January 30, 2023

Presto! It’s Pesto To the Rescue

The versatility of pesto can help us all do our very besto when it comes to adding great flavor and big benefits to dishes. Use your imagination and check out the pesto chart along with two of my out-of-the-box pestos that deliver great taste along with powerful nutrients. You can serve these and any favorite pesto over vegetables; pasta; flatbread … whatever you choose! Nettle Pesto At the height of allergy season, incorporating nettles into your meals can be a soothing practice offering relief. With research supporting the use of nettles for seasonal allergies and hay fever, this plant contains […]
October 23, 2022

Simple Health Hacks To Get You on Track

Life can get in the way of you doing the things you know you should do to be healthy. Luckily, there are simple hacks you can try to get back on track and stay there. As a person who prioritizes wellness, you already know you should prioritize healthy foods, stay hydrated, move your body often and get plenty of sleep for optimal health. But following a healthy lifestyle is a juggling act full of distractions and diversions. Sometimes you drop the ball on healthy habits. You may have to work through lunch and end up eating from the vending machine. […]
June 13, 2022

Natural Recipes for Clean Skin Exfoliation

It’s no surprise that skin, the body’s largest organ, requires regular maintenance to be its healthiest—but what’s the secret to success? Exfoliating can create the foundation for a skin-nourishing natural beauty regimen. “Exfoliation is incredibly important for radiant, youthful-looking skin, and I find that women are either not exfoliating enough, or they’re exfoliating incorrectly and irritating or sensitizing their skin,” says Jolene Hart, a certified beauty and healthy coach and author of Eat Pretty (Chronicle, 2014). When done properly, the process removes dead skin cells and supports healthy circulation. But the products you choose—and how often you use them—are key […]
May 28, 2022

Going Green: Eat Green To Improve Your Health

There are dozens of diets that promise better nutrition and rapid weight loss. But the simplest way to improve your health is to make like Kermit & go green. Pistachios They take a little effort to crack open, but pistachios are worth it, as they contain the important brain nutrient vitamin B6 and 18 percent of your daily requirement of thiamine (vitamin B1). Try adding chopped pistachios to chocolate desserts—brownies, ice cream or tarts for color, crunch, flavor and nutrients. Use in a recipe: Warm Pistachio, Chicken, and Hearts of Palm Salad Pumpkin seeds Full of zinc, antioxidant phytonutrients and protein, […]
April 5, 2022

Let’s Talk About Mental Health

Let’s say you twisted your ankle and it’s causing unbearable pain. You’ll likely go to a doctor, who will examine you and probably order an X-ray. If it’s just a sprain, you’ll be advised to apply ice, elevate and stay off it, and you’ll need crutches to get around for a while. If it’s a break, you might get a cast or a brace, or possibly an appointment with a surgeon, and some time off to heal. But what happens when your unbearable pain isn’t visible, can’t easily be explained or diagnosed, and doesn’t have a commonly accepted medical treatment? […]
March 29, 2022

Natural Approaches to Mild Depression

Summary: Antidepressants can significantly help people with major depressive disorders, but they typically offer little relief to people with milder forms of depression. If you’re looking for natural ways to cope with mild depression—or if you’re already on SSRIs and want to complement their effects—consider these nutrients and supplements. The occasional down day and even short stretches of the blues are a natural part of life. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that one-in-ten Americans (people ages 40 to 59 in particular) suffer from depression at one point or another. Seeking help to regain a more positive emotional balance is […]
February 28, 2022

Quinoa-Stuffed Winter Squash

Pine nuts, allspice, and mint give this meat-free entree Middle Eastern flair, but the overall statement is “American harvest.” The entire dish can be prepared up to three hours ahead and reheated just before serving time. Ingredients: 4 small table queen or other acorn squash 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing 2 cups vegetable broth 3/4 Tbs. sea salt, divided 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, divided 1-1/2 tsp. allspice, divided 1 red onion, cut in 1/4-inch dice 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/3 cup dried cranberries 2 cups cooked quinoa 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts or slivered […]
February 1, 2022

Global Grains Recipes Will Bowl You Over

Bring the flavors from around the world into your next bowl. We’ve created five healthy plant-based recipes that each have a whole grain as a base and cultural flavors, for nutritious, balanced meals in a bowl. From grains and veggies to nuts and spices, plant foods reign supreme in cultural dishes across the world. Here we combine five nutritious grains with other vegetarian ingredients in unique ways, each of which celebrates a different delicious cuisine. MIDDLE EASTERN FLAVORS The cuisine of various countries in the Middle East—including Indian, Arab, Israeli, Greek, Persian, Turkish and Armenian food—is diverse, but typically used […]
March 30, 2021

Herb and Goat Cheese Crustless Quiches

Thyme’s vibrant flavor enhances mild goat cheese and eggs and aromatically complements parsley’s steady flavor.  Make these easy, egg-based bites up to three days in advance, and store in the fridge for a quick power breakfast on busy days. Ingredients 1 shallot 1 cup packed and shredded baby spinach or kale ½ cup lightly packed, minced fresh parsley 2 Tbs. fresh thyme leaves 8 eggs ½ cup crumbled goat cheese ½ cup low-fat (1 percent) cottage cheese ⅓ cup cornmeal ½ tsp. salt Procedure Preheat oven to 375 degrees, and grease a standard muffin tin with cooking spray. Chop shallot, […]