Vitamin K is very important in bone density, as are vitamin D and the mineral, calcium. Vitamin K can be found in dark leafy green vegetables  such as kale, collards, and spinach. Calcium can be found not only in dairy products, but canned fish that includes the bones, along with fortified foods such...

  When selecting Hachiya persimmons, look for ones that are deep red-orange and very, very soft when ripe. On the other hand, Fuyu persimmons don’t have to be soft to be eaten.  When firm, they’re ready to eat. Persimmons are normally available from September to December.  They’re...

While you may be used to foods being salty, sweet, or fatty, and can’t imagine cutting back on any of these tastes, interestingly, it is possible.  Just do it slowly and consider trying the following: Instead of eating sweetened yogurt, take lowfat or nonfat Greek-style yogurt and add your own...

There has been a lot of discussion lately about how the average American is eating fat too much salt.  It’s not surprising when you consider how much process foods Americans eat. Do you know that Mother Nature does include sodium in her produce?  However, what comes in foods naturally is never...

Curry is a real healthful spice.  It includes turmeric that is very high in antioxidants.  It’s what gives it its yellow color.  Add it to sweet dishes, as well as savory  ones. Visit www.mccormickscienceinstitute.com for more information on spices and herbs.  You’ll find recipes...

Who doesn’t like the taste of barbecue?  Unfortunately, it is not the healthiest way of cooking.  The fat from the meat drips down into the fire, sending up heterocyclic amines, also known as HCAs, a compound that has been linked with cancer.  It really doesn’t matter what animal protein...

It turns out that red peppers, whether as flakes or cayenne pepper,  may help to increase one’s metabolism and satiety.  It sounds like a real win, especially when red peppers are also healthy for you because of their being high in antioxidants.  

Red pepper flakes and paprika have similar levels of antioxidants. If you don’t like the heat of cayenne, use paprika instead.  Don’t be shy with it.  Enjoy it on egg dishes, vegetables, casseroles.  Most meat rubs contain paprika or red pepper flakes. Cinnamon is full of antioxidants....

After reading”Catching Fire” by Richard Wrangham, I had to thank the cavemen for having discovered the benefits of fire.   He proposes that once humans used fire to cook foods, we were able to increase the available calories in our food.  What normally would take the body many calories...

If you skip breakfast, you’re not alone.  Many Americans do.  Sometimes it’s because they didn’t leave enough time to prepare breakfast.  Sometimes it’s because they think that by skipping breakfast they can forego the extra calories and lose weight. Do you know why it’s...