Quick & Easy: 4 Ingredient Orange Chicken

INGREDIENTS

• 5 cups frozen chicken nuggets cooked according to the package directions
• 1 cup orange marmalade
• 1/2 cup BBQ Sauce
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium microwave-safe mixing bowl, whisk together the orange marmalade, BBQ sauce, and soy sauce. Heat in the microwave on high heat for 45 seconds, then whisk the sauce until smooth (there will be small chunks from the orange rind in the orange marmalade).
2. Pour the sauce over the fully cooked chicken nuggets (be sure the nuggets are freshly cooked and hot) and toss to coat.
3. Serve the orange chicken hot over steamed rice.

Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

Ingredients

• 8 ounces Imitation crab meat
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
• 12 ounce package wonton wrappers

Instructions

• Take imitation crab meat out of package and break apart with a fork.

• In a medium bowl add the cream cheese and mix together with the mayonnaise, scallion, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Gently fold in the imitation crab.

• Place about 1 teaspoon of the imitation crab filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Bring the two flat sides of the wrapper together to form four points. Try to seal the wrapper around the filling – if a little bit of the filling comes up in the center of the wonton, that is okay.

• If your air fryer requires preheating, set it now to 375 degrees F.

• Spray the basket of the air fryer with cooking spray. Place as many wontons as you can into the basket without touching. Spray the wontons generously with cooking spray.

• Air fry for 4 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

• Serve with sweet chili sauce and enjoy!

Notes

If you like an extra creamy filling and a more subtle crab flavor, use half of the crab for the filling. (However, it will make fewer wontons overall.)

How to Make Fresh Ginger Tea

Ingredients

GINGER TEA

• 2 ½ Tbsp chopped fresh ginger (peeling optional // organic when possible // a 2-inch piece yields ~2 Tbsp)
• 2 ½ cups water

ADD-INS optional

• 1 whole cinnamon stick (for sweetness)
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh turmeric (peeling optional // a 2-inch piece yields ~1 Tbsp)
• 2 (3-inch) pieces fresh orange peel (for zestiness)
• 1 tsp fennel seeds (for sweetness and a subtle licorice flavor)

FOR SERVING optional

• Honey, maple syrup, agave, or stevia to taste
• Sliced lemon or orange

Instructions

1. Add the chopped ginger and water to a small saucepan, along with any of the optional add-ins.
2. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, cover, reduce heat to medium, and allow boiling for 7-12 minutes (7 minutes for a more mild ginger flavor or 12 minutes for a stronger brew — keeping in mind the flavor will continue to develop off the heat). Strain through a fine mesh strainer into mugs. Optionally, sweeten to taste with your favorite sweetener (we prefer honey) and/or serve with sliced lemon or orange.
3. Leftover tea can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or cooled and transferred to an ice cube tray for adding to cocktails, lemonade, iced tea, or water. Note: The ginger flavor will intensify as the tea sits. The ginger and spices can be reused again with fresh water, but the second batch of tea will not be as strong.

Foods And Drinks That Might Help With Cramps

Foods that might help with cramps

1. Bananas

Bananas are great for menstrual cramps.

Bananas are generally easy to find and known to be helpful for period cramps. They are rich in fiber and will help you have easy bowel movements. As a result, you may feel less bloated and experience less pain overall. Bananas also contain a lot of magnesium, which is known to reduce the severity of period cramps.

Bananas are also rich in natural sugars, so it’s best to eat them in moderation.

2. Lemons

Lemons are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C. vitamin C helps your body absorb iron from your food into your bloodstream and tissues. Because you may be losing more red blood cells than your body can keep up with during your period, it may be helpful to have some extra vitamin C to boost iron absorption. Lemons also contain a lot of fiber, which makes them a good food for preventing muscle spasms.

3. Oranges

Oranges are known as a top food for period cramps. Oranges contain more vitamin C than lemons, and they also contain magnesium, potassium, and vitamin D. In fact, oranges have almost as much of these nutrients as milk. A couple of oranges every day may help relieve period cramps and menstrual pain.

4. Watermelon

Watermelon is light and sweet. You can easily pop it into a blender and create a delicious smoothie. In addition to that, it is mainly water. Watermelon will quickly hydrate your body and add small amounts of natural sugars into your bloodstream, which might help with cramping.

5. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the top foods that help with menstrual cramps. The fiber and iron in broccoli help fight period cramps. These nutrients might help with all menstrual pain, particularly in your lower abdomen.

6. Kale

Among the other healthy foods that relieve cramps, kale is also a great option. Kale is a good food for period cramps for the same reason as broccoli and other greens: it is rich in calcium and magnesium. Having a calcium deficiency can increase muscle spasms and contractions.

You can sauté kale or add it to a smoothie. Either way, this vegetable might help boost your immune system and ease cramping pains.

What makes food so powerful in helping relieve period cramps? Nutrients in certain foods directly affect your hormones, nerves, and muscles. They can have a relaxing effect, which can result in both a better mood and less pain.

Drinks that help with cramps

1. Water

The number one drink that might help you ease period cramps is water. You lose some of the water in your body when you bleed, and your pain can become worse when your body becomes dehydrated. Drinking enough water might help your muscles relax and help you avoid bloating and gas.

2. Chamomile

Chamomile tea is a great beverage for menstrual cramps. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which further reduce cramping pains. Chamomile tea may also help with your mood, as it has a soothing impact on the nervous system.

3. Ginger tea

In addition to easing cramping pains, ginger tea can also help with nausea and bloating. Ginger is also known to be a good coffee replacement, as it can energize you and help you feel more awake.

4. Raspberry leaf tea

Raspberry leaf tea is not only tasty, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties that might help reduce period cramps.

5. Smoothies

Apple and spinach smoothies contain plenty of iron and magnesium, which are both responsible for nourishing the body quickly and relieving cramps and fatigue. During your period, you can experience fatigue, and it’s good to have as many foods as possible that are rich in iron and fiber, like leafy greens.

Magnesium found in bananas and some leafy greens can help relax your muscles, including your uterus. Mixing your favorite period-friendly fruits and veggies into a nourishing smoothie should definitely be on your to-do list.

Foods that can make cramps worse

1. Canned foods

Canned foods can be high in salt, which causes more bloating and cramping. In addition, they may have fewer nutrients. Refined products can also contain high amounts of unhealthy chemicals used to preserve the foods. So when you’re on your period, stick to healthy, fresh options.

2. Beans

Normally healthy and rich in fiber and vitamins, beans can upset your stomach during your period. It’s better to avoid eating beans or peas during your period and opt for lighter foods instead.

3. Candy

Candy usually doesn’t contain any healthy nutrients, and it’s also packed with sugar. Artificial sugar doesn’t help at all with period cramps. In fact, it can make them worse.

4. Fried foods

It’s better to avoid anything that will upset your stomach because your cramping pains may worsen at the same time. Fried foods are known to upset the stomach and interfere with healthy digestion. During your period, stick to lightly boiled, steamed, or grilled foods.

5. Milk and other dairy products

Milk and other dairy products can generally be healthy options. However, during your period, your body is particularly susceptible to inflammation. The saturated fats in dairy products can trigger inflammation, which can worsen your menstrual pain.

Nevertheless, the calcium in dairy products can help cramps by controlling your muscles’ nerve activity. Calcium deficiencies can increase muscle spasms. Depending on your needs, it might be a good idea to consume dairy products in moderation.

6. Fatty foods

Foods like bacon contain lots of saturated fats, while some substances found in fatty dark meat increase prostaglandins in your body, which constrict blood vessels and make muscles contract. This only induces cramping pains, so it’s better to stick to lean meats instead.

7. Caffeine

Caffeine can worsen pelvic pain before or during your period. It can also stimulate stress and irritability.