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Debunking The Detox

I’m vehemently against the entire concept of a detox. Our bodies are quite good at detoxifying themselves naturally, thank you very much. Even if there was some need for an assist, you’d better believe that a brief regime of liquefied vegetables wouldn’t be the cure. Despite that, I’m willing to make peace with the Green Detox Broth from The Soup Peddler on the grounds of improper naming.

It strikes me as one big mistake. For starters, it’s no mere broth, but a thick bowlful of hearty soup, given body from an abundance of pureed zucchini and broccoli. The only thing true about the moniker is that it’s green. Simple, soothing, and undeniably nutritious, I’m not mad at the savory brew itself. I’d just like to see the peer-reviewed studies that show its efficacy in cleansing.

Intoxicating Flavors

Whatever imagined impurities it’s meant to banish aside, the greatest asset of all is that The Soup Peddler has made this recipe available online. Though I refuse to call it by its original name, the basic concept is an essential staple here. I’ve made just a few small tweaks and offer additional options for adaptation, if you’re a detox deviant like me, too.

Continue reading “Debunking The Detox” →

April 7, 2025March 20, 2026

Hannah (BitterSweet)4 Comments

Juicer Couture

A gift doesn’t need to be given to be received.

That’s what I tell myself when I’m staring down my wish list, debating how much might be reasonable to receive in a given calendar year. There must be special allowances, however, for a gift that’s practical, thoughtful, and genuinely useful, right? That defines the Hurom H310 Easy Clean Slow Juicer in all respects. I can confidently say it’s a pragmatic present you would only regret not treating yourself on.

I’ve been utterly hooked on juicing from the moment I plugged in my H400 by Hurom and suddenly can’t imagine life without such a luxury. Starting the day with a glass of fresh juice is better than any wake up call, rivaling the potency of a trusty espresso shot at times. Now, with this practical indulgence, I never need to deny myself. Compact, lightweight, and highly packable, this little juicer has completely changed the game. You can juice anywhere and everywhere—even while camping out in the wild, if you bring a power source. Limited luggage space makes the notion of putting a whole masticating juicer in a carry-on bag sound downright comical, but this machine always makes the cut.

Have Juice, Will Travel

The defining characteristic of the H310 Easy Clean that sets it apart from everything else on the market is how portable it is. Conventional juicers are hulking, heavy contraptions you could only park on your kitchen counter and leave there, taking up valuable real estate. This one seems to defy the laws of physics with a diameter of just 4 inches and weight of less than 8 pounds. Despite that, it’s still remarkably spacious, capable of accommodating a whole apple or orange with ease, stems, pits, and all.

I’m not one to compromise on quality, which is why the results are so spectacular. Like all Hurom juicers, the low-speed auger maximizes juice extraction from both fruits and vegetables, leaving behind completely dry pulp. As far as efficiency is concerned, this juicer is no slouch. It’s surprisingly quick to assemble, use, and clean, so rather than dreading the process, it’s a rewarding experience from start to finish.

No Mess, No Hassle

The biggest pain point for me has always been the clean-up. Who wants to spend half their morning scraping pulp out of mesh filters and washing a dozen parts? The H310 completely eliminates that stress. Its Easy Clean design means there are fewer parts to deal with, and the few pieces that do require cleaning come apart and go back together effortlessly. For the first time ever, I don’t feel like I’m cleaning a juicer more than I’m actually using it. That, to me, is worth the price of admission alone.

Besides, there isn’t much to clean up in the first place. This juicer’s low-speed masticating system ensures you’re getting a high yield with minimal pulp. You get nutrient-packed juice with minimal foam that stays fresh longer than the average home-pressed options.

A Juicer for Your Life, Not Just Your Kitchen

The H310 isn’t just eye candy to bejewel your countertop; it’s the kind of appliance that keeps pace with your busy life. Whether you’re heading out on a weekend getaway or just trying to streamline your daily routine, this juicer makes healthy living feel doable, no matter where you are. Once you’ve tasted the fresh juice it creates, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought.

At this point, I’d argue it’s not just a want, but a need, as a simple, thoughtful gift that feels both luxurious and practical. If I could give it to everyone I know, I would, because it really does make life just a little bit better.

December 16, 2024March 19, 2026

Hannah (BitterSweet)Leave a comment

Right On ‘Cue

For all the amazing vegan food that covers nearly all cuisines across Austin, there is at least one glaring omission: BBQ. It’s such an essential staple here, and plant-based alternatives are well-established, so why don’t the two ever meet?

We have a few options, if not full BBQ establishments. A number of restaurants have come and gone, even during my short tenure here. Notable losses include the late BBQ Revolution, Bone-a-fide Vegan, and PlowBQ. In their wake, many other talented plant-based chefs have made space on their diverse menus to include this all-American staple. When cravings hit, here’s the full list of meatless BBQ dishes within city limits.

Best Vegan BBQ in Austin, TX

Mission Burger – For the most authentic smoked brisket that could genuinely fool an omnivore, this should be your first stop. The Smokey Brisket Burger piles mushroom-based brisket on top of one or two Impossible patties, dairy-free provolone cheese, crispy onion strings, and pickles, which is even more of a mouthful than it sounds. Rich like genuine fatty brisket, you’d be wise to schedule in a nap shortly after partaking. For the full experience, grab a BBQ Plate which includes slaw and mac and cheese, or just throw that umami meatless mix on top of Brisket Cheese Fries for a quick fix.

Bistro Vonish – A perennial staple, the BBQ Seitan Sandwich is a little bit sweet, a little bit smoky, and wholly satisfying. Hitting at the heart of honest, no-frills, meat-centric BBQ, it puts the protein front and center. Seeing as the thick-cut seitan is made entirely from scratch, it would be a disservice to do anything else. Paired with some tender cabbage on a chewy baguette, it’s a study in simple pleasures.

Bouldin Creek Cafe – It’s hard to resist the legendary tofu scrambles, but when you’re ready to move beyond breakfast, the Vegan BBQ Plate dinner special won’t let you down. Made with Flying Tempeh Co soy tempeh topped with a house-made BBQ sauce, you get the full compliment of beans, salad, and your choice of a side. Cornbread is really the only choice if you ask me, but you do you.

Double Trouble – Get it on a taco or a bowl; as long as you don’t pass up the BBQ Tempeh Short Rib, you can’t go wrong. What makes it so special is that it’s made with pecan smoke and topped with house-made raspberry BBQ sauce, for an ideal sweet and savory balance.

ATX FOOD CO – For a heathy, whole food fix, I’m happy to report that the Tempeh Brisket is a solid choice. Impressively meaty yet tender, deeply smoky in a way that liquid seasonings alone can’t replicate, it’s bold and flavorful without using syrupy sauces as a crutch. You can get it on tacos made with spelt tortillas or in a quinoa bowl, complete with pickled cabbage, broccoli, and avocado for a truly hearty meal.

The Vegan Yacht – Tex-Mex still reigns supreme around these parts, so it should come as no surprise that there’s a good amount of overlap across cuisines. The Smokehouse Burrito takes the whole BBQ plate and wraps it up in one giant tortilla the size of a newborn baby. Ideal for grab-and-go satisfaction, you get the convenience of having smoked BBQ tempeh, whole wheat mac and cheese, slaw, pickles, and avocado in every gargantuan bite.

Wholly Cow Burgers – Perhaps one of the last places you’d think to look for a vegan meal, this old school ode to ground beef is slinging a few noteworthy plant-based bites as well. The Bean Brisket Sandwich employs black-eyed pea-based Texas Tempeh to make up the meat of the matter, slathered in BBQ sauce and generously topped with grilled onions. Though a welcome change of pace for this old school burger join, it does clock in on the salty side, so make sure you grab a soda or sweet tea to wash it down.

Coming Attractions

Like a gripping novel full of twists and turns, this is far from the end of the story…

Rison & Lotts, borne of the mastermind behind Community Vegan, will rise to fill the gap as the sole 100% plant-based barbecue restaurant in all of Austin proper. Building their brick-and-mortar location from the ground up, it’s due early next year on the east side, not far from the current truck. Serving up platters piled high with lion’s mane chopped beef, smoky brisket, and smoked chick’n, complete with potato salad and baked beans, it’s everything a BBQ lover could crave, and more. In addition to the restaurant, there will be a market for grab-and-go chilled deli sides, desserts, and frozen biscuits. Until then, expect to see two or three more pop-up previews at Community Vegan to get an early taste of what’s to come.

The hotly anticipated revival of Counter Culture looms on the horizon, replete with BBQ seitan as a headlining attraction. Between now and then, any number of limited specials at existing establishments could spring fresh vegan barbecue inspiration on the community, while old staples may expand on smoky specials, too.

Plenty of restaurants can take BBQ sauce and douse meatless wings or burgers, but for a real smoke show, seek out these trailblazing experts.

December 2, 2024March 19, 2026

Hannah (BitterSweet)8 Comments

We’re All Mad About Tea Here

Coming from a long line of tea-lovers, it’s no surprise that I was enamored with matcha and rooibos long before finding an affinity for coffee, too. Once I got a Nespresso machine to make instant espresso shots at home, the balance shifted significantly. It’s hard to compete with that level of convenience, consistency, and ease. Still, nothing can replace the craftsmanship of delicate Jasmine or bold earl grey. Thankfully, you don’t have to. Mad Tea is the brilliant solution that makes no compromises.

Sealed in fully compostable Nespresso Original Line capsules, Mad Tea is the first of its kind in many ways. No measuring, no steeping, no plastic trash; it really is the complete package. What grabbed my attention first, however, was the ability to make a fully vegan Thai tea latte in under 30 seconds. In fact, that’s true of all the flavors. The entire array is vegan, gluten-free, tree nut- and peanut-free, kosher, and even packed in separate facilities from all dairy ingredients! What more could you ask for in an afternoon (or evening) pick-me-up?

On that note, a big benefit to branching out from the usual Nespresso pods is that there are more low- and no-caffeine options to suit all times of day. Especially as I get older, I can’t expect to keep drinking rocket fuel and then sleep soundly later. Switching to tea pods not only satisfies my craving for a warm, comforting beverage but also allows me to enjoy my drinks without the jittery aftermath that often accompanies high-octane energy drinks, natural or otherwise.

Most importantly, it’s genuinely some of the best tea I’ve had outside of a cafe. There are currently eight flavors, spanning the globe for tea varietals:

Brown Sugar Milk Tea – Smooth and rounded, creamy and sweet. Ideal for making boba tea.
Chai Tea – Like pumpkin spice but better, folding cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves into every harmonious sip.
Matcha Tea – Rich, bold, and subtly grassy. Genuine matcha with body and froth, not some pale, generic “green tea” blend.
Chamomile Lavender Tea – Gentle, soothing, and clean, with a slightly herbaceous quality. Very relaxing and easy to drink.

Jasmine Milk Tea – Both calming and invigorating, highly aromatic with the scent of fresh blossoms and cut grass. Delicate yet luscious at any temperature.
Peach Oolong Tea – Remarkable juicy, fresh peach flavor. Perfectly sweetened, nothing else needed, brilliant both hot and cold.
Thai Tea – Vibrant orange from strong black tea, blended with star anise, cardamom, and a hint of vanilla. It begs for a splash of condensed coconut milk to complete the classic presentation.
Earl Grey Tea – Bright and zesty, with the essence of orange on a base of robust black tea.

For the indecisive, you can get a variety pack to try one of each, ensuring that every craving is covered.

Go on, get mad; to taste Mad Tea is to love it. Thankfully, you can use the code BITTERSWEET to save 10% through Madtea.com and keep it flowing.

This post was made possible as a collaboration with Mad Tea. My opinions can not be bought and all content is original. This page may contain affiliate links; thank you for supporting my blog!

November 18, 2024March 19, 2026

Hannah (BitterSweet)3 Comments

Hitting The Juice

In the world of juicers, Hurom has perpetually ranked in the upper echelons. Earning top recommendations from the raw foods chefs I idolized as a baby vegan, it was always the brand to beat. Sleek and stylish, these upright fountains looked nothing like the hulking turbines of yore, but more importantly, their groundbreaking slow juicing technology completely changed the game for home juicers. After years of yearning for my own, I can finally take it off my wish list.

The H400 Easy Clean Slow Juicer is the luxury sports car of small kitchen appliances. Tackling the biggest complaint that conventional juicers are a pain to clean, this model makes convenience a priority. Juicing at home is MUCH more appealing when you don’t have to factor in the hassle of disassembling, scraping, and scrubbing every time you make a single drink. The fact that it’s far more efficient than most other juicers has a lot to do with that, creating minimal pulp that’s remarkably, exceptionally, almost completely dry, rather than leaving a thick, wet sludge caked over mesh screens and every exposed surface.

What Makes Hurom Juicers So Special?

Before Hurom hit the scene, most juicers available outside of a commercial setting were centrifugal juicers, using a high-speed blade to shred produce and then spin it rapidly though a mesh screen. Fast, but far from effective, the resulting juice is very frothy, low yield, and must be consumed right away. Plus, leafy greens pretty much get chewed up and spit out since they’re harder to process.

Hurom machines are masticating juicers, which essentially “chew” the ingredients using slow rotations of an auger before separating liquids from solids. Slow Squeeze Technology (SST) is designed to mimic the natural motion of hand-squeezing juice, ensuring that the juice retains its natural nutrients and flavors. Here’s how it works:

Slow Rotation: The juicer operates at a low speed of just 43 revolutions per minute (RPM), which minimizes heat buildup and oxidation. Less oxidation means the juice stays fresh and nutrient-rich for a longer time after pressing.
High Pressure: The technology uses high pressure to squeeze fruits and vegetables, extracting every last drop of juice. More juice, less pulp.

Not Just For Juicing

Before you say, “not another unitasker!”, I’ll have you know that this beauty does far more than the average juice press. Have you ever wanted your own nut milk maker? Frozen dessert machine? Soup starter? Baby food blender? Guess what: Now you’ve got them. Factor in all the ways to transform the pulp into crackers, flour for cakes and breads, dog treats, and more, and you’re looking at an incredible versatile, zero waste powerhouse.

Healthy Happy Hour

An unexpected side benefit is that it’s much more compelling to make myself a mocktail these days. When I think I’m craving a drink, I’m really just craving a refreshing treat, something that feels special, that I can sip and savor. I’d rather not feel dull, tired, or tipsy if I can avoid it. Use a fancy glass, some nice clear ice, add bitters and sparkling water, and you’ll beat the neighborhood bar at their own game.

Get Your Creative Juices Going

From sweet to savory, morning to night, my beautiful H400 Easy Clean Slow Juicer is the only appliance that gets a more vigorous daily workout than my air fryer. It took nearly two decades for me to get my Hurom and while I would have loved to live the juice life much sooner, it was well worth the wait.

September 6, 2024March 16, 2026

Hannah (BitterSweet)5 Comments

Zaika Zeitgeist

Buffets tend to be a losing proposition for vegans. For the all-inclusive flat fee of admission, you’re paying steak and seafood prices for steamed broccoli and iceberg lettuce. Even those paltry plant-based offerings should be “enjoyed” with caution: it’s guaranteed that there’s dairy in the dressings, cheese on the prepared salads, and cross contamination galore across the open chafing dishes bubbling away. There’s ample reason why I’ve avoided them studiously for years, well before concerns of COVID put an end to most mainstream smorgasbords.

Zaika Indian Contemporary Cuisine, however, is the antidote to this dying art. Despite otherwise catering to omnivores, they carve out space every other Sunday evening to host an all-vegan buffet. Not only can you rest assured that there’s no hidden chicken stock or ghee, but it’s also entirely oil-free. Anyone who limits their oil intake, or likes to indulge at Indian restaurants, knows that is rarer than a unicorn sighting. On top of that, almost everything is gluten-free, too.

For over six years now, Zaika has hosted these feasts, providing fresh, healthy, homemade food that welcomes everyone to the table. Originally inspired by a local Indian doctor’s recommendations, it began as a way for patients on strict dietary protocols to enjoy a taste of home, minus the negative health repercussions. Word spread through the local community, slowly but surely, expanding that fan base to people from all walks of life.

Banish fears of hidden dairy or menu misunderstandings; nothing is off limits here for plant-based eaters. Grab a plate and step right up, try a little bit of everything and don’t be afraid to go back for more. You won’t be judged for taking seconds (or thirds) of the richly spiced cabbage mattar, which is my personal favorite, or the mild and sweet tofu tikka masala. Trays are refreshed regularly, quickly, to keep everything on the line hot from the kitchen and abundantly stocked.

Baked, not fried potato samosas are an unexpected sensation, swaddled in homemade pastry with a softer texture than is traditional, yielding easily to meld with the tender spuds within. Bright green mint chutney is absolutely essential for peak enjoyment, soaking in and brightening each bite with invigorating herbaceous flavor, ending with a subtle kick of jalapeño heat.

What you won’t find on the buffet are garlic naan, but that doesn’t mean they’re out of reach. On the contrary, the chefs care so much about the quality of these popular flatbread that they’re made only on demand, ensuring that every diner gets their own personal batch, still warm, soft, and perfectly chewy.

The real struggle will be leaving room for dessert, because yes, you finish your meal with an array of sweet treats, too! Typically laden with ghee, milk, and heavy cream, this was the first time I’ve ever been able to finish a meal at an Indian restaurant with dessert. Even if you’re completely full, you must try a tiny spoonful of gajar halwa (mislabeled in the above photo). Impossibly buttery strands of shredded carrot are infused with brown sugar sweetness, tasting for all the world like a Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole. In fact, it’s fantastic enjoyed right alongside your entree, creating a crave-worthy contrast to all the spicy, tangy, bold seasonings on that main plate.