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Beets, Limes, and Rice: My Journey from Making Beats to Making Beets

February 18, 2018 By Dr. Ed McDonald 5 Comments

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There’s a recipe in here, but there’s also a story.

The inspiration for this recipe is a combination of Beats, Rhymes, and Life, a classic album from the legendary hip-hop group, A Tribe Called Quest, and a lime beet salad from the renowned chef Rick Bayless. I know it’s an odd combination, but it might make sense to those who know me. Here’s some background info for those who don’t know me.

First, I’m an unapologetic hip-hop head who came of age in the 80s and 90s. Second, I love Mexican food. This recipe reflects both these loves. Plus, I touch on a few of the health benefits associated with beets.

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Afraid of prostate cancer? Decrease your risk with some knowledge and this delicious recipe.

October 6, 2017 By Dr. Ed McDonald 7 Comments

My prostate needs a witness protection program. It hasn’t committed any crimes, but it’s higher up on a target list for prostate cancer—simply because I am a black male.

I first became aware of my prostate’s vulnerability during a lecture on prostate cancer I attended as a medical student. The lecturer began his talk by highlighting risk factors for prostate cancer. He emphasized that black men are 1.6 times more likely to get prostate cancer compared to others. As he said “black men,” he slowly turned towards me—one of few black dudes in the class— and awkwardly stared for several seconds, subconsciously making my prostate feel like it needed some hardcore church “Prayer Warriors.” After further research, I realized two things: there are no witness protection programs for prostates and certain foods may decrease my prostate’s chances of ending up on a “Prayer Bulletin.” September was prostate cancer awareness month, and it’s now October. I may be late, but useful information shouldn’t have a month-long expiration date.

So, let’s talk about some prostate facts, the role of foods in prostate cancer prevention, and a delicious prostate-friendly recipe.

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Intermittent Fasting, does it work?

While it remains difficult to study how effective diet regimens are, and how they compare to each other, one stands out for being unique. While most diets recommend some foods over others, intermittent fasting does not require a person to give up any particular foods but rather dictates when they eat. So, does it work?…

Are chitlins safe? It’s time we talked about health concerns associated with eating chitlins.

I can think of no other food more polarizing than chitlins. Chitlins, also known as chitterlings, are fried or boiled pig intestines. In some circles, chitlins are a delicacy with a rich cultural history. In other circles, chitlins are a polarizing source of marital discord during the holidays. As a black gastroenterologist, my take on…

Is Using a Weighted Hula- Hoop an Effective Exercise?

During one of my recent talks at a church, someone asked me, “How can you exercise when you feel unsafe in your neighborhood?” Honestly, I hate the fact that this is a legitimate question that I often hear. I’m a Chicagoan who’s proud to live on the Southside, but I can understand how some neighborhoods…

This Watermelon-Mint-Ginger Agua Fresca Recipe Will Change Your Backyard BBQs Forever

My appreciation for agua fresca began with a childhood love of backyard BBQs. As a child, I enjoyed backyard BBQs on the Fourth of July almost as much as Christmas. Seriously, there was something about the combination of perfectly smoked meats dripping with tangy sauces, soul music from the 70s, and borderline drunk adults dancing….