The first time I ever went camping was with three foreign foodies in a remote site on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Like many of the best hideaways in BC we had to spend over an hour on an old gravel logging road to get there. Accompanying me was a girl from Turkey who maintained connections to her homeland through flavourful Mediterranean cuisines, a girl from Australia of Lebanese descent who could add just the right spices to make simple dishes impressive and a guy from Australia who had picked up many diverse cooking techniques in his extensive world travels. Needless to say we had more exotic food than the traditional American options like hot dogs and smores (not that I don’t love those too). We made this salad every day and it never got old, a few years later it has come to be one of the main dishes I associate with easy summer food and hot, lazy evenings sitting around with loved ones sharing food and stories. Continue Reading →
Piña Colada Popsicles
There are few things more refreshing on a scorching day than sweet, melty popsicles. They are really easy to make and they can be way healthier and tastier than many of the store bought options out there. This version only requires two ingredients- equal parts coconut water and pineapple. The secret is using really ripe fruit, when it is at its peak of flavour. Continue Reading →
Creamy Strawberry Lime Tarts
Raw vegan treats are basically made from blends of nuts, seeds and fruit, and require no baking. They set then stay fresh in the freezer, making them a perfect cold, sweet snack for summer. These tarts have a date and almond base with a strawberry cashew mousse for the filling. Lime juice adds some fresh, bright flavour, maple syrup sweetens up the strawberries and chia seeds thicken up the mousse. The tarts are very nutrient dense and filling but they feel lighter on the body and won’t leave you feeling heavy like many more traditional treats can. Continue Reading →
Yam Oregano Frittata Muffins
These frittata muffins provide enough easy to digest and absorb protein along with complex carbohydrates to provide an energizing pre-workout snack or to help your body recover as a post-workout snack. Since they can be made in advance and are easily portable and reheatable they’re great for a fast breakfast, a lunch to take to work or school or provide some sustenance for a picnic. Continue Reading →
Cherry Smoothie Chia Pudding
Chia pudding is usually made by soaking chia seeds in nut milk along with whatever flavorings are desired. The seeds become gelatinous when they come in contact with liquid and after around 20 minutes the mixture thickens up to a pudding-like consistency. Back in the days of the Aztecs chia seeds were revered for the energy they provided and were a secret weapon of warriors. The chia pudding of today is a great way to consume these tiny seeds, since it is easy to digest and full of nutrients. Continue Reading →
Cherry Edamame Salad with Peach Dressing
Eating the rainbow is especially accessible in the summer when vibrant produce is freshly available. A salad like this provides a range of flavors, textures and nutrients through combining vegetables and fruits with seeds and legumes. Continue Reading →
Spice Crusted Steak Tacos
Steak has a bad rap in some food circles and while many restaurant portions far exceed what is necessary, consuming it occasionally in moderate amounts can provide some important nutrients. Some restaurant tricks for great steak are using cuts that are very marbled, with thick white veins of fat running throughout the meat to provide extra flavor and juiciness, and to baste it in butter as it cooks. However, there are a few tricks that can be used at home to create a lighter, healthier option Continue Reading →
Strawberry Watermelon Coconut Smoothie
This is the kind of snack or light meal to enjoy out on the patio or out at the beach as the days get hotter. Smoothies are really easy to digest so they provide fast nutrients on lazy summer days. This combination features hydrating watermelon with fragrant strawberries, rich coconut meat, creamy cashew butter and a date for extra sweetness. Continue Reading →
Za’atar Envelope Vegetables
Za’atar is an Egyptian spice blend that commonly features sumac, sesame seeds, sea salt and some combination of thyme, marjoram and/or sage. The citrus notes in the sumac balance the nuttiness of the sesame and earthiness of the herbs, and the blend goes well with any vegetables you have on hand and like baked. It offers enough flavor for adventurous eaters but is not too overpowering for the more demure palates. Continue Reading →
Dragon Fruit Salad Bowl
Dragon fruit adds some interest to a regular fruit salad, both because of it’s name and it’s unique look and texture. This tropical fruit has hot pink skin with large green scales, the characteristic that earned its name, and the white fruit inside dappled with tiny edible black seeds is full of nutrients. Continue Reading →