This morning I sat lazily on the back deck, slowly waking up. Tea in hand, I caught up on emails, did some crosswords, and browsed the net. On Facebook, a friend posted that it was “National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day.” Now I can’t attest to the verity that such a day […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
08
Sep
Sep
No pun intended, but I double dog dare you to pick up a puppy and not feel good. Heck, you don’t even have to physically touch these furry little creatures to reap the benefits of their love. I mean, watch this video and try not to smile. It’s impossible. Growing up on the farm, we […]
02
Sep
Sep
Ask Chef Phyllis: About a year ago, a friend emailed me your Q&A column concerning his parents and their dining experience at the ’39 World’s Fair. We have a disagreement in our family over Shrimp Scampi since the ingredients in most recipes are nothing like what our grandparents ate at that same fair. They said […]
27
Aug
Aug
From the beginning of time—or at least since man discovered fire and our ancestor hunters came on the scene—humans all over the world have been boiling bones to glean their last bits of goodness after eating all the meat. Bone Broth is a time-honored traditional food that seems to have hit the mainstream recently. It’s […]
26
Aug
Aug
Fresh corn is one of my favorite summer pleasures. I don’t eat a whole lot of it, but during its brief attendance in my vegetable garden, I can often be seen eating corn nightly until the crop is finished! The height of corn season is just about wrapping up, and by now we’ve all eaten […]
25
Aug
Aug
The argument that weight loss is merely a matter of taking in fewer calories than you exert throughout the day has never really sat right with me. It seems to be an oversimplification of an issue that too many people struggle with: carrying excess weight. Don’t get me wrong. I love the simplification of most […]
19
Aug
Aug
Yak meat is growing in popularity and availability. My friends in the know are all talking about it. They say it’s leaner than beef, just like bison, and doesn’t have any gamy taste. That’s a nice catchphrase. But yak meat is sweeter and has a depth of flavor—meaning it hits different taste buds on your […]
18
Aug
Aug
The new school year is just days away at our house. It marks the end of informal meals where we eat whenever hunger strikes and whatever sounds good in the moment. I do love the unstructured days of summer. With the approach of a more regimented mentality for mealtime during the school year, it pays […]
12
Aug
Aug
Last week was the anniversary that marked the passing of my dear grandma, “Goodie.” I hold a special place in my heart for dear Goodie, with her proper British accent and her uncanny ability to kick my ass at Scrabble into her 90s. She liked to say things like “Oh, heavens no, dear.” She liked […]
11
Aug
Aug
Drinking water throughout the day is a good idea any time of the year. In the middle of August, it’s a necessity. Dehydration messes with all sorts of things your body needs to accomplish. While I rarely tire of a big ol’ glass of crystal clear water, I’ve heard from quite a few people that […]
05
Aug
Aug
Summer is the perfect season to experiment with cultured frozen ice cream. Are you ready? How about a classic dessert from India called Shrikhand: rich, creamy Greek yogurt streaked with golden, orangey saffron threads and studded with exotic fruits and nuts. Inspired by this dish, at one of my cheese making classes about two years […]
04
Aug
Aug
A common argument for not eating healthy, nutrient-dense food is the fact that it’s too expensive. And it’s true—the price you pay at your local market is often double (or more) for the healthier organic versions of your favorite foods. But these immediate savings come with a hefty future price tag that you don’t see […]
30
Jul
Jul
Life can get crazy sometimes. Personally, I find the more daylight I have, the more I try to cram into it. Summers are filled with spontaneous trips to the lake, fingers deep in dark garden soil, and evening walks with my four-legged buddy. Seldom do I find time to prepare elaborate meals, usually opting for […]
28
Jul
Jul
There seems to be two schools of thought in the general population when it comes to earwax. One group buys Q-tips like mad—and in bulk. After all, when you use one every time you step out of the shower, they don’t last long. The other group only adds them to the shopping list every couple […]
22
Jul
Jul
Ask Chef Phyllis: I hear a lot about heirloom tomatoes these days. They’re very expensive in the supermarket, but I must admit…delicious. What is an heirloom tomato? Our short growing season limits heat-loving crops, so I buy them at farmers markets in the summer. Do you have some recipes using heirlooms? —Marianna Appledorn from Cottage […]
21
Jul
Jul
How much thought did you put into picking the pillows that are on your bed right now? Go ahead. March right into your bedroom, give them a good once over, and be perfectly honest. You and your pillows deserve the truth. And don’t worry, there’s no shame here—it’s a safe space. Truly. Go look. I’ll […]
15
Jul
Jul
When I shop for food, I use all my senses to guarantee the excellence of my ingredients. I pick everything up, visually inspect it, tap it, squeeze it, listen to it, and taste it. And oh yeah—I’m a self-professed “smeller.” I’m that person in the store you might catch deeply inhaling each specimen of seasonal […]
14
Jul
Jul
Nothing makes me more giddy than walking up to the market entrance and seeing shopper after shopper hauling my favorite orb-shaped food to their vehicles. You know the one, all green and stripy on the outside and red and seedy on the inside. Yes, folks, the arrival of watermelon season is just one of Mother […]
08
Jul
Jul
Ask Chef Phyllis: Once when visiting San Diego, we were invited to a beach party. This event was called a clambake. Everything was cooked by a team of men. It took hours and seemed to be a lot of work. But the food was delicious: potatoes, corn on the cob, clams, sausage, and I know […]
07
Jul
Jul
Picture, if you will, a day in the not-so-distant future. Your grown child stands in the middle of his very own kitchen with a decision to make: what’s for dinner? Mealtime has come around again, and—whether he’s feeding only himself or his entire family—making it will be a snap if he’s been taught how to […]