Looking for an easy summertime appetizer or snack? Try this classic Italian appetizer made with fresh juicy melon (cantaloupe) and thinly sliced prosciutto with mint leaves.   Melon with Prosciutto and Mint History of Melon with Prosciutto This classic Italian appetizer is called “prosciutto e melone” and is a combination of salty cured ham with sweet, juicy melon. In ancient Rome, people combined cured meat with fruit for health reasons. A renowned Roman doctor, named Galen,

This simple and quick Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with a Lemon Dijon Dressing is high in fiber and tastes great too. Serve it on top of salad greens, as a side dish, or as a light lunch with pita bread, pita chips, or crackers. Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Lemon Dijon Dressing Recipe Ingredients for Lemon Dijon Dressing: 2.5 tablespoons olive oil (can use Garlic Oil ) 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard 1/4 teaspoon honey Salt and pepper to tast

Memorial Day is this weekend, which signifies the beginning of summer. So, for any of your summer parties and activities, try this quick and easy loaded hummus platter that is half dip and half salad. Loaded Hummus Platter Recipe Ingredients: 2 cups of hummus, homemade or store-bought 1/4 cup olives, pitted and chopped, (I like to use a mix of green and black olives) 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved 1 cup diced cucumber 1/3 cup of diced red onion 1 half sweet pepper, diced (or tr

A recent study published in the Nutrients  journal examined the impact of the Mediterranean diet on autoimmune disorders, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and thyroid conditions, such as Hashimoto’s disease. Autoimmune diseases have become more prevalent and are often underdiagnosed. It's even common for some people to have more than one autoimmune disease. The Mediterranean Diet and Autoimmune Diseases The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods , such as grains, f

According to US News, the Mediterranean Diet has been named the healthiest diet for the eighth year in a row, followed by the DASH Diet, Flexitarian Diet, and MIND Diet.  What these diets, or eating plans (I don't like the word "diet"), have in common is an emphasis on plant-based foods and limiting or avoiding refined grains, added sugars and highly processed foods.  Most importantly, they offer a flexible approach to eating without being restrictive. They're highly adaptabl

On a chilly winter day, prepare a pot of this filling Tuscan White Bean Soup to keep cozy and warm. To make it vegetarian, simply leave out the sausage, or try my Mediterranean White Bean Soup recipe. Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil or garlic-infused olive oil 3 garlic cloves, minced (omit if using garlic-infused olive oil) 1/2 large onion, diced 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 2 celery stalks, diced   1 pound ground Italian sausage 2 te

There’s nothing like hot soup on a cold winter day.  This Mediterranean White Bean Soup is loaded with vegetables and white beans, so it’s hearty and healthy.  Cannellini beans are fat free and a great source of fiber, iron, folate, and magnesium.  If you use vegetable broth rather than chicken broth, then you'll have a nice meatless dish. Mediterranean White Bean Soup Recipe Ingredients: 1 ½ tablespoon olive oil ½ large onion, diced 2 cloves garlic 1 cup carrots, diced 1 cup

Although summer is coming to an end next month, there’s still a lot of food and herbs growing in our gardens. I use this Summer Vegetable...