It’s blueberry season and the fields are bursting with juicy berries! Make the most of them with this simple muffin recipe that will melt in your mouth. The applesauce both substitutes for eggs and acts as a natural sweetener, reducing the overall amount of sugar. With the chewy exterior, slightly tart flavor and incredibly moist insides, these muffins make the perfect summer snack.
Makes 12 Muffins
Recipe:
½ cup vegan butter
½ cup sugar
The Benefits of Coffee AND Tea:
Conversations about coffee and tea are often phrased in terms of either/or: are you a coffee person OR a tea person? There are amazing benefits to both of these tasty, refreshing, and comforting beverages – and we’re going to discuss both! You can always switch back and forth, or choose what sounds the best in the moment. Coffee and tea can provide some much needed energy and nutrients.
It’s summer, the season for the king of fruits. No, not the durian -- the mango! It’s sweet, juicy, golden-yellow goodness. I like to think of mangoes as an app for my sugar cravings; whatever kind of sweetness you need, there is a mango for that. If you like sweet with a little bit of tang, you can find one like that. If you like a creamy sweet, there are mangoes for that. If you feel like a sugar rush, you can certainly find one for that. If it’s savory you desire, mangoes make a delicious curry dish or chutney as a side order.
It’s officially berry season, which is why right now is the perfect time to make jam. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients equals a flavorful jam that you can eat right now or store for winter when berries are, well, not so fresh.
This activity is not only fun for the culinary adventurous, but also for the child in all of us that loves running through a field of berries and picking until our hands simply can’t anymore. Growing up in Kansas, I spent many summer days visiting berry-picking farms. And if you’re lucky enough to grow your own berries, then this activity is a no brainer.
It wouldn’t be summer without that quintessential summer fruit, watermelon! But it turns out, watermelon is good for more than just seed-spitting contests!
Probiotics are live microorganisms that serve as beneficial bacteria. They have been known to help enhance as well as protect your health. There are many different ways to eat probiotics, with yogurt being among the most popular of choices. But not everyone can, nor desires to eat yogurt all the time, and we could always use more plants in our diet! So, for those of you who want to know about a few plant-based foods that contain powerful probiotics, here are seven!
Just like many other daily activities, eating can be approached from a mindful perspective that enhances the experience. Here are 5 ways to eat more mindfully:
1. Tune in
Do you remember being told to wash your veggies before you ate them? Well, I’ll let you in on a dirty secret. If they are grown organically in uncontaminated soil free of harsh chemicals, you might not have to wash them before you feast. Why, you ask? Because eating a dirty diet could be beneficial. The dirt on your veggies may contain healthy soil-based bacteria, which is linked to easing digestive problems and regulating our immune systems.
Gardens everywhere will soon be overflowing with more zucchini squash than anyone knows what to do with . For something divinely different, try this recipe for zucchini and corn ambrosia. It’s quick and easy to make, and any reheated leftovers taste even better.
The only labor-intensive thing about this recipe is dicing the zucchini into tiny pieces, which is critical because it doesn’t work with large chunks. Otherwise there are a few substitutions or variations to consider, depending on personal preferences.
Stinging nettles anyone? I can recall the first time I was introduced to the concept of edible foraging. Picking nettles from the trail, we brought them back home and cooked them in our pasta. This idea was mind blowing.