Coffee Additives for Health & Wellness

For many, coffee is more than a drink—it's a daily ritual. By adding healthy ingredients, you can transform this ritual into a mindful wellness practice that nurtures both body and mind. It also allows for creativity and experimentation with flavors and health benefits.  Just like at Rasberrys Catering & Bistro we add veggies to everything, make your coffee an enjoyable part of your balanced lifestyle.

Here are some great options and their health benefits:

1. Cinnamon

• Benefits: Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help regulate blood sugar levels and improve heart health.

2. Coconut Oil or MCT Oil

• Benefits: These oils are a good source of healthy fats that can boost energy, support brain function, and promote a feeling of fullness. MCT oil, in particular, is often used in ketogenic diets.

3. Cocoa Powder

• Benefits: Cocoa is high in antioxidants and can improve mood by boosting serotonin levels. It also adds a rich, chocolaty flavor without added sugars.

4. Collagen Powder

• Benefits: Collagen is known for supporting joint health, skin elasticity, and gut health. It's a protein source that dissolves easily in hot liquids.

5. Turmeric

• Benefits: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties due to its active compound, curcumin. It can support digestion and boost immunity.

6. Vanilla Extract

• Benefits: Pure vanilla extract can provide antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits while adding a naturally sweet flavor.

7. Ginger

• Benefits: Ginger is great for digestion and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It can also boost metabolism and reduce muscle pain.

8. Adaptogens (e.g., Ashwagandha, Reishi Mushroom Powder)

• Benefits: Adaptogens help the body manage stress and support overall wellness. Ashwagandha can reduce anxiety, while reishi mushrooms support the immune system.

9. Honey or Maple Syrup

• Benefits: These natural sweeteners provide vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, unlike refined sugar. They also add a touch of natural sweetness to your coffee.

10. Plant-Based Milk (e.g., Almond, Oat, Coconut)

• Benefits: These alternatives can add creaminess and flavor while providing vitamins and minerals, depending on the type you choose.

These healthy coffee additives can transform your morning brew into a nutrient-packed drink that supports your overall well-being!

How to Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables for Winter Storage

As the vibrant colors of summer fade into the crisp air of fall, many of us at Raspberrys Catering and Bistro in Ketchum, Idaho, are thinking about how to preserve the best of the season's produce for the colder months ahead. One of the most efficient and delicious ways to do this is by dehydrating fruits and vegetables. It's an easy process that can extend the life of fresh produce, lock in nutrients, and provide you with tasty ingredients to use in winter recipes.

Why Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables?

Dehydration is a centuries-old preservation technique that removes moisture from food, preventing spoilage. Here’s why it’s great:

• Locks in Nutrients: Dehydrated fruits and veggies retain most of their vitamins and minerals.

• Versatility: Dehydrated produce can be used in soups, stews, sauces, snacks, and baked goods all winter long.

• Shelf-Stable: Once dehydrated, these foods take up less space, don’t require refrigeration, and can last for months.

• Reduces Waste: You can dehydrate fruits and veggies that might otherwise go bad before you can use them fresh.

How to Dehydrate Fruits and Vegetables

1. Preparation

Before dehydration, wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly. For vegetables, blanching (boiling briefly and then plunging into ice water) helps preserve color and nutrients during drying. Fruits can be sliced, peeled, or cored depending on your preferences.

Some great fruits and veggies to dehydrate include:

• Fruits: Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, berries, and citrus.

• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, carrots, and leafy greens like kale.

2. Slicing

Uniform slices ensure even drying. For most fruits and veggies, aim for slices about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Thicker slices take longer to dehydrate, while thinner slices may dry too quickly.

3. Dehydrating Methods

• Dehydrator: The most efficient way to dehydrate food. Set your dehydrator to 125-135°F and dry until fruits or vegetables feel leathery or crispy.

• Oven: If you don’t have a dehydrator, an oven set to its lowest temperature will work. Place food on a baking sheet lined with parchment and check regularly.

• Sun Drying: In dry, warm climates, you can sun-dry fruits like tomatoes, but it requires 4-5 days of good weather and a proper setup to avoid insects.

4. Storing Dehydrated Produce

After dehydrating, allow the produce to cool completely before storing. Place the dried fruits or vegetables in airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags to keep out moisture. Store them in a cool, dark place to maximize their shelf life, which can range from six months to a year.

Winter Uses for Dehydrated Produce

• Homemade Soups and Stews: Add dehydrated carrots, zucchini, and tomatoes directly into broths and soups. They will rehydrate as they cook.

• Trail Mixes and Snacks: Dried fruits like apples, pears, and berries make a delicious, healthy snack or addition to granola and trail mix.

• Smoothies: Rehydrate dried fruits in water or juice, then blend them into smoothies for a burst of flavor and nutrition.

• Baked Goods: Dried fruits, especially apples and peaches, work wonderfully in breads, muffins, and cakes.

• Herbal Teas: Dried fruits and vegetables like citrus peels and herbs can be mixed to create comforting teas during the cold winter months.

At Raspberrys, we love incorporating seasonal ingredients into our dishes, and dehydrating allows us to do that even when fresh produce isn’t available. So, try dehydrating some of your favorite fruits and veggies this fall—you’ll thank yourself when you’re enjoying them in hearty winter meals!

Zero Proof for Summer Skin

Fresh fruits and veggies are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that soothe inflammation and clear pores. Antioxidants reduce free radical damage in all areas of the body and help skin look smoother and younger. Vitamins A, C, and E boost skin health, elasticity, and luminosity. And an extra dose of hydration keeps everything glowing and supple.

Mix and match fresh ingredients or add in other antioxidant-rich superfoods to make your own elixirs. When it comes to achieving smooth, radiant skin from natural food nutrients, the flavor combinations are endless.

Plus, natural products such as certain vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients may even help boost your skin’s inherent SPF. But that doesn’t mean you should ditch the sunscreen! Just rest easy knowing that your skin won't parch under the harsh summer sun.

Spicy ACV Lemonade

Raw apple cider vinegar has long been a skin-clearing staple. Like other fermented foods, ACV contains probiotics that work to keep your gut and digestive system healthy. It’s also believed to support the liver function and flush toxins from the body.

And lemon juice is loaded with vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that decreases inflammation. That’s a one-two punch for your skin.

Recipe:

• 2 cups water

• 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

• pinch cayenne pepper

• 1 teaspoon honey

• ½ lemon juiced

Instructions: Combine everything in a glass, stir, and drink

Watermelon Lime Spritzer

The miracle ingredient in this skin-clearing elixir is lycopene, a phytonutrient found in bright red fruits like watermelon. Lycopene has long been used in acne products because it helps reduce free radicals, soothes inflammation, and provides protection from environmental toxins that can cause breakouts.

Watermelon is also loaded with vitamin A, which encourages collagen and elastin regeneration, so your skin looks youthful and supple.

Recipe:

• 1.5 cups watermelon

• ½ lime juiced

• 2 slices lime

• 7 leaves mint

• 3 cups water

Instructions: Combine everything in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain out the solids, and enjoy the juice over ice with extra mint leaves for garnish.

Raspberry Aloe Water

Raspberries are anti-inflammatory powerhouses, thanks to flavonoids known as anthocyanins. They slow the signs of aging and reduce inflammation throughout the entire body—even in your skin.

Rich in fiber, they also improve digestion and encourage the body to expel toxins. A teaspoon of beetroot powder adds blood-boosting vitamins like iron and zinc and helps improve circulation. And hydrating, healing aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins that help protect and repair your skin.

Recipe:

• 1/4 cup raspberries fresh

• ½ teaspoon beetroot powder

• 2 cups coconut water

• 2 leaves aloe vera

Instructions: 1. Combine the raspberries and beetroot powder in a glass. Use a muddler to mash the berries and incorporate the beetroot powder. 2. Add the coconut water, then place the aloe leaves in the glass cut side down, so some of the juice runs into the glass. Either strain out the berries before drinking, or eat them for added beauty-boosting benefits.