New & Noteworthy

Chances are you’ve heard about CBD, and that’s for good reason. Short for cannabidiol, CBD is a non-intoxicating compound found in cannabis. It’s rapidly gaining popularity for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, plus its promising neuroprotective and anti-anxiety effects. And even though CBD is derived from cannabis, it doesn’t get you “high” like the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in cannabis does. In fact, CBD oil can be sourced from hemp plants (which are essentially THC free).

Sounds great, right? That may explain why new CBD products are appearing all the time, despite the fact its legality is murky (at time of writing, your best bet is to do your research and know your state’s laws and where the CBD is sourced from).

CBD comes in the expected forms: think softgel capsules and tinctures taken under the tongue, or topical salves for inflammation and pain management. Other applications are more novel: think CBD face masks, teas, bath salts and even mascara!

-Janelle Lassalle

Get into medicinal mushrooms

You may have noticed medicinal mushroom products popping up everywhere from your favorite grocery store to your local juice bar as a smoothie add-in option. And with good reason! Evidence shows that, when consumed on a regular basis, medicinal mushrooms can support our health in many ways—particularly by boosting the immune system. Of course, this is nothing new in Asia, and has actually been common practice for centuries.

The secret behind the buzz lies deep within the mushrooms’ tough cell walls. Large carbohydrate-based molecules called polysaccharides found there stimulate the immune system.

So, should you run out and hop on the fungus bus? While more research is needed to fully understand how medicinal mushrooms work in the body, it’s hard to argue with hundreds of years’ worth of use. The best approach is a chat with your health care practitioner—after all, adding a spoonful of cordyceps or lion’s mane to your daily coffee makes it a true pick-me-up!

-Morgan Oliveira

Pump up the protein—pronto

Whether you’re headed back to school or just getting super busy this fall, here are some fun and fast ways to bump up your daily dose of clean, plant-based proteins!

Switch out your wheat flour for almond flour. Not only is it more moist, but it has a whopping 24 g of protein per cup! And it’s gluten free too. Triple win!

Bulk up your morning iced coffee by adding a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder. So creamy, you can even dial back the soy milk!

As fall rolls in, so do cravings for soup and stew. A couple tablespoons of nutritional yeast mixed into your steaming bowl not only adds a flavor boost, but it also adds 6 g of protein!

Keep a container of dry roasted edamame in your gym bag, backpack, purse or glove compartment. Add the edamame to your salad or meal on the go; 1/4 cup has 14 g of protein!

-Morgan Oliveira