I love organic blackberries but they are often so expensive that I usually wait until they are available at a lower price to really indulge in their juicy, sweet goodness in the delicious ways that I want to. Blackberries are one of my favorite fruits for good reasons--they are nutritional powerhouses. With their deep blue color, blackberries have one of the highest antioxidant levels of [...]
When I crave a light lunch or a quick snack, rice paper wraps are my go-to meal of choice. I love the fact that I can whip one of these up using whatever fresh veggies I have on hand in my kitchen or are available in my local farmer's market. Best of all, these wraps are so light and [...]
1. Garlic, Cashew, and Parsnip Soup. If you’re craving for a soup that’s sweet and savory, look no further. Packed with immune-boosting garlic and creamy cashews, this one’s guaranteed to fill you right up! Get the recipe right here 2. 5-Minute Savory Mushroom Soup. This healthy alternative to your normal cream of mushroom makes use of [...]
Many people are concerned about improving their health. Exercise plays a huge part in staying in shape and diet is massively important too. Rather than eating whole foods, people elect to juice their way to health. However, like starting a new exercise regimen, those who are beginner juicers are prone to make mistakes. Here are top tips [...]
One of my favorite pastimes is exploring my city on foot--armed with my FitBit--and finding new plant-based and vegan-friendly eateries to try out. In a city that is known for having a wealth of raw, vegan, plant-based and vegetarian-friendly dining establishments, cafes and juice bars, it is no surprise that I discovered a new gem today. While strolling down Park Avenue--an elegant residential street with [...]
When the weather is damp, gray and rainy, I often try to soothe my soul with a satisfying meal of vegan comfort food like this healthy and delicious kale, tofu and quinoa combo. Most of the ingredients are staples in my kitchen, so this is a quick and easy way to lift my spirits and nourish my [...]
Like many of you, I am a big fan of ginger, so this delightful, pungent root is the star ingredient in my groovy green ginger berry smoothie. Among its many health benefits, ginger contains a substance called 6-gingerol, which may have protective effects against cancer. In addition, ginger is loaded with nutrients and bio-active compounds that have powerful benefits for your body [...]
This Kale Kimchi Avocado Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette is one of my favorites due to the fact that I also add watercress, radishes and onion which really kicks it up a notch. Dressed simply with a toasted sesame oil vinaigrette, the resulting blend of zing and zest definitely delights the palate. But what really makes this salad sing is the [...]
I have been adding nutritious chia seeds to my smoothies for quite a while, but I hadn't really experimented with other creative ways to enjoy chia seeds until I tasted my first mouthwatering dish of berry chia seed pudding at a local organic cafe. The subtle yet sensational flavor blend of sweet, tangy and creamy satisfied my taste buds and made me [...]
Mornings are busy in our home, so the more we prepare breakfast foods ahead of time, the more efficient we can be, especially when we are in a rush. These make ahead, grab and go raw granola bars are perfect for breakfast or as an energy boost any time of the day. These crunchy yummy ingredients also make [...]
Like many of us, I am a chocolate lover! Chocolate sweets and treats are typically associated with Valentine's Day but once I discovered the taste and benefits of raw cacao powder, I prefer to make my own cacoa- powered delights. The flavor is amazing and so are the health benefits: Raw cacao powder contains more than 300 different [...]
It's time to pamper your sweetie for Valentine's Day or any day by making this delectable Sweet and Healthy Green Smoothie. Like many women I know, I have been trying hard to get my sweetie to increase his intake of fruits and vegetables for years. I will be the first to admit that it has been an [...]
I love to make, take and eat salads for lunch and even dinner almost everyday. That's why I like to assemble these easy, portable, colorful, mason jar salads. I shop for organic produce locally and seasonally, so the contents of my salads will vary according to what's available in my local markets. Cabbage and carrots add crunch and [...]
Sure, I love to eat bowls and bowls of healthy, hearty vegetable salads for the nutritional benefits--but I am sure you will agree that a fresh and tasty dressing makes a salad special. I make all kinds of salad dressings, depending upon what ingredients I have on hand in my kitchen. Most of my dressings include an organic, [...]
In my crunchy, colorful, organic plant-based kitchen, healthy, hearty salads are an everyday occurrence. A fresh, flavorful, multi-textured salad made with seasonal ingredients is my idea of comfort food. That's why I love this Cranberry Pear Walnut Avocado Spinach Salad. Imagine savoring each mouthful of pear, walnuts, cranberry, red onion, tomatoes, avocado and spinach with a creamy tahini dressing. The sweet and [...]
I love to make my own nut and seed milks, so when I learned about the numerous and significant health and nutritional benefits of sesame seeds, I decided to make my own sesame seed milk at home. Why sesame seed milk? Well, let's take a quick look at some of the benefits... For a are rich in [...]
After my glass of warm water with lemon, two stimulating mugs of green tea are must-haves for me each morning. Green tea gives me just the kick I need to kickstart my day--especially because I am not a natural "morning person"--although I am still working on that! In fact, it's always on my list of New Year Resolutions--year [...]
After a solid two months of holiday parties and vacations, my body was begging me for a break. A big one! Large, chewy, nutritious salads have always been my go-to food for a flavorful and filling way to treat my body right! I love to mix a variety colors, tastes and textures to create a healthy [...]
After nearly two months of holiday parties, dinners, celebrations and vacations--including a two week cruise and a week in the Bahamas--my body was craving a major change. So I am kicking off the New Year with at least a month of lighter foods including fresh, organic juices, smoothies and salads with minimal oil and salt. I have a glass [...]
Happy Holidays! I am so glad to celebrate the season with you! Welcome to the Special Holiday Edition of the “Healthy, Happy, Green & Natural Party” Blog Hop! This “blog hop party” is a positive place where you can find and share loads of healthy and delicious holiday goodies, gifts and “good stuff“ that will help [...]
When I am in a rush--but in the mood for a hearty, healthy and satisfying vegan meal--visions of ramen noodles dance through my head. So I was delighted to receive a sample of Lotus Foods' Gluten-free Wakame & Brown Rice Ramen. Lotus Foods’ earth-friendly motto and mission: “Healthier Rice for a Healthier Life” resonates with me. I believe [...]
Do you love to shop for healthy, yummy vegan/plant-based products? Do you find new and interesting vegan foods, seasonings, supplements and other products that your friends might benefit from? Then, welcome to the MidWeek Munchies Vegan Shopping Link Up! Basically we’re inviting you to share some of your favorite vegan shopping finds and grocery [...]
It feels like "raspberry fest" in my kitchen this week because those juicy red organic berries are finally priced at the lower than usual price of $3.99 in my local natural foods store. For weeks, I haunted the berry section, browsing the prices of the organic raspberries. I watched them go from a high of $8.99 for a [...]
When I was growing up in a little house in the suburbs with a large backyard garden, my assigned chore was picking the greens my father so lovingly planted and tended. Most of the time, Dad planted mustard greens, turnip greens and collard greens. Sometimes they flourished and other times they did not. But every year some of the plants made it through the [...]
