My mother-in-law, Sarah McSherry, was the first of my real food muses. She introduced me to a consciousness of healthy eating. A Southern belle who grew up on a plantation in the rich, fertile soils of the Louisiana Delta and raised her four children amidst farm crops (and cotton herbicides no doubt), she was a […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
03
May
May
My hair has gone through all sorts of ups and downs over the years—and I’m not just talking about its varying lengths every time I leave the salon. No, what I’m referring to is the overall health of my hair. From thick and shiny to frizzy and lackluster, our hair weaves a tale about our […]
26
Apr
Apr
My tonsils were removed when I was in kindergarten, so I never had to put much thought into what my life would be like if I still had them. But after a recent “wee hours of the morning” visit to the ER with my hubby, Al, and his peritonsillar abscess, I became curious. What exactly […]
19
Apr
Apr
The high-intensity interval training (HIIT) I committed to awhile back was great. It offered up some variety to the workout routine I’d been using, and I didn’t need to carve out another big chunk of time in my day to make it happen. I also noticed a change in my physique—enough changes to keep me […]
13
Apr
Apr
First, let’s shed a little light on goat milk and goat cheese. Growing in popularity almost every day, you may have noticed that goat cheese is all the rage. Are you confused about it and how to use it? Do you need suggestions for serving it? Mastering a tried and true recipe is a great […]
12
Apr
Apr
A while back an article discussing whether or not you can combat your bad eating habits with exercise caught my attention. As you might suspect, the one word answer is “no.” Actually, the foods you put into your body impact not just your overall health but also the effectiveness of your exercise habits. You cannot […]
05
Apr
Apr
A longtime friend of our family is visiting, and it’s reminding me how important these people are in our lives. The instant warmth that surrounded each of us, including our dog, told a story I hadn’t considered before: the power of friendship must have an impact on our overall health in a way we may […]
30
Mar
Mar
Ask Chef Phyllis: The first vegetable my husband brings in from his spring garden is a bunch of radishes. We enjoy them for about two weeks. We often forget this from year to year, but after a little while no one wants to eat them. They are too strong or spicy, the leaves are too […]
29
Mar
Mar
When your kids are young, it’s easy to control the foods they eat. Sure, you can’t completely shelter them from less nutritious foods—they will be invited to birthday parties and the like. But, for the most part, you’re their food supplier. You’re in control. This all changes once they become teenagers. They earn their own […]
22
Mar
Mar
When it comes to healthy eating habits (for your body and your wallet), choosing to “brown bag” it at lunchtime ranks pretty high up on the list. Unfortunately, when it comes to packing lunch each day, a good number of people think they only have enough time to throw together a boring cold sandwich and […]
16
Mar
Mar
Ask Chef Phyllis: I just discovered Indian cuisine, which I always thought was just curry. But recently I ate something called Peas with Paneer (Mattar Paneer) at my new and maybe soon-to-be favorite restaurant. It was very good. They told me it wasn’t made from soy (since I thought I was eating tofu), but it […]
15
Mar
Mar
If you think there’s an age at which you’re supposed to toss your jump rope aside, you’re misguided. Jumping rope will continue to benefit your cardiovascular system and brain for as long as you have them. And I’m willing to bet you fit this description, right?! So if you’ve been longing to jump some rope […]
09
Mar
Mar
I noticed bulbs popping up in my garden today. Now, if I still lived back in the Pacific Northwest, this wouldn’t be a problem. In fact, it would be expected. But in Colorado, where the chance that winter will be over by mid-February is slim to none, it’s still far too early for my delicate […]
08
Mar
Mar
As I mentioned earlier this year, I’ve committed 2016 to making small monthly changes that will, inevitably, lead to a year of success. With March being National Nutrition Month, I plan to pick one aspect of my current nutrition routine that could use a little “beefing up” and then make it happen. I encourage you […]
02
Mar
Mar
Ask Chef Phyllis: Lent seems much longer than 40 days when I don’t have any ideas for new meatless meals. I get tired of mac and cheese and fried fishcakes or BLT’s without the bacon—and certainly wouldn’t serve these to guests. It wouldn’t be so dreary if we entertained more. I need tasty dinners; fish […]
01
Mar
Mar
It’s super easy to give in to unhealthy habits when you travel with your family. A quick stop at the drive-thru while you’re on the road. A bag full of sugary treats when you fill the tank with gas. While I try not to freak out too much about occasional botches, I also try not […]
24
Feb
Feb
I’m not gonna lie—I love me some dessert! I wish dessert loved me with equal respect in return. Alas, since whittling my sugar intake down to almost nothing, I really notice now how it affects me when I do indulge. Of course, the initial high is sublimely delicious and satisfying, but I’ve come to discover […]
23
Feb
Feb
For me, it’s hard to reach the last week of February and not start dreaming of the next season. There it is, right around the corner—bright sunshine greeting you with a nonchalant smooch on the forehead, warm breezes enveloping you in a gentle hug, lingering snow and ice being banished from all the land. Sounds […]
17
Feb
Feb
Many years ago, this New York City girl got transplanted to the Adirondacks. As I look back, it was a good decision for my soon-to-begin-high-school teenagers. Now they thank me when they recall that in New York City they would have been little fish in a very big pond. Upstate, in Glens Falls, they were […]
16
Feb
Feb
My core muscles have taken a beating over the years. It all started with carrying three babies to full-term, and then the problem was exacerbated by my disdain for all things in the sit-ups and crunches family. Bicycles, side twists, exercise ball—I’m not a fan. Your core muscles are pretty darn important though, and not […]