You and Your Stove
My stove and I have the greatest time together. When I smelled gas as I cooked one day, I thought it might be a good idea to call the gas…
You And Me
I wanted to kick off 2022 with some thoughts that I believe are on a lot of minds these days. Our inboxes and newsfeeds are filled with stuff we love,…
Tis the Season of Spice
As the days continue to cool, our bodies struggle to adjust to this new weather pattern. Will you be sitting on the couch cloaked in a blanket (already?) shivering in…
When Will We Learn?
ProPublica published an article a couple of weeks ago that had me scratching my head in confusion. And then I got well…angry. It seems that back in May of 2018,…
Back to Italy
I am back in Italy, working in our lovely travel business, hosting gloriously fun groups of tourists from Ravello to Naples, Tuscany to Rome. We are following that fun with…
What Do I Know?
This Memorial Day will be the second anniversary of an event that changed the life of my little family. A serious health incident rocked us to the core and changed…
What Are We Becoming?
I grew up in a pretty wild, outspoken household. I was considered the wallflower because I didn’t yell (still don’t). My Italian and Irish clan was politically diverse and loved…
Memorial Day 2021
How are you spending the long weekend? Working? Playing? Finishing up the pandemic house projects we all seem to have started and now want done, done, done so we can…
Ah, Vaccines
As light begins to glow at the end of the long, dark tunnel known as the worst pandemic in our lifetimes, I thought I would write about something that has…
Remembering When and Living in the Now
It seems so long ago, those days when a friend would ring and ask if I had time to meet up for a coffee or a quick lunch. During the…
Hope As We Grieve…Over and Over
I don’t know about you but I am exhausted by grief. Just a few weeks ago, I was working in Italy, hosting groups, filming for Christina Cooks. It was a…
Time to Chill
I was watching Bill Maher recently and he said what I have been thinking for some time now. That doesn’t happen often, so when it does, it gets my attention….
Let’s Make Pizza
For so many of us, it’s just another weekend in the same place we’ve been for months, living and working day to day; looking for work, dealing with school, struggling…
Still Cooking?
I think a lot during these days. I was just talking to my oldest and closest friend about these past months and how, for the most part, I have been…
Living in Love
2020 was filled with painful challenges, from losing loved ones to losing jobs to losing ourselves in the chaos that filled the year. 2021 wasn’t much better. And now? Good…
One Month In…
We are one month into 2021 and the times are still challenging. Sure, there’s hope and optimism as there is with every new year. And this year, that hope feels…
And Now for Something Completely Different (cooking…)
It’s been months and months of the virus and even if the news around the vaccine is good, it’s not like we’ll be partying shoulder to shoulder in our favorite…
Cooking Now…Again
There are certain kitchen rhythms that I will always associate with these past months of the pandemic. Pot after pot of what we consider “comfort food”: millet soup with red…
Cooking for Thanksgiving
Here we are, in the run up to Thanksgiving and whether you’re alone, cooking for your immediate household or cooking for an intrepid crowd that decided to brave the airways…
Celebrating The Year
I don’t know about you, but I was seriously hoping that Covid-19 would be on the downswing by the time the holiday season rolled in. But with cases still surging,…
Here I Go Again
I have written about this topic before and I will write about it again, I am sure. I shouldn’t write when I am angry and exhausted from social media’s seemingly…
Acrylamide-Should We Worry?
Someone wrote to me on Facebook asking about acrylamides. I confess that my first response was acryl-a-who? There seems to be more and more “stuff” out there for us to…
It’s Almost Over…2020 That Is
I was listening to some people at my gym talking and they referred to 2020 in the most perfect way: “a total and complete s*&t show.” Sad to say, but…
Fall Cooking Now
As summer fades into our memory, we mourn its passing, especially this year. We moved through the days with mask-fogged sunglasses and awkward, socially distant gatherings, where we waved at…
Our Changing Planet
I was reading the New York Times this morning, as I do every morning before I begin my work. It’s my go-to source for news and has been for most…
The Days Roll On
The days became weeks; became months and here we are. The days roll into each other. We savor small changes, small freedoms as we continue to navigate this pandemic. We…
How Did We Let This Happen?
I know that times are hard for so many of us. We struggle with everything from cooking three meals a day, seven days a week to juggling home school or…
The Joy of Still Cooking
Ah, the pandemic. 2020 has been such a delight (she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm). As the weeks and months of COVID life drag on, I find solace where…
Women, Cooking and the Vote
I know what you’re thinking. You all come to me for my thoughts on food and wellness, not politics. Well, take a deep breath. This isn’t about party or politics….
The State of the World
It’s been months now of living and working at home, working unmentionably long shifts as essential workers out in the world or living at home and not working at all….
Got Cooking Fatigue?
As we venture out into the post-pandemic world, we are all still cooking. We are, right? I know so many of us are so eager to get back to eating…
Family Meal
I continue to cook three meals a day. Even though life is opening in every way, which makes me so happy and grateful. I just don’t feel comfortable eating outside…
The Sicker We Get, the Happier We Are?
Watching an hour of television at night makes me feel sick. There. I said it out loud. It’s not the programming so much as it’s the Big Pharma ads during…
A Midsummer Night Dinner Party
As social distancing and limited exposure to people not in your nuclear circle (like people with whom you share a home) continue, I am thinking about dinner parties and other…
I Am Dreaming
As I write this, I casually glance at the calendar, just to see the date since, like most of you, I’ve lost all track of time. I saw that, if…
Moving Forward
After months of lockdown and stay at home orders, it looks like summer might just begin and without masks. Our new normal will dictate the rules but many of us…
Be the Good…and Win
2020 has been challenging to say the very least. The pandemic, social unrest and political upheaval can send us right over the edge into the abyss. I figure we can…
Making the Case Against Eating Meat- yet Again
‘Fa tutto ciuccio gazzo!’ My favorite Neopolitan slang curse word (look it up) explodes from me as I slam the book shut. I have just finished reading “We are the…
Cooking Now
I don’t know about you, but I am about at my wit’s end. A weekend of fury and violence has made the pandemic feel like a premonition of what was…
Managing Life in Uncertain Times
As we slowly emerge from the safe cocoons of our homes and into what can be a scary new world, how can we channel our fear and create happiness in…
Black Garlic, Baby
Black Garlic You might think that garlic that has been heated to temperatures varying from 140o to 170oF for three to four weeks, turning it black and soft should be…
Keep Cooking
Another month of semi-lockdown and social distancing, no hugs, no kisses. More cooking at home. We may be out of our homes more; enjoying more freedoms, but still… I…
Good Morning Weekend
If you’re like me, you’ve had enough of stress recipes, cooking for comfort and indulgence, cooking with pantry staples, cobbling together something that looks like dinner. I’m tired of crossing…
Reassessing…Everything
There’s no question. This is bad. Our current struggle (even with a light at the end of this very long tunnel) is out of the realm of imagination for us….
Italy, Pasta and My Heart
If life were normal, I’d be deep in the planning stages of hosting one of my glorious Italian adventures. Every cell of my body vibrates with the anticipation of jetting…
Earth Day Turns 50
It’s Earth Day. I wanted to write today about something that has been on my mind as I work, cook, clean, exercise and self-isolate with my doll of a husband…
Failing in the Kitchen
Kitchen failures happen. It’s simply the reality of life when we cook. My very wise macrobiotic cooking teacher once told me that for every great dish there were 100 disasters….
I Thought About You
It was during my qigong practice. I was letting go of the realities of life and letting the chi flow freely through my body, softening the tightness in my back…
Our New Normal…For Now
I have worked from home for a long time. Unless traveling, hosting groups; teaching classes and seminars or lecturing, I generally work from my home office (aka, my kitchen), writing…
10 Tips for Taking Care of Ourselves
There’s not one thing I can say that will quiet your fears about the Corona Virus pandemic. I can tell you how to cook healthy meals now that you’re home…
Some Serious Spring Cleaning
As COVID-19 continues its iron grip on our world and life as we know it continues to change, as it should, I thought I would talk about cleaning. As you…
Oh Boy, The Corona Virus
The novel Corona Virus, best known to us now by its code name, COVID-19 has dug its tentacles into the very fabric of our modern society and left us scared…
This Is No April Fool’s Joke
I was watching television one night when an ad came on that I simply could not believe I was seeing. Whoever advised Inspira Health that this concept was a good…
Can Vegan Burger Subs Really Reduce Our Consumption of Meat?
From Christina: I saw this article online and was thrilled to see the statistics. Now all we have to work on just a little more is the compassion that goes…
This Chef’s Life
It’s been a long time since I was in a kitchen full time. Most of my days now are spent testing recipes, writing articles, planning and teaching cooking classes, serving…
We Got Featured!
We got featured on Vegan Liftz, check out the veganism on the rise article here.
The Cost of Going Vegan
The UK took a look at the cost of eating a vegan diet as compared to a conventional meat and potatoes (or bangers and mash) diet and the results were…
Cozy Soups and Stews
Soup making has always been a kind of ritual in my world. I can remember the aromas coming from the bubbling pots on my mom’s stove. She had a way…
Healthy Holiday Side Dishes to Savor
It’s that time of year. A time to gather our loved ones around us, enjoy, share and celebrate…everything. A long, cold winter stretches before us. The holidays distract us from…
My Life’s Mission
My reason to get out of bed every day is to make a difference. My mother raised us with the mantra: “If you’re not serving someone or something somehow…
Why Do People Hate Vegans?
(From Christina: I read this in The Guardianback in 2019 and my mind was a little more than blown. it still is and is still worth a read. This article…
The Key to Wellness
My husband was reading the New York Times and sent me an opinion piece by a cardiologist from Tufts University and a former Secretary of Agriculture. The piece hit the…
Ramp Up the Anti-Cancer Power of Vegetables
The “war on cancer” drags on with no end in sight with 1.9 million Americans diagnosed with cancer last year alone. I don’t know about you, but with stats looking…
The New Shows Are Coming! The New Shows Are Coming!
After a six-year hiatus, I’m coming back home to national public television. Taking the time to travel, teach and write a new cookbook, I think it’s time to come back…
Want World Peace? Stop Killing Animals
It’s a simple thought that came to me while I sat in a lecture at a conference. The lecturer was a mentor of mine, Bill Tara, a brilliant man who’s…
What the Heck Is Fast Fashion and Why Should We Worry About It?
Those of you familiar with me know that I rarely (okay, never) talk about fashion; not trends or styles. Heck, most of my clothes consist of workout gear, kitchen clothes…
What’s Going on with Being Vegan?
I have practiced a balanced vegan lifestyle for over 35 years. Lately, several young vegan influencers (whatever that means to you), are bailing on the lifestyle because they lost their…
GMO’s Deciphered
You guys know that I have strong feelings about genetically modified organisms, better known to us as GMO’s. But sometimes I wonder if my trepidation is founded in real science….
Is Fried Food Really That Bad For Us? Really?
Yes, really. According to a study published in BMJ (formerly British Medical Journal), frequent consumption of fried foods can lead to a serious outcome: early death. Yup; you read right…early…
Fending off Disease with Fiber
My husband, who I adore, loves Time magazine. Yup, good old fashioned Time magazine. I’m not such a big fan but every now and then, I see an article that…
A Story of My Father
I grew up in a wild, passionate Italian and Irish family. Food was the glue that bonded us and quality of ingredients reigned supreme. My Irish father worked as a…
Enjoying Eating…No, Really Enjoy It
When was the last time you sat down to a meal and really enjoyed it? Without pondering calories, carbs, protein grams. Without second-guessing your choices and their impact on your…
Going Green
I am continually stunned at how out of touch so many of us are when it comes to our impact on our fragile planet. Even when we think we are…
Natural Relief
Backache,headache, sore knees, whatever ails you, pain is a game-changer and we are impatient to be rid of it once it parks itself on our doorstep. Before reaching for…
Creating a Happy Life
The more I get to know myself (seems to take a lifetime), the more I recognize what works for my system and what doesn’t; and I don’t just mean food….
Pasta, Actually
My dear friend and food writer extraordinaire, Jason loves the movie “Love, Actually” so I named this article for him. It was through him that I had the chance to…
Bathroom Beauty
Every holiday season I struggle. I struggle with gift giving. Do I simply make a large donation to a worthy cause in all my loved ones’ names? Do I make…
Share the Love
It’s that time of year. Our hearts warm (while the rest of us is chilled) and we begin to count our blessings. You do count your blessings, right? I try…
Gratitude, Baby
It’s that time of year. Our hearts warm (while the rest of us is chilled) and we count our blessings. You do count your blessings, right? I try to count…
Holiday Wellness
It’s that time again: Chestnuts roasting on open fires (if you’re in Italy anyway), parties, family gatherings, feasts decorating, and shopping. The pace of our lives is fast day in…
To Soy or Not to Soy. That Is the Question
I am asked this question all the time, but I realized that I have never really dedicated an entire blog to the topic of soy and the fear that has…
I Couldn’t Believe This. You Won’t Either
I was just recently described as a badass since, it seems, I speak my mind freely. As I get older, I find that I do it more and more…and more…
What Does It Really Mean to Be Vegan?
It’s National Vegan Month, which got me to thinking, as these various month-long commemorations often do. Sometimes they evoke a rant from me and sometimes, I want to just ruminate….
Are We Really Standing Up to Cancer? Really?
I am at it again, ranting about cancer and the fact that we continue to “wage war” on this disease but yet, what are we accomplishing? It’s the time…
Hard to Believe We’re Still Here in 2018
I am an avid listener of the NPR radio program 1A. Well, I was an avid listener, until last week. I find the show and its host, Joshua Johnson…
It’s An Italian Thing
When we think of the Mediterranean we think of azure blue seas and leisurely days. I think of robust feasts served in olive orchards on one of our many trips…
What Does Cancer Prevention Really Mean?
In the past few months, I have had more phone calls from people I love asking for advice about cancer (and diabetes and heart disease) than I care to think…
Is It All Downhill As We Age?
My husband is simply mad for Life Extension, using a number of their products and reading their magazine. Over the years I have fallen for this company as well, with…
What’s Up with Fatigue?
I hear it all the time. It seems everyone I meet is tired. It gets me to wondering what’s up with that? Now I get that many of us…
What to Cook This Week
Have you ever stood in the kitchen without one solid idea of what to cook? Espeicially now that we are all cooking all the time? Still? Me, too. Have…
Seriously?
My husband loves Time Magazine and I love my husband (as evident in this photo of us…and yes, I know; the 80’s called and they want their hair back…but it…
Summer Salads That Satisfy
As the days heat up, we are less and less inclined to light all four burners, the oven and the grill to prepare our meals. Nor should we! It’s…
Making Vegan Yogurt
I taught a cooking class yesterday all about managing weight and one of the questions at the end of class was about making vegan yogurt, specifically about the starter part…
Lighten up Your Lunch
Who doesn’t love a sandwich for lunch? But sometimes the bread and the filling can leave us feeling like we’ve been stuffed like an over-filled pita! Let’s lighten up…
Discover a Younger-Looking (and Feeling) You…in the Kitchen
In the spring, we all talk about giving our homes a ‘facelift.’ We clean closets, wash windows, de-clutter and get rid of the ‘cobwebs’ of winter. But what if…
Smokin’ Hot B-12
Wait…what? You can…vape…Vitamin B12? Like…vape? When I first heard about this new product idea, I was…unsure, shall we say. I wondered if it was hype or smoke and mirrors…
Your Kitchen Is Your Pharmacy
We live in challenging times. Our political system is in upheaval; our food supply is under assault by big business interests who care only for profit, not for quality. Our…
Eating for Your Workout
Each January, we commit to getting healthy and fit. Then winter doldrums set in and we set our deeply-felt resolutions aside and curl up under a blanket on the sofa….
What’s Being Vegan Got to Do with It?
I will admit that I have been on something of a long rant these days as I watch junk food being peddled to us as real food and the accompanying…
Coffee for a Cause
If you’ve known me for more than three seconds, you know I love coffee, from the shape of the sexy little beans to the seductive aroma that calls me by…
It’s Almost Like They Want Us to Die
If you watch television, read magazines or scan internet sites for news or any other information, you have seen the ads. We have tacos with shells made from fried…
Want More Energy?
Do you feel sluggish in the afternoons? Light-headed or suffer with brain fog and fatigue? If your health if generally good, you might be confused by this. You may just…
Olive Oil and Your Heart
People who follow a Mediterranean diet have a better quality of life and a longer one. You read right: according to research, people who eat a Mediterranean type diet live…
#EnoughAlready
Are you as fed up as I am? As we start the New Year, my hope is as shiny as the tinsel on the tree. I practically vibrate with…
The Pomp of Pomegranates
When I was a kid, the only thing that helped me get over the passing of Christmas was the appearance of what my grandfather called “Chinese apples.” I couldn’t wait…
Can Vegetables Be Our New Meat?
It’s been a bad time recently for meat-and meat eaters. Everywhere they turn, they are faced with studies telling them meat kills, experts advising to quit meat and contaminated meat…
Cranberries for A Healthy Holiday Glow
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, our thoughts turn to family gatherings and tradition. Okay, the pressure of holiday shopping is foremost in our thoughts, but stay with…
Let Go…and Do Good
I am not a big fan of clutter or accumulating what we don’t need so the rule in our house goes like this: “Have you use this in six months?”…
Happy Healthy Holidays
I spent a few weeks working in Italy this past summer and fall and was struck by how healthy Italian living feels with its slower pace and relaxed lifestyle. Italians…
The Soy Story (and how it relates to your thyroid…)
From Christina: I am asked about soy and thyroid all the time so I thought I would go an expert on the topic, my great friend, Andrea Beaman. Here are…
Always Read the Nutrition Label
By Dr. Miranda Graham | The Vegan MD The healthiest food you can get will always be from the produce section at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. However,…
The Minimalist Kitchen
I hate gadgets. I’m glad that’s off my chest. From garlic presses to citrus juicers, I have little use for any of it. Give me a chef knife and a…
Hallo-Whining!
Okay, I admit that Halloween was always my favorite holiday. It involved dressing up in costume, lots and lots of sweets and…it kicked off the holiday season with glitter and…
Cooking Rules
The simple act of cooking. It has taken on meaning that we can barely fathom anymore. Is it a colosseum-type sporting event with chefs running around a kitchen cooking sea…
Our Little Ones
It’s Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and Childhood Obesity Awareness Month so let’s talk about our kids and their wellness, shall we? I’ll start this article by saying that I…
What’s Going on with Our Colons?
What’s Going on with Our Colons? The news was big…and somber…and apparently, shocking for many people, including experts. A new study, published in the Journal of The American Medical…
Get Pickled!
It’s all the rage. It seems everyone is fermenting something and extolling the virtues of fermented foods. That includes me. So let’s talk fermentation, shall we? Is it…
Living Like An Italian…for a Little While Anyway
It feels like a moment ago that we landed in Rome, jetlagged from an overnight flight, but eager to welcome our guests, friends and family to another epic adventure in…
Bashful bananas
I have to tell you, bananas are not my favorite fruit…sorry. It’s not the flavor…they’re sweet, so that’s good, right. It was purely a texture thing; they’re too soft or…
The Epitome of Summer…Tomatoes
What’s summer without tomatoes? Lifeless…lackluster…flavorless…okay, okay…it would still be summer and wonderful at that, but tomatoes bring a luscious, sensual energy to hot, sultry days that is without peer in…
Baby, It’s Blueberry Season
Baby, It’s Blueberry Season One of the many things I love about summer, besides basil, the beach, Italy, hot sultry days, cold crisp salads, lush fruit, staying outside until long…
Time to Play
With summer in full swing, it’s prime play time. I don’t know about you, but I drain every drop of fun in the sun out of this all-too-short season. I…
The Beauty of Basil
One of my favorite things about summer is not the beach or long lazy afternoons in the sun or even the explosion of color and perfume in my flower garden. …
The Carb Dilemma
I took my inspiration for this blog from my pal, Kris Carr. Both of us were surprised that people were still sooooooooo confused about whether or not to eat carbs….
KISS Me, Baby
I say it all the time. Keep It Simple, Sweetie. It’s the key to success when you’re thinking about changing your diet and lifestyle to reflect healthier habits. My…
Celebrating Men
This month, we celebrate men. According to the internet, June is dedicated to helping men to find their way to wellness. It reads: “The purpose of Men’s Health Month…
Don’t Fry Day?
It’s Don’t Fry Day, but it’s not what you think. This is “take care of your skin” day. As Memorial Day weekend is on us and we unofficially kick off…
Get Outside and Play!
It’s May and the height of spring. We’ve done the cleaning, decluttered our lives and now it’s time to refresh our fitness routines. How? Get outside and play!…
The Healthy Kitchen
People ask me this question all the time: “what are the ten essential ingredients for a healthy pantry?” In my view, there’s a lot more than ten things, but…
What’s Moringa Got to Do with Arthritis?
Arthritis and its associated aches and pains plague the lives of millions of people in this country…and the world. New statistics tell us that one in five American adults have…
Light, Bright Italian Fare
I am always inspired by my travels in and around Italy…all of the Med, really, but Italy is where my heart lives. I feel my best there, the most natural,…
What’s Up with Turmeric
Obesity, lethargy and lifestyle diseases are almost inevitable or so it seems. With our notorious health-stealing American diet of fast junk food, frozen meals and convenience foods, not to mention…
Spring Re-Boot Cleanse-Your Most Gorgeous Spring Ever!
Spring has sprung, but have you? Are you ready to bare your skin to the warmth of the sun? Are you radiant, glowing? Or do you need a wee bit…
The Three-Day Detox
Can you feel like a new person in just 3 short days? Can you undo the damage you did over the holiday season? This 3-day plan can put your feet…
Soy, Thyroid and You!
I’m asked this question a lot: Can I eat soy if I take thyroid medication to regulate its function. So I put on my reading glasses and scoured the net…
How to Make Homemade Dog Treats
We all love our pets and want the best for them so when I received this blog from Jenny Holt about homemade dog treats, I just had to post…
Here We Go Again!
Each year, we make the same promises to ourselves. This is the year that you’ll get healthy, eat right, get fit, get more sleep and take care of yourself. …
Perimenopause and You
Perimenopause and You I get asked about this life condition a lot so I thought I would take the time to do some research and get you some good information…
Our Smoothie Culture
I have a very specific opinion on smoothies. You may hate it; you may rant at me for it, but here goes. We finally put kale…in all its crunchy, nutrient-dense…
Holiday Leftovers
You’ve worked all week: shopping, cleaning the house, prepping ingredients, baking and cooking for the big feast that brings us together around the table to celebrate our gratitude for abundance,…
You and the Flu
Every year around this time, the bombardment begins. Every expert pushes each and every one of us to get a flu shot like our lives depend on it. It starts…
Imagine a World without Soda
My husband and I travel a lot for our work, as well as with family and for pleasure. We see a lot of sights…and stop at a lot of rest…
Get Your Pink On and Open Your Wallet…Again
It’s October, girls, so gird your loins! We’re about to get pinked! You’ll see the color everywhere from tee shirts to ribbons, kitchen appliances to running shoes, all designed to…
Your Essential Pantry
I must get asked these questions ten times a day: How do I set up a pantry to create health and wellness? What should I include, besides the basics to…
Love the Skin You’re In, Baby!
Women spend a staggering $426 billion on beauty products each year: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, dry shampoo, face wash, facial scrubs, tea tree oil, shaving cream, razors, toothbrushes, whitening toothpastes,…
This Old Yankee Had a Cutting Board
It was a blazing hot summer day and I was about to do a cooking demo for the Newport Mansions Food and Wine Festival. A man with sparkling eyes…
Actually, This Is the Sharpest Knife in the Drawer!
I love my knife. There; I said it in my outside voice. I love my knife the way women love their shoes…with all my heart. The affair began about…
There’s a New Kid in Town
Camelina oil was brought to my attention a couple of years ago when I was traveling around Italy. It seems some of my best ideas, luck, products, people, experiences, food…
The Power of Sublime Porcini
There are some things that you just can’t live without…great olive oil, sexy shoes, fresh garlic, juicy grapefruit, loyal friends, tulips in the spring and porcini mushrooms. Growing up…
Eating with the Seasons: Summer
Just to take us back to the dreamy, leisurely days of summer…yum! Summer Now we’re talking. Summer. It’s my season. Sure, I love Christmas and all that goes along with…
Eating with the Seasons: Spring
I know it’s not always spring (we can only wish…), but it’s important to discover seasonal foods so you know what to eat as the seasons change. Spring During those…
Organic VS Non-GMO
It’s exhausting; I know. The dilemma of choices is in our face on a daily basis. Organic, non-organic, GMO, non-GMO; local, pasteured, grass-fed, hormone-free, antibiotic-free. It could curl your…
Protecting Your Peepers This Summer
As the days heat up, so do our bodies. We sweat more easily to stay cool. We drink more water to stay hydrated. We rest more. We wear sunscreen. …
Social Media Day?
Who knew this was a thing? Seems to me we need a day when we take a wee respite from it and hang out with Mother Nature, no gadgets, phones,…
Summertime and the Grillin’ Is Easy
I know what you’re probably thinking. Vegetarian and grilling are like Romeo and Juliet…with the tragedy. They just…don’t…go…together. But, really, they do. From corn on the cob to veggie kabobs…
Cha-Cha-Cha-Cherries
As summer really heats up, we look to sweet, succulent fruits to help us keep our cool. Cherries are the perfect summer treat (gee…do you think that’s why nature gives…
Step Away from the Stove…
What? Is she telling us not to cook? Dream on, kids. I am asking you to explore a new idea to add to your repertoire of healthy eating…raw cuisine. And…
Smile and the World Smiles with You!
We all know the power and magic of a smile. We have all basked in the warmth that radiates from someone’s grin when directed at us. A smile…that silent…
Time for a Picnic
As the first day of summer approaches (yippppeeeeeeeee…) we begin to think…picnic! There’s nothing more fun and relaxing, more leisurely and chill than a blanket on the grass with friends…
Passionate About Peaches
As summer moves into its hottest weeks, I think only of peaches…sensual, soft, rich in nutrients and so lush with juice that it runs over our fingers and drips down…
Make Life Beautiful Today!
There’s an official day to make life beautiful. The official description of this lovely idea reads: “It is a day dedicated to encouraging and celebrating men and women who are…
Time to Sweeten Things Up…
As far as I’m concerned, pineapple is the aristocracy of fruit. But don’t let its royal appearance fool you. Underneath its regal crown lies sweetly sensual fruit that can take…
How the Heck Did We Get Here?
I think a lot about food. I guess that’s obvious, right? The other day, my husband and I were driving on the highway, passing billboard after billboard for food…
The Beauty of Basil
One of my favorite things about summer is not the beach or long lazy afternoons in the sun or even the explosion of color and perfume in my flower garden,…
The Epitome of Summer…Tomatoes
What’s summer without tomatoes? Boring…lifeless…lackluster…flavorless…okay, okay…it would still be summer and wonderful at that, but tomatoes bring a luscious, sensual energy to hot, sultry days that is without peer in…
The Sensual Nature of Strawberries
Here on the East Coast, during that brief period of paradise known as early summer (or late spring), strawberries rule…as they should. There is nothing quite like them in the…
Sassy Saffron
With the warming days of spring moving quickly toward summer, I start to think of ways to refresh my cooking. After a long, cold winter of hearty soups and stews,…
Summer Skin, Baby
The days are long, the sun high, the weather is hot, hot, hot. I’m sure you’re fit and fine, psyched for the fun, the sun dresses, tee shirts and shorts…
No Bones About It
It seems that each month, we work to create awareness of another illness that is plaguing our modern lives. We host runs, walks and any number of events to raise…
The World’s Healthiest Diet
When I heard that it was International Mediterranean Diet Month, it made me stop what I was doing and reflect on that for a minute or…10 (as they would in…
It’s Celiac Awareness Month
I will be honest here and tell you that I would be incredibly sad if I was told that gluten had to be eliminated from my diet. While we don’t…
Spring Sneezing
As April showers are replaced with May flowers, many of us rejoice at the thought of spring being fully sprung. And then there are the more than 50 million Americans…
Amazing Asparagus
Just when you think there isn’t one more thing you can love about spring, along come the first tender stalks of asparagus, the surest sign of the season after tulips. …
The Loveliness of Lemons
In Chinese medicine, lemons are a key ingredient in remedies used to aid the liver in its functions of ridding our bodies of toxins, as well as regulating the metabolism…
The Art of Artichokes
Growing up in an Italian family (yes, I am half Irish, but we were all about the Italian food…), artichokes were a staple of our diet. As a kid, I…
Loving Your Liver
Truly warm days of summer seem a distant dream at the moment, but there is a shift in the energy around us. You can feel it if you really pay…
Check Out Chives
I know what you’re thinking. She’s become desperate…she has no idea what to write about anymore, so she is writing about garnishes. Well, nothing could be further from the truth. …
The Joy of Cooking…Redux!
When I was a kid, we “ate out”…in a real restaurant once a year…on my mother’s birthday. It was her day not to cook. We ate at the same Polynesian…
Our Glowing Skin
Our skin…soft, smooth, dewy—our pride and joy or the plague of our beauty regime. Never is this more obvious than in the spring when our winter-weary skin must face the…
I Want an Easter Egg!
When I was a kid, my favorite cartoon character was Bugs Bunny. In one episode of Looney Toons, he ran around yelling “I want a Easter egg! I want a…
Luscious Leeks
Cooking with onions seems to be the base for just about any good recipe, but pull out a leek and everyone gets just a little nervous…isn’t that the weird veggie…
Fitness Redux
When I began my vegan macrobiotic practice 35 years ago, my life was on the line. I changed everything about my life to regain my health. I walked away from…
Planting Your Future
I don’t know about you, but as spring begins to spring, my thoughts turn to dirt. Yup, dirt. I think about my little city garden and how may flowers and…
St. Patty’s Day
I grew up with a mother who was seriously proud to be Italian. Seriously proud. She loved the cliché that there were two types of people in the world: Italians…
Paleo-Should We Really Eat Like Cavemen?
I have to say that of all the dietary extremes we humans adopt on our quest for health and fitness, the Paleo or caveman diet concerns me the most. I…
Get Your Glow On
How do you maintain a demeanor of calm, serenity in the world we live in? To say it’s been a heck of a time since March of 2020 would be…
Supplements-Savior or Sinner?
I wish I had a penny for each time I was asked about supplements in my career. I’d be writing this article from my villa in Italy! I kid you,…
Calm, Cool Cauliflower
Considered by many to be the mild-mannered Clark Kent of vegetables, cauliflower is actually a true superhero of nutrition…and one of my favorite veggies. A garden plant with origins in…
It’s Almost Here
I bet you’re thinking I’m talking about spring, right? Hah! While that most glorious season begins on March 20 and I wait breathlessly for the first buds to sprout, it’s…
Oil or No Oil-That Is the Question
Not a day goes by that I am not asked about oil. I have to say that while I am honored and thrilled to answer anyone’s questions at any time,…
How Far Have We Really Come In Our Quest for Health?
It’s a discussion that has to be had, whether we like it or not. Not a day goes by that we don’t read, see or hear a news story telling…
Living a Healthful Peaceful Life
I am a cooking teacher, first and foremost. I get asked a lot of questions as a result. And it seems to me that we have lost our way when…
Suffering Seaweed, Batman! It’s A Real Super Food!
You may think of them as the annoying fronds that wrap around your ankles at the seaside, but sea vegetables are the ultimate super food. At a time when it…
Shiitake Happens
We may not think of shiitake mushrooms when we think heart health, but we should. I often joke that a true lover would present his or her beloved with a…
Dried Fruit-Healthy or Hype?
Many of you have heard me say that when that candy bar in your desk drawer is calling your name at snack time…well…there’s a better choice. For many of us,…
Saturated Fat
As we celebrate our tickers, I thought I would take a look at one of the ingredients that seems to cause us so much grief. We are told that…
Dysfunctional Foods
(A Note from me: I found this article online. I adore the work of Dr. Katz. I just had to share it with you. David L. Katz, MD, MPH, FACPM,…
Oh, Boy, Brussels Sprouts
I know what you’re thinking. It’s February, the month of love and romance…and she is writing about Brussels sprouts???? Brussels sprouts???? Before you turn to another article, hang in there…
Tailgate This!
It’s that time of year. We’re all about the Super Bowl. And while the game is the center of the universe for those 4-5 hours, it seems to me that…
The Beat Goes on
We may think of February and picture Valentines, but since 1963, this short month has been celebrated as American Heart Month to urge Americans to join the battle against heart…
Glorious Grapefruit
I don’t know about you, but where I live, when the bone-chilling cold of winter sets in, it feels like it will never thaw. Steel grey skies, cloudy days and…
Is Fruit Juice Healthy?
We seem to tend toward over-indulgence…the holidays, the summer, graduation, weddings…because it’s Tuesday and then we want to get back on track. Is juice the answer? Maybe; maybe not. The…
Fabulous Fennel
Growing up in an Italian household, fennel, or finocchio, was a staple on our autumn table. It wasn’t until I grew up that I discovered that it was rarely used…
Cleaning Up For the New Year
It’s the New Year. You’ve made the decision to clean up your eating habits and get fit. Maybe you’ve made this resolution before, but what if it could really “stick”…
Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire
Even though the tinsel has come off the tree, decorations are packed neatly in the attic and the menorah is wrapped safely in its soft cloth for storage until next…
Changing How We Think
When I was younger and newly vegetarian, I think I had it easier than today. In order to change how I ate, I had to change how I thought about…
Listening In the Kitchen
I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. It’s my job. I love every second of it. Having worked as an artist in my earlier years, I love the…
Changing Your Mind
No one likes change. It’s uncomfortable and takes us into uncharted territory. It can be scary and we aren’t sure of the results…or consequences. And sometimes, we just get tired…
The Aristocrat of Oranges, The Mandarin
I live on the East Coast. Winter sets in with dull, grey, bone-chilling cold days. Since I can’t always jet off to a tropical paradise for a break from winter…
Discovering the Christmas Spirit
I grew up in a wild and crazy Italian and Irish family who seemed to compete for who could yell the loudest or be the most dramatic. We were all…
The Scoop on Sugar
It’s World Cancer Day, part of a 3-year project to reduce the burden of cancer on the world. It’s a great idea and there are lots of ways you can…
May We Live In Interesting Times
There’s an old Chinese saying: “May you live in interesting times.” Never has that been truer. With political upheaval, fundamental extremism, violence at every turn, hatred and division, climate change…
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” -Dalai Lama Sitting with my godson in an ancient Franciscan monastery in Italy,…
Facing Down Illness
I became a vegetarian when I was 14 years old, as a way to torture my butcher father. I had no idea what it took to be a healthy plant-based…
Eating with the Seasons: Winter
We live in a great country where we can get any fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. That’s good news and bad news for us. It’s good…
It’s Diabetes Awareness Month
If you watch television for more than 30 seconds, you’ll see an ad for a diabetes drug, with discouraging language for people trying to manage this lifestyle disease on their…
Nutmeg-Adding Spice to the Season
Nutmeg is one of the signature spices of the holiday season. We associate its earthy flavor with eggnog, spice cakes, cookies and seasonal lattes. This simple spice has an interesting…
The Salt of the Earth
I decided to write about salt for a couple of reasons. I adore salt and all it does for my cooking and health, but more important, I am asked about…
Let’s Talk Turkey
Surveys tell us that more than 100 million turkeys are eaten each year in America, 46 million of which will be the center of Thanksgiving feasts. Yikes! Besides the karmic…
Is There a War on Delicious Meat…Or On Our Health?
The headlines blared from every national (and international news outlet): “Processed Meat Causes Cancer, says WHO.” The World Health Organization now says pretty definitively that eating processed meat such as…
Have vegans given themselves a bad rap?
At the time of year when we are thinking about gratitude and compassion, this weighs heavy on my mind. I was talking to someone I love and adore, respect and…
An Introduction to the Sublime – Chocolate
Honey…truffles…wine…all hailed as food of the gods at some point in world history. No food, however, is more deserving of the title than chocolate, the aromatic, creamy, rich, dark substance…
Tis the Season for Squash
With colder weather just about here (and the holiday season already looming), people naturally begin to think more and more about cooking. We see article after article, advertisement after advertisement,…
An Apple A Day
As the cold weather continues to march toward us and autumn is in full blush, is there anything that lifts your spirits quite like crisp, juicy apples spilling out of…
A Week of Lunches
I know what you’re thinking. How boring. Brown bagging lunch every day to the office and sitting at your desk while you eat it. No way, baby. Homemade is far…
Hallowe-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-n!!!!!!
I love (she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm) reading all the “healthy Halloween” tips that flood our inboxes and magazine covers this time of year. Not only impractical and…
Cooking for One…You’re Worth It
In the kitchen, one can be a lonely number. There’s leftover fatigue or the sad bowl of cereal for dinner – again-rather than cooking. On top of that, spending time…
Glorious Garlic
Glorious Garlic I didn’t cook with garlic until I was about 10 years old. My mother, you see, didn’t like it. I know, right? An Italian cook who didn’t like…
S-l-l-l-o-o-o-w-w Cooking
There’s something about the fall that makes us crave long-cooked, hearty dishes. They seem to comfort us as the days shorten, the nights grow longer and the frost is definitely…
Eating with the Seasons: Autumn
We live in a great country where we can get any fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. That’s good news and bad news for us. It’s good…
We’ve Missed the Entire Point About GMO Food — A Farmer Explains Why
(October is Non-GMO month. In honor of knowing what’s in our food, I wanted to give you great information. I found this article which blew me away. I hope it…
The Pleasure of Pignoli
Pignoli (or pine nuts) are one of life’s yummiest indulgences. If they appear in a dish, it’s suddenly more special, more richly-flavored. What is it about these pale little bits…
Cooking without Onions
Wait…what? Cooking without onions or garlic? Seriously? I get this question a lot. Some people have a partner who hates all things onions and garlic; some have an allergy to…
O-o-o-o-o-o-h, Onions
As the weather cools, we turn our attention indoors. We move from the outdoor sizzle of the weather to the indoor sizzle of our skillets. For some of us onions…
The Care and Feeding of Our Breasts: Series Post 2 of 2
Could it be that the key to minimizing our risk of breast cancer begins in the kitchen? While I have talked about this for years, research is beginning to prove…
The Care and Feeding of Our Breasts: Series Post 1 of 2
We hear about it every day. Women are diagnosed with a cancer that attacks the very symbol of our womanhood. From the rich and famous to the not so much,…
Women’s Health and Fitness Day
It’s a big day in my world–bigger than a lot of the days on which we celebrate various conditions and causes. We’re celebrating women’s health and fitness. Today we ask…
Eating with the Seasons
We live in a great country where we can get any fruit or vegetable at any time of the year. That’s good news and bad news for us. It’s good…
Organic or Non Organic, That Is the Question
My friend and colleague David Steinman generously offered to help me explain the importance of organic foods. David is a journalist, environmentalist, and consumer advocate. His book Diet for a…
A Grain of Truth
The word “grain” resonates deeply with me. It evokes images of simplicity, elegance, beauty and humility. Simply stated, whole grains and grain products are the cornerstone of any healthy, whole…
Eating Well on a Budget: Series Post 2 of 2
Let's continue our conversation of what seems like an impossible mission of stretching your dollar to get healthy food on a budget. VegetablesThis is a no-brainer. Veggies are inexpensive and…
Eating Well on a Budget: Series Post 1 of 2
There’s a reason that healthy eating seems unattainable. The recipes can seem complicated (translation: lots of prep time) with ingredients that sound unfamiliar and when you seek them out, are…
Back to School-for the Big Kids
It’s true-70% of non-athlete college students gain between 10-15 pounds their first semester, and it just grows from there. Yikes! While my days as a college student are long behind…
Label.ology: General Tips for Reading Labels
How to Read a Label10 Tips 1. Ingredients are listed in order of their proportion in the product. So for me, the first three ingredients are the most important. They’re…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Labels Product Names
How to Read a LabelLesson 5 Don’t let product names fool you. The name of the food product has nothing to do with what is actually in it. Big brand…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Vitamins and Minerals
How to Read a LabelLesson 4 The next part of the label reveals the vitamin and mineral content of the food item you are considering. The FDA requires listings on…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Ingredients
How to Read a LabelLesson 3 Let’s talk ingredients. We see the lists on packages and sometimes they read like Russian novels. How could all those substances be in one…
The Art of Canning
It’s that time of year. Your seeds have sprung into full-grown plants laden with the fruits of your labor. While much of your garden bounty ends up on your table–and…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Calories, Fat, Protein, Sodium…
How to Read a LabelLesson 2 The next part of the label includes information concerning fat content and type, amount and type of carbohydrates, protein, sodium, fiber, and sugar. It’s…
Label.ology: Ice Cream
The summer is hot. We all want ice cream. It’s a treat synonymous with the season. But is it healthy for us? It can be high in fat, sugar and…
Ciao Amici!!!
As I traveled in Italy for the month of July, it occurred to me just how easy and delicious it was to eat well and stay healthy…even when you’re on…
Label.ology: Reading and Understanding Serving Sizes
How to Read a Label Lesson One At the top of the label you will see the serving size or the number of servings that the nutrition information is based…
Label.ology: How to Read a Label
I know–duh, right? Don’t you just pick up the package, turn it over, and read? Yes, but you may not know what exactly you’re seeing. It’s complicated. We are bombarded…
Beating the Heat, Italian Style
I spend a lot of time in Italy, where the summers simmer, I would do some investigating into natural ways to beat the heat. As many of you know, Italians…
Olive Oil and Your Heart…A Healthy Combination
There’s a lot of talk these days about olive oil. There are people who would have you believe that it’s an unhealthy ingredient in your diet. These experts, many of…
Gelato, Gelato, Gelato
The summer is hot. We all want ice cream. It’s a treat synonymous with the season. But isn’t it unhealthy for us? Not these recipes! Enjoy! Simple Vanilla Gelato This…
One reason Italians live so well… lentils!
I admit it. I am completely obsessed with lentils, as are most Italians. I always say that if we could make a delicious lentil gelato, we would! Green, brown, yellow,…
Healthy Travel
It’s that time of year. We hop in the car or head to the airport to enjoy some well-earned downtime to chill with friends and loved ones…a time to refresh…
…Road Trip!
Summer means strappy sandals, t-shirts and sundresses; long weekends picnicking at the beach and…road trips!!!! But wait. Can those of us dedicated to healthy living survive out there on the…
Why Aren’t We Asking More Questions About Chicken?
Do you remember when we first heard about the sinister Avian Flu in 2003? We panicked. The news covered this new bird disease incessantly. China and its Avian Flu became…
In the Garden
It’s that time of year. As I type this, I am looking out my window into my little city garden just overflowing with life. A couple of days of seasonable…
Don’t Sweat the Summer
The stories vary, like any legend, I guess (true or not; legend or not…). Some accounts say Coca Cola was introduced on May 6, 1886 and some say June 6,…
If Gluten Isn’t An Issue for You, Should You Still Avoid It?
Not necessarily. Look, I want to go on record as a gluten fan. I love whole wheat flours; I love baking bread and sweet treats. Sure I can work within…
Eat This Now: Arugula
Eat This Now! Arugula…A Most Tender Green For most of us, spring brings thoughts of crocuses popping their pretty little heads through frozen soil…or tulips and daffodils waving lazily in…
Vitamin B-12; Do You Need It?
By Bill Caradonna, R.Ph., N.D. (Note from me: As many of you know, I am a deeply committed advocate of Vitamin B-12 and have written about my own experiences…
Four Signs of Gluten Sensitivity
Now before I give you fodder to give up gluten ‘just because,’ let me go on record as saying that I think we eat way too much of this protein…
Standing Up for Kind
We live in changing times. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal Americans have become ‘serial snackers’ with 48% of us skipping meals, in favor of snacks at…
Sweet Treats
One of the questions I am most asked is how to convert gluten-containing desserts into gluten-free treats that…well, not to put too fine a point on it, actually taste great….
Is Gluten-Free Synonymous with Healthy?
With about 30% of Americans indicating that they feel like they should “cut down or be free of gluten” (according to a survey), it’s important to make sure your nutrient…
What’s All the Hubbub About Gluten?
I confess. As I write this blog, I am chewing on a piece of toast made from Italian artisan whole wheat flour and thanking my lucky stars that I don’t…
If GMO Labeling Is a Con, Then Con Me, Please
Did everyone see the article on Gawker last week proclaiming that organizations demanding mandatory labelling on foods containing GMO’s is simply a con to get consumers to purchase more organic…
Fast and Easy Breakfast Ideas
Froot Loops, out! Trix, out! Lucky Charms, definitely out! What can you do to get that same silly smile on your face that you get with a bowl of…
A Healthy Breakfast…It Makes the Day!
I always say that your mother was right, at least about this one. Nothing gets your day off to a great start like a healthy breakfast. Skipping breakfast sets you…
My Go-To Dish
This is one of my favorite recipes for strength and endurance. I love how it makes me feel: strong and relaxed at the same time. Perfect for a tough workout….
Life As a Plant-Passionate Gym Rat
I began my plant-based macrobiotic practice 36 years ago when I was terminally ill. Given about nine months to live, all my attention moved to healing and what I had…
Your Precious Skin
I love The Environmental Working Group. I have found that their research is impeccable and they do not resort to simple scare tactics. But they also don’t shy away from…
Ahhhhhhhh…Avocado
Ya’ know, I never really liked avocados…too soft and mushy. The flavor was okay, but the mouth-feel was just not for me. And then one day, my husband convinced me…
Here Comes the Sun, Baby!
I told you these days would come. The birds are chirping; the sun shines brighter each day; buds are popping everywhere! We’re thinking about planting, signing on with a CSA…
Multiple Surfaces That Needs Cleaning? No Problem!
I love this simple to make multi-surface cleaner. I use it for just about every surface in my house, from the dining table to granite counters to wooden cabinets. It…
Clean, Fresh Laundry…No Sweat
My husband and I are both athletes. Robert is a distance runner and gym devotee and I am a gym rat through and through. We also work hard, on our…
Naturally Clean!
Spring cleaning. It’s that gorgeous time of year when we throw open the windows and air out our homes after a long winter. Just like our bodies want to hit…
The Farm Markets Are Coming! The Farm Markets Are Coming!
Depending on where you live, it’s still on the early side to trek to the weekly farm market in your town. But it’s certainly the time to get your hands…
Your Kitchen Farm-acy
Time for the big guns. Let’s move from the herb garden and the medicine chest to the pantry and the fridge because a lot of your relief…or aggravation with allergies…
Tips and Tricks for Healthier Living
We asked and you answered! As a long-time advocate of healthy eating and natural living, I sometimes feel like I live in my own little world. Living the way I…
Springing Forward
It’s finally here…spring. The breezes are growing warmer, wafting through our open windows with the perfume that tells us the chill of winter is behind us and it’s clear sailing…
Bagged Salad: Should We or Shouldn’t We?
It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want it in your food, on your body…
Eat This Now!
Amazing Asparagus Just when you think there isn’t one more thing you can love about spring, along come the first tender stalks of asparagus, the surest sign of the season,…
Spring is in the Air!
As I write, it is an unseasonably cold, grey March day. I am beginning to wonder if I will ever see sun or be blissfully warm again. As I write,…
Going Meatless
We post some very cool social media with daily healthy tips, yummy recipes and some interesting information about our food and making healthier choices. But now? Oh, yeah, baby….
If GMO Food Is So Great and So Safe, Just Label It
It’s National Nutrition Month, thirty-one days dedicated to helping people make healthier choices in life. I see it as a time to refresh our commitment to wellness but also as…
What’s In Your Food?
Do you know what you’re really eating? “Imagine if waiters told you the truth about your dinner order. They’d probably start like this: “Hi folks! Thanks for dining with us…
Beans, Beans; They’re Good for Your Heart
How could I resist using that silly little ditty from our childhoods to begin a discussion of beans…and their influence on your heart health? I can’t. My inner Henny…
Let Them Eat Kale
There are two types of people in the world…those who eat greens and those who should. You can laugh, but it’s true. In my book, leafy greens are…
Label.ology: Agave Nectar (Syrup)
Label.ology In this feature, we’re taking labels…and ingredients apart. It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide…
Lovely Lentils
I admit it. I am completely obsessed with lentils. Green, brown, yellow, red, black, small, large, humble or gourmet, lentils rock my world. And you need to let them rock…
Money Talks…Chocolate Sings!
There’s a saying that money can’t buy happiness. It can, however, buy chocolate. And in my book that’s practically the same thing. It used to be that chocolate, while…
Shiitake Just Got Real!
If we think about mushrooms at all, we may consider them a tasty addition to a salad, stir fry or casserole. Ah, but they are so much more. …
The Beat Goes On – American Heart Health Month
I hear it all the time. Thank goodness February is short. It’s the most unpopular month. It’s dark and cold, snowy and grey. There’s nothing special about this beleaguered month…
One Healthy Thing – Week 5
Waking Up and Smelling the Toast As humans, we have taken ourselves so far from what is natural for us that we don’t know what natural is anymore. We think…
The Dairy Myth
Doesn’t it seem that for most of us we often have weight loss on our minds? We’ve been told that milk and other dairy products can be helpful in the…
Oh, What a Relief It Is
Look out, kids. It’s cold and flu season! We’ve seen the ads and they make colds and flu seem as terrifying as anything Stephen King can imagine. Simple…
One Healthy Thing – Week 4
One Healthy Thing Week 4: Be Nice and Eat Your Lentils! As January moves along, we are getting healthier every day. As we choose to add one healthy thing each and…
Natural Radiant Beauty
Radiance, beauty…that elusive glow that we all seek to achieve. I would venture to say that we would rather look good than feel good. Unfortunately, you can’t have one without…
One Healthy Thing-Week Three
It’s almost the middle of January and look at you! You’re glowing with the spark that comes from becoming a proactive creator of your own health and wellness. With you…
Label.ology: Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum) & Petrolatum Liquidium
In this feature, we’re taking labels apart. It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want…
Why We Cook
Why do we cook? Anthropologists tell us that cooking is what ultimately makes us human, differentiating us from other species in that cooking created community. We gathered around the fire…cooking…
One Healthy Thing – Week 2
See? That wasn’t so bad. One healthy thing, each day, and you already have 4 days of making healthier choices under your belt. Just look at you! You’re glowing…with…
One Healthy Thing
“The greeting cards have all been sent The Christmas rush is through But I still have one wish to make A special one for you” Get your act…
Why I Love Kettlebells and You Should, Too
I am a gym rat. It’s my one true vice. Not chocolate or salt or even espresso. I am deeply attached to my workouts. If I could move my bed…
Happy Holiday Season
I grew up in a wild and crazy Italian and Irish family who seemed to compete for who could yell the loudest or be the most dramatic. We were all…
Easy Weekday Soups to Keep You Warm and Strong
As the holiday season heats up, we get busier and busier…and it becomes more challenging to cook from scratch so we stay strong and healthy. One of my go-to methods…
Buona Tiramisu
BUONA TIRAMISU While not really an Italian classic, this yummy dessert has come to be associated with Italian cuisine…right up there with pasta. My version is delish and lighter on…
The Root of It All
With cooler weather as the order of the day, we look to our food and cooking styles as our first line of defense against the harshness of cold days. And…
Tis the Season of Spice
As the days continue to cool, our bodies struggle to adjust to this new weather pattern. Will you be sitting on the couch cloaked in a blanket (already?) shivering in…
Label.ology ; L-cysteine
In this feature, we’re taking labels apart. It’s important to understand all the stuff that’s in what you buy. Then and only then can you can decide if you want…
Cookies to Make You Happy… and Healthy… This Holiday Season
It’s that time of year. The air is crisp and cold. We’ve packed away the flip flops for boots and sweaters. The lights are untangled and ready to adorn the…
Who Has Time for That?
Watching a cooking show the other day, I saw an ad for Marie Callendar pot pies talking about how the crust is made from scratch and the ingredients simmered with…
Workout Your Heart
I know what you’re thinking. This is the one where she gives us that tired old advice of exercising daily. And while that is essential to heart health (really…
Why Does the Food Industry Want to Block GMO Label Laws?
An article appeared in Bloomberg Business Week on February 6 that should have us nervous about the future of our food…and asking a lot of questions. The Coalition for…
Arctic Apples…Why?
I suppose it was only a matter of time before somebody messed with our beloved apple. We humans just can’t leave nature alone. Our ability to create and manifest what…
Living Well Is the Best Revenge
Who doesn’t want to live a happy, healthy life? But who’s got the time? We are tired, overwhelmed, struggling to just get through the day. Well, there’s a better way….
The Art of Living Well
Food is merely the foundation upon which we build the rest of our lives. We live in a world where it is quite difficult to maintain a natural balance. Everything…
Vegan Pregnancy Q & A
Very informative interview by Alicia Silverstone with experts she trusts…including me. What kind of formula should a vegan baby drink? Christina: Well, first, I have to say that the best…
Living a Healthy and Peaceful Life
As a cooking teacher I get asked a lot of questions about food and health. My conclusion? People are so confused. Each day we hear statistics that are scarier than…
An Ode to the Long Lunch
I have been traveling to Italy for both business and pleasure for years. I have often said that I feel more myself there than I do here in my own…
Eat Your Way to Better Sleep
We all want a great night’s sleep. Just about every expert will tell you that many of the ills plaguing modern society have some roots in sleep deprivation. Study after…
Get the Glow
It’s that time of year again…time to start spring-cleaning! And I’m not talking about the usual scrubbing, dusting and mopping, though I do enjoy a tidy nest! It’s no secret…
They Don’t Call Them Essential Fatty Acids for Nothin’
The year was 2003. Living a plant-centric lifestyle for more than twenty years and teaching healthy cooking and eating macrobiotically for more than fifteen years, I thought I had it…
The B-12 Dilemma
In our house, 1998 has a pet name…the year from hell. Everyone has them…those years that you literally count the days until they end…even living a macrobiotic lifestyle does not…
President Bill Clinton… National Treasure
From little fat boy to the national poster boy for healthy plant-based eating, the former President has become…in my view, a national treasure…a shining example of what we can do…
Fit for Human Consumption
If we took cooking seriously, we could change the human condition. I’m not kidding. French food expert, Jean-Anthelme Brillat Savarin once said that cooking made us who we were; that…
I’m Mad As Hell
Ay, Ay, Ay, as the saying goes. A pandemic, lost jobs, unprovoked war and political unrest, global natural disasters, and, as Peter Finch’s character declared in the 1976 film Network,…
My Story of Growing up Italian and Where It Got Me to Today
My life began when I was 14. Okay, I was born fourteen years before that, but… I was raised in a big Italian and Irish family, with extended clan members…
Why Choose HEALTH When You Can Choose Dinner in a Bucket?
Walk into a fast food restaurant and look at the menu closely. Your head will spin at the sheer number of options available to wreck your health and accelerate your…
Ya Gotta Love How Special Our Special Interest Groups Are…
I have been away, working in Italy for about a month, so I have spent a few days catching up on email and other office stuff that has built up…
A Day in D.C. (A Retrospective)
On a crisp Thuirsday in January of 2012, I had the privilege to testify before the USDA with my friend and colleague, Dr. Neal Barnard, president and founder of the…
Where Has All the Compassion Gone?
I wanted to talk about something that seriously bugs me. I have lived a plant-centric lifestyle for more than 25 years and people rarely knew it. I always told myself…
Can We Cut Crime by Changing Cafeteria Menus?
I know; I know. It’s controversial. Some say crazy, but what if we could reduce crime and violence by simply changing cafeteria menus? A high school in Appleton, Wisconsin tried…
Is Healthy Living the Privilege of a Few?
In these hard economic times, people are watching their dwindling money do less and less. We also continuously hear about living well, eating naturally and preventing disease. These three basic…
Why We Eat
Thirty-five years ago, I changed the way I eat in order to regain my health during a life-threatening illness. Obviously, it worked out well, as I am here and healthy…
The Impulses of Impulse Eating
We have all done it. We’re cleaning up after a party, holiday feast, or other celebration and you munch as you go. There’s one cookie left on the plate, and…
Foods Your Family Will Love
We have all had those days…or heard the stories. You are worried about your family’s health. You desperately want them to eat healthy food so you buy books, scour the…
No Choice but to Be Fat?
‘Sometimes I have no choice but to eat heavy, greasy food…’ goes the opening line in a television ad for ‘Activia,’ the yogurt enriched with ‘bifidus regularis’ (an invented marketing…
Again with the Resolutions?
Are you as sick of New Year’s Resolutions as I am? Every year, we hear the same things: make this the year you get fit; slim down; make healthy lifestyle…
Holiday Feasting, In the Plant World
Holidays can be challenging on many levels, but if you really want to throw your family into a tailspin, tell them that a vegetarian, or worse…a vegan, will be joining…
‘Tis the Season…
You survived it…the summer of beach time, barbecues, block parties, late nights. ‘Tis a new season as we face the reality of head colds and flu…and surviving that! Simple colds…
Cleaning Up For the New Year
It’s the new year. You’ve made the decision to clean up your eating habits, de-tox your body and get fit. Maybe you’ve made this resolution before, but what if it…
Life’s A Beach
With long, languid summer days ahead, it’s time for some serious summer health talk. I know that when I walk into my gym after any given weekend in the summer,…
The Back-To-School Dilemma
It seems that summer just begins and suddenly, we are bombarded with ‘back-to-school’ ad campaigns designed to market as much stuff to our kids as they can absorb…and our kids?…
Top Ten Farm Market Ingredients to Buy and Eat Now!
It’s the time of year more near and dear to my heart than Christmas, the season of farmers’ markets. We are especially blessed in my region of the country, surrounded…
Summer Abundance
The day I met Julia Child was amazing…awe-inspiring and I was just a little star-struck. Here she stood, the icon of all that is cooking, shaking my hand, smiling and…
Stay Healthy This Autumn with These 10 Tips
I don’t know about you, but as much as I adore summer, I love those first cool days when I race to the kitchen, turn on the oven, and begin…
The Christmas Spirit
I grew up in a wild and crazy Italian and Irish family that seemed to compete for who could yell the loudest or be the most dramatic. We were all…
The Forbidden Fruit
When I was a kid, the end of summer meant three things, pressing grapes with my grandfather to make wine, canning the garden’s tomatoes with my mother…both chores we hated…and…
Brown Rice Syrup & Arsenic… The Truth I Discovered
People are confused and scared by grim statistics and dire predictions about health and our diets. Organic, non-organic, local, commercial, GMO’s, farm fresh, natural…it’s like you need to be a…
Brown Rice and Arsenic…Here We Go Again
Just when I think things are returning to some form of normalcy, there is more panic around food…some for good cause and some, as Jon Stewart says, not so much….
It’s Easy Being Green
Shakespeare coined the phrase ‘salad days’ in ‘Antony and Cleopatra,’ referring to a time of youth and innocence. In modern days, this same phrase indicates the peak of life, regardless…
Napoli and Pizza
My mother’s family came to America in search of a better life. The youngest of seventeen children (yes, you read right, seventeen!), my grandmother talked often of their life in…
The Deadly Nightshades…Or Are They?
I grew up in a big, culinarily inspiring Italian family. We cooked, ate, made and drank wine, cooked, ate, tended vegetable gardens, fought, cooked and ate. But I learned everything…
Seeds of Life
As the earth thaws and the change in the air we know as spring embraces our winter-weary bodies, I am acutely aware of the rebirth of all life. We emerge,…
The Scoop On Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is one of the most intensely concentrated nutrients. And while it has a very strong taste, very grassy, like drinking the lawn…(kidding…) it can be a healthful addition to…
The FDA Says Walnuts Are Illegal Drugs?
I am an avid reader of the magazine Life Extension. I find their articles compelling, no-nonsense and their research impeccable. In one of their issues, I read an article that…
Where Does Your Food Come From?
It’s all the rage. Eating organically produced foods, supporting farm markets, CSA’s and eating locally have become as common in our language of food as food itself. We are all…
Celebrating Chocolate
The great Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus christened the cacao tree…food of the gods…and boy, was he right! We’ll never know what nirvana is…well, most of us won’t anyway…maybe the Dalai…
GMO’s-Playing Roulette with Our Lives
G-M-what’s? GMOs are genetically modified organisms that are engineered in a lab, in petri dishes, without any influence from Mother Nature, and then used to create new breeds of foods…
Holy GMO’s, Batman! In Artificial Sweeteners, Too?
GMO’s are complex and often confusing. They are ingredients derived from plants whose DNA has been altered with genes from other plants, animals, bacteria or viruses. Yuck, right? If you…
Just When You Think Monsanto Can’t Be More Subversive
“The motto of the world’s largest youth organization is “To Make the Best Better.” This is honored by Monsanto as we are proud to share and support the motto of…
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