Category Archives:Food+Drink

20
Jan

Choosing Raw Foods + SUPERgreen Salad Recipe

IMG_1575

Choosing raw foods is a great way to improve your health. Whether you've made a resolution to eat healthier lunches, find more wholesome baked goods, or if you want to experiment with green juices, raw foods should be a foundation of your new healthy habits. Almost everyone can benefit from getting more raw, green energy into their diet!

If you are not sure exactly what it is, a raw foods diet focuses on eating exclusively (or mostly) raw foods and foods in their most natural state: fresh vegetables and fruits, sea vegetables, sprouted grains, nuts and seeds, fresh juices and more. Most food is consumed totally raw but other times it is cooked using a dehydrator, blended using a processor or blender, or fermented to bring out new, natural flavors. Cooking is not part of a raw food lifestyle. Most  raw foodists do not warm food beyond 104º or 118º, because they believe that heating food destroys vital enzymes found in foods. But don't think choosing a raw foods lifestyle dooms you to a lifetime of boring salads! You can enjoy a wide variety of foods like:

  • Sprouts! Grains, beans, seeds and nuts become more nutritious and digestible and more interesting. You can make raw crackers, raw breads even raw wraps for your snacks.
  • Fermented foods like miso, kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut have been ‘cooked’ using natural enzymatic processes and add variety and depth of nutrition to your diet.
  • Fresh smoothies and juices made from fresh, frozen and dried ingredients
  • Gourmet raw foods like lasagna, raw chocolate hazelnut cakes and energy bars.

Whether you choose to eat raw foods exclusively or occasionally, raw foods can help our bodies dramatically by increasing our intake of fiber. Fiber is often overlooked in our diets, but increasing your fiber is one of the healthiest things you can do for your body. A healthy digestive system with properly functioning bowels not only feel better, it is incredibly important for overall health. Fiber binds to toxins, cholesterol and hormones and literally flushes the bad stuff out of our bodies, acting like a little broom sweeping our body clean. When the bowels are not moving quickly, waste can stagnate inside our intestines. This can create discomfort, gas and bloating; long-term constipation can lead to damaged intestines and is frequently cited as a main cause of colon cancer. Research shows that a higher intake of fiber leads to lowered risk of many types of cancer3, heart disease, and diabetes. According to nutritionist Marion Nestle, most Americans get only HALF the amount of fiber that is needed daily (wondering how much do you need? Women need about 25 grams, for men about 38 grams daily).

And guess what? Fiber is found ONLY in plant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and more, and it benefits the body in multiple ways. Adding in raw foods to your diet will immediately increase your fiber intake, leading to better digestive energy and more frequent bowel movements.

So even though you can eat more than salad on a raw foods diet, here is one SUPER salad that will have you craving more greens everyday. It features a variety of leafy greens and a bunch of other veggies to add fiber, high-quality plant protein and lots of superfoods into your day. Each ingredient is functionally nutritious and delicious.IMG_1582

SUPERgreen Salad with Acai Dressing

Acai Dressing
1 (100 gram) packet unsweetened acai, a room temperature
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 Tablespoons honey
1 Tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon sea salt
Salad
2 cups thinly sliced kale
2 cups thinly sliced napa cabbage
1 cup thinly sliced dandelion greens
1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage
½ cup thinly sliced basil
½ cup shredded beets
½ cup shredded carrots
½ cup toasted pumpkin seeds
Sunflower sprouts

  1. To make the Acai Berry Dressing: Blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender until smooth.
  2. Place kale in to a large bowl. Drizzle a few Tablespoons onto kale and massage to coat. Add all other vegetables into bowl and drizzle with extra dressing as you like. Sprinkle on pumpkin seeds and sprouts and toss to combine. Enjoy the nutrition!

 

 

Posted:   |   Categories: fiber, Food+Drink, plant-based diet, raw foods, recipe, salad
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13
Jan

Healthy One-Pot Meals: Quinoa Pilaf

photo 2Quinoa Pilaf is my new favorite meal. A pilaf is simply a mix of grains, beans, veggies and more– and it's the ultimate one-pot meal. And this is a big deal for me– for the past three years I've taught weekly cooking classes and needed to create three unique gourmet recipes each week. This process is fun and delicious– but after a long day of prepping, teaching and washing a gazillion dishes, the last thing I want to do is cook. Hence, the one-pot meal. I like to put this on the stovetop as soon as I get home from work and set the timer for 20 minutes. Take the time to do yoga, take a shower, check your Pinterest boards, whatever. Then, BAM, dinner is ready. Serve this with a nice big salad or some steamed veggies on the side for an extra nutritional boost. Quinoa Pilaf also makes great leftovers: wrap into a burrito, toss onto your grain salad, and serve warmed alongside some baked tofu.

Quinoa Pilaf

1½ cups quinoa
1 (15 ounce) can beans (garbanzo, black or kidney)
3½ cups water
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1 Tablespoon garlic flakes
1 Tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin and coriander
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sea salt
Black pepper to taste
1 cup chopped kale

  1. Place quinoa in a large pot. Wash, rinse and drain quinoa. Cover with 1½ cups water.
  2. Drain and rinse beans. Add to pot along with remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Bring quinoa to a boil, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, toss kale on top and let steam for five minutes.
  3. Fluff quinoa with a fork when finished cooking, serve and enjoy!

Notes: You can also make this dish with curry powder (substitute for chili powder), or keep it super simple with just salt and pepper. I like to use my favorite Tahini dressing on quinoa, but it also tastes great with salsa, yogurt or other awesome sauces.

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, gluten-free, healthy recipes, one-pot meals, vegan recipes
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06
Jan

Building a Healthy Pantry for the New Year

black rice For those embarking on a healthier journey this year, stocking a healthy pantry might seem daunting. Don't worry about throwing everything away and starting fresh– that can be expensive and stress you out when you suddenly have all new foods in your pantry. The suggestions below will help you build your healthy pantry slowly, adding in a few new things at a time. If you are really new or not sure of how to begin, start with one new product each week. Maybe this week you make some homemade polenta, and maybe next week you make some fresh beans. Incremental changes like this make it easier to adapt new habits, and makes it so much more likely that your new foods will become new favorites.

Build your Grains: Check out your local health food store or Whole Foods Market and hit up the bulk bins. The bulk bins are often the least expensive option in the store, and it gives you the ability to try out new grains with little commitment. You can stock up on your favorite grains (my staple is brown rice) and try new grains like millet, black rice or polenta. Now that healthier foods are becoming more accessible, it's easy to find quinoa and brown rice at any store. And if you can't find something locally, you can always order online! (Shown above is black rice and shown below is Millet Fried Rice, made with millet, veggies, soy sauce and sesame oil).IMG_0159

 

Bulk up on Beans: Beans are kinda the joke of healthy eating, but their affordability, versatility and deliciousness is no laughing matter! Beans are a cheap and easy form of vegetarian protein and one that is a foundation of a healthy pantry. My favorites are chickpeas (for hummus, salads and pastas) and we usually have a rotation of black beans, adzuki beans and a variety of lentils. To cook beans, soak overnight in more water than you think (about 4 cups/1 cup beans). Drain and rinse, then cover with fresh water. Simmer on the stove top for about half hour for chickpeas and an hour for black and other beans. Lentils cook quickly, so no need to soak them. Just rinse and cook– about 15 minutes for red lentils and 30 minutes for brown or black lentils. You can also make simple sprouts from beans! The favorite at our house is mung bean sprouts, because these are really easy to sprout and you don't need much equipment. Check out this tutorial for sprouting mung beans from No Meat Athlete and some ideas for how to use mung bean sprouts from Vegan Richa.

Add some flavor: Look to the cuisines of Japan, China, India and Thailand to find delicious flavors in your kitchen. Some of the staples of healthy cooking include quality soy sauce (watch out for corn syrup, preservatives and MSG in the regular grocery store brands), miso, brown rice vinegar and toasted sesame oil. These condiments are versatile and not too expensive, and can take any dish from meh to yum! Other staples in my kitchen include canned coconut milk (for baking, soups and curries), apple butter (instead of sugar-laden jam) for breakfast, good organic pasta sauce and few boxes of Annie's macaroni and cheese, for those can't-get-myself-to-cook nights. Finally, maybe the most important condiment in the healthy pantry is nutritional yeast. Don't let the boring name deter you, this stuff is pure magic. It's a yellow powder that you can think of as a vegan Parmesan cheese: sprinkle it on popcorn, veggies, grains, beans, and stir into sauces and dressings. Here is a FAQ about nutritional yeast from Fat Free Vegan. And here is my favorite recipe for nutritional yeast, my Best Baked Tofu.

Bring flavor with quality spices: Having a well-stocked spice selection is important, but don't stress about having every single spice in your home. Start small: choose organic herbs and spices (at some stores you can buy them in bulk!) and keep them in glass jars to keep them fresh. Ignore the spices at the regular grocery stores: these are overpriced and often stale. The core spices that I recommend to newbie chefs are cinnamon, Indian curry powder (a mix of spices), chili powder (also a mix), coriander, cumin and Italian seasoning. These blends and spices will get you through most recipes and help you add a bit of flavor to your existing dishes.

chocolate chip tahini cookies

Stock up with healthy sweets: Natural sweeteners are the foundation of healthy swaps. Ditch the bleached white sugar (potentially made from GMO sugar beets) and potentially bleached with chemicals. Richer in flavor and nutrition are alternative sweeteners: coconut sugar, date sugar and even stevia for sugar -free options. Choosing recipes that use maple syrup or honey (like these quick cookie recipes!) then you are giving your body a healthy, sweet treat. Honey and maple syrup also work great for sweetening coffee or tea, or on toast for a quick, sweet snack. (Shown above are the Maple Tahini Cookies from the link above!)

Get Snacky! Quality snack foods are key to those trying our healthier diets. There are always times when you need food NOW, and having healthy options is a saving grace. Tortilla chips with salsa, pre-made hummus with rice crackers or carrot sticks, rice cakes with natural nut butters, and even healthy boxed cereals will do in a pinch. Now there are 'healthy' versions of everything: granola bars, fruit snacks, and even candy bars. These are fun for treats, but watch the high sugar content and make sure it truly is healthy.

 

What's your favorite healthy pantry staple? Anything we missed in this post?

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, green new years resolution, healthy recipes
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30
Dec

Two Quick Cookie Recipes

chocolate chip almond cookiesRather than focusing on detoxing and depriving ourselves for our New Year's resolutions, I like to encourage people to make healthy swaps to their old favorites. Here are two ways to make your resolutions a bit greener and healthier: two healthy cookie recipes that you can enjoy all year long. Each recipe features just a handful of ingredients and the results are nothing short of extraordinary. Made with natural sweeteners and wholesome flours and little else, these are sure to please all the vegans, omnivores and gluten-free folks on your list.

The secret to these cookies is natural nut butters. These bring a ton of flavor but also work as the oil and the binder in these recipes, which keeps the ingredient list low. For the Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies (shown above)I definitely prefer almond butter, but for the Huge Chocolate Chip Cookies (shown below) I prefer tahini. If you've never used tahini before, it's a nut butter made from ground sesame seeds. It's thinner and creamier than almond butter, but creates a smooth delicious texture for the cookies. But, I've also tried this recipe with almond and peanut butter for great results. By 'natural' nut butters I mean those made from fresh ground nuts, with no additives. My local health food store has grinders to grind-your-own nut butters, and those are my favorite. Nut butters also have protein and fat, which help slow the absorption of sugar in our bodies, which means that these sweet treats won't make you feel bad 10 minutes after you eat them!

Here are some more notes about these wholesome ingredients:

  • Maple syrup is used in both recipes here, both for the rich flavor and it functions as the only liquid portion of the recipe. Agave and honey would also work here, but as these sweeteners are thicker and tend to burn more quickly, you may get crunchier results. Unless you know a maple syrup harvester in your area, Whole Foods has the cheapest maple syrup in my neighborhood. I prefer the Grade B for a richer flavor, but Grade A works too.
  • Almond flour, made from blanched, ground almonds, is a great grain alternative and is used often in gluten-free baking. The texture is light and fluffy and the flavor is mild and sweet. It cannot be substituted for any other flour. Look for almond flour in the bulk section of your favorite health food store or in packages from Bob's Red Mill.
  • Spelt flour is my flour of choice for the Huge Chocolate Chip Cookies. It is an ancient grain related to wheat and does contain gluten, although many people that are allergic to wheat can enjoy spelt. It's a light textured flour that has a slightly nutty flavor and offers us an alternative from wheat, which most of us eat in abundance. No spelt? Substitute all-purpose flour, gluten-free all purpose flour or whole wheat pastry flour.

Almond Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 cups almond meal
2 Tablespoons ground flaxseeds
½ teaspoon sea salt
½ cup almond butter
⅓ cup agave nectar or maple syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-2 Tablespoons almond milk (if needed)

  1. Preheat oven to 325º and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl toss together almond meal, flaxseeds and salt.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together almond butter, sweetener and vanilla until smooth. Add dry ingredients into the wet and stir to combine. If it seems very dry add a Tablespoon of almond milk.
  4. Roll 2 Tablespoons dough into a ball in your hand and place on baking sheet. Gently flatten with your hands or a fork. Bake 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Let cool for five minutes on baking sheet, then enjoy! Makes about one dozen cookies

Huge Chocolate Chip Cookies

¾ cup tahini, peanut butter or almond butter
¾ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1¼ cup spelt flour
½ teaspoon 1/8 tsp baking soda
¼ teaspoon pinch sea salt
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

  1. Preheat oven to 375F. Prepare one cookie sheet with some parchment paper, or lightly grease with a bit of oil.
  2. Whisk nut butter, maple syrup and vanilla in a large bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and stir until well combined. Add chocolate chips and stir to combine (batter will be very thick).
  3. Divide dough evenly into eight dough balls. Flatten gently onto the baking sheet to about 1/2 inch thick. Bake for 13-14 minutes. Let cookies cool on cookie sheet for 10 minutes before moving them to a cooling rack. Makes 8 large cookies (about four-inches around).

chocolate chip tahini cookies

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, gluten-free, healthy recipes, vegan recipes
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16
Dec

Book Review: The Beauty Detox Foods

detox9780373892648_TS_prdRecently one of my cooking class students gifted me a The Beauty Detox Foods: Discover the Top 50 Beauty Foods that will transform your body and Reveal a more Beautiful You book by Kimberly Snyder. My student said she loved the book, and thought that I would love it as well. But it's taken me a long time to write a review of this book, because even though I think it's interesting, there is something about the book that I just cannot buy into.

To start, let me make it clear that I think Synder has written a great book, full of helpful information about the natural healing power of foods. According to The Beauty Detox Foods, the basis of truly beautiful health is a focus on fresh, organic, raw fruits and vegetables. She recommends an unprocessed, gluten-free, dairy-free, and meat-free lifestyle that improves digestion, eliminates inflammation and helps us flush toxins from our body in a natural way. She especially encourages green drinks, like her signature Glowing Green Smoothie and including digestive enzymes and fermented foods everyday. Eating a diet like this, rich in plant foods, enzymes and high fiber content, helps us feel better and literally cleans out our systems each day. This glowing internal health manifests as glowing skin, healthy hair and a radiant beauty.

Each chapter is filled with information about foods that nourish our body from the inside out. She has chapters devoted to healthy skin, hair, eyes and 'inner glow,' and it's all great information. Did you know that one of the best solutions for dark under-eye circles is celery, with its balanced sodium-potassium ratio? And that bee pollen, sunflower seeds and sprouts, and microgreens like chlorella and spirulina can help bring out your brightest inner glow by bringing trace minerals and enzymes throughout your body? The nutrition information about each fruit, vegetable and supplement is rounded out with sidebar information from reputable sources, and it's clear that ample research grounds this book. There is also a whole chapter of recipes, featuring a host of delicious snacks and meals like green wraps, healhty versions of Sheppard's Pie and pasta, and desserts sweetened with coconut nectar and stevia. You can get four of her most popular recipes here (but you do have to sign up for her newsletter).

But here's the critique: there is something too perfect about Snyder that I just can't get my head around. In between the name-dropping of her celebrity client-friends like Drew Barrymore and Channing Tatum, there are dozens of pictures of Snyder, in full make up costume and looking like a pin-up version of a chef and yogi. There are no candid shots in the whole book, and it makes everything seem just too contrived. Her website and even her Instagram feed are similar- almost all the photos are over-the-top gorgeous. This reminds me a lot of Chef Chloe Coscarelli, who not only looks shockingly similar to Snyder, but whose cookbooks and websites feature so much over-the-top gorgeousness and perfectly photographed food that it seems totally fake.

It's hard to write a review like this and not seem just, well, bitchy. Both Snyder and Chef Chloe are incredibly gorgeous, and obviously they are smart business woman. And who can blame them for making the most of their fantastically proportioned attributes to further their career? But both are published authors and have made multiple appearances on television and have active websites and Facebook accounts. Snyder even has her own line of supplements available and is currently in Africa doing volunteer work, sharing gardens and green smoothies with Rwandan orphans. And upon further research it seems that Snyder's health plan is really real: here's her article about her personal transformation into her glowing self, which is amazing indeed. Though Snyder and her recipes may seem too-good-to-be-real, my guess is that with this honesty behind her story, the success of her health transformation and that of her friends, and her honest approach to eating, she's going to remain successful for a very long time. I look forward to seeing the next book!

 

 

 

Posted:   |   Categories: book review, Books, eating healthy, Food+Drink, health food, plant-based diet
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02
Dec

Raw Superfood Chocolate Truffles

chocolate truffles

superfood chocolate truffles with dates, nuts and raw cacao!

During the holidays most of us are overwhelmed with holiday treats of all kinds. It seems like there are always cupcakes at office parties, fancy drinks at cocktail parties, and edible gifts all around. There are a million other ways that junk food infiltrates our life at this time of year, and just like holiday songs that get stuck in your head, these sugar-laden treats linger in your body for days and weeks, making us feel less than vibrant.

If you want to avoid those junky sweets altogether, you can keep your sweet tooth happy by choosing healthier sweet treats to share at events and keep around the house. These Superfood Chocolate Truffles are the perfect answer. These easy treats feature a mix of nuts, superfoods (maca and coconut) and covered in homemade, raw superfood cacao. Super yums for the holiday season or anytime of year!

Superfood Chocolate Truffles

½ cup almonds
½ cup walnuts
Pinch salt
¾ cup Medjool dates, pitted
2 Tablespoons maca powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
Homemade Raw Chocolate Topping
½ cup finely chopped raw cacao butter (I like Navitas Naturals organic cacao butter)
½ cup raw cacao powder
2 Tablespoons honey or agave (optional)
Pinch salt (optional)

  1. Add almonds, walnuts and salt into the food processor. Blend until very fine- much like the texture of sand.
  2. Add dates, maca, cinnamon and coconut oil. Blend again, until mixture begins to thicken and stick together inside the processor. Turn out into a mixing bowl.
  3. Measure out 1 Tablespoon mixture and roll into a ball in you hands. Layer onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roll out all balls, then freeze for 15 minutes (see photo below).
  4. Meanwhile, make the Homemade Raw Chocolate Topping: Add a few inches of water to a small saucepan, and place a slightly larger glass bowl on top. Add cacao butter to the glass bowl. Heat water until boiling, then reduce heat. Cacao butter will melt and turn into a liquid. When it's fully melted, stir in cacao powder and stir until totally smooth. Add in honey/agave and salt if desired. Remove bowl carefully (steam will be trapped, so use caution!) and place onto a kitchen towel (for some images of this process, see this homemade chocolate post here).
  5. Remove truffles from freezer and dip into chocolate using a spoon. Dip once and let cool to solid, then dip again for a richer coating. Return to freezer to set chocolate for at least 15 minutes. Move to refrigerator to keep for weeks.
  6. Note: as you can see in the photos, these can also be made in a candy mold. Add some chocolate to the mold, then add small balls of nut mixture, then cover with more chocolate. Enjoy! Makes approximately 15 treats
chocolate truffles

superfood balls, before chocolate coating!

chocolate truffles

gorgeous chocolate truffles

Posted:   |   Categories: chocolate, Food+Drink, homemade, Living, recipes
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18
Nov

Product Review: Numi Savory Teas

footerNumi, an organic, fair-trade tea company that I love has recently released a new type of tea: Savory Tea. To be sure, savory tea is a little bit different, but in a lovely way. Most teas lean towards sweetness; even if you drink plain black or green tea, they still seem slightly sweet. But Numi has turned this idea on its head with clever blends of decaffeinated green tea, herbs, spices and dehydrated vegetables.

As with all their teas, Numi chooses organic and fairly traded ingredients and blends them into beautifully rich concoctions. With combinations like Broccoli Cilantro and Carrot Curry, these drinks are similar to drinking a cup of homemade vegetable broth. Some of the flavors seem weirder than others, such as Tomato Mint, but they all actually taste quite similar. Numi says of their savory teas, "It's not quite a soup, but more than a tea." Other flavors include Spinach Chive, Beet Cabbage and my favorite Fennel Spice. They also offer a garden sampler so you can try two of each flavor!

Savory teas are warming and soothing, and can be especially delightful on those very chilly days or when you think you might be coming down with a cold. For a richer flavor, you can stir in a teaspoon of miso or a handful of leftover grains. Savory teas like this are gentle on the digestion and feel so good! And because they are decaffeinated, you can drink them all day long to stay warm and hydrated.

Numi is also offering a fun contest featuring their Artisan Tea Blending Kit. You can blend your own herbs and teas into a unique blend the Numi might adopt as their newest flavor. If your blend is chosen you can win a trip to San Francisco and a tea tasting ceremony in their headquarters. (Sounds like a dream trip to me!). Enter on the link above.

What's your favorite tea for the cold weather? 300

This is not a sponsored post, just my honest opinion about a company that I love!

Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, herbs, product review, tea
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11
Nov

3 Simple, Healthy Holiday Snacks

vegan chocolate mousseThough the holidays are a great joy for those of us that love to cook, it can be a decidedly unpleasant time for those that get stressed out in the kitchen. Whether you are planning a party or headed to a potluck, these simple, healthy holiday desserts will find a happy home at a Thanksgiving dinner, a Hanukkah celebration or a Christmas meal.

All of these recipes feature natural, plant-based ingredients, which means that you are also making an effort towards celebrating a healthy lifestyle, too. More and more studies show that eating a plant-based diet is the most healthful for our bodies and for the planet. This is especially important during the holiday season, when people are tempted to indulge all their cravings! But don't worry– these healthy holiday desserts are nutritious and delicious!

Chocolate Spice Pudding

This is a super decadent dessert hiding healthy secret ingredients– avocado, dates and coconut! The creaminess in this pudding comes not from dairy or tofu, but from the natural, healthy fats in avocado and coconut butter. You can use more or less dates for a less sweet pudding, and add any holiday spices you might like: ginger, cardamom, clove or even chili powder! Shown in photo above.

1 avocado
¼ cup dates, pitted
1 Tablespoon vanilla or almond extract
½ cup coconut butter
½ cup raw cacao powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch sea salt
Honey or agave, as needed

  1. Blend all ingredients together until totally smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more dates or spices as you like. If it is not sweet enough, add some honey or agave as needed. Enjoy at room temperature or cold. Makes 2 cups pudding.

vegan caramel cornHomemade Vegan Caramel Corn

Who doesn't love caramel corn? It's salty, sweet and totally snackable! These recipe uses a homemade caramel sauce that can be used on other desserts too: use as a sauce for ice cream, brownies or on apples.

1 Tablespoon coconut oil
½ cup popcorn kernels
½ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup Earth Balance vegan margarine
¼ cup plant-based milk
½ teaspoon salt (optional)

  1. To make popcorn: Heat 1 Tablespoon coconut oil in a large stockpot. When oil is warm, add popcorn kernels. Cover, shake cook on medium-low until most popcorn has popped. Shake pan gently to ensure even popping- but don’t open the lid or your popcorn will escape! Remove from heat after popping noise slows down- be careful not to burn the popcorn.
  2. To make the caramel: Add brown sugar, Earth Balance and milk to a small saucepan. Simmer on very low heat for five minutes, stirring once or twice. Mixture will be very bubbly. Remove from heat after five minutes and stir in salt if using. Hot sugar is very dangerous- please be careful!
  3. Add popped popcorn into a large cookie sheet and drizzle with caramel. Toss to coat, and let set for five minute to set and dry. Makes about 8 cups caramel corn.

Carob Spiced Nuts & Seeds

These sweet and spicy nuts and seeds make great toppings for puddings or pie, but they are also a great snack in between meals. Choose whichever nuts are your favorite: pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are the best options. If you are not familiar with carob powder, this is the perfect place to enjoy its earthy, malty flavor. Find carob powder (raw or toasted, both will work here) in the baking aisle or bulk section of your natural grocery store. 

3 cups nuts or seeds
¼ cup coconut sugar (can substitute brown sugar)
2 Tablespoons coconut oil
2 Tablespoons carob powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Pinch salt

  1. In a large skillet, dry toast the nuts/seeds over medium heat until fragrant.
  2. Meanwhile, mix brown sugar, coconut oil, carob powder, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl.
  3. When nuts are finished toasting, add coconut oil mixture and toss to coat. Let cool completely before serving. Makes 3 cups.

DSCN1087

Posted:   |   Categories: chocolate, easy vegan recipes, Food+Drink, holiday, plant-based
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04
Nov

Healthy Eating on the Go!

DSC03490Whether you are naturally a busy person or find yourself caught up in the holiday rush, it's always important to find ways of healthy eating on the go. Eating healthful snacks can help us maintain balance and focus during a busy day, but having a healthful snack on hand means you are less likely to binge eat or choose fast foods, some of which might make you feel worse off later in the day!

The key to healthy eating on the go is finding a good balance of fats, fiber and proteins that will fulfill cravings but also keep your blood sugar steady and your belly fuller, longer. All of these snacks reflect this need: some veggies, some protein, some fiber and lots of flavor! Some of the following snack ideas take some prep time, but others are options to grab when you are REALLY pressed for time, like when you are grabbing food at the gas station! The good news is that with an increasing awareness of healthy eating, mainstream stores are catching on; heck, even 7-11 stores are giving themselves a makeover to include more healthy options!

If you have some time to prepare your foods:

  • Choose a whole-grain salad: salads like this Quinoa and Kale Salad has veggies and grains to keep you full and give you a boost of nutrition. Take leftover salad and leftover grains, add a dressing and call it good! I like to keep my lunches at room temperature, and as long as you don't leave it in a hot car, it should be fresh all day long!
  • Make hummus or salsa: simple homemade dips like hummus and salsa make great snacks when served with crackers or with fresh veggies. Hummus is especially good because it has both the fiber and fats to keep you full. Here's my favorite Caramelized Onion Hummus recipe.
  • Homemade energy bars: These are great snacks for those gotta-have-something-sweet moments. Made from a mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruits, they offer a sweet treat without the sugar crash. Great for late afternoons at the office and before or after working out. Try our Hemp Energy Bars recipe.
  • Leftovers! Even if you don't have time to reheat, leftovers can save the day when you are crashing from hunger. Bring your own containers and keep with you in the car or at your desk so that you can nibble as needed.

If you have no time to prepare:

  • Nuts and Seeds: Whether you choose almonds, walnuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, these little treats can be a lifesaver when it comes to hunger. Though they are high in fat, they also offer protein and fiber, which means they digest slower. A handful should help hold you until your next meal. You can even find these at gas stations, but be sure to read the labels and look out for icky ingredients.
  • Dried fruits: Dried fruits can be a good little snacks and be super important if you need something sweet. But be careful not to eat too much as they are concentrated sugars. A better choice is to pair dried fruits with some nuts or seeds to balance it out.
  • Crackers: Whole grain crackers are a good choice for on-the-go snacking because they are crunchy, salty and have some of that all-important fiber. Choose crackers with whole grains (not bleached flour) as the first ingredient. Some of the best are Mary's Gone Crackers (gluten-free) and Ryvita, which are loaded with healthy whole grains.
  • Kale chips: One of my favorite travel and snack foods, packaged kale chips are so mega delicious you will forget you are eating your veggies! Made from a mix of nuts, nutritional yeast and spices, kale chips offer a massive dose of vitamins, minerals, fiber and flavor!
  • Raw food bars: If you don't have time to make your own, choose healthy snack bars with minimal ingredients. Avoid anything with corn syrup, cane sugar, soy protein isolate or preservatives. Choose healthier options like Larabar, Macrobars or Cliff Bars.
  • Carrots and celery: If you feel like you need something extra healthy, choose baby carrots and celery sticks. All the need is a quick rinse and they are ready to go! True fast food!
Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, Living
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04
Nov

Healthy Eating on the Go!

DSC03490Whether you are naturally a busy person or find yourself caught up in the holiday rush, it's always important to find ways of healthy eating on the go. Eating healthful snacks can help us maintain balance and focus during a busy day, but having a healthful snack on hand means you are less likely to binge eat or choose fast foods, some of which might make you feel worse off later in the day!

The key to healthy eating on the go is finding a good balance of fats, fiber and proteins that will fulfill cravings but also keep your blood sugar steady and your belly fuller, longer. All of these snacks reflect this need: some veggies, some protein, some fiber and lots of flavor! Some of the following snack ideas take some prep time, but others are options to grab when you are REALLY pressed for time, like when you are grabbing food at the gas station! The good news is that with an increasing awareness of healthy eating, mainstream stores are catching on; heck, even 7-11 stores are giving themselves a makeover to include more healthy options!

If you have some time to prepare your foods:

  • Choose a whole-grain salad: salads like this Quinoa and Kale Salad has veggies and grains to keep you full and give you a boost of nutrition. Take leftover salad and leftover grains, add a dressing and call it good! I like to keep my lunches at room temperature, and as long as you don't leave it in a hot car, it should be fresh all day long!
  • Make hummus or salsa: simple homemade dips like hummus and salsa make great snacks when served with crackers or with fresh veggies. Hummus is especially good because it has both the fiber and fats to keep you full. Here's my favorite Caramelized Onion Hummus recipe.
  • Homemade energy bars: These are great snacks for those gotta-have-something-sweet moments. Made from a mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruits, they offer a sweet treat without the sugar crash. Great for late afternoons at the office and before or after working out. Try our Hemp Energy Bars recipe.
  • Leftovers! Even if you don't have time to reheat, leftovers can save the day when you are crashing from hunger. Bring your own containers and keep with you in the car or at your desk so that you can nibble as needed.

If you have no time to prepare:

  • Nuts and Seeds: Whether you choose almonds, walnuts, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, these little treats can be a lifesaver when it comes to hunger. Though they are high in fat, they also offer protein and fiber, which means they digest slower. A handful should help hold you until your next meal. You can even find these at gas stations, but be sure to read the labels and look out for icky ingredients.
  • Dried fruits: Dried fruits can be a good little snacks and be super important if you need something sweet. But be careful not to eat too much as they are concentrated sugars. A better choice is to pair dried fruits with some nuts or seeds to balance it out.
  • Crackers: Whole grain crackers are a good choice for on-the-go snacking because they are crunchy, salty and have some of that all-important fiber. Choose crackers with whole grains (not bleached flour) as the first ingredient. Some of the best are Mary's Gone Crackers (gluten-free) and Ryvita, which are loaded with healthy whole grains.
  • Kale chips: One of my favorite travel and snack foods, packaged kale chips are so mega delicious you will forget you are eating your veggies! Made from a mix of nuts, nutritional yeast and spices, kale chips offer a massive dose of vitamins, minerals, fiber and flavor!
  • Raw food bars: If you don't have time to make your own, choose healthy snack bars with minimal ingredients. Avoid anything with corn syrup, cane sugar, soy protein isolate or preservatives. Choose healthier options like Larabar, Macrobars or Cliff Bars.
  • Carrots and celery: If you feel like you need something extra healthy, choose baby carrots and celery sticks. All the need is a quick rinse and they are ready to go! True fast food!
Posted:   |   Categories: Food+Drink, healthy tips, Living
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