Recently, coconut oil has been hailed as a “wonder-oil” with many health benefits. It has been touted as a cure for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, heart disease and gastrointestinal disorders, aiding weight loss, increasing immunity and fighting infections. Coconut oil contains about 44% lauric acid, which has been known to have some antiviral, antibacterial and anti-fungal…

The 2016 Olympic Games are about to begin in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And we are celebrating too – with feijoada, which is considered Brazil’s national dish. Feijoada is a delicious stew made with pork and black beans, served with rice and orange slices. This stew is traditionally served on Saturdays and is meant to…

Blueberries are one of our nutrition superheroes of July. These refreshingly juicy, sweet-tart purplish blue berries are full of vitamin C, folic acid, fiber, potassium and manganese. Choose firm, smooth-skinned blueberries that are blue-purple in color and not green, without moisture, mold or bruises. Rinse the berries in cold water before eating. Stored berries in…

Summer is here! And with it comes the tradition of grilling and barbecuing. Grilling food involves cooking it at high temperatures for a short period of time. Grilled foods are tasty and flavorful without too much added fat as compared to frying. Some tips for safe and healthy grilling, as recommended by www.eatright.org: – Choose…

As the Pavilion’s Executive Chef, I am constantly searching for great simple ingredients that a little kitchen alchemy can turn into a beautiful composed dish. The hunger bags present an amazing opportunity to a chef as they are the items that the Food Bank needs most, and also during a time when kids are out…

Papayas are sweet, succulent with brightly colored flesh, reminding us of sunny beaches on tropical islands. These tropical beauties are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, folate and potassium. Papayas are grown in Florida and Hawaii in the United States, and are in peak season during early summer and fall. While buying papayas, select ones…

Over the last week or so, you may have heard about the update our Nutrition Facts Panel will be receiving. Can you believe that our current label is 20 years old?! The changes to our label reflect new scientific findings and will help consumers when choosing healthy food options. Here’s a quick guide to the…

June is National Dairy Month. Dairy includes milk and its products like yogurt, cheese, cream and sour cream. Milk, yogurt and cheese are excellent sources of calcium, protein, riboflavin, vitamins A, B12 and D, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Try choosing unsweetened and low-fat, skim, part-skim or fat-free milk, yogurt, cheese, cream cheese and sour cream…

It may surprise you to learn that San Diego has one of the most effective solutions to hunger at our fingertips. It’s called CalFresh, a program that is designed to uplift families by ensuring people receive the sustenance they need, enabling them to focus on working toward self-sufficiency. That’s a big deal. But thousands of…

Springtime offers a bounty of fruits and vegetables. Because they are one of the first fruits to ripen in the spring, May is the month of strawberries! Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and fiber. They are healthy, delicious and bite-sized, and make a great snack. These berries can also be used…