Tropical Smoothie Bowl with Fruit Roses

Tropical Smoothie Bowl with Fruit RosesMy very first job as a teenager was at a bakery. I couldn’t believe that I got paid to bake bread and decorate cakes all day, tasks I would have gladly done for free. I loved working with the piping bags and one of my favourite things to make were little icing roses. Nowadays I like to keep my icing intake to a minimum for health reasons, but a similar effect can be created easily with strawberries and thinly sliced fruits with smooth flesh like mangos, kiwis and plums. Continue Reading →

Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached Pears

Vanilla Pumpkin Steel Cut Oats with Ginger Orange Poached PearsSteel cut oats are the culinary version of a warm cozy sweater. They are nourishing, warm and grounding and will keep one comfortably satiated for hours. This type of oats takes longer to cook than rolled oats so they are not ideal when things are rushed, but for lazy mornings spent lingering around the house, perhaps with the rain pounding or wind howling outside, they are a perfect breakfast. Once cooked they are still slightly firm, form a thick consistency and have a nutty taste that goes nicely with fruit, nuts and/or yogurt.  Continue Reading →

Pancetta Pecorino Wild Rice Stuffed Portobellos

Pancetta Pecorino Wild Rice Stuffed PortobellosPortobello mushrooms have a meaty flesh, deep earthy flavour and their large, round shape makes them an ideal base for piling on with other ingredients. Wild rice, a black coloured and richly nutty tasting food with a deceiving name forms the base of this stuffing. While we call it rice it is actually the seed of an aquatic grass that thrives in the cold water rivers and lakes. It is rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants, plus unlike most true grains that are slightly acidic it is alkaline. Continue Reading →

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Pumpkin Spice GranolaA sprinkle of homemade granola is a healthy way to liven up a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt and fruit. It adds crunch, sweetness and in this case, some fall flavours. A combination of pumpkin purée, pumpkin seeds and pumpkin spice really drive home the pumpkin theme while pecans add some richness, dried cranberries add some chewy tartness and maple syrup, molasses, vanilla and hazelnut butter flavourfully hold it all together. Continue Reading →

Rainbow Carrot and Mango Prawn Soba Noodle Bowl

Rainbow Carrot and Mango Prawn Soba Noodle BowlSoba means buckwheat in Japanese, the naturally gluten-free whole grain that these dense, nutty flavoured noodles are made from (look for 100% buckwheat options, some contain less nutritious refined wheat flour as well). Buckwheat is a good source of fiber, minerals, B vitamins and has a notable amount of protein. The combination of fiber and protein make these noodles a lot more filling than regular white durum flour options like spaghetti even though they have fewer calories- an example of the power of nutrient density over just caloric density. Continue Reading →

Cranberry Hazelnut Mandarin Quinoa Salad

Cranberry Hazelnut Mandarin Quinoa SaladDuring the fall and winter I still like to have salads here and there, especially after indulgent events like Thanksgiving. During the summer, a light leafy greens based salad is perfect but in these colder temperatures switching the main ingredient to cooked whole grains anchors it down a bit, making it a more grounding option suitable for the season. Continue Reading →

Spiced Apple Chips with Almond Yogurt Dip

Spiced Apple Chips with Almond Yogurt DipSlicing apples really thinly and baking them until they dry out and crisp up deepens their flavour and changes them up a bit. For anyone trying to eat clean or get more fruits and vegetables into their diet, cooking them in different ways can help keep things interesting. These are good on their own, or adding a yogurt and nut butter based dip makes them into a protein rich snack that’s easily portable. Making anything into chips, even something as healthy and common as apples, appeals to kids and picky eaters alike and it is the perfect munchy finger food for curling up inside by the fire. Continue Reading →

Apple Cinnamon Green Smoothie

Apple Cinnamon Green SmoothieAs the weather gets colder smoothies are not as ideal as they are during the summer but adding in lots of warming spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg can remedy this and make them easier on our bodies. Protein powder, oats and almond butter also weigh it down a bit, making it very filling and nourishing. As the days get shorter and darker and temperatures drop it is natural to start craving heavier, fattier foods. While it is important to listen to our bodies and transition with the seasons, it is most beneficial if we go for nutrient dense, not just calorie dense, foods. Continue Reading →

Cranberry Plum Sauce

Cranberry Plum SauceCranberry sauce is usually an afterthought at our family turkey dinners- we’re lucky if our mom mashes it up enough to remove the ribbing from the interior of the can it came from. I wanted to mix things up a little for Thanksgiving this year but changing the stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes or turkey itself would probably get me disowned, so to the condiments I go. This version adds in some balsamic vinegar for depth as well as orange juice and plums for natural sweetness. Along with maple syrup the extra fruits tone down the tartness of the cranberries without having to dump in cups of refined sugar. Continue Reading →