Author: Lily

The key to my Greek lentil soup recipe is sautéing onion and tomato paste to build a deep, savory base that tastes like it simmered all day, even though it’s done in under an hour. Photo Credits: Loren Runion How I Improved on My Mom’s Greek Lentil Soup Recipe Every Greek household has its own version of fakes (pronounced “fah-kehs”), and mine is no exception. Growing up, my mom made this Greek lentil soup at least once a week. Lentils were affordable and filling, and they stretched much further than meat when money was tight. I still love that it’s…

During the cold and flu season, it’s essential to take extra care of your health to prevent getting sick or to alleviate symptoms if you do catch a cold or flu. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that influenza that results from cold and flu was associated with about nine million illnesses in 2021 – 2022. If you don’t want to fall ill as the risk of certain illnesses is high during this period, you need to practice some health tips. Here are the health tips for cold and flu season that will help you stay healthy during…

With so much attention surrounding Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 medications, you may be wondering whether your body can produce more GLP-1 naturally. The answer is yes. Your body already makes GLP-1, and certain food choices and lifestyle habits may support its natural release. What Is GLP-1 and How Does This Hormone Work? GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. It is an incretin hormone, or signaling peptide, produced primarily by specialized cells in your gastrointestinal tract. Your body releases GLP-1 after you eat. It then sends several important signals that help your body respond to the nutrients in your meal. GLP-1…

Low sexual desire is one of the most common health concerns people never mention to their doctor. It can quietly affect confidence, relationships, and well-being, yet embarrassment, stigma, and the belief that nothing can be done keep many people suffering in silence. The reality is more hopeful. Persistent low desire that causes distress is a recognized, treatable condition, and simply starting the conversation is often the hardest and most important step. This guide is designed to make that step easier. It explains what hypoactive sexual desire disorder, or HSDD, actually is, why so many people stay quiet, and, most practically,…

Most people know the adverse health effects of smoking cigarettes, yet it remains a tough habit to kick. Smoking is a habit that often begins as a casual indulgence but can quickly become an ingrained part of daily life, with serious implications for health and well-being. The journey to quit smoking is challenging, not only because of the physical addiction to nicotine but also due to the psychological dependence that develops over time. However, embracing healthier activities can be a powerful strategy in combating the urge to light up. If you’ve decided to quit smoking for good, creating an arsenal…

That little fear that existed before you got married? Now it’s your reality. You’re happy in your relationship with your husband. He’s great, but he’s not enough. You really want a baby. And it’s not working. PCOS has stolen from you what every young married woman wants. You’re not broken. You can change your destiny. In this article, I’m going to explain the biology behind iodine and how the lack of it might be one of the reasons you are where you are. In the article on PCOS and diet, I covered the foods that help regulate blood sugar, reduce…

The secret to Barcelona’s best pan con tomate is the bread! Here’s how to make pan de cristal, glass bread, at home. Photo Credits: Mark Beahm If you’ve visited Barcelona, chances are you’ve been captivated by pan de cristal. Order pan con tomate—Catalan toast with tomato—and you’ll find some stand out for the base of crisp and flaky bread with a soft, lacy interior full of large air bubbles that soaks up the tomato and olive oil topping without a hint of sogginess. The secret is glass bread, pan de cristal, or pa de vidre in Catalan. It has a…

Many people notice it: a stomach that looks flat first thing in the morning but is visibly rounder and tighter by evening. It can be disconcerting, and it often prompts the worry that you are gaining weight by the hour. The reassuring reality, according to doctors, is that this is almost always bloating and distension, a build-up of gas, food, and fluid in your digestive system, not fat. This daily swelling is extremely common and usually harmless. It follows a predictable pattern because of how digestion works through the day. Understanding what is actually happening can take away a lot…

Here’s your weekly roundup of Columbus restaurant news, including new openings, closings, and menu updates! The Line, a new restaurant and training center from Service Relief, opened this week at 145 N. Grant Ave. downtown. In addition to being a full-service restaurant, The Line will offer training, resources, and more opportunities for service industry workers. Read more about it here! True Food Kitchen at Easton closed abruptly this week as its parent company filed for bankruptcy. The restaurant had focused on a natural foods and minimally processed ingredients. It first opened at Easton in October of 2020. Old Bag of…

You’ve just gotten your lab results back, and your recent conversation about your blood sugar with your doctor wasn’t really encouraging. She said the words “creeping into the prediabetic range.” She wasn’t really alarmed, but she did sound concerned. She urged you to take some action. You remember your frustration with your doctor too because you are taking action. You’ve been moving more, standing more, exercising more, cutting back on desserts, trying to read labels and pick organic foods, more whole grains, leaner cuts of meats, Meatless Mondays, the whole works. Your weight has stabilized pretty well. But the lingering…