aging gracefully Archives - Page 20 of 37

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 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 […]

August 20, 2019

Published by Grace O

Fasting, Estrogen and Women’s Health

“Estrogen is not just about reproductive health. It’s about life itself. And it’s about metabolism,” says Felice Gersh, M.D., who is the Medical Director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine Consultative Faculty. She was one of the expert speakers at the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine’s (A4M) 26th World Congress, which was held in Las Vegas last December. The FoodTrients team and I attended the three-day event, which was loaded with speakers, workshops and exhibits presenting clinical education and advances in the most recent research and practices as they relate to wellness and aging. Many of the sessions were […]

August 19, 2019

Published by Grace O

Fenugreek: Try Its Bounty of Benefits

On those days when you are procrastinating by doing things like alphabetizing your spice rack, I’ll bet almost anything that you don’t have (and have probably never heard of, much less used) an herb called, fenugreek. Sometimes known as “Greek hay,” fenugreek is actually a member of the pea family. It’s grown mostly in the Mediterranean, North Africa, the Middle East and India. Its seeds and leaves have been used all around the world for hundreds, if not thousands of years for medicinal purposes. Both are also dried and ground for use as recipe ingredients for cooking. Fenugreek’s flavor is […]

August 5, 2019

Published by Grace O

Viva Mayr: A Place To Relax, Restore and Learn To Chew Your Food

I have been very fortunate to visit a number of wonderful spas including The Golden Door in Southern California, Sanoviv in Ensenada, Mexico (a medical spa), and others. Each offers an experience in healthy pampering and wellness. Recently, I spent six days at Viva Mayr in the magnificent Austrian Alps. The philosophy of this world-renowned med-spa combines modern complementary medicine with traditional diagnostics and therapies according to the practices of Dr. Franz X. Mayr (1875-1965), an Austrian physician. Through his medical practice, he observed that health was determined by an effective digestive system. Food can either keep us healthy or […]

June 18, 2019

Published by Grace O

Foods That Fight a Pain in the Joint

Summer is just ahead. That means the days are longer and it’s time to get active. If the thought of picking up that tennis racquet or trying on those hiking boots makes you dread achy knees and shoulders, start thinking about how what you eat can help protect your joints and other moving parts. Obesity and age also contribute to the degeneration of joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body’s defenses attack itself, in this instance, cartilage surrounding the joints. Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis presents in both sides of the body—both knees, both hips, etc. RA […]