When you trace the word "vegetable" to its roots, you find "active," "lively," "vigorous," and "strong."
Vegetables are in a class of their own, being one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.
It's not only healthy and smart to make them the star of your dish; it's delicious as well.
Read on to get information on everything from artichokes to winter squash. Plus, learn how to buy, store, and prepare your vegetables, as well as the nutritional benefits of each.
Fruits and vegetables are available at different times depending on where you live, but the following links can give you an idea of the produce that may be available from your farmer's market, the local grocer, or your CSA (Community Supported Agriculture organization).
Over-ripe bananas are perfect for banana bread. But they're also ideal for freezing to use in smoothies, shakes, and even ice cream.
Preparing them for the freezer is easy; remove the peel, cut the banana into 2-inch pieces, then place them in a quart-size freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible before sealing it to avoid freezer burn, then pop them into the freezer.
Use the frozen banana to flavor a smoothie, or make a delicious banana milkshake. You can even make banana ice cream using nothing but the frozen banana and your food processor! Try it. It's amazing!
Most of our recipes that contain wheat flour can be swapped out using the flours and methods referred to below. However, as with any recipe, tweaking it a bit to your liking is sometimes required. Play around with your recipes and have fun with them. Do not stress over them, ever. It's simply not allowed. =)
If a recipe calls for other ingredients that contain gluten, we leave it up to you to switch them out with a gluten-free product of your choice.
Cup4Cup is a gluten-free flour created by Chef Thomas Keller and can be used in the same proportion as an all-purpose flour in any recipe, cup for cup, hence the name; Cup4Cup.
Miso Paste is one of those superfoods that offer some of the same health benefits as pickles and kimchi.
Made from fermented soybeans; its flavor livens up dressings, sauces, stews, and soups, including the traditional Japanese Miso Soup. It's high in protein, vitamins, and minerals.
There are different types of miso, and various colors such as white, yellow, and red. Miso can also be made using brown rice and barley, and the flavors can be amazing.
The best way to find the one you like is to experiment.
Some people describe themselves as plant-based or "dietary vegans", while others take it all the way and are mindful of their every purchase.
If you fall into the second category then you probably know all too well that shopping for vegan clothing and accessories can be somewhat daunting with all that label reading, and it's discouraging to find that perfect item of clothing, only to discover it's made with animal skin, hair, fur, or feathers.
So, we've put together a list of some of our favorite vegan shops and brands to help make your shopping experience a little easier, and a lot more fun!
Now let's go shopping!
Spring has sprung, and there are a lot of things to do. So, let's get started!
One way to celebrate spring is by planting spring flowers. Having a vegetable garden or starting a community garden can be a rewarding experience as well. We highly recommend it!
It's also an excellent time to start your spring cleaning. Click here for a list of safe and natural products that can help to clean your home. Clean out those closets and drawers, and donate all of those unwanted items. Having less clutter around is a great way to clear the mind, as well as helping someone else!
Farmer's Markets are popping up everywhere. Now is a great time to take advantage of the fresh produce of local growers. Some great foods you can look forward to this season are artichokes, asparagus, and strawberries. To see what's in season in your area, just put in your zip code at Eat Well Guide dot org.
