Diane Lofshult
Diane Lofshult
Article Archive
Fresh ginger is a tasty and healthy addition to all kinds of meals and beverages. But those knobby roots can quickly
dry up, which can be frustrating—not too mention a waste
of money.
It’s easy to keep ginger fresh with this trick: as soon as you get fresh ginger home from the store, peel it and cut it into
several smaller chunks. Put the chunks into a small plastic
bag, and freeze the herb for use at any time. Not only will you always have fresh ginger on hand when you need it, but freezing the root makes it easier to grate.
By some estimates, dates may be the oldest tree crop cultivated by man. For more than 5,000 years, this healthy fruit has helped sustain the diets of people living in the Middle East and North Africa. Introduced
to California in the 18th century by Spanish missionaries, dates have been dubbed “the candy that grows on trees.”
By now, even kids know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A new study provides yet another ringing endorsement for starting the day with that old breakfast staple, cereal: higher cereal intake during a girl’s childhood can directly affect her body weight and fat levels later in life.
Americans are finally beginning to understand the link between a better diet and improved health. The problem is, they often don’t know how to incorporate beneficial functional foods into their daily diet.
Researchers from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation recently reported that local school districts can make a significant difference by adopting policies that govern the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on campus.
Despite the current lagging economy, many consumers are still willing to pay more for organic foods, believing these foods are higher in nutritional quality
than conventionally grown foodstuff.
A recent study may put the kibosh on
such thinking, after scientists found little difference in the nutritional quality of foods grown organically as opposed to conventionally.
Studies conducted over the years have shown a link between moderate alcohol consumption and a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes in the general population. Up until now, however, there has been scant data on the effects of alcohol use in people at high risk of diabetes.
Happy holidays to all you cooks (and eaters) out there. Here is a brightly colored relish
that will brighten your festive table and act as a sweet and savory accompaniment to
a cornucopia of seasonal treats. It also makes a great hostess or holiday gift when
packaged in a small, decorative glass jar and topped with a bow!
11/2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon (tsp) salt
1/8 tsp ground cloves
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
People who want to lose weight should make it a point to eat breakfast to avoid craving high-calorie foods later in the day,
say researchers who presented their findings at the Endocrine Society’s annual conference in June.
Impress your family and friends with this quintessential recipe that is based on the much-touted Mediterranean diet. Serve it with a healthy green salad and a bowl of whole-grain rice or barley.
The herbal supplement red yeast rice has been touted in the news
recently for its alleged ability to decrease harmful LDL cholesterol
levels. Some reports have gone so far as to say that red yeast rice
may someday be a therapeutic alternative to the conventional statin drugs that many people take to control high cholesterol.
A study in the June 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of the supplement in
patients who cannot tolerate statins.
Mixing caffeinated drinks, like sodas or coffee, with an older class of
antidepressants can be dangerous. Ingesting caffeine while taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors can cause blood pressure levels to spike. The same danger is present when you mix this class of drugs with foods that are high in tyramine,
such as aged cheeses.
Want to get your brood to up their fruit intake? As my mother always said, you can get more bees with honey than you can with vinegar. Plus, studies show that honey increases our stores of compounds that protect against cancer and heart disease. And because kids are drawn to honey like bees, this sweet but healthy topping may make them forget that what’s underneath is good for them, too!
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese at room temperature
1/2 cup plain, low-fat yogurt
2 tablespoons (tbs) honey
Here’s a quick, healthy dessert to try while the berry harvest is still in full swing this summer. Once reduced, the balsamic vinegar glaze becomes sweet and syrupy, a perfect yet unexpected partner to the fresh raspberries and blackberries used in this recipe. You can also use strawberries, huckleberries or blueberries or whatever is in season locally.
4 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons (tsp) agave nectar
1 cup fresh raspberries
Here’s a crowd-pleasing dish that is high in nutrients, simple to prepare and just sweet enough to lure your kids to the table. This salad can be served as a light lunch or as a side dish when grilling salmon or chicken on the “barbie” this summer. Cannellini or great northern beans can be used in this recipe.
2 tablespoons (tbs) orange juice
4 tbs fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon)
1 clove garlic, finely minced or crushed
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
With springtime in full swing, a cook’s thoughts turn
to quick meals that don’t require a lot of time in a hot
kitchen. Poaching fish is a healthy way to feed your
family when you can’t take any more heat!
1 large orange
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 teaspoons (tsp) finely grated, fresh ginger root
2 tsp finely chopped pickled ginger
2 tablespoons (tbs) honey
1 pound skinless, deboned salmon fillets
1 or 2 tbs unsalted butter
Do you suffer from cold sores that seem to appear on the eve
of special occasions that invariably involve your participation in group photos? You may be able to ward off your next cold-sore outbreak by loading up on the spice turmeric, the main ingredient in most curries. Apparently, a compound in turmeric called “curcumin” may be the mechanism of action that deters the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores.
Talk about irreconcilable differences between husband and wife! A recent study has found that spouses can have a “ripple effect” on their partner’s efforts to lose weight in the home environment.
Pity the poor, misunderstood rhubarb. For years, people have argued over whether this hearty stalk is a fruit or a vegetable. Technically speaking, rhubarb is a vegetable, but after the United States Customs Court ruled that it should be considered a fruit, most people followed suit. Because it is used so often in baked goods, it’s been dubbed “the pie plant.”
Health Benefits. Rhubarb is a good source of vitamin C, fiber and calcium.
How often have you slaved over a recipe, only to emerge with a product that does not meet up to your expectations and effort? Whether your concoction is too salty, too sweet or too bland, there are some things you can do to fix the disaster. All you need is a little imagination and a few seasonings!
Sickeningly Sweet? Cut down on the cloying flavor by mixing in a little vinegar, lemon juice or salt.
Too Tart? Add a dash of sugar, molasses or honey to any mouth-puckering mix.
