Dive into the icy waters of Alaska’s vast wilderness as we explore one of the ocean’s most tantalizing secrets: the Alaskan black cod. This remarkable fish, also known as sablefish, is not just another item on your seafood platter. This fish navigates the depths of the North Pacific Ocean. It carries a rich history, intriguing biology, and unparalleled taste that chefs and foodies around the globe covet. What do you need to know about this extraordinary fish? Let’s peel back the layers of this elusive species to reveal why it’s considered the butter of the sea. It’s Not Actually Cod! Despite its name, Alaskan black cod is different than cod; it’s technically a sablefish. This naming confusion stems from historical and colloquial usage rather than accurate biological classification. True cod species, such as Atlantic cod and Pacific cod, belong to the family Gadidae and are known for their importance in the fishing industry and culinary world. In contrast, Alaskan black cod belongs to the family Anoplopomatidae and occupies a different niche within the marine ecosystem. This significant distinction reflects differences in habitat, behavior, and physical characteristics between true cods and Alaskan black cod. The latter’s deep-sea lifestyle, higher fat content, and softer flesh texture set it apart from its namesake. It’s Got Culinary Versatility Alaskan black cod pairs beautifully with a wide range of seasonings and cooking methods, whether grilled, smoked, broiled, or poached. This fish holds up well and absorbs flavors beautifully. It shines particularly well in dishes with bold Asian influences! Try the famous miso-marinated black cod, a dish that melds seamlessly with complex flavors. It Boasts Nutritional Benefits Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation; they are plentiful in Alaskan black cod! Additionally, this fish is a great source of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. Incorporating black cod into your diet can offer numerous health benefits, aligning with a balanced and wholesome lifestyle. It’s Got a Taste All Its Own Alaskan black cod is renowned for its rich, buttery flavor. Its white meat is velvety smooth, with a delicate flakiness that melts in your mouth. This luxurious texture and sweet, mild taste make it highly sought after, especially for those who appreciate the finer nuances of seafood dining. It’s Fished Sustainably Harvested from the cold, clear waters of the Gulf of Alaska, this species is managed under strict regulations designed to protect the population. Anglers typically use longline methods, which involve baiting multiple hooks on a single line, to catch black cod. This technique minimizes bycatch, aligning with efforts to maintain ecological balance and support responsible fishing practices. Alaskan black cod offers a rich flavor as well as health benefits. By understanding what you need to know about its unique characteristics, you gain a deeper appreciation for what ends up on your plate and for the intricate balance of marine ecosystems.

Did you know that civilizations have used honey for thousands of years for health and wellness reasons? That’s because honey has a multitude of uses and benefits. Many people use honey solely as a sweetening agent. However, it has so much to offer us. Find out some of the most popular ways you can use honey for health and wellness. Hydrating Dry Skin When you look at honey, the first thing you notice is how thick and viscous the texture is. That makes honey a wonderful hydrating ointment for dry skin, which is why many people enjoy using it during their skin-care routine. Honey is also gentle on the skin, so it’s perfect for those with sensitivities. If you want to use honey in your skin-care routine, apply it to your skin as a mask and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. Topical Treatment You might not have known that you can use honey as a topical treatment to heal wounds. But there’s a caveat here: you can’t use any old honey off the shelf. You will have to use manuka honey, otherwise known as medical-grade honey, which is one of the rarest types of honey in the world. In fact, many hospitals even use manuka honey. Manuka honey is so unique and rare because of its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, which makes it a phenomenal healing agent. Fights Bad Breath Yes, one of the top ways you can use honey for health and wellness is by ensuring you have fresh breath all day long. The reason honey is so good at fighting bad breath is due to its anti-microbial properties that fight the bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Next time you’re feeling a case of halitosis approaching, you can have a soothing glass of tea with honey to fight it off.

For many people morning coffee is a godsend.  It boosts us for everyday business, lifts us when we’re sluggish, and jumpstarts our day. Some of us drink cup after cup after years of relying on it. Not only are we consuming all that cream and sugar, but we’ve also become both dependent on and desensitized to caffeine. This is a vicious cycle! And it’s one that I hope to help you break. Caffeine is habit-forming, which means that we train ourselves to want it more than we need it. In excess, it can also increase stress and blood pressure, cause headaches and restlessness, and even lead to sleep issues. Many of these alternatives still contain caffeine, since we need to stay busy working or taking care of the kids and we still need that boost. However, these 8 healthy alternatives to morning coffee come with other benefits. Some may even help you kick caffeine altogether.   1.   Matcha Tea             I’m going to start with a few types of tea as the easiest replacements for morning coffee since you can brew a cup of tea about as easily and still get your caffeine fix. Matcha green tea differs from other green teas since you use the whole leaf to make it, meaning you get even more antioxidants. Like other green teas, matcha can help you lower your blood pressure and lose weight too. Buy matcha powder or whole leaves to brew it. Just remember that the caffeine content is higher than normal green tea, so it shouldn’t take much to get your day started.   2.   Yerba Mate             Yerba Mate comes from a type of South American holly which is then harvested and dried into this herbal tea. It contains natural caffeine, so you don’t have to give up your energy boost if you don’t want to. But unlike coffee, yerba mate is packed with antioxidants, as well as minerals like thiamine, phosphorus, riboflavin, and Vitamin C.   3.   Chai Tea             Chai tea is a spicy black tea with a strong herbal taste. It contains less caffeine than coffee but also contains other properties that help you stay alert. Like many teas, it also contains antioxidants. Common ingredients in chai tea include peppercorns, cardamom seeds, ginger, and cinnamon.   4.   Turmeric Milk             Getting beyond teas, turmeric milk (also called “golden milk”) packs an anti-inflammatory punch that makes it a great substitute for morning coffee. This is due to a natural chemical in turmeric called curcumin. Add black pepper to your drink to increase absorption. For an added boost of flavorful benefits, also consider using ginger, cinnamon, and honey. Just remember that the drink is only as good as the quality of your turmeric. Buy organic powder that prominently displays a full dose of curcumin.   5.   Morning Smoothie         [...]

If you’re looking to embrace a more healthful lifestyle, incorporating more seafood into your diet is a great place to start. From king salmon to canned sardines, fish and other forms of seafood provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that help your body function at its best. Halibut is rich in nutrients while providing a mild, versatile flavor. But what’s so special about halibut, really? Why choose this fish over others for a regular seafood dinner? Read on for a few things to know about this delicious flatfish. How Does It Taste? Halibut flesh has a mild, slightly sweet taste without that “fishy” flavor. It’s not too flavor-forward on its own, so it pairs well with all kinds of marinades, sauces, and sides. Halibut is a great fish for kids, picky eaters, or folks who don’t think they enjoy seafood. Where Is It Found? Varieties of halibut exist in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Atlantic halibut are concentrated largely around Greenland and Iceland, as well as the Gulf of Maine and all the way down to Virginia. Meanwhile, the Pacific halibut’s habitat stretches from Hokkaido, Japan, to Alaska. Fishers catch most Alaskan halibut in the wild and flash freeze them on the boat. It’s some of the healthiest, tastiest halibut available. What Are the Health Benefits? Halibut is extremely high in protein, which your body needs for long-term energy. It’s also rich in selenium, which has antioxidant properties that promote cellular health. Don’t forget about the omega-3s, either! One thing that makes Alaskan halibut especially beneficial for your health is its concentration of fatty acids, which boost brain health and delay the onset of age-related cognitive concerns. Is Wild the Same As Farmed? In order to discourage the overfishing of wild halibut, commercial fisheries operate halibut farms in Iceland, Norway, Canada, and the UK. Halibut is widely accessible to many people, thanks in part to farms. Many people assume wild-caught halibut to be healthier and tastier than its farmed counterpart. While that assumption does have some basis in truth, the difference isn’t immediately noticeable to the consumer; both still have that mild taste and white flesh. Tip: The main difference to be aware of is the chance of bacteria or parasites in the meat—farmed halibut live in smaller habitats and are more likely to encounter these issues. Now that you know what’s so special about halibut, take the things you know with you to the grocery store or fish market. Let these facts inspire you to add more healthy seafood to your diet!

Everyone needs to know how to cook. There are basic cooking methods that will help you create simple meals and fancy cooking methods that will turn your dishes into works of art. If you never had a chance to really master the basics, that’s okay. Everyone learns different life skills at different times. Keep reading to learn the four basic cooking methods. Basic Dry Cooking: Baking and Roasting An oven is ideal for the dry cooking methods: baking and roasting. Baking uses dry, indirect heat set at a low temperature to cook goods made of wet dough, such as breads and pastries. You can also bake other items such as vegetables and meat. Roasting uses dry, indirect heat set at various temperatures ranging from 200 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and it’s generally used to cook meats and vegetables as well as some fruits. Cooks usually set the oven to a lower temperature in order to roast something for a long time, or they might set the oven to a higher temperature and roast something quickly. Meats usually do best with low-temperature, long roasting, and vegetables and fruits do better with high-temperature, quick roasting. Basic Moist Cooking: Boiling and Steaming You can perform most moist cooking methods on a stovetop, but you can also use certain countertop appliances or even the oven. Moist cooking often requires more precision than dry cooking, but its methods—boiling and steaming—are easy to learn. Boiling involves bringing water to a high temperature. This is best achieved on some type of even cooktop, such as a stove-top burner. Once bubbles and steam have formed, the water is boiling, and you can fully submerge your food in order to cook it. This cooking method is best for pasta, eggs, and vegetables, as it’s designed to soften food. Steaming involves cooking your food in the steam created by boiled water. There are several ways you can steam food, such as in a steam or conventional oven. You can also use a microwave or a pot and a steam basket. Like boiling, steaming also softens your food, and it works best on vegetables, fish, and shellfish. You can also steam certain desserts that don’t require the firmness of baking, such as panna cotta, and certain cultural dishes such as tamales as well. As with all skills, learning how to cook takes time. The more you practice these basic cooking methods, the better you’ll get at them and the more confident you’ll be. These cooking methods are easy to learn and master, and they’re the gateways to learning more complex cooking techniques. Once you’ve mastered these cooking methods, you’ll be able to try new ones and continue to grow as a cook.

Elderberries may sound like something you’d pick while out in the country on a fairytale adventure, but they’re very real and very good for you. There are a few different kinds, but the one you’re most likely going to buy is the European or black elderberry. They have a commonly associated use for treating cold and flu symptoms, but there are some secret health benefits packed into their unassuming shape that you should know about. Since elderberries come in many forms, from teas to gummies, people can be picky about which vitamin-rich foods to eat to reap these benefits. With cold and flu season coming fast, that benefit alone should convince you to look into elderberry products. I use them often for these 4 amazing benefits.   1.   Cold and Flu Remedy             Elderberries have been used to treat colds for hundreds of years, especially in syrup form. Sicknesses caused by a virus can be snuffed out with a strong dose of elderberries, which contain an antioxidant super-chemical called anthocyanin. It not only zaps free radicals to protect your DNA from breaking up and speeding the aging process, but fights viruses, inflammation, and swelling too. A stronger immune response will help you fight through the sick season, keeping your family safe as well. They’re easy to take too – elderberries taste better than cough medicine, after all.   2.   Relief from Pain             The same anthocyanin that fights colds also treats pain by reducing inflammation. This is where elderberries and their extracts become a godsend for me throughout the week. The thing about inflammation is that we now know it’s the cause of most chronic illnesses, yet most conventional medical treatments for it come in the form of addictive medications that have side effects from long-term use. Finding all-natural inflammation relief is the only relief, as far as I’m concerned. Elderberry offers it by reducing your body’s nitric oxide production, which will stop triggering so much swelling and pain. We need more studies about how effective it is, but elderberries are a no-risk supplement worth trying for people with out-of-control inflammation.   3.   Digestive Health             When you have a busy work schedule, you can’t always use the bathroom whenever you want. Constipation that prevents you from taking advantage of your breaks can make your whole week uncomfortable, throw off your eating schedule, and even cause pain and pelvic tension down the road. Elderberries can serve as a gentle laxative owing to a compound in them called anthraquinone, which stimulates the muscles you need to have a comfortable bowel movement. Especially if you’ve had kids, pelvic pressure and tension related to constipation can build into symptomatic pelvic pain if you hold onto it for too long. Use elderberries to break the cycle.   4.   Nutrients             Elderberries contain antioxidants, the same compounds that make blueberries [...]

We may crave the taste of dairy without being able to partake in it. Due to a diet, allergy, lactose intolerance, a bloating problem, or even an ethical preference, dairy isn’t always our best friend, even though it tastes pretty great. This leads many of us to seek out healthy dairy alternatives, despite milk’s convincing nutrient profile and nostalgic taste. Read on to learn about 6 healthy alternatives to dairy. Whatever your reason for adding this restriction to your diet, these alternatives can provide you a safe haven from dairy. You may not need to lose the protein and carbs that milk provides, either. Depending on your needs, choose one of these alternatives to include in your diet.   Why Eliminate Dairy? There are several reasons to exclude dairy from your diet, including lactose intolerance and milk allergies, which can cause people to vomit or break out in rashes. Though a milk allergy is rare, parents should be aware that it’s possible in young children. There are other reasons you might want to eliminate dairy. For vegans, milk products present ethical issues, so using an animal-free alternative like those listed below would be preferable. Others may fear the potential health hazards of consuming milk in the modern-day, which could include growth hormones, antibiotics, and even pesticides. Whatever your reason for seeking out other options, here are 6 healthy alternatives to dairy for those that need one.   1.   Soy Milk Soy milk is probably the most known milk alternative. It’s made from soybeans and thickened with vegetable oil. While it doesn’t have the exact taste of milk, it’s still pretty creamy! The brand makes a difference here, so you may have to pay extra to get the best taste. Especially if you need milk for a baking preparation or in coffee, the taste difference is easy to get used to. As a plus, soy milk contains a full protein profile. Be aware that soy can affect estrogen levels when consumed regularly, so a little research may be required on your part to determine if it’s right for you.   2.   Coconut Milk Coconut milk is creamy and sweet. It can be found in many smaller grocers as a milk alternative, often sold in cans. The water and flesh of the coconut go into the “milk” to provide a hydrating, subtle alternative to cow’s milk. Coconut milk has far fewer calories, protein, and carbs than normal milk. It may also aid in weight loss by improving blood cholesterol and reducing appetite.   3.   Almond Milk Almond milk comes from its namesake nut, often combined with water or almond butter for a better texture. Almond milk is a great substitute when added to desserts, coffee, and tea owing to its nutty, sweet taste. If you’re calorie-conscious and looking for a milk substitute, almond milk is the best option on this list. Keep in mind that it’s mostly water, which means that it contains fewer nutrients as well. [...]

We all occasionally crave the rich, creamy taste of butter, even though we eat it only in moderation. When you’re spreading butter on toast, you probably want to use real butter for the familiar taste. However, in cooking processes, ghee can be a versatile substitute. Whether you’re sautéing veggies, baking, or adding flavor to a recipe, ghee has advantages and disadvantages compared to butter. If you’re cognizant of your butter intake, use this brief guide to understand the difference between ghee and butter and which you should be using. Depending on the situation, ghee may be the alternative you’re looking for.   What is Ghee? We need to be on the same page with what ghee is before talking about its pros and cons. Basically, ghee is butter that has been clarified. This means that the butter has been heated, separating the fat from the liquid. With the milk product removed from the butter, the remaining oil solidifies and becomes ghee. Food culture in India and the Middle East commonly uses ghee instead of butter. Read on to learn if the pros outweigh the cons for you.   Pros of Using Ghee Compared to butter, ghee is harder to burn since the fat composition is different. When heated, it doesn’t produce as many toxic aftereffects as other oils. So, ghee is safer to burn than most of your cooking oils and easier to use than butter. For those who are lactose-intolerant (or just sensitive), ghee’s makeup should be a huge plus. Since the milk fat has been removed, people with sensitivity to lactate would do better using ghee in their cooking, even though it should be noted that it isn’t completely dairy-free.   Cons of Using Ghee Ghee doesn’t taste exactly like butter since it contains less dairy, so those who are looking for the rich, creamy taste of real butter may need to adjust or switch between them. Ghee contains slightly more calories and fat than butter, including saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated. However, it’s important to remember that a range of healthy fats is necessary to maintain healthy heart function and weight regulation. So, this is barely even a con – it’s more like an observation.   A Note About Butter Butter’s reputation has been waning since health food culture hit the mainstream. But there’s one thing that needs to be said: in moderation, butter is fine for you! A healthy mix of fats is required to keep your cholesterol in check, which is why fat-free diets often result in more problems than they fix. Butter has no trans fats, which are the unhealthy fats in many oils that raise your risk for metabolic disorders. These fats are why margarine is actually much worse for you than butter. But ghee has no trans fats in it either, so in the case of making healthy diet changes, don’t listen to a pushy health craze that tells you that ghee is a magic alternative. The differences [...]

Bone broth, both in name and concept, is just about the least glamorous health food item out there. It’s a liquid made from the brewed tissues and bones of various animals, including cows and chickens. Not the tastiest sounding thing in the world! However, you probably know already in your health food journey that you often have to look past appearances to find true benefits. Bone broth is a cocktail of condensed nutrients and essential animal products that makes it a superfood in the realm of dietary supplements. Whether you make it yourself or buy it, bone broth’s unromantic origins shouldn’t dissuade you from taking full advantage of its incredible nutrient profile. If you ask me, you should always have some on hand.   1.   Nutrients Galore           The best reason to regularly consume bone broth is its incredible nutrient profile. It’s rich in many of the minerals that we take separately on advice from doctors and nutritionists. Bone broth covers many of them all by itself. The main ones include magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus. These nutrients work in the body in many ways, from relaxing our muscles and nervous system to encouraging bone development and strength. Since bone broth contains the connective tissues of the bones themselves (or “cartilage”), it also contains a lot of proteins and fatty acids. Even in trace amounts, these nutrients encourage healthy growth and inflammation support.   2.   Reduce Inflammation             Inflammation is a body-wide process that affects stressed parents as much as sedentary business people. It’s tied to our mental health in many ways, but faulty digestion is a major cause of out-of-control inflammation. This is because our ability to absorb and properly process nutrients allows our bodies to take advantage of them. Any flaw in this process leads to an increase in inflammation because your body has fewer opportunities to use the nutrients you’re consuming. Your intestinal lining becomes irritated and this throws your digestion out of whack. Bone broth contains amino acids that get this process back on track, reducing inflammation in your bowels and your entire body.   3.   Joint Pain             Bone broth contains melted down gelatin, which is natural animal fat that your body converts into collagen. Collagen is a building block of healthy joints. It’s the material that wears away when we use them too much. Eventually, this wear and tear damages joints, leading to osteoarthritis and other painful conditions. Due to its gelatin content, bone broth can not only protect your joints, but it can also control the symptoms of arthritis pain that you already have.   4.   Weight Loss Benefits             If you’re trying to lose weight, you’ve probably reached the part of your nutrition journey where you’ve realized that it’s even more important to eat correctly than to eat less. Bone broth is one of the foods that should be [...]

Whenever I think about how busy I am juggling kids, work, and everything else, I think about how much more complicated it would be if I was sick. For some of us, a compromised immune system is more than a hassle – it’s life’s off-switch, ready to make everything we have to do a hundred times harder. The same thing happens when one of the kids gets sick. Everything gets hectic. I learned a while ago that you can cheaply shop for your immune system just by buying some specific foods and I haven’t looked back since. Here are 6 immune-supporting foods and drinks to add to your diet that I use every week to give me some protection against productivity-destroying colds and infections.   1. Citrus             Every parent knows to go straight for the orange juice when they or their kids feel a cold coming on. But why wait until the cold is already in your nose? Bolstering your immune system with precious Vitamin C from citrus fruits like grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and clementines is a great way to keep colds away completely. As for citrus juices, the nutrition facts are key. If you rely on orange juice for Vitamin C, make sure it’s a brand that offers fresh, real orange juice with a full daily allowance of vitamins. Our bodies don’t make Vitamin C and we can’t store it once we eat it. If you want to feel its effects, you need it every day.   2. Garlic             When I was little, I had a relative who made me chew a garlic clove whenever I said I felt sick. It may have been unpleasant but, in retrospect, there was a lot of truth to it! Garlic contains allicin, which gives it that pungent, sulfuric smell. It fights diseases in your body by boosting white blood cell activity. The problem with garlic is that allicin is temperamental, meaning that it degrades if you cook it too soon after chopping it. Let it stand on the cutting board for a few minutes to increase the chances that it will retain its immune-supporting properties or buy a supplement or powder rich in allicin.   3. Yogurt             You may have heard that probiotics like yogurt help with digestion. The particular way they do this, however, can also boost your immune system. By strengthening your gut barrier and resupplying your digestive system with healthy bacteria, probiotics add armor to your immune system, preventing germs you ingest from becoming sicknesses. Common probiotic foods other than yogurt include sauerkraut, kefir, and even fresh dill pickles. Look for labels that advertise live cultures to ensure you’re getting effective probiotics.   4. Red Bell Peppers             I already sold you on Vitamin C when talking about citrus fruits. Did you know that red bell peppers contain even more Vitamin [...]