May 22, 2023

Veggie Quesadillas Are a Healthy, Tasty Meal

Vegetable Quesadillas Quesadillas have a reputation for being unhealthy. It’s true that they can be very high in fat and calories but it is possible to lighten up this classic dish. Cheese is still required to hold the tortillas together, but now you can get creative by adding high-fiber, detoxifying protein and antioxidant-rich vegetables for more nutrients. Spinach and beans create a heartier and more filling base while spicy salsa and creamy avocado add flavor and texture. For a quick, healthy dinner or lunch this quesadilla recipe features convenience foods that are common pantry staples. Next time you need dinner […]
May 22, 2023

Velvety Vegan Chocolate Mousse

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, […]
May 10, 2023

Sweet Potato and Jackfruit Delight

This dessert is very popular in Asia. Jackfruit, one of the world’s largest tree fruits, is very high in antioxidants and has a mild tropical taste. You can find it fresh in some markets and canned in Asian markets. Be sure to get ripe jackfruit which is yellow in color. Coconut milk helps hydrate the skin and keep it elastic. Sweet potatoes are packed with carotenoids and potassium.   SERVES 6-8 Ingredients ¼ cup tapioca 2 cups water 1 can (8 oz.) jackfruit, drained of syrup 4 cups coconut milk 1 lb. peeled and cubed yellow and orange sweet potatoes […]
April 11, 2023

Green Tea Noodles with Edamame

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 14, 2023

Top 10 Teas for Calming, Sleep, and Anxiety

Going through a stressful time at work or home? Struggling to control your anxiety levels or having troubles falling or staying asleep at night? You could already have a natural remedy right in your kitchen that can make a huge difference: tea! While tea also has properties to calm inflammation, boost energy, or even support the immune system, it can also have a calming effect and help reduce anxiety. While there’s a baseline for self-care during stressful times; lean on your support system, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor, eat a balanced diet, hydrate, focus on sleep, and […]
February 25, 2023

We’re Crazy for This Coconut Rice Cake

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 […]
January 30, 2023

Try Buffalo Sliders with Sweetened Cranberries

  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

Baobab Butter Squares

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 and gut health. Yields 12 […]
August 30, 2022

India’s Lassi Gets a New Twist with Soursop

Soursop (Guanabana) Lassi From my first book, The Age GRACEFULLY Cookbook, here is an easy and delicious beverage featuring guanabana. Called, Soursop Lassi, it’s essentially a lassi drink from India made with yogurt and a pinch of salt. Mango lassi is very popular in Indian restaurants. I put a South American spin on the healthful drink by using guanabana in place of the mango. Guanabana provides antioxidants, immune-boosting vitamin C and riboflavin. Yogurt has beneficial probiotics that aid digestion and gut health. Learn more about the benefits of soursop here. You can find frozen guanabana pulp in Latin markets. Ingredients […]