aging gracefully Archives - Page 11 of 37

January 29, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s Citrus Season and the Squeeze Is On!

Here in Southern California, just about every yard and neighborhood has citrus trees heavy with fruit. I have a number of fruit trees myself and always marvel at how plentiful and tasty the oranges, lemons and limes are this time of year. Just about any variety of citrus is at its best in the winter months, but there are some new and unusual varieties that are pretty spectacular. Along with great taste, all citrus are high in vitamins A and C and fiber, while naturally low in calories. Grapefruit Red grapefruit varieties such as Flame, Ruby, Rio Red and Star […]

January 16, 2024

Published by Grace O

Ring in the New Year with FoodTrients!!

If you’re like me, you’re interested in foods that can give you high-density nutrition, protect you from chronic disease, help reverse disease, and even defy the aging process. And what better time to focus your attention on these important qualities of food than the New Year! Every New Year, I resolve to expand my knowledge of healthy, anti-aging foods and create new, easy, and delicious recipes to share with my family and friends. This year, a few unique and promising foods have already piqued my interest: goji berries, camu camu, spirulina, and mangosteen. All of them contain FoodTrients—my word for nutrients […]

December 5, 2023

Published by Grace O

Tasty Turkey Recipes without the Whole Bird

I love turkey. My mother always prepared it for holidays. Most of my friends and family like turkey, too, so they’re happy with the big roasted bird. But I know a number of people who don’t want or need to cook a whole bird. So, if you’re looking for ideas for less turkey and more flavor, I’ve got some tasty turkey recipes for you that will make this Thanksgiving extra special. Like most Americans, Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. As much as I adore Christmas, you don’t have the pressure of finding perfect gifts or getting to […]

November 17, 2023

Published by Grace O

Stay Healthy with Immune-Boosting Foods

In the midst of cold and flu season, it’s good to know what we should eat to bolster our immune system. Believe it or not, your digestive tract is a huge part of your immune system. Keeping it balanced with just the right bacteria mix is essential to staying healthy. The FoodTrient probiotics in yogurt encourage good gut flora to grow, so eating yogurt every day is a good way to keep your immune defenses strong. Be careful about eating yogurt with sugar, however. Refined sugars, yeast, and alcohol encourage bad bacteria to flourish in your digestive tract. Your best […]

November 17, 2023

Published by Grace O

A Passion for Power-Packed Persimmons

They arrive in a corner of the produce section each fall. Or maybe they adorn your neighbor’s tree like small, orange lanterns. Beautiful, smooth, flame-skinned persimmons. I have 10 persimmon trees on my farm near San Diego and look forward to harvesting and eating them every year. What to do with them? Actually, persimmons are quite versatile in every course and meal occasion. Sometimes you’ll see them on the menus of high-end restaurants paired with poultry, chutneys, desserts and salads for seasonal specialties. Their vibrant color and nutritional benefits are a festive kick-off to the holiday season. Persimmons were […]

November 16, 2023

Published by Grace O

Have a Healthy and Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a carb-loaded, over-eating frenzy. You can make satisfying, healthy, anti-aging food choices for this holiday that will leave you feeling thankful for indulging. Take turkey, for example. I cook at least four turkeys each Thanksgiving because I usually have about 30 people over for dinner. Turkey contains tryptophan, which produces niacin, giving us energy. Tryptophan also builds the hormone serotonin, which helps ensure healthy neurotransmitters in our brain. Turkey also contains the FoodTrient selenium, a detoxifying antioxidant. You don’t have to drown your turkey in fatty gravy. It can be deliciously sauced using healthier ingredients. […]

November 6, 2023

Published by Grace O

Pumpkins and Squash Have Souper Powers

Pumpkins and Squash Have Souper Powers. You may only associate pumpkins with Halloween, but fresh pumpkins are available from October through February. They contain large amounts of potassium (33 percent more than a medium banana) and beta carotene without a boat-load of calories—49 per cup mashed. The high amounts of potassium in pumpkins works with sodium to balance the amount of water in the body. A diet high in potassium helps keep blood pressure at a healthy level and assists with the prevention of strokes. Pumpkins contain more than 2400 mcg of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important […]

October 24, 2023

Published by Grace O

Jujubes Are Small ‘Apples’ With Big Benefits

The Chinese have been growing and eating jujubes for over 4,000 years. Jujube, or Chinese date, trees are shrub-like with thorny branches. The fruits are shaped like small apples that are green when unripe and turn brownish red. As they ripen and age they wrinkle and shrink to the size of a large date. The flesh of the fruit is most like an apple when it’s unripe. As it ripens it becomes soft and spongy. Asians generally steep slices of jujubes in hot water and make a jujube tea. Sometimes they reduce the tea on the stove and add […]

September 11, 2023

Published by Grace O

Summertime and It’s International Salad Time

As the summer heats up, I’m less inclined to cook hot meals. Plus, go to any supermarket and it’s clear that produce is in full bloom. Colorful fruits and vegetables inspire me to whip up delicious and healthful salads. When you go to Italy in the summer, you can’t believe how luscious the produce is. That’s because much of it is local or grown not far from where it’s consumed. Our own grocery stores are stocking much more local produce. Check out all the delicious produce at your nearby farmers market. A few weeks ago, I wrote about international dressings […]