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Food

Ketosis For Women: Learn How Keto Affects Female Hormones

by Guest Contributor April 22, 2019

You have probably heard of the keto diet. It’s a low-carb, high-fat diet that has never been more popular than now. Of course, this diet revolves around the switch from burning carbs to burning fat. This fat becomes the ‘fuel’ of our bodies. Instead of using carbs, the body starts burning fat for fuel. Voila, there it is, weight loss process starts and lasts as long as the body is in the state of ketosis. This change of things in the human body isn’t so easy, and many wonder what effects it has, especially when it comes to ladies. To be precise, some are concerned that it causes hormonal imbalance. Is that so? Take a look.

How Carb Reduction Affects the Body

Carbs are important; they have nutrients, important vitamins, fiber, and more. Female bodies need a good amount of carbs as well as fats and protein in order to maintain a healthy hormonal level. Simply put, when women don’t get the carbs they need, a shift in serotonin levels ensues, and there’s also a shift in progesterone and insulin. You can probably tell that all this mumbo jumbo causes stress. Basically, cutting carbs means an increase in cortisol which is the ‘stress’ hormone. That’s why it is important to pause with the workouts while the body adapts. Or at least tone down the intensity of your workouts. The body will adapt to the keto state and everything will go back to normal.

keto for women

Ketosis and Hormones

Let’s just say that keto does not cause the imbalance! There is this current negative myth that concerns the keto diet and it, basically, states that being in the state of ketosis messes with women’s hormones. Of course, the ketogenic diet is not for everyone, and it can cause various health issues among both men and women. Even though some women experience weakness, weight gain, mood swings, etc. it doesn’t mean that ketosis is the culprit. There is no biological mechanism that would explain how exactly the state of ketosis affects hormones. All evidence of the keto diet causing hormonal balances is anecdotal. Nutrition changes can cause hormonal problems no matter what.

Another point we need to cover here is the HPA gland issue. There is a popular belief that ketosis isn’t good for a lady’s HPA axis. The gland in charge of producing hormones is called the hypothalamus. Many assume that keto diets mess with this gland. Well, according to various studies, the energy balance is controlled by processes outside of the normal hypothalamic pathways. All in all, ketosis functions on the hypothalamus in a different way compared to a non-keto diet, but there is no proof that supports the thesis that this reduces or does anything tangible with the hormonal activity in the HPA axis. We’ve covered some prominent issues and myths that needed to be debunked. The internet is a huge place where one bad piece of information can cause a landslide of criticism that is completely incorrect and undeserved.

keto for women

The Concerns of Overtraining

We’ve talked about things that do not cause the imbalance. However, have you asked yourself if you are training too much? Maybe that can be the cause of the imbalance? Are you combining really intense workouts with keto? Bear in mind that you are overdoing things if you’re putting in more than 3 HIIT workouts per week while on the keto diet. Overtraining leads to cortisol levels skyrocketing. On top of that, it causes other problems that concern hormones. If you practice hard, combining a keto diet with your workouts might not be a good idea. Take a look at some symptoms of hormonal issues that come as a result of overtraining. You could experience menstrual cycle changes, low mood, weakness, fatigue and thus low energy.

keto for women

Conclusion

Don’t trust everything you read online. That’s the gist here. Keto diet isn’t for everyone but that doesn’t mean that one should stay away from it. Listen to your body and see if you can handle HIIT workouts with a keto diet. On the other hand, if you’re just following this diet and not training, there is no major reason for fear.

About the Author

Sean L. is fitness and keto addicted; also the managing editor at Dream Keto. He likes everything that is green, from spinach to beautiful nature landscapes. Each day, he gives his best to stay in ketosis and exercise. Sean also enjoys cooking healthy meals, traveling and playing with his German Shepherd.

Food Healthy Eating Lifestyle

3 Tips To Get Your Kids To Eat Their Vegetables

by Grandma Penny April 16, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

Kids and vegetables have a long, complicated history. Simply saying the dreaded “v” word can send a picky eater scurrying out of the kitchen with their lips clamped shut. But as a mom, you know getting vegetables into those little mouths is essential. You might have to get creative if you want your kids to get all the vitamins and minerals they need, so here are some of my best ideas.

1. Reap What You Sow

One great way to get your kids to eat more vegetables is to let them become plant parents. The feeling of responsibility and the awe of watching the living plants sprout and grow can inspire them to at least tolerate their existence and maybe even taste them.

Surprisingly, the easiest, fool-proof and most satisfying vegetable to grow is the radish. Radishes may not be as popular as macaroni and cheese, but kids sure love to see the red bulbs pop up after only 30 days from planting in the spring. Lettuces like mesclun mix, can also be harvested in less than a month.

2. Spiralize Those Veggies

A zoodler costs around $10, and it’s the best money I have spent all year. You can spiralize carrots and cucumbers for quick fun salads, or spiralize zucchini or other squash for a quick hot spaghetti type of meal. There’s just something about spirals that make vegetables more appetizing for kids.

Most spiral vegetables cook in seconds, and all you need to do is add sauce and a sprinkle of grated cheese. Ta Da!! Dinner in less than 10 minutes, and vegetables your kids will have fun eating.

kids and veggies

3. DIY Dressings

Salads are a lot more exciting when you let the kids make their own dressings. From a squeeze of lemon to an eight-ingredient extravaganza, the combinations for homemade salad dressings are endless.

As a bonus, you can also use the dressings as a marinade with chicken, fish, pork, or beef. To get started, I just set out an assortment of ingredients and let the kids mix and match.

The basic recipe is one base ingredient (4 ounces), one acid (1 ounce), one flavor (use sparingly), one herb (1 tablespoon), and a pinch of salt. The thin, vinegar-based dressings are shaken in a bottle with a tight fitting lid, and the thick, creamy dressings (or dips) are stirred in a bowl with a whisk. So the first questions we ask when we get to the kitchen to make dressing is, “Shaken or stirred?” Once you decide on that, you can let the kids get creative and figure out for themselves which combinations make the tastiest dressings.

Here is a list of ingredients that we have used this past year.

Base ingredients:

olive oil
mayonnaise
sour cream
buttermilk
avocado
yogurt

Acid ingredients:

lemon juice
lime juice
apple cider vinegar
red wine vinegar
balsamic vinegar

Sweetener (optional)

Honey, sugar, maple syrup ,apricot jam, raspberry jam,
orange marmalade, pineapple juice

Strong Flavor (use sparingly)

fresh garlic
garlic powder
onion powder
crushed red pepper
anchovies
cayenne pepper

Variety flavor (let your imagination go wild)

Parmesan cheese, grated
Bleu cheese
feta cheese
pickle juice
chopped pickles
ketchup
tomato paste
mustard
mustard powder
pickle relish

Fresh and dried herbs

oregano
basil
thyme
rosemary
parsley
sage
dill
tarragon

Sometimes the simplest dressing is the best choice. The most popular potato salad recipe just calls for mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Traditional coleslaw is just mayo, white vinegar, sugar, and salt, and basic Italian dressing is olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and salt.

No matter what kind of dressing your kids create, they’ll love pouring it over a fresh springtime salad. It’ll give them a sense of pride and accomplishment, and you can even name their favorite creations and write them down in your recipe book for future use.

Easter Family Recipes Food Lifestyle

The Perfect Carrot Cake Recipe For Your Family’s Easter

by Grandma Penny April 11, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

If you’re going to have dessert at your family Easter celebration, why not make it carrot cake? It’s the Easter Bunny’s favorite, and it’s a cake that both kids and adults will love. There are so many different ways you can make carrot cake, but this recipe is definitely my favorite.

The cake is nice and moist, and the cream cheese frosting is rich and delicious. If you’re feeling ambitious, why not try decorating your cake with some frosting carrots or Easter eggs? You can also make your life easier by whipping up this cake the day before Easter–it’ll still taste great on day two.

Check out this simple recipe that your family will be sure to love down to the very last bite!

Once you have the cake completely cool, whip up this simple frosting recipe and spread on the cake layers.

Food Health Healthy Eating Lifestyle

A Beginner’s Guide To Intermittent Fasting

by Modi Ramos April 10, 2019

written by Modi Ramos

In today’s world, we are inundated with all the latest diet and food trends no matter where we look or go. Gluten-free this, paleo that, keto friendly, the list goes on and on. But there is one hot “trend” that is actually not a trend at all. We’re talking about intermittent fasting. (You might see it as “IF” in some places.)

There are many religious people who use this in accordance to certain religious holidays, etc., but intermittent fasting has been practiced since the beginning of time. And no, cave women weren’t trying to watch their weight. They did this because that’s usually the amount of time it took them to score their next meal, and they also didn’t have refrigerators way back when.

The idea is this: it’s not so much what you eat, but more so when you eat.

Now, that’s not to say that you should go and gorge yourself on McDonald’s during your eating window. Focus on real foods that are packed with vitamins and minerals, and don’t overdo it with the carbohydrates, starchy foods, and sweets.

Here we’ll break down for you the tips and tricks to master intermittent fasting so you can reap its powerful benefits.

Plan Ahead

Okay, so this goes without saying. I discovered intermittent fasting about 6 months ago, and I’ve sworn by it ever since. Traditionally speaking, most people practice intermittent fasting two days per week. I personally do it more, but that is entirely your personal preference. But when I know that I am going to fast, I plan ahead! For myself, I have never been a breakfast eater, ever. When I eat breakfast, I will often feel sluggish and instantly tired. Which makes it hard to focus while sitting in front of a monitor typing for hours on end. When I know I am going to fast, I will be conscientious about exactly what time I’m eating dinner. For example, if I know that I am fasting until noon the next day, I will not eat a single thing past 8 PM the evening before. The 16-hour fasting window is standard, although some deviate slightly and might go just 14 hours or longer with 18 hours, though a 16-hour window is ideal for me. The standard “8-hour window of eating” recommendation for intermittent fasting is really the sweet spot. See, it’s when you eat, not what you eat.

I’ve practiced keto successfully for 4 weeks, and I will tell you that personally it’s not for me. When intermittent fasting on keto, I really felt my energy depleted due to the lack of carbohydrates in my body. I’m a mother of 3, I work out often and stay active, and living in the south, I sweat a often, so I think my body needs just a bit more carbohydrates than 20g a day. But to each their own, if it works for you, fantastic! I am only mentioning keto because many keto advocates swear by intermittent fasting. And if you’re going to do keto, that’s a WHOLE lot more planning ahead.

Do this for your intermittent fasting plan: know that you will have a meal/snack ready once your fasting window is over. I go for something with a good protein, fat (avocado usually), and some light carbs. You’ll honestly be surprised because you won’t be as hungry as you think, I promise! Remember, mind over matter goes a long way.

“It’s important to remember that with intermittent fasting, you do typically get to eat at least a little bit every day,” Dr. Krista Varady says. “There’s also no limitation on types of food or number of calories you eat during your feeding windows or ‘feast’ days.”

(Please note: If you are a person who suffers from low blood sugar, please consult a medical professional before attempting intermittent fasting.)

Before you consider intermittent fasting, take a glance at this helpful guide on intermittent fasting methods from Healthline.com:

The 16/8 method: Also called the Leangains protocol, it involves skipping breakfast and restricting your daily eating period to 8 hours, such as 1–9 p.m. Then you fast for 16 hours in between.
Eat-Stop-Eat: This involves fasting for 24 hours, once or twice a week, for example by not eating from dinner one day until dinner the next day.
The 5:2 diet: With this methods, you consume only 500–600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week, but eat normally the other 5 days.

The Many Benefits of Intermittent Fasting

One of the very first things you’ll start to notice once you’ve mastered intermittent fasting is that your stomach area seems less bloated. I’ve had three cesarean sections and have had issues with bloat ever since. When I do intermittent fasting and stick to it, I literally feel lighter and less heavy around my midsection. Not sure about you, but that’s always an awesome feeling! Another benefit I’ve noticed is that my appetite seems to be less “oh my god I’m starving” and more on balance and suppressed if anything.

Some of the other key benefits of intermittent fasting include:

Human Growth Hormone (HGH): The levels of growth hormone skyrocket, increasing as much as 5-fold. This has benefits for fat loss and muscle gain, to name a few (4, 5, 6, 7).
Insulin: Insulin sensitivity improves and levels of insulin drop dramatically. Lower insulin levels make stored body fat more accessible (8).
Cellular repair: When fasted, your cells initiate cellular repair processes. This includes autophagy, where cells digest and remove old and dysfunctional proteins that build up inside cells (9, 10)
Gene expression: There are changes in the function of genes related to longevity and protection against disease (11, 12).

In addition to the amazing benefits listed above, many studies and individuals have reported weight loss over time with the help of intermittent fasting. (Like I mentioned above, these individuals were not chowing down on fast food in times of non-fasting!) You are what you eat has been proven many times over, so rely on intermittent fasting for its many incredible health benefits, and also reach for those better food choices in times when you are in your optimal eating window.

Results From A Recent Study Surrounding Intermittent Fasting:

A 2014 review study found that this eating pattern can cause 3–8% weight loss over 3–24 weeks, which is a significant amount, compared to most weight loss studies (1).

According to the same study, people also lost 4–7% of their waist circumference, indicating a significant loss of harmful belly fat that builds up around your organs and causes disease (1).

Another study showed that intermittent fasting causes less muscle loss than the more standard method of continuous calorie restriction (16).

And to help you out, I’ve included a few commonly asked questions with answers so you don’t have to search Google yourself!

Can I have a cup of coffee or tea while I’m doing a fast?

Yes! In fact, I definitely do this. (YOU. DO. NOT. WANT. TO. SEE. ME. WITHOUT. MORNING. COFFEE.) While it is considered intermittent fasting safe to have a cup of tea or coffee during your fast, you cannot go adding sugar, sweetened creamers, or anything like that. You can, however, add a dash of plain creamer without sugar added to it as long as it’s deemed under 50 calories. This way, your body will still remain in fasting state. Here are your intermittent fasting safety beverages: water, black tea, coffee, green tea, and diet soda if you absolutely must. Be smart and go for the water, your body will thank you for it.

Do I Start My Mental Timer For Fasting When I Start Or Finish My Last Meal?

Your mental intermittent fasting clock begins the second that last bite of your food is swallowed. Then–and only then–can you truthfully begin your fast. Remember, no cheating!

There’s No Way I Can Go That Long Without Eating. Will I Pass Out?

No, you won’t. I’ve done it countless times now, and I promise you’re not going to keel over dead. Yes, it takes commitment, but there are so many benefits that you should keep them in mind and push past it. It’s VERY important to choose the time that works best for you. If skipping dinner works better for you, do that! The great thing about intermittent fasting is that you can tailor it based off your schedule. My mornings are hectic as heck so I usually don’t even have time to eat until lunch anyway, see? Problem solved!

Remember: Intermittent fasting is not a diet. It is a timed approach to eating. It takes some commitment, but the benefits far outweigh the 16 hours you’ll go without eating food.

Easter Recipes Seasonal

Make Mornings Special With A Peaches and Cream Brunch Casserole

by Grandma Penny April 1, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

Eggs, pancakes, French toast–do you ever feel like you’re rotating between the same tired old brunch options? Those traditional breakfast dishes are okay, but every now and then I like to mix it up with a delicious brunch casserole. One of my favorite brunch casserole recipes is this heavenly peaches and cream strata. It’s perfect for holiday mornings, birthday breakfasts, and any other day deserving of something special.

Consider this casserole a better version of typical French toast. It uses stale bread so you don’t have to throw away those uneaten loaves, and the peaches and cream cheese make a refreshingly sweet combination. I prefer to use fresh peaches, but if you can’t get your hands on any quality fruit, a large can of peaches in syrup will also work.

peaches and cream brunch casserole

Brunch casseroles are a favorite in my family not only because they’re so delicious, but also because they’re easy to make and can be made the night before. When I’m planning a special morning, I make this casserole ahead of time, store it in the refrigerator overnight, and then bake it in the morning so I can serve it hot. It’s great because I don’t have to run around trying to get everything done before my morning coffee.

Easter Food Recipes

Fun And Festive Easter Bread For Your Family Gathering

by Grandma Penny March 28, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

Easter is one of only a few times a year when entire families get the chance to sit down together and enjoy a delicious meal. Whether your family sticks to tradition by serving baked ham or has a different go-to Easter meal, this festive Easter bread will make the perfect addition to your buffet table. It looks almost too pretty to eat, but trust me, it’s so tasty you won’t want to miss a bite.

My Easter bread recipe is a family favorite. I make it every year, and every year there’s nothing but crumbs left on the plate. This bread is soft and sweet, and our tradition is to have it for Easter breakfast. I make sure I put in enough colored eggs so everyone can have one. It would also go well with baked ham if you want to save your festive-looking bread for your main Easter meal.

Easter bread

One of the best things about this recipe is that you don’t need to be a bread-making professional to get it right. The trickiest part will be braiding the bread into a long log and then curling it into a round pie plate. But even if your braid isn’t quite even, the dyed raw eggs will help cover up any mistakes and attract everyone’s attention. Besides, it tastes so good, no one will mind if your braid is a little lopsided.

Here’s my recipe for this fun Easter bread.

Easter Food Recipes Seasonal

5 Recipes To Use Up That Leftover Easter Ham

by Grandma Penny March 28, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

We always serve the traditional baked ham for Easter. It smells good, it tastes good, and it reminds us of all the family holidays from our past. But then there is the problem of what to do with the bone and all the scraps? The first thing I recommend to do with your leftover Easter ham is make stock.

How to Make Basic Ham Stock

First, you’ll want to trim any big chunks of meat off the bone and reserve those scraps for the following recipes. Next, add the ham bone to your largest pot and cover with water. (A crock pot would be ideal, but I’ve yet to find one big enough for my massive ham bones.) Add parsley, thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and cover with water about 1″ above the top of the bone. Slowly simmer, uncovered, for about 3-4 hours.

When you’re done simmering, strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve and into a large bowl. And that’s it—easy as pie. Now you have stock from which to make your favorite smoky delicious split pea soup, white bean soup, and/or to simmer with your collards. You can keep the stock in the fridge for a few days or freeze for a few months.

After you make your ham stock, try out these ideas on how to use your Easter leftovers to feed your family.

1. Split Pea Soup With Ham

Split pea is a very simple soup. It freezes well and is very welcome after a few weeks of chicken dinners. Just add the “Holy Trinity of Soup” (celery, carrots and onions) to your basic ham stock. Next you’ll need to add the leftover diced ham and spices, stir occasionally, and then simmer until it’s a delicious soup.

2. White Bean and Ham Bone Soup

This soup is rich, filling, comforting and can feed a large family on a small budget. You can simplify this recipe by using canned beans, but it’s much cheaper, has far less sodium, and has a better texture when you use the dry beans. It’s a great way to use up your leftover Easter ham.

3. Southern Style Collards

These collard greens may take a few hours to simmer, but they only require a few minutes of hands-on cooking time. And they can be made ahead and reheat beautifully—in fact, they taste even better on the second or third day.

4. Spinach Dip With Ham

This spinach dip recipe is great for regular snacking, and you can also make it for parties or as an appetizer for a nice dinner. It’ll use up your leftover Easter ham so you don’t need to throw anything away. Pair it with homemade crostini for a really delicious combination that will leave everyone satisfied.

5. Sunday Morning Denver Strata

Everyone in my family loves a Denver omelet, but there’s no way I can whip up omelets fast enough so we can all eat at the same time. The same goes for toast. By the time I make four servings of toast, the first slices are cold. There is just too much running around to enjoy the meal. This beautiful and delicious take on the Denver omelet can be made the night before and refrigerated until you are ready to bake. Then you can all sit down and enjoy a hot, fresh breakfast without all the jumping around.

Food Recipes

Do You Know The Key To Making The Perfect Grilled Cheese Sandwich?

by Grandma Penny March 23, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

The grilled cheese sandwich is celebrated as both a kid-pleasing lunch and even a quick dinner for nights when you’re in a pinch for time. We love it because it’s easy to make, and our kids love it because it’s simply delicious. It’s a basic concept–just bread and cheese–but if you want, you can turn your ordinary grilled cheese sandwich into a culinary masterpiece.

You might think the cheese is the most important part, it’s called a grilled “cheese” after all, but it’s the bread that will make or break your sandwich. The best grilled cheese sandwiches are crispy, crusty, and a little crunchy. That means you need your bread to be–get this–less than fresh. Stale bread is actually the best kind of bread you can use for a grilled cheese. It gives the sandwich that extra kick of great taste and texture.

perfect grilled cheese

I only make my grilled cheeses with slightly stale bread, and you can definitely tell the difference. Another tip for making the perfect grilled cheese sandwich is to get creative. Who said a grilled cheese sandwich needs to be boring? I love experimenting with my sandwiches and end up creating some really delicious combinations.

Just like pizza, everyone has their favorite add in to grilled cheese. This list seems just as inexhaustible as the list of potential pizza toppings. Not to mention, adding ingredients to your grilled cheese is a great way to get rid of those little leftovers. My favorite is smoked Gouda with some spinach and cooked bacon.

Things I’ve added to my grilled cheese as of late:

cooked bacon
Andouille sausage
prosciutto
scraps of ham left from Easter dinner
tomato slices
spinach, cooked and raw
mushrooms
lobster leftover from Valentine’s dinner
olives
pepperoni
ground beef taco filling
every kind of sweet or hot pepper
chicken fajitas
black bean burger
ravioli

Pick ingredients you have lying around the kitchen, and test them out to see what works! It’s great way to repurpose meals and many of these will taste even better on their second go thanks to the magic of grilled cheese sandwiches.

perfect grilled cheese

Food Recipes

Impress Your Guests With This Homemade Tuscan White Bean Dip Recipe

by Grandma Penny March 23, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

If you want to really impress your family and party guests, Tuscan white bean dip is the way to do it. You can use it as an appetizer before you serve your main meal or bring it to a potluck for a classier version of chips and dip.

The recipe is so simple it’ll only take a few minutes to make. You’ll need a food processor to get a nice and even consistency, and it might take more water or bread crumbs to get the exact consistency you’re looking for.

One of the reasons Tuscan white bean dip is such a success is that it can be paired with almost any kind of cracker, chip, or bread. My favorite way to serve this dip is with homemade crostini. I make my crostini using stale bread, and it’s always a hit. You can find my recipe for homemade crostini here.

Food Food Hacks Recipes

Give New Life To Your Stale Bread With These Tasty Recipes

by Grandma Penny March 23, 2019

written by Grandma Penny

Unless you are still buying the store bread that has been chemically induced into immortality, you have old stale bread from time to time. Realizing your once-delicious bread is now hard and crusty can be disappointing, but that’s no reason to throw it away.

Believe it or not, stale bread is a valuable ingredient in many recipes. You can recycle your old bread to make croutons, bread crumbs, bread pudding, stuffing, and so much more.

The key to reusing stale bread is knowing not all types of bread are good for all recipes. An old apricot Danish, for example, won’t make good croutons or breadcrumbs, but it will make delicious bread pudding. You could even turn it into a stuffing for a pork roast, chicken, or turkey.

Instead of giving a sigh of resignation every time I open the bread box to find stale loaves, I start thinking of all the ways I can use my stale bread by transforming it into recipes my family will love.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to turn stale bread into a delicious, recycled dish.

Italian or French Loaves

Bread Crumbs

These crusty loaves make the perfect bread crumbs. All you have to do is tear the leftover baguettes into small pieces and let them get really dry. When there is no longer any moisture, run the bread pieces through the food processor until they are a fine powder.

You can leave them plain or add a little garlic powder, oregano, and dried basil for tasty Italian bread crumbs that pair perfect in a Ceasar salad. These homemade bread crumbs will also come in handy when making homemade meatballs or meatloaf.

uses for stale bread

For the best results, soak the breadcrumbs in milk before adding them to the rest of your recipe. Trust me, this little step will make all the difference.

The list of ways you can use bread crumbs is endless, but I especially love using my stale bread crumbs as topping for my mac and cheese, cheese casserole, or any other pasta casserole as it adds a nice crunchy finish. To help the topping brown, add a dash of paprika to the crumbs. When I make a baked mostaccioli, I add some grated Romano cheese to the crumbs for an extra tasty topping.

Bruschetta and Crostini

Italian and French loaves are also great for making bruschetta or crostini. Thinly slice the loaves before they get too hard and dry them in a low oven set to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be plain to compliment a spicy bruschetta, or you can season them if you wish. For the crostini, I usually toss the dry slices with a little olive oil, oregano, and garlic powder before putting them on a baking sheet. I bake them for 10 minutes in a low oven (same degree setting as mentioned above). Then they are the perfect scoop for Tuscan white bean dip.

Sliced Whole Wheat

Croutons

Finding a few slices of stale whole wheat bread in your kitchen is the perfect excuse to get creative with your salads. I love whole wheat croutons, and there’s no reason to buy them in bags from the store. You can make your own, and it’ll only take a few minutes. And the best part is they simply taste better, too!

Ideally, you want to start with bread that is stale but still able to be sliced. Slice the bread into cubes, and if you need to, let them dry even more. Once they’re completely dry, toss them with fresh or dried herbs and a drizzle of olive oil. These herbed croutons are perfect for salads and even soups.

homemade croutons

Egg Bread or Challah

There are countless recipes out there for egg bread or challah. If you’re not familiar, this bread is made with eggs and usually braided onto a loaf or coiled into a round. Sometimes it’s topped with sesame or poppy seeds, and some people love their challah with raisins. It’s typically a spongy bread, but it can also be crusty on the outside.

French Toast, Grilled Cheese, and More

Egg bread is so delicious it rarely lasts long enough to go stale, but in case you ever find yourself with a half-eaten loaf a few days old, don’t worry. There’s no need to waste that bread by throwing it away. Stale egg bread or challah is perfect for several recipes.

For breakfast, you can turn it into french toast or stuffed french toast. Come lunch time, that stale bread will be the prime ingredient in your Monte Cristo sandwiches, grilled cheeses, or paninis.

perfect grilled cheese

Danish or Croissants

You might consider a danish or a croissant to be more pastry than bread, but they all belong in the same family. And as part of the bread family, they have potential to grow stale. If you’re storing your danishes or croissants at room temperature, you only have about two days to enjoy them in their full glory. After that, you’ll get to turn that stale bread into a brand new dish.

Bread Pudding and Stuffing

One of my favorite ways to use old croissants is to make bread pudding. My family also loves it when I whip up a French toast casserole for brunch. And the best part? They can never tell that delicious casserole is made from recycled ingredients. If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth (lucky you!), try making a stuffing for a thick cut pork chop or a pork roast instead.

Rye Bread

Rye bread is one of the healthiest bread options out there. It’s great if you’re looking to lose weight but still want to eat bread, and research says it can even fight diabetes and asthma. If you don’t eat all your rye bread before it goes stale, you can still reap those health benefits. All you need to do is get a little creative.

Stuffing

Crusty rye bread is an excellent choice for stuffing (we’ve got a delicious twist on the traditional one for you to try right here). One of my go-to rye bread recipes is apple sage stuffing that I use with pork roast. I also have a great recipe for pineapple stuffing to give the perfect amount of sweet to pair nicely with your baked ham.

rye stuffing

Strata

If you’re looking for something new to make, why not round out your buffet supper with a savory rye strata? One of my favorite types of strata is spinach, mushroom, and smoked Gouda cheese. There are endless combinations of vegetables and meats for a strata. Consider using your old rye cubes with chunks of ham, pineapple, collards, and Swiss cheese.

Other rye strata combos that I have tried are:

Bacon, onion, tomato with cheddar
Corned beef, Swiss and cabbage or sauerkraut
Mushrooms and tomatoes with rosemary and thyme

Stratas are great because they allow you to be truly creative in the kitchen. You can follow a recipe, but feel free to customize based on what you (and your picky little eaters!) like best.

Repurposing stale bread into your recipes is not only a great choice for your cooking, but it’s also economical and eco-friendly. It’ll save you money you would otherwise spend on store-bought croutons, bread crumbs, etc, and you won’t be wasting the packaging and energy that goes into making those store-bought products. It’s a win-win situation no matter what you make from it.

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