April 11, 2023

Alternative Flours Are Springing Up All Over

The demand for alternative flours has never been greater, and food companies are delivering. As I see it, there are several reasons for this including the fact that many people are avoiding gluten, which is the protein in wheat flour. It can cause gastric distress in some individuals with celiac disease and many other people feel their energy level and well-being improve by avoiding gluten. Whatever the reason consumers are flocking to alternative flours, there are scores of delicious new flours and meals to replace traditional wheat ones. At the Natural Products Expo in Anaheim, CA, last month, the FoodTrients […]
April 11, 2023

Ashwagandha: Fights Aging, Stress and Disease

Ashwagandha, a traditional Ayurvedic herb that is used for conditions ranging from arthritis and anxiety to liver disease and sleep issues, is trending strongly in the natural products market.  Known for its powers of helping the body adapt to stress in the environment, ashwagandha supports the immune system and may help reduce inflammation. Because of the ability to help the body achieve self-regulatory balance within various systems, this herb is often used to prevent the effects of aging and to treat systemic or hormonal conditions such as fibromyalgia or fertility disorders. With clinical trials as evidence for the efficacy of […]
April 11, 2023

EggCeptional International Egg Recipes

Is there any more perfect food than an egg – both to look at and to eat? The pristine white or café au lait brown ovals are so full of promise.  The rich golden yolk is quivering with possibilities. Besides being beautiful, eggs are nutritional powerhouses and prime FoodTrients. They are rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper. Eggs contain fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and are a source of high-quality protein at a mere 84 calories each. Their inexpensive yet high-quality protein content makes you feel fuller longer […]
April 11, 2023

5 Tweaks to Dramatically Improve Well-Being

How can you improve your own well-being? Here are five non-intuitive lifestyle tweaks that can dramatically improve your life –Laugh more, meditate, learn to forgive and let go, connect with nature, and get your hormones checked for goodness sake! Let me explain: 1. Laugh, no joke! I’ve met people that simply don’t laugh, smile or have a sense of humor. That is stressful to the mind and body since laughter and smiling have been researched and correlated with stronger immunity and better mental health. This is why I have prescribed comedies to patients over the years or have them practice […]
April 11, 2023

Lebanese Morning Walnut Cake Is a Sweetie

My friends from Lebanon make this not-too-sweet cake as a breakfast treat. I love its walnut flavor. Benefits Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids for heart health; fiber for gut health; protein to support healthy muscle mass; and beta-sitosterol, which may help lower cholesterol levels. Serves 6–8 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 4 eggs 1½ cups sugar 1 cup walnut oil 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 cup chopped walnuts Butter and flour to coat Powdered sugar, as garnish 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 2. In a large bowl, mix the flour and baking powder […]
April 11, 2023

Fuel Your Brain with the Right Foods

What does food have to do with brain health? Everything. Psychiatrists ask a lot of specific questions to evaluate patients, but they never ask their patients what they eat. As funny as it sounds, we don’t talk about food in medicine and mental health, even though we talk about the compounds in food — omega-3 fats, b-vitamins, magnesium — a lot. Things really shifted for Dr. Drew Ramsey when he realized food presented an incredible opportunity for patient empowerment and added a delicious method in his clinical toolbox, along with psychotherapy, medications, and other lifestyle interventions such as exercise, to […]
March 28, 2023

Slow Cooking Is Fast, Easy & Affordable

I had never used a slow cooker until a few years ago when someone gave me one as a sort-of joke. To tell the truth, I’ve come to love it! You throw in a few ingredients in the morning, you come home in the evening and dinner’s ready. The Crock-Pot debuted for home cooks over 40 years ago as a method to cook dried beans. It became an efficient way for homemakers and busy people to serve affordable, tender, delicious meals using inexpensive cuts of meat, making it easy for moms and dads to prepare wholesome meals every day. Crockpots and […]
March 14, 2023

Eastern European Favorites Walk on the Lighter Side

Eastern European foods are not necessarily known for their healthy attributes. In general, the foods of countries including Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Lithuania and the Czech Republic are heavy on meat, sour cream and lard or chicken fat. However, they are delicious comfort foods, no matter where in the world you or your ancestors hail from. In the spirit of FoodTrients, I’ve adapted some recipes to make them lighter, more healthful versions of the originals. Here are a few of the guidelines I used to make these recipes more modern and health-friendly: Add vegetables – By increasing the […]
March 14, 2023

Can MSM Ease the Pain of Arthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting about 18% of women and 10% of men over the age of 60 years worldwide. Given how common this disease is and the fact that it causes significant chronic disability due to joint degeneration and reduced mobility, supplements for osteoarthritis are hugely popular with an estimated 30%+ of individuals seeking natural products for joint pain. You probably haven’t heard of Methylsulfonylmethane but you may have heard of “MSM” and usually this supplement is suggested for joint pain. MSM is used for a variety of chronic pain conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, […]