SWIHA Blog

Have you ever stopped to take a picture of your food before eating it? And it just looked so good that you couldn't eat it?! That is how this yummy dessert will make you feel. Eating vegan has never been more delectable! This Vegan Chocolate Cream Pie will make your mouth water and your tummy rumble.

This recipe is really simple to make, doesn’t take a lot of time, and is for everyone to enjoy! Read the recipe and fun facts below to impress yourself and your future guests!

Diversifying food choices is essential for keeping our gut’s microbiome healthy. When our digestion is performing optimally, our bodies can absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from the foods we consume, thereby improving the performance of all of the systems that keep us healthy!

There is also mounting evidence showing that what we eat affects physical health and mental health. A great way to keep our mind, body and spirit happy is by consuming a rainbow...in the form of a salad, of course!

This dish is able to be completely tailored to your personal preference. Read the guide below for suggestions on creating your own Rainbow Superfood Salad!

The term ‘seitan’ is of Japanese origin, coined in 1961 by George Ohsawa who was an advocate of the macrobiotic diet. Sei, meaning "made of” and tan, the first character in the Japanese word tanpaku, which means protein. However, this vegan meat alternative can be traced as far back as 1500 years ago to Buddhist monks in China. Seitan has proven itself to plant-based eaters and beyond thanks to it's chewier texture versus other soy-based meat alternatives.

Although it is made of flour, seitan is low in carbohydrates, contains almost no fat, and is an excellent source of protein. It's widely available in grocery stores in many forms, however we'll be exploring how you can make it at home -- with no fancy ingredients or machines necessary. In fact, all you need is flour, water, your hands and a little imagination!

Squash is a dietary staple for many cultures around the world. From its more common cousins, such as the zucchini and spaghetti squash, to the more obscure varieties such as the kabocha and zephyr squashes, these herbaceous vines are both delectable and nutritious! Today, we’ll be looking at basic squash preparation and ideas for stuffing them to create a complete and satisfying meal.

I know what you’re thinking—and the answer is: No! This pudding does not taste of avocados, though it does use their thick, creamy consistency to create a decadent base. Perfect for a late-night sweet tooth, a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, or even for sneaking more variety in to a picky-eater’s diet – all you need are a few staple ingredients and a food processer or blender. Thanks to raw food chef and SWIHA Holistic Nutrition instructor, Janet Lee, for demonstrating this recipe on Wellness Wednesday (watch the video below!).

If you’re someone trying to eliminate animal products from your diet or avoid dairy, you may find yourself occasionally missing some summertime staples – Janet Lee, raw food chef and Holistic Nutrition instructor at SWIHA is here to help you! With her creative kitchen skills and years of dedication to a raw, plant-based diet, she shared this recipe on #WellnessWednesday in a live video on SWIHA’s Facebook, which you can replay below!

Many people are opting to remove dairy from their diet, opening their eyes to the many alternatives and getting creative with ways to recreate traditionally dairy-based items! Janet Lee, a raw food chef and SWIHA Holistic Nutrition instructor, recently shared on a Facebook Live video for #WellnessWednesday two ways to make delicious and nutritious coconut yogurt.

Coconuts have numerous health benefits – they contain fiber, manganese, copper, iron and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), supporting your heart and bones, healthy weight loss, as well as having many essential electrolytes to prevent fatigue. When you add probiotics to the mix for gut health, you have a treat that is yummy and supportive of your total wellness.

Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday of many. It means family, friends and (most importantly) food — what’s not to love? You don’t have to sacrifice your health goals or your happiness with these easy and satisfying side dishes that even the most particular eaters will gobble gobble right up!

Diversifying food choices is essential for keeping our gut’s microbiome healthy. When our digestion is performing optimally, our bodies can absorb the maximum amount of nutrients from the foods we consume, thereby improving the performance of all of the systems that keep us healthy!

There is also mounting evidence showing that what we eat affects physical health and mental health. A great way to keep our mind, body and spirit happy is by consuming a rainbow...in the form of a salad, of course!

This dish is able to be completely tailored to your personal preference. Read the guide below for suggestions on creating your own Rainbow Superfood Salad!

It’s likely you know someone who’s chosen to follow a gluten-free diet, whether it’s due to Celiac’s disease, a wheat sensitivity or just in an effort to live a little healthier. There are many reasons to consider reducing or removing gluten from your menu, including:

• Wheat is a common allergy, and a sensitivity to it may go undetected for years.
• Gluten rapidly converts to glucose in the body, which can spike insulin levels.
• Wheat has little-to-no nutritional value, due to it’s highly processed nature.
• Gluten may reduce the production of digestive enzymes needed for nutrient absorption.

Today, we’ll be looking at how to make a universally-loved food gluten-free and vegan: Pizza!

This recipe can be modified in many ways to fulfill any craving. It’ll surely be love at first bite!