bircher muesli - make your mornings better

May 11, 2015 Miranda Hammer

I get a lot of questions on instagram about my morning oat game. In a constant effort to provide my fellow vegheads with morning motivation, here is a great staple to keep on hand for your breakfast routine.

Bircher muesli is a fancier, more sophisticated term for overnight oats - a fantastic nutrient dense option that you make the evening before and grab on the go in the morning. Muesli is the ideal solution for you bleary-eyed, non-morning people. Previous overnight oat recipes have been featured on Crunchy Radish in the past. H ere the importance of post-work out fuel is discussed, and here the nutrient-rich, virtuous superfood, chia seeds, are highlighted. For this rendition of a make-ahead-breakfast, ripe banana is mixed with zesty citrus, homemade nut milk, and extra-thick rolled oats, creating a creamy, dreamy protein, fiber, and calcium-filled morning treat...without the guilt or sugar high.

cinco series - fiesta bowl

April 29, 2015 Miranda Hammer

Cinco de Mayo is one of my most favorite food-centric celebrations. Maybe it is the bright vibrant colors, the vast quantities of avocados, or the large amount of tequila? However you go about your festivities, be sure to make it healthful.

I have partnered with my friends at Whole Foods Market NYC to bring you The Crunchy Radish Cinco Series, a healthier take on a festive holiday. The fiesta bowl is the inaugural dish for the series! Over the next week, we will be providing you with healthful, nutritious Cinco de Mayo recipes that can take you to the 5th of May and beyond.

my favorite way to fuel after a workout

March 10, 2015 Miranda Hammer

Adequately fueling your body post-workout is essential to replenish used glycogen (stored carbohydrates used for energy) and to restore strained muscles. Carbohydrates, which get absorbed by the muscles first, and protein, which prevents muscle breakdown, are the ideal post-workout nutrient combo. Opting for real, clean sources of protein and carbohydrates is also important to keep in mind as opposed to immediately jumping to processed protein powders or 20-ingredient energy bars.

What the F is a Mung Bean?

February 9, 2015 Miranda Hammer

Every year a hot new food item emerges that is touted to make you feel better and look better. But maybe this trend setting food has been around all along. Mung beans have been praised for their nutrient properties by health-minded individuals and holistic practitioners for years and, most recently, they have started making their way into the mainstream dining arena. So what exactly are mung beans, and once you find them, what the heck do you do with them?

my favorite way to eat oatmeal

November 13, 2014 Miranda Hammer

Oatmeal is one of my most favorite ways to start the day. I view oatmeal as a blank canvas, open to seasonal interpretations and variations. Currently, pumpkin oats with wintery spices topped with fresh pomegranate seeds and raw cacao nibs is my favorite way to warm-up, fuel-up, and start the day.

Next Stop-Spice Town

November 12, 2014 Miranda Hammer

Looking for an alternative to stuffing or basic roasted vegetables this Thanksgiving? Take a flavor-driven trip to India with this Curry Cauliflower Quinoa Salad oozing with the ideal balance of spicy and sweet. This flavorful powerhouse salad is light and satisfying with additional immune boosting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties from the curry and the turmeric. Think outside the box this holiday and start a new tradition with this curried cauliflower crunch fest.

Falling for Farro

October 8, 2014 Miranda Hammer

The first time I visited Charlie Bird and had their delicious farro salad, I was blown away. The second time I had it, I was able to pin point the touches that made this dish so great- the balance of toasted pistachios, the mint-laced perfectly cooked grains gently tossed with grassy olive oil, and the salty flecks of parmesan cheese. All of these components truly brought this delicious dish together. By the third time, I was kicking myself for not attempting to recreate this grain dish at home. Although I have a feeling that Charlie Bird likely uses a tad more cheese and oil than I did, this dish is a stand out side or main to make at home.

Matcha Movement

June 9, 2014 Miranda Hammer

Anti-oxidants come in many shapes and forms. I have discussed their importance here on TCR multiple times, but I have yet to discuss the power of matcha! Matcha is the powdered form of green tea leaves. Pure, exceptional quality Matcha, like that from Panatea, ensures that the tea leaves are harvested in the most protective way to optimize the nutritional potential.

The Naughty Vegan

March 24, 2014 Miranda Hammer

“The unhealthy vegan/vegetarian” - sounds like an oxymoron, but it does exist. Are you or do you know someone who leads a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle ladened with processed soy-filled fake meat and imitation cheese products, french fries, potatoes, pasta, bread, and rice with little to no vegetables? Warning: You are doing you body more harm than good!

Grain Salad Goodness - Rainbow Black Rice

January 28, 2014 Miranda Hammer

Rainbow black rice salad provides a welcome antioxidant and anti-inflammatory-rich meal during the dark and cold winter months. Black rice is fiber-rich and aids with digestion, satiation, and glycemic control. The pigmentation that causes the rice to be black is anthocyanin, an antioxidant also found in blackberries and blueberries. Additionally, black rice is shown to be cardio protective by assisting with lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Miranda Hammer,

MS, RD, CDN