Eat

Recently, I had to rush one of my best friends to the hospital. The reason? Coconut oil. While coconut oil is a rare allergy, it's a dangerous one because it's in everything from hand soap to tropical drinks. While I personally adore coconut oil, and all coconut products, my friend's intense allergic reaction was an eye opener for me: Not everyone can enjoy the benefits of coconut oil. It made me wonder what alternative plant oils there are out there for non-coconut lovers, or people (like my friend) who are allergic.

If you haven't yet gotten your pumpkin on this season, this may be the recipe you've been waiting for! Who doesn't like mac and cheese on a chilly fall day – heck, who doesn't like mac and cheese any day of the week?!

Kale is a member of the species Brassica oleracea, which includes cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower and broccoli. It has been cultivated for more than 2000 years and though originally found wild in the Mediterranean region it is a cold climate tolerant plant. The term kale is derived from the Scottish word “kail” and the word was used in the 19^th Century, referring to dinner.

Who doesn’t love chili? On a cold winter’s eve, there is nothing more quintessential, filling the house full of rich aromas and setting the stage for a hearty meal. Every family has their own recipe passed down generation after generation, but why not try a new rendition of an old favorite? Maybe it will become the new staple. Super easy and quick to prepare, this homemade comfort food is perfect for the busy family on-the-go.

Hearty Vegetarian Chili

This caramel recipe is creamy, buttery and totally vegan! The possibilities are endless: you can dip apples in it for a chewy treat, eat small pieces of caramel on its own, or drizzle over your favorite dessert to make it that much sweeter. Whatever you use it for, this caramel is sure to please even the pickiest person in your household this holiday season.

Ingredients:

1 cup Vegan Butter

2 cups Sugar

2 cups Soy Milk

1 cup Light Corn Syrup

1 teaspoon Vanilla

Directions:

The bitter, woody taste of Red Reishi is filled with a history of longevity and well-being. Known as Lihn Zhi, it is an ancient Chinese herbal mushroom that has been praised for vitality. Considered to be the “mushroom of immortality,” reishi has a long history of medicinal uses. While the mushroom has been boiled and eaten in meals such as soups, it is most commonly found in the form of extracts, teas, and herbal supplements.

By the time I was old enough to care about diets, the “low-fat” concept was beyond just a fad. It was universally accepted that fat was the culprit of weight and health issues, and low- and no-fat options were ubiquitous in the grocery store.

We all know that composting is a good thing. But why is sending food scraps to the landfill a bad thing? Don’t they simply become compost there?

Food deserts are defined as areas that are devoid of fruit, vegetable, and fresh food options. They tend to be areas populated by poor and working-class families. According to the USDA, food deserts tend not to have enough grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or food providers for the demand. The problem of food deserts was so pervasive that First Lady Michelle Obama dedicated a lot of time to this topic through her Let’s Move initiative.

Tis the season for all things pumpkin. After trying some pumpkin-orange juice at a fancy-schmancy restaurant; I knew I had to try juicing this autumnal squash at home.