Beyond Meat Bolognese

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Bolognese sauce, or ragù alla bolognesein Italian, refers to a tomato-based meat sauce and originated in Bologna, Italy. Traditionally, this sauce is made with ground or chopped pork and beef. I set out to make a delicious vegan version this recipe, and the Beyond Meat hamburger was the perfect solution.

Spaghetti and meat sauce is another classic dish that most American kids grew up eating. It’s one of my favorite comfort foods because it’s so versatile and hearty enough to feed a crowd. The best sauces are those that are made from scratch with fresh ingredients.

This sauce freezes well, so feel free to make a double batch and set some aside for another day. This recipe also makes enough for leftovers, and you can use the remaining sauce for Nextover Bolognese Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joes.

The Secret to Epic Tomato Sauce

If you scan through the ingredients here, you may notice something seemingly out of place. Lemon juice and zest in pasta sauce? Yes. Trust me, this is a chef’s “secret” trick that finishes the sauce and takes it to that next level. A squeeze of lemon brings out the acidity of the tomatoes while enhancing the flavor of the noodles, making the entire dish more savory and delicious. Give it a try and you’ll never go back!

Another trick for great meat Bolognese is to add just a tad of creaminess to the sauce. The vegan sour cream and almond milk in this recipe give just the right amount of richness to pull the dish together without making it too creamy.

Beyond Meat Bolognese

Make it a Meal

Delicious gooey Mozzarella Sticks go great with this Spaghetti and Beyond Meat Bolognese!

Vanilla Chai Exfoliating Cubes

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Sugar scrubs are such a quick, simple way to exfoliate and freshen the skin. This recipe combines moisturizing oils, cleansing natural soap, and fragrant essential oils to leave skin silky smooth. I love the handy little cubes that are just the right size to quickly clean and exfoliate hands, legs, or other areas. These vanilla chai exfoliating cubes are simple, handy, and even make great gifts.

About the Ingredients

Shea butter is an emollient that helps skin retain moisture. It also contains vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps keep skin looking young and healthy. I use vitamin E oil in so many of my DIY recipes for skin because it is high in antioxidants that decrease the appearance of scars, stretch marks, cuts, and other blemishes. Coconut oil is an emollient, which is a moisturizer that helps keep the skin moist and protected by trapping moisture in the skin. It is also antimicrobial, so it is great for cleansing hands and other areas in this scrub.

The vanilla and essential oils give these little cubes a delicious aroma. Plus the oils are great for cleansing and protecting hands and skin.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Using a kitchen scale, weigh soap base in a medium pot. Tare your scale and weigh shea butter into the same pot. Warm gently over low heat to melt the soap and shea butter, while stirring constantly.
  2. Once melted, remove from heat and add coconut oil and vitamin E oil. Stir to melt coconut oil.
  3. Add essential oils.
  4. Stir in sugar. The mixture will be loose, but it will harden as it cools.
  5. Scoop mixture into silicone mold and smooth the tops the molds.
  6. Allow to cool and solidify for at least 2 hours at room temperature or for about and hour in the refrigerator before popping out of the molds.
  7. Store cubes in a jar with a lid in a cool place. (They will melt if they get too warm.)
Vanilla Chai Sugar Scrub Cube

To Use

Simply smush one or two of these Vanilla Chai Exfoliating Cubes in wet hands and slather and scrub over desired area with a small amount of water.

Because some of the essential oils in this recipe are hot, I do not recommend it for using on the face or on small children.

Want to learn more about carrier oils and which ones are best for your DIY projects? Check out this Guide to Choosing the Best Carrier Oil.

For another fall favorite DIY, check out this Pumpkin Mask.

Chia Breakfast Pudding

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Chia pudding is such a quick and easy way to prepare breakfast and is a hit with the family. You make it the night before, it lasts in the refrigerator for a week, and you can add a wide variety of flavors. I like to store it in small mason jars when I need breakfast on the go. This recipe can be multiplied in any quantity desired for leftovers or to feed a crowd.

The Chia Seed: tiny but mighty

Chia seeds are like teeny tiny powerhouses that your body LOVES. First of all, they are a huge source of Omega-3s. Omega-3 fatty acids provide neuroprotective effects in the retina, including modulation of metabolic processes affecting oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascularization. They also help relieve dry eyes by increasing the production of tears.

Chia seeds are also calcium rich, as well as full of healthy lipids and carbohydrates. Additionally, they have a higher fiber content than dried fruits, cereals, and nuts, making you feel fuller longer. Not to mention the many great vitamins and other minerals (phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium to name a few) contained in this little seed.

Research is even being done on the chia mucilage and all of the benefits this seemingly insignificant part of the seed brings on it’s own.

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Looking for more satisfying vegan breakfast ideas? Check out Steel Cut Oats and Caramelized Bananas!

Refreshing Virgin Watermelon Margaritas

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Who Doesn’t Want Some Watermelon Margaritas?

No springtime gathering is quite complete without a refreshing mocktail! So spice up your Cinco de Mayo celebration with a batch or two of Virgin Watermelon Margaritas. Delicious AND healthy!

Watermelon

One thing I love about this margarita is how fun and bright it is. Ever wonder where watermelons get their vibrant color? The bright red pigment actually comes from an antioxidant called lycopene. Lycopene has been shown to reduce the risk of cancers in many organs as well as having affects against other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, to name a couple.

Additionally, watermelon contains L-citrulline which is an amino acid that encourages the production of nitric oxide in the body. Nearly every type of cell in the human body produces nitric oxide and it is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health. It’s a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of your blood vessels, causing the vessels to widen. In this way, nitric oxide increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

Check out this post about the Health Benefits of Limes! And this one for information on citrus essential oils for more info on your lime essential oil!

Love Mocktail Recipes?

Try this delicious Ginger Lime Mocktail recipe!