It’s not quite summer, but the warmer weather is here. Although you may not be able to turn on vacation mode, you can enjoy a healthy, tropical vegan recipe. This pineapple coconut chia pudding will take you to that sandy beach on that secluded island in the Pacific. Instead of an unhealthy, sugary cocktail that delivers empty calories, this chia pudding provides lots of fiber, protein, healthy fats, and many vitamins and minerals.

As a quick note, this recipe is not raw vegan because it contains canned coconut milk. Now, you can make this recipe raw vegan and cleanse-approved if you make the coconut milk from scratch? Yes, this is actually possible, but requires a lot of effort. Click here to learn how to make your own raw vegan coconut milk. Plus, if you decide to make your own coconut milk, you know that it has no added sugars in it. The coconut milk provides a lot of creaminess and healthy fat, giving this chia pudding a more pudding-like texture. Plus, is there a more classic combination than coconut and pineapple? This is the piña colada of healthy breakfasts, people!

This chia pudding is a great way to start your day because it helps to energize the body and keep you full until lunch. You get a lot of omega-3s from the coconut milk and the chia seeds, and you get healthy digestive enzymes from the pineapple. The pineapple also offers lots of vitamin C, with just one cup satisfying 88% of your recommended daily intake. It also provides vitamin B6, potassium, folate, magnesium, riboflavin, copper, thiamine, manganese, and more!

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Fancy a tea or coffee that’s sweetened with homemade condensed oat milk? You are in luck because this recipe requires three ingredients and 15 minutes of your time. The condensed oat milk is sweet, thick, rich, and perfect for any tea, coffee, milkshake, or creamy beverage. You can also use it in myriad dairy-free or vegan baking applications. Drizzle it over scones, cakes, biscotti, and more!

There are not too many (if any) non-dairy condensed milk options available for purchase. Commercially available condensed oat milks are very rare, but you can sometimes have luck with condensed coconut milk. Because they are not easy to find, we wanted to provide you with an easy homemade option. All you need is the ingredients, a blender, a saucepan, and some of your precious, valuable time.

After you blend the ingredients, strain the blended mixture through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine mesh sieve. Pour that strained liquid into a saucepan and heat slowly while whisking frequently. This step is very important because you want the mixture to thicken evenly. The frequent whisking and heat will thicken the liquid, but be mindful that this can take three to five minutes. Just be patient and remove the saucepan from the stove once it reaches your desired consistency.

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It is a gift to be able to make your own nut milk because you know exactly which ingredients go into it. Besides the fact that they do not contain any emulsifiers, thickening agents, or added sugars, homemade nut milks simply taste better than anything store bought. They taste fresher and are usually creamier. Because they are homemade and do not contain preservatives, they have a much shorter shelf life. Homemade nut milk, such as this strawberry cashew milk, has a shelf life of about three days, so be sure to drink it all up.

Carrageenan is probably the most common ingredient that you’ll see in a store bought nut milk. It’s a potentially carcinogenic ingredient that you should avoid if you can. Even “clean” nut milk companies will uses ingredients like carrageenan, which doesn’t instill confidence in buyers. A great nut milk should consist of a few ingredients: nuts, water, and a sweetener, such as raw agave nectar, grade A maple syrup, or dates.

For this homemade strawberry cashew milk, there is no sweetener; rather, the strawberries serve as the sweetening component. Choose your strawberries right and you’ll have a perfectly balanced sweet and slightly tart flavor. Now, you can make this strawberry cashew milk in one of two ways. Either you add all of the ingredients to a blender and then strain through a mesh sieve or nut milk bag, or you juice the strawberries and then mix that juice with the strained cashew milk. Choose your destiny and let us know how you like it!

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Are you an almond milk fanatic, or do you prefer oat milk? Maybe you enjoy macadamia nut milk or hemp seed milk instead. There is nothing wrong with these non-dairy milk alternatives; rather, quite the opposite, so long as you buy the unsweetened varieties with minimally processed ingredients. Better yet, if you make your own plant-based milks then you are really killing the game. We will say, though, that if you have never tried cashew milk, you are in for a treat, especially with this recipe.

Cashew milk can be quite expensive in stores, so making it at home may help you save a little money. Plus, as you know by now, making your own nut or seed milk is an incredibly easy process, especially if you have a nut milk bag. In the case of this recipe, the cashew milk offers a warm, sweet, and slightly richer flavor than your typical store bought variety. It also drinks smoother and has a creamier texture, which is great if you want to add this to your post-cleanse cup of coffee.

The great thing about this cashew milk, besides the highly addictive flavor, is its versatility. It goes great in smoothies, baked goods, energy balls/bars, cereal, or coffee. The options are truly endless and you can feel great about enjoying this cashew milk because it doesn’t contain the emulsifiers, thickening agents, added sugars, or preservatives, all of which are usually in store bought varieties. If you like this recipe and want to see more like it, drop a comment below so we know!

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Finally, a smoothie that does not require homemade almond milk. It does, however, call for homemade cashew milk and raw cashews, so just buy some extra to make your nut milk ahead of time. We find cashew milk to be a bit creamier and smoother than almond milk, and that contributes to a silky smooth smoothie.

We could talk to you about strawberries, cashews, and dates at length, but there is an unusual ingredient in this smoothie: cardamom. There is not a huge amount because too much would easily overpower the smoothie. You get a subtle hint of aromatic essence from the cardamom that blends beautifully with strawberry’s sweet tartness. The sweetness from the dates helps to mellow cardamom’s intensity, so you don’t have to worry about this spice overwhelming your palate.

What you need to know is that cardamom acts like a superhero for your digestive system. It can help soothe an upset stomach and fight off harmful bacteria that cause digestive issues. Researchers note that cardamom’s antioxidant compounds help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Those same antioxidants also work to protect your cells from oxidative stress, so you can remain youthful and spry. Lastly, some studies suggest that cardamom’s anti-inflammatory properties work to lower inflammatory markers in the body. This smoothie is truly the epitome of drinking to your health!

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Crackers only come in boxes right? Wrong. While most of you are familiar with boxed crackers, they don’t always have to come out of one. You can easily make, and even improve upon, the humble cracker in a much healthier way. These rosemary coastal crackers, for example, are the perfect blend of savory, sweet, and salty. Each bite is more enjoyable than the next and we can confidently say that there’s no way you can enjoy one at a time. If you limit yourself to a single cracker, we need to contact you about your self-control because we need lessons.

Some crackers require dips, spreads, or toppings to enhance the flavor. With these crackers, you don’t need any of those flavor enhancers. All of the flavor is directly in the cracker. The dried cranberries (free of preservatives and added sugars) complement the herbaceous rosemary and nutty almonds and walnuts. Just make sure to chop up the dried cranberries before adding them to the food processor with the other ingredients. The food processor does a great job, but don’t trust it to chop up the cranberries along with all of the other ingredients.

This recipe has something that you probably don’t see too often: almond pulp. What is this strange ingredient and is it raw vegan? Almond pulp is the byproduct of almond milk. Save the pulp that results after you pour the almond milk through a fine mesh strainer, nut milk bag, or cheesecloth. You don’t have to throw that away because it is valuable! Finally, this is a time-consuming recipe because it take about 16 hours to dehydrate. Make it at night and it’ll be ready in the morning!

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Homemade almond milk is a thing of pure beauty. Not only is the taste divine, but it is also much healthier than store bought almond milk. There are a few reputable brands out there that sell quality products, but most store bought almond milks contain emulsifiers, thickening agents, and added sugars. That is not the case with homemade almond milk, especially not this lavender blueberry almond milk. It pairs the floral essence of lavender with the sweet tartness of blueberries. What’s not to like about this beautiful creation? The color alone is enchanting!

Just like making a smoothie, all you need to do is add the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Once you do that step, pour the blended mixture through a cheesecloth, fine mesh sieve, or nut milk bag, pressing the nut pulp to get out as much liquid as possible. If you plan on making your own nut milks in the future, we recommend that you invest in a nut milk bag. Not only is it much easier to use than cheesecloth, but it is also reusable and sustainable.

When it comes to acquiring lavender, you can pick fresh lavender from your garden or neighborhood. You just need the purple flowers, not the thick stem. If you can’t find fresh lavender, you can use dried lavender, but use about half the amount because dried lavender is a bit stronger and has a more pronounced, floral flavor. Happy blending!

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Do you ever wish that your hair was soft, silky, and ready for a hair care commercial? While we cannot promise miraculously luscious locks, we can provide an all-natural shampoo that contributes to healthier hair. The shampoo recipe in this article may help your hair get its bounce back! It only consists of three ingredients: coconut milk, liquid castile soap, and lavender essential oil. 

Most store bought shampoos contain ingredients that can strip your hair of its natural oils. Harmful chemicals in name brand options may not do your hair any favors, despite the promises they advertise. Switching to homemade, natural hair care products can often bring your hair back to life. You just have to find which ingredients work for you, but the following ingredients help promote scalp and hair health.

Coconut Milk

Rich in beneficial nutrients like vitamins B12, C, and E, zinc, healthy fats, and vital proteins, coconut milk is highly beneficial for hair and skin. Vitamin E works to protect your hair from free radical damage. Several studies indicate that volatiles in canned coconut milk change over time. For this reason, hair care experts recommend homemade coconut milk (recipe here) for optimal hair care. The lauric acid in coconut milk can easily penetrate hair and strengthen the cuticle. Additionally, the high protein profile of coconut milk works to keep your hair strong and healthy. 

Liquid Castile Soap

As a quick note, switching from regular shampoo to liquid castile soap can take time because it is more alkaline than your typical shampoo. This may disrupt your scalp’s pH level, but that is why you dilute it with other ingredients. Castile soap contains lye (a metal hydroxide obtained from wood ash) and produces soap molecules. It is natural, oil-based, and non-toxic, so it cleanses gently, which is highly beneficial for people with scalp issues like dermatitis or eczema. Because liquid castile soap is free of fragrances, detergents, and irritants, it works to preserve the scalp’s natural oils. That may help keep hair follicles healthy and promote a healthier growth rate for your hair. 

Lavender Essential Oil

Known for its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, lavender has been used in medicinal practices for over 2,500 years. It has been a popular ingredient in folk medicine in various treatments for anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and depression. Lavender essential oil’s antimicrobial properties may help reduce the risk of dandruff, which is caused by yeast infecting the scalp. Depending on the cause of dandruff, lavender essential oil may prevent the formation of flakes. The anti-inflammatory properties also encourage a healthier scalp, which is essential for aiding hair growth. 

DIY 3-Ingredient Lavender Shampoo

Ingredients:

• 1.75 cup coconut milk (ideally homemade, but canned is acceptable)
• 1.5 cups liquid castile soap
• 30 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well to combine.
• Pour the mixture into some shampoo bottles and close tightly. 
• Shake the bottle before each use.

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Listen…we are very familiar with almond milk and cashew milk. We love both of these nut milks dearly, but it’s time for a change, and that change is homemade brazil nut milk. Not only does this mix things up and show flavor diversity, but it also opens your world up to a variety of nutrients. More specifically, Brazil nuts are excellent sources of vitamin E, phenols, and selenium.

Brazil nuts are native to the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru. They have a smooth, buttery texture and you can enjoy them raw, roasted, or blanched. Researchers confirm that they are one of the most concentrated dietary sources of selenium, with a one-ounce serving offering 989% of the recommended daily value (DV). One Brazil nut contains 175% of the DV of selenium, so you can’t overdo it with your consumption. Selenium can help enhance immune function and may be helpful in the treatment of infections, infertility, heart disease, and certain mood disorders.

Brazil nuts are also rich in methionine, an amino acid that promotes antioxidant production to fight free radicals. They also supply the body with calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin B, and omega-6 fatty acids. When buying Brazil nuts, purchase raw shelled nuts from a source that has a high turnover in order to ensure maximum freshness. Raw Brazil nuts also retain more nutrients than roasted varieties.

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There are a lot of easy DIY shampoo recipes out there. You throw a couple ingredients in a pump bottle, shake it up, and you’re ready to roll. Essentially, most homemade shampoo recipes contain the same basic ingredients: coconut milk, liquid Castile soap, and essential oils. Some other recipes throw in the additional olive oil, sweet almond oil, honey, or vitamin E oil. One recipe isn’t necessarily better than another one; rather, you have to find the right recipe that works best for your hair and scalp. 

We do have to clarify one thing about the shampoo before we detail some of the impressive ingredients. This homemade shampoo contains coconut milk, but you have to be very exact with your measurement of that ingredient. If you add too much coconut milk, your shampoo will not be sudsy. Additionally, coconut milk will go bad after a while, which is why we included vitamin E oil in this recipe. It acts like a natural preservative, helping your shampoo last longer. Finally, adding too much liquid Castile soap can make your hair feel stripped.

Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a common ingredient in skin and hair care products because it is a great source of healthy fats. The good news is that coconut milk also contains a list of nutrients that encourage a healthy scalp and optimal locks. Lauric acid, one of the primary nutrients in coconut milk, is a long-chain/medium-chain fatty acid that can easily penetrate the hair and strengthen the cuticle. Coconut milk’s high protein content may help strengthen your hair because the hair is predominantly supported by the types of protein you eat. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

In general, peppermint essential oil is beneficial for people with oily hair and scalps. Just as with any essential oil, you have to dilute it in a carrier oil before topical application. Peppermint essential oil works to stimulate blood flow to the skin, which may increase dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth, according to research. One study found that a 4% menthol solution caused blood vessels to widen, which increased blood flow. Another research study found that the use of a peppermint oil solution led to more hair growth than minoxidil, an FDA-approved hair growth product. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough research to support that the regular use of peppermint oil can increase hair growth. It may, however, stimulate hair growth due to the vasodilation of the blood vessels. 

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil was popularly used in folk medicine, which is why many scientists have tested it for potential health benefits. Although most of the research is preliminary, the studies illustrate possible uses for rosemary essential oil. One of the most common uses of rosemary essential oil is to help reduce hairs loss and improve hair growth. Rosemary oil works to fight back against androgenetic alopecia, one of the leading causes of hair loss. It does this by preventing a byproduct of testosterone from attacking hair follicles. Men with androgenetic alopecia massaged diluted rosemary essential oil onto their scalp twice daily for six months. At the end of the study, they experienced the same increase in hair thickness as those who used minoxidil. 

Homemade Rosemary Mint Shampoo

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) plastic bottle with pump
• 1.25 cups unsweetened coconut milk
• 3/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 teaspoon almond oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
• 30 drops rosemary essential oil
• 20 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree oil

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into the plastic bottle, screw on the lid, and shake well to combine. 
• Store in the fridge or in a cool, dark place. Use when ready.

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