Category: Guest Post

  • Get Ready for the Big Game with Wholly Veggie!

    Get Ready for the Big Game with Wholly Veggie!

    Get Ready for the Big Game with Wholly Veggie!

    If you’re on the hunt for delicious, plant-based snacks that even a non-plant-based eater would enjoy, we got you! Wholly Veggie’s snacks are the perfect addition to your foodie collection – especially for your full spread for Sunday’s big game 🏈 Check out their gluten-free, vegan goodies below – including a Cheeze Stick Caprese Salad recipe, too!

    Mozzarella Style Sticks

    Perfectly good veggies were rescued to create our crispy crust. It’s called upcycling. Your mouth tastes cheesy, gooey goodness, your body gets veggies. Your brain explodes.

    Buffalo Cauliflower Wings

    Full cauliflower florets, lightly coated in a crunchy panko crust. Our gluten free, panko coating gives our cauliflower a unique, crunchy bite. Paired with our outrageously popular Buffalo Sauce, our Buffalo Cauliflower is perfect as an after work or after school snack. Just bake n’ snack.

    Ranch Cauliflower Wings

    Full cauliflower florets, lightly coated in a crunchy panko crust. Our gluten free, panko coating gives our cauliflower a unique, crunchy bite. Paired with a plant based ranch sauce. Perfect for taco night or Sunday game day. Just bake n’ snack.

    Cheeze Stick Caprese

    This Caprese Salad made from Wholly Veggie's plant-based cheeze sticks is festive, fresh, and perfect for any party or holiday meal! Not only does this showstopper look great, it's super simple to make. 

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 box Wholly Veggie Mozzarella Style Sticks
    • 2 medium ripe tomatoes
    • 6 cherry tomatoes
    • 1 box fresh arugula
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
    • pinch salt, pepper
    • 2 tablespoons fresh basil

    Method
     

    1. Prepare wholly veggie's mozzarella style sticks according to package instructions (oven or air fry).
    2. Set marinara sauce pack aside.
    3. Slice 2 medium ripe tomatoes into thick pieces and cut a handful of cherry tomatoes in half.
    4. Toss fresh arugula with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and place on bottom of serving platter.
    5. Layer tomatoes and warm mozzarella sticks on top of arugula.
    6. Garnish with generous amounts of torn fresh basil.
    7. Serve marinara sauce along side for dipping.
    8. Enjoy!

    Stock up on your favorite plant-based Wholly Veggie snacks – on sale all February long!

    References:

    https://whollyveggie.com/products/mozzarella-style-sticks

    https://whollyveggie.com/products/ranch-cauliflower

    https://whollyveggie.com/products/buffalo-cauliflower

    https://whollyveggie.com/blogs/recipes/cheeze-stick-caprese

  • Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados

    Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados

    Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados


    Whether you’re hosting for the big game or just want to feed a crowd easily, this Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados recipe will make you the MVP! With healthy fats and protein, you’ll be satisfied long after the last whistle. Can’t find ready to eat buffalo chicken salad? You can always take your favorite chicken salad recipe and substitute some buffalo sauce for some of the mayonnaise. For an even easier hack, just stir in buffalo sauce to a prepared chicken salad. It is sure to be saucy and delicious! 

    Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados

    Ready for the big game? The first thing you may think of serving at half time is guacamole. Take it one step further with Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Avocados! It’s Keto. It’s easy. It’s delicious. Whether your team is winning or losing, this dish puts you on the winning team. 
    Servings: 4

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ripe avocados
    • 1 cup buffalo chicken salad
    • cup cheddar cheese shredded
    • 1 green onion sliced
    • ½ cup cilantro

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Cut avocados in half and discard pit. Place avocados in an oven-safe baking dish.
    2. Spoon chicken salad on top of avocado halves and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
    3. Bake for three to five minutes or until cheese has melted.
    4. Place avocados on a serving tray and garnish with green onion and cilantro.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Chocolate Sea Salt Mandarin Oranges

    Chocolate Sea Salt Mandarin Oranges

    Chocolate Sea Salt Mandarin Oranges


    Chocolate covered strawberries look impressive, but the flavors of chocolate and orange are a classic combination that shouldn’t be forgotten this time of year. With peak season citrus and a dash of flaky sea salt, these chocolate sea salt mandarin oranges will be bursting with juicy flavor. They’re super easy to make, and you’ll get credit for a homemade Valentine’s gift. You can turn to this recipe year-round whenever you want to impress or have an abundance of citrus on hand. 

    Chocolate Sea Salt Mandarin Oranges

    A Valentine’s mainstay is the chocolate covered strawberry, but we think seasonal citrus and just the right amount of flaky sea salt is an even better expression of your love.
    Servings: 3

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 mandarin oranges peeled and segmented
    • 2 ounces chocolate
    • 1 ½ teaspoons avocado oil
    • Flake sea salt

    Method
     

    1. Place chocolate and avocado oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 30 second intervals until melted, stirring frequently.
    2. Dip orange segments in melted chocolate and place on parchment paper.
    3. Sprinkle flake sea salt over chocolate and chill in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Jambalaya Stew

    Jambalaya Stew

    Jambalaya Stew


    Getting ready for Mardi Gras? This Jambalaya Stew should be in your meal plan. A nod to the classic jambalaya, it’s filled with sausage, shrimp, veggies, and plenty of herbs and spices. You’ll build so much flavor in under an hour, this could be a weeknight meal, especially if you’ve got some leftover rice in the fridge. The holy trinity of creole cooking, onion, celery, and green bell pepper, form the base of the dish, with dried herbs, premixed spice blends, and a bit of harissa paste adding flavor and spice. Laissez les bons temps rouler! 

    Jambalaya Stew

    Getting ready for Mardi Gras? This Jambalaya Stew should be in your meal plan. A nod to the classic jambalaya, it’s filled with sausage, shrimp, veggies, and plenty of herbs and spices. 
    Servings: 1

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 tablespoons olive oil
    • 8 ounces andouille sausage sliced
    • 1 pound peeled shrimp
    • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
    • 2 ribs celery chopped
    • 1 green bell pepper chopped
    • 4 garlic cloves minced
    • 1 quart chicken broth
    • 1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
    • 4 tablespoons harissa
    • 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
    • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 can kidney beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup cooked white rice

    Method
     

    1. In a large pot, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté sausage slices until browned. Remove from pan and set aside.
    2. In the same pan, add onion and sauté until translucent. Stir in celery and green bell pepper, sauté for three minutes then add garlic and cook for another minute.
    3. Stir in broth, tomatoes, harissa, Creole seasoning, paprika, thyme, and salt. Bring to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes. Add in peeled shrimp and cook until shrimp turns opaque, approximately three minutes.
    4. Add in kidney beans, cooked rice, and sausage. Heat through and adjust seasonings to taste.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Red foods for heart health

    Red foods for heart health

    Red foods for heart health

    3 antioxidant-rich and delectable recipes

    Red is a color commonly associated with passion and love, but red foods may have a direct effect on our heart health. The same pigments that give red foods their color, called anthocyanins, are also responsible for a host of health benefits, including reduction of inflammation in the body, and have been shown to help with heart health, playing a role in better cholesterol and triglyceride profiles.

    Tuna-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers with Romesco-Style Sauce

    When paired with a salad, this dish easily serves two as a main meal, but it will stretch to a few more as part of a tapas-style meal.

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 ounces can tuna rinsed and drained
    • ¼ cup parsley
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 11-12 piquillo or sweet red peppers (drained contents of 9 1/2 oz jar)
    • 2 tablespoons whole hazelnuts
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika
    • 1 garlic clove peeled
    • ½ teaspoon sherry vinegar
    • 2 teaspoon honey divided

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
    2. In small bowl, with fork, mix together tuna, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and black pepper. Set aside.
    3. Remove whole peppers from jar and set aside 6 to be stuffed. In bowl of food processor, place remaining peppers with hazelnuts, olive oil, paprika, garlic, sherry vinegar, and 1 tsp honey, and pulse to blend into a sauce. The texture will not be completely smooth.
    4. Add about 2 Tbsp of sauce to tuna mixture and stir through. Spoon remaining sauce into small baking dish to make a base for stuffed peppers.
    5. Stuff tuna mixture into 6 piquillo peppers and place them on top of the sauce in baking dish. Drizzle with remaining 1 tsp honey and bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
    6. Enjoy!

    Red Berry Salad

    Delicious, sweet berries and sharp red onion combine, with the help of some balsamic vinegar and a hint of basil, to make a classic salad.
    Servings: 2

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
    • 1 cup sliced strawberries
    • ½ cup whole raspberries
    • ¼ cup finely sliced basil
    • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
    • ½ teaspoon maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ red onion sliced
    • 5 cups baby mustard greens or arugula

    Method
     

    1. In large skillet, toast pumpkin seeds over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown. Pour onto plate to cool and set aside.
    2. In bowl, place berries, basil, vinegar, and maple syrup, and stir gently to coat. Set aside and allow to marinate for about 30 minutes. After time has elapsed, into large bowl, strain any liquid and add one or two raspberries, reserving the remainder.
    3. Mash the two raspberries in liquid in large bowl, add olive oil and salt, and whisk together. Add red onion and greens and toss to coat. Arrange on large platter, placing reserved marinated berries on top. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and serve.
    4. Enjoy!

    Spicy, Smoky Tomato-Braised Eggs

    This simple yet luxurious dish is based on a dish from the south of Spain, similar to a North African shakshuka. It’s a satisfying meal, equally at home on the dinner table as on the breakfast bar.
    Servings: 1

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 teaspoon + 1 tablespoon olive oil divided
    • 1 red bell pepper
    • 1 onion halved and sliced lengthwise
    • 1 teaspoon peeled crushed garlic
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon sweet smoked paprika
    • 28 ounces can whole tomatoes
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • ¼ teaspoon hot smoked paprika (optional)
    • 1 cup chopped red chard
    • 4 eggs
    • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley

    Method
     

    1. Turn oven broiler to high. Rub red pepper with 1 tsp olive oil and place in baking pan. Place pan under broiler. While watching carefully, turn pepper occasionally as each side blackens under the heat, about 10 minutes. When all sides of red pepper have been fully blackened, remove from oven and place in paper bag to cool.
    2. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil to 9 in cast iron skillet and saute onion on medium-low heat for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add garlic and red pepper flakes, and continue to cook for a further 5 minutes, until garlic is translucent. Add sweet smoked paprika and tomatoes to pan, stir thoroughly to incorporate, and allow to simmer on medium heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
    3. Once pepper is cool, peel and discard skin and seeds. Place flesh in food processor or blender and puree. Add pepper puree to tomato sauce with salt, honey, and, if desired, hot smoked paprika. Allow sauce to simmer for 15 minutes more. Add in red chard and mix through.
    4. Crack eggs into individual pinch bowls or glasses and set aside. Press the bowl of a soup ladle into sauce, and pour in an egg. Then tip contents slowly into tomato mixture. Repeat with remaining eggs, arranging them evenly over surface of skillet. For soft eggs, simmer for approximately 10 minutes, covering halfway through. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with a warm tortilla or a piece of crusty bread.
    5. Enjoy!

  • Inflammatory facts about heart health

    Inflammatory facts about heart health

    Inflammatory facts about heart health

    How inflammation affects cardiovascular disease

    When you think of inflammation, you might think of pain. But inflammation is a key contributor to a number of surprising conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Here’s how inflammation works, and what we can do about it.

    How inflammation works

    It is now known that inflammation plays an important role in cardiovascular disease. But how could inflammation be a cause of something that seems as uninflammatory as heart disease?

    According to naturopath and cardiologist Decker Weiss, NMD, FASA, inflammation plays both a general and a specific role. Generally, inflammation contributes to cardiovascular disease because inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and diabetes increase the risk of developing heart disease.

    Specifically, Weiss says, “… elevated insulin, elevated blood sugar, trans fats, and homocysteine irritate and inflame the endothelium, or the lining of our blood vessels, initiating the process of coronary artery disease.” So, inflammation can both initiate and accelerate heart disease.

    How nutritional heart helpers work

    Think of some of the ways garlic and dark chocolate can help your heart. Inflammation causes endothelial dysfunction, which leads to vascular disease and atherosclerosis.

    Garlic

    may help tamp down inflammation. So, supplementing with garlic could aid in improving endothelial function and vascular elasticity and, thus, play an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease.

    Dark chocolate

    may also help reduce inflammation, and it may also improve endothelial function, improving blood vessel function and dilation enough to seriously reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

    Diet, inflammation, and heart disease

    One of the most innovative studies on preventing heart disease started with two things we know—that inflammation causes heart disease and that diet causes inflammation—and asked whether diet could cause heart disease.

    The huge study found that diets that were higher in foods that cause inflammation were associated with a 38 percent higher risk of cardiovascular disease, 46 percent higher risk of coronary heart disease, and 28 percent higher risk of stroke.

    Inflammatory foods included red meat, processed meat, organ meat, refined carbohydrates, and sweetened beverages.

    Anti-inflammatory foods are heart healthy and include leafy green vegetables, dark yellow vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and tea.

    Supplements to consider

    Always check with your health care practitioner before trying out a new supplement. The following supplements have anti-inflammatory properties and may have a positive effect in preventing heart disease:

    • omega-3s
    • hawthorn
    • curcumin
    • ginkgo
    • olive leaf extract
    • pine bark extract
    • grapeseed extract
    • green tea
    • ginger
    • vitamins C and D
    • quercetin

    Foods for heart health

    FoodHeart-health benefitsNutrients
    soymay help significantly lower LDL (bad) cholesterolisoflavones
    nuts and seedsmay contribute to lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides and may help lower the risk of dying from cardiovascular diseasefiber; monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats
    extra-virgin olive oilcan help reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and improve cholesterolmonounsaturated fats; phenolic compounds
    flaxseedmay help lower blood pressureomega-3 EFAs; lignans

  • Put your heart into it

    Put your heart into it

    Put your heart into it

    How our emotions affect our well-being

    More and more is being understood about the ways our hearts, minds, and contexts are interconnected. How we feel affects our health, and so, too, does our environment.

    Reuniting thoughts, feelings, and health

    “I believe it is important for one to realize that our thoughts and emotions, which are heavily connected, can impact our hearts,” explains Ashlene Crichlow, registered provisional psychologist. Whether directly or indirectly, Crichlow says that our thoughts and feelings affect all areas of our lives.

    The health science of emotion

    But how do emotions affect our heart physically? Naturopathic doctor Caroline Meyer says that “when the heart is in a state of coherence, its rhythm regulates and blood pressure lowers. In states of anxiety, worry, and anger, the heart becomes dysregulated, putting excess strain on this organ.”

    How we feel influences disease prevention, injury recovery, and longevity, and the specifics of this increasingly integrative science are compelling. Our feelings, thoughts, and somatic experiences are woven together in an interlinking, intercommunicating network.

    Research shows that our mind-heart-body system affects our immune system and overall well-being. High positive emotions promote healthy BMI and blood pressure, whereas low positive emotions increase the risk of heart disease.

    Heavy, healthy emotions

    “Of course, we have all experienced grief, heartache, sadness, anger, and fear,” affirms Meyer. “These emotional states, although temporary, can create psychological patterns that persist,” she adds, and, in turn, we might need to shift our behavior. Meyer explains that it’s important to attend to difficult emotions, rather than try to push them away.

    Contexts of emotional well-being

    It’s crucial to remember that environment, upbringing, and culture play a significant role in how one sees and interacts with the world.

    Crichlow says, “When an individual has experienced adversity, disconnect, or trauma, they might have a more pessimistic viewpoint and struggle with cognitive distortions that could negatively impact their overall well-being.”

    A helping hand for the heart

    Meyer encourages each one of us to support our well-being by remaining open and curious in our moment-to-moment awareness.

    “This is the key to balance and to health,” she says. “I recommend to all of my patients to check in with their heart, their emotional center, several times per day. Ask ‘How am I feeling?’ and ‘What do I need in this moment, heart?’”

    Should our emotions overwhelm our hearts and minds, Crichlow emphasizes the importance of both carving out time for joyful habits and pastimes as well as connecting with a “trusted mental health professional who can work on things like boundaries, coping, and acceptance that can contribute to one’s level of life satisfaction.”

    Healthy outlets for emotional release

    • Get physical, and use active well-being to uplift mood.
    • Tap into positive stress, which is called “eustress.”
    • Heal your heart with humor.
    • Immerse in nature to support your mental health.
    • Give voice to your emotions through creative expression.
    • Connect with others who make you feel good.
    • Spend time reflecting upon purpose and meaning.
  • 4 healthy food pairs

    4 healthy food pairs

    4 healthy food pairs

    These food duos are happy couples

    Heart health is important to us all. So, too, is good food. Food and heart health make a natural couple. Here are some more happy couples: food duos that, together, provide heart-healthy dividends.

    There are certain foods that, instead of taking a solo adventure to improve our heart health, instead, seem to perform better when set free to mingle. This is called food synergy: where the benefits of two or more foods eaten together can be greater than the sum of their parts. When working in unison, these foods amplify their nutritional benefits.

    Spinach and avocado

    Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale are already nutritional heavy hitters, but if you really want to reap their rewards, make sure to fatten them up. Research shows that consuming foods such as kale, tomatoes, and carrots—good sources of carotenoid antioxidants including lycopene and beta carotene—with a dietary source of fat, such as avocado, can increase how much of these heart-friendly plant compounds we absorb.

    Turmeric and black pepper

    While turmeric is increasingly being studied for its heart-benefitting, lipid-lowering, and anti-inflammatory powers and a big reason why golden milk is trending, we don’t absorb its main bioactive compound, curcumin, into the bloodstream very well. The good news is that a chemical found in black pepper called piperine can greatly bolster our ability to take up curcumin. So, whenever you add the golden spice to curries, soups, sauces, and scrambled eggs, don’t forget to also include a few twists of the pepper grinder.

    Oats and berries

    Sure, a hunk of steak is a good source of iron, but you can also get the mineral from plant-based foods such as oats, beans, lentils, tofu, fortified cereals, and spinach. There’s a catch, though: only 2 to 20 percent of the iron found in plant foods, called non-heme iron, makes its way from your digestive tract into your blood. Mother Nature has provided an assist in the form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid)—present in edibles such as berries, bell pepper, tomatoes, broccoli, and citrus—which converts plant-based iron into a form that is more readily absorbed.

    Tea and lemon

    A recent study discovered that adults who consumed more green or black tea were, on average, more likely to have lower total and LDL (bad) cholesterol and higher HDL (good) cholesterol than those who didn’t consume tea. It might be that the potent antioxidants, including catechins, in green tea can improve your cholesterol profile. And it turns out you can make green tea even more of an antioxidant powerhouse by adding a squirt of lemon. Citrus juice can increase the amount of antioxidants in green tea that are available for the body to absorb by up to five-fold.

  • Find fitness joy

    Find fitness joy

    Find fitness joy

    You don’t need to choose function over fun

    By round of applause, who’s excited about their daily (or intended daily) workout? Crickets? But do you get excited about beach volleyball, pickleball, dancing, hiking …? Hobbies can be fun and physical!

    Fitness-life balance

    The buzzwords in today’s workplace include “work-life balance.” The phrase refers to the need for workers to have enough personal time outside of work so they are effective, engaged, and motivated workers while at work.

    The same balance is necessary for your workouts to be effective, when considering fitness and your life. In fact, the stakes are perhaps higher when it comes to your workout and fitness choices, because unfocused and disinterested workouts can result in injury.

    Find strength in sport and health in hobby

    It’s a commonly asked question: “What is the best exercise to keep you heathy?”

    Well, what do you think the answer is? CrossFit? Barre class? Yoga? High-intensity interval training? Low-impact steady-state training? The real answer is simple: the best exercise to keep you healthy is the exercise that you’ll actually do!

    There is a well-established and commonly understood connection between exercise and positive mental health. Less studied and understood is the significant positive correlation between positive mental health and exercise adherence. But, sure enough, it works both ways!

    This means that just as some people can spiral downward into negative mental and physical health, they can also lift themselves upward toward positive mental and physical health! The key is to find an activity that you enjoy doing and that still gives you bang for your buck.

    Healthiest hobbies

    Here’s a taste of some fun activities, caloric expenditure, and physical benefits (which, as we know, also carry mental health benefits).

    Gardening

    Gripping, bending, walking, lifting, stretching: gardening has it all, not to mention the mental benefits of taking care of plants, the mental exercise of planning over space and time, vitamin D, and fresh air. And you can burn a similar number of calories as you would at a fitness facility—“… there is a gym outside many a window,” as Sir Richard Thompson, past president of the Royal College of Physicians in London, UK, once said.

    Golf

    Depending on your sex, whether you walk or ride a golf cart, and how many holes you play (not to mention how many balls you have to go looking for), you can burn between 531 and 2,467 calories, on average, per 18 holes. Include hand-eye coordination, core strengthening, and “one-with-nature” benefits, and you’ve got one heck of a healthy hobby!

    Pickleball

    The average 65-year-old burns about 350 calories per 60-minute doubles match. Not only that, but cardiovascular conditioning, flexibility, and hand-eye coordination are all challenged in this most enjoyable tennis adaptation.

  • Celebrate National Oatmeal Month with MUSH Overnight Oats!

    Celebrate National Oatmeal Month with MUSH Overnight Oats!

    Celebrate National Oatmeal Month

    with MUSH Overnight Oats!

    Celebrate National Oatmeal Month with MUSH Overnight Oats! Did you know Americans buy more oats in January than any other month in the year? Thankfully with MUSH, you can take your energizing morning breakfast on-the-go, or add them with your favorite fruits and yogurt for a superfood yogurt bowl!

    So why should you eat their cold-soaked oats?

    Great question! Regular oats are coated by something called phytic acid – which acts as a nutrient block, preventing your body from absorbing all of the amazing nutrients found in oats (magnesium, zinc, iron, calcium, etc.). Soaking oats helps remove the phytic acid and allows for better digestion and nutrient absorption – and added bonus, they’re soaked in dairy-free milk so everyone can enjoy them!

    Looking for inspiration? Check out their Instagram account by clicking on the video below!

    Stock up on select flavors of their overnight oats before their sale ends January 31st, 2023!

    References:

    https://aultman.org/blog/healthy-living/national-oatmeal-month-health-gains-with-grains/#/

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cj8MpfpP478/