August 30, 2023

Age-Fighting Quercetin Is Anti-Inflammatory

Quercetin (pronounced kwer-suh-tin) has been in the news recently, and for good reason. This yellow pigment is a flavonoid that occurs in apples, grape skin, red onions, and green tea. While quercetin’s presence in foods has long been recognized, it has only been lately that some of its remarkable effects have come to light. Quercetin’s recently discovered properties include protective effects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, allergies and immune dysfunction — all of which, if prevented, could help improve or extend life. For life extensionists, however, the most exciting research involves the use of quercetin as a potential treatment for aging. […]
June 20, 2023

Mamma Mia! Chia Frescas!

Aguas frescas are popular, refreshing fruit drinks found in Mexico. Some roadside vendors add chia seeds to their drinks for extra texture. When soaked, the seeds develop a soft outer coating, somewhat like tapioca. Chia seeds add more than just a textural dimension to fruit drinks; they also provide detoxifying fiber and the anti-inflammatory omega-3s. Their nutty flavor goes well with peach tea and strawberry lemonade. They’re also nice mixed into sweetened green tea. SERVES 2 Ingredients 2 Tbs. white chia seeds 1/2 cup water 3 sliced strawberries 2 Tbs. lemon juice (about 1 lemon) 2 Tbs. agave nectar or […]
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

Try Buffalo Sliders with Sweetened Cranberries

  I chose buffalo meat because it’s almost always raised on grass. Grass-fed meat (whether it’s buffalo, steer, or lamb) is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, lower in omega-6 fatty acids, and leaner overall. Dark red fruits like cranberries really complement red meat, so I decided to work them into the burger patties. Note:  If you can’t find bison meat, you can use any grass-fed meat or even ground turkey for this recipe. For an optional topping, you can make a goat-cheese spread to top the burgers by mixing 1/4 cup goat cheese with 1/2 tsp. of roasted garlic, 1/2 […]
September 25, 2022

Whole-Wheat Garlic Noodles

This is basically an algio e olio (garlic and oil) recipe made more healthful with whole-wheat pasta, which ensures you get detoxifying fiber and disease-preventing selenium. The garlic and olive oil provide anticancer and anti-inflammatory benefits. I serve these noodles with my Whitefish with Turmeric. Serves 2-4 Ingredients 6 cups water 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 lb. whole-wheat noodles 2 Tbs. olive oil 2 Tbs. chopped garlic Instructions 1. Boil the water in a large stockpot with the salt and garlic powder. 2. Add the noodles and cook to desired tenderness. Drain and set aside. 3. Heat […]
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 […]
July 19, 2022

Oatmeal-Date Cookies

I love classic American oatmeal cookies, and Moroccan elements like dates and cardamom make them more interesting and healthier. These treats require less butter and sugar than regular recipes because of the natural sweetness dates provide. This recipe, found in my latest cookbook Anti-Aging Dishes from Around the World, uses whole-wheat flour in addition to all-purpose for a boost of fiber and nutrients while maintaining a soft texture. Benefits: Dates are full of detoxifying fiber and also offer B vitamins for building blood cells, potassium for strong bones, and iron for healthy red blood cells. Adding oats to your cookies […]
July 6, 2022

Aztec Berry Salad with Lemon 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 cup fresh strawberries, sliced 1 cup […]
May 31, 2022

Tandoori Spice Mix

This spice blend from India gives an exotic twist to summer barbeques! Shake it onto beef, lamb, chicken, shrimp or swordfish before grilling. Benefits: The spices in this mix act as powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatories (especially ginger and turmeric which is enhanced by black pepper), antibacterials, and antiseptics (nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon). Cumin may even have potential antidepressant or anti-anxiety properties. Yields about 2/3 cup Ingredients 3 Tbs. ground ginger 3 Tbs. ground coriander seeds 1 Tbs. ground cumin 2 Tbs. Hungarian or Spanish paprika 1 Tbs. ground black pepper 2 tsp. sea salt 1½ tsp. ground turmeric 1½ tsp. ground […]