Can I Get a Little Pesto Please?

June 20, 2012 by julie Comments

Pass the pesto. . .

Try making your own pesto tonight using this simple recipe that you can add to many different dishes. 

Organic Garlic Scapes (3 bunches)

Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil Approx. 1 cup

Sea Salt (teaspoon)

Fresh grated Parmesan Cheese (2/3 cup)

Organic Pine Nuts (1/3 cup)

You may need to adjust the quantities for your own flavour. Throw it all in your blender to your desired consistency.

Our family loves garlic for spreads with bread and a bold Italian red, on homemade pizza, with some delicious cheese. Your choice. Is your mouth watering yet?

Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Snacks

Add a little lemon!

April 24, 2012 by julie Comments

Add a little Lemon…

We all know how important drinking water is throughout the day. I have to admit that sometimes I find it difficult to get my full daily requirement of around 8 glasses a day. My trick that I find works really well is to squeeze some lemon in my water. I actually end up craving it!

Did you know?

1) The body is comprised of up to 75% water

2) Studies show more than 75% of the population in civilized countries are clinically dehydrated.

3) Adding lemon to your water has great health benefits.

Some of the benefits of lemon water:

1) Lemons have an alkalizing effect on our bodies when we drink it.

2) Great digestive aid

3) Helps to purify and detox the body, having powerful anti-bacterial qualities

4) Contains Vitamin A and C

I figure it is important to drink it, so why not add a little flavour but also a great amount of health benefits. I also make a point to squeeze a little in my kids water for overall health.

A helpful tip we do in our family is have a pitcher of water in the fridge with lemon. For our teenage kids this has really helped them increase water intake and decrease juice because they like the cold refreshing taste.

References:

http://www.earthincommon.com/nutrition_01-article.html

wikipedia.org

http://www.waterbenefitshealth.com/benefits-of-drinking-lemon-water.html

Filed Under: Fit & Fab, Food, Healthy Life Stuff, Uncategorized

Getting Kids in Touch with their Food

October 4, 2011 by julie Comments

Our daughter picking her carrots from the garden

Getting Kids in Touch with Food.

One of my biggest motivations to have our own vegetable garden (other than the healthy benefits), was to get my daughter in touch with her food.  I feel many kids today are so out of touch with food because a lot of things come out of a box or can.  In our family, eating whole foods (meaning foods in their purest form) is a priority.  Whenever possible we use fresh fruits and vegetables, and having a garden is the best way to do that. 
There is something so rewarding about planting a seed and then watching it actually grow into a vegetable.  And it is surprisingly way easier than you think.   In the spring I get my daughter involved in planting the seeds.  The best part is when she can pick & eat some of her favourite foods such as carrots, in minutes, out of the garden.

This not only cultivates healthy eating habits but really gets kids in touch with their food.  For my daughter having a garden is all she has ever known, so to her it is normal.  I love that kind of normal.
And honestly if I can grow a garden so can you. 

Tips for a Garden
• Start small (you can use planter boxes on your deck to grow almost anything)
• Raised garden beds are the best.  (4 x 10 or 12 is great because you can reach all around)
• Plot out a spot now on your yard for the spring
• You will be surprised how much yield in vegetables you can grow in a small space.
• Look for organic non GMO, seeds to plant.

More about how to build a garden in the spring…………

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff

Butternut Squash Soup… Great for the Fall

September 30, 2011 by julie 1 Comment

Yummy, Healthy, Easy, Fall SoupGreat Fall Recipe….

Ingredients:
½ Butternut Squash
2 celery stalks
3 carrots
½ large onion or 1 medium
3 cloves of garlic (smash once with knife)
Vegetable stalk
1/2 tsp Grated Ginger root
Pinch Nutmeg
Sea Salt to taste
1 tbsp Olive Oil
Sour Cream 

Steps:
1) Prep:
Cut Butternut Squash in half, take seeds our with a spoon. Peel with potato peeler.  Cut into cubes.
Peel and cut carrots into thick slices
Cut celery into thick slices.
Dice your onion.

2) Cook:
Heat Olive Oil in a Medium pot
Add onion and sauté 2 min.
Add carrots celery and garlic. Sauté on med for 2-3 minutes.
Add Butternut squash and grated ginger root  (sauté for approx 5  minutes until you see it start to caramelize or sweat)
Add pinch of Nutmeg
Add Veggie broth to about a ¼ inch above your veggies in the pot (make sure it is hot when you add it so it doesn’t drop the temperature)
Simmer on Med/low for approx 20 minutes. ( It is done when the butternut squash pierces easily with a fork)
Add sea salt to taste and pepper if you like.
Turn stove off and use hand immersion blender to puree until nice and smooth.

3) Enjoy
Serve with a dolop of sour cream on top.
Yummy.
Freezes well.

Quick Easy Healthy Tips:
Use organic, local or homegrown  ingredients where possible
Veggie Broth Short cut:  I don’t have time or patience to make my own veggie stalk so I use an organic low sodium cube and mix with hot water.  You can find these in any grocery store in the natural foods section.
I use the other half of my squash to steam for 10 minutes and make yummy baby food.  If you want to use the whole squash and make more soup, just double the other ingredients.

Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Soups

Raw Food Snack

September 27, 2011 by julie Comments

Healthy Food Energy

You ever have those days where you realize it is past 2:00pm or later and you haven’t stopped to take a breath, never mind eat lunch?
That was me today.
I am working with major deadlines however, and at about 2:00pm my tummy is rumbling and I realized I haven’t eaten.
For me when I am hungry it is like my brain shuts off.

So I took a time out (kind of) and brought a plate of raw veggies and dip to my desk.
After minutes of munching I felt way more productive.
Raw Veggies are power foods full of nutrients.  Great for lunches or snacks when you need a pick me up.

Tips to save time and eat healthy:
- on the weekend take time to wash and cut a whole load of veggies. (you will thank yourself later)
- veggies like carrots and celery do great in water to keep their crunch.
- have dips on hand in the fridge to give it some extra appeal. (I love hummus and yoghurt ranch)
- easy peasy and healthy.

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff, Snacks

My New favorite Tea

September 23, 2011 by julie Comments

Really Good Tea

 I never used to be a fan of herbal teas, yet I know how healthy they can be, especially when buying organic.  After trying literally tons of different herbal teas, I began to acquire a taste for them.  They are wonderful to drink when you need that little pick me up in the afternoon.  Something warm and soothing to get you through the day without grabbing the caffeine  filled coffee or worse POP!.
I love the ‘Traditional Medicinals’ brand.
This Chamomile with lavender is my new Favourite!  Give it a try, you will love it.
 

 

 

Tea Tips:
-Great before bed to relax and calm
-When you feel like coffee, give this a try instead.
-I love to make tea time, me time; a moment for you in the day. Take a break and have a tea.

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff

Healthy Eats at the Airport

September 20, 2011 by julie Comments

Rob thrilled that he can stock up on healthy snacks

 

There is hope to finally eat some healthy food while traveling through airports.

My husband and I were recently travelling to NYC on business and were thrilled to come across “the healthy gourmet” at JFK airport.
 Normally eating at an airport is generally not a healthy experience, but this time we were able to load up on healthy snacks for the plane here.
 They even had a ton of healthy “organic” choices to fuel up on. 
 Goes to show, as we start choosing healthier food, we will be able to get it more readily.

 

 

  Tips for Eating Healthy in Airports:
 - look for bags of nuts to get your protien. (better to try raw and unsalted but if not, at least it is better than anything deep fried)
- you can usually find whole fruit at the concession stands
- I always have a healthy granola bar in my purse…just in case.

Filed Under: Food, Uncategorized

Roasted Beets

September 2, 2011 by julie Comments

They are so sweet.

My Brother, who is a fabulous chef, taught me this quick and easy way to make beets.
 
Steps:

1. cut beets into chunks or slices (I used about 4 small/med size beets)
2. Add chopped onion and garlic (about 1/2 onion, 2-3 cloves of garlic)
3. Coat with just enough olive oil to cover (about 1 tbsp)
4. Add a touch of sea salt (or herbimare)
5. Mix together in your roasting pan (I like to use glass)

Roast:
 Roast the beets for about 15 minutes at 400 degrees. You will know they are done once they are tender and have that caramelized.

 

Tips for Eating:
• -great to top on salads
• -use as a side dish and sprinkle a little goat cheese on top

Heatlhy News:
-Beets are low in fat and high in fibre
- Beets are loaded with vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin c, magnesium, iron, and B6

Sources:
everynutrient.com
wikipedia- the free encyclopedia
Filed Under: Food, Recipes, Uncategorized

The best way to eat …….

September 1, 2011 by julie Comments

Fresh, Organic and Delicious

The best way to eat is local and fresh.  Living in Canada I take advantage of our summer and fall harvests as much as possible. The best way to do this is to seek out farmers markets or markets/stores that serve local as much as possible.  The distance from farm to table is shortened and much more of the nutrients stay in the food.

Check out these beans that are in season now.  I love this local market they have their own organic farm that they pick from plus they work with the local farmers to bring in other produce.

The food tastes so much better when it is local.  My daughter can eat these beans by the dozen.  We often do bean races to make it fun!

The best best way to eat is local and organic.  Next time you are at your market or store as questions; Is it organic? Where does it come from?   I do all the time because it is important to know more about the food we eat and what we put in our bodies.

Filed Under: Food, Healthy Life Stuff Tagged With: