Archive for the ‘Blog’ Category

Recipe- Turmeric infused Lemon Rice!

lemon rice 3

Turmeric infused lemon rice Lemon Rice is a delicious South Indian dish you can easily put together when in a hurry. You can also make it with leftover rice. Turmeric gives lemon rice its beautiful golden color, without which it would be incomplete. Serve Lemon Rice with plain yogurt, salad and/or Papadams* for a simple, […]






Food For Thought- Turmeric!

Food For Thought- Turmeric!

Ever wondered what gives Indian food & curries its rich, yellow color? It’s the use of the least spiciest ingredient in Indian cuisine-“turmeric”. This amazing spice has a unique flavor when added even in small quantities. It is very low on the spice level and can be added to anything you cook. Turmeric is a […]






Tomato Recipe- Bruschetta!

Tomato Recipe- Bruschetta!

Tomato-basil bruschetta   Italian bruschetta (pronounced “brusketta”) is a wonderful way to capture the flavors of ripe summer tomatoes, fresh garden basil, and garlic. It is my favorite way to eat cherry or grape tomatoes, I truly enjoy the flavors incorporated by the tomatoes in combination with fresh mozzarella cheese, basil and olive oil! This simple dish adds […]






Back to School Nutrition!

EARN AN “A” IN LUNCH Back to School Nutrition With the sound of school bells just around the corner, it’s important to refocus your efforts to ensure your child’s health is top priority when the busy school year begins. Providing healthful meals and encouraging physical activity are essential for your child’s growth and development, and […]






Food for Thought: Tomatoes!

A tomato is the edible, often red fruit from the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as a tomato plant. Both the species and its use as a food originated in Mexico, and spread around the world following the Spanish colonization of the Americas. The tomato is botanically a fruit, but it is considered a vegetable for culinary purposes. The tomato belongs to the […]






Food for Thought- Prebiotics & Probiotics!

Prebiotics and Probiotics: The Dynamic Duo By Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN You’ve probably heard of prebiotics and probiotics, but do you know what they are? Nutrition research has pinpointed specific functional components of foods that may improve health, and prebiotics and probiotics are two such substances. Though they are available as dietary supplements, it is […]






Strawberry Recipe- Strawberry yogurt granola parfaits!

    Layers of tangy nonfat Greek yogurt, fresh strawberries, honey or maple syrup and low fat granola served in a pretty glass Ingredients ½ cup nonfat Greek yogurt 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries 2 teaspoons honey, maple syrup or agave 2 tablespoons low-fat granola Instructions Spoon half the yogurt into a glass. Drizzle the […]






Strawberry recipe- Summer salad with strawberries, pistachio & feta cheese!

Strawberry, Pistachio, Feta Cheese & Basil Salad Prep Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 6 cups mixed greens 2 cups strawberry slices (about 8 large) 4 oz. crumbled feta cheese (about 1/2 cup) 1/4 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped 4 large basil leaves, thinly sliced Juice of 1-2 lemons, to taste Instructions Divide the mixed […]






Food for Thought- Strawberries!

  The strawberry belongs to the genus Fragraria in the rose family, along with apples and plums. The name of the scientific classification was derived from the Old Latin word for fragrant. The modern Italian word for strawberry is still “Fragola”. The fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and […]






Summer squash recipe- Ratatouille!

    Ratatouille’s Ratatouille As envisioned by Smitten Kitchen 1/2 onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, very thinly sliced 1 cup tomato puree (such as Pomi) 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 small eggplant (my store sells these “Italian Eggplant” that are less than half the size of regular ones; it worked perfectly) 1 smallish […]






Food for Thought- Summer Squash!

  Squashes are gourds that belong to the same family as melons and cucumbers. Most varieties have a creamy white flesh on the inside protected by an out- side rind or soft shell. Squash has been a part of the Native American diet for more than 5000 years. When early Europeans settled in America, they began […]






Bariatric surgery study- some compelling evidence!

Women’s Weight-Loss Surgery May Benefit Later Offspring Study links procedure to genetic activity in children By Randy Dotinga HealthDay Reporter TUESDAY, May 28 (HealthDay News) — Weight-loss operations in women could be a genetic bonus for the health of their future children, a new study suggests. Researchers found differences in the activity of genes in […]






Recipe- Mango lassi

Lassi is a northern Indian beverage made with plain yogurt and an assortment of flavorings. It is usually served cold as an accompaniment to a spicy meal or it can be consumed on it’s own as a refreshing drink! Mango lassi, in particular, is most popular in the United States and other parts of the […]






Food for Thought- Mango!

  Mango is king of the fruits. It is one of the most popular, nutritionally rich fruits possessing unique flavor, fragrance, taste, and heath-promoting qualities making it a “super fruit”. The mango originated in Southeast Asia where it has been grown for over 4,000 years. Over the years mango groves have spread to many parts of […]






Chia recipe!

Chia Fresca: A Natural Energy Drink! This is my favorite Chia recipe.. You can also try adding chia seeds to a combination of watermelon and lime juice for a refreshing and colorful drink! Enjoy!!   Excuse me, but I must ask you what you are drinking? I’ve never seen anything like it before! Those are […]






Food for thought- Chia!

Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia, is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. Chia seed is traditionally consumed in Mexico, and the southwestern United States, but is not widely known in Europe. Today, chia is grown commercially in its native Mexico, and in Bolivia, Argentina, Ecuador, Australia and Guatemala. It […]






Food for thought- Oranges!

Oranges are the citrus fruit that belong to the family of Rutaceae, a flowering plant family which also includes pomelo, grapefruit, and tangerine (mandarin orange). They are one of the most popular fruits around the world. While they are delightful as a snack or as a recipe ingredient, it is their juice that is most associated with good health, having […]






Recipe- Whole Wheat Penne with Kale pesto

So I made this pasta last night with the kale pesto I had written about earlier and guess what? Nobody could guess that I made it using kale as a major ingredient and it was a huge hit. It tasted exactly like the pesto pasta I usually make with basil or cilantro, so this recipe is […]






Recipe- Kale pesto

Prep time: 10-15 minutes Ingredients 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 3 cloves of garlic 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano 1 bunch raw kale, stems removed, coarsely chopped (about 1/2lb) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 tbsp water Juice of ½ a lemon 1 Tbsp Fresh whole pepper Salt to taste Directions Combine the walnuts, pepper, […]






Food for thought- Kale

Kale is a form of cabbage, with green or purple leaves, in which the central leaves do not form a head. It is considered to be closer to wild cabbage than most domesticated forms. Other vegetables in the same species include broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens and brussels sprouts. Kales can be classified by leaf type: Curly leaved […]