Grace O

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. […]

June 17, 2024

Published by Grace O

Give Your Day a Lift With Mangosteens

When mangosteens are in season, from May to September, I can’t wait to get my hands on some to eat fresh and in my delicious chutney. I know that these exotic treats, sometimes called purple mangosteen, will soon be gone. These beautiful little fruits are about the size of a baseball. Dark purple in color, they have a tough outer shell. The top is crowned with small green leaves and the bottom is stamped with a flowerlike shape. They almost look manufactured, but this is how God makes them. You have to carefully cut a line around the tough outer pericarp—the […]

June 17, 2024

Published by Grace O

Longevity: The Secrets of Mediterranean Cuisine

I’ve written about Mediterranean cuisine and the Mediterranean diet before. But it’s worth writing about again because it’s so delicious and so good for you! Cardiologists recommend a Mediterranean diet with its healthy fats, lean proteins and whole grains for weight control and a healthy heart. If there is one word that most defines the cuisines of the Mediterranean, it’s VEGETABLES! Sure, there’s plenty of meat, chicken, seafood and fruit, but the basis is an abundance of vegetables and creative ways to enjoy them. When describing a Mediterranean diet, we’re talking about the cuisines of Southern Europe—France, Spain, Italy, Greece, […]

June 10, 2024

Published by Grace O

6 Awards for Grace O’s Latest Cookbook

Grace O’s Cookbook Wins 6 Awards! 28th Gourmand International Awards 2023: The Gourmand International 2023 Awards: Grace O attended the Gourmand International 2023 Awards ceremony in Umea, Sweden, with members of her FoodTrients team where the awards were presented. Grace and her team celebrated receiving the 2023 Gourmand award for the ‘Best in the World’ in the Health and Nutrition category for her cookbook, Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World (Skyhorse/August 2022/Hardcover). Because this cookbook won a national award for Health and Nutrition, we were eligible to compete in the international competition for the ‘Best in the World’ award. Grace O is […]

June 1, 2024

Published by Grace O

Eat To Build, Repair and Maintain Muscle

Even if you don’t consider yourself an athlete or body-builder—as I certainly do not—you should be concerned with muscle health. Skeletal muscles are the tissues that enable your body to move, whether it’s gardening, a stroll in the park or a triathlon. Smooth or visceral muscles are the ones that line the stomach, intestines and blood vessels. And keep in mind that the all-important heart is made up of specialized cardiac muscle that must work continuously without a break our whole lives. In total, muscles account for about half your body weight. That’s a lot of mass to keep healthy […]