Last year, I came across a TEDx talk by psychologist Douglas Lisle on what he calls the pleasure trap. It is a hidden force in today’s world, he says, that can hijack your inborn satiation circuitry and undermine your pursuit of health and happiness. After a little more exploration, I discovered that he co-authored aContinue reading “Understanding the Pleasure Trap”
Tag Archives: whole food plant based diet
Quick & Easy Monsoon Pasta
Rain is falling steadily outside and has been for hours. The temperature has dropped about 15 degrees since it started and I’m certain there’s a touch of Fall in the air. It’s time for a simple but warm & filling pasta dish. I came up with this formula years ago. The inspiration came from aContinue reading “Quick & Easy Monsoon Pasta”
Taste of Summer Wraps
Summertime heat can be searing in Arizona, even in the mountains of the northern part of the state. Our intense sun makes me want to hike earlier in the day, have extra fluids at the ready at all times, and use the stove less! The idea for these super-simple wraps came about on one ofContinue reading “Taste of Summer Wraps”
Can the 6 Tastes Improve Your Health?
This is my third post on Ayurveda, a health system that originated thousands of years ago and is still in use by over 75% of the populations of India and Nepal. This approach to wellness is holistic in its entirety; emphasis is placed on finding and maintaining balance of mind, body, spirit, & environment. MyContinue reading “Can the 6 Tastes Improve Your Health?”
Spring Salad with Roasted Veggies and Tahini Sauce
One of the few restaurants that we frequent is Pita Jungle. The menu isn’t completely vegan, but includes a few delicious items that are. This recipe is inspired by their Wood-Fired Vegetable Salad, which is my go-to grab-and-go when my day is running long and I’m too tired to cook. My version is simple toContinue reading “Spring Salad with Roasted Veggies and Tahini Sauce”
The Science Behind Eating the Rainbow
You may have heard the phrase eat the rainbow many times. And you might have realized that it’s referring to the varied colors of fresh fruits & vegetables. But have you heard an explanation of why it’s beneficial to adopt this strategy? In his book Conscious Eating, Dr. Gabriel Cousens writes the color ofContinue reading “The Science Behind Eating the Rainbow”
Smoky Mixed Bean Burgers
You may remember me saying in a post a while back that veggie burgers are my favorite thing to cook. That’s because homemade is always better than store-bought, and I have found a number of fun ways to prepare them. This recipe combines ingredients from 3 of my favorites. It’s quick and absolutely delicious! TheContinue reading “Smoky Mixed Bean Burgers”
Cozy Roasted Veggie Polenta
I first tried polenta in a swanky little restaurant on Las Olas Boulevard in Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. The small, uniform pieces had been baked and grilled, then topped with sautéed wild mushrooms. It was delicious. That was years ago, and I have prepared this staple from Northern Italy many times in a variety of cuisinesContinue reading “Cozy Roasted Veggie Polenta”
Healing Gone Wrong
Last week’s post, Heart Matters, touched on the concept of chronic inflammation and its association with the majority of chronic diseases. In addition to cardiac disease, these include cancers, Alzheimer’s, auto-immune disorders, pulmonary disease, diabetes, and bone & joint diseases. Some of your comments inspired me to want to share more on the subject. ThisContinue reading “Healing Gone Wrong”
Heart Matters
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for about 1/3 of all deaths, according to the World Health Organization. This frightening stat has been attributed to high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL), diabetes, smoking & secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. A small percentage of us inherit genesContinue reading “Heart Matters”
Micro of the Macro 