Grace O blog Archives - Page 6 of 36

November 4, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s Time To Brighten Up Your Fall Recipe Repertoire

Our seasons in Southern California are like nowhere else. After a month of planet Mercury-like heat, we had unseasonably cool weather. Even though temperatures have been going up and down, now that it’s officially fall, we want to think about cooler days ahead. In fact, I’m feeling a bit eager to start cooking some fall fruit and vegetable recipes—even soup! You can find most of the the items profiled below in supermarkets most any time of year, thanks to excellent growers in Mexico and opposing seasons in the Southern hemisphere. However, fall is peak season for locally grown produce, so […]

October 23, 2024

Published by Grace O

All About Apples – They’re Healthy to the Core

There’s good reason for the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” although as a small child, it upset me, because my father was a doctor. Part of me was afraid that if I ate an apple every day, I wouldn’t see my beloved dad. Luckily, I outgrew this fear and came to appreciate apples for the incredibly nutritious fruit that they are. Apples are the second most popular fruit consumed in the U.S. after bananas. They are enjoying a golden age right now, with a number of delicious (as opposed to Delicious—though they’re good too) new varieties […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Pasture Prime: The Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef

I love good-quality beef, particularly grass-fed beef. In fact, when I think of typical American food, I think of steaks, hamburgers, roast beef and more. In the Philippines, where diets consist mostly of fish, pork and chicken, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where we had access to beef. As a child, hamburgers and steaks were among my favorite foods. As I got older, I began to limit how much and how often I ate beef. Today, I restrict my meat eating to grass-fed, organic beef. Besides being delicious and versatile, beef is a powerhouse of […]

October 8, 2024

Published by Grace O

Flavorful Flatbreads Get Worldly Makeover

It’s very tempting to call the topic of this blog “pizza” but, instead, I am referring to these endlessly delicious and versatile dishes as “flatbreads” because it suggests so much more than a round baked pie of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Almost every culture around the world uses some version of flatbread and, even among those that don’t have a traditional version, you can create one with any cuisine in the world. Some of the characteristics that make flatbreads so appealing are that they are usually presented thin, a little crispy (as opposed to fluffy and doughy), and they […]

September 24, 2024

Published by Grace O

Salt – The Good, the Bad, the Benefits!

Salt has been one of the most vilified substances in the world of food. Too much of it can contribute to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. There is way too much of it in processed foods. It can cause water retention and bloating. These things can be true, but there can be an even greater danger in not getting enough salt. Salt is also an important seasoning tool that puts the finishing touch on most dishes. I need to watch how much salt I put in my food so I try to boost flavors with other spices, but […]

September 24, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s a Picnic, So Let Them Eat Cake!

No one lives by bread alone. Every so often you need something delicious, like cake. I truly believe that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing the foods you love or special treats. With an eye toward healthful ingredients and the right kind of recipes, you can make luscious desserts like cake work for you. All of my cookbooks contain indulgent recipes that provide important nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. When the weather is nice, I enjoy taking picnics to the beach or outdoor concert venues like the Hollywood Bowl. When it comes to dessert, you want something that will […]

September 10, 2024

Published by Grace O

Cold Tea Brews a Boost for the Brain

When it’s hot out, a cup of iced tea is very refreshing, and the benefits far outweigh so many other drinks on the market. The theaflavins in both green and black teas help improve blood flow, keeping your skin fresh and your brain young. Because tea is so beneficial, I’ve developed many recipes with it for my cookbook. One of my simplest tea recipes is Pomegranate Iced Tea. I simply blend pomegranate juice with brewed black tea that has been chilled. Catechins found in black tea inhibit the growth of cancer cells, stimulate metabolism, act as an anti-inflammatory, and can help […]

August 27, 2024

Published by Grace O

Recipes and Foods You Can Eat To Prevent Disease

In the FoodTrients world, ‘disease preventing’ foods are those that reduce risk factors for common degenerative and age-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and diabetes. According to our nutritionist, Ginger Hultin, “Disease preventing FoodTrients® focus on foods that can help reduce the risk of, or even help navigate chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. There’s a lot of research to suggest that the foods you eat make a difference in disease management. What you eat makes a difference.” There are a number of steps you can take to fight or prevent disease: Follow a Healthy Dietary […]

August 13, 2024

Published by Grace O

How To Build a Strong Body With the Right Foods

You don’t have to be an aspiring weightlifter or body builder to concern yourself with strength. No matter your age or gender, your body requires certain foods and nutrients to protect bone density and help to repair and build muscle tissue. Keeping your body as strong as YOU can be is the key to aging well. Luckily, the foods that keep your bones and muscles strong are delicious and versatile. Whether you are an omnivore, vegetarian, or vegan, there are delicious foods and recipes that will help you maintain strength and well-being. Protein-Rich Foods The average sedentary person should eat […]