Sometimes cooking something delicious and healthy after a long day of school, work or taking care of the family can be a real hassle. But before you reach for your phone to order pizza, why not plan ahead and make something everyone can enjoy in one of the handiest tools ever created for the kitchen: the slow cooker! Slow cookers (a.k.a. crock pots) are an . . . more »

I think we can all agree that some of the best, most flavorful food in the world originates from the multitude of cuisines found in Asia and its surrounding islands. From Chinese to Japanese to Thai food and more, the list goes on and on of delicious culinary treasures that anyone regardless of their nationality or ethnicity can enjoy. The only problem? Though generally quite . . . more »

Who doesn't remember that joyful feeling we experienced as a child opening a fresh Twinkie, finishing off a circus train shaped box of animal crackers or licking your fingers to get the last little bits in a bag of Corn Nuts. Those special snacks always inspire a nostalgic feeling for days past, and, unfortunately, remind us of how lacking in nutrition our treats really were. . . . more »

It seems like going gluten-free is the new thing to do in the world of diets and nutrition, but for those of us who suffer from Celiac's Disease, gluten sensitivities or wheat allergies, it's more than just a fad. But with all of the gluten-free products available out there, where do you even start if you're just beginning on your life without wheat? If your . . . more »

Is all this rain making you feel cooped up inside at home? Why not do something fun to fight those rainy-day blues: bake a delicious treat! If you don’t already know, the Santa Clara County Library District owns thousands of cookbooks, enough to keep even the most ferocious chefs busy for days. Check out the list below of some of our newest arrivals that focus . . . more »

How many parents have tried every trick in the book to get their kids to eat healthy? How much harder does it get to find kid-approved meals when a child has special dietary needs or restrictions? If you’re about to give up on trying to force feed your child broccoli, take a look at Eat Like a Dinosaur a new recipe and guidebook for gluten-free . . . more »

It seems like whenever someone is diagnosed with a food allergy or intolerance that automatically means that all forms of gourmet home cooking are doomed. Say goodbye to your old favorites, it's cardboard and water from here on out, right? Wrong! More and more, celebrated chefs and nutrition experts are devoting time and energy to publishing allergy-friendly cookbooks that can turn your kitchen into a . . . more »

In her latest book, Easy Sexy Raw, former supermodel, actress and author Carol Alt continues her efforts to improve health and well-being through the raw food diet. In her first book, Eating in the Raw, Alt explained how integrating the raw food diet into her life eased a lot of chronic ailments she had been experiencing, from headaches, to sinusitis to stomach pain. One thing . . . more »

At reference desks throughout Santa Clara County Library we receive all kinds of questions about the Paleo Diet. From requests for books to more information about this increasingly popular way of eating, the Paleo Diet seems to be something that has taken the health and nutrition world by storm. But what exactly is the Paleo Diet? Is it difficult to follow? Complicated? Will it work . . . more »

It seems like everywhere you turn in the culinary world "gluten-free" is something people are talking about. Does all this talk leave you wondering about this mysterious "gluten" and why it seems to be public enemy number one these days? Well don't worry because your library has loads of books and resources on the subject to help you learn about the gluten-free diet and if . . . more »

It seems like everywhere you turn in the culinary world "gluten-free" is something people are talking about. Does all this talk leave you wondering about this mysterious "gluten" and why it seems to be public enemy number one these days? Well don't worry because your library has loads of books and resources on the subject to help you learn about the gluten-free diet and if . . . more »