Adding some bacon to a dish always betters the overall flavour and along with some fresh herbs and a glaze made simply from honey and mustard it makes an easy-one pot chicken meal with just a few ingredients. The extra fat from the bacon enhances the potatoes (or any desired vegetables) as they cook but everything crisps up better (and is healthier) if most of it is removed at the halfway point and then again near the end. Continue Reading →
Nutritious Rum Balls
Rum balls are a classic Christmas treat. There are endless options but they usually contain some chocolate and of course, some rum. This version is stuffed with other nutrient dense ingredients- almond flour and almond butter for protein and substance, medjool dates and maple syrup for natural sweetness and a vanilla bean for extra flavour. Continue Reading →
Apple Pork Chops
Pork chops have long been a favourite in my family. Our dad makes a really good breaded and fried version and my brother, who is becoming quite the master chef, makes them with apples and brown sugar (my other brother’s most recent creative culinary idea was reverse cordon bleu- chicken cooked in a block of cheese, so luckily for our health he doesn’t cook very often). I stole the apple idea and added some wine, dijon and maple syrup which cook down into a sauce and keep the pork tender. 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 Maple Pecan Stuffed Dates
Pecans and dates are a delicious combination on their own, perfect for a pre- or post-workout snack, and with just three extra ingredients they get extra decadent. Coating the pecans in a vanilla maple sauce then drizzling dark chocolate over the stuffed dates transforms them into a treat. 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 →
Roasted Chipotle Pumpkin Seeds
When it comes to seeds and pits, most of what we find in our produce is inedible and something to cut away and get rid of. Pumpkin seeds, however, are a delicious and very healthy food that should not be discarded. When roasted they have a rich, nutty taste with a crispy texture and can be eaten on their own or thrown into salads or over soups as a crouton alternative. 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 →
Nutty Apple Frogs
Halloween would not be Halloween without mini chocolate bars and candy corn but there are some healthier treats that can be appropriate too. These little frogs are made from apple quarters with sunflower seeds for teeth, hazelnuts for eyes, strawberry slices for tongues and a bit of nut butter to hold the tongue and eyes on. Continue Reading →
Spiced Apple Chips with Almond Yogurt Dip
Slicing 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 →