Eat for Health
Buckwheat – a pioneer food
Published May 31st, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Buckwheat is not related to wheat, nor grass even a type of grain. Instead, buckwheat is related to sorrel, knotweed, and rhubarb. Because its seeds are eaten, it is referred to as a pseudo-cereal.
Common buckwheat was domesticated and first cultivated in inland Southeast Asia, possibly around 6000 BC, and [...]
Show a Little Leg
Published May 12th, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Lamb is a staple food throughout the world including Turkey, Greece, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, and countries of the Middle East. In the U.S., per capita consumption of lamb is much lower than in the rest of the world. Half of all lamb consumed in the U.S. is imported, and [...]
Chemophobia & Other Food Nonsense
Published May 5th, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
I’m about to make a confession – There are times I have no clue as to what to write this column on. This week was just one of those times. The clock was ticking, and the deadline was at hand, and still I had no inkling, shimmer or clue. Then [...]
Bag’s, Box’s, Can’s and Jar’s
Published April 21st, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
For years I have repeated the line to clients about clean the “bags, boxes, cans and jars” out of your diet, and more times than not I hear the response – “but there are healthy foods in those containers”. But are they really what we think they are. Journalist Joanna [...]
Build Muscle
Published April 7th, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
One of the most feared events for the elderly is a fall and the breaking of a hip, leading to a lengthy and sometimes fatal stay in a hospital. When I say fatal I don’t mean because the hospital did something wrong, however complications can occur outside of their control. [...]
Pro-biotics to the Rescue
Published January 12th, 2015
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
There is confusion over what is a probiotic versus an enzyme, and what are prebiotics. These are questions I answer on a regular basis and for the general consumer, the confusion often persists due to advertising language.
“The Immune System comprises all structures and processes that are involved in defeating [...]
Tasty Fermented Foods
Published December 29th, 2014
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
On weekends when my dad was home, he always made breakfast, and most of the time it was the same thing; Pancakes made with beer instead of buttermilk or water. Now this has nothing to do with my dislike of most breakfast foods – but when you’re a kid it [...]
Taking a Look at Food Labels & Oregon Measure 92
Published October 3rd, 2014
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Over the last few weeks, I have been receiving calls from clients and readers on the question of GMO, and the pending vote on Ballet Measure 92, here in Oregon. To be clear, I have never supported the use of GMO ingredients in food for man or beast. However, this [...]
Peaches and other Drupes
Published August 13th, 2014
by Tammera J. Karr, PhD
Peaches are native to China from where they spread to the rest of the world via the ancient silk road. They belong to the genus: Prunus, family of Rosaceae. Scientific name: Prunus persica. (just for those master gardeners out there) Technically, the peach is a “drupe” having similar features of [...]
Unexpected Surprises & Salt
Published August 11th, 2014
By Tammera Karr, PhD
My life does not transport me into the Metropolitan world much, however every once in a while I journey to the hustle and bustle of a city. I was recently in Portland Oregon, my states largest metropolitan area, and for a change I had time to explore; a large gap in [...]