Excited to announce that I am now on Twitter. Thank you to Angie Sist for the recommendation and continued support


Find me here http://twitter.com/JamieLRHN

Gluten Free Falafel

I love falafel. When I go to Middle Eastern restaurants, I usually cannot enjoy them as they add wheat flour (I am allergic to wheat) and I don’t like the fact that it is deep fried. So here is my version of a classic food with my healthy twist! The seasoning used, make them not only taste great, but also makes this recipe come with amazing promoting properties. Cumin is great for digestion. And as I always say “you are only as healthy as your pipe’s”. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory power and anti cancer potential Parsley and cilantro are both great sources of chlorophyll, which is very cleansing to our bodies. Parsley is also a well known diuretic.

This recipe combines legumes (chickpeas), seeds (tahini/sesame seed paste) and whole grains (quinoa flour) making this a complete vegetarian protein meal with all of the essential amino acids. Contains 9 grams of protein per serving and 8 grams of fiber!

Nourishing, tasty and satisfying! What more could you ask for? Enjoy!! Serves 4

• 1 can of chickpeas (I use Eden Organic)
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 shallot or ½ onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp tahini
• Handful of both cilantro and parsley, roughly chopped
• ¼ cup quinoa flour
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp coriander
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 1 tbsp of olive oil for cooking


Directions
1. Place all ingredients, except olive oil, in a food processer. Process until smooth.
2. Using hands take golf ball sized peices and roll with hands
3. Heat fry pan to medium heat.
4. Add olive oil and pan fry falafels until lightly browned


Serve with your favourite mixed greens salad and a dollop of hummus or tahini sauce (tahini + lemon juice + garlic + water)

Click here to find out what is really happening when you decide to drink that coke...
http://blisstree.com/feel/what-happens-to-your-body-if-you-drink-a-coke-right-now/

Here is a refreshing drink without all that sugar and health problems associated with it like that glass of coke provides! It is actually good for you! Rich source of vitamin C and other potent antioxidants.

Berry Lemonade

1 cup of your favorite berries (I like it with strawberries, but any berry will do...i also use frozen)

1 cup or so of water

1/2 the juice of 1 fresh lemon
1 packet/10 drops of stevia or 1 tbsp of raw honey or agave syrup, to taste!
ENJOY!!

CITY TV!

Check me out on City TV talking about children's nutrition and a school age program called At My Best. This is a topic that is near and dear to my heart. If we can get our young kids to start making healthy choices now we will change the future of our country. As it is now, this generation of children is the first to have a life expectancy that is less than their parents. This is a wake up call for all of us that NOW is the time to make a change. And the first place to start is with ourselves. The more parents and other role models in children's lives make healthy choices the more kids will too. Kids learn from our actions, not what we tell them to do. Get the whole family involved in a healthy eating mission, make it a game! Have fun eating healthy!

I am on the 2nd and 5th installment. Here is the link!

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid89818319001?bclid=89783581001&bctid=94507625001

For more information on the program At My Best go to the website
http://www.cahperd.ca/AtMyBest/

Here is the recipe for the Black Bean Brownies that were taste tested on the 2nd installment. Thank goodness the children liked them ;o)......i was worried about that!

Flourless Brownies

No one will ever guess the secret ingredient in this recipe: black beans!
1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, drained and rinsed
3 large eggs
1/3 cup “better butter”, more for the baking dish
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla extract
1/2 cup cane sugar or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (best option = 70% cacao content)
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts (optional)


Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Butter an 8-inch baking pan. Place the black beans, eggs, better butter, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. Remove the blade and carefully stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan. Bake the brownies for 30 to 35 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool before cutting into squares.


Better Butter
Makes About 2 Cups

1 lb or 4 sticks of butter (go organic when possible)
1 c olive oil
Cut butter into pieces and put into food processor. Blend slowly streaming in the oil, until smooth. Move to air tight container and store in refrigerator. Now you'll have spreadable butter whenever you need it!

You know its the Beginning of Summer Fresh Salad......

This was my dinner last night. On my way home I stopped by the local farmers marker and got some fresh asparagus and since I had some fresh salad greens, organic strawberries and some leftover wild caught salmon at home, I thought I would make a summer fresh salad.

I love this time of year! It is so exciting to go to the farmers market and pick up some fruit and veg that you know is fresh, often picked that day! I just feel so good after eating such fresh foods that contain their full nutritional potential....right after produce is picked it begins to lose its nutrients! Please take full advantage of all the local options at this time of year and into the summer. It is probably one of the most powerful things you can do for your health and the environment.

I have to be totally honest.....
I loved this salad, thought it was one of my best ever. My better half on the other hand, also known as Todd, hated it! He was not a fan of the dressing. So it is not for everyone. But if you are a fan of tahini like I am, go for it! I am sure you will love it just as I did!


4 cups of mixed greens (or peppery arugula would be great too)
1/2 bunch of asparagus, chopped into 1 inch pieces
5-10 strawberries, sliced
6-8 oz protein (wild caught salmon, chicken, etc)
½ cup of legumes (lentils, chickpeas, etc)

+ a sprinkling of walnuts if desired

Dressing (makes extra dressing, use for tomorrows lunch ;o)

2 tablespoons sesame tahini

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoons maple syrup

2-3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1-2 tbsp of water

Prepare the asparagus by snapping the bottom of the stems off and chopping the asparagus into 1 inch pieces. Steam the asparagus for 2-3 minutes. Let cool. You can run them under cold water to stop the cooking process. You want the asparagus crisp, but cooked. Toss the asparagus with the mixed greens, strawberries, legumes, and salmon (or other protein option). Whisk or blend the dressing ingredients together and drizzle over each plate.

Store the extra dressing in a glass jar for the next delicious salad adventure ;o)

Organic Farm

I have had a bunch of emails asking me for more information on the organic farm I go to.

Here is the link;

http://www.organicsfarm.ca/www.organicsfarm.ca/Welcome.html

Strawberry Sorbet

Strawberries are in season ;o)!! This is one of my favourite times of year! The weather is great and one of my favourite fruits is available from the local farmers market! In Stouffville, where I live, there is this great organic strawberry farm that I look forward to going to every year and stocking up. I hull the strawberries and freeze many of them for smoothies and sorbet. Organic is always best when it comes to strawberries. Strawberries are on the dirty dozen list, meaning it contains high levels of pesticides. For more information on the dirty dozen, please go to www.ewg.org. Strawberries are superstars when it comes to nutrition and taste. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. They are also a very good source of dietary fiber and iodine. Strawberries are also a great source of the phytonutrient ellagic acid that is known for its anti-cancer potential!! With only 43 calories (without the additional toppings) for this whole recipe, this is a great dessert idea when you are trying to lose or maintain your weight!

o 1 cup frozen organic strawberries
o 1 packet of Stevia (natural no-calorie sweetener, optional)
o ¼ tsp pure vanilla bean (optional)


Place ingredients in your food processor and blend for 2 minutes or until smooth.


Optional toppings
o 70-80% dark chocolate shavings or choc
o Cocoa nibs
o Chopped nuts
o Coconut flakes

These are my organic strawberries that i picked up yesterday! Don't they look amazing?? They taste amazing too!!

Hi Everyone,
Just wanted to let you know about an exciting event this weekend. My good friends at Natural Life Health Market in Thornhill (by the Prominade Mall) are celebrating 10 years in business.
This Saturday and Sunday they are celebrating!! Everything in the store is 10-50% off and there will be a ton of product samples.
For more information please go to www.naturallifehealthmarket.com

Have a great weekend ;o)

Took a trip to tea heaven yesterday! For all of you tea lovers out there you have to visit David's Tea. The closet one to me is in the Prominade mall but there are many in the Toronto area and I am told more to come. Check out the website below for all of the details.



I tried the
Coco Chai Rooibos (very sweet and rich tasting)
Spring Break (green tea with coconut, amazing!)
And if you like almonds I have found the tea for you...Forever nuts combines almond, apple, cinnamon and beetroot. The tea turns a beautiful color from the beetroot and is very rich almond flavor!


Very exciting for my tea loving self!!


http://www.davidstea.com/
 
Have a great Thursday everyone ;o)

ASPARAGUS

Interesting Facts

 • Asparagus is a perennial (meaning it comes up every year without having to re-plant)

• Member of the lily family

• The spears we get at our local grocery store, or even better farms market, are actually shoots from an underground crown

• It takes up to 3 years for the crowns to develop enough to produce the shoots that we eat but once they do, they can produce for up to 20 years

• The unusual smell our urine takes on after eating asparagus is from the amino acid asparagine

• Aparagine is where asparagus got its name from

  

Nutritional benefits
• Folate (also known as folic acid) – 1 cup of asparagus contains 263 mcg folate. If you are trying to get pregnant.....EAT YOUR ASPARAGUS AND OTHER GREENS! Without folate, the fetus’ nervous system cells do not divide properly leading to many neural tube defects! (should also be taken in supplement form before and during pregnancy to be sure you have adequate levels of folic acid)

 • High in potassium and low in sodium.

• Amino acid asparagine is a natural diuretic

• High in a fibre called inulin – promotes healthy bacteria in the gut (Did you know that 80% of your immune system is in your gut? Want a healthy immune system? Start with the bacteria in your gut)

Roasted Asparagus!

This is my favourite way to enjoy asparagus! Quick, easy and delish!!

• 1 bunch of washed asparagus
• 1 tbsp of cold pressed olive oil
• Pinch of sea salt + freshly cracked black pepper

Cut off woody ends of asparagus. Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, sea salt and pepper.

Bake at 350 F for 10-15 minutes!

Enjoy!

Other ways to enjoy asparagus

• Grill on the BBQ

• Add to your next omelette or egg bake

• Chop into one inch pieces and add to a stir-fry

• With a vegetable peeler, go down the asparagus, making long thin strands. Add the strands to your salad

• Enjoy raw with some healthy veggie dip

Mushroom Sushi

Shiitake mushrooms contain a powerful active compound called lentinan. One of lentinan’s important healing benefits is its ability to boost the immune system by strengthening its power to fight infection and disease. Nori, like all sea vegetables, offers the broadest range of minerals of any food, containing virtually all the minerals found in the ocean – the same minerals that are found in the human body. Sea vegetables also contain good amounts of lignans; a plant compound with cancer protective properties. Avocados are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and a great source of vitamin E! Enjoy this tasty recipe and reap the health rewards!

2 cups, fresh shitake mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1/2 avocado, + optional to add more flavour mashed with a tsp of fresh lemon juice + cilantro
2 sheets of nori
1 Tbsp fresh ginger root, grated
1-2 Tbsp tamari
1 Tbsp olive oil
water as needed

• Heat the oil in a skillet, add the ginger and sauté lightly
• Throw in the mushrooms and tamari, as water as needed so mushrooms will cook without sticking to the pan
• Once mushrooms shrink up a bit and get slightly dark, you know their ready, remove from heat.
• Lay out your seaweed on a cutting board
• Spread avocado either in slices or mashed up, along edge of sushi paper
• Top with a row of mushrooms
• Roll, slice, and eat. Yum!


Adapted from: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/recipes/

Tempeh Burgers or Balls!

Although not a common item in most households in North America, tempeh, with its distinctively nutty taste and nougat-like texture, is increasing in popularity. It is a highly nutritious fermented food made from soybeans and its high protein content makes it a wonderful substitute for meat. This is a great way to incorporate tempeh into your diet. Serve with tomato sauce and whole grain pasta or enjoy them with a salad and hummus!

1 package of tempeh

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 Tbsp flaxseeds, ground, + 1/4 cup of water (mixed thoroughly as egg replacement)

1/4 cup parsley, chopped

1 Tbsp dried basil

1 Tbsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp sea salt

1 Tbsp arrowroot flour
1 Tbsp water (or as needed to make batter stick)

• Process tempeh in a food processor or chop finely to resemble a ground meat like thing

• Mix in with all other ingredients

• Roll in to balls and place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. To make burgers press down on them to make them flat.

• Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until browned on top

• Allow to cool

• To reheat – heat on your stove top with ½ tsp of coconut oil

These can be frozen for a quick meal on a busy day!

Source: http://meghantelpnerblog.com/recipes/

This is an amazing website with create and healthy recipes to make eating nutritious foods fun!! What a concept?

WATER! WATER! WATER!

Water is essential for of all life and that includes your body. Your muscles that allow you to move your body are 75% water; your blood that transports nutrients to your trillions of cells is 82% water; your lungs that provide your oxygen are 90% water; your brain that is the control center of your body is 76% water; even your bones are 25% water. Have I convinced to drink your water yet?? I hope so, because it is truly essential for your health and wellbeing. Our health is truly dependent on the quality and quantity of the water we drink. We need to replenish our water with pure sources on a daily basis.

The great news is that we can make it fun!!! This morning I thought I would add a little pizzazz to my water!

I got some fresh mint from my garden (you could also purchase from the produce section), added some fresh cucumber slices and a few pomegranate seeds!! I stored it my glass water bottle and let me tell you, IT LOOKS SO PRETTY AND TASTES GOOD TO!!

Other options to add pizzazz to your water;

 Fresh lemon or lime juice

 2 strawberries sliced

 Mint flavoured chlorophyll

 Peach slices

 I slice oranges or grapefruit

 Lemon and 1 packet or a few drops of stevia for an all natural lemonade!

The options are endless! Have fun with your water!