CINCINNATI (WKRC) - You might have noticed a few billboards around the Tri-State promoting a "Crunch Campaign." The Crunch is about a new campaign on carrots. The billboards are from the Carrot Collaborative. They say it's like yoga for your jaw, but really it's a whole lot more.
You've always been told to eat your carrots -- mainly because they are good for your eyes. But now it's about bringing the carrots out of the fridge and putting them back on the plate in various ways.
"What we're really trying to focus on, what we're trying to bring to light, is that when you're crunching on a carrot, the more that you hear that crunch, the more that you crave that crunch and that sound and really experiencing all five senses," said Kayla Hansmann, a registered dietician and owner of Cincy Fit Foodie.
Hansmann also has great recipes to use carrots in ways you might not have thought about before: everything from carrot wraps to overnight oats.
Like many other fruits and vegetables, there are non-nutrient compounds in the color, flavor and texture of carrots that appear to work like medicine in the body, and you won't find these non-nutrients in any pill.
"Our bodies are made to process the real foods and to digest, absorb and utilize them in that way, so across the spectrum -- all the colors. Unprocessed, clean and whole," Hansmann said.
Hansmann's recipes:
Simple Pickled Carrots
- 1 cup carrots, coined or shredded
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar (or use all white)
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp sugar or sweetener
- 1 tsp Kosher Salt
Place the carrots vegetables into 1-2 clean mason jars. In a small sauce-pot on medium-high heat, bring the vinegars, water, and salt/sugar to a boil. Once bubbling, remove from heat and carefully pour over veggies in each jar (you can also microwave the water/vinegar mixture if you're in a time crunch!). Keep uncovered and cool to room temperature; then cover with jar lid and refrigerate. Serve as a garnish, salad topping, or as a vehicle for your favorite dip!
Carrot Cashew Crunch Salad
- 4 medium carrots, grated
- 2 tbsp raisins
- 2 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup cashews, chopped
- 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
- 2 tbsp chopped parsley
dressing:
- 1 tbsp avocado oil (sub olive if you don't have it)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- dash of honey
- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. In a small container or measuring cup, combine oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, ginger, mustard, salt & pepper and whisk or shake well. Pour over other ingredients - add more chopped nuts or coconut to the top for garnish & crunch. Keep refrigerated! This salad tastes better on day #2 when all flavors have had time to combine :)
Thai Carrot Wraps
- 2 cups kale or spinach
- 2 cups thinly sliced or carrots (already shredded bags are great!)
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
- 1/4 cup toasted cashews
- sesame seeds (optional + more for garnish)
- 2 tbsp of your favorite spicy Thai or peanut dressing
- 4 "wraps" of your choice: whole grain, pita, lettuce cups, spring roll wrappers, or even prosciutto!
Toss kale and carrots together in a large bowl with sliced red onion, cilantro, cashews, sesame seeds, and dressing. Take about ~1 cup of mixture and bundle together in your choice of "wrap"! Enjoy or take on-the-go for an easy portable lunch!
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
makes 1 serving
- 1/2 cup dry "base": whole rolled oats, muesli, or cooked quinoa
- 1/2 cup liquid: milk, yogurt, or milk alternative
- 1/4 cup grated carrots
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- optional protein additions: 2 tbsp protein powder, peanut butter powder, ~ 1/4 cup liquid pasteurized egg whites, 1 tbsp flax, chia, or hemp seeds
- toppings: 1 cup fruit (banana, berries, peaches, cherries), 1 tbsp sliced almonds, pecans, walnuts or crunchy granola, dollop of yogurt or drizzle of honey
Stir dry grain "base" mixture with liquid, remaining ingredients, and any optional add-ins into a mason jar or container that will hold ~2 cups of liquid. Let refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add fruit and toppings. Enjoy!
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