Category: Great Eats

Spice it up!

chiliDamp weather and cooler temperatures…snow’s just around the corner in Canada’s mid-west. No better time to focus on preparing homey comfort foods, stews, and broths. As you do so, think about adding spicy elements to meals to boost and strengthen your immune system. I love brightening up a rainy fall day with a hearty bowl of chicken soup. If you’re on the go and can’t find time to make broth, there are plenty of great low-salt brands available, packaged or in tetra packs. I add steamed veggies and a  peppery chili or “chilli” paste or lemongrass paste just before removing hot soup from the stove.

Both chili paste or lemongrass add warmth and extra flavour while providing a boost to your immune system. My favourite brand is Gourmet Garden. Browse the company’s website by herb or spice for recipes. These amazing Aussie products are available in many fresh produce and grocery aisles across North America — a fabulous import from Down Under…

I also cannot say enough about the importance of investing in your wellness by choosing quality nutritionals. Vitamins C and D are a must during fall and winter, especially in northern climes. I recommend Proflavanol®C-100 or Proglucamune® from Usana. The benefits of cellular science are many and will help keep your body primed to ward off nasty colds, flus and virus strains.

Enjoy a bright new season of wellness…warmth…and all things good…

Image: openwalls.com

You say, tom-ay-to…

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I say ‘tomat-oh’…No matter, because any way you say it, autumn’s ‘the’ season for red and bright coloured foods, and for me nothing adds zest and comfort to life and this time of year quite like the inestimable tomato.

I’ve heard of late that certain ‘wellness gurus’ claim tomatoes are no longer a ‘good’ or even a healthy food. We’ve heard this about all kinds of things, so I  won’t even ‘go there’.  Instead, I will say that I love the health benefits and low calorie rich fibre benefits of tomatoes. My favorites are vine-ripened, (garden/organic) and bright-tasting bite-size romas, cherry tomatoes, etc.  I like to make homemade tomato soup this time of year, and I will continue to judge the goodness of tomatoes not by the latest ‘good for you, bad for you’ reports out there, but by how much this amazing fruit that dresses up as a vegetable continues to pack a load of lycopene, (an important antioxidant) and other positive benefits. Discover 11 good things about tomatoes at organicfacts.net  and if you have a favorite tomato soup recipe, let me know. Here’s one I love from AllRecipes.com

Keep loving good eats!

Image: feelgrafix.com

go, go, GO…

gogo-quinoawelcome to foodie wellness…As a lover of all food, I often adapt recipes to include a ton of veggies, pulses, legumes and super grains in my meal plans. A highly-energizing super-grain dish to prepare in under 30 minutes is falafel (croquettes) using organic quinoa and amaranth flours. Btw — these falafel store great in the refrigerator for 2-3 days & may freeze well too (but I have yet to keep them on hand to find out).

To prepare from scratch, select finely-ground organic quinoa and amaranth flours, (3 parts to one) and add turmeric, garlic powder, garlic scape/sea salt blend, and other seasonings to taste. For convenience, I prefer using an excellent ‘on the go’ ready-blend — ‘Go Go Quinoa Burger Mix’.  (available in both US and Canada). Go-Go’s a fair trade company with super grains directly sourced from Bolivia. Their website features incredible recipes, including desserts and monthly features like a Mediterranean Falafel Bowl.  To prepare from mix, follow package directions, adding warm water. Flour should be just moist enough to easily form golf-ball-sized falafel. Fry for 3-5 minutes in a ceramic non-stick pan (I never deep-fry), using 3 – 5 TBSP coconut or olive oil. Turn and remove from heat when golden brown. Before falafel are done try some spice and sizzle by adding a dash of coconut aminos (instead of soy sauce), green chili Tabasco and red chili paste. And…you’re ready to… go, go, GO. Keep loving & enjoying great food.

image (GoGoQuinoa.com)

 

 

Healthy weight – ‘balance’

 

This week found me refocused on healthy weight management and getting back to basics. For all of us stress and multiple life factors impact on a daily basis and can affect our self-care. Bottom line  – our bodies are amazing and are designed for us to take care of by eating wholesome foods, drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise, and taking time to play, work, relax, enjoy friendships and creative and spiritual oases, and of course — to get a good night’s sleep. The key is ‘balance‘.  If you’re looking to get back on track with weight management or overall wellness, I recommend exploring three of my favorite wellness sites/experts: Berkeley Wellness and Dr. Andrew Weil.  Sign up for daily /wellness tips or apps. I also strongly recommend using high science supplements, for optimum wellness support. Find out what works best for you. Warning: in a ‘thin’-obsessed culture, beware of anything or anyone offering a ‘silver bullet’ for weight management. Don’t strive for perfection. Avoid restrictive diets.  Love 💕💖💝 who you are. Stay positive, balanced, eat, sleep, exercise, laugh and…always…find joy in the journey…🙂

images: health.com, pixels.com

Go Mediterranean!

Related imageYou are what you eat!…as the old saying goes. If you’re like me, you know it’s oh so true…but sometimes the options out there seem confusing. Where to start?  For starters, I’m a busy professional and like making choices that are simpler, healthier, and better all around. I like shopping ‘local’, using market garden produce whenever possible, and following one of my favourite wellness eating choices, also known as the world’s healthiest eating ‘lifestyle’  — the ‘Mediterranean’ diet (I’ve never liked the word ‘diet’). In short, Mediterranean eating opts for lightly grilled protein (think summer kebabs, non-charcoal grilled), and (yummmmm-y!!) fresh market garden healthy crisp veggies and fresh fruit, along with healthy fat choices (think extra virgin light olive oil) and satisfying whole grains, with alcohol and sugars in very moderate amounts.  As we all know, balance is  ‘key’.  Learn more here with Dr. Oz’s handy Mediterranean diet shopping guide…Also check out what my favorite cellular wellness scientist, Dr. Myron Wentz has to share about living and eating well…and supplementing with quality nutritionals.

image: Americastestkitchen.com