Age GracefullyPasture Prime: The Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef
I love good-quality beef, particularly grass-fed beef. In fact, when I think of typical American food, I think of steaks, hamburgers, roast beef and more. In the Philippines, where diets consist mostly of fish, pork and chicken, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where we had access to beef. As a child, hamburgers and steaks were among my favorite foods. As I got older, I began to limit how much and how often I ate beef. Today, I restrict my meat eating to grass-fed, organic beef. Besides being delicious and versatile, beef is a powerhouse of […]READ MORE
October 8, 2024
Published by Grace O
I love good-quality beef, particularly grass-fed beef. In fact, when I think of typical American food, I think of steaks, hamburgers, roast beef and more. In the Philippines, where diets consist mostly of fish, pork and chicken, I was lucky enough to grow up in a household where we had access to beef. As a child, hamburgers and steaks were among my favorite foods. As I got older, I began to limit how much and how often I ate beef. Today, I restrict my meat eating to grass-fed, organic beef. Besides being delicious and versatile, beef is a powerhouse of […]
October 8, 2024
Published by Grace O
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 7, 2024
Published by Grace O
There’s good reason for the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” although as a small child, it upset me, because my father was a doctor. Part of me was afraid that if I ate an apple every day, I wouldn’t see my beloved dad. Luckily, I outgrew this fear and came to appreciate apples for the incredibly nutritious fruit that they are. Apples are the second most popular fruit consumed in the U.S. after bananas. They are enjoying a golden age right now, with a number of delicious (as opposed to Delicious—though they’re good too) new varieties […]
September 24, 2024
Published by Grace O
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
Published by Grace O
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 10, 2024
Published by Grace O
When it’s hot out, a cup of iced tea is very refreshing, and the benefits far outweigh so many other drinks on the market. The theaflavins in both green and black teas help improve blood flow, keeping your skin fresh and your brain young. Because tea is so beneficial, I’ve developed many recipes with it for my cookbook. One of my simplest tea recipes is Pomegranate Iced Tea. I simply blend pomegranate juice with brewed black tea that has been chilled. Catechins found in black tea inhibit the growth of cancer cells, stimulate metabolism, act as an anti-inflammatory, and can help […]
September 10, 2024
Published by Grace O
When I think back to my most pleasant summer memories, I think about cooking outside. Most of the time that means grilling . . . and one of my favorites — barbequed ribs. Whether you use a traditional charcoal barbecue or a gas barbecue (my preference because you can control the heat more precisely), foods come out tasting delicious—almost magically so. And while most of us think of protein on the grill, fruits and vegetables come out brilliantly — the direct heat caramelizes whatever produce you’re grilling, deepening the flavor. For a delicious starter, try my recipe for Grilled Artichoke with […]
August 27, 2024
Published by Grace O
If you dream of going to a tropical paradise for a relaxing vacation, but you can’t get away anytime soon, we’d like to bring a little paradise to you with some delicious ideas for tropical fruit treats. Just a whiff of these succulent fruits will take you away to the beach and thoughts of relaxing under a palm tree. You’re probably familiar with mangoes, papayas, and pineapple. But there are so many fruits we don’t see often in the U.S. And most of these exotic fruits are full of FoodTrients® including vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and more. Full disclosure: You won’t […]
August 27, 2024
Published by Grace O
In the FoodTrients world, ‘disease preventing’ foods are those that reduce risk factors for common degenerative and age-related diseases such as cancer, arthritis, and diabetes. According to our nutritionist, Ginger Hultin, “Disease preventing FoodTrients® focus on foods that can help reduce the risk of, or even help navigate chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. There’s a lot of research to suggest that the foods you eat make a difference in disease management. What you eat makes a difference.” There are a number of steps you can take to fight or prevent disease: Follow a Healthy Dietary […]
August 13, 2024
Published by Grace O
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 […]
July 30, 2024
Published by Grace O
It’s so easy to eat well in summer! I get inspired every time I walk through a farmer’s market or even the produce section of the supermarket. There are so many stone fruits and melons available and right now they are at their peak. You just can’t go wrong creating desserts and salads from fruits like peaches, nectarines, apricots and the new pluots and apriums, which are hybrids created by crossing plums and apricots. In addition to the delicious taste there are plenty of health benefits from eating stone fruits. For instance: As a collagen booster: A cup of sliced […]
July 30, 2024
Published by Grace O
Let’s just start by saying that in summer, just about ALL fruits and vegetables are at their peak. With all the rain we had in California last winter, the quality of the local produce is more spectacular than usual. The summer months are the best time of year for enjoying produce prepared in the simplest methods. These fruits and vegetables are not only refreshing and delicious during hot summer days but also often have high water content, which can help keep you hydrated. Remember to choose fresh, locally sourced produce whenever possible for the best flavor and nutritional value. Tomato […]
July 30, 2024
Published by Grace O
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 […]