5 Things Women Should Know About Ashwagandha
Used in Aryuvedic medicine for centuries, ashwagandha is a relative new comer to the western wellness scene. But it’s making up for lost time: These days, no adaptogen is more popular. But what is it, what is it good for, and should you take it? Here’s what you need to know.
This One Ingredient Will Make Your Burgers So Much Better
There is one “secret,” hiding in plain sight, that will make a huge difference.
I’m Super-Picky About Bottled Salad Dressings — But I Love These
Whether you’re doing Whole30 or not, these healthy bottled salad dressings make for fast, easy, and delicious weeknight meals.
Frozen Burger Patties Are Your New Weeknight Dinner Hero
Allow us to introduce you to your new BFF: frozen grass-fed burger patties. They are becoming more and more of a thing and we are here for it. Here’s what to know, how to cook them, and our favorite brands.
10 Crispy Wing Recipes for All Your Summer Parties
Chicken wings don’t have to be deep-friend to be delicious. We found 10 healthier recipes that are super-simple, super-tasty, and super-crispy.
10 Meat-Free Grilling Recipes We’re Seriously Swooning Over
Burgers and hot dogs are great on the grill, but vegetables enjoy just as prominent a place on our grates. Whether you’re a full-time vegetarian or just looking for summer grilling inspiration, here are some meat-free grilling recipes to light your fire.
Healthy Hot Dogs Exist (and We Found the Best Ones)
With spring fully sprung and cookout season upon us, we tested out several brands of hot dogs to bring you the healthiest, tastiest ones.
3 Foolproof Ways to Cook Hot Dogs
A really good hot dog—meaty, juicy, flavorful, with a hearty snap when you bite into it—is summer in a bun. Luckily, there’s more than one way to get it right. Here are three ways to cook hot dogs that will yield delicious results every time.
How to Add Turmeric to Your Diet (and Why You Should)
It’s safe to say that turmeric has been (and still is) having a moment. If you’ve been wondering what all the hype is about, here’s what you need to know about the health benefits of turmeric — and how to get more of it into your diet.
Found: The Best Places to Buy High-Quality BBQ Meat Online
Aside from the obvious convenience, online meat shopping means access to meat from smaller, more sustainable farms and to cuts that may not be readily available in your area. We’ve rounded up our favorites places to shop for meat online — just in time for summer.
These Healthy Chocolate Bars Are Really *Really* Good
Because chocolate is, ahem, a health food, and I write about healthy food, I make it my business to try all the chocolate, so I can report back to you what’s good. (You’re welcome.) And these new healthy chocolate bars are really, really good.
10 Healthy & Satisfying Steak Salads
Salad can be hearty and loaded with varying textures and flavors, and it can leave you sated and happy—especially if it’s got a well-cooked steak on top.
Quick & Easy Appetizers for Last-Minute Get-Togethers
These easy appetizers and finger foods call for just a few ingredients and take 10 minutes to throw together, making them perfect for impromptu gatherings.
3 Low-Sugar Ketchups That Actually Taste Good
Ketchup: It’s hard to imagine summer without it. But many of the packaged brands we know and (let’s be honest) love the taste of are laden with sugar and other additives. No, thanks.
When to Take Your Healthy Habits on the Road (and When Not To)
Have you started to, oh-so-tentatively, think about travel again? Us, too. And it’s exciting! And maybe also a tiny bit overwhelming? Here are 3 healthy travel tips that will help you maintain your sanity and have as much fun as possible.
The Best-Tasting Low-Carb Breads
One thing most low carb breads have in common? They tend to be pricier than traditional loaves. We put several brands to the test: We toasted them, we made sandwiches, we fried up eggs in a hole, and more to bring you the brands most worthy of your hard-earned dough.
These New High-Protein Grocery-Store Snacks Are Surprisingly Tasty
Too often high protein snacks are… less than tasty. Or they’re full of preservatives and other unnecessary additives like sugar and salt. We sorted through a sea of snacks to bring you some surprisingly delicious finds, from chewy, flavorful grass-fed meat sticks to super-creamy cottage cheese.
The Free, 1-Minute Way to Relieve Stress
This technique seems too easy, too accessible to really work, but it actually does. It works so well that it’s even used by the military to help soldiers stay calm in stressful situations.
6 Things to Do When You’re Feeling Left Out
Imagine checking your friend’s Insta, and finding that she and a whole group of your friends had an amazing night out… without you. Maybe it was a simple oversight that you weren’t on the group email, maybe there’s something else going on—either way, it hurts.
Trader Joe’s Has the Best Cheap Coffee
Ignore the coffee snobs and try this delicious, dark brew.
5 Ways to Chill Out When You Only Have 10 Minutes
You could probably use an hour or two to relax every day, right? Over here in the real world, we feel lucky when we get 10 minutes. There’s good news, though: That’s actually plenty of time. Here are some good ways to chill out when the clock is ticking. (Hint: Scrolling social media isn’t on the list).
I Eat a Lot of Red Meat and I’ve Never Felt Healthier
I eat a lot of high-quality animal products, and I’ve never enjoyed better health. I almost never get colds, I sleep well, I’m building and maintaining lean muscle and I’m annoyingly energetic. And I’m in my late 40s, a time when many of my peers are gaining weight, feeling exhausted, seeing the beginnings of chronic illness.
25 Tiny Changes for a Healthier 2021
The secret to a healthier 2021? Skip the big resolutions in favor of small changes that yield big gains. Here are 25 tiny ideas.
6 Warming & Filling Stews for Chilly Nights
It’s January, which means it’s officially stew season. This is the perfect time of year to enjoy a hearty meal in a bowl that warms you from the inside out.
The Post-Holiday Blues Are Real — Here’s What to Do
This year, with celebrations hard to come by, the post-holiday blues feels even bluer. Here are a few smart tips for a cheerier outlook.
How to Make Frozen Vegetables Taste Phenomenal
Frozen veggies are a freezer staple. They’re healthy and cheap and they can taste just as great as fresh veggies if you know how to cook them. Here’s how to make your frozen vegetables taste phenomenal.
These New Year’s Resolutions Have Nothing to Do with Weight Loss
Instead of punishing yourself with black and white thinking, set resolutions that will help you feel stronger, healthier and more energetic.
3 Food Gifts That Give Back (for $15 or Less)
Your friend or loved one gets a really nice gift, you do something good for the world, and you experience the physical and mental health benefits of kindness. Win-win-win.
5 Healthy Sweet Potato Sides, Hold the Marshmallows
I never really understood the appeal of sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top. No judgement if you love it, but personally, I’d rather save the really sweet stuff for dessert.
How To Have a Healthy, Happy Thanksgiving This Year
It’s been a year full of unprecedented this and uncertain that. As Thanksgiving approaches, most of us are wondering what this year is going to look like. The one thing we can count on: It’s definitely not going to be a typical holiday season. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Thanksgiving.
What Are Electrolytes and Why Should I Care?
Staying hydrated is one of the pillars of good health, one of those things you’re probably focusing on doing every day or have on your list of top health goals. But staying hydrated isn’t always as simple as just drinking more water, especially if you’re active.
Craving Childhood Comfort Foods? Here Are the Healthier Versions to Try Today
My story of childhood is not all that different from other Gen-X-ers: I was a latchkey kid, and my single working mom expected my brother and me to manage a lot for ourselves. Packaged snacks and heated-up frozen food eaten in front of the TV were very common in our house.
The Clean Plates Team Shares the Podcasts We’re Listening to Nonstop
All of us here at Clean Plates love reading, watching and listening to as much as we can around health and wellness—it’s what we do. But even for us, the sheer volume of information can feel like drinking from a firehose.
The Best Thing You Can Do with Frozen Cauliflower
So, you stocked up on frozen veggies at the start of sheltering in place — but now it’s 8, 9, 10 weeks later (or 2 years, who even knows anymore?) and you want your freezer back. We’re with you.
This Is a Great Time to Start Making Pour Over Coffee
Right now is the perfect time to start making pour over coffee. Here’s why: You don’t need a ton of equipment, what you do need doesn’t take up much space, it’s inexpensive, it’s quick and easy, and it makes fantastic coffee. Boom.
No Way to Take A Mental Health Day? Try These Mental Health Moments
Working from home (or being out of work), trying to homeschool kids, caring for at-risk parents—managing stress right now is more of a challenge than ever. When things got to be too much pre-COVID, we would turn to the occasional mental health day to help us calm down and reset. But right now, it’s difficult if not impossible to do that.
Why (and How) to Practice Mindfulness Right Now
If there’s an “it” buzzword that’s emerged in the heath world in the last couple of years, it’s mindfulness. We’re encouraged to practice it all the time, since its purported benefits include reducing stress, improving concentration, boosting immunity and even protecting our genes in a way that may enhance longevity.
How to Move Now That Gyms Are Closed
Among the many changes to all of our lives as we shelter at home is the closure of gyms and boutique fitness places. Whether you never missed a SoulCycle class, banged out Barry’s Bootcamp or got your yoga on on the reg, it’s all on hold. Plus, our daily non-workout movements—commuting, walking around the office, running errands—are curtailed as well.
Everyday Foods That Support a Healthy Immune System
If you’re reading this, you already know how important eating well is for good health. As Dr. Mark Hyman puts it, “Food is literally the most powerful medicine you have available to control your health.” That’s always true—but right now, as we’re all trying to protect ourselves and our families from a global pandemic, eating healthy feels even more urgent.
How to Give Anyone (on Any Diet) a Sweet Treat on Valentine’s Day
Giving someone a box of chocolates is classic for Valentine’s Day… but these days, with a zillion different dietary styles, preferences, allergies and so much more, the simple act of giving a gift can feel pretty fraught.
These Smart Food Combinations Help Maximize Nutrition
Bella and Edward, Harry and Sally, Romeo and Juliet—some things just go together. The same is true for foods.
How to Feel Better When You Skipped the Gym For a Week
Maybe you were on vacation, maybe you had a big deadline, a work trip, a sick child. Maybe you just couldn’t get yourself to the gym. It happens. Here’s solid expert advice for what to do now.
Only Have 5 Minutes for Breakfast? Here’s What to Eat
Are your mornings as hectic as ours? We bet they are — and since you can’t decide to not get dressed or brush your teeth, often when something has to go, it’s breakfast.
How to Order Healthier at Panera Bread
Panera Bread—so often the solution whether you’re looking for a quick breakfast on the go or a lunchtime option that has something for everyone. Now, don’t think just because they have “bread” in the name you won’t be able to make healthy choices. We asked experts for their tips on how to order like a champ.
How to Bring the Yoga Retreat Experience Home with You
Picture this: You’re at the gorgeous, serene Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in the Berkshires. You’re doing yoga. You’re meditating. You’re getting ayurvedic massages. And, of course, you’re eating amazing, nourishing spa food. You feel peaceful and powerful.
We Don’t Ask Ourselves This Question About Healthy Habits Enough
We ask ourselves tons of questions about how to support our health every day. What should I eat for breakfast? Should I go to yoga or boot camp? Should I try a meditation app?
High-Potassium Foods That Aren’t Bananas
Pop quiz: When we say potassium, you say… We’re guessing “bananas.” And yes, bananas are a great source. But not the only one.
Routine vs. Practice: What’s the Difference?
Stripped down to the most basic difference, a routine is something you do because the act of doing it is good for you or preventative of something bad for you.
A Psychologist Explains How to Deal When the News Feels Overwhelming
We try to stay positive and see the good in the world, we really do. But sometimes it feels like tragedies pile up, like there’s just so much bad news all the time. Then, when an especially big thing happens, it’s too much.
What’s Missing from Your Healthy Meals? A Cookbook Author Reveals the Secret
There are roughly a zillion healthy cookbooks hitting the market every day, and it’s part of our job at Clean Plates to sift through them and bring you some of the best.
5 Grab-and-Go Breakfasts to Streamline Your Morning
We’ll be the first to admit that some mornings are insane. From the second your alarm goes off, it’s game on. Work out, shower, figure out what to wear—and multiply that by 100 if you have to get kids out the door. No wonder feeding yourself something healthy and delicious often falls by the wayside.
5 Make-Ahead Paleo Meals to Kill the #SadDeskLunch
Weekday lunches can be such a hassle. Whether you rush to throw things together in the morning, you get through a plate of last night’s leftovers, or you spend your hard-earned cash on takeout that always seems to disappoint, the midday meal is never as healthy, tasty, or enjoyable as we want it to be.
How to Have Mac and Cheese and Still Feel Amazing
Mac and cheese: The ultimate comfort food. If we were playing Family Feud right now, and the clue was “comfort foods,” mac and cheese would absolutely be in the top 3, probably no. 1.
5 Lessons About Healthy Eating That I Want Everyone to Know
When it comes to our relationship to food, the status is: It’s complicated. Food can be nourishing, comforting, energizing, an expression of love, a way to gather loved ones together. It can also be the source of anxiety, stress, and self-hatred.
The Top Healthy New Food Products You Need to Know About
Imagine a massive convention center filled with booth after booth of healthy products, milling around with fellow health-obsessed people, tasting, trying, and generally geeking out over wellness.
Our Favorite Low Sugar Granolas You Can Buy at the Supermarket
Granola is one of those foods that seems healthy, but often isn’t. Store-bought granolas tend to be loaded with sugar and seriously lacking in other nutrients. Luckily, there are some great-tasting low sugar granolas out there. Grab a spoon and read on.
Chill Out with Frosty Grownup Ice Pops
Remember being a kid, and having those long, hot days at camp, when you got a sweet, drippy ice pop to help you cool off? You’re about to enjoy that feeling again—minus the excess sugar, artificial dye that turned your mouth purple (fun as a kid, not cute as an adult), and sickly sweet flavor.
Chocolate with Benefits
You’re going to eat it anyway, so why not choose brands that infuse your favorite treat with health-boosting superfoods?
Some crafty food artisans have infused healthy dark chocolate with turmeric, coconut, reishi, maca and other superfoods. Discover which ones, and how to get them.
Fermented Juice Is A Thing Now
Get into a pickle for better health
It seems like not so long ago that if someone suggested you drink kale juice, you would have wrinkled up your nose and said, “Eeew, really?”
7 Ways to Eat More Nuts (and Why You Should)
Nuts make a great snack on their own, of course, but here are some other tasty ways to add them to your diet. Spoiler: Recipe for no-bake “brownie bites” inside.