Grace O

May 7, 2024

Published by Grace O

Secrets of Okinawa: A Diet for Longevity

Okinawa is in the southern-most prefecture of Japan, straddling the East China and the Philippine Seas. With its white, tropical beaches and turquoise waters, it’s not what you usually imagine when you think of Japan. Besides being known as the location of a U.S. Army base, Okinawa is one of the five ‘Blue Zones’ described by journalist, author and National Geographic fellow, Dan Buettner. These are five populations throughout the world with unusually high numbers of individuals who live happier, healthier lives, often to one hundred and beyond. In a nutshell, what these societies have in common is they: 1. […]

May 7, 2024

Published by Grace O

This Asparagus Dish Shines with Citrus

Citrusy Asparagus Asparagus is a finicky vegetable. It must be very fresh and picked early in the season or it will have woody stalks. Don’t cut the dry ends of the stalks. Instead, bend the stalks until the dry ends break off. Otherwise you risk serving chewy, inedible asparagus parts that your guests won’t enjoy. This citrusy side dish can be served hot or cold and is good cut up and served in a salad. Serves 4-6 Ingredients 2 lbs. asparagus spears, ends snapped off 4 Tbs. orange juice 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice ½ tsp. sea salt or salt […]

April 23, 2024

Published by Grace O

Wild Rice and Quinoa Salad Makes a Tasty, Filling Dish

This hearty, filling salad has a nice mix of textures thanks to the chewy grains, crunchy raw vegetables, and soft-cooked vegetables. The vinaigrette and dried golden berries add a sweet-sour tang. You can chill this salad for an hour or two to let the flavors blend, but I typically serve it right away. BENEFITS: Whole grains like brown rice, wild rice, and quinoa provide detoxifying fiber, which keeps you feeling full to help you lose weight. Quinoa and wild rice are good sources of Omega-3s, which keep your skin looking fresh and youthful. Golden berries and red bell peppers contain […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Grace O

Golden Berries Are an Anti-Aging Treasure

Golden berries go by many names. Some call them ground cherries. They grow on bushes, individually wrapped in husks like their cousin, the tomatillo. They are native to the Andes, which is why some people call them Inca berries or Aztec berries or even Peruvian cherries. Golden berries also grow in South Africa, where they are known as Cape gooseberries. Whatever you call them, just be sure to eat these bright yellow-orange fruits about the size of a cherry. Here in America, we most often see golden berries dried because they have a short growing season and an even shorter […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Grace O

Celebrate with Succulent Rack of Lamb

Garlic and Black Pepper Rack of Lamb Garlic’s many compounds, including allicin, work in tandem to create a relaxing effect on artery walls, keeping them free of excess cholesterol and minimizing inflammation. I use garlic with black pepper and horseradish to spice up this rack of lamb. New Zealand lamb is lower in fat, cooks faster, and is more tender than American varieties such as Colorado lamb. Ingredients New Zealand rack of lamb (about 1 lb.) Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 Tbs. prepared horseradish 1-2 tsp. minced rosemary 1-2 tsp. minced thyme 1-2 […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Grace O

Spring Vegetables Take Center Stage

After a very challenging winter (at least here in Southern California where we actually had blizzards that left ten feet of snow in the local San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains), we are so ready for spring! In most of the country, you can get most any vegetable any time of the year, because we import many items from places like Mexico and Central America. But beginning in March and April, spring vegetables are ready for action and local produce becomes readily available at markets—farmers and super. Here are a variety of spring vegetables that are especially sweet and delicious […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Grace O

Brazil Nut Tarts Are Detoxing and Delicious

Brazil Nut Tarts These tarts, with their hint of lime and rich texture, take Brazil nuts to a new level. Brazil nuts are full of detoxifying selenium and protein, as well as hearty-healthy omega-3s, which help to keep your skin elastic and hydrated and help to reduce swelling and redness. I like to make several small tarts from this recipe, but you can make large tarts if you prefer. SERVES 4-8 Ingredients 2 (9-in.) whole-wheat pie crusts 1 can (12 oz.) fat-free evaporated milk 2 Tbs. tapioca flour diluted in 4 Tbsp. water 2 beaten large eggs 2 Tbs. coconut […]

March 28, 2024

Published by Grace O

Embrace Spring’s Bounty – FoodTrients Press Release

Embrace Spring’s Bounty: FoodTrients Unveils Delectable Spring Vegetable Recipes for Health and Vitality As winter fades into memory, FoodTrients, the premier food, health, and wellness website, welcomes the vibrant resurgence of spring with open arms and a palate primed for the season’s freshest offerings. While today’s food markets may offer a semblance of year-round availability, there’s an undeniable allure to the locally sourced bounty that emerges in spring. As the chill of winter recedes, local markets teem with the vibrant colors and crisp flavors of spring produce, beckoning both seasoned chefs and culinary novices alike to explore new realms […]

March 27, 2024

Published by Grace O

Taste the International Language of Chicken

Everyone loves chicken! That’s because it’s so versatile and takes on whatever flavors it’s cooked with. Chickens, as a source of high-quality protein, can be raised in small spaces and require relatively modest amounts of feed to grow rather quickly. Every culture in the world has a national version of a chicken recipe. Traveling the world and growing up in the Philippines, where the cuisine is influenced by so many cultures – Spanish, Asian, Indian, Polynesian, and American – I have been exposed to delicious dishes from around the globe. That’s why at FoodTrients we love exploring international flavors. What […]