No Bake Brownies
Undercover health benefits like antioxidants, good omega fats, potassium, magnesium (and more) nutritionally rank this dessert as more of an energy bar than an “extra 20 minutes on the treadmill indulgence.” Best of all, five ingredients plus five minutes is all it takes to go from zero to brownie.
Is agave syrup good, bad, or just kinda tasty?
Agave recently has been under fire with negative backlash all across the health-food spectrum. But is agave really that bad? Can it be compared to high fructose corn syrup? Should we go out of our way to avoid it? Let’s take a look.
The “Dirty Dozen:” when eating organic matters most
Is it necessary to eat organic all the time? Well, ideally, yeah. (And in a perfect world the idea mixing chemicals and food would be absolutely egregious in the first place). However, if a tight wallet, lack of availability, or just unfamiliarity with the organic movement is an issue, chuck the idealism at the door and instead start out by taking on baby step #1: saying NO to the Dirty Dozen list – the worst of the worst non-organic offenders.
Foodie secrets to an allergy-free season
I like to adjust my diet during this time of year to help give my body some extra support as it goes to battle with the pollen. To do this, I strengthen the bodily systems most affected by allergies by using nutrient-rich foods. Here are some particularly good foods to emphasize…
Green Mango Smoothie
There’s something about this blend, with its thick frosty creamy mangos and sweetly inviting flavor that makes it more than “just a smoothie.” I make it a little extra thick, throw it into a bowl, and eat it with a spoon as a quasi-sherbet-like dessert.
Buckwheat Graham Crackers
Just think: kinda like a cookie, kinda like a biscuit, it’s always a good time for a graham cracker – am I wrong? This is definitely graham cracker recipe 2.0 (and also free of gluten and dairy)!
Organic Cleansing
Around this time, a lot of us may be considering a dietary cleanse of sorts — you know, to kinda to kick our new, better, and noticeably more awesome selves into high gear. Rather than taking a regimented approach, I prefer utilizing a style of cleansing I call “organic cleansing.”
Chef’s Notes: Goji Berries
Recently, I shot a few informational videos for Navitas Naturals to talk about the benefits of a few of their superfood products. The videos turned out pretty fun, and are a great 101 on how to use these “new” foods. Here’s one on goji berries.
Candy made from real stuff
The Greeks really have the candy thing down with their traditional Pasteli, which is essentially a chewy and crunchy treat usually made from just sesame seeds and honey. Such a simple combination, yet as sweetly comforting as it gets, with it’s pure whole food ingredients. In my version, I like to use yacon syrup (from the yacon root) instead of honey, as it lends a more sophisticated flavor alluding to molasses and hints of apple.
Turnips: The Forgotten Tuber
While the Santa Monica farmer’s market buzzed with Sunday morning action, as the turnips seemed destined to simply watch quietly. Three or four to a bundle, each bundle just a dollar a piece, I began to feel a little bad for the turnip, the way you watch an acquaintance fidget awkwardly alone at a party.