Grace O

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 […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Flavorful Flatbreads Get Worldly Makeover

It’s very tempting to call the topic of this blog “pizza” but, instead, I am referring to these endlessly delicious and versatile dishes as “flatbreads” because it suggests so much more than a round baked pie of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Almost every culture around the world uses some version of flatbread and, even among those that don’t have a traditional version, you can create one with any cuisine in the world. Some of the characteristics that make flatbreads so appealing are that they are usually presented thin, a little crispy (as opposed to fluffy and doughy), and they […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Heart-Healthy Green Tea Noodles Ramp Up the Flavor

Green Tea Noodles with Edamame Green tea, with its powerful theaflavins, is a strong antioxidant with vigorous anti-inflammatory properties, a heart-healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Green tea is wonderful to drink on its own, but it also can be incorporated into recipes. I use an old Asian trick for mixing more green tea into your diet with my Green Tea Noodles with Edamame. It’s an easy and budget-friendly recipe. Just boil soba, udon, or ramen noodles in green tea instead of water. Green tea has far more age-fighting power than water. If you want to eat these noodles cold, rinse […]

September 24, 2024

Published by Grace O

Salt – The Good, the Bad, the Benefits!

Salt has been one of the most vilified substances in the world of food. Too much of it can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. There is way too much of it in processed foods. It can cause water retention and bloating. These things can be true, but there can be an even greater danger in not getting enough salt. Salt is also an important seasoning tool that puts the finishing touch on most dishes. I need to watch how much salt I put in my food so I try to boost flavors with other spices, but […]

September 24, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s a Picnic, So Let Them Eat Cake!

No one lives by bread alone. Every so often you need something delicious, like cake. I truly believe that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing the foods you love or special treats. With an eye toward healthful ingredients and the right kind of recipes, you can make luscious desserts like cake work for you. All of my cookbooks contain indulgent recipes that provide important nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. When the weather is nice, I enjoy taking picnics to the beach or outdoor concert venues like the Hollywood Bowl. When it comes to dessert, you want something that will […]

September 24, 2024

Published by Grace O

Pork Loin Pockets Are a Meal With Big Benefits

Pork Loin Pockets I spread pork tenderloin slices with tomato paste to give this dish the antioxidant benefits of licopene. Canadian bacon has less fat than its American counterpart. It also adds a lot of flavor. Sulfur compounds in onions are great anticancer agents. Onions also contain antioxidants and quercetin. Steamed carrot sticks and broccoli make a nice accompaniment to these tasty pockets. Serves 6-8 Ingredients 1 pork tenderloin (about 1 lb.), cut into 8 slices Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste 8 slices Canadian bacon 1⁄4 cup flour 2 beaten medium eggs […]