If you prepared for this weekend’s Halloween festivities by carving a pumpkin, I certainly hope you didn’t wantonly throw away the bounty of seeds it had to offer. You may have hurt your jack-o-lantern’s feelings if you did. Feel free to go apologize before any mysterious goings on befall you. I’ll be right here waiting. […]
22
Oct
Oct
We interrupt your day to bring you two reports hot off the press. #1 from The Washington Post, entitled: “The latest study about antioxidants is terrifying. Scientists think they may boost cancer cells to spread faster.” Gee, anyone want to guess what this is about? The title seems so vague! And file #2 is the […]
21
Oct
Oct
I’ve been desperately clinging to the notion that summer isn’t over, unwilling to let go of the long, warm evenings, 5 A.M. sunrises, and lazy days spent near the water. This week it came to my attention that it was time to finally address my state of denial/ignorant bliss. I’ve turned my heat on consecutively […]
20
Oct
Oct
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that every human being walking around on this planet has at least one good habit they’ve been meaning to bring into their lives. Whether it’s cooking with a new super food or developing a new skill, we can all benefit from adding a new, […]
15
Oct
Oct
It seems that every time I put pork on the grocery list, a little voice somewhere deep inside me says, “Parasites! Parasites!” I promptly dispel the thought and remind myself to simply cook the pork to the point of being dry—and unsavory! In an effort to understand the why of this precaution and learn to […]
14
Oct
Oct
Ask Chef Phyllis: What do I do with the four tablespoons of pureed pumpkin not needed in my recipe? I confess, I usually toss it in the trash after a week. When I make a recipe that leaves little bits of this and that, it makes me feel guilty about not putting leftover ingredients in […]
13
Oct
Oct
Remember the days when your athletic coach would encourage you to “carb load” before some big matchup? Heck, the matchup didn’t even have to be big. My high school track coach used to encourage us to eat a big plate of pasta the night before any old Tuesday afternoon meet. Knowing what we know now, […]
08
Oct
Oct
Let’s face it. Whether we’re racing through the airport or driving for hours down a long and lonely road, for some of us, the downside of traveling is the series of increasingly questionable food choices we make on the go. A pit stop at Panda Express before security? Check. Grab some “trail mix” (M&Ms and […]
07
Oct
Oct
I first stumbled upon the inspiration for this recipe by accident. I wasn’t even looking for anything chocolate, or even grain-free for that matter. But ever since that day, these brownies have become one of my go-to recipes when I want to make a fairly simple yet seriously indulgent dessert for myself or my clients. […]
06
Oct
Oct
While there isn’t a sound more glorious than a baby giggling, laughter from people of all ages can totally make my day. Especially when I overhear one of those contagious kinds of laughs that make me bust up myself—completely involuntarily. I don’t have to know the person laughing or even be with them to feel […]
01
Oct
Oct
What part of the “gut” leaks? And leaks what into where? “Gut” is a catchall term for just about any part of the digestive tract beyond the esophagus. For our purposes, the term refers to the duodenum of the small intestine. This is the first part of the small intestine into which the high acid […]
30
Sep
Sep
Ask Chef Phyllis: My dear mother was Portuguese, and my father was French. They worked in the textile mill town of Fall River. We were 5 children; I am the oldest and cooked for a family of 7 from about age 11. Time was always a factor in our lives, and my job was to […]
29
Sep
Sep
Have you noticed some shifting going on at your local farmers’ market? Not only are we starting to add more oomph to our top layers, but the vegetables are getting heftier too. Take for example the difference between those thin-skinned summer squash that have been so easy to come by and the ever more present […]
24
Sep
Sep
Have you ever had one of those days when you wake up and your taste buds simply don’t crave eggs, bacon, and toast? I’m sure you know what I mean, but if not, I’m talking about those normal foods we’ve been educated to think are the only true breakfast foods, and everything else is either […]
23
Sep
Sep
Kohlrabi. It’s one of those “weird” vegetables. It’s ugly. Well, maybe I needn’t go so far as to call it ugly, but in The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, Johnny Bowden describes kohlrabi as a cross between an octopus and a space capsule. I think that about sums it up, and I’m guessing its likeness […]
22
Sep
Sep
There are certain news stories that tend to catch my eye, and one of the topics I can’t seem to look away from is our food supply. Watching the news is a brilliant way to convince yourself how important it is to know where your food comes from. Look at these three recent headlines to […]
18
Sep
Sep
What if we told you that the nutritional debacle of the modern American diet was predicted—with frightening accuracy—more than half a century ago? Would you file it under Oh well and get on with your day? Or, after you picked your jaw up off the floor, would you demand to know why those warnings were […]
17
Sep
Sep
If you or someone you care for is on the Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) diet, you could be dealing with a problem that you don’t even know about. The result could be a slower recovery, aggravated symptoms, or other unhealthy consequences. But don’t worry—chef, teacher, and author Monica Corrado is here to fix it. […]
16
Sep
Sep
Ask Chef Phyllis: Fall is coming, and I love pears. Truth be told, I know very little about this fruit. Sometimes I have a pear and think it’s the best thing I ever ate. Sometimes they’re grainy and lack flavor. I’ve had pears poached in wine and they were so good, but I think they […]
15
Sep
Sep
If your idea of giving your teeth what they need stops at brushing, flossing, and drinking your milk, you’re being a tad shortsighted. And since the health of your teeth says a lot about your overall health, you certainly don’t want to appear like you don’t know what you’re doing. Right? Right. Self-health education to […]