October 11, 2016

Lives of the Reishi and Famous (Mushrooms)

Mushrooms are a major FoodTrient food! Both edible and medicinal mushrooms contain properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant , immune boosting , and disease prevention effects. Two mushrooms backed by significant research that contain potent health benefits include Reishi (immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and good for cardiovascular health) and Turkey Tail (immune-boosting, anti-viral, anti-fungal) mushrooms. Our FoodTrients nutritionist Ginger Hultin did some digging into the benefits of both. You can learn more about the amazing health benefits of Reishi mushrooms here. Find out more about the incredible benefits of Turkey Tail mushrooms here. Reishi mushrooms aren’t something you will find fresh in your local […]
September 27, 2016

It’s Not a Felon To Love Bitter Melon

Even though I can stop into Asian or Latino markets on any corner in Los Angeles and find fresh bitter melon or soursop, I know that most people across the country aren’t so lucky. For them, I recommend visiting melissas.com, an exotic produce company which will ship fresh and sometimes dried produce anywhere in the U.S. Melissa’s is also the largest distributor of specialty produce in the country. Bitter melon, which resembles a wrinkly, light-green cucumber, is something of an acquired taste. Soaking it in salted water to remove the bitterness is the first step in getting people to fall […]
September 22, 2016

Don’t Stress! Ashwagandha Is Here

Ashwagandha, a traditional Ayurvedic herb that is used for conditions ranging from arthritis and anxiety to liver disease and sleep issues, is trending strongly in the natural products market these days. I saw several foods and drinks with ashwagandha along with lots of new supplements at the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim. Rebbl has a delicious Ashwagandha Chai drink that I love! The drinks are available at Whole Foods here in Southern California, but Rebbl has a Where To Buy map on their website. FoodTrients contributing writer and nutritionist Ginger Hultin interviewed one of the leading scientist who researched the […]
September 6, 2016

My Search for Great Ingredients Leads to New Resource Guide

I take great care to mention in every recipe where to source any unfamiliar ingredients. I want everyone to be able to make and eat these wonderful, anti-aging recipes. That’s why I wrote my cookbook in the first place. I also have launched a new EATING WELL RESOURCES section on FoodTrients.com to offer a list of resources for some of my ingredients. Part of the fun for me is to discover new foods, especially when they are loaded with healthy benefits that can help us all age better. I find a lot of exciting produce at Whole Foods and Amazon, […]
August 30, 2016

My Age-Fighting Recipes Work For Kids, Too!

Kids enjoy my recipes as much as adults do. Trust me, when I serve my dishes at parties, I love watching the kids come back for seconds.  For instance, I have a recipe for Turkey in Turmeric Sauce that is a variation on an Asian or Indian curry, but much milder. It has far fewer ingredients than you would find in a traditional curry, so kids won’t be turned off by too many unfamiliar flavors. I don’t use hot chili peppers or strong fish sauces like you find in Vietnamese cuisine, so I think it’s very approachable to an American […]
August 27, 2016

Why My Recipes Are So Easy Peasy

I originally came up with this concept for FoodTrients when I was writing a magazine column for people over 50. The magazine is called Life After 50 and my column was called “Eating Well Over 50.” I wrote it for six months and it got me started cooking again and taking photographs for my first cookbook (The Age GRACEfully Cookbook). I know that people are busy and while they want food that tastes good and is good for them, they don’t have a lot of time. So I created recipes that are easy to make AND delicious. Almost every single one […]
August 23, 2016

Prickly Pear Cactus Is Spiked With Great Benefits

Sometimes I like to have fun with my guests and serve them something a little out of the ordinary. I enjoy seeing skepticism turn to pleasure on their faces when I introduce them to a new food they’d never imagine eating, but once they try it, they enjoy. Prickly pears, also known as cactus pears, are one of those foods. It’s the fruit of the opuntia cactus, which is the one with the paddle-like leaves (also edible, but more on that later). Prickly pears are popular in Mexico, South and Central America, around the Mediterranean and South Africa. In this […]
August 15, 2016

Summertime Grilled Chicken with Strawberry Relish

My easy go-to Summertime Grilled Chicken recipe just screams “summer!” Perfect for grilling on the BBQ or oven-roasted. The chicken is marinated in my Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled, and paired with my refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish for an immunity boost, a dose of antioxidants, and detoxifying support. Serve with corn on the cob or tortillas. The Honey-Lime Dressing is a very versatile dressing that you can toss with my Apple Barley Salad or with any mixed greens. The lime juice provides vitamin C, while compounds in the chili powder help to neutralize free radicals in your cells. If you want a spicier dressing, add cayenne pepper […]