The Great Pumpkin and All Its Nutrition

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

Pumpkin season has finally arrived and with it comes an array of pumpkin goodies. Pumpkin soup, beer, pie, latte, bread… the list goes on and on. And as long as you aren’t over indulging in the sweet pumpkin treats, there are a lot of health benefits that this bright orange gourd brings to the table. 1. Mood Enhancement Pumpkin seeds …

Healthy Coffee? 5 Tips to Improve That Cup of Joe

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

When working with patients on improving their health the issue of coffee consumption often comes up. After all, I practice in The San Francisco Bay area, home to some of the most delicious coffee roasters. Coffee can tax the adrenals, disrupt blood sugar, deplete nutrients and stress your digestive and cardiovascular system. Coffee or rather, caffeine, can prove to be …

Parsley Almond Pesto

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

Parsley is a great source of folic acid, which is beneficial in preventing heart disease and a necessary nutrient during pregnancy. This spring I have found a garden filled with parsley and have been getting creative with ways to add it to my diet. This recipe is delicious and highly aromatic. It will boost the nutrition and antioxidant content of whatever …

Can Diet Reverse Chronic Disease?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

We all know that good nutrition goes a long way. However, did you know the nutrients found in fresh fruits and vegetables can have profound effects in the management of chronic disease? This video highlights what an optimal diet can do in the case of multiple sclerosis, a chronic degenerative disease. Dr. Terry Wahls used food as medicine to treat …

Homemade Goat Cheese Recipe

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

Making your own goat cheese is incredibly easy and delicious. When making it at home you have the option of using any herb or seasoning to make a perfect cheese for any occasion. What you’ll need: Cheese cloth.  1/8 cup of acid for every 1 liter of milk. I prefer lemon juice, but you can substitute apple cider vinegar. 1 …

Recipe: Roasted Beet & Dandelion Salad

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

Beets are an excellent source of many vitamin and minerals, including folic acid, potassium and vitamin C.  When shopping for beets, choose small to medium sized roots that are a deep and rich color. The quality of the greens do not necessarily reflect the quality of the root, but if you are going to eat the very nutritious greens be …

Gluten Sensitivity: More Common than Once Thought

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

Doctors have long suspected gluten to be a trigger, if not the cause of some of the symptoms their patients report. Many patients experiencing a range of symptoms from IBS to migraine headaches have experienced relief  from their issues by removing gluten from their diet. A recent article entitled, “Clues to Gluten Sensitivity“, provides information that explains why a gluten free …

healthy foods for heart health

Healthy Foods for Heart Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in America. Heart disease is created through a combination of factors, one of which being diet. And while there is no one food that will cure heart disease, there are some healthy foods that you can add to your diet to help repair damaged cells and nourish your heart. Here are 5, easy to eat; heart healthy foods that can help improve your health.