Archive for April, 2010
Honey Mustard Sauce
Chocolate Pudding Fruit Parfait
Fresh Pineapple Salsa
Fresh Pineapple Salsa is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
NYC Inhabitat Birthday Bash Review
NYC Inhabitat Birthday Bash Review is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
Magic Bullet Giveaway
Happy Monday everyone! This week I’m hosting a contest for a chance to win a Magic Bullet To-Go blender. See details for how to enter below. Also, check out Magic Bullet’s Facebook page.
Calling all health-conscious cooks: Magic Bullet wants to know what healthy smoothies you make with your Magic Bullet! If you think that you have the best healthy smoothie recipe, share your recipe with the blogosphere – you might just win a Bullet To Go!
To submit your entry to win a Magic Bullet To-Go blender:
Leave a comment on this post with your best healthy smoothie recipe. All entries must be submitted by Friday April 30, 2010 at 5pm EST. Winners will be chosen and announced the following week. If you win, I’ll need your name and address to give to the Magic Bullet so they can send you the blender. Good luck!
Magic Bullet Giveaway is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
Healthy Hydration for Spring/Summer
Wow, April is almost over and man does the time fly! Today was the most beautiful day in New York. Out on the streets it looked like there were parades going on everywhere…but in reality it was just gorgeous weather forcing every New Yorker to take to the streets.
I was happy to spend much of my day outdoors walking around. I went to the farmer’s market this morning, got a fresh vegetable juice for breakfast, went to dance class, had some brown rice/avocado/carrot sushi for lunch outside, hopped on a train downtown for a quick lecture by Alexandra Jamieson (author of Living Vegan for Dummies and The Great American Detox Diet), picked up a few groceries from Whole Foods, and then headed home. I’m pretty tired, but I had such a fun day.
When you’re spending your days outdoors it’s very important to stay hydrated. I know I plan to be outside a lot this Spring and Summer, so I’ll be carrying around my water canteen with me everywhere. In addition, I’ve found a new love for fresh coconut water.
Coconut water has natural electrolytes and contains potassium, magnesium, and a little sodium, so it’s a perfect alternative for other sports water drinks that usually contain high fructose corn syrup or other artificial sugars. One time I heard someone describe coconut water as nature’s gatorade. These days you can find 100% coconut water at any health food store and at many quick convenience stores too. Two popular brands you can look for are ONE and Zico. Keep your eye out for fresh coconut water at juice bars and some latin grocery stores too. To me it’s best when it’s made fresh that day.
Remember, keeping hydrated will give you beautiful skin and lots of energy. Plus, it’s important for healthy sexual function too. Betcha didn’t expect that one, did ya?
Wishing you a great rest of the weekend,
Laurel
Healthy Hydration for Spring/Summer is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
Happy Earth Day 2010!
Happy Earth Day everyone! To celebrate this day, I recommend going meatless for the day and/or eating some organic fruits and vegetables. It’s a quick and easy way to reduce your impact on Planet Earth. As for me, I’ve been on a vegan diet for this whole week. It’s a way to clean out my system and live a seriously eco-friendly lifestyle. Lots of fresh veggies and juicing going on in my crib! More details on my 7-day Slim Down Spring Detox e-book coming soon!
Here’s a few posts around the web to check out on this very special Earth Day:
- Kate’s Earth Day Trivia on Green Thinking Blog
- 7 Things You Can Do for Earth Day That Actually Matter on Huffington Post
- Get 25% of Tees for Change t-shirts using code EARTHDAY at checkout
- Coupons from Whole Foods (lots $1.00 off for some great products)
Happy Earth Day 2010! is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
Feel Better Veggie Bean Soup
I made an all veggie soup last week and it came out pretty good. I wasn’t in love with it (I thought I made it too spicy), but my boyfriend seems to think it’s super yummy, so I figured it was worth a share. I can tell you one thing, this soup is super nutritious and filling. Beans are full of complex carbohydrates and fiber, which means they give you long-term energy and satisfaction. This is also a great soup to make when you’re feeling sick. I was a little under the weather last week after returning from a trip to Florida where one of my friends got married. All these vegetables and fresh broth, coupled with lots of sleep, got me feeling better in no time.
Feel Better Veggie Bean Soup
1 pack of mixed beans (such as 10- or 12-bean soup)
1/2 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 carrots, peeled & chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 can tomato puree (reduced sodium)
3 poblano chili peppers, chopped
6 kale leaves, chopped
6 cups vegetable broth (reduced sodium)
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. fresh thyme
Salt & pepper
Soak the beans overnight in the refrigerator. Drain the beans and put them in a big soup pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 1 hour. When the beans are done, drain in a colander and set aside.
Heat olive oil in your soup pot over medium-low heat and add the onions, carrots, celery, chili peppers, garlic, thyme, and a little salt and pepper. Allow veggies to cook together for about 7-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the tomatoes, kale, bay leaves, and tomato puree and cook for another 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Puree about half of the beans in a food processor and then add them to your vegetables in the soup pot with the rest of the whole beans. Pour the vegetable broth on top and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20-30 minutes. Remove bay leaves and season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Tip 1: Try a dollup of organic sour cream on top or a sprinkle of parmesan cheese to boost the flavor. Tip 2: For even more flavor, you could make this soup in a slow cooker…in fact I am definitely making it in a slow cooker next time around.
Feel Better Veggie Bean Soup is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
Farmer’s Market – Union Square NYC
Last week I wrote a post on organic shopping and noted that farmer’s markets can be a great place to look for healthy organic and local foods. So, I decided to check out the Union Square Farmer’s Market in NYC on Saturday and took some pictures of my trip. Maybe these will inspire you to check out your local market this weekend!
Ya know, Spring is the perfect time of year to get into the farmer’s market habit. The weather is nice and the fresh fruits, vegetables, and flowers are to die for. I was glad I brought a limited amount of cash because I wanted to buy everything! Sigh, here’s what I brought home:
- Bag of shiitake mushrooms
- Jar of black raspberry jam (made of black raspberries, white grape juice, and lemon juice)
- Wheatgrass plant (to make healthy juices)
- Bag of locally-grown gala apples
- Cup of pear cider (drank it on the spot!)
I also saw lots of local and grass-fed beef and chicken eggs. Plus, the line for the two seafood tents was at least 15 people deep. I’m planning to visit some of the other markets in the city over the next couple of weeks, and I hope I can find some raw almonds for a decent price. I’ve been making so much almond milk lately and sadly didn’t find any nuts at the Union Square market. All in all, it was a fun trip and I was happy to spend the morning outdoors. BTW, that jam I bought is crazy good. I’ll be back for more.
Happy Monday everyone!
Farmer’s Market – Union Square NYC is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
Organic Shopping Tips
Organic foods are an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Replacing conventional produce, meat, and dairy with organic options can significantly reduce the amount of toxins you put in your body! I believe that organic foods are also more nutritious and delicious than their conventional counterparts, but that subject is up to debate if you look at the fancy research studies. For me, organic is a personal choice and preference. I try to support organic and local food producers whenever I can, and I focus my efforts on produce, meat, and dairy.
Shopping for organic foods can be a little confusing and even frustrating. I purchase organic items on a regular basis, along with conventional and local foods. For me, it’s about finding a balance between quality, price, and convenience. Here are my top tips to help you on your next organic shopping trip. Enjoy!
- Look for the USDA Certified Organic food label.
Food companies must meet strict criteria of organic practices before they can receive the organic seal of approval. Inspectors are regularly checking up on Certified Organic companies, so you can be pretty confident that those foods are truly organic. If you don’t see the seal, you have no way of knowing what’s going on behind the scenes. Organic fruits and vegetables contain a sticker with a 5-digit number beginning with a “9″. If the number begins with a “4″ or “3″, it is not organic.
- Don’t be fooled by the word “natural.”
Any food company can use the word “natural” on their food labels…they don’t have to practice organic farming or preparation methods. Unfortunately, the word “natural” is pretty useless when it comes to food labels, but it is very common on meat and dairy products. You are taking the company’s word for it, so if you like a product labeled “natural,” it’s best to do your research on the company before you purchase their products. - Visit the organic section FIRST.
When you go to the produce section, visit the organic fruits and veggies first and see if anything is on sale (same for the meat and dairy sections). You can also take mental note of the prices and quality of the organic items on display, so you can compare when you stroll through the conventional items. - Chat with local farmers.
Local farmers often practice organic methods, but may not have the funds to get the official USDA certification. Go to your local farmers markets on the weekends and don’t be afraid to ask the farmers about their production practices and whether they use fertilizers and pesticides. Local producers often have affordable and extremely fresh foods (they don’t have to travel far on trucks). - Plan special trips to health food stores or produce stands.
Even if your closest grocery store or market does not carry organic items, you can make a trip out to a health food store once a week or twice a month. Stock up on your favorite items while you’re there, and you can always freeze extra items when you get home. Check the paper for coupons and plan for the trip ahead of time. - Thin skin? Buy organic!
Fruits and veggies with the thinnest skins are most susceptible to toxins and pesticides (so you should buy organic whenever possible). Put the following items on a list in your purse, wallet, or on your refrigerator so you remember them: apples, berries, leafy greens, peaches, cherries, peppers, celery, grapes, pears, nectarines, carrots, and potatoes. - Don’t forget the frozen section.
The frozen foods section will likely have some of the most affordable organic foods at the store. Check for organic frozen berries and bags of vegetables. They are picked at their peak of freshness and frozen before they travel long distances to your grocery store. That means they are in top nutritional shape and will stay fresh until you’re ready to eat them.
Depending on your location, organic foods can be easy to find or very difficult to find. The good news is that the demand for organics is on the rise, so you’re bound to see more and more organic options coming your way.
If you have the ability, grow some of your own organic produce at home! Then you can really be sure you’re eating organic and local. Plus, it’s a great way to cut down on your grocery bills. I look forward to having a big garden someday! For now, I’ll enjoy all the fun markets and health food stores that Manhattan has to offer. 
Organic Shopping Tips is a post from: Laurel On Health Food
