Grace O

February 10, 2026

Published by Grace O

Let Me Count the Ways I Love Chocolate!

Valentine’s Day brings warmth and joy to the often gloomy month of February. And let’s be honest—what’s Valentine’s Day without chocolate? As a child, I cherished the rare occasions when my parents treated me to American-made chocolates as a special reward, making each bite even more delightful. Later in life, my husband won my heart with roses and decadent chocolates on this romantic holiday. It’s no surprise that chocolate has become synonymous with love! The great news is that chocolate is an honest-to-goodness FoodTrient! Dark chocolate is loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and even some fiber. Sugar, butter, milk and admittedly other […]

February 10, 2026

Published by Grace O

Sweetheart Baobab Butter Squares with a Healthy Twist

These squares are like lemon bars but made with antioxidant-rich baobab. Baobab is an African fruit that has a powdery texture. You can buy it from Amazon or you can use fresh lemon juice (3 Tbs.) or lemon zest (1 Tbs.) instead of the baobab powder. Feel free to substitute gluten-free flour for the wheat-based flour. BENEFITS: Baobab is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that appears to guard against heart disease and stroke and also protects the skin from the aging effects of ultraviolet rays. It contains fiber, which helps with detoxification and gut health. Yields 12 […]

February 5, 2026

Published by Grace O

New Food Guidelines – We Are Ahead of the Curve!

FoodTrients is Ahead of the Curve! For years, FoodTrients® has encouraged what the new guidelines highlight: colorful vegetables and fruits, clean proteins, healthy fats, whole grains, and fewer ultra-processed foods. This is how I was raised, how my father (a physician) taught me to nourish the body, and how I cook for my family — and for all of you. Real food matters. What we eat can help us feel better. And every bite can support graceful aging. As someone who has spent decades studying food-as-medicine, traveling the world to discover healing ingredients, and creating recipes that support longevity, I […]

January 14, 2026

Published by Grace O

Asian Fusion Shrimp and Quinoa

Asian fusion cooking is about using Mediterranean or American ingredients and, possibly, French techniques in classical Chinese, Thai, or Filipino recipes. I’m not intimidated by exotic ingredients, but I know that many of my American friends can be. For them, I try to use more familiar spices to simplify the cooking process. I also look at trends in the healthy cooking sector and add my own delicious Southeast Asian spin to the recipes that are sometimes bland. Quinoa has become a popular ingredient because of its detoxifying, gut healthy fiber, but it has almost no flavor. I’ve created a way […]

January 14, 2026

Published by Grace O

11 Foods to Boost Your Energy & Workout

If you’ve been following a regular workout regime, you deserve applause. I try to walk and swim as often as I can. Whether you run a few times a week, hike on the weekends or go to the gym, regular exercise is one of the most reliable ways to live a healthier life. Whatever kind of workout you practice, there are foods that can help you make the most of any exercise routine. Even though there are performance-enhancing supplements, eating the right foods is the most reliable way to build muscle and recover efficiently from workouts. Some of my favorite […]

January 14, 2026

Published by Grace O

Zing Up the Flavor with Lovely Lemongrass

I love to cook with lemongrass. It adds a wonderful perfume and zingy flavor to both savory and sweet dishes, and it has health benefits, too. It pairs particularly well with coconut milk, ginger, red chiles, chicken, and seafood. Use the white, more tender section of the stalk in recipes where it remains in the final dish. If you’re just steeping the stalk, as in my tea recipe, you can use all of it, including the tougher green part. Lemongrass also contains vitamins A, B, and C, plus calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. According to studies, it is a great antioxidant […]

January 12, 2026

Published by Grace O

One-Bowl Wonders: Power Meals for Any Time of Day

Bowls are having more than a moment—they’ve become a way of life. These one-dish meals are colorful, nutrient-packed, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re starting your day with a savory breakfast bowl, powering through lunch, or winding down with a cozy dinner, bowls bring flavor, function, and ease to every meal. Asian cuisines have been ahead of the game for centuries—think ramen from Japan, pho from Vietnam, or Korea’s bibimbap. But the “bowl life” has gone global, with inspired versions popping up from Latin America to the Mediterranean and beyond. They’re hearty, healthy, and perfect for our fast-paced lifestyles. In fact, […]

December 25, 2025

Published by Grace O

Holiday Recovery Time with Detox Juice

After the holiday parties and all of the tempting dishes and desserts, I want to get myself back on track health-wise. This Detox Juice will help rid your system of heavy metals, cleanse your liver, and clean out your colon. The chlorophyll in watercress helps to purify the blood of toxins. If you can’t get fresh watercress, you can use spirulina powder in its place. The watercress adds a spicy tartness to the juice. The beets are to sweeten up the mixture and give it a beautiful color, but they bring disease-preventing anthocyanins to the glass as well along with […]

December 25, 2025

Published by Grace O

Lightening Up: Appetizers That Make a Meal

After all the holiday feasts, I know a few people (myself included!) who are perfectly happy dialing things back and making a meal out of appetizers. Grazing on a handful of small plates feels just right after weeks of rich dishes, heavy desserts, and “just one more bite.” Sometimes, lighter and simpler is exactly what the body craves. That’s really the spirit behind tapas — small, flavorful bites meant to be enjoyed slowly and socially, not overindulged. And while we often think of appetizers as party food, many of the classics we enjoy in the U.S. have roots all over […]