What could be cooler than a crisp green summer salad? You know: plenty of dark leafy greens, ripe red tomatoes, purple onions, fresh herbs, cucumbers, radishes, carrots, peppers — you name it. So healthy! But salad is only half the picture.

No doubt there are things in this world we either love or hate: Certain politicians, certain subjects, certain insects, certain movies or movie stars, and certain types of foods, such as garlic, coconut, tripe, anchovies, coffee, chocolate or cilantro.

I remember the first time I ever tasted a radish. My mom was eating them raw with her sandwich and offered me a bite. With no warning!

I’ve said it before: Americans love sugar. In practically everything! Yet it’s a rare one of us that doesn’t know that we need to cut back, and for some of us, maybe even avoid it altogether.

I have a lot of fond memories of really good food, and two of my greatest involve strawberries. The first came one spring day in Louisiana when my grandparents’ neighbor brought over a fresh strawberry pie. Unforgettable!

I love Julia Child. She cracks me up!

Did you know that agriculture — the planting and harvesting of crops — has been around for some ten thousand years? That sure provides some context for the term “ancient grains.” Millet, by all accounts, is one of those oldies but goodies.

My very first memory of moving to Hawaii was landing at the Honolulu airport, departing the plane outside and being greeted with handmade leis of Pikake and Plumeria flowers.

I once read that the great Charlemagne declared: “An herb is the friend of physicians and the praise of cooks.” I wonder what herbs he had at his disposal during his reign?