Plant Based Lifestyle Archives - Journey With Healthy Me

Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats

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February is American Heart Month. It serves as a reminder to take care of our hearts by adopting proactive practices that prevent coronary disease. Check out Heart Health Tips, for ways you can live a healthier life.

Oats support heart health. They provide necessary fiber and reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and protecting against oxidation.

I’ve eaten oatmeal since my childhood. Recently I upped my game. I tried overnight oats for the first time. And today, I made my first batch of baked oats. You will love this delicious lemon blueberry baked oats recipe. And it is plant based, of course!

Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats title meme

The Goodness of Oats

A bowl of hot oatmeal, on a frosty morning, starts the day right. However, I love variety and trying new things. Overnight oats offer convenience and endless possibilities. Click the link above for the basic recipe. Then create fun and flavorful overnight oats using different fruits and additions.

Baked oats offer even more options. And they are so good they double as breakfast or a healthy snack. I love blueberries, however substitute blackberries, strawberries or raspberries if desired. Or swap out the berries and lemon for diced apples and cinnamon.

I used gluten free oats. If you don’t have a gluten sensitivity, regular oats are fine. This recipe is vegan and refined sugar free. I adapted it from several recipes that I discovered online.

Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats

This versatile recipe comes together in minutes and delivers a delicious flavor combo.

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 45

Total Time 50

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

2 cups gluten free oats
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup dairy free vanilla yogurt
1 cup fresh blueberries or substitute frozen blueberries
1 tsp lemon juice
4 tsp lemon extract
4 tbsp pure maple syrup
2 tsp baking powder

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place oats in a bowl. Add boiling water and stir to combine. Allow oats to soak for two minutes.
Add remaining ingredients. Stir gently to combine. Spoon mixture into an 8X8 lightly greased baking dish.
Bake for 45 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean or mostly clean. Serve warm with a spoonful of dairy free yogurt. Store left overs in fridge and reheat or eat cold. Makes 4 servings.

Keyword Baked Oats, Blueberry, Lemon

Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats into the oven — Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats – ready to go into the oven

Tips for Making Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats

Oats are naturally gluten free. However, they are typically processed in facilities with other products that contain gluten. Look for packages of oats that specify gluten free, meaning they were prepped in a facility without contamination with other products.

Substitute frozen blueberries for fresh, if desired. Likewise, substitute fresh lemon zest for lemon extract. The lemon flavoring is subtle and pairs well with the semi-tart blueberries. Adjust maple syrup for more or less sweetness. I used four tablespoons, with a mildly sweet result. And I buy the Silk brand dairy free yogurt at my local Walmart neighborhood market.

Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats out of the oven — Fresh from the oven, lemon blueberry baked oats.

The Test Taste

I tested the recipe this afternoon, after lunch. Greg and I didn’t wait for breakfast time tomorrow. We chose to sample the lemon blueberry baked oats fresh from the oven. Greg added a dollop of frozen coconut whip to his bowl of baked oats and I spooned on a small amount of dairy free vanilla yogurt.

The recipe receives a thumbs up from both of us! It tastes as good as it smells, as it bakes. The texture is soft and slightly chewy with a hint of sweetness. And that lemon blueberry combo is perfect!

I know what’s for breakfast tomorrow. I’ll warm up the baked oats and savor them again. What a wonderful, healthy breakfast for cold winter mornings. I look forward to trying different versions such as apple cinnamon.

Have you made baked oats yet?

Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats spoonful of goodness — Lemon Blueberry Baked Oats – a spoonful of goodness

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Healthy Fried Apples

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Today I noticed I had several apples that needed to be eaten…soon. I’d already purchased a new bag of red skinned apples. What could I do with these three that appeared a bit past their prime?

I have a wonderful fresh applesauce recipe. However, with temperatures hovering around 30 degrees and fresh snow on the ground, something warm and fragrant appealed to me more.

I came up with a simple solution…healthy fried apples.

Healthy Fried Apples title meme

An Apple a Day

We know how beneficial apples are. They play a crucial role in fighting inflammation of all kinds, calming the systems of the body by reducing viral and bacterial loads that inflame the body. In addition, the phytochemicals in apples feed the neurons of the brain and increase electrical activity. That makes them brain food!

Red skinned apples are especially beneficial. The pigments that create that rosy color have anti-obesity properties and strengthen the digestive system. They are the best colon cleanser. Pectin from an apple rids the intestinal tract of bacteria, viruses, yeast and mold. It also helps to eliminate debris that clogs pockets in the intestines.

And yet, we often turn to an unhealthy treat when hungry for a snack. Or we drizzle apples with caramel, pop them into pies or turn them into a side loaded with butter and sugar. Think about those restaurant style fried apples. We may think a side of fried apples is a healthier choice, but it isn’t.

This easy recipe does not contain refined sugar or butter. It’s vegan and gluten free. And it makes an excellent side dish, stand alone meal or simple dessert.

Healthy Fried Apples diced — Healthy Fried Apples – diced honeycrisp apples

Recipe for Healthy Fried Apples

Healthy Fried Apples

Warm and fragrant healthy fried apples for a side or a simple dessert

5 from 2 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 15

Total Time 20

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

4 red skinned apples, cored and diced
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 1/2 tbsp pure maple syrup
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla

Instructions

In a large non stick skillet, add diced apples and water. Stir over medium heat for 1 minute. Cover and cook apples for 4 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are softened and water absorbed.
Add coconut oil to skillet. Continue to cook and stir apples for 5 minutes.
Add maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla, combining with apples to coat. Cook and stir 3 to 5 minutes, until apples are cooked through completely. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings as a side or 2 servings for main course or dessert.

Keyword Fried Apples

Healthy Fried Apples in the pan — Healthy Fried Apples – stirring and cooking with water

Tips for Healthy Fried Apples

Here are a few tips for creating your own apple side.

Add a bit more water, if needed, while cooking. With medium heat I had no problem with apples sticking to the pan.

Check apples every minute while they are cooking, covered. Stir and cover again.

Omit coconut oil, if desired. Add more water instead, as needed. Or add a tablespoon of plant based butter.

Feel free to add a sprinkle of nutmeg along with the cinnamon.

Top healthy fried apples with walnuts or raisins, if serving as dessert.

I enjoyed these wonderful fried apples so much that they became my lunch today. And they truly were perfect for a cold, overcast day. The mouth watering aroma as they cooked warmed me before I even took my first bite!

Plus, as I prepared this dish, another recipe idea came to mind featuring fried apples. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Learn more about the benefits of apples and other foods in Anthony William’s book below. Click photo to purchase on Amazon.

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal

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For the last four and a half years, my daily breakfast consists of celery juice and a fruit smoothie. At least, most of the time it does. Occasionally, during the colder winter months, I’ll substitute a bowl of hot oatmeal for the smoothie.

I grew up eating stick-to-your-ribs oatmeal, with added milk and sweetener. As one who avoids animals products, sugar and gluten, my oatmeal today is healthier. Gluten free oats, no sugar and no dairy milk. For convenience I typically use packets of organic, gluten free oatmeal.

For several years I’ve wanted to try vegan overnight oatmeal, a breakfast recipe prepared the night before and then popped into the refrigerator until morning. I finally did so, with the awareness that January is National Oatmeal Month. Last night I prepped my first two vegan overnight oatmeal jars and Greg and I enjoyed them for breakfast this morning, after our celery juice.

They are so easy to make.

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal title meme

Simple Wholesome Ingredients

After researching overnight oatmeal I discovered the basic recipe consists of two ingredients: oatmeal, in my case gluten free, and a liquid. I used plant based milk.

Oatmeal

Start with half a cup of rolled oats, also considered the “old fashioned” kind of oatmeal. I prefer gluten free oats, due to a gluten sensitivity. If you tolerate regular oatmeal, use that. (Not sure if you are gluten intolerant? Check out these eight symptoms.)

Plant Based Milk

Add two thirds cup of plant based milk of choice. I used unsweetened almond milk. Unsweetened coconut milk or unsweetened almond/coconut milk works too.

The combined milk and oats chilling overnight creates a creamy, ready to eat oatmeal by morning, as the oats absorb the milk.

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal into the fridge — Vegan Blueberry Overnight Oatmeal ready to go into the fridge.

Add Additional Ingredients

After combining the two main ingredients, the fun begins. Add fresh berries, bananas or other fruit, about one fourth to half a cup. Include walnuts or pecans…a couple of tablespoons. Love raisins? Add those. Any kind of fruit, chopped into small pieces works.

If using apples, add a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Need a little sweetening? Skip the processed sugar. Add chopped dates or a spoonful of pure maple syrup.

Chia seeds add protein and help the oats set up. Sugar free nut butters add flavor and protein as well. Play around with the foods that you like and create your own delicious flavor combos. Just start with half a cup of uncooked rolled oats and two thirds cup of plant based milk as the base.

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal prepped — Prepped vegan overnight oatmeal…apple cinnamon and blueberry.

Vegan Blueberry Overnight Oatmeal

This quick breakfast comes together in minutes and then sets up in the refrigerator overnight.

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Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients

1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
2/3 cup unsweetened plant based milk such as almond
2 tsp chia seeds
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp pure maple syrup
1/4 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

Combine oats and plant based milk in a container such as a small mason jar or bowl. Stir well.
Add remaining ingredients. Stir to combine. Cover container with lid or cloth and chill at least four hours in the refrigerator.
In the morning, stir oatmeal. Heat, if desired, in microwave for one minute. Or warm in pan on the stove. Or eat oatmeal cold. Add additional fruit for topping, if desired. Makes one serving.

Keyword Overnight Oatmeal, Vegan

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal ready to eat — Vegan overnight oatmeal chilled and ready to eat.

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal Tips

For the apple cinnamon oatmeal, I made the recipe the same as the blueberry except that I added half a teaspoon of cinnamon and replaced the blueberries with half a cup of chopped apple. Next time I’ll toss in a tablespoon of chopped walnuts.

These 8 ounce mason jars, with lids, are the perfect containers.

For creamier oatmeal, use a bit more milk. Or slightly reduce the amount of liquid and add two or three tablespoons of plant based yogurt.

Try fun combinations such a banana and peanut butter oatmeal or mixed berries and unsweetened shredded coconut or chocolate and almonds. Use two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder. How about pumpkin oatmeal? Add one third cup of pumpkin puree, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and a tablespoon each of pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.

Eat the oatmeal cold, straight from the fridge or warm it to take the chill off. You don’t need to cook the oatmeal, just warm it. I placed my blueberry oatmeal in the microwave for 6o seconds.

Delicious Breakfast

I enjoyed the vegan overnight oatmeal this morning for breakfast! It was creamy and delicious with semi-tart pops of blueberry flavor. And vegan style, overnight oats are healthy too and just as filling, I discovered, as the steaming bowls of oatmeal my mother made.

Although I’ll continue to drink a fruit smoothie most mornings, the overnight oatmeal is perfect for a weekend breakfast. I look forward to trying out a variety of flavor combos!

Have you tried overnight oats?

Make Vegan Overnight Oatmeal with these finds from Amazon:

Easy Vegan Tortilla Soup

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I love soup! I used to say I could easily exist on soup, bread and diet soda. My health didn’t agree with that statement. I first eliminated soda from my life. Read about soda’s negative impact on the body HERE.

Then, when I embraced a plant based lifestyle more than four years ago, I discovered that I have a gluten sensitivity. I stopped eating regular bread, although I now occasionally enjoy the gluten free version. Soup is still good, though, right?

That depends! Soups containing meat, egg, gluten or dairy products no longer simmer on my stove. Fortunately, however, there is a rich variety of wonderful, hearty, healthy soups available that are plant based, gluten free and dairy free.

Check out this amazingly easy vegan tortilla soup. It’s perfect for chilly winter evenings.

Easy Vegan Tortilla Soup title meme

Easy Vegan Tortilla Soup

I loved chicken tortilla soup, before becoming plant based. After eliminating meat from my diet, I gave up tortilla soup because I couldn’t find it offered without the chicken. When this recipe popped up on Pinterest, I knew what was on the menu for dinner tonight!

This easy vegan tortilla soup is adapted from a recipe by Midwest Foodie. Check out the original recipe HERE. The flavorful soup comes together in minutes and uses items commonly found in the pantry. Canned goods speed up the cooking process, lentils add protein and heartiness and canned coconut milk makes the soup creamy. And no worries, the coconut milk does not add coconut flavor to the soup.

In less than 30 minutes, I was ladling this soup into bowls.

Easy Vegan Tortilla Soup

This flavorful vegan soup comes together quickly.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 10

Total Time 20

Course Soup

Cuisine Mexican

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, diced
5 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
1 15 oz can black beans, drained
1 15 oz can whole corn, non GMO, drained
1 15 oz can fire roasted diced tomatoes
3/4 cup red lentils
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups tomato juice
1 13.5 oz can full fat coconut milk
2 tsp sea salt + black pepper to taste

Instructions

In a soup pot or dutch oven, saute diced onions in olive oil over medium high heat, stirring frequently, for approximately 3 - 4 minutes.
Add garlic, cumin and chili powder and stir and saute for 1 minute.
Add black beans, corn, tomatoes, vegetable broth, tomato juice, lentils, salt and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, cover, lower heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until lentils are cooked through. Season with black pepper and more salt, if needed.

Keyword Tortilla Soup, Vegan

Tortilla Soup Making Tips

The easy vegan tortilla soup was ready in minutes. I checked the soup after five minutes and gave it another five minutes of simmering time for a total of ten minutes.

Use store bought organic vegetable broth or make your own broth HERE. I use organic 100% tomato juice from WR Knudsen however any tomato juice is fine. You can even use V-8 for extra flavor. Don’t have juice on hand? Four cups of vegetable broth is fine or swap out the veggie broth for all tomato juice. This recipe is very adaptable.

If you don’t have red lentils on hand, brown or green lentils work too. Just check soup after five minutes of simmering time, for doneness.

Garnish soup with non GMO tortilla chips. I like these from Xochitl . Late July makes an excellent non GMO chip as well. You can also top soup with vegan cheese, vegan sour cream, chopped green onions or diced jalapeno peppers.

Easy Vegan Tortilla Soup ready to eat — Easy vegan tortilla soup is ready to eat in under 30 minutes.

The Taste Test

I loved this soup before I even tasted it. It smelled right! And my nose was correct. This easy vegan tortilla soup is wonderful with the perfect spice level. It has the tortilla soup flavor without the chicken or dairy products.

The non GMO tortilla chips, which happened to be unsalted, added the perfect crispiness.

I have leftovers for tomorrow. I’m excited about that. However, I’ll make this soup often. Perhaps I’ll never run out of tortilla soup. I hope you enjoy it too!

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9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas

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September brings us Better Breakfast Month, a time to intentionally enjoy that most crucial meal of the day. At least, we grew up hearing about the importance of breaking our long overnight fast. However, most people find it easier to head out for the day without fueling up.

In fact, only about 1/3 of people surveyed say they take the time to eat breakfast. I understand. I’ve been in that skipper category. Busy schedules, oversleeping or simply not intentionally preparing breakfast all contribute to skipping this meal.

Read on to discover why it really is vital to eat breakfast. And check out 9 healthy breakfast ideas.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas title meme

Why Breakfast Is Important

Overall, those who eat breakfast are healthier than those who skip it. They maintain a better weight and have a lower BMI (body mass index).

Starting the day with breakfast reduces hunger, boosts energy and encourages better food choices throughout the day. A healthy breakfast regulates blood sugar levels and curbs overeating later.

Plus including breakfast breaks the body out of the slower metabolic rate it slips into overnight during sleep. Awake, the body needs to get back up to speed and to do that, it requires fuel.

The brain’s supply of energy, in the form of glucose, depletes overnight too. To think clearly and increase concentration, a healthy breakfast is essential.

Ready to up your breakfast game? Try any of these 9 healthy breakfast ideas.

Smoothies & Smoothie Bowls

This is my breakfast of choice, 90% of the time. After drinking a glass of celery juice (read about the benefits of this juice HERE), I make a fruit smoothie for breakfast.

For me, this is the best possible way to refuel my body. Smoothies are easily digested, introducing fructose quickly into the bloodstream for the energy the body needs.

Begin with two bananas in a blender. Add fruit of choice. I primarily use frozen fruit to create a frosty, thicker smoothie. Fill the blender container about half way with filtered water or dairy free milk and blend. For extra health benefits, include spoonfuls of spirulina, Atlantic sea dulse, barley grass juice powder, chaga mushroom powder, plant based protein, flax seeds or chia seeds.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas smoothie — 9 healthy breakfast ideas – fruit smoothie

For fun, turn that drink into a smoothie breakfast bowl. Use less liquid to create a thicker smoothie. Pour the mixture into a bowl and then add toppings of choice. Some favorites for me: unsweetened shredded coconut, berries, nuts, chia seeds and sliced fruit.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas smoothie bowl — Turn that smoothie into a smoothie bowl.

Overnight Oats

This simple, nutritious breakfast begins the night before. Easy and versatile, you’ll love the convenience of delicious overnight oats.

Combine in a small mason jar:

1/3 cup gluten free oats
1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/3 cup dairy free milk, such as almond or coconut milk
1/3 cup dairy free plain yogurt, such as coconut milk yogurt
fresh fruit of choice…berries make an excellent addition
add 1 tbsp chia or flax seed, if desired
add 1/4 tsp cinnamon if desired

Cover jar and place in the refrigerator the night before. Open and eat right from the jar the next morning.

Search on Pinterest or Google under “overnight oats” to find a variety of tasty recipes.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas overnight oats — 9 healthy breakfast ideas – overnight oats

Chia Pudding

Considered a superfood, these little seeds deliver big health benefits. Chia seeds are an excellent source of protein, vitamins E and B complex, and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron. They are higher in Omega-3 fatty acids than any other food and especially beneficial for chronic inflammation, heart disease, brain function, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Chia seeds also combat diabetes by helping to stabilize and control blood sugar levels.

Chia pudding is so simple to make. Combine 1 cup dairy free milk, such as almond milk, with 1/4 cup of chia seeds in a mason jar or container with a lid. Cover and chill overnight in the refrigerator. Add berries, nuts or sliced fruit and enjoy.

Like overnight oats, searching for chia pudding on Pinterest or Google yields tons of recipes to try.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas chia pudding — 9 healthy breakfast ideas – chia pudding

Gluten Free Pancakes

For an occasional Sunday brunch, I enjoy a plate of gluten free pancakes. I’ve tried multiple made-from-scratch recipes. Honestly, I’ve found that the easiest way to make a stack of hotcakes involves a mix.

I love Birch Benders Organic Gluten Free Pancake Mix. Simply add water and make pancakes…two or three or a dozen. Topped with fresh fruit such as strawberries, blueberries or sliced bananas, and a drizzle of organic maple syrup, breakfast feels like a real treat.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas gluten free pancakes — 9 healthy breakfast ideas – gluten free pancakes

Fruit Bowl

Another simple…and gorgeous…breakfast option is the fruit bowl. I use whatever fresh fruit I have on hand. A favorite for me combines fresh blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and pitted bing cherries. Any combination of fruit works. Try melons with blackberries, mix together bananas, mangoes and pineapple or pair grapes with papaya. Drizzle organic, locally produced honey over the fruit to sweeten if desired or enjoy the mix of natural flavors.

For convenience, cut up fruit the night before and chill in the fridge.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas fruit bowl — Try any combination of fruits for an easy and colorful breakfast bowl.

Avocado Toast

This popular meal makes a filling and satisfying breakfast.

I toast gluten free bread and top with sliced avocado. The fun doesn’t stop there. Spread on vegan mayo. Add sliced veggies such as radishes or tomatoes. Top with arugula, spinach or sesame seeds. I love a good sprinkle of coarsely ground black pepper on my avocado toast.

This breakfast makes a simple evening meal as well.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas avocado toast — 9 healthy breakfast ideas – avocado toast

Apple Porridge & Cooked Apples

Anthony William, author of the Medical Medium books, introduced me to raw apple porridge in Thyroid Healing. See the easy recipe HERE. Filled with dates, raisins and cinnamon this breakfast bowl recipe is delicious.

Inspired, I created a recipe of my own, using my instant pot.

Add 1/4 cup of water to the bottom of the instant pot. On the steaming tray, add two chopped apples, skin on, and a handful of raisins. Sprinkle with cinnamon, lock on lid and steam for one minute. Spoon into bowls and add walnuts or unsweetened shredded coconut. This wonderfully fragrant meal is perfect for chilly winter mornings.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas apples — Cooked apples make a wonderfully healthy breakfast.

Vegan Blueberry Muffins

I typically considered vegan muffins and banana bread a treat, best enjoyed with a cup of afternoon tea. And I prefer to stick to nutrient rich foods to break my fast most of the time. However, for those who love breads for breakfast, vegan muffins and quick breads such as banana, pumpkin and date offer ideal healthy alternatives.

Try these gluten and oil free blueberry mini muffins. They also make great afternoon snacks that complement a cup of hot herbal tea.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas muffins — Vegan muffins make a great healthy alternative to traditional muffins.

Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread

This beautiful loaf is free from gluten, refined sugar, eggs and diary products.

I learned in Anthony’s Liver Rescue book that the fructose in bananas is the liver’s favorite source of food. It provides quick fuel to the liver and wakes up sleepy cells. Bananas soothe the lining of the intestines and also calm the nerves attached to the intestinal tract. This fruit is one of the most antibacterial, anti-yeast, antifungal foods available. It’s a great fruit to combine with other nutrient-rich foods…such as blueberries!

Find the recipe for this amazing bread HERE.

9 Healthy Breakfast Ideas banana blueberry bread — 9 healthy breakfast ideas – banana blueberry bread

Don’t Skip Breakfast

I hope these simple ideas for healthy breakfasts encourage you to NOT skip out on the most important meal of the day. Fuel your body, wake it up and enjoy knowing that you’ve given yourself the best possible start to the day.

Check out these helps from Amazon:

I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Healthy Potato Recipes

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Today is National Potato Day and what better way to celebrate than with a collection of my favorite healthy potato recipes!

A couple of days ago, my sister asked me to name the vegetable I like the best. Without a doubt, the simple, earthy potato tops my list. I’m grateful for potatoes, actually. They are foundational to my plant based lifestyle.

Potatoes often get a bad rap, blamed for all kinds of health disorders from inflammation to diabetes to cancer, and labeled as a low nutritional food.

Not true!

The entire potato is edible, with the skin high in nutrients. Because they develop underground, potatoes draw trace minerals from the earth. They provide potassium, B6 and amino acids…in particular Lysine in its bioactive form. Lysine fights against cancers, viruses such as Epstein-Barr and shingles, liver disease and inflammation.

Potatoes strengthen the kidneys and liver, soothe over excited nerves and help the digestive system heal from Crohn’s, irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers. This antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial vegetable relieves stress, supports the brain and helps us feel centered and grounded.

Healthy Potato Recipes title meme

National Potato Day

Celebrated annually on August 19, National Potato Day recognizes the importance of this versatile and tasty vegetable. Mashed, baked, fried or steamed, potatoes truly are a mainstay of the American diet.

The Incas in Peru first cultivated this vegetable, as early as 8000 BC. Spanish conquistadors carried potatoes from Peru to Europe in 1536. By the early 1800s French fries appeared in the US and NASA and the University of Wisconsin partnered to make potatoes the first vegetable grown in space in 1995.

Currently, more than 4000 varieties of potatoes exist. And potatoes grow in all 50 states, making it easy to enjoy a potato recipe on this special day.

In honor of the day, below are some of my favorite healthy potato recipes. Click on the links for the full recipes.

Healthy Potato Recipes baked potato — Healthy potato recipes – baked

Simple Potatoes

Most often I enjoy a simple baked potato, without dairy products such as butter or sour cream. I use plant based butter if desired. Combined with simple grains such as brown rice, legumes or an assortment of fresh or cooked veggies, a potato bowl is nutritional and satisfying.

It’s also easy to cube potatoes, leaving the skin on, and steam them for four minutes in the instant pot. I season with sprinkles of garlic powder, onion powder, sea salt and black pepper.

Oven Roasted Potatoes

Another easy favorite is oven roasted potatoes.

Crispy on the outside and yet tender inside, these potatoes make a great side dish or meatless main meal. Eat alone or create a veggie bowl featuring the oven roasted potatoes and other cooked veggies, a salad or raw veggies such as sliced tomatoes and cucumbers.

Healthy Potato Recipes roasted — Healthy potato recipes – roasted

Deviled Potatoes

These tasty bites offer a great alternative to deviled eggs.

This fun recipe makes a great snack or a satisfying meal! I love the little kick of added mustard. And no silverware needed. Pick these deviled potatoes up with your fingers and eat them!

Healthy Potato Recipes deviled — Healthy potato recipes – deviled

Dairy Free Potato Soup

I grew up loving my mother’s homemade potato soup. Fortunately, it’s easy to create a dairy free version to enjoy today.

This savory soup, adapted from my mom’s recipe and a vegan one I found, is full of other hearty vegetables. The broth gains richness from an easy to make cashew sauce.

Healthy Potato Recipes soup — Healthy potato recipes – soup

Nachos Style Potatoes

This amazing recipe, from Anthony William, substitutes baked potato “chips” for corn chips. It features a wonderful garlic aioli! Nachos style potatoes make the perfect lunch or weekend dinner.

Healthy Potato Recipes nachos — Healthy potato recipes – nachos

Aloo Matar

This fragrant, delicious meal is a Punjabi dish from India. It features potatoes and peas in a spiced tomato base. I absolutely LOVE this quick and easy recipe.

I even adapted it to create a flavorful aloo matar soup.

Healthy Potato Recipes aloo matar — Healthy Potato Recipes – aloo matar

Potato and Herb Salad

This fresh take on traditional potato salad comes from Anthony William as well. It features herbs such as chives, parsley, dill and cilantro. It’s the perfect meal for the end of summer.

Healthy Potato Recipes salad — Healthy potato recipes – salad

Shepherd’s Pie

This incredible one dish meal features lentils and vegetables in rich broth, topped with dairy free mashed potatoes. It’s just right for a chilly fall evening.

Lentils, Potatoes and Brown Rice

This instant pot recipe combines the goodness of lentils and brown rice with cubed potatoes. I love this homey meal, seasoned with thyme, rosemary and garlic.

Healthy Potato Recipes lentils and potatoes — Healthy potato recipes – lentils, potatoes and brown rice

Madras Curried Lentils and Potatoes

And finally, this is one of my all time favorite meals.

This flavorful but not too spicy curry is the perfect make ahead meal that simmers in the slow cooker all day. The tantalizing aroma makes me smile in anticipation!

Healthy Potato Recipes madras curry — Healthy potato recipes – madras curry

Healthy Potato Recipes for Every Day

For National Potato Day…or every day…these potato recipes are sure to please.

Watch this blog for new potato recipes. I’m always looking for fresh healthy ways to prepare my favorite veggie.

What about you? Do you have a potato recipe you prepare again and again?

Check out these kitchen helps from Amazon:

Vegan Cowboy Beans

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Since embracing a plant based lifestyle, I’ve looked for a replacement for my mom’s famous Settler Baked Beans. That tasty dish contains bacon, ground beef and brown sugar, all ingredients that I now avoid.

While preparing a round up of vegan one pot meals, I came across this recipe for vegan cowboy beans by Contentedness Cooking. Check out the original recipe HERE.

I adapted the recipe slightly. That’s one of the pluses of this simple recipe, it is easy to create your own unique dish based on preferences and what you have on hand.

Vegan Cowboy Beans title meme

Vegan Cowboy Beans

I love that this recipe comes together in minutes, using canned beans and pantry staples. And all the ingredients go into one pot for easy prep, cooking and cleanup.

The original recipe called for homemade barbecue sauce. I’d love to make my own soon. However, to keep it simple and quick this evening, I picked up sugar free classic barbecue sauce at Natural Grocers. I also grabbed several cans of organic beans there too along with a can of organic tomato sauce.

Any canned beans are fine. Use what you have or get creative and mix things up. I chose great northern beans, black eyed peas and a blend of pinto, kidney and black beans.

Vegan Cowboy Beans ingredients — Ingredients for Vegan Cowboy Beans

Vegan Cowboy Beans Recipe

Vegan Cowboy Beans

This savory bean dish is full of flavor.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
6 cups mixed beans, drained and cooked
1/4 cup sugar free barbecue sauce
1 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp ground mustard
1 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

In a large pan, saute onion and green bell pepper in olive oil. Cook until veggies soften, about five minutes.
Add beans, barbecue sauce and tomato sauce. Stir well. Add ground mustard and garlic powder.
Bring beans just to boil, over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Lower heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes 6 servings.

Keyword Cowboy Beans, Vegan

Enjoying This Flavorful Dish

By the time I cleaned up my prep area and washed the few dishes I dirtied, the beans were done.

What a delicious and quick meal. And how versatile. The barbecue sauce I selected added a bit of a kick, which I loved. Substitute any style and flavor of barbecue sauce. And swap out the teaspoon of ground mustard for a tablespoon of prepared mustard, if desired. Or used minced garlic instead of garlic powder.

I enjoy including chopped green bell peppers. Use your favorite vegetables. Plus, any combination of beans may be used.

I enjoyed these vegan cowboy beans! They are perfect for a backyard cookout or to tote along to a family potluck dinner. If you intend to share with others, the recipe is easily doubled.

That’s what I’ll do when I cook up my next pot of cowboy beans!

Vegan Cowboy Beans ready to eat — Ready to eat!

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Eat the Rainbow

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We’ve heard how important it is to include colorful fruits and vegetables in our diets. Those foods with vibrant colors contain powerful nutrients that sustain a healthy body.

What does it mean, to eat the rainbow?

And which foods pack the most health benefits?

Check out the following info and then have fun, creating colorful meals that boost the immune system and deeply nourish the body.

Eat the Rainbow title meme

Eat the Rainbow

The typical diet consists of fast foods and packaged meals and snacks. These highly processed foods, loaded with fats, sugars and additives, do little to nourish the body. Rather, they contribute to poor health, illnesses and diseases.

A diet built around a variety of fruits and vegetables provides benefits that nurture the body, creating optimal health and wellness. Colorful produce contains healing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytochemicals. Eating the rainbow of fruits and veggies is an easy way to ensure the body remains strong and healthy. And a strong, healthy body is better able to resist illnesses and thrive.

The colors in fruits and vegetables are derived from natural compounds that help protect the plants from harmful bacteria and viruses and the sun’s rays. Those same phytochemicals offer protection to us as well.

Red Fruits & Vegetables

Phytochemicals: lycopene, citrulline and ellagic acid

Benefits: helps fight cancer, reduces risks of heart disease and diabetes, improves skin health and vision

Red fruits and vegetables to include: strawberries, raspberries, watermelon, red skinned apples, cherries, cranberries, red grapes, red onions, pomegranates, red peppers, tomatoes, beets, radishes

Eat the Rainbow - watermelon with mint — Eat the rainbow – watermelon with mint and lime

Orange & Yellow Fruits & Vegetables

Phytochemicals: vitamin C, beta-carotene, hesperidin (in citrus fruits)

Benefits: boosts immune system and cell growth, reduces risks of heart disease and stroke, improves eye health, increases blood flow, protects skin from sun damage, keeps joints healthy

Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables to include: oranges, grapefruits, lemons, mangoes, pineapple, papayas, peaches, cantaloupes, carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squashes, yellow summer squash, corn, orange and yellow peppers, golden beets

Eat the Rainbow orange salad — Eat the Rainbow – orange, avocado and olive salad

Green Fruits & Vegetables

Phytochemicals: lutein, isoflavones, isothiocyanates, folate, vitamin K

Benefits: boosts the immune system, detoxifies the body, restores energy and vitality, helps maintain a healthy pregnancy, improves mood, repairs DNA damage, improves digestion, protects body against colds and viruses and disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and insomnia

Green fruits and veggies to include: green grapes, green apples, kiwi fruit, limes, avocado, cucumber, broccoli, celery, kale, romaine lettuce, collard greens, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, cilantro, green beans, peas, zucchini

Easy to Make Meals Using 5 Common Staples soup — Eat the rainbow -veggie bowl

Blue & Purple Fruits & Vegetables

Phytochemicals: anthocyanins, resveratrol, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, vitamin C

Benefits: protects against cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurological diseases, improves brain health and memory, reduces inflammation, repairs damage from oxidative stress, slows the aging process, normalizes blood pressure, supports liver and kidney health, heals urinary tract infections, helps to prevent colds and flu.

Blue and purple fruits and veggies to include: blueberries, blackberries, purple grapes, plums, prunes, figs, purple cabbage, eggplant, purple carrots, purple sweet potatoes, purple potatoes, purple cauliflower, purple kale, purple asparagus

Eat the Rainbow Sweet Potato with Purple Cabbage — Eat the Rainbow – baked sweet potato with braised purple cabbage and onions, topped with cilantro

White & Brown Fruits & Vegetables

Phytochemicals: allicin, quercetin, sulforaphane, anthoxanthins

Benefits: protects against cancer, strengthens bones, supports heart health, lowers cholesterol, balances hormones, reduces inflammation

White and brown fruits and vegetables to include: bananas, cauliflower, potatoes, garlic, onions, mushrooms, parsnips, Daikon radishes, jicama

Eat the Rainbow - veggies — Eat the rainbow – veggies ready to chop

Best Ways to Eat the Rainbow

Chopped salads, veggie bowls, soups and stir fries are great ways to eat the rainbow.

Combine fresh fruits together for a refreshing salad. Include berries, chopped mangoes, pineapples, oranges, sliced bananas…all of your favorite fruits.

One of my favorite meals is a chopped veggie salad. Tear dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale, romaine lettuce and arugula into small, bite sized pieces. Don’t fill a bowl with greens and then sprinkle on veggies. Make the greens part of the chopped salad without allowing them to dominate it.

Add a variety of veggies, chopped in a mini food processor. I like to include tomatoes, red, orange and green peppers, red onion, radishes, mushrooms, avocado, carrots, celery, cucumber, zucchini, asparagus, yellow squash, broccoli and cauliflower. Whatever fresh produce I have on hand in the fridge or pantry, goes into the salad. After combining well, I pop the salad into the fridge and let it chill for at least a couple of hours. This combines the flavors. It is SUCH a tasty meal.

For stir fry chop or slice veggies, quickly fry in vegetable broth or a small amount of coconut oil and serve over brown rice or riced cauliflower. Or create a big pot of vegetable soup.

Eat the Rainbow and Improve Health

Have fun adding as many colorful foods to your diet as possible. Not only do these foods create a beautiful, nutritious meal, they feed the body at a cellular level. Use as many fresh, organic non GMO fruits and vegetables as possible, leaving the skins on when you can, for the best nutritional value.

Make salads, run fruits and veggies through the juicer, combine fruits in smoothies, stir fry vegetables, steam them in the instant pot, cut fruits and vegetables up and eat them as a snack with sugar free peanut butter or dairy free yogurt.

I challenge you, in a playful way, to go beyond the occasional apple or banana. Get creative in adding more and more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Trust me, your body will thank you by responding with increased health and vitality.

You are what you eat, the saying goes. Be a rainbow.

Eat the Rainbow chopped salad — Eat the rainbow – chopped veggie salad

Make chopping veggies easy with this mini chopper:

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I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Eyebright Herb Benefits

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I appreciate the many health benefits of herbs. These powerful plants truly provide medicine for the body. From boosting the immune system to easing inflammation to relieving bloating, there’s an herb for that!

This post features an herb called eyebright. Common in Europe, Asia and the US, eyebright is a small flowering herb that thrives in poor soil. The tiny flowers are white with purple streaks and a yellow center. The herb grows in grassy areas such as yards, fields and ditches. Considered a semi-parasitic plant, eyebright draws water and nutrients from the roots of nearby plants.

The stems, leaves and flowers are used medicinally in teas, tinctures, lotions and dietary supplements.

Eyebright Herb Benefits title meme

Nutritional Value of Eyebright

Eyebright contains flavonoids with antihistamine properties. Those flavonoids inhibit the release of histamine, which triggers allergy symptoms such as a runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.

The herb also provides plant compounds that protect against damage from free radicals. And eyebright contains tannins that possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Additionally, the herb offers vitamins A, B1, C and E along with zinc, selenium and copper.

Eyebright Herb Benefits

Although not as well known as other medicinal herbs, eyebright has been used for centuries in Europe and Asia and provides the following benefits:

relieves eye problems including irritation, inflammation and allergy symptoms
prevents sun damage to skin cells
improves acne and skin irritations
lowers blood sugar
soothes sore throats and eases symptoms of colds and coughs
combats sinus infections
antibacterial
antiviral
protects the liver from free radicals, toxins and viruses
enhances memory and improves cognitive performance

Ways to Use Eyebright

Purchase eyebright in health food stores or order online.

It is available as dried, herbal tea bags, capsules, tinctures, extracts, lotions and eye drops.

For tea, add 1 – 2 teaspoons of dried eyebright, or an herbal tea bag, to a cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Eyebright may taste slightly bitter or astringent. Add raw, organic honey to sweeten, if desired.

Take 1 – 2 ml of the tincture or extract, up to three times a day.

Or take 1 400 – 500 mg capsule 2 – 3 times a day.

I’ve seen posts about making a DIY eyebright solution to wash the eyes with, to ease inflammation and irritation. However, I can’t recommend that. Extreme caution must be used with any home remedy for the eyes, to prevent infection.

There are commercially prepared eye drops available that contain eyebright.

Have you heard of the herb eyebright? I’d love to know if you’ve tried it!

Eyebright Herb Benefits flower — Eyebright Herb Benefits – flowers

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I am not a medical practitioner. I study health and wellness related topics and share experiences from my own personal healing journey.

Health Benefits of Valerian

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The health benefits of valerian go beyond providing a restful night’s sleep. This flowering herb offers a range of healing properties that soothe and support the body.

Check out these benefits and easy ways to include valerian as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Health Benefits of Valerian title meme

What is Valerian?

Valerian, also commonly known as valerian root, is native to Europe and parts of Asia. It’s grown in the US as well. The herb is a perennial flowering plant adorned with sweetly scented pink or white blooms. Valerian normally blooms during the summer months.

The name of the plant derives from the Latin word valere, meaning “strong and healthy”. The Greeks and Romans appreciated valerian for its medicinal properties, using it as a sleep aid and as an early remedy for epilepsy.

Valerian root contains oils and other active components that produce a soothing, restorative effect on the body’s nervous and muscular systems. The plant also contains calcium, manganese and quercitin.

Health Benefits of Valerian

This extraordinary medicinal herb offers the following healing properties:

Lowers Blood Pressure

Valerian’s soothing properties lower blood pressure, which in turn improves overall heart health. High blood pressure creates increased risks for stroke and heart attack.

Promotes Sleep

Well known for aiding insomnia, valerian reduces the time it takes to fall asleep while improving the quality of sleep. Unlike prescriptions or over the counter meds, valerian has few side effects and it’s less likely to cause grogginess the next morning. Valerian root is frequently combined with other herbs, such as lemon balm, to soothe the body into rest.

Health benefits of valerian - better night's sleep — Health benefits of valerian – a better night’s sleep

Eases Menstrual Cramps

Valerian’s natural antispasmodic abilities relax muscles, calming severe uterine contractions that cause cramps during menstruation. For many women, those cramps are extremely painful and debilitating. Valerian acts as a muscle relaxer, easing cramps and pain while reducing stress.

Relieves Anxiety

Valerian increases a chemical in the body called gamma aminobutyric (GABA). GABA helps to regulate nerve cells and naturally calms anxiety. In fact, studies show that valerian works as well as antidepressants at reducing anxiety, without the serious side effects of those drugs.

Soothes the Digestive Tract

Valerian’s antispasmodic properties also calm and relax the digestive system. It is especially helpful for those suffering with irritable bowel syndrome. Additionally, the herb helps to control hunger and reduces the urge to eat during times of stress.

Helps with Stress Management

By reducing anxiety and improving sleep, valerian helps with daily stress management. Improving GABA levels enables the mind and the body to relax, which increases wellbeing and quality of life.

Using Valerian

Valerian is available dried, as a tea or tincture, and in capsule form. It is easily found in health conscious stores or online. Check out the Amazon links below.

For insomnia, try a cup of valerian tea, a teaspoon of tincture or a capsule without two hours of bedtime. Brew tea by steeping one teaspoon dried valerian root in a cup of very hot water, for 5 – 10 minutes.

To help with anxiety, take 200 milligrams of valerian up to four times a day.

Continue valerian for up to six weeks, to improve sleep and lower anxiety.

Possible Side Effects of Valerian

Valerian is considered a safe, natural alternative to prescription drugs and over the counter meds. However, a few people experience dizziness, an upset stomach or increased anxiety while using valerian. Talk to a doctor before taking this herb and discontinue if any of the above symptoms occur. Also, do not combine valerian with melatonin or over the counter or prescription sleeping aids and antidepressants.

Have you tried valerian? What’s your experience using this healing herb?

Pick up Valerian by clicking on links below:

And check out these herbal teas that help to calm anxiety.