The only beans I knew as a child were canned, sweetened vegetarian beansenveloped in meatless tomato sauce. We usually had them on hot dog night, but never alone. Fast forward, today I eat beans of all kinds. Southwestern US beans are in a class of their own! Savor my Southwestern Bean Bonanza!

Try as you may, most aging adults will experience some degree of sarcopenia or muscle wasting. It’s a natural condition of aging that has its downfalls (precisely!). Disability, fatigue, frailty, increased risks of falls and fractures and weight gain are just a few of the many negative side effects of this condition. Also vital is that sarcopenia may worsen other health issues, lead to insulin resistance, malnutrition and ultimately increase the risks of mortality. Learn what you may do …

Get out your big old cast iron fry pan … we’re talking squash for an army—or at least a few hungry souls! Just look at how bright and crisp this combination of sautéed corn, peppers, yellow squash and zucchini is, and what a splendid combination it providers for a heartier dish, like enchiladas or burritos—or blanketed with cheese.

Today, many have lost trust in these practices and want our food to look natural and healthier. In my blog Color Your World—Naturally! I attempt to sort out the colorful facts from fiction to help prioritize your overloaded shopping choices.

I’m drawn to cuisines that contain chili (aka chile, chilli) peppers and yet lately I cannot tolerate their heat. I love some, but not all of their snazziness, and I especially love their color and crunch. So how does one employ their tastes and textures that complement, yet not take charge? My culinary journey through New Mexico afforded some answers where chile is the most common variant.

Domestic use of corn syrup (especially high fructose corn syrup [HFCS]) has actually declined since the 1990’s due to higher corn prices, lower sugar prices, and changing consumer preferences for less processed sweeteners like honey and syrups. See the upsides/downsides of corn syrup and HFCS in your diet…