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: