When my daughter, Jyah, graduated from high school, I took her on a mother-daughter odyssey to the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It was one of the most poignant and magical journeys I've ever taken. In the morning, we would drive to ancient archeological sites, underwater caverns, and small villages, returning in the afternoon to sit by the ocean and sip agua di chaya, a cool, wonderful drink of green leaves and lime juice which is indigenous to the area. Around 4 o'clock every afternoon, local fishermen would pull their rowboat onto the beach and offer up the day's catch to the restaurant we frequented most often. That night, the fish would be written up on a chalkboard as the catch of the day, and offered with a choice of sauces. My favorite by far was the Salsa a la Veracruzana, a richly flavored blend of tomatoes, green olives, capers and thyme with a slight kick of jalapeno. This dish differs from one kitchen to the next, so feel free to experiment, and try it with snapper, halibut, chicken, pasta, or tofu.

Photo Courtesy of Jody Hoy

Seared Halibut with Red Wine Reduction Sauce is a wonderful and festive entree anytime of year, and has a particular impact around the holidays. Deep ruby red sauce glistens on the plate; it is a feast for lovers and loved ones alike.

It was recently brought to my attention that Dean Foods, parent company of Horizon Organic and Silk soy milk, has been exposed for dishonest and misleading advertising of its products. It started with Horizon Organic, and most recently pulled a "bait and switch" with Silk soy milk. The product was originally marketed as organic, and made with organic soy beans, but in early 2009 Dean Foods began using conventionally grown soybeans to produce Silk. The packaging, bar code and price remained the same, with the only difference being the word "Natural" instead of "Organic" on the label. "Natural" is a totally unregulated and vague terminology, and encompasses genetically modified foods full of chemicals and pesticides. No announcement was sent to retailers, and it was not until recently that watchdog organizations caught on.

Is this how we will feed our children?

We've been having a Nor'Easter in New York and up the East Coast these past couple of days, and all I've wanted is soup. There's something about the comfort of a steaming bowl of goodness that can carry us through a day when it's blowing, stormy, and we'd rather be home on the couch with a blanket and a movie. Curried Red Lentil Soup with Jalapeno is a slightly spicy soup with anti-inflammatory curry spices that is sure to warm your belly on a chilly day.

Need some ideas for Thanksgiving but want to avoid the dreaded "food coma"? So many of us radically overindulge during the holidays, and eat ourselves into oblivion, only to have a terrible "food hangover" the next day. Thanksgiving also marks the start of one of the most stressful times of year for many of us, so it's interesting that instead of holding ourselves with care and gratitude, we shovel food down our throats until we feel like beached whales. Why not try something different this year, and mix tradition with loving care. Let's give thanks for life and for our health by balancing indulgence with healthy and delicious food. Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes should help give you some inspiration.

There is nothing like the rich, full, deep body of a sauce that has wine in it. Europeans have been using wine in their cooking for centuries, and it lends a very special something to even a simple red sauce or broiled fish dish. Red Wine Reduction Sauce is essence of wine, aromatic with rosemary and slightly sweet. This garnet red glaze is fabulous on seared poultry, fish, or even tofu, and will keep for several days in the refrigerator. It makes a wonderful addition to a holiday table and travels well.

My friend and colleague David Bruce Leonard has been kind enough to let me reprint his article on the chemical poisoning, through plastics, of the male reproductive system.

David's article, "Boys Will Be Boys...Or Will They?" is a sobering look at the course we are on if we continue to support the widespread overuse of plastics in our culture. Please join me in replacing your plastics with glass and stainless steel wherever possible; our future depends on it.

Need a new recipe for green beans that doesn't make you yawn? Green Beans with Mushrooms and Almonds is a savory mix of haricots verts (French beans) shiitake mushrooms, toasted almonds and herbs topped with a crispy coating of garlicky breadcrumbs. It's a great dish for holiday dinners: make the beans and topping ahead of time and put the beans in an oven proof dish, with the breadcrumbs on the side. 15 minutes before dinner, scatter the breadcrumbs over the beans and heat in a 350' oven until everything is warmed through.

Maitake mushrooms (also known as Hen of the Woods) are a culinary and medicinal feast. Rich in minerals and some B vitamins, maitakes are also used in Asian medicine as powerful immune enhancers and cancer fighters. Beyond their medicinal properties, these mushrooms are utterly delicious, and have a rich, fragrant, earthy flavor. Try Soba Noodles with Maitake Mushrooms for a simple way to prepare this nutritional powerhouse.

Aloo Gobiis a traditional East Indian dish of potatoes, cauliflower and curry that turns up in many dishes, including samosas, West Indian roti, as well as simply served with rice and green vegetables. Curried Cauliflower, Japanese Yam and Potatoes is a whole foods spin on this traditional dish. Serve with naan bread, greens, and chutney for a traditional feel.