Blog Posts by Healthy B Daily

Ever tried being vegan on vacation?

I'll be the first to admit that trying to avoid cheesy happy hour apps can feel like kicking a bad habit.

Remember those spicy meatballs you ate while vacationing in Rome? The tamales you couldn't get enough of on your honeymoon in Mexico? We all have those dishes that seem totally off-limits once we go vegan, but the latest cookbook we're digging says it ain't so.

Cultured Cooking

The Healthy Voyager's Global Kitchen Cookbook (from our very own Carolyn Scott-Hamilton) includes 150 plant-based recipes from around the world. With vegan versions of international dishes (and additional versions for gluten-free, diabetics, low fat and other restricted diets), we're pretty stoked we can now act like cultured gals when our hoity-toity neighbors come over for dinner.

The Food

Ever wanted to veganize empanadas? Tiramisu? Crepes, pupusas or chana masala? Me too. Each chapter is devoted to a specific region and includes recipes for that country's most

Batter up!

This vegan tempura calls for a few simple ingredients and a dipping sauce that will make your mouth water. Enjoy!

What You Need

Veggies

Carrots
Mushrooms
Broccoli florets
Sweet potatoes
Peanut or coconut oil, for frying (or preferred high-heat oil)

Batter

1 cup of flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups of seltzer water
Salt, to taste

Dipping Sauce

2 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon ginger, grated

Related: Crunchy Stir-Fry Salad

How to Make It

To make the tempura: Slice vegetables into thin or small pieces (about an inch or so) and combine batter ingredients until well incorporated.

Pour about 1 inch of oil on the bottom of a frying pan or wok and bring up to medium heat. Once oil is hot but not smoking, dip the vegetables in the batter, making sure they are well coated. Fry them until they are lightly brown, a few at a time, and do not crowd the pan. When they've cooked, place them on a paper towel-lined

If you've ever been at risk for a concussion as a result of nodding off into your computer screen, chances are you're not getting enough shut eye.

Been there, huh?

Sleep. It's something we all require and yet insufficient R&R is a fast-growing public health problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While the amount of sleep required to stay healthy varies with each individual, the facts are simple - sleep should be considered one of the top priorities on the I'm-keeping-this-bod-healthy scale, and very often it's just not.

But, Really, What's the Big Deal?

The health effects of sleepless nights are aplenty, including the onset of chronic diseases, like diabetes, hypertension and depression, as well as a higher risk for cancer.

Plus, too little sleep makes you feel terrible. Ever try getting excited about life while running on two hours of sleep? Yeah, it's kinda hard. And, if that's not enough, consider this: A lack of sleep can take you from looking

Vegans know their sweets.

After all, you learn a thing or two trying to make dairy-free desserts that don't taste awful. Courtesy of Angela Liddon, this recipe puts boxed brownies to shame.

What You Need

1 1/2 tablespoons ground flax + 3 tablespoons water, whisked
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons brown rice flour
1 cup whole almonds, ground into a flour/meal & sifted (or substitute 1 1/2 cups almond flour)
2 tablespoons arrowroot powder (or cornstarch may work)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Earth Balance (coconut oil also works, but I didn't like the flavor as much)
1 cup organic cane sugar (or just use white sugar)
1/2 cup + 1/4 cup non-dairy chocolate, divided
1/4 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)

Related: Blueberry Banana Bundt Cake

How to Make It

Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9-inch square pan with parchment and grease all sides. In a small bowl, whisk together the

You're becoming an expert in the kitchen.

But that skillet full of grease? Honey, you know better.

There are a gazillion fancy types of oils out there now. Let's set the record straight on which oils to cook with and learn how to use them properly to benefit -- not harm -- your health.

Quality over Quantity

Buy oils of the organic, extra-virgin and cold-pressed varieties. Organic oils have zero pesticide residues, which is great for you and the planet. The process of cold-pressing locks in awesome natural flavor, scent and nutritional value. Extra-virgin oils have the most delicate taste because they are minimally processed. Stay away from refined, fine or pure oils. And always remember to use all oils in moderation -- they'll still wreak havoc on your weight if you go overboard.


Hot Oil in the Kitchen

Coconut oil is where it's at when cooking with heat, especially in the oven. Sustainable, stable, affordable -- and it smells like a tropical vacation. For you frugal gals, coconut

Chocolate fondue vegan recipes aren't any less delicious than regular ones.

This one has chocolate, coconut, almond and cinnamon. "Hooray," says your sweet tooth.

What You Need

12 ounces semisweet vegan chocolate chips
1 cup almond milk
2 tablespoons Barlean's Berry Greens Powder
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon stevia
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
Fruit, such as strawberries and pineapple, chopped into cubes

Related: Mint Chocolate Mousse

How to Make It

Combine all ingredients (except fruit) in a slow cooker. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Serve in a fondue pot or serve in your slow cooker set to low heat with a variety of fruit on skewers for dipping. Add extra almond milk to thin out the fondue if desired.

Want more recipes like this one? Browse through vegan recipes on the site to find something yummy!

Promises, promises. Why do I believe?

Yeah, they're lyrics from a bad '80s song. But they also sum up diet fads oh-so-perfectly.

Diet Lies

When you hear or see the phrase "metabolism booster" you're not wrong to be a Cynical Susie. In terms of foods, beverages and supplements that promise to boost your metabolism, many don't even begin to deliver healthy, long-term results. However, there are certain foods and nutrients that do play a key role in enabling the body to burn a little faster.

Rev Your Engine

Now before you get all giddy, read the next sentence. The following foods (as presented to Dr. Oz last month) will only be effective when combined with a quality diet and active lifestyle. If you're doing the work and not being a lazy, these ingredients may help get your cellular engines humming along at a faster clip. I call these dietary winners "metabolism optimizers." Drum roll, please:


1. Organic Raw Cacao

What it is: At first glance, "cacao" looks a lot like "cocoa." That's

Fresh-smelling laundry is amazing.

But those chemical-laden dryer sheets you've been using? Not so awesome. You're going to want to lose your lunch when you read this, but conventional dryer sheets are usually coated in beef fat.

Say what?

Dirty Laundry

Yep, those little sheets contain a dose of tallow (stearic acid derived from animal fat), aka the little secret ingredient manufacturers are determined to keep you from knowing about.

Beef fat is what they use to keep your clothes soft, but you won't find it on any ingredients list on a box of dryer sheets. That's because the conventional cleaning products industry has fought vigorously to keep their formulas government-protected trade secrets, covered by intellectual property laws that let them hide whatever they want. So unless you want your body coated in lard from the residue on your clothes, sheets and towels, just say no to dryer sheets.

Related: What Should I Buy? Bleach Alternatives

Do You Smell That?

To mask the smell of