One of the most tangible ways to show love is through food. While extravagant ingredients and meals are wonderful and special, sometimes whipping up something quick, healthy and nourishing can go a long way in improving how you or a loved one feels. Continue Reading →
Pesto Potato Frittata
Pesto and eggs are a perfect pair and with the addition of potatoes they come together to form a healthy, simple and hearty frittata. Frittatas are basically Italian omelettes and they are super easy to make- you just throw all the ingredients together and leave it to bake until the top is golden brown. Continue Reading →
Strawberry Banana Snake
This fruity snake is basically a restructured fruit and yogurt bowl. It takes a few extra minutes to make but that time is well worth it when it comes to getting picky eaters to willfully eat some fruit. A different way of plating food (and adding some chocolate googly eyes) can make even the most basic ingredients a little extra special. There are a lot of popular diets that focus on taking foods or whole food groups away but one of the best changes we can make to our nutritional habits is adding in more fresh produce whenever and however possible. Continue Reading →Maple Pecan Banana Smoothie
Bananas are a very popular smoothie ingredient because they add density and create a nice texture. If they are frozen prior to being used they become even sweeter and create a thick, creamy smoothie. Nutritionally they are a well known source of potassium, an electrolyte that balances sodium and has been shown to help lower blood pressure. They also have notable amounts of vitamin C for strong immunity and wound recovery as well as vitamin B6 for maintaining hormone balance and forming red blood cells and transmitters in the nervous system. Continue Reading →
Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats
Gingerbread can be the ultimate in sweet comfort food. It has warming, fragrant spices and a deep caramel-like sweetness that can easily be imparted on a healthy bowl of oatmeal, making it more enticing on frosty, cold mornings. Steel cut oats cooked with almond milk thicken up into a dense, gooey and warm nutty-flavoured oatmeal full of fiber and protein to keep your belly satisfied and feeling full. Continue Reading →
Granola Baked Apples
Baked apples were one of my favourite childhood treats, long before I started caring for healthy food. My mom used to cut out the core then stuff them with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. While that combination is impossible to beat, I like to sometimes use granola instead for a more filling and nutritious version. Continue Reading →
Winter Fruit Salad
When it comes to healthy eating, arguably the most effective step is simply to make healthy options easily accessible. Cutting fruit takes a bit of time but then for a couple days there is very minimal effort required- simply put it in a bowl (perhaps with some yogurt, granola or oatmeal to bulk it up) and enjoy. Continue Reading →
Vanilla Spice Smoothie
There are no greens or weird sea algae powders in this smoothie as is my usual habit- sometimes it’s nice to have a sweet treat with a relatively simple, familiar ingredient list. This version has vanilla protein powder for extra nutrients, frozen banana to make it creamy and medjool dates for some extra but natural sweetness. The addition of spices assists digestion and adds some seasonal flavour, while vanilla almond milk brings it all together. It actually tastes surprisingly similar to egg nog, Continue Reading →
Tropical Smoothie Bowl with Fruit Roses
My 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
Steel 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 →