Homemade drinks are everywhere on social media, especially the ones promising dramatic changes in just a few days. A big container of golden liquid, a mysterious ingredient, and a “7 DAYS” before-and-after picture can certainly make anyone curious. But no homemade drink can reliably produce the dramatic body transformation shown in the picture in seven … Read more
Papaya is one of those fruits that looks almost too beautiful to eat. Cut it open and you get bright orange flesh surrounding hundreds of glossy black seeds. Beyond its tropical sweetness, papaya provides vitamin C, vitamin A precursors, folate, fiber, potassium, and several naturally occurring plant compounds. You may have seen social media posts … Read more
Chickpeas are one of those humble foods that deserve more attention. They’re inexpensive, filling, easy to cook, and packed with plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. But there’s an important correction to make before getting into the recipe: chickpeas cannot cure a “dead” or failed kidney, and no protein can make a nonfunctioning kidney suddenly … Read more
The thick, softly textured leaves in the image appear to be Cuban oregano, also known as Indian borage, Mexican mint, Spanish thyme, or Coleus amboinicus. The older botanical name Plectranthus amboinicus is still commonly used. Kew currently recognizes Coleus amboinicus as the accepted name. This wonderfully aromatic plant has a scent somewhere between oregano, thyme, … Read more
Constipation can leave the stomach feeling heavy, uncomfortable, and unusually bloated. When bowel movements become hard or infrequent, it is understandable to want something simple that helps things move more comfortably. A gentle combination of hydrated chia seeds, prunes, water, and a little lemon can be an easy way to add fiber and fluids to … Read more
Aloe vera and cinnamon make an unusual combination that has become popular in homemade wellness drinks. Aloe brings a mild, fresh flavor, while cinnamon adds warmth and a naturally sweet aroma. The drink is sometimes promoted for eyesight, digestion, blood sugar, and general wellness. A carefully prepared version can certainly be refreshing, but it is … Read more
Fresh strawberries make one of the easiest homemade drinks to fall in love with. Their natural sweetness, beautiful pink-red color, and slightly tart flavor work especially well with fresh lemon and cold water. This strawberry lemon refresher is simple enough for an ordinary afternoon but pretty enough to serve at a family gathering. It can … Read more
A bottle of golden oil infused with whole peppercorns may look like a powerful old-fashioned remedy, but its best use is much simpler: as a flavorful kitchen ingredient. The mixture in the image appears to be an oil infused with black and possibly red peppercorns. Peppercorns can give olive oil a warm, aromatic bite that … Read more
Baby oil and baking soda are two inexpensive household products that often appear in homemade beauty routines. One is smooth, oily, and designed to help reduce moisture loss from the skin. The other is a strongly alkaline powder better known for baking and household cleaning. Put them together, and social media may promise dramatically younger-looking … Read more
The plant in the image appears to be mother of thousands, a striking succulent known scientifically as Kalanchoe daigremontiana. Its wide, fleshy leaves produce rows of tiny baby plants along their edges. These miniature plantlets eventually develop roots, fall to the soil, and begin growing on their own. That unusual habit makes mother of thousands … Read more