photo by desertculinary

I love graham crackers. Are they a cracker? A cookie? Who knows, or cares. They are just so good that it doesn’t matter. And believe it or not, the original graham crackers were whole grain! Some still are, you just have to push aside the big names like Nabisco and Keebler to find the winners like Trader Joe’s Cinnamon Grahams.

Graham flour was named after Sylvester Graham, who was adamantly opposed to refined white flour. He wasn’t a nutritionist, he was a pastor. But regardless, he knew Read the rest of this entry »

photo by khayaL

Tropical: the very word musters up thoughts of palm trees, sunshine, beaches, guava, and a strawberry daiquiri in my hand. I love most things tropical. With one exception: oil.

Tropical oils (coconut, palm and palm kernel) are unique. Most people think of oil as a healthier alternative to butter or shortening, but that’s not necessarily so. In fact, while olive oil and canola oil are some of the healthiest oils you can eat, coconut and palm kernel oil are the worst. Here’s why. Tropical oils are mostly saturated. Translation: when you digest the oil, it sticks to Read the rest of this entry »

photo by lucky olive

I’ve decided to come out from NFN hibernation! I know it’s been a long while since we’ve chatted, and I’m sorry. Fortunately, I have an excuse. Mairwage (if you haven’t see The Princess Bride, add it to your to-do list NOW).  Yes, white dress, handsome groom, pretty flowers, angels singing…the whole deal. I know you missed me as much as I missed you. Which is a LOT, of course.  But instead of going all mushy about how much you mean to me and starting to cry, we’ll just move on to nutrition.

But first, let me tell you how many Read the rest of this entry »