healthy living

  • Eggplant Parmigiana

    Traditionally made with mozzarella, my pal Antonella has perfected the art of the vegan version of this dish. It’s rich and yummy. No one misses the cheese. Makes 6-8 servings Slice eggplant into long slices and pat dry with a towel. Make your tomato gravy (or sauce if you prefer…

  • Stuffed Artichokes

    Every Sunday that they were in season, artichokes were on our table. We savored each and every tender leaf. My mother stuffed them with breadcrumbs and herbs before poaching them to perfection. Makes 2 servings Clean the artichokes. Using a sharp knife, slice the bottom stem off the artichoke so…

  • | |

    How Do I Make Change?

    I have been doing what I do for a long time; more than 30 years. I have worked passionately at the mission that drives my every waking moment tirelessly and…

  • | |

    Here’s to 2026

    Happy New Year!!! I hope 2026 is your healthiest, strongest, fittest year yet. I read this the other day, from my hero, Arnold and I could not have said it…

  • |

    Has PBS Been Defunded?

    It has not! The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been defunded by the federal government. In its quest to suppress any narrative except the one it prefers, it moved to…

  • | | |

    Protein Harvesting?

    You might be wondering what ‘protein harvesting’ means. I know that I was. It’s the sanitized word now being used to describe the slaughter of animals for our dining pleasure….

  • | | |

    I Wonder Why…

    I have been reading a lot about veganism lately. Having lived this lifestyle for more than forty years, I would have thought I had heard it all. But there seems…

  • Fave and Escarole Soup

    This soup is perfect at any time of the year, as it helps our overworked and underpaid livers do their jobs more efficiently which makes us all happier campers in a world where that’s not always so easy. With origins in Puglia, this is the epitome of “la cucina povera,”…

  • |

    PBS Is Defunded…Now What?

    I made a decision in 1997 that I thought was the best for my mission in life. I was at a food and wine event with chefs, many of whom…

  • Protein-Rich Veg? Yes, Please

    Protein is a key component of a healthy diet, and some of the best protein sources are vegetables. In addition to being easier on your wallet, these veggies (many of…

  • The Belle of the Ball…Florence

    Imagine walking down cobblestone streets; the same streets walked by Michelangelo, Da Vinci and other luminaries of the Renaissance. Imagine cool early spring days spent enjoying nature in the hills…

  • Barcelona, Baby

    Barcelona is widely praised for its vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and art, design, and delicious Catalan cuisine. It’s crazy beautiful and in April, the huge summer crowds have not arrived…

  • | |

    What Can We Do About Food Waste?

    The numbers are terrifying. Here’s some food for thought, pun fully intended. Worldwide, humans waste 2.5 billion tons of food each year, but the United States discards more than any…

  • Farinata (Cecina)

    This amazingly simple and naturally gluten-free recipe is from La Cucina Povera, the food of the poor. Made simply from chickpea flour and seasonings, it’s high in protein and deeply satisfying with a crisp exterior and a creamy, richly flavored inside. Makes 2-4 servings Combine chickpea flour and water in…

  • |

    What I’m Eating this Summer

    With hot steamy days ahead, we have to plan so that eating well doesn’t fall by the wayside. And while I love to make most of my foods from scratch,…

  • |

    Healthy Living Really Is Boring

    As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger. His philosophy on fitness and overall wellness is, to me, spot on. While I don’t always agree…

  • | |

    The Hope of Spring

    As the breezes are growing warmer, wafting through our open windows with the perfume that tells us the chill of winter is finally behind us; it’s clear sailing into summer….

  • |

    Le Belle Ame of France…

    Edward Hopper said: ““I do not believe there is another city on earth so beautiful as Paris nor another people with such an appreciation of the beautiful as the French…”…

  • | |

    The Work I Do

    I truly love the work I do. And I especially love hearing from all of my viewers and followers across the country. I love that they are inspired by my…

  • |

    No One Should Be Surprised by This One

    Honestly, I feel like I have written this blog a hundred times before, but here I go again. I recently read two articles that sent my blood pressure soaring. And…

  • | |

    This Season

    With the interminable election season behind us, we now deal with the aftermath; who is disappointed, scared and apprehensive and who is thrilled with the results. The good news is…

  • |

    What I Eat in a Week

    I am having a passionate love affair with Stanley Tucci’s new book, “What I Ate in a Year.” He is a smart, articulate, passionate-about-food, clever writer who charms with every…

  • | | |

    Cooking from the Heart

    As the holidays come on the horizon in all their twinkling glory, we think about cooking. I confess that I always think about cooking, but that’s me. My passion for…

  • |

    An Ode to Healing

    There’s a lot of talk about this thing called healing. We use it like it’s a cliché, like ‘it is what it is’ or ‘just saying’ but in fact, healing…

  • Crostata Marmelatta

    There is nothing as simple or satisfying as a marmalade-filled tart. Seasonal and light, the preserves are nestled in a flaky crust that melts your heart. Makes 1, 8-inch tart Preheat the oven to 350°F or 180°C. Brush your tart pan (with a removable bottom) with oil, then dust it…

  • Tofu Breakfast Sandwich

    This savory, high protein, creamy, rich sandwich will kick start your day with a jolt of energy that will carry you right on through to lunch. Ready in minutes, this takes away any excuse you have for skipping breakfast. And delicious? You’ll look forward to breakfast every day. Makes 2…

  • |

    FinaMill…Part Deux

    I have been cooking all my life, well, almost. I fell in love with the rhythm of the kitchen at the tender age of 4, watching my mother, grandmother and…

  • | | |

    An Ode to Sunday Lunch

    When I was a kid, meals were considered sacred time. I always joke that if you weren’t at the dinner table, you’d best be dead. No excuses mattered. Not late…

  • | |

    Well, This Is Frustrating…

    It’s the season of seashells and balloons. We long to hang outside and take vacations, big or small. We savor every second of the long days and warm nights, making…

  • | |

    Visions of Summer

    It’s June and I don’t know about you, but winter and spring where I am, have been grey and rainy to a degree that everyone is stir-crazy and longing for…

  • | |

    Having a Purpose

    I think a lot about the future, even as I am maturing by the minute. Who knows how much of the future I will see? But what I see worries…

  • | |

    Why Can’t We Do Better?

    I was sitting in Charles De Gaulle airport, leaving Paris, heading to Rome for work. As usual, I ordered an espresso and my lovely Robert, a tea. Since we were…

  • Getting By With a Little Help…

    It’s February and for so many of us, that means resolutions often as a recommitment to wellness. In my case, at the end of each year, I take a look…

  • | |

    Food Noise?

    I am all about food…and wellness. I love the communal, sensual nature of preparing luscious, healthy foods and enjoying them with people I love. As an Italian, we always joke…

  • |

    I Left My Heart In Rome

    It’s no secret that I adore Italy and that my Italian tours and adventures are very close to my heart and give both my husband and me enormous pleasure…enormous pleasure….

  • |

    Feeling Grateful and Letting Go

    As we move into this glorious month; the month that kicks off the holiday season and allows us to deny the reality of a long, grey winter ahead, we begin…

  • |

    The Importance of Fitness

    I was at the gym the other day, sweating through one of my favorite, rough and tumble classes when the instructor yelled out, “Now is not the time to slack…

  • Italian Rice Pudding

    I love rice pudding. Since I was a kid, my family knew that if they wanted to get me to eat something even remotely nutritious, go with rice pudding. This is my version and it’s truly yummy. Makes 2-3 servings Combine all ingredients (except orange juice and almonds) in a…

  • Pappa al Pomodoro

    Visions of a late Tuscan summer come with each spoonful of this simple, richly flavored Italian tradition. Using only the freshest tomatoes at the peak of their flavor, this simple soup is summer at its best. Makes 3-4 servings Place the oil and the garlic in a soup pot over…

  • |

    Nightshades and Our Wellness

    I have lived a vegan, macrobiotic lifestyle for more than forty years. I came to this lifestyle through severe illness and using a rather rigid approach to eating, was able…

  • | |

    Regenerative Agriculture?

    Regenerative Agriculture? Conventional, locally grown, CSA, organic…and now regenerative agriculture. Is it just another buzzy term for us to navigate as we try to shop and vote with our dollar…

  • Sweet Fruit Pizza

    This is a comfortable, rustic dessert that is just perfect for those casually lazy get-togethers. The flaky biscuit crust is a wonderful complement to the sweet, succulent summer fruit mounded on the surface. Topped with an apricot glaze, this homey tart strikes the perfect note for casual yumminess. Makes 8…

  • Blueberry Muffins

    And the winner is? Blueberry muffins are consistently rated as the favorite muffin in America. My plant-based version has all the goodness of the berries wrapped in a delicately sweet moist muffin. Yum! Makes 12 standard muffins or 24 mini muffins Preheat oven to 350F and line a standard muffin…

  • |

    Magnesium and Your Brain

    Brain care supplements are really having a moment, but are they worth the hype? Many of us think of this as a concern as we age, but brain health should…

  • |

    Listening to Each Other

    As many of you know, I am a huge fan of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Since high school (yup, I worked out to his vinyl exercise album, the chart of the moves…

  • | |

    Gas Stoves…Now What?

    The articles have been around for a couple of years (many years really…), creating a low-level buzz of discomfort in the cooking community. It seems to have become more like…

  • | |

    An Ode to Stepping Away

    It’s February, the month dedicated to hearts, from health to romance. I thought I would take the opportunity to talk to you about my thoughts. On December 20, my lovely…

  • |

    As the New Year Begins

    As 2025 begins to fade from our memory and 2026 begins, shiny with promise and hope, let’s try something new or at least something we may have forgotten about. For…

  • Lentil Fritters

    A high-octane, energizing side dish or starter course. Obsessed with all things lentils, this dish is on our table often. And the spicy tomato dipping sauce will have you moaning with pleasure, while your healthy heart dances with joy. Makes 2-4 servings 1 cup red lentils, rinsed very well 2…

  • I Just Can’t…

    I was reading the NY Times (as I do most mornings before I begin my work for the day) and saw a headline that made my heart skip a beat…for…

  • Avocado Hummus

    This recipe came to me via Rakesh Shah, MD, a cardiologist friend who can cook as well as he repairs hearts. It’s a creamy, light version of traditional hummus that I think you’ll love. Makes 4-6 servings 1, 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, save ¼ cup of the liquid…

  • Cuccidati

    These tender, spiced fig-filled cookies are just the greatest. Each region of Italy seems to make them a bit differently. My Nonna did them 2 ways: this way and as thumbprint style cookies, depending on her mood. Makes 12-14 cookies Fig Filling ½ cup loosely packed dried figs, hard stems…

  • Pasta Alla Norma

    A classic Sicilian pasta dish that is as delicious as it is simple to make. Sicilian cooking is renowned for its ability to work magic with the humblest of fresh ingredients and this dish is no exception. Makes 2-3 servings Extra virgin olive oil 1 small eggplant, diced, soaked in…

  • Corn and Tomato Soup

    Summer in a bowl. This sunny Mediterranean soup has the sweetness of summer tomatoes as its foundation with sunny yellow corn to make you dream of leisurely summer feasts in the garden. Makes 3-4 servings 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ½ red onion or 1 shallot, peeled, diced Sea…

  • What Do I Know?

    This Memorial Day will be the third anniversary of an event that changed the life of my little family. A serious health incident rocked us to the core and changed…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • 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….

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Vegan Kimchi

    Seems like everyone is into fermentation and that’s a good thing! This easy recipe for kim-chi takes some time, but little effort. And the results? YUMMMMM! Preparing the cabbage Cut the cabbage lengthwise through the stem into quarters.  Cut the cores from each piece. Cut each quarter crosswise into 2-inchg-wide…

  • 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…

  • Sweet Vegetable Bisque

    A sweet creamy soup made from leftover roasted root veggies and oat milk makes for a rich, decadent-tasting and warmng soup with no guilt. Makes 3-4 servings 2 cups leftover roasted or stewed sweet vegetables (onion, leek, carrot, parsnip, sweet potato, winter squash work best) 4-5 cups water or plant-based…

  • Sweet Nishime Squash

    Stewing vegetables creates a calm centered energy that is without compare; stewing sweet vegetables that grow close to  the ground also relaxes our stressed-out psyches. Sweet winter squash such as butternut, acorn, Hokkaido, red kuri or kabocha relaxes the middle of the body, satisfies the desire for sweet taste, and…

  • Pappa Al Pomodoro

    Visions of a Tuscan summer come with each spoonful of this simple, richly flavored Italian tradition. Using only the freshest tomatoes at the peak of their flavor, this simple soup is summer at its best. Makes 3-4 servings 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 2-3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced…

  • Pistachio Bocconotti

    I discovered these southern Italian treats on our trip to Puglia and fell instantly in love. So I came home, jetlag and all, and adapted them to be healthy and of course, vegan. First try and they came out just as I had hoped. Maybe I should develop recipes when…

  • Jojo’s Muffins

    Our dear friend, Eric is passionate about lots of things in life, but nothing more than food and feeding his adorable niece, Jojo healthy treats. Here’s her favorite muffin or “muppin” as she calls them. Add fruit, nuts and seeds as you desire for variety. Makes 12 standard muffins 2…

  • 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…

  • The Cancer Fighter

    This miso soup brings together all the ingredients you need to fight the good fight to prevent…and yes, even treat cancer. Makes 3-4 servings 1 small yellow onion, diced 2 tablespoons wakame, soaked, diced 4 cups spring or filtered water 1 dried maitake mushroom, broken into bite-size pieces 1 cup…

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Mushroom Bourguignon

    This succulent dish will leave you sated and satisfied and no one will miss the meat. Served over roasted potatoes this is a side dish that will have you dreaming of Paris. Makes 4-5 servings Extra virgin olive oil 4-6 Portobello mushrooms, cut into 1/2-inch chunks; remove and save ‘gills’…

  • 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…

  • …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…

  • Miso Soup with Sautéed Greens

    The perfect soup…and easy? Makes 2-3 servings 2-inch piece wakame, soaked until tender 4 fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, thinly sliced spring or filtered water ½ yellow onion, thin half-moon slices 1 carrot, thin oblong slices 2 teaspoons barley miso 3-4 leaves kale or collard greens, rinsed well extra virgin…

  • 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…

  • Applesauce Muffins

    Did you know the difference between a muffin and a cupcake is frosting? A good muffin is just as satisfying as a cupcake, frosting or not. This basic recipe can be altered to create any number of delicious muffins. Makes 12 muffins 1 teaspoon chia seeds, soaked in 2 tablespoons…

  • 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,…

  • Better Than Milk Shakes

    Milkshakes are a signature kid food, but if you’re getting them from a food joint, it’s likely they have lots of sugar and chemicals…not exactly kid food, really. This one is so easy to make, lighter in calories and completely yummy. Makes 1 shake ½ cup non-dairy, dark chocolate chips…

  • |

    One Healthy Thing – Let’s Do This

    As we move forward into these next days, let’s challenge ourselves with lifestyle choices that will result in real radiant health. Everyone tells us that being healthy is easy (including…

  • The Perfect Muffin

    This basic muffin recipe will work for any muffin you could want to create . . . apple, banana nut, blueberry, cranberry, pumpkin, and with a couple of adjustments you can make corn muffins, bran muffins, or any other kind of whole-grain muffins you can imagine. Makes 12 servings ½…

  • Corn Chowder

    Corn chowder can be made at any time of year using frozen organic corn, but truthfully, it’s only really yummy in the summer when organic corn is fresh and sweet. Loaded with fiber, B vitamins and folate, this sweet whole grain creates vitality and strength. Makes 4–5 servings Extra virgin…

  • Carrot Coconut Soup

    This quirky soup is so cool. I love this combination. Coconut milk and carrots have a complementary sweetness that work together perfectly in this soup. It’s simple, yet rich, loaded with nutrients like beta-carotene as well as the good- quality fats of coconut! Makes 4–5 servings Avocado oil 1 yellow…

  • 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…

End of content

End of content