Grace O

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 […]

August 12, 2026

Published by Grace O

Up Your Game with Grilled Artichokes & Moringa Dip

Grilled Artichokes With Moringa Dip In this tasty appetizer, I pair moringa–which is loaded with strength-building protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and potassium–with artichokes, which add lutein for eye health and fiber for gut health. I like to steam the artichokes first and finish them on the grill, but you can omit this step to save time. Add other grilled vegetables such as red bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus to expand on this delicious party food. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 4 artichokes, trimmed and steamed for 30 minutes 2-3 Tbs. olive oil 1 cup olive oil mayonnaise 1 Tbs. […]

July 23, 2026

Published by Grace O

Refreshing Summer Drinks with a FoodTrients® Twist

Summer is one of my favorite times to enjoy my citrus orchard. I love spending time among the trees, picking fresh oranges, lemons, and limes and bringing them straight into my kitchen. There is something special about using fruit you’ve just picked, especially when the citrus is fragrant, juicy, and still warm from the summer sun. Once a year, when the citrus trees are especially abundant, I invite friends to the orchard to share in the harvest. Everyone picks fresh oranges, lemons, and limes to take home, and at the end of the day, we gather for a barbecue with […]

July 17, 2026

Published by Grace O

Your Gut Loves Variety—Why Whole Grains Belong on Your Plate

Last week, we explored the simple challenge of eating 30 different plant foods each week to support a healthy gut microbiome. The wonderful thing about this challenge is that it doesn’t have to be complicated—every fruit, vegetable, herb, spice, bean, nut, seed, and whole grain counts. This week, I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of my favorite food groups for gut health: whole grains. When I visit my local farmers market during the summer, I’m always inspired by the colorful produce that fills every stand. Fresh kale, sweet peppers, mushrooms, herbs, and crisp vegetables remind me that the […]

July 16, 2026

Published by Grace O

Cauliflower Steaks with Goat Cheese

Cauliflower Steaks with Goat Cheese These cauliflower steaks can serve as a vegetarian main course or sit beautifully alongside grass-fed, grilled rib-eye or Porterhouse steaks. Piment d’Espelette is the French version of paprika. It’s mild and full-flavored. You can use paprika or red pepper flakes (1 tsp.) instead. A member of the nutrition-packed, cruciferous cabbage family along with Brussels sprouts and broccoli, cauliflower is anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich, and may boost both heart and brain health. Eating cauliflower provides impressive amounts of vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene, and much more while supporting healthy digestion and detoxification. Cauliflower has indoles (sulfur compounds) […]