October 2009 Newsletter
When I think of October, orange pumpkins, red and golden hued autumn leaves, and hot cider come to mind. But as the weather turns cooler, we also have to keep an eye on our health and that means eating vitamin-rich, seasonal produce like butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage that contain vitamins A and C to protect skin and boost immunity, and important cancer fighting compounds. These foods are easy to prepare and can be flavored with sage, balsamic, toasted hazelnuts, and grated Parmesan.
As many of you have noticed over the last few weeks, I have started to post updates (nearly) every day – and below you’ll see a small selection of posts from last month. For a complete listing, check out the September 2009 archive of “Chew On This” »
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Happy and Healthy Cooking,

Sitting in child’s pose, with my nose to my yoga mat, I noticed that it didn’t have that “brand new” smell anymore – it smelled more like a pile of dirty laundry! So here’s my take on how to clean your yoga mat.
When the Center for Science in the Public Interest recently ranked nearly 85 vegetables in order of highest to lowest nutrient content, Women’s Health Magazine asked me to highlight a few of them – along with simple tips on how to incorporate them into your regular meals.
Since the fall season has started, it’s natural to crave cooler-weather-foods, like winter squash! In this brandnew video, I’ll teach you the easy way to cut butternut squash and spaghetti squash…
A restaurant that actually cares for your waistline? It may sound like a fantasy, but Rouge Tomate does just that. I met with nutritionist Natalia Rusin last Spring to share lunch and chat about our ongoing projects.
Almonds, once avoided due to their high fat content, have recently emerged in the spotlight as a “superfood!” Due to their health properties, they have recently come back in vogue with a vengeance and are a favorite snack of starlets and chefs alike.
In one of my latest videos on Prevention Magazine’s website, I explained how to make a quick, spicy guacamole that gets its kick from jalapeno, red onion and plenty of lime juice.
Some people are morning yogis, while others prefer to unwind after work or even later in the evening. What if the only time you have for yoga falls right after breakfast or so close to dinner time that you might not have time to cook?
Loved by lemurs and Indian and Thai food fans, tamarind is a tropical fruit that is now available in the US. My neighbor Susan shared tamarind pods with me last week. I loved eating the dried fruit directly from the pod and tried making my own tamarind paste.
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Grapes have become my latest post-workout snack because they are water-packed and also help to curb my hunger when I come out of the yoga studio with serious munchies. But don’t limit grapes to snack food – you can also make surprising, gorgeous desserts with them.
Just because summer is coming to a close doesn’t mean entertaining with friends and family has to end. Skip the sugar-packed, store bought mixes, and mix your own with real juice – it is the tastiest and healthiest way to enjoy a cocktail!
When I got together with Liz Vaccariello, editor-in-chief of Prevention Magazine, we quickly started talking about how to make foods healthier – and preparing your own, delicious salad dressings is one of the easiest ways!
Using nutritional guidelines by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, TIME Magazine put popular kid-friendly food products to the test. Here’s a sample of packaged foods that parents may be better off avoiding, plus their suggestions for what to buy instead.
If you’ve ever tasted real aged balsamic vinegar, you know that nothing compares with its aroma, texture and dark, deep flavor. The real McCoy is from Modena, Italy, made from the white Trebbiano grape and aged for 12 to 25 years, but try out my latest recipe!
Dark politics, heart break, passion, and scandal, it’s a period film that has it all – although there is something about the ending that reminds me of food leftovers, cold and sad. Here are three ideas for a happier ending for your food.
In the latest video with Prevention Magazine’s Liz Vaccariello, I answered the question how to choose a ripe melon at the supermarket. We went through several techniques for honey dew, cantaloupe and watermelons, including my favorite “Sniff – Shake – Squeeze” test.
A recent article about the science behind sports drinks appeared a few weeks ago, highlighting a story that began in 1965 with a group of scientists at the University of Florida.
Beans are one of the foods I really crave. No matter if it’s black bean soup with tons of fresh lime, refried beans, chili or summer barbecues – I make a beeline to the baked beans!
With a rash of food movies in recent years, like “No Reservations”, “Ratatouille”, and now “Julie and Julia”, I thought I’d mention a few that have become classics in my collection.
“I’d love to wear a dress like that,” the woman standing next to me said after complimenting me on a wrap dress that has become a fast fashion fix when all the laundry is dirty.
Prevention Magazine’s editor-in-chief, Liz Vaccariello, invited me on her show, “In the Kitchen With Liz” to talk about healthy foods. The first video focuses on a delicious and heart-healthy smoothie!
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October 8, 2009, 8:30 pm
Hi Jenn, i was just surfing the net and ended up here. It looks like your website and you are doing really well. I always think of you when i relate yoga and healthy meals…in case you don’t remember me i worked at Tabla in ’05 and we worked together one afternoon in the food cart out in the park during a US Open event. I also see there’s a lil’ one in the picture now..Congratulations…Take care!!! Melissa Nova, Executive Chef Terra Luna Restaurant.
October 10, 2009, 7:00 am
Hey Melissa,
Of course I remember you and sounds like you are doing GREAT! So glad to get your note and would love to hear more about Terra Luna, is it in Manhattan?
Keep in touch!