Blog Posts by OneGreenPlanet.Org

Eat Like An Athlete: 8 Amazing Plant-Powered Foods

Some athletes perform well despite consuming an atrocious diet. But they are the exception rather than the rule. Most athletes and other active, health-conscious people recognize that the old adage "you are what you eat" is true in many ways.

To perform our best, whether it's at the marathon, a 400 IM swim, a game of volleyball, or a workout at the gym, we need to fuel our bodies right. While the general consensus is that whole foods are healthier than processed foods, and that plant-powered foods are by far the best choices, there are definitely a few nutritional standouts that should be staples in any active person's diet. Here's a roundup of some of our favorites:

1. LEAFY GREENS:

Dark leafy green vegetables are some of the most nutrient-dense foods around! They are a great source of vitamins K, C, and E, and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. They are also rich in protective antioxidants and phytonutrients like beta-carotene, lutein,

By now, you've probably heard all about the health benefits of kale. So just a quick refresher…

This nutrient-dense leafy green is packed with vitamins A, C, K, and other powerful cancer-fighting antioxidants. It's also low in calories and high in fiber, which is important for maintaining healthy digestion and regularity.

At first brush, kale can be a bit intimidating for the uninitiated. But it's easy to de-mystify this superfood by learning a few simple tricks (kale massage anyone?!) and becoming familiar with some great ways to use it. Sampling kale at a restaurant or trying a ready-made product is also an excellent way to try something new and get inspiration for making it yourself.

One of our favorite ways to use kale has to be the kale chip! Kale chips are a surprisingly addicting, yet healthy snack option. They're a great alternative to high-fat, high-sodium snacks like potato chips, and nutrient-poor options like crackers and rice cakes.

You can make

Salt is not evil. Sodium plays an important role in maintaining the body's hydration levels, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure, and has long been used as a food preserver and flavor enhancer. There are even some reported health benefits of TRUE salt. But everything in moderation, right?

Certainly, people with elevated blood pressure and some other health conditions may need to limit their sodium intake. And others may just choose alternatives to the salt shaker. Nobody really needs to over-do it on sodium, anyway.

Whatever the reason for limiting sodium, there are plenty of tasty and healthy alternatives to salt, both for cooking/baking and tabletop flavoring!

1. Braggs Liquid Aminos - liquid aminos are SO much more than a soy sauce alternative! This flavorful sauce is awesome on steamed vegetables, used to season pan-fried tofu or tempeh, or in all kinds of sauces. A ½ tsp serving contains just 160 mg of sodium and has 16 essential and non-essential amino

Both new and long-time vegans will definitely agree that the right appliances make cooking and baking easier and more enjoyable. Take cashew cream for example. Soaked, blended cashews make an amazing base for frosting, dips, raw desserts, and sauces…but a high-powered blender or food processor is a must!

The right appliances allow you to whip up new, creative ideas at home instead of buying everything pre-made, ultimately saving money and allowing you to customize recipes to your preferences. Check out the guide below to help you find the right appliance for your needs and budget!

Juicers: juicing fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs give you a nutritional boost and allows you to mix together your favorite combination of produce.

Breville makes a line of high quality juicers that fit various kitchen needs. The least expensive, at about $150, is the Breville BJE200XL 700-Watt Compact Juice Fountain. It's a compact juicer designed to save counter space. The deluxe

From Food Network Challenges to Best of New York, vegan doughnuts are taking the world of pastries by storm!

Accolades

Last April, Mighty-O-Donut shocked foodies everywhere when they won the "Food Network Challenge: Donut Champions" edition, edging out the contest favorite and two other "more traditional" competitors. Mighty-O's doughnuts contain no chemical preservatives, no hydrogenated oils, no trans fat, no coloring or artificial flavors, and no animal derived ingredients. That's right, the winning doughnuts were vegan!

Then, in December, New York City's first vegan doughnut shop opened for business. Just a couple of months later, Dun-Well Doughnuts was named the best doughnut in the city! Not the best vegan doughnut, the best cruelty-free doughnut, or the best healthy doughnut. The best doughnut…PERIOD!

Can't Get Enough

Pretty awesome news. And it's indicative of a larger trend that's been sweeping the nation. People across the U.S. and Canada just

Nothing says summer quite like the sweet taste of coconut. Just one whiff conjures up visions of white sands, clear turquoise water, and palm trees swaying in the breeze. Maybe it's the inescapable association with suntan oil, its prominent place in piña coladas, or just its tropical origin. Either way, coconuts practically scream relaxation, happiness, and sweet indulgence!

But luckily for all the coconut-lovers out there, recent research suggests that this tropical treat may not be such an indulgence after all.

Health Benefits:

Coconut has been used in traditional cultures for thousands of years, both as an important source of nutrition and to treat a variety of diseases and health problems. Only recently has modern medicine begun to confirm coconut's amazing health-promoting properties. Coconut oil and coconut water have been found to have some of the following benefits:

• Antibacterial and antimicrobial properties
• Anti-cancer properties
• Cardiovascular

One Green Planet is all about helping you make better choices that help people, animals and the planet. In addition to being incredibly tasty, raw desserts can also be some of the healthiest and most planet-friendly options. And like all our featured recipes, they are vegan - and definitely animal-friendly!

Here are a few reasons we think raw desserts are a a great choice!

1. Raw desserts often feature a short list of whole, unprocessed ingredients like nuts, seeds and dried fruit.
2. They get their sweetness from dried fruit, raw agave nectar, and other natural sweeteners. No refined or artificial sweeteners here!
3. They are no-bake! Great for the warmth of spring or summer, and also for energy conservation, you can avoid cranking up the oven to 350 when making a raw dessert.
4. Most raw desserts are gluten-free and vegan!

Are you ready to try a raw dessert yet?! Below we have included two delicious new raw dessert recipes, followed by a collection of our (and

Summer is prime grilling season, meaning you'll probably find yourself at a cookout or two in the coming months. Cookouts are a great way to spend time with friends and family, enjoy the long summer days, and share your favorite recipes. But they're not always vegan-friendly.

Whether it's planned well in advance or a spur of the moment get-together, the tips below will help you navigate any BBQ without inconveniencing the host, making a scene, or leaving hungry.

Pre-Planned Events

For events planned in advance, your safest bet is to bring something you know you can eat. There are two main strategies: embracing the grill, and avoiding the grill.

1 - Embrace the Grill

If you want to get your grill on without taking part in the meat-fest, just bring your own (veggie) burger. Check out this awesome list of delicious, grill-friendly veggie burger recipes. Or if you don't have time to make your own, there are also plenty of great vegan burgers available