A single serving of sweet potato (approx. 1/2 cup), contains a myriad of health boosting vitamins such as 390% daily value (DV) of vitamin A, 40% DV of vitamin C, 18% DV of fiber and 13% DV of potassium, not to mention containing significant amounts of iron, magnesium, beta carotene and lutein.

Sweet potatoes are a great starch component to use when the weather is cold and frightful, because their peak growing season is from fall through winter. Aside from their great health benefits, choose sweet potatoes over their regular spud brethren to add new color and taste to your meals. When shopping for sweet potatoes look for taut papery skins, as well as uniform size, shape and color. While the intensity of orange in sweet potatoes  varies by type, look for a deeper color, for that indicates more beneficial carotenoids.

Unsure of how to cook, prepare or season sweet potatoes? Here’s a simply sweet, and healthy twist on a baked potato.

Sweet Potatoes with Warm Black Bean Salad

• 4 medium sweet potatoes
• 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

1. Prick sweet potatoes with a fork in several places. Microwave on High until tender all the way to the center, 12 to 15 minutes. (Alternatively, place in a baking dish and bake at 425 degrees F until tender all the way to the center, about 1 hour.)
2. Meanwhile, in a medium microwaveable bowl, combine beans, tomatoes, oil, cumin, coriander and salt; microwave on High until just heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. (Alternatively, heat in a small saucepan over medium heat.)
3. When just cool enough to handle, slash each sweet potato lengthwise, press open to make a well in the center and spoon the bean mixture into the well. Top each with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of cilantro.

For more information on sweet potatoes and several satisfying recipes visit:

http://www.eatingwell.com/healthy_cooking/healthy_food_guide/sweet_potatoes

Locally grown and sustainable food is a recent trend to much of the American public. However, it’s a topic that is becoming increasingly more important, and this is marked by the fact that four of the top five trends tackle this topic. There are many reasons to eat locally grown foods, beyond supporting local businesses, food grown locally is often fresher, better tasting, more vibrant and healthier.

Sustainability has quickly become the unofficial trend for our times, and for good reason. You may be asking yourself, “what exactly are sustainable foods?” As defined by the sustainabletable.org “sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.” One of the most important sustainable food items is fish. We are overfishing our waters, placing many species at risk of extinction. Examples of species include Chilean sea bass, atlantic salmon and monkfish, to name a few. Tilapia, Pacific halibut and Pacific cod are great examples of safe sustainable fish.

Here are the top five trends in order: locally grown produce; locally sourced meats and seafood; sustainability as a culinary theme; mini-desserts; and locally produced wine and beer.

Other food trends include: nutritionally balanced children’s dishes, gluten free/food allergy conscious, super fruits (i.e. acai, goji berry and mangosteen), organic produce and regional ethnic cuisine, to name a few.

For more information on the Top 20 food trends visit:  http://www.restaurant.org/pdfs/research/whats_hot_2010.pdf

For sustainable agriculture information: sustainabletable.org

Information regarding sustainable fishing practices: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

I’m not talking about the Red Sox and Yankees and a beer at the bar.

I’m talking wild game, for dinner, as an important part of your diet.

Wild animals and birds that eat real grass and vegetation and aren’t fed antibiotics, fat hormones and inflammatory manufactured foods.

I have a getaway home in Yellowstone Park, Montana. My Dad is a park ranger there. My brother feeds his family for the year on what he hunts.  Elk meat is less than 1% fat.

You would have a hard time convincing me that this is not how one should eat. As a matter of fact, there’s about two and a half million years of proof behind it.

Wild game meats make an excellent alternative to traditional meats like beef for a variety of health reasons.

I’m a big fan of a paleo type of diet.

Why?

It’s anti-inflammatory. Not only will you lose weight, you’ll live longer.

Here’s all you need to know about nutrition…Eat wild and organic plants and vegetation and the animals who eat these wild plants and vegetation.

That said, here are  some reasons for recommending that you add game and grass-fed organic meat to your diet…

• Wild game is low in fat which makes it an extremely attractive option for people trying to lose weight.
• Many people are often pleasantly surprised by the mild taste much game meat has. Buffalo, ostrich, rabbit, wild turkey and elk are probably the least ‘gamey’ and are becoming increasingly available in restaurants.
• Wild game is usually close to ten times lower in fat and cholesterol than traditional cuts of domestic meat.
• It’s a combination of more lean body tissue, fewer calories, less saturated fat and a higher percentage of cholesterol-reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids (good fats).
• Wild game contains more than five times the amount of polyunsaturated fat per game than is found in domestic livestock. Great omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
• Wild game is 100% natural, free ranging and devoid of antibiotics, steroids and hormones.

You might be surprised to hear that ostrich meat is lower in fat content than chicken breast.

Here are some tips for cooking wild game…

Cook low and slow. I repeat…cook low and slow.

Braise, roast and/or baste frequently. If you can, use fruits to marinade. I use a pomegranate molasses or cherry juice.

Not only does it taste better and become healthier, it protects the meat if you are grilling it.

Wild game, in my book, is a true superfood.

It should be a part of your anti-inflammatory diet. You can even get grass-fed game and meat delivered to your home. Here is a great article on the best wine parings for wild game.

Here is a great video on how to grill an elk tenderloin, enjoy!If you’re thinking to yourself, “That’s an amazing grill!” I agree.

Here it is Grillery.com