Miso means 'fermented beans' in Japanese and is rich in probiotics, which are millions of beneficial bacteria that help keep your microbiome in good order. Chickpea miso delivers all the mood-boosting and gut health benefits of traditional miso, but soy-free.

Citrus is immune-boosting, alkalizing to the body (aka, instrumental in reducing inflammation), and promotes beneficial bacteria growth in your microbiome. Speaking of the gut, lemon also helps keep things moving through the digestive system. Lemons are also great for your skin given vitamin C's natural anti-aging role in the formation of collagen.

Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the most anti-inflammatory oils, and the foundation of the Mediterranean Eating Pattern, which emphasizes vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and olive oil. It contains omega-3 essential fatty acids, which are fabulous for your mood, brain and immune system. Essential implies that you must get them from your diet because your body cannot create them. In the US, most Americans consume industrial oils (soy, corn, peanut, cottonseed, grapeseed, sunflower and safflower oils), which are highly processed with chemical solvents and highly inflammatory.

Honey is the world's oldest sweetener. Most ancient cultures, including the Hazda (east Africa), Greeks, Chinese, Egyptians, Romans, Mayans and Babylonians consumed honey for both its nutritional and medicinal properties. In fact, science links this wonder food with evolution of the human brain. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial benefits, and loads of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, iron, zinc and antioxidants.

One of the oldest known herbs, Cilantro has been grown for thousands of years in Egypt, India and China. Coriander seeds have been found in King Tut's tomb and in 8,000 year old caves in Israel. It came to Mexico and Peru in the 1600s by way of the Spanish conquistadors. In some traditions, the herb is considered an aphrodisiac. Today, science links cilantro to an array of health benefits. It's a rock star when it comes to regulating blood sugar, and helping to avoid the inevitable mood imbalances and skin irritations that follow a spike in blood sugar. A powerful antibacterial agent that's rich in antioxidants, cilantro has cardioprotective nutrients for heart health, helps prevent neurological inflammation, and can settle digestive discomfort.

Basil has been grown for over 5000 years and was brought to the Mediterranean from India along the spice routes. Basil is a powerful antibacterial herb that helps restore microbial balance in the gut, which is important for mood balance, skin health (especially acne and rosacea), brain function, and digestion. It's rich antioxidants help protect against the aging effects of free radicals in your body.

Garlic goes beyond flavor. It’s also an all-around healer and one of the oldest cultivated plants in the world (5000 years). Hippocrates, the father of medicine, prescribed garlic for a number of conditions, and the original Olympic athletes may have used it as one of the the earliest “performance enhancing” agents. Garlic's active compound allicin, has many healing properties. It can help boost immunity, regulate blood pressure, and clear up acne and other skin conditions to name just a few of it's benefits.

The modern jalapeño hails from southeastern Mexico and literally means “from Xalapa”, which is a town in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The earliest evidence for chili peppers as food dates to 6000 years ago. Jalapeños contain vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, as well as vitamin B6, which plays a key role in serotonin and GABA production. GABA is neurotransmitter that helps calm the nervous system and, in turn, has a calming effect that can help relieve stress and anxiety. Jalapeños also contain a compound called capsaicin that gives peppers both their spicy quality and health benefits, including reducing inflammation, supporting heart health, metabolism, and weight loss.

Are you feeling tired, hungry, unfocused or irritated? Are your lips flaky or is your skin dry? These are all signs that you are very likely dehydrated. Water is key to the function of every organ in your body. Drink water to flush out sodium and toxins, and to hydrate your brain (75% water) and your body (55-60% water).

Native to Southeast Asia, Thai Basil is a medicinal plant that adds a savory, spicy, and anise-like flavor. It’s vibrant aroma of sweet anise dances with a slightly spicy taste. It has distinct narrow green leaves on purple stems with pink-purple flowers. It has a rich source of antioxidant compounds with many health benefits, including anticancer, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic properties. It is also beneficial for heart health.

Mint's health benefits date back as early as 1550 BC. Like integrative practitioners today, Egyptian doctors prescribed mint to promote digestive health* and help relieve gas and bloating by relaxing muscles of the stomach. In Ayurveda, mint is considered balancing for all three doshas. Mint leaves are full of vitamins K and C, which are beneficial for brain health, as well as powerful antioxidants that can boost immunity and protect your cells from oxidiative damage. (*except in people with GERD).

Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful source of probiotics (beneficial bacteria) that studies show are advantageous not only for your gut health (healthy microbiome and balanced pH levels), but brain health and decreasing anxiety.