What do you need to make one of the best seed milks you’ve ever tasted? Two ingredients, although we added a few extra just to enhance the flavor. Hemp milk is quick and easy to make, and the best part is that you don’t have to strain it like you would almond milk or cashew milk. It is smooth, creamy, and rich, making it a great choice for smoothies, baking, or even cooking. You could even take it to the next level and make a hemp cream, but we don’t have time for that recipe today.

If you have never had hemp milk, you are probably wondering what it tastes like. It has a similar nutty flavor to almond milk, but is creamier than both almond milk and soy milk. Hemp milk also exhibits subtle earthy notes, which is similar to the flavor of hemp seeds themselves. That’s why we decided to add raw agave nectar and alcohol-free vanilla extract to distract your taste buds from those earthy notes. Flavor notes aside, hemp milk is incredibly nutritious, exhibiting impressive amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Hemp seeds are also rich in vitamin E and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, and potassium.

Hemp seeds are very tender, which means that they break down easily during the blending process. No soaking required to soften them! Simply add the hemp hearts and other ingredients to the blender, blend, and serve! You don’t need a nut milk bag or cheesecloth because there is no pulp!

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Who doesn’t love a good snack? It’s so easy to open up a bag of chips and just start eating handful after handful. The same can be said for a bucket of popcorn. Unfortunately, we all know that these snacks are empty calories and only leave us wanting more. Plus, the sodium content is through the roof! The good news is that it’s possible to enjoy a crunchy snack in a healthy way.

That’s right, folks, we are talking about kale chips. These crunchy creations are not only addictively delicious, but also highly nutritious. Closely related to cabbage, broccoli, collard greens, and cauliflower, kale offers an assortment of nutrients, including vitamins, A, B6, C, & K, manganese, magnesium, riboflavin, folate, fiber, calcium, and other important plant compounds. The antioxidants in kale include quercetin and kaempferol, both of which are present in large amounts in kale. According to test-tube and animal studies, these compounds work to support heart health, reduce inflammation, slow the growth of cancer cells, and protect against chronic diseases.

What separates these kale chips from the next batch is that you dehydrate them after covering them in a creamy cashew cheese sauce. Because of that, the kale takes a lot longer to get crispy. You will need about 12 hours of dehydration in order to yield a crispy, cheesy kale chip. Before you sauce the kale in cashew cheese sauce, make sure to massage it with sea salt and lemon juice. Once the leaves are coated, you can toss them in the cashew sauce before placing them on dehydrator sheets. Don’t overlap the kale pieces or else they won’t get crispy.

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It’s a sad fact that about one billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency. Roughly 50% of the world’s population has vitamin D insufficiency, and about 35% of adults in the United States are deficient in vitamin D. Now, vitamin D deficiency means that the body doesn’t have enough vitamin D. Failure to address the issue can cause a person to experience problems with bones and muscles. 

That leads perfectly into the focal point of this article: osteoporosis. This condition is characterized by bones becoming fragile due to loss of tissue. That usually happens as a result of vitamin D deficiency or calcium deficiency. Osteoporosis affects about 10 million American adults over the age of 50. The likelihood of developing the condition after age 80 increases by 30% in men and 47% in women, according to a 2017 review of studies. 

It’s no secret that musculoskeletal health is of major concern as you get older. Keeping muscles, tissues, and bones strong as you age can help you avoid osteoporosis, among other age-related conditions. Keeping up your vitamin D intake can help support your bones in the long run. 

The Link Between Osteoporosis And Vitamin D

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium in the gut and helps regulate healthy calcium concentrations within the body. The calcium in the body is used to maintain muscle strength and to mineralize bones, which can help prevent fractures. Because the body loses bone density as it ages, consuming adequate amounts of vitamin D and calcium is essential to support bone integrity. 

A 2021 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences found that vitamin D deficiency accelerates bone turnover, loss, and fractures. It’s no surprise, then, that vitamin D deficiency is more prevalent in older adults with osteoporosis. 

How To Avoid Vitamin D Deficiency As You Age

In order to maintain musculoskeletal health, especially as you age, you have to maintain optimal vitamin D levels. Since older age is a major risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, you have to be mindful of your levels, and those of older friends and loved ones. Health experts explain that the most effective way to maintain healthy vitamin D levels at any age is through quality supplementation. Before choosing a supplement, you must know how much you need. The amount you need each day depends on your age, and the recommended daily intake is listed in micrograms (mcg) and International Units (IU) below:

• Birth to 12 months: 10 mcg (400 IU)
• Children 1-13 years: 15 mcg (600 IU)
• Teens 14-18 years: 15 mcg (600 IU)
• Adults 19-70 years: 20 mcg (800 IU)
• Pregnant and breastfeeding teens and women: 15 mcg (600 IU)

What’s The Difference Between Vitamin D2 and D3?

When choosing a vitamin D supplement, make sure to check the label to determine if it is vitamin D2 or D3. D2 is the plant-based form of the vitamin and is commonly in fortified foods, such as orange juice and cereal. D2 is primarily sourced from fungi and yeast by exposing them to UVB radiation. If you are vegan or vegetarian, D2 is the optimal supplement choice. That said, several studies found that vitamin D3, which comes from fatty fish, is superior at boosting activated vitamin D levels in the blood. If you choose a D2 supplement, you may need a higher dose in order to raise blood levels. Check with your healthcare professional to determine how much you need. 

The Takeaway

Now more than ever, take bone integrity and muscle strength seriously, especially if you are climbing the age ladder. Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of osteoporosis and other musculoskeletal conditions. In order to maintain healthy bones and muscles with age, supplement with the proper amount, eat fortified foods, and get a little sun exposure when you can. All of these efforts will support the musculoskeletal system!

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Here we go again with the creativity! This isn’t a plane Jane pesto, people. We have to change it up and keep you on your toes so that your taste buds remain interested in raw vegan foods. Varying your ingredients and straying from the well-traveled path is a great way to enjoy new flavors and reap the benefits of different plant compounds. Because we live in a society that regularly wastes edible parts of fruits and vegetables, we wanted to provide a unique way to use celery leaves, which most people discard without hesitation.

Next time you have a bunch of celery with beautiful leaves, turn those leaves into a pesto. While you can incorporate them into salads, it is much easier and quicker to transform them into a pesto sauce. From a nutritional standpoint, celery leaves are rich in the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Fiber
• Beta-carotene

Celery leaves may help enhance immune function due to the presence of vitamins A and C. Both of these vitamins work to protect the body against infections, while simultaneously enhancing skin health. The calcium and magnesium in celery leaves are essential for maintaining strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Because celery leaves contain antioxidants and chlorophyll, they aids the body’s natural detoxification processes. In fact, they may aid the body with toxin elimination.

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It seems that you cannot wander down the bottled water aisle at a supermarket or grocery store without encountering several forms of alkaline water. Not to mention, there are various types of spring water, mineral water, sparkling water, distilled water, and classic filtered water. You may even find some volcanic water, but that isn’t at your average store. One thing is for certain, though, and it is that alkaline water and filtered water are different prices. Is there truly a difference between alkaline water and regular H2O, though? 

What Is Alkaline?

Let’s remove water from the equation for one moment to get a better understanding of alkalinity. Scientists use the pH scale, which goes from 0 – 14 to measure alkaline and acid substances. If something has a pH lower than 7, it is acidic. If something has a pH higher than 7, it is alkaline, or basic. Most tap water has a pH of about 7.5, whereas bottled water is typically closer to 7.0. 

Alkaline water usually ranges between 8.0 and 9.0, but it can be higher. There are beneficial nutrients you can reap if you drink alkaline water, but dietitians are a bit skeptical of the alkaline water trend. Is alkaline water truly worth it? 

Nutrition Facts

To give you a better idea of the nutrients in alkaline water, here is the general nutritional information for an eight-ounce bottle of alkaline water:

• Calories: 0
• Total fat: 0
• Trans fat: 0
• Protein: 0
• Cholesterol: 0
• Carbohydrates: 0
• Fiber: 0
• Sodium: 4.8 milligrams (mg)
• Total sugars: 0
• Added sugars: 0
• Magnesium: 4.8 mg
• Calcium: 24 mg
• Copper: 0.017 mg

Natural alkaline water, or spring water, that runs over rocks will pick up minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium carbonate. Those minerals raise the water’s pH, creating alkaline water. Those minerals are necessary for many bodily functions, including those related to your heart, brain, muscles, and bones. 

Experts state that there are two types of alkaline water: natural from springs and chemically processed. Most bottled alkaline water that you can buy in stores is typically the former. The natural alkaline water is collected and then bottled, but the processed version goes through an ionizer, which uses electricity to add hydrogen to the water in order to yield a higher pH. Continue reading to learn about some of the potential health benefits of drinking alkaline water. 

May Prevent Bone Loss

The older you get, the more you have to worry about bone less, considering that osteoporosis affects about one in five women, and one in 20 men, over the age of 50. Osteoporosis can make bones brittle and more prone to fracture, especially in postmenopausal women. The body needs to maintain a blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45, and one way it does this is by releasing calcium into the bloodstream. That leaves less calcium for your bones. One way to replenish this calcium is by consuming calcium-rich foods, including alkaline water. In a study of 100 postmenopausal women who drank alkaline water daily for three months while taking calcium supplements. Researchers observed that, when combined with calcium supplementation, alkaline water provided some improvements in bone loss. 

May Aid Hydration Efforts

Drinking any kind of water is beneficial for everyone, regardless of athletic ability. Water is necessary to live! Athletes who fail to hydrate properly can experience muscle cramps, reduced coordination, and decreased athletic performance. In one small study, 12 male university students drank natural alkaline water for three days before intense physical activity. The results indicated that they were better hydrated than those who drank tap water. Some people consume more water if it is alkaline, and there is nothing wrong with drinking more water. Researchers agree that people should drink alkaline water if it increases your water intake. More research is necessary to determine if it hydrates more effectively than regular filtered water, though. 

May Offer Cancer Protection

Make sure to take this claim with the tiniest grain of salt. According to some studies, cancer cannot grow in alkaline environments. That has begged the question of whether or not an alkaline diet, which includes alkaline water, can make the body an uninhabitable environment for cancer. Unfortunately, the biggest problem with this theory is that alkaline water alone cannot change your blood’s pH. Drinking alkaline water, while a great way to hydrate, is unlikely to affect cancer cells. For this reason, more research is necessary to support this claim. Currently, research and medical professionals concur that food and water cannot change the body’s pH levels because it is a highly regulated system.

May Combat Acid Reflux

Alkaline substances can neutralize acid, so drinking alkaline water may combat symptoms of high acidity in the stomach, but not for long. Research shows that the contents of the stomach are very acidic. Consuming a product that helps reduce that acidity may provide temporary relief. In fact, it will only last for a short while, for example, a few minutes at best. Alkaline water may be dangerous when consumed with certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). For this reason, consult your healthcare professional before you combine alkaline water with any medications. 

Alkaline water has grown in popularity, but it is not a cure for various health conditions. More research is still necessary to prove that alkaline water exhibits the potential health benefits listed in this article. Just remember to stay hydrated, with alkaline or filtered water, if you want to keep the body as healthy as possible.

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It’s the middle of March, which can only mean one thing: St Patrick’s Day is nearly here. There is a certain food establishment that serves the classic Shamrock Shake annually. You know the one, right? There are golden arches, or something like that (wink wink). The main thing we want is for you not to succumb to the temptation. Don’t let curiosity get the better of you because one of those small shakes contains the following nutrition:

• Calories: 500
• Total carbohydrates: 82 grams (g)
• Protein: 11 g
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 55 milligrams (mg)
• Calcium: 380 mg
• Potassium: 500 mg
• Sodium: 160 mg

For reference, the shake is made with vanilla ice cream, a sugary processed syrup, and whipped cream. This recipe doesn’t contain any of those things, because we actually care about your health. The good news is that there are many different ways to create your own shamrock shake. You just have to keep an open mind about your food, and all that you can do with it.

This shake is not really a shake; rather, it’s a smoothie. Avocado contributes to the green color, but so does the spinach and mint. Avocado is a great smoothie ingredient because it helps make it more creamy, while also adding protein, healthy fats, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Don’t worry…you won’t taste it at all, especially since this smoothie also contains bananas, which provide natural sweetness. The touch of raw cacao powder is optional, but it provides the classic mint chocolate combo that a shamrock shake is.

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You have your diaper bag. The car seat is properly installed. You have given your baby lots of snuggles, naturally. With all that said, one could say that you are crushing the role of parent already. The only thing left for you to do is tackle the responsibility of getting your diet under control. 

Diet is usually the last thing on new parents’ minds. Some people get very lucky and they have lots of friends and family make them meals that they can easily heat up. Are all of these meals healthy? It’s not often that they are, but those meals keep you fed and sane. While enjoying whatever food you can shovel in your mouth while you aren’t breastfeeding, sleeping, or cleaning, you may also be required to take vitamins. 

Some doctors also instruct new mothers to continue taking their prenatal vitamins. The birth of your baby should not stop you from doing that. Prenatal supplements work to support a healthy pregnancy, but a lot happens to the body during those nine months, the biggest of which is the birth of your baby. Your body was doing a lot during pregnancy, and it still requires nutrients postpartum. A nutritious diet is ideal, but not always easy with all the other baby responsibilities. That’s why postnatal vitamins may help fill in the remaining gaps. When shopping for those vitamins, make sure to look for the following ingredients. 

Vitamin D

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, vitamin D proves to be an integral nutrient post-birth. According to health experts, there should be a minimum of 2,000 IU in your postnatal vitamin. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to postpartum depression. For that reason, doctors recommend vitamin D as one of the many supplements to help alleviate symptoms of depression, in addition to supporting immune function. 

DHA

Omega-3 fatty acids not only benefit your health, but also your baby’s health. These fatty acids work to support brain development in your baby if you are breastfeeding or chest feeding, according to researchers. Your DHA needs increase during pregnancy, and they don’t immediately decline postpartum. In fact, they remain about the same during lactation. If you enjoyed a particular omega-3 supplement during pregnancy, you can continue taking that. 

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral found in dairy products, fortified foods (breakfast cereals and juice), and some plant-based foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that the calcium found in breast milk is sourced from your own stores, primarily bones. That’s why health experts recommend breastfeeding mothers to get at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day. That amount helps ensure that your bones will remain strong after you’ve weaned your baby off breast milk to other foods and beverages.

Iron

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that an iron supplement, taken by itself or with folic acid, helps to reduce the risk of anemia in the six- to 12-week period after giving birth. The body’s iron needs end up decreasing during the postnatal period, so most postnatal supplements do not have a large amount of iron. Researchers suggest that there is more iron in a prenatal vitamin than you will need in postnatal life, but it may be valuable immediately after giving birth. Most women lose a lot of iron during birth, so it becomes a valuable mineral for new moms. That is particularly true if you do not usually get enough iron in your diet. 

Folate

Your folate needs continue during the postpartum period, but the type of folate you take is not as important as it is in prenatal vitamins. Folate in the form of folic acid primarily serves to prevent neural tube defects in the developing infants during pregnancy. In the postnatal period, all types of folate are acceptable to keep your folate levels up. You might see folic acid, whole-food folate, or methylfolate as forms of folate in postnatal supplements.

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People have an idea of which recipes tahini belongs to. Believe it or not, tahini is not solely reserved for dressings, hummus, and other dips or sauces. Tahini has a place in desserts, providing an earthy nuttiness that complements sweeter ingredients, such as dates, maple syrup, or agave. Some people regularly make tahini fudge! When you mix tahini with dates, however, you get an incredibly nourishing, filling treat. That ingredient combination is almost like a raw vegan version of salted caramel. Plus, that duo provides lots of fiber, potassium, and magnesium, all of which help the body function optimally.

One of the reasons why you’ll love this recipe is because of its simplicity. It comes together in a matter of minutes and it’s packed with natural sweetness. You get a hint of bitterness from the raw cacao powder, in addition to a surprising amount of nutrition. Just one tablespoon of raw cacao powder contains the following nutritional profile:

• 2 grams (g) of fat
• 29 calories
• 1 g of protein
• 2 g carbohydrates
• 11% of the daily value (DV) of fiber
• 5% of the DV of vitamin D
• 5% of the DV of potassium
• 1% of the DV of iron
• 1% of the DV of calcium

For the dates, we recommend that you go with Medjool dates, as they are generally bigger and have more of a caramel-like texture and flavor. They can be harder to find, depending on where you are, so you can replace them with regular dates if you cannot locate Medjools. If you cannot find Medjool dates, use two regular dates for every one Medjool date. Finally, if the dates are not soft, you can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before blending. Just make sure to discard the soaking liquid.

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Yes, it is that time of the year when we get to welcome all things pumpkin. Although we don’t encourage flocking to coffee shops to indulge in overly sweet and fattening pumpkin spice lattes, we do welcome healthier pumpkin recipes. We prefer the pumpkin recipes, like this overnight oat one, that provide fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a diverse mix of vitamins and minerals. And that is truly what we aim to provide you on this website, whether you are cleansing or trying to adopt healthier eating habits.

These pumpkin pie overnight oats contain pure pumpkin puree. Now, it is very important that you purchase that and not canned pumpkin pie mix. The former is 100% pure pumpkin, while the latter is calorically dense, rich in sodium, and high in sugar. Pure pumpkin puree contains fiber, protein, lots and lots of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, iron, and a small amount of calcium. Although the pumpkin puree helps flavor and color these overnight oats, let’s not forget about the oats. For vegans, oats are great sources of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. They help keep you full and sustain energy until your next meal!

And because we love nutrition so much, we could not exclude chia seeds from the recipe. Chia seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. They also contain vitamins B1 & B3, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, and several antioxidants, including quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. These antioxidants can help protect your cells from damaging free radicals, which contribute to aging and several diseases, including cancer.

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A happy life is a healthy life. Feeding your body foods that provide optimal nourishment to encourage the optimal function of all systems and organs is truly a gift. When you eat the right foods, you feel a whole lot better. That doesn’t mean you cannot cheat a little here and there and indulge in some unhealthy options. If you find that you have been eating a little unhealthier, though, switch it up and make yourself a refreshing raw salad like this kale cranberry almond salad. It contains fiber, protein, magnesium, vitamin C, antioxidants, and other beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Kale is a superfood, but it’s not the only ingredient that brings a super nutritional profile to this salad. As the other leafy green base, you have romaine lettuce, which is an excellent source of vitamin K, folate, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. The avocado also provides magnesium and potassium, in addition to healthy fats, folate, fiber, and more. Along with their low sodium levels, avocados do not contain any cholesterol, making them great heart-healthy foods.

When you enjoy this kale salad, not only will you feel good about yourself, but you’ll also get to enjoy varying textures and flavors. Although the kale can be slightly bitter, you don’t taste it because the dried cranberries offer sweetness and almonds provide nuttiness. Avocados don’t offer specific flavor, but they do offer a textural difference from all the crunch in this salad. Finally, you get the zesty dressing that also provides some creaminess, thanks to the tahini.

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