Everyone in! All the ingredients for chia pudding combined in a bowl.
Ch-ch-ch-chia! We all remember the commercials from the ’90s… magical seeds which when wet would grow sprouts that would act as the fur on your terracotta Chia Pet.
Since then, chia seeds have happily regained their title as a true superfood. Chia is an ancient seed that originally grew in Mexico and the southwest. Records of the chia seed go as far back as 910 B.C., where it was used as a medicinal and cherished seed to the Mayan and Aztec people. What these ancient civilizations innately knew then, we are learning and embracing now.
Chia’s main claim to fame is its richness in omega-3s. Ounce per ounce, Chia seeds have more omega-3 fatty acids than salmon! On top of the omega-3s, chia seeds provide protein, have more antioxidants than blueberries, provide fiber and minerals.
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A close up look at cumin: whole & ground.
One of the most valuable tools one could ever learn when cooking from home is how to use the large variety of different spices from all over the world. While most of us are very comfortable with salt and black pepper, many of us have rarely ventured into the colorful spice bazaar that awaits us.
Spices have been used for centuries as medicines, flavor enhancers and even color enhancers for food recipes. By opening your horizons to using spices, you add a whole new dimension to your foods. One spice that is fairly easy to find and is plenty worthy of space in your spice rack is cumin.
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Re-purposed glass jars save money, reduce waste and can look darn pretty too!
These days, it’s hard to go a single day without purchasing something that isn’t pre-packaged. With news of every ocean housing a large patch of plastic, you may feel called to try to do your personal best to cut back on waste. We all know of reusable water bottles and reusable grocery bags, but how can we take it a step further? One wonderful way to reduce your waste and spend less money is to buy products that come in glass containers and reuse the glass.
While it may be tempting to throw that pickle jar into the recycle bin once it’s empty, rethink its value. The cost that you paid for your food products also includes the container it’s in, so get your money’s worth and reuse.
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The finished product: homemade hummus with optional spices and olive oil as garnish.
Hummus is a delicious and family-friendly spread that has gained popularity over the years. It is a wonderfully healthy alternative to other spreads and dips and is so versatile that anyone can find a hummus that’s perfect for them. Preparing it in your own kitchen is an even better option, because it cuts out the preservatives and gives you and your family a fresh and nutritious alternative. [click to continue…]
Because onions are used in so many recipes, knowing how to properly dice them will save you time and motivate you to get in the kitchen more often.
I know, I know. You’re likely thinking, “I already know how to cut an onion!” And while you may be right, what you might not realize is that the method that most of us use to cut an onion leaves our diced pieces in uneven sizes and shapes. This will affect cook time, texture and even flavor. So maybe we should call this “How to dice an onion” instead. Better? Excellent.
Unfortunately, I’m not here to explain to you the miracle that will prevent the tears from shedding during your next onion-cutting mission (though there are many tips and tricks to avoid the tears). What I am here to do is make your life a whole lot easier with a different technique. What many of us call “dicing” is really just chopping the large onion chunks into smaller bits and calling it a day. At long last, you will happily know just what your recipe means when it says “diced”. Uniformity is incredibly important to get an even cook time resulting in an all around better flavor.
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Veterans all across America are returning from war with the same challenge – how to transfer their hard-earned leadership experience and industrious skills while transitioning back into society. Meanwhile, American farmers are confronting their own difficulties – high input costs, increased government regulation, and the exodus of the next generation of family farmers and ranchers. Enter Farmer Veteran Coalition, a nonprofit mobilizing veterans to farm American soil with funding from socially responsible companies like Nutiva. Together, Farmer Veteran Coalition and Nutiva are changing lives. [click to continue…]
