Health

Chocolate has a lot of great health benefits, including flavonoids and many other micronutrients. But the fat and sugar content in chocolate makes it a "no go" for those of us on low-carb diets. However, the good news is that you don't have to give up chocolate entirely!

Unsweetened cocoa powder is a valuable addition to many recipes. It may seem strange to use cocoa powder in savory recipes, but remember, cocoa powder is the key ingredient in mole sauce. (And mole sauce is delicious!)

Here are a few ways you can have your cake and eat it too, so to speak.

Sadly, most Americans are not very good at making tea. Which is too bad, because it has a lot of health benefits. Many Americans have resolved to drink more green tea, and end up drinking sugary chilled bottled water beverages instead. Blecch!

I love the idea of eggplant. It looks so tasty, all plump and purple at the store. But I'll be honest with you, I have yet to successfully cook this strange vegetable. And yet every year I can't help but try, like Charlie Brown kicking that football.

Eggplants are part of the nightshade family, related to the tomato and the sweet pepper. They grow on vines like tomatoes, creating large pendulous fruit that are in season in late summer (August to October).