Category: Guest Post

  • Three Sisters Stew

    Three Sisters Stew

    Three Sisters Stew

    This three sisters stew is named after the indigenous agricultural practice of planting beans, corn, and squash together. Not only do these ingredients taste great together, but they also actually help one another grow! Corn stalks form a trellis that the beans can climb. Squash leaves help shade the soil and reduce evaporation, so the plants need less water. The beans deposit nitrogen back into the soil that the corn needs. It’s a wonderful system where each piece plays an important part to benefit the whole. This Three Sisters Stew is a warm bowl of simple veggie stew that is sure to keep you satisfied.

    Three Sisters Stew

    This Three Sisters stew is named after the indigenous agricultural practice of planting beans, corn, and squash together. Not only do these ingredients taste great together, they actually help one another grow! 
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    Servings: 5
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 tablespoons sunflower oil
    • 1 medium yellow onion chopped
    • 2 large garlic cloves minced
    • 4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
    • 1 ½ pounds winter squash cubed
    • 3 sprigs fresh savory or 1 teaspoon dried savory
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 pound russet potatoes peeled and cubed
    • ⅓ pound green beans cut into ½" pieces
    • 30 ounces hominy corn kernels drained
    • ¾ cup crushed tomatoes
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sea salt
    • 3 tablespoons minced parsley optional

    Method
     

    1. Heat oil in a 6-quart stockpot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent then add garlic and cook for a minute. 
    2. Add stock, winter squash, savory, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
    3. Add potatoes, green beans, hominy, tomato, and salt. Return soup to a simmer and cook until potatoes are tender.
    4. Remove savory sprigs if using and stir in parsley. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Honey Glazed Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner

    Honey Glazed Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner

    Honey Glazed Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner

    Thanks to Christine Waltermyer & The Natural Kitchen Cooking School!

    Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!

    Do you have a busy schedule? Are you looking for an easy, weeknight meal? Well thanks to Christine Waltermyer and The Natural Kitchen Cooking School, you can make your family a delicious honey glazed shrimp sheet pan dinner with this simple recipe!

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    Honey Glazed Shrimp Sheet Pan Dinner

    Course entree, Main Course
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 35 minutes
    Total Time 50 minutes
    Servings 2

    Equipment

    • 1 Medium bowl
    • 1 whisk
    • 1 jar
    • 1 large rimmed baking sheet

    Ingredients

    • ⅓ cup honey
    • ¼ cup coconut aminos
    • 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
    • Sea salt & white pepper to taste
    • 1 pound uncooked shrimp thawed if frozen, peeled & deveined
    • 2 cipollini onions (or 2 small yellow or red onions) sliced into onion rings
    • 4 ounces crimini mushrooms sliced in half
    • ½ medium sized celery root peeled and diced
    • 1 small turnip peeled and diced
    • 1 cup zucchini sliced into bite size pieces
    • 1 – 2 small patty pan squashes sliced
    • 1 cup winter squash (red kabocha, delicata, honeynut, butternut, etc.) diced
    • 1 – 2 tablespoons refined coconut oil (or melted ghee, tallow or olive oil)
    • Lemon wedges & chopped cilantro for garnish

    Instructions

    • Make the Marinade: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the honey, coconut aminos, ½ teaspoon of the onion powder and sea salt and white pepper to taste. You will use half of this marinade to marinate the shrimp. Save the other half for cooking the shrimp.
    • Marinate the Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a medium size glass bowl. Add 1/2 of the marinade and toss well to combine. Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes. To make the shrimp even more flavorful you can marinate them up to 8 hours, or overnight. Pour the rest of the marinade into a glass jar and refrigerate.
    • Preheat the oven to 375-degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
    • Season and roast the vegetables: Add the vegetables to the baking sheet and toss with the coconut oil. Season with the remaining onion powder and sea salt and white pepper to taste. Toss again. Arrange the vegetables in a single layer. Roast for 15 minutes. Remove the sheet pan from the oven. Flip the vegetables over. Return to oven and roast for 15 more minutes.
    • Add shrimp + bake: Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use a spatula or tongs to carefully move the vegetables over to one side to make room for the shrimp. Add the shrimp to the baking sheet. Discard the used marinade. Drizzle the shrimp with the remaining unused marinade in the jar. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and firm to the touch.
    • Serve the roasted vegetables and shrimp with lemon wedges and garnished with the cilantro. This goes well served over some fluffy cooked white rice.
    • Enjoy!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Chicken with Spiced Rice

    Chicken with Spiced Rice

    Chicken with Spiced Rice

    This Chicken with Spiced Rice is a simple, flavorful one pan dinner! You can practically set it and forget it. Check your pantry and freezer; you might have everything you need to make this for dinner tonight. If not, we’ve got everything you’ll need to be the dinner hero tonight. While it bakes, you can catch up on your favorite show, do a quick load of dishes, or whip up a quick lemon yogurt sauce that pairs perfectly. Serve with a simple green salad, and for a complete meal, bake a nice snacking cake alongside the chicken. You’ve already got the oven on, right? 

    Chicken with Spiced Rice

    This Chicken with Spiced Rice is a simple, flavorful one pan dinner! You can practically set it and forget it. Check your pantry and freezer, you might have everything you need to make this for dinner tonight.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 4
    Course: entree, Lunch
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon garam masala
    • 1 teaspoon turmeric divided
    • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
    • 2 tablespoons ghee
    • 1 small yellow onion diced
    • 1 cinnamon stick
    • 2 cardamom pods
    • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
    • 1 cup basmati rice
    • 1 cup cold water
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ⅓ cup frozen peas
    • Cilantro for garnish

    Method
     

    1. Place chicken, olive oil, garam masala, ¼ teaspoon turmeric, and salt in a bowl and toss to coat. Cover and marinate for four hours to overnight in the fridge.
    2. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Heat ghee in a 1.5-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, cinnamon stick, cardamon pods, and cumin seeds. Sauté until onions are translucent. Stir in garlic and ginger and cook for one minute.
    3. Add rice, water, ¾ teaspoon turmeric, and salt to pan and bring to a simmer. Submerge chicken and cover.
    4. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until water has been absorbed. Remove from oven, add peas and rest covered for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro if desired.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Cinnamon Apple Chunk Cake

    Cinnamon Apple Chunk Cake

    Cinnamon Apple Chunk Cake

    This fall, we’re all about celebrating the abundance of the season. First up, apples! Serve this Cinnamon Apple Chunk Cake as an indulgent breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a simply rustic dessert! No matter what, it will be delicious! You can switch up the type of apple you use but be sure to ask someone in produce what are the best baking varieties we have in now.

    Cinnamon Apple Chunk Cake

    Serve this Cinnamon Apple Chunk Cake as an indulgent breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a simply rustic dessert! No matter what, it will be delicious!
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    Servings: 5
    Course: Dessert
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Cake
    • 1 ½ cups flour
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup cane sugar
    • ½ cup almond oil
    • 2 eggs
    • 3 tablespoons buttermilk
    • 1 cup chopped apples
    Topping
    • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 1 tablespoon cane sugar
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 1-2 tablespoons milk

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease an 8-inch cast iron skillet and set aside.
    2. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and sea salt.
    3. In a medium bowl, combine sugar, oil, eggs until pale in color. Stir in buttermilk.
    4. Add dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Fold in chopped apple and pour batter into prepared cast iron skillet. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top of batter.
    5. Bake 40-45 minutes or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean.
    6. Stir together powdered sugar and milk until smooth and drizzle over cooled cake.
    7. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Festive Popcorn Balls

    Festive Popcorn Balls

    Festive Popcorn Balls

    Festive Popcorn Balls are in your future! Trading in crispy rice for popcorn gives you a cross between kettle corn and a marshmallow crispy treat. Roll the popcorn balls in colorful candies for a festive seasonal flair. Perfect for enticing kitchen amateurs into the mix, you can even melt the marshmallow and butter mixture in the microwave if you want to keep your stovetop free. Just combine the ingredients in a large microwave save bowl and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring thoroughly, until the mixture is just melted and combined. 

    Festive Popcorn Balls

    Trading in crispy rice for popcorn gives you a cross between kettle corn and a marshmallow crispy treat. Roll the popcorn balls in colorful candies for a festive seasonal flair. Perfect for enticing kitchen amateurs into the mix. 
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    Servings: 6
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 8 cups plain popcorn
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 10 ounces small marshmallows
    • ½ cup white chocolate covered pretzels rough chop
    • ½ cup peanut butter pieces

    Method
     

    1. Place peanut butter candy pieces and chopped pretzels on a baking sheet and set aside.
    2. Heat marshmallows, butter, and vanilla in a large pot over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth and creamy
    3. Fold in popcorn to coat evenly. Form mixture into balls about the size of a baseball and roll in candy.
    4. Place on a parchment lined tray until set, approximately 30 minutes.
    5. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Cherry Oatmeal Bakes

    Cherry Oatmeal Bakes

    Cherry Oatmeal Bakes

    Make these cute Cherry Oatmeal Bakes for individual portions of a delicious and nutritious hot breakfast! The juices keep things flavorful and moist. Eat together or people can grab theirs when they’ve stumbled out of bed.

    Cherry Oatmeal Bakes

    Make these cute Cherry Oatmeal Bakes for individual portions of a delicious and nutritious hot breakfast! The juices keep things flavorful and moist. Eat together or people can grab theirs when they’ve stumbled out of bed.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 3
    Course: Breakfast
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • ¾ cup R.W. Knudsen Family Just Tart Cherry Juice
    • ¼ cup R.W. Knudsen Family Organic Apple Juice
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 large egg
    • ½ apple chopped
    • ½ cup dried tart cherries
    • 2 tablespoons butter melted
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Topping
    • ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
    • ⅓ cup sliced almonds
    • ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Milk if desired

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place six six-ounce custard cups in 13 x 9-inch baking pan.
    2. Combine oats, cinnamon, and salt in medium bowl. Stir in juices, milk, egg, apple, cherries, butter, and vanilla. Divide evenly into custard cups.
    3. Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over oat mixture. Cover pan with foil. Bake 20 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 20 minutes more or until centers are set and topping is golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool. Serve with milk, if desired.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

    Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

    Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

    It may be hard to find gluten- and grain-free doughnuts—why not make your own! These Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins will satisfy that craving without additives or unpronounceable ingredients.

    Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins

    It may be hard to find gluten- and grain-free doughnuts—why not make your own! These Mini Pumpkin Doughnut Muffins will satisfy that craving without additives or unpronounceable ingredients.
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    Servings: 3
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 large eggs
    • 2 tablespoons oil
    • ¾ cup water
    • 1 box Simple Mills Pumpkin Muffin & Bread Mix
    • ¼ cup coconut sugar
    • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

    Method
     

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray or lightly grease two mini muffin pans and set aside.
    2. Mix together wet ingredients.
    3. Slowly mix in Simple Mills Pumpkin Muffin & Bread Mix.
    4. Pour batter into muffin tins.
    5. Bake for 10 minutes, until the tops are domed and firm to the touch, and a tester comes out clean. Remove them from the oven and allow them to cool for five minutes in the pan before transferring to a wire cooling rack.
    6. While the muffins are cooling in the pan, whisk together the coconut sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl.
    7. As soon as the muffins are cool enough to handle, place each one in the cinnamon-sugar mixture, firmly rolling it around so that the cinnamon-sugar sticks. Gently toss it around a couple of times until the whole muffin is covered. Once covered, place each muffin back on the wire rack to finish cooling.
    8. Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

    Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

    Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

    With all the flavors of the fall, these Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season! Although we’d gladly open a can just for these cookies, if you’re already cooking with pumpkin puree, these cookies are the perfect way to use the last bit.

    Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies

    With all the flavors of the fall, these Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Cookies are the perfect way to celebrate the season! Although we’d gladly open a can just for these cookies, if you’re already cooking with pumpkin puree, these cookies are the perfect way to use the last bit.
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    Servings: 4
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup butter room temperature
    • ¾ cup sugar divided
    • ¼ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 egg yolk
    • ¼ cup Farmers Market Pumpkin Puree
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon divided
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
    • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder

    Method
     

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    2. In a medium size bowl, cream the butter, ½ cup sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla together.
    3. Add in the egg yolk and pumpkin puree and stir until combined.
    4. Sift in the flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Mix until a stiff batter forms.
    5. In a small bowl, toss together 1 teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ cup sugar for coating.
    6. Scoop out two tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball, toss into the sugar and cinnamon mixture, and place two inches apart on a cookie sheet.
    7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
    8. Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Tempeh Edamame Crunch Salad

    Tempeh Edamame Crunch Salad

    Tempeh Edamame Crunch Salad

    Tempeh is a savory and super versatile addition to your next dish. The nutty flavor and simple, clean ingredients pair perfectly with this crunchy edamame salad.

    Tempeh Edamame Crunch Salad

    Tempeh is a savory and super versatile addition to your next dish. The nutty flavor and simple, clean ingredients pair perfectly with this crunchy edamame salad.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 2
    Course: entree, Lunch
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • Olive oil
    • 1 package Lightlife Original Tempeh cut into triangles or strips
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • 4 cups kale leaves of choice washed and chopped
    • ½ cup edamame shelled and cooked
    • 1 avocado diced
    • 1 large beet steamed and peeled, sliced into ¼" pieces
    • ¼ cup slivered almonds
    • 4 tablespoons peanut vinaigrette

    Method
     

    1. Cook tempeh according to package directions until nicely browned. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while cooking.
    2. In a large bowl, add all ingredients and toss to combine. Serve immediately, enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • 5 health benefits of nostalgia

    5 health benefits of nostalgia

    5 health benefits of nostalgia

    Good for your mental health and emotional health

    A blast from the past could be a blast for your physical and psychological wellbeing. Nostalgia—reveling in the past and reminiscing about the good ol’ days—is about more than just daydreaming. Researchers say it’s also the foundation for your health and happiness.

    Cue sourdough bread-making during the pandemic, or digging into classic comfort food when you’ve had a rough workweek. The solace these things provide isn’t just your imagination. Psychologists and researchers have found that thinking fondly of the past, and embracing nostalgia, can bring these powerful health benefits to your life.

    1. Reduced stress and anxiety

    Studies analyzed nostalgic people who regularly think about positive past experiences, such as cheerful childhood memories. They found that nostalgia helps us to better cope with stressful situations.

    And it’s not just about using memories as a way to lighten life’s current burdens. Researchers also found that nostalgic individuals are more likely to take positive action during times of stress.

    2. Protection against loneliness

    Health researchers warn that loneliness is a health epidemic. A lack of healthy social connection is linked with numerous health problems, like increased heart disease and stroke risk.

    Several studies have found that nostalgic memories help combat the effects of loneliness. When you reminisce about times you’ve been with a friend or family member and felt their love and acceptance, it can make you feel more loved and socially connected in the present.

    3. Greater sense of life meaning and purpose

    A series of studies asked participants to think about their past goals and positive experiences, and reminisce about their old dreams for their future.

    Those who were most nostalgic had a greater sense of their life purpose and were better able to find meaning in their life’s circumstances.

    4. Improved self-confidence

    When life gets challenging, it’s easy to get stuck in cognitive distortions or mindset traps, like assuming the worst possible outcome will happen. These mindsets are a form of mental self-sabotage that stand in the way of you and your happiness.

    Nostalgia helps. People who reflect on times they’ve overcome a challenge, used a skill, proved themselves wrong, or done the impossible are better equipped to break through these negative mindset ruts.

    5. Healthier, happier aging

    Graduating from high school. Getting your first job. Falling in love and having children. Retiring. Much of your life’s journey is fragmented into these short chapters. And progressing through these chapters of change can be stressful, especially as you get older.

    Nostalgia helps you connect the dots, experience the fullness of your experiences, and move through life with improved psychological well-being and less stress. It’s also been shown to improve your idea of self-continuity—maintaining a sense of self as your world changes—and helping you to get comfortable with your own mortality.

    Article Provided by Alive Magazine