Food

August is here, marking the last half of the summer heat. Still looking to satisfy your sweet tooth? Philly is home to a handful of locally, handmade ice creams and custards to help you cool off during the August heat. Here are our top local Philly ice cream shops to visit for an icy treat before summer ends. Philly’s 7 Best Ice Cream Shops:

If you’re anything like me, you’ve been to your fair share of food trucks by now. It’s hard not to hunt 'em down when they’re EVERYWHERE and most importantly, delicious. However, I’ve found that the food truck cuisine isn’t always the best for your waistline. Last year, we tracked down the top 7 green food trucks in Philadelphia. We’re back on the hunt and found the healthiest food trucks in Philadelphia! These food trucks are guaranteed to satisfy anyone looking for a delicious, healthy meal on the go. Take a look. 5 Healthy Philly Food Trucks:

Part of the excitement, anxiety and fear each week of a CSA is figuring out how to use all the veggies AND waste the least amount of food. Let's face it - I pay for the CSA veggies up front and Bennett Compost to take my scraps. I want to make the most of the fresh, local, organic and DELICIOUS produce that's delivered two blocks from my house on a weekly basis. I'm in my third season of Red Earth Farm's Summer CSA share with my BFF. We've scared off a few of our friends on veggie season explosions, but enjoy the process. And I think we enjoy humblebrag-complaining about how many veggies we have, too! So how did the week break down?

It’s that time of year again! Summer is here, or rather, a few short days away, marking the return of many of the city’s farmer’s markets and their bounties of fresh and local summer fruits and vegetables. Don’t want to miss your favorites? Here’s a quick guide to the summer’s harvests.  Summer Guide to Philly’s Farmer’s Markets:

Working in the suburbs tempts a gal with unhealthy snacking during the day. Whether you work in the city or afar, prepping for that mid-afternoon craving can save you from a dreaded vending machine trip. Besides, many conventional snack foods - i.e. think Ritz, Tostitos & Wheat thins - often contain GMOs and other questionable preservatives. You don't have to compromise taste for alternatives. Find out what 5 local, bulk & healthier alternatives are on our list!

Reading Terminal Market is the place to be. Ever since I’ve moved to Philly, I try to hit up my obsession, Reading Terminal, as often as possible. Attracting an average of 120,000 visitors per week, this fantastic market is not only filled with a plethora of local food options, but in an accessible location. The history of the market is fascinating. Did you know that the Reading Terminal Market dates back to 1680? It didn’t look the same – instead, there were a bunch of informal markets around the vortex of Market Street. It became more formal in 1693 and had a pretty good run until 1971 when Reading Company declared bankruptcy. Luckily, the revival of the market sparked during investments for seasonal foods and impromptu piano concerts in the 1980s into what we currently enjoy today. Need any more reasons to hit up this Philly favorite?

Although I’m still a fairly new vegan, I've got the basics down: no cheats, eggs, meats. This new lifestyle means passing up on all those delicious chocolate bars and fresh baked cookies, which at times can be super difficult. Yearning for a sugar fix has fueled me to find substitute snacks. To all my vegan friends out there, I’m happy to say I've discovered a hidden world of unintentionally vegan goodies.  I love kale as much as the next plant-based eater, but sometimes it’s necessary to indulge, yet still tray true to your diet. Here are 5 tasty (and surprisingly) vegan snacks to spoil yourself:

Honest eating and growing local has been Honeygrow’s motto since opening in 2012. The fast-growing food chain honors this slogan every single day as they support local farmers and serve customers. Honeygrow serves fresh and healthy and delicious quality food. With two current locations, Honeygrow is aiming to have two more locations up and running by Spring (Cherry Hill, NJ) and Fall (Radnor, PA) later this year.

If you're vegan or vegetarian chances are high that someone has asked you how and if you eat enough protein. Or maybe you're someone who has wondered yourself. The truth is it's possible to be a vegan or live a primarily vegan lifestyle AND get enough protein.  It just takes  planning. Sooo let's talk tasty vegan protein ideas, after the jump.