Radicchio is one of my favorite cold weather vegetables. It is also known as Cichorium intybus and Italian chicory, and it belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family that includes other chicory vegetables, like Belgian endive. Radicchio has a distinct bitter flavor. You can eat it raw, but I prefer it cooked, preferably braised with garlic and […]
Stress, COVID-19 and Weight Gain
If you have gained unwanted weight over the last seven months…you are NOT alone! These have been unbelievably stressful, unprecedented times. I get it. I hear you—and I feel you—100%. That said, word of advice: it behooves you to start working towards a healthy weight NOW—rather than wait until January 1st or “later”. Another virus […]
Understanding the Stress Response and Weight Gain
Our stress response is designed to help us survive an immediate threat. Let’s say you spot a saber-toothed tiger headed your way. The amygdala, a neural network involved in the processing of memory and emotions (primarily fear), sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is the part of your brain that communicates with […]
How to Naturally Release Stress-Induced Weight Gain
If you want to release extra weight—especially during these uncertain times—basic self-care practices are key. Mindset is where you need to start. When you come from a place of anxiety, anger, fear, resentment or unrealistic expectations, your body will perceive these thoughts and emotions as “stress”, making it very difficult to release weight. Reduce anxiety. […]
Grilled Pasture-Raised Pork Chops with Jerk Marinade
A little natural sweetness (low-glycemic coconut sugar) and a lot of spice (allspice, serrano, ginger) make everything nice in this mouthwatering jerk marinade… The aroma. The taste. The experience! Pasture-raised pork chops are a perfect complement. Also on my plate: organic arugula dressed with raw apple cider vinegar and olive oil and zoodles with scallion […]
Ginger-Pear Clafoutis
Our Bartlett pear tree yielded a frugal bounty this year. What we were able to reap went straight into this pear-ginger clafoutis. A clafoutis is a rustic French country dessert that traditionally calls for eggs, milk, sugar, flour and seasonal fruit. My version is a cross between a souffle and a custard; it’s also dairy-free, […]
Ginger Flank Steak
When I was growing up, one of my mother’s staple home-cooked dishes was stir-fried broccoli with sliced flank steak with big hunks of ginger in the mix. As a kid, I wasn’t crazy about broccoli; I didn’t much like flank steak; nor did I care for large chunks of ginger in my food. In recent […]
Braised Lacinato Kale with Onion and Carrot
In autumn and winter, I like to braise dark leafy greens, like kale, in my enameled cast iron Dutch oven. Braising is a gentle cooking method that calls for a small amount of liquid (I use homemade chicken stock; you can also use filtered water), low heat and a covered pot. Cooking kale I favor […]
The Benefits of Eating Whole Foods
As we literally and metaphorically shift into back-to-school mode, it is really important to slow down and take time to de-stress your body. One of the best ways you can do this is to deeply nourish your body with whole foods. Whether you are trying to reduce body aches and pains; shed unwanted pounds; navigate […]
The Antidote to Loneliness This Holiday Season
This holiday season, you may experience an overwhelming feeling of loneliness. It is an understatement to say: you are not alone. What is loneliness? Scientists define loneliness as a subjective state of distress or discomfort about the perceived discrepancy between one’s desired level of social connection, and their actual level of social connection.1 That is: you […]