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 […]
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 […]
Cranberries: A Tart Superfruit for Year-Round Wellness Cranberries aren’t just for Thanksgiving anymore. These vibrant red berries have been used for centuries—not just in cooking, but also in traditional medicine. Known for their tart taste, cranberries are often loaded with sugar in sauces, desserts, or drinks. But when consumed in their purest form, they’re packed with nutrients and health-promoting compounds. Why Cranberries Are a Nutritional Powerhouse Cranberries are rich in vitamin C and loaded with antioxidant compounds like anthocyanins, flavonols, and resveratrol. These help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress throughout the body, which is linked to aging and chronic disease. […]
Dr. Josh Axe says he wrote An Ancient Remedies: Secrets to Healing with Herbs, Essential Oils, CBD, and the Most Powerful Natural Medicine in History because “It’s high time you understand that you don’t need to take dangerous drugs for every ailment, that the Western medical system’s profit-based approach isn’t doing your health any favors, and that there are wonderfully effective alternative therapeutics that can heal your health issues and put you safely on the path to lifelong wellness.” He includes a caveat about modern medicine: “My criticism of Western medicine isn’t intended to disparage all of the modern approach. […]
It may seem counterintuitive that eating certain foods can support weight loss but studies have shown a link between some types of foods and better weight management. For example, high fiber foods including whole grains, fruit, vegetables and nuts have been associated with lower body mass index (BMI) in large human studies. A feeling of fullness and concentrated nutrients in these foods may be part of the connection to a reduced BMI, smaller waist circumference and reduced risk of being overweight. It should be noted that simply increasing the amount of any of these foods listed below will not in […]
Chia has gained recent popularity for good reason; these little seeds are nutrient powerhouses–high in protein, detoxifying fiber and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Including chia seeds in your diet can deliver a healthy breakfast or afternoon energy boost because chia is associated with vitality and satiety due to the balance in fat, fiber and protein they contain. Chia seeds absorb water and expand, so if you enjoy the consistency of tapioca or rice pudding, this is a great snack for you. Ingredients 2 Tbs. chia seeds 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk 1 Tbs. sliced or slivered almonds […]
Do you have a cast iron skillet among your pots and pans? I do, and I have to admit that I have a love/hate relationship with it. The thing is heavy! I can barely lift the nine-inch one with one hand. And cleaning them is something else. You’re not supposed to use soap—just scrape, rinse and dry immediately. Don’t leave it wet or you risk rust! It should be stored seasoned with a little neutral oil (like avocado) and covered in parchment so it doesn’t mess up your other pans. BUT– The way a cast iron skillet cooks food is […]
Antioxidants are one of our body’s best weapons when it comes to aging, because they fight aging at a cellular level and help keep cells from “rusting.” Antioxidants slow down aging because they reduce the amount of oxidative stress, which is the result of cells doing what they should do– creating energy, detoxifying the body, digesting food, breathing, thinking, or exercising. This work can generate byproducts like free radicals, which are unstable molecules that start oxidation. You need some free radicals to stimulate important physiological processes, such as helping the immune system function correctly and stimulating cellular pathways. However, when […]
Tapestry of Health: Weaving Wellness into Your Life Through the New Science of Integrative Medicine Daniel A. Monti, MD and Anthony J. Bazzan, MD artfully synthesizes the complex world of healthy living into a set of clear principles in guiding you to feel your best. This requires a healthcare approach that integrates all aspects of your well-being, including physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and social. Doctors Monti and Bazzan lay out how to gain and maintain long-term vitality by integrating practices from restorative medicine and nutritional science. They believe the parts cannot be well unless the whole is well. As clinical […]
Frank Lipman, MD, opens his new book The New Rules of Aging Well with, “In my medical practice, there’s something I see again and again: patients in their 40s and 50s who feel as if they’ve been betrayed by their bodies. They’re gaining weight, feeling exhausted, experiencing aches and pains, generally going south. They find that they’re getting sick more often, catching everything they’re exposed to and taking longer to recover.” If that sounds familiar, The New Rules of Aging Well: A Simple Program for Immune Resilience, Strength and Vitality by Dr. Lipman and Danielle Clara, is a must-read for […]










