Quinoa is a very nutritious whole grain that can be eaten hot or cold. It has a nutty flavour and delicate texture that works well as a base for wholesome salads. It is notably high in protein, fiber, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and a range of nutrients. Continue Reading →
Peanut, Date and Hemp Energy Balls
Energy balls are basically round, very healthy cookies. They are easy to prepare because they do not require any baking time in the oven, although they could be flattened with a fork and called cookies instead. Their ingredients are all very nutrient dense- making them a potent source of energy. They are really versatile and can be a good way to use up bits of dried fruit, nuts and seeds leftover in the pantry. Generally I use a mixture of dates, nut butter and some kind of nut flour or oats as the base. Continue Reading →
Papaya Boats with Key Lime Chia Pudding
When Christopher Columbus came to the New World he also found out about papayas for the first time and hailed them the “fruit of the angels”. They are a tropical fruit with a buttery consistency and unique flavour that sort of tastes like a blend between mangos and cantaloupe. They have a slight muskiness that can be nicely balanced with a sprinkle of some freshly squeezed lime juice (or chia pudding with lime juice already in it). Papayas contain a special enzyme called papain, which helps with the digestion of protein and is used to treat traumas like sports injuries as well as allergies. They are also a great source of vitamins C and A, folate, fiber and several minerals including magnesium and potassium.
Prawns and Mango Salsa in Butter Lettuce Cups
My brother loves to tease me that lettuce cups are just a salad in a salad. But they are light and refreshing and do feel slightly different than just eating a large salad; I prefer to think of them as extra healthy tacos. For the base here I used butter lettuce, its soft texture and delicate taste earn its name, it is almost buttery. It is tender enough to easily bite into but when doubled up it is sturdy enough to not fall apart, creating an ideal base for these cups. Continue Reading →
Meyer Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
Energy balls are perfect for a healthy dessert or snack or they can be added to a bowl of oatmeal or yogurt to bulk it up a little. Their name describes them perfectly- energy balls, a.k.a. power balls, are filled with nutrient dense ingredients. Each component itself is filled with nutrients, including the macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). When they come together they create a great option for fuelling or recovering from intense workouts or for getting through afternoon energy slumps. Continue Reading →
Cherry Spelt Muffins
These muffins are quick and easy to prepare and clean up. All the ingredients go into a blender to create a smooth batter then the cherries get folded in and it all goes straight into lined muffin tins. The trick is just to work quickly and then get it into the oven right away, if left out for too long the batter can get too thick. The muffins are not too sweet so a bit of butter and cherry jam can make them more decadent. Continue Reading →
Ham and Pea Frittata
Frittata muffins can appeal to children and adults alike. This seasonal variation has some sweetness from peas, ham and cooked shallots plus some creaminess from marscapone and butter. A bit of thyme adds some flavour without being too exotic. This recipe can either make 18 muffins or it can be put into a greased casserole dish and baked then cut and portioned after. Continue Reading →
Sourdough with Marscapone and Honeycomb
A simple, healthy piece of bread can be transformed into a treat with some creamy marscapone and sweet honeycomb. Any kind of whole grain bread is going to be a nutritious choice but it is extra beneficial if the grains are sprouted or if the loaf is a sourdough one. Both of these types have an extra step in the processing that makes the bread easier for us to digest. Continue Reading →
Orange Asparagus Wheat Berry Salad
Eating in the summer is easy- the focus is on lots of hydrating smoothies, fruits and salads, plus some BBQ here and there to weigh the lighter options down a bit. In the fall, it gets a little heavier still and there is (ideally) pumpkin in everything. The winter is all about comfort food- thick stews and chilis, roasted meats and root vegetables, porridge and hearty breads. But what about spring? For the earth it is a time of renewal and if we eat with the seasons, as we should as much as possible, it is a season of renewal for us too. It is the best time of year to detoxify our bodies. That doesn’t mean going on cleanses or restrictive diets, it means eating more foods that support our bodies’ natural detoxification process. Continue Reading →
Baked Salmon with Crème Fraîche and Watermelon Radish Salad
A good piece of wild salmon is one of the healthiest foods to build a meal around. Add in a fresh, colourful salad with a light vinaigrette and perhaps a little topping for the salmon and voilà- a well balanced plate loaded with beneficial nutrients. When it comes to eating healthily, a palm sized piece of simply baked fish and a mound of vegetables is pretty near perfect. Continue Reading →