Recipes

Our 10 Favorite Ways to Enjoy Olive Oil

I eat olive oil with a lot of foods, and my Vervana team and other family members have also opened my eyes to ways of using olive oil that I hadn’t thought of before…and I now enjoy these occasionally or often, depending on how healthy they are. It’s fun sharing food ideas – I hope you like our olive oil favorites list!

Seriously Good Spuds

If there’s ever a food that gets treated unfairly, it’s the lowly potato. We, as physicians, encourage our patients to reduce or eliminate processed junk food in favor of organic, plant-based, whole foods that come directly from Mother Earth. And the potato meets all these criteria. So why the bad rap? The answer is a bit complicated, but it all comes down to one word: starch. Starch is a common carbohydrate in our diet. It is made up of glucose molecules—simple sugars the body uses for energy. Rather than getting digested slowly, starch goes right into the bloodstream. The spike... Continue Reading

Rethinking Comfort Food

Comfort food is loosely defined as a food that provides a feeling of consolation, well-being, or nostalgia. Usually (though not always), it’s something home-cooked that’s high in sugar, fat, or carbohydrates. It doesn’t have to be like this. I challenge you to redefine what “comfort food” looks like and means to you. It can be done…without taking away what makes food so delicious and emotionally satisfying in the first place.

The Key to Delicious Risotto? Preparation!

Risotto is a great dish, and I especially love when it's served with health-promoting foods like olive oil and artichoke.Over the years, I've made a lot of this creamy rice dish, and have found that the key to delectable flavor, satisfaction and joy lies in how you prepare it... Of all the variations I've tried, this one is the best ever! Dr. Sinatra's Risotto Recipe Ingredients: 1 package of Vervana Organic Artichoke RisottoSeveral Tbsp of high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)1/2 cup white wine (optional)4 cups organic low sodium chicken broth or vegetable brothShredded Romano, Asiago and/or Parmesan cheeseNatural salt and pepperFresh parsley, finely chopped To make... Continue Reading

Toxic Rice? Beware this Hidden Danger

Rice is an important food staple in America and across the world. Without this inexpensive and abundant food source, millions of people would go hungry. Depending on the type, a single serving of rice may deliver up to 15 vitamins and minerals, including folate, manganese, and magnesium. But for all these positives, there is one downside—and unfortunately, it’s a big one. Rice is highly contaminated with arsenic.