We are very excited to share this homemade bitchin’ sauce, which looks like hummus but is made from almonds. Bitchin’ Sauce is a brand that is readily available in many supermarkets, and you can typically find various flavors. This homemade version doesn’t contain any preservatives or excess sodium and it is 100% raw vegan. That makes this dip great for anyone following our cleansing programs. It goes great with almost any raw vegetable, but we prefer it with celery, carrots, mini sweet bell peppers, broccoli, snap peas, or cauliflower.

Because this bitchin’ sauce uses almonds as the base, it has a thicker consistency, but isn’t quite as thick as hummus. Not only that, this sauce is oil-free, which helps to cut down on the calories. Almonds, just like other nuts, are calorically-dense, so keep that in mind when enjoying this dip. Trust us when we tell you that you will want to eat the entire batch. Although it contains ingredients that benefit your overall health, eating too much of it will not do you any favors. Don’t do it! Your waistline will regret it!

Once you make this recipe and get comfortable with the ingredients, you can start to flavor it differently. Play around with the seasonings to start developing different bitchin’ dip flavors. Perhaps you add some sun-dried tomatoes and basil, or garlic, herbs, and lemon. The possibilities are endless, but keep in mind that the more fresh ingredients you add to the dip, the shorter it will keep fresh in the fridge, even in an airtight container.

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What does vitamin E do and are there vegan sources of this fat-soluble vitamin? Yes and yes. Vitamin E comes in several forms, but alpha-tocopherol is the only one used by the human body. The primary role of vitamin E is to act as an antioxidant, fighting free radicals that can damage cells. It also works to optimize immune function and prevent clots from forming in heart arteries.

What Is Vitamin E? 

Antioxidant vitamins, such as vitamin E, became known to the public in the 1980s, when scientists started to understand that free radical damage was a part of the early stages of atherosclerosis. Free radical damage may also contribute to cancer, vision loss, and many other chronic health conditions. Vitamin E works to protect cells from these damaging free radicals, while simultaneously reducing the body’s production of free radicals in certain situations. There is conflicting evidence, however, on whether or not high doses of vitamin E can actually prevent chronic diseases.

Recommended Amounts

According to research, the recommended daily intake (RDI) for vitamin E for males and females  ages 14 years and older is 15 milligrams (mg) per day. If monitoring vitamin E intake in international units (iu), consume 22 iu per day, and that goes for pregnant women as well. Lactating women need a little more at 19 mg, or 28 iu per day. The following recommendations for vitamin E intake are for people under the age of 14: 

• 0-6 months: 4 mg per day
• 7-12 months: 5 mg per day
• 1-3 years: 6 mg per day
• 4-8 years: 7 mg per day
• 9-13 years: 11 mg per day

Vegan Sources Of Vitamin E

Vitamin E exists in a lot of plant-based foods, including oils, nuts and seeds (including nut and seed butters), fruits, and vegetables. The following foods are considered the top 10 vegan sources of vitamin E. We will list their serving sizes with the amount of vitamin E in mg for your knowledge.

• Almonds: 7.4 mg of vitamin E per 1/4 cup
• Sunflower seeds: 6.9 mg of vitamin E per 1/4 cup
• Spinach: 4.6 mg of vitamin E per one cup of cooked spinach
• Hazelnuts: 4.3 mg of vitamin E per 1/4 cup
• Swiss chard: 4 mg of vitamin E per one cup of cooked chard
• Turnip greens: 3.7 mg of vitamin E per one cup of cooked greens
• Mustard greens: 3.3 mg of vitamin E per one cup of cooked greens
• Kiwi: 2.5 mg of vitamin E per 1 medium fruit
• Broccoli: 2.2 mg of vitamin E per one cup of cooked broccoli
• Mango: 2 mg of vitamin E per one medium fruit

Signs of Vitamin E Deficiency 

Vitamin E is found in many vegan and non-vegan foods, in addition to various supplements. That makes the vitamin E deficiency rate in the United States very low, even rare. That said, people with digestive disorders, or those who cannot properly absorb fat, can develop a vitamin E deficiency. If you cannot absorb fat, you may have cystic fibrosis, pancreatitis, celiac disease, or other similar disease. The common signs of a vitamin E deficiency include:

• Peripheral neuropathy (damage to the peripheral nerves, usually in the hands or feet, which can cause weakness or pain)
• Decreased immune function
• Retinopathy (damage to the retina, which can impair vision)
• Ataxia (loss of control of body movements)

Conclusion

Vitamin E is an integral nutrient for preventing oxidative damage and maintaining overall health. Because there are many food sources and supplements, you should not have a problem eating the RDI of vitamin E per day, no matter what diet you follow. Fresh is always best, so include a variety of nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and other fruits and vegetables in your diet to meet your vitamin E needs.

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Did you ever think to combine cauliflower and broccoli to make a unique salad? Nobody wants to eat large florets of raw cauliflower or broccoli, which is why this salad is as far from that as possible. Think of this salad as more of a raw rice bowl because it calls for riced cauliflower and broccoli. Simply pulse together the raw cauliflower and broccoli florets in a food processor to rice them up! After that, you can begin making this powerhouse salad.

Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower contain sulforaphane, an antioxidant compound that may reduce the ability of cancerous cells to multiply. In doing so, sulforaphane may help slow the growth of tumors, or at least reduce their ability to spread. Because sulforaphane is extremely bioavailable, you do not need to combine other nutrients with it for optimal absorption. Simply eat cruciferous vegetables to provide your body with this antioxidant compound.

Besides the impressive nutritional profile, this salad provides lots of life and color. Although we only have a certain number of ingredients in this salad, you can add more if you want to. Great additional ingredients include red cabbage, carrots, collard leaves, and radishes. The ingredients we’ve chosen work well with an Asian-inspired dressing, so we hope you enjoy it. Let us know if you like it, or if you made it your own, in the comments below.

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A dish doesn’t always have to be complex or difficult to make in order for it to taste amazing. This easy peasy cheesy dehydrated broccoli fits that description. The hardest part of recipes is waiting the 10-12 hours that it takes to dehydrate. Yes, lovely people, dehydrating takes that long, but we promise that the juice is worth the squeeze. All you have to do is put the broccoli in the dehydrator in the morning and they’ll be ready by dinnertime!

These dehydrated cheese broccoli bites make for a great, healthy snack. It’s so much better and more enjoyable to eat these as opposed to raw broccoli florets. The reason for that is due to the sauce, in which you toss the broccoli prior to dehydrating the florets. The sauce has a cheesy quality because of the nutritional yeast, but it also has salty and sweet notes from the coconut aminos. The hemp seeds provide protein and fiber, but you can opt to use cashews if you have them on hand. Alternatively, leave out the hemp seeds or cashews completely! What these ingredients do is help thicken the sauce, but the majority of the flavor comes from the other ingredients.

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Nobody is perfect and we all have those days or weekends when we eat almost everything and anything in sight. This is especially true during the holiday season, when a plethora of goodies and treats attack your from every angle. Not even the person with the strongest will can resist the buffet! If you’re out there and can resist the temptation, we want to know you!

Overeating or overindulging happens to the best of us, but what you do after an unhealthy binge eating session is what matters most. How do you hit the reset button on your health and aid the body’s cleansing abilities quickly? Well, you can start by making this powerful detox salad, which contains an assortment of colorful vegetables that provide essential vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, antioxidants, and more. All of those nutrients give your body the extra boost it needs to keep up your immunity and energy levels.

This salad is low-carb and loaded with scrumptious, crunchy vegetables. Carrots, broccoli, red cabbage, Brussels sprouts, and the optional topping of raw cashews make it highly flavorful, textural, and enjoyable. Plus, the lemony dressing adds a zesty vibrance to every bite. You have the option to throw all of the ingredients in your food processor and blend until all of the ingredients are finely chopped. If you only want to do that for the broccoli and Brussels and shred the carrots and cabbage, feel free to do so.

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The back-to-school season is a time for new opportunities and beginnings. For some students, especially those with compromised immune systems, the susceptibility to illness increases. Protecting your child(ren) and yourself against common colds or other infections that circulate the classroom can be a lot easier with the right steps in place. 

Developing a back-to-school routine is a challenge in and of itself. Waking up earlier, establishing a quick and efficient routine, and leaving the house on time can prove difficult, especially after summer vacation. Many health officials state that immune health is tied to diet, sleep, and exercise. Building a healthy diet and establishing movement and proper sleep hygiene can enhance immune function, which your child needs as they face the new school year. Hopefully, the following tips can help better prepare your child’s immune system for the back-to-school reality.

Get Plenty Of Sleep

The Sleep Foundation encourages school kids between the ages of six and 13 to get nine to 11 hours of sleep every night. Without sufficient sleep, the body has a more difficult time regulating biological rhythms. Not to mention, insufficient sleep makes the body more susceptible to sickness. If you or your child has trouble sleeping, there are practices that have proven to be quite effective. Click here to learn more about methods that help you fall asleep.

Drink Water

Water is essential for a healthy life because it has many roles in the body. Not only does it help with waste elimination, but it also helps the immune system function optimally. If the body is in a dehydrated state, it cannot effectively produce white blood cells, which help fight off bacteria, pathogens, and viruses. Drinking plenty of water can also help flush toxins from the body, which keeps the immune system functioning optimally. Need help getting your kiddos to drink more water? Spice it up by adding fresh fruit to the water, or consider blending some fruit with water to make a healthier rendition of a punch.

Eat The Right Foods

Dietitians agree that one of the best ways to boost the immune system is to eat the right foods. Focus on fruits and vegetables because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost the function of immune cells. High-fiber foods also work to maintain a healthy digestive system. What foods do you eat to encourage better immune function? Consider packing the following snacks in your child’s lunch: 

• Oranges: One orange can have up to 75% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C. 
• Mandarins: Mandarins pack a considerable amount of vitamin C and make for the perfect lunch snack. They are easy to peel, easy to put in lunches, and their seedlessness makes them easy to enjoy!
• Sunflower seeds:  Make sure to opt for the unsalted, shell-less sunflower seeds because they are very easy to eat. Sunflower seeds are also rich in vitamin E, which exhibits antioxidant effects in the body. 
• Almonds: Similar to sunflower seeds, almonds are naturally rich in vitamin E, which helps to fight off free radicals and boost immune function. They also contain heart healthy fats, protein, and lots of fiber. 
• Broccoli: It may be very difficult to get your child to eat broccoli, but it is an excellent source of vitamin C and sulforaphane, both of which encourage immune function. Sneak broccoli into meals like broccoli tater tots or fruit smoothies!

Exercise Regularly

It’s no secret that kids like to run amok like they haven’t a care in the world. The important thing to remember is to not let your child immediately plop on the couch or bed and watch TV or play video games from the time they get home to the time they go to bed. Even if your child is active in school sports or playground activities, make sure they remain active outside of school hours. This is especially important as they progress through the year and the weather starts to cool off. 

Maintain A Healthy Weight

Childhood obesity is a serious problem in the United States, and it puts children and adolescents at risk for poor health. Between 2017-2020, 19.7% of children between the ages of two and 19 were affected by obesity. Obesity prevalence between two- and five-year-olds amounted to 20.7%, and 22.2% among six- to 11-year-olds. Data revealed that obesity prevalence was higher in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children than it was in non-Hispanic White children and non-Hispanic Asian children. Aside from decreased immune function, obesity increases the child’s risk of other health problems. Consult your family doctor if you notice the child’s weight is becoming a problem.

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Have you ever enjoyed a salad that has more vegetables than leafy greens? It’s a very different salad-eating experience, and we love it! The salad has various textures, but more than that, it is filling, hearty, and, most importantly, delicious. Just make sure that you thoroughly chop the broccoli into small pieces because large raw broccoli chunks may be difficult to chew and enjoy.

There are a lot of broccoli salads out there, especially pre-made bagged salads that you see in the store. You can enjoy these while cleansing, so long as you avoid the bagged nuts and packaged dressing. The nuts are usually candied and those dressings contain excess fats, added sugars, and other ingredients you cannot enjoy while cleansing. Other than the dressing and nuts or dried fruit, the salad portion is excellent, convenient, and acceptable to enjoy during the cleanse. That is a little pro tip, a pearl of wisdom if you will, for all you cleansers out there.

When it comes to choosing the kale for this salad, you can go for the variety you enjoy, but lacinato kale is a great choice. The leaves have a dark green color and are less curly than other kale varieties. These leaves hold up very well with the other ingredients in this salad. Because kale is a sturdier leafy green, it holds up for a day even if you dress it. Refrigerate the dressed salad overnight and enjoy it the next day for lunch. It’s like you’re meal prepping without knowing it!

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Air fryers have taken the world by storm, but some things just don’t need to be put in them. TikTok and Instagram videos have popularized these kitchen appliances even more, touting them as efficient ways to cook healthier meals. Air fryers circulate air to achieve a fried finish commonly achieved by deep-frying food. The only difference is that air fryers don’t use oil, which can impart unhealthy saturated and trans fats into your food. 

The beauty of an air fryer is that it is essentially a small convection oven. Because of the size, you can cook food in a shorter amount of time. Not to mention, they heat up quickly and tend to be more energy efficient than most ovens, depending on size and energy provider, of course. You don’t just have to reheat French fries or make donuts, chicken tenders and complex desserts, though. You can roast vegetables, toast bread, and make other healthy meal options. 

However, you shouldn’t use these nifty kitchen appliances to cook everything. Some meals do not need to be air-fried. For safety reasons, you should definitely not cook certain foods in an air fryer. Don’t know what those foods are? Read on to find out. 

Anything With A Sauce

Stews, chili, bolognese sauce, or other hardy dishes tend to be midweek favorites among the masses. They are relatively easy to prepare and are quite filling. We strongly advise against cooking these meals in an air fryer. As hot air circulates within the air fryer, the hot liquids can splatter. Not only does this make the air fryer messy, but it is also very dangerous, as wet splatters can potentially short-circuit the air fryer or cause an electrical complication. If you want to make a saucy recipe, slow cookers are the better appliances.

Broccoli

Some vegetables, like Brussels sprouts, are excellent at retaining moisture during the cooking process. For that reason, they crisp up nicely in an air fryer without drying out. Broccoli, however, can become chewy and bitter in an air fryer, which is why roasting or sautéing broccoli florets are better cooking options. You can also steam broccoli as an alternative preparation method. 

Rice

In order to cook raw grains, you have to boil them in water. A few drops of water in your air fryer basket won’t do any harm, but this gadget isn’t meant for boiling or steaming food. If you already have cooked rice, however, you can put it in the air fryer to make a crispy rice cake. It’s better to cook rice in a rice cooker for the fluffiest rice possible. 

Anything With A Wet Batter

Some people are aware of the fact that cooking something with a wet batter in an air fryer doesn’t yield the same result as frying it in a pot of oil. In fact, recipes that use a wet batter will be messy and they won’t crisp up properly. The reason for this is that there isn’t enough hot oil to set the batter. Instead of becoming crispy, that wet batter will most likely drop everywhere. You’ll be left with unevenly cooked food and a puddle of burnt batter drippings in the bottom of your air fryer basket. If you want to achieve a golden-brown, crispy exterior, you can use a dry coating on your food. 

Popcorn

Popcorn is a classic movie theater snack, but you shouldn’t cook it in an air fryer. Popcorn kernels can easily become lodged with the fryer’s heating element, increasing the risk of a shortage and fire hazard. You can, however, make your own popcorn in a pot on the stove, or in the microwave. Manufacturers make silicone vessels to put kernels in and you can cook them in the microwave without the use of oil or butter. 

Hard-Boiled Eggs

You can use an air fryer to make hard-boiled eggs, but the texture can be a little chewy, rubbery, and unpleasant. There are much better and more efficient ways to achieve better results. If you want to give the air fryer method a go, cook medium-sized eggs straight from the fridge at 255º F for 10 minutes.

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Sometimes you just need a clean meal that helps to reset your body, especially after a few days of overeating. When you eat excess sugar or alcohol, you are tempted to overindulge in unhealthier foods. While we don’t believe in “making up” for past food mistakes, this slaw helps get you back on track. In addition to eating this salad, drinking more water, eating more cruciferous vegetables, and adding lemon or apple cider vinegar to your water can help clean out the body. All of these actions can help establish a more alkaline environment in the body!

This slaw utilizes broccoli stems, which most people tend to chuck in the garbage or compost bin. The great thing about broccoli stems is that you can grate it using a cheese grater, or grater attachment on a mandolin. You often see broccoli stems in bagged salads that contain a mix of carrots, kale, and cabbage. Now, we’re going to let you in on a big secret. If you are really in a pinch and don’t have time to prep ingredients, you can use those bagged salads while cleansing. However, you cannot use the nuts or dressing from those bags. The reason for that is the nuts are either roasted, salted, or sugary, and the dressings are highly processed.

Now that we gave all of you cleansers that little pearl of wisdom, it comes time to make this slaw. It comes together very quickly and the ingredients pair beautifully together. The slightly bitter broccoli stems and purple cabbage are balanced by the sweet carrots. With the bitter and sweet flavor profiles in place, you need a tangy element, which is where the dressing comes in. Much like the rug in The Big Lebowski, the dressing ties the room together. Enjoy the slaw!

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An occasional bout of stress is unavoidable, and may even come to your aid to help you accomplish tasks at times. Chronic stress, however, can take a serious toll on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Studies show that chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease, depression, and anxiety. And while certain mindfulness techniques, breathing practices, and forms of exercise may prove effective, eating the right foods can also be an effective strategy.

A 2015 article in the journal Stress found that eating quality nutrients over time can positively impact the body’s neural circuits that control emotion, motivation, and mood. Other research observed that eating foods that benefit gut microbiota can help you feel better. Increasing the amount of beneficial microorganisms in the digestive system has a positive impact on your mental and emotional health. Additionally, certain foods can help reduce or balance cortisol (the stress hormone) levels in the body. So the next time you feel anxious or stressed, consider taking a bite out of the following stress-relieving foods.

Sweet Potatoes

One of the keys to fighting stress through your diet is eating complex carbohydrates like the ones in sweet potatoes. These complex carbs may lower cortisol levels in the body. An eight-week study in overweight or obese women found that those who ate a diet rich in complex carbs had significantly lower levels of salivary cortisol than those who ate the standard American diet. Sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamin C and potassium, both of which help with stress response. 

Avocado

A 2014 study found that participants who consumed half an avocado during their lunches reduced their desire to eat more than 40% for three hours following the meal. The participants also reported an increase in satisfaction, with a decreased desire to eat for hours after eating the avocado. Consuming regular portions of avocado may shut down your stress eating because they fill your belly and make you feel more satisfied. 

Parsley

Parsley may help you fight back against stress in a different way. The antioxidant compounds in parsley work to neutralize unstable free radicals, in addition to protecting against oxidative stress. Research indicates that oxidative stress is linked to many illnesses, including mental disorders like anxiety and depression. Studies suggest that a diet rich in antioxidants may help prevent stress and anxiety.

Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables have a long list of health benefits, and broccoli belongs to the cruciferous family. Several studies found that eating more cruciferous vegetables may lower your risk of developing heart disease, mental health disorders like depression, and certain cancers. In addition to the antioxidants and vitamin C, both of which may combat symptoms of depression, broccoli also contains a high amount of sulforaphane. This sulfur compound has neuroprotective properties and potential antidepressant effects. 

Chickpeas

Chickpeas are naturally rich in stress-busting vitamins and minerals, including zinc, copper, B vitamins, selenium, manganese, and potassium. They are also great sources of L-tryptophan, which the body needs to produce neurotransmitters that regulate mood. According to research, diets rich in plant proteins like chickpeas may improve mental performance and have better brain health. One study monitored two groups of people, one of which followed the standard American diet, while the other followed the Mediterranean diet. The group who consumed the Mediterranean diet consumed more plant foods and legumes. They experienced better mood and less stress than the standard American diet group. 

Seaweed

Seaweed is one of the few sources that is especially rich in iodine. Research states that too little iodine in the body can cause fatigue and depression. A quarter cup of seaweed salad packs over 275% of the daily value of iodine. You don’t need a lot to meet your quota, but if your anxiety or depression stems from low iodine levels, consider enjoying some seaweed. 

Swiss Chard

As a nutrient-dense leafy green vegetable, Swiss chard benefits the body in myriad ways. One cup of cooked Swiss chard contains 36% of the daily value of magnesium, which plays an integral role in the body’s stress response. Low levels of magnesium have been linked to an increased risk of panic attacks and anxiety. Plus, chronic stress depletes the body’s magnesium stores, making this mineral absolutely necessary when you feel stressed. 

Kimchi

Fermented foods like kimchi contain beneficial bacteria that help to balance bacteria in the gut. According to research, fermented foods may play a role in reducing anxiety and stress levels. One small study found that those who ate fermented foods more frequently had fewer symptoms of social anxiety. Other studies found that probiotic-rich foods like kimchi have profound benefits on mental health overall. This is likely attributed to how probiotics interact with gut bacteria to affect your mood.

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