health vegetarian recipes

Restaurant Highlight – Rasoterra In Barcelona, Spain

04:41 Happy Cow veggie blog 

No veggie burger, no pizza and no wraps? What do you offer then? Rasoterra isnt a typical vegetarian restaurant, this is precisely why it has deserved the title of best vegetarian restaurant in Barcelona. Dont expect to find veggie burgers, burritos or salad bowls. You will only get creativity and art in the form of healthy dishes. Surprising compositions made of the best local ingredients–that is their leitmotiv. They approach a plant-based cuisine with the eyes of a real gourmet and the skills of a master chef. As a gastronomic bistro, their mission is to reinvent the vegetarian and vegan cuisine and prove to the world that this cuisine is everything but boring. They want to be part of the local Slow Food chapter and that is why the kitchen uses organic, local and seasonal products with which they continuously reinvent their menu. Tucked away in the historical Gotico district of Barcelona, Rasoterra is a high end restaurant that provides a unique experience to its visitors. Decorated with taste, the relaxed light-filled dining room combines contemporary arts with natural materials and little details brought back from here or there that makes the atmosphere cozy and welcoming. Chiara, Daniele and Guillem […] The post Restaurant Highlight – Rasoterra In Barcelona, Spain appeared first on The Veggie Blog.

Kick Off Climate Week NYC with Meatless Monday

yesterday 06:00 Meatless Monday 

Climate Week NYC, (led by The Climate Group ) takes place this year from September 23-29. The summit is held alongside the UN General Assembly and brings together international leaders from business, government and civil society to showcase global climate action and to discuss solutions. While complex issues are being discussed, there is a simple action we can all take to have a big impact: participate in Eat for Climate Week. Eat for Climate Week seeks to raise awareness of the climate benefits of shifting to a more plant-based diet, as well as highlighting how delicious plant-based foods are. Start the week off with Meatless Monday on September 23rd and keep your climate-friendly eating going all week long. If you happen to be in NYC during Climate Week you can attend summit events and show your support for Eating for Climate Week  by eating at one of the participating restaurants  showcasing delicious and climate-friendly dishes. This week-long restaurant campaign is in partnership with Meatless Monday and the Food and Climate Alliance. Another great option for Meatless Monday on September 23 during Climate Week NYC is to stop by Cinnamon Snails  food truck and try their delicious and FREE plant-based samples made with plant-based Gardein products. Keep an eye out on @veganlunchtruck  on Twitter to see its location status. Cant make it to New York? Dont worry, you can still support the event and fight climate change by going Meatless Monday at home or in your office. If you dont already observe Meatless Monday , what better week to start? If you already go meet-free once a week, then how about going meatless for all of climate week? Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. To find out more, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , or Instagram . The post Kick Off Climate Week NYC with Meatless Monday appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Mushroom Tofu Scramble

September 9 2019 Meatless Monday 

Mushrooms and onions are seasoned with Indian spices and sautéed with crumbled tofu. This quick breakfast scramble is easily edited to incorporate whatever veggies you have in the fridge. This recipe comes to us from Amy of Mmmunch On This. Want more meatless recipes like this? Subscribe to our newsletter  for a weekly selection of plant-based recipes delivered right to your inbox! Serves 4 - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1 onion, chopped - 2 cups mushrooms, sliced - 2 pounds firm tofu, drained and crumbled - 1 teaspoon ground coriander - 1/­­2 teaspoon paprika - 1/­­2 teaspoon chili powder - 1 tablespoon ground cumin - 1 tablespoon ground turmeric - 1/­­4 teaspoon salt - black pepper, to taste - 1/­­2 of cup nutritional yeast* *optional. Found in health food stores. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan and cook 5-7 minutes, or until softened. Add the crumbed tofu to the sauté pan. Season tofu mushroom mixture with coriander, paprika, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper to taste. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle scramble with nutritional yeast, serve and enjoy! The post Mushroom Tofu Scramble appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Meet the Winner of the 2019 Meatless Monday Rapid Fire Challenge

September 9 2019 Meatless Monday 

On Monday, August 26, three finalists competed to be crowned the Western Foodservice Show Meatless Monday Rapid Fire Champion. Finalists were chosen from a pool of chefs who submitted original meatless recipes and videos. Chef Karla Flores-Ybaceta, last years Rapid Fire champion, returned to compete this year and reclaimed her title. The competition was judged by a panel of experts including (from left to right) Jenny Ross, Executive Chef, Tribest & Consulting Chef, Jenny Ross Living Foods; Seizan Dreux Ellis, Executive Chef, Café Gratitude; Leslie Durso, Vegan Chef and Wellness Expert; and Dana Smith, Campaign Director, Meatless Monday. The three competing finalists were: Jodi Taffel, The Fabulous Bacon Babe Mark Angelo Crisostomo, Chef Karla Flores-Ybaceta, Executive Chef, Mikhuna Authentic Peruvian Cuisine   Chefs had 20 minutes to prepare their dishes while discussing the ingredients, flavors, and health benefits. Each chef prepared their favorite meatless dish for the panel of judges. Jodi Taffel, The Fabulous Bacon Babe, prepared her Lentil Empanadas , a favorite among her catering clients. Jodi Taffel’s Lentil Empanadas Chef Mark Angelo Crisostomo served a Beet Salad with Chopped Endive and Arugula . Mark Angelo Crisostomo’s Beet Salad But the dish that made the judges lick their plates clean was from Chef Karla, who also won last years bacon-themed competition. Her Quinoa Tamales  are a variation of the popular dish and a favorite from her food truck and catering business Mikhuna Authentic Peruvian Cuisine. She serves them with sarza criolla, a Peruvian sauce of marinated onions and tops them with her famous Aji Verde, a Peruvian green hot sauce, which she is planning to start bottling. Karla Flores-Ybaceta’s Winning Quinoa Tamales After receiving a duo Associates of Science Degree in both Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry from Long Beach City College, Chef Karla studied at LEcole Lenotre in Paris, where she received a Grande Diplome in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry. Before starting her own business, she served as an Executive Chef, training with Master Chef Romain Bertain, as well as a Private Chef for Her Royal Highness Princess Rima Al Saud and the Royal Family of Saudi Arabia. Congratulations! Try all the chefs’ recipes this Meatless Monday and let us know how they came out on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter . The post Meet the Winner of the 2019 Meatless Monday Rapid Fire Challenge appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Celebrate Family Meals Month by Making Meatless Monday a Family Affair

September 2 2019 Meatless Monday 

Getting your whole family to join you for Meatless Monday is wonderful, but sometimes kids may not be eager to try new fruits and vegetables or experiment with new foods. However, if they are involved in cooking, research shows that kids are more likely to try foods. The Kids Cook Monday , another Monday Campaigns initiative, encourages families to set aside Monday nights for cooking and eating together as a family. The Kids Cook Monday website provides family-friendly recipes, perfect for Meatless Monday, as well as a free downloadable e-cookbook, The Family Dinner Date Cookbook . Each recipe features a fun format that divides cooking tasks into those kids can do by themselves, those they can do together with an adult, and tasks adults should handle. When kids pitch in making meals, theyre proud of their accomplishment and excited to eat the food theyve helped to make.  Cooking together also provides a natural time for discussing the impact that food choices have on our bodies and the environment.  The more educated kids are about food, the more open theyll be to healthy, sustainable food choices. Theres no better time to make Meatless Monday a family activity than September, which is Family Meals Month. Family Meals Month is a nationwide event aimed at supporting families in enjoying more meals together. The best part is the time youll be spending together preparing the meals. The time you share chatting as you cook together becomes even more important as they reach adolescence and move into those tricky teenage years. The family that cooks together, eats together. Families eating together leads to positive things. Research from Columbia Universitys National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse suggests that kids who eat family dinners get better grades in school, develop better communication skills, and are less likely to try drugs.  In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics found that kids who ate dinner with their family regularly were less likely to be obese. Meatless Monday can improve personal health and the health of the planet.  Sharing it with your kids by cooking and eating together may also help improve the health of your family. Learn more about how to cook with your family in the upcoming Kids Cook Monday Twitter chat for Family Meals Month on September 9 from 2-3 PM EST. Follow @KidsCookMonday and #KidsCookFamilyMeals on Twitter to join in! Learn more at KidsCookMonday.org . If you cook a meatless meal with your family, wed love to see us. Tag us @MeatlessMonday and @KidsCookMonday on social media. The post Celebrate Family Meals Month by Making Meatless Monday a Family Affair appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Lemon Rice with Vegetables

August 26 2019 VegKitchen 

If youre bored of regular rice and curry meal, this variation is a must try. Lemon-flavored rice with vegetables is a good way of taking less carbs and more healthy vegetables. Just add this rice and your choice of pickles or chutney for a complete meal. The post Lemon Rice with Vegetables appeared first on VegKitchen.

aate ki chakli recipe | wheat chakli recipe | gehu ke aate ki chakli

August 21 2019 hebbar's kitchen 

aate ki chakli recipe | wheat chakli recipe | gehu ke aate ki chakli with step by step photo and video recipe. chakli or murukku recipes a have been one of the favourite festival snack across india. traditionally it is made with rice flour and urad dal combination, but lately there has been myriad variations to this simple recipe. one such healthy and easy variation is the aate ki chakli or wheat chakli known for its crispness and tasty. The post aate ki chakli recipe | wheat chakli recipe | gehu ke aate ki chakli appeared first on Hebbar's Kitchen.

aate ki pinni recipe | atta pinni recipe | aate ke ladoo | aate ka laddu

August 16 2019 hebbar's kitchen 

aate ki pinni recipe | atta pinni recipe | aate ke ladoo | aate ka laddu with step by step photo and video recipe. laddu recipes or ladoo sweet is generic dessert from the indian cuisine. there many ways and many types of laddu made with different ingredients and combination of ingredients. each ladoo makes it a unique and tasty laddu which is made different occasions. one such simple and tasty laddu recipe is aate ki pinni knwon for its healthy aspects. The post aate ki pinni recipe | atta pinni recipe | aate ke ladoo | aate ka laddu appeared first on Hebbar's Kitchen.

Chia Green Super Smoothie

August 12 2019 VegKitchen 

Green smoothies are all the rage, and are that much better with the addition of chia seeds. They are a great way to get a bold dose of veggies, fiber, and nutrients in a healthy, convenient, low-calorie way. Recipe and photo from Chia: The post Chia Green Super Smoothie appeared first on VegKitchen.

Chia Almond Delight

August 5 2019 VegKitchen 

This slightly sweet, creamy drink made of chia seeds, almond milk, and almond butter is perfect to round out breakfast, but it also makes a great snack or a healthy dessert after dinner. The recipe is versatile--have fun customizing it by using different milks, nut butters, and even fruits. Recipe adapted from Chia: The post Chia Almond Delight appeared first on VegKitchen.

Chocolate Popsicles

August 3 2019 Oh My Veggies 

This Chocolate Popsicle recipe provides a way to make fudge popsicles a little healthier. This version uses banana and avocado, which makes the popsicles creamy and adds a dose of vitamins.    

To Honor International Day of Friendship, Let’s Celebrate Those Coming Together to Reduce Meat Consumption

July 29 2019 Meatless Monday 

July 30th is International Day of Friendship . To celebrate the occasion, were highlighting how our meatless friends, global partners and businesses around the world are working together to reduce the amount of meat we eat. From schools bringing millions of Meatless Monday meals to students to fast food restaurants launching plant-based items, people and business from all walks of life are making sustainable meatless options more mainstream. Please feel free to share any examples below with your friends and followers. Global Meatless Monday partners came together for the NYC Climate March Meatless Monday in Cities and Countries Cities are increasingly including meat reduction initiatives in their health and climate policies. The citizens and leaders of Ghent Belgium worked together to declare a weekly meatless day in 2009, and were seeing more and more cities get on board: Sacramento, CA: Sacramento adopted Meatless Monday in 2016. The citys Golden 1 Center (home court for the Sacramento Kings) joined the initiative and launched Meatless Monday in 2019. Taiwan: Green Monday founder David Yeung, along with Mary McCartney (Sir Paul McCartneys daughter), recently attended the launch of Green Monday in Taiwan . France: Thousands united to sign a petition called Lundi Vert , or Green Monday, which has unified 500 public figures and calls on consumers to avoid eating meat and fish every Monday. Israel: Israels Miki Haimovich, who launched Meatless Monday in her country in 2012 , recently became one of the 29 women to become a Knesset staff member .   Students celebrate the announcement that all NYC public schools will go Meatless Monday Meatless Monday in Schools Student activists, parents, city officials and school boards around the world are working together to launch Meatless Monday school programs. S?o Paulo, Brazil implemented Meatless Monday lunches for 1.1 million students. A school in Bulacan, Philippines has been a pioneer in promoting Meatless Monday for almost a decade. Meanwhile, in England, more than 100 primary schools introduced a Meat-Free Monday program and will offer meat-free meal options every day of the week. By the start of the 2019-2020 school year, all New York City public schools will serve Meatless Monday lunches, reaching 1.1 million students every week.   Quick service chain, Del Taco launched plant-based menu items using Beyond Meat(R) and markets to customers for Meatless Monday. Photo: Del Taco Businesses Joining the Plant-based Movement Meatless products are crowding both supermarket aisles and restaurant menus , and consumers are grateful. Beyond Meat recently went public, while mega meat company Tyson launched its own meatless “chicken” nuggets earlier this summer. Tesco, the largest supermarket chain in the United Kingdom, officially moved its vegan products to the meat aisle. Fast food chains are also doing their part: Burger King now offers a meatless Whopper. Red Robin added the Impossible Burger to its menu. Del Taco now serves meatless Beyond Meat options across all 580 of its stores. Qdoba announced that Impossible meat will be served at its restaurants nationwide. McDonalds is now selling a vegan burger in Germany.     This International Day of Friendship, recruit your friends and family to join you in cutting out meat one day a week to benefit their health and help the planet. Celebrate together with a friendly meatless meal, and check out our recipe gallery for new plant-based inspiration. The post To Honor International Day of Friendship, Let’s Celebrate Those Coming Together to Reduce Meat Consumption appeared first on Meatless Monday.

sprout salad recipe | how to make moong bean sprout salad – weight loss

July 16 2019 hebbar's kitchen 

sprout salad recipe | moong bean sprout salad | mixed sprouts salad with step by step photo and video recipe. salad recipes are generally served for purpose which is either weight loss or with dietary requirements. obviously these recipes are not a popular choice and are consumed with an intention. however there are some salad recipes which are pure fun to consume and moong bean sprout salad recipe and is tasty and healthy. The post sprout salad recipe | how to make moong bean sprout salad – weight loss appeared first on Hebbar's Kitchen.

Green Vegetable Pad Thai

July 10 2019 VegKitchen 

Serve this healthy Pad Thai with a mix of green vegetables and edamame. Save Print Green Vegetable Pad Thai Serves: 2   Ingredients 7 oz rice noodles 1 tbsp olive oil 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 onion, chopped 2 cups spinach 1/­­2 cup edamame Sauce 1/­­2 cup water 2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp hot sauce 3 tbsp tamari sauce 1 tsp garlic powder Instructions Chop the vegetables and bring a large pot of water to a boil for the rice noodles. The post Green Vegetable Pad Thai appeared first on VegKitchen.

Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal (Vegan)

September 5 2019 Vegan Richa 

Vegan Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal! 7 Ingredient Warm Spiced Banana Baked Oatmeal for breakfast or snack. Refined Oil-free. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Recipe. Can be nut-free.  Jump to Recipe You all know how I dislike mushy oatmeal. I’ve started making baked oatmeal instead, as the texture is much more pleasing, the flavors much more vibrant and it can be served warm or cold! This Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal is almost a healthy banana bread with all the good stuff. Serve it with whipped coconut cream or vegan butter and some maple. Use very ripe bananas for the best result. This lightly sweet Banana oatmeal is perfect to make on any day. It takes 10 mins to put together and just 7 ingredients, and has no added Oil! You can add in dried fruit, seeds and nuts of choice. You can also make it ahead, mix and keep overnight and bake in the morning for a Warm Banana bread-y spiced delicious oatmeal!Continue reading: Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal (Vegan)The post Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal (Vegan) appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Sauteed Cauliflower

September 1 2019 Manjula's kitchen 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Print Sautéed Cauliflower Sautéed cauliflower is a simple and delicious side dish. This is my favorite way to serve cauliflower because its simple, quick, and delicious. Course Side Dish Cuisine Indian Keyword Bhoona Phool Gobhi, Gluten Free, Healthy, Homemade, No Onion Garlic, Phool Gobhi, Quick And Easy, Sattvic, Side Dish, Vegetarian Servings 3 people Ingredients4 cup Cauliflower cut into florets 1 1/­­2 Tbsp Oil 1/­­2 tsp Cumin seeds 3 Tbsp Yogurt 1 tsp Salt 1/­­8 tsp Black pepper 1/­­2 tsp Sugar 1 tsp Ginger juice 1 Tbsp Green chili finely chopped 1 Tbsp Cilantro finely chopped For Garnishing1 Tbsp sliced almonds few thin slices red bell pepper InstructionsIn a bowl mix the yogurt, salt, black pepper, sugar, ginger juice (shred the ginger using fine shredded and squirgreen chili, and cilantro, mix it well and keep aside. Boil cauliflower in a large pot, boil them until cauliflower crisp and tender; drain well. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. When oil is moderately hot add cumin seeds after seeds crack add cauliflowers Sauté’ the cauliflower and cook a few minutes, stirring, until it becomes lightly golden brown in color. Turn off the heat and add the yogurt mix and mix it well. Add the spice mix just before serving. Sprinkle with almonds and sliced red bell pepper The post Sauteed Cauliflower appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

Does Your Back-to-School List Include Meatless Monday?

August 26 2019 Meatless Monday 

Its back to school time. For many students that means back to Meatless Monday time, because more and more schools are observing Meatless Monday. Students and schools around the country want to take action to fight climate change and address health issues. Meatless Monday is a simple and effective way for students, parents and administrators to develop long-term healthy eating habits that also address the environmental issues associated with meat consumption. Its What Students Want One of the largest foodservice companies in the country, Whitsons Culinary Group, launched a Meatless Monday initiative after being prompted by student surveys requesting more vegetarian and vegan menu options. They now offer meatless, plant-based options in all 95 school districts they service in the Northeast. New York City serves over 1.1 million Meatless Monday meals every week to students in all five boroughs. The program was initiated by student demand and proved by a successful pilot program in Brooklyn that quickly expanded to include all schools.   Bring Meatless Monday To Your School If your childs school doesnt take part in Meatless Monday, you can help them get started with free and easy to use resources from Meatless Monday. Check out our K-12 resource page for everything you need to begin the conversation with administrators and kick-off a successful Meatless Monday school program. Additional Meatless Monday K-12 Resources: o Research on the health and environmental benefits of choosing plant-based foods instead of meat o Implementation guides for starting Meatless Monday in school cafeterias o Marketing materials that can be used to promote Meatless Monday onsite or through social media o Downloadable K-12 cookbooks o Sign up for weekly newsletters with Meatless Monday recipes and news o Sign-up to become a Meatless Monday Ambassador for more K-12 tips and resources Do you lead a school or manage a school district? Schools looking to implement Meatless Monday programs can consult with our team, which includes experts from the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future . Contact us  for additional information or to learn how to implement a program at your school. Already have a great Meatless Monday program going at your school? Keep us posted on all of your great work! Email us at: info@meatlessmonday.com Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. To find out more, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , or Instagram . The post Does Your Back-to-School List Include Meatless Monday? appeared first on Meatless Monday.

6 Tasty Ways to Celebrate National Potato Day and Meatless Monday

August 19 2019 Meatless Monday 

August 19th, is National Potato Day and this year it falls on a Monday, which gives you the perfect opportunity to start your week off with a meatless meal. Many people think the only way to eat potatoes are sliced, fried and stuffed into a foil bag. If youre one of these people, youre missing out on wonderful potatoes recipes that are much healthier and tastier. This week, to celebrate National Potato Day, we are featuring our favorite potato recipes which are simple to make and extremely tasty. Potato, Beet and Lentil Salad from Triad to Wellness Sweet Potato and Lentil Mason Jar Salad from USA Pulses Potato and Spinach Tacos from Mexican Made Meatless Thai Potato Ginger Curry from Vegan Miss Adventures in the Kitchen Roasted Potatoes with Orange Couscous from Veggie Num Num Stuffed Potatoes Primavera from The Healthy Cooking Blog   Want more recipe inspiration? Weve got tons of plant-based recipes to keep you cooking all summer long. Check them out here. Let us know which recipes are your favorites by tagging @MeatlessMonday in your plant-based cooking posts! #MeatlessMonday Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. To find out more, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram! The post 6 Tasty Ways to Celebrate National Potato Day and Meatless Monday appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Strawberry Rhubarb Hemp Breakfast Bites

August 15 2019 My New Roots 

This post is a long time coming! And Im so excited to finally be sharing my bedroom with you all. Weve now been in our home for a year and a bit, and although its (still!) not complete, were enjoying working on the finishing details here and there. Honestly, I dont think we will ever be done, and that is okay. This entire experience has made me way more patient, realistic, and Ive learned to set my expectations super low on every project so that instead of being disappointed, Im often positively surprised! We moved with just boxes, zero furniture, and essentially had to start over in that department. That meant a new bed, a new mattress and all new linens, since we decided to make the jump from a queen size mattress to a king (literally one of the best life decisions, ever). My husband and I are both DIY-ers, and serious thrift store shoppers, and we knew that we wanted to build a bed ourselves, then find the rest of bedroom furniture second-hand. The one place where we knew we wanted to really take our time considering was a mattress and the bedding. If you read this blog, you probably care about your health to some degree. Like me, you may prioritize buying organic produce, splurge on environmentally-conscious clothing, and look to sustainable skincare and beauty products. But have you ever thought about your bedroom environment? We spend a third of our life in bed (at least we should), so its just as important to consider the things that we interact with in our homes, not just what goes in and on our bodies. In fact, the greatest exposure to chemicals you can have in a day, could be while youre sleeping. When I started looking into buying a mattress, I found the options were totally overwhelming. And with so many retailers moving to online platforms and selling directly to consumers, prices have been slashed considerably, and the deals are tempting. Mattresses are one of those things that seem pretty innocuous, and maybe even a place to save a few bucks. But dig a little deeper and youll see that the thing you spend so much time on, is not the thing you should spending less money on, as youll be paying for cheaper materials with your health. Modern, conventional mattresses are made with a laundry list of harmful substances that can be affecting you and your family. One of the most offensive ingredients found in conventional mattresses is memory foam made from polyurethane; a highly flammable, petroleum-based material. Polyurethane foam emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea, and can also damage the liver, kidneys and central nervous system, according to the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Un-ironically referred to as solid gasoline, polyurethane foam is typically wrapped in or treated with fire retardant chemicals to meet the Federal and State flammability standards in the US, otherwise it would be totally unsafe. Which brings me to the second thing to watch out for in mattresses, and that is chemical fire-retardants (CFRs). These are compounds added to the materials in a mattress to protect you, and they are an inexpensive way to meet safety standards. The issue is that CFRs do not fully bind to materials, and are released into the air through the mattress, then build up in the body causing some people lifelong health issues.   Formaldehyde, antimony, boric acid, and halogenated flame retardants are some of the most damaging CFRs found in modern mattresses, and the frustrating thing is that companies are not required to disclose which ones they are using. Unless a mattress company is explicitly eliminating these chemicals from their production and using a natural material alternative, they are likely using one of the harmful chemicals listed above. I looked at a number of organic /­­ natural mattress companies in my research, and the one that stood out to me was Naturepedic. They are made with certified organic cotton, wool, and latex. For heavy-duty support without any health or allergy concerns, Naturepedic only uses the highest quality innersprings available made from recycled steel.. , and steel, with Naturepedic ensured  the purity of every material used, along with fair labour practices. I reached out to Naturepedic, to see if they would be open to me trying a mattress out and blogging about it. They agreed, and sent me their EOS  (Ergonomic Organic Sleep) mattress that allows for fully customized layers for finding the exact right amount of firmness (you can even choose different support styles from your sleep partner, or swap out the layers down the line in case your preferences change). Id never heard of anything like that before, and though it was so brilliant! I went to the showroom in Toronto to try out the mattress in person, which was very helpful, but you can also just order online if you know what kind of consistency you like. The mattress components were delivered to my door, and it was easy to assemble, as everything gets zipped into a giant, certified organic cotton casing. After spending the last twelve months on this bed, I can confirm that its been the best year of sleep in my entire life (even post-child, haha!). Besides the fact that I love going to bed knowing that I am breathing completely clean air, and that the materials that went into the mattress were made with a deep commitment to protecting the environment, its simply the most supportive and comfortable mattress Ive ever tried. Period. I cannot recommend this mattress enough! The other thing to consider when outfitting your bedroom is the bedding itself. Because we come into direct, skin-to-product contact with these textiles, its essential to choose something non-toxic. Most bedding on the market is made with cotton, one of the most chemical-laden crops grown. According to Pesticide Action Network North America, Conventionally grown cotton uses more insecticides than any other single crop and epitomizes the worst effects of chemically dependent agriculture. Each year cotton producers around the world use nearly $2.6 billion worth of pesticides -- more than 10 per cent of the worlds pesticides and nearly 25 per cent of the worlds insecticides. If youre going to sleep in cotton, choose organic whenever you can. Linen is a great alternative material because it is a much lower impact material on the environment, and requires very little intervention to be grown. Coyuchi is a brand recommended to me by my dear friend Elenore, who has the highest standards I know of Coyuchis textile line is not only 100% organic, but also consciously processed, meaning that they use low-impact dyes for colour that is kind to the planet and our sensitive skin. Coyuchi offered to send me some bedding to try out and I was instantly obsessed. Their textiles are beyond delicious, super soft, and incredibly comfortable. For a duvet cover, I chose the Crystal Cove pattern in white. I loved this choice since its reversible - a textured weave that looks cozy in the winter, and a crinkled cotton underside, which I like to face up in the summer. I also love their Topanga Matelasse blanket, shown here in warm stripe, which is also reversible (super convenient if you want to change up the look of your bedding with a quick flip!). For winter, their Cloud Brushed flannel sheets are super luxurious, and especially enjoyable its very hard to find organic flannel! Words cannot describe the feeling of slipping into these on a chilly night. The giant back pillows in the bed are also from Coyuchi, and are perfect if you have an open-frame bed without a headboard. I like to sit up and read in bed, and these pillows are firm enough to act as a headboard itself. When youre shopping for any kind of textile (bedding, furniture, or clothing), the most important mark to look for is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. GOTS is recognized as the world’s leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibers. It defines high-level environmental criteria along the entire organic textiles supply chain and requires compliance with social criteria as well. Unlike most textile and mattress companies, both Coyuchi and Naturepedic are GOTS certified and adhere to their strict standards for agriculture and labour. Okay, lets get to the recipe! I experimented with these breakfast bites for a long time. At first, I was blending up cashews to make flour, but that got expensive, and ultimately I wanted the recipe to be allergen-free (so the nuts had to go!). As an alternative, I opted for hemp seeds, which worked beautifully. Its easy to make your own hemp flour in a food processor in a few seconds. Ive been using it baked goods lately and love how moist and tender the results are! I used strawberries and rhubarb for these nuggets of joy, but since were moving into stone fruit season, Ill soon be switching it up and using peaches, plums, pluots, apricots, and cherries in their place. Any fruit will work as long as its not super moist (like melons). Raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries would be lovely here too. Simply use 1 cup of chopped fresh fruit in any combination that tickles your fancy. To change up the flavour even more, add orange zest, warm spices like cinnamon and cardamom, or even some cacao powder for a chocolate version. Yum! I really wanted to make a successful vegan version of these, so I tried using banana in place of the egg. The results were decent, but a little too moist. If I made these again, I would use the banana plus a tablespoon of ground flax seeds. If any of you do that, please let me know in the comments!     Print recipe     Strawberry Rhubarb Hemp Breakfast Bites Makes 12 Ingredients: 1 1/­­2 cups /­­ 215g hemp seeds 1/­­4 cup /­­ 35g arrowroot 1/­­4 tsp. flaky salt, plus more for garnish, if desired 1 tsp. baking powder 1 egg (or 1 ripe banana, mashed) 1/­­4 cup /­­ 60ml pure maple syrup 2 tsp. vanilla extract (or 1/­­2 tsp. vanilla powder) 1/­­2 cup /­­ 85g chopped strawberries 1/­­2 cup /­­ 60g chopped rhubarb (2-3 slim stalks) expeller-pressed coconut oil for greasing (or use muffin liners Directions: 1. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with coconut oil. Preheat oven to 350°F /­­ 175°C. 2. Wash the strawberries and rhubarb well. Slice the rhubarb into small discs, and cut the strawberries into small chunks. Reserve 3 strawberries for topping the breakfast bites, if desired (remove greens, then slice them top to bottom). Set fruit aside.  3. In a food processor, blend hemp seeds until theyre a fine powder (dont go too far or youll end up with hemp seed butter!). Add the arrowroot, salt and baking powder and pulse a few times to combine. 4. In a medium bowl, whisk the egg or banana, maple syrup, and vanilla extract together. Add the hemp seed flour blend, and stir to combine. Fold in the rhubarb and strawberries. 5.  Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the batter into each prepared muffin tin. If desired, place a slice of strawberry on top of each bite. Set in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, until lightly golden. 6. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. 7. Enjoy! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for five days. Aside from getting the chemicals out of your space, here are five other ways to improve the health of your bedroom, and your sleep! Add plants - having a couple of living things in your sleeping space keeps the air clean and fresh. Snake plants, areca palms, aloe vera and orchids are especially helpful, since they absorb CO2 at night, even when they are not photosynthesizing.  Consider airflow - keeping a window cracked at night is a good way to get some fresh air while you sleep. If its noisy outside, keep your window open during the day to ensure full air exchange, and close it right before bed. It’s very important to keep the air in your space fresh and moving. Salt rock lamps - these are said to purify the air by omitting negative ions. I cannot confirm this in any way, but I can confirm that the light they give off is incredibly soothing and helps me wind down at the end of the day. Overhead lighting is very stimulating (and let’s be honest, not overly sexy). Keep the devices out - dont work in bed, and avoid using your phone before snoozing. Blue light from screens inhibits our bodys ability to make melatonin, our sleep-wake hormone. If you choose to keep your phone in your room overnight, set it to airplane mode while you sleep so youre not exposing yourself to radiation from EMFs (Electromagnetic Field).  Beeswax candles - yes, its cozy to burn candles before bed, but paraffin candles pollute the air, full stop. Soy is a better alternative, but beeswax is my favourite since it actually helps purify the air by omitting negative ions, and removing dust and dander. Show me your Hemp Breakfast Bites on Instagram: #mnrbreakfastbites Special thanks to my dear friend Sara for taking these photos of me (and putting up with my awkwardness for at least two hours!). http:/­­/­­matandsara.com/­­ The post Strawberry Rhubarb Hemp Breakfast Bites appeared first on My New Roots.

Vegan Cookie Dough Bites

August 5 2019 Vegan Richa 

7 Ingredient Vegan Cookie Dough Bites! these chocolate chip cookie dough balls have no grain, gluten and no added oil. Can be made without the sugar. Vegan Paleo Gluten-free Grain-free Recipe.   Jump to Recipe Its summer, long days, that means longer times outside. And between all the activity, we need fun snacks that taste like cookie dough (right!) and are energy bites as well. These nutty fudgy balls are just that. Full of all the good stuff, just a few ingredients and taste like healthy chocolate chip cookie dough! Cashews and coconut are processed to make a nice neutral base. Then dates, flavors are added in. and some chocolate chips of course! You can drizzle some melted chocolate on them for additional chocolate or roll in seeds.Continue reading: Vegan Cookie Dough BitesThe post Vegan Cookie Dough Bites appeared first on Vegan Richa.

Savory Fruit Recipes to Spice up Your Summer Meals

August 5 2019 Meatless Monday 

Grilled and savory fruit recipes are a great way to mix-up your summer menu with new flavors. Watermelon, peaches and pineapple are fantastic grilling options that are easy to make and add a delicious pop of sweet and smoky taste to a variety of dishes. Berries, mangoes and citrus fruits ramp up the style and flavor of any salad, grain bowl or soup. The possibilities are endless. Check out a few of our favorite savory summer fruit recipes that are packed with fresh and enticing tastes sure to impress your friends, family and dinner guests. Grilled Pineapple Watermelon Salad from Sweet Potato Soul   Grilled Watermelon Pineapple Teriyaki Burger from Beyond Meat   Strawberry Kale Salad with Almonds from Apples & Onions Apple Basil Paninis from the Verdant Life Mango Chayote Sunflower Seed Salad from Sprouts in the Hood Sunrise Citrus Salad from Healthy Happy Life Pineapple Ginger Tofu over Edamame from The Pink Apron Curried Red Quinoa and Peach Salad from Oldways Want more recipe inspiration? Weve got tons of plant-based recipes to keep you cooking all summer long. Check them out here . Let us know which recipes are your favorites by tagging @MeatlessMonday in your plant-based cooking posts! #MeatlessMonday Meatless Monday is a global movement, followed by millions, with a simple message: one day a week, cut out meat for personal health and the health of the planet. To find out more, follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , or Instagram ! The post Savory Fruit Recipes to Spice up Your Summer Meals appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Restaurant Review: Paradise Food In Budva, Montenegro

July 31 2019 Happy Cow veggie blog 

I was a little concerned as to how easy it would be to follow a vegan diet on holiday in Montenergo, after hearing from those who had been that it wasnt particularly vegan friendly. I anticipated living off bread (unbuttered) and potatoes for the week. I was however pleasantly surprised with being able to order tomato based pasta dishes, vegetable stew, roasted veggies, pizza with vegan cheese and dairy free ice cream. It got even better when we arrived in the coastal town Budva, where we were spending our last few days. I was in paradise when we found Montenegros only vegan cafe. Literally paradise; Paradise Food is a pay by weight plant based café and health food shop. Whilst I was elated to discover this gem, and to eat in a place that is making efforts to reduce food waste, I did feel a wave of panic. As someone who doesn’t shy away from filling their plate, I have spent a small fortune at pay by weight restaurants in London. I neednt have worried this was by far the cheapest and most delicious meal we ate on holiday! The eat in and take out, lunch/­­dinner, menu boasts a cuisine […] The post Restaurant Review: Paradise Food In Budva, Montenegro appeared first on The Veggie Blog.

Kale and Spinach Smoothie

July 29 2019 Manjula's kitchen 

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Print Spinach Kale Smoothie (Healthy Drink with Yogurt) Kale and spinach smoothie, is a healthy way to start your day! This is a delicious and refreshing drink. This is a great way my Dadi showed me to get my greens in for the day! Its tastes better than I was expecting! It tastes good! Keyword Besan Cheela, Healthy Breakfast, Quick And Easy,, Breakfast, Carrot Halwa, Gajrela, Dessert, Gluten Free, Delicasy,, Chhaachh, Cucumber, Detox Smoothie, Gluten Free, Green Buttermilk, Green Smoothie, Healthy, Kale Buttermilk, Spicy Chhaach, Yogurt Smoothie Servings 4 people Ingredients1 cup kale chopped, and remove all the stems 1 cup spinach chopped, and remove all the stems 1/­­2 cup cucumber cut into small pieces 1/­­2 cup yogurt 1/­­2 tsp salt 1 tsp sugar Pinch black pepper 1/­­2 cup water US Customary – Metric InstructionsBoil the kale in 2 cups of water over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the spinach. Keep the spinach in hot water for one minute. Strain the water and put the kale and spinach leaves in ice cold water for 3-4 minutes. Remove the kale and spinach from the cold water. Blend all the ingredients together, kale, spinach, cucumber, yogurt, water, salt, sugar and black pepper on high speed in a blender until it is very smooth. Add more water to your taste. Pour kale and spinach smoothie over ice and serve! The post Kale and Spinach Smoothie appeared first on Manjula's Kitchen.

Open-Faced Peppers

July 15 2019 Meatless Monday 

A play on traditional stuffed peppers, these Open-Faced Peppers get a protein boost from beans and quinoa (instead of ground beef). Plus, theyre colorful on a plate and easy to complement with just about any side dish. Try them with a side of jicama salad! This recipe comes to us from OMD: The Simple, Plant-Based Program to Save Your Health, Save Your Waistline, and Save the Planet , by Suzy Amis Cameron. Want more meatless recipes like this? Subscribe to our newsletter  for a weekly selection of plant-based recipes delivered right to your inbox! Serves 4 - 4 large bell peppers, your choice of color  - 1 tablespoon olive oil - 1/­­2 red onion, chopped   - 2 celery ribs, chopped - 1 teaspoon ground cumin - 1/­­2 teaspoon chili powder - 1/­­2 teaspoon salt - 1 cup cooked pinto beans, rinsed and drained - 1 cup frozen corn kernels, drained - 1 cup cooked quinoa - 1/­­2 cup chopped fresh cilantro - 1 cup shredded vegan cheese 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Arrange the bell peppers on the baking sheet and bake until they begin to so en, 20 minutes. Set aside to cool. 3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Cook until the onion begins to so en, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the beans, corn, quinoa, and cilantro. Turn on the heat and stir the bean mixture until thoroughly combined. Set aside. 4. Remove the peppers from the oven and let sit until just cool enough to handle; keep the oven on. Slice the peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove the stem and seeds. Return the pepper halves to the baking sheet, cut side up. Divide the quinoa filling evenly among them. Top evenly with the cheese, return the peppers to the oven, and bake until the cheese begins to brown, 15 minutes. The post Open-Faced Peppers appeared first on Meatless Monday.

Gluten Free Peach Crisp

July 8 2019 Meatless Monday 

This gluten free peach crisp is healthy enough to eat for breakfast, and delicious enough to enjoy for dessert! Youll love this easy peach crisp recipe with whole grain gluten free oats, omega-3 rich chia seeds, & ripe, juicy summer sweet peaches, plus a hint of ginger! This recipe comes to us courtesy of E.A. Stewart, the Spicy RD. Want more meatless recipes like this? Subscribe to our newsletter  for a weekly selection of plant-based recipes delivered right to your inbox! Ingredients: - 4 ripe peaches seed removed, and cut into cubes - 2 tablespoons chia seeds - 1 tablespoon tapioca flour* - 3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons pure maple syrup divided - 1/­­2 teaspoon ground ginger - 1/­­4 teaspoon salt divided - 3/­­4 cup gluten free oats* - 1/­­4 cup sorghum flour or rice flour* - 2 tablespoons melted virgin coconut oil - 2 cups yogurt i.e. Greek, coconut, almond, soy~optional for serving Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place 4 ramekins or oven proof custard cups on a baking dish. 2. Combine peaches, chia seeds, tapioca flour, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, ground ginger, and 1/­­8 teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. 3. Stir well to combine, and spoon mixture, divided equally, into ramekins/­­custard cups. 4. Rinse out and dry mixing bowl. Add oats, sorghum flour, coconut oil, remaining maple syrup {2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons}, and 1/­­8 teaspoon salt to bowl. Stir well to combine, then divide mixture equally into 4 servings, and sprinkle on top of peaches. 5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until oat mixture is light golden brown. Remove from oven, and allow to cool 5 minutes before serving. Top each crisp with 1/­­2 cup yogurt if desired. Recipe Notes: - Feel free to omit tapioca flour from peach mixture if desired. It helps thicken the peaches a little, but is not essential. - May use regular oats if not following a gluten-free diet - May substitute sorghum flour with rice flour. Or, use all-purpose flour if desired for a non-gluten free version. The post Gluten Free Peach Crisp appeared first on Meatless Monday.