August 13, 2024

Oh, là là! The Fabulous Flavors of France

Over the past year, FoodTrients has been exploring foods and flavors from around the globe. This week, we take a look at the flavors of France as part of our new series on the world of foods, herbs and spices that help create some of the distinctive dishes we have featured, and the age-defying benefits they deliver. France is known for its elegant cuisine that is unlike any other. Not only is food an important part of French culture, but wine is considered a staple as well. France is well known for its wine all around the world and pairing […]
August 13, 2024

Summertime Chicken Salad Cups Are Delicious!

Fresh fruit—including honeydew melon and mango—provides a delicious complementary note to this salad’s savory flavors, offered by jalapeños, red onion, and a dash of cider vinegar. Top it off with some fresh mint and basil, and everyone will be looking for seconds. It’s dairy free and gluten free, too. Ingredients: ¼ cup water ¼ cup cider vinegar 2 Tbs. honey ½ tsp. kosher or sea salt 2 medium jalapeños, stemmed and thinly sliced crosswise (seeds removed) 12 ounces sliced, cooked chicken ½ medium cucumber; halved lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced ⅓ cup slivered red onion ¼ cup torn, fresh mint […]
August 13, 2024

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 […]
August 13, 2024

Try Heart-Healthy Chicken Curry with Moringa 

Curries made with turmeric and coconut milk are amazingly heart-healthy. Add some ginger and garlic and your heart and arteries will thank you even more. This dish will help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke because of all of its anti-inflammatory compounds. If you can’t find fresh moringa leaves, you can use green tea powder. To make this a vegan entree, substitute tofu or soybeans for the chicken. Vegan or not, this dish is delicious served over white or brown rice. BENEFITS Curry powder contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory as powerful as a prescription drug. The fiber in the […]
August 12, 2024

This Berry Salad Is Colorful AND Refreshing

Aztec Berry Salad With Chia Dressing The Aztecs recorded using chia seeds as far back as 1540. This colorful and refreshing salad is perfect for summer afternoons and evenings. Serve this salad as a starter, side dish, or light summer meal. Benefits: Chia seeds provide energy in the form of healthy fats (including anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids) and plant-based protein. Fresh, seasonal berries provide a concentrated source of beneficial antioxidants such as vitamin C and anthocyanins, which improve capillary function in the brain, eyes, and skin. SERVES 4 Ingredients For the salad 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped baby spinach 1 […]
July 30, 2024

Cooling Off with Exotic Summer Smoothies

If you’re like me, I am always looking for ways to cool off in the hot summer weather. Who can think of cooking or eating in this weather? When it’s like this, I just want to drink my meals and what could be better than icy-cold smoothies that are full of healthy FoodTrients!  Just for fun, I created several more exotic smoothie recipes with a few of my favorite fruits from Southeast Asia. Don’t be frightened by the fierce-looking jackfruit. It’s a native of Southeast Asia and probably first appeared in India. Jackfruit is a nutritional staple in tropical countries. It […]
July 30, 2024

A Guide to Choosing Produce: Dirty Dozen & the Clean 15

Do you shop by the ‘Dirty Dozen’ and ‘Clean Fifteen’? These lists that emerge each year raise pressing questions about what’s really in our carts and on our plates and how it may be affecting our health. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is the organization that releases a report each year, offering guidance about which types of produce are most likely to be contaminated with pesticides and which have the lowest rates during testing. This group is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. These lists categorize fruits and vegetables based on the level of […]
July 30, 2024

It’s Quick, Easy, and Healthy Herbed Summer Hummus

Herbed Summer Hummus No-cook recipes should be easy, quick, and healthy. Be ready to entertain any time with this simple crowd-pleasing hummus. Fresh herbs add depth to a classic chickpea blend bursting with flavor from rich tahini paste, fresh lemon juice and zest and savory garlic. Quick to make, you can whip this up in a matter of minutes with your food processor. Beans provide heart-healthy protein and detoxifying fiber which is good for gut health. Ingredients ¼ cup olive oil ¼ cup tahini paste ¼ cup lemon juice ½ tsp. fresh lemon zest 2 garlic cloves 1 ½ Tbs. […]
July 30, 2024

Are Supplements Safe for You?

This is Part -2 in our 4-part series on dietary supplements. This week we take a look at FDA regulations, certification, and other safety considerations. If you’re going to take supplements, it’s important to know what to take and what’s safe. Dietary supplements aren’t regulated in the same way as prescriptions and food in the US but that doesn’t mean they’re innately unsafe. There are ways to find quality supplements including looking at the raw products used to create your vitamins, seeking certain third-party certifications, and making sure what you are looking at is safe for your unique needs (like […]