Garlic - Gotta Love It!

Think garlic is only good for warding off vampires? Guess again. Garlic, long known for its strong aromatic properties is branching out into other areas. No longer is garlic used only in ethnic food fare, it can be found as an ingredient in numerous health and beauty products as well; think effective antibiotic, or even aphrodisiac. There's also a wide variety of different garlic, ranging from sweet, to rich and complex; all garlic is not the same. I have always been a garlic lover and was pleasantly surprised to find out I was not alone in my passion for all things garlic. There are even festivals held primarily in honor of garlic, such as the Chehalis Garlic Festival, where those seeking to satiate their culinary garlic appetites can indulge in such delectable palate pleasers as garlic fries, garlic salsas, pickled garlic, and even garlic ice cream. On the flip side, garlic can be used in the garden as an effective pest repellant; it can even safely protect the family pet from fleas and ticks. Ancient civilizations knew about the amazing and extensive benefits of using garlic, and we are finally waking up to what they knew so long ago, garlic is great!