Grow Your Own Sugar

This is a stevia plant, a very popular sugar substitute. In plant form, it’s a superfood; fresh herbs are packed with goodness. You don’t need a green thumb to grow it, it’s an easy herb, and it tastes like sugar. You can just pinch off one or two leaves whenever you want something sweet, and munch away. 


There are other sweet tasting, easy growing herbs that can add health as well as flavor: tarragon, Angelica and bee balm are interesting,  and my favorite: wonderful varieties of mint that grow easily and abundantly almost everywhere. This summer I’m growing an “apple mint” and it’s fantastic! Fuzzy leaves and a subdued mint flavor with a definite crisp apple finish.


My favorite way to eat sweet herbs is straight off the plant, right there on my sunny porch. You can let your kids have a snack from the ‘sugar bush’ any time. It’s the most guilt free sugar fix possible. This is the essence of “auspicious food” mentioned in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Plants are energetically very alive and full of light when consumed immediately after picking, so keep it growing and just pinch off what you need. Toss a few leaves in salads, iced tea, on a bowl of berries, or any dessert.


Today, post a picture of your fresh herbs if you have them, or any sweet auspicious food you are eating today.


#practicalpradipika @airstreamyogi @camputopiayoga @allisonrissel @shineon.yoga