Enlightened Eater

It’s definitely time for the thrill of the grill. But considering just how long the BBQ season has become, practicing some grilling smarts is a wise idea. They not only promote healthier options but also keep foodborne illnesses at bay. Here are ten tips for enlightened grilling: •    Bump meat from its leading role All […]

If you’re a BBQ aficionado,  likely this past weekend marked the start of your grilling season.  But as there can be some downsides to eating grilled  food, practicing BBQ  smarts is a wise idea. And one way is to spice it up. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, University of […]

This weekend marks the official kickoff to the barbecue season here in the Great White North. While some people brave through sleet and snow to cook their food over fire, most Canadians begin their seasonal affair with their grills this weekend. And they continue to fire up their barbecues at a fast and furious pace […]

In honour of International Mediterranean Diet Month, here’s a flavor packed Mediterranean  salad,  inspired by Israeli chef Avi Steinitz. This herb salad, from my book, The Enlightened Eater’s Whole Foods Guide,   is also  wonderful as a bed for grilled fish. Za’atar, a  blend of dried hyssop, sumac and sesame seeds, is available at Middle […]

While it may be smart for us to follow safe sun practices and use sunscreen, we can still reap the vitamin D benefits of sun exposure. Just eat vitamin D mushrooms. Mushrooms, like humans, produce vitamin D when they are exposed to ultraviolet light of a certain intensity. They are the only naturally occurring plant-based […]

For mushrooms lovers, this soup is as intense in mushroom flavour as it gets. And it’s packed with a variety so you get an assortment of mushroom’s phytochemicals. The recipe is from my book, The Enlightened Eater’s Whole Foods Guide. l l Mushroom Soup l Makes 4 -6 servings or 6 cups/ 1.5 L 2 […]

At one time, nutritionally speaking, mushrooms and their exceptionally low caloric content was their only claim to fame. They were a dieter’s best friend as they could fill you up with minimal caloric damage – provided, though, that they weren’t sautéed in a sea of butter or paired with cream in a soup. But mushrooms […]

Roasting or steaming folate-rich vegetables, such as asparagus,  is preferred over boiling as the vitamin is water soluble and can be leached into the cooking water. The shallots and sesame seeds not only add flavour but antioxidants as well. Roasted Asparagus with Sesame Seeds Serves 4 1 pound (500 g) asparagus spears, tough ends trimmed […]