February 17, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC If there was a condiment popularity contest, I’d put all bets on chipotle mayo. It has the perfect creamy texture, just the right amount of heat, and tastes great on everything from burgers to kale salads. While typical mayonnaise isn’t the healthiest option due to its high-calorie and high-fat nature, there’s a plant-based alternative that’s so healthy you can enjoy it every day. Tara Patel of My Vegetarian Family is a whiz at making nutritious plant-based recipes, and her vegan chipotle mayo is no exception. Instead of using a store-bought dairy- and egg-free mayo option as a base, she decided to prepare everything from scratch. Even so, she managed to create a mix that only requires a handful of ingredients and hardly any time. After soaking your cashews, you simply add them to a blender with your other ingredients: canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, freshly-squeezed lemon juice, salt, and water. That’s it. Then after a quick blend, you can use the chipotle mayo to add a major flavor bomb to all the dishes you eat on the regular. “My vegan chipotle mayo is the perfect plant-based alternative for dipping raw or air-fried veggies, layering into your favorite wrap, or when you simply need a guilt-free dip or dressing with a little kick to change things up,” she says. You can even use it as a salad dressing. Because you only need a little bit for your meals, you’ll have a big batch in the
Category: Vegetarians
This chef-approved grocery store hack will make weeknight cooking so. much. easier.
February 16, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfK9aDhqU_8] Cooking on weeknights isn’t always convenient. After a long day at work, it’s not always easy (or fun) to have to rush home, quickly prep your ingredients, cook the meal, and actually enjoy it in a reasonable amount of time. The so-called “joy of cooking” feels a little far-fetched when there are just so. many. steps. You’re not the only one who falls into this trap—even professional chefs deal with this feeling. On the premiere episode of Well+Good’s new show, Cook With Us, celebrity chef Dale Talde revealed that after a long day of cooking at his restaurant Goosefeather at the Tarrytown House Estate, he relies on shortcuts like pre-cut vegetables, frozen vegetables, and other tricks to get delicious food on the table fast. “As much integrity as I have in my cooking at home, any minute you can save to get food on a plate to either you or your family, it’s like so valuable,” Talde says. His go-to hack that blew the mind of Cook With Us judge Jessie Van Amburg: raiding your favorite supermarket salad bar (oh hey, Whole Foods!) for pre-cut vegetables and other ready-to-go ingredients when time is of the essence. “It’s using really nice salad bars as your mise en place,” he says. “They did all the work for you.” For example, if you hate cutting onions, or don’t feel like buying a whole thing of bean sprouts? Hit up the salad bar and fill
I’m a Sephora beauty director, and I just can’t hide how great these 4 concealers are
February 16, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC In the best of skin times and the worst of skin times, I have always, always swiped on a concealer. The beauty product is one of those that stands the tests of acne, aging, sleepless nights, and every reality in between. And when I talked to Sephora beauty director Jeffrey English, I learned that he, too, has a long and loving partnership with the best concealers. “I’ve always had a really strong relationship to concealer because I feel like—as a male, when you start getting into grooming and you really look into makeup—I think concealer is one of the first products that you grab for because you know you really want quick results, fast,” he says. Over his years as a makeup artist, English has narrowed down the five concealers that never (never!) leave his makeup kit. Curious about what they are? Sephora beauty director Jeffrey English names the 4 best concealers at Sephora 1. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $30 “I would be remiss not to talk about the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I think that that is the tried-and-true. It’s a Sephora favorite, and it’s really been living and breathing at the Sephora beauty studio,” says English. The formula’s velvety texture makes it stand out among the rest, and once it’s on, it dosen’t budge. “I like this particular product because it’s great for self-setting, so you don’t have to put any powder on top of it to kind of keep it in
10 delicious, plant-based Mexican recipes that go way beyond rice and beans
February 15, 2020 at 06:00PM by CWC Here in the States, beef, chicken, pork, and cheese are often staples of Mexican foods eaten at home and at restaurants. Think: tacos al pastor, chicken tinga, carnitas…yum. However, none of those foods really work anymore for people trying to shift to a more plant-based diet. But the truth is, traditional Mexican food is inherently plant-based, which makes the cuisine particularly suited for vegetarian and vegan eaters. Corn, avocado, tomatoes, beans, and rice are all core ingredients in most Mexican dishes. Besides being nutrient-rich, these ingredients are also sustainable and inexpensive, a triple win. All of this is to say: cooking up plant-based, Mexican food is easier than you think. Plus, depending on your interpretation of a plant-based diet (from eating a little meat and cheese to eating no animal products at all), there are tons of tasty dishes that will fit the bill. However, it can be hard to reimagine your favorite Mexican dishes sans meat without just defaulting to another meal of rice and beans. To give you some cooking inspiration, check out these 10 delicious vegetarian Mexican recipes. Whether you’re craving tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or another classic dish, you’re sure to find your new favorite go-to recipe here. Keep reading for some tasty vegetarian Mexican recipes to try at home: Photo: Minimalist Baker 1. Quinoa taco meat While there are some great alt-meat products out there, you can also make your own beef substitute at home using quinoa. As when making
How natural caffeine compares to synthetic caffeine, according to health experts
February 15, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC Almost everyone is familiar with the effects of caffeine from coffee, tea, and chocolate. While these natural caffeine sources are super well-known, synthetic caffeine, made from chemicals and added to some “energy-boosting” drinks, isn’t talked about as much. Curious about the difference? “Synthetic caffeine is produced from urea and chloroacetic acid while natural caffeine is extracted from plant products,” says Gabrielle McGrath, RD, the the in-house dietitian for Lexi’s Clean Living. Urea is a compound made of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen and is considered non-toxic by the Food and Drug Administration. However, if you’re vegan, it’s important to know that urea is typically sourced from animals. While the sourcing is different, nutrition expert Katie Boyd, MS, says at a chemical level, synthetic caffeine and natural caffeine are almost identical. Since they’re so similar at a structural level, you may be wondering why brands would even use synthetic caffeine in the first place. The major reason according to McGrath is that it’s cheaper. She adds that the most common places you’ll find synthetic caffeine are in sodas and energy drinks, and while synthetic caffeine itself may not be toxic, it’s often used alongside sugars and additives that are directly linked to poor health. Now the big question: Can your body tell the difference between the two? Both Boyd and McGrath say there’s one major difference in how the body responds: Synthetic caffeine is absorbed in the body quicker and can have more powerful effects.
This high-protein, dietitian-approved dinner is full of gut-healthy benefits
February 14, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC After-dinner hunger may sound like an oxymoron, but it’s definitely a Thing. Sometimes, no matter how delicious a meal tastes, it just isn’t all that filling. The major reason it happens: not enough protein. Healthy eating experts preach about the importance of a lot of different nutrients, but protein is definitely one of the biggies. Besides giving the body enough energy to literally keep it going, it also keeps you full. If your meal lacks protein, you can definitely count on being hungry later. “[I recommend] 50 grams of protein a day if you’re not very active, 75 grams if you’re moderately active, and 100 or more to put on muscle, nutritionist Lauren Slayton previously told Well+Good. It doesn’t require a steak dinner to get there, either. In fact, Kara Lydon, RD, aka The Foodie Dietitian’s go-to high-protein dinner is actually plant-based. Behold, her vegan chickpea burger recipe. “These burgers boast a variety of plant-based protein sources including legumes, grains, and seeds, making it a protein-packed veggie burger,” — Kara Lydon, RD One high-protein meal she loves is buffalo chickpea veggie burgers with vegan blue cheese dressing. “These burgers boast a variety of plant-based protein sources including legumes, grains, and seeds, making it a protein-packed veggie burger,” Lydon says. The ingredients list includes quinoa along with chickpeas, which means you’re getting a one-two punch of protein in these vegan chickpea burgers. “Although considered a grain, quinoa packs in eight grams of protein per
These matcha Rice Krispies Treats are perfect for Valentine’s—or any day
February 13, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC It’s not easy to improve upon the simple pleasures of a Rice Krispies Treat, but leave it to Well+Good Council member Candice Kumai to tweak the recipe into something even more delightful. Below, her version of the iconic dessert brings in coconut oil, matcha, and dark chocolate—and though it should go without saying, the results are delicious. These are perfect for Valentine’s Day and every day… and they’re ready in 15 minutes! I hope you’ll share this recipe with friends! Tag me on Instagram if you make them, because I’m dying to see them for Valentine’s and Galentine’s day! With love, Candice Matcha Rice Krispies Treats Yields 1 dozen squares Ingredients 4 Tbsp (1⁄4 cup) coconut oil (or butter, if you’re not vegan) 4 ½ cups mini marshmallows 6 ½ cups Rice Krispies cereal 2 tsp matcha powder (like Matcha Love by Ito En, my fave!) 1 cup melted dark chocolate chips, optional 1. Grease a 8×10 or 9×11 inch baking pan. 2. In a large pot, melt the coconut oil on medium heat. Using a spatula, gently fold in tiny marshmallows. Mix well to combine, then turn stove off. 3. Add in the Rice Krispies cereal and matcha. Mix until the cereal is completely coated with the marshmallow mixture. 4. Using a spatula, transfer mixture to the baking pan. Press firmly to set in pan. 5. Cool completely, then coat with melted chocolate if desired.
Find your new go-to easy, healthy sauce based on your favorite flavor profile
February 13, 2020 at 07:00PM by CWC There’s a reason why a tub of Ranch dressing or green goddess dressing sits at the heart of every party’s crudité platter. And can you even imagine the horror of serving stir-fry that wasn’t topped with soy or peanut sauce? The right sauce completely transforms a dish, whether it’s veggies, rice, or proteins like chicken and tofu. Life is too short for boring meals, but that doesn’t mean your inside fridge door should be more crowded than Sweetgreen at lunchtime. Really, all you need is one smart sauce that can do it all. That’s where Richard Rae, corporate executive chef at The Butcher’s Daughter, comes in. Many healthy eaters have been taught to avoid condiments as they are a sneaky source of hidden sugars and other additives, but Chef Rae’s easy sauce recipes prove that this doesn’t have to be the case. Here, he shares four easy sauce recipes (pick your go-to based on if you prefer something spicy, sour, salty, or sweet), all made with ingredients healthy eaters recognize and love. They can be used with *everything*: vegetables, grains, protein, on sandwiches…you name it. Your meals are about to get way more delicious. Keep reading for 4 healthy, easy sauce recipes you can use for literally everything Graphic: W+G Creative If you like it spicy: Charred jalapeño tahini sauce Chef tip: “Keep in mind, each jalapeño is different, so use with caution,” Chef Rae says. “I suggest adding one jalapeño and tasting the
8 healthy and delicious high-protein breakfast recipes *without* eggs
February 13, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Many high-protein breakfasts require cracking an egg or two. But there are many healthy high-protein vegan breakfast recipes that will load you up on the essential nutrient without having to rely on animal products. It might come as a surprise, but plant are an excellent source of protein. While eggs contain 6 grams each, tofu—which is commonly turned into an egg-like scramble for breakfast—contains 10 grams per 1/2 cup. Impressive, right? And that’s just one of the many options you have when it comes to making a high-protein vegan breakfast without a single egg. From hummus toast to quinoa breakfast cookies, start your day with these nutritious recipes. Our favorite high-protein vegan breakfast recipes Photo: Running on Real Food 1. Vegan breakfast skillet Between all the veggies, avocado, and plant-based sausage, this high-protein breakfast contains nearly 34 grams per serving. Photo: Minimalist Baker 2. Hummus toast Peanut butter is great, but nothing can top this hummus toast recipe when it comes to protein. Between the sprouted bread and spread—which contains hummus, hemp seeds, and sunflower seeds—you’re getting around 11 grams per slice. Photo: Choosing Chia 3. Vegan breakfast burrito This protein-packed breakfast burrito—which contains egg-y tofu scramble, sweet potatoes, avocado, and spinach—is nothing short of a win. Photo: Deliciously Ella 4. Banana pancakes Pancakes got a high-protein upgrade in this recipe that uses oats, ground almonds, almond milk, and chia seeds in the batter. Photo: Blissful Basil 5. Vegan Nutella granola These crispy
A to-do list app can power up your productivity—here are 9 worth downloading
February 13, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC When it comes to getting things done, there are many strategies worth trying in order to increase your productivity. But when, say, listening to music, ditching the multitasking, keeping your desk organized, and setting boundaries with your colleagues don’t seem to be cutting it any longer, it might be worth downloading a to-do list app to try. Because, while all of those aforementioned techniques can be helpful, the most effective way to maximize your productivity is to simply track and manage all your tasks. A pen and paper works great (especially if you fancy yourself to be a talented bullet-journaling artist), but when you have many projects in the works simultaneously that require your attention, keeping track of everything can quickly become overwhelming. Enter: to-do list apps. A whole host of them exist, and each offers unique features to help you, your tasks, and your entire life stay organized and super productive. And to save you from the perils of decision fatigue, rounded up below are nine to-do list app options that are each perfect for a specific focus. The best part? They’re all free to use, although you can upgrade to paid premium versions that’ll grant you access to added snazzy features. Found: The best to-do list app for streamlining 9 situations in life. 1. For note-takers: Evernote Consider Evernote to be your go-to hub for not just to-do lists but all of your notes. Weekly grocery lists, meal plans, work notes,