September 27, 2016
Published by Grace O

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 […]
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September 22, 2016
Published by Grace O

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 […]
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September 6, 2016
Published by Grace O

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, […]
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August 30, 2016
Published by Grace O

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 […]
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August 27, 2016
Published by Grace O

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 […]
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August 23, 2016
Published by Grace O

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 […]
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August 15, 2016
Published by Grace O

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 […]
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August 1, 2016
Published by Grace O

What Foods Can Help Us Detox Our Bodies?

We can overwhelm our liver and its ability to pull toxins out of our body; yeast and parasites can inhabit our bowels; and secondhand smoke and air pollution can affect our lungs. So, about once every few months, or whenever I’m not feeling well, I go on a detoxification regimen. I like to cleanse my whole system through herb-spiked liquids, healing foods, and nutritional supplements. Pure water may be the ultimate detoxifying flush for kidneys, liver, lungs, and bowels, but green tea is also excellent.  Here is a list of my top 10 favorite detoxing foods: Artichokes Daikon radish Chia […]
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