Strength

STRENGTH

The strength icon indicates recipes that build bones, muscles, and joints. FoodTrients that promote strength help build bone density and repair tissue.

Recipes that build strength are below. To learn more about how to build your strength, click the icon.
March 12, 2024

American Stew Is the Perfect Comfort Food

American Stew This tasty stew is the perfect comfort food. It’s easy to make whether you’re staying at home or out all day. I like to use bison or grass-fed beef because these meats are better for the environment and for our health. When bison or cows eat grass instead of corn, their meat is higher in omega-3 fatty acids than conventionally raised animals. It’s a win-win. Benefits Bison, like beef, contains protein, vitamins, and minerals such as copper, which forms collagen for skin, bone, and joint health; iron, which helps transport oxygen throughout the body; and phosphorous, which helps […]
December 19, 2023

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 […]
October 11, 2023

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 30, 2023

Ramp Up the Flavor with Wild Boar Kebabs

Wild boar has more flavor than tame pork. It has to be tenderized a bit, but that’s easily accomplished with an onion-juice marinade. You can use pork or beef medallions instead of boar and any type of cubed vegetables. BENEFITS: Wild boar (and therefore pork) has protein and lysine for building muscle, bone, and blood. It also contains phosphorus for nerve and muscle function and vitamin B12 for protecting nerves and brain cells. Yields: about 6 skewers   Ingredients 1 lb. wild boar medallions or pork tenderloin 1/2 cup each cubed white onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper […]
August 16, 2023

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 […]
July 31, 2023

Summer Dishes Up Veracruz Street Corn Bowl

Veracruz Street Corn Bowl Mexican street corn (maíz callejero) is roasted ears slathered with chile powder and mayonnaise. My version treats the corn with a lighter touch, calorically speaking, and includes black beans, brown rice, and the crunch of Romaine and jicama. Benefits: Black beans contain protein, tissue-repairing lysine, vitamin B-6 for producing energy, calcium for building strong bones, and collagen-building zinc. Corn provides zinc, eye-healthy lutein, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that fights free-radical damage in your cells. Brown rice is full of fiber for gut health as well as beneficial trace minerals. Serves 4 Ingredients […]
July 18, 2023

Tropical Grilled Chicken with Mango-Habanero Salsa

      Chicken breasts are the perfect vehicle for zesty tropical flavors. Calamansi is a citrus hybrid also known as Philippine lime. It’s popular in Asian (especially Southeast Asian, Malaysian, and Indonesian) cuisines. If you can’t find it in an Asian market, you can use more traditional limes or lime juice. My Tropical Mango Habanero Salsa is not just good with chips, it’s also delicious over grilled chicken (or even steak or shrimp). You can serve this dish alongside my Jamaican Rice with Curried Corn, which is another delicious recipe in my new cookbook, Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the […]
August 30, 2022

Asian Chicken Salad with a Tasty Twist

In my version of Chinese chicken salad, I use mangoes instead of Mandarin oranges. The base of the dressing is a bottled sweet chili sauce. The crispy noodles, though not very healthy, are fun in moderation. Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which helps keep your appetite in check and maintain muscle mass. Cabbage contains indoles and isothiocyanates (sulfur compounds), both of which have anticancer potential. Vitamins C and A in mangoes fight inflammation and support immune function.. Serves 4 Ingredients 1 cup peanuts (raw or roasted), separated into halves ¼ cup olive oil 2 cups shredded Napa […]
July 30, 2022

Tokyo Garlic-Miso Vegetables

Roasting vegetables is one of the easiest ways to add more nutrient-dense foods to your diet. This dish’s blend of summer and year-round produce is tossed in an immune-boosting garlic miso sauce for added nutrition and delicious flavor. Miso is a thick paste made from fermented soybeans. Sometimes called miso paste or miso soybean paste, it can be found in any Asian grocery, or in the international section of mainstream grocery stores. You can use either white (mild) or red (stronger) miso. In Tokyo, they prefer the stronger red or brown varieties. Benefits: Miso is high in protein and rich […]
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 […]
June 7, 2022

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 and lowers blood […]
May 31, 2022

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. finely chopped red onion 1 […]
May 4, 2022

Deviled Eggs — Lightened Up!

Deviled eggs are everyone’s favorite party appetizer but loaded with mayonnaise, can be a caloric bomb. Lighten up a classic treat by subbing mayo for protein-packed low-fat Greek yogurt, dropping a couple of yolks (but keeping the majority!) and adding mustard, dried dill and smoked paprika for an unexpected burst of flavor. Eggs are loaded with protein for strength, and choline for brain health. This recipe is quick and very easy, using common household ingredients so next time you need the perfect appetizer, on-the-go snack or after-school dish, whip up a batch of Deviled Eggs – Lightened Up! Serves 6 […]