Author: Lily

A sedentary lifestyle, especially as an older adult, can give rise to numerous health problems. Some of these, according to MedlinePlus, include weight gain, type 2 diabetes, joint deterioration, coronary artery disease (CAD), heart attack, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. The same holds true for certain cancers and mental illnesses. Why Women Are at Greater Risk of Struggling with Health Problems Due to Physical Inactivity Than Men While physical inactivity can take a tremendous toll on both the health of women and men, women often fare much worse, according to a World Health Organization study. That’s because women tend…

When I was thirty-two, I left my corporate marketing role and decided to learn cooking properly. I spent time observing experienced cooks transform simple vegetables into something extraordinary using nothing but proper spice technique. They didn’t measure anything. They knew exactly when to add what, how hot the oil should be, whether to use whole seeds or ground powder. Watching them work was like watching a musician who knows their instrument so well they can make it sing without thinking. That’s when I realized spices aren’t just ingredients. They’re tools, and like any tool, they work best when you understand…

You can make these irresistible polenta fries either by baking in the oven or air-frying them until the edges are satisfyingly crunchy. They’re a wonderfully addictive gluten-free side dish, appetizer, or snack! Photo Credits: Ali Redmond My Family Loves These Crispy Polenta Fries When my partner, Ben, went gluten-free last summer as part of an elimination diet, it forced me (the primary household cook) to confront the fact that we were deeply committed bread and pasta people. The gluten-free shift required revisiting our whole grain pantry. As I shelved the wheat-based ingredients, I reacquainted myself with some more neglected staples:…

If your blood sugar has been creeping higher than it should, you are not alone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 96 million American adults, roughly 38% of the population, have prediabetes, and most of them do not know it. Whether you are managing diabetes, dealing with insulin resistance, or simply trying to feel more energized throughout the day, understanding how to bring your glucose levels down quickly and sustainably can make a profound difference in your quality of life.The good news? You do not always need to wait for a prescription to take…

After closing for a brief revamp, the delightful progressive Indian restaurant Rooh in the Short North has reopened with a refreshed space, new dinner menu, and – what I’m most excited about – the addition of a limited run breakfast pop-up called Mornings by Rooh. I was seriously geeked out over this, as I loved the owners’ Swadesi Cafe in Chicago. It offers such a delightful combination of flavors. Mornings by Rooh brings a similar Indian-inspired menu of breakfast sandwiches, pastries, coffee, chai, matcha, cocktails, and more. Here’s a look at the menu! I started with their jaggery, brown sugar,…

If you’ve read very much in the nutrition science world, you’ve run across the Mediterranean diet. US News & World Report consistently ranks it among the best diets in the world. You’ve probably heard it reduces heart disease, supports brain health, and helps people live longer, and it’s true. You probably haven’t heard of the Green Mediterranean diet, a newer, more plant-forward version that’s even more powerful. The Green Mediterranean Diet isn’t a trendy social media concept; it was generated by scientists doing rigorous clinical research. Dr. Iris Shai and colleagues at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel developed…

These Low Carb Keto Cheddar Sausage Stuffed Bagels are a tasty and easy baked bagel that has no grains, no nuts, no gluten and is 100% perfection! Keto Cheddar Sausage Stuffed Bagels These low carb keto cheddar sausage stuffed bagels are the ultimate high-protein, grain-free breakfast that’s easy to make, perfect for meal prep, and satisfying for the whole family. Made with simple ingredients like coconut flour, mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, and whey protein, these bagel bites are fluffy, cheesy, and incredibly filling-all while staying low in net carbs, under 2 grams. All nutritional info is at the bottom of this page.…

Let’s talk about something almost everyone does — especially late at night, in sweatpants, while wondering why nothing seems to be working. You open Instagram. Or TikTok. Or ChatGPT. You type in: “Best meal plan for weight loss” “Hormone balancing foods” “What to eat for thyroid health” Suddenly you’re swimming in answers. AI-generated meal plans. Influencer grocery hauls. Before‑and‑after photos. Conflicting advice. Strong opinions. Zero context. And for a moment, it feels productive. But here’s the honest question we need to ask: If access to information alone worked… wouldn’t you already feel better by now? The problem isn’t lack of…

Look, I’ll be straight with you. Most people think creamy pasta requires dairy. They’re convinced you need heavy cream, butter, or at least a mountain of cheese to get that silky, restaurant-quality sauce that coats every strand of pasta perfectly. They’re wrong. The secret to the creamiest pasta you’ve ever made lives in that box of dried pasta sitting in your pantry right now. It’s the starchy cooking water that most home cooks pour straight down the drain. That cloudy, seemingly worthless liquid is pure gold when you know how to use it. I learned this technique from watching an…

My Mediterranean-style savory oatmeal recipe makes a nutritious, flavor-packed breakfast in about 20 minutes! Hearty oats are the perfect bed for savory sweet potatoes, tomatoes, avocado, and eggs with a little creamy feta and a sprinkle of za’atar. Photo Credits: Miriam Novoa 20-Minute Savory Oatmeal Recipe I’m not opposed to a warm bowl of oatmeal doused in milk, sprinkled with nuts, and drizzled with honey. But for something different and more satisfying that will keep me fueled for longer, I turn to savory oatmeal. Another satisfying breakfast bowl recipe — although good for any time of day — this savory…