March 26, 2020

Radish Salad Rocks For Health

Radishes belong to the same family of vegetables as kale and cabbage and offer some of the same disease-preventing benefits. I use the same simple oil-and-vinegar dressing here as on my Bitter Melon Salad, so both salads can be served together at a picnic or on a buffet. SERVES 2-4 Ingredients 2 daikon radishes or 1 bunch red radishes, stems removed 1 cup seasoned rice vinegar 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 tsp. sea salt 1/4 tsp. white pepper 2 chopped hard-boiled eggs 6-8 sliced grape tomatoes Procedure 1. Slice the radishes very thinly using a […]
August 20, 2019

Super Foods We Should Always Cook With

Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important things you can do to slow down the aging process. This includes eating whole foods, exercising daily, not smoking, and keeping alcohol consumption to a minimum.  Maintaining a healthy weight is right up there too for protecting your body against the threat of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardio vascular disease. When I advise my patients to be mindful of the foods they eat in order to keep them looking and feeling good, I am often asked the same question: “ What are the best foods for me […]
May 28, 2019

Turmeric-Garlic Potato Salad

Potatoes are versatile and packed full of nutrients: a perfect side dish. Think outside the typical, rich potato salad to create this lightened up, non-traditional version. Unexpected flavors including turmeric and tahini blend together in a fresh sauce that complements the roasted flavor of the potatoes. By adding cabbage, this potato salad gets crunchy. Roast these small potatoes with the skin on then serve with a light, tangy, antioxidant-packed sauce for an irresistible side-dish sure to please. The fiber from the veggies and the yogurt’s probiotics lead to good gut health. Serves 6 Ingredients 1 lb. fingerling potatoes, halved lengthwise […]
April 2, 2019

Atchara Pickle

When I was a teenager, my mom and I would make atchara together. Atchara is a sweet-and-sour pickle made with green, unripe papayas and other vegetables. My mom would make florets out of a few carrots because they added beauty and color to the pickle. Eaten with grilled pork or fried fish, it’s considered a national dish of the Philippines. In America, I eat it with BBQ, grilled meat, and smoked fish. Papayas contain papain, an enzyme that helps break down proteins. This is why I sometimes use green papaya as a meat tenderizer. (There is less papain in ripe […]
January 8, 2019

Ostrich (or Turkey) Meatballs

In my family we call these meatballs albondigas. I tweaked this recipe by making the broth out of green tea and using ostrich meat from a local farm. You can use store-bought vegetable broth instead of homemade. You can use it instead of the green tea, but you won’t get the same health benefits. You can use organic or free-range ground chicken or turkey instead of ostrich meat. The benefits include: Green tea leaves are full of catechins, theaflavins, and safranal, which are all cancer killers. Ostrich meat contains copper, riboflavin, and selenium. Copper is a necessary component of collagen […]
November 13, 2018

Celery Root Mashed Potatoes

Celery root (celeriac or knob celery) gets no respect. Sure it’s somewhat ugly, but so are other tubers that grow underground. This mild vegetable is low in carbohydrates, full of fiber, and can pair well with higher-carb vegetables like potatoes. In fact, your guests might not even notice that these mashed potatoes taste any different. Celery root is rich in vitamin K, which helps your blood clot normally (good for your heart, circulation system, and brain). It also has phosphorous, which helps nerves and muscles function properly and strengthens teeth. Potatoes are a surprisingly good source of the skin-protective antioxidant […]
November 13, 2018

Garlicky Green Beans

These green beans are easy to make and can even be prepped a day ahead of time, which makes them perfect for holidays and dinner parties. Marcona almonds make this simple side dish elegant. Green beans contain vitamins A and C. Vitamin A is an antioxidant that boosts immune function and keeps eyes and skin healthy. Vitamin C helps the body resist infection, prevents cataracts, and boosts collagen. SERVES 4-6 Ingredients 1 lb. green beans (about 6 cups), trimmed 2 Tbs. olive oil 2 Tbs. Marcona almonds 2 Tbs. lemon juice 1 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley 1 Tbs. chopped fresh […]
January 3, 2018

Garlic Compound Fights Harmful Bacteria

Findings published on August 29, 2017 in the journal Scientific Reports support the ability of garlic to combat undesirable bacteria. Professor Michael Givskov of the University of Copenhagen and colleagues found that ajoene from garlic interferes with communication systems in the bacteria Staphylococcus aureusand Pseudomonas aeruginosa byinhibiting small regulatory RNA molecules. The sulfur-rich compound also inflicted damage on the bacteria’s protective biofilm, rendering it more susceptible to attack. “The two types of bacteria we have studied are very important,” noted first author Tim Holm Jakobsen of the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Immunology and Microbiology. “They are called Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They actually belong to two […]
June 20, 2017

Garlic and Rosemary White Bean Spread

Garlic and rosemary are two ingredients with powerful nutrient profiles. Garlic has been used for centuries as an anti-microbial agent and for its heart health properties, due to the naturally occurring sulfuric compound allicin. Additionally, rosemary contains compounds that may improve concentration and stimulate the immune system. Together, these Mediterranean flavors blend nicely in this simple white bean spread perfect for sandwiches or crudité platters. YIELDS 2.5 Cups Ingredients 1 3/4 cup cooked cannelloni beans (or 1 can, drained and rinsed) 1/4 cup olive oil, plus additional for topping 2 Tbs. white wine vinegar 6 large garlic cloves, peeled and […]