Stay home.  Has the world ever been so unified under one single idea? As we each do our part for the greater good, we decided it was time to round up some resources for all social-distancers of all ages to find some solace during these hard times.  In times of crisis, Mr. Rogers tells us to look for the helpers--and there are amazing people and companies doing so much to help brighten this unsettling situation.  Here's our roundup of resources that might help you make it through these days at home: 

HEALTH 

Headspace: The meditation app has curated a collection of free resources tailored to the general public, employers/HR professionals, and teachers. Even better? Headspace is offering all healthcare workers working in a public health setting free access to Headspace Plus. Click here for more. 

Journey Live:  For those craving a side of community with your daily om, this meditation app offers live meditation classes, usually for a monthly or annual fee.  But for the rest of the month of March, Journey is giving users access to their live meditation classes for free.  Click here to sign up. 

YogaWorks: Join YogaWorks for free live stream classes throughout the day. The schedule is jam-packed with classes (around 3 offerings an hour!) for all levels.  

Fitness classes: The fitness world has risen to the occasion, finding creative ways to connect with their communities online.  This roundup of promotions (like 90 days free on the Peleton app) and classes (like Barry’s Bootcamp going on IG live) should cover most of your favorites. 

Also worth mentioning: keep tabs on your favorite local fitness/meditation studios or IG influencers who are also working hard to offer tons of free resources or low-cost options on their platforms.  Let's support local however we can! 

CULTURE

Art, Museums, and Music: If your brain can't take any more Netflix binging, it might be time to lean into some culture. From the comfort of your couch, you can visit some of the best art galleries and museums in the world, and even tune into a symphony or opera.  Click here for more. 

Libby: Anyone else trying to do their part by *not* overdoing it on the Amazon orders? So with many local libraries closed, we're giving our carts a rest and switching over to Libby, a free app that lets you borrow ebooks and digital audiobooks from your local library.  Click here for more. 

Masterclass: Take cooking classes from Gordon Ramsay, perfect the smoky eye with Bobbi Brown, or learn writing from Malcolm Gladwell.  For those of us who thought we wouldn't get around to learning for pleasure until retirement, now could actually be the time to dive into that hobby you've always wanted. 

KIDS

Brooklyn Public Library: Come for their daily virtual storytime, stay for the virtual Dungeons and Dragons. 

Virtual visits: Hang out with the animals (our fave: the baboons!) at the San Diego Zoo, ocean life at the  Monterey Bay Acquarium, or explore the surface of Mars with NASA's Curiosity Rover.  

DreamBox Learning: DreamBox is an adaptive, online K-8 math learning curriculum (you select your state's proficiency standards, the platform handles the rest) and is offering free access for parents for 90 days.

Lunchtime Doodles with Mo Willems: If you can snag a spot live, join Mo Willems in his studio for a lunchtime doodle each weekday.  End up number 28,371 in the queue? (Yes, that happened to us.) Fear not--lunchtime doodles are recorded and can easily become breakfast doodles the next morning. 

Mindful Schools: Mindful Schools is offering free Zoom classes Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  We didn't make it into Thursday's class (the Zoom was at max capacity) but did get an email with the recording. 

And while our collective sanity is important, most of all we want to wish you and your loved ones good health during this difficult time.  For those of you directly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic or fighting it on the front lines, our hearts are with you.  

 

Are you eating the foods your immune system loves? Here's a rundown of some immune system basics, the vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive, and some of our favorite foods to find them in.

New year, totally new thing on the blog: our first official guest post!  And if that wasn't exciting enough, in this post our superfoods are taking a break from the blender and heading into the OVEN.  The very first Everipe superfood baked good has been created.  The recipe is simple, healthy, and totally delish. Enjoy! 

Guest written by Maria Fernanda Lopez of Purely Healthy Living:
We all have our own holiday classic. Every culture has its own signature Christmas/holiday recipe, and orange cranberry is one of those classic recipes we enjoy during this season. Taking inspiration from that combo, I created my own variation with the ingredients I already have in my pantry.

I used Everipe's Unbelievaberry smoothie kit containing berries, chia seeds and hemp seeds for the berry.  For the orange touch I used sweet orange essential oil. Have you tried using essential oils for cooking? It's a simple way to add extra flavor with just a few drops.

The combination of berries and orange is just AMAZING. So flavorful! Definitely obsessed with this recipe. Those drops of orange essential oils really make a difference; I usually get my essential oils at Marshalls or TJ-Maxx. 

These muffins were made using paleo ingredients so these will be:
- Wheat Free
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
They are are also low carb thanks to the monk fruit, a natural sugar that doesn't give us glucose spikes. Added bonus: it's keto and diabetic friendly! 

As with most of my recipes, this is a simple recipe with simple steps. Healthy foods meet convenience and flavor--one of my mottos when it comes to cooking. 

Orange Berry Paleo Muffins

By Maria Fernanda Lopez

Serves 12
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of coconut flour
- 1/4 cup of almond flour
- 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed
- 1/3 cup of monk fruit sweetener 
- 1 tsp of baking powder
- 1 tsp of cinnamon
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup of nut milk or water
- 1/4 cup melted ghee or coconut oil
- 1/3 cup of dried berries (no sugar added)
- 3oz. of low carb chocolate pieces
 
Method
1. Preheat the oven at 350F.
2. Mix the dry ingredients, skip the dried fruit and the chocolate.
3. Add the wet ingredients and mix well.
4. Pour the mix into twelve muffin cups.
5. Top with berries and chocolate.
6. Bake for 24 minutes.
7. Let them cool down and ENJOY!
Nutritional Information (per serving 152 kcal)
Fat: 11.8g
Carbs:10.3g
Fiber: 5.8g
Protein: 4.2g

 

We don't like to play superfood favorites around here, but's hard to argue with turmeric's powers. Whether it’s in a savory lentil dish or a tropical superfood smoothie, turmeric’s healing properties and versatility have made it a mainstay in everyday dishes for the health conscious....and curious. Tumeric’s popularity is hardly new, but it is shining brighter now than in has in recent history--it definitely wasn’t an ingredient in your mother’s can of Tab--so we deemed it time to dive a little deeper into this ancient superfood: 

A (Long) History of Benefits

Turmeric is a root from the ginger family known for it’s warm spicy flavor and vibrant orange color. Turmeric has been used in a variety of medical applications throughout history; it’s been noted to treat everything from digestive upset and menstrual cramps to cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. As an ancient medicinal herb, turmeric’s street cred can be traced as far back as 500 BCE, when it emerged as an important part of Ayurvedic medicine--so important that Ayurvedic literature contains over 100 different terms for turmeric, including jayanit, which translates to “one who is victorious over diseases." (We find this fact very cool.) 

Here's a few more ways turmeric shows up in Ayurvedic history books:

• Inhaling fumes from burning turmeric was used to alleviate congestion,

• Wounds and bruises were treated with turmeric juice,

• Turmeric paste was applied to skin conditions from smallpox and chickenpox to blemishes and shingles.

According to Dr. Weill, population studies have shown that in India, where turmeric is consumed regularly, rates of Alzheimer’s Disease are low. It’s also a staple in traditional Chinese medicine, used for things like back pains and headaches. From today’s clinical perspective, turmeric’s primary benefits are its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  More research is being done to explore the efficacy of its many other benefits, which could include anti-cancer properties. Modern medicine (which is less than 100 years old!) has only begun to unearth the benefits of the superfood, but in ancient and traditional medicine, this spice has been working overtime for thousands of years.

I’m Sold. How Do I Start?

Google “turmeric recipes” and most likely you’ll get multi-step recipes for delicious stews, homemade face masks and fancy lattes. Not exactly things that fit *immediately* into reality. But fear not: we’ve got you covered. Behold the best I-can-do-this-right-away uses:

Blend it up. Turmeric is a fabulous addition to smoothies, adding a depth of flavor and warmth while delivering all its amazing health benefits. That’s why we’ve created Ripe Rebound, a fan-favorite tropical blend that features turmeric and ginger in nutritionist developed, chef-approved recipes that are packed with plant power and totally foolproof. 

Sprinkle it on. Turmeric has taken up residency in the spice isle of many grocery stores, and a bottle just might need to make its way into your spice rack. Sprinkle on roasted veggies and/or add it to soups as a gateway into the spice. 

Buy a bottle. Turmeric supplements are also a thing...and a popular one. Before you add it to your Amazon cart, be sure it’s a turmeric supplement and not just curcumin, which also popular but only part of turmeric’s amazing-ness. Also be sure it contains black pepper extract or piperine, which will help your body better absorb the turmeric.

Looking for a little more inspo? Try this recipe from Chef Heidi!

CHEF HEIDI'S TURMERIC HOT CIDER

3 cups fresh apple juice 

4 cups water

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp cardamom

1” of fresh peeled ginger, roughly chopped (Feel free to add more if you prefer spice!)

2 bags of apple spice tea (I love Celestial Seasonings)

Honey to taste if you prefer a sweeter drink

Combine all ingredients in a pot and bring to a gentle boil. Turn heat off immediately and steep for 15-20 mins. Enjoy! 

Today’s world can feel as chaotic as it is streamlined, making balance a *little* hard to come by.  Sometimes it can feel like we’re controlled by our packed schedules, the ding of our phone, the dog at the door, the kid with the piano lesson.  How much of our day is really in our control? Well, we have a number: Research has shown that over 45% of what we do in a day is controlled by habit, which is a pretty powerful number.  And it begs the question: how can we get an upper hand on our habits? In an effort to feel better in mind, body, and spirit, can we change our habits to serve our greater good? Caren Osten, a certified positive psychology life coach, gives us her take: 

Hi Caren! Thanks for joining us. First, could you talk a little about the nature of a habit? A habit is a behavior that we do with automaticity—we are going through the motions of performing an activity, like biting our nails or putting the potato chips in our mouth, for example, while on auto-pilot. We are often not even aware that we are doing the behavior. Many of our habits have been formed that way in our past, and it is only when we make a choice to try to change a habit that we begin to focus on it with a conscious awareness.

When a person wants to change some of their habits, how should they start? Habits are easy to continue because they are just that—habitual—and they don’t impose exertion on the brain since they are typically regular, or daily, activities we have acted on for a while, months and often years. But scientific research has confirmed that change is possible, and with an awareness of what triggers a behavior, we are able to respond differently and modify our habits, eventually creating new neural pathways in the brain. Some experts suggest paying attention to what triggers the behavior (sitting on the couch to watch a movie), and the habit (mindless munching). Once you have identified, and are mindful of when the trigger occurs, you can attempt to modify the behavior, perhaps considering healthier snacks or other ways to occupy your hands while binge-watching your favorite show (maybe that's why knitting is making a comeback?!) 

The phrase "healthy habits" can mean many different things, from cultivating positive relationships and setting personal boundaries to eating healthier and getting more sleep. Is there a certain area people should start in when trying to develop new or different habits? Everyone has their own unique set of habits and it’s really up to each individual to define the opportunities for better habits. Habit change is hard, and experts suggest working on one habit at a time. If you’d like to begin changing your relationship with technology, for example, perhaps make small changes each week to move toward a decreased dependence, such as putting your phone “to bed” in a room other than where you sleep, or leaving it behind when you walk your dog or exercise so you can be more mindful of your surroundings. Exercise, sleep and eating healthy are essential elements of good health and well-being, and there are many small steps you can take to improve your habits, such as meditating or doing a body scan to relax before bedtime, taking stairs rather than the elevator or biking rather than driving to work, and substituting sugar-filled drinks with water or herbal tea.

What tips do you have on how to stay motivated and encouraged while trying to build new habits? It’s a good idea to implement consistency when attempting to change a habit—performing the newer behavior at the same time each day, and every day. You may want to consider creating a challenge for yourself—such as a 30-day challenge which is said to be the approximate number of days when new habits begin to form. When working with my clients, we often agree on a challenge and they will report back about their progress. One client was aiming to become more social and friendly at work, so her challenge was to talk to at least one co-worker each day about something not having to do with work. She had to move out of her comfort zone to create this new behavior, and was ultimately happy with the outcome her new habit brought her.

 How do we measure success? When is a habit fully formed? It’s difficult to say when a habit is fully formed because research has shown that it can begin at 21 days and take up to a year—depending on the difficulty of the habit change. Consistency is key, and it’s also important to not beat yourself up if you have a set back. Treating ourselves with self-compassion, and giving ourselves permission to be human is important. Everyone struggles at some point with changing habits, so remember that you are not alone, and then take a moment to refocus your energies and begin again the next day.

Caren Osten is a certified positive psychology life coach and writer. She works with individuals and groups, who seek to cultivate greater positivity, clarity and calm as they navigate life's daily stresses, challenges and shifts. Caren leads workshops and speaks at conferences, businesses and organizations in which she shares the benefits, strategies and science of optimism, self-compassion, mindfulness, and resilience. A contributor to The New York Times, PsychologyToday.com, Mindful and other publications, Caren writes about health and wellbeing, travel and education. You can learn more about her work at www.carenosten.com

At Everipe, we love food. All kinds. The kind that fuels our bodies and the kind that celebrates holidays and birthdays. We were created based on the idea that we're all just trying our best and everything-in-moderation is a balanced approach to nutrition.  But we know the information around sugar can be a complicated. So, we wanted to break things down a bit and shed some light on the great sugar debates. This isn’t about villainizing foods, it’s about making more informed choices. Knowledge is power, right?

We are going to talk about sugar in two ways here: added sugars and naturally occurring sugar. When we say added sugar, we mean anything that was not naturally occurring in the food you’re eating, from the sprinkle of coconut sugar on a grapefruit to the drizzle of honey on a bowl of oatmeal. Here’s a breakdown of what we need to know about each to reasonably navigate a diet that helps us feel well, ward off disease, and maintain our energy. 

White sugar has been evicted from many-a-cupboard of health conscious people for more “natural” alternatives like coconut sugar, agave, honey, maple syrup. The benefits of these swaps are highly debated and honestly…sort of confusing. Here’s some info to help it make a bit more sense:

All sugars--from added to natural occurring, refined to fair trade—are comprised of essentially the same three simple sugars (called monosaccharides)—glucose, fructose, and galactose. And together glucose and fructose make sucrose. 

From the the sugar in that ceramic bowl on your grandma’s counter to the organic, fair trade coconut sugar you just picked up at the farmer's market, all sugar is comprised of the exact same molecular foundation, just in different ratios.

• White refined sugar is sucrose, which is a 50-50 combination of glucose and fructose.

• Maple sugar is about 2/3 sucrose.

• Despite frequent claims that coconut sugar is effectively fructose-free, it’s made of 70–80% sucrose, which is half fructose.

• Agave is often praised for being low glycemic, which it is, because it’s essentially all fructose (with levels higher than high fructose corn syrup!).   

‘Ose you still paying attention? 

The quick and dirty of it is there’s no compelling evidence to show that one type of added sugar is better for you than another…processed or not. Ultimately, our bodies utilize all sugars the same way: it's either used as energy or stored as fat (which can be turned into energy later). Maple syrup, honey, and coconut sugar are less processed than white sugar and contain more nutrition like trace minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants (which isn’t hard to do: white sugar has zero!) but there's no reason to eat them for those health benefits—the nutrition they contain can be obtained in much better ways. Leafy greens, anyone?

Whatever you decide to stock your cabinets with, remember that there is no added sugar that is going to make eating excess sugar okay when it comes to disease prevention and feeling good. It’s in the science: too much of the stuff is very much tied to cardiovascular disease and Type 2 Diabetes. 

The Case For (Cellular Intact) Fruit 

Our bodies and brains run on carbohydrates, and sugar is the smallest form of carbs.  We do need some! It’s true that all fruits have naturally occurring sugars in them made up of the same elements described above, but they also contain fiber, antioxidants vitamins, and minerals and tend to have less sugar by volume than sugar-laden treats.  

Fiber is what helps slow down the small intestine from absorbing sugar too quickly.  Because Everipe’s fruits are freeze dried, their cellular structure—and therefore their fiber content—largely remains in tact. This is a very good thing, and one advantage freeze drying has on dried fruit or powders.  Plus, our added superfoods help boost the fiber content of each smoothie to help keep you satisfied for longer and avoid that sugar crash. 

And when it comes to long term health, incorporating fruits into your diet has real health benefits, like lower risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. But it’s always best to check with your doctor to see what’s best for you. Cheers! 

 Welcome to My Morning Routine, our new blog series that highlights the morning rituals of some of our favorite Everipers. Inspirational habits, relatable circumstances: this is morning in real life. 

Jessica Boscarini, Holistic Nutritionist and Founder of Healthy Fit Fab Moms, is busy.  She's mom to three kids (including a baby!), business owner, and on a mission to help moms find some balance in this fast-paced life.  And it's clear Jessica practices what she preaches.  With three kids on different schedules and a business to run, here's how to manages to make her superfoods and eat them, too. 

MY MORNING ROUTINE
with Heathly Fit Fab Moms Jessica Boscarini

6:15AM:  I'm up! Mornings are super hectic so I try to wake up before my family so I can have at least a few minutes of peace before I need to be in full mom mode. I drink a tall glass of water as I prepare my superfood coffee (which is full of protein, MCTs, and a superfood powder that I make, all of which helps keep me full until breakfast, as well as starts my day off on the right foot)!

6:30AM:  This is my most productive time of the day, so I quickly run through my emails, finding the ones which need the most attention and answer those, as well as [try to] complete any projects that are due that day. This is also when I’m pumping (for the other baby I send milk to), as well as drink my coffee. I definitely have lots of multi-tasking going on here!  

6:45AM: My oldest is up and needs to get ready for school, so I make his breakfast (usually a mix of nuts and dried mangos), finish prepping and/or packing his lunch (depending what I got done the night before), and help to make sure he is ready to leave by 7:15.

7:00AM: It’s workout time! This is when I try to sneak in a quick bout of Pilates, Barre, or some other strength training/body weight type exercises before the day gets too crazy! I’m my best self after working out, so this is really important to me!

7:15AM: Baby’s up! My daughter is such a happy baby, so I really look forward to getting her in the mornings! I change her, feed her and then play with her for a bit.

7:45AM: Time to wake up my older daughter, if she’s not up already! It’s time to get her ready for pre-school, which entails getting her breakfast (she likes homemade protein bars), brushing her hair, helping her put on her uniform, etc.

8:15AM: The girls play for a bit while I clean-up the kitchen and go back to responding to emails (all while standing at the side of the counter so I can keep my eye on them in the attached family room).

8:30AM: It’s time to leave for school! I pack up the girls and we drop my daughter off at Pre-K.

9:00AM: The baby and I are finally home and it is time for breakfast! I make her and I an Everipe Smoothie Bowl – which we are both obsessed with! She’ll also have some superfood oatmeal, and I’ll have a homemade protein bar.

9:30AM: Again, it’s time to clean-up, change baby and try to do some more work! I’ll go back and forth between working on my computer and playing with her/keeping her out of trouble.

11AM: It’s finally baby’s naptime – and the time I can complete any big things I need to for the day! This will usually last an hour – if I’m lucky – although sometimes she skips it and I’m SOL. #momlife

We think we need a nap, too.  Thanks, Jessica!

Jessica Boscarini, Holistic Nutritionist and Founder of Healthy Fit Fab Moms, is not only all about eating healthy, but believes that health involves everything you do – from nutritious foods and working out to taking time just for you. This is why she’s also a Pilates, Barre, and Spin Instructor, as well as a Baby & Motherhood Consultant – helping to make new and veteran moms’ lives easier and more productive. 

Whether it’s creating personal Nutrition Plans or Fitness Routines for individuals or writing reviews and blog posts for the masses, Jessica’s main goal is to help others live a better life – one that is filled with health, fitness and fabulousness. Born and raised in sunny San Diego, CA, Jessica now resides with her husband and three kids in Dallas, TX.

For more information on Jessica and all her services, check her out on website at healthyfitfabmoms.com or on Facebook and Instagram.

 

Let's takeout back to the early days, when Everipe was simply a twinkle in our founder Greg's eye. Tired of the shopping/washing/chopping/measuring cycle—that sometimes ended in spoiled produce or a #blenderfail—Greg set out to find a way to have his smoothie and drink it, too. (That idiom works here, right?) He switched to powders and found them joyless. He began asking himself if there could be a product that offered the convenience of a powder with the full sensory experience and clean nutrition of a whole food smoothie.  The line of questioning and trail of research that ensued led him to one single solution: freeze drying. And we want to tell you a little more about it. 

Freeze Drying is a Natural, Ancient Process 

Your first encounter with freeze dried foods might have been a "NASA-approved" napoleon ice cream packet (we too found those super cool), but the process itself has been around far longer than man has been in space. 

Freeze drying practices date back to 1250 BC, when it was used by Incas to preserve food in the harsh climate of the Peruvian Andes.  They needed nourishing food that stored and travelled well.  Taking advantage of the warm days and cold nights of early summer in the high-altitude Andes, the Incas would repeatedly freeze and thaw potatoes, mashing the moisture out of them with their feet.  The result? Chuño, a freeze-dried potato that resembles a truffle and can be stored and eaten for up to a decade. No technology, no chemicals, no preservatives. It quite literally fed armies. Pretty impressive, right? 

Today, freeze drying doesn’t involve any mashing by foot (as fun and therapeutic as that sounds), but the process is still an entirely natural and extremely effective way to preserve fruits and vegetables. It involves nothing more than perfectly ripe produce and very cold temperatures: no chemicals, no preservatives, and no additives. 

It’s as Nutritious as it is Convenient  

Let’s start with a little scientific geekery: Freeze drying—or if you're feeling fancy, lyophilization—is a multi-step process.  First, fruits and veggies harvested at their peak ripeness (read: peak nutrition) are placed in a vacuum chamber at temperatures below freezing, where combination of low temperatures and low pressure allows the frozen water molecules to vaporize without ever entering a liquid phase.  The temperature is then slowly raised (but not the pressure!) to further dehydrate the fruits and veggies.  

The result? Fruits and veggies containing a very small amount of moisture, which allows for a longer shelf life while keeping their cellular structure intact.  And when the cellular structure of a raspberry is preserved, so is the nutritional value. The American Institute for Cancer Research has found that the antioxidants found in fresh fruits is about the same as in their freeze-dried versions. Freeze-drying can preserve up to 98% of the nutritional value while weighing only 20% of the produce in its original form. Lightweight, shelf stable, and super nutritious? Check, check, and check. 

What You See is What You Get (and Taste) 

The whole eat with your eyes thing? It's *very* true. Freeze drying allows for each ingredient in a blend to be in plain sight, just as it would be with a smoothie made from fresh ingredients.  This was part of that sensory experience that was missing for Greg when he tried powders. He could appreciate the utilitarian purpose of powders, but wanted the satisfaction of real food. If you think about the past applications of freeze-dried food, it fed armies, astronauts, and campers.  It doesn’t get much more utilitarian than that! But it’s also beautifully whole, preserving the color and shape of the fruit or vegetable. It also creates transparency between our customers and our product, which is super important to us. 

And as for flavor, freeze drying preserves the bold flavors of fresh fruits and veggies and blends into an exceptionally creamy and tasty smoothie, no added sugars or other hard-to-pronounce additives necessary.  

It Leaves Your Freezer Out of It 

While frozen fruits and veggies offer some of the same conveniences and nutritional perks as freeze-dried, frozen, single-serving smoothies create a separate problem: a monopoly on your freezer space. And while the fridge and the freezer are typically the prime real estate for the healthiest foods in your kitchen, freeze drying raises the standard on what your pantry is capable of. This is not your grandmother's can of green beans: it's bright, tasty, and nutritious.  

So when the berries turn fuzzy days before you expected (or when your week careened out of control and you totally expected it!) and or the contents of your fridge have been reduced to a few condiments and a suspect package of hot dogs, Everipe can help you can feel good about turning to your pantry for something convenient: fresh, whole foods in a tasty smoothie in 90 seconds. 

In the ever-evolving balance of healthy and convenient, freeze-dried simply hits all the marks. It’s all natural, void of any fillers, chemicals and artificial sweeteners.  It’s shelf stable and easy to store while offering a full sensory experience that powders and pre-made smoothies often lack.  And that's why it gets our first impression rose, perfect 10, Heisman Trophy and Nobel Prize.  
 
 

Almond milk. Coconut milk. Oat milk. Pea milk. The ‘dairy’ aisle sure doesn't look like it used to!  If your eyes have crossed while trying to select from shelf after shelf of artisanal “mylks” or a $7 bottle of pistachio milk has ever spoiled in your fridge simply because you did not know what to do with it—even though you really wanted to be that person—rest assured you are not alone. We are right there with you.   

We love the idea of using plant-based milk as a base to our smoothies. They offer a variety of flavor and nutritional profiles that will keep things interesting your blender, and hey, it’s always fun to experiment.  So, we went on a *little* deep dive on the topic and enlisted the culinary wizardry of everyone’s favorite holistic chef, Heidi to conjure up the very best plant-based milk pairings for our smoothies. Here are our findings on all things plant-based milk: 

Roll Call: The Most Popular Plant-Based Milks 

Almond Milk:  The homecoming queen of plant-based milk. People love it for its mild flavor, versatility, and low-calorie count.   

Things to know: While actual almonds are great sources of protein (6 grams in a single nut!) almond milk is relatively low in protein—just 1 gram per glass.  If you’re looking for a nutrient boost, you may want to go for the fortified version. Fortified almond milk typically contains vitamin D, calcium and protein, making it more similar to regular milk in nutritional content. However, almond milk is naturally rich in several vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin E. And as always, be sure to read the label as almond milk can be full of added sugar and fillers. Simple rule? The fewer ingredients, the better.  

Oat Milk: You’ve probably seen this deliciousness popping up on the chalkboard menu at your favorite coffee shop. Oat milk offers a creamy, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with your latte, among other things. And because oats absorb more water than nuts when soaked, more of the oat (and therefore, the oat’s nutrients and creamy texture) make it into the milk.   

Things to know:  While its protein content is still lower than cow’s milk or soy milk, it’s higher than most nut milk varieties. It’s higher in carbohydrates and fiber than fat, but that is its energy-giving secret sauce. 

Coconut Milk: Believe it or not, coconut milk does not occur naturally in coconuts (that would be coconut water). Coconut meat is blended with water to create what we know as coconut milk, in all it’s thick and creamy glory. Coconut milk is versatile, used in both sweet and savory dishes. It also makes a great addition to your smoothie. The flavor is not as mild as oat and almond milk, so play to the flavor!  

Things to know: Coconut milk is calorie-dense and high in healthy fats. This will help keep you satiated and help your body better absorb all the vitamins and nutrients in the coconut milk. Canned coconut milk will be thick and extra rich, while carton coconut milk has a thinner consistency.  

Pea Milk: It may be a funky concept, but don't sleep on it: pea milk is creamy, tasty, and has an impressive nutritional profile. It’s an excellent source of plant-based protein (8 grams!) and is rich in potassium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and calcium. Certain brands are also fortified with omega-3's. Total nutrient powerhouse! 

Things to know: While unsweetened pea milk is relatively low in carbs and sugar, be wary of the flavored varieties, which may contain added sugar and other ingredients.   

 CHEF HEIDI’S GUIDE TO PLANT-BASED NUT MILK PAIRINGS 

1. Pina Colossal: This blend pairs best with a full-fat coconut milk (yes, the kind that comes in a can!). The fatty content of the milk allows the tangy flavors in this smoothie to blossom and complements the overall flavor profile very well. 
2. Unbelievaberry: This berry blend pairs best with a vanilla-flavored almond milk. The sweetness and vanilla flavor add a complimentary zing to this tangy berry blend that helps to round it out while offering an interesting twist. 
3. Greens With Envy: Oat milk is a wonderful complement to Greens With Envy. The mild flavor of this nut milk works very well with the complex flavors in the green smoothie blend. Almond milk also offers a nutty twist that brings out the almond flavor of the blend. 
4. Ripe Rebound: Heidi recommends blending this immune booster with oat milk. Of the dairy alternative milks, oat has the mildest and smoothest flavor, and of our blends, Ripe Rebound has the most complex and robust flavor profile. Plus, oat milk adds a creamy finish!

 

Summer is in full swing, meaning a few good things are happening: schedules are relaxed, skies are blue, and social calendars are full.  And while these are all very good things, the summer hustle can make it difficult to stay on a wellness routine. Is it possible to NOT need a vacation after your vacation? We had to know.

For some real life, I-can-totally-do-this wellness tips to take on the road this summer, we tapped Vanesssa Kahler, a Functional Nutritionist, Health Coach, and founder of Kahler Wellbeing Academy.  Here are her tips:

Stick to a morning routine.

Wake up at a set time each morning. Sleep is one of the most well researched areas of well-being and its indisputable that we all need a good night sleep to thrive. Research shows us that a lack of sleep affects heart health, immunity, diabetes, cognitive function, moods. It is recommended that we create a regular wake up time and bed time to maintain our circadian rhythm and achieve ideal 8 hours sleep each night. Recent studies show that people with a regular wake-up time reported being more satisfied overall in every area of their lives.

Wake up your mind and your body.  Before you dive into your day, aim for 5-10 minutes of stillness. Instead of jumping out of bed, give your body a few minutes to enjoy waking up. And if you’re up for it, add  5-10 minutes of stretching and/or yoga once you're upright. 

Start your day with glass of water. Water is all you need, but if you have the time and the ambition, adding lemon, cucumber or ginger  add extra health benefits and a little flavor.

Bring your smoothie ritual on the road.

A quick, healthy smoothie packed with nutrients ensures you start the day with a concentrated easy-to-digest, nutrient dense breakfast.  Here's the simple math: hydration + a low sugar, nutrient-dense breakfast = maintained mood and energy throughout the day.  Here are my picks:

Greens With Envy, a source of chlorella, spinach, and chia provides a nutrient dense start to the day. 

For an afternoon pick me up try Ripe Rebound with turmeric and ginger.  (Also great for a morning after an indulgent evening!) 

Treat Yourself.  It's Vacation! 

...and have an idea of when and how you’ll indulge so your energy levels won’t suffer.  

Be mindful of indulgences. If your afternoon involved ice cream with the kids, opt for fruit after dinner. 

Try to make 2 out of the 3 meals balanced. Opt for a balance of protein, carbs and fats to keep you feeling good throughout the day.  

Try to save the sweets for after meals. A sweet meal or snack on it's own can spike blood sugar and make it difficult to maintain your energy levels.

Whatever you’re eating, enjoy it.  Be present, eat slowly, savor, and enjoy. 

Make time to relax and restore.  

Take time to slow down while you’re away, even if that means saying “no” to a few things on your bucket list. Part of not “needing a vacation from your vacation” is taking the time to fill up your cup…both literally and figuratively. Getting good sleep and maintaining a morning routine will be a great start, but try to build in a few other practices that will help you relax, reset, and restore: 

Make time for movement.  Bring sneakers for morning walks, play tag with the kids, or sign up for a yoga class in town.  

Book a spa treatment. Even better, choose the relax or detox treatments.  And if the spa isn’t in the cards, bring some bath salts and essential oils to create a spa-like evening bath routine. Maybe with a cocktail in hand! 

Grab that beach read. Take your favorite book or audible that you have had on your list for months.

And most of all….slow down, breath deep and enjoy!