Age GracefullyFire Up the Flavor for Labor Day Weekend!
Nothing says summer quite like gathering around the grill—and my Summertime Grilled Chicken is an easy, colorful way to celebrate Labor Day weekend. The chicken is marinated in my bright and zesty Honey-Lime Dressing, grilled until tender, and topped with a refreshing Strawberry-Avocado Relish. It’s sweet, savory, and just a little unexpected—exactly what a holiday cookout needs! Bringing a dish to a barbecue? Cook the chicken ahead of time and refrigerate it. When you arrive, warm it briefly on the grill to bring back that fresh-off-the-barbecue flavor. Add the relish just before serving, and you’ll have a beautiful dish without […]READ MORE
March 8, 2016
Published by Grace O
Sardines made easy in a crockpot! My readers have let me know how much they enjoy crockpot cooking. They allow working families the chance to come home to long-simmered soups, sauces, stews and other comforting meals that warm the soul. The trick to developing or converting recipes for slow cookers is to correctly estimate the liquid needed. Figure that about 2 cups of liquid will be evaporated during the cooking process over six to eight hours, so plan accordingly. For instance, if you want to make chicken soup or minestrone soup in the slow cooker, just add 2 extra cups […]
February 2, 2016
Published by Grace O
By Grace O I’m looking forward to Chinese New Year, which begins on February 8. This year is the Year of the Monkey. People born in this year of the Chinese zodiac are characterized as quick-witted, curious, innovative and mischievous. They are clever and intelligent, especially when it comes to career and wealth. ‘Monkeys’ are lively, flexible, and versatile. It’s said that their gentleness and honesty brings them an everlasting love life. Does that sound like you or someone you know? Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Diana Ross, Elizabeth Taylor, Alice […]
January 26, 2016
Published by Grace O
It’s January, prime citrus season and the trees are heavy with fruit here in southern California. In my backyard I have several navel orange trees, a couple Meyer lemon trees and a small lime tree. I also have citrus groves in San Diego with more than 100 grapefruit, orange and lemon trees. My friend, who has a horse ranch nearby, has a couple of grapefruit trees that are practically ignored, but at this time of year they are full of the juiciest, tastiest pink grapefruits. I suspect the combination of benign neglect and plenty of natural fertilizer from the horses […]
January 19, 2016
Published by Grace O
Fair or not, in the fight against carbs, pasta has gotten a bad rap lately. Yes, white pasta is relatively high in calories (200 per 2 oz. dry) and has modest nutritional value with about 2g of fiber and 7g of protein, but there are many alternative pastas that are better nutritional investments. And like the enriched macaroni products we’re most familiar with, they are all good canvases for a wide variety of toppings, flavors and textures. I won’t give up my noodles and with these alternatives, you won’t have to. Grain Pasta Switching to whole grain pasta provides a […]
November 11, 2015
Published by Grace O
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a carb-loaded, overeating frenzy. You can make satisfying, anti-aging food choices for this holiday that will leave you feeling thankful for indulging. Take turkey, for example. I cook at least four turkeys each Thanksgiving because I usually have about 30 people over for dinner. Turkey contains tryptophan, which produces niacin, giving us energy. Turkey also contains the selenium, a detoxifying antioxidant. You don’t have to drown your turkey in fatty gravy. It can be deliciously sauced using healthier ingredients. I like to marinate my turkeys in a mixture of red wine, soy sauce, and lemon juice […]
November 5, 2015
Published by Grace O
Pears are a fiber super star with 5.5 grams in one medium specimen. Fiber plays an essential role in your digestive, heart, and skin health, and may improve blood sugar control, weight management, and more. People who ate a diet high in white-fleshed fruits like pears or apples also had a 52 percent lower risk of stroke, according to an American Heart Association study, likely due to their fiber and phytochemical content. Pears are also rich in potassium, vitamin C and copper. For a delicious and elegant dessert that contains a number of nutritious ingredients, I use pears in my Pear and […]
October 13, 2015
Published by Grace O
Autumn is here and with it the World Series, football season and other get-togethers, but what would these gatherings be without a few snacks? Now I practically NEVER buy things like chips for my own home, but honestly, if I’m at someone’s house and they’re out there, I’ll give in then regret it later. Thankfully, today there are more tasty and healthful options available. One place to see many of these is at the Natural Products Expo that takes place in Anaheim, CA in the spring each year. The FoodTrients team was there in force back in March, walking the […]
September 30, 2015
Published by Grace O
The Chinese have been growing and eating jujubes for over 4,000 years. Jujube, or Chinese date, trees are shrub-like with thorny branches. The fruits are shaped like small apples that are green when unripe and turn brownish red. As they ripen and age they wrinkle and shrink to the size of a large date. The flesh of the fruit is most like an apple when it’s unripe. As it ripens it becomes soft and spongy. Asians generally steep slices of jujubes in hot water and make a jujube tea. Sometimes they reduce the tea on the stove and add sugar, […]
September 23, 2015
Published by Grace O
Like many big projects, writing a cookbook requires years of preparation, hard work and worry, culminating with that moment when you present your ‘baby’ to the world. I was excited to officially introduce my cookbook, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook to members of the press and culinary, health and wellness experts on a recent evening at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. My book is a collection of illustrated recipes that incorporate ingredients, which I call FoodTrients, that help you look and feel younger not only on the inside, but also on the outside. All of my recipes are the […]
September 17, 2015
Published by Grace O
We all want strong bones and teeth. As we age, we tend to grow wary of developing osteoporosis. Exercise, especially weight and resistance training, certainly helps strengthen our bones. Our diet can be a boon to bone health as well. Certain FoodTrients—such as isoflavones and potassium—can increase bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Eating foods rich in these FoodTrients and in calcium and protein can go a long way toward developing a beautiful skeleton. Calcium promotes bone growth, proper nerve signaling, helps our blood to clot, and regulates blood pressure. It can be found in abundance in dairy products, […]
August 11, 2015
Published by Grace O
When talking to friends and colleagues about new, healthy foods to try, I sometimes have to assume a professorial role and do some explaining. This is the case with yuca (pronounced, yoo-kah), also known as cassava and frequently confused with yucca (yuk-ah). Yuca is a plant that is grown and eaten in Latin America, Africa, South Asia and the Caribbean. It has a starchy root that among other things, can be made into tapioca. Yucca, on the other hand, is an ornamental plant with spiky leaves and tall clusters of white flowers. It grows in the Southern and Western parts […]
July 29, 2015
Published by Grace O
I don’t know about you, but I can hardly keep up with which fats are good for you and which to avoid. Most of us have learned about the health benefits of olive oil and that the saturated fat in coconut oil, once a nutritional no-no, is now recognized as extremely healthful because of its antioxidants and ability to be easily turned into fuel by the body. The information on oils and their health properties is changing rapidly. Recently, health experts have been talking about unrefined red palm oil. I have to admit, I didn’t know anything about it, […]
July 22, 2015
Published by Grace O
It’s possible to adjust your mood by adjusting your diet. Certain FoodTrients—like choline, omega-3 fatty acids, and tryptophan—promote healthy neurotransmitters in the brain, allowing calming signals to get through more effectively. Many vitamins and minerals—especially B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and the FoodTrients vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, and zinc—are used up when we’re under stress and should be replenished ASAP. To contribute to a good mood, we should be eating whole grains, poultry, eggs, citrus, berries, and dark green veggies. Putting the right foods into our bodies is only half the battle. We also need to be sure we’re not […]