In the process of changing your diet for the better, you tend to learn about incredible new foods that are not yet in the mainstream. As I've mentioned my – let's call it – affinity for chocolate in the past, it wasn't long before I ran across carob. Carob, in the tradition of chocolate, is a plant-based […]
Almost everybody's got a sweet tooth. For me, it sometimes reveals itself in my chocolate habit. Fortunately for me – and probably you, dear reader – the health effects of chocolate mostly lean to the positive side. Maybe we don't have to feel so guilty about a little indulgence? Enjoy the piece and make your […]
As a daily coffee drinker – okay, thrice-daily – I can't get enough of that familiar boost I get from a cup. Yet coffee and its principal active ingredient caffeine are so controversial it's natural to wonder just how healthy they are. Naturally, I decided to do a deep dive into my daily caffeine habit. Let's take a look […]
Gingerbread has become a big part of our Christmas tradition. Every year, my daughters can't wait to build and decorate (their own, as it turns out) gingerbread houses. It feels like gingerbread, as a winter tradition, has been around forever. Of course, that isn't the case – but it does turn out ginger has an extremely […]
December is usually the cheeriest month of the year. There's no snow here, but we have colorful lights, presents, special music –and eggnog. Yes, eggnog! It's a funny drink after all – who had the idea to combine all those spices with sugar and a raw egg? (And often something more alcoholic, to boot). Those […]
Let's face it: candy is a hit at any time of year. But when December 1st rolls around each year, our family's thoughts quite naturally turn to that stalwart of the Christmas season: candy canes. In some ways, candy canes require no introduction. Is there anyone around today who doesn't recognize the tell-tale sight of this […]
Picture this: it's time to fix dinner, and your family is craving a crispy batch of homemade French fries. You fill your pot with whatever oil you grab first from the pantry. Then, you fry your way through the first batch of potatoes – and your house fills with smoke. I don't know about you, […]
There's nothing like matching a nice glass of red wine with a beautiful steak or a Pinot Grigio with a creamy pasta dish. It's the simple things in life; wine seems – at times – the perfect drink. Alas, wine also sometimes seems like your worst enemy. Wine can cause some wicked headaches and stomachaches the following […]
Sometimes after a long day at work, I look forward to washing dinner down with a fine glass of wine. (Yes, even when I have work again the next day...) Wouldn't it be nice if wine actually was beneficial to your health? Luckily for both of us, that's actually the case – for moderate quantities, anyway. That's […]
I love mayonnaise. It's the great equalizer for many dishes, offering creamy consistency with the perfect amount of bite. What I don't love is the ingredients in most store-bought brands. With few exceptions, store-bought mayonnaise loads up on the sugar and has questionable oils as the base. Today, I'll walk you through making a delicious […]
