Cool crisp days and chilly nights evoke a yearning for rib-sticking comfort foods. Few things are more satisfying than a succulent, rich dish of layered potatoes, cream, and cheese. This week, I was fortunate enough to get a hold of some freshly dug sunchokes, so I thought I would prepare a unique twist on a […]
Category Archives: Self-Health Survival Guides
12
Nov
Nov
The holidays are a busy time of year when our regular exercise routine can easily go by the wayside. How do you make sure your physical activity level doesn’t plummet during the season, even when you’re traveling? Our holiday travel always involves a visit with family, which means I can’t take advantage of a hotel […]
06
Nov
Nov
As the hours of daylight really start waning, I often find myself compelled to eat dinner much earlier than usual. I jokingly call it “senior-citizen time.” However, though home-life tends to slow right down each autumn, all other daily activities keep at a relatively steady pace. Essentially, this means that there is actually less time […]
05
Nov
Nov
When was the last time you paid attention to your lymphatic system? If you’re in the same boat I was in about two years ago, you probably answered, “Um, what exactly is my lymphatic system?” It’s not that I woke up one morning and said, “Hey, today I think I’ll do something nice for my lymphatic system.” […]
30
Oct
Oct
I seriously debated presenting any pumpkin recipes in this blog. After all, the ubiquitous vegetable is certainly not lacking in publicity these days; it’s whirled into spiced lattes, nestled in ravioli, whipped into silken soups. I hesitated jumping on the pumpkin bandwagon, concerned that adding yet another pumpkin recipe to the vast collection may only […]
29
Oct
Oct
Halloween has never been my favorite holiday. I don’t enjoy being scared, and I definitely don’t enjoy the movies and stories of the season. Growing up on the farm, we never went to town to trick-or-treat—we hopped in the car and drove around to our neighbors’ houses instead. I was always so envious of my […]
23
Oct
Oct
If I had to name one vegetable that sends most folks running, it would be Brussels sprouts. Unfortunately, what creates this stigma is incessant overcooking that releases sulfuric compounds. It’s really too bad because Brussels sprouts are quite delicious and extremely good for you. They are also coming in to their peak season right now. […]
22
Oct
Oct
It’s been several years since I’ve had the daily, glazed-over look of a sleep-deprived new parent. But I can still recognize—and sympathize—with other new moms and dads from a mile away. You see them now and then out in the world. In the grocery store, they may ask where the bananas are, even if they’re […]
16
Oct
Oct
I was lucky enough to get my hands on some freshly caught sardines this week—and they caught me quite off guard. I’d never dealt with the whole fish before. Come to think of it, I’d never done anything but pluck them from a can. But when a client requested fresh sardines, I finally realized what […]
15
Oct
Oct
Does the thought of eating liver make you shudder? I have vivid memories of my siblings and myself staging a mutiny every time our mom cooked it for supper. She never even had to tell us it was on the menu—we could smell the liver and onions frying away. That was our signal to drag […]
10
Oct
Oct
Have you ever resisted a simple nutritional suggestion made by a trusted professional, for no particular reason? Ugh! I’m guilty as charged. My family has seen our clinical nutritionist for more than two years now, and I’m fairly certain she’s urged me to make my own bone broth from day one. I wouldn’t say I’ve […]
09
Oct
Oct
People are always talking about the importance of eating our greens. And while greens are certainly some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables around, we should also not forget to eat our “whites”—more specifically, sulfurous whites like the alliums (onions, garlic, leeks) and brassicas (cauliflower). As a member of the cruciferous vegetable family, cauliflower has a […]
03
Oct
Oct
Have you ever craved a particular food so much that you find yourself mixing it with just about anything you can think of, no matter how crazy? That’s how I’ve been feeling about sesame seeds lately. Luckily for me, they have a pretty neutral flavor—though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend them in tea. Yes, I said […]
02
Oct
Oct
It was cold today—damp, boots and sweater-wearing, bone-chilling cold. Okay, maybe it only felt that frigid because yesterday I was wearing shorts and flip-flops. But it made me want to eat soup, under a blanket. Instead, I opted for this tart! Why? Because I’m obviously not quite ready to let go of summer yet. And […]
26
Sep
Sep
I am vowing to start a love affair with…stress. After all, most of us come face-to-face with some form of stress on pretty much a daily basis. We may as well learn to love anything (or anyone) we deal with that frequently. It makes life easier and, after watching Kelly McGonigal’s TED Talk on the subject, […]
25
Sep
Sep
Autumn is just around the corner, and while I look forward to brisk morning walks and nights snuggled up with a good book, I am equally sad when the reality of early darkening skies and frigid weather sets in. I almost instantly yearn (and frequently express my desire) for long warm summer days once again. […]
19
Sep
Sep
Let’s play a game. It’s a lot like Jeff Foxworthy’s “You might be a redneck if…” routine—but not nearly as amusing. This version is called “You might be hypothyroid if…” You have the energy level of a sloth, yet your sleep is restless almost every night. You lose enough hair in the shower each day […]
18
Sep
Sep
The versatility of shrimp is endless. It takes well to assertive flavors, such as curries, but is equally happy bathed simply in its own juices, along with a splash of white wine. It is also a quick and convenient way to get a tasty dinner on the table. No wonder it is such a popular […]
12
Sep
Sep
Have you ever gotten in the way of yourself when trying to make changes in your life? So desperate for everything to be great, right now, that you’d try almost anything? I have. You see, I have a tendency to get a tad overzealous about new ideas. When I decide my family needs to make […]
11
Sep
Sep
The long days of summer are behind us, but the warmth of early September continues to produce delicious bounties from the garden. Serve up this colorful side dish alongside grilled or roasted meats, or treat it as a satisfying vegetarian entrée beside a salad and some crusty bread. The addition of soft, melted fontina and […]