Tag: fruits

  • Benefits of Eating Locally

    Benefits of Eating Locally

    Have you ever been to a farmers market in your town? It is such a great way to expose yourself to local fruits, vegetables, and other goods from your community! Depending on where you live, your grocery store might contain a lot of imported produce and goods. While it’s great to have a variety of produce and goods to choose from, imported foods are not always the freshest or most nutritionally dense for us to consume. More and more people are seeking out local foods, and for a good reason. Eating locally has a variety of benefits, from our health to our farmers. If you’ve been wanting to know more of the benefits of eating local produce, keep on reading!

    Why Local and Seasonal Foods Matter

    Did you know that plants are living things? Not in the same way that you and I are conscious beings, but plants also have a life and they can die. Plants use sunlight, water, air and nutrients – which are also the things we need. So why does all of this matter? Well, produce such as fruits and vegetables provide us with vitamins, nutrients, enzymes, and minerals we need to function as human beings. Veggies and fruits are live foods!

    Buying seasonal foods (foods that are in season and local to where you are live) will provide you with the highest amount of nutritional value. As soon as a plant is harvested, they nutritionally start to break down. By incorporating more vegetables and fruits that are in closer proximity to where you shop and live you’re going to reap even more benefits.

    When the temperature drops in the winter in North America, lots of root veggies are in season whereas during the warmer months more fruits and colourful veggies are in season. During the summertime, try and seek out a farmer’s market near you and get to know the farmers and what kind of seasonal produce you can look out for.

    Benefits of Eating Local

    Food tastes better

    One of the best reasons to eat locally is because food just simply tastes better that way. Produce is harvested at peak ripeness meaning that you will get to experience the full potential of how vegetables and fruits should taste if you buy local. A great example of this is eating fresh local tomatoes vs store bought imported tomatoes. 

    It supports local farmers and your community

    An excellent way to support your community is to buy local foods. Whenever you buy locally you support the economy, farmers, and everyone involved in the process. It’s also just better for the environment, the steps of getting food from farm to table travels a lot less of a distance when you eat locally, resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. 

    It empowers you to eat healthier

    There’s just something about knowing where your food actually comes from that makes a big difference. Buying local produce helps you become a closer part of the process, making you feel empowered more empowered around your food choices. They say it’s important to eat the colours of the rainbow, so when you go to your local farmer’s market try and look for as much variety as possible.


    All in all, the choices you make around food matters. When it comes to shopping locally, it may take more work to seek out where to buy things but making these choices will benefit your health and your community. Remember to eat seasonal foods if you can for the most nutritional value and get creative in the kitchen with your delicious produce. Food is our source of energy after all, and we should never take that for granted!

     

     

  • 5 Plant-Based Whole Grain Recipes to Try

    5 Plant-Based Whole Grain Recipes to Try

    Plant-based diets are renowned for their health benefits. To illustrate, a recent Diabetologia study shows that consuming foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help prevent diabetes. That said, it’s easy to incorporate plant-based meals into your diet. You can follow recipes by notable Vegan YouTubers like Pick Up Limes—who feature plant-based recipes that are affordable and delicious. If you’re searching for satisfying substitutes for your favorite foods like salmon or steak, then the Edgy Veg can help you whip up some healthy alternatives!

    Now, if you’re interested in plant-based meals, this article has listed five recipes that focus on one of the diet’s high-quality ingredients — whole grains.

    Mushroom and Kale Farro Salad

    Ingredients

    1 ½ cups farro

    1 small red onion

    ¼ cup vegetable broth

    1 garlic clove, minced

    2 cups mushrooms, chopped

    3 cups kale

    2 tablespoons tamari

    2 tablespoons chopped parsley

    ¼ cup pomegranate seeds

    ¼ cup pumpkin seeds

    Preparation

    Boil the farro accordingly. Then, drain and transfer to a bowl and set aside

    In another pan, heat the vegetable broth, then saute the onions and garlic. Stir in the mushrooms, kale, tamari, parsley, salt, and pepper. Cook until mushrooms soften.

    Transfer the vegetables into the bowl with the farro and mix well. Fold in the pomegranate and pumpkin seeds before serving.

    Cauliflower Rice Bowls with Pesto

    Ingredients

    1½ cups brown rice

    1 cup chopped carrots

    ½ cup chopped onion

    ½ cup chopped red bell pepper

    1 12-oz. package fresh or frozen cauliflower rice

    2 cups fresh or frozen broccoli florets

    1 15-oz. can of pinto beans, rinsed and drained

    1 bottle of pesto

    ¼ cup low-sodium vegetable broth

    Preparation

    First, cook the rice in a rice cooker. A WeKnowRice guide illustrates that preparing the grain can be fool-proof with modern rice cookers. These help you achieve soft and fluffy rice with just a push of a button.

    Transfer the rice in a pot and mix in bell pepper, carrots, and onion. Cover and cook for five minutes. Add cauliflower rice and broccoli; cook for another five minutes.

    Toss in the beans, broth and pesto sauce; heat through, then serve.

    Vegan Risotto

    Ingredients

    2 cups mushrooms champignon

    1 cup brown rice

    1 onion

    1 teaspoon mustard

    ½ teaspoon chili flakes

    1 teaspoon dry thyme

    2 garlic cloves

    1 teaspoon turmeric

    Vegan parmesan

    1 glass white wine

    1 tablespoon vegan butter

    4 cups vegetable broth

    Olive oil

    Preparation

    Warm the olive oil in a saucepan. Stir in the mushrooms, and cook until soft.

    Put oil in the skillet. Add the onion, turmeric, chili flakes, thyme, garlic, and mustard. Stir for one minute, then add the rice.

    Pour in wine and stir until fully absorbed. Add broth to the rice until the liquid is absorbed, and mix for 20 minutes.

    Add in mushrooms with their liquid, vegan butter and vegan parmesan, then serve.

    Quinoa Bread

    Ingredients

    1 ½ cups quinoa

    2 cups, plus 1 ¾ tablespoons water

    3 tablespoons chia seeds

    ⅓ cup, plus 1 ½ tablespoons water

    1 teaspoon salt

    3 tablespoons, plus 1 teaspoon olive oil

    2 teaspoons baking powder

    2 tablespoons vinegar

    1 tablespoon agave nectar or maple syrup

    Preparation

    Preheat the oven to 390°F. Pour the ⅓ cup, plus 1 ½ tablespoons water over chia seeds. Until a gel forms, let it stand for 30 minutes.

    Cook the quinoa in two cups, plus 1 ¾ tablespoons of water with salt for 15 minutes.

    Blend the baking powder, chia gel, oil, quinoa, sweetener, and vinegar in a food processor. A Tea & Cake for the Soul recommends using one with a pulse action for perfectly blended mixes..

    Lastly, transfer the mix to an oven dish, place in the oven, and bake the bread for an hour. Let it cool before serving.

    Vegan Mixed Grill Platter

    Ingredients

    1 zucchini, cut into ¼-inch-thick coins

    1 cup broccoli florets

    1 cup cauliflower florets

    1 orange bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces

    1 cup cherry tomatoes

    4 plant-based veggie patties

    6 cups torn romaine lettuce

    2 cups cooked red quinoa

    ½ cup homemade vegan ranch dressing

    Preparation

    Place the first five ingredients on a grill pan. Grill until lightly charred.

    Next, grill the burger patties until heated through. Then, cut patties into quarters.

    On a serving platter, arrange lettuce in an even layer. Spoon quinoa over lettuce, then top with roasted vegetables and burger pieces.

    Blend the dressing and ¼ cup water, then drizzle over vegetables and serve.

    Plant-based whole grain recipes are equally tasty and healthy. Hopefully, you now have some ideas on what to cook for your next meal.

    Check our latest posts at NutraChamps for more nutrition insights.

     

  • Green Vegetables: The Powerhouse of Nutrients

    Green Vegetables: The Powerhouse of Nutrients

    We all know that eating our greens is important, but do you know just how powerful they really are? These little green powerhouses are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that are essential for a healthy body and mind.

    So, what exactly are green vegetables and why are they so important? Green vegetables are simply plants that contain chlorophyll, the pigment responsible for their green color. This pigment also helps absorb light energy for photosynthesis. But, it’s not just their color that sets them apart, green vegetables contain a host of vital nutrients that are crucial for optimal health.

    Examples of green vegetables include kale, spinach, broccoli, brussels sprouts, collard greens, and swiss chard, just to name a few. Each of these greens packs a unique set of benefits, so let’s take a closer look at some of the most nutrient-rich varieties.

    Kale

    Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense greens out there. It’s rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. Kale also contains antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer.

    Spinach

    Spinach is another green that’s loaded with nutrients. It’s packed with iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C, making it a great addition to any diet. Spinach is also rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two nutrients that are important for eye health.

    Broccoli

    Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that’s high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and folate. It also contains sulforaphane, a compound that has been shown to have cancer-fighting properties.

    Brussels Sprouts

    Brussels sprouts are small, but mighty! They’re high in fiber, vitamins C and K, and contain a host of important antioxidants. Brussels sprouts are also a great source of iron and calcium.

    Collard Greens

    Collard greens are a leafy green that’s rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. They’re also a great source of fiber and contain antioxidants that can help protect against chronic diseases.

    Swiss Chard

    Swiss chard is a leafy green that’s high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and calcium. It’s also a good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.

    All of these greens are important for a healthy diet, but if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to get your daily dose of greens, look no further! NutraChamps has a Super Greens powder that contains over 40 different nutritional superfoods, including many organic greens. This powder is a convenient way to get all the nutrients you need in one scoop.

    In conclusion, green vegetables are a powerhouse of nutrients that are essential for optimal health. They’re packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help reduce the risk of chronic diseases and keep you feeling your best. So, make sure to add plenty of green vegetables to your diet, and if you’re looking for a convenient way to get your daily dose, try NutraChamps Super Greens Powder. Your body will thank you!

    Sources:

    1. Kale – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270414
    2. Spinach – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/270609