Last week we started an alphabetical list of good-for-you foods. Today we continue with some tricky letters, starting with I.

Ice cream - that most luscious of desserts made from frozen sweetened cream - is definitely good for the soul, if not the waistline. So here's the deal: It's true that all foods (in the right balance) can fit into a ...Read more

I recently got together with a group of friends (at a socially accepted distance). One of them suggested we go through the alphabet and name all the things for which we are thankful. It did my heart good to hear the array of answers from "apple pie" to "Zoom meetings."

That gave me the idea for an A to Z list of good-for-us foods. Yours might ...Read more

Dear Barbara,

My reason for emailing you other than telling you your articles are very helpful is about natural flavors. I try to only eat organic foods so when I see natural flavors in the ingredients I don't know why. Organic stevia has natural flavorings in it. Organic crackers have it. Why? What is it? Is it all the same in everything? Is ...Read more

"My cholesterol is too high," a patient explained. "But I can't help it. It's hereditary." She was right. Her type of high cholesterol is called familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). It's an inherited genetic defect that causes an abnormal amount of dangerous LDL cholesterol to accumulate in the bloodstream. This condition is fairly common, ...Read more

My readers keep me on my toes, for sure. Here are some questions that merit more attention.

Regarding the recent column on beets, Dennis S. writes: "How can one write about beets without mentioning borscht???"

How can one, indeed?!! Borscht (pronounced "borscht") is a tart, beet-based soup which originated in Eastern Europe and the former ...Read more

My heart was heavy with fear and disbelief at the news of fires advancing on the California community I called home for 27 years. Text messages and hour-to-hour alerts on Facebook painted a grim picture of friends being evacuated from their homes, scrambling to find safety for their families and livestock.

"I'm trying to decide what to pack up!...Read more

Two recent columns prompted these questions from readers:

Dear Barbara, I was grateful that you addressed the farming food safety issue in your column. I'm glad field workers are taking added precautions, but what if one of them DOES have the virus and packs lettuce or strawberries or any other produce? Will the consumer of these items get the ...Read more