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Zesty Raw Butternut Squash and Cabbage Salad ▪      3 cups grated raw butternut squash (about 1/2 of a peeled and seeded butternut squash) ▪      3 cups shredded green or Napa cabbage ▪      ½ red pepper, finely chopped ▪       4 green onions, sliced thinly (use all...

Well, we just finished with the summer squashes and now it’s on to winter squashes, the most famous being pumpkins. Almost everyone likes the naturally sweet winter squashes such as acorn, Hubbard, delicata, butternut and other less well-known varieties. Most people...

There is something about biscuits that make me feel as warm and cozy. Sourdough Biscuits 1/2 cup unbleached flour 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons non-aluminum baking powder 1/3 cup butter, cold 1 cup sourdough...

Wintertime is notorious for leaving people with dry, chapped skin, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are some easy tips for healthier skin through the winter months. In the nutrition world the mantra is: if all else fails, support your liver. Your liver, like...

Join us at Savory Spice Shop in Santa Rosa on October 4th for a a tour of herbs and spices from around the world. Sip on wine while you also learn about the various nutrition/healing properties of herbs and spices!

I am  healthy person with pretty decent habits most of the time. I eat well, drink enough water and exercise daily. What I don't do well is sleep-never have. I am high-strung and run around on a daily/yearly basis on pure energy which I rarely run out of. This is why,...

Hello everyone: As most of you know, I am founder and director of DirectionFive Health -commonly known as either DirectionFive or simply D5. D5 is a culinary and nutrition program for kids. This Saturday, September 15th is our second annual fundraising Gala and not...

Brining Basics Brining is simply the technique of submerging meat, fish, or vegetables into a salty and often times flavored solution. Brining is an easy way to add additional moisture to leaner cuts of meat that can tend to dry out during cooking. Brining works best...

This is going to be a really fun event. Register soon because the maximum number of participants is 20. Hope to see you there!

We have some great upcoming programs for you in Zest!

Well, they are all size 8. They are mine they are just three of my best 6 dresses that don't fit!!! So, how did this happen? Slowly... I know how to eat and when to eat. I know the foods that agree with me and the food and drink that my body doesn't like. I am very...

This is not a topic that I really know much about and goodness knows, I can't understand. I recently taught a group of veterans (all had been recently homeless, but thankfully are no longer) to make a nice dinner. They made ribs with homemade BBQ sauce, 2 spice rubs,...

The Diet Cure with Julia Ross When: August 12th Where: The lovely Lomitas Kitchen (and meeting center) 2421 Lomitas Drive Santa Rosa, CA. 95404 Details: Noon to 1:00: Introduction to The New Diet Cure $5.00 Come and meet local (and now international) celebrity, Julia...

In 2010 I spent January through April at my friends John and Nancy's guest house in the Applegate Valley in in Southern Oregon writing the health programs for our non-profit helping kids with their health, DirectionFive. It was then that my sister Margaret raved about...

I love coconut-always have. My favorite-besides fresh coconut nut, of course, is coconut milk that I use in a curry inspired veggie dish that I've been making for years. Here are some brief tips for other coconut products: Coconut Flour-Yes you can make pancakes or...

Homemade bread, a nice green salad with a mustard vinaigrette and good cheer! I'd like to thank Mary Haynes from The North Bay Veterans Resource Center for attending last night's class. We're looking forward to next months The Healing Kitchen class that is free for...

Did you know that Americans eat the same twelve foods over and over again? Other than being totaling boring, why is this detrimental to your health? First, you need to know the difference between a food allergy and sensitivity. These terms are often used...

Did you notice the brand new Click Here to register for Classes button? Go ahead, click the button, then click another button to sign up for the class! As most of you know, when you take a class with me, you'll learn how to make wonderful dishes and meals, but you'll...