As I begin typing this post, I realize that I’m headed for Greece, where herbs and spices are integral ingredients in making food quite wonderful. This article won’t get posted for about a month, but I’m in one of my moods to share a bit about the use of herbs and spices. On April 25, […]

On September 14, 2015 the Wall Street Journal published an article called: Eye Candy? Scientists Debate the Value of Lutein Supplements: A role in limiting a chronic eye disease. The article and the studies, upon which the article was based, were to my mind, like opening the proverbial can of worms. At a quick glance […]

Last week when I wrote about the “Blue Zones” – the longevity zones of earth, I mentioned that I usually am writing something about the harvest this time of year. Yes, last week’s article did talk about produce. But this week, I couldn’t resist any longer. Technically today’s subject, pumpkin is a fruit (develops from […]

The PREDIMED study out of Barcelona Spain has shown substantial benefits including reduced risk of stroke for those on a plant-based Mediterranean diet. The data from any ambitious study can be investigated further, and built upon with additional new studies. This has happened, and the additional analyses have shown important additional benefits for our thinking […]

I’ve heard it said that Chocolate Season begins with Halloween and ends with New Year’s resolutions. I’m certain that’s just a joke, because as anyone who fills Easter Eggs knows – most of the children enjoy chocolate candy in their eggs and Easter never falls between Halloween and the first of January. It seems to […]

I’m attributing my pumpkin enthusiasm to this cool autumn day and the color splashed in every direction that I gaze. Somehow bright orange pumpkins got inseparably united in my brain with the glory of autumn. Since I moved to the mountain west from my native southern California, autumn has become a big deal. I’ve only […]

Have you seen the pageant-like procession of claims, that supplements and processed foods with certain additives can prevent cognitive impairment? Or have you heard any of the FTC’s precedent-setting crack down on those inflated claims? What are we supposed to believe? Can we do anything to decrease our risk of cognitive decline? I’ll admit right […]

Polyphenols are chemically active compounds that are involved in a huge number of roles in the body, including regulating genes, inflammatory and enzyme activity, cell to cell signaling and receptor sensitivity. You don’t really need to know much about the over 4,000 polyphenols; but scientists study them because they seem to be very involved in […]

When you see the word phytonutrients or phytochemicals, does it just look like a scientific word and your eyes roll back a bit? In September’s issue of RD Today’s Dietitian, Denise Webb PHD RD has written an article called Phytochemicals’ Role in Good Health. The article has given me the impetus to write a short […]

For several years, I planted basil in our herb garden; it never flourished. Then for several more years I struggled to keep it healthy and happy in pots on the shelf outside my kitchen window – only moderate success! Basil wants just the right amount of water; I never got it just right. In addition, […]