Stephanie, Author at Sensory Nutrition

Whole Food Focus Thanksgiving Preparations

Many people are considering the merits of a Whole Food focus basis for planning their upcoming Thanksgiving meal. Of course, the most important aspect of Thanksgiving is truly the opportunity give thanks for the blessings in our lives and to share that sentiment while being able to spend time with family and friends, so any food choices should enhance that overall experience. Memories of Thanksgivings past are connected to our emotional perceptions of those times, so there are sounds, sights, smells/aromas, tastes, textures that all contributed to the sensory perceptions we have locked in our memory banks of those special

November 2012 Potpourri: Gluten; Diabetes; 2013 Women’s Heart Health

GLUTEN A summer issue of the Journal published by the Academy one of us belongs to had an interesting article on a new type of gluten-free pasta. The article title is: Green Banana Pasta: An Alternative for Gluten-Free Diets. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – July 2012 (Vol. 112, Issue 7, Pages 1068-1072, DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2012.04.002). The gluten-free flour pasta product is made from green banana flour, egg whites, water, and edible food source gum. Some people actually found the gluten-free pasta product more acceptable than pasta made from whole wheat flour. (Image of Green Bananas courtesy of johnnyberg at

Food Safety in the Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy (Part 2 of 2)

Severe Storms and hurricanes have so many direct impacts on those in their path, including coping with potential power losses, flooding and more. We’ve gone through such power losses in the past and from experience understand how frustrating their consequences can be. Once you know you and your family are safe, and your home is safe to be in, then it may be time to address the challenge of dealing with throwing out food which has spoiled and cleaning out previously cold food storage devices where unpleasant odors can linger. In Part 1 of 2 of this blog series, we

Food Safety in the Aftermath of Superstorm Sandy (Part 1 of 2)

When a severe storm of the magnitude of Superstorm Sandy is predicted, one can’t stress enough that you need a plan of action to keep food safe, which starts before, is maintained during, and continues on after the storm has hit your area. Unfortunately, it can be very trying to have to clean up after a severe storm has caused problems in your area when it comes to coping with power outages, flooding, and more. Hopefully you have already downloaded A Consumer’s Guide to Food Safety Severe Storms and Hurricanes from USDA’s FSIS (Food Safety Information Service) and/or the version Keeping Food Safe

Halloween Celebration “Trick or Treat” Ideas

We didn’t expect the “lights to still be on” after Superstorm Sandy passed through our area, but we are among the fortunate ones and so far we haven’t lost power. Since the Superstorm already played enough tricks, it is time now for some little Halloween treats! So for those of you also living in an area with power and passable streets in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy…here are some ideas if you and yours celebrate Halloween with any Trick-or-Treat activities. (Image ©2012 courtesy of Joan H. used with permission showing celebration of Halloween set up for tourists in the “Haute-Terre”

Emergency Storm Apps & Checklists for Food & Other Supplies (Part 2 of 2)

In Part 1 of 2 in this series, we mentioned some sites to check for emergency information for storm preparedness, including for downloading apps to a smart phone, and some water and food considerations to stock in advance of any emergency storm situation. In this Part 2 of 2 of this series, we’ll mention various other considerations, including clothing; paperwork pointers including having handy paper versions of emergency contact info for your own family and then for local services; other equipment and supplies to consider and some ideas of what to possibly have handy for the various human family members; and as

Emergency Storm Apps & Checklists for Food & Other Supplies (Part 1 of 2)

There have been many kinds of storms including hurricanes, tornadoes, nor’easters & more over the years & such storm activity will continue in the future. One can’t stress enough how important it is to have an emergency plan of preparedness that includes a checklist for supplies & be ready at a moment’s notice to actually implement any such plan. Dietitians who operate feeding centers have to be prepared to serve thousands of meals, even if there is no power available and limited water supplies. We have personally experienced 11 days without power after a microburst storm hit our area back

Are You Curious About Nutrient Supplements?

As Fall heads into Winter, many people become more concerned about themselves or a family member or close friend succumbing to a cold virus, or worse yet a strain of flu virus. Besides following vaccination recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), along with their recommendations for hand washing, covering your nose and mouth when sneezing, etc., they are eager to know if there is anything else they can do to boost their own defenses and those of their loved ones and friends against a viral illness this Winter. Image of vitamin pills (and bottle) courtesy of http://www.stockfreeimages.com/ and © 2008

Make It Now At Home Pizza (An Alternative to Delivery, Frozen, or Take-Out Pizza)

Even on days when almost every last bit of energy seems to be used up, you can still nuke a cup of water, right? Well, we’re here to tell you that if you can nuke a cup of water, you can make at home a no-kneading-required pizza! No kidding! We’ll share a single rise crust, fun to top and super simple to bake pizza recipe that our webmaster has kindly agreed to share with our readers. It is adapted from the Pizza Dough I recipe which can be found at the allrecipes.com website, so full credit goes to that source

Yummy Apple Chutney

As apple harvesting season continues in “Upstate” NY, the fragrant and enticing smell of apples seems to be everywhere, including at area Farmers Markets. Years ago, having found a recipe for an “apple chutney” in the then local print newspaper, we modified it ever so slightly and it turned out to be an easy to prepare and delightful accompaniment to many a dinner meal on cooler evenings. The original of the Harvest Apple Chutney recipe turns out to be found on the Kikkoman website and makes closer to 4 & 1/2 cups of cooked product. (Apple orchard image courtesy of gabriel77 at