I don’t know if it’s because of the change in seasons and the oncoming warm weather, but I’ve been craving especially bold flavors lately. This simple, super tasty meal begins with a pungent, Moroccan-inspired fish seared over a smoking hot grill until crispy. It’s served with a unique, Spanish-inspired salad that complements it to a […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
27
May
May
Summer vacations and loads of outdoor activities are going to be here before you know it, which means you’ve got a big decision to make. Hide in the shade the whole time or bask in the sun’s glory? Lots of us keep to the shade, no matter how much we’d rather soak up the rays. […]
Ask Chef Phyllis
Chef’s Secret to Crunchy Fish Crust: Pistachio-Crusted Salmon, Halibut, or Orange Roughy Fillets
21
May
May
Ask Chef Phyllis: My aim is to prepare fish for my family at least once a week. In the past, I tried prepared frozen flounder (I think it was flounder) or cod fish fillets coated in egg and bread crumbs, which I usually pan or deep fry. Of course, the kids really like this the […]
20
May
May
Back in the day, I was an avid soda drinker. And I’m not talking about just once in a while. I drank my share and your share and maybe even part of your best friend’s share. Growing up, I was almost never allowed this tempting beverage, so apparently I had to make up for it […]
14
May
May
This crisp and refreshing salad is inspired by a traditional French dish called salade Lyonnaise, from the province of Lyon. I’m a salad girl, and I’m known to combine multitudes of items in one big bowl. However, the French have this way of keeping their salads extremely minimal and unadulterated, which I find I can […]
13
May
May
Today, I present you with a challenge: Never buy artificially flavored gelatin again! But don’t worry. I’m not just going to challenge you—I’m also going to provide you with the tools you need to succeed. Why? Because gelatin is great for your overall health, except when it includes refined sugars, acids, and artificial colorings and […]
07
May
May
Ask Chef Phyllis: My Sundays are just as busy as the other days of the week. Is there something festive and a little bit special for the slow cooker? My family loves pork. —Charlotte Miller, Moncks Corner, SC Back in the day, a chef would be delighted to share his recipe with customers, especially if […]
06
May
May
I have a confession to make…I’m crazy about taking a hot bath. Even though it makes me feel guilty, I’ll frequently indulge myself with a soak. Why the guilt? Well, as a mom of three and an entrepreneur, other tasks are always calling me. Laundry to do, supper to start, a dog to walk—not to […]
30
Apr
Apr
Ask Chef Phyllis: Will the butter I make from raw cream spoil? It has an unfamiliar odor that I’m not sure I like. Is it bad or unsafe to use? —Joanna Lynch, Colorado Springs, CO No, the butter is good and usable. Many homemade butter makers let the cream sour before turning it into butter. […]
23
Apr
Apr
Duck is a little bit foreign to many people this side of the Atlantic. I believe this unfamiliarity, paired with the misconception that duck is difficult to deal with—too fatty or too extravagant—leads many people to shy away from an excellent, and delicious, protein alternative. Instead, we savor it only on special occasions when a […]
22
Apr
Apr
On this day 44 years ago, we officially started celebrating Mother Earth with the first Earth Day. The thing is, she’s been teaching us lessons a lot longer than that. We’d be wise to recognize what Mother Earth has to share. Here’s a countdown of the top four lessons Mother Earth can teach us about […]
16
Apr
Apr
Shortcake is a choice dessert for a healthy makeover, since it’s not terribly sweet to begin with. By subbing whole grain flour for typical refined white flour, and using honey and maple syrup to sweeten, I’ve been able to create a treat that you don’t have to feel terribly guilty eating. Rich and buttery, and […]
15
Apr
Apr
I’ve lost track. Are we eating eggs now, or are we still too afraid to enjoy them? It’s hard to think of another food with a reputation that’s flip-flopped as much as this poor, humble morsel’s. Another silent victim of misinformation. Unfortunately, the majority of us bought into the idea that eggs were bad for […]
09
Apr
Apr
I love homemade, freshly-pressed juices, but I always feel as if a lot of valuable fiber in the pulp is left behind after juicing. Between this and my juicer failing to extract much out of leafy greens, I set out to concoct a nutrient-rich vegetable smoothie instead. This favorite combination is as delicious as it […]
08
Apr
Apr
Meditation is all the rage. But I would venture to say that if you are someone who enjoys time in the garden, you’ve been meditating all along. My own loose definition of meditation is a state of being completely aware of, and involved in, the moment—alert to every detail, no matter how small. Meditation is […]
07
Apr
Apr
Ask Chef Phyllis: I often have trouble with pie crust. At holiday time, when I need pie crusts the most, I wind up buying them from the supermarket. After reading the ingredients, I’m disappointed. Can you help me make a healthier pie crust? —Patricia Schaeffer, Central Islip, New York To make a healthy pie crust, […]
02
Apr
Apr
I love the versatility of eggs. They’re my favorite go-to protein when I need something simple, enjoyable, and fast. I definitely don’t reserve them for breakfast, either. In fact, I think I probably eat more eggs for dinner—atop a crisp salad or whipped into a quick frittata—than I do for breakfast. Since I’m regularly looking […]
01
Apr
Apr
Are you a fool when it comes to food labels? You’re not alone. The way the food industry twists label definitions with tricky language on food packaging makes all of us look foolish when we walk down the aisles of our local market. We make personal choices to eat natural, wholesome, and nourishing foods. But […]
26
Mar
Mar
Once considered somewhat of a delicacy, modern farming and technology have been able to provide us with asparagus for a good part of the year. However, at its heart, asparagus is still an iconic spring vegetable—one of the first specimens to mark the arrival of the season when its peculiar shoots peek from the ground […]
25
Mar
Mar
The spring equinox has arrived! There’s something about the newness of all-things-spring that makes me want to ditch old habits that might be holding me back. I’m compelled with the overwhelming urge to do things like: Declutter our living space. Winter turns us into semi-hoarders, but something happens when I open the windows and let […]