Skip to main content

Mason Jar Meals

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

When it comes to preparing meals in advance it’s always nice to find fun ways to put a spin on classic go-to recipes. Mason jars add a rustic charm and delight to anything they hold. They can make food more appealing and colorful, while also providing a pre-portioned easily microwaveable container.

Here are 5 unique combinations to mix up in a mason jar:

  1. Quinoa salad. Add a vinaigrette dressing to the bottom, then add tomatoes, cucumber, quinoa, and feta cheese. Pour contents onto a plate when you’re ready to enjoy a healthy lunch or dinner.
  2. Overnight oats with chia seeds and fruit. Mix old flashed oats with chia seeds and almond milk. Add your favorite fruit to the top of the oat mixture.
  3. Taco salad. Place salsa, sour cream, taco meat, rice, tomatoes, cheese, and lettuce in a jar. Secure the lid and you’re ready for a hearty salad on the go.
  4. Stir fry veggies and shrimp. Pre-sauté your favorite frozen or fresh stir fry veggies with added shrimp. Add pre-cooked vegetables, rice, soy sauce and shrimp to a jar then reheat in the microwave before serving.
  5. Layered lasagna. Place pre-made meat sauce, ricotta cheese, any shape cooked noodles, wilted spinach, and mozzarella cheese in a jar. Reheat, mix and enjoy!

Health Benefits of Coffee

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Is coffee good for you?

This question is routinely asked because coffee has been a staple in the American diet for so long. However, the thinking surrounding coffee has changed over the years. What we now call a coffee bean is actually a stone fruit seed.  This natural food is full of antioxidants and beneficial nutrients. Recent studies show that coffee can increase your brain functioning and boost your mood. So it’s no surprise that coffee is considered one of the world’s most popular beverages. 

One of the most controversial yet important components of coffee is its caffeine content. Caffeine is a stimulant that when consumed in moderation can increase your metabolic rate.  This helps you burn fat more effectively and helps increase adrenaline levels. Moderate coffee drinking is considered about 3 cups of black coffee per day. It’s important to remember that coffee offers most of its health benefits when consumed in moderation with a balanced diet and exercise. A regular morning cup of joe can decrease your risk of type two diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and colorectal cancer. Coffee can be good for the heart, mind, and soul.

Consider adding organic coffee to your routine to help fight climate change and add a deeper array of antioxidants to your body. 

Quiche with Cauliflower Crust

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Ingredients:

For the Crust: 
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets 
2 Tablespoons Clearly Organic olive oil 
1/3 cup parmesan cheese  
1/2 teaspoon Clearly Organic garlic powder 
1 egg 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/4 teaspoon Clearly Organic ground pepper 

For the Filling: 
6 eggs  
1 cup Clearly Organic milk 
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbles 
1/2 teaspoon salt 
1/2 teaspoon Clearly Organic ground pepper 
1 Tablespoon Clearly Organic olive oil  
2 cups fresh spinach 
1/2 cup onion, chopped  
4 slices of cooked bacon, chopped 

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Add cauliflower florets to a food processor bowl. Pulse until cauliflower is evenly in crumbles. Place cauliflower in a large sauté pan with 2 tablespoons olive oil and cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. This will release the excess water from the cauliflower. Add cooked cauliflower to a bowl with one egg, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute. Press crust into a pie pan. Be sure to press crust up the sides.  Bake for 20 minutes or until golden on the sides. Remove crust from the oven. Let cool for 10 minutes before adding the filling.  

Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees. Whisk together 6 eggs, milk, feta cheese, salt and pepper. In a sauté pan over medium heat add olive oil and onion. Cook until onion is translucent. Add spinach and stir until wilted. Place onion and wilted spinach mixture on the cooked cauliflower crust. Add chopped bacon then pour egg mixture over the top. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until eggs are solid and slightly golden. Let cool for 10 minutes before cutting.

5 Health Benefits of Spicy Foods

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Whether you like a bold spicy flavor or you love the fiery heat of chili peppers you will be delighted to know that many spicy foods have surprising health benefits. Even if you are not a fan of the three-alarm hot feeling in your mouth many other spices like ginger, turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, and garlic offer metabolic and heart health benefits.

Here are 5 reasons to add a little more spice to your life: 

Weight Loss
Many studies show that the magic behind a metabolic increase from food is a compound called capsaicin, which has a thermogenic effect by increasing your core temperature. The thermic effect of food causes your body to burn more calories for about 20 minutes after eating spicy food. 

Lower Bad Cholesterol
Chili peppers can reduce some of the damaging effects of LDL cholesterol. Capsaicin helps fight inflammation, which is a risk factor for heart disease, allowing blood to flow more freely throughout your body. 

Improves Digestion
Ginger, chili, and other spices can reduce inflammation, which is often an immune reaction that causes swelling.  Therefore, many health professionals believe inflammation is a big part of digestive discomfort. Turmeric in particular has a component called curcumin, which has shown promise in relieving irritable bowel syndrome.  

Kills Bacteria
Spices like cumin, curry, and turmeric have powerful antioxidants that help combat bad bacteria in the body.  
Spices not only provide added flavor to the food they also add nutrients and disease-fighting properties. Next time you’re roasting vegetables, cooking up a pork chop or making hamburgers considering adding a few extra sprinkles of your favorite spice.

Summer Asian Slaw with Ginger Peanut Dressing

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Salad:
3 cups shredded green cabbage
2 cups carrots, julienned
1 cup purple cabbage, shredded
1 red pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup edamame, shelled (optional)
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped

For the Ginger Peanut Dressing:
1/4 cup Clearly Organic Honey
1/4 cup Clearly Organic Olive Oil
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
2 Tablespoons Clearly Organic Peanut Butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
1/4 teaspoon Clearly Ground Ginger
1 garlic clove, minced

In a mason jar with a lid add all of the ingredients for the ginger peanut dressing. Be sure the peanut butter is at room temperature so it will blend in well. Secure the lid to the jar and shake well until ingredients are evenly distributed. Set dressing aside while chopping veggies for the slaw.

Shred or finely chop green and purple cabbage. Place cabbage in a large salad bowl. Add julienned carrots and sliced red pepper. Add shelled edamame beans (You can use frozen edamame and heat in the microwave) to the salad bowl. Add green onions, cilantro, and chopped peanuts to the slaw mix.

About 30 minutes before serving add dressing to the slaw mix. Gently toss slaw to evenly distribute dressing. Add a few more dry roasted peanuts if desired just before serving.

Cooking for One 

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Whether you live alone or you have different food preferences than your family, it can be difficult to be creative in the kitchen when you are only making meals for yourself. However, with the right tips and tools, it can be possible to cook up delicious single-serving meals that will help eliminate food waste and endless leftovers. Here are five tips that will help liven up any meal plan.  

  1. Use one ingredient in different ways. When you cook a batch of rice, quinoa or any ancient grain don’t be afraid to use a half cup for a savory side dish, another half cup mixed into a salad or some cooked grains with sautéed vegetables in a stir fry.  
  2. Go to the bulk bins to customize quantities. Although the bulk bins are called “bulk” they also allow you to select small portions of unique seeds, grains, nuts, and flour.  
  3. Planning is key. To avoid wandering down the aisles and grabbing what looks good, meal planning can provide focus at the grocery store.  
  4. Frozen fruit and veggies are great options. Use frozen fruit for smoothies or oatmeal. Utilize what you need then put the rest back in the freezer.  
  5. Go to the seafood and meat counter. Instead of purchasing big packages of meat or fish, you can simply get one pork chop, one fish filet or one chicken breast. 

When cooking single-serving meals you should prioritize making balanced and colorful options. Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner delicious vegetable and protein-based selections can leave you feeling full and satisfied all day long.

Making the Perfect Picnic Lunch

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

When the weather is beautiful it seems only fitting to plan a picnic. Whether you’re heading out on a sunny day for lunch or planning a meal under the stars, here are a few simple tips to make your picnic relaxing and enjoyable.

  1. Plan a menu. There are no right and wrong foods to bring to a picnic but it’s certainly more convenient to plan dishes that travel well and can be made in advance. Try to avoid foods that need a lot of cutting or extra utensils. Ideally, plan finger foods and items that just need a fork. Veggie pasta salads and fruit salad are healthy examples of items that can be packed in a reusable container and easily transported. Nuts are great portable snacks to bring along. Plus, they don’t crush as easily as chips.  Try these recipes:

Picnic Pasta Salad

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

  1. Do your prep work at home. Planning to chop vegetables or fruit at your picnic site can get complicated and messy. Once your food is prepared arrange your containers and beverages that need to go in a cooler together. Bringing a cooler bag or small insulated tote can make transporting your items easier. Have a separate canvas bag for dry goods and food that can be kept at room temperature.
  2. Skip disposable packaging if possible. It’s more environmentally friendly to bring reusable plates and cutlery. Use parchment and twine for sandwiches versus plastic wrap and throwaway containers. Cloth napkins can add colorful practicality to outdoor dining. Sustainable packaging is also an attractive way to display your foods.
  3. Bring a few simple supplies to be comfortable and festive. A blanket, a few throw pillows (if desired), and a small tray or wood cutting board so you have a flat surface to set cups and plates. When you arrive at your picnic area place your tray or cutting board in the middle to act as a makeshift table.
  4. Enjoy your surroundings. Picnics can take place anywhere. You can be in your backyard, the local park, lakefront or oceanfront. Just be sure to stop and take a moment to enjoy the people and nature surrounding you.

Courtesy of Best Choice Brand

DIY Items with Baking Soda

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

Baking soda is a very versatile product that can be used for baking, cleaning and DIY projects. Here are three of our favorite ways to use baking soda. Each can be presented as a gift to your friends and family.

SHOWER STEAMERS:

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cup of Always Save baking soda
1 tablespoon of Always Save cornstarch
2/3 cup of water
3-4 drops of your favorite essential oils (such as Lavender/Peppermint)

Tools:
Muffin tin
12 muffin liners

Prepare a muffin tin with 12 muffin liners.
Mix the baking soda and cornstarch with water until you have a thick paste. Slowly add the water as you might need more to create the thick paste. Pour the paste until the muffin tin is about 1/4 full. Place these in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees. Allow them to cool and add essential oils. Share with your friends as gifts or just enjoy in the shower.

FRIDGE REFRESHERS:

1 1/4 cups Always Save baking soda
1/4- 1/2 cup water
8 drops of your favorite essential oil

Create a paste with the three ingredients in a bowl. Add to a silicone mold and allow it to dry for 2-3 days until completely hard. Remove from the mold and place it in your refrigerator.

NATURAL DEODORANT BARS:

6-7 TBSP Best Choice Coconut Oil
4-5 TBSP Always Save Cornstarch
2-4 TBSP Always Save Baking Soda
1.5 oz- 2 oz of Shea butter or cocoa butter
6 drops of essential oils

Melt the Shea or cocoa butter over a double boiler.  Once the butter has melted add in the other ingredients.  Stir occasionally with a craft stick or coffee stick. Add the mixture to the mold and let cool. You can place it in the fridge to speed up the cooling process.

Courtesy of Always Save brand

Kitchen Spring Cleaning

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

As warmer days settle in many people start to think about spring cleaning. One room in the house that greatly benefits from the proper organization and de-junking is the kitchen. A tidy well-organized pantry and fridge can help make daily tasks more healthful, simple and more efficient. Allowing more time to go outside in Mother Nature enjoying the newfound sunshine.

Here are three simple tips for spring cleaning the kitchen.

  1. Arrange like items together. Whether it’s the fridge or the pantry try to keep items organized in food groups or by usage. Oils, vinegars, sauce, and dressings go well together, while produce and fresh whole foods store nicely together in the refrigerator.
  2. Toss dry ingredients that you’ve had for more than a year. After a while, canned goods, spices, baking soda, noodles, and oils need a refresh.
  3. Give the shelves a solid clean. Meaning, wipe down the refrigerator, pantry shelves, cabinets, and storage areas. Clear away excess grime, crumbs and spillage. Natural cleansers (see below) such as vinegar and water can help make kitchen surfaces shine.

Here is a simple all purpose cleaner recipe.

Natural All-Purpose Cleanser:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 lemon rind wedges
  • 1 rosemary spring

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake well then let sit for at least 1 week. All-Purpose Cleaner works great on most bathtubs, toilets, shower walls, and plastic item

Growing Your Own Greens

Written by novagiant on . Posted in Wellness.

The cool mornings and sunny afternoons of spring make an ideal growing season for leafy greens. This salad staple is easy to grow even if you have a busy lifestyle. Lettuce adapts well to container gardening, so you can grow your veggies in a sunny spot in your kitchen. All lettuce requires is moist soil in a pot that drains well, and a nice window seat so it can catch lots of sun.

When harvesting your lettuce cut the outside leaves of each bunch, but leave the inner foliage so it can keep producing more greens. After harvesting your lettuce rinse the leaves in cold water to keep them crisp. Whether you start your lettuce from seed or transplant have fun enjoying the colorful harvest.