2019 Holidays, Food/Beverage, Natural Foods

The Spice Lab Seasoning Collections – Gifts for Cooks and Grillers

Comment: I was sent product for this feature. All opinions are 100% my own. There may be affiliate links within this post as well that could result in compensation for Parenting Healthy.

I love to cook and recently have become a real fan of smoking meats. We bought a smoker this summer and I love using it! I have smoked meats, veggies, fish and even cheeses. Whether baking, smoking or grilling I love having different rubs and spice blends available and The Spice Lab has always been a favorite for salts and spices.

What comes in the Barbecue Seasoning Collection:

  • Bad to the Bone
  • Sweet Rib Rub
  • Smokey Pecan Rib Rub
  • Ancho Chili & Coffee

Bad to the Bone is great for beef, chicken and pork and has such a great savory blend.

Not only can you gift this Barbecue set, but the Seasoning Collections sets are also available in Mediterranean and Taste of America varieties.

The Spice Lab also has salts, teas and mixology blends. These are fantastic gifts for cooks, grillers and those who love to entertain.

Find The Spice Lab online and at retailers. Also available on Amazon.

2019 Holidays, Recipes, Reviews

Cook Fast, Cook Slow and Sous Vide with the Fissler Souspreme Multi Pot

Comment: I was sent product for feature. Opinions are 100% my own. May contain some affiliate links within post

Fissler Souspreme Multi Pot

Who is asking for a pressure cooker? Chances are that someone on your list wants one or perhaps you have a College student our new couple on your list that needs quick cooking options. The Fissler souspreme Multi Pot is so much more than a pressure cooker.

This little pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, sous vide and it steams, sautes, ferments to make soups, meats, stews, poultry, eggs, grains, beans, chili, yogurt, dough, cake and more.

  • 18 one-touch cooking programs
  • Sous-Vide function
  • Pressure seal system & safety lock
  • Instant pressure release
  • 18/8 stainless steel interior pot with encapsulated base
  • Interior pot is dishwasher safe
  • Cool-grip handles and lid holder
  • Adjustable cooking times
  • Child safety look

I love the lid design. It seals so well and releasing pressure is safe and easy. It cleans up easy too. You can visit Fissler.com for more great cooking products and find the souspreme Multi Cooker on Amazon.

Want a great Pressure Cooker winter recipe? See my recipe for Chicken Mexican Soup!

Food, Healthy Living

Eating Plants for Life: Joys of a Vegan Diet and Lifestyle

Eating Plants for Life: Joys of a Vegan Diet and Lifestyle
Photo by Alexandra Golovac on Unsplash

If you think a vegan diet is boring, think again. Plant-based recipes are exciting because they open up a new world of textures and flavors with spices and ingredients such as nuts and vegetables and greens such as leeks, watercress, and daikon. Research shows well-balanced plant-based diets are also extremely healthy.

Going vegan is mainstream now, so you will find it easier than in decades past to find tasty meat substitutes, vegan ingredients, and even plant-based dishes in restaurants. Veganism is not just about what you eat, though. It is an entire lifestyle that honors and respects the entire circle of life—animals, humans, trees and plants, and the planet we all share. There are many joys of a vegan lifestyle, and today it is simpler than ever to go vegan in all aspects of your life.

Vegan Diets

If you want to start following a vegan diet or are curious about going meat-free for a few days each week, there are many resources to guide you. Check out allrecipes.com, goodhousekeeping.com, foodnetwork.com, ohsheglows.com, and bonappetit.com for vegan recipe sections. You may never think about food the same way again.

Many restaurants now offer plant-based options for diners. For example, the popular Chili’s Grill & Bar has a generous plant-based fajita-style meal on its menu, if you skip the cheese and sour cream. When eating out or shopping for ingredients, look for the BevVeg Vegan Certification to be sure of plant-based choices.

Cruelty-Free, Plant-Based Products

As part of a vegan lifestyle, many people choose cruelty-free products that are plant-based. Labeling tactics are often confusing. The generic term “natural” is not the same as vegan or cruelty-free, and not all cruelty-free products are vegan.

Happily, vegan personal care products, from face creams to shampoos, have come a long way, and many are now highly efficacious. As more and more people choose healthier, kinder lifestyles, choices in vegan personal products have expanded.

Animal-Free Clothing

Vegans often avoid wearing leather and other clothing derived from animals, including inhumanely sourced wool, angora, and mohair. Often, feathers for comforters and pillows are also sourced cruelly. There are great alternatives for both. Faux leather products, from shoes to belts to bags, look great and stand up to heavy use, and alternatives to feathers are kinder to both animals and allergy sufferers.

A vegan lifestyle brings with it many joys, from exciting plant-based meals to effective skincare. Being part of the circle of life is rewarding, both psychologically and physically. You may find adopting a kinder, more mindful diet brings benefits that reach far beyond the kitchen.

Food, Natural Foods

Plant-Based Broccoli Crust Pizza

Plant-Based Broccoli Crust Pizza

When we decided to cut carbs I found all things cauliflower, cauliflower pizza, rice, mashed. I actually dislike cauliflower but smother pizza sauce and mozzarella on it and I can stomach it. Broccoli and green beans are my favorite veggies so I was so excited that I can eat a broccoli crust pizza and ditch the cauliflower for a bit.

Broccoli, why not? When it is also hand-crafted and with fresh ingredients I have never felt so good about eating pizza. Pizza used to be a weekend treat, but finding healthier varieties with these veggie crusts means I can meal plan pizza into any night along with a delicious salad.

The worst part about the Spinato’s Pizza is deciding which one to try first. I typically love a good Margherita pizza so I had to try this brand’s version. Biting into my first broccoli crust was a bit comparable to a cauliflower in that it is thin and with a great crisp. With the broccoli crust you get a bit bolder taste- a bit more realistic to a flour dough crust. I love it!

Spinato’s uses vine-ripened tomatoes that are packed within 4 hours of harvesting. The cheese they use is rBST-free and their pizza sauce is authentic. It is obvious in the taste that every ingredient was thoughtfully chosen and especially as you taste the sauce. Visit Spinatos and see their store finder.

Comment: I was sent pizza to taste. Opinions are my own