aging gracefully Archives - Page 3 of 37

November 12, 2025

Turkey 3 Ways: Basic to International Flavors

Don’t you love Thanksgiving? It’s when the holiday season starts in earnest, yet there are no gifts to buy, no tree to trim, just a great meal with treasured friends and family. The Thanksgiving menu is by nature a healthy one—high in protein, low-calorie turkey, lots of FoodTrient-rich vegetables. Swap out butter-laden mashed potatoes for delicious whole grains, and you’ve made Thanksgiving dinner even better when it comes to reducing calories. Let’s Talk Turkey 101 Most experts agree that a hen turkey is better than a tom because they have smaller bones and more edible portions. Hens weigh less than […]

October 25, 2025

Published by Grace O

Healthy Halloween Fun: Treats Kids (and Parents) Will Love

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year! It’s the first big celebration after summer and the perfect kickoff to the holiday season ahead. I love seeing the neighborhood come alive with costumes, decorations, and the excitement of trick-or-treating. When my friends bring their kids by after collecting their candy, I always have something a little special waiting. Rather than diving straight into the sugar stash, I serve up snacks that are every bit as delicious—but secretly healthy, too! The kids don’t notice the difference, but their parents sure do. These recipes from my Age Beautifully Cookbook are […]

October 24, 2025

Published by Grace O

Sugar Pumpkins: The Sweet Superfood of the Season

Even living in sunny California during fall and winter when the days are shorter and a little bit chilly, I like to prepare hearty, cool-weather produce that also happens to fall into the “superfoods” category. On the top of my list is pumpkin. Their many disease fighting and anti-aging properties make them a perfect go-to food during the cold, dark winter months. You may only associate pumpkins with Halloween, but fresh pumpkins are available from October through February. Pumpkins contain cucurbitacin, a steroid-like anti-inflammatory compound that may inhibit cancer cells. They are also loaded with carotenoids, which enhance the appearance […]

October 23, 2025

Published by Grace O

Turmeric Is a Top Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric, a vibrant root akin to ginger, is celebrated for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Growing up in Southeast Asia, I became well-acquainted with its warm, earthy flavor and brilliant yellow-orange hue. In Indian cuisine, turmeric gives curry its signature color, while in America, it’s often found as a dried powder used in soups or sauces. But turmeric’s benefits and versatility deserve more exploration! From spicing up fish to adding a zing to roasted vegetables, it’s time to embrace this golden root and its incredible health potential in more creative ways. Jonny Bowden’s, Ph.D., C.N.S., practice of using food as medicine […]

October 10, 2025

Published by Grace O

Enjoy the World of Benefits in Chicken Soup

No matter the country or culture, every one of them has a version of chicken soup. There is something universal about a warm, briny brew with chunks of chicken, vegetables, herbs and sometimes rice or pasta. Depending on how it’s prepared, chicken soup provides fluids, fiber, protein and vitamins. It’s a delicious first course, soothing comfort food, and some even attribute it with healing powers (‘Jewish penicillin’). But it’s not just folklore. Chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory, inhibiting immune system cells from over-reacting. It also relieves nasal congestion and sore throats. Plus, the zinc in chicken improves absorption of […]

October 10, 2025

Published by Grace O

Rainbow Chard and White Bean Soup

This is an easy and satisfying soup to make, particularly when it’s cold outside. It’s load with chard, a great ‘supergreen,’ and white beans that deliver plenty of protein. You can add in leftover chicken if you like to make it even more loaded with protein. Serves 4 Ingredients 4 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil 1 large onion, diced 3 stalks of celery, sliced 3 carrots, sliced into coins Sea salt 2 15-oz. cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 4 cups (1 carton) low sodium chicken or vegetable broth Juice of ½ lemon 4 cloves of garlic, minced ¼ cup […]

September 23, 2025

Published by Grace O

Fabulous Figs Deliver Calcium, Fiber and Flavor

Figs can be dried and enjoyed all year long, but there is nothing better than fresh figs in the summer. I think figs can turn a bland salad into an elegant entrée, and they can enhance the flavor of meat beautifully, so I like to marinate my rack of lamb in a f Fig and onion paste. I included my Rack of Lamb with Fig Sauce recipe (below) in my newest cookbook, The Age Beautifully Cookbook, and it has been a favorite at dinner parties. Lamb has protein for building muscle and plenty of vitamin B12, which protects neurons and […]

August 23, 2025

Published by Grace O

Baobab Powder Benefits: “Tree of Life” Superfood Supports Gut Health and Immunity

When I first saw pictures of the baobab tree, I thought I was looking at something from another planet. Standing up to 60 feet tall with wide, bottle-shaped trunks and branches that look like roots reaching toward the sky, the baobab has a striking, otherworldly presence. Native to Africa, Madagascar, India, and Australia, the baobab has earned the nickname “Tree of Life” for good reason. Not only can it thrive in extreme climates, but its fruit is one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods on earth. What Is Baobab Powder? Baobab fruit naturally dries on the branch and is ground into […]

August 12, 2025

Published by Grace O

Beautiful Bounty: The Stone Fruits of Summer

It’s so easy to eat well in summer! I get inspired every time I walk through a farmer’s market or even the produce section of the supermarket. There are so many stone fruits and melons available and right now they are at their peak. You just can’t go wrong creating desserts and salads from fruits like peaches, nectarines, apricots and the new pluots and apriums, which are hybrids created by crossing plums and apricots. In addition to the delicious taste there are plenty of health benefits from eating stone fruits. For instance: As a collagen booster: A cup of sliced […]