I just recently read a survey that the average person gains approximately 5 pounds during the holiday season. I don’t know if it’s one hundred percent accurate but if you’re worried about being part of that statistic, don’t despair. Here’s my holiday gift to you on how to avoid weight gain over the next few weeks! Below are 15 easy, all-natural tips you can use right now to stay slim, healthy and joyful through the holidays and into the New Year: 1) Don’t leave home hungry If you show up at a holiday party feeling absolutely ravenous, you are likely […]
It’s time to admit it, when it comes to holiday dinners, the side dishes are really the best part. A moist piece of turkey is delicious, and we can’t knock a juicy ham, but the true joy in our bellies comes from the tasty side dishes like savory stuffing and creamy green bean casserole. Unfortunately, a lot of those dishes tend to be forbidden territory for folks on a gluten-free diet. But fear not! There are loads of mouth-watering gluten-free holiday side dishes to make your dinner as warm and satisfying as your holidays! Here are a few ideas for […]
I love turkey. My mother always prepared it for holidays. Most of my friends and family like turkey, too, so they’re happy with the big roasted bird. But I know a number of people who don’t want or need to cook a whole bird. So, if you’re looking for ideas for less turkey and more flavor, I’ve got some tasty turkey recipes for you that will make this Thanksgiving extra special. Like most Americans, Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. As much as I adore Christmas, you don’t have the pressure of finding perfect gifts or getting to […]
They arrive in a corner of the produce section each fall. Or maybe they adorn your neighbor’s tree like small, orange lanterns. Beautiful, smooth, flame-skinned persimmons. I have 10 persimmon trees on my farm near San Diego and look forward to harvesting and eating them every year. What to do with them? Actually, persimmons are quite versatile in every course and meal occasion. Sometimes you’ll see them on the menus of high-end restaurants paired with poultry, chutneys, desserts and salads for seasonal specialties. Their vibrant color and nutritional benefits are a festive kick-off to the holiday season. Persimmons were […]
Put down the fork. Step away from the buffet table. UC Davis nutrition expert Liz Applegate wants us to think about exactly what we’re shoveling down our throats. Not just to lose weight but to protect our brains. “Brain food is real and it really does matter,” said Applegate, an author, professor and director of sports nutrition at UC Davis. She’s an advocate of the MIND diet, a combination of two long-studied diets that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. We talked with her recently about so-called “brain foods,” their impact on […]
Pumpkins and Squash Have Souper Powers. You may only associate pumpkins with Halloween, but fresh pumpkins are available from October through February. They contain large amounts of potassium (33 percent more than a medium banana) and beta carotene without a boat-load of calories—49 per cup mashed. The high amounts of potassium in pumpkins works with sodium to balance the amount of water in the body. A diet high in potassium helps keep blood pressure at a healthy level and assists with the prevention of strokes. Pumpkins contain more than 2400 mcg of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which are important […]
Rosemary Apple Dessert Bars Cookies and pies abound during the winter holidays so why not mix things up with naturally sweet apple bars as a unique alternative? The crumbly top offers a familiar texture while the presence of rosemary and lemon blended with apples provides a flavor profile your guests won’t be expecting. Use a tart, firm apple like Fuji or Granny Smith. Cut these bars up and gift them in a festive tin or on a plate wrapped with a bow to celebrate time together with family and friends in a healthier way and without another trip to the […]
I like to frequently use an ancient Socrates quote to my patients when I try to drive home the importance of eating the right foods to both preserve and heal their health. The saying, roughly, goes, “Let your food be your medicine” and with these 2 nutritional powerhouses, that I’m going to tell you about here, old Socrates couldn’t be closer to the truth. These 2 simple foods are quinoa – an ancient super-grain – and the beautiful kale plant. They not only taste great but I’m going to tell you how they can actually save your life. The Amazing Health Benefits […]
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 […]
The fall and winter seasons, combined with the upcoming holidays, mean the re-emergence of those comforting classic dishes: Mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and a plethora of pastries. Many of the typical comfort foods are filled with calories and fat, plus the potential to overeat these dishes during the colder seasons is always tempting; but if you’re smart about it, you don’t have to deprive yourself, said Karen Bright, adult and youth nutrition outreach instructor for the WVU Extension Service. “The biggest thing people have problems with that I’ve noticed is portion size,” she said. “During the holidays and colder […]










