Age GracefullyThe First Taste of Fall: Apples & Pears
There’s always a moment when I realize fall has arrived. Here in Southern California, it isn’t necessarily because the temperature has dropped or the leaves have started changing. Sometimes, it’s simply walking through the market and seeing beautiful displays of crisp apples and ripe pears. To me, apples and pears are some of the first tastes of fall. I love them because they’re delicious just as they are, but they’re also incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Slice them into a salad, pair them with nuts and cheese, cook them alongside a savory meal, or bake them with cinnamon and warm […]READ MORE
February 18, 2014
Published by Grace O
When reading Dr. Eric R. Braverman’s book, Younger (Thinner) You Diet, I was impressed by how much space he devotes to eating foods that promote brain health. I’ve known for years that eating the right antioxidant-rich, organic foods can keep your body young and healthy. But I didn’t realize how much our diet can affect our brains.
December 23, 2013
Published by Grace O
Almost everyone loves chocolate. On my travels through France I saw the most beautiful Parisian truffles—like
December 12, 2013
Published by Grace O
Sprouts have a come a long way since the 1970s. Back then, only hippies and health nuts ate sprouts. Today, almost everyone is a health nut—interested in prolonging life, feeling as good as possible, and looking as young as can be. Because of that, chefs and foodies have decided to take another look at home sprouting.
December 4, 2013
Published by Grace O
I love to open up my home and invite friends and family over for celebrations. And the holiday season provides irresistible opportunities to throw great parties that people will remember. My first priority is always my guests, and I ensure that they are well fed, entertained, and delighted.
October 16, 2013
Published by Grace O
Pumpkins may not be one of my favorite winter squashes but they are popular and plentiful at this time of year. They are also chock full of the FoodTrient carotenoids, which our bodies turn into vitamin A. These nutrients are really good for your skin, hair, eyes, and heart. They also help prevent cancer and support the immune system.
October 9, 2013
Published by Grace O
The health of our arteries is so important for longevity. More people in the U.S. die from inflamed arteries (which can lead to heart attack and stroke) than from cancer or any other disease.
October 1, 2013
Published by Grace O
As a healthcare professional, I see doctors prescribe five, ten, even twenty medications to one patient without giving any nutritional advice. I’m not saying that food should replace all medicines, and you should check with your doctor to make sure that any medications you take are not counteracted by a particular food. However, I do think that the plate is the place to start for living a long and healthy life. For centuries, many cultures have used natural foods as their medicine chest. They understand that certain herbs and leaves offer curative powers. Hippocrates, a Greek physician who practiced medicine […]
September 3, 2013
Published by Grace O
“Eat your vegetables!” is a familiar refrain of parents the world over. When I was a young girl in Southeast Asia, my father insisted I eat my vegetables. He was a doctor and he knew the power of eating whole, fresh foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Today, I see so many quick-service restaurants offering meat and cheese and bread (pizza, hamburgers, mac & cheese, chicken nuggets) but no cooked vegetables. It’s distressing. And although some fast-food chains now offer salads, many kids don’t really enjoy eating them. So what is a parent to do? For children to get the benefits of nutrient-rich […]
August 28, 2013
August 7, 2013
Published by Grace O
I occasionally ate coconuts, drank coconut water or cooked with coconut oil when I was growing up in the tropics of southeast Asia, because I had always been told by my father that the fat in coconuts was bad for my health. My mother would regularly add warm coconut oil to my hair to make it
July 17, 2013
Published by Grace O
Part of my goal in creating FoodTrients has been to help people get healthier by eating wholesome foods. I have helped friends regulate their diabetes by encouraging them to drink my chia frescas every day. I have helped older relatives stay nourished by providing them fresh moringa leaves to incorporate in soups, dips, and other foods. And countless colleagues have told me that they have learned just from reading my blogs how the food they eat affects their bodies. Now, I am addressing people’s requests to create healthy versions of their favorite comfort foods.
July 3, 2013
Published by Grace O
In Southeast Asia, where I grew up, the cuisine has been influenced by many countries: China, Japan, Spain, France, America, and to some extent the Middle East and Northern Africa. So I’ve been practicing fusion cooking my whole life. My mother ran a cooking school and my family operated multiple restaurants. My recipe for shrimp on sugar-cane skewers is a perfect example of Asian fusion food.
May 21, 2013
Published by Grace O
As anti-aging and other health experts know, the key to wellness is nutrient density and diversity—qualities that are found in colorful fruits and