Some years ago, when winter was coming to an end and spring was still soggy and cold, I discovered a lone organic potato in my kitchen. I have to specify that it was organic because conventionally grown potatoes are much less likely to root and generate offspring. This sad little potato was dried out, wrinkly, and way past edible. At least six little rootlets were beginning to form on the skin, and so I decided to try an experiment. I cut that little potato into six chunks, each containing a single rootlet. I dug a trench in the garden on the far side of our backyard, and dropped each of the pieces into the trench, about 1 foot apart. Then I covered them with dirt and waited. Continue reading
Category Archives: Holidays & Celebrations
My Mom’s Best Aphorisms
Tomorrow my mom will turn 80! Can you imagine?! Eighty years! In honor of my mighty wise mom, and 80 years walking this wondrous planet, here are some of the marvelous things that she taught me. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Extraordinarily Good Salmon
This recipe is perfect for when you want to impress someone, like a new friend or your future in-laws. But it is easy enough that you just might want to make it for your own crowd. The salmon becomes unusually juicy and flavorful because it essentially poaches in the juice that the onions release as they cook, which makes this a particularly good recipe for wild salmon. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Fresh Tomatoes
I met my husband-to-be on a snowy Friday evening, many years ago, on the eighteenth of February. Food is love, and there is nothing more romantic than a bowl of pasta with a glass of wine! Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Three Valentine Smoothies
Any minute now you may decide that you’ve had your fill of heart-shaped butter cookies, pancakes, brownies, fudge and candy. And when that happens, you’ll be so glad for these smoothie recipes. Share the love! Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: (Nut-)MEG Nog
Yesterday morning I whipped up a batch of this extraordinarily excellent elixir, poured it into a Ball Jar, and then took it to a special friend. You should have seen the look of joy on her face. Share the love! Continue reading
Thyme for Some Sage Advice
The holidays are a particularly meaningful time to think about the most valuable gifts that we receive. I’m talking about the words of wisdom that are passed along from one generation to the next. Around the holidays, a few years ago, a few of my friends from work got talking about our grandmothers’ old-fashioned expressions, beliefs, and bits of sage advice. You may think these expressions are quaint and old-fashioned, but they are really much more. These sayings are the collective wisdom of our ancestors, the survivors. Here are a few of the ones for which I am most grateful. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Heirloom Beans & Wild Rice Thanksgiving Salad
I usually thank people for their recipes at the end of my blog posts, but not today. This week, not only does gratitude itself deserve top billing, but so does our appreciation for this particular recipe. Continue reading
Go For a Walk!
This week we’re going to talk about taking a walk. Here’s what I tell my patients: “I’ll pay any price to keep you mobile.” I consider mobility a goal of the highest priority. There is only one other goal about which I feel this way; I also want patients to know that I will pay any price to keep their blood sugars normal. When our kids were much younger, and they got stuck in a complaining mode (I’m cranky; I don’t feel well; I’m bored; I have too much homework), I would always say, “Go for a walk!” It got to be a joke in our house. They took it to the next level. Fever? Go for a walk! Migraine? Take a hike! Broken leg? Walk it off! Appendicitis? “Very funny,” I said. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Apple-Pomegranate Salad
This very beautiful salad is a perfect gift for your table at this time of year. You can make it with or without the feta. It’s delicious either way. Continue reading