The latest recipes and such on my blog...
Valentine's Day treats for all!
Believe it or not, chocolate can be good for you! I decided to make treats for my family from scratch again this year so that I would know that all the ingredients are healthful. Most factory-produced chocolate is high in refined sugars, inflammatory dairy, and other additives to keep costs of the final product down. What you may not know is that cacao, the main ingredient in chocolate, is actually very health-supporting...>
Support immune health, naturally. >>>
AB & J Smoothie
Try this tasty smoothie to nourish and re-energize your body after a workout, or as a midday pick-me-up. Get the recipe >>>
Try this tasty smoothie to nourish and re-energize your body after a workout, or as a midday pick-me-up. Get the recipe >>>
Vegetarian Ratatouille
Enjoy as an easy "Meatless Monday" meal, or just any old day you'd like veggie-powered comfort food >>>
Enjoy as an easy "Meatless Monday" meal, or just any old day you'd like veggie-powered comfort food >>>
A Nutritionist's Guide to Healthy Gifts
If you're thinking about giving a gift to someone you love, check out my list of recommendations to lighten your load! See the list>>>
If you're thinking about giving a gift to someone you love, check out my list of recommendations to lighten your load! See the list>>>
Get your veggies by eating chips - Veggie Chips that is!
These veggie chips are guilt-free because that are not deep-fried and they are made with nutrient-packed whole foods. They are easy to make and a fun way to get your vegetables. Grab the kids and get them involved. Make chips >>>
Banana Coconut Zucchini Bread
Start your day the right way - with vegetables and chocolate! This banana bread is hearty enough to eat for breakfast. Just slather a piece in almond butter and get on with your day! You'll get all the nutrients you need to get your motor running, and a dose of feel good chemicals from the dark chocolate. Bake this loaf now >>>
Getting your veggies is easy with this Veggie & Bean Chili
Eating nourishing foods is always important. Whole, plant foods (fresh or frozen) offer us a variety of health-supporting nutrients that can help to keep us resilient and strong in times of stress.
Go to the recipe >>>
Say "Yes!" to cookies with these Dark Chocolate Haystacks
I love dessert, so I'm always trying to find a way to have my (healthy) cake, and eat it too! One of my long time favourite treats are Chocolate Haystacks, so I decided to "healthify" them. I took a look at a few haystack recipes, and swapped out the less desired ingredients like sugar, butter, milk and refined peanut butter, for more healthful alternatives to come up with my own recipe. They are easy to whip up, no baking required and full of healthful ingredients, many of which you may already have in your kitchen. They are chocolate-y, slightly sweet with a bit of salty as well - sure to quell that sweet-craving, without the guilt! Make them >>>
Eat Fermented Foods to Boost Immunity
Last time, I wrote about the power of garlic for boosting immune system function as a way to help avoid colds and the flu. Continuing on that vein, let’s talk about supporting your immune system naturally this week with probiotics, specifically the ones found in fermented foods. Lately, I have been enjoying this homemade sauerkraut, here's why>>>
Get Up Close and Personal with Garlic
As fall fades into winter here in the North, cold and flu viruses have begun circulating with a vengeance. I’ve already had a sick kiddo home from school 3 times since September!
So I'm pulling some culinary nutrition know-how out of my back pocket to set up a line of defence against those nasty viruses. My intention is to use the power of garlic...tell me more!
Sweet & Salty Bars for Energy
As a nutritionist, and a mom, it’s difficult to find a store-bought granola/snack bar that contains ingredients I’m happy feeding my kids, while remaining school-safe (nut-free). I like them to have some protein, and fibre from whole grains, without a lot of sugar so they get a slow and steady release of energy to keep them on track at school. I’ve also been trying in many small ways to reduce the single-use plastics we bring into our home so making my own snacks instead of buying packaged helps that effort as well. I’ve been working on a few recipes for portable snacks that use nourishing ingredients that my kids will eat. This granola bar is one of those recipes >>>
Warm up with a Green Goodness Smoothie
Here in TO, we’ve had an early blast of winter-y weather with arctic temps and an abundance of snow. If you’re longing to feel some warmth again, turn up the heat with a Warming Green Goodness Smoothie. This smoothie incorporates all of the goodness of green things, as well as hot tea to make it the perfect way to nourish and warm your body, at the same time. I used peppermint tea in mine, but you could substitute green tea or rooibos, whatever your favourite tea may be. This smoothie is great for an early morning breakfast to rev up your body, or post workout as it provides carbs, protein, electrolytes and anti-oxidants to support your body’s repair process after exercise. Make it >>>
Eat the rainbow for magical health!
10 out of 10 unicorns agree that eating rainbows is the key to health, and magic.
Ok, so unicorns can eat actual rainbows because they’re magic, but real humans can take some wisdom from unicorns - eating the rainbow is good for you!
What does "eating the rainbow" really mean? >>>
Heart-lovin' Parsley Pesto
Every year, our wee backyard garden is a bit of an experiment. Some things have grown successfully and some have, well, not. It's always exciting when something flourishes and provides ready, fresh ingredients for our meals. For instance, the small, organic parsley plant I added to our garden patch this summer cooperated and blossomed into a rather large bush over the growing season. Since it is the only thing left growing alongside the cold-weather plants; collards, kale and butternut squash, I wanted to use some of it before the frost descends. I decided to try making pesto with it, and it's delicious! Get the recipe >
Every year, our wee backyard garden is a bit of an experiment. Some things have grown successfully and some have, well, not. It's always exciting when something flourishes and provides ready, fresh ingredients for our meals. For instance, the small, organic parsley plant I added to our garden patch this summer cooperated and blossomed into a rather large bush over the growing season. Since it is the only thing left growing alongside the cold-weather plants; collards, kale and butternut squash, I wanted to use some of it before the frost descends. I decided to try making pesto with it, and it's delicious! Get the recipe >
Gluten-free Zucchini Pizza Crust
Who doesn't love pizza? Since I stopped eating wheat and dairy, I've been searching for a replacement pizza that I enjoy. After experimenting with many wheat-alternative, grain-based crusts, I have found a few that taste pretty good. Right now though, I am loving this zucchini crust for my pizza, and I'll tell you why - it doesn't contain gluten, dairy, or even grains, it's packed with nutritious ingredients and it's a great way to get more veggies into a meal (no side salad needed!). You can even pick it up and eat it with your hands like regular pizza! Get the recipe >
Who doesn't love pizza? Since I stopped eating wheat and dairy, I've been searching for a replacement pizza that I enjoy. After experimenting with many wheat-alternative, grain-based crusts, I have found a few that taste pretty good. Right now though, I am loving this zucchini crust for my pizza, and I'll tell you why - it doesn't contain gluten, dairy, or even grains, it's packed with nutritious ingredients and it's a great way to get more veggies into a meal (no side salad needed!). You can even pick it up and eat it with your hands like regular pizza! Get the recipe >