Have you noticed some shifting going on at your local farmers’ market? Not only are we starting to add more oomph to our top layers, but the vegetables are getting heftier too. Take for example the difference between those thin-skinned summer squash that have been so easy to come by and the ever more present […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
23
Sep
Sep
Kohlrabi. It’s one of those “weird” vegetables. It’s ugly. Well, maybe I needn’t go so far as to call it ugly, but in The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, Johnny Bowden describes kohlrabi as a cross between an octopus and a space capsule. I think that about sums it up, and I’m guessing its likeness […]
22
Sep
Sep
There are certain news stories that tend to catch my eye, and one of the topics I can’t seem to look away from is our food supply. Watching the news is a brilliant way to convince yourself how important it is to know where your food comes from. Look at these three recent headlines to […]
16
Sep
Sep
Ask Chef Phyllis: Fall is coming, and I love pears. Truth be told, I know very little about this fruit. Sometimes I have a pear and think it’s the best thing I ever ate. Sometimes they’re grainy and lack flavor. I’ve had pears poached in wine and they were so good, but I think they […]
15
Sep
Sep
If your idea of giving your teeth what they need stops at brushing, flossing, and drinking your milk, you’re being a tad shortsighted. And since the health of your teeth says a lot about your overall health, you certainly don’t want to appear like you don’t know what you’re doing. Right? Right. Self-health education to […]
09
Sep
Sep
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 […]
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 […]