Happy Nirvana

Sadly, I missed the window of opportunity for freezing fresh summer produce such as nectarines, blackberries, corn, and tomatoes, like we suggested in our August issue. But this week I got one last chance to squirrel away some late-summer yield with these fresh, beautiful Tongue of Fire beans. Luckily, they’re a cinch to freeze: Just [...]

The changing of the seasons brings a mixed bag of produce, so to speak. There are still late summer finds like plums resting next to the first batch of cool weather Brussels sprouts. I have a sort of internal tug-of-war going on when this happens…sad to see summer go but ready for the new cool, [...]

I have tried every brand of coconut water out there and this is by far my favorite one. It has fantastic coconut flavor and an appealing natural sweetness that the other brands lack. This particular brand is from a company by the name of Nirvana. The coconuts come from Thailand while most other commercially available [...]

If we had to make food purchasing decisions based on the front of the package only, we’d be in big trouble. Take Kellogg’s Smart Start cereal, for example. The front of the box boasts, “Strong Heart” and “Antioxidants A, C, & E, including Beta Carotene.” Even the bowl is shaped like a heart. If it’s [...]

I am not sure if this is going to be a tricky one or not…. Everyone has eaten this at some point. It is an ingredient used in a classic French sauce and in the colder months. Do you know what it is? Credits to:Everyday Food Blog – MarthaStewart.com

This one you may or may not have tried before but I can bet you have eaten the cousin of this tropical fruit. Any ideas? I’m impressed!!! It is indeed a rambutan, a cousin of the lychee. Lychee have smooth skins while these guys have these soft, bristle-y spines. I prefer the flavor of the [...]

Which is the better breakfast when it comes to healthy weights — bacon and eggs or cornflakes?  A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests the former might be the best bet.  But don’t break out the frying pan just yet.  Like most things nutritious, it’s a matter of balance, variety [...]

Carrots made their first appearance in my CSA share from Free Bird Farm a few weeks ago. And not just any carrots – Dragon Purple carrots! I sliced them and threw them in a steamer basket with Pattypan squash for about 15 minutes, then tossed the veggies with whole wheat penne and chevre cheese blended with [...]

Welcome to early August, a wonderful time for tasty fruits and veggies. Depending on where you live, you’ll find fresh (and often locally grown and/or on sale) corn, tomatoes, potatoes, pears, peaches, beets, nectarines, onions, okra, lima beans, zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, cabbage, broccoli, blackberries, and blueberries. Here are some recipe ideas for this abundant harvest. [...]

Glycemic load is another way of looking at how a food may affect your blood sugar. Carbohydrates with a high glycemic load (such as fruit juices or doughnuts) will tend to make your blood sugar go up sharply, while carbohydrates with a low glycemic load (such as berries or bran cereal) produce a lower, slower [...]