The flavor of the fajitas come from the bold marinade. You can leave the vegetables in the marinade for a longer time, if you like, to really absorb the flavors. If you have signature salsa that you make, go ahead and use it as a topping!

SHARE:

Sadly, summer is over, which means that the bounty of peaches, watermelon, berries, and other summer favorites won’t be as readily available in the coming months. The good news is that fall favorites are about to hit a grocery store or farmer’s market near you. The autumn harvest includes a variety of different fruits and vegetables that you know and love, so get your hands on these items from September through November.

We know what you are thinking, and yes, you can usually get most produce year round at some stores. Why buy out of season produce when you can buy produce that is in season? Not only does buying local and seasonal produce reduce the carbon footprint, but it also helps to support local economies. Oh, and we forgot to mention that buying seasonal produce can actually save you money!

Fall brings many tasty favorites and some produce items that you’ve always wanted to try, but remain hesitant about doing so. This is your season to experiment. We promise to post a wide variety of fall recipes to inspire you to be adventurous in the kitchen. Use the following produce items to make the most of the fall season.

Fruits

Apples:

Apples are a classic fall favorite and with so many varieties, it’s hard not to buy some. Fuji apples have a high concentration of flavonoids and phenolics, and most apples have tons of dietary fiber, which benefits digestion. Try quince, a cousin to apples, this fall in desserts, jams, or jellies. Just don’t eat quince raw because it is very bitter.

Cranberries:

This is a classic Thanksgiving fruit and the prime season is October through November. Did you know that only 5% of cranberries make it to the produce section? About 95% of cranberries are dried or turned into sugary juices. Cook with fresh cranberries to help benefit your urinary tract and slow the growth of cancer.

Grapes:

The best grape varieties are harvested in the fall, so you know they are fresh, juicy, and delicious. Eat them as a healthy snack, add them to your salads for sweet bursts of flavor, or freeze them to eat as a guilt-free dessert. Grapes actually have a lot of vitamins K and C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties that help keep your skin healthy.

Pears:

From Anjou to Bartlett, or Sugar Pears to Forelles, pears are actually a lot healthier than people think. They are rich in pectin, a complex carbohydrate, that helps promote healthy digestion, boosts the immune system, and acts as a detox agent.

Persimmons:

Some people love them and some people don’t ever want to eat them. They look like orange tomatoes and have a sweet and spicy flavor. Fuyu persimmons are the sweetest and are rich in beta-carotene. Try them in a sauce or fresh in a fruit salad.

Pomegranates:

While they are recognized as the fruit that makes up POM juice, pomegranates have been held sacred by ancient religions. The antioxidants in pomegranates may help to decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease, and early studies indicate that they may also help to inhibit breast and colon cancers.

Vegetables

Arugula:

This peppery green can be harvested at different times throughout the year, based on the climate in which it is grown. In warmer climates, it is harvested in fall and winter. You can use it to make pesto or make a classic Italian salad with pine nuts, arugula, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Beets:

While beets can be available throughout the year, they are best during the fall. They can be a deep red or golden orange. Try to get beets that have their greens attached because you can sauté them or add them to smoothies for a healthy dose of vitamin K. They also contain betaine, which may help to prevent liver disease and heart disease.

Brussels Sprouts & Cabbage:

If you can get your hands on Brussels sprouts that grow on the stalk, snatch them up because they last longer than the ones that are cut. Think of Brussels sprouts as mini versions of cabbage. Both of them are packed with cancer-fighting glucosinolates and vitamins A & C.

Broccoli:

We know that you can almost always get broccoli, but broccoli thrives during the fall. The cooler temperatures make for a sweeter, less bitter taste. Broccoli is an excellent source of plant-based protein, too!

Rutabagas & Turnips:

These definitely don’t win the award for most beautiful vegetables, but they make up for it with their nutritional content. Both turnips and rutabagas may reduce the risk of lung and prostate cancers, and using turnip greens is great way to get calcium.

Squash: 

It’s all about squash for fall and winter. The most popular variety is butternut squash, but you can create some awesome dishes with spaghetti squash and pumpkins. They are great sources of omega-3s and vitamin A.

Sources:

https://greatist.com/health/healthiest-fruits-and-vegetables-fall

https://www.thespruce.com/fall-fruits-and-vegetables-2217704

SHARE:

Whether you are planting some flowers in your garden, reading a book in the park, grilling outside with family, or going for a swim in the last bit of summer weather, it’s important to care for your skin after being in the sun. When you get a little too much sun and you feel burnt, you need to rehydrate your skin to prevent further damage. We’ve got just the thing for that.

When you get sunburnt, it is best to use fresh aloe vera to soothe your skin. Sometimes people don’t like using the fresh stuff, so they go with aloe vera gel from the store. Well those gels typically contain all kinds of chemicals that are horrible for your skin. What’s the all-natural solution, then?

It is best to use a soothing after sun spray that is loaded antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, and analgesic properties. Such a thing does exist and we have a very simple recipe. It consists of calendula, lavender, and chamomile flowers, along with things like fresh aloe vera and peppermint essential oil. All of these ingredients work in conjunction to repair your skin after a long day in the sun.

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon chamomile flowers
• 1 tablespoon calendula flowers
• 4 drops peppermint essential oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh aloe vera gel
• ¼ teaspoon non-GMO vitamin E oil
• 7 ounces distilled water
• 12 ounce spray bottle

Instructions:

• Boil the distilled water in a saucepan. Once it is boiling, remove from heat and add the lavender, chamomile, and calendula. Let them steep for about 5 minutes.
• Strain the herb-infused water into the spray bottle and allow it to cool to room temperature. Place the bottle in the fridge to accelerate this process.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the bottle and shake it up.
• Spray on skin liberally to soothe it from sun damage. Store the spray bottle in the fridge.

Source:

http://www.theherbalspoon.com/2016/06/soothing-after-sun-spray.html

SHARE:

When the average person starts a plant-based diet, chances are that that he or she may ask the question, “What should I cook?” We know that people aren’t typically growing their own vegetables, sprouting beans, or fermenting kombucha in their backyards, which is why we are here to help.

Making plant-based meals can seem like an impossible task, but there are actually thousands of dishes that you can make. By it’s very nature, a plant-based diet is vegetarian, but it can also be vegan or entirely raw. While that may seem limiting, you can use vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, and seaweeds to make your meals. The goal is to focus on whole foods instead of packaged, processed, or refined foods.

We could list off hundreds of ingredients to use, but lists don’t provide a great resource for those looking to start a plant-based diet. You don’t have to drink green juice all day long, although you can enjoy a green smoothie or two. It’s not all about kale chips and hummus; rather, a plant-based diet is about eating foods that are beneficial for your health.

To give you a better idea of how a plant-based person eats, we have three plant-based bowls that are filling, nutritious, and full of delicious ingredients that are entirely plant-based.

For Breakfast

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chia seeds
• 2½ cups unsweetened almond milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup oatmeal
• 1 cup mixed berries
• ¼ cup mix of almonds & walnuts (soaked overnight and drained)
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
• 2 tablespoons buckwheat groats (soaked overnight and drained)

Instruction:

• In a glass jar, mix the chia seeds in the almond milk with the vanilla extract. Make sure the chia seeds are submerged and soak overnight. This will form a pudding and you’ll use ½ cup of it in your breakfast bowl.
• Make oatmeal by simmering 1 cup of steel cut oats in 2 cups of water until you see that it is cooked.
• To make the breakfast bowl, place the ½ cup of oatmeal on the bottom and then add the ½ cup of chia pudding, fresh berries, almond and walnut mix, pomegranate seeds, and buckwheat groats. Assemble as you wish.

For Lunch

Ingredients:

• 2 cups spring mixed greens
• ½ cup cauliflower, finely diced
• ½ cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup cooked quinoa
• ¼ cup cooked chickpeas
• 2 tablespoons raw pumpkin seeds
• 3 tablespoons dressing of choice (we recommend making a vinaigrette from apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and your favorite seasonings)

Instructions:

• Combine all of the salad ingredients in a bowl.
• After making the dressing, drizzle 3 tablespoons on the salad and mix well to ensure that all the salad ingredients are dressed.
• Store the leftover dressing in a glass jar in the fridge.

For Dinner

Ingredients:

• ½ cup cooked brown rice
• 1 cup steamed broccoli
• 1 cup steamed kale
• ½ cup shredded carrots
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons liquid aminos
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions:

• After cooking the rice, steaming the broccoli and kale, and shredding the carrots, set them aside while you make the miso sauce.
• Add the miso, vinegar, liquid aminos, ginger, and sesame oil to a blender and pulse until smooth. Transfer to a saucepan and simmer on low for about 10 minutes. Then remove from heat.
• To build your bowl, put the brown rice on the bottom and layer the veggies. Then drizzle the miso sauce on top of everything. Mix and enjoy.

Source:

http://riseshinecook.ca/blog/1-day-3-plant-based-bowls-breaking-down-plant-based-barriers

SHARE:

This is a different take on a salad. A typically salad involves you prepping the ingredients and then tossing them in a dressing. This salad calls for soaking the ingredients in a dressing, of sorts, to absorb the flavors.

SHARE:

Flaxseeds have been held in high regard for their health properties for about six thousand years. They could have been the world’s first superfood, but that’s just speculation. Flaxseeds have been known to help clear up skin, reduce sugar cravings, improve digestion, promote weight loss, and balance hormones.

In case you need some nutritional information about flaxseeds, we have a list of the facts per 1 ounce of flaxseeds below:

• 6 grams of protein
• 8 grams of fiber
• 6,338 milligrams of omega-3s
• 31% RDA of vitamin B1
• 30% RDA of magnesium
• 10% RDA of selenium
• 35% RDA of manganese
• 19% RDA of phosphorus

Based on the nutritional profile, flaxseeds are one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Oh, and we forgot to mention that they also contain iron, zinc, potassium, copper, and vitamin B6.

Flaxseed Benefits

Great Source of Lignans:

What are lignans, you ask? Lignans are polyphenols that are found in plants. Flaxseeds are the richest source of lignans, with sesame seeds being the runner-up. Lignans have antioxidant and estrogen properties, both of which help to lower one’s risk of cancer and improve overall health. A recent study revealed that women who ate flaxseeds were 18% less likely to develop breast cancer.

Fiber Superstars:

Did you know that flaxseeds contain two types of dietary fiber? Roughly 20-40% is made up of soluble fiber and the other 60-80% is made up of insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber works to slow digestion and increase consistency of contents in the intestine. All of that helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Now, insoluble fiber allows water to bind to stools, increasing their bulk and resulting in softer excrement. This helps prevent constipation.

Weight Loss Aid:

Because flaxseeds are full of healthy fats and fiber, they help you feel full for longer, which ultimately helps you eat fewer calories. Additionally, flaxseeds help to decrease water weight and reduce inflammation, both of which make it difficult to lose weight.

High Quality Protein:

Studies have shown that flaxseed protein can help to improve immune function and lower cholesterol. If you are trying to cut back on meat and are in search of a great plant-based protein, flaxseeds are the food for you. They help you feel full and satiated between meals.

Cancer Fighters:

Time and time again, flaxseeds have proven that they have the powers to help fight prostate, breast, ovarian, and colon cancer. The Journal of Clinical Cancer Research found that the lignans, which get converted into compounds in the intestinal tract, in flaxseeds help to balance hormones and reduce one’s risk of breast cancer. People with endometrial and ovarian cancers may benefit from eating flaxseeds as well.

Sources:

https://draxe.com/10-flax-seed-benefits-nutrition-facts/

http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/lignans

http://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-flaxseeds#section8

SHARE:

Warts are common, small growths that usually occur on the hands or feet. Having a rough or grainy texture, warts occur when a virus comes in contact with the skin. A person can develop warts if they are infected with some strains of human papillomavirus (HPV). Children and young adults most commonly develop warts because they have weakened immune systems. There are common warts, flat warts, plantar warts, genital warts, filiform warts, and periungual warts, all of which are caused by different viruses.

What Causes Warts?

Warts are primarily caused by HPV, which is a virus that has over 100 different strains. Most of these strains are relatively harmless and only cause common warts, but more serious strains of the virus can lead to cervical cancer. Some strains of HPV cause warts on the hands, while other strains cause warts to develop on the feet. Children usually get warts via skin-to-skin contact, but not everybody who comes in contact with HPV will get warts because each person’s immune system responds differently. Common causes include:

• Scratching or biting a wart
• Sucking fingers
• Continuously biting fingernails
• Shaving the face or legs
• Wet or dry skin (which comes in contact with rough surfaces)

7 Natural Remedies

Get Essential:

Essential oils can be great topical solutions that can help to relieve warts. Oregano and Frankincense are two great essential oils that have been proven to reduce and even get rid of plantar warts. Mix one drop of each of these oils with a small amount of coconut oil and apply it directly to the wart(s). Apply this solution 2-3 times a day for 2-4 weeks, or until the wart is gone. Continue applying for one week after the wart is gone to prevent recurrence.

Apple Cider Vinegar:

Apple cider vinegar is a superstar in the world of home remedies. While the apple cider vinegar does not actually kill the virus, the acidity attacks the flesh that makes up the wart, kills it, and allows it to fall off naturally. Soak a cotton ball in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and apply it directly to the warts, taping it on overnight. Do this for about 1-2 weeks.

Banana Peel:

The inside of banana peels contain a proteolytic enzyme that can naturally eat away warts. You need a utensil to scrape the white mush off the inside of the peel and apply it to your wart(s) twice a day until the wart(s) is gone.

Boost Immunity:

Consuming goldenseal and Echinacea increases the strength of the immune system. Both of these have natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory substances, which can help to get rid of the virus.

Balance pH Levels:

Establishing a neutral pH balance in your body can help decrease warts and the HPV strains. You can do this by eating a diet rich in alkaline foods (dark leafy greens, sprouts, cabbage, beets, broccoli, onions, garlic, parsley, mushrooms, leeks, cauliflower, eggplant, or carrots, among many other fruits and vegetables). You can also mix 1 teaspoon of raw apple cider vinegar in 8oz of water once a day to and drink it to neutralize your body’s pH level.

Get Garlicky:

Raw garlic is a fantastic herbal remedy because it has incredible anti-bacterial properties. While consuming raw garlic cloves is beneficial, the best way to use it is to mash it up into a paste, place it on the wart under a bandage, and re-apply every few hours.

A Small Needle:

For those that can handle a little pain, you can stick a sterilized needle in your wart(s) to alert your body that something is wrong. When you poke the wart, the body knows that something is not right and it can properly attack the virus. Ice the wart until it is numb, sterilize a clean and sharp needle over a flame, and poke the needle well into the wart. It is best to poke the wart all over because the body will attack the virus faster. Wash your hands after you do this procedure.

SHARE:

Have you been attempting to lose weight, but have yet to have success? Well, this is a challenge that is going out to those who think that they can’t lose weight any more. You are going to think that this method sounds foolish, but you will see the numbers reflect your efforts when you get on the scale.

Disclaimer: Don’t eat badly while you are doing this challenge because it will negate your efforts. Try to only eat plant-based foods like legumes, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts & seeds.

All you have to do is drink this cleansing water for three days, three times a day. Not only does this drink promote weight loss, but it also promotes healthy detoxification. This is due to the star player in this detox water: apple cider vinegar. That’s right, ACV. Apple cider vinegar helps to alkalize the body, and an alkalized body makes weight loss a whole lot easier.

Apple cider vinegar also contains a compound called pectin, which helps to suppress the appetite and reduce cravings. Not only does pectin help with this, but it may also help to promote stable blood glucose levels. This is good news for those who have diabetes. It stabilizes glucose levels by slowing digestion, ultimately delaying the rate at which the stomach empties food. This helps to slow down the release of carbs from a meal.

The lemon oil, which can be substituted with freshly squeezed lemon juice, in this drink helps to naturally flush toxins from the body. It also helps to fight free radicals in the body and nourish cells in the body.

Before you accept this challenge, weigh yourself prior to starting. Take a before picture with form-fitting clothes and then take a picture with form-fitting clothes after the three days are over. Post on social media and tag us. We want to know how this worked for you.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of water
• 2 teaspoons raw apple cider vinegar
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1-2 drops lemon essential oil (or juice of half a lemon)
• 1-2 tablespoons agave (optional, but recommended)

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a pitcher and mix well. It is recommended to use room temperature water. Some people cannot handle the apple cider vinegar, so use less the first day and increase it to the listed amount over the next two days.
• Drink one cup of this mixture three times a day, for three consecutive days.

Sources:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/376544-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-pectin/

http://fitandchic.life/dare-drink-3-days-let-know-happens-scale/

SHARE:

This is a great spread to either dip some fresh veggies in for a snack, or to dress your zucchini noodles in for a filling raw dinner. If you’re a real pesto fanatic, you may enjoy just taking a spoon to this and calling it a night!

SHARE:

Anyone who has had stretch marks knows that getting rid of them is no easy task. Even if you follow a plant-based diet and live a healthy life, stretch marks can be inevitable and a problem, particularly for women. Roughly 50-90% of women can easily develop stretch marks after pregnancy, occasionally causing some women to feel self-conscious. Are they impossible to get rid of, though?

Typically occurring near the hips, thighs, stomach, and breasts, stretch marks can be unforgiving and brutal. We understand that you may have read things that tell you to maintain hydration, diet, or to improve skin elasticity via dry-brushing to get rid of stretch marks. While these tips can help, they may not be as fast acting as you would like them to be.

What Causes Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are caused by the stretching of the skin and an increase in cortisone in the body. Having too much cortisone, which is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, can cause the skin to lose its elasticity. The stretch marks occur in the middle layer, dermis, of the skin. This happens when the connective tissue is stretched beyond its limits, due to rapid growth or weight gain.

Some people swear by stretch mark creams, but it is important to use the right one, so as not to worsen the stretch marks. You need a cream or salve with ingredients that help to moisten your skin and keep it hydrated. We recently stumbled on a recipe that is all natural and helps to hydrate your skin and, slowly but surely, help those stretch marks vanish.

Ingredients for Salve:

• 1 cup raw cocoa butter
• ½ cup virgin coconut oil
• 1 cup castor oil
• ¼ cup sweet almond oil

Instructions for Use:

• Add the cocoa butter and coconut oil to a saucepan over medium heat. Once they are melted, stir in the castor and almond oils. Mix well and then remove from heat. Pour in an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator.
• Once the mixture is cool, remove from the fridge and, using a hand mixer, whip until white peaks form. Store this in a glass jar in the fridge.
• Massage a small amount on your stretch marks once a day.

Source:

www.organicauthority.com

SHARE: