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 […]
March 3, 2026

This Flavorful Chaat Salad Is Packed With Protein

South Asian Chaat Salad This flavorful salad was inspired by a type of chaat or savory snack served across India, and features puffed quinoa and lentils for extra plant-based protein and fiber. A satisfying serving of 2 ½ cups contains 14 g of protein. Benefits The green lentils in this recipe provide a hearty source of plant-based protein and fiber, supporting digestive health and helping to maintain steady blood sugar levels. The mix of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and tomatoes delivers a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, helping reduce your risk of chronic diseases and calming […]
February 12, 2026

Tart Cherry Bread Pudding with Cherry Compote

A lightly sweet, nutrient-rich dessert layered with antioxidant-packed tart cherries and toasted walnuts. The compote forms a beautiful ruby topping when inverted — warm and glossy, or chilled and sliceable. Ingredients For the Bread Pudding 3 cups whole-grain or whole-wheat bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (slightly stale works best) 2 large eggs 1½ cups fat-free evaporated milk (or 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk + 2 tbsp Greek yogurt for richness) 2 tbsp melted butter or Smart Balance ¼ cup organic sugar, coconut sugar, or xylitol ¼ cup chopped walnuts, lightly toasted ¼ cup dried tart cherries ½ tsp lemon zest […]
February 11, 2026

Tart Cherries: Powerful in Every Bite

Tart cherries — especially Montmorency varieties — are emerging as one of nature’s most impressive anti-inflammatory fruits. Their deep ruby color signals a rich concentration of anthocyanins and polyphenols, plant compounds known to help calm inflammation and protect cells from oxidative stress. Whether enjoyed frozen, dried, or as juice concentrate, tart cherries deliver powerful support for muscle recovery, joint comfort, heart health, and brain function. But you don’t have to be an athlete to benefit. Everyday stress, aging, poor sleep, and chronic low-grade inflammation can all take a toll on the body. Tart cherry juice offers a simple, food-based way […]
February 11, 2026

Naturally Sweet Macadamia Cream Flan

Macadamia Cream Flan Macadamia nuts are rich in heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory monounsaturated fats. Eating more of these healthy fats can help keep your skin youthful and your waistline trim. Egg yolks contain lutein, which reduces the risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Yields 8 small servings Ingredients Caramel ½ cup water 1 cup xylitol or sugar Flan 8 egg yolks (organic, free-range, or Omega-3-enriched) 1 egg (organic, free-range, or Omega-3-enriched) 2 cups Macadamia Cream ⅔ cup xylitol or sugar 1 tsp. lemon zest Procedure Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Make the caramel: In a small saucepan, combine the water […]
February 11, 2026

It’s a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Mousse 

Dark Chocolate Mousse It’s hard to imagine, but this vegan version of chocolate mousse offers the same satisfaction as its richer, less healthy sibling. Contributed by my colleague Dr. Lynn Blair, it has all of the same creaminess, the satiny, melt-in-your-mouth pleasure, and the full, no-holds-barred taste you expect from a dense and rich chocolate mousse. And if that’s not enough, just add plenty of great health benefits. Soy contains isoflavones, which help preserve bone density, lower your risk of certain cancers, and may alleviate menopausal symptoms. Dark chocolate has catechins, which are neuroprotective, and theobromine, which improves blood flow […]
February 10, 2026

Sweetheart Baobab Butter Squares with a Healthy Twist

These squares are like lemon bars but made with antioxidant-rich baobab. Baobab is an African fruit that has a powdery texture. You can buy it from Amazon or you can use fresh lemon juice (3 Tbs.) or lemon zest (1 Tbs.) instead of the baobab powder. Feel free to substitute gluten-free flour for the wheat-based flour. BENEFITS: Baobab is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that appears to guard against heart disease and stroke and also protects the skin from the aging effects of ultraviolet rays. It contains fiber, which helps with detoxification and gut health. Yields 12 […]
January 14, 2026

Asian Fusion Shrimp and Quinoa

Asian fusion cooking is about using Mediterranean or American ingredients and, possibly, French techniques in classical Chinese, Thai, or Filipino recipes. I’m not intimidated by exotic ingredients, but I know that many of my American friends can be. For them, I try to use more familiar spices to simplify the cooking process. I also look at trends in the healthy cooking sector and add my own delicious Southeast Asian spin to the recipes that are sometimes bland. Quinoa has become a popular ingredient because of its detoxifying, gut healthy fiber, but it has almost no flavor. I’ve created a way […]
December 24, 2025

Roasted Parsnips Are Loaded With Flavor and Benefits

Roasted parsnips deliver perfect flavor and fiber. Nothing brings out the natural sweetness and earthiness of parsnips like roasting. Looking very much like a creamy white carrot, parsnips also share with carrots that frigid temperatures during growing and harvest make them sweeter; they go especially well with pork, chicken, and other fruits and vegetables such as apples, carrots, pears, and spinach. Benefits This dish is not only a flavorful side dish but also provides a range of health benefits. Parsnips are high in fiber, particularly soluble fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and supports digestive health by promoting elimination. […]