Grace O

July 14, 2024

Published by Grace O

Meloniscious! How To Pick (and Eat) Perfect Melons

Today’s melons are way beyond your standard cantaloupes, honeydews and watermelons (though they are delicious this time of year). Exploring the produce section, I came across some newer variety melons I hadn’t seen before. Luckily, they were sampling. Here are some varieties that you might want to sample for yourself: Sugar Kiss – Round with netted skin and light salmon-colored flesh. The texture is soft, juicy and sweet like candy. Golden Kiss– This is a very flavorful Charentais variety. You can spot it by the netted skin and distinctive green ribs. The flesh is firm and a deep orange color with […]

July 14, 2024

Published by Grace O

Acai Sorbet Is a Purple Powerhouse of a Dessert

Açaí Sorbet Açaí berries are deep-purple powerhouses, super-rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins. Both properties are great for keeping your body young and healthy. This beautiful frozen confection is very easy to make. Servings 2-4 Ingredients 1 egg white 3 Tbs. sugar 2 cups açaí juice Procedure Using a stand or hand-held mixer, whip the egg white and sugar until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Fold in the açaí juice. Transfer the mixture to an ice cream machine. Follow ice cream machine freezing instructions until the sorbet achieves the texture of soft-serve ice cream, about 30 minutes. You can also freeze […]

July 14, 2024

Published by Grace O

Fight Allergies with Apple Barley Salad!

When pollen is flying through the air on a summer breeze, foods that reduce allergy symptoms can be a lifesaver. I immediately head to my kitchen to make my Apple Barley Salad. Eating specific compounds—such as the FoodTrients omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, gingerol, oleuropein, and quercitin, as well as probiotics—go a long way toward reducing the swelling of nasal passages and the production of antihistamines. The old adage about an apple a day is really true for allergy sufferers. Apples contain quercitin, which supports the immune system, reduces inflammation, and may reduce allergic sensitivity. Quercitin is found not only in […]

July 7, 2024

Published by Grace O

Take a Tropical Vacation with These Recipes

If you dream of going to a tropical paradise for a relaxing vacation, but you can’t get away anytime soon, we’d like to bring a little paradise to you with some delicious ideas for tropical fruit treats. Just a whiff of these succulent fruits will take you away to the beach and thoughts of relaxing under a palm tree. You’re probably familiar with mangoes, papayas, and pineapple. But there are so many fruits we don’t see often in the U.S. And most of these exotic fruits are full of FoodTrients® including vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and more. Full disclosure: You won’t […]

July 2, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s the Summertime Blues when Blueberries Rock!

When it comes to a small but mighty summer fruit, it’s hard to beat blueberries. Is there anything more simple and delicious? You can eat them plain by the handful or add them to smoothies, yogurt, whole-grain cereals, pancakes, desserts, you name it. Growing up in the Philippines, we had blueberries, but they were a rare treat, so I appreciate the abundance of fresh berries available here in California. Native to North America and now cultivated widely in Chile and New Zealand as well, blueberries are an undisputed “superfood.” They are high on any list of foods that do so […]

July 2, 2024

Published by Grace O

Ya! It’s Time for Swedish Chocolate Chip Cake

It’s a brownie! It’s a cookie! It’s a cake! Yes! It’s all of these in one delicious recipe. My friend Barbara got this recipe from her Swedish grandmother and it’s one of the dessert recipes featured in my latest cookbook, Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World. This simple cake should not be overmixed, or it will lose its tender crumb. The dark chocolate chips add a wonderful counterpoint to the rich batter; you can substitute carob chips if you like. I toss the chips in flour first to keep them from sinking to the bottom of the cake. This cake […]

July 2, 2024

Published by Grace O

Let’s Get Beautiful with Colorful Annatto Noodles!

Vegetarian Stir-Fried Annatto Noodles These colorful noodles, which are made with my Annatto Oil and Annatto Water, are as delicious as they are healthful. They can be served as a main course, appetizer, or side dish. I use cornstarch noodles, but you can use glass or rice noodles. You can substitute other varieties of mushroom, and almost any cabbage will work–Napa, savoy, bok choy, green, or even red. You can use store-bought vegetable broth instead of homemade. This is a gluten-free dish, so I use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce. Bragg Liquid Aminos provides even more flavor. BENEFITS: Annatto […]

June 19, 2024

Published by Grace O

Turkish Eggplant Stuffed with Lamb & Walnuts

Turkish Eggplant Stuffed with Lamb & Walnuts In this recipe, eggplant is the star, with lamb an important supporting player. Some versions of eggplant stuffed with meat are found throughout Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East. I added walnuts to my version to increase the health benefits of this dish. Pomegranate molasses is available at Middle Eastern markets. Or you can make it yourself by simmering pomegranate juice over medium heat until it thickens to the consistency of syrup. It’s very tangy and lends a wonderful depth to many dishes. Benefits Eggplant contains gut-healthy fiber and cancer-fighting anthocyanins. Pomegranates are […]

June 19, 2024

Published by Grace O

Indian Mint Pesto

Indian Mint Pesto There’s something about fiery Indian curry that pairs wonderfully with mint. This pesto can be spread on naan, stirred into soups, or mixed in with steamed cauliflower and potatoes for a memorable side dish. It’s also ketogenic and vegan. Benefits Mint aids digestion, perks you up when your energy is low, and can help clear congestion in the nose and sinuses. Raw mint leaves have chlorophyll, which acts as an antioxidant and has some anticancer benefits. Curry powder is full of antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory spices. Yields 1 cup Ingredients 1 cup tightly packed fresh mint leaves 1 Tbs. […]