Donnie Yance is an internationally known master herbalist and nutritionist. He is the author of the book, "Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer" and "Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism"
We hear so much about the negative effects of sugar—from obesity to tooth decay to cancer—it might surprise you to learn that sugar has some unique beneficial properties. It’s important to understand that not all sugars are created equal. If you want to reap the health benefits of sugar, it must be truly unrefined raw sugar.
Continue reading “The Health Benefits of Unrefined Raw Sugar”
Our family enjoys sweet treats (in moderation, of course). I feel good about providing my kids with treats that not only taste great, but are healthy, too. These chocolate chip cookies are a brand new recipe of mine and are quickly becoming one of our favorites. They’re crispy and delicious and get more flavorful by the day. As well, they’re packed with healthful ingredients like rolled oats, fresh Kamut flour (see my blog on the health benefits of Kamut), coconut, and dark chocolate. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Continue reading “Donnie’s Amazing Healthy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies”
One of my family’s favorite dishes is homemade pizza. Making pizza connects me to my Italian heritage, and I find satisfaction in creating this rustic, healthful food. My kids, of course, love the result.
Making pizza from scratch takes a bit of time, but not as much as you might think. I enjoy the entire process, beginning with grinding the whole grains into fresh flour. My favorite flours are made from Kamut and farro; to enhance the elasticity of the dough, I add a bit of gluten flour. The result is a satisfyingly chewy crust.
In recent years, I’ve come to appreciate a simple, humble vegetable that hasn’t quite made it into mainstream cuisine. You may have seen or heard of sunchokes (sometimes called Jerusalem artichokes). But what you may not know is that these unassuming little tubers offer a wealth of health benefits—and they’re tasty, too.
Continue reading “Sunchokes: A Humble Food With Many Health Benefits”
This healthy fruit dessert is a favorite in our home. Bursting with naturally sweet peaches, there’s little sweetener required—just a touch of pure maple syrup is all that’s needed.
The cake-like bottom layer is made with a combination of gluten-free grains, and tangy buttermilk makes it tender and light. A crumbly layer of shredded coconut and rolled oats creates a slightly sweet and crunchy topping. Just before serving the warm cake, I drizzle lightly sweetened heavy cream over each portion. Because I’m always looking for ways to boost the nutrient profile of recipes, I add a bit of powdered whey to the cream to provide immune enhancing nutrients.
As I write this, our home is filled with the welcoming scent of home-baked cookies. Over the past few weeks, Jen and I (with plenty of help from our children) have been busy baking treats for the holidays, which we enjoy sharing with family, friends, and neighbors. I believe that treats can be a part of a healthy diet, if made with good quality ingredients and eaten in moderation.
Continue reading “A Healthy Holiday Treat: Chocolate Brownies”