Food & Drinks

Often used by tired students and third shift workers, energy drinks are popular energy-boosting beverages. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, energy drinks are the second most popular supplement American adolescents use.

However, some energy drinks have the potential to affect the nervous and cardiovascular systems detrimentally. Here are five healthy energy drinks to get you through the day.

What Are Energy Drinks?

Advertised for their ability to boost energy and mental awareness, energy drinks are beverages generally packed with sugars, caffeine, additives, and legal stimulants like taurine, L-carnitine, or guarana.

While these legal stimulants improve energy levels, attention, and alertness, they also raise the drinker’s heart rate and blood pressure. Many energy drinks are available on the market, coming in sizes ranging from 2 oz energy shots to 16 oz bottles.

Are Energy Drinks Healthy?

Most energy drinks have a slew of side effects and risks, often exacerbated by unhealthy practices like ingestion in combination with marijuana, alcohol, certain medications, or caffeine overdose from general regular overconsumption.

However, several new energy drinks on the market contain tea-based formulas, natural fruit flavorings, B vitamins, no added sugars or artificial sweeteners, cold-pressed vegetables, and even brain-benefiting adaptogens.

While none are as healthy as energy-boosting activities like power walks, these new beverages are promising alternatives to popular energy drinks such as Red Bull and Monster.

The Pros of Energy Drinks

The primary benefit of energy drinks is reducing fatigue while increasing mental functions such as concentration and alertness. Most of this comes from caffeine delivery that works faster than that found in soda or coffee. Scientific studies have even proven Red Bull’s effectiveness in decreasing drowsiness during driving.

Some energy drinks include additional beneficial supplements such as B vitamins while offering a wide variety of flavors at a more affordable price than most popular coffee retailers.

The Cons of Energy Drinks

Despite their benefits, energy drinks often pack quite a few health risks, mainly heart issues such as rhythm irregularities, heart attacks, dehydration, anxiety, increases in heart rate and blood pressure, and caffeine-related problems like migraines and jitters.

In rare cases of overconsumption, caffeine-sensitive individuals may suffer from caffeine overdose, experiencing symptoms including dizziness, anxiety, vomiting, nausea, and hallucinations.

Due to high sugar content and acidity, most energy drinks also raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, tooth enamel damage, and weight gain. Further, regular energy drink consumption may interfere with healthy sleep patterns causing insomnia.

5 Healthy Energy Drinks

While 5 hour Energy and Monster, for example, give energy drinks a bad reputation, there are promising healthier energy drinks emerging on the market. These drinks tend to have more natural ingredients and low sugar content.

Some even contain additives to include additional beneficial vitamins and minerals. Below are arguably some of the healthiest energy drinks on the market.

1) Nuun Energy

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The first on our list is Nuun Energy which, unlike the other drinks discussed, comes in a tablet form that quickly dissolves into a glass of water. Nuun Energy utilizes a minimal mix of natural ingredients, such as vitamins, stevia leaf extract, organic beet powder, but still delivers high energy results.

Better yet, Nuun Energy employs organic ginseng extract for its caffeine content and only contains 2g of added sugars.

2) EBOOST Super Fuel

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Another exceptional energy drink option, EBOOST Super Fuel, raises energy levels with 110 mg of natural caffeine obtained from natural plant-based sources. It also contains cognitive-function boosting nootropics and hydrating electrolytes alongside a mix of fundamental minerals and vitamins.

EBOOST Super Fuel is available in three flavors: Strawberry Lemonade, Ginger Lime, and Orange Mango.

3) V8+ Energy

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V8+ Energy is green tea infused with a natural caffeine content similar to the amount of synthetic caffeine found in a Red Bull. Full of B vitamins necessary for healthy cell functioning and nerves, this beverage packs a lot of punch for less than 60 calories.

Moreover, V8+ Energy has no added sugars or GMO products but rather a whole serving of flavor-enhancing vegetables and fruits.

4) METTA Natural Awareness Beverage

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Next on our list is METTA Natural Awareness Beverage, which has zero caffeine content, perfect for caffeine-sensitive individuals. Rather than caffeine, natural herbs such as ginseng and rhodiola are implemented to help with mental functioning, stamina, and immunity as a means of increasing energy levels.

METTA Natural Awareness Beverage offers a fruity flavor with blueberries, lemon, and ginger extracts. It is also an excellent match for those suffering from allergies as it is gluten-free.

5) RUNA Energy Drinks

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Brewed with organic guayusa tea, RUNA Energy Drinks use these tea leaves as a natural source of caffeine. Each 12 oz can contains 150 mg of caffeine, and although it is less stimulating than synthetic caffeine, it has beneficial antioxidants.

RUNA Energy Drinks are available in many flavors, such as watermelon, blood orange, lime, pomegranate, berry, mango, pineapple, mint, and strawberry.

How to Pick the Best Energy Drink For You

With so many energy drinks on the market, many promoting misleading marketing campaigns, it can be pretty challenging to determine which energy drink is best suited for you. Luckily, you can check a few ingredient “red flags” when searching for the perfect option.

To begin, check the caffeine amount is less than 300mg and that the caffeine source is naturally occurring rather than synthetic.

Further, avoid artificial ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, artificial colorings, and artificial preservatives. It’s best to avoid those with added sugars as they can spike blood sugar levels, causing you to crash later in the day.

Unlike in the past when there was only a handful of known brands of cheese, today the market is awash with all kinds of cheese, most of which claim to be vegan. The number of recipes calling for vegetarian cheese has also grown exponentially.

Therefore, knowing the best types of vegetarian cheese that taste real will make your shopping easy. This article offers you the eight best types of vegan cheese that taste like the real thing.

What Is Vegetarian Cheese?

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Vegetarian cheese is a type of non-dairy, plant-based cheese, ranging from soft cheese to old and cultured hard cheese that can be grated. The main characteristic of vegetarian cheese is the fact that it doesn’t contain animal products. The most common types of vegan cheese are normally derived from vegetable components, including proteins, fat, and milk.

However, many other types of vegan cheese are made with components derived from seeds like sesame and sunflower, and nuts, such as cashew nuts, pine nuts, almonds, and peanuts. Other common sources of vegetarian cheese include soybeans, coconut oil, tapioca, potatoes, spices, nutritional yeast, rice, among others.

It is widely claimed that vegan cheese was invented in China in the 16th century using fermented tofu and whole soy. As time went by, people started making their homemade vegetarian cheese from soy flour, yeast extract, and margarine. Hard margarine produces hard, sliceable vegetarian cheese, while softer margarine produces soft, spreadable cheese.

Vegan cheese became commercially available in the 1970s and 1980s. However, the initial product had low quality than dairy cheese, with a waxy, pallid, or plastic-like feel. A few decades ago, the only available brand of vegetarian cheese in the United States was Soymage.

But since then more brands have continued to emerge, with some manufacturers even diversifying their vegan cheeses.

For instance, soy-free vegan cheeses are now available. According to market research performed in 2018, the market for vegetarian cheese has grown on a global scale, with Europe taking the largest market share of about 43 percent, followed by the US, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa.

Experts estimate that the global market for vegan cheese will attain a market value of about $3.9 billion by 2025, up from $2.1 billion in 2016.

Is Any Cheese Vegetarian?

While some types of cheese can be absolutely vegan, most of them technically aren’t. It all depends on whether the product contains the sneaky animal-derived enzyme known as rennet. Originally, rennet was used to coagulate and solidify different types of cheese.

So, some unscrupulous cheese manufacturers will use this enzyme to solidify their plant-based cheese and label it as absolutely vegan.

In short, any type of cheese containing rennet or any other animal enzyme used for coagulation – separating milk into solid curds – is not vegan. This enzyme is obtained from the stomach of a ruminant animal like a cow or goat.

Therefore, you need to be careful when buying your vegetarian cheese to ensure that it doesn’t contain rennet. Most cheese manufacturers indicate one of these phrases on their product labels, especially if the products contain rennet: “animal enzymes”, “rennet”, or “enzymes”.

What’s the Difference Between Cheese and Vegetarian Cheese?

As mentioned above, real cheese comes from animal milk, including cow, goat, and sheep milk. To obtain this type of cheese, you have to separate the curds (solids) in the milk from the liquid element (whey). In most cases, acids or enzymes such as rennet are added to the milk to form curds.

The curds are then taken through several other processes, depending on the type of cheese being prepared. Vegetarian cheese, on the other, comes from plants, including vegetables, seeds, and nuts. So, the main difference between vegetarian cheese and other types of cheese is the type of rennin used to form the curds.

In other words, animal rennet is obtained from animals, and any cheese made using this type of rennet is not vegetarian. So, only cheeses that are made using rennet obtained from plants should be referred to as vegetarian.

8 Kinds of Cheese for Vegetarians

1. Violife Shreds

Image source: Violifefoods.com

Shredded cheese from the Violife brand is one of the most popular vegan cheeses. It comes in three main varieties: cheddar, Colby Jack, and mozzarella. There isn’t any major difference in taste between these varieties. However, the mozzarella shreds are somewhat milder than the rest.

One of the main reasons why Violife shreds are so special is the fact that they do melt easily when sandwiched between hot layers of grilled steak, or when put on a pizza or flatbread and placed in the oven.

2. Moocho Foods Dairy-Free Shreds

Image source: Mochofoods.com

Mocho Foods is a spinoff brand of Tofurky company, which has been making the famous vegan holiday roast. Recently, the company decided to dip its toes into the production of plant-based cheese. Surprisingly, its cheese has quickly become a favorite in homes.

Its main selling point is the ability to melt when making a hot burger. Furthermore, these shreds are flavor-forward. While most other vegan cheeses taste like real cheese but in a nondescript way, Mocho Foods’ flavors are quite distinctive.

3. Daiya Plant-Based Cheese Shreds

Image source: Daiyafoods.com

Daiya shreds were launched in 2008, the same year when Daiya brand was established. These shreds, which are known to melt easily, were among the first upgrades to the traditional vegan cheese. Daiya mozzarella shreds are commonly found on the vegetarian option at typical pizzarias, and they are free of common allergens like tree nuts.

4. Follow Your Heart Slices

Image source: Followyourheart.com

These slices are the number one choice for making a classic grilled cheese or topping burgers. So, if you are in the mood for something unique, you should make a tomato grilled cheese with the salty smoked gouda from Follow Your Heart. Fortunately, these slices melt neatly to work even in Toastabags.

5. Field Roast Chao Slices

Image source: Fieldroast.com

If you want a slice of cheese to stack in a fully loaded sandwich, you should reach for a Chao slice. These slices come in spicy, smoldered, and original flavors. Although they do not melt as quickly as other vegan cheese slices, they are among the tastiest. These cheese slices are made from fermented tofu, which gives them a rich, creamy flavor.

6. Parmela Creamery Slices

Image source: Parmelacreamery.com

If you love sharp cheddar, then you should try the plant-based sharp cheddar slices from Parmela Creamery. These slices are gently fermented and are sharp enough to stand out from the brand’s mild cheddar slices. They are thicker and larger than many other vegan cheese brands. Their toughness makes them the main affair in a sandwich.

7. Kite Hill Dairy-Free Cream Cheese

Image source: Kite-hill.com

Kite Hill cream cheese is one of the most preferred vegan cream cheeses. It has a smoother consistency than its competitors, more like orthodox cream cheese. It’s perfect on bagels and for sweet applications, such as cream cheese topping for carrot cakes.

8. Miyoko’s Creamery Organic Cashew Milk Mozzarella

Image source: Miyokos.com

Miyoko’s Creamy cultured vegan mozzarella cheese is suitable for people who love to slice their own cheese. This type of vegan cheese was inspired by mozzarella di buffala, and it’s suitable for homemade pizza Margherita. It also tastes great in a vegan Caprese salad with ripe tomatoes and good, syrupy balsamic. Its texture is semi-elastic and the taste is buttery.

Common Vegetarian Cheese Recipes

If you are a vegetarian, there are many recipes that you can make with vegetarian cheese. The good thing about most of these types of cheese is that they taste like real cheese. Here are some of the common vegan cheese recipes you should try.

1. Herb Cashew Cream Cheese

Herb cashew cream cheese is one of the most preferred vegan cheese recipes today. The good thing about this cheese recipe is that it is very easy to make. It is also very creamy garlicky. You can make it with garlic, nutritional yeast, and other fresh herbs.

2. Vegan Blue Cheese

This vegan cheese, which tastes like real cheese, is made using traditional cheese-making techniques and simple ingredients, including cashews, coconut oil, nutritional yeast, and water. It is a creamy, sharp, and tough cheese that is perfect for Christmas celebrations.

3. Almond Feta

This is a salty and saline vegan cheese made with raw almonds and nutritional yeast. It can be crumbled over salads or melted in a variety of traditional dishes. Its flavor becomes stronger over time.

4. Nacho Cheese Dip

This type of vegan cheese is made using butter, all-purpose flour, chili powder, nutritional yeast, and salt. It is so tasty that you might not believe it is vegan.

5. Parmesan Cheese

Parmesan cheese is quite easy to make and very delicious. Furthermore, it can stay fresh for a long time and it’s cheaper to make than traditional parmesan cheese. You will also love the fact that it is gluten and dairy-free. You just need to have cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and sea salt.

Frequently Asked Question

Is Parmesan Cheese Vegetarian?

Although currently there are several recipes for vegan parmesan cheese, the traditional parmesan cheese is not vegetarian. It is also important to mention that cheeses from a specific region need to follow a regular recipe to be accepted as having particular names.

In this case, Parmigiano-Reggiano, or Parmesan cheese, should always use animal rennet. This means that it can’t be vegetarian.

In the world of baking, nothing is as sought-after and popular as a half sheet cake. These beauties are perfect for large gatherings, and they will satisfy everyone, regardless of their taste in sweets.

Stay tuned for an all-encompassing guide on the half sheet cake. From sizes to recipes, here is all that you need to know.

What Is a Half Sheet Cake?

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A half sheet cake is shaped in a rectangle and is usually served at parties with many attendees. The shape allows for seamless and efficient cutting and helps ensure all pieces are of equal sizes.

The most common half sheet cake flavors are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry. However, these cakes can be of any flavor you want and like, which is another thing that makes them so appealing.

These cakes can either have one or two layers. A two-layer cake will definitely feed more people, so that is something you should get for really large gatherings, such as office parties.

Most of the time, half sheet cakes are decorated with buttercream frosting. However, that is always up to your personal preference. In essence, you can decorate it in any way you like.

What Sizes Are There?

Half sheet cake sizes vary depending on where you get the cakes. Most bakeries offer a few sizes, ranging from 15 by 11 inches to 16 by 12 inches.

Things are a bit different when it comes to homemade cakes. Most homes do not have big ovens, so these cakes are seldom bigger than 14 by 9 inches.

Differences Between Full, Half, and Quarter Sheet Cake Sizes

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Apart from half, sheet cakes also come in quarter and full sizes. Full sheet cakes are rarely homemade, as they can be as big as 24 by 18 inches, and most home ovens are much smaller. These cakes can feed up to a hundred people, which makes them a great choice for large birthday parties, weddings, and similar gatherings.

Quarter sheet cakes are the smallest of the three. They usually don’t exceed 13 by 9 inches, and they can feed up to 24 people. They are usually homemade, often for lowkey birthday celebrations.

How Many People Does a Half Sheet Cake Feed?

Depending on the size you go for, a half sheet cake can feed from 18 to 40 people. If you opt for a double-layer cake, you will have more to work with. So, they are a good choice if you need a bigger cake but don’t want to get a full sheet one or don’t need as much.

How Much Does a Half Sheet Cake Cost?

The price of your cake will depend on several factors, including its size, flavor, decoration, and whether it has two layers or one. Most one-layer cakes cost around $40, while those with two layers don’t exceed $65.

Still, prices vary from bakery to bakery, so you should do a bit of research if you want to find some more affordable options.

Half Sheet Cake Recipes

Though you can always go out and buy a cake, there is a certain satisfaction in baking it yourself. What’s more, you get to make it exactly the way you want and use ingredients of your own choosing.

If you want to bake a half sheet cake and need some recipes to get started, read on. The sections that follow will teach you how to make two classics: the vanilla and chocolate half sheet cakes.

Chocolate Half Sheet Cake Recipe

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Here are the ingredients you will need for the cake:

• 2 c. flour

• 2 c. sugar

• ¼ tsp. salt

• 4 heaping tsp. cocoa

• 2 sticks butter

• 1 c. boiling water

• ½ c. buttermilk

• 2 whole beaten eggs

• 1 tsp. baking powder

• 1 tsp. vanilla

First off, take a saucepan and put the butter sticks in it to melt on medium heat. Once they are melted, add the cocoa and stir. Add the boiling water to the saucepan as well, and let it boil for around half a minute.

In a mixing bowl, combine your flour, sugar, and salt. Then, add the boiling butter and cocoa mixture, and stir lightly to cool it.

Take a measuring cup and measure out your buttermilk. Add the eggs, vanilla, and baking powder. Once everything has mixed well, add it to your mixing bowl. Stir everything together carefully. Do it by hand rather than with a mixer, as that will make the cake fluffier and more moist.

Pour everything into a baking pan and bake it at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes. Those twenty minutes should give you enough time to make your frosting.

As with most half sheet cakes, the frosting/icing can be anything you like. You can melt some chocolate and butter, combine it with sliced nuts or pecans and pour it over the cake once it is out of the oven.

Alternatively, you can make buttercream or just use whipped cream and some caramel or chocolate topping. Just make sure your cake is cool first, if you plan on using any type of cream on it.

Vanilla Half Sheet Cake Recipe

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Here’s what you need for the cake:

• 2 sticks butter

• 1 c. water

• 2 c. all-purpose flour

• ½ c. sour cream

• 2 c. sugar

• 2 whole beaten eggs

• 1 tsp. vanilla

• 1 tsp. baking powder

Bring water and butter to boil in a medium-sized saucepan. As that is happening, mix all your other ingredients, starting with the flour and sugar, followed by the eggs, sour cream, baking powder, and vanilla. Finally, pour in the butter mixture and stir everything together until it’s smooth.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In the meantime, pour your mixture into a greased baking pan. After a few minutes, put the pan into the oven and bake for about twenty minutes.

Icing

This cake requires a special kind of icing. You can make it while the cake is in the oven. Here is what you will need:

• 1 stick butter

• ¼ c. milk

• 4 ½ c. powdered sugar

• ½ tsp. vanilla (or almond extract, depending on preference)

Combine the powdered sugar and vanilla/almond extract in a mixing bowl. Set it aside as you focus on the butter and milk.

Take a medium-sized saucepan and let your butter and milk melt, and mix. Do that on medium heat, as you’re not in a hurry. Once everything is melted and combined, pour it into the powdered sugar mixture.

Stir everything until it’s smooth. If you notice that the frosting might be a bit too thick, you can add some milk to rectify the situation. Still, as long as you can work with it and spread it over the cake, you’ll be fine.

It is important that you let the cake cool for at least twenty minutes before you put the frosting on it. Otherwise, everything will melt, and the consistency of the frosting will be ruined.

Once you put the frosting on, let the cake rest for another twenty minutes. Ideally, it should rest for at least an hour, but you can cut it after those twenty minutes if you are in a hurry or you have guests over. And just like that, your vanilla half sheet cake will be done and ready!

Featured image source: Pinterest.com

Vegan, environmentally sustainable, and free of lactose, almond milk has recently risen in popularity. But, it can be challenging to use an entire container of fresh almond milk during its short shelf-life. Can you freeze almond milk? Keep reading and find your answer here.

What Is Almond Milk?

Almond milk is plant-based milk with a nutty flavor. It is an excellent dietary substitution for those with lactose intolerance, or high cholesterol, as it contains no cholesterol, no lactose, and low fat.

As one of the most sustainable milk options, almond milk is a staple in the environmental veganism movement. Almond milk can be store-bought or made at home.

Can You Freeze Almond Milk?

Yes, you can freeze almond milk, but most almond milk manufacturers do not advise it. While freezing almond milk does preserve it, the texture and the taste change in the process, slightly diminishing its quality.

What Happens to Almond Milk When It Freezes?

Almond milk does not freeze well because when it thaws, the proteins and fats separate. Not only does this alter the texture, but it also alters the taste. Blending thawed almond milk can help with the texture changes, but there is no way to return it to its original state.

When Should You Freeze Almond Milk?

Freezing almond milk is a great way to save money and conserve food. You should freeze almond milk when you intend to use it as an ingredient in a cooked, baked, or blended dish. Do not freeze almond milk if you intend on drinking it plain.

How to Freeze Almond Milk

There are several different ways to freeze almond milk. When planning for a holiday or large meal that requires an entire carton of almond milk, you can freeze the milk in its existing unopened carton.

To freeze large quantities of opened cartons, pour the almond milk into a freezable airtight container for larger quantities. When preparing for smoothies, protein shakes, or smaller recipes, portion the milk into ice cube trays, leaving enough space for expansion, then transfer the frozen blocks into dated freezer baggies.

Can You Eat Frozen Almond Milk?

Despite undergoing texture and taste changes, frozen almond milk is edible. It even works well for smoothies, protein shakes, baked goods, and cooked dishes. However, do not drink thawed almond milk plain or use it in cereal because of the blatant difference in taste and texture.

How to Use Frozen Almond Milk

Frozen almond milk is suitable for an array of recipes. It is a perfect icy base for smoothies and protein shakes. Once melted and blended, almond milk is also a good coffee whitener.

How Long Does Frozen Almond Milk Last?

A container of fresh almond milk, once opened, lasts between seven and ten days. Frozen almond milk can last up to six months, although it’s best when used within three months. Once thawed, it needs to be used within a couple of days to avoid spoilage.

How to Thaw Frozen Almond Milk

Thaw almond milk slowly by placing it in the fridge, allowing it to melt gradually. If you must speed up the process, use a lukewarm water bath by putting the milk container in a bowl of lukewarm water. Once the milk has melted, you will want to blend it in the blender for around 30 seconds to help with the separated texture.

Can You Refreeze Almond Milk?

You should not refreeze almond milk. Upon refreezing, the separation and taste worsen. Additionally, there is an increased risk of spoilage.

How to Tell If Almond Milk Is Bad

The ability to determine almond milk spoilage is essential if you intend to freeze it or make it yourself. Often people confuse almond milk’s natural tendency to separate for spoilage. Spoiled almond milk has a thicker texture with a clumpy consistency. Once bad, it tastes sour and smells like soured cow’s milk.