DISCOVER

discover Burger?Craving a Veggie Burger. Easy to find on menus and grocery shelves, veggie burgers are more popular than ever. But beware of ingredients like canola or corn oil, caramel coloring and hydrolyzed protein as they negate the nutrition. TRY ONE OF THESE

HEALTHY ALTERNATIVES TO RED MEAT

By Michele Robert Poche

Beans. Black beans, lentils, chickpeas and fava beans (the last two can be used to create falafel) all make great substitutes in burger patty recipes. And bonus! They’re higher in fiber and lower in calories.

Hamburgers. They’re available on just about every corner. They’re a staple on most family dinner tables. And, well, sometimes there’s just nothing better than a good, old-fashioned burger. Well, except when you’re looking out for your health.

According to the American Heart

Association, red meat has more cholesterol and saturated (bad) fat than many other foods that can be used to create amazing substitutes for the classic burger. Even if you are doing a Keto or Paleo diet, you will want to pay attention to healthy fats. If your burger contains red meat, make sure it is lean Angus. If you don’t want to Fish. Heart-healthy and chock full of omega-3 fatty acids, salmon, tuna and amberjack all perform well as filets on the grill. Or they can be chopped and combined with other ingredients to make patties (see recipe).

switch cold turkey, try cutting your red meat with one of these substitutions. No one says you have to go all in at once.

Turkey. Ground turkey makes an impressive facsimile for ground beef in almost any recipe. Be sure to look for 90% lean or higher varieties made with white meat (turkey breast) to keep the saturated fat levels down.

SALMON PATTIES … MADE EASY

• 15 oz. canned salmon • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 1 egg • ½ cup whole grain flour • 1 ½ teaspoons lemon juice • Salt & pepper to taste • 3 cups butter • ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs

 Blend first six ingredients in a bowl and shape into patties.  Coat both sides evenly with cornmeal.  Fry patties in melted butter on medium until brown (5 minutes per side).

Keep fish from sticking AND give it extra flavor by grilling it between two large slices of onion. Little to no oil is needed so you’ll save calories and fat. And be sure to preheat your grill for faster, more even cooking (15 minutes for gas and 30 for charcoal).

By Anja Springthorpe

Cortisol regulates blood sugar, metabolism, inflammation, cognitive function, hormone balance and immune function.

Grounding, also called earthing, relates to direct skin contact with the Earth’s surface. Connecting bare feet or the palms to the ground exposes the body to subtle electrical currents emitted from the surface.

This practice has been associated with health benefits for centuries. In fact, research conducted by Polish neuroscientists found that grounding to the Earth’s electrical currents equalizes the electrical charge of the body. This equalizing is proposed to yield the beneficial effects for our well-being.

The Journal of Inflammation Research published a review of contemporary studies on grounding in regards to inflammation, immune response, wound healing, pain as well as auto-immune diseases. Across all studies, grounding improved well-being, reduced pain and increased recovery time after illness or injury.

Receiving Earth’s electrical charge appears to increase white blood cells and cytokines, both essential for immune as well as inflammatory processes. A well-balanced immune system is better equipped to resolve inflammation, the main culprit for many diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancers, skin conditions, depression or heart disease for example. In fact, the authors of this review concluded that earthing is a “natural, and accessible health strategy against chronic inflammation.”

Another noteworthy finding is the effect of grounding on the diurnal rhythm, a complex hormonal cycle synchronized with day and night. Lifestyle, sleeping patterns or sustained stress can influence the diurnal cycle. Specifically, the production of cortisol can be significantly impacted by these external factors. Cortisol is not just our main stress hormone, but it is also involved in a number of essential functions.

Cortisol regulates blood sugar, metabolism, inflammation, cognitive function, hormone balance and immune function. An imbalance in cortisol levels can impact our health considerably. A study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found that grounding normalized diurnal rhythms as well as balanced cortisol levels within eight weeks. Participants of this study reported improved well-being, better sleep and reduced perceived stress.

Modern lifestyles provide little opportunity to connect to the Earth’s surface. Unless at the beach, we are often reluctant to walk barefoot. Considering the ever-growing body of research on grounding, we ought to rethink our habits. Kicking off those shoes and reconnecting with Earth on a daily basis can increase health, longevity, well-being and overall happiness.

There are so many things to like about the fashions coming from New York Fashion Week this year. Designers are bringing back that retro vibe with appliqué on everything from jeans to t-shirts paired with skinny jeans, jeweled slides and Audrey Hepburn sunglasses. Some of our favorites include chiffon fabrics and pom pom earrings. The trend combines day-wear and night-wear to an all day stylish work-wear. Leave the suit at home and take your new style to work.

Sunglasses of all shapes, that could have made it backstage at a Beatles performance, are paired with hats from floppy straw hats to berets. Anything goes as long as it’s a statement maker. You don’t have to be 20 to like this year’s spring fashions. Statement accessories can be incorporated to any wardrobe regardless of your age.

VERY VANILLAVEGAN

CUPCAKES

By Ilene Godofsky Moreno

Wasn’t it just the most exciting thing ever when someone would bring cupcakes to school on their birthday? This recipe is a throwback to the vanilla-on-vanilla childhood birthday fun.

 Ingredients VEGAN “BUTTERMILK” ® 1 cup nondairy milk ® 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

DRY ® 2 cups spelt flour ® 1 cup coconut sugar ® 1½ teaspoons baking powder ® ½ teaspoon baking soda ® ¼ teaspoon salt

WET ® ½ cup vegan butter or coconut oil, melted ® 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

VANILLA FROSTING ® 3 cups powdered sugar ® 1 cup vegan butter ® 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ® Splash of nondairy milk, as needed to blend

TOPPING Vegan sprinkles Total time: 55 minutes Active time: 15 minutes Makes: 12 cupcakes

 Directions  Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Grease a muffin tin or line it with baking cups.  In a small bowl, stir the nondairy milk and apple cider vinegar together to create vegan “buttermilk.” Let the mixture sit for at least 10 minutes.  In a large bowl, whisk the dry ingredients together.  Stir the wet ingredients into the small bowl with the “buttermilk” mixture. Transfer the contents of the small bowl to the large bowl, and mix until the wet and dry ingredients are smooth.  Spoon the batter into the muffin wells, until each is about three-quarters full. Bake for 25 minutes, until lightly golden.  While the cupcakes bake, prepare the vanilla frosting by combining all the frosting ingredients together in a blender or in a bowl with an electric mixer.  Remove the cupcakes from the oven and transfer them to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely, then top them with the frosting and sprinkles and serve or store in an airtight container.