January 12, 2022

Coconut Chai Oatmeal

  Lighten up your oatmeal and create a new breakfast ritual with flavorful chai and coconut blended with nutritious cholesterol-lowering whole oats. If you think that whole rolled oats take too  long to make, think again! Instant oats lack the amount of gut-friendly fiber found in unprocessed oats, so finding an easy way to prep the whole version is important. A favorite flavor generally added to oats is classic brown sugar or maple syrup which can equal a lot of added sugar to your morning. By using ripe bananas and vanilla extract, this dish is naturally sweet and quick to […]
January 3, 2022

Stir-Fried Korean Glass Noodles

Korean glass noodles are made from sweet potato starch. Gluten-free and low-calorie, they have a springy texture and a neutral flavor. In Korean BBQ restaurants, this dish is known as Jap Chae or sometimes Chap Chae. In this recipe, I jazz them up with marinated meat, stir-fry vegetables, eggs, and a sesame sauce. By cooking and assembling the noodles, meat, vegetables, and eggs, this becomes a perfect party dish: your guests can toss together exactly what they want. Traditionally, these noodles are served with a scrambled egg on top, but you can omit it. You can use chicken or tofu […]
January 3, 2022

Kale-Cashew Pesto

Cashews are a sweet nut that helps to balance the sharpness of kale. I use Tuscan kale, which is mild and tender. It’s also called lactinato kale, black kale, or cavolo nero. This pesto is wonderful tossed with pasta, quinoa, roasted potatoes, or even spread on sandwiches. This recipe is from The Age Beautifully Cookbook, and it’s loaded with antioxidants, which prevent and repair oxidative damage to cells caused by free radicals. Kale is practically a wonder drug, with all its disease-preventing indoles (sulfur compounds), immune-boosting carotenoids, quercetin, vitamin C, and a bonus helping of bone-building calcium. Olive oil is […]
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 […]
August 26, 2021

Pomegranate Iced Tea

Combining antioxidant-rich pomegranates with the catechins in black tea gives your body extra free-radical-fighting power to combat aging. If pomegranates are too tart for your taste, you can sweeten this tea with honey or use pre-sweetened pomegranate juice. For a stronger drink, stir a teaspoon of instant iced tea into the pomegranate juice. SERVES 2 Ingredients 2 black tea bags 1 cup hot water 1 cup pomegranate juice 2–4 Tbs. honey (optional) 1 cup ice cubes Pomegranate seeds and slices as garnish Procedure 1. In a pitcher, steep the tea bags in hot water for 3 minutes. Remove bags. 2. […]
August 6, 2021

Take a Dip into These Aiolis from Around the World

An aioli is a French dipping sauce, a garlicky mayonnaise, that works wonderfully well whether you’re dipping French fries, steamed artichoke leaves, or shrimp. It can be spread on sandwiches or used as a thick salad dressing. It’s also quite versatile, able to take on a wide variety of spices to create an array of global dips and spreads. Here is my basic aioli recipe and quite a few global variations on the French theme. Basic French Aioli I use mayonnaise as my aioli base because it’s faster and easier than emulsifying the egg yolks with oil myself. Hellmann’s (a.k.a. […]
July 28, 2021

Ashitaba Potato Salad

Potato salad is a great way to showcase ashitaba leaves. These healthful leaves, grown in Japan and Southeast Asia, are often dried, ground and taken as a dietary supplement. I grow my own ashitaba plants here in Southern California and I like to eat them fresh. The dark green leaves taste like spinach or sweet kale. But if you can’t find fresh ashitaba leaves, this potato salad is delicious without them. I like to use fingerling potatoes, but you can use small white new potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes instead. I prefer the French haricot vert variety of green bean, […]
June 17, 2021

Quinoa with Tasty Early Summer Herbs

People often don’t use enough herbs with their grains. In the quantity here, herbs work like another vegetable
May 24, 2021

Moroccan Brownie Bites

You won’t believe these brownie bites are completely raw, vegan, and fruit-based! This recipe blends Medjool dates from Morocco with walnuts and cocoa powder to create a rich, chocolate treat that’s perfect for a special occasion, party, or holiday. Roll these bites in nuts or other toppings if you do not care for coconut—the possibilities are endless. Benefits: Dates contain fiber, which lowers blood cholesterol, and potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure and is an important electrolyte. Walnuts contain fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E, which supports healthy brain function. Cocoa is full of catechins that can […]