Orange Wellness Elixir

お元気ですか？(O-genki desu ka?) Vous allez bien? Dje si? Shnoo ahwalak? Wherever I travel, I like to think about linguistic nuances that reveal something about a culture, and sometimes even about human nature. While every place has its own version of “How are you?” and other common greetings, there are some places that add a distinct and interesting twist. In Japan, “O-genki desu ka?” asks not only how you are, but also whether you have good health, energy and spirit. The French likewise often eschew the open-ended “How are you?” for the more to-the-point “Are you well?”

Refresh: Watermelon, Blackberry & Lime Sparklers

What’s not to love about a refreshing drink that’s bubbly, fruity, deep red and zesty? I love these sparklers for their flavor, but the health benefits give them even more appeal. With watermelon, blackberries, lime and mint, you’re getting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that support a healthy cardiovascular and digestive system, plus loads of nutrients, including Vitamins A and C.

Kohlrabi, Apple & Mâche Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

I decided it was time to try one of these funny-looking vegetables I keep passing by at the grocery store — the kohlrabi. High in Vitamin C and containing heart-healthy nutrients and antioxidant properties, kohlrabi seems to be gaining in popularity and attention; Time Magazine called it the next superfood. Some studies show it might even have protective benefits against certain kinds of cancer (Source: Livestrong/University of Maryland Medical Center). Kohlrabi’s flavor is somewhere between cabbage and broccoli stems, and it has a nice crunch to it when eaten raw. In terms of its appearance, I think it’s kind of an eerie, other-worldly thing:

Roasted Eggplant, Ricotta & Tomato Crostini

Since reading Eating on the Wild Side, I’ve been trying to fill my grocery basket with more nutrient-rich purple vegetables and to roast them to get the most nutrition out of them. Deep purple eggplant is rich in a number of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that fight disease and even help lower bad cholesterol. I love the almost-melted texture of roasted eggplant, and here its softness complements crunchy toasted bread, a pillowy layer of cheese, and a sprinkling of sliced tomatoes and parsley.

Marinated Roasted Beet & Goat Cheese Salad with Dill

Let’s talk about beets. Those sweet, earthy, garnet-red root vegetables are among the best things you can put in your grocery cart to enhance your health and fight disease, according to Jo Robinson, author of Eating on the Wild Side. A good source of fiber, folate, and potassium, beets are also remarkably high in antioxidants.

Matcha Green Tea Ice Cream

I once worked at a tea plantation on a little island in Japan. From dawn to dusk, we harvested the tea leaves, plucking them and gathering them in big baskets, until our fingers were green.

Roasted Sweet Potato Spears with Nigella Seeds

Nigella seeds, with their peppery crunch and healing powers, occupy a special place in my spice rack.

Summer Lentils with Fennel, Lemon & Basil

Lentils may make the best hearty soup for a winter’s day, but it’s also pretty easy to give lentils a summer makeover that’s refreshing and flavorful, perfect for a warm August evening. To me, fennel brings out a vibrant taste in the lentils, and a lemon spritz and fresh basil give them another zing of flavor.

Cheddar, Chive & Ciabatta Panini

My toddler loves grilled cheese sandwiches. So much that, given a choice, she would eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s gotten to the point that when I ask her what she wants to wear, she screams, “Grilled cheese pants!”

I made a cheddar, chive & ciabatta panino

Summer Fruit & Herb Smoothies

I’ve been thinking lately about fruits and herbs, and their compatibility, after reading the intro to The Flavor Bible. The book describes how scientists can now analyze the cell structure of foods and determine whether they pair well together. It turns out that popular pairings like tomato and basil, or lamb and rosemary, have similar cell structures. Funny how science just confirms what the human palette intuited.