Grace O

October 29, 2026

Published by Grace O

Filipino Puto: Steamed Rice Cakes with Cheddar Cheese

Soft, lightly sweet Filipino rice cakes topped with cheddar cheese Puto is a beloved Filipino steamed rice cake traditionally enjoyed as a snack or alongside savory dishes. This simple version combines rice flour and creamy coconut milk to create tender little cakes finished with cheddar cheese. For a festive fall or Halloween gathering, you can add a touch of food coloring for a colorful twist. Ingredients For the puto 2 cups rice flour (not glutinous rice flour) ¾ cup granulated sugar 1½ teaspoons baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup coconut milk 1 cup water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional) […]

October 28, 2026

Published by Grace O

Pumpkin Seeds Pack Mighty Health Benefits

When most people think of pumpkins, it’s usually around Halloween or Thanksgiving. But their seeds are little treasures you can enjoy all year long! These crunchy bites are packed with nutrients — full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healthy fats that help your body thrive. Pumpkin seeds are also a natural source of tryptophan, known for supporting better sleep and a balanced mood. Research shows they can help protect your heart, strengthen bones, calm inflammation, and even support bladder health. It’s amazing what these tiny seeds can do! Pumpkin Seeds: Tiny Powerhouses for Big Health Benefits When most people think […]

September 28, 2026

Published by Grace O

The First Taste of Fall: Apples & Pears

There’s always a moment when I realize fall has arrived. Here in Southern California, it isn’t necessarily because the temperature has dropped or the leaves have started changing. Sometimes, it’s simply walking through the market and seeing beautiful displays of crisp apples and ripe pears. To me, apples and pears are some of the first tastes of fall. I love them because they’re delicious just as they are, but they’re also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Slice them into a salad, pair them with nuts and cheese, cook them alongside a savory meal, or bake them with cinnamon and warm […]

September 27, 2026

Published by Grace O

Classic French Pear and Apple Tart

Pear and Apple Tart In this dessert, I take the recipe for the classic French dessert tarte tatin–with its quercetin-containing apples–and add pears for their copper content and pecans and cinnamon, which are high in antioxidants. It is worth noting that when used in sufficient amounts, cinnamon also has anti-blood-clotting agents and anti-inflammatory properties and may help stabilize blood sugar levels. SERVES 6-8 Ingredients 6 Tbs. butter, cut into small pieces 1/2 cup sugar, combined with 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 4 apples (Braeburn, Granny Smith, Gala, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and cut in half 2 pears (Bosc), peeled, cored, and […]

September 22, 2026

Published by Grace O

The Last Taste of Summer: 6 Foods to Savor Before Fall

There’s something special about visiting the farmers market as summer begins to wind down. The tables are still filled with beautiful tomatoes, colorful peppers, zucchini, and fresh herbs, but you can already feel the seasons beginning to change. I love this time of year because it reminds me to enjoy these wonderful ingredients while they’re still at their best. A perfectly ripe tomato, a handful of fresh blueberries, or zucchini tossed on the grill needs very little preparation to become something delicious. These foods also bring a variety of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and beneficial plant compounds to our meals. And […]

September 8, 2026

Published by Grace O

4 Delicious Recipes Featuring Anti-Inflammatory Foods

I’ve always believed that the foods we eat can be some of our most powerful tools for supporting good health. This is especially true when it comes to inflammation. Inflammation is part of the body’s natural defense system. It helps us respond to an injury, illness, infection, or even a strenuous workout. This short-term response is necessary for healing. But when inflammation continues over time, it can begin working against us instead of helping us. Chronic inflammation can be influenced by ongoing stress, inadequate sleep, repeated infections, certain health conditions, and a diet high in heavily processed foods. Over time, […]

September 3, 2026

Published by Grace O

Fire Up the Flavor for Casual Dinner with Friends & Family!

Nothing says summer quite like gathering around the grill—and my Summertime Grilled Chicken is an easy, colorful way to entertain friends and family. The chicken is marinated in my bright and zesty Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled until tender, and topped with a refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish. It’s sweet, savory, and just a little unexpected—exactly what a holiday cookout needs! Bringing a dish to a barbecue? Cook the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it. When you arrive, warm it briefly on the grill to bring back that fresh-off-the-barbecue flavor. Add the relish just before serving, and you’ll have a beautiful dish without […]

August 22, 2026

Published by Grace O

Fermented Foods: From Tradition to Trend

Where delicious meets nutritious. Long before fermented foods became a wellness trend, they were simply part of life in my family’s kitchen. When I was a teenager in the Philippines, my mother and I made atchara together—a sweet-and-sour relish traditionally made with green, unripe papaya and colorful vegetables. We would grate the papaya into long, thin strips, add carrots and other vegetables for color and crunch, and prepare a tangy mixture with vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a little sweetness. I can still remember working beside her in the kitchen. We made sweet and salty pickled cucumbers, too. And because German […]

August 13, 2026

Published by Grace O

GLP-1 Foods That Support Your Body’s Natural Fullness Signals

GLP-1 medications have become one of today’s biggest health stories. But long before these medications existed, our bodies were already producing GLP-1 naturally. GLP-1—short for glucagon-like peptide-1—is a hormone released in the digestive system after we eat. It helps the body manage blood sugar, slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach and sends signals of satisfaction to the brain. Prescription GLP-1 medications are designed to imitate and extend the activity of this natural hormone. Food cannot reproduce the powerful or long-lasting effects of these medications. However, research suggests that certain nutrients may help support the body’s own GLP-1 […]