Grace O

October 16, 2013

Published by Grace O

Winter Squashes: From Dips to Desserts

Pumpkins may not be one of my favorite winter squashes but they are popular and plentiful at this time of year. They are also chock full of the FoodTrient carotenoids, which our bodies turn into vitamin A. These nutrients are really good for your skin, hair, eyes, and heart. They also help prevent cancer and support the immune system.

October 9, 2013

Published by Grace O

Heart-Healthy Foods Help You Live Longer

The health of our arteries is so important for longevity. More people in the U.S. die from inflamed arteries (which can lead to heart attack and stroke) than from cancer or any other disease.

October 1, 2013

Published by Grace O

FoodTrients Pack Powers of Medicine

As a healthcare professional, I see doctors prescribe five, ten, even twenty medications to one patient without giving any nutritional advice. I’m not saying that food should replace all medicines, and you should check with your doctor to make sure that any medications you take are not counteracted by a particular food. However, I do think that the plate is the place to start for living a long and healthy life. For centuries, many cultures have used natural foods as their medicine chest. They understand that certain herbs and leaves offer curative powers. Hippocrates, a Greek physician who practiced medicine […]

September 3, 2013

Published by Grace O

FoodTrients Are for Kids, Too!

“Eat your vegetables!” is a familiar refrain of parents the world over. When I was a young girl in Southeast Asia, my father insisted I eat my vegetables. He was a doctor and he knew the power of eating whole, fresh foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Today, I see so many quick-service restaurants offering meat and cheese and bread (pizza, hamburgers, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets) but no cooked vegetables. It’s distressing. And although some fast-food chains now offer salads, many kids don’t really enjoy eating them. So what is a parent to do? For children to get the benefits of nutrient-rich […]

August 30, 2013

Published by Grace O

July 3, 2013 Newsletter

Asian Fusion: Add A Fistful of Flavors to Menus In Southeast Asia, where I grew up, the cuisine has been influenced by many countries: China, Japan, Spain, France, America, and to some extent the Middle East and Northern Africa. So I’ve been practicing fusion cooking my whole life. My mother ran a cooking school and my family operated multiple restaurants. Read More

August 28, 2013

Published by Grace O

Discover the Miracle of Moringa

Very few Americans have ever

August 7, 2013

Published by Grace O

Debunking the Myth of Coconut

I occasionally ate coconuts, drank coconut water or cooked with coconut oil when I was growing up in the tropics of southeast Asia, because I had always been told by my father that the fat in coconuts was bad for my health. My mother would regularly add warm coconut oil to my hair to make it

July 17, 2013

Published by Grace O

Where’s the Beef? A New Take on Burgers

Part of my goal in creating FoodTrients has been to help people get healthier by eating wholesome foods. I have helped friends regulate their diabetes by encouraging them to drink my chia frescas every day. I have helped older relatives stay nourished by providing them fresh moringa leaves to incorporate in soups, dips, and other foods. And countless colleagues have told me that they have learned just from reading my blogs how the food they eat affects their bodies. Now, I am addressing people’s requests to create healthy versions of their favorite comfort foods.

July 3, 2013

Published by Grace O

Grilled Swordfish in Secret Marinade

The secret to this dish is the oyster sauce in the marinade. For years, people have asked me what makes this swordfish so tangy and delicious. I’ve refused to divulge my secret…until now! The marinade makes the fish so flavorful that it doesn’t need any extra sauce. But you can top it with my Papaya Relish for more antioxidant power. SERVES 2 Ingredients 1/3 cup oyster sauce 1/4 cup lemon juice (about 2 lemons) 1/4 cup olive oil 2 swordfish steaks (about 6 oz. each) Procedure 1. In a small bowl, combine the oyster sauce, lemon juice, and […]