The best-tasting veggie burger I’ve ever met is falafel. A product of the Middle East, falafel are deep-fried fritters made from ground chickpeas or fava beans that are tucked into pita pockets and drizzled with tahini. They are delicious, hearty, inexpensive and relatively healthy.

Recently, my family had distant relatives visit from Germany. Over the years there have been many visits between us visiting Germany and them visiting the USA. They are a wonderful family and we thoroughly enjoyed the time together. Upon waking up one morning, my 4-year-old had already asked to visit Germany.

It seems that every culture has a probiotic food that has been made for centuries. The Koreans have Kimchi. The Japanese have Miso Soup and Kombucha. The Africans have Amasi and the list goes on and on. Our history and ancestors have fermented and preserved many types of foods. This actually benefited our health and well being. Meanwhile, in our generation we have gone away from these traditions and have added antibiotics to our bodies. These antibiotics can be found in both our medicine and our food. This has caused a great imbalance in the beneficial bacteria that belongs in our bodies. This imbalance has contributed to a wide variety of diseases. Today, we are seeing a great come back with both probiotic supplements and foods.

We know we should eat better, but let’s face it: When we find ourselves at a fast food drive-thru, we’re probably not going to order a salad — not with all those burgers, fries and shakes on the menu board.

Ryan Dempsey was 7 years old when he first started to draw. Three years, and more than 100 canvases later, he continues to use his talent to paint pictures for himself, for his family and friends, and for a good cause.

Yoasis

Yoasis

4302 E. Ray Road

The problem with buttermilk is there isn’t a lot of “real” buttermilk around.

Traditional potato latkes are a widely loved staple of the yearly Hanukkah feast. And what’s not to love about hamburger-sized hash browns topped with sour cream?

It’s no secret that liquor is a simple solution to holiday gift-giving. You don’t see a lot of people lining up Dec. 26 to return bottles of 12-year-old Scotch. And what better way to embrace the spirit of giving than by giving a spirit?

After 17 years in Ahwatukee Foothills the Annual Festival of Lights Kick-Off Party only continues to grow.

Local businesses have everything you need to make the holidays bright and they’re hoping for a big turnout on Shop Small Saturday, Nov. 24.

It may seem odd to turn on the oven when making soup, but roasting really is what makes this soup so spectacular. Roasting the vegetables caramelizes them and brings out nutty flavors that enhance all the other ingredients. Feel free to throw in just about any other vegetables you have lurking in your crisper drawer.

Lately I have been hearing people claim that they are a “foody.” Initially, I had thought that term meant they are a fan of food. To me that was kind of funny because should we not all be fans of food? Our bodies need it and we all seem to be a fan of it from infancy and beyond. Ask any mother. Although the term “foody” according to the dictionary is, “a person having an enthusiastic interest in the preparation and consumption of good food.” Now that I can get on board with.

Getting enough calcium is an important part of everyone’s diet, and that is especially true during pregnancy. In fact, the need for calcium is even greater during gestation, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

MP swim to host fundraiser tomorrow

Toward the end of every summer, my family and I abandon New York City for my parents’ Massachusetts farmhouse, where the fields out back are lined with blueberry bushes. Some years the crop is tiny. Other years it is so good we are overwhelmed, calling up visions of Lucille Ball wrapping chocolates in the candy factory.

Plenty of people surely will disagree, but I firmly believe that underdressed hot dogs simply aren’t worth the calories.

First lesson of Indian cooking — not all brown powders are curry powder.