FIKA Raspberry
FIKA Raspberry is what most people would describe as “raspberry jam” although the word “jam” is not on the label (which may be because the FDA defines how the words “jam,” “jelly,” “preserves,” and “spread” can be used on labels in the detailed Code of Federal Regulation Title 21).
Made in small batches in Tribeca in New York City, FIKA Raspberry contains exactly three ingredients: raspberries, sugar, and lemon; and tastes absolutely fruity scrumptious. Read more 
White Bean Chili
I am the kind of person who really will drive hours for a bowl of chili. I’m not a 3-star restaurant kind of person; I’m just a food person. ~Nora Ephron
Chili is about as American as it gets; right up there with apple pie. An American dish with Mexican roots (“Chili con Carne”), chili has been around for hundreds of years according to the International Chili Society (www.chilicookoff.com) and probably originated with the Aztecs and Mayans although chili as we know it today was popularized by cattle drivers and trail hands during the 1800’s. Flash forward a few hundred years and chili is still a very popular dish in America although there are literally thousands of variations, as evidenced the Chili Cook-offs across the country. Read more
The McDougall Quick and Easy Cookbook
The McDougall Quick and Easy Cookbook is not just a big book with delicious low-fat recipes that can be prepared in less than 15 minutes, but also an excellent and concise source of nutritional and medical information written by Dr. John A. McDougall, M.D. and his wife, Mary McDougall. Admittedly, I bought the book for the 300 recipes that seemed uncomplicated and flavorful but then became focused on reading the single page tips that address protein, carbohydrates, fats, genetic diseases, acute versus chronic illness, reading labels, and more. That this book was originally published in 1999 gave me pause because it made me realize I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Some books are timeless; this is one of them. Read more
Peregrino Toasted Almond Tortas
Seville, Spain is a city defined by its traditions, one of which is the “tortas de aceite” which is directly translated to mean “olive oil cakes” although these sweet, thin, crisp, flaky treats are more like a dessert cracker than a cake. Made by hand in Seville, tortas de aceite are typically made with flour, extra virgin olive oil, sugar, baking powder, sesame seeds, anise seeds, and a touch of salt although there are many variations made by adding crystallized oranges and spices that may include cinnamon, rosemary, and thyme. Read more
How Not To Die
How Not To Die may seem to you a strange title for a book. After all, everyone is going to die eventually. It’s about how not to die prematurely. If there is one takeaway message, it’s that you have tremendous power over your health destiny. The vast majority of premature deaths can be prevented with simple changes in what you eat and how you live. In other words, a long and healthy life is largely a matter of choice.
The market is flooded with books on health and the latest fad diet, most of which have their 15 minutes of fame and then get replaced by the discovery of a new miracle diet. But, here’s the truth. There are four things that greatly affect our health: genetics, the environment, lifestyle choices, and medical care. We have no control over genetics and very little control over the environment but we have a lot of control over lifestyle choices and medical care. Read more
Mediterranean Orzo
Garlic, lemon, and capers along with fresh herbs add an abundance of flavor to pasta and vegetables in this recipe for Mediterranean Orzo. Adapted from a recipe of the same name by the Purple Carrot, Mediterranean Orzo is a colorful dish that you would expect to be served at a cafe in the Mediterranean…but, without all the oil. Dairy-free, low in fat, high in protein, and with no added sugar, this plant-based dish is easy to cook and ready in less than 20 minutes. Read more
10 Things to Know about Potatoes
What I say is that, if a fellow really likes potatoes, he must be a really decent sort of fellow. ~A. A. Milne
The author of Winnie the Pooh certainly knew how to write a classic story but he also had an appreciation of the potato. A century ago, it was not uncommon for people in England to sit down to a meal of potatoes but in recent times, potatoes have gotten a bad rap for all the wrong reasons. If you think potatoes are one of those starchy foods to avoid, then think again because this stem vegetable – of which there are many varieties – is totally underrated in terms of nutritional benefits. Read more
The Hardest Part of Living Vegan – Imperfection
For most people becoming vegan or plant-based is a journey and not a switch that was turned on one day. In fact, I don’t know anyone who was a carnivore one day and a vegan the next. The change is really an evolution which occurs over time. Very often, as was with me, a person becomes vegetarian because of a nutritional concern and then learns about the animal livestock and dairy industries and gradually cuts out dairy products out of a moral, ethical, or religious belief. And, then there is the third part of the vegan triangle which is the environment because there is no doubt the animal livestock and dairy industries are destroying the environment with the CO2 emissions, contaminated water systems, and forest destruction. Read more
California Suncakes
Sometimes the most delicious products are found in the most unlikely places.
Iowa City is known for a lot of things – a huge university (University of Iowa – home of the Iowa Writer’s Workshop), local breweries, the Iowa City Jazz Festival, the Airliner Bar (where Ashton Kutcher was discovered by a modeling scout), and the New Pioneer Food Co-op (think of a small-scale Whole Foods Market but better) which is where I found California Suncakes: 4-ounce oatcakes that come in 6 varieties: Read more
Quinoa and Vegetable Salad with Tempeh Croutons
Quinoa and Vegetable Salad with Tempeh Croutons is a protein and nutrient packed salad that contains a variety of vegetables (green beans, kale, red cabbage, red pepper, cucumber, and scallion) along with quinoa and nutty roasted tempeh. Drizzled with a homemade orange mustard vinaigrette, the salad is cornucopia of flavors and textures. Serve for dinner on a warm summer evening or as a side salad on a cool evening with a hot bowl of soup. Read more
Paddock Post 