Written by: Heather Crosby
My dear friend, and YU contributor, Kathy Beymer and I made some homemade organic baby food the other day and she wowed me again with her crafting genius. To store our fresh apricot puree, she pulled out recycled and reusable glass jars with easy-to-make chalkboard lids to label and record the date the food was made! This idea can be used for all types of fresh food storage (leftovers, kimchi, nut butters, hemp milk)—it’s an adorable and sustainable way to make sure that food never goes to waste. Get Kathy’s free step-by-step photo instructions for making these smart storage jars at her crafting website, Merriment Design. And read on for the simple and delicious apricot baby food instructions. Read more…
Tags: Baby Food, Blender, Family, Food Processor, Gluten-Free, Kathy Beymer, Kids, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free
Blender,
Dehydrator,
Dessert,
Family,
Gluten-Free,
Kids,
Raw Food,
Snacks,
Vegan Food,
Vegetarian Food,
Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
When I was a kid, I couldn’t get enough of Fruit Roll-Ups. Chewy, colorful food that you could play with—magical stuff. Plus, mom felt good because she thought she was giving me a serving of fruit. Sadly, as many of you know, most foodstuffs out there on the shelves, especially those being marketed to families as “natural and healthy,” are full of processed sugars, preservatives and additives.
I am here to tell you that you can make delicious, wholesome fruit leather with only two ingredients. Shoot, you can make it with only one if you like—just the fruit. What a fruit leather should be made of.
I am a big believer that as adults, we should still be able to enjoy the same things that filled us with joy as children. From the fun foods we ate, to the fun fitness we incorporate into our lives (I am a hoopdance instructor after all). You know you loved fruit leathers too, bring that fun back!
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Tags: Blender, Dehydrator, Dessert, Family, Gluten-Free, Kids, Raw Food, Snacks, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
All summer long in my neighborhood—Viva Pilsen!—you can hear the bells ringing from either the bicycle-powered or pedi “paleta” carts. For one dollar, you can choose from a variety of frozen popsicle flavors like strawberry, coconut, mango, lime—even tamarind. My all-time favorite flavor is arroz con leche—basically rice pudding or horchata on a stick. It had been a long time since I had a taste of that cinnamon creaminess (with the chewy bits of rice), until today. Here’s my dairy-free, soy-free version that tastes even better than my memories. And the best part is, I didn’t even need popsicle molds. Read more…
Tags: Blender, Dessert, Family, Gluten-Free, Ice Cream Maker, Kids, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
Brendan Brazier’s Lemon Lime Recovery Drink has changed my workout recovery so much that I actually start craving this drink when I’m still at the gym. I can feel my muscles looking forward it’s healing powers. After a big workout, as soon as I get home I drink this magic, and wake up the next morning with only the slightest, almost non-existent soreness. It has become an integral part of my routine, and if you are an active person, or wanting to be an active person, I highly recommend following up your workouts with this creamy, citrus-flavored beverage. It’s filling and satisfying enough that it sometimes (most times) becomes my dinner.
I purchased Brendan’s book Thrive: The Vegan Nutrition Guide to Optimal Performance in Sports and Life
a few years ago, and in my constantly growing library of vegan, raw and plant-based references, it is hands-down one of my favorites. His point-of-view regarding nutritional stress and his suggestions for reducing it, really resonate with me. They truly have helped me take my health to the next level. Read more…
Tags: Beverages, Blender, Breakfast, Fitness, Gluten-Free, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
Our contributor, and Vital Juice Chicago Editor, Maya Henderson is a smoothie genius aaand she has a knack for effortlessly discovering all the best fitness deals, new classes and exciting recipes out in the universe of yum. It’s true. One taste of this easy-to-make Chocolate Cherry Superfood Smoothie and you will become as much of a fan of Maya as we are. This recipe is adapted from Kristen’s Raw Cherry Chocolate Bomb Shake—it takes Kristen’s brilliant combo and amps up the nutritional profile with some superfood goodness like green powder and maca. Read more…
Tags: Beverages, Blender, Breakfast, Dessert, Maya Henderson, Raw Food, SuperFoods, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food
Written by: Heather Crosby
I eat this salad once a week, and when I’m not eating it, I’m craving it. Who knew that a girl who ate her first salad at 19 years old would be loving kale one day? As much as I want to say that it’s the kale itself, I have to admit that it is the rich and cheesey non-dairy sauce that is the true kryptonite. This is a great recipe to try out on the folks that think kale is just a garnish. Feel free to swap out millet for quinoa—both are delicious and work well with this easy to prepare recipe. Don’t have kale around? Try spinach instead. Read more…
Tags: Blender, Dinner, Family, Gluten-Free, Kids, Lunch, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
This noodle-free, gluten-free veggie-packed lasagna is one of my favorite creations yet. It is definitely one of those recipes you might want to try out at your next dinner party to WOW family and friends who are vegan skeptics. Our recipe for Dairy-Free Ricotta Cheese layers with organic sweet potato, asparagus, spinach and peppers to not only create a beautiful lasagna, but one that tastes extra cheesy and noodley without cheese or noodles. It’s true. It tastes so indulgent, I actually caught myself feeling a pang of guilt after eating a piece last week. Then I giggled, remembering that it was all veggies and nuts and seeds. Joy. Read more…
Tags: Blender, Dinner, Family, Gluten-Free, Kids, Lunch, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food, Wheat-Free
Written by: Heather Crosby
If you were to close your eyes and ignore the fact that these crackers were green (and what a handsome green), you would probably think that they tasted a lot like buttery Cheez-Its. Who knew a raw, dehydrated combination of macadamia nuts, organic kale and organic red pepper could do such a thing?
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Tags: Blender, Dehydrator, Family, Gluten-Free, Raw Food, Snacks, Vegan Food, Vegetarian Food
