Grace O blog Archives - Page 19 of 37

June 2, 2020

Published by Grace O

Serving Up Desserts With a Wonderfully Worldly Flair

Who doesn’t love dessert? It’s always nice to punctuate the end of a meal with something sweet. There are treats from all over the world that put a refreshing spin on what we usually consider for dessert. Although most desserts have their fair share of sweeteners, such as sugar or honey, there are other ingredients that provide FoodTrients and enhance a healthy diet. From Iran: A Persian Dessert Delight Persians really know their desserts! Also known as Persian Date Cake, ranginak is a traditional no-bake Persian dessert that’s delicious served with black tea. To make it even more decadent, serve […]

May 26, 2020

Published by Grace O

Can Certain Foods Help Regulate Blood Sugar?

I’m sure you’ve had this experience. You eat healthy most of the day, but at about three o’clock in the afternoon you crave something sweet. Or salty/crunchy. You indulge and feel great for a short time, and then you’re more tired and hungry than ever. What’s happening is that the simple carbs in these snacks spike the level of the sugar in your blood and trigger a surge of insulin, which the body manufactures to metabolize sugars. These extreme swings in blood sugar levels will not only play havoc with your energy and moods, but can present serious challenges to […]

May 5, 2020

Published by Grace O

Add a World of Flavor with International Spice Blends

I just love to travel! I’m endlessly curious about other cultures and have been fortunate to travel throughout Asia, Europe and North America on a pretty regular basis. Eating and exploring the food in each country or region really gives me insight into their history and how the people live. Spice blends are an easy way to bring international flavor to the most common of foods, like vegetables or chicken breasts. A few shakes of curry powder in an otherwise predicable tuna salad takes it to a new dimension. Following are some spice blends from around the world that are […]

April 14, 2020

Published by Grace O

Superfoods Hiding in Plain Sight

There are certain foods I always have in my pantry and refrigerator because they are delicious, versatile and full of great nutrition. By keeping these around as staples, you’ll always be able to boost the FoodTrient value of whatever you’re preparing. Both of my award-winning books, The Age Gracefully Cookbook and my newest one, The Age Beautifully Cookbook, would not be complete without these culinary essentials: APPLES Loaded with fiber, eating an apple a day has been associated with reduced risk of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, asthma and diabetes. A key ingredient in apples is a flavonoid that a 2001 […]

March 24, 2020

Published by Grace O

Turmeric Is a Top Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric is a root, like ginger, that has anti-inflammatory properties. Growing up in southeast Asia, I became very familiar with turmeric root. I love its bright yellow-orange color and its zingy flavor. In India, turmeric is used to give curry its yellow color. In America, it’s mostly seen as a dried powder and added to chicken-flavored soups or sauces. Turmeric is so good for us, I think it’s time we expanded our diets to include spicing fish and other foods with it. Anti-inflammatories help keep our arteries young and less likely to clog, our skin from turning red or scaly, […]

March 18, 2020

Published by Grace O

Grapefruit Is an Age-Defying Hero

An excellent source of vitamin C as well as pantothenic acid, copper, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, biotin, and vitamin B1, grapefruit is also a good source of dietary fiber. The pink, red or ruby varieties contain the carotenoid phytonutrient lycopene, which is found to be a more powerful antioxidant than other carotenoids such as beta-carotene and research has suggested it may significantly reduce risk of stroke. Studies have also indicated that people with a diet high in lycopene have a lower risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer. In my cookbook, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook, you’ll find an easy and delicious recipe for Spinach […]

February 17, 2020

Published by Grace O

Spice It Up with Top 35 Anti-Aging Flavorings

I like my food to be very flavorful. And I’ve learned that my spice chest can also be my medicine cabinet. So when I begin to create a recipe, I reach for the oils, herbs, spices, and sweeteners that will do my body good. I’ve picked out my Top 35 flavorings so that you, too, can defy aging while you cook. Fats are a very controversial subject. Butter, in particular, has gone in and out of favor with nutritionists over the last 20 years. Today the consensus is that butter, in moderation, is actually better for your arteries than margarine, […]

January 18, 2020

Published by Grace O

Dazzle with Mouthwatering Main Dishes

I really enjoy this time of year because in addition to the religious significance, it gives me the excuse to entertain on a grander scale than usual. I love reaching out to friends, family and those I would like to spend more time with. It’s important to me that I spoil my guests, but that doesn’t mean with rich, tasty foods that aren’t necessarily good for you. There are plenty of FoodTrient-worthy entrees (or ‘centerpieces’ as I think of them) that are both indulgent and healthy for mind and body. There are a number of main courses in my book, […]

January 14, 2020

Published by Grace O

Do I Need to Detox?

My birthday falls on December 31, so often I throw lavish parties on New Year’s Eve. I book a banquet room in an upscale hotel; order a rich, multicourse menu for about 100 people; and end the night with a spectacular dessert buffet. I don’t drink alcohol, but I make sure that the Champagne is free-flowing for my guests. So we tend to overdo it. And the next day I always think about detoxification. Sometimes I’ll even book some time at a health spa to recover from all the indulging I’ve done over the holidays. Why is detoxifying important? Alcohol […]