April 23, 2024

What’s Up Wok? Tofu & Vegetable Stir Fry

Tofu and Vegetable Stir-Fry Tofu is an excellent alternative to meat, and this stir-fry will provide you with plenty of health-boosting vegetables. Broccoli is a good source of lutein, a hedge against macular degeneration. Cauliflower and kale have phytonutrients that protect against cancer. I use a wok to prepare this dish, but a large skillet will work, too. The tofu doesn’t have to be fried first, but frying gives it a nice texture. SERVES 2-4 Ingredients 1 package (8 oz.) firm tofu 6 Tbs. peanut oil 1 Tbs. grated gingerroot 2 Tbs. minced garlic 1 cup baby carrots 1 cup […]
April 9, 2024

Brazil Nut Tarts Are Detoxing and Delicious

Brazil Nut Tarts 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 […]
January 29, 2024

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 […]
September 24, 2023

Vegetarian Stir-Fried Annatto Noodles

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 […]
September 10, 2023

Blueberry Hemp Smoothie Is a Beauty Tonic

Blueberry Hemp Milk Smoothies Hemp is the natural fiber from the stalk of a cannabis plant. Hemp seeds and the hemp milk made from them are beneficial to your skin. The Omega-3 fatty acids in hemp seeds help keep skin hydrated and reduce inflammation. Blueberries have tons of antioxidant power and contain protective anthocyanins. Together hemp milk and blueberries make a superfood smoothie. SERVES 2 Ingredients 2 cups hemp milk 2 cups fresh blueberries 1 banana Crushed ice (optional) Procedure Combine the hemp milk, blueberries, and banana in a blender and mix until smooth, about 1 minute. For a cold […]
July 4, 2023

8 Steps To Self-Check for Skin Cancer

Here’s the good news: melanoma and other skin cancers may show visible signs. Learn how to spot the risk signals by using this self-check guide. The rate of melanoma cases is on the rise. At least 90,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year alone. Keep in mind that melanoma and other skin conditions may show some visible signs. If you’re tuned in, those visual clues can be helpful for a diagnosis. The Skin Cancer Foundation says you should do a head-to-toe exam of your skin every month. You’ll want to look for new or changing lesions that may be cancerous or pre-cancerous. […]
February 25, 2023

How to Choose Safer Beauty Products

Big changes start with small actions, including what you put on your face and body. That’s the fundamental principle behind Protect Our Breasts (POB, protectourbreasts.org), a nonprofit educational initiative based at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. POB’s young women ambassadors, clad in the organization’s signature green scarves and led by Executive Director Cynthia Barstow, personify a singular mission: to reduce rates of breast cancer and other diseases linked to toxin exposure from everyday products and choices. Knowing that early-life habits lead to lasting patterns, POB spreads its message through college and community outreach events, arming others—especially young women and men—with […]
February 14, 2023

The Top 50 Foods for Beautiful, Healthy Skin

As winter continues, dry, red, flaky skin abounds in the cold weather. The good news is that diet plays a major role in supporting your skin health. Foods that are good for your skin help to hydrate and guard from environmental damage. Beneficial foods contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in addition to being hydrating and supporting wound healing. Here is the ultimate FoodTrients® list of the top 50 foods for your skin with a holistic view of the many factors that support our largest organ. 1. Arugula This bitter veggie contains nutrients critical for the skin. Arugula is actually a […]
July 30, 2022

What is a FoodTrient?

The inspiration for my empowering FoodTrients program—this website, the cookbook, my board of advisors—really came from my father.  He was a physician and he had a way of looking at food as though it could heal us.  He understood the value of the vitamins and minerals found in fresh foods and how those elements could influence our health.  Foods like organic fruits and vegetables, wild fish, and humanely raised animals have so many good things in it: antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, anti-inflammatory agents, fiber, and anti-bacterial compounds.  I needed to come up with a term to encompass the […]