Grace O

November 4, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s Time To Brighten Up Your Fall Recipe Repertoire

Our seasons in Southern California are like nowhere else. After a month of planet Mercury-like heat, we had unseasonably cool weather. Even though temperatures have been going up and down, now that it’s officially fall, we want to think about cooler days ahead. In fact, I’m feeling a bit eager to start cooking some fall fruit and vegetable recipes—even soup! You can find most of the the items profiled below in supermarkets most any time of year, thanks to excellent growers in Mexico and opposing seasons in the Southern hemisphere. However, fall is peak season for locally grown produce, so […]

October 23, 2024

Published by Grace O

All About Apples – They’re Healthy to the Core

There’s good reason for the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” although as a small child, it upset me, because my father was a doctor. Part of me was afraid that if I ate an apple every day, I wouldn’t see my beloved dad. Luckily, I outgrew this fear and came to appreciate apples for the incredibly nutritious fruit that they are. Apples are the second most popular fruit consumed in the U.S. after bananas. They are enjoying a golden age right now, with a number of delicious (as opposed to Delicious—though they’re good too) new varieties […]

October 23, 2024

Published by Grace O

Persimmon Cookies Are a Perfect Seasonal Treat

California Persimmon Cookies SERVES 12 This recipe comes from our FoodTrients friend Lisa. It was her grandmother’s recipe and a family favorite. She uses persimmons grown in sunny California. Persimmons were brought there from Asia in the 1800s and can be found in many suburban California backyards. Fuyu persimmons work best in this recipe because they’re softer than Hachiya persimmons. Be sure to use very ripe ones so they’re soft enough and have lost their astringency. BENEFITS: Persimmons contain carotenoids, which may help inhibit cancer and tumor growth, reduce the risk of heart disease, and support immune function. The resveratrol […]

October 23, 2024

Published by Grace O

We’re Falling for Seasonal Breads with Benefits

Let’s be honest. Nobody really needs more bread recipes. We all struggle to cut down on carbs and empty calories. But what if we make breads with benefits by including the nutrients of FoodTrients? You can always add ingredients that bring nutritional value such as wheat germ, nuts, whole wheat flour, etc. These bread recipes are forgiving, so you can customize them a bit. The recipes really celebrate the season while providing more wholesome nutrition than those seductive breads with lots of sugar and saturated fat. So let’s get baking! Health Nut Zucchini Bread You can use half a cup […]

October 17, 2024

Published by Grace O

Easy Slow Cooker Bone Broth

Crock pots are an amazing tool! Prep everything in the morning; turn on the pot and your meal (or soup or bone broth) will be ready by dinnertime. This recipe is the ultimate hands-off meal-prep tool to relieve stress while eating healthfully. Benefits Chicken contains protein and collagen for strength and beauty, vitamin B12 to support cellular energy in the body, and selenium for supporting the body’s natural detoxification systems. Onions contain an immune-supporting phytochemical, quercetin. There’s nothing better for soothing the digestive system than bone broth so be sure to sip on this delicious recipe if you’re working on […]

October 17, 2024

Published by Grace O

Sautéed Dandelion Greens with Eggs

Long the scourge of suburban lawns, dandelions are one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat. These sautéed dandelion greens with leeks, eggs, and feta cheese showcase this often underappreciated leafy green. To help reduce bitterness, the dandelion greens are quickly blanched in salted boiling water. This is a protein-packed brunch or supper between the eggs and the cheese. Benefits Dandelion leaves can help control blood sugar, manage blood pressure, and reduce systemic inflammation. They are also loaded with antioxidants that can protect cells from stress and keep your immune system strong. At just 25 calories per cup, raw […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Pasture Prime: The Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

I love good-quality beef, particularly grass-fed beef. In fact, when I think of typical American food, I think of steaks, hamburgers, roast beef and more. In the Philippines, where diets consist mostly of fish, pork and chicken, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where we had access to beef. As a child, hamburgers and steaks were among my favorite foods. As I got older, I began to limit how much and how often I ate beef. Today, I restrict my meat eating to grass-fed, organic beef. Besides being delicious and versatile, beef is a powerhouse of […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Steakhouse Potatoes Help Build and Repair Muscle

American Steakhouse Potatoes with Caramelized Onions This recipe is a nod to the classic American custom of eating steaks with baked potatoes. But here you eat less protein and forgo the calorie-rich butter and sour cream that usually dresses them. My Caramelized Onions top this dish. Benefits Potatoes contain vitamin B6, potassium, and fiber for gut health. The protein in steak helps build and repair muscles, hair, nails, skin, bone, and cartilage. Mushrooms contain selenium, which helps protect the heart and regulate blood clotting. Serves 2–4 Ingredients 2 large Russet potatoes, skin on 1 lb. sirloin steak tips, in small, […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Arugula Salad with Feta, Pine Nuts, and Berries

The feta cheese in the salad provides protein and calcium. Hint: if you can buy the feta in bulk from a Greek, Persian, or other Middle Eastern deli, do it! Packaged feta will do, but feta from the deli case tastes better. Pine nuts are a good source of B vitamins, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and manganese. You can buy pine nuts pre-toasted. Leafy green arugula and extra virgin olive oil provide anti-inflammatory properties as do the berries. The salty feta and the sweet berries play beautifully together! Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup Greek feta cheese, cubed ½ cup extra […]