July 18, 2023

It’s Summer: Create Your Own Ice Cream Flavors

When it comes to preparing food, I like to go all out. Cooking brings me such joy that I’m willing to go to any length to share the pleasures of the table with others. When the weather turned warm this year, I decided it was time to make ice cream. I have a small ice cream maker for home use, but I quickly realized it wouldn’t produce enough to feed all of my family and friends. So, I bought a professional ice cream machine. And then I bought a blast freezer to go with it, to freeze the ice cream so […]
July 4, 2023

Mediterranean Superfoods Are Health Heroes

You have probably heard of the Mediterranean Diet. Besides conjuring visions of sipping chilled prosecco overlooking a sparkling sea, this way of cooking and eating is a heavily plant-based diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, herbs, fish, lean meats (in moderation) and monounsaturated oils, such as olive oil. It’s a true farm-to-table diet that relies on locally produced/caught/raised foods. In a number of studies, people who live around the Mediterranean in Southern Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, and Greece, as well as countries such as Croatia, Israel and Morocco, and live a mostly agrarian life tend to have lower incidences […]
June 20, 2023

Well-Traveled Salad Dressings and Marinades

As the summer heats up, quick salads and meals inspire my favorite international-style dressings, while maximizing the benefits of FoodTrients. Most of these dressings can also be used to marinate meat, chicken or seafood. You’ll notice that many of these dressings/marinades contain a small amount of mustard. Mustard serves as an excellent emulsifier to fully incorporate the oil and the acid.  It also tenderizes the protein you are using in the dish. BBQ Grilled Scallops with Grilled Asparagus Scallops are such wonderful nuggets of protein with a sweet, nutty taste. Scallops are also low in calories, high in protein (19.5 […]
June 6, 2023

Asparagus: The Fabulous, Finicky Vegetable We Love

Asparagus may be a finicky vegetable, but there are lots of reasons to eat it. It has lycopene, which lowers cancer risk, aids cognitive function, and promotes prostate health. Asparagus also contains Vitamin C, which helps the body resist infection, prevent cataracts, and regenerate tissue. Asparagus is a source of the soluble fiber inulin, which can suppress your appetite. There’s also an array of B vitamins in this popular vegetable, including B1, B2, B3 and B6. It also encourages digestive health and contains vitamin K, which acts as a natural diuretic. On top of that, along with vitamin K, asparagus […]
May 10, 2023

Miraculous Mushrooms Are a Food Powerhouse

Most of the people I know have very strong feelings about mushrooms—they either love them or hate them. One of the beauties of mushrooms is that they usually take on the flavor of whatever they are cooked with. If it’s garlic and olive oil, that’s what they taste like. If they’re in a spicy Asian stir fry, they take on those flavors. One thing is certain — mushrooms are healthy little powerhouses of immunity boosters, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Rich in B vitamins such as riboflavin, folate, thiamine, pantothenic acid, and niacin, they are also the only vegan, non-fortified dietary […]
April 24, 2023

Seafood Delivers Oceans of Great Recipes and Benefits

  As you probably know, 72 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water. Having been born in an island nation, the Philippines, seafood was frequently on the menu at our house. The variety of seafood all over the world is astounding. When you think about it, seafood is one of the last “wild’ foods we eat. What makes seafood such an ideal FoodTrient, is that it’s: Nutrient-dense – For the number of calories in a three-ounce portion, seafood provides good amounts of vitamins A, B, and D, as well as omega-3 fatty acids and 30-40% of the daily […]
April 24, 2023

Ashitaba: A Longevity Herb I Eat Every Day

Ashitaba has been used for centuries for many conditions and is known as the ‘longevity herb.’ For that reason and many others, I eat some leaves every day. I just buy the plants and keep them in pots outside, but I also like Sun Potion’s Organic Ashitaba powder, which was pretty pricey on Amazon, but there are other brands for less.  Believe it or not, I found it for much less money on Thrive.com. You can buy organic plants and seeds on Strictly Medicinal Seeds. Why should we care about ashitaba? Ashitaba shows evidence of exhibiting anti-inflammatory (Ai) and antioxidant (Ao) effects, […]
April 24, 2023

Foods That Can Help You Fight Allergies

When pollen is flying through the air on a spring or summer breeze, foods that reduce allergy symptoms can be a lifesaver. Eating specific compounds—such as the FoodTrients omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, gingerol, oleuropein, and quercitin, as well as probiotics—go a long way toward reducing the swelling of nasal passages and the production of antihistamines. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in large, deep-water fish, whole grains, and nuts. You can also take omega-3 supplements daily to help fight inflammation. Curcumin is an ingredient of the spice turmeric. I have a few recipes using turmeric if you need some ideas for […]
April 11, 2023

Alternative Flours Are Springing Up All Over

The demand for alternative flours has never been greater, and food companies are delivering. As I see it, there are several reasons for this including the fact that many people are avoiding gluten, which is the protein in wheat flour. It can cause gastric distress in some individuals with celiac disease and many other people feel their energy level and well-being improve by avoiding gluten. Whatever the reason consumers are flocking to alternative flours, there are scores of delicious new flours and meals to replace traditional wheat ones. At the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, CA, last month, the FoodTrients […]