Herb Companion Essay Contest

hmmmmmm, 20 years from now, eh? that's a toughie. if we look back 20 years the best herbs and spices were the canned kind by McCormick that had been setting on the grocer's shelves for God knows how long. i can STILL remember the FIRST time i had FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER!!!! i could NOT believe the taste! now--there isn't any processed pepper in my entire house---we grind all we use.

we've started doing that with other herbs and spices as well. my wife and i just recently discovered freshly ground cinnamon---and promptly tossed all the processed cinnamon we had in the garbage.

of course coffee beans have to be mentioned--even though they are not a herb or spice. but once you've ground your own beans and had the coffee made fresh from a french press you'll NEVER go back to the processed coffees.

i guess the next 20 years will be as revolutionary as the past 20 have been. the spice companies didn't give up when people like me started preparing their own spices at home. you'll notice that McCormick has come out with pepper, salt and even cinnamon grinders in the stores. so the big spice companies are still interested in our business.

i'm anxious to see where it all goes. because either way, whether i prepare my spices at home fresh or the big spice and herb companies come up with a way to allow me to use their spices fresh at my house----i, the consumer, am the ultimate winner: both in taste and in the benefits that fresh herbs and spices provide to my body.

hmmmmmm, 20 years from now, eh? that's a toughie. if we look back 20 years the best herbs and spices were the canned kind by McCormick that had been setting on the grocer's shelves for God knows how long. i can STILL remember the FIRST time i had FRESHLY GROUND PEPPER!!!! i could NOT believe the taste! now--there isn't any processed pepper in my entire house---we grind all we use.

we've started doing that with other herbs and spices as well. my wife and i just recently discovered freshly ground cinnamon---and promptly tossed all the processed cinnamon we had in the garbage.

of course coffee beans have to be mentioned--even though they are not a herb or spice. but once you've ground your own beans and had the coffee made fresh from a french press you'll NEVER go back to the processed coffees.

i guess the next 20 years will be as revolutionary as the past 20 have been. the spice companies didn't give up when people like me started preparing their own spices at home. you'll notice that McCormick has come out with pepper, salt and even cinnamon grinders in the stores. so the big spice companies are still interested in our business.

i'm anxious to see where it all goes. because either way, whether i prepare my spices at home fresh or the big spice and herb companies come up with a way to allow me to use their spices fresh at my house----i, the consumer, am the ultimate winner: both in taste and in the benefits that fresh herbs and spices provide to my body.

Throughout history, herbs have been used in medicine. I see a continuing trend in this area. Herbs will be more widely accepted by the masses due to a greener outlook for our future. Herbal medicine has a far more cleaner effect than normal modern day medicine and medical waste is keep to a minimum. Freeze drying herbs can allow doctors to maintain a sterile enviroment while administering a whole array of treatments. The upswing of herbal medicine has a great outlook for the future and creating a cleaner world.

Throughout history, herbs have been used in medicine. I see a continuing trend in this area. Herbs will be more widely accepted by the masses due to a greener outlook for our future. Herbal medicine has a far more cleaner effect than normal modern day medicine and medical waste is keep to a minimum. Freeze drying herbs can allow doctors to maintain a sterile enviroment while administering a whole array of treatments. The upswing of herbal medicine has a great outlook for the future and creating a cleaner world.

"Return To The Herbs Of Healing"
By: Marcy Lynn Strahan

The Role Herbs will play in the year 2029 will be pivital in healing & maintaining one's health.
For centuries the use of herbs was not only to season foods, making them more enjoyable, but it was wide spread the main source of medince

for healing.
In the last 100 years the practice & skill of herbal remedies have fallen to the wayside. With modern medince & the drug industry, the use

of herbs for healing became almost obsolete. Only in countries outside the USA does herbal healing play a major role in healing.
This is mainly because taken a Pill or getting a shot seemed more efficent & easier. Times are changing now. More people are interested into

returning to the roots of Homeopathic Medicine! Twenty years form now herbs will replace many meds as a way to heal one's aliments.

The american public have grown weary of the cost of meidcal caring & the constant malpractice of many of doctors. A new generation is

begining to search out alternative answers for maintaining their health & well being. Sale of herbal books & homeopathic products are on

steep incline! Many illness are now being healed or lessend by the use of herbs. More & more testments of succesful healing with herbs are

being reported in the media everyday. We are lifting off the blinders imposed unpon use by the corporate drug industry! We are reaching back

into our past for a better solution!

The use of herbs are not only for cooking, but have become major ingredints in beauty products & are being sold for healing properties.
More & more info of the benefits of homeopathic medicine & the healing properties of herbs are reaching the mass via the internet &

televison. Already, the sale herbal products are fast becoming a billion dollar industry.

In twenty years, in the year 2029, I predict that our medince cabnets will be filled wit

I believe that in 20 years a lot more people will be growing and using herbs. Currently our medical beliefs revolve around immediate gratification, we would rather put chemicals into our bodies that have numerous side effects and cause more problems than it cures. I believe that we need to change our thinking. More and more people are understanding the benefits of using natural remedies that work with our bodies and heal us without making us worse. More people are accepting being human and understand that they need to take an active role in their own health. Herbs are awesome in this respect. If we just put them in our food and make them a regular part of our cooking, we would feel better and our food would taste great. If we look at the health statistics in other countries we find that the countries that use a lot of herbs in their cooking are healthier than most Americans. Drink herbal teas and season your food with fresh herbs; you will look and feel great!

I believe that in 20 years a lot more people will be growing and using herbs. Currently our medical beliefs revolve around immediate gratification, we would rather put chemicals into our bodies that have numerous side effects and cause more problems than it cures. I believe that we need to change our thinking. More and more people are understanding the benefits of using natural remedies that work with our bodies and heal us without making us worse. More people are accepting being human and understand that they need to take an active role in their own health. Herbs are awesome in this respect. If we just put them in our food and make them a regular part of our cooking, we would feel better and our food would taste great. If we look at the health statistics in other countries we find that the countries that use a lot of herbs in their cooking are healthier than most Americans. Drink herbal teas and season your food with fresh herbs; you will look and feel great!

With advances in freeze drying herbs and generally giving them a longer shelf life there are endless uses for them in foods, medicines and as a refresher for the senses.

Freeze your herbs into ice cubes so they'll be ready to drop into soups, stews and casseroles or to infuse in teas and decoctions, or even to boil on the stove as a room freshener.

The future is set to be busier that today, with little time for preparation of even basic meals. Unexpected company?, no problem.....use your herbs to kick up a pan of vegetables or add butter to boiled potatoes and sprinkle with Dill.

You'll need your herbs more than ever in the fast paced future. Grow 'em and stow 'em.

With more and more food being processed and packaged, along with people have less and less time to spend cooking and baking I think herbs will play an increasingly important role is lifting the taste of otherwise bland food.
Growing an herb garden only needs a small amount of space but, even if you don't have that you can buy wonderfully aromatic herbs ready picked and packed, just waiting to be added to your dishes for the fullest flavor to be released.
You can also freeze herbs in ice cubes to add directly to soups and stocks.
I can't see a future without herbs. On the contrary, I see their use increasing.

Herbs can be used to transform any simple meal into a gourmet delight. Adda hint of Rosemary to lamb or sprinkle a little chopped sage and basil into a plain, brown gravy and your meal
takes on an exotic flavor.

When I use herbs, every bite takes me on a journey to distant lands, evoking thoughts of exotic days and sultry nights.

Invite several friends to dinner and have a contest, asking them to guess what herbs you used in various dishes.....

The intricate flavors of herbs can transform a plain meal into
a journey for the senses.

With herbs I can transform and meal into an exotic dish and imagine I'm dining in fabulous cities all over the world.
It's a getaway for the senses.

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