Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides

Self-Health Habit #3: Try a New Nutrient Dense Food

With March being National Nutrition Month, the logical self-health habit to encourage this month is to try a nutrient-dense food you’ve never tried before. (Now, keep in mind that it can take some time to acquire a taste for new foods. So, don’t let the first bite determine a new food’s fate on your future […]

Deviled Pork Chops with Simply Delicious Spicy Greens

Ask Chef Phyllis: Many years ago, my grandmother and great-aunt Theodora made a southern dish they called Deviled Autumn Pork Chops, For lack of more information, I know they used spicy mustard (maybe even more than one kind), country ham, and collard or mustard greens in it. In late autumn, when the pigs were slaughtered, […]

Lebanese Spiced Lamb Shoulder Chops with Sumac-Onion Relish:
Fundamental Middle Eastern Flavors

I’ve been rather enamored with the bold, exotic flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean regions for quite some time. Growing up, I was fortunate to experience the influence of Greek, Turkish, and Lebanese cultures, though I barely ventured outside my comfort zone—pita, hummus, shawarma, and the like. As I’ve matured, I’ve discovered just how many other […]

What’s Your Mission for National Nutrition Month?

A national celebration of one of my favorite topics began in 1970, armed with the mission: “to increase the public’s awareness of the importance of good nutrition and position American Dietetic Association (ADA) members as the authorities in nutrition.” Starting out as a week-long campaign, March became National Nutrition Month in 1980 and continues to […]

Cauliflower Tabbouleh:
A Grain-Free Take on a Middle Eastern Classic

Those who have been reading my blog for some time now, might know that one of my favorite things to do is revamp classic recipes, to make them more wholesome and fitness-forward, and to suit restrictive diets and alternative lifestyles. Those who are new to the site, welcome! I hope you find a wealth of […]

Everything You Need to Know About Ghee

While zipping through the grocery store a few days ago, my hubby noticed a jar of ghee. I’d seen the display several times on previous stops without giving it much thought. Interest piqued, he asked, “What is ghee, anyway?” To which I replied, “Do you really want to know?” Now, why did I ask him […]

Spinach-Crusted Cod with Lemon-Leek Sauce

Fresh, Fast, and Family-Friendly I always start getting a hankering for spring towards the end of February. Funny, because we really haven’t had much of a winter this year (though there is presently snow on the ground…finally!). I think this is simply hardwired into my brain from growing up in the Pacific Northwest, where the […]

How to Safeguard Your Immune System

In the online news this morning, there are all kinds of headlines about disease—the flu closing schools, measles outbreaks, hepatitis A diagnoses… How could you not want to lock yourself and your loved ones in your house and stay there until the dust settles? Since that isn’t realistic, learning some basic ways to safeguard your […]

Herbed Dijon Roast Pork Tenderloin and Veggies

Save Time, Money, and Your Health with One-Pan Meals in Minutes One of the most common reasons people have trouble making home-cooked meals is the time it takes. I get it; after a long, hard day, sometimes the mere thought of cooking is more than I feel like taking on. The last thing people want […]

Self-Health Habit #2: Make an Appointment for Biomarker Testing

If you’re one of the many people who avoids going to the doctor, this month’s self-health habit is for you, and merely a reminder for everyone else. I challenge you to make an appointment for biomarker testing this month. A simple blood draw and the corresponding results are a great tool to compile a complete […]

Chocolate Sea Salt Nut Squares or Clusters

Ask Chef Phyllis: It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and although this is supposed to be a holiday for sweethearts, I always celebrate it with the children and some lady friends too. I send little heart candies and homemade chocolates or treats with a cute little Valentine’s card. I know when I get something like this, I […]

Peanut-Curry Chicken Salad: Wholesome Meal-Prepping Spells Success

We’re well into the second month of 2019, a reasonable point to look back and assess any health goals we set for the year. It’s a great time to congratulate ourselves on our progress and hard work, and also to attend to any essential adjustments needed to assure we stay on track with mindful eating. […]

Get to Know Your Heart

February is American Heart Month, so it seems fitting to spend some self-health time checking in on how familiar you are with yours. Of course, you should have open lines of communication with your healthcare provider about all things health-related, including your heart. However, having some basic knowledge is crucial. Let’s get to know your […]

Zabaglione Custard for Two: An Italian Classic Gets an Inositol Makeover

Even though I’ve never been a staunch Valentine’s Day enthusiast—believing instead in exhibiting my adoration for those I care for every day of the year—I have still always relished sharing the love with others by preparing the most heavenly little desserts for two, going all the way back to my days as a pastry chef. […]

On the Fence About Breastfeeding? Check This Out!

A few weeks back, I was watching a docuseries about gut health. I made note of lots of interesting tidbits, and one of the featured healthcare providers mentioned something about breast milk that blew my mind! If you’re on the fence about breastfeeding, check this out. One of breast milk’s main components is a sugar […]

Sweet-and-Spicy Brussels Sprout Bites: Touchdown-worthy Party Snacks

Many moons ago, eight years to be exact, my entire life as I knew it changed. I remember it vividly—we were in the midst of a lovely snow storm; I had stayed up far too late reading Harry Potter and woke up mere hours later, realizing my daughter-to-be was ready to meet the world. And […]

The Truth About Your Perfect Diet

With the new year come all sorts of declarations about which diet you should adopt to meet your healthy resolutions. Studies are cited. Experts are sought out. Sure, the list includes a ranking of several diets, but why wouldn’t you choose the #1 option? I mean, it must be perfect if it’s ranked #1! But, […]

January Is National Slow Cooker Month—Who Knew?

Crock Pots and slow cookers came to the table a long time ago. They have a history, and I know you’ve used and loved one or the other. Now the newest craze is the Instant Pot, a pressure cooker that boasts seven functions in a single appliance (or even eight, depending on the model). While […]

Lemon-Mascarpone Panna Cotta with Blackberry Coulis: A Tart and Sweet Sugar-free Treat

January is a great time for fresh starts and for making changes to improve our health and wellbeing. Well, really, I suppose any time is a great time to harness healthy habits, but the new year is certainly one of the most popular times. I’m guessing many of you readers have made some conscious efforts […]

What Will it Take to Heed Dr. Royal Lee’s Warnings?

The other day, I was reading From Soil to Supplement: A Course in Food, Diet, and Nutrition, Taught by Dr. Royal Lee. This compilation of nutrition-focused articles by Lee date back to the late 1950s and early 1960s. Even then, Lee was sounding the alarm on the impact our food choices were having on our […]