Monday, March 5, 2018

6 Innovative Products to Help You Eat Your Vegetables

No matter what Dr. Oz says, some of us just have zero interest in eating anything that resembles a vegetable. Sure, they’re necessary for a daily dose of vitamins and minerals, but brussels sprouts will always be brussels sprouts and there’s simply no convincing green-averse eaters to enjoy them (or at least fake enjoying them). Or is there?

Aside from different cooking methods, holding your nose, and the excessive use of cheese and melted butter, we’ve rounded up six products that actually make vegetable-eating tolerable and maybe even a little fun (or at least different than the approach used by our furry rabbit friends). Scroll down to check them out!
 
Wilted salads may be a first world problem, but they’re a problem, nonetheless. Consider your lunchtime worries quelled with this modern lunch box, guaranteed to keep your lettuce crisp and fresh for hours. Its patented vacuum technology can also be used to preserve the warmth of vegetable-heavy soups, so you’ll have a midday meal that’s suitable for any weather condition. Sure beats a clunky Thermos!
 
Since playing the airplane game is unacceptable in adulthood, eating will have to be entertaining in a different way. Meet the Back to the Roots Water Garden: a self-cleaning fish tank that grows organic sprouts and herbs within the comfort of your own home. Gone are the days of buying supermarket herbs that wilt and die within a week. Now you can trim your own basil and wheatgrass, all while admiring and caring for your new aquatic friend. If you’re still craving protein, we highly advise against eating the fish, though.
 
If you loathe the idea of greens, piling them on pizza may be the only way to prevent those overdramatic gags. But who needs all of those extra carbs when you’re already sacrificing pepperoni for peppers or sausage for arugula? Gluten-free, paleo, and health-conscious dieters will rejoice over this almond flour-based variety that still maintains the same chew and crunch of a traditional pie. Just don’t tell nonna, though we’re sure she may not even notice.
 
 
Combing through mounds of grocery store vegetables is both time-consuming and intimidating. “What *really* makes a zucchini fresh? Is this artichoke allowed to be bruised? How do I find a purple carrot?” These may be some of the thoughts that race through your mind as you shop, which makes navigating the aisles oh-so-unnecessarily-difficult. Save yourself the headache and sign up for Farmbox Direct, a box service that hand-selects all of your organic produce from local farms. It will force you to cook with ingredients you don’t purchase regularly, all with guaranteed freshness. And to think we’ve been told to think outside of the box all of these years.
 
 
We love ourselves a good olive oil, but if you’re hoping to change things up a bit and increase the healthy fat content with bold flavors such as turmeric and lemon, look no further than Cocavo: an avocado and coconut oil blend that’s perfect for sauteing your favorite veggies. Rather than dousing that broccoli in sugar-filled glazes or sauces, these oils take drab to fab while adding to the overall nutritional profile. But honestly, are you really surprised that anything with avocado tastes delicious?
 
A tried-and-true way to sneak greens into your daily food pyramid is through smoothies. Nearly any protein powder, nut butter, or fruit juice can mask the bitterness of spinach, kale, and celery to create a nutrient-rich boost your morning routine, but to make things a bit more decadent, opt for this silky, smooth macadamia nut milk that is sustainably farmed in Australia. Your non-desire for dairy will last ’til the cows come home.


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Get Ready for March Madness with These Pizza-Ordering Sneakers

Pizza Hut’s magical sneakers are back and this time they have even more power than ever! Like the first pair of Pie Tops, introduced last March, these shoes can order pizza for you at the touch of a button. Well, sort of. They actually send a signal to your phone where you can confirm a pizza order. That’s good enough for us!

The new upgraded sneaker, aka Pie Tops II, also have the ability to pause your TV. That way you don’t have to worry about missing any of your shows when your pizza order actually arrives. So far, they’re compatible with Spectrum, DirecTV, XFinity, Dish, and Fios. Check out the video below to see them in action.

The shoes were designed by Dominic Chambrone and are custom-made by the Shoe Surgeon himself. They come in two colors: red and wheat (you know, the color of pizza crust). Here’s the amazing way Pizza Hut describes their feature: “extreme marinara splash, cheese grater mesh, branded Pizza Hut lace tags, extra ‘cheese pull’ laces, and branded inner soles.” Your feet will never feel more delicious.

While the shoes will be available for public purchase the week of March 19, they’ll be in limited supply. Only 50 pairs will be made, and while the price hasn’t been announced yet, we imagine it’ll cost a lot more than a standard pepperoni pie.

These insane sneakers are all a part of Pizza Hut’s March Madness marketing campaign. They are the official pizza sponsor of the NCAA tournament. (No word on whether any of the players will be decked out in these bad boys.) This announcement comes less than a week after Pizza Hut replaced Papa John’s as the official NFL sponsor, pushing the brand further into the depths of the sporting world. Probably because it takes a lot of extra exercise to work off all those cheesy calories.



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What Is the Difference Between Hass and Florida Avocados?

What is the difference between Haas avocados and Florida avocados?

Everyone loves a good avocado, whether it’s smashed on toast, whipped into a zesty guacamole, or even enjoyed straight with a spoon. This tree-ripened fruit (yes, an avocado is technically a fruit!) has clearly taken kitchens and restaurants by storm, creating a new market for more varieties of the popular produce item. The Hass avocado and Florida avocado are probably the most well-known, but differ significantly in size, shape, and flavor.

The Hass Avocado

Haas avocados

Haas Avocado Board

Arguably the king of the avocado world, Hass (or Haas) avocados are dominating the market with their long shelf life and variety of culinary uses. These avocados are a favorite of grocery stores as they can be picked as unripened fruit, stored in bins for shipping, and become ripe in the grocery store. These avocados are primarily sourced from Mexico and California as they thrive in warm climates with plenty of sun.

Hass avocados come in varying sizes, but are typically no larger than six ounces. Their skin is black and oftentimes bumpy but peels easily to reveal the rich, green flesh (and large, round pit) on the inside. Hass avocado flesh is rich, fatty, and high in monounsaturated fats (the good kind!) and is soft enough to be whipped into a smooth spread, but also firm enough to stand up to simple slices. These avocados are easy to identify when they are ready to eat; a gentle squeeze can determine the ripeness of the avocado.

The Florida Avocado

A lesser-known variety but one still popping up in supermarkets is the mighty Florida avocado. Much larger in size, these avocados are known for their bright green skin and large, teardrop-shaped pits. Just as their namesake indicates, these avocados are grown in Florida but are also a popular varietal in Haiti and other islands in the Caribbean. They are a bit harder to determine ripeness, as they will never really get as soft as a ripe Hass avocado. This variety is great for slicing and dicing as it holds its shape extremely well.

The biggest difference between a Hass avocado and a Florida avocado is the caloric value; Florida avocados are lower in fat and therefore have an overall lower calorie count. This may sound like a no-brainer, but Florida avocados are much milder in flavor due to their lacking in fat content. Also, since these avocados are larger, they are oftentimes more expensive than their smaller counterparts.

Baked Avocado Fries

baked avocado fries

Simple Vegan Blog

Looking for a healthy alternative to your fast-food favorite? These avocado fries crisp up in the oven with a gluten-free coating, no deep-fryer necessary! A Florida avocado has a great firm texture that hold up well while baking. Get the recipe.

Chipotle Grilled Salmon with Pineapple Avocado Salsa

chipotle grilled salmon with pineapple avocado salsa

Taste Love and Nourish

Top omega-rich salmon fillets with a sweet and tangy pineapple salsa for a healthy and fresh weeknight meal! Either Hass or Florida avocados would work well in this recipe—just pick a firm Hass to hold up to the dice in the salsa topping. Get the recipe.

Vegan Avocado Pesto Pasta

vegan avocado pesto pasta

Ceara’s Kitchen

No cheese needed in this creamy pasta recipe! All of the richness in this pesto comes from a smooth puree of Hass avocado and fresh herbs. Toss with hot pasta for a vegan-friendly dinner. Get the recipe.

Ultimate Guacamole

ultimate guacamole

Kitchen Swagger

Whether you’re on the creamy or chunky guacamole train, this dip is widely celebrated with fresh avocados, a burst of fresh lime, and kick of chopped cilantro. If you like your guac chunkier, opt for diced Florida avocado. If you’re into a creamy, smooth puree, stick with Hass. Get the recipe.

Avocado Margarita

avocado margarita

Nutrition Stripped

Avocados…in a cocktail? Creamy Hass avocados should be used in this take on a traditional margarita to achieve the smoothest result. Fresh lime juice is key in this cocktail, sweetened with a touch of honey and jazzed up with good-quality tequila. Get the recipe.



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There’s an Instant Pot Model Recall for Overheating

You might want to double check the model number on your favorite appliance. Instant Pot is recalling one of its multi-cookers after they received 107 reports of a defect that can lead to overheating and melting. In a press release, Instant Pot manufacturer Double Insight warns customers to stop using the  “Gem 65 8-in-1” multi-cooker with batch numbers 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734, and 1736. These numbers can be found on the bottom of the appliances on the right-hand corner of the label, so be sure to check your pot before you make your next meal (lest you want a disaster of “This is Us” proportions to occur).

The overheating has been attributed to a tooling misalignment, which apparently created a gap between the bottom of the inner pot and the top surface of the heating plate. The gap has led to overheating and even melting products, making it a major fire hazard for consumers.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that around 104,000 units have been impacted. So far no injuries have been reported, but if you do have one of the units recalled, you can return it to your local Walmart and request a free replacement. And if you don’t have access to a Walmar,t you can contact Double Insight for a return shipping label, as well as instructions for removing and returning the appliance’s power cord and rating label. You can also call the company toll-free at  1-888-891-1473 for more information.

No word on whether this recall will mellow the buzz of this trendy appliance, which can do everything from cook rice, make yogurt, work as a pressure cooker, and slow cooker. It essentially does everything but the dishes. Once you’ve made sure you’ve got a safe model, check out our guide to the easiest Instant Pot recipes, and learn how to throw an awesome dinner party using this miracle worker.



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Flank Steak with Orange and Avocado Salsa

Flank Steak with Orange and Avocado Salsa

Flank steak, a long and flat cut of beef with a pronounced grain, has steadily grown in popularity over the years. In a matter of decades, this inexpensive butcher’s secret has come to occupy a prominent place in the meat case.

Flank is prized for its beefy, hefty flavor, and here, I’m cooking it quickly on the stovetop and topping it with a quick citrus salsa. This recipe – and flank steak in general — makes an excellent choice when you have a crowd to feed.

Continue reading "Flank Steak with Orange and Avocado Salsa" »



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