strength Archives - FoodTrients

March 17, 2025

Published by Grace O

Deliciously Good for Your Gut: Pineapple Black Bean Salsa

Pineapple Black Bean Salsa Party food can most definitely be colorful, delicious, and healthy at the same time. This pineapple black bean salsa is a perfect example. Pineapple, beans, avocado, and other nutrient-dense ingredients combine to create a festive dish that promotes optimal energy levels, digestion, and wellbeing. This dish is also versatile. Try serving it with tortilla chips as an appetizer or use it as a sweet and spicy topping for grilled tofu or fish. Either way, it’s sure to be a hit at your next summer barbecue. Serves 6-8 Ingredients 1 pineapple, peeled and diced (about 2 ½ […]

March 5, 2025

Published by Grace O

This Veggie Soup Is Rich with Antioxidants

Moringa Vegetable Soup In Africa and Asia, where protein-rich moringa plants grow in abundance, people add the tiny leaves to soups and stews just before serving. The leaves are wilted by the hot liquid but are not fully cooked, so their vitamins stay intact. I also like the flavor of moringa combined with antioxidant-rich squash, eggplant, and okra (another African ingredient). For this soup, any smoked fish, such as salmon, can be used. To make this soup vegan, use vegetable stock in place of the chicken stock and omit the fish or fish sauce. To give this soup an Asian […]

July 2, 2024

Published by Grace O

Southwestern Flavors Enhance This Black Bean Salad

Black Bean Salad Black beans and pasilla chiles give this salad a Southwestern flavor, and red rice makes it fun and different. A lime vinaigrette brings it all together. You can use regular wild rice and store-bought corn. Black beans and wild rice both have protein for building muscles, bones, and blood, and fiber for gut health. Red rice also contains anthocyanins, antioxidants that protect the heart. The red pepper adds lots of the antioxidants vitamin A and C, which contribute to healthy, youthful-looking skin. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained ½ cup cooked red rice […]

June 17, 2024

Published by Grace O

It’s a Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chocolate Mousse

Dark Chocolate Mousse It’s hard to imagine, but this vegan version of chocolate mousse offers the same satisfaction as its richer, less healthy sibling. Contributed by my colleague Dr. Lynn Blair, it has all of the same creaminess, the satiny, melt-in-your-mouth pleasure, and the full, no-holds-barred taste you expect from a dense and rich chocolate mousse. And if that’s not enough, just add plenty of great health benefits. Soy contains isoflavones, which help preserve bone density, lower your risk of certain cancers, and may alleviate menopausal symptoms. Dark chocolate has catechins, which are neuroprotective, and theobromine, which improves blood flow […]

June 17, 2024

Published by Grace O

Up Your Game with Grilled Artichokes & Moringa Dip

Grilled Artichokes With Moringa Dip In this tasty appetizer, I pair moringa–which is loaded with strength-building protein, calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, and potassium–with artichokes, which add lutein for eye health and fiber for gut health. I like to steam the artichokes first and finish them on the grill, but you can omit this step to save time. Add other grilled vegetables such as red bell peppers, zucchini, and asparagus to expand on this delicious party food. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 4 artichokes, trimmed and steamed for 30 minutes 2-3 Tbs. olive oil 1 cup olive oil mayonnaise 1 Tbs. […]

April 9, 2024

Published by Grace O

Celebrate with Succulent Rack of Lamb

Garlic and Black Pepper Rack of Lamb Garlic’s many compounds, including allicin, work in tandem to create a relaxing effect on artery walls, keeping them free of excess cholesterol and minimizing inflammation. I use garlic with black pepper and horseradish to spice up this rack of lamb. New Zealand lamb is lower in fat, cooks faster, and is more tender than American varieties such as Colorado lamb. Ingredients New Zealand rack of lamb (about 1 lb.) Sea salt and ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 Tbs. prepared horseradish 1-2 tsp. minced rosemary 1-2 tsp. minced thyme 1-2 […]

November 17, 2023

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Strength-Building Food Is Key to Aging Well

(Learning which foods can help you gain or keep your strength is key to healthy aging. That’s the focus for this last part in our series on the nine benefits, which are at the core of FoodTrients® and all of our recipes. What you eat matters, which is why we’ll explore one of these incredible anti-aging benefits each month and show you how they help fight the diseases of aging.) Building and maintaining strength and vitality is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and graceful aging. Increasing the strength of your muscles, joints, and bones can promote a healthy […]

October 11, 2023

Published by Grace O

Chicken Fajitas Add Festive Flair To Meals

Chicken Fajitas Fajitas are a perfect party or family food because they can be assembled by your diners and the ingredients can be kept hot for an hour or two in a chafing dish. I use three different colors of bell pepper for eye appeal, but you can use only one. You can use other vegetables, such as mushrooms, scallions, zucchini, or even kale, cut long and thin. The cayenne pepper adds a little heat, which you can adjust to your preference. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein. It also has detoxifying selenium as well as lysine, which […]

August 16, 2023

Published by Grace O

Stuffed Petite Peppers Are Perfect Starter

Stuffed Petite Peppers I like to combine the nutty flavor of millet with Canadian bacon and chlorophyll-laced parsley to make a satisfying filling for these cute pepper appetizers. Millet is a protein-rich but under-used whole grain. Gluten-free, it can be cooked like rice and used in place of white rice in many recipes–simply use three parts water to one part grain. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 1/2 cup millet 1 1/2 cups water 4 tsp. olive oil 4 slices Canadian bacon 1/4 cup chopped parsley 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/4 tsp. paprika 1 medium egg white 8-10 mini […]