Chocolate and The Love Connection The symbolic connection between chocolate and love was originally established by the Mayans of Mexico where, in addition to serving chocolate as a celebratory beverage at betrothal and marriage ceremonies (much like expensive French champagne), the bride and bridegroom exchanged cacao beans during their wedding vows to signify their bond. […]
Baby Pasture-Raised Lamb Burgers with Coconut Milk Tzatziki
This is a delicious, Greek-style take on pasture-raised lamb burgers—fragrant with a medley of fresh herbs and topped with coconut milk tzatziki. Cast-Iron Skillet Baby Pasture-Raised Lamb Burgers 1 pound pasture-raised ground lamb 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions 2 tablespoons mint, chopped fine 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped fine 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped fine […]
Tiger Nut-Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache
The last time I attempted to bake a gluten-free, dairy-free birthday cake was 6 years ago. I decided to try again. I wanted to make a chocolate layer cake to celebrate my birthday—as well as my sister’s recent significant birthday. One of the most effective ways that I manage my Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune thyroid […]
Heritage Turkey Soup
We get a lot of mileage out of our Heritage Bronze Thanksgiving turkey. I love organ meats, so I always chow down on the turkey gizzard, liver and heart. We always save the turkey carcass and turkey bones, which are repurposed into a delicious, body-warming Heritage turkey soup. Tradition dies hard. When I was growing […]
Hay and Straw “Noodles” with Bolognese-style Ragu
When there’s a hint of chill in the air, I love making my own version of paglia e fieno served with a homemade ragu. Paglia e fieno, Italian for “straw and hay”, is a classic Italian dish, featuring a combination of yellow and green tagliatelle, fettucine or linguini (whatever your druthers) served with some variation […]
Shiso Pesto and 100% Buckwheat Noodles
Shiso, a.k.a., “perilla”, is a Japanese herb related to the mint family. In the summer, I’m happy to be able to find this at my favorite “beyond organic” vendor at a nearby farmers’ market in the City. Shiso actually originated in China, where it was used as a medicinal herb. It later made its way […]
Basil-Mint Pesto
Eating enough healthy fat is essential for hormone balance, as well as for immune, heart and brain health. Olive oil nourishes the thyroid and has been touted as a fertility food for women. Regular consumption of olive oil is may also improve sperm integrity and function in men, according to a recent study. One of […]
Detox Spinach-Pear Smoothie
My beef with commercial “green” smoothies is that they often contain more fruit (sugar) than actual greens. Commercial smoothies can also contain ingredients that sound “healthy”—for example: coconut nectar, agave, mango puree, apple juice or yogurt—but are really hidden sources of sugar that add up to a high-calorie or high-carb load for that smoothie. I […]
Poached Chicken with Scallion Pesto
One of my favorite ways to eat a whole, pasture-raised chicken is to poach it. It’s a two-for-one: not only do you get a delectable, toothsome, easy-to-digest chicken, you also end up with homemade chicken broth that you can use for other dishes or sip daily to boost your immune system. By the way, a […]
Slow Burn Buckwheat Gingerbread Brownies
Do you enjoy a slow burn? Then you’ll love these gingerbread brownies! (And, no, you won’t be rating Scoville heat units…there are no chili peppers in these brownies!) Moist and flavorful, a combination of gently warming spices (including fresh ginger root) natural sweeteners and buckwheat flour, makes these brownies a delicious, warming treat (and digestive aid!) […]