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October 10, 2025

Published by Grace O

Enjoy the World of Benefits in Chicken Soup

No matter the country or culture, every one of them has a version of chicken soup. There is something universal about a warm, briny brew with chunks of chicken, vegetables, herbs and sometimes rice or pasta. Depending on how it’s prepared, chicken soup provides fluids, fiber, protein and vitamins. It’s a delicious first course, soothing comfort food, and some even attribute it with healing powers (‘Jewish penicillin’). But it’s not just folklore. Chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory, inhibiting immune system cells from over-reacting. It also relieves nasal congestion and sore throats. Plus, the zinc in chicken improves absorption of […]

August 23, 2025

Published by Grace O

Baobab Powder Benefits: “Tree of Life” Superfood Supports Gut Health and Immunity

When I first saw pictures of the baobab tree, I thought I was looking at something from another planet. Standing up to 60 feet tall with wide, bottle-shaped trunks and branches that look like roots reaching toward the sky, the baobab has a striking, otherworldly presence. Native to Africa, Madagascar, India, and Australia, the baobab has earned the nickname “Tree of Life” for good reason. Not only can it thrive in extreme climates, but its fruit is one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods on earth. What Is Baobab Powder? Baobab fruit naturally dries on the branch and is ground into […]

June 16, 2025

Published by Grace O

Rustic Desserts and Savory Comforts from Skillet to Table

Do you have a cast iron skillet among your pots and pans? I do, and I have to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with it. The thing is heavy! I can barely lift the nine-inch one with one hand. And cleaning them is something else. You’re not supposed to use soap—just scrape, rinse and dry immediately. Don’t leave it wet or you risk rust! It should be stored seasoned with a little neutral oil (like avocado) and covered in parchment so it doesn’t mess up your other pans. BUT– The way a cast iron skillet cooks food is […]

May 15, 2025

Published by Grace O

Nuts About Nutrition! Nuts are Full of Valuable FoodTrients

Nuts are full of valuable FoodTrients and they’re so easy to eat as a snack or to add into a huge variety of foods from salads and appetizers to main courses, side dishes and desserts. Nuts are one of the most versatile and healthful foods out there, which is why I have incorporated them into my own diet and included 15 recipes in my new book, The AGE BEAUTIFULLY Cookbook, that feature them. Nuts are high in fat and calories, but they are nutrient dense, which means they are full of good omega-3 fatty acids, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. […]

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 […]

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 4, 2025

Published by Grace O

Fermented Foods Preserve Our Health

When I was a teenager, my mom and I made atchara together. Atchara is a sweet-and-sour pickle made from green, unripe papayas and other vegetables. Eaten with grilled pork or fried fish, it’s considered the national dish of the Philippines (see our family recipe below). We also used to make our own pickled cucumbers—both the sweet kind and the salty kind. And because there were almost no German delis at the time, my mother fermented her own sauerkraut and grinding and stuffing her own sausages. Fermentation—the process of converting sugars into ethanol—has a long history. Because fermentation preserves food, people […]

February 17, 2025

Published by Grace O

How Do Antioxidants Work in the Body?

Your mother was right when she insisted you eat all your vegetables at dinnertime before moving on to dessert. Virtually every fruit and vegetable contains antioxidants. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans are so good for our bodies because they contain a host of antioxidants that can be broken down into multiple categories. I thought it would be helpful to highlight a few of those subcategories here. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body by neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, contributing to aging and increasing the risk of chronic […]

December 26, 2024

Published by Grace O

How Sweet It Is! Delightful Holiday Desserts

The holidays always call for plenty of desserts. Whether I’m throwing a party, giving gifts of food, or reliving holidays past through sweet treats, desserts are integral to my life this month. I’ll share a few of my favorite recipes with you. Brazil Nut Tarts Every year I host a Christmas caroling party at my home. Choirs from churches all over the area stop by to sing in my living room. Sometimes a Filipino celebrity or two will perform. My guests just love it. I like to put out a dinner buffet so that the choirs have something to eat […]