January 26, 2021

Olive and Watercress Tapenade

A heart-friendly snack, this olive and watercress tapenade is wonderful on crackers or warm bread and even dabbled on top of pizza. The olives provide heart-healthy fats while the watercress brings detoxification to the party. YIELDS 2 CUPS Ingredients 1 1/2 cups tightly packed watercress, without stems 1 1/2 cups tightly packed parsley, without stems 1 cup drained and pitted black olives 1 cup drained and pitted kalamata olives 1 cup drained and pitted green olives with pimentos 1/4 cup olive oil 3 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. fresh oregano Instructions Place all the ingredients in a food processor bowl […]
January 26, 2021

Macadamia Cream and Mock Sour Cream

Macadamia Cream Enjoy these vegan version cream and sour cream using macadamia nuts in place of dairy products. Macadamia nuts are very heart healthy thanks to their monounsaturated fats and choline, which help prevent cholesterol accumulation. The vitamin E in the nuts also reduces your risk of heart disease. These nuts are also a good source of iron, which delivers oxygen to cells and muscles and keeps you energized. YIELDS 2 CUPS Ingredients 1 cup raw, organic macadamia nuts 1 cup warm water Instructions 1. Soak the nuts in the water for 1 hour. 2. Blend in a powerful blender […]
January 26, 2021

Homemade Vegetable Stock

Vegetable stock is a flavorful, fat-free, vegan base for healthy cooking. I like to use it for my soups and sauces, especially if I’m feeding vegetarian friends or trying to avoid animal fats (see my White Bean Soup). Making the stock myself gives me lots of room to use seasonal vegetables. And since the stock is strained after cooking, I can use the stems and stalks of the vegetables, reserving the best parts for other dishes. You can add other vegetables, too, such as carrots, fennel, or kale. Most colorful vegetables are packed with antioxidants and disease-preventing foodtrients. YIELDS 3 […]
January 26, 2021

Orange Tomato Soup

My Homemade Vegetable Stock and Mock Sour Cream make this a light but satisfying vegan soup. You can use store-bought vegetable broth instead of homemade. The yellow bell peppers complement the taste and the nutrient content of the tomatoes, and they lighten the color of this soup to a pretty orange hue. If you don’t want to chop, seed, and peel the tomatoes, you can use canned chopped tomatoes instead. Tomatoes contain heart-healthy lycopene. SERVES 4 Ingredients 8-10 Roma tomatoes 2 orange bell peppers 2 cups Homemade Vegetable Stock Sea Salt and black pepper to taste 1/4 cup Mock Sour […]
January 20, 2021

Flaxseed and Squash Tortillas

  These tortillas are soft enough to wrap around fish but durable enough to hold fajitas. I spent weeks perfecting them! Everyone who tries them loves them. This recipe makes reddish-colored tortillas using red bell peppers, but for tortillas with green flecks use green bell peppers. I use golden flaxseeds because I prefer their color. Flaxseed contains fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease, and vitamin E, which protects the heart and the skin from the sun’s aging effects. The carotenoids in squash and peppers are precursors to vitamin A, which […]
December 16, 2020

Getting Your Just Desserts Over the Holidays

It’s hard not to indulge during the holidays, especially when we have all endured so much this last year.  You can try to be strong and simply enjoy FoodTrients-worthy desserts during the season, like all the superb citrus fruits, pears and apples available this time of year. But sometimes it’s easier to stick to a healthy way of eating if you consume a small bit of something very indulgent. That way, you don’t feel deprived. I love to bake and find it’s a great stress reliever. The following dessert recipes from around the world make no apologies for their richness. […]
December 15, 2020

We’re Pumped Over These Powerful Pomegranates!

Pomegranates seem to be the darling of the anti-aging community. New stories appear almost every day touting the health benefits of this large red fruit native to Iran and northern India. Sure the dark red arils or edible seeds of the pithy fruit are tart and tasty, but do they deserve all the hype they’re getting? I think so. I’ve found some compelling research and recommendations by trusted sources telling me how pomegranates can help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation and risk of heart disease, and even fight dental plaque. So breaking through the leathery outer skin of the pomegranate is […]
November 17, 2020

Sugar Pumpkins Stuffed with Applesauce

Sugar pumpkins are mostly used as decoration in the fall months. That’s a shame because they are the best variety of pumpkin to cook with. Their flesh is less stringy and watery than the larger jack-o’-lantern pumpkins. I like to roast them and fill them with applesauce for a nice holiday side dish. Pumpkins have immune-boosting beta-carotene, and apples have quercetin, which also strengthens your immune system. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 4-6 small sugar pumpkins Salt or salt substitute and freshly ground black pepper to taste Cinnamon (optional) About 4 cups applesauce Procedure 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 2. […]