What is fermentation, and why is it so important? Fermentation is, first and foremost, a traditional way of preserving food that has been around for millennia. The earliest evidence of fermentation dates to about 6,000 BC in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East. It is possibly the oldest method of preserving food prior […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
06
Apr
Apr
I married an Irishman whose mother was from County Kerry and whose father was from Thurles, Tipperary. (Now that’s a county you’ve heard of.) I was married to my husband Bill for nearly 56 years—almost as many times as I made corned beef and cabbage for our St. Patrick’s Day tradition. Each year, I would […]
24
Mar
Mar
A few years back, I wrote about a throw down I had with the resident cook at the Covered Bridge Inn restaurant. If you remember the post, you may recall me saying that I had another story to tell about those days. So here it is—and it comes with a delicious recipe for grilled cheese. […]
16
Mar
Mar
With March being National Nutrition Month and all, it seems wise to examine the things we take for granted on the topic. Part of being a self-healther is to find answers to those questions that pop into your head from time to time. This month let that question be, “How nutritious is my food?” Many […]
11
Feb
Feb
The ultimate comfort food, soup is in the news! Whether it’s an old favorite that’s been around for years, a familiar soup with a new twist, or a beloved classic from grandmother’s kitchen, we love them all. On the home front, as we’ve been overusing our kitchens for the last ten months, soup has enjoyed […]
09
Feb
Feb
It’s that time of year again, my friends—American Heart Month. If you’re interested in keeping your heart healthy all year long, this is a good reminder in case you’ve slacked off since last February. After all, a whole lot happened in the world in 2020 that may have thrown you off your self-health game. Let’s […]
26
Jan
Jan
There are those who believe that when you focus on something, you bring more of it into your life. For the most part, I believe it too. When I get in a rut with questionable habits, I don’t feel at my best until I start making better choices. On the other hand, when I am […]
05
Jan
Jan
The new year has begun, and whether you’re a resolution maker or not, you likely have some idea of what you’d like to see happen over the next 12 months. I’m trying something a little different this year. I’ve chosen one word to be my guide for making decisions, and it feels quite powerful. I […]
29
Dec
Dec
“Clown’s treacle.” Surely you’ve heard of it? If not, it’s still likely that you have some in your kitchen right now. According to The Spice and Herb Bible by Ian Hemphill, clown’s treacle (also called “poor man’s treacle”) are both old-time names for garlic. Treacle was first used in the 14th century as an antidote […]
24
Dec
Dec
The weather is turning cooler, and winter is officially just around the corner. As the temperature drops, many of us start craving foods and beverages that are warming, both in temperature and in spice. We trade in our iced tea for hot, spicy chai and swap our cold salads with warming soups, stews, and stocks. […]
22
Dec
Dec
Christmas chestnuts roasting on an open fire…or right in your oven. Here’s to bringing this underused fruit/nut to your holiday table. I’m a New Yorker through and through. Though I’ve lived in Colorado for some 40 years, my East coast accent is still detectable. Back in my younger days, I’d walk to work in high […]
16
Dec
Dec
Many years ago, at a Christmas party, the hostess served a dish called Shrimp Dijon. It was delicious. I live in Chicago, and this dish is a favorite served in many restaurants, but none are as good as the first time I tried it. Not only that, but the restaurant versions had no Dijon mustard […]
15
Dec
Dec
Whenever someone tells me that they’re not much of a cook, but they want to learn, I always steer them in the same direction—one dish with endless variations that’s so forgiving that you can’t go wrong. This seasonal favorite will build your cooking confidence every time you make it. What is it, you ask? Exactly […]
11
Dec
Dec
The holidays are coming! As we all know, nuts are featured in many holiday cookies, cakes, pies, and snack bowls. They are not only flavorful but also packed with protein, natural oils, and minerals. However, if you eat a lot of them—as many of us will over the next few months—they can be taxing on […]
01
Dec
Dec
A lot of families are spending more time together during these days of COVID, but being in the same space doesn’t necessarily guarantee a deeper connection with each another. After all, our time is still being divided between work (video meetings and phone calls) and/or school (video classes and self-directed assignments). There’s no gimme that […]
24
Nov
Nov
Ask Chef Phyllis I have this problem every year so I decided to call the turkey hotline for answers. They were helpful with the cooking of the bird, but with the leftovers not so much. I like leftover turkey with dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, and mayonnaise on a sandwich. Most often, I slice the turkey […]
17
Nov
Nov
Even the most avid self-healther can lose their way every once in a while. It begins innocently enough. Something comes along to throw you off your daily routine, and all of a sudden it’s been a month since you’ve made a weekly meal plan or found the motivation to exercise. But then one day you […]
21
Oct
Oct
I never could have guessed that one day I’d be writing a post while taking refuge from a wildfire at a friend’s home during a mandatory evacuation. Life has a mind of its own, it seems. But on second thought, I have made—with and without fate interfering—many of my own choices. I chose to reside […]
23
Sep
Sep
Tomatoes love the heat, and right now it seems like hundreds of small, homegrown cherry tomatoes, bursting with flavor and aroma, are growing before our eyes each day. (At least it seems like hundreds when you’re the kid picking them!) Who doesn’t love layering a thick slice of beefsteak tomato, dripping with its seeds and […]
08
Sep
Sep
The most forgettable vegetable is currently having its day in the limelight (or day in the sun, if you prefer). Kale was in, but now it’s so last year. Brussels sprouts were all the rage—but after roasting them in the oven, they gave many of us gas. (Which says more about the state of our […]