Posts Tagged ‘Herbs’

Chasteberry PMS Question

October 5, 2012 Written by JP

In the course of my consulting work, many questions and answers emerge that I think would be of interest to readers of this site. Recently, a client inquired about an herbal extract commonly known as chasteberry or Vitex. Historically, Vitex agnus castus has been used to address irregular periods and symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). In modern times, concentrated and purified extracts of chasteberry have been subjected to some degree of scientific scrutiny. For the most part, the results of these controlled trials have been positive. However, it’s important to note that not all Vitex supplements are created equal. In fact, only a few products have actually undergone clinical testing and proven effective.

Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Nutrition, Women's Health | 14 Comments & Updates

Best Of Food Chemistry News

December 27, 2010 Written by JP

When you think of the word ‘chemistry’ an image of a science lab filled with beakers, flasks and petri dishes probably comes to mind. But you don’t need a Ph.D., safety goggles or a white lab coat to apply the power of this science as it relates to food. There are already scientists hard at work doing research in the field of food chemistry. All we have to do is pay attention to the papers they publish in the medical literature.
Read more »


Tags: , , ,
Posted in Detoxification, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 7 Comments & Updates

Chicken Liver Pate Recipe

September 7, 2010 Written by JP

One of my favorite films of the past few decades is the modern classic, Defending Your Life. The comedic story follows the life and death of a meek character played by Albert Brooks. After passing away, he enters a sort of afterlife in which key moments of his life are replayed for him and a panel of judges. If you magically had the opportunity to review my life you’d see that about 15 years ago I was caught up in a destructive eating pattern. The drive-thrus of fast food restaurants were my mainstay. However, on this day, I spent the better part of my afternoon working on a homemade dish that I’m presenting to you as a healthy recipe. This reality would have seemed impossible to me 10, 15 or 20 years ago. But in the present it feels as natural as can be.
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Nutrition, Recipes | 6 Comments & Updates

Healthy Lamb Burger Recipe

August 31, 2010 Written by JP

The first Monday in September ushers in Labor Day in the United States. This is a federal holiday that celebrates the achievements of American workers and the establishment of the labor movement over 100 years ago. It also provides an extended three-day weekend for many families and a final opportunity to enjoy the long, hot days of summer. A familiar part of many Labor Day get-togethers is firing up the barbecue. Beef, turkey or “veggie” burgers top the list of grill-friendly candidates to serve at such occasions. But this year, I’m going to do something slightly different. Instead of the standard fare, lamb burgers are on the menu and with good reason.
Read more »


Tags: , , ,
Posted in Nutrition, Recipes | 4 Comments & Updates

Food Chemistry News

June 30, 2010 Written by JP

When you think of the word ‘chemistry’ an image of a science lab filled with beakers, flasks and petri dishes probably comes to mind. But you don’t need a Ph.D., safety goggles or a white lab coat to apply the power of this science as it relates to food. There are already scientists hard at work doing research in the field of food chemistry. All we have to do is pay attention to the papers they publish in the medical literature. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Alternative Therapies, Food and Drink, Nutrition | 9 Comments & Updates

Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

June 29, 2010 Written by JP

I’m really excited about today’s recipe for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I never thought of myself as the type of guy who could successfully pull off a dish like this. From a distance it just seems too exotic for a simple fellow who was born and raised in Southern California. But I’m equally happy to report that this particular recipe is very easy to make and lends itself well to leftovers and other interesting food combinations. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Food and Drink, Heart Health, Recipes | 4 Comments & Updates

New Mexican Egg Bake Recipe

June 1, 2010 Written by JP

One of our favorite places to visit is Santa Fe, New Mexico. There was a period of time when we even considered relocating there. The desert landscape is incredibly beautiful. The weather is milder than you might expect in summer and winter. The people are warm and generous. We are happy there because it melds many of the finer aspects of small town living with some of the cultural benefits you’d associated with “big city life” – fine dining, a vibrant art scene and a top-notch opera company. The following recipe is our little homage to Santa Fe and something we prepare when we are longing for “The City Different”. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 8 Comments & Updates

Spicy Pecans and Walnuts

March 30, 2010 Written by JP

There are many road blocks to achieving successful weight loss and long term weight maintenance. Chief among them is a lack of culinary creativity and access to a wide variety of diet-friendly foods. When you read the final part of that last sentence, certain unexciting foods probably came to mind such as carrot and celery sticks or, perhaps, the much dreaded rice cakes. That’s not my idea of an ideal snack if you’re looking to shed excess pounds or maintain a healthy weight. Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Food and Drink, Nutrition, Recipes | 12 Comments & Updates

Rosemary and Thyme for Brain Health

June 8, 2009 Written by JP

The next time you grill some rosemary chicken or make a pot of Boston clam chowder with thyme, keep in mind that these fragrant herbs may be doing a lot more for your health than simply stimulating your taste buds. Recent scientific research is providing evidence that Rosmarinus officinalis and Thymus vulgaris may in fact shield us from some of the common ills that affect both the body and mind. In conducting today’s research, I was pleasantly surprised to find that these unassuming and ubiquitous herbs show a great potential impact on brain health and function.
Read more »


Tags: , ,
Posted in Food and Drink, Mental Health, Recipes | 17 Comments & Updates