Simultaneously warming and invigorating, ginger is one of the most versatile spices around.  It is a culinary necessity, adding bite to dishes from Asian to Africa to Native American cuisines.

In cooking, gingers tongue-tingling benefits enhance both savory and sweet dishes. What would the holiday season be with out ginger bread? Yet its zip adds a real depth to marinades and  stews. Ginger also makes a warming and energizing healthful tea.

The health benefits of ginger are many - it aids in digestion, relieves morning sickness and nausea (have you ever had Ginger Ale when you didn't feel good?), acts as an anti inflammatory, aids in liver function, and assists in calming cold symptoms. When applied externally, ginger helps relive pain and muscle spasms.

This rhizome can be used fresh, dried or ground. In any form, the scent of ginger is enough to invigorate and energize you. That uplifting feel is the reason we add freshly grated ginger and ginger essential oil to our Orange Ginger Sugar Scrub. It's warming effect and sprain relieving qualities are the reason we chose it as a main constituent in our Muscle Rubs, with an added concentration in our Cerridwen's formula.

Grab yourself a Ginger Beer or Ginger Ale, and check out the Herb Companion  or A Modern Herbal for more ginger information and warm up to the zing of Zingiber officinale - better known as Ginger.

Hot summer days and steamy summer nights call out for something cool and refreshing. My favorite treat is something so simple, healthy and double yummy. There is so much wonderful produce around right now, and an amazing abundance of fruit. With these gifts of summer, and my handy blender, I make a creamy Banana fruit smoothie.

Smoothie recipes are so easy. It astonishes my that it's taken so long for me to make them at home. How easy is it? See below.

Banana Smoothie
2 banana's - ripe (the skins should have a few brown speckles on them)
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup pitted bing cherries
         (Blueberries and cherries can be exchanged for any fresh fruit such as      
          pineapple, peaches, nectarines, strawberries, etc)
8 oz's plain or vanilla low fat yogurt
1 cup low fat milk
2 tsps flax seed oil (optional)

Take one of the banana's, peel and place in a small zip closing bag or plastic container. Add blueberries and cherries. Place in the freezer for at least 3 hours (I usually put the fruit together the night before - or when ever I have extra fruit.)

Place the frozen fruit in the blender (you might have to break it apart a little). Peel and break up the other banana. Add yogurt and milk. Blend on high for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the frozen fruit has all been blended in. (I have an ice breaker setting on my blender that I use first, then switch to blend one the frozen fruit is mashed).  If you'd like, add 2 teaspoons of flax seed oil.

That's it! Once it's blended until it's smooth and creamy, I pour it into a frosted mug and enjoy. I highly recommend the frosted mug, because  the smoothie will freeze at the bottom and you'll have a frozen smoothy treat!

So easy, simple and healthy! Even your kids will love it.

Now here's a smoothie that works on the outside - as well as on the inside:

Pineapple Strawberry Smooth Skin Smoothie
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, cubed
1/2 cup fresh sliced and cleaned strawberries
6 oz plain yogurt
1/4 cup of honey

Place everything in your blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a plastic container, because you should have enough for a few treatments.

Remove your makeup and rinse your face. Take the smoothie and smear over your face - not too thick but not too thin. Let this rest on your face for five to ten minutes. Feel free to lick your lips and fingers! Rinse off with cool water. You face will feel refreshed and smooth, soft and glowing. And it's yummy, too!

So go to your local farm market, find those fresh ripe fruits and make your summer smooth inside and out.