One of the trendiest ingredients out there for smoothies is chlorella and/or spirulina powder. It is very fine and a rich evergreen colour with impressive nutritional components. It is one of those foods that tastes as healthy as it is- it’s pretty gross but once the smoothie is blended you cannot taste or smell it at all, you only get the benefits. Chlorella and spirulina are both microalgaes rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, chlorophyll, calcium, iron, zinc, protein and essential fatty acids. A lot of the (warranted) hype around these products is based on its alkalizing and chelating abilities. Continue Reading →
3 Ingredient Rice Bowl
This is a really, really simple bowl but it has been a staple of mine for a long time. It originated as a bedtime snack after late nights out and though I have less of those now, this is still my go-to choice when I need something nourishing, easy to digest, warming and grounding- basically just some healthy comfort food. Both brown rice and avocado are very nutritious and easy to digest, so much so that they are acceptable for babies who are just getting into solid food. Continue Reading →
Roasted Celeriac Carrot Yam Soup
Celeriac also goes by the name celery root and while it is closely related to the crunchy, light green celery stalks commonly cultivated it is grown particularly for the root rather than the stalks. When raw it smells just like fresh celery but the flavor is more subtle and I find it tastes like a cross between celery, parsley and apples, making it the perfect accompaniment for soups made with other more richly flavored root vegetables like carrots and yams. Continue Reading →
Sesame Honey Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are usually paired with salt and savory spices to create a healthy snack full of fiber and protein, but they work well with some sweetness too. Honey, legumes (the lentil and bean family, including chickpeas a.k.a garbanzo beans) and sesame seeds are foods widely used in Ayurveda, a five thousand year old wellness system derived in India meaning “the science of life”. Continue Reading →
Strawberry Mango Smoothie
Mango and strawberry is one of those combinations that never disappoints. Add in some lime juice, coconut water, vanilla protein powder and an avocado and it becomes a tropical tasting, rich, sweet and creamy smoothie good enough to satisfy dessert cravings. This is the perfect kind of thing to eat before or to take along when heading to a beach, pool or anywhere else you want to feel energetic, lean and comfortable. Continue Reading →
Orange Mocha Frappuccino
Several years ago I took a very elitist film class. On the first day we had to go around the classroom and say our name and favorite film. I was near the end and those before me each picked obscure foreign films I had never heard of, to a round of understanding nods from everyone else. I knew I couldn’t compete with that so I was honest and admitted mine to be the completely American and Hollywood creation- Zoolander. The pursed lips I was expecting were parted and to my surprise I was met with collective approval and a lively discussion ensued. A well known part of this movie has one of the lead male models and his crew heading out to cheer themselves up with orange mocha frappuccinos followed up by a “freak gasoline fight accident”. Continue Reading →
3 Ingredient Vitality Smoothie
This is the kind of food to go for after you have been sick. After a spell of nausea or food poisoning, a wicked hangover or even just an energy depleting virus or really intense workout, we need sustenance that is easy to digest, absorb and use. When I was little this meant saltine crackers and gingerale but I wanted a more nutrient dense and chemical free option to aid in recovery. This is easy on sore tummies and it does wonders to help get one back to regular speed quickly. Once we are already dehydrated, drinking water can make us feel instantly worse but some studies, and my own empirical research has shown that coconut water helps to rehydrate without any negative symptoms like increased nausea. Continue Reading →
Blueberry Trail Mix
Trail mix is usually a blend of nuts, seeds and dried fruits- all nutrient dense foods to provide lots of energy in small amounts. While this combination has many possibilities there is a little something extra I like to add- puffed brown rice. It is just like rice krispies but less refined and the only ingredient should be brown rice. It adds a nice light crunch to an otherwise very dense trail mix. This can fulfill its named purpose of providing sustenance out on the trail or it can be a topping for oatmeal or yogurt. If you are a snacker, something like this can be a good alternative to popcorn at a movie (popped corn is good but not all the chemicals and cheap oils they cover it with), chips at home or candy during work or a study session. Continue Reading →
Vegetable Trio
Back when I was younger and before I started liking vegetables I loved this dish. It actually got me excited to eat them, the combination of rich butter (or olive oil) and smoky dried thyme transforms the vegetables to become a medley much better than the sum of its parts. I made it recently for a family dinner and not only were my brothers visibly stoked for it but our parents showed some enthusiasm too. All four of them are generally against vegetables unless they are completely drenched in creamy or cheesy dressing, so any dish that gets them to eat vegetables that are visibly vegetables is a near miracle. I didn’t make this recipe up, it came from my Aunt Karen, a lovely lady and fabulous cook. Continue Reading →
Chocolate Raspberry Baked Oatmeal
Is chocolate healthy or not healthy? Well, that all depends on your definition of healthy… this is why nutrition can be so confusing. Processed chocolate, like all processed food, does not contain the nutrients that made the original ingredients so health benefitting, or healthy, and it often has some questionable additives like refined sugar and sketchy GMO oils. Many different processing techniques that are required by law to make a food stable enough to sit on the shelf for a long period of time greatly diminish the amount and quality of nutrients once present, and chemicals, flavorings and refined food items are added in to make a desirable color, taste and texture. Raw cacao however, the very base of chocolate, has some pretty potent antioxidants and a decent share of vitamins and minerals, making it beneficial to the body and therefore healthy. Continue Reading →