Strawberry-Peach Custard Tart: Sugar-Free but Oh-So-Sweet

It’s been years since I made a commitment to take back my health and alight from the sugar train. I’ll be honest: eliminating all added sweeteners from my diet has never been the easy for me, and it still isn’t to this day. But the enormous benefits I’ve reaped as a result have made it […]

Still Not Convinced You Should Change the Way You Clean?

If you’ve been waiting on a particular study to come out that would finally get you to move away from mass-produced cleaning products, a group of scientists at University of Bergen in Norway have just done you a huge favor. As reported in Newsweek, the researchers of the study offered the startling comparison that the […]

The Anti-Anxiety Nutrition Plan

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the United States. Over 18 percent of people suffer from it, but very few actually seek treatment. Do you occasionally suffer from anxiety? If so, how do you deal with the symptoms listed below? Is there any hope for improving or even eliminating them? […]

No-Salt Bread (Pane Toscano)

Bread of Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche, Regions of Proud Traditions Ask Chef Phyllis: Is it possible to find a good tasting, really crusty bread like the Pane Toscano that we had in Italy? I understand the reason for a no-salt bread in the past was about money. Flour and water are cheap, but salt was […]

Grilled Shrimp, Tomato, and Avocado Fiesta Salad: Craving a Taste of the Tropics

There comes a time when the excitement of the holidays is over, the motivation and enthusiasm of the new year has waned, and the burst of bustling spring energy still seems far off. This is about the time of year when I get sick of winter, and I start longing for the beach. More specifically, […]

Why Do I Sneeze When It’s Sunny? And Other Fun Gesundheit Facts

Sneezing is an odd sensation, right? Sometimes you can feel it coming and look for ways to speed up the relief it offers. Other times, the sneeze comes out of nowhere and ends up being the loudest noise you’ve made in months. Some of us are big, boisterous sneezers, some are silent sneezers, and some […]

Baccala (Salt Cod Stew)

Ask Chef Phyllis: I loved my mother’s baccala and have tried to make it myself. She was from the Piedmont region of Italy. I used a recipe that called for capers, but I didn’t like them in this dish. Maybe I used too many. After soaking the salt cod in water for three days, as […]

The Longevity Secret, Part II: Nourishing Anti-Aging Techniques

In “The Longevity Secret, Part I,” I took the time to address what noted doctor and scientist Hans Selye discovered was the number one deterrent to living a longer, more successful, and stress-free life. That being the case, I would like to suggest that you go back and read the first part before continuing on […]

Beef, Chorizo, Bacon, and Poblano Pepper Chili

Growing food in Colorado is a challenging endeavor. Because I come from a fairly balmy Pacific-Northwest climate, I’m used to putting some seeds in the ground and reaping huge rewards with little effort. My plants grew grow massive and lush, and the winters were usually warm enough that I could have a cold frame going […]

Aphrodisiacs – Fact or Folklore?

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and those of you hoping to celebrate romantic love may be planning to stock up on some good ol’ aphrodisiacs to add some spice to your repertoire. But first, are they worth adding to your shopping list? Aphrodisiacs: are they fact or a bunch of bogus folklore? Let’s dig in a […]

Health Benefits from Cutting Out White Sugar

Sugar is a substance that’s almost impossible to avoid these days because it’s added to so many food products. Sugar is a source of calories that our bodies use as energy. And if we consume sugar from whole, unprocessed foods, it contains nutrients that will be better utilized by the body. Refined white sugar, however, […]

Magical Sauerkraut

Ask Chef Phyllis: Have you heard about the big fermented food craze? What should I know about gut health? My sister Aggie told me that yogurt is good for us (and a good substitute for our favorite double chocolate fudge ice cream) because of its live cultures. But we’ve still never tried kimchi, kefir, or […]

Cajun-Spiced Roast Chicken with Spicy Buttermilk Slaw

Refresh Your Spice Pantry and Your Palate A well-stocked pantry plays a significant role in preparing healthy, home-cooked meals. It’s also practically indispensable for customizing your meals and keeping your taste buds happy and intrigued. Assorted condiments, vinegars, canned and pickled goods, herbs, and spices can make all the difference in taking your meals to […]

Stress: Take Control or It Will Control You

If you’re a human walking the planet Earth, it’s safe to say you deal with stress on a daily basis. Stress is not only inevitable, but it also helps us get shit done when it needs to get done. The way you move through your day, from the time you wake up in the morning […]

Mardi Gras Feast in a Jiffy: Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Chowder

Ask Chef Phyllis: Lent is early this year, and since my family has Cajun roots, we do celebrate Mardi Gras. After, we will fast forty days or at least give up some favorite food during Lent. We usually make a kind of gumbo (Cajun Shrimp Chowder or Cajun Gumbo) that is unique to our area […]

The Longevity Secret, Part I: Will You Age Fast or Slow? Your Choice!

Attention readers: This is the first part of a two-part blog post. Sign up here to receive the Selene River Press newsletter so you don’t miss the second part of “The Longevity Secret,” which includes nourishing anti-aging techniques. Have you perchance noticed that anti-aging products and services are one of the fastest growing markets, not […]

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

So I stumbled on a TEDx Talk that’s had my head spinning ever since. These talks usually get my wheels turning, but this one had a different feel to it. Maybe it’s the magnitude of the topic. Maybe it’s the personal nature of the topic. Or, more likely, maybe it’s the betrayal I felt spelled […]

Coq Au Vin: Easier Chicken Braised in Red Wine

Ask Chef Phyllis: I don’t doubt that people write to you about what festive meals to serve during the holidays, but my question is what to serve in between and after those costly feasts? That’s when I’m so burned out. Do you have any suggestions for crock pot meals, top–of–the–stove meals, or even simple, quick chicken meals that are cooked in the oven? […]

A Personal Trainer’s Top 5 Hacks for a Great Morning Routine

Being a personal trainer has taught me a lot, but one of the most important things I’ve learned is how to set myself up for success first thing in the morning. In this post, I’ll help you do the same with five simple yet powerful self-health hacks you can do every day. So let’s get […]

Sushi with Cauliflower Rice

Versatile and tasty, cauliflower “rice” is one of the newest trends of the times. Formerly confined to a scant few home kitchens, it’s now making waves in the marketplace. You can even find it, premade and packaged, in some grocery store aisles. It’s essentially nothing more than plain old cauliflower that’s pulsed in a food processor to look like rice and then subbed into your favorite recipes instead of such. […]