Abilene Crave

Mediterranean cuisine, featuring abundant fruits and vegetables, and richly flavored with herbs and spices, is hailed by chefs, nutritionists and health-minded Americans as the "gold standard" of healthy eating. The Mediterranean lifestyle blends wholesome, naturally good-for-you foods with a liberal dose of exercise and eagerness to enjoy the pleasures of life with friends and family around the table.

Recently, the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid was updated to showcase the role of herbs and spices, placing them at the heart of every meal for the flavorful and health-promoting antioxidants they provide.

"To help Americans incorporate the foods of the Mediterranean into their daily meals, we recently updated the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid to emphasize herbs and spices, since they are such an integral part of the flavor of Mediterranean cuisines," notes K. Dun Gifford, President of Oldways, a nonprofit food issues think tank. "Plus, there is a growing body of research linking herbs and spices with an array of promising health benefits due to their high levels of antioxidants."

It's easy to add vibrant Mediterranean-style flavors - with a liberal helping of antioxidants - to family favorites using the herbs and spices already in the pantry, such as rosemary, oregano, thyme and red pepper/paprika. Find more simple, flavorful ideas for spicing up meals the Mediterranean way at www.spicesforhealth.com.