DISEASE PREVENTION
FoodTrients with disease-preventing characteristics are those that reduce risk factors for common degenerative and age-related diseases like heart trouble, high cholesterol, and cancer.
Recipes that include disease-preventing ingredients are below.
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June 6, 2023
Edit Edit date and time These squares are like lemon bars but made with antioxidant-rich baobab. Baobab is an African fruit that has a powdery texture. You can buy it from Amazon or you can use fresh lemon juice (3 Tbs.) or lemon zest (1 Tbs.) instead of the baobab powder. Feel free to substitute gluten-free flour for the wheat-based flour. BENEFITS: Baobab is a good source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that appears to guard against heart disease and stroke and also protects the skin from the aging effects of ultraviolet rays. It contains fiber, which helps with detoxification […]
May 22, 2023
Chocolatey, rich mousse is a perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day or any time of the year, really. Heart-healthy compounds abound in cocoa, so a lightened-up, vegan version of this classic recipe will benefit you and the ones you share it with. Many mousse recipes use chocolate chips for flavor, but this one features pure baking cocoa for an antioxidant punch and tangy bitterness to balance the sweetness of the syrup. Using vanilla almond or soy milk as well as vanilla extract offers depth in flavor aside from pure chocolate. Be sure to garnish with fresh strawberries or cherries for texture, […]
April 24, 2023
This side dish pairs well with chicken or beef or game meats. You can use almost any variety of mushrooms in any combination. I leave the small mushrooms whole because they look nicer that way, but you can chop them if you prefer. Mushrooms contain selenium, an antioxidant that boosts immune function and reduces cancer risk. Beta glucans in mushrooms boost the immune system. Mushrooms are also a good source of vitamin D, for strong bones. You can learn more about the incredible benefits of mushrooms in my blog on Miraculous Mushrooms. Serves 2-4 Ingredients 1 cup shiitake mushrooms 1 […]
April 11, 2023
Green tea, with its powerful theaflavins, is a strong antioxidant with vigorous anti-inflammatory properties, a heart-healthy addition to anyone’s diet. Green tea is wonderful to drink on its own, but it also can be incorporated into recipes. I use an old Asian trick for mixing more green tea into your diet with my Green Tea Noodles with Edamame. It’s an easy and budget-friendly recipe. Just boil soba, udon, or ramen noodles in green tea instead of water. Green tea has far more age-fighting power than water. If you want to eat these noodles cold, rinse them in cold water after […]
March 28, 2023
These tarts, with their hint of lime and rich texture, take Brazil nuts to a new level. Brazil nuts are full of detoxifying selenium and protein, as well as hearty-healthy omega-3s, which help to keep your skin elastic and hydrated and help to reduce swelling and redness. I like to make several small tarts from this recipe, but you can make large tarts if you prefer. SERVES 4-8 Ingredients 2 (9-in.) whole-wheat pie crusts 1 can (12 oz.) fat-free evaporated milk 2 Tbs. tapioca flour diluted in 4 Tbsp. water 2 beaten large eggs 2 Tbs. coconut butter 2 Tbs. […]
March 28, 2023
Pickle juice makes a nice poaching liquid, but I’ve found that pickling spices without the vinegar are even better for poaching fish, especially salmon. You can make your own spice mix or you can buy prepackaged pickling salts. I top this poached salmon with my Pecan and Sundried Tomato Tapenade and my Mock Sour Cream. It can be served hot or cold. BENEFITS: Salmon is an excellent source of heart-healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, which can also help improve cognition. Omega-3s beautify your skin by reducing inflammation and enhancing the skin’s ability to retain moisture. SERVES 4 Ingredients 3 cups water […]
March 14, 2023
Think beyond traditional cereals and try this high-protein, high-fiber grain instead. On its own, quinoa is rather bland but if you take the time to spice it up to your liking, it makes a healthy and filling breakfast. Make a batch ahead of time to last for several days; you can simply add some more liquid and heat it up or take it to go with you. This healthful cereal takes minutes to prepare and provides long-lasting energy for your day. YIELD 2 cups of quinoa; 4 breakfast servings 1 cup dry quinoa (rinsed well and drained) 2 […]
February 25, 2023
Eat this chewy cake warm. It’s great plain or drizzled with my berry sauce for extra antioxidant power. Be sure to use the chewy variety of rice flour sometimes called sweet white rice flour or mochiko. You can substitute fresh or frozen blackberries for the boysenberries. You can use gluten-free baking flour instead of the cake flour, and xylitol instead of sugar. Coconut Rice Cake Coconut contains lauric acid, which improves cholesterol balance and protects prostate health. Berries are full of anthocyanins, which inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Serves 6-8 Ingredients 2 eggs (organic, free-range, or omega-3-enriched) ½ cup […]
February 25, 2023
Curries made with turmeric and coconut milk are amazingly heart-healthy. Add some ginger and garlic and your heart and arteries will thank you even more. This dish will help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke because of all of its anti-inflammatory compounds. If you can’t find fresh moringa leaves, you can use green tea powder. To make this a vegan entree, substitute tofu or soybeans for the chicken. Vegan or not, this dish is delicious served over white or brown rice. BENEFITS Curry powder contains curcumin, an anti-inflammatory as powerful as a prescription drug. The fiber in the […]
January 30, 2023
I chose buffalo meat because it’s almost always raised on grass. Grass-fed meat (whether it’s buffalo, steer, or lamb) is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, lower in omega-6 fatty acids, and leaner overall. Dark red fruits like cranberries really complement red meat, so I decided to work them into the burger patties. Note: If you can’t find bison meat, you can use any grass-fed meat or even ground turkey for this recipe. For an optional topping, you can make a goat-cheese spread to top the burgers by mixing 1/4 cup goat cheese with 1/2 tsp. of roasted garlic, 1/2 […]
January 30, 2023
I love the trick of infusing rice or noodles with tea. It really amps up the nutrient value of any dish while adding a nice bit of flavor. Pu-erh tea is fermented, making it even healthier than regular green tea. Traditionally this dish is made with glutinous rice, but I changed it to brown rice for the health benefits. Feel free to use turkey or chicken breast in place of the duck breast. You can find Thai basil at Asian markets and some supermarkets. This comfort food meal pairs well with my California Hempseed Salad with Strawberries and Kale. Benefits: […]
January 3, 2023
These colorful noodles, which are made with my Annatto Oil and Annatto Water, are as delicious as they are healthful. They can be served as a main course, appetizer, or side dish. I use cornstarch noodles, but you can use glass or rice noodles. You can substitute other varieties of mushroom, and almost any cabbage will work–Napa, savoy, bok choy, green, or even red. You can use store-bought vegetable broth instead of homemade. This is a gluten-free dish, so I use tamari sauce instead of soy sauce. Bragg Liquid Aminos provides even more flavor. BENEFITS: Annatto contains vitamin E for […]
October 11, 2022
A twist on the traditional panzanella salad using fall vegetables and homemade whole-grain croutons. This is the perfect salad for adding to your fall harvest table! The sweet potatoes have immune-boosting carotenoids. The Brussels sprouts have disease-preventing sulfur compounds. Ingredients For the roasted vegetables: 3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch cubes 8 Brussels sprouts, halved, ends trimmed and outer leaves removed 4-6 smashed garlic cloves 2 Tbs. olive oil Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste For the croutons: Small loaf of whole grain bread, cut into 1 inch cubes 2 Tbs. olive oil 5 Tbs. […]