In the spring, especially, it’s important to show our liver a lot of love. As the second largest (and heaviest) organ in the body, the liver is a tireless multi-tasker. On a functional level, it serves us by: Producing bile Producing cholesterol and proteins to help carry fats throughout the body Creating proteins and cholesterol […]
No-Cook Creamy Spinach Soup
If you’re doing a whole foods-based clean eating cleanse or detox, spinach is a versatile staple that you want to have at the ready. An excellent source of vitamins (K1, A, B2, B6, folate , E and C), minerals (manganese, magnesium, iron, copper, calcium, potassium) and fiber, spinach is a nutrient-dense leafy green. Fresh spinach […]
Getting Sauced: A Healthy Twist on Chimichurri
Herbs are an often underappreciated source of green nutrition. They contain unique antioxidants, vitamins, essential oils and other nutrients that can help boost immunity and promote proper detoxification. Parsley is one of these herbs. I remember a time when “parsley” only referred to the curly parsley that restaurants used as a garnish. The idea of […]
Sweet Green: Pea and Spinach Dip with Basil
Fresh peas, sweet and light, are a delicious rite of spring. They typically debut at farmers’ markets in late spring and early summer. Peas are rich in phytonutrients, including flavanols (like catechin and epicatechin found in green tea and cocoa), phenolic acids (such as those in coffee, berries and artichokes) and carotenoids (such as beta-carotene). […]
Resolution Rx: 10 Healthy Shifts for 2017
Did you make a New Year’s health resolution—like losing weight, getting fit, or eating healthy? In all likelihood, by end-January, that initial fire in your belly has faded. Maybe you’ve even reverted to familiar (but unhealthy) habits. An estimated 92% of people fail to keep their New Year’s resolutions, according to a University of Scranton […]
Stress-Busting Basil
This summer, I fell unexpectedly in love with basil. At my favorite farm stand, I would rivet toward the herbs on display, drawn to the co-mingling scent of several varieties of basil, including Genovese (sweet) basil, lemon basil, Thai basil and holy basil, also known as tulsi. The uniquely aromatic, uplifting fragrance of basil […]
Sweet Taste of Summer: Watermelon
July is “National Watermelon Month”. Official designation or not, watermelon is a delicious and detoxifying warm weather food that deserves recognition for its many health-promoting properties. A welcome finale at the end of any summer meal, it’s also the easiest, fuss-free dessert you’ll ever serve! Naturally sweet-tasting, yet crisp and refreshing, watermelon is an extremely […]
Cooling Cucumbers
An easy way to stay hydrated (and pleasantly full), especially during the summer, is by eating watery foods. Cucumbers, which are made up mostly of water (approximately 95%), fit the bill. The high water content of cucumbers also makes them an excellent food for cleansing the body of toxins. I use cucumbers in the recipes […]
Adventures with Chia
Truth be told, I was slow to warm up to chia seeds. As a “healthy” addition to smoothies and shakes, they didn’t hold much appeal for me. But chia pudding? Different story. I’ve always had a thing for tapioca pudding—I loved the taste and texture of tapioca “pearls” and took great comfort in its vanilla-infused […]
Raw Cacao “Truffles”
Do you find yourself crashing—fatigued, unfocused and flagging—mid-afternoon, between 2pm and 4pm? Or, if you’re doing a clean eating cleanse, do you find yourself feeling more draggy than usual? Instead of reflexively reaching for a hit of sugar or caffeine, try a few bite-sized protein balls for an energy pick-me-up. Gently sweetened by dates, these […]