Minerals & Vitamins

Artichoke – a thistle bud for health

Published April 2nd, 2018

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

Why do people eat artichokes? Is it a love for mayonnaise dip?  Boy I hope not, what about the opportunity to have warm garlic butter dripping from your fingers? …. Hummm maybe.  Artichokes are a native to the Mediterranean region, and they play a major role in the regional cuisine. [...]

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Watercress – Traditional Food for Health

Published March 13th, 2018

by Tammera J Karr, PhD

Watercress is an aquatic leafy green plant that is a close cousin to mustard greens, cabbage, and arugula. Watercress tastes much like the wild Miners lettuce of the Pacific Northwest. Watercress has been cultivated in Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas for millennia, for use as both food and medicine. [...]

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Chocolate – more than Candy

Published March 12th, 2017

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

Millions of people worldwide love chocolate in all its many forms. This food of the “gods” comes from the cacao trees. The most common variety of cocoa comes from the Forastero making up 90% of the world crop. The rarest variety Criollo is sought after by artisan chocolate makers.

The [...]

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Old Fashioned Broth for Health Makes a BIG Comeback

Published March 5th, 2017

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

Many long-time readers of this column know I collect old cookbooks.  My oldest cookbook is European and American Cuisine by Gesine Lemcke from 1895. On the title page is the following statement – “Beauty, Health, and Happiness depend upon the kind of food we eat.” This sentiment changed profoundly by [...]

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Eat Your Nuts

Published December 31st, 2016

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

One of my favorite nuts is pecans for baking and cooking. They are softer and do not cause canker sores in the mouth like walnuts can. The buttery rich flavor of pecans makes them one of the most popular nuts native to American. They are rich in nutrients, minerals, and [...]

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It is beginning to smell a lot like Christmas

Published December 24th, 2016

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

One of the magical things about this time of year are the smells – cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg, clove, allspice, ginger, fruit fillings and festive colors swirled around on cookies. Many of these powerful aromas stimulate memories and affect brain chemistry in positive ways.

All of these spices that add to [...]

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By the Sea

Published July 8th, 2015

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

This last week I got to spend several days on the Oregon Coast – that meant enjoying the foods that are local of course.

Shellfish is one I have liked in small doses, primarily scallops and shrimp, but this year I have become a raw oyster lover, especially when they [...]

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Potassium do you need it?

Published October 10th, 2014

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

I have a growing number of older clients on “no salt” diets, taking potassium supplements. This raises alarm bells with me due to the very important balance between these two minerals. Often times when I query clients on what foods they are eating to replace their potassium, the only food [...]

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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 [...]

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Ya can’t beat Beet’s

Published July 30th, 2014

by Tammera J. Karr, PhD

What are your memories of beets? Mine is sugar, canned and pickled, with a side of greens on the plate. For me the greens were and sometimes is still the only edible part of the plant, but as a kid and adult I had family members who loved beets in [...]

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