Grace O

January 14, 2020

Published by Grace O

Do I Need to Detox?

My birthday falls on December 31, so often I throw lavish parties on New Year’s Eve. I book a banquet room in an upscale hotel; order a rich, multicourse menu for about 100 people; and end the night with a spectacular dessert buffet. I don’t drink alcohol, but I make sure that the Champagne is free-flowing for my guests. So we tend to overdo it. And the next day I always think about detoxification. Sometimes I’ll even book some time at a health spa to recover from all the indulging I’ve done over the holidays. Why is detoxifying important? Alcohol […]

December 10, 2019

Published by Grace O

Add Life To the Menu With Spice Mixes

As you probably know from history, North America was discovered by Columbus’ expedition in the 15th century because Europe wanted to find a shortcut to India, with whom they had been trading in valuable spices. Back then, spices were mostly used to help preserve food in the days before refrigeration and to mask the off flavor of food starting to spoil. In general, herbs are the fresh leaves of a plant, such as sage, oregano and basil. Spices are usually considered the seed, berry, bark, root or rhizome (creeping root) of a plant. In common practice, once fresh herbs are […]

December 2, 2019

Published by Grace O

Cranberries: A Little Tart with Big Benefits

This bright red bog berry has claimed a variety of remarkable healing properties, especially for women (researchers linked cranberries to healing urinary tract infections in the early 1990s). Because cranberries don’t grow in the subtropical climate of southeast Asia, I didn’t discover them until I moved to the United States. I like their tart flavor, and I eat them raw (in cranberry-orange relish), cooked or dried (they make a great snack!). Get the recipes: Cranberry Bread Pudding Cranberry Compote Buffalo Sliders with Cranberries In addition to their taste, I value the many health and wellness benefits cranberries provide. Cranberries are loaded […]

November 19, 2019

Published by Grace O

Pump It Up With Pumpkin Seeds

Most people throw out the healthiest part of pumpkins and squashes—the seeds! Don’t do it! This time of year when pumpkins and squashes are in season it always fun to enjoy fresh seeds and the many health benefits they offer. They’re nutty, savory and have high concentrations of the nutrients that make squashes and especially pumpkins valuable to your diet. The roasted seeds are some of the most nutritious and flavorful seeds around. Pumpkin seeds are available all year, but it’s best to roast them now when they’re fresh. Also known as pepitas, pumpkin seeds contain high concentrations of vitamins, minerals and […]

November 19, 2019

Published by Grace O

Age-Busting Tropical Yams Are Worth Celebrating

Sweet Potatoes and yams are a staple during the fall and winter months. They owe their bright orange color to the carotenoid, beta-carotene, which help inhibit cancer and tumor growth. Beta carotene is an antioxidant that can also ward off free radicals that damage cells through oxidation, contributing to the aging process. Sweet potatoes and yams are also good sources of heart-healthy potassium as well as containing phytochemicals such as quercetin, a strong anti-inflammatory. They are delicious just baked in the oven, but I also like to include them in dessert. I make a Sweet Potato and Jackfruit Delight for a […]

November 5, 2019

Published by Grace O

Brussels Sprouts: A Mighty Cancer-Fighting Vegetable

Brussels sprouts may be small but they offer big benefits. These mighty sprouts represent a cancer-fighting powerhouse and are part of the cruciferous cabbage family which have more cancer-preventative nutrients than any other category of vegetables. They contain a chemical called sinigrin that suppresses the development of pre-cancerous cells, causing them to self-destruct. The sulfur-containing compounds in Brussels sprouts are what activate the cancer-fighting enzyme systems in your body. They are delicious and take on an almost creamy texture when they are roasted with olive oil, a little salt, pepper and a splash of lemon juice. Brussels sprouts, pomegranate, and […]

October 22, 2019

Published by Grace O

Weight Loss the FoodTrients Way

Losing weight is never easy, but for many of us, it is a step toward improved health and longevity. The first thing we have to conquer is the fear of feeling hungry. Hunger tells us that we are eating fewer calories than we normally do. This is a good sign on your road to weight loss: The more comfortable we are with feeling hungry, the likelier we are to succeed at losing weight. There are many tricks we can use to reduce calories while keeping our stomachs feeling full. A recent study re-confirms the need to eat breakfast when trying […]

October 15, 2019

Published by Grace O

Getting Cultured! Kefir vs. Yogurt

I remember years ago as a kid reading about people in Bulgaria who lived into their hundreds. Part of their secret (besides hard, physical work and a little alcohol each day) was eating yogurt and drinking kefir (KEE-fur). Back when I was a youngster in Southeast Asia, yogurt was still a pretty exotic food without the huge selection we see in the dairy case today. Yogurt has rightfully been recognized as a ‘super food,’ loaded with protein, calcium, potassium, phosphorous and beneficial bacteria. Yogurt Facts One cup (8 fl. oz.) of plain low fat yogurt contains about 154 calories, […]

September 17, 2019

Published by Grace O

Why I’m Jacked About Jackfruit

Jackfruit, one of the world’s largest tree fruit that looks like some sort of large alien egg, is a nutritional staple in tropical countries. As the largest tree fruit in the world, it can grow up to 100 lbs., but most of them are in the 10-20 lb. range. It has spiky skin, a distinctive, musky smell, and a flavor that’s a lot better tasting than it smells—sort of like Juicy Fruit gum. Jackfruit is very high in antioxidants and has a mild tropical taste. Orange and yellow fruits (like jackfruit) and veggies are rich sources of carotenoids. I love […]