Dr. Cowan’s Garden of Magic & Two Exclusive Recipes

Reap the benefits of Dr. Cowan’s extensive research into the healing power of vegetables via his magic powders…and try out two exclusive recipes!

Only a minute into our conversation, Dr. Cowan admits that he is a schemer. Dubious of those results he observed in the world of general medicine, he felt obliged from an early age to concoct a plan that would allow him to expand upon and share an inherent love and interest in holistic health, a medicine in which he found true purpose and healing.

Harnessing the raw energy and vitality of those herbs and vegetables nurtured in his Napa Valley, CA garden (which fortunately escaped the recent wildfires in that region), Dr. Cowan and his family now share this incredibly simple yet powerful gift with anyone willing to try it, by way of their vegetable powders — culinary, medicinal and/or traditional in nature. Dr. Cowan’s Garden is truly one of otherworldly delights. Go below to learn more about his and his son Asher’s philosophy and products, and try out one — or both — of his special recipes below:

I’ve been told that plants respond to touch and “conversation.” Have you ever utilized either of these practices when working in your garden?

We haven’t really done much with this practice, although we do plant flowers and “companion plants” to keep the plants happy. It’s always fun to be in the garden with the plants, and I like interacting with them in a general sort of way.

Tell us about how the start of your Napa garden…and how you came to work that land with 10 other families.

I was invited by one of the members of the little garden community who was a patient.  For the first few months we were just part of the group but the group kind of fell apart and we were the only one left.   At that point I become the default garden manager.

Why Napa?

Mostly just a coincidence — that’s where the garden was, but it also has the best growing conditions of just about anywhere… and is absolutely gorgeous.

In your studies, what have you found that vegetables yield that other forms of medicine do not?

Vegetables are robust sources of vitamins, mineral and the all-important disease-fighting phytochemicals that the plants themselves make to keep themselves healthy. My best guess is humans evolved to use those same chemicals to keep themselves healthy.

Is there one plant/vegetable that everyone could or should consider growing?

Beets, because both the roots and leaves can be eaten and it’s highly nutritious.

How do your powders supplement the diet of today’s typical consumer?

Our powders allow people to easily incorporate the types of vegetables, like perennials and wild vegetables, that are sadly no longer a regular part of our diets.  Also our powders make it easy to increase the diversity of vegetables eaten and to add amazing flavor to your food.

If you could be any plant in the world, which would it be and why?

Ashitaba – because it has such life giving energy in the plant that it regrows very quickly when you harvest the leaves, and it’s one of the most nutrient dense plants in the world.

“It ain’t easy being green…” true or false?

False. When your business supports local, sustainable agriculture like we do, it’s easy.

What does free mean to you?

To me, free means the freedom from compulsion. Everything is voluntary. It means that I’m free to live my life how I want and everyone else should be allowed to live their lives how they want. No compulsion to do anything by any outside group or agency – as long as I don’t impose or aggress against anyone, I should be allowed to live my life however I want. And, I want everyone else to live life how they want as long as they don’t impose or aggress against anyone else.

Grain-Free Harvest Bread

Ingredients

½ cup Dr. Cowan’s Garden Threefold Blend Powder (Slightly Sweet)

½ cup coconut sugar

1/3 cup coconut oil, melted

2 eggs

½ cup milk of choice

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp allspice

¼ tsp salt

½ cup raisins (optional)

 Method

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a standard-size loaf pan. In a medium bowl, mix Threefold Blend Powder, baking soda, salt and spices. In a separate, large bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer or blender, combine the melted coconut oil, coconut sugar, milk and eggs. Mix until well combined. Add the dry ingredients to the wet, along with the raisins, if using, and mix until just combined. Spread the batter into the greased loaf pan. The batter will be slightly thicker than a normal pumpkin or squash bread batter. Place in preheated oven on the middle rack and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the center springs back and loaf starts to separate a bit from the sides of the pan. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Avocado-Egg Cups

Ingredients

2 avocados, halved and pitted

4 large eggs

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp Dr. Cowan’s Garden Perennial Greens Powder, divided

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Coconut oil or avocado oil

Method

Scoop out about a tablespoon of avocado flesh with a spoon from each avocado half. Place into a baking dish that has been slightly greased. Carefully break an egg and slide it into the well, keeping the yolk intact. Season with salt and pepper. Bake for about 15 minutes (until whites are cooked but yolk is still a bit runny). Transfer to plate and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle each avocado-egg half with Perennial Greens Powder. Serves four.

Photography by Julie O’Boyle.

+Shop Dr. Cowan’s Powders and other wellness supplements here!