acid known as ricinoleic acid. This fatty acid is what makes castor oil so beneficial. It is deep cleansing, moisturizing, and very soothing for the skin, and an ideal oil for using on castor oil packs because of its versatility and ability to penetrate the skin. Historically, castor oil was used as a purgative to promote regularity.

Black Castor Oil is made from roasted castor beans. It is used to nourish hair follicles and helps support cleansing pores for clear vibrant skin. Heritage Store has an insistence on sustainable and ethical sourcing, combined with an interest in the traditional African method of roasting castor beans. This has led to Heritage Store collaborating with The Haitian Women’s Cooperative with Haitian-American founders, Michelle Elie and Michaelle Auguste St. Natus. The black castor oil beans are roasted based on the traditional African method and can be used on lashes, brows, as a scalp massage, and even on knees, shoulders, and elbows as a naturally fragrant moisturizer.

TCM: Castor oil packs can be messy. What are your tips for pulling it off easily?

Anya Wolfenden, MA:

First, gather the supplies.
Once you have a kit together, it's easy for you to create a pack whenever you need it.

+ Heritage Store original Castor Oil that is hexane-free and cold pressed. (Hexane is a harsh solvent
and the hexane free demarcation means that the product was extracted without harsh chemicals. Cold pressed preserves the ricinoleic acid.)
+ Unbleached wool or cotton flannel
+ Plastic wrap
+ One large and one small towel
+ Wet wash cloth with baking soda and water
+ Heat source, either a hot water bottle or heating pad

How to use a castor oil pack:

Find a comfortable spot to rest and relax. Put a large towel down because the oil could stain sheets or other surfaces.

Pour enough castor oil on the unbleached wool or cotton flannel to saturate. Place the oil side down on the
abdomen or other area of the body.

Cover with plastic wrap and place a small towel over it so that you can apply your chosen heat source to the top so that it is comfortable.

This can be left on for an hour, or when your water bottle has cooled.

Gently cleanse the skin with a wipe or wash cloth when finished.

Castor oil packs can be applied as desired. A common schedule is three times per week for addressing a
specific area or three times per month for optimal health.

Do you use castor oil packs? Tell us your experience in the comments.

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A Spinach Mint Mango Smoothie to Keep Things Balanced

We're ready to throw a straw into anything bright, fresh and green. Even in the fall and winter, when we crave warmer, richer foods, a green smoothie can bring us some balance in an instant.

Former contributor, Madeline Lu is a talented chef and photographer who has since pivoted to become one of our favorite travel Instagrammers. Year ago, Madeline turned us on to this classic recipe from Pressed's juicing cookbook, JUICE: Recipes for Juicing, Cleansing, and Living Welland we've been making it ever since. 

We're following Madeline's lead and whipping up a big batch of JUICE's delicious mint mango smoothies to brighten our moods and get in on a powerful dose of whole nutrition. Grab the recipe below and rethink your perception of the traditional green smoothie entirely...

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This Fruit Has Been Clinically Shown To Support Healthy Cholesterol: 3 Things You Should Know

Nothing fuels a passion for wellness like a personal health issue. Naomi Whittel was born on an organic biodynamic farm, owns a namesake line of nutracuticals and has been an avid proponent of preventative medicine for her entire life. She’s a New York Times best-selling author on wellness and is named by Prevention as the leading female innovator in the natural products industry. So when she discovered that she had a hereditary predisposition to high cholesterol, she was -- obviously -- determined to use natural preventative medicine.

We’re nerding out on citrus fruit bergamot below -- an Italian cross between a lemon and an orange whose oil you find in a classic cup of earl grey tea. Naomi is unpacking the science on the fruit, traditionally used for heart health for centuries and now showing scientific promise for cholesterol thanks to new clinical studies.

Peruse Naomi’s notes for a '101' on cholesterol if you're looking to catch up on the topic. First, our list of bergamot’s benefits which extend beyond heart health to anti-inflammatory and autophagy-boosting benefits. Here's Naomi...

Bergamot: A Traditional Use That Led to Clinical Studies

Bergamot is the citrus plant with the highest amount of flavonoids altogether. Why does that matter? Numerous scientific studies have shown that the bergamot fruit can actually help raise HDL levels, lower LDL cholesterol levels and balance blood sugars all within the normal range.

Grown primarily in Calabria, Italy, it has a long history in traditional healing, lauded for its youth-boosting polyphenols – flavonoids, in particular – and cherished for its support in fighting inflammation and promoting cardiovascular health.

The people in Calabria, Italy, make tea out of it and make a supplement from it. Research found that people in the region often maintained healthy cholesterol levels and plaque-free arteries – despite a diet rich in fat which is why they decided to put Citrus Bergamot to a standardized test.

Recent clinical research now reinforces what Calabrians have experienced for generations: citrus bergamot supports cardiovascular health by lowering bad LDL cholesterol, cutting dangerous triglycerides, raising beneficial HDL cholesterol and balancing blood sugar levels.

In a trial led by Professor of Cardiology, Dr. Vincenzo Mollace of Magna Graecia University, participants were given 500 mg of Bergamonte®, a patented form of bergamot extract daily. In 30 days:

+ Total cholesterol fell 21%
+ LDL cholesterol dropped 24%
+ Good HDL cholesterol jumped 22%
+ Triglycerides lowered by 29%
+ Blood sugar levels dropped 18%

When researchers doubled the daily dose to 1,000 mg, the results were even better – a boon for people who might more support controlling cholesterol levels:

+ LDL cholesterol plunged 36%
+ Good HDL Cholesterol jumped 40%
+ Triglycerides dropped 38%
+ Blood sugar levels fell 22%

3 Benefits of Citrus Bergamot

Bergamot can lower cholesterol | In my late 20s, I found out that I was genetically predisposed to high cholesterol. Citrus bergamot works by balancing your good cholesterol, the HDL level, while helping to naturally reduce the bad cholesterol, your LDL.*

Bergamot is highly anti-inflammatory, and it is thought that anti-inflammatories have a powerful influence on the quality of the particle size of LDL cholesterol. Scientists and cardiologists understand that the size of your cholesterol particles may have more to do with heart disease than the quantity of them.

Citrus bergamot is a natural way to reduce the size of the LDL particle, making it smaller, fluffier and lighter, so it’s not as dense (meaning that it’s less likely to clog up your arteries).[*][*]

Bergamot is rich in Polyphenol flavonoids | Citrus bergamot's power lies the polyphenols that it contains. Polyphenols help support against oxidative stress and inflammation in the body, balance blood sugar, and support healthy cholesterol levels. Two very special constituents, in particular, melitidin and brutieridin, discourage the production of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while helping your body make HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Polyphenols, especially flavonoids like the ones found in bergamot, can improve overall cardiovascular health. For example, a review of studies showed that the flavonoids found in bergamot can increase good HDL levels and reduce triglyceride levels in the liver.[*][*] Researchers have found that compounds extracted from the peel act in a similar way to statins (a drug that’s used to reduce cholesterol).[*] Another study shows that citrus bergamot led to a 30-percent reduction in bad cholesterol and a 40-percent increase in good cholesterol, as well as a 40-percent drop in triglycerides and a 20-percent decrease in blood glucose.[*]

Bergamot activates autophagy | Autophagy is the process that allows your cells to repair themselves and help keep you young. A dysfunction in autophagy has been linked to nearly every one of our most serious age-related health issues – especially those impacting the heart and brain.*

It’s the flavonoid-rich bergamot peel that activates autophagy – the body’s self-cleaning and anti-aging mechanism. The peel’s main compound, limonene, triggers the process – acting like a cellular traffic light that gives your body the go ahead to start the process.

Research has shown that citrus bergamot can help trigger autophagy in various parts of the body, including the skin and liver. And it has also been demonstrated that Bergamot may even activate autophagy to help fight against some of the most serious health issues women face today.

Bergamot has more antioxidant properties than any other citrus fruit in the world. That’s important because oxidative stress is linked to many age-related health issues. The antioxidants in bergamot (technically, citrus bergamia) have an effect on scavenging the free radicals caused by oxidative stress.* They do this by absorbing and neutralizing the free radical. Citrus bergamot has two polyphenols that are particularly effective against oxidative stress and inflammation: melitidin and brutieridin.*

Some research indicates that it helps lower the risk factors associated with blood sugar issues. It improves the health and function of your blood vessels, allowing your body to function more efficiently. That’s good for your overall health and lowering risk factors associated with being overweight.*

How to Harness the Benefits of Citrus Bergamot

A simple way to enjoy bergamot is the classic pairing of earl grey tea. Verify that the tea is made with real bergamot extract, as opposed to synthetic fragrances, which have zero therapeutic effect. I drink this tea all the time, and I not only love the taste, but also love that I know it is having such a positive effect on my body—and helping keep me young.

You can also purchase the oil extract or bergamot essential oil to flavor salad dressings, sauces or desserts, (much like you would vanilla or almond extract).

But the easiest way to get a therapeutic dose of bergamot extract is in supplement form. Ours supplies 500 mg of bergamot, the equivalent of one whole fruit, peel and all. This is the way to reap the most medicinal benefit from bergamot as shown in the study above.

Cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn On High Cholesterol

The dangers of high cholesterol are not "fake news". Heart issues are the number one cause of death in the U.S – 647,000 Americans die from them each year.* The leading cause of serious heart problems? Narrowing, or blockage of coronary arteries. The primary culprit? Plaque caused by unchecked build-up of cholesterol.*

Top cardiologist Dr. Joel Kahn states:

“Recent studies confirm that people with the lowest incidences of serious heart problems and the longest life spans have blood cholesterol values lower than 150 mg/dL, more than enough cholesterol for brain and hormone function but not so much as to clog up arteries.”*

And good cardiovascular health is not just about cholesterol levels –you need to be concerned about high blood sugar levels as well.

Over time, high blood sugar creates enormous inflammatory stress that exacerbates damage to your arteries. That’s why controlling your sugar levels – along with cholesterol – is one of the very best things you can do for your heart.*

If you’re concerned about the dangers of high cholesterol, Citrus Bergamot offers a simple, all-natural way to promote wellness.

Supplementing with Citrus Bergamot

NAOMI Italian Citrus Bergamot contains 500 mg of Bergamonte, a scientific Citrus Bergamot formula featuring Bergamonte® which meets my exacting standards for quality and purity – and one of the few natural substances ever awarded a U.S. patent. It’s standardized to an incredibly potent 38% polyphenolic flavonoids and produced using patented extraction technology.

Each 500 mg capsule contains the equivalent of an entire bergamot orange. With the easy-to-swallow 500 mg capsule, it’s simple to double your daily dose to 1000 mg should you seek a higher level of support. Naomi Bergamot is fortified with a proprietary Resveratrol Complex Blend and enhanced with 100 mg of Olive Fruit Extract, a compound found to inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which triggers atherosclerosis – or “hardening of the arteries”.*

Boost your beneficial HDL cholesterol*
Cut your triglycerides*
Help balance your blood sugar, as well*
Get the support you need for healthier blood vessels*
Help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in your blood stream*

*Bergamot studies as referenced: 

1. Ross Walker, Elzbieta Janda and Vincenzo Mollace. The Use of Bergamot-derived Polyphenol Fraction in Cardiometabolic Risk Prevention and its Possible Mechanisms of Action. Cardiac Health and Polyphenols. Chp 84, Pg 1085-1103, 2014
2. Micaela Gliozzi, Ross Walker, Elzbjeta Janda, Vincenzo Mollace. Bergamot polyphenolic fraction enhances rosuvastatin-induced effect on LDLcholesterol, LOX-1 expression and Protein Kinase B phosphorylation in patients with hyperlipidemia. International Journal of Cardiology Dec 2013, 170(2):140-5
3. Vincenzo Mollace, Iolanda Sacco, Elzbieta Janda, Claudio Malara, Domenica Ventrice, Carmen Colica, Valeria Visalli, Saverio Muscoli. Hypolipemic and hypoglycaemic activity of bergamot polyphenols: From animal models to human studies. Fitoterapia 82 (2011) 309–316
4. Celia C, Trapasso E, Locatelli M, Navarra M, Ventura CA, Wolfram J, Carafa M, Morittu VM, Britti D, Di Marzio L.. Anticancer activity of liposomal bergamot essential oil (BEO) on human neuroblastoma cells. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2013 Dec 1;112:548-53
5. Delle Monache S, Sanità P, Trapasso E, Ursino MR, Dugo P, Russo M, Ferlazzo N, Calapai G, Angelucci A, Navarra M. Mechanisms underlying the anti-tumoral effects of Citrus Bergamia juice. PLoS One. 2013 Apr 16;8(4)
6. Kang P, Suh SH, Min SS, Seol GH. The essential oil of Citrus bergamia Risso induces vasorelaxation of the mouse aorta by activating K(+) channels and inhibiting Ca(2+) influx. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2013 May;65(5):745-9
7. Leopoldini M, Malaj N, Toscano M, Sindona G, Russo N. On the inhibitor effects of bergamot juice flavonoids binding to the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR) enzyme. J Agric Food Chem. 2010 Oct 13;58(19):10768-73
8. Di Donna L, De Luca G, Mazzotti F, Napoli A, Salerno R, Taverna D, Sindona G. Statin-like principles of bergamot fruit (Citrus bergamia): isolation of 3-hydroxymethylglutaryl flavonoid glycosides. J Nat Prod. 2009 Jul;72(7):1352-4
9. Mollace V, Ragusa S, Sacco I, Muscoli C, Sculco F, Visalli V, Palma E. The protective effect of bergamot oil extract on lecitine-like oxyLDL receptor-1 expression in balloon injury-related neointima formation. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2008 Jun;13(2):120-9
10. Natalizia Miceli, Maria Mondello, Maria Mondorte, Vasileios Sdrafkakis, Paola Dugo, Maria Crupi. Hypolipidemic effects of bergamot juice in rats Fed a Hypercholesterolemic Diet. J. Agric. Food Chem., Vol. 55, No. 26, 2007

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Cacio e Pepe Kale Salad from the Lemon, Love + Olive Oil Cookbook

Name a friend who wouldn't be enchanted by this salad. We get that kale can be a hard sell in some crowds, but the good news is that, drenched in salty cheese, this salad is a win for everyone on your guest list. 

This clever, but simple recipe comes to us from Mina Stone's new cookbook, Lemon, Love & Olive Oil. Her first cookbook, Cooking For Artists has been featured multiple times on TCM, both in our own cookbook round-ups and in special mentions from featured artisans. Here's Mina... 

This is my version of having the idea of a decadent pasta, in salad form. It has the flavor components of a cacio e pepe, set against the backdrop of a hearty forest of green kale. The kale stands up to the challenge, providing a healthy vehicle for the tangy salty cheese, crunchy hazelnuts, and spicy black pepper.

Cacio e Pepe Kale Salad

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients: 
6 cups (400 g) lacinato or curly green kale (about 2 bunches)
Extra virgin olive oil
Juice and zest of 1 lemon
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1⁄2 cup (40 g) grated pecorino cheese
1⁄2 cup (65 g) hazelnuts, toasted (see page 9) and chopped

Instructions:
Cut out the thick middle rib of the kale leaves or tear it off with your hands.
Layer a few kale leaves on top of each other and cut into bite-size pieces.
Repeat until all the kale is done.
(Alternatively, you can cut the kale into ribbon-size pieces for a “pasta” look.)

Put the kale in a serving bowl and massage it with enough olive oil to coat each leaf.
Add the lemon zest, lemon juice, a sprinkle of salt, and lots of freshly ground black pepper.

When you are ready to serve, toss the kale with most of the cheese and most of the hazelnuts and garnish with the rest.
Finish with freshly ground black pepper and serve.

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