White Bean and Asparagus Salad with Watercress

January 15, 2013 by ascott • 4 Comments

One of the most popular Start Fresh recipes, this delicious and easy to prepare dish is an excellent source of detoxifying asparagus and watercress. White beans add a toothsome texture, a bit of protein and starch resistant fiber to keep blood sugar stable. Pair with a lean protein of your choice for a delicious anti inflammatory meal.

Ingredients:

5 stalks green asparagus, tough ends removed
One 15-ounce can white beans (such as cannellini), rinsed and drained
1 orange bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups B&W watercress, trimmed

Preparation:

Bring water to a simmer in a vegetable steamer.
Cut the asparagus into 1-inch pieces, place them in a steamer basket, cover and lightly steam, 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the white beans, bell pepper, and red onion. Add the asparagus and toss gently. In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, and salt and pepper to taste. Gently toss the dressing into the salad and adjust the seasoning.
Line a salad bowl with the watercress, and top with the white bean salad.

What’s your favorite Perricone MD recipe?

Kale & Watercress Salad with Garlic Anchovy Dressing

December 20, 2012 by ascott • 1 Comment

Consider this salad a recipe for glowing skin. More nutrient dense and less caloric than a traditional Caesar salad, this blend of detoxing and hydrating vegetables packs a serious anti-aging punch. Included in the dressing are anchovies, which are among the health and beauty seeker’s best kept secrets. One of the best bonues? They’re very high in the skin-firming nutrient DMAE and glow boosting Omega-3’s.

Ingredients:

Serves 4

1 large head Kale, cut into 1-inch strips.
1 bunch watercress, cut into 2-to 3-inch strips.
6 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced.
4 stalks celery with leaves, thinly sliced.
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved.
½ cucumber, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise.
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil.
8 oil packed anchovy fillets, drained and chopped.
6 large cloves garlic, minced.
2 ½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Freshly ground black pepper and sea salt.

Directions:

In a large bowl, toss the Kale and Watercress with the radishes, celery, tomatoes and cucumber.
Combine the olive oil, anchovies, minced garlic in a small saucepan over moderate heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is slightly golden, about 7 minutes. Add the lemon juice and season generously with pepper.
Pour the warm dressing over the salad. Season lightly with sea salt and toss again. Serve warm.

Enjoy in good health! What are your favorite dishes for glowing skin?

Say Cheese

October 17, 2012 by ascott • Comment

Contrary to popular belief, you can have cheese on the anti inflammatory diet (in fact, Dr. Perricone is a big fan of cheese. One of his personal favorites is Shelburne Farms three-year cheddar).

Cheese is an excellent source of vitamin K2, which is thought by some to combat the risk of cardiovascular disease. Cheese contains between 7.5 and 15 micrograms of of Vitamin K2 per ounce. Researchers are not clear on what causes the K2 levels to vary across varieties, but the evidence suggests that K2 is highly effective at directing calcium to your bones where it is needed and away from your arteries, where it does not belong.

However, the type and amount does matter. Always look for:

Hard cheese over soft varieties. Opt for Romano, Parmesean, Pecorino, feta and goat cheese.
Goat cheese is actually easier on the human digestive system, lower in calories and fat than its bovine counterparts.
Cheese made from milk that is free of the hormones rbST/rbGH
If buying raw cheese, go for full-fat, unprocessed milk from pasture-fed cows, sheeps, or goats.
Keep servings to an ounce
If possible, enjoy a vegetable with your cheese as the fat from the cheese can enhance vitamin absorption.

How do you incorporate cheese into the anti inflammatory lifestyle?

Keeping Fit with Dr. Perricone

October 10, 2012 by ascott • Comment

This week, thefashionspot caught up with Dr. Perricone and he shared some of his favorite ways to stay in shape:

“I enjoy a wide variety of physical exercises. In a typical week, I’ll lift weights three times for one hour, I’ll do Hatha Yoga for 30 minutes three times a weeks, and run three times a week (on non-weight lifting days — 30 minutes for each run). I particularly love running on the beach with my dogs Peanut and Remy.”

What do all Dr. Perricone’s exercises have in common? They do not go past the 30 minute mark. Dr. Perricone suggests doing exercise for no more than 30 minutes to avoid the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals that can come with overworking the body.

How do you stay in shape?

Food Facts: Spinach

September 7, 2012 by ascott • Comment

Food facts from the anti inflammatory kitchen: Spinach.

Beyond its beauty benefits, it’s no news that spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables are excellent sources of nutrients and anti aging antioxidants and pigments. However, you might not be getting the calcium you think you are from spinach due to its high levels of oxalic acid, which blocks calcium absorption. To help mitigate this, pair spinach with a healthy fat such as raw chopped nuts, extra virgin olive oil, goat cheese or feta to your salads to enhance calcium absorption.

What are your favorite spinach recipes or preparation tips?

3 Spices to Add to Your Shake

August 14, 2012 by ascott • Comment

Adding these anti-inflammatory spices to your daily shake or juice can result in serious health benefits. If you don’t have a daily shake, consider adding these to Dr. Perricone’s Metabolic Shake (below).

Raw cocoa contains Phenylethylamine (PEA) which is a chemical made in our body when we fall in love. It increases focus, alertness, and serves as a natural appetite suppressant.
Cardamom not only gives chai it’s delicious flavor, but it has been used in Ayurevedic medicine for centuries to improve digestion and stimulate the metabolism. Its thought to detoxify the body of caffeine, cleanse the kidneys and improves circulation to the lungs.
Gingeradds a bright zing and contains gingerols which reduce pain associated with arthritis. Ginger also reduces symptoms associated with motion sickness including dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and cold sweating.

The Metabolic Shake

1. Puree 1/3 cup of blueberries, raspberries or mixed berries of your choice in a blender or mix 1 teaspoon of non-Dutched processed cocoa with stevia and a little hot water. Blend thoroughly until smooth.

2. Add 1 teaspoon of organic virgin coconut oil to either the berries or the cocoa and blend until smooth.

3. Add 6-8 ounces of liquid egg white and stir. Do not blend, as this will make the drink too foamy.

Dr. Perricone recommends adding the Metabolic Formula dietary supplement when on the Metabolic Diet.

Dr. Perricone to Speak at the HAPPI Anti-Aging Conference

August 13, 2012 by ascott • Comment

HAPPI Magazine announces its 1st Anti-Aging Conference. The event will be held on September 18 & 19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency New Brunswick, NJ. The 2012 conference will cover key topics delivered by anti-aging industry leaders, including Dr. Perricone as the keynote speaker. Dr. Perricone’s lecture is called “Nutrigenomics and Cell Signaling: The Future of New Product Development”.

What questions would you like to ask Dr. Perricone?

The Right Blend to Stay Forever Young

August 8, 2012 by ascott • Comment

The new Hair & Nail Formula supplements are created with high quality Alaska Sockeye Salmon derived Omega 3’s, custom dosed levels of antioxidants, as well as Biotin, which is a critical ingredient that assists the body’s natural production of Keratin, which supports strong, healthy nails and hair. In addition, are an exclusive blend of extracts based on Dr. Perricone’s Forever Young research.

Let’s take a closer look at this blend of extracts:

Watercress- excellent for its anti-cancer and detoxification properties.
Dark cocoa- potent anti-inflammatories and anthocyanids, which are beneficial for skin, heart and overall health.
Chili pepper- excellent for increasing circulation and supporting metabolic function.
Turmeric- powerful anti-cancer, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Purple cabbage- Cruciferous vegetables are the source of perhaps the most effective natural cancer-fighting compounds.
Tomato concentrate- great source of the antioxidant lycopene.
Broccoli- another cruciferous vegetable thought to inhibit cancer.
Garlic bulb- a member of the allium family, the compounds in garlic support heart and immune system function. Also, garlic is a potent anti-microbial substance.
Eggplant- deep, dark pigments in the flesh of the eggplant help support skin’s plump texture.
Alfalfa leaf and stem- thought to help slow down balding and hair thinning.
Tumeric root- an ancient root used in Ayurevedic and Asian medicines for centuries that benefit circulation and combat a host of systemic diseases such as certain types of cancer and heart disease.

Hair & Nail Formula Q&A

August 6, 2012 by ascott • Comment

“What are the benefits of the new Hair & Nail Formula? Do I take them instead of my regular Perricone MD supplements or in addition?”

The Hair & Nail Formula are high performance, customized supplements that make up the essential building blocks for hair and nail health. Formulated with Biotin, an essential nutrient that plays an important role in the formation of keratin to support healthy, strong nails, these supplements contain high levels of antioxidants to protect hair and nails from environmental damage. Dr. Perricone formulated these with his exclusive Forever Young blend of extracts (watercress, dark cocoa, chili pepper, turmeric, and more) to give a high level of antioxidant protection. The Omega 3’s in these supplements are sourced from the highest quality wild Alaskan sockeye salmon for overall health and radiance. There are no artificial colors, flavors and dyes. These are designed to compliment your existing supplement regimen and specifically target the Hair & Nails. Dr. Perricone always recommends checking with your primary physician first before starting any sort of new supplement regimen.

What are your questions about the new Hair & Nails formula?

Summer Beauty Foods: The Asparagus

July 30, 2012 by Guest Blogger • 2 Comments

Known as “the ultimate detox vegetable” in some circles, Asparagus is an incredible anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory all start. The nutrients present in asparagus make it a shining light for chronic diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes and other systemic diseases. Here are some of the other key nutrients may be that make Asparagus such an incredible health and beauty food.

Folate – This nutrient works with Vitamin B12 to help fight cognitive deterioration. So this is increasingly important as we age, since the ability to absorb B12 decreases with age. Folate also helps reduce pain and inflammation.

Glutathione – This antioxidant, known as the master antioxidant, present in asparagus, helps break down cancer causing carcinogens and other free radicals. Asparagus is great as a detox vegetable, an anti-aging vegetable, and no surprise – an aphrodisiac, and much more.

Vitamin C – Asparagus contains over 30% of the RDA of this vitamin. It’s a strong antioxidant and can help lower blood pressure, promote a healthy immune system, and prevent other age-related declining eye problems.

Vitamin K – Asparagus is the top source of Vitamin K. This vitamin helps your body with blood clotting, helping it to heal faster. It also has the ability to increase calcium absorption for your bones. After all, what good are all these wonderful nutrients if they can’t be absorbed?

Chromium – This trace mineral helps the body to be better able to transport glucose from the bloodstream to its cells. That basically means that it helps regulate blood sugar levels.

One last thing to note when storing your bunch of asparagus: these vegetables have a very high respiration rate making it more perishable. Wrapping by the ends with a damp paper towel or cloth, and wrapping it around the ends will help slow down this process. However, it is still a good idea to enjoy the asparagus within two days of purchase.

How do you enjoy asparagus?

Katharina Knoll, a Manhattan-based food and art enthusiast has prepared a series of anti-inflammatory recipes celebrating simple, rustic foods. Enraptured by the intersection of health and nutrition, Kat is the founder and director of Behind Foods. Follow Kat on her blog, Katharina’s Food Adventures, and keep in touch through her Facebook fan page and Twitter