Do you know your chickpeas? Familiar by different names such as garbanzo beans, gram, Bengal gram and ceci (in Italian), chickpeas are part of the pea family under the general classification of legumes. Chickpeas have been grown for many thousands of years! Chickpeas are harvested annually and there are two main varieties – kabuli and…
Have you ever wondered, “How much protein is there on my plate?” If so, you are definitely not alone. Often vegans and plant-based eaters are criticized for their perceived lack of adequate protein intake. The good news is that there are many protein-rich sources in the plant-based world, so those eating a variety of plant-based…
Green grapes, red grapes, black grapes, seedless grapes…who doesn’t love them? But do you know what is really enclosed inside each juicy globe you bite into? Curiosity got the best of me so I decided to do some research into this. It’s fascinating. Read on! Grapes are a wonderful late summer and fall produce to…
One of the best parts of summer has got to be the abundance of fresh summer produce in fields, grocery stores and farmer markets. It is such a delight to feast on ripe and ready summer fruits like juicy pink fuzzy peaches, fragrant red hued nectarines, sweet blueberries, golden apricots and luscious strawberries. Our family…
In Part 2, I would like to discuss other key nutrients vegans and plant-based eaters alike need to consider when planning smart healthy diets for themselves and their families. Adequate amounts of these nutrients need to be included in your intake, particularly if you are excluding all forms of animal-based protein from the foods that…
Here are some key nutrients vegans and plant-based eaters alike need to consider when planning smart healthy diets for themselves and their families. These nutrients are especially important if you are excluding all forms of animal-based protein from the foods that you eat. In Part 1, protein, calcium and vitamin D are highlighted. Knowing the…
Here is a tasty and simple way to cook up those long crunchy green beans you have in your refrigerator. This colorful plant-based Flavorful Cayenne Green Beans dish pairs well with any main course dish or can be eaten on its own with your favorite grain or gluten-free alternative. Feel free to add more cayenne…
Also known as snap beans, wax beans or string beans, green beans usually abound in the spring season, though better quality crops can be grown in the fall season. Green beans can be further sub-categorized into ‘pole beans’ or ‘bush beans’ depending on whether they require poles for support during growth or not. Long, skinny…
Many names refer to this green cruciferous vegetable, so it is easy to get confused. Examples include broccoli raab, broccoli rabe, Chinese broccoli, rapine, rapini, turnip broccoli and rappi (to just name a few) but they all actually refer to the same vegetable. Broccoli raab comes with green flowery like leaves, small florets that resemble…
Young toddlers between 12 -23 months of age need a good high calorie nutritional beverage to help in their growth and development, especially if they stop breastfeeding at 12 months of age. Since breast milk is about 20 calories per ounce (equivalent to approximately 160 calories in 8 ounces), it makes sense that a good…
