Imperfect Delivery
by Lauren Clement
Happy Friday/Labor Day Weekend to all!
We got our delivery from Imperfect Foods (https://www.imperfectfoods.com): we love this company! If you haven’t heard of them, they take so-called “imperfect” items - meaning items that don’t fit certain standards but are totally 100% usable and edible - and distribute them . This awesome idea is fueled by their interest in sustainable practices, which we love here at THNS!
Winston hoping for some catnip with our Imperfect Food delivery! (yes, they do have dog and cat treats available)
Now, for this month, we received two massive carrots, a watermelon, two heads of garlic, two jars of artichokes, an instant rice medley, some cheese, and a box of spearmint. While I’m non-dairy myself, I’m definitely excited for the produce - I have a penchant for experimenting with veggie soups, so we’ll see what Weekend Lauren comes up with!
Our delicious edibles presented artistically for you :)
The sprig of spearmint interested me in particular, since I’ve always been curious about herbal medicine but never managed to get any kind of study going into something more practical. So, I’ve decided to at least do some minor research to get started!
So, what is spearmint and why is it good?
Spearmint, or Mentha spicata, is an herb grown for its leaves and essential oil, and is often used in flavoring of different products (think toothpaste, gum, and candy in particular). It originated in Europe and Asia, but it’s now pretty common across the globe, making it pretty easy to find. It’s rich in antioxidants, making it a great choice for overall health and wellness.
It also has a long history of being used as a medicine to improve a wide variety of symptoms across continents, from the Middle East to South America. It can also improve memory and digestion, relieve nausea and vomiting - and even cancer, though that one will definitely need further study to confirm.
Spearmint is also good for women in particular, helping to maintain a good hormonal balance which helps stop the growth of unwanted facial hair. I’m particularly excited for this potential benefit (thanks Italy!)
The great thing about this plant is that it’s low-risk. The vast majority of people tolerate it well - meaning that, unless you have a specific condition or take certain medications, you should be totally fine if you decide to try it out - but as always, consult a medical professional to see if it’s safe and right for you before trying it out!
The best and safest way to see if it’s a good solution for me, from what I can gather, is to make tea out of it. It’s easy: steep the leaves for a few minutes, and enjoy!
So, we shall see how the spearmint tea panders out over the next few weeks!
