One of the easiest ways to make food more nourishing is to bypass as much processing as possible. Nutritional advice will often dictate to eat the whole fruit rather than their juice or the whole seeds rather than their oil. Several nutrients in fruits and vegetables start to decrease in amount and potency the moment that the food they are in is removed from the plant, this loss is further sped up through different processing techniques like cooking and drying. Moreover, all the nutrients work together- for example the fiber in fruits lessens the impact that the sugars they contain have on the body, slowing down the digestion process and keeping blood sugar levels more stable. Continue Reading →
Pesto Chickpea Gnocchi
Pre-made gnocchi is one of my favorite throw together comfort foods. Gnocchi is similar to both pasta and dumplings except the main ingredient is potatoes instead of flour and once it is thrown into some boiling water it cooks in only two minutes, maximum three minutes and the pieces come out dense and soft. Potatoes are very easy for us to digest and they are a good recovery food if you’ve been suffering from any of the winter viruses making their rounds now. Traditionally gnocchi does have some white flour as a binder but there are gluten-free options that use potato starch instead and they are really delicious. Continue Reading →
Ginger Spiced Almond Cookies
Almond flour is a good substitute for refined white flour in creating dense and chewy cookies with a lightly crispy crust. Almonds provide a significant source of vitamin E, along with several B vitamins and the minerals manganese, magnesium and phosphorus. They are high in fats, but they are primarily monounsaturated, one of the types of unsaturated fats we should choose more regularly than saturated fats (as found more concentrated in palm oils, red meat and dairy). Research has shown that eating almonds alongside simple carbohydrates, such as fruit, sugars and syrups reduces the overall glycemic index (GI) of the meal, meaning that it causes less of a rise in blood sugar than the simple carbohydrates would have on their own… making them an ideal ingredient for healthy desserts. Continue Reading →
Almond Avocado Spring Rolls
This is serious health food. It is loaded with fresh, raw vegetables potent with nutrients and made palatable through the magic of two sauces laden with healthy fats. If you are looking to get your body back into top shape after holiday feasting, make more room on your plate for raw vegetables. They are an integral part of the diet because of their vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which all support functions throughout the body. Beyond this, they can also enhance digestion because contain something called enzymes. Continue Reading →