I was lucky enough to get my hands on some freshly caught sardines this week—and they caught me quite off guard. I’d never dealt with the whole fish before. Come to think of it, I’d never done anything but pluck them from a can. But when a client requested fresh sardines, I finally realized what […]
15
Oct
Oct
Does the thought of eating liver make you shudder? I have vivid memories of my siblings and myself staging a mutiny every time our mom cooked it for supper. She never even had to tell us it was on the menu—we could smell the liver and onions frying away. That was our signal to drag […]
14
Oct
Oct
Our grocery store shelves are filled with processed and refined foods that have been stripped of their nutritional value. That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to reclaim the food traditions that lead to better health—namely, fermentation. In The Art of Fermentation, Sandor Ellix Katz explores the many benefits of reclaiming this tradition, including […]
11
Oct
Oct
Ever hear, “I’m gluten free” or “I have adult-onset celiac disease”? Gluten-free this, gluten-free that…for the love of god! I thought bread was a nourishing staple. When it was properly prepared, which means germinated and fermented, wheat bread was once the staff of life, providing nourishing sustenance for thousands of people. But in recent years, […]
10
Oct
Oct
Have you ever resisted a simple nutritional suggestion made by a trusted professional, for no particular reason? Ugh! I’m guilty as charged. My family has seen our clinical nutritionist for more than two years now, and I’m fairly certain she’s urged me to make my own bone broth from day one. I wouldn’t say I’ve […]
09
Oct
Oct
People are always talking about the importance of eating our greens. And while greens are certainly some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables around, we should also not forget to eat our “whites”—more specifically, sulfurous whites like the alliums (onions, garlic, leeks) and brassicas (cauliflower). As a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, cauliflower has a […]
08
Oct
Oct
In Super Nutrition for Babies, authors Katherine Erlich and Kelly Genzlinger tell you exactly “when, how, why, and what” to feed your baby in this invaluable guide to nutrition for every stage of your child’s growth. They recommend a focus on nutrient-rich foods and the elimination of refined and processed foods from both mother and baby’s […]
04
Oct
Oct
Honeybees—directly or indirectly—are responsible for one third of everything you eat. These lovely little insects supply our diets with a great deal of our nutritional needs, as well as diversity and pizzazz. Do you like kiwis? Thank the honeybee. Do you enjoy cashews? Thank the beekeeper. Are you fond of watermelon? Thank them both! Honeybees […]
03
Oct
Oct
Have you ever craved a particular food so much that you find yourself mixing it with just about anything you can think of, no matter how crazy? That’s how I’ve been feeling about sesame seeds lately. Luckily for me, they have a pretty neutral flavor—though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them in tea. Yes, I said […]
02
Oct
Oct
It was cold today—damp, boots and sweater-wearing, bone-chilling cold. Okay, maybe it only felt that frigid because yesterday I was wearing shorts and flip-flops. But it made me want to eat soup, under a blanket. Instead, I opted for this tart! Why? Because I’m obviously not quite ready to let go of summer yet. And […]
01
Oct
Oct
The Soul of Soil: A Soil-Building Guide for Master Gardeners and Farmers presents a solid and tested approach focused on helping gardeners and farmers educate themselves about basic sustainable soil management practices. As the authors note, we must remember that “we are all part of the soil ecosystem.” First published in 1983, The Soul of Soil is […]
27
Sep
Sep
Burn more calories than you eat, and you’ll lose fat. This belief, known as the “calories-in, calories-out” theory, is an unquestioned principle of nutrition. We all buy it. And it makes sense—if we assume all calories behave the same in the body. Or, as the dietitians like to put it, “a calorie is a calorie,” […]
26
Sep
Sep
I am vowing to start a love affair with…stress. After all, most of us come face-to-face with some form of stress on pretty much a daily basis. We may as well learn to love anything (or anyone) we deal with that frequently. It makes life easier and, after watching Kelly McGonigal’s TED Talk on the subject, […]
25
Sep
Sep
Autumn is just around the corner, and while I look forward to brisk morning walks and nights snuggled up with a good book, I am equally sad when the reality of early darkening skies and frigid weather sets in. I almost instantly yearn (and frequently express my desire) for long warm summer days once again. […]
24
Sep
Sep
You’ll find over 150 recipes in 13 categories that go beyond breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert in Internal Bliss: Recipes Designed for Those Following the Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ Diet, published by International Nutrition, Inc. Gut and Psychology Syndrome™, or GAPS, was coined by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to describe the link between certain digestive and psychological […]
23
Sep
Sep
For small farmers, USDA certified organic is an expensive proposition. But there’s a new game in town: Certified Naturally Grown. CNG’s website explains that their organic certification program is a “Grassroots Alternative to the USDA’s National Organic Program meant primarily for small farmers distributing through local channels—farmer’s markets, roadside stands, local restaurants, community supported agriculture […]
20
Sep
Sep
Heart disease is personal for me and my family. I held my father’s hand as he passed away from his second heart attack. And yes, Dad was taking a statin drug in an effort to prevent that second attack. Statins, prescribed to lower cholesterol, have become the bestselling class of drugs in history—based on a […]
19
Sep
Sep
Let’s play a game. It’s a lot like Jeff Foxworthy’s “You might be a redneck if…” routine—but not nearly as amusing. This version is called “You might be hypothyroid if…” You have the energy level of a sloth, yet your sleep is restless almost every night. You lose enough hair in the shower each day […]
18
Sep
Sep
The versatility of shrimp is endless. It takes well to assertive flavors, such as curries, but is equally happy bathed simply in its own juices, along with a splash of white wine. It is also a quick and convenient way to get a tasty dinner on the table. No wonder it is such a popular […]
17
Sep
Sep
Are you an Arkansas hen or a Heartland hen? Find out what chickens can tell you about your response to stress and how it affects you in Farmacology: What Innovative Family Farming Can Teach Us About Health and Healing, a captivating book that connects sustainable agriculture to human health. Author Daphne Miller, M.D., supports her theories […]