
You’re running to work and you don’t have a lunch packed, again. You’re probably annoyed, frustrated, and feeling like your goal to eat healthy has been foiled, again. Lunch at work can be difficult, particularly if you’re not a home cook. If you want something fast, easy, an ...
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Jams, chutneys, preserves – whatever you want to call them, they’re basically the same thing: some combination of fruits and vegetables that are cooked into a thicker, gel-like substance and are great as spreads, glazes, and fillings. However, there are definitely a few things you ne ...
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This is a spring salad if ever there was one. The only non-seasonal items in here are from items that don’t grow in this region (lemons, olives). This spring green salad (emphasis on green) is light and refreshing but a little different than the standard. It looks creamy but has a ...
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TRUTH: Just because you don’t eat meat or other animal foods at every meal or snack doesn’t mean you need to pair foods together to ensure ‘complete’ proteins. A complete protein is one that has all 9 essential amino acids (among others). Essential refers to the f ...
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There are 2 new GM crops vying for the spotlight right now and one of them is definitely going to be in great supply. Here are the facts; you pick the lesser of 2 evils: Crop A: Ventria Rice This rice, developed by Ventria Biosciences, has genes from human livers spliced into its DNA so [. ...
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You may have heard of ‘rocket pesto’ (from the alternative name of arugula, roquette) and it’s commonly prepared the same way as a basil pesto. However, the flavors of basil (traditional pesto) and arugula are so different that I think the arugula needs it’s own pesto flavors. It ...
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Cipollini Onions are easily my favorite onion. Ok, maybe not – but they’re definitely top 3 (with Vidalia and shallots). They’re a smaller, flat onion that ranges in pale yellow to light brown. They’re sweeter onions (as they have more natural sugars than other onions) and pr ...
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TRUTH: What?! Not true?! How can that possibly not be true?! Those of you who pride yourselves on searing the perfect steak may be cringing at the thought that your method isn’t logical – it’s madness! This myth has run rampant for years and I still hear chef’s publicly repea ...
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There’s no doubt that Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods appeal to a similar clientele. I’ve heard the Whole Foods vs. Trader Joe’s debate many times and the “right” choice depends on your values. Here’s a brief overview of each company’s practices, so you can make an edu ...
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Functions Vitamin D can be made by our bodies from sunlight; most people can synthesize sufficient amounts if you’re in the sun between 10am and 3pm, at least twice a week, for about 5–30 minutes (and with your face, arms, legs, or back exposed without sunscreen). Of course, you shou ...
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TRUTH: We’ve all heard the claim that alcohol kills brain cells, particularly in heavy drinkers or binge drinkers. Actually, just looking at extremely intoxicated people makes you wonder how brain cells could possibly survive, but they do. Intoxication results in impaired vision and ...
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Sponge cake is light and airy but still very satisfying as a sweet treat. The trick is to make pre-portioned amounts so you don’t go overboard and indulge too much! I like to prepare these cakes with blueberry sauce, but I’ve also made them with strawberry sauce or lemon curd. Fo ...
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If you’re living in the United States in 2012, you’re probably getting enough vitamin C. It’s found in so many foods and drinks that most of the population never has a problem. However, vitamin C is easily lost in storage and cooking so store foods in a cool dark place and cook t ...
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The essays are in and the judging is underway! In case you missed it, the New York Times issued an essay contest challenging readers to make an ethical case for eating meat. Now, the bunch has been whittled down to 6 essays and we, the public get to vote. I encourage you to read all [. ...
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Gym membership has risen significantly over the last 10 years – from about 36 million people to 48 million! Many experts speculate that the market is still not saturated, so membership rates are expected to rise for several years. Clearly, many people out there subscribe to the idea th ...
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The history of Baklava is up for debate but it may date back to Mesopotamia, around the 13th century. That’s old! Its earliest concoctions were probably made with dough, nuts, sweets (like fruits). These days, it’s made with all kinds of nuts, sweets or seldomly-used ingredie ...
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I randomly stumbled upon the idea of lasagna cupcakes and was so overcome with excitement that I spent an entire Friday night assembling different flavors and testing proportions. Here’s the answer I came up with: they all taste good. It’s lasagna! What’s not to like about la ...
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TRUTH: Coffee itself is not bad. It’s when you start adding cream, sugar, or having 4 cups a day that it becomes a problem. Cream, sugar, artificial creamers, et al add sugar, fat, and preservatives. In that sense, coffee drinks may sometimes contribute to excessive sugar or f ...
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Asking ‘what’s the best workout’ is going to elicit a different answer depending on who you ask. Personal trainers may encourage cardio but emphasize the benefits of weight training. Endurance athletes will probably promote the benefits of long duration exercise. Professional ath ...
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Green beans are, in my opinion, one of the best spring veggies because they’re green, crunchy and delicious raw. However, there are still some cold nights ahead of us and this dish is a great way to use green beans in a bold, flavorful, comforting side dish. Chinese style Szechuan cook ...
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In an effort to embrace fish sticks, a popular fast food treat, this recipe offers a tasty and healthy alternative to the breaded and fried fast food sticks served with tartar sauce. There are a few major changes to make ‘em healthier. First and most obviously: don’t fry them. ...
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TRUTH: Anyone who has ever been on a treadmill has probably noticed that there is a “fat burning workout” option that keeps your heart rate at a lower level than the cardio workout. Given that it’s called a “fat burning workout”, it’s logical to assume that means that you’l ...
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In the newest genetically modified (GM) food labeling efforts, the Vermont legislature is considering a bill requiring that foods containing genetically modified ingredients be labeled as such. This bill has the support of the people, of many legislators, of small farmers and food activi ...
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Out with the old and in with the new! It’s a little sad to see last year’s apple harvest dwindle, as the last of the cold storage apples are sold at farmers’ markets. But springtime brings back the cherry! Cherries and berries (strawberries) are coming into season, and though l ...
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Though a traditional quiche is a savory custard filling in a pastry crust, modern quiches are made with egg mixtures and flavored in a variety of ways. Here, I omit the crust, which speeds up prep time and cuts the fat. Since springtime veggies are coming into season, fresh artichokes ...
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TRUTH: It’s lent and you haven’t had meat on Fridays or chocolate in nearly 40 days. By Sunday, you’d give an arm and leg just for a small steak and a slice of Black Forest cake. Your craving is so intense that you body MUST be telling you that it needs the protein, sugar or [... ...
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I have no doubt by now that you’ve been bombarded with persuasive arguments as to why you should be eating organic foods. If you’re not currently living on planet Earth, maybe you’ve missed the reasons – but don’t fret, check out An In Depth Look at Organic. However, the comple ...
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This light and fresh curry is perfect for a quick meal. It’s a dish with a lot of flavor but relatively few calories. You can use any type or color of lentils you want, but larger varieties will need to cook for a longer period of time. All varieties are chock full o’ protein ...
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TRUTH: Though lettuce and celery are about 95% water and not much else. They’re great, low calorie options for salads and sandwiches; shredded iceberg lettuce has only 10 calories per cup while a large stalk of celery has about 20 calories. However, the low calorie count doesn’t ...
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As many of you probably know by now, the New York Times launched an essay contest this week, asking writers to make a case for why it’s ethical to eat meat. I think this is a phenomenal idea. Am I entering the contest? No. But, I think a lot of people will and will make [...]
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Many people, if not all of us, have experienced bland steamed food. The perception of steaming, in general is that it doesn’t add flavor or depth to a dish. In general, the addition of a fat (vegetable oils or butter, for example) gives dimension to a dish, but adding fat is not th ...
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It’s officially the first day of spring! We made it through a not-so-brutal winter and hopefully you’re sick and tired of winter veggies because we’re moving on! Grated, in the northeast, we’re not exactly reaping the benefits of our spring harvest (or even getting a glimpse of m ...
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TRUTH: When research was released about trans fats, the restaurant industry began to look for other, healthier oils that could withstand the high cooking temperatures of frying. Coconut oil is one of the oils they turned to as it has a high smoke point. Coconut oil is somewhat unique ...
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Check out Myth: Paleo is the Way to Go for a quick synopsis of the diet. As a general rule, I’m skeptical of any special “diet” because, when push comes to shove, I fully and completely believe that the average healthy person should eat whatever they want – in moderate amounts. ...
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My style of cooking is usually the type that leaves the kitchen in shambles, yields way too much food, and always needs more salt. But, if any of you have tried my recipes, hopefully you agree that they’re well-seasoned. I have an arsenal of herbs, spices, sauces and condiments at ho ...
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TRUTH: This is simple math. The Dietary Guidelines recommend we get 2300 mg or less per day (or, in some cases, 1500mmg). But most Americans get closer to 3500 mg every day, mostly from processed and prepared foods. We all know that fast food and deli meats have a lot of added salt (for f ...
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It’s winter, we’re freezing (not including yesterday), and thinking warm thoughts about laying on a warm beach and sipping a refreshing drink isn’t working. Agreed. However, it’s good time to start considering what herbs, fruits or vegetables you’re gonna grow this year. F ...
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Composting is a great way to turn food scraps into rich, usable soil. It reduces waste and has a ton of environmental benefits. That being said, I don’t compost. I know, I know – I should. And Oren, the resident master composter in my office has gotten a bit uppity with me when ...
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I almost titled this recipe “lazy” baba ganoush but I think that gives the wrong impression of this recipe. However, it conveys what I want it to convey – this is the most simple baba (for short) recipe that I’ve ever made; and it’s delicious because most of the ingredients are ...
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TRUTH: By now, you’re probably familiar with some of the environmental and social issues concerning our meat supply. If you’re not, you can check out my posts about organic food and why fast food is cheap. In a nutshell, fast food is cheap because it’s funded by government subs ...
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These days, in a time when unhealthy American chain restaurants provide cheap meals across the globe, it’s a common misconception that healthy eating is unaffordable. In actuality, eating healthy is more affordable because you get a greater nutritional bang for your buck – but ...
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This recipe demonstrates the affordability of healthy eating and the ease with which you can prepare a healthy and hearty meal. This recipe combines a whole grain, protein, 3 different colored vegetables and healthy fats (oil). Further, the seasonal ingredients used help keep the cost ...
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I know that a mere 4 weeks ago I claimed to be “dying” for summer fruits. Maybe I was a little overdramatic, but again, I’m dying for summer fruits! The strawberries in the Strawberry-Chipotle Compote were satisfying but they only satisfied my craving for about a month. This week ...
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The million dollar question: does organic really have more nutritional benefits than conventionally grown/raised food? Answer: Yes, no or maybe so. The term ‘organic’ is associated with a variety of popular terms these days. The easiest way to answer this question is to address e ...
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Miso is traditionally made by fermenting soybeans with salt and koji-mold; the fermentation results in a paste that can be used in marinades, sauces, salad dressings, soups, desserts, or any other kind of dish you can think of. Adding miso improves the flavor profile by adding dimen ...
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I am, like many other people interested in cooking, sustainability and conservatism, interested in using as much of my produce as I can. Not only to decrease the amount of waste I produce, but also because I don’t want to throw away perfectly good food! Squash seeds (including, pumpkin ...
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TRUTH: The evidence is clear that that fresh fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals and fiber that many processed foods lack. However, the simple act of properly cooking them doesn’t make them any less nutritious. Cooking fruits and vegetables can cause nutrient loss if they& ...
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Tomatillo salsa (aka salsa verde) is very common in Mexican and Latin American cuisine – sometimes spicy, sometimes sweet. Though they’re typically green, there’s also a purple variety that tastes very similar. Usually the best way to bring out the sweet flavor of tomatillos is by ...
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TRUTH: I want to start by being clear about how microwaves heat food. Microwaves emit a small amount of radiation that excites molecules, causing them to heat up. Microwaves do not actually zap (i.e. break apart or destroying molecules with ionizing radiation) food. The actual waves do ...
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I don’t eat organic foods all of the time. But I probably would, if I were independently wealthy or had chosen a career in a lucrative field (no one chooses a career in public health to become a millionaire). Choosing organic food might be better but I’m not scared that eating conv ...
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TRUTH: If I made the statement ‘I’m not eating gluten’ 10 years ago, you probably would have cocked your head to the side a little and said ‘gluten?! What’s that?’ What propelled gluten into the media spotlight and food-trend bandwagon? A single scientific study. This stu ...
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I was recently at a 24-hour “restaurant” (read: casino eatery) at brunch time and I ordered an omelet. Included with my meal, as with many casual restaurant breakfasts, were very poorly cooked home fries. They tasted more like soggy potato chips and it got me thinking about where a ...
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The B vitamins include: Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid B6, Folic Acid, Biotin, and B12. B-complex supplements provide adequate amounts of more than one (if not all) of the B’s! Functions Energy and metabolism Nervous system Promotes cell growth and Development Immune Syste ...
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You might be wondering why I’m posting a guide to canning. I mean, you’ll probably never do it, right? Well, I hope you change your mind because: It’s easy and you can use the freshest ingredients You can use the freshest ingredients and get exactly what you want. F ...
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I’m dying for some summer fruits! I’m all squashed out right now and I’m guessing many of us are feeling the same way. At a recipe tasting I conducted yesterday, where people tasted and compared 4 acorn squash recipes, someone commented “Tasty! They looked appealing but I can ...
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Bread pudding has roots in many cultures’ food histories, from Europe to Argentina. It’s a dessert that’s a great use for stale bread and can be flavored with so many different fruits and spices, so try experimenting! Some other ideas include trying different dried fruits or usin ...
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TRUTH: Fair Trade USA (see left for logo, formerly TransFair USA), made a name for itself a decade ago by focusing on coffee but has slowly and steadily lowered their standards of what it means to trade fairly. First, let me highlight an important distinctions between ‘fair trade ...
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TRUTH: I have to give Glaceau (producer of Vitamin Water, owned by Coca-Cola) credit – the name of the product alone sparked nutrition-related discussion and media hype for their “novel” creation. Why not put vitamins in water? It’s not a bad idea per se, but they make some s ...
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TRUTH: ‘Type’ in this instance, refers to blood type. A very popular diet these days is the blood type diet, which prescribes certain foods to persons of different ‘types’ based on the theory that different blood proteins are more (or less) compatible with the proteins in certa ...
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TRUTH: When I find a questionable food in my kitchen, I tend to look at the date, smell the food, look for mold and then, if the date has passed but there are no signs that my food has deteriorated in any way, I eat it. I’m not suggesting that you do this, as I, [...]
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TRUTH: The claim “light” doesn’t have anything to do with the calories or fat content; what they’re really talking about is the way the olives are processed. First, let me say that there is huge variety in the flavor of oils, and though you think you might not detect a difference ...
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TRUTH: Even though a basic elementary school education would tell us that 100%-95% = 5%, this is, in fact, just not true when it comes to food claims. As many of you may know, my usual approach to food and nutrition is that of applying common sense. However, in this case, common sense won ...
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I often want a cool, refeshing salad during the summer but in colder months, I want dishes that are just as easy but a little more filling. Winter salads can be just that – served warm or cold, they’re filling, easy, and packed with antioxidants that will keep you healthy through fl ...
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You may have read my post about meat glue and been completely appalled. Glued meat is part animal and part synthetic lab protein). Now, you can have 100% synthetic lab protein called Shmeat. I’m not joking. Shmeat (short for sheet of meat) is grown in labs from a live animal’s c ...
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I’m a big Food Network fan, particularly of Good Eats, Alton Brown’s show in which he discusses basic nutrition science principles and gives good recipes. One of my favorite shows was called ‘The Pouch Principle’. This article is pretty much a rip off the show (with a couple th ...
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You’ve probably heard that some components of wine (polyphenols like resveratrol and antioxidants) have been shown to have some health benefits. They help increase your HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and protect your arteries. However, all this is a little misleading. The amount ...
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If you’re easily grossed out, don’t read this. Trust me. Don’t let your morbid curiosity override your sense of reason. Stop reading now. Meat glue (transglutaminase) is an enzyme that can form chemical bonds between proteins. I’m not talking about the fillers that are used ...
read moreYou’re running to work and you don’t have a lunch packed, again. You’re probably annoyed, frustrated, and feeling like your goal to eat healthy has been foiled, again. Lunch at work can be difficult, particularly if you’re not a home cook. If you want something fast, easy, and that can be stored in your desk, [...]
Jams, chutneys, preserves – whatever you want to call them, they’re basically the same thing: some combination of fruits and vegetables that are cooked into a thicker, gel-like substance and are great as spreads, glazes, and fillings. However, there are definitely a few things you need to know before embarking on this endeavor for the [...]
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