What is a “superfood”? Most doctors and nutritionists will say that there is no scientific definition of “superfood,” that it is a marketing buzzword applied to foods that are good for you. Functional medicine specialist Dr. Marsha Nunley, founder of H.E.A.L. Medical, agrees but says: “While it is true that there is no legal or medical specification for a ‘superfood,’ it is without question that there are foods that are high in healthful nutrients and adding them to your diet may reduce your risk of chronic disease and improve your overall health and well-being.” Superfoods are packed with combinations of […]
The most beautiful people I know are not model perfect. They are people who wear a gorgeous smile along with their glowing skin, bright eyes, healthy body and positive energy. They look good because they feel good, and they know the foods that can help them look and feel younger. But eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing the foods you love or giving up satisfying, great-tasting meals. My new book, The AGE BEAUTIFULLY Cookbook, is filled with delicious foods that also deliver the benefits of health, well-being and longevity. It’s not a diet program or a meal plan, but a way […]
No one lives by bread alone. Every so often you need something delicious, like cake. I truly believe that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing the foods you love or special treats. With an eye toward healthful ingredients and the right kind of recipes, you can make luscious desserts like cake work for you. All of my cookbooks contain indulgent recipes that provide important nutrients such as antioxidants, vitamins and fiber. When the weather is nice, I enjoy taking picnics to the beach or outdoor concert venues like the Hollywood Bowl. When it comes to dessert, you want something that will […]
In all of my cookbooks, I have included a chart that lists the FoodTrients nutrients, their benefits, which foods are loaded with them, and their properties (anti-inflammatory) , disease preventing , etc.) along with my 9 symbols. Here are just a few examples: ALLICIN— Garlic contains the FoodTrient allicin, which is an anti-inflammatory that reduces the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and cancer. So if you have trouble with rashes, allergies, swelling, or atherosclerosis add garlic to your meals whenever possible. GINGEROL – The root of the ginger plant has its own very special FoodTrient called […]
It’s hot out there! Just a small change in dehydration is enough to affect mood, ability to concentrate, and the development of headaches. We all know water is good for us and that we should probably drink more of it. So why, then, do Americans find it so difficult to sip from what is arguably the fountain of youth? Answers vary, but the fact is, one in 10 Americans drinks zero cups of water per day, according to a study by Dr. Alyson Goodman, a medical epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Zero. She suspects that those who […]
I have to admit that a fruit known as ‘soursop’ does not sound very appetizing. Plus, its spiky green skin makes it appear slightly dangerous. But an important part of writing this blog is to introduce you to new and interesting foods that help promote health and well-being. I have (and probably will again) written blogs about ‘Ten Top Foods for Reducing Inflammation’ or ‘The Nutritional Benefits of Citrus Fruit’. These are important and useful topics. But I am always on the lookout for unique foods, topics and trends that you won’t find just anywhere. Soursop, also known as guanabana, […]
Interested in an extract packed with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immune-boosting, cardiovascular protecting benefits? Have you ever heard of pycnogenol? If not, you should learn about this pine bark extract with the tongue twister name that is gaining popularity in the supplement industry and is surely a compound to pay attention to as research continues to emerge. Is it safe yet? Are there any indications against using it? What are the potential benefits? Read on to learn more about pycnogenol. Antioxidants including flavonoids, catechins, phenolic acids and proanthocyanidins abound in this extract. These compounds are a wide-spread part of the human diet, […]
I originally came up with this concept for FoodTrients when I was writing a magazine column for people over 50. The magazine is called Life After 50 and my column was called “Eating Well Over 50.” I wrote it for six months and it got me started cooking again and taking photographs for my first cookbook (The Age GRACEfully Cookbook). I know that people are busy and while they want food that tastes good and is good for them, they don’t have a lot of time. So I created recipes that are easy to make AND delicious. Almost every single one […]
For those of us who grew up in Southeast Asia, big, savory breakfasts were the norm. A popular breakfast staple was smoked fish with scrambled eggs and tomato salad. Fried rice, fried eggs, sausages called longaniza (a bit like Spanish chorizo), and rice porridge with fish or meatballs were also regularly on the menu in most homes, but not in mine. My father, who was a physician and very health-conscious, always ate plain oatmeal, and he insisted we eat it, too, without berries, bananas or raisins. We reluctantly complied, but today I am grateful for all of my father’s health […]
Sometimes I like to have fun with my guests and serve them something a little out of the ordinary. I enjoy seeing skepticism turn to pleasure on their faces when I introduce them to a new food they’d never imagine eating, but once they try it, they enjoy. Prickly pears, also known as cactus pears, are one of those foods. It’s the fruit of the opuntia cactus, which is the one with the paddle-like leaves (also edible, but more on that later). Prickly pears are popular in Mexico, South and Central America, around the Mediterranean and South Africa. In this […]




