This week we'll explore how to use fresh mint and an unexpected turmeric granola. We'll also delve into a book about human consciousness and how you can enhance your health by sipping matcha.

Eat Colorfully

Seasonal Ingredient Spotlight: FRESH MINT

If you have a garden, your mint is likely making its first appearance (or will be soon). And even if you don't have a full-fledged garden, mint is incredibly easy to grow so you might want to consider planting some this season.

Fresh mint is a delightful ingredient that's perfect for spring. Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:

• Salads. Use a super-sharp knife to cut mint into fine ribbons and toss it into all of your salads this season. You'll see it plays a starring role in this juicy Vegan Watermelon, Mint, and Snap Pea Salad, this whimsical Mint Julep Quinoa Salad, and this super-fresh Mojito Corn Salad.
• Slaws. Similar to the above, mint is also a stand-out addition in slaws like this Tropical Macadamia Mango Slaw.
• Fruit Salsa. Give your fruit salsa a refreshing twist by adding mint. It's especially wonderful in a peach or pineapple salsa. You'll find plenty of ideas in this fruit salsa guide.
• Hummus. Yes indeed, blending some mint into your hummus gives it a fresher vibe. If you're an herb fan, you'll love this Green Goddess Hummus.
• Pesto. Think pesto is all about basil? Think again. I love to make mint pesto or pesto with a 50/50 blend of basil and mint. Check out my vegan, oil-free pesto guide for more inspiration.
• Cocktails. Although mojitos get all the attention, we're huge mint julep fans at home. Take a look at this mint julep guide for the classic cocktail plus all sorts of fun variations.

Try This Week: TURMERIC GRANOLA

Do you want to know a secret? If you're looking to get more turmeric into your diet, one of the best places to hide it is granola.

Yes, that's right, you can make granola with turmeric. This powerful, golden-hued root is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties and has long been touted as a "superfood" in many cultures, so there's every reason to try to incorporate it into your meals more regularly. This week, I challenge you to think beyond curries and try turmeric in a new way.

Believe it or not, there's an entire tablespoon of golden, nourishing, anti-inflammatory turmeric in this Golden Granola recipe. When combined with cozy spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, the turmeric flavor is detectable but not overpowering; it provides a subtle earthy backdrop to the other flavors. This is definitely a go-to recipe in our house and I can't wait for you to try it.

You can sprinkle this turmeric granola on top of yogurt, oatmeal, smoothie bowls, or fruit, either for breakfast or for a nourishing dessert. It also travels well, so it's a great on-the-go snack and even makes for a wonderful homemade gift.

Live Colorfully

A Book/Podcast to Explore: DAN BROWN, THE SECRET OF SECRETS

I just finished a fun read that I'm excited to share with you: Dan Brown's "The Secret of Secrets". You'll likely recognize his name from his most well-known novel "The Da Vinci Code".

If you enjoyed The Da Vinci Code, you'll like this new one too. It's classic Dan Brown; fast-paced, interesting, a bit academic, somewhat implausible, and overall engaging. His books are plot-driven and move quickly. This one in particular focuses on human consciousness, what it is, and where it resides; it tackles questions about how humans can expand their consciousness and what happens when we die. There's some neuroscience, some noetic science, some conspiracy theories, and (as usual) a touch of romance.

If you've read this one, I'm curious about what you thought. I listened to the audiobook on a solo 35-mile walk last Sunday (it was a long walk!), and it was definitely a fun one to get lost in for a big chunk of time.

As always, you can browse my list of favorite books if you're looking for more ideas.

Self-Care Pick: CHOOSING MATCHA

Do you ever feel like your coffee habit might be hurting more than it's helping? Don't worry, I'm not saying you should give up coffee entirely, but working some other options into your rotation could do wonders for your system. Today we'll explore matcha, a powdered variety of green tea.

Personally speaking, I've found that matcha (unlike coffee) never makes me feel jittery or anxious. It's also loaded with antioxidants and doesn't cause the weird digestive issues that coffee can. There are quite a few studies suggesting that matcha can aid in liver health, boost brain function, promote heart health, decrease the risk of certain types of cancer, increase metabolic function, and reduce inflammation.

Worried about not getting a boost? Don't be. Matcha contains caffeine just like coffee does, although the amount is less. Importantly, that caffeine interacts differently with your system due to the presence of L-theanine in matcha, an amino acid that promotes calm, relaxation, and focus. Think of matcha as providing steady, gentle energy rather than the sharper, shorter spike you get from coffee.

There are many ways to add matcha into your diet, like blending it into smoothies (this Supercharged Green Protein + Electrolyte Smoothie with Matcha is my morning must-have), but a good old matcha latte is hard to beat. This Salted Maple Matcha Latte is my daily go-to, and I make this whimsical Blue Coconut Matcha Latte if I'm feeling fancy. You can make a matcha latte that's hot or iced, so it works beautifully year-round.

One caveat: not all matcha is created equal. A high-quality matcha is delicate, bright green, subtly floral, and fresh, whereas lower-quality matcha can be bitter, assertively grassy, and off-putting. My go-to is Matcha Nude (use the code ROGUE to get 15% off).

Thanks for joining me for this issue of Eat Colorfully, Live Colorfully! I'd love to hear from you, so please feel free to reply with questions, thoughts, or requests. If you missed a previous issue, you can view all my newsletters here. Have a great week!