Grace O blog Archives - Page 3 of 36

May 12, 2025

Published by Grace O

One-Bowl Wonders: Power Meals for Any Time of Day

Bowls are having more than a moment—they’ve become a way of life. These one-dish meals are colorful, nutrient-packed, and endlessly versatile. Whether you’re starting your day with a savory breakfast bowl, powering through lunch, or winding down with a cozy dinner, bowls bring flavor, function, and ease to every meal. Asian cuisines have been ahead of the game for centuries—think ramen from Japan, pho from Vietnam, or Korea’s bibimbap. But the “bowl life” has gone global, with inspired versions popping up from Latin America to the Mediterranean and beyond. They’re hearty, healthy, and perfect for our fast-paced lifestyles. In fact, […]

May 12, 2025

Published by Grace O

Adobo! A Delicious Dish Heard Round the World

As the song goes, “You say, Adobo and I say, adobo….” Yes, it’s confusing. There’s Spanish adobo (the original adobo from Spain), Mexican adobo, Filipino adobo, and others. How can these dishes, created so many miles apart, have ended up with the same name? Adobo is a Spanish rub or marinade typically made with paprika, oregano, salt, garlic, and vinegar to flavor meat before cooking. It comes from the word, adovar, which means ‘to marinate.’ Mexican adobo is a fusion of indigenous and colonial influences. In the Mexican version, crushed chilies, spices, and vinegar are used to make a marinade […]

May 12, 2025

Published by Grace O

Apple Cider Vinegar: Nature’s Magic Potion

When I attended the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, CA., I came across a number of exhibitors sampling beverages containing apple cider vinegar. Organic apple cider vinegar is recognized as a healthful ingredient, and it’s amazingly versatile in cooking and as a natural health and beauty aid. I always have a bottle on hand. Most vinegar starts out as fermented grapes, but it can be made from any number of fruits, even honey. It’s good for you because it is infused with minerals, vitamins and amino acids, plus it helps fight bacteria and aids digestions as well as other healthful […]

April 7, 2025

Published by Grace O

FoodTrients: A Recipe for Beauty

We all know by now that the right foods can help us maintain a healthy weight, keep our arteries unclogged, and reduce inflammation. But antioxidant-rich foods also help us to stay beautiful and keep our skin looking youthful and glowing. Hydrating, collagen-building foods help skin remain smooth and elastic and they also strengthen hair. Foods rich in carotenoids give skin a warm glow and keep the eyes healthy. Hydrating foods, like oats, rice, cucumbers, mangoes, asparagus, and strawberries, contain silica, a mineral that helps form collagen to keep skin elastic. Silica also strengthens hair and renders it less likely to […]

April 7, 2025

Published by Grace O

Annatto Seeds Pack a Powerful Punch of Vitamins

Many people have never heard of annatto, also called achiote. The closest most of us in North America have come to this tiny seed that grows in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean is cheddar cheese. Annatto is used to color the naturally white cheddar a pleasant shade of orange. Stunning new research shows that this often overlooked spice from the rain forest is very good for us. For centuries, folk healers have used annatto to treat infections topically and orally. Some cultures consider it a digestive aid and a heartburn calmer. Annatto/achiote is full of the FoodTrients vitamin […]

April 7, 2025

Published by Grace O

We’re Designing Dishes for Great Gut Health

Gut health refers to the overall wellness of your digestive system, particularly the balance and function of the microorganisms that live in your gastrointestinal tract. Did you know that your digestive system is a whole plant/animal kingdom of its own? The GI tract is a complex system responsible for digesting food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste from the body. It’s inhabited by trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, collectively known as the gut microbiota or gut microbiome. Chew on this: There are more microbes in your digestive system than there are cells in your body! It’s estimated that […]

March 17, 2025

Published by Grace O

Elevate Your Cooking with Tomato-Based Sauces

Everyone has their go-to sauces that add flavor and excitement to their meals. A well-crafted sauce can transform simple foods like chicken, omelets, or pasta into something extraordinary. And with just a few tweaks, you can put a fresh spin on your classic favorites. Let’s start with tomato sauce—an essential in many cuisines, from Italian to Mexican. But did you know that with a few simple changes, you can create unique variations with global influences? Tomatoes are a powerhouse FoodTrient, packed with lycopene, a potent antioxidant in the carotenoid family that also includes beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin—all of which are […]

March 16, 2025

Published by Grace O

Prunes: Your Anti-Aging Super Hero

Prunes – or dried plums — don’t usually get a lot of attention, and if they do, it’s limited to how they help fight constipation because they are such a good source of fiber (100 grams of prunes contain approximately 6.1 grams of fiber). But, did you know that prunes (and plums) are one of the healthiest foods you can eat? In addition to helping your colon stay healthy, prunes provide antioxidant protection, prevent pre-mature aging, promote cardiovascular health, and reduce the risk of cancer and osteoporosis. Who knew? Personally, I like to eat plums and prunes by themselves. Prunes […]

March 5, 2025

Published by Grace O

Get a Wellness Tune-Up with Terrific Tonics

With all the stress we juggle—packed schedules, deadlines, work, family responsibilities, and everything in between—we could all use a little pick-me-up sometimes. It’s easy to reach for coffee or even a glass of wine, but both come with drawbacks that can mess with mood, energy, and mental clarity. When I need a little extra support to power through a busy day, calm my mind, or even get better sleep, I turn to something I trust: herbal tonics. These natural remedies have been used for centuries to restore balance, and they’ve become my go-to for staying energized and centered. Tonics Are […]