July 2, 2024

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 […]
June 17, 2024

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 […]
June 17, 2024

Up Your Game with Grilled Artichokes & Moringa Dip

Grilled Artichokes With Moringa Dip In this tasty appetizer, I pair moringa–which is loaded with strength-building protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and potassium–with artichokes, which add lutein for eye health and fiber for gut health. I like to steam the artichokes first and finish them on the grill, but you can omit this step to save time. Add other grilled vegetables such as red bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus to expand on this delicious party food. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 4 artichokes, trimmed and steamed for 30 minutes 2-3 Tbs. olive oil 1 cup olive oil mayonnaise 1 Tbs. […]
May 20, 2024

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 8, 2024

Blue Zone Flan Is Dairy-Free & Delicious

Blue Zone Ripple Flan with Berries Ripple is a non-dairy, nut-free milk made from pea protein. It’s popular here in California and in the Blue Zone of Loma Linda. It’s available in some markets and on Amazon. With a little creativity, it can be used to make a non-dairy flan. I’ve used dark agave syrup in place of the caramel for a more natural and less processed ingredient. Benefits Ripple non-dairy milk has half the sugar of cow’s milk but more calcium because it is fortified. It also contains protein for muscle and bone health, and omega-3 fatty acids for […]
April 9, 2024

Celebrate with Succulent Rack of Lamb

Garlic and Black Pepper Rack of Lamb Garlic’s many compounds, including allicin, work in tandem to create a relaxing effect on artery walls, keeping them free of excess cholesterol and minimizing inflammation. I use garlic with black pepper and horseradish to spice up this rack of lamb. New Zealand lamb is lower in fat, cooks faster, and is more tender than American varieties such as Colorado lamb. Ingredients New Zealand rack of lamb (about 1 lb.) Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 Tbs. prepared horseradish 1-2 tsp. minced rosemary 1-2 tsp. minced thyme 1-2 […]
March 27, 2024

American Stew Is the Perfect Comfort Food

American Stew This tasty stew is the perfect comfort food. It’s easy to make whether you’re staying at home or out all day. I like to use bison or grass-fed beef because these meats are better for the environment and for our health. When bison or cows eat grass instead of corn, their meat is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally raised animals. It’s a win-win. Benefits Bison, like beef, contains protein, vitamins, and minerals such as copper, which forms collagen for skin, bone, and joint health; iron, which helps transport oxygen throughout the body; and phosphorous, which helps […]
December 19, 2023

This Veggie Soup Is Rich with Antioxidants

  Moringa Vegetable Soup In Africa and Asia, where protein-rich moringa plants grow in abundance, people add the tiny leaves to soups and stews just before serving. The leaves are wilted by the hot liquid but are not fully cooked, so their vitamins stay intact. I also like the flavor of moringa combined with antioxidant-rich squash, eggplant, and okra (another African ingredient). For this soup, any smoked fish, such as salmon, can be used. To make this soup vegan, use vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock and omit the fish or fish sauce. To give this soup an […]
October 11, 2023

Chicken Fajitas Add Festive Flair To Meals

Chicken Fajitas Fajitas are a perfect party or family food because they can be assembled by your diners and the ingredients can be kept hot for an hour or two in a chafing dish. I use three different colors of bell pepper for eye appeal, but you can use only one. You can use other vegetables, such as mushrooms, scallions, zucchini, or even kale, cut long and thin. The cayenne pepper adds a little heat, which you can adjust to your preference. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein. It also has detoxifying selenium as well as lysine, which […]