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!!