Wheatberry – a true whole grain
It’s BBQ season, so I’ll be posting some great healthy side dishes to go along with whatever you might be tossing on the grill. This wheatberry salad is one of my favorites. Wheatberries resemble barley or brown rice; they are whole, unprocessed wheat kernels – a true whole grain! All the nutrients are intact, so…
Gas Is a Blast – For Some
How serious a problem is intestinal gas? Serrin’s mind started wandering after she read an article titled “Flatulent Cows Start Fire at German Dairy Farm.” Ninety cows producing methane gas plus a static charge resulted in one cow being burnt and damage to the barn. It led to wondering whether humans might pose a similar…
Looking For More Flavor? Try cooking with fruit!
A Mediterranean diet is a diet front-loaded with vegetables, fruits, legumes, healthy grains, fish, olive oil, and includes lean meats, dairy and alcohol in moderation. As a Greek-American physician raised with a Mediterranean based lifestyle and routine, I have seen firsthand the positive effects of such a diet on my own family members and in…
Rejuvenator Bars
I am always searching for healthy snacks for my kids. That elusive food easy to take on the road, truly healthy, and which they BOTH love — and doesn’t take an hour to make. In my search for this recipe I’ve stumbled upon Rejuvenator Bars, which I adore, and my 4 year old son…
A feast at the Corcoran with Joe Yonan
Thu had just posted a great recipe for caramelized cauliflower from a beautiful cookbook, The New Jewish Table, by Todd Gray, notable chef of Equinox restaurant in Washington, DC – right in our backyard – when I received an unbelievable invitation from the Corcoran Museum. Todd Gray would be preparing his usual brunch one Sunday…
Fats – the good guys and the bad guys
We’ve already discussed the importance of protein in the diet, so now we’ll move on to fats — they are energy-rich, supplying 9 calories per gram of fat. A common misconception is that eating excess fat will add fat to your belly or hips. Well, actually, that is true – but it’s true that excess…
What is EXTRA in extra virgin olive oil? Olive oil and the Mediterranean diet
Last week, my son told me about an NPR program regarding the Mediterranean diet and the benefits of polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) that he listened to on his way home from work. Within an hour, Thu emailed me to say we needed to write about this NPR story she just heard. Having…
Protein – why you need it and how to get it
Our bodies need a combination of protein, fats and carbohydrates to function. These are all essential for normal growth and for repair of tissues, despite the fact that each one of them has been maligned by various fad diets. Proteins, in particular, are used for repairing cells and building muscle. They also are key for…
Calcium Sources in the Diet
Recently, concerns have been raised about the potential for calcium supplements to increase the risk for heart disease. On the other hand, we know that calcium intake is important for prevention of osteoporosis, and very few of us have adequate amounts in our diets. Calcium is important for bone health and for many other bodily…
Chickpea, the Star Legume: Chickpeas and Tomatoes Salad
Chickpeas, an ancient legume originated from Turkey more than 7,600 years ago, is in the family of Fabaceae. Chickpea seeds are rich in protein. Other common names of the Chickpea are Garbanzo bean, Ceci bean, Chana, Hummus and Bengal gram. The word Chickpea traces back to the French Chiche, or Latin Cicer. There are…