September 28, 2026

The First Taste of Fall: Apples & Pears

There’s always a moment when I realize fall has arrived. Here in Southern California, it isn’t necessarily because the temperature has dropped or the leaves have started changing. Sometimes, it’s simply walking through the market and seeing beautiful displays of crisp apples and ripe pears. To me, apples and pears are some of the first tastes of fall. I love them because they’re delicious just as they are, but they’re also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Slice them into a salad, pair them with nuts and cheese, cook them alongside a savory meal, or bake them with cinnamon and warm […]
August 22, 2026

Fermented Foods: From Tradition to Trend

Where delicious meets nutritious. Long before fermented foods became a wellness trend, they were simply part of life in my family’s kitchen. When I was a teenager in the Philippines, my mother and I made atchara together—a sweet-and-sour relish traditionally made with green, unripe papaya and colorful vegetables. We would grate the papaya into long, thin strips, add carrots and other vegetables for color and crunch, and prepare a tangy mixture with vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a little sweetness. I can still remember working beside her in the kitchen.  We made sweet and salty pickled cucumbers, too. And because German […]
July 23, 2026

Refreshing Summer Drinks with a FoodTrients® Twist

Summer is one of my favorite times to enjoy my citrus orchard. I love spending time among the trees, picking fresh oranges, lemons, and limes and bringing them straight into my kitchen. There is something special about using fruit you’ve just picked, especially when the citrus is fragrant, juicy, and still warm from the summer sun. Once a year, when the citrus trees are especially abundant, I invite friends to the orchard to share in the harvest. Everyone picks fresh oranges, lemons, and limes to take home, and at the end of the day, we gather for a barbecue with […]
June 30, 2026

Ramp Up the Flavor with Wild Boar Kebabs

Wild boar has more flavor than tame pork. It has to be tenderized a bit, but that’s easily accomplished with an onion-juice marinade. You can use pork or beef medallions instead of boar and any type of cubed vegetables. BENEFITS: Wild boar (and therefore pork) has protein and lysine for building muscle, bone, and blood. It also contains phosphorus for nerve and muscle function and vitamin B12 for protecting nerves and brain cells. Yields: about 6 skewers   Ingredients 1 lb. wild boar medallions or pork tenderloin 1/2 cup each cubed white onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper […]
May 7, 2026

Eat the Rainbow: Phytonutrients for Healthy Aging

Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate how the simplest meals—often the most colorful—can be the most nourishing. Growing up and through my travels, I’ve always been drawn to vibrant fruits and vegetables, not only for their beauty, but for how they make you feel. We’ve explored how stress, fiber, and gut health all play a role in how we feel each day. But how do we bring it all together—simply and naturally—on the plate? One of the easiest and most effective ways is to eat a variety of colorful, whole foods. The Power of Color in Food The vibrant […]
April 16, 2026

Lowering Cortisol Naturally: What You Need to Know (and What to Eat)

There are so many things in life that elevate stress—work, family, children, and the day-to-day responsibilities we all carry. Over time, especially as we age, that constant pressure can take a real toll on the body. That’s one of the reasons it’s so important to nourish ourselves with foods that help manage daily stress and support overall well-being. We all experience stress, but when it becomes constant, the body begins to feel the effects. Cortisol—often called the stress hormone—plays an important role in keeping us alert and energized. The challenge comes when it stays elevated for too long. That’s when […]
March 30, 2026

Do You Know What Your Ideal Diet Is?

Most nutritionists agree there is no one dietary pattern that’s ideal for everyone. In addition to your unique combination of genes, medical history, cultural and family background, taste preferences and daily living patterns, you apply your own set of values to your eating approach. Some people may focus on preventing or managing disease, others on protecting the environment, some on managing weight, others on enjoying what they eat and so on. Prioritizing what matters to you can help determine your eating style. The six dietary patterns discussed here have dominated headlines over the past few years. We’ve tapped nutrition experts […]
March 19, 2026

FoodTrients Finds: For the Love of Lemons

For the Love of Lemons There’s something special about cookbooks that celebrate a single ingredient—and For the Love of Lemons does just that with one of the most vibrant and health-supportive fruits in the kitchen. Bright, fresh, and endlessly versatile, lemons bring both flavor and function to everyday cooking. What we love most about this book is how it transforms a simple ingredient into something inspiring. From refreshing beverages to light, nourishing dishes, each recipe highlights the natural ability of lemons to elevate flavors while supporting digestion, hydration, and overall wellness. At FoodTrients, we believe that some of the most […]
March 18, 2026

Southwestern Flavors Enhance This Black Bean Salad

Black Bean Salad Black beans and pasilla chiles give this salad a Southwestern flavor, and red rice makes it fun and different. A lime vinaigrette brings it all together. You can use regular wild rice and store-bought corn. Black beans and wild rice both have protein for building muscles, bones, and blood, and fiber for gut health. Red rice also contains anthocyanins, antioxidants that protect the heart. The red pepper adds lots of the antioxidants vitamin A and C, which contribute to healthy, youthful-looking skin. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained ½ cup cooked red rice […]