5 New Ways to Eat More Quinoa This Summer

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

Quinoa is a pretty big deal here at YogaEarth. In addition to being the foundation ingredient in our deliciously addicting Keen-Wah Decadence vegan organic protein bars, it’s an incredibly healthy food we like to eat in as many ways as possible! It’s popularity here, and around the world is well deserved too. Quinoa is one of the healthiest grains, that’s actually not a grain at all but actually a seed, available to the present day eater.

organic quinoa

Once treasured like gold in ancient Incan societies, quinoa provides a laundry-list of health benefits that only add to its delicious mildly creamy flavor and fluffy-crunchy texture. In case you’re not familiar, here are some of its most redeeming qualities:

Quinoa is…

  • A complete protein source
  • An especially rich source of lysine, an amino acid that’s essential for tissue growth and repair
  • A good source of magnesium, which helps regulate muscle function, repair and relaxation
  • Rich in riboflavin, a nutrient that is necessary for proper energy production in your cells
  • Full of cleansing, filling, heart-healthy fiber
  • A good source of manganese, which is a cofactor for antioxidant function in the cells
  • A low-glycemic food
  • Naturally gluten-free

That said, what makes or breaks a good food is really how it tastes. Luckily quinoa is an extremely versatile ingredient that has a mild and appealing flavor and pairs well with a huge variety of flavors. From chocolate to pesto, it can be paired with just about everything and still taste great.

quinoa salad

So, as we kick off two new flavors of our Keen-Wah Decadence bars and continue to spread our love for quinoa, we want to share some of our favorite ways to use this great grain in healthy summer meals.

Get quinoa creative with these 5 fun suggestions for using quinoa in your summer meals and stay tuned for recipes all summer long!

  1. Use quinoa in place of noodles in your favorite pasta salad. It works especially well with a combination of fresh tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.
  2. Use cooked quinoa to thicken fresh vegetables soups. Whether cold or hot, add a few scoops of quinoa before you puree your fresh veggies into soup and it will provide a protein boost while thickening and creating a creamy consistency without using dairy products.
  3. Cook a big batch of quinoa at the beginning of the week and keep in the refrigerator. The chilled grain makes a great addition to salads and wraps and is a quick and easy foundation for a healthy lunch.
  4. Also try using cooked and cooled quinoa in place of your regular breakfast cereal. Mix with dried and/or fresh fruit, nuts and your milk of choice for a refreshing and much more nourishing breakfast.
  5. Add it to pancakes or other baked goods for a great texture and nutrient boost.

For a sweet quinoa treat make sure you try YogaEarth’s new Coconut Almond and Cayenne Cinnamon Keen-Wah Decadence bars. This line of quinoa products is a perfect healthy indulgence you can pack with you on all your summer adventures!

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Raw Almond, Mulberry & Strawberry Smoothie

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

With ample amounts of vegan protein from raw unpasteurized almonds, this smoothie is a perfect way to start your morning. It is loaded with antioxidants, Vitamin C and fiber too, and will build a solid foundation for a healthy day. Make a smart breakfast choice with this smoothie and set yourself up for more healthy choices throughout the day. Your body will feel great running on the raw, organic, clean, nourishing fuel and you’ll be more inclined to keep it that way!

raw unpasteurized almonds

Plus, getting powerful antioxidants on a daily basis like Resveratrol from organic mulberries and Vitamin C from strawberries will help build and maintain long term health. Give this recipe a try and then use its foundations to start mixing up your own flavors based on what fruits are seasonally available.

Ingredients:

Instructions:
Use a standing blender to make your easy homemade raw almond milk if you have not already made some ahead of time. Place almond milk in a clean jar and refrigerate for future use, reserving 3/4 cup to use in the smoothie.

In the same blender combine the 3/4 cup almond milk, banana, mulberries, strawberries, chia seeds and hemp powder (if using). Purée until smooth and enjoy immediately.

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Two-Steps to Easy Homemade Almond Milk

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

Get up. Go to your refrigerator. Take out your box of soy/almond/coconut/hemp milk and read the ingredient list. Mine happens to be hazelnut milk this week because I like its creamier flavor in an occasional cup of coffee. It reads: roasted hazelnut base (filtered water, ground hazelnuts), brown rice sweetener (filtered water, brown rice), tricalcium phosphate, sea salt, guar gum, xanthan gum, carrageenan, carob bean gum, riboflavin B2, vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D2.

Not terrible – there are certainly worse things I could put in my body – but after reading it I am wondering why I put the extra ingredients (some of which I can’t pronounce or trace back to a whole-food) in my body at all when it’s so easy not to.

raw unpasteurized almonds

“Convenience foods” like non-dairy milks, pre-made pie crusts, cookies, sandwich meats and so on, may seem easier than their homemade counterparts, but when you look at the entire process of how that product is manufactured, packaged and shipped to the store where you bought it, “easy” may not be the way to describe it.

While homemade foods may not always be easier for you they are certainly easier on the body, the environment and your taste buds! After you look at the list of ingredients in store bought foods, suddenly it seems much easier not to put that extra junk in your body.

So, with my new bag of raw unpasteurized almonds in hand, which I was so excited to receive in my Lunar Wellness Kit this month, I spent a sunny afternoon making a big batch of homemade almond milk, pleased to add another item to my list of things I can make at home rather than buy at the store. Afterward, I couldn’t resist using a cup of it right away to blend with a basket of spring’s freshest strawberries from the farmer’s market to make a creamy, refreshing strawberry-almond smoothie (stay tuned for the this recipe tomorrow). The whole process was easy, not to mention more calming and nourishing than fighting the lines at the grocery store.

raw unpasteurized almonds

Make this easy, homemade alternative to store bought nut milk every week and you’ll have a fresher, healthier, better tasting milk on hand. Make it even easier by subscribing to monthly delivery of raw unpasteurized almonds from YogaEarth so you’ll always have the best quality ingredients at your fingertips.

Homemade Almond Milk
Yield: 2 quarts

9 oz. raw unpasteurized almonds
6 cups filtered water
4 dates, pits removed (optional)

1. Soak the almonds and dates overnight in the water.
2. In the morning put all ingredients in a vita mix or standing blender and puree until smooth. Enjoy!

Tip: add other whole foods to give more flavor to your milk if desired. Some that work well include cinnamon, vanilla (extract or from the bean), nutmeg, raw cacao or other nuts like hazelnut or cashew.

Can be kept in the refrigerator for up to one week. If you like a smoother consistency milk, strain through a clean piece of cheesecloth to remove any of the almond and date skins.

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Sharing Yoga, Gratitude and Lighthess of Being in Jalapa Nicaragua

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Sarah Betts  
Guest Post by Anna Hanson –
Anna is a yoga teacher and actress who lives and teaches in the LA area.  She recently took a life-changing journey to Jalapa, Nicaragua with some YogaEarth products in hand and has returned to share her inspiring story with you!

A few weeks ago, I had the amazing experience of taking a trip down to Jalapa, Nicaragua to volunteer for an organization called the Americas Association for the Care of Children (AACC). I have been drawn to working with this organization for a while, but when I completed my yoga teacher training and began teaching yoga around Los Angeles, I became even more compelled to see whatI could do. I knew that I had a skill that could help people, that I should be giving to people around me in a more profound way, and that the LA yoga community would rally around me in this kind of endeavor. When I finally set a date and reached out to my fellow yogis and to YogaEarth, I was amazed with the generosity and the immediate response. So with my Vitality and Purity superfoods in hand, I headed down to see what I could do to make even a tiny difference in these people’s lives.

Vitality Superfood

On the last day of my trip to Nicaragua I found myself leading a group of high school teachers and administrators through a calming series of poses. Some of them had heard of yoga and thought that it had something to do with witchcraft and conjuring spirits, while others had no idea what yoga was at all. But despite these misconceptions, or lack thereof, they showed up with nothing short of a sense of adventure, a beautiful curiosity, and a thirst for a new experience. As I sat on a sheet laid out on the cement floor of the crowded room, I had one of those yogic moments all yogis strive for. While the setting was less than ideal, with the neon lights buzzing above me and computers and desk chairs arranged haphazardly against the walls, I could feel the energy, the focus, the curiosity, and the amazing communal experience that normally only the most focused group practice can provide. Sure, there were giggles and chatter during some of the exercises, but that didn’t matter. The fact that they simply arrived to class with their hearts and minds open, set the tone for a class that was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.

YogainNicaragua

What made this experience so profound for me was that I realized that the attitude they brought to yoga was the same attitude they had in their every day lives. In a country where guerrilla warfare is a not-so-distant memory, where the drinking water is less than clean, and where most people live in houses with dirt floors and electricity that may or may not stay on for a full day, that positive outlook on life’s circumstances is crucial. It reminded me of the saying, “You have to laugh or else you’ll cry.” Throughout the week I spent volunteering for a branch of AACC called PIEAT, I continued to see a beautiful openness, an ability to let go of worries and stresses, and a genuine curiosity that was deeply embedded into people’s personalities and their approach to life.

organic coconut water

We spent the week taking overcrowded, dilapidated, American school buses (their public transportation) to rural villages, primarily to see disabled children, but also to teach people various hygienic techniques, such as washing one’s hands while cooking, not allowing chickens and pigs in the house, and keeping shoes on children. Throughout the week, whether it was missing the bus and finding that we were stranded six miles from home, discussing the local mayor who was run out of town for embezzlement, or chatting with a parent who couldn’t possibly afford $20 a month for her child’s medication, I found that same lightness of being and an infectious sense of contentment that so many of us find so difficult to truly experience.

YogainNicaragua

As I walked my students through a gratitude meditation to finish our practice, I became engulfed in my own sense of gratitude; for the chance to practice my passion, for the opportunity to come to Nicaragua, for the generosity of all the people who made donations to this deserving community, and for everything afforded to me in my life. But most of all, I was grateful for the beautiful people I had met and for everything they had taught me. These people, most of whom had worked in the fields since they were children and yet had never done a single physical exercise or stretch, had something to teach even the most advanced yogis. We cannot control where we were born, what we have or don’t have, or the circumstances of our life, but we can always control our mind and our outlook. As the meditation came to a close and I opened my eyes to the smiling, thankful faces infront of me, I laughed. Little did they know that I was the most grateful person in the room.

For more information or to donate, please visit: www.aaccchildren.net/pieat

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7 Principles All Women Should Live By

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

It’s impossible to make sweeping generalizations when it comes to “rules to live by.” Like fad diets, exercise classes and spiritual beliefs, what is right for you will not necessarily be right for your neighbor. Each mind, body, spirit and character is splendidly unique, and while a raw diet may heal and energize your best friend, it may cause your own body distress.

With that in mind, these principles are not meant to be rules that tell you what to do and how to do it, but rather guides to help you find a sweet spot in your own life: a glass slipper that fits your foot just right! Like sticky notes posted to your bathroom mirror, they are gentle reminders to keep seeking what’s best for you, what makes you happy, and what gives you something to live and appreciate each moment for.

Happiness1. Do what makes you feel good. It’s much easier said that done. Step back and analyze what you really do on a daily basis and how it makes you feel. While you may love watching your favorite show in bed at night, does it help you sleep well? Do you wake up in the morning feeling rested, rejuvenated and ready to take on the day? While you may have a sweet-spot for chocolate, does downing a mocha in the morning make your feel good the rest of the day? Think before you eat/say/do [fill in your activity here] and chose what makes you really feel better. You may learn a bit about what truly rather than superficially makes your clock tick! You might also discover that what makes you feel good will change as the month progresses and the seasons change so pay attention to how these natural cycles impact you.

2. Keep your PH in balance. No matter what your body type and preferences are, too many sweets, processed and refined foods, stimulants and stress can kick your internal PH out of whack and cause an acidic overload. Acid buildup, a by-product of much of our modern lifestyle, can lead to sickness, disease, degeneration, fatigue and rapid aging. Balance your PH with more whole foods, leafy greens, whole grains, relaxation and one (or two or three) less cups of coffee.

Balance3. Support your liver, the master cleanser of your body. Your liver is the largest organ with the most diverse set of responsibilities, playing a major role in digestion, detoxification and hormone production. Everything from your menstrual cycle and reproductive organs to skin health and energy production are dependent on a healthy liver so take good care of it! Stay well hydrated, decrease stress, eat clean whole foods and supplement your diet with liver-nourishing herbs like dandelion root, nettles, yellow dock and lemon balm.

4. Rest and relax daily. For most of us chronic fatigue is not a foreign matter. Whether it’s a high-stress job, a struggle to balance family and work life or a poor diet and lifestyle habits that cause it, fatigue is something we all struggle with more frequently than we should. While it may seem like the symptom of your situation, it can often be the cause and cure too. Getting enough rest and relaxation can help better equip you for high-stress situations and a busy lifestyle. Rest and relaxation may even help you make better lifestyle choices and provide the energy and focus better food choices require. On the other hand, not taking enough time for rest and relaxation can lead to poor mental and physical health, with an increased tendency for stress, a craving for sweets and stimulants and less efficient brain function.

5. Move your body every day. Mental work, which most of us are doing all day every day is extremely fatiguing and does not provide the benefits of physical work. Just because your brain is tired does not mean you should not get up and exercise your body. In fact, getting daily exercise can help reduce mental fatigue by pumping more oxygen throughout your body. In addition, your mind needs time to rejuvenate and exercise can help. Chose the practice that best suits you, whether it is a quieting yoga practice, a heart-pumping flow, a long walk or a hard run, get work your body and give your mind a break every day!

Relax6. Reduce stress. While stress is useful in some situations (a natural reaction in the body that helps you act quickly in certain situations and take on challenges that need to be met), but a little bit goes a long way. More often than not, we endure overwhelming amounts of stress in our daily lives, which is unhealthy for the mind or body. High stress levels can impede clear thinking, cause mood swings and emotional instability, interfere with sleep cycles, decrease productivity and overwork the adrenal glands which are where stress hormones are processed. When the adrenals are overworked symptoms of chronic fatigue, decreased immune function and irritability arise. Rest, relax, meditate, step back and look at what makes you stressed and how much you actually need to stress over in your daily life and challenge yourself to eliminate one stressful thing, thought or action every day.

7. Get your superfood essentials. Superfoods are considered whole foods that naturally have extraordinary healing powers and are concentrated sources of nutrients. As a supplement to a healthy diet and lifestyle they can have a dramatic impact on your health, boosting energy, immunity, appearance, longevity, moods and overall health. Here are a few superfoods you shouldn’t live without:

  • Spirulina – A powerhouse of protein, B vitamins and gammalinolenic acid (GLA).
  • Seaweed – The best source of a wide variety of minerals.
  • Bee Pollen – Nature’s finest source of nearly all known nutrients, including protein (all 22 amino acids), B vitamins, folic acid, vitamin C, A and E and 27 minerals, enzymes and coenzymes.
  • Chia or Flax seeds – Both are packed with omega 3’s, which are essential to healthy hormone production, as well as heart and immune health.
  • B Vitamins – Essential for a well-balanced nervous system, mental health, stress management, healthy sleep cycles and metabolic function. A deficiency in B vitamins can result in irritability, nervousness, panic, fear, depression and lethargy.
  • Antioxidants – Whether through the air, food, water or household products, we are all exposed to toxins that cause oxidation and free radicals on a daily basis. Help your body’s natural cleansing and elimination process by getting plenty of antioxidants from your diet. Some of the best food sources are goji berries, green tea, leafy greens, raw cacao, blueberries and mulberries.
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6 Ways to Create Balance and Release Your Mind & Body into Summer

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

The seasonal changes this time of year are quick and continuous. Just after you’ve welcomed the first sight of budding trees and returning songbirds, it seems the whole world changes again, exploding with vibrant greens and blessed by longer hours of warmer sunshine. The days of late-spring beg you to linger in the sun and sink your bare feet into fresh tall grass.

Spring Tree

In Ayurvedic practices late-spring is another important time of transition; one where the Pitta energy of the sun begins to dominate. The energy of Pitta, one of the three mind-body constitutions known as your dosha, is fiery and intense, with the ability to burn if you get too close but inspiring and energizing when in balance and at a distance.

Maintaining balance during this period of intense Pitta energy, especially if you are predominantly Pitta (find out your dosha here), is important. Balance in late-spring helps prevent over-exertion, over-heating, stressful tendencies, excess energy buildup and too much heat in the digestive system, which can imbalance metabolism and energy production.

Summer Trees

Balance in mental energy is equally important in late-spring. The dominating fire element corresponds with the heart and small intestines, from which feelings of great joy as well as sorrow can arise. Acknowledging, rather than ignoring sorrow this time of year will help release the feeling and make way for the joys of summer to fill every cavity in your mind and body.

Support and nourish your heart, open your mind, relax and settle your body and set a positive intention to move forward into the beautiful days of summer with joy and good health.

Sunset Yoga

Here are six tips to help you create balance and build joy every day:

  1. If you are a Pitta or have some Pitta tendencies, avoid the most intense and hot hours of sunlight and instead get outside in early mornings or at dusk to promote cool, calm energy throughout the body.
  2. Don’t battle the increasingly intense heat with excessive physical exertion. Instead use the warmth to your advantage in more rejuvenating activities like yoga, meditation, walking and swimming. It’s a great time to take your yoga practice outside and let the sun warm your body and loosen your muscles.
  3. Avoid oily, hot, salty and sour foods, which build excess heat in your digestive system. These foods are often associated with less positive mental and physical intention and easily imbalance energy, mood, metabolism, hydration and immunity during this season.
  4. Incorporate more cooling and high water content foods like cucumbers, celery, sprouts, greens, melons, berries and fresh herbs like mint and basil. These foods help counteract excess heat and feelings of intensity and stress.
  5. Transition your diet to include more raw foods than cooked and avoid mucus-building foods like grain and dairy. Raw foods help cleanse and nourish the intestines, which can suffer from excess heat and function inefficiently if fed too many rich, mucous-building, heated and cooked foods this time of year.
  6. Give your mind and body space to just be. Letting go of sorrowful, hurtful and/or angering emotions is important this time of year and won’t happen if you are constantly filling up a to-do list, running from one commitment to another and letting stress and “busyness” run your life. Set aside some ‘me time,’ meditate, stretch, sing, walk, nap, breathe – just ‘be’ for a few minutes each day. Give your mind a body the space and time needed to process, experience, let go, grow and appreciate.
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A New and Improved Rice Crispy Treat!

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

100% organic superfoods

intelligent indulgenceFor some reason rice crispy treats are almost irresistible. Maybe because they’re a little taste of childhood, or maybe because they’re packed with addicting amounts of sugar and have a satisfying yet nutrient devoid crunch. Either way, those marshmallowy bites are one junk food that’s hard to give up.

That’s what makes these reformed rice and quinoa crispy treats so good! They provide a bit of natural sweetness but in a much healthier form and are also packed with protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, omegas and blood sugar regulating spices. Puffed brown rice and quinoa stand in nicely for the very-processed white rice alternative and you can add any and all of your favorite nuts, seeds and dried fruit for added flavor and crunch.

This is a great way to use YogaEarth’s newest line of 100% organic superfoods, which includes the raw unpasteurized a almonds this recipe calls for. For a different chocolatey twist, omit the cacao powder and add organic chocolate covered goji berries to the mix instead!

Brown Rice and Quinoa Crispy Treats

  • 3 cups puffed brown rice
  • 2 cups puffed quinoa
  • 2/3 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 2/3 cup coconut chips
  • 1/2 cup raw unpasteurized almonds, chopped
  • ½ cup chia seeds
  • 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 1/2 cups almond butter
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 3 ounces dark chocolate

raw unpasteurized almondsCombine the rice and quinoa puffs with the pumpkin seeds, coconut chips, almonds, chia seeds and cacao powder in a large mixing bowl and set aside. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish (preferably with coconut oil) and set aside.

In a small saucepan combine 1 tbsp of the coconut oil and 1 cup of the almond butter with the cinnamon, vanilla and honey. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly, until the almond butter softens and the mixture becomes smooth. Pour over the rice and quinoa mixture and quickly stir until evenly mixed in and coating all the dry ingredients.

Scoop the mixture into the greased baking dish and spread evenly. Gently press the mixture into the dish with clean hands to solidify and ensure it is an even thickness in the pan.

In the same saucepan, combine the remaining 1 tbsp coconut oil, ½ cup almond butter and 3 ounces dark chocolate. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate melts and the mixture becomes smooth. Remove from heat and slowly pour over the bars to evenly coat. Spread to cover with a spatula.

Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Slice into squares or bars and enjoy!

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10 Reasons to Choose Better Almonds

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

Like most foods in the modern food system, almonds are not all one and the same. As potato chips are to real potatoes, most “almonds” are to the real thing. Unfortunately this food we know as the most heart-healthy, fat-fighting, blood sugar-stabilizing, protein-rich nut is more often sold in the form of a rancid, flash-fried (the process most labels call “roasted”), pesticide/chemical/additive laden and pasteurized distant cousin of what actually grows on the almond tree.

raw unpasteurized almonds

The conscious thought you put into selecting free-range organic eggs over conventionally raised alternatives should apply to almonds as well. Everything from whether they were grown organically, to how they were shelled, processed and packaged impacts the health benefits they deliver. With such nourishing potential in their natural form, there’s no shortage of reasons to pay close attention to the quality you purchase.

100% organic, raw unpasteurized almonds, like the ones YogaEarth has just added to their line of amazing superfoods, are the closest you can get to picking almonds straight from the tree and here’s ten reasons why they’re worth it!

  1. Feed your Ojas – Raw almonds are considered highly nourishing for your ojas, the essence that enlivens the intellect, energy and spirituality in Ayurvedic practices. Nourishing your ojas is important in supporting health and creating balance and Ayurvedic traditions hold almonds as one of the best foods for building ojas.
  2. Get More Vitamin E – Vitamin E is very susceptible to damage from heat and processing. It is an important nutrient in protecting your cells from free radical damage and keeping your skin healthy, as well as facilitating essential communication between cells. Raw unpasteurized almonds can have up to 90% more vitamin E than processed almonds!
  3. Maximize Monounsaturated Fats – Known to help decrease LDL (the unhealthy form of cholesterol), moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats, like in raw unpasteurized almonds, are good for the heart. Because of their less stable nature, these heart-healthy fats are easily damaged by heat and processing, often becoming unhealthy oxidized fats when exposed to high heat like in roasted or fried almonds.
  4. Boost your mood – Phenylalanine, a precursor to dopamine production, is abundant in raw unpasteurized almonds (about 33% of your daily value in just ¼ cup). In your brain dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter carrying signals between cells that have been linked to primarily “reward-based” or positive feelings. Adequate phenylalanine consumption helps produce more dopamine and thus encourages more positive thoughts!
  5. Increase your digestive health – Probably because of their high levels of antioxidants and natural fiber, studies show almonds can significantly decrease the incidence of colon cancer. With over 4 grams of fiber in every ½ cup serving, almonds are a good general digestive aid too.
  6. Promote rest and calm – Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that is a precursor for serotonin production, helps regulate mood, appetite and healthy sleep patterns. Like the calm sleepy feeling you get after Thanksgiving dinner (turkey is also rich in tryptophan), almonds encourage feelings of rest and balance.
  7. Fortify your bones – With high levels of calcium, almonds help maintain healthy bone structure and prevent bone density degeneration over time.
  8. Feed your muscles – As a rich source of magnesium, almonds help regulate nerve and muscle tone, keeping relaxation in balance with contraction. Ample magnesium intake helps muscles relax and regenerate, preventing tension, soreness, cramps and fatigue.
  9. Boost cellular health – Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) found in raw unpasteurized almonds is a cofactor in recycling antioxidants in your body that help protect your cells from free-radical damage. B2 also and supports cellular energy production.
  10. Raw unpasteurized almonds are a highly recognizable food – We’ve been eating and hailing the health benefits of almonds for centuries and your body easily recognizes the almond in its natural form as a balanced source of nourishment. When roasted, fried, salted, sweetened, artificially flavored or otherwise modified before consumption, natural nutrient levels, fibers and enzymes are often depleted and the food becomes less and less recognizable to your body. Like choosing whole grains over white bread or grass fed meat over CAFO farmed, your body benefits from eating foods in their most natural, un-processed state.

YogaEarth’s almonds are 100% organic, raw and unpasteurized. Order them online and sign up for monthly delivery of the Almond Eco-Pack and save over $2.00 on every bag!

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Mulberry-Cranberry Muffins – Sugar & Gluten-Free!

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

Gluten-free, sugar-free and packed with nutrient-rich ingredients; these little muffins will rock your socks off! Serve with raw almond or cashew butter for a boost of protein that will keep your energy level soaring. They make a great snack for kids too since they have no sugar but are naturally sweet and delicious!

Organic Mulberries

Mulberry-Cranberry Muffins

  • ½ cup applesauce
  • 1 cup almond milk (other nut milks will work too)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 cups gluten-free baking flour (a mix like Pamela’s that already has xanthan gum added)
  • ¾ cup extra coarse cornmeal
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • ½ cup dried organic mulberries
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • ½ cup dried coconut flakes or chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with coconut oil to prevent the liners from sticking. Place paper muffin liners in each cup and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl beat the applesauce, almond milk, vanilla and eggs together until smooth.

In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, cornmeal and baking powder. Add the applesauce mixture to the flour mixture and fold together. Add the mulberries, cranberries and coconut flakes and stir until the batter is smooth but not over-mixed.

Use a ½-cup measuring cup to scoop the batter into the line muffin cups. When filled, place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the muffin’s center comes out clean. Let cool for at least ten minutes before removing the muffins from the tin and serving. Let cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Enjoy!

*These muffins also freeze well so make a big batch and keep them in the freezer until the day before you’re ready to eat them. They can be refreshed in a warm oven for 10 minutes if desired.

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Why All Sweets Are Not Created Equal!

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Sarah Betts  

White Sugar Sugar befuddles us. In a very literal sense, sugar causes our brains to run wild and loose track of normal thought processes. But conceptually too, sugar is highly misunderstood. How much sugar is too much? Are some sugars better than others? How does sugar impact me?

Many of us are on high alert for the amount of sugar included in our foods but we often overlook one important factor: not all sugars are created equal! The impacts of sugar vary dramatically depending upon its composition, source (ie. beets, sugarcane, honey, agave, or coconut), amount of processing, form, and accompanying nutrients.

Sugar, in the form of fructose from whole fruits, for example, is much better for you than fructose in the form of table sugar because the fruit has fibers that slow digestion and prevent a surge of sugar from entering your bloodstream all at once. In addition, nutrients in whole food sources of sugar aid in the digestion and use of it throughout your body. Highly refined sugars, like high fructose corn syrup, on the other hand will actually rob your body of stored nutrients during the digestion process.

quinoa protein bar

One of the most frequent questions posed to us at YogaEarth is regarding the amount of sugar in our quinoa protein bar: “Chocolate Chia Keen-Wah Decadance”. With a chocolaty interior enrobed in a smooth chocolate coating, it’s hard not to think about sugar content. We thought about it too!

The quality, quantity and type of sugar to use in the vegan, organic protein bar was extensively researched, leading us to our final choice: coconut nectar. Coconut nectar is a liquid syrup extracted from the blossoms of the coconut tree. It does not require extensive processing and contains a high levels of nutrients and amino acids unlike many other sweeteners.

coconut nectar

While the total grams of sugar in Keen-Wah Decadence is in the double digits, the number is deceptive. Remember, not all sugars are created equal and coconut sugar, in particular, can hardly be compared to white sugar or corn syrup, which most frequently comprise the sugar levels in other products. The amount of “sugar” in YogaEarth’s Keen-Wah bars has dramatically different impacts due to:

  • A Low Glycemic Index – Coconut nectar does not turn into sugar as fast as other sweeteners do in your body, meaning it has a low glycemic index (approximately 35 in comparison to white sugar at around 65 and high fructose corn syrup at 89 and higher). This low index means that coconut nectar does not spike blood sugar levels as high, cause energy crashes or send insulin levels out of whack. Including more low glycemic foods in your diet can help prevent overeating, weight gain and sugar cravings.
  • High in Vitamins and Minerals – Calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese and phosphorus in coconut nectar help supply your body with added nutrients. No “empty calories” here! Accompanying nutrients also help prevent the extraction of nutrients from your body’s stores (which other sugars often cause) and facilitate good digestion and energy production.
  • Rich in Amino Acids – Coconut nectar is especially rich with glutamic acid, the building block for glutamine, which is important for proper metabolism and can aid immune function, inflammation and wound healing. Coconut nectar also contains 15 other, of 20 total, amino acids that are the foundation for growth, regeneration, energy and function throughout your body.

vegan protein bar The decision to use coconut nectar was an important one for the overall quality of product as well as the health of each of our customers. Now it is a matter of education; helping our community members and consumers learn more about the impact of this decision and how it distinguishes YogaEarth’s product from others on the shelves.

Next time you read a label, whether on YogaEarth’s “Keen-Wah” vegan protein bars or any other product, take the “quality over quantity” mantra to heart. It is not about ignoring quantity, for in many cases too big or too little quantity can be detrimental, but about looking at the quality that makes that given quantity a good or bad decision for you!

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