Hi! I’m Bita Arabian. As a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), recipe developer, and podcast co-host. My mission is to help you cultivate sustainable, energy-giving habits. I love blending functional health concepts with the rich, vibrant flavors of my Persian heritage...think wholesome morning porridges, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and simple daily practices. When I’m not coaching or working on my upcoming breakfast cookbook, "Power & Glow", you can find me out on a brisk walk with the dogs, strength training, or crafting and cooking at home with my husband, maybe our two young adult daughters, and our two mini pups.
Saffron; A Sunshine Spice with Medicinal Benefits
BITA ARABIANRecipes • Coaching • Vitality Hi Reader! Today I'm diving into my favorite spice, saffron. Saffron has been used for 3,000 years in Persian culture and cuisine. Enhancing food with saffron goes back to royal times, when it was used to elevate meats and stews fit for kings and queens, and as an offering to the gods for health and protection. Over thousands of years, saffron was traded on the Silk Road and shared with Greece, Italy, China, and all across the Middle East. Iran produces 90 percent of the world’s saffron - the color, quality, and aroma of saffron from Iran are unmatched. It brings warmth and elegance to dishes such as rice, stews, decadent desserts, tea, and even modern recipes like my Persian latte, glow jars, and Persian skillets. What excites me the most is that today there are preliminary studies showing that saffron has mood-lifting and anti-anxiety properties. These days, much of the saffron we see in stores is from Spain. It's interesting that our beautiful sunshine spice, saffron, has Persian roots and has a place at the table for everyone's well-being. I believe saffron is going to be the next big thing in the supplement and medicinal spice category, right next to anti-inflammatory turmeric. Big News: My first book, Power & Glow; Persian Breakfasts to Prep and Go, will be available for purchase starting Thursday, October 15th! You can head over to Amazon, search for the title, or request it at your favorite local bookstore. I can't wait to hear which are your favorite go-to recipes from the book! It should come as no surprise that many of the recipes in my book have saffron as a key ingredient. Although the quality is not that of the saffron from Iran we are used to, you can find saffron threads for as little as $5 per jar at Trader Joe's. Given the meticulous nature of harvesting the stigmas from the small, delicate saffron flowers, high-quality saffron is normally much more expensive. Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for upcoming tips and videos on how to bloom saffron to incorporate into your dishes. With love, gratitude, and warmth, Bita National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach P.S. If you know someone who could use a little extra "glow" or kitchen inspiration in their life, feel free to forward this email to them! Growing this community together means the world to me. P. P.S. Our latest Modern Persian Food episode, "Fall Flavors," just dropped last week. We uncover seasonal produce and ingredients we can't get enough of as well as dishes we are brewing up with the change of seasons. You can listen right here: Fall Flavors |
Bita Arabian
Hi! I’m Bita Arabian. As a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), recipe developer, and podcast co-host. My mission is to help you cultivate sustainable, energy-giving habits. I love blending functional health concepts with the rich, vibrant flavors of my Persian heritage...think wholesome morning porridges, antioxidant-rich ingredients, and simple daily practices. When I’m not coaching or working on my upcoming breakfast cookbook, "Power & Glow", you can find me out on a brisk walk with the dogs, strength training, or crafting and cooking at home with my husband, maybe our two young adult daughters, and our two mini pups.
BITA ARABIAN Recipes • Coaching • Vitality Hi Reader! Things are moving fast behind the scenes as we design my upcoming cookbook, Power & Glow. Seeing these layouts come together has made everything feel real. Today, I want to invite you right into the design studio with me. We have narrowed the front cover down to three distinct design directions, and I would love your help deciding which one speaks to you most! Take a look at our final contenders: Option 1: The Vibrant & Modern Layout. This...
BITA ARABIAN Recipes • Coaching • Vitality Hi Reader. Happy Summer Solstice week! I couldn't resist these showstopper star gazer lilies! They were the flowers we had at our wedding. The arrival of the longest days of the year always brings a fresh shift in energy, and I am leaning into it. In my health coaching practice, a common focus with clients has been finding balance during busier, active summer months, with navigating travel and keeping our energy stable without losing sight of our...
BITA ARABIAN Recipes • Coaching • Vitality Hi Reader. I’ve been a little quiet on this end lately, but for a good reason...I’m deep in the editing stage for my upcoming project, Power & Glow. I staged some glow jars and cookbok ingredients for the shoot Last week, I stepped in front of the lens to capture the visuals that will anchor this new chapter. It was rewarding to see the recipes and wellness concepts move from my kitchen to the professional frame, and I wanted you to be the first to...