A better way
In the 1800s, the word “milkshake” wasn’t the family friendly drink we all know and love today. Back then it was a type of eggnog made with whisky, which added flavor. That meant it was definitely not child friendly! But these adults-only treats didn’t last too long. By the 1900s,...
Read this articleLooking for a twist on a classic cocktail that will bring a touch of decadence to your next social gathering? We’re here to give you a low sugar plant based spin on the White Russian cocktail. Since the White Russian is all about decadence, pairing this drink with one of...
Read this articleIf you’re like us, trail mix is something you skip over in favor of chips or chocolate while stopping at convenience stores on long drives. But you can make it right at home! Snacking works best when it helps your body, and we here at Rip Van have our own...
Read this articleThe oldest known oat grains are traceable to Egypt’s 12th Dynasty, around 2,000 B.C. However, the Egyptians did not value oats as highly as they did wheat and barley. They treated oats like weeds and did not cultivate them. A thousand years later, the first attempts of cultivation were made;...
Read this articleCoffee in Europe was originally prepared in the traditional Ottoman style, which is similar to Turkish Coffee. By the late 17th century, the British and French had started to filter and steep their coffee instead of boiling it. Adding milk to coffee also became popular; and it was around this...
Read this articleLike apple pie, apple crisp has become a British and American tradition, particularly in the fall, when apples are seasonal.
Read this articleOur prehistoric ancestors stacked up pancakes daily. There’s no evidence to show if they had the brainpower to think of blueberry pancakes, or if they adorned their creations with whipped-cream smiley faces, but analyses of 30,000 year old grinding tools suggest that humans of the stone age mixed fern flour with...
Read this articleAlcohol has an important role in human history, managing to tie itself to various cultures and regions -- for those in Scotland and Ireland whiskey is synonymous with national pride. In Classical Gaelic, whiskey is the water of life. The art of distillation, which dates back to Mesopotamia and Babylon...
Read this articleThere’s something nostalgic about an ice cream sandwich. Whether it's a Klondike Bar, a Hood Ice Cream Sandwich, or some cold vanilla ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies, with each bite we remember the sound of the ice cream truck, summer vacation, childhood memories.
Read this articleThe banana bread craze began in the United States after a combination of 20th century innovations -- refrigeration, baking soda, and baking powder -- created incentive for quick bread recipes. In 1933 Pillsbury published a Balanced Recipes Cookbook featuring a bread recipe made with wheat bran and ripe bananas.
Read this articleAmerican Apple Pie is a classic, period. Sweet but tart, delicately spiced, syrupy, buttery, nostalgic, we could go on…
Read this articleFor years, Pop-Tarts have been a staple breakfast snack. Quick, easy, and tasty; perfect for on-the-go. The issue, however, is that the nutrition in this convenient breakfast food is lacking and the sugar levels at 14g per pastry are off the charts!
Read this articleS’mores are an old-time American dessert. Many of us grew up eating them and have them especially when we’re out camping or enjoying a post-BBQ dessert. The issue however, is that the graham crackers, the marshmallows and the chocolate are unhealthy and lacking in nutrition; loaded with sugar, lacking in fiber and filled with empty carbs.
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