August 12, 2024

This Berry Salad Is Colorful AND Refreshing

Aztec Berry Salad With Chia Dressing The Aztecs recorded using chia seeds as far back as 1540. This colorful and refreshing salad is perfect for summer afternoons and evenings. Serve this salad as a starter, side dish, or light summer meal. Benefits: Chia seeds provide energy in the form of healthy fats (including anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids) and plant-based protein. Fresh, seasonal berries provide a concentrated source of beneficial antioxidants such as vitamin C and anthocyanins, which improve capillary function in the brain, eyes, and skin. SERVES 4 Ingredients For the salad 2 cups (packed) roughly chopped baby spinach 1 […]
May 7, 2024

This Asparagus Dish Shines with Citrus

Citrusy Asparagus Asparagus is a finicky vegetable. It must be very fresh and picked early in the season or it will have woody stalks. Don’t cut the dry ends of the stalks. Instead, bend the stalks until the dry ends break off. Otherwise you risk serving chewy, inedible asparagus parts that your guests won’t enjoy. This citrusy side dish can be served hot or cold and is good cut up and served in a salad. Serves 4-6 Ingredients 2 lbs. asparagus spears, ends snapped off 4 Tbs. orange juice 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice ½ tsp. sea salt or salt […]
March 12, 2024

Argentinian Chimichurri Salmon

This salmon dish is a great way to use fresh herbs, which provide a multitude of nutrients, including detoxifying chlorophyll. The salmon has heart-healthy fats. Chimichurri is a traditional Argentinian sauce of fresh herbs, much like an Italian pesto, but without the cheese or nuts. Feel free to play around with the herbs you have on hand, but we find cilantro, basil and mint pair deliciously with baked salmon! YIELDS 4 SERVINGS Ingredients For the chimichurri sauce: 3 cloves garlic 1/4 red onion 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves 1/2 […]
June 6, 2023

Lemon Herb Bean Soup

Soup isn’t just for winter anymore! This hearty, flavorful soup features anti-inflammatory ingredients balanced with fiber for gut health, protein and healthy fats. Plenty of fresh and dried herbs and spices liven up the flavor as beans take the center stage in this dish. Blending part of the soup helps it maintain a complex texture while taking on a creaminess. Soup makes wonderful leftovers as flavors mingle over time. It also freezes well so it is perfect for weekend batch cooking and planning ahead for busy weekends ahead. Enjoy this light, healthy soup this spring. SERVES 6 Ingredients 2 Tbs. […]
January 30, 2023

Want to Detox? Try These Top 10 Cleansing Foods!

I love to cook and entertain, especially during the holidays, but this holiday season challenged us all to celebrate differently with Zoom parties, staying at home, and social distancing. For me, baking is a great way to de-stress, and because I believe in indulging friends and family with delicious food, drink and desserts, this year I made my mother’s recipe for fruitcake and my own recipe for biscotti and had them delivered. After a couple of months of holiday meals and baking up a storm, I am ready to start 2022 with a “clean” slate. That calls for some detoxing. […]
July 30, 2022

North African Freekeh

Ancient grains are trending, so you have probably heard of the roasted young (green) wheat called freekeh (pronounced free-kuh). This grain and the dishes made with it are from North Africa. In this recipe, I’ve combined it with savory garlic, fresh lemon, mint, sweet dates and nourishing chopped kale for a well-rounded side-dish full of flavor. Freekeh can be found in Whole Foods and other health-food stores or online. Benefits: Freekeh is packed with fiber and protein, so it will keep you full and satiated for hours. It also has vitamin B for energy, heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and manganese […]
August 30, 2021

Munch a Bunch of Savory Spinach!

This quick and easy spinach recipe is the perfect way to prepare the best tasting side dish around. Buy spinach in bunches to cut down on plastic packaging then sauté it with some simple herbs and spices for the most flavorful preparation. When you need a break from green salads or want a warm dish in colder weather, cooking spinach is a perfect way to get nutrients and antioxidants. Garlic, lemon juice and fresh capers add an unexpected zest and richness to a simple veggie dish. Spinach has protein; folate, which promotes healthy skin, hair, and eyes; lutein, which may […]
June 23, 2020

Strawberry Hempseed Kale Salad

A simple massaged kale salad gets an anti-inflammatory boost from antioxidant-rich strawberries and essential fatty acids from hemp seeds. This is an easy make-ahead salad that can be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days, eaten as a side dish or on its own topped with a lean protein. Chef Notes: -If using baby kale, you do not need to massage the leaves as they are already tender. -Extra vinaigrette will store in the fridge for 5 days in an airtight container. SERVES 2-4 Ingredients For the salad: 1 bunch of curly green kale, de-stemmed and roughly chopped into pieces […]
July 9, 2019

Lemon Balm Is the ‘Bomb’ for Stress

Stress comes in so many forms and affects the body in different ways. There’s emotional stress, schedule or time-related stress, work or school related pressure, and even stress on the body from environmental toxins or other damage. A lot of this is unavoidable – it’s part of daily life – and the body has ways to adapt to it but if stress builds up, it can lead to disease, inflammation and unbalanced hormones. There are ways to help the body naturally adapt to stress in all forms and the powerful herb lemon balm has been used for centuries for this […]