October 8, 2024

Arugula Salad with Feta, Pine Nuts, and Berries

The feta cheese in the salad provides protein and calcium. Hint: if you can buy the feta in bulk from a Greek, Persian, or other Middle Eastern deli, do it! Packaged feta will do, but feta from the deli case tastes better. Pine nuts are a good source of B vitamins, folate, niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, and manganese. You can buy pine nuts pre-toasted. Leafy green arugula and extra virgin olive oil provide anti-inflammatory properties as do the berries. The salty feta and the sweet berries play beautifully together! Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup Greek feta cheese, cubed ½ cup extra […]
October 8, 2024

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 […]
October 8, 2024

Save Your Eyes with Collagen: A Multi-tasking Nutrient

Anti-Aging Medicine wouldn’t be complete without proper respect being given to this behind-the-scenes amazing nutrient that literally helps hold your entire body together – collagen. It is the second most common substance in your body next to water. Not only does it help “knit” your skin together to keep your skin from sagging but it also helps the ligaments and tendons supporting your joints, stay strong to keep you mobile long into your older years.  But what I’d like to tell you about here is the amazing anti-aging benefits that collagen can have on one of your most important organs […]
October 8, 2024

Heart-Healthy Green Tea Noodles Ramp Up the Flavor

Green Tea Noodles with Edamame Green tea, with its powerful theaflavins, is a strong antioxidant with vigorous anti-inflammatory properties, a heart-healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Green tea is wonderful to drink on its own, but it also can be incorporated into recipes.  I use an old Asian trick for mixing more green tea into your diet with my Green Tea Noodles with Edamame. It’s an easy and budget-friendly recipe. Just boil soba, udon, or ramen noodles in green tea instead of water. Green tea has far more age-fighting power than water. If you want to eat these noodles cold, rinse […]
October 7, 2024

Cheers to the Top 50 Foods for Happiness

Did you know that food can actually play a role in your mood and happiness levels? So many people live with restricting many foods or feelings of guilt or shame surrounding eating. Others may not get the nutrition they need to fuel the pleasure centers in the brain (think serotonin production), keeping mood stable. The brain uses a full 20% of the calories you take in so fueling it is absolutely critical. Foods that contain compounds like zinc, selenium, B6 and B12, magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants have proven links to brain health and even mood, which is […]
September 24, 2024

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

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 24, 2024

Prescription Pain Meds: Here’s What You Need to Know

September marks Pain Awareness Month, a time to shed light on the challenges of people living with pain and the various ways to manage it. While nutrition, lifestyle changes, and natural remedies play vital roles in pain management by reducing inflammation, prescription pain medications are sometimes also a necessary component for those dealing with chronic or severe pain. If you’re considering or currently using these medications, it’s essential to understand how they work, their benefits, and potential side effects so that you can have meaningful conversations with your medical team about how your pain is managed. Overview Prescription pain medications, […]
September 24, 2024

Top 10 Antiviral and Antibacterial Essential Oils

In a world where more bacteria are becoming antibiotic resistant and the population struggles with new, emerging viruses, individuals and researchers are looking to naturally occurring antimicrobial plants and extracts for insights into new ways to fight these dangerous bugs. While there are many situations where conventional antibiotics and medicine are necessary, there are also some ways to include essential oils as a complement or natural alternative. Research is still emerging on the effectiveness of essential oils for fighting bacteria, fungi, and viruses, so we’re highlighting our top 10 antiviral and antibacterial essential oils right here for you. As with […]