Grace O

May 30, 2022

Published by Grace O

Age Beautifully with FoodTrients

As I’ve been telling my story these past few years about how I developed an anti-aging cookbook based on the food-is-medicine principle called FoodTrients, I’ve expanded my method for creating delicious, comforting recipes designed to keep you young, healthy and beautiful. It’s a lot easier than I imagined, and it’s the focus of The AGE BEAUTIFULLY COOKBOOK: Easy and Exotic Longevity Secrets from Around the World. The recipes are mainly quick and easy to make, and will introduce readers to age-defying foods and flavors from around the world, with a focus on beauty that emanates from the inside. As I […]

May 4, 2022

Published by Grace O

Mangoes: All Hail the ‘King of Fruits’!

For those of us who grew up in Southeast Asia, mangoes are as common there as apples are here in North America—they are everywhere and in just about everything. My mom encouraged me to eat mangoes every day and I was happy to oblige. They are delicious with a wonderful, tropical scent and a flavor that’s a cross between pineapple and a luscious, ripe peach. The juicy flesh has a smooth, silky texture. Originally cultivated at the foot of the Himalayas 4,000 years ago, mangoes are one of the most popular fruits in the world. Right now is the beginning […]

May 4, 2022

Published by Grace O

Savory to Sweet: My Travels with Breakfast

In my casual observation, there are two kinds of breakfasts: sweet and savory. Sometimes I crave one, sometimes the other. Certain culinary traditions do one or the other better—the French with their strong, highly sweetened coffee served with buttery croissants and a generous pot of strawberry jam fall into the sweet category. In Japan, expect fish and pickled vegetables for breakfast. In New York City, you’ll find the best bagels and lox, while no trip to New Orleans is complete without a plate of fresh beignets dusted with powdered sugar. In an earlier blog, I described shakshuka, a spicy tomato, […]

May 4, 2022

Published by Grace O

Deviled Eggs — Lightened Up!

Deviled eggs are everyone’s favorite party appetizer but loaded with mayonnaise, can be a caloric bomb. Lighten up a classic treat by subbing mayo for protein-packed low-fat Greek yogurt, dropping a couple of yolks (but keeping the majority!) and adding mustard, dried dill and smoked paprika for an unexpected burst of flavor. This recipe is quick and very easy, using common household ingredients so next time you need the perfect appetizer, on-the-go snack or after-school dish, whip up a batch of Deviled Eggs – Lightened Up! Benefits: Eggs are loaded with protein for strength, and choline for brain health. Serves […]

April 22, 2022

Published by Grace O

Exotic Fruit Salad with Granola

My recipe for Exotic Fruit Salad, which is featured in my new cookbook – The Age Beautifully Cookbook — is a protein-packed, vitamin-filled way to grab a healthy snack or start your morning. You can add spices, such as nutmeg, cardamom, and allspice (about ⅛ tsp. each), and nuts. Instead of exotic fruits you can use grapes, blackberries, strawberries, and/or bananas. The Omega-3 fatty acids in the flaxseeds are great for your arteries and heart. Oats and fiber are both known to reduce cholesterol. The exotic fruits in this recipe are full of antioxidants and vitamin C, which helps […]

April 1, 2022

Published by Grace O

Carrot Quiche

Carrots are well known for their beta-carotene content, which our bodies convert into vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant that is needed for healthy immune function. Carrots have hundreds of other cartenoids that help inhibit cancer growth. They also contain lutein, which is beneficial to eye health. Our bodies process the nutrients in carrots more efficiently when they are cooked. In this quiche, the carrots stay bright orange and firm, a nice contrast to the silky custard base. SERVES 6-8 Ingredients 1 (9-in.) whole-wheat pie crust 2 tsp. canola oil 4 slices turkey bacon, chopped 2 tsp. chopped garlic 1/2 cup […]

March 29, 2022

Published by Grace O

Lamb: Don’t Forget About This Delicious Meat

Lamb is a nutritious and delectable protein and one that I like to serve on special occasions or when I just want a change from beef, poultry or pork. But consumption of lamb in the U.S. has plummeted over the last 50 years. In the 1960s, Americans consumed on average 4.5 lbs. per year. Today, it’s about 0.7lbs. Why, when lamb is so delicious? There are a couple of theories that help explain the decline. First, soldiers during WWII were fed a lot of canned lamb and mutton, so when they returned home, they wanted no more of the meat […]

March 15, 2022

Published by Grace O

Plant-Based Meals Are Growing on the Table

Here in Los Angeles, with our access to plentiful produce and a pervasive interest in healthy eating, we have a long history of plant-based cuisine. In 1885, a newspaper called The Daily Alta California reported on a popular vegetarian brunch item, “Quartered alligator pears with the pulp spread on slices of grilled bread and seasoned with salt and pepper.” Today we know this delicacy as avocado toast! When Upton Sinclair published The Jungle in 1906, it highlighted the exploitation of workers and unsanitary conditions in the meat packing industry in Chicago. The novel inspired a minor craze for vegetarian restaurants […]

March 6, 2022

Published by Grace O

The Lowdown on Plant-Based Meat Substitutes

One of the hottest topics to come out of the world of food and nutrition was the broad introduction of plant-based meats, specifically patties that mimic beef burgers. Two companies, Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, are at the forefront of providing meat substitutes that really taste like ground beef. The question from a FoodTrients standpoint is: are these products more healthful than beef patties? Do they have what it takes to benefit your well-being? Who’s the Target Audience? First thing to know about these plant-based meat substitutes is that veggie burgers have been around for decades. Remember Boca® Burger and […]