Odd foods that can turn traditional staples upside down
While you are binge watching Netflix’s most esoteric series, Stranger Things, try snacking from the upside down. There is a whole world of strange – or at least unusual – foods, that you might not have ever heard of, that are good for you and just might turn everything right side up in your universe.
Go Bananas
If wheat chafes your hide, separate yourself from grain flour with Edward & Sons Organic Green Banana Flour. This gluten-free alternative to wheat flour bakes up beautifully in cakes and pastries, and it can substitute for grain flour in gravy and other recipes. It can also boost a smoothie or shake for those who want to bulk up their nutritional profile. Available from www.edwardandsons.com
Almonds make a meal
By now almond butter is practically passé, as peanut allergy sufferers and anyone else just tired of peanut butter discovered it as an alternative to America’s most overused spread. Barney Bakery just upped the ante with Natural Almond Meal, a gluten-free, slightly sweet and nutty pantry staple that can coat your chicken tenders or give a crunch to your dessert crumble. Find local grocery stores that carry Barney products at www.barneybutter.com
Tea up
If traditional, boring old tea is not your cup of tea, try Primal Essence Super Teas. These flavorful tea sprays are made from whole-plant extracts and come in flavors such as Ginger Zing or Classic Chai. Squirted into hot or cold water, they transform your drink into a luscious healthy beverage bursting with herb flavors and spices. Available at www.primalessence.com
Jackfruit be nimble
If meat slows you down and chugs through your system, Native Forest Organic Young Jackfruit may help you be nimble again. This meat-free alternative to soy, plucked from the orchards of Sri Lanka, is a great gluten-free base option for sauces and seasonings and a hearty filler for vegan tacos, sloppy joes and other recipies that call for shredded meat. Available at www.edwardandsons.com
It’s the season
Don’t just sprinkle on any salt. Season your food with sea salt from the still pure waters of New Zealand, with New Zealand Pacific Sea Salt. Add a little more flavor with Mesquite BBQ variety or Chipotle BBQ, or try something with a little more texture, such as BioGro Certified Flaky Salt. Available at www.shoppri.com
Who’s your honey
A spoonful of honey makes the medicine go down, especially if the medicine is the honey. Manuka Honey, made by bees that collect nectar from the flowers of the New Zealand Manuka tree, is the only honey found worldwide that exhibits non-peroxide activity. This cool-pressed, 100 percent raw honey is a powerful digestive aid, assisting with allergies and immune defense, and it is a potent anti-bacterial agent when used topically for minor wounds and burns. Available at www.shoppri.com
Up your cup with a coconut
Okay, so coconut as a cooking oil was somewhat debunked as a miracle elixir, but it’s still fabulous for skin and hair care, and it also makes a wondrous sweetener. Munkijo Organic Coconut Nectar is Naturally low-glycemic, gluten-free, vegan, Kosher and non-GMO, and an ideal alternative to refined sugars and artificial sweeteners. It’s a and a perfect complement to pancakes, waffles, cereal, teas, coffee and ice cream, and it can be used as a 1:1 substitute for liquid sweeteners in baking. Available at www.munkijo.com
Mystery meat you love to eat
Giving up animal products in your diet does not mean giving up tasty foods like steak and drumsticks. Vegetarian Plus redefines the vegan diet with delectable, low-sodium frozen entrees like meatless Kung Pao Chicken, Citrus Spareribs and Black Pepper Steak. With textures and flavors that are surprising authentic, this vegetarian food is not only healthy but better than good enough to eat.
