Stefan Schielke

Humans are hard-wired to be attracted to sweet foods. This is because in nature sweet foods tend to be safe to eat and provide a good source of calories. They also trigger a dopamine release in the brain, providing pleasure. This natural proclivity towards sweet foods is further reinforced by cultural and social forces. Most

Do you look forward to breakfast each day? Do you have a standard breakfast you adore? I LOVE breakfast – always have. When I transitioned to a plant- exclusive diet about 35 years ago, the plant-based dairy alternatives were nothing to write home about. Today, the options are endless and incredibly delicious. If you are a plant-based

Who doesn’t love carrots? I have had an affinity for carrots from a very young age. I can recall being dazzled the first time I ate one right out of a garden. What a treat! Why do carrots from the garden taste so different from the ones in the bags in the grocery store? How

I never run out of garlic. When I get down to one bulb, it goes on the shopping list. I consider garlic an essential staple and use it almost every day. It goes into my salad dressings and almost every main dish. Sometimes, I roast an entire bulb to add to dips, pates, or other

Tis the season for mangoes! Often referred to as the “king of fruits”, mangoes are among the most popular fruits in the world. Almost half the mangoes produced globally hail from India, and the varieties in that part of the world far exceed what we find in local supermarkets. Beyond its delectable taste, the mango

If you have a garden, chances are that you have been blessed with more zucchini than you know what to do with. If you are not a gardener but have family and friends who are, you have likely been the recipient of your fair share of zucchini. If you have ever wondered what to do

Cruciferous or brassica vegetables are highly prized for their flavor and health benefits. They have been a part of my daily diet for as long as I can remember. When my son was 2 years old, I took a head of broccoli out of the fridge to prepare it for dinner and it suddenly disappeared.

When I was a little girl, I loved mushrooms. When my mom asked me what I would like for lunch, I often answered, “Mushrooms”. My brother was not a fan, so I happily ate his share. My love for mushrooms hasn’t wavered and my brother still won’t eat them. Mushrooms are one of those foods

Kids love sugar and their sweet tooth is greatly encouraged by the candy culture we are now immersed in. Sweet treats are everywhere – at stores, in schools, at fairs, birthday parties, and other celebrations. It all adds up to far too much sugar. American kids average about 20 teaspoons of sugar per day! The

Brrr, it is cold outside! We are definitely approaching winter. I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and here it can go down to -20 F or colder in the winter months. When it is that cold, we seek ways to stay warm. We can increase our body heat by exercising, wearing warmer clothes, taking a