Dr Oz: Salt-N-Pepa & Omega-3 Sources + Orange-Glazed Salmon

Dr Oz: Salt-N-Pepa Health

Salt-N-Pepa topped the charts with hits like “Push It” but all those years on the road took their toll, and the duo is now a mission to take back their health. Dr Oz first asked them how they decided who got to be Salt and who got to be Pepa. Sandra Denton joked that she got to be Pepa “because I’m the hot one” while Cheryl James responded with “that’s true.” When they first got together, they actually sold maintenance agreements on Sears appliances.

As successful as they were professionally, Cheryl decided in 2002 to leave the band. She explained that growing up in the business took its toll. Cheryl also became bulimic because of the pressure she felt to be thin, and struggled with the eating disorder for a few years, while Sandra had no idea. For her, the eating disorder was more about stuffing her emotions, but acknowledged that eating on the road was very difficult. Cheryl felt that she needed to figure out who she was apart from being “Salt.”

Dr Oz: The Importance Of Omega-3s

They both discussed that while they’re trying to eat healthier, it’s a lot harder when they’re on the road. One of the many problems their diets caused them to face is a lack of omega-3s. They admitted that all they really knew was that they were good for you, while Dr Oz explained that our bodies need omega-3s to fight inflammation and to help with joint pain, dry skin, and heart health.

They had never had their omega-3s looked at, which got Dr Oz really excited. With a simple blood test, Dr Oz was able to look at their omega-3 levels, explaining that ideally they should be more than 8. For Cheryl, her number was 10.2, which was fantastic! She explained that she eats a lot of salmon and takes omega-3 pills every day. For Sandra, her number was 4.9 which is low.

Dr Oz: Three Food Sources Of Omega-3s

Dr Oz revealed that the average American actually has levels similar to Sandra with many having levels even lower. Most of the body’s inflammation can be addressed by taking omega-3s. Dr Oz then showed the three major food sources omega-3s: fatty fish like salmon or mackerel, leafy greens like spinach, kale, or Brussels sprouts, and nuts and seeds like walnuts.

Because Salt-N-Pepa are working on a cookbook, Dr Oz challenged them to put together a dish full of omega-3 loaded ingredients. Cheryl was given salmon and turned it into Orange-Glazed Salmon with Olive Quinoa. You can find that recipe on the next page.

Dr Oz: Orange-Glazed Salmon With Olive Quinoa Recipe Ingredients

• 1/2 C uncooked quinoa – rinsed, drained
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tbsp pine nuts – toasted
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp fresh orange juice
• 1/4 tsp minced garlic
• 2/3 C water
• 3/8 tsp kosher salt – divided
• 1 tbsp pitted kalamata olives – sliced
• 2 (6-oz) salmon fillets
• 1 tsp grated orange rind
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Dr Oz: Orange-Glazed Salmon With Olive Quinoa Recipe Directions

1. Preheat the broiler to high
2. Mix 2/3 C water, quinoa, and 1/8 tsp salt in a small saucepan
3. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 13 minutes or until the liquid has been absorbed
4. Stir in the olives, parsley, and pine nuts
5. While the quinoa is cooking, place the fillets skin side-down on a foil-lined baking sheet
6. Mix 1/4 tsp salt, rind, syrup, juice, garlic, Dijon, and pepper in a bowl
7. Spread the orange mixture evenly over the fillets
8. Broil the salmon for 6 minutes
9. Serve the fillets with the quinoa mixture