Grace O

August 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

Asian Chicken Salad with a Tasty Twist

In my version of Chinese chicken salad, I use mangoes instead of Mandarin oranges. The base of the dressing is a bottled sweet chili sauce. The crispy noodles, though not very healthy, are fun in moderation. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which helps keep your appetite in check and maintain muscle mass. Cabbage contains indoles and isothiocyanates (sulfur compounds), both of which have anticancer potential. Vitamins C and A in mangoes fight inflammation and support immune function.. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup peanuts (raw or roasted), separated into halves ¼ cup olive oil 2 cups shredded Napa […]

August 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

India’s Lassi Gets a New Twist with Soursop

Soursop (Guanabana) Lassi From my first book, The Age GRACEFULLY Cookbook, here is an easy and delicious beverage featuring guanabana. Called, Soursop Lassi, it’s essentially a lassi drink from India made with yogurt and a pinch of salt. Mango lassi is very popular in Indian restaurants. I put a South American spin on the healthful drink by using guanabana in place of the mango. Guanabana provides antioxidants, immune-boosting vitamin C and riboflavin. Yogurt has beneficial probiotics that aid digestion and gut health. Learn more about the benefits of soursop here. You can find frozen guanabana pulp in Latin markets. Ingredients […]

August 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

Spicy Chickpea Burgers Are Simple & Savory

Spicy Chickpea Burgers Enjoy a healthier burger full of detoxifying fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants by blending chickpeas with vegetables, herbs and spices. While some veggie patties are fried or cooked in oil, these spicy chickpea burgers are baked golden brown and offer a mildly spicy aroma. A very simple meal, this recipe can be prepared in a matter of minutes. Serve these savory patties on a whole grain bun with a fresh green salad for an easy meal full of nutrients and flavor. Ingredients 1 Tbs. olive oil 1 small onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ medium […]

August 1, 2022

Published by Grace O

Gummy Vitamins: Not Just for Kids Anymore

Even though I follow my FoodTrients program for its anti-aging benefits, I know that vitamin supplements are an important part of aging gracefully. I take 20-plus vitamins and supplements a day, most of which are in capsule form. But for me, they’re not so easy to swallow. I need to drink them with water. Some friends of mine hide their pills in a piece of banana or a spoonful of apple sauce for easy downing. By the end of the day, I’m tired of pills getting stuck in my throat or drinking so much water! It’s tempting to skip some […]

July 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

Tokyo Garlic-Miso Vegetables

Roasting vegetables is one of the easiest ways to add more nutrient-dense foods to your diet. This dish’s blend of summer and year-round produce is tossed in an immune-boosting garlic miso sauce for added nutrition and delicious flavor. Miso is a thick paste made from fermented soybeans. Sometimes called miso paste or miso soybean paste, it can be found in any Asian grocery, or in the international section of mainstream grocery stores. You can use either white (mild) or red (stronger) miso. In Tokyo, they prefer the stronger red or brown varieties. Benefits: Miso is high in protein and rich […]

July 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

North African Freekeh

Ancient grains are trending, so you have probably heard of the roasted young (green) wheat called freekeh (pronounced free-kuh). This grain and the dishes made with it are from North Africa. In this recipe, I’ve combined it with savory garlic, fresh lemon, mint, sweet dates and nourishing chopped kale for a well-rounded side-dish full of flavor. Freekeh can be found in Whole Foods and other health-food stores or online. Benefits: Freekeh is packed with fiber and protein, so it will keep you full and satiated for hours. It also has vitamin B for energy, heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and manganese […]

July 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

What is a FoodTrient?

The inspiration for my empowering FoodTrients program—this website, the cookbook, my board of advisors—really came from my father. He was a physician and he had a way of looking at food as though it could heal us. He understood the value of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh foods and how those elements could influence our health. Foods like organic fruits and vegetables, wild fish, and humanely raised animals have so many good things in it: antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory agents, fiber, and anti-bacterial compounds. I needed to come up with a term to encompass the […]

July 19, 2022

Published by Grace O

Oatmeal-Date Cookies

I love classic American oatmeal cookies, and Moroccan elements like dates and cardamom make them more interesting and healthier. These treats require less butter and sugar than regular recipes because of the natural sweetness dates provide. This recipe, found in my latest cookbook Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World, uses whole-wheat flour in addition to all-purpose for a boost of fiber and nutrients while maintaining a soft texture. Benefits: Dates are full of detoxifying fiber and also offer B vitamins for building blood cells, potassium for strong bones, and iron for healthy red blood cells. Adding oats to your cookies […]

July 6, 2022

Published by Grace O

Mediterranean Superfoods Are Health Heroes

You have probably heard of the Mediterranean Diet. Besides conjuring visions of sipping chilled prosecco overlooking a sparkling sea, this way of cooking and eating is a heavily plant-based diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, herbs, fish, lean meats (in moderation) and monounsaturated oils, such as olive oil. It’s a true farm-to-table diet that relies on locally produced/caught/raised foods. In a number of studies, people who live around the Mediterranean in Southern Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Greece, as well as countries such as Croatia, Israel and Morocco, and live a mostly agrarian life tend to have lower incidences […]