June 2, 2020

Serving Up Desserts With a Wonderfully Worldly Flair

Who doesn’t love dessert? It’s always nice to punctuate the end of a meal with something sweet. There are treats from all over the world that put a refreshing spin on what we usually consider for dessert. Although most desserts have their fair share of sweeteners, such as sugar or honey, there are other ingredients that provide FoodTrients and enhance a healthy diet. From Iran: A Persian Dessert Delight Persians really know their desserts! Also known as Persian Date Cake, ranginak is a traditional no-bake Persian dessert that’s delicious served with black tea. To make it even more decadent, serve […]
June 20, 2018

Liver Recovers Faster On Low-Sugar

Liver damage caused by diet high in fat, sugar and cholesterol may be difficult to reverse even if the diet is generally improved, a new study shows. The damage can also lead to more serious health problems, such as cirrhosis or even cancer, the study says. For more significant liver recovery, the intake of sugar has to come down, probably along with other improvements in diet and exercise, said Donald Jump, a professor at Oregon State University in US. Researchers found that diets low in fat and cholesterol could, in fact, help with weight loss, improved metabolism and health. But, […]
October 17, 2017

Another Delicious Reason To Love Nuts

I’m nuts about nuts, but some of them are better for us than others. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and pecans are all great for helping to control blood sugar. Nuts may be small in size and have relatively high levels of calories and fat, but they are nutrient dense. They are full of protein, unsaturated (healthy) fat, vitamins and fiber. These factors help keep blood sugar levels low. Healthful as they are, nuts are high in calories, so it’s a good idea to substitute nuts for high-carbohydrate foods, such as croutons or pretzels. Sprinkle them on yogurt and salads, or nibble […]
September 6, 2017

Try Tropical Tarts with Coconut Crust

If you love ginger, this one’s for you, especially if you use the greater amount. Ingredient tip: Look for high-fiber coconut flour in the baking section of your natural market. To make the crust gluten free, use an all-purpose gluten free flour blend, such as Bob’s Red Mill’s Gluten Free 1-to-1 Baking Flour. *Yogurt Cream Blend: 1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt, 1 tsp. vanilla extract, and 2 Tbs. honey. Makes 1/2 cup. **Citrus Glaze: Combine 3/4 cup fresh orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and 3/4 cup honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce […]
October 18, 2015

Cherimoya Circles Full of Flavor

A tropical American fruit, cherimoyas are popular in the Southern hemisphere and Spain. In Britain they’re called custard apples which aptly describes their texture and flavor. Cherimoyas can be purchased online from Amazon.com or melissas.com and need to be allowed to ripen until soft before using. The black seeds are poisonous when crushed, so be sure to discard them. Cherimoyas offer vitamin B6—an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, vitamin C, iron, and riboflavin for cell energy. These small, candy-like balls have a custardy flavor. Since many people have never tried cherimoyas, I like to serve them this way at parties as […]
December 19, 2012

What’s for Dessert? FoodTrient Favorites

The holidays always call for plenty of desserts. Whether I’m throwing a party, giving gifts of food, or reliving holidays past through sweet treats, desserts are integral to my life this month. I’ll share a few of my favorite recipes with you. Every year I host a Christmas caroling party at my home. Choirs from churches all over the area stop by to sing in my living room. Sometimes a Filipino celebrity or two will perform. My guests just love it. I like to put out a dinner buffet so that the choirs have something to eat before they go […]