It’s no secret that holiday side dishes and main courses are loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium, sugar, and calories. To put it in perspective, a single one-cup serving of traditional scalloped potatoes contains the following nutrition:

• Calories: 227
• Total fat: 10.5 grams (g)
• Saturated fat: 6.4 g
• Sodium: 835 milligrams (mg)
• Carbohydrates: 31.3 g
• Protein: 5.2 g

Needless to say, you will most likely eat more that a one-cup serving of scalloped potatoes because they are just that tasty. They are incredibly creamy, garlicky, and sensationally delicious, especially when made from scratch. Yes, from scratch! We don’t want to bother with that damn boxed stuff! Those are not real potatoes in that box and the contain too much sodium and preservatives. Instead, make this vegan scalloped potato dish, which will hook your taste buds after the first bite.

When it comes to choosing the type of potato for a scalloped potato dish, we recommend Russets or Yukon Golds. The starch content of these potatoes helps the cashew cream thicken during the cooking process, creating a wonderfully creamy sauce. Russet potatoes have the most starch, while Yukon Golds hold their shape a bit better during baking. Both are great choices, but whichever potato you decide to go with, make sure you use a mandolin slicer to cut them. This will make all the potato slices uniform in thickness, which creates an even texture during the cooking process. Please enjoy this vegan holiday recipe!

SHARE:

The post Vegan Scalloped Potatoes appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Every year, there is a long list of things to be grateful for, and that is especially true at Thanksgiving. Perhaps you got a new job or your sister agreed to babysit your child once a week so that you and your partner can have date night. One of the things you can be thankful for is your health. 

It’s no secret that people tend to get a little carried away, to put it gently, at the Thanksgiving spread. By staying mindful of your health and making small tweaks, however, you can create a healthier Thanksgiving feast. Not only will your dishes be incredibly tasty, but they’ll pack some more nutritional benefits than your average options. Whether you are hosting, showing up, or assisting in the kitchen, use the following tips to make your holiday weekend a little healthier. 

Eat Slowly And Savor Each Bite

It is very easy to move quickly during the holiday excitement of Thanksgiving Day. During mealtime, you may shovel food into your face in order to make room on your plate for the items you didn’t get during your first pass of the spread. While eating, health experts recommend that you slow down and enjoy the food on your plate. It’s easy to fill up too quickly if you do not allow your body the chance to process the calories that you’re consuming. It takes 20 minutes for the brain to realize that you are full. Between bites, consider speaking with a loved one and talk about how great the meal is. Additionally, drink lots of water to aid the digestive process.

Moderate Your Meal

There is so much great food to enjoy! How do you only select a couple things to eat? Well, the good news is that you do not have to miss out on your favorite dishes. Instead, dietitians encourage you to help yourself to controlled portions that will discourage overeating. If you are hungry after you finish your plate, you can have an additional serving or two later. When you build your plate, include whole grains, lean protein, fruits, and vegetables. Try to leave carb-heavy dishes alone, or grab small portions of them just to have a taste. If you want a specific dessert, avoid overeating sugary side dishes to control sugar intake. 

Enjoy A Little Exercise

Pre-meal walk, anyone? Physical activity on the big day of feasting is beneficial for your cardiovascular health, but also for digestion. Studies indicate that walking for 30 minutes after you eat can stimulate the digestive process. Between courses, try to go on a walk with your dog, do some light yoga, play catch outside, or do some squats. Walking for two to five minutes post-meal can help lower blood sugar levels. Exercise also burns calories, which you will consume in excess on Thanksgiving. 

Avoid Processed Foods

How easy and convenient is it to take shortcuts in the kitchen when cooking the Thanksgiving meal? By shortcuts, we mean purchasing store bought varieties of things that you can easily make at home. Instead of grabbing a can of cranberry sauce, make your own with real cranberries, fresh oranges, and a lot less sugar. Click here for a healthy cranberry sauce recipe. Even if you can’t make everything from scratch, do your best to avoid processed versions of things, as homemade elements are also more nutritious.

Consider How You Cook

When you prepare your turkey and sides, be mindful of the seasonings and cooking methods you use. Beware of excess amounts of sugar, salt, and oil, as they can negatively impact the food’s nutritional value. That is especially true if you struggle with high cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes. Instead of deep-frying your food, consider roasting, grilling, or boiling your food to keep the meal a little healthier. Lastly, set seasonings and sauces on the table so that people can manage their health to their desired level of comfort.

SHARE:

The post 5 Tips For A Healthier Thanksgiving appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Who loves pesto but either has a nut allergy or cannot properly digest different nuts, such as cashews, pine nuts, or almonds? Almost all pesto recipes call for nuts, so we decided to create a unique raw vegan pesto recipe that uses sunflower seeds. They have a mild, nutty flavor and add a smooth and creamy texture to this pesto. We also added two tablespoons of hemp seeds for an added boost of healthy fats and proteins.

Although you can use a blender, it is better to use a food processor when making this pesto. It also works best to process all of the ingredients, except for the basil, until smooth and then add the basil at the very end. That will help keep basil from bruising as much. You can also drizzle in a little more olive oil while blending if the pesto is too thick for your liking. Just keep in mind that this pesto, unlike store bought pestos, will only stay fresh in the fridge for a few days. That means that you will want to eat it soon after making it. You can also freeze it, so consider making a double or triple batch so that you can enjoy some later.

For easy storage, put the pesto in silicone ice trays, freeze, and then pop out the pesto cubes to put in a freezer-safe plastic bag. You can defrost the ice cubes 24 hours before you want to enjoy it. The sunflower seed pesto works great as a dip for raw vegetables, or you can use it with raw zucchini noodles to make a filling raw entree.

SHARE:

The post Sunflower Seed Pesto appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Get ready to roll….up some ingredients to transform them into delectable collard wraps. Collard greens make for excellent wraps because they are sturdy and do not tear easily. Just make sure that you get rid of that stiff, fibrous stem as best you can, or else your taste buds will be in for a bitter, chewy surprise. Think of those big, leafy collards as nature’s tortillas, only they are sodium-free and pack a serious nutritional punch. Not only that, you get to pack them with a colorful mix of crunchy veggies, for example, some shredded carrots, bell peppers, alfalfa sprouts, avocado, and some deliciously sweet mango. Each bite is better than the last!

The excitement doesn’t just end with these wraps. In fact, you could argue that these wraps are nothing without the silky, slightly sweet and salty almond butter dipping sauce. It is absolutely to die for! Think of this sauce like a raw vegan alternative to a classic peanut sauce. It is nutty, creamy, and has just the write amount of sweetness to complement the ingredients inside the wraps. You can pour some sauce over the ingredients before you roll them up inside the collard leaves, or you can serve it on the side and dip as you go. You can also pour a little inside the wraps and dip after every bite. There need be no shame in your dipping sauce game! T

here is no right way to do this! We just hope that you enjoy these wraps as much as we do, as they are a great way to shake up the salads and smoothies on your raw vegan diet. If you enjoy it, be sure to drop a comment, so that we know whether to keep posting recipes like this one. We love your feedback!

SHARE:

The post Mango Collard Wraps With Dipping Sauce appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Cranberries are not only reserved for cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. You can impart the sweet-tart cranberry flavor into myriad recipes! From snacks and appetizers to entrees, desserts, and more, cranberries find their way into unique fall and winter favorites. Since they are only available for a short while, get your hands on them to make some of the recipes in this article.

Cranberries primarily consist of carbs and fiber, but they are also 90% water. They are some of the best sources of antioxidants, which work to fight free radicals. The most common health benefit associated with cranberries is the fact that they may help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). A-type proanthocyanidins prevent the binding of E. coli in the bladder, a common first step in getting an infection. If you usually develop UTIs, you may want to incorporate fresh cranberries, or fresh cranberry juice, into your diet. This is an excellent proactive approach to living a healthier lifestyle. 

The same A-type proanthocyanidins, which only exist in cranberries, that reduce the risk of UTIs also reduce bad bacteria in the gut. More research is necessary, but preliminary research shows that cranberries promote optimal digestive health. Lastly, and then we will provide you with the recipes, the certain antioxidant compounds in cranberries may exhibit anti-cancer properties. Needless to say, cranberries are superfoods that deserve a featured spot in your diet. 

Cranberry Persimmon Pomegranate Smoothie

Embrace some of fall’s most nutritionally diverse ingredients when you enjoy this refreshing cranberry persimmon pomegranate smoothie.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Cranberry Orange Vitamin C Smoothie

Not only is this a tangy, refreshing, and tasty creation, but it also packs a healthy dose of vitamin C, antioxidants, and other minerals.

Click here to make the recipe.

Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites

These quick and easy-to-make energy bites are packed with great flavor and a ton of nutrients. The best part is you don’t have to bake them!

Click here to make the recipe.

Healthy Homemade Cranberry Sauce

This cranberry sauce is free of refined sugars and uses fresh cranberries! It’s citrusy, rich, vibrant and incredibly delicious.

Click here to make the recipe.

Spicy Cranberry Hummus

What are you making for your holiday meal? If you need a seasonal appetizer to start the meal off right, this cranberry hummus is the ticket!

Click here to make the recipe.

Red Cabbage And Carrot Cranberry Slaw

Delicious and easy to make, this red cabbage and carrot slaw contains dried cranberries, walnuts, and shredded apples.

Click here to make the recipe.

Cranberry, Apple, And Brussels Sprout Salad

A shaved Brussels sprout salad made with dried cranberries, apple, walnuts, and pomegranate salad embraces the best fall produce items.

Click here to make the recipe.

Kale Salad With Almonds, Cranberries, And Apples

Boost your nutrient intake by enjoying this raw vegan kale salad that’s perfectly balanced with apples, cranberries, and a tart vinaigrette.

Click here to make the recipe.

Butternut Squash And Cranberry Quinoa Salad

This salad combines some of fall’s tastiest flavors in one healthy bowl. The balsamic vinaigrette really elevates the butternut squash.

Click here to make the recipe.

SHARE:

The post 9 Cranberry Recipes To Make During Fall appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

People usually occupy one of two camps regarding cranberry sauce: they either love it or hate it. There isn’t a middle ground about this classic holiday condiment. An argument could be made that the people who do not like cranberry sauce have a distaste for the jelly stuff that comes in a can. Maybe they just have not tasted a condiment as delectable as this homemade cranberry sauce, which utilizes fresh cranberries.

As with anything homemade, you get to choose the ingredients. Because it is made with fresh ingredients, it has a much shorter shelf life than canned cranberry sauce. This sauce will keep fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for at least one week. You can also freeze it for up to three months. This paleo cranberry sauce is the perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and tartness. Some people want to know if they should enjoy this sauce warm or cold. You want to know the best way to enjoy it? The way you like it is the best way for you to enjoy this condiment. That rule applies to most culinary creations, if we’re being honest.

The great thing about fresh cranberries is that they contain a lot of insoluble fiber, which passes through your nearly intact. Cranberries also offer soluble fiber, lots of vitamin C, manganese, vitamin E, copper, and vitamin K1. They also happen to be rich in bioactive plant compounds, specifically flavonol polyphenols. Some of these compounds include quercetin, peonidin, ursolic acid, myricetin, and A-type proanthocyanidins. You can learn more about the health benefits of cranberries by clicking here. For now, let’s enjoy some cranberry sauce!

SHARE:

The post Paleo Cranberry Sauce appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

This recipe is just one of those recipes, folks. It is so refreshing, filling, and will make your raw vegan diet experience that much more exciting. Considering cauliflower is not a vegetable that you would usually eat raw, this recipe helps you overcome that hurdle. It shows you how versatile it can be. To get the cauliflower just right, roughly chop it into florets and toss them into a food processor to pulse until you achieve a rice-like consistency. You do not want to blend the cauliflower into a puree. If you have access to health food stores, you may be able to find bagged cauliflower rice. You can have it, provided the cauliflower is not cooked and there are no added preservatives.

Because this recipe uses cauliflower, it is a low-carb version to the traditional side dish. Besides being lower in carbs than bulgur wheat, cauliflower is rich in an assortment of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For reference, one cup of cauliflower contains the following nutritional profile:

• 25 calories
• 5 grams (g) of fat
• 2 g of fiber
• 57% of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C
• 14% of the DV of vitamin K
• 12% of the DV of vitamin B6
• 7% of the DV of potassium
• 9% of the DV of choline
• 15% of the DV of folate
• 4% of the DV of magnesium
• 14% of the DV of vitamin B5

This is also served with crunchy romaine, butter lettuce, or cabbage leaves to enjoy as cups. It takes the classic side and turns it into a uniquely filling raw vegan entree. Plus, the almond tahini sauce makes it slightly different than your average recipe, which usually calls for olive oil and lemon juice. The tahini dressing makes this cauliflower tabbouleh much creamier and richer, and we hope you like it as much as we do.

SHARE:

The post Cauliflower Tabbouleh With Almond Tahini Sauce appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Being on a raw vegan diet does not mean that you have to completely give up all of your favorite foods. You can still enjoy tacos, burgers, wraps, and more, so long as you make raw vegan versions. For example, use romaine leaves in place of tortillas and use walnuts and other spices to create the taco “meat.” Do you love crispy sweet potato fries with a luxurious dipping sauce? Well, now you have this recipe, which is completely raw vegan and acceptable to eat while cleansing.

Sometimes, sweet potato fries do not taste great, or they taste good but then your body doesn’t agree with them. Perhaps you feel bloated after you eat a big serving of them, especially if they come with an aioli, which is a mayonnaise-based sauce. All the deep frying and saturated fat from the mayo also cancel out any health benefits that the sweet potatoes were going to provide. These dehydrated sweet potato fries, though, retain their nutrients, even though they aren’t as crispy as traditional fries. Additionally, there is no mayonnaise in the dipping sauce!

Sweet potatoes are naturally rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. Just one cup of baked sweet potato provides 213% of the recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin A! Sweet potatoes may also support gut health, as they contain antioxidants and soluble fiber. Eating fiber-rich foods can help soften your stool and make it easier to eliminate. The antioxidants in sweet potatoes have demonstrated an ability to promote the growth of healthy gut bacteria, which may reduce the risk of conditions like infectious diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

SHARE:

The post Dehydrated Sweet Potato Fries appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you’re running hot and need to cool off, be it from exercising or existing in the heat, then you need this lotion in this recipe. Massage it on your neck or feet after a long day, or get your partner to do that job for you. It’s not as heavy as some body lotions and has a cooling effect on the skin. 

Some people like to use coconut oil as a moisturizer throughout the year. Sometimes, you want a little more than plain old coconut oil to moisturize the body. Although you use coconut oil as an ingredient in this DIY lotion, you also add aloe vera gel, beeswax, and peppermint essential oil. Both the aloe and the peppermint help provide the cooling sensation, but they also benefit the skin in other ways. Read on to learn how the different ingredients benefit the skin. 

Beeswax

Beeswax can help the skin retain moisture because it is a humectant. That means that it binds water and attracts it, creating a protective barrier on the skin to lock in moisture. Beeswax can also help condition, calm, and soothe the skin without clogging pores. That allows the skin to breathe, decreasing your risk of developing blemishes. Researchers note that beeswax exhibits regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, which work to reduce irritation, redness, and inflammatory skin conditions. 

Aloe Vera Gel

As a quick note for the DIY lotion in this article, you have to keep the aloe vera gel at room temperature. If you store it in the fridge and add it to the hot oil and wax mixture, it will not emulsify correctly. The skin can easily absorb aloe vera gel, making it ideal for people with oily skin. It can also benefit dry skin as well, sealing in moisture just like beeswax. Because of the moisturizing properties, aloe vera can help alleviate dry, itchy skin that is common among eczema patients. The anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera also make it great for people with inflammatory forms of acne, such as nodules and pustules. 

Coconut Oil

When used raw, coconut oil can feel slightly heavy on the skin, but its properties are very nourishing. The fatty acids in coconut oil, specifically lauric and capric acid, have antimicrobial properties that can kill harmful microorganisms on the skin. Folliculitis, acne, and cellulitis are commonly caused by bacteria and fungi, which lauric and capric acid can help kill. Coconut oil also helps to reinforce the skin barrier, which makes the skin more effective at retaining moisture. Some studies have found that coconut oil can also boost the level of antioxidants and collagen in the body, both of which have roles in the skin’s natural regeneration process. 

Peppermint Essential Oil

This aromatic essential oil has two primary chemical components: menthol and menthone. Peppermint essential oil is commonly used in cosmetic products because of its potential benefits for the skin and hair. A 2016 study looked at the topical use of peppermint essential oil and the effect it had on itching. The results indicated that a 1% solution of peppermint oil improved how long itchiness lasted and the severity of the itch. Another study examined the topical effects of menthol on the skin and found that it increased blood flow. That may aid hair growth, because increased blood flow can stimulate the scalp. 

DIY Cooling Aloe Mint Lotion

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup grated beeswax
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup aloe vera gel (room temperature)
• 1/8 tsp peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

• Add the beeswax and coconut oil in a saucepan over low heat and warm until both ingredients are completely melted. 
• Aim to keep the temperature as low as possible in order to preserve coconut oil’s benefits. 
• Remove the saucepan from the stove and pour into a heat-safe bowl. Whisk in the room temperature aloe vera gel and then the peppermint essential oil. 
• Allow the lotion to cool to room temperature (about two to four hours) and then whisk again or use a hand mixer at medium speed for a fluffier version of the same product. Use when ready.
• As a quick note, the lotion will become thicker and more solid over time, especially as the aloe vera evaporates.

SHARE:

The post DIY Cooling Aloe Mint Lotion appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you are new to our recipe section, please allow us to introduce you to the culinary marvel that is raw zucchini noodles. Commonly known as zoodles, zucchini noodles are a great low-carb pasta alternative that are easily digestible and friendly to your waistline. They are vibrantly green and curly beyond belief. One could say that they are a refreshing canvas for almost any pasta sauce. But we aren’t about to throw some processed, sodium-rich jarred sauce on these health bombs! These raw, nutrient-dense zucchini noodles call for a homemade arugula pesto!

The real talk star of the show is the raw vegan arugula pesto. This is not your average Italian grandmother’s pesto. No offense to all the nonnas out there, but we can’t be using the classic pesto recipe because it contains cheese. We hope this raw vegan, zesty, herbaceous, and peppery pesto is just as bold and flavorful as the classic pesto you know and love. Not only does arugula offer a peppery flavor, but it also provides lots of magnesium, potassium, iron, fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K.

Now, pine nuts, especially raw pine nuts, can be a little pricey. If you do not have pine nuts, you can use raw cashews instead. The flavor will be slightly different, but not too much to really notice a vast difference. Add in the lemon zest and juice, garlic, sea salt, and rich olive oil and this pesto becomes exactly what you want it to be: delicious, luscious, and creamy. Toss the zoodles and slightly sweet and bright cherry tomatoes in the pesto to create a nutritionally dense raw entree that is full of flavor.

SHARE:

The post Zoodles With Arugula Pesto appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.