Healthwise, is the U.S. the worst off among developed countries? Evidence shows that the U.S. has some of the poorest health outcomes among high-income and developed nations, despite outspending all of them. The U.S. spends more on healthcare than any other country — around 17 to 18% of GDP and over $13,000 per person in […]
When it comes to table manners and how to eat, the focus is usually on teaching young children good habits. But this post is for teens and grown-ups too — because, sadly, I see things that need to be said. Even my kids notice, as they pointed out one evening at dinner while on vacation […]
What Is It and Why Is It in Our Food? Citric acid comes up often in my writing. In this piece, I explain why I think it's best to avoid it. Citric acid is one of the most widely used preservatives in prepared foods — if not the most. Though its use is allowed, the […]
If you have ever given up some processed foods to eat healthier, then found yourself thinking, "I miss my ranch, I miss my ketchup," or any other prepared food you're craving — it's worth pausing to ask: Are you really missing the food? Or are you missing the feeling it gave you? With many processed […]
Have you heard of the Yuka app? When you scan a barcode on a food label, Yuka gives it a health score on a scale of 0 to 100, with colors (green, orange, red) indicating good, poor, and bad scores. I downloaded it and gave it a try. I started with some staples in my […]
Why It's Worth It It can be hard to find the motivation to cook — especially when you're tired or stressed. On days like that, dinner easily takes a back seat. But there's a big payoff when we stick to our evening rhythm. Sitting down to a good meal is relaxing and calming — especially […]
My husband and I both grew up with dessert as a part of dinner. And dessert didn't mean "treat." It just meant the last course.In France and Italy, dessert is simply the finish — part of a meal. It's not a guilty pleasure or a bribe, just part of dinner. For me, most often my […]
Why One Pint Is Better Than a Half Gallon The secret to eating well — isn't about cutting things out. It's about choosing food with genuine flavor and high-quality ingredients, so you feel truly satisfied. This is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean way of eating. To see for yourself, take a taste test. Try one […]
In the U.S., much of the advice around feeding kids involves tricks or games, which can turn mealtime into a tiring negotiation. Hiding vegetables. Cutting food into shapes. Promising dessert if they eat their dinner. In this post, I'll share an approach that doesn't involve extra effort, bribery, or turning on an iPad or TV […]
And How to Bring It Home If you’ve ever had dinner in Italy or France — or even just imagined it — you might have felt something hard to name. Maybe you saw a movie where everyone is lingering around a table full of amazing food and thought, “I want to eat that!” Or “How […]
Serving Ideas for Your Tomato Sauce: Tap on the picture to view the caption and, if available, the link to the recipe idea. You may also be interested in reading about: Pasta from Italy Cooking Pasta to Perfection French and Italian Flour Freezing Summer Tomatoes
A Delightful and Easy Way to Entertain The Apéritif In recent posts I've written about the French apéritif. It's more than just a drink before dinner — it's a delicious tradition that helps you create easy, elegant meals and also supports healthy eating habits. (You'll find links to read more at the bottom of this […]
