The Real Difference Between Canned, Fresh, & Frozen Veggies

You already know that eating vegetables is essential for your health, but which section of the store do you get them from? Vegetables come fresh, frozen, and canned, and many people wonder what the difference is between them. After all, aren’t they all vegetables? 

Here’s what you should know about each. 

Canned Vegetables 

Canned vegetables tend to be more processed. While these are handy to keep around, especially during the seasons of the year where storms can keep you in the dark, they can lack in nutrition over the other fresh or frozen choices. They also tend to have gobs more sodium than fresh and frozen varieties. With canned vegetables, try to find options without added sodium to make a healthier choice, if you choose canned vegetables. 

Fresh Vegetables  

Fresh veggies are indeed a prime choice, but not always -- they can lose a lot of their nutrients before they’re consumed. Sometimes it takes up to two weeks for them to get to your table from the time they’re picked. In this time frame, they can lose up to 50% of their nutrients.  

To keep their nutrient powers intact, cook them for shorter times and at lower temperatures. Make sure you use very little water to keep vitamin C and B vitamins from disappearing too. Steaming is a much better option than boiling, though if you must boil your veggies, add them after the water begins to boil.  

One of the best ways to get the most nutrients from your fresh vegetables though is buying them locally and while they’re in season. Make use of the freshest vegetables available to you for the best taste and most nutrition.  

Frozen Vegetables 

Interestingly, frozen veggies tend to retain the highest proportion of nutrients. They’re usually frozen right after harvesting to keep them fresh. But beware, they may be processed with additives like extra salt or sauces. Always read the labels to see what you’re getting, and look for brands that keep things as natural as possible. 

You can freeze your fresh vegetables from the farmers market, too. This will ensure nothing goes to waste and that you can enjoy them without losing vital nutrients.  

When it comes to vegetables, the bottom line is that getting them onto your plate is most important. If canned is the only option you have in your house while making dinner, it’s better to eat it than to skip a serving of vegetables.  

In my house, we tend to use fresh most often.  I have Hungry Harvest deliver "rescued" vegetables to my house each week. You can check them out here.

So, do you reach for the canned, fresh, or frozen veggies?  Hit reply and let me know what it's like in your house. 

Ingredients from your Kitchen to Use as Skincare

Countless top-of-the-line skincare products line the shelves at your favorite stores -- and most come with a price tag that will make your heart skip a beat.  Taking care of your skin is of utmost importance, especially with each passing year as your skin naturally ages.   

First things first -- what you put inside of your body daily helps regenerate your skin cells and give you that healthy-looking, glowing skin.  Healthy from the inside out is a real thing -- so being mindful of eating whole fruits and vegetables regularly is essential. 

Did you know there are numerous "foods" you can use as natural skincare, too? You likely already have these things lying around your kitchen -- so give them a shot. 

1. Coconut Oil 

One of the most versatile ingredients by far is coconut oil. It is incredible for delivering intensive hydration to dry skin. Plus, if you have stubborn makeup, it will take it off without you having to rub and scrub.  

2. Coffee Grounds 

Can’t live without your morning cup of coffee? Before you toss those coffee grounds, set them aside to use as an energizing scrub for your skin. And guess what? It blends perfectly with that coconut oil for a fantastic moisturizing exfoliant that rids you of dull skin cells and smooths out skin with softness. 

3. Avocados 

If you love eating avocados, set aside a little bit each time you make your avocado toast to put on your skin. Even just rubbing the bits that get onto your hands leaves your hands feeling soft and moisturized. Mashing a banana in with avocado and drizzling with olive oil makes a fantastic, hydrating face mask that you'll absolutely love. 

4. Greek Yogurt 

Because it contains lactic acid, Greek yogurt is ideal for smoothing away the signs of aging. You can plump up your skin naturally just by slathering it on your skin and letting it sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. The probiotics in it also work to soothe skin, leaving you with a great complexion after you’ve washed it away. 

5. Green Tea 

Brew up some green tea. After pouring your cup, let the rest cool and put it in a clean, clear spray bottle. Stash it in the fridge for a toner brimming with natural antioxidants to fight the signs of aging and refresh your skin. You can also apply it with cotton pads for more beautiful skin every day. 

6. Raw Organic Honey 

Honey in its purest form is antibacterial and soothing. It helps calm irritated, red skin, plus it can clear up scars and encourage skin regeneration. You’ll have a more refined appearance just by smoothing honey onto your skin.  

7. Cucumbers 

Rich with ascorbic acid, cucumbers have long been known as a natural way to depuff the under-eye area. Puree the juices from your cucumbers to use as a tonic, and you’ll have soothed, calmed skin you’ll love to show off. 

With ingredients like these in your kitchen, you'll have several ways to pamper your skin at your fingertips. 

Have a favorite? Head over to our Facebook page or Instagram (@Alignmentstudio) and let us know!

5 Ways to Liven Up Leftovers that Make You Actually Excited to Eat Them

You had the best intentions of using up those leftovers from the weekend.  At first, your Meal Prep Sunday seemed like a dream idea. You'd prep food for the week, have it all stored and ready, and you'd have a home cooked meal every day without much effort. But by day #3 of it, your family is giving you the side-eye, and you can no longer bear to eat the same dish again. 

I feel you. It happens to us all. We all want to make use of our leftovers, but we get bored, and food goes to waste instead. Instead of forcing yourself--and your family--to eat the same things day in and day out, try these leftover tips that will help you liven things up and reignite the spark that makes you excited to dig in.   

1. Add avocado 

Leftover brown rice and sautéed veggies? Eh. Leftover brown rice and sautéed veggies with fresh avocado? Now you’re talking! Drizzle on some sriracha too for a spicy hit and facelift on your leftovers. 

2. Add some crunch 

Sometimes, we just need more texture to make things interesting. Adding a crunch to your meal can spice it up quite a bit. Try adding it to your leftovers any way that makes sense. Look in your pantry for walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almond slivers, or anything else that might add a crunch along with a nice dose of healthy fats that are good for you, too. I even love having crispy onions or crispy jalapeños atop a salad when I want something different. 

3. Top on some greens 

Or even layer them below. Sometimes that leftover shrimp tastes excellent warmed up over a bed of fresh kale, spinach, or lettuce. Or you can make some quick brown rice or zucchini noodles and mix it all together to create a new dish that tastes like takeout without the cost (or the heaps of calories).  

4. Reheat it on the stove 

A fresh re-preparation tends to bridge the gap of meh to marvelous, doesn’t it?  The microwave can zap the freshness right out of your food, so skip the microwave when warming up leftovers. Toss your items in a pan and sauté it fresh with a teaspoon of olive oil. Add some new, fresh herbs and spices, and you'll have to remind yourself that you're eating leftovers. 

5. Try a new condiment 

Salsa and sriracha can each help dress up leftovers. If your refrigerator looks anything like mine, your shelves are lined with different condiments and sauces to choose from. Experiment with them to create new dishes by adding a few drops of different flavor. It can make all the difference and completely change the taste of your meal. 

Give these a try and see if you’re making better use of your leftovers. Remember to freeze big meals so you can pull them out another time to make on a busy night. You’ll appreciate them better when you do! 

So, spill the beans. Are you a leftovers person or do you struggle with eating the same meal twice?  Head over the Facebook page to let us know!