Whole Roasted Squash With Tomato-Ginger Chickpeas & Za ’atar
I read myself the riot act about 6 months ago, when my cholesterol level reached a new high. My doctor seemed nonplussed, perhaps because my cardiac calcium score was a perfect zero. But I was not happy. Yes, I had lost weight and was exercising, but to be honest, my heart belonged to cheese. And eggs. And ice cream. Something had to change. Breakfast was easy. The whole eggs (which I had been eating almost daily) were replaced by Starbucks Sous Vide Egg whites or oatmeal served with a side of chicken sausage. Lunches were yogurt or soup or vegan bean burritos or salad or tuna or peanut butter. I started snacking on nu...
Source: The Blog That Ate Manhattan - February 21, 2024 Category: Primary Care Authors: Margaret Polaneczky, MD Tags: Vegetables Butternut Squash Chickpeas vegetarian za'atar Source Type: blogs

Manganese: The Magical Element?
The element manganese is essential for human life. It’s aptly named after the Greek word for magic, and some mysteries surrounding its role in the body still exist today—like how our bodies absorb it, if very high or low levels can cause illness, or how it might play a role in certain diseases. Manganese is necessary for metabolism, bone formation, antioxidation, and many other important functions in the body. The element is found in strong steel, bones and enzymes, and drink cans. Credit: Compound Interest CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Click to enlarge. Making Much With Manganese Structure of the human manganese s...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - April 26, 2023 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Molecular Structures Cellular Processes Proteins Source Type: blogs

Chicken with Dried Mushrooms & Tomatoes
When it comes time to figure out what to make for dinner, I love the internet as much as anyone. I usually head straight to the NY Times Cooking section, or to Epicurious, Saveur or Food 52 for ideas and inspiration. But one weekend this past year, with our Philly travel plans cancelled by an upcoming storm (there is nothing worse than the Jersey turnpike in a thunderstorm with tornado and flood warnings), I had the unexpected luxury of free time on a Saturday morning. Sitting with a cup of coffee, I opened Biba’s Taste of Italy, a cookbook whose spine I had yet to crack in the year since it had been gifted to me by ...
Source: The Blog That Ate Manhattan - January 19, 2023 Category: Primary Care Authors: Margaret Polaneczky, MD Tags: Meat & Poultry Borgotaro braised Chicken Dinner party Dried mushrooms Emilia Romagna italian Make-ahead PGI Porcini recipe Stove top Tomatoes Source Type: blogs

Moroccan Baked Beans àla Mourad
In my continued quest to cook as much as possible from my pantry, I honed in on two cans of Great Northern Beans, originally bought to stock our summer cottage larder, but never used. I suspect that they were several years old, and had made the trip up and back from NYC to Pennsylvania at least twice, if not more. (We empty the larder at the cottage when we shut things down for the season.) Canned beans have a shelf life of 2-5 years, so I knew I was on safe ground using them, and I was determined they were not going to be traveling anymore, unless it was to my kitchen table. Also calling to me was a jar of homemade toaste...
Source: The Blog That Ate Manhattan - December 7, 2022 Category: Primary Care Authors: Margaret Polaneczky, MD Tags: Uncategorized beans feta moroccan mourad onion tomato Source Type: blogs

8 Foods I ’ve Added to My Diet to Enhance My Health
Some nutritionists believe that food is medicine. I’m not sure if I want to go through life taking nothing but chicken soup every time I get sick, but I pay attention to what I put in my mouth and its effects on my body. As a result, I’ve eliminated many products from my meals over the years, but what I gave up, I made up for in healthier additions. Here are eight foods I’ve added to my diet to enhance my health and why. 1. Beets Your thoughts might not turn to this root vegetable until it’s time to make red beet eggs for your next picnic. However, including more of them in your weekly diet could help your...
Source: PickTheBrain | Motivation and Self Improvement - March 11, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Kara Reynolds Tags: diet featured health and fitness self-improvement food mental health pickthebrain Source Type: blogs

2 easy, affordable, plant-centered dinners
Plant-based diets have taken root in American culture in recent years, mostly thanks to the growing realization about the health benefits of this eating pattern. But contrary to what some people think, plant-based doesn’t necessarily mean you must forego all animal products. Rather, you might just eat meat or dairy products less frequently, or in smaller portions. To replace those lost calories, you should eat more beans and legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. These mostly low-fat, nutrient-rich foods have been linked to improvements in many health-related issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and h...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - November 25, 2020 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Julie Corliss Tags: Cooking and recipes Food as medicine Healthy Eating Source Type: blogs

The Itchy, Bumpy Blues: How to Treat and Prevent Mosquito Bites and Related Conditions
Mosquito bites may be a nuisance, but fortunately, in the U.S., they tend to amount to nothing more than that. Upon being bitten, most Americans experience a bit of swelling and itchiness, and nothing more. However, there are exceptions to this, including stronger allergic reactions to bites and cases of mosquito-borne illness.  Insect and arachnid bites, including ticks, account for approximately 2,000 cases of malaria and 30,000 cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. annually. In addition, millions of people worldwide die of malaria each year. It is helpful to protect yourself against insect bites, not only to avoid pesk...
Source: Conversations with Dr Greene - June 7, 2020 Category: Child Development Authors: Alan Greene MD Tags: Dr. Greene's Blog Environmental Health Insect Bites & Stings Insects & Animals Outdoor Safety Source Type: blogs

Fiber-full eating for better health and lower cholesterol
The American Heart Association and the FDA recommend that we all eat at least 25 grams of dietary fiber per day. But what is it, how do we know how much we’re eating, and where did that number come from, anyway? What are the types of fiber? Dietary fiber is a good carbohydrate, also known as roughage, found in plant foods (not supplements). There are two kinds, soluble or insoluble, and both are really good for us. Soluble fiber becomes a thick gel in our intestines, which slows digestion (which keeps blood sugars from spiking) and traps fats so they can’t all be absorbed (which lowers cholesterol levels). Sources of s...
Source: Harvard Health Blog - June 24, 2019 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Monique Tello, MD, MPH Tags: Food as medicine Healthy Eating Heart Health Source Type: blogs

La Cagouille ’s Sea Scallops with Warm Vinaigrette a.k.a What to do with Those Chives
This potted chive has survived every winter since I first planted it over 20 years ago, and is always the first plant to return in spring to our terrace herb garden. A few years ago, it sent some seed over to another pot, which now joins in its spring awakening. I’m forever amazed at it’s stamina and stability, not to mention those delightful purple flowers. This evening, looking for a recipe to enjoy this little spring harvest with more than just my eyes and nose, I picked up one of my favorite cookbooks, The Paris Cookbook. by Patricia Wells. I’ve loved Patricia’s books ever since Jeffrey Mill...
Source: The Blog That Ate Manhattan - May 8, 2019 Category: Primary Care Authors: Margaret Polaneczky, MD Tags: Fish Uncategorized chives Herbs Paris patricia wells recipe Scallop recipe Scallops The Paris Cookbook Source Type: blogs

La Cagouille ’s Sea Scallops with Warm Vinaigrette a.k.a What to do with Those Chives
This potted chive has survived every winter since I first planted it over 20 years ago, and is always the first plant to return in spring to our terrace herb garden. A few years ago, it sent some seed over to another pot, which now joins in its spring awakening. I’m forever amazed at it’s stamina and stability, not to mention those delightful purple flowers. This evening, looking for a recipe to enjoy this little spring harvest with more than just my eyes and nose, I picked up one of my favorite cookbooks, The Paris Cookbook. by Patricia Wells. I’ve loved Patricia’s books ever since Jeffrey Mill...
Source: The Blog That Ate Manhattan - May 8, 2019 Category: Primary Care Authors: Margaret Polaneczky, MD Tags: Fish chives Herbs Paris patricia wells recipe Scallop recipe Scallops The Paris Cookbook Source Type: blogs

Caramelized Onion, Fennel and Mushroom Soup – Umami in a Bowl
What do you make when you want something hearty but light? Something that will warm the cockles of your heart but not make you feel stuffed? That will work for a light and early pre-theater dinner after a not so light afternoon lunch with your sister who was just in for the afternoon? (What a treat!) You make this soup. The Umami is strong with this one I love onion soup, but never found it satisfying on its own without being topped with a ton of cheese and bread. This soup is different. Between the mushrooms, fennel and beef broth, it’s packed with umami. Add some shaved parmesan and you’re in an umami paradi...
Source: The Blog That Ate Manhattan - March 31, 2019 Category: Primary Care Authors: Margaret Polaneczky, MD Tags: Soups broth caramelized onions easy fast Fennel light Mushroom umami Source Type: blogs

Pork Fried “ Rice ”
Here’s a recipe from my Wheat Belly 10-Minute (Or Less!) Cookbook, the Light Meals and Side-Dishes section. If you miss the pork fried rice that you used to order at Chinese restaurants, here is a way to recreate it using healthy ingredients with none of the common problem ingredients like MSG, wheat, cornstarch, or rice. To save time and effort, look for pre-riced cauliflower. Also, feel free to use as much healthy oils as you like, since we never limit fats or oils. Makes 4-6 servings 1 head cauliflower, broken into large pieces, or 16-ounces pre-riced cauliflower 2 tablespoons coconut oil, divided 4 scallions, sl...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - February 15, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: News & Updates gluten gluten-free grain-free grains recipe wheat belly Source Type: blogs

Cream of mushroom soup with chives
Here’s a Wheat Belly favorite from the Wheat Belly 30-Minute Cookbook, perfect to warm you up during these below-zero days we’re experiencing. This thick and creamy mushrooms soup makes a filling meal by itself or a substantial accompaniment to pork, chicken, or beef dishes. As written, this recipe is dairy-free. If dairy avoidance is not an issue for you, the olive oil can be substituted with butter, coconut milk substituted with cream, half-and-half, or whole milk. Regardless, using higher-fat coconut milk or dairy is the way we like it around here: full of healthy fats. Prep time: 5 minutes Total time: 20 ...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - January 30, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: News & Updates gluten-free grain-free recipe wheat belly Source Type: blogs

BLT Avocado Sandwich with Aleppo Pepper Spread
If you like BLT sandwiches, you’ll love this variation that includes sliced avocado and a tasty Aleppo Pepper Spread. I got my inspiration for the Aleppo Pepper Spread from a recipe provided by Penzey’s, a regional spice and herb retailer in Wisconsin and Michigan, that I tweaked a bit, including adding a bit of sriracha for some extra pizzazz. The Aleppo pepper adds sun-dried tomato-like layers of flavor to dried pepper. You will likely have to source it from a spice shop. Alternatively, if you cannot locate the Aleppo pepper, use standard ground black pepper and a dash of cayenne pepper instead. As written, t...
Source: Wheat Belly Blog - January 15, 2019 Category: Cardiology Authors: Dr. Davis Tags: News & Updates gluten-free grain-free wheat belly Source Type: blogs