By Chef Mark Cleveland of Avanti Natural Even the most dedicated kitchen-centric-foodies need a wholesome, holiday gift idea that requires no cooking and can be whipped up for multiples – in minutes. No one should ever show up to an event empty handed. Autumn is the season of tree nuts in their shells. Fresh crops… Read More
Healthy Food
Vegan + Dairy-Free Artichoke Dip
By Shirley Plant of Delicious Alternatives As a primarily vegan who is allergic to milk, I use to miss certain foods; one of them being artichoke dip! It’s especially tempting at a soirée (since this is such a party staple), but the negative effects of dairy are sooo not worth the long-term price on health…. Read More
Prepare to FALL in Love with Persimmons
By Chef Tanya Fuqua of Avanti Natural My husband and I were cruisin the farmers market a few days ago and suddenly I saw them…persimmons! They’re so beautiful in all of their orange glory. To me it’s the first sign of fall. Just as the season rolls around so do the questions. How do you… Read More
How Much Poison is in Your Food?
As the saying goes, you are what you eat. And, as another saying goes, so don’t be fast, easy, cheap or fake. Here’s why… Related Articles: Sip Your Way to Health With Sensational Smoothies! Creamy Vegan Butternut Squash Soup Does Your Cup of Coffee Contain a Latte of Chemicals? Strawberry Fields Forever: RAW Strawberry Almond… Read More
The Best + Worst Beverage Choices
By Lisa Beres, BBEI, CGBP and Sandra Keros, Integrative Nutritionist Water is the essence of life – in fact – water makes up approximately 60 percent of our body weight. One of the most important functions of water in your body is to flush out toxins and salt. Did you know eight glasses of purified… Read More
Coconut Oil: Friend or Foe? 8 Facts You Should Know!
By Chef Tanya Fuqua Coconut oil has surged to the cooking forefront of healthy eating aficionados. Everywhere you turn, people seem to be singing it’s praises as the newest, healthiest fat. While many people have gone whole hog with their love of coconut oil, I suspect there’s quite a few out there who are scratching… Read More
Cook Your Way to Health With 4 Healing Herbs: Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme!
By Chef Mark Cleveland of Avanti Cafe From Southern California to the coasts of Maine, spring is the season for the freshest and most tender herbs. The Simon & Garfunkel song, Scarborough Fair, reminds us to pair four powerful & tasty herbs together for culinary flavor with holistic healing properties. The above photo of the… Read More
You Can Make Strawberry Jam: A Quick + Healthy DIY Recipe!
By Chef Tanya Fuqua I love jam! I love everything about it. The piles of beautiful, fresh fruit. The sweet smell in the kitchen. The colorful jars lined up on the counter when you’re finished. Most people think of jam as strictly a summertime ritual, but jam can be made anytime of year. I wasn’t… Read More