Eating your greens just got a whole lot easier thanks to the great people at Gotham Greens. I spent a lovely afternoon walking around the Gowanus greenhouse, learning about how Gotham Greens supplies local, sustainable, and nutrient-rich greens year round to the New York City area. Hydroponically grown, Gotham Greens produces a gorgeous selection of unique and delicious lettuces, basil, and tomatoes. During my recent visit, I could not keep my eyes off the picture perfect butterhead lettuce. These butterheads were calling out to become lettuce cups! For a very veggie spin on traditional chicken filled lettuce cups, I swapped in meaty portobello mushrooms and walnuts to create a hearty and nourishing meal. Lightly salted peanuts, chopped cilantro, and quick pickled cucumbers and radish add the perfect balance to this satisfying and nutrient dense meal.
Read moreA Little Naughty and Very Nice - Edamame and Herb Dumplings
We are huge dumpling fans here at Crunchy Radish and typically go to great lengths to seek out the most veghead friendly varieties. Rarely though, do we consider making our own dumplings...until now. Store bought wonton wrappers make the process extraordinarily simple and provide the perfect vehicle to play around with an assortment of fillings and cooking techniques. In honor of Spring, we made vibrant, flavorful herb and edamame filled dumplings and cooked them two ways -one slightly more virtuous than the other. A peanut sesame soy sauce serves as the ideal accompaniment for these bright, light, and delectable little parcels.
Read more10 ways to eat your greens this St. Patrick's Day
Some like to celebrate St. Patrick's Day by eating a green bagel or drinking green beer. Here are 10 ways to get your greens - hangover, guilt, and food coloring not included.
Read moremy favorite way to fuel after a workout
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.
Read moresay hello to my little friend
The are many reasons why sweet potatoes are rock star tubers. They are versatile, vibrant in color, and pack a serious nutritional punch. Their flexibility is highlighted in this dish, serving as an edible bowl for spicy and flavorful beans. These stuffed spuds could be a great dish at a causal dinner party with a few options of fillings and garnishes to suit your guests taste preferences. Whole roasted sweet potatoes are also a great item to have on hand. They can serve as a blank canvas and are amendable to a multitude of toppings and fillers - especially useful on "clean out the fridge" kind of days.
Read moremy favorite way to eat spaghetti
Nothing beats incredibly fresh homemade pasta from an amazing restaurant but, since we can't indulge in fresh pasta everyday of the week, my favorite way to eat spaghetti is from a squash! Yup, that yellow oval shaped squash, when sliced in half, roasted, and scraped, produces spaghetti-like strands of significant nutrient density. This yellow-hued veg is rich in vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, is gluten-free, and is the perfect alternative to pasta. Swap out your basic noodles for spaghetti squash in any of your favorite recipes.
Read moremy favorite way to eat chips - yes chips
Not to be a downer but chips are typically a "no go" in the clean eats world. Normally fried, processed, and laded with sodium and oil, chips offer no nutritional benefits whatsoever. Turn that frown upside down, because I've got you covered with these baked chili lime corn tortilla chips. These crunchy crits are the perfect vehicle for your dips, game day and beyond. Just don't forget the cruditès.
Read moremy favorite way to eat broccoli
I lied. This is not MY favorite way...it's my husband's, but I can't blame him. This recipe calls for broccoli florets tossed in lime zest, lime juice, chili powder, and oil, and roasted until crisp. The outcome is the perfect balance of spicy, citrusy, and, of course, crunchy. Get your broccoli fix ASAP with this twist on classic roasted broccoli.
Read moreradish recs: skip the bottle and make your own dressing
For Birchbox's 31-day challenge, I prompted readers to skip the bottle and make their own salad dressing. Pouring on packaged dressings can derail your good intentions for a crunch-fest. Instead of boosting the nutrient level of your greens, you are likely adding sodium, sugar, artificial flavors, and preservatives. Here are three simple dressings that you can make at home to elevate your crunch-munch game.
Read moreDid Someone Say Lentil? Smokey Lentil and Kale Soup to Fix your Winter Rut
This month is all about manifesting my insatiable love for soup. Not only are soups typically forgiving and flexible, they can be quite amenable to augmentation if you happen to run out of a particular spice or herb. A hearty soup or stew can be repurposed for multiple meals throughout the week, alleviating much of the 8pm, just home from work/gym, grab a bag of blue corn chips hangry drama. For my take on lentil soup, I enriched the flavors with smoked paprika, spicy chili powder, and warm and earthy cumin to add a distinct robustness to this hearty winter soup. A handful of baby kale is added right before eating for added nutrient density and a burst of color.
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