Alicia Silverstone's Blog, page 12

Meals that Heal With PETA India

 With the help of our friend, Alicia Silverstone, PETA India has served up thousands of vegan meals in Mumbai, India. These tasty dishes not only save animals’ lives, but they are healthy for people of all ages. Children who form a habit for vegan cuisine have a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and other conditions. So for India’s National Youth Day (January 12), we treated more than 2,000 students at Mumbai’s municipal schools to a delicious, vitamin-packed “super-shakti” (shakti means energy) vegan breakfast. Previously, during the sacred Muslim festival Eid-al-Adha, PETA India donated vegan biryani to 750 children in seven orphanages throughout Mumbai alongside vegan actor Sadaa Sayed.

Healthy foods boost the immune system. So during the throes of the pandemic, with Alicia’s help, PETA India provided underprivileged relatives of patients at BYL Nair Charitable Hospital in Mumbai with 1,000 vegan meals.  

Providing vegan food is one of our favorite ways to educate, inspire and show support. So PETA India offered vegan treats to the runners, volunteers, and other attendees as the Healthy Eating Partners of Pinkathon, India’s largest women’s run, which raises awareness for breast cancer and other women’s health issues. We also organised a vegan meal distribution drive to police officers in Ahmedabad, India, for their hard work in helping to stop the use of sharp kite-flying threads there. These strings, called “manja,” are used by people to down each other’s kites for fun but put humans, birds, and the environment at risk.

For all animals and humans, the planet is our home. So our friends at PETA US helped organize the ‘Pledge to Eat Veg 30 Day Challenge,’ which planted a tree for each participant through The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. Not only did the campaign save animals’ lives by encouraging vegan eating, it also provided fruit and shade to a community.

There’s absolute peace and joy in vegan living. One feels physically and spiritually healthier, knowing they reduce animal suffering with their daily choices. In today’s meat, egg, and dairy industries, billions of animals are raised in vast warehouses in severe confinement. And in India, most animals are not even stunned before slaughter. That means, chickens’ and other animals’ throats are cut while they’re still conscious.

Why not join PETA India and go vegan? Every vegan saves up to nearly 200 animals per year, and there is simply no easier way to help animals and prevent suffering than by choosing plant-based foods over meat, eggs, and dairy “products.” 

Other potential benefits of going vegan include the following:

Slimming downHaving more energyBeing healthier and happierHelping to feed the worldSaving the planetThwarting future pandemics

 

 Dr. Kiran Ahuja is Manager of Vegan Projects, PETA India. PETA India – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETAIndia.com or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

 

 

Tapioca Dextrose and Maltodextrin In Organic Vitamins: What You Need to Know

I take huge pride in mykind Organics vitamins being whole food-based, organic, non-GMO, and free of any synthetic fillers or additives. So I just wanted to clear the air on two ingredients that may sound funky but truly are food-based ingredients. The first one is organic tapioca dextrose. The second is maltodextrin.

What is Tapioca Dextrose?

Tapioca dextrose is produced from organic tapioca starch using natural enzymes. It may sound like it has sugar, but really it doesn’t add any sweetness or sugar content because it is used in such a micro amount.
You’ll find dextrose used across the food and beverage industry as well as in personal care products. It can assist with moisturizing and flavor and it also reduces dusting—especially helpful in tablets (vitamins, mints, etc) to keep all the good stuff together!

It’s derived from the root of the cassava plant—and it’s the same stuff that makes yummy tapioca pudding. Cassava grows throughout South America and is a staple in many cultures. It’s a renewable, reusable, and bio-based material with lots of benefits. Communities that grow cassava use nearly all of the plant and tapioca dextrose is just one example of its many benefits.

What is Maltodextrin?

The word “maltodextrin” may sound a bit scary, but it’s the same thing as with dextrose—a tapioca starch digested by natural enzymes. Maltodextrin signifies a chain of smaller molecules joined together, but again, in such tiny amounts that it does not add any sweetness or sugar content to the tablets.

Both of these ingredients were chosen because they hold the tablet together so that you get all of the goodness of the mykind vitamins, but also allow it to fully and quickly disperse the nutrients in your stomach. This promotes maximum absorption so your body can fully utilize the vitamins and minerals.

Organic Vitamins

We went with these two natural non-GMO ingredients instead of commonly used chemical ingredients including conventional maltodextrin, dextrose, and magnesium stearate, which are usually formed via hydrogenated oils (which are commonly GMO) and/or chemicals.

Magnesium stearate used in manufacturing facilities is chemically made from stearic acid. Stearic acid is a long-chain saturated fat that is abundant in beef, cocoa butter, and coconut oil. It is often described on supplement labels as “vegetable lubricant” so the consumer does not see magnesium stearate on the label!

There is much controversy about magnesium stearate use, with claims such as it can induce the formation of harmful biofilms in the intestine or suppress T cells (natural killer cells that play an important role in your immune system.) It’s even banned in countries like Japan. Creepy! For this reason, we steered clear of it and instead went with an organic food-based alternative instead.

 

Can You Treat PCOS With a Vegan Diet?

I’ve seen a few of you kind-lifers struggling with PCOS–Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It’s a serious condition that can cause a host of issues so, I asked expert Dr. Neal Barnard to weigh in on this syndrome and how a vegan diet can help. Read his insight below…

Love,
Alicia

Plant-Based Diets for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
By Neal Barnard, M.D.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder involving excessive hormone production by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. It affects approximately 5 percent of women in the United States and usually begins during puberty. Although PCOS has no specific cure, weight loss, medical treatment, and dietary changes such as a implementing a low-fat plant-based diet can usually control most symptoms.

Common PCOS symptoms include obesity, hirsutism (growth of thick hair in areas where hair is normally minimal or absent, such as the face, chest, and breasts), and absence of menstrual periods. Affected women generally have multiple ovarian cysts and may be infertile. They often have diabetes, male-pattern baldness, and acne.

The cause of PCOS is unknown. But it appears to be, in part, related to diet and lifestyle factors, particularly those that influence body weight and insulin. Although weight loss is an accepted treatment, even relatively lean women may develop PCOS, and diet changes may affect the outcome of this disorder even in the absence of weight change.

A diet that addresses cardiovascular risk factors is appropriate for women with PCOS. Roughly half of women with PCOS are obese, and losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of weight results in a resumption of menstrual periods and a decrease in androgen hormones.

A plant-based diet is the best option for women with PCOS. The majority of women with PCOS also suffer from insulin resistance. If insulin isn’t working properly then hormones get out of kilter, among other mishaps. Fiber helps tremendously with hormone issues, and of course fiber is only found in plants!

There are several additional reasons why a diet low in fat and high in fiber and whole grains (aka a vegan diet) is superior to other weight-loss treatments. Such a diet helps reverse diabetes, which affects 50 to 70 percent of women with PCOS. Low–fat, high–fiber diets also reduce body weight and effectively address unhealthy cholesterol levels.

Saving a Bee Reminded Me Of the Power of Kindness

I love this story. Nik is a wonderful human, fighting for animals every day at Mercy for Animals. Thank God for him.
Love,
Alicia

Today, on my morning walk along the beach, I spotted a tiny lil’ bee nearly buried in the hot sand. I kneeled down and right as my shadow shielded her from the sun’s harsh rays, I saw her take her final breath. I couldn’t believe the timing. I rummaged through my backpack and pulled out a piece of paper from a notepad to transport her body to a nearby shadowy area, to rest there in peace. I said a little prayer and then I continued on my way, saddened, having not arrived earlier to possibly aid in a rescue mission.

About three yards later, I encountered another lil’ bee crawling with great difficulty across the infinite dunes. I kneeled down again and upon further inspection noticed he was covered in sticky ocean air and cumbersome sand particles that made flying away to safety an impossibility. It broke my heart to see this little, innocent bee struggling to survive all alone in this big scary world.



I reached into my backpack again and retrieved the piece of paper and placed it down very close to the bee. He mustered all his strength and eventually climbed on board. I said out loud “Okay, buddy, now hang in there with me!” and, together, we embarked on what can only be described as an epic bee odyssey across several hundred yards of sand, through and around multiple threatening bikers and joggers, a gaggle of perplexed tourists, across a concrete boardwalk, and towards a cluster of yellow and pink flowers… a.k.a. salvation. All throughout the many twists and turns of this bumpy, sandy, windy journey, this sweet little, innocent bee-ing stayed with me, on that small torn-off piece of paper, somehow knowing we were destined for safer grounds.

We finally arrived at the patch of flowers that I had spotted in the far-off distance, and as I kneeled down, gently guiding the bee onto a beautiful, bright yellow blossom, he crawled onto the flower and nestled right into the heart of it. After a moment of getting his bearings, he turned around and looked back up at me. In that moment, my heart broke open. I saw this bee look up at me and take a deep sigh of relief, truly basking in the safety and glory of this flower… his sanctuary, his peace. I gazed back at this amazing bee-ing, in complete awe of all his profound beauty, strength, and wondrous life force.



I said out loud “You’re a really brave bee, you know that? You made it a long way from almost getting washed away into the ocean… That was quite an adventure we just had!” With that said, the bee gathered his renewed strength and began fluttering his sun-dried wings which were now glistening in a yellow flower petal pollen; after a moment, he miraculously took flight and zoomed away, far off into the ether, disappearing from my sight. I waved goodbye, continued on my journey, and couldn’t help but smile, knowing that bee was alive and free to simply be.

Every day we have opportunities to look out for one another, to help each other along the journey, to see each other on a deeper level, to know we are all connected and all one; from every human to non-human animal; all living beings are worthy, sacred, and deserving of kindness, protection, freedom, and respect for their life. 

My Quest for Healthier Chewing Gum Plus 5 Brands to Try

Mainstream chewing gum is entirely synthetic. It’s three main ingredients include: aspartame, BHT, and ‘gum base’.

Out of 90 independently-funded studies on aspartame, 83 of them found that the artificial sweetener may causes one or more serious health problems such as diabetes, auto-immune disorders, depression, birth defects, and several forms of cancer.Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) is banned in parts of Europe and Asia, with links to cancer-causing tumors.  It’s also used embalming fluid and in jet fuel!Furthermore, the gum industry isn’t required to list all of its ingredients on its labels. Take the ingredient “gum base.” This is a umbrella phrase for up to 80 synthetic substances, possibly containing petroleum, lanolin, glycerin, polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, petroleum wax, stearic acid, or latex according to the Vegetarian Resource Group, with similar chemicals used to make plastic bottles and white glue.

We did some research on what kind of clean and yum chewing gum is out there for those of you that love gum. Fun fact: when children are under the age of 7 and their ears haven’t fully developed yet, their ears can be more easily prone to clogging — mostly from activities that have a change in air pressure like swimming or riding on an airplane. When this ear clogging happens, sometimes gum can be helpful to teach your little one to help release pressure from their ears by moving the jaw. Without further ado here are the results!

THE HEALTHIEST, MOST ECO, & BEST PACKAGING

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1. Simply Gum

Simply is made with just chicle (a natural latex made from the bark of the sapodilla tree), organic dried cane juice, organic vegetable glycerin, organic soy lecithin, organic rice flour, and natural flavors. Added bonus, they use recyclable paper packaging.
Flavors: spearmint, cinnamon, fennel licorice, maple, ginger, and coffee
Comments: Simply definitely wins sexiest packaging! In terms of taste, if you are a fan of more conventional tasting chewing gum, Simply might not be for you. The texture is different, the flavor is less sweet, and taste is more subtle. After tasting more conventional tasting healthy gums, Simply unfortunately did taste a little strange! However, the fennel licorice flavor was pretty cool.
More info here.

HEALTHY-ISH AND CLOSEST TASTING TO MAINSTREAM

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2. PUR

PUR is sweetened with xylitol and contains *gum base, gum arabic, glycerol, and natural flavors from essential oils and ingredient powders. Their ingredients are non-gmo. *PUR’s gum base is stated to be 100% chemically inert, made from the highest quality ingredients sourced from Europe.
Flavors: pomegranate mint, peppermint, wintergreen, spearmint, coolmint, and cinnamon.
Comments: Spearmint is super yum, my #1! Cool mint would be my #2. Wintergreen was a bit strong for me, but if you’re into that it would be tasty. If you’re looking for gum that tastes the closest to mainstream without the aspartame and BHT, PUR is a good go-to.
More info here.
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3. Spry

Xylitol, *gum base, vegetable glycerin, natural peppermint oil, calcium carbonate, soy lecithin, gum arabic, and carnauba wax. Spry is GMO-free (although not certified). *The company states its gum base is sourced from the Jelutong tree and is used as a bulking material.

Flavors: spearmint, peppermint, green apple mint, cinnamon, fresh fruit, green tea, bubblegum, licorice, and wintergreen

 

Comments: I have tried Spry’s peppermint and really like it! It’s pretty chewy so if you’re into that, you’ll dig Spry. 

More info here.
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4. Xylichew

Ingredients include Xylitol,  *gum base, vegetable glycerin, natural flavors, gum arabic, sunflower lecithin, citric acid, carnauba wax. Xylichew is GMO free (although not certified) and made in the USA. *The company states its gum base is plastic and preservative-free, but is unfortunately un-able to fully disclose ingredients since they are considered proprietary from their supplier.
Flavors: cinnamon, fruit, spearmint, black licorice, spearmint, and peppermint.
Comments: Xylichew is not bad, but not as yummy as PUR. However, if you are in the market for a cleaner version of Juicy Fruit, their “fruit” flavor is super similar and really good! In addition, if you’re a fan of licorice, the black licorice flavor is pretty cool, kind of like your chewing candy!
More info here.
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5. Glee Gum (*not vegan, includes Gold Bee premium beeswax!)
Glee’s ingredients include Fair Trade cane sugar, brown rice syrup, glucose, gum base (disclosed as natural chicle plus calcium carbonate, candelilla wax, and a pinch of dehydrated citrus peels), natural flavor, resinous glaze, beeswax, carnauba wax, and chlorophyll. Glee’s sugar free products are sweetened with xylitol instead of cane sugar and brown rice syrup, plus they’re Non-GMO Project Verified.
Flavors: cinnamon, tangerine, peppermint, spearmint, triple berry, watermelon, refresh mint, and lemon-lime.
Comments: I found most of the flavors a little hard in texture to chew, but if narrowing down top picks, my favorite would be the sugar-free watermelon. Second to watermelon was the lemon-lime flavor. Third choice would be the bubblegum, except for some reason it was a little hard to chew!
More info here.
Are there any clean vegan chewing gums you love? What do I need to try? Share your thoughts below!

Photo Credit: Simply Gum

Braised Daikon in Mirin and Shoyu

This braised daikon dish smells ridiculously good and should be eaten relatively soon after it is prepared. It was inspired by John Medeski—of the amazing musical trio Medeski, Martin, and Wood—a wine connoisseur and foodie.

SERVES 3-5

Ingredients

large daikon (roughly 1 pound but size doesn’t really matter)tablespoons shoyu1⁄4 cup mirin2″–3″ strip kombu

Directions

Slice the daikon into 3⁄4″ rounds, and place them in a skillet in a single layer. Add water almost to cover the daikon. Add the shoyu, mirin, and kombu. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to very low, cover the pan, and simmer the daikon for 30 minutes, or until all liquid has been absorbed.

Excerpt from THE KIND DIET; A SIMPLE GUIDE TO FEELING GREAT, LOSING WEIGHT, AND SAVING THE PLANET. 

Copyright © 2009 by Alicia Silverstone. Published by Rodale Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

The Benefits Of Adopting Senior Pets

While the world is uncertain, the love of a companion animal is not. After all, we know the love of a cat or dog is unconditional, and there are many health benefits to caring for a furry friend, including senior pets.

So, where is the best place to find a companion animal? The shelter, of course, or a local rescue group. If being a full-time pet parent isn’t conducive, fostering a pet is just as rewarding and is guaranteed to save a life. Sadly though, seniors, as with black animals, are often overlooked and are typically the first to be euthanized.  There seems to be a pre-judgment when it comes to seniors…. they are untrainable, you won’t have them as long, or they come with issues.

Here’s the real truth, though: shelters, more often than not, accidentally over-age animals. Since examining the teeth is one of the best ways to determine an animal’s age, stray or uncared-for animals are at a disadvantage. So, the 14-year-old dog that caught your eye at the shelter, could actually be only 8 years old.

There are a lot of benefits to adopting a senior pet… they come already trained (and if they don’t, you really can teach an old dog new tricks!). Seniors are also extremely grateful. They’ve had a tough life and only want to spend their remaining years being loved. With a good diet and lots of attention, they can live longer than you might think (and having a young dog doesn’t necessarily guarantee you’ll have them any longer). And regarding issues… well… who doesn’t have some!

My dog Murphy was a shelter dog with no chance. He was picked up by an animal control officer when he entered an LA county shelter. He was listed as a 13-year-old Pomeranian and was overlooked because of his age and color. The day he was scheduled to be euthanized the volunteer reached out to a local rescue group.

Luckily, Murphy was rescued in time. And he was not 13, he was approximately 9 years old. He was emaciated, covered in fleas, and was in such bad shape the shelter hadn’t neutered him. Now, at 18 years old with heart and kidney disease, and no teeth, he is proof that good things come in small packages.

Bottom line is this… pets are there for us unconditionally and can teach us a thing or two about compassion. It shouldn’t be based on your color, your age, or where you come from. A lesson we should all take to heart when dealing with each other, even among our four-legged friends.

Rachel Weil owns a boutique PR firm, Weil PR, in Los Angeles, and is a proud dog Mom.  

 

10 Simple Ways To Improve Your Parenting

Tired of resolutions? Here are 10 easy ways to improve your parenting, no resolutions necessary. Put these on your fridge and read them daily. I guarantee you less drama and more love!

1. Empathize more.
Children don’t always need to get their way, but they do need to feel understood. Isn’t that what we all need?
Whatever your child says or does, she has a reason. Even while setting limits, try acknowledging that reason. Instead of “Turn that screen off right now!” try “You really wish you could keep watching, I know. And still, it’s time for dinner. Say ‘Goodbye Screen.’ Okay, let’s go.”

2. Tell them what they CAN do, instead of what they can’t.
Instead of “Stop playing with the ball in the house!” try “Balls are for outside. Inside, you can throw the stuffed animals into the bathtub.”

3. Get them laughing every day.
Laughter changes the body chemistry, decreasing stress hormones so kids are more cooperative and sleep better. It also increases bonding hormones, so when you laugh with your child, you strengthen your relationship.

4. Say Yes more often.
We’re parents, so we have to set limits and say No, over and over all day long. So when you can say yes, say it. Even when you have to say no, can you say it with “Yes” energy? “YES, it’s time to clean up, and YES I will help you and YES we can leave your tower up and YES you can growl about it and YES if we hurry we can read an extra story and YES we can make this fun and YES I adore you and YES how did I get so lucky to be your parent? YES!”

5. Spend “special time” every day with each child.
If you want to strengthen and sweeten your relationship with your child, here’s your prescription. Just show up and pour your love into your child without controlling him. Parents often tell me that their children react to getting this one-on-one time “like they were missing an essential vitamin.” They were. Every child needs this tangible expression of your love.

6. Use your pause button to yell less.
How will they learn to regulate their emotions if we don’t regulate ours? You’re the role model. Your pause button:

Stop.Drop (your agenda, just for now.)Breathe.

Now, try a Do-Over: “Sorry, I was getting frustrated. Let’s try that again. I need you to work with me here. It’s time to go, and you aren’t ready. What do you need to do to be ready? Right! Let’s do it!”

7. Turn your screen off when you’re with your child.
Many children say their parents’ phone is the most important thing in the parent’s life. They’ll remember for the rest of your life that you prioritized them by turning your phone off when you were with them.

8. Go outside and move with your kids.
Research confirms what your grandmother said. Children really do need daily fresh air, greenery and movement to de-stress and be their best selves. In fact, we all do.

9. Allow emotions, limit behavior.
Of course you need to set limits. But when we allow emotions, children learn to manage them faster. Just say “You must be so upset to use that tone of voice. Tell me about it, Sweetie. We can figure this out together.”  Your child will start calming down before your eyes.

10. Put yourself back on the list.
You can only be emotionally generous if you take care of you. I know, that’s tough, but it isn’t sustainable to leave yourself off the list. Start by getting enough sleep and talking to yourself like someone you love. Monitor your well-being as you go through your day. Every day, do something that increases your level of joy. You’ll see your good mood rub off on your child.

Dr. Laura Markham is founder of AhaParenting.com and author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings and her latest book, the Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook.

Gluten-Free, Vegan Sweet Potato Gnocchi With Roasted Cherry Tomato and Arugula

This gluten-free and vegan gnocchi is made from sweet potato and served with cherry tomatoes and arugula. The recipe hails from The Minimalist Vegan and looks yum and surprisingly simple! Check it out.

Total Time: 1 hour, 15 min | Serving Size 2-3

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Ingredients

2 medium-sized sweet potatoes2-3 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour400 grams cherry tomatoes2 handfuls of arugula (rocket)Salt for seasoningPepper for seasoning¼ – ⅓ cup olive oil1 clove of finely chopped garlic (optional)

Instructions

Fork the sweet potatoes to let out steam when baking. Place on a baking tray lined with unbleached baking paper. Turn the oven on 180 degrees and bake for around 40-50 minutes or until soft enough for mash.Peel the potato and place in blender with 2 cups of the flour and season. Blend until smooth. If the consistency of the dough is not sticking together well yet and has a doughy texture, add more flour and blend again.Place the cherry tomatoes seasoned with a little olive oil, salt and pepper in the oven using the same tray from the sweet potato and bake for about 5-10 minutes until they soften and ooze tomato juice.Sprinkle some flour on the bend and roll break a large handful of the dough and roll into a long 2-3cm thick log.With a knife, cut the gnocchi into 3cm pieces and set aside to cook. Continue rolling out and cutting the rest of the dough.Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Place around 20 pieces is and wait until they float to the top. They should cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute before they are done. Taste one and get a feel for how long each batch will take. (Note: As you are cooking the gnocchi, add a little olive oil to the batch that you have cooked and toss through. This will stop them from sticking to each other.)Once the tomatoes have been roasted, squish them a little to make sure that all the seeds and tomato juice come out when tossing them through the cooked gnocchi. Add the garlic and toss through again.Add the rocket on top and drizzle a little olive oil and season to taste.

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Photo Credit: The Minimalist Vegan

The 20 Best Healthy, Plant-Based Ingredients I Can’t Live Without

These are the most important and healthy plant-based ingredients I need in my fridge or pantry, no matter what. If you have these, I feel like you’re pretty much set for any meal.

This list might be especially great to share with any flirts that you know to get them started with plant-based cooking. Whether for flavor, nutrients, or versatility, these all play essential roles in healthy vegan eating in my house. Give them a try!

1.  Earth Balance butter

It’s creamy and works just like dairy butter. If this one doesn’t do it for you, there are a ton of vegan butter brands out there and options that work as stand-ins for almost any recipe.

2.  Umeboshi vinegar

This isn’t your salad dressing vinegar. Umeboshi is saltier than it is sour. It brings umami to dishes and a flavor you’ll crave.

3.  Flax oil

The nutrient-rich oil from flax seeds, you’ll want to drizzle flax oil on salads, stir fries, and more to get your omega fatty acid boost for brain, skin, and joints. Just don’t use it in a pan! It’s not for cooking.

4.  Sunflower seeds

A power-packed little seed, sunflowers are great stand-ins for peanuts and are so full of flavor and nutrition. You know what to do with these–eat them straight out of the bag! Or put them in literally everything.

5.  Shoyu

All soy sauce is not created equal. Shoyu is the traditional fermented brew and oh-so delicious. Compare it to the other kind and you’ll see why!

6.  Good quality sea salt

Leave the refined stuff on the store shelf and stick with evaporated ocean water.

7.  Olive oil

Every kitchen needs high-quality extra virgin olive oil! Enjoy it on salads, soups, or dip your favorite bread in for a simple, delicious treat.

8.  Brown rice syrup

Use this in place of honey for recipes or stir a bit into your tea to sweeten. Even try drizzling it on yogurt. So yum!

9.  Apples

An apple a day may not keep the doctor away but it’s worth trying, especially when there are so many delicious varieties out there. Be sure to buy organic whenever possible.

10.  Walnuts

Delicious brain food, these nuts are so good plain but toast them and them to salad for an out-of-this-world treat.

11.  Mochi

Rice that puffs up into chewy bits of deliciousness—mochi is the treat you didn’t know you needed.

12.  Nori

Seaweed or burrito wrapper? You decide. Fill these up with yummy ingredients for a quick and healthy snack or eat them plain for a salty, crunchy treat.

13.  Cast iron pan

Cooking in iron boosts your iron! It’s true. Plus, it’s a nonstick, easy-to-clean kitchen must.

14.  Brown rice

Whole-grain brown rice goes with everything!

15.  Kale

A hardy, filling green loaded with nutrients, what’s not to love about kale? (Try my favorite steamed kale recipe here.)

16.  Scallions

Elevate the flavor of your favorite dishes with fresh scallions atop. Yummy.

17.  Lemon

Start your day with fresh lemon water, brighten your meals, and give dressings a little zing with lemons.

18.  Onions

Bring the flavor to any dish with onions.

19.  Kuzu

Calming with kuzu starch is a great trick in my medicine cabinet and I also use it to thicken up dishes, too.

20.  Umeboshi plums

Like the umeboshi vinegar, umeboshi plums are salty and full of flavor. They’re great to eat plain or add to soups, stews, and and sauteed greens.