Here we go again with the creativity! This isn’t a plane Jane pesto, people. We have to change it up and keep you on your toes so that your taste buds remain interested in raw vegan foods. Varying your ingredients and straying from the well-traveled path is a great way to enjoy new flavors and reap the benefits of different plant compounds. Because we live in a society that regularly wastes edible parts of fruits and vegetables, we wanted to provide a unique way to use celery leaves, which most people discard without hesitation.

Next time you have a bunch of celery with beautiful leaves, turn those leaves into a pesto. While you can incorporate them into salads, it is much easier and quicker to transform them into a pesto sauce. From a nutritional standpoint, celery leaves are rich in the following vitamins and minerals:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Fiber
• Beta-carotene

Celery leaves may help enhance immune function due to the presence of vitamins A and C. Both of these vitamins work to protect the body against infections, while simultaneously enhancing skin health. The calcium and magnesium in celery leaves are essential for maintaining strong bones and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Because celery leaves contain antioxidants and chlorophyll, they aids the body’s natural detoxification processes. In fact, they may aid the body with toxin elimination.

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It seems that you cannot wander down the bottled water aisle at a supermarket or grocery store without encountering several forms of alkaline water. Not to mention, there are various types of spring water, mineral water, sparkling water, distilled water, and classic filtered water. You may even find some volcanic water, but that isn’t at your average store. One thing is for certain, though, and it is that alkaline water and filtered water are different prices. Is there truly a difference between alkaline water and regular H2O, though? 

What Is Alkaline?

Let’s remove water from the equation for one moment to get a better understanding of alkalinity. Scientists use the pH scale, which goes from 0 – 14 to measure alkaline and acid substances. If something has a pH lower than 7, it is acidic. If something has a pH higher than 7, it is alkaline, or basic. Most tap water has a pH of about 7.5, whereas bottled water is typically closer to 7.0. 

Alkaline water usually ranges between 8.0 and 9.0, but it can be higher. There are beneficial nutrients you can reap if you drink alkaline water, but dietitians are a bit skeptical of the alkaline water trend. Is alkaline water truly worth it? 

Nutrition Facts

To give you a better idea of the nutrients in alkaline water, here is the general nutritional information for an eight-ounce bottle of alkaline water:

• Calories: 0
• Total fat: 0
• Trans fat: 0
• Protein: 0
• Cholesterol: 0
• Carbohydrates: 0
• Fiber: 0
• Sodium: 4.8 milligrams (mg)
• Total sugars: 0
• Added sugars: 0
• Magnesium: 4.8 mg
• Calcium: 24 mg
• Copper: 0.017 mg

Natural alkaline water, or spring water, that runs over rocks will pick up minerals, including magnesium, potassium, and calcium carbonate. Those minerals raise the water’s pH, creating alkaline water. Those minerals are necessary for many bodily functions, including those related to your heart, brain, muscles, and bones. 

Experts state that there are two types of alkaline water: natural from springs and chemically processed. Most bottled alkaline water that you can buy in stores is typically the former. The natural alkaline water is collected and then bottled, but the processed version goes through an ionizer, which uses electricity to add hydrogen to the water in order to yield a higher pH. Continue reading to learn about some of the potential health benefits of drinking alkaline water. 

May Prevent Bone Loss

The older you get, the more you have to worry about bone less, considering that osteoporosis affects about one in five women, and one in 20 men, over the age of 50. Osteoporosis can make bones brittle and more prone to fracture, especially in postmenopausal women. The body needs to maintain a blood pH between 7.35 and 7.45, and one way it does this is by releasing calcium into the bloodstream. That leaves less calcium for your bones. One way to replenish this calcium is by consuming calcium-rich foods, including alkaline water. In a study of 100 postmenopausal women who drank alkaline water daily for three months while taking calcium supplements. Researchers observed that, when combined with calcium supplementation, alkaline water provided some improvements in bone loss. 

May Aid Hydration Efforts

Drinking any kind of water is beneficial for everyone, regardless of athletic ability. Water is necessary to live! Athletes who fail to hydrate properly can experience muscle cramps, reduced coordination, and decreased athletic performance. In one small study, 12 male university students drank natural alkaline water for three days before intense physical activity. The results indicated that they were better hydrated than those who drank tap water. Some people consume more water if it is alkaline, and there is nothing wrong with drinking more water. Researchers agree that people should drink alkaline water if it increases your water intake. More research is necessary to determine if it hydrates more effectively than regular filtered water, though. 

May Offer Cancer Protection

Make sure to take this claim with the tiniest grain of salt. According to some studies, cancer cannot grow in alkaline environments. That has begged the question of whether or not an alkaline diet, which includes alkaline water, can make the body an uninhabitable environment for cancer. Unfortunately, the biggest problem with this theory is that alkaline water alone cannot change your blood’s pH. Drinking alkaline water, while a great way to hydrate, is unlikely to affect cancer cells. For this reason, more research is necessary to support this claim. Currently, research and medical professionals concur that food and water cannot change the body’s pH levels because it is a highly regulated system.

May Combat Acid Reflux

Alkaline substances can neutralize acid, so drinking alkaline water may combat symptoms of high acidity in the stomach, but not for long. Research shows that the contents of the stomach are very acidic. Consuming a product that helps reduce that acidity may provide temporary relief. In fact, it will only last for a short while, for example, a few minutes at best. Alkaline water may be dangerous when consumed with certain medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). For this reason, consult your healthcare professional before you combine alkaline water with any medications. 

Alkaline water has grown in popularity, but it is not a cure for various health conditions. More research is still necessary to prove that alkaline water exhibits the potential health benefits listed in this article. Just remember to stay hydrated, with alkaline or filtered water, if you want to keep the body as healthy as possible.

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It’s the middle of March, which can only mean one thing: St Patrick’s Day is nearly here. There is a certain food establishment that serves the classic Shamrock Shake annually. You know the one, right? There are golden arches, or something like that (wink wink). The main thing we want is for you not to succumb to the temptation. Don’t let curiosity get the better of you because one of those small shakes contains the following nutrition:

• Calories: 500
• Total carbohydrates: 82 grams (g)
• Protein: 11 g
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 55 milligrams (mg)
• Calcium: 380 mg
• Potassium: 500 mg
• Sodium: 160 mg

For reference, the shake is made with vanilla ice cream, a sugary processed syrup, and whipped cream. This recipe doesn’t contain any of those things, because we actually care about your health. The good news is that there are many different ways to create your own shamrock shake. You just have to keep an open mind about your food, and all that you can do with it.

This shake is not really a shake; rather, it’s a smoothie. Avocado contributes to the green color, but so does the spinach and mint. Avocado is a great smoothie ingredient because it helps make it more creamy, while also adding protein, healthy fats, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin C. Don’t worry…you won’t taste it at all, especially since this smoothie also contains bananas, which provide natural sweetness. The touch of raw cacao powder is optional, but it provides the classic mint chocolate combo that a shamrock shake is.

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You have your diaper bag. The car seat is properly installed. You have given your baby lots of snuggles, naturally. With all that said, one could say that you are crushing the role of parent already. The only thing left for you to do is tackle the responsibility of getting your diet under control. 

Diet is usually the last thing on new parents’ minds. Some people get very lucky and they have lots of friends and family make them meals that they can easily heat up. Are all of these meals healthy? It’s not often that they are, but those meals keep you fed and sane. While enjoying whatever food you can shovel in your mouth while you aren’t breastfeeding, sleeping, or cleaning, you may also be required to take vitamins. 

Some doctors also instruct new mothers to continue taking their prenatal vitamins. The birth of your baby should not stop you from doing that. Prenatal supplements work to support a healthy pregnancy, but a lot happens to the body during those nine months, the biggest of which is the birth of your baby. Your body was doing a lot during pregnancy, and it still requires nutrients postpartum. A nutritious diet is ideal, but not always easy with all the other baby responsibilities. That’s why postnatal vitamins may help fill in the remaining gaps. When shopping for those vitamins, make sure to look for the following ingredients. 

Vitamin D

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, vitamin D proves to be an integral nutrient post-birth. According to health experts, there should be a minimum of 2,000 IU in your postnatal vitamin. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to postpartum depression. For that reason, doctors recommend vitamin D as one of the many supplements to help alleviate symptoms of depression, in addition to supporting immune function. 

DHA

Omega-3 fatty acids not only benefit your health, but also your baby’s health. These fatty acids work to support brain development in your baby if you are breastfeeding or chest feeding, according to researchers. Your DHA needs increase during pregnancy, and they don’t immediately decline postpartum. In fact, they remain about the same during lactation. If you enjoyed a particular omega-3 supplement during pregnancy, you can continue taking that. 

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral found in dairy products, fortified foods (breakfast cereals and juice), and some plant-based foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that the calcium found in breast milk is sourced from your own stores, primarily bones. That’s why health experts recommend breastfeeding mothers to get at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day. That amount helps ensure that your bones will remain strong after you’ve weaned your baby off breast milk to other foods and beverages.

Iron

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that an iron supplement, taken by itself or with folic acid, helps to reduce the risk of anemia in the six- to 12-week period after giving birth. The body’s iron needs end up decreasing during the postnatal period, so most postnatal supplements do not have a large amount of iron. Researchers suggest that there is more iron in a prenatal vitamin than you will need in postnatal life, but it may be valuable immediately after giving birth. Most women lose a lot of iron during birth, so it becomes a valuable mineral for new moms. That is particularly true if you do not usually get enough iron in your diet. 

Folate

Your folate needs continue during the postpartum period, but the type of folate you take is not as important as it is in prenatal vitamins. Folate in the form of folic acid primarily serves to prevent neural tube defects in the developing infants during pregnancy. In the postnatal period, all types of folate are acceptable to keep your folate levels up. You might see folic acid, whole-food folate, or methylfolate as forms of folate in postnatal supplements.

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People have an idea of which recipes tahini belongs to. Believe it or not, tahini is not solely reserved for dressings, hummus, and other dips or sauces. Tahini has a place in desserts, providing an earthy nuttiness that complements sweeter ingredients, such as dates, maple syrup, or agave. Some people regularly make tahini fudge! When you mix tahini with dates, however, you get an incredibly nourishing, filling treat. That ingredient combination is almost like a raw vegan version of salted caramel. Plus, that duo provides lots of fiber, potassium, and magnesium, all of which help the body function optimally.

One of the reasons why you’ll love this recipe is because of its simplicity. It comes together in a matter of minutes and it’s packed with natural sweetness. You get a hint of bitterness from the raw cacao powder, in addition to a surprising amount of nutrition. Just one tablespoon of raw cacao powder contains the following nutritional profile:

• 2 grams (g) of fat
• 29 calories
• 1 g of protein
• 2 g carbohydrates
• 11% of the daily value (DV) of fiber
• 5% of the DV of vitamin D
• 5% of the DV of potassium
• 1% of the DV of iron
• 1% of the DV of calcium

For the dates, we recommend that you go with Medjool dates, as they are generally bigger and have more of a caramel-like texture and flavor. They can be harder to find, depending on where you are, so you can replace them with regular dates if you cannot locate Medjools. If you cannot find Medjool dates, use two regular dates for every one Medjool date. Finally, if the dates are not soft, you can soak them in warm water for about 10 minutes before blending. Just make sure to discard the soaking liquid.

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Yes, it is that time of the year when we get to welcome all things pumpkin. Although we don’t encourage flocking to coffee shops to indulge in overly sweet and fattening pumpkin spice lattes, we do welcome healthier pumpkin recipes. We prefer the pumpkin recipes, like this overnight oat one, that provide fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and a diverse mix of vitamins and minerals. And that is truly what we aim to provide you on this website, whether you are cleansing or trying to adopt healthier eating habits.

These pumpkin pie overnight oats contain pure pumpkin puree. Now, it is very important that you purchase that and not canned pumpkin pie mix. The former is 100% pure pumpkin, while the latter is calorically dense, rich in sodium, and high in sugar. Pure pumpkin puree contains fiber, protein, lots and lots of vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, iron, and a small amount of calcium. Although the pumpkin puree helps flavor and color these overnight oats, let’s not forget about the oats. For vegans, oats are great sources of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. They help keep you full and sustain energy until your next meal!

And because we love nutrition so much, we could not exclude chia seeds from the recipe. Chia seeds are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein. They also contain vitamins B1 & B3, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, zinc, and several antioxidants, including quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid. These antioxidants can help protect your cells from damaging free radicals, which contribute to aging and several diseases, including cancer.

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A happy life is a healthy life. Feeding your body foods that provide optimal nourishment to encourage the optimal function of all systems and organs is truly a gift. When you eat the right foods, you feel a whole lot better. That doesn’t mean you cannot cheat a little here and there and indulge in some unhealthy options. If you find that you have been eating a little unhealthier, though, switch it up and make yourself a refreshing raw salad like this kale cranberry almond salad. It contains fiber, protein, magnesium, vitamin C, antioxidants, and other beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Kale is a superfood, but it’s not the only ingredient that brings a super nutritional profile to this salad. As the other leafy green base, you have romaine lettuce, which is an excellent source of vitamin K, folate, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, and potassium. The avocado also provides magnesium and potassium, in addition to healthy fats, folate, fiber, and more. Along with their low sodium levels, avocados do not contain any cholesterol, making them great heart-healthy foods.

When you enjoy this kale salad, not only will you feel good about yourself, but you’ll also get to enjoy varying textures and flavors. Although the kale can be slightly bitter, you don’t taste it because the dried cranberries offer sweetness and almonds provide nuttiness. Avocados don’t offer specific flavor, but they do offer a textural difference from all the crunch in this salad. Finally, you get the zesty dressing that also provides some creaminess, thanks to the tahini.

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A smoothie without a banana? Believe it or not, you don’t have to include banana in every smoothie you make. Yes, bananas offer sweetness and can help your smoothie achieve a smoother, creamier texture, but they aren’t always necessary. That is especially true if you are trying to watch your sugar intake. You can usually achieve the same creamy consistency by using avocado instead of bananas. This smoothie doesn’t have either of those creamy ingredients, but it does fulfill 273% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C, 62% of calcium, and 273% of vitamin A.

This green smoothie tastes of kale, but not overwhelmingly to the point where it tastes like lawn clippings. The sweetness of the apple and bright lemon juice work well to tone it down. Without the banana, the flavor of the apple really comes through. Plus, the addition of the almond butter adds a nutty, fatty component that takes your focus off the slightly bitter kale flavor. Just make sure that you remove the thick kale stems, or you’ll be enjoying a kale apple smoothie that really tastes like bitter kale.

To make this smoothie, simply add all of the ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth. The homemade almond milk will do a great job at creating a creamier consistency. It also builds on the nuttiness of the almond butter and does a better job than water at distracting from the kale flavor. We hope you love it!

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Do you want to feel unstoppable after your workouts? Do you want to maintain balanced electrolyte levels in the intense summer heat? Well, then you need this homemade watermelon electrolyte drink! Unlike store bought electrolyte drinks, this recipe does not contain an unnecessary amount of added sugars, dyes, artificial flavors, and preservatives. This is a much healthier alternative to a classic sports drink, and it puts a little pep in your step every time you drink it.

Watermelon is one of the favorite fruits of summer. Not only is it fruity, refreshing, hydrating, and delicious, but it is also a great source of electrolytes. Watermelon is mostly water, but it contains magnesium, potassium, and a small amount of sodium as well. These electrolytes can aid with muscle function, hydration, and balancing the body’s fluid levels. Additionally, watermelon contains vitamins A & C and lycopene, which is a antioxidant that benefits heart function.

Although watermelon colors this electrolyte drink a beautiful pinkish-red, it is not the only electrolyte-rich ingredient. Lemons provide lots of potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and help detox the liver, balance pH levels, and boost immune function. Finally, sea salt provide sodium, which is one of the electrolytes that you quickly lose via sweat. Ingesting salt is the easiest way to replenish what you lose. Just make sure that you go for sea salt over table salt because it is less processed.

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Are you friends with a neighbor just because they have a gorgeous lemon tree that produces so many lemons? We wouldn’t blame you if that’s your situation. Lemons, or citrus fruits in general, hold that much power. They contain a lot of vitamin C and other antioxidants that support various aspects of health. Take the trend of drinking lemon water, for example, which may help support digestion, detoxification, and reduce the risk of kidney stones. 

Lemons are known for their wonderfully acidic juice, but they actually help to alkalize the body, despite that tart flavor. In its natural state, lemon juice is acidic with a pH of about 2. Once it is metabolized in the body, however, it becomes alkaline with a pH level well over 7. And the great thing about lemons is that you can have them year-round in many parts of the world. This depends on the trees’s geographical location and how long the harvesting season is (about a few months). 

Nearly all lemons sold in North America are Lisbon or Eureka. These are classic, small- to medium-sized, bright yellow lemons that have a slightly tangy flavor. Meyer lemons, which are sometimes available in specialty markets in the winter, have a darker peel and sweeter, floral juice and flesh. Continue reading to learn more about the health benefits of lemons.

They Support Heart Health

Due to their vitamin C and antioxidant profile, lemons help protect your cells from damaging free radicals. These unstable particles can damage your cells if you don’t neutralize them. By fighting free radical damage, you ultimately work to prevent atherosclerosis, a condition that’s characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries and can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. 

The phenolic compounds in lemons work to regulate blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and support endothelial function. For reference, endothelial function is how easily blood flows throughout the body. Reduced endothelial function can increase your risk of heart disease. A 2017 study found that higher fruit and vegetable intake reduced the risk of cancer, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular disease. So eat your lemons!

They Help Prevent Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits composed of minerals that build up in the urinary tract and form in the kidneys. Passing a kidney stone can be a very painful experience, affecting about 10% of people. If you increase levels of urine citrate, a weak acid, and make urine more alkaline, you may help prevent kidney stones. 

Lemons contain a form of citric acid that works to increase urine citrate levels. The citric acid binds with urinary calcium in order to prevent oversaturated urine. It also binds to clumps of calcium oxalate crystals to help prevent them from growing and turning into kidney stones. The National Kidney Foundation estimates that consuming four ounces of lemon juice mixed with water per day may help reduce the risk of kidney stones. 

They Prevent Cell Damage

As mentioned earlier in this article, lemons are naturally rich in antioxidants, which work to fight free radical damage. The research states that citrus fruits contain a wide array of antioxidants, but newer research indicates that the peels of citrus fruits contain higher amounts of antioxidants. When you fight free radical damage with these unique antioxidants, you help prevent cell damage, which ultimately reduces your risk of chronic kidney disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is technically a group of chronic, progressive lung diseases that limit airflow to the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. 

They Enhance Iron Absorption

Iron is a mineral that you need for optimal growth and development. The body uses iron to make hemoglobin, which is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of your body. Lemons contain a minuscule amount of iron, but they can enhance iron absorption because they are rich in vitamin C. One lemon contains over 30% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps the body better absorb nonheme iron, which is found in plant-based and iron-fortified foods. Pairing your iron foods with vitamin C helps you absorb iron even more efficiently. 

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