This week, we are highlighting our bake-at-home carrot cupcake mix. Baking at home is a great way to experience our decadent recipes from the comfort of your own home! Best part is, that we ship nationwide - so if you aren’t a Philly local, we got you. In these bake-at-home highlights, we bring you into the world of health through plants. Each ingredient we use in our recipes is carefully selected by a team of professionals who have your health and (and taste buds) in mind. We want you to experience the tastiest gluten-free, vegan foods through simple and easy recipes for a quick enjoyable meal.
Health Benefits of Our Organic Carrot Cupcake Mix
Carrots
The color differences in a carrot’s genotype play a very important role:
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Orange - carries high contents of alpha and beta carotene which contain antioxidants that fight against oxidative stress and act as protection against certain cancers.
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Yellow - has high levels of lutein. Lutein and its isomer, zeaxanthin are carotenoids that pass through the retinal barrier and form the macula in the eye. The macula heightens one’s eyesight via its light-filtering properties. Luteins are also quite powerful antioxidants and help to defend the eyes from diseases.
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Red - contains high levels of lycopene which is heart-healthy, acts as an antioxidant, and provides sun protection.
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Purple - anthocyanins, found in the root of purple carrots have cancer risk reduction properties.
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Black - phenolic compounds in black carrots have strong antioxidants resulting in anti-inflammatory, anti proliferative, and anti-aging benefits. These compounds contribute to the maintenance of regular cholesterol and blood glucose levels, as well as to the normal nervous system functions.
Oat Flour
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Fiber - The dietary fiber within oats, especially the soluble beta-glucans are one of the grain’s best features. Fiber is lacking in most Americans’ diets (approximately 95% of us) so oats are a great way to add this form of fiber into the rotation via flour.
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Heart Health - Oats have been known to reduce blood cholesterol levels, regulate blood pressure, and balance the gut microbiota through the essential mineral, potassium. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved a health claim in 1997 that the soluble fiber from oat products can help to reduce heart disease. Attention was also given to the benefits of oat intake on blood glucose levels.
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Type 2 Diabetes prevention - Type 2 diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease, results from resistance to insulin and is the most common form we see among the population. Oats have also shown promising effects on diabetes. Diabetes affects a reported 422 million people worldwide while 1.6 million deaths are associated with this disease each year. Type 2 diabetes is not only preventable but reversible. Diabetes can be prevented and reversed with the proper steps of a healthy, plant-based, nutrient-rich diet. As stated earlier, foods like oats can help manage blood glucose levels which can be a crucial part of the prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes.
Coconut Milk / Coconut Sugar
Coconut milk is known to show strong antioxidant activity in the body. Coconut milk can also assist in the maintenance of healthy skin due to these antioxidants and essential amino acids. Coconuts contain medium-chain fatty acids which are more easily digested compared to long chains. Medium chains are also smaller in size which aids a higher cell permeability for immediate energy conversion instead of being stored as fat. There is a lot of medical research on the benefits of coconuts relating to cardiovascular health, however, Alzheimer’s Disease is said to be positively impacted by the consumption of coconuts as well. Coconut sugar has gained recent popularity as a healthier replacement for cane or unnatural varieties. It contains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants as well as is high in vitamin C and potassium.
What you need in addition to the dry goods provided (we recommend organic ingredients)
5 Tbsp + 1 tsp (37.5g) Spring/Filtered water (for flax egg) 1 cup (112 g) organic carrots, shredded 3/4 cup (167 g) organic coconut milk (do not substitute with another plant milk) 3/4 cup (184 g) organic apple sauce 1/3 cup (65 g) organic extra-virgin cold-pressed olive oil 1/2 teaspoon (6 g) organic apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon (6 g) organic Vanilla extract 12 cupcake liners
Cites:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6770766/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32328243/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8229445/#B1-foods-10-01304
