Age GracefullyFiber Is the New Protein: Why Everyone Is “Fiber-Maxxing”
For years, protein has dominated the wellness conversation. From protein shakes to high-protein snacks, it became the nutrient everyone focused on. But in 2026, the spotlight is shifting—and fiber is finally getting the attention it deserves. Welcome to the era of “fiber-maxxing.” It may sound like a trend, but this movement is rooted in something much deeper: a growing understanding that fiber plays a central role in gut health, inflammation, metabolism, and even how we age. The Missing Nutrient in Modern Diets Despite all the attention on healthy eating, most people still fall short when it comes to fiber. The […]READ MORE
February 17, 2025
Published by Grace O
Your mother was right when she insisted you eat all your vegetables at dinnertime before moving on to dessert. Virtually every fruit and vegetable contains antioxidants. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans are so good for our bodies because they contain a host of antioxidants that can be broken down into multiple categories. I thought it would be helpful to highlight a few of those subcategories here. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body by neutralizing harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, contributing to aging and increasing the risk of chronic […]
February 7, 2025
Published by Grace O
Valentine’s Day lets us turn our thoughts to adding a little more love and romance to our lives. Can certain foods boost romantic relationships and enhance sexual desire? According to St. Thomas Aquinas, aphrodisiac foods had to produce good nutrition and a “vital spirit.” In other words, the nutrients that contribute to overall well-being will also help to ensure a healthy love life. Chocolate is typically at the top of my list for Valentine’s Day, particularly dark chocolate. It truly is one of the best superfoods for lovers. Dark chocolate can help relieve stress, sharpen our minds, improve blood flow […]
January 14, 2025
Published by Grace O
Cultivating grains is what changed our Neolithic ancestors from hunter-gatherers to an agrarian society about 10,000 years ago. In the grass family of plants, grains are a part of the human diet all over the world, providing complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals. I’ve put together a list of grains, some of which you may have heard of and some that may be completely new to you. Among them are ancient grains that people are rediscovering and incorporating into meals in creative and tasty ways. Characteristically, these grains are unrefined, have a firmer texture and more flavor than highly processed […]
January 12, 2025
Published by Grace O
You don’t need to resemble a Hollywood star to embody beauty. True beauty comes in many forms and shines from within. We’ve all met people whose vibrant health, radiant skin, and energetic presence make them undeniably attractive—proving that beauty goes far beyond conventional standards or celebrity ideals. The truth is, natural beauty is achievable for everyone. A healthy, balanced diet can help anybody enhance their natural beauty while improving overall health. According to Ginger Hultin, FoodTrients’ nutritionist and dietitian, nourishing your body with the right foods can support long-term beauty in several key ways: Skin elasticity and color ● Hair […]
December 26, 2024
Published by Grace O
The holidays always call for plenty of desserts. Whether I’m throwing a party, giving gifts of food, or reliving holidays past through sweet treats, desserts are integral to my life this month. I’ll share a few of my favorite recipes with you. Brazil Nut Tarts Every year I host a Christmas caroling party at my home. Choirs from churches all over the area stop by to sing in my living room. Sometimes a Filipino celebrity or two will perform. My guests just love it. I like to put out a dinner buffet so that the choirs have something to eat […]
December 26, 2024
Published by Grace O
The days are short, it’s dark, and the holidays are upon us. It’s the time of year to bring out family-favorite recipes that spark nostalgia and warm the heart. Those aromas of gingerbread, pies baking, and a juicy roast in the oven really arouse the holiday spirit. The good news is that those herbs and spices are full of FoodTrients® that help keep mind and body in good health. For example, rosemary is a source of vitamin A as well as potassium, calcium, and antioxidants like polyphenols, gallic acid, and rosmarinic acid. These compounds can help digestion, alleviate gout and […]
November 16, 2024
Published by Grace O
Whether your Thanksgiving and holiday dinners are intimate gatherings or lively feasts, your turkey dinner can be exciting and loaded with a world of new flavors. If you’re a little adventuresome and yearn to deviate a bit from the old standby holiday recipes, we’ve got some great turkey tips loaded with a world of new flavors. Here are recipes for a spiced-up turkey and some tasty and unique dishes to fill up your holiday table. Turkey is typically the American centerpiece of holiday meals, but we have variations that are just as delicious and have some international flair. Spicy Sriracha […]
November 16, 2024
Published by Grace O
Thanksgiving is a very big deal around my house. I really love the sides at Thanksgiving dinner. That’s where you can get even more creative, so don’t let side dishes weigh you down. Who doesn’t love buttery mashed potatoes, but if you want to change it up a little with a healthier but just-as-tasty alternative, check out my mashed potato substitute! Bok Choy can bring some excitement back into the “green” portion of your meal, and my Tropical Yams kick up the flavor for sweet potatoes. For an added fall touch, I also recommend my Stuffed Sugar Pumpkins and Cranberry […]
November 16, 2024
Published by Grace O
Despite the fact that it was imported from far away Vermont and Canada, maple syrup was one of those things we always had on hand in the Philippines when I was growing up. My mother would give it to us with pancakes and use it as a glaze for her famous fruitcake. Maple syrup is the concentrated sap from sugar maple trees that grow only in New England and Eastern Canada. It’s collected, usually starting in March, when the nights are still near freezing but the days are starting to warm. The sugar in maple syrup is considered unrefined and […]
November 5, 2024
Published by Grace O
Sometimes there’s just not enough time in a day. When I get home late from a long work day and need to create dinner, I have a few easy favorites that will save the day. Here’s my go-to solution for a quick, delicious and healthy meal — don’t go stir crazy — go stir-fry! Usually associated with Asian cuisines, stir-frying involves small pieces of meat or seafood and vegetables stirred rapidly in a large skillet or wok with a bit of oil and high heat. Once you’ve sliced and diced the ingredients, everyone had better be sitting at the table, […]
November 4, 2024
Published by Grace O
Our seasons in Southern California are like nowhere else. After a month of planet Mercury-like heat, we had unseasonably cool weather. Even though temperatures have been going up and down, now that it’s officially fall, we want to think about cooler days ahead. In fact, I’m feeling a bit eager to start cooking some fall fruit and vegetable recipes—even soup! You can find most of the the items profiled below in supermarkets most any time of year, thanks to excellent growers in Mexico and opposing seasons in the Southern hemisphere. However, fall is peak season for locally grown produce, so […]
October 23, 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 […]
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 […]