YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Mexican Corn Salad (Esquites)

Today I delivered Wellness Grand Rounds to a room filled with folks who came to learn about the differences between real food and manufactured calories.

I covered the usual favorite topics, including intact vs. stripped carbs, nutritious fats, and high-quality protein. I encouraged everyone to eat more beans, magical because beans contain large amounts of both fiber and protein. Continue reading


Carrageenan

Have you heard of carrageenan? Carrageenan, extracted from seaweed, is used extensively in the processed food industry as a thickener and emulsifier. It is found in almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, cottage cheese, whipped cream, eggnog, and other related products. But not for long. It’s become impossible to ignore the large amount of  evidence showing that it is highly irritating to the stomach lining. Continue reading



YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Wholly Roasted Cauliflower

Breaking apart all those hard little white florets can be a messy and time-consuming business, and I know that the contemplation of this activity has made me hesitate to purchase a cauliflower on more than one occasion.

On the other hand, another option you may not have considered is to cook your gorgeous, fresh cauliflower in one piece. Without a doubt, roasting and serving a cauliflower whole makes an impressive presentation! Continue reading


YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Bean Dip with Feta and Herbs

Here’s a simple, flavorful recipe from the July 2012 edition of BBC Good Food magazine. You can eat it with slices of cucumbers or crackers, or spread it on toast, or stuff a tomato with it.  I think it would also be amazing on a slice of butternut squash, roasted under the broiler for a minute or two. Continue reading




YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Zucchini with Cilantro Pesto

Thank you to Terry Walters and Clean Start for this beautiful, inspired recipe. It’s the kind of recipe many of whose ingredients, or at least some, may already be on your counter, and it’s got all kinds of valuable substitution possibilities that can keep you experimenting for a good long while. Continue reading