December 25, 2025

Lightening Up: Appetizers That Make a Meal

After all the holiday feasts, I know a few people (myself included!) who are perfectly happy dialing things back and making a meal out of appetizers. Grazing on a handful of small plates feels just right after weeks of rich dishes, heavy desserts, and “just one more bite.” Sometimes, lighter and simpler is exactly what the body craves. That’s really the spirit behind tapas — small, flavorful bites meant to be enjoyed slowly and socially, not overindulged. And while we often think of appetizers as party food, many of the classics we enjoy in the U.S. have roots all over […]
December 24, 2025

Top 10 Foods for Healthy Blood Sugar

I’m sure you’ve had this experience. You eat healthy most of the day, but at about three o’clock in the afternoon you crave something sweet. Or salty/crunchy. You indulge and feel great for a short time, and then you’re more tired and hungry than ever. What’s happening is that the simple carbs in these snacks spike the level of the sugar in your blood and trigger a surge of insulin, which the body manufactures to metabolize sugars. These extreme swings in blood sugar levels will not only play havoc with your energy and moods, but can present serious challenges to […]
December 24, 2025

Mint: It Does the Mind & Body Good!

If you ask me, mint makes just about everything taste better. It also delivers some impressive benefits: Digestion: Mint is a great palate cleanser, and it promotes digestion. It also soothes the stomach in case of indigestion or inflammation. When your stomach feels sick, drinking a cup of mint tea can give you relief. Nausea and Headache: The aroma of mint leaves, especially freshly crushed leaves help you deal with nausea and headache. Asthma: Regular use of mint is very beneficial for asthma patients, as it is a good relaxant and relieves congestion. But using too much mint this way can also […]
November 29, 2025

5 Delicious Holiday Dessert Recipes

Ah, the holidays. It’s that special time of year for spending time with loved ones, reflecting on the past year and (perhaps most importantly) consuming ridiculous quantities of deliciously rich treats. Hooray! We know time is of the essence when you’re planning a family holiday meal…especially when you’re busy working. Check out these five quick and super simple recipes we’re loving for busy people with a serious case of sweet tooth. Brazil Nut Tarts These tarts, with their hint of lime and rich texture, take Brazil nuts to a new level. Brazil nuts are full of selenium and protein, as well as Omega-3s, which help […]
November 28, 2025

Your Holiday Season Menu—FoodTrients Style

We all love to indulge during the holidays. For many of us, eating healthy goes out the door from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. But there are so many delicious, festive foods that can add to your health and to the holiday spirit. I like to spoil my guests with foods that are festive and indulgent, but also contribute anti-aging benefits. Here are a few tips: Appetizers I like to start with an appetizer that help break the ice at a party, and encourage guests to interact. Quinoa Tabbouleh on Pita is a Mediterranean-inspired salad/dip that features high-protein quinoa; tomatoes that […]
November 28, 2025

Pomegranates Add Pizzazz to the Holidays

When pomegranates arrive on produce shelves, they remind me that fall is here and the holidays are upon us. Pomegranates are in season during fall and winter, and they deserve a place on every holiday table because of their beautiful color and cranberry-like flavor. In my AGE GRACEFULLY COOKBOOK, I have a recipe for Pomegranate Iced Tea that utilizes the juice of this amazing fruit along with its beautiful red seeds. It’s a festive drink for any occasion. In my AGE BEAUTIFULLY COOKBOOK, I have a delicious recipe for Guacamole with Pomegranate Seeds, and if you love Brussels sprouts like I do, […]
November 28, 2025

Spice Up the Holidays With Cinnamon

The holiday season has begun and nothing puts me in a festive mood more than the aroma of something sweet baking in the oven. For many of my friends, cinnamon is what puts them in a holiday state of mind. Made from the ground bark of a genus of trees called Cinnamomum, the top cinnamon producing countries are Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. There are two main types: Ceylon cinnamon, produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil, and the Caribbean, and cassia cinnamon, which comes mainly from Indonesia, China and Vietnam. Cinnamon is one of those delicious spices that also […]
November 12, 2025

Everything You Need for a Perfect Thanksgiving Spread

It’s November with Thanksgiving just around the corner.  For many, it’s the Olympics of food, but you can have a delightful holiday meal without gorging and turning it into a total carb-fest. The centerpiece, of course, is the turkey, a source of high-quality lean protein; vitamin B12, which helps regulate mood; zinc, good for retina and eye health; niacin, good for healthy skin and nerve function and selenium, an antioxidant that helps with detoxification and thyroid health. Many people think the key to a delicious Thanksgiving meal is in the sides. I couldn’t agree more! Here’s a suggested Thanksgiving meal […]
November 12, 2025

Turkey 3 Ways: Basic to International Flavors

Don’t you love Thanksgiving? It’s when the holiday season starts in earnest, yet there are no gifts to buy, no tree to trim, just a great meal with treasured friends and family. The Thanksgiving menu is by nature a healthy one—high in protein, low-calorie turkey, lots of FoodTrient-rich vegetables. Swap out butter-laden mashed potatoes for delicious whole grains, and you’ve made Thanksgiving dinner even better when it comes to reducing calories. Let’s Talk Turkey 101 Most experts agree that a hen turkey is better than a tom because they have smaller bones and more edible portions. Hens weigh less than […]
October 25, 2025

Healthy Halloween Fun: Treats Kids (and Parents) Will Love

Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year! It’s the first big celebration after summer and the perfect kickoff to the holiday season ahead. I love seeing the neighborhood come alive with costumes, decorations, and the excitement of trick-or-treating. When my friends bring their kids by after collecting their candy, I always have something a little special waiting. Rather than diving straight into the sugar stash, I serve up snacks that are every bit as delicious—but secretly healthy, too! The kids don’t notice the difference, but their parents sure do. These recipes from my Age Beautifully Cookbook are […]
October 24, 2025

Sugar Pumpkins: The Sweet Superfood of the Season

Even living in sunny California during fall and winter when the days are shorter and a little bit chilly, I like to prepare hearty, cool-weather produce that also happens to fall into the “superfoods” category. On the top of my list is pumpkin. Their many disease fighting and anti-aging properties make them a perfect go-to food during the cold, dark winter months. You may only associate pumpkins with Halloween, but fresh pumpkins are available from October through February. Pumpkins contain cucurbitacin, a steroid-like anti-inflammatory compound that may inhibit cancer cells. They are also loaded with carotenoids, which enhance the appearance […]
October 23, 2025

Turmeric Is a Top Anti-Inflammatory

Turmeric, a vibrant root akin to ginger, is celebrated for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. Growing up in Southeast Asia, I became well-acquainted with its warm, earthy flavor and brilliant yellow-orange hue. In Indian cuisine, turmeric gives curry its signature color, while in America, it’s often found as a dried powder used in soups or sauces. But turmeric’s benefits and versatility deserve more exploration! From spicing up fish to adding a zing to roasted vegetables, it’s time to embrace this golden root and its incredible health potential in more creative ways. Jonny Bowden’s, Ph.D., C.N.S., practice of using food as medicine […]
October 10, 2025

Enjoy the World of Benefits in Chicken Soup

No matter the country or culture, every one of them has a version of chicken soup. There is something universal about a warm, briny brew with chunks of chicken, vegetables, herbs and sometimes rice or pasta. Depending on how it’s prepared, chicken soup provides fluids, fiber, protein and vitamins. It’s a delicious first course, soothing comfort food, and some even attribute it with healing powers (‘Jewish penicillin’). But it’s not just folklore. Chicken soup acts as an anti-inflammatory, inhibiting immune system cells from over-reacting. It also relieves nasal congestion and sore throats. Plus, the zinc in chicken improves absorption of […]