Mashed Sweet Potato Waffles

10 Healthy Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes (That Aren’t Casseroles)

By Jess Novak / November 15, 2022 /

These healthy Thanksgiving leftover recipes make great use of all the classic dishes — and vary them up enough to keep you from getting bored.

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girl dog sleep sleeping woman

7 Healthy Habits to Boost Your Immune System, Says Science

By Jess Novak / September 20, 2022 /

This year, it’s vitally important that we all double down on making sure our immune systems are working at their peak. This way, we can fend off colds, viruses, and other illnesses that circulate more easily as the weather cools.

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chlorella in powder and pill form

You’ve Heard of Spirulina — Now Meet Chlorella, Its Even More Nutritious Sister

By Jess Novak / October 27, 2021 /

Blue-green algae: the name is reminiscent of mermaids and beaches, but it actually looks more like Swamp Thing than Ariel. Despite its somewhat unappealing appearance, blue-green algae is a highly popular ingredient.

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scallions growing in water on a counter

9 Little Ways to Be More Sustainable with Your Groceries

By Jess Novak / October 27, 2021 /

Becoming more environmentally sustainable with your food choices doesn’t have to mean growing all your own vegetables or going vegan overnight — although that would be pretty impressive. Instead, there are tons of simple, small (but effective!) tweaks you can make to your grocery shopping habits that go a long way towards bettering the environment.

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oysters on ice with a lemon

4 Foods That Are Lowering Your Immune System — and 7 Delicious Foods to Support It

By Jess Novak / October 27, 2021 /

In 2021, strong immunity is in high demand. To protect yourself from colds and flus, here are four foods to avoid, plus seven we approve of to feed your microbiome and enhance immunity.

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Fermented Curtido Recipe

If You Like Sauerkraut and Kimchi, Try This Clean Plates Original Recipe for Curtido, a Pickled Cabbage Slaw from El Salvador

By Jess Novak / October 25, 2021 /

Move over, sauerkraut and kimchi, and make room on the shelf for curtido: a probiotic-filled pickled slaw that’s full of flavor.

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woman pouring wine

Why “Regular” Wine Gives You a Headache (and Which Wines We’re Drinking Instead)

By Jess Novak / October 21, 2021 /

More than 70 different additives, ranging from ammonia to sulfur, can be legally added to wine in the US. Here’s how to tell which wine is safest.

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lower-sugar banana bread

Our Top Hacks for Reducing Sugar in Your Baking (and a Clean Plates Original Banana Bread Recipe!)

By Jess Novak / October 19, 2021 /

I’ve loved to bake for many years and have a serious sweet tooth. However, I’ve been trying to cut back on my sugar intake because added sugars have been shown to be inflammatory. I’ve learned some great ways to reduce the amount of sugar in some of my favorite recipes — and I’m sharing the…

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A mother is overwhelmed as two kids zip past her

The Next Time You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, Try This

By Jess Novak / October 15, 2021 /

Getting overwhelmed happens to all of us from time to time. The first step is always to take notice of when you feel your stress levels rising.

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mushroom coffee

Mushroom Coffee Is Surprisingly Energizing — and a Great Way to Escape the Caffeine Jitters

By Jess Novak / October 15, 2021 /

I love coffee: the taste, the smell, the ritual… but it doesn’t love me. Like so many others, coffee tends to give me stomach irritation and the jitters. I also don’t need anything to mess with my sleep, which is precious enough as it is.

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Italian farro salad

7 Whole Meals You Can Make Entirely in a Rice Cooker

By Jess Novak / October 15, 2021 /

Cooking can be a fun hobby, but after a long day, I sometimes find myself staring at the fridge, thinking, “Dinner, why can’t you just cook yourself?” 

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Dr. Deepa Verma

I’m an MD, And This Is My Anti-Inflammatory Morning Routine

By Jess Novak / October 12, 2021 /

I’m Deepa Bogle Verma, M.D., and I am a double board certified doctor specializing in integrative, anti-aging, and family medicine. My practice, Synergistiq Wellness, reflects mind-body-spirit and teaches how to work from the inside out to preserve health and wellness. An easy way to think about my approach is that integrative medicine is proactive, whereas…

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Beautiful Black woman smiling in the mirror as she does her skincare routine

The Surprising Secret to More Hydrated Skin and Healthier Joints

By Jess Novak / October 11, 2021 /

If you’re even remotely interested in skincare, chances are you’ve heard about hyaluronic acid (HA) — an ingredient that seems to be popping up in just about every new face cream and serum on the market, thanks to its ability to boost your skin’s hydration and suppleness.

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supplements in wooden spoons on blue background

4 Anti-Inflammatory Supplements The Clean Plates Team Actually Takes

By Jess Novak / October 11, 2021 /

If you’ve been struggling with inflammation, you might be on the hunt for a supplement to help you out — but there are so many ads out there and so many paid reviews, it can be hard to figure out what might work for you and what to trust. Here are our team’s unbiased, unpaid,…

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A little girl drinks milk and eats strawberries

Lactose Intolerant? A2 Milk May Be The Answer

By Jess Novak / October 8, 2021 /

A lot of people have started using plant-based milk in their cereal and coffee — which has been great for those of us who are lactose intolerant.

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Can you reuse pickle brine? Here's how!

Can You Reuse Pickle Brine? 12 Creative Ways How

By Jess Novak / October 4, 2021 /

The brine that’s left over at the end of a jar of pickles is a secret flavor bomb you didn’t even know you had. In fact, there are so many ways to repurpose this super versatile mix of vinegar, water, salt, and sugar. Rather than tossing it when the pickles are all gone, consider giving…

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dad and daughter baking

This is Our All-Time Favorite Gluten-Free Flour Mix

By Jess Novak / October 4, 2021 /

After so much research (and equally ample trial and error), we finally deemed Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free 1:1 Baking Flour as our go-to — and there’s a good reason why.

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shower meditation - a woman showering peacefully

A Guide to Shower Meditation: The Self-Care Ritual For Your Busiest Days

By Jess Novak / October 4, 2021 /

Meditation is a fantastic way of coping with stress and anxiety — seriously, studies show that it can help people manage stress, so finding a type of meditation that works for you can help you reap those benefits. However, the practice can also be intimidating, anxiety-inducing, and time-consuming. If you have a super busy schedule or…

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breakfast burrito

​​We Tried a Whole Bunch of Healthyish Breakfast Burritos — and Found Our Favorites

By Jess Novak / October 4, 2021 /

Protein-packed and portable, frozen breakfast burritos are ideal for busy mornings. Pop one in the microwave, and just a couple minutes later, you’re nibbling a fairly balanced breakfast (with one hand free, no less).  The freezer aisle is stocked with a wide range of breakfast burritos made by a number of brands, and they all…

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salad spinner

You’re Using Your Salad Spinner All Wrong: Here’s How To Get Greens Cleaner

By Jess Novak / September 30, 2021 /

If you buy a lot of farmers’ market spinach, lettuce, and herbs, you’ve had this problem: you diligently rinse off your greens, but find there’s always a little bit of grit in your salad no matter what you do.

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Tiger nuts

What Are Tiger Nuts And Why Is Everyone So Obsessed With Them Right Now?

By Jess Novak / September 22, 2021 /

Like chia and amaranth before it, the tiger nut is having a major moment on this side of the Atlantic, despite having been around for literal ages: in fact, we can trace tiger nuts back to ancient Egypt, where they were such a beloved snack that some Egyptians were even buried with them.

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Clean Plates Picks – Whisks, Bamboo Cookware, and more

10 Cooking Tools Under $10 We Love

By Jess Novak / September 20, 2021 /

In the kitchen, it’s important to spend as much as you can afford on certain items: a set of high-quality knives, for instance, or baking sheets that offer a pristinely even heat.

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