Say NO to GMO!

At the annual Canadian Organic Growers conference - which I attended yesterday there was a plethora of information – from how to grow as a farmer, to how to shop as a consumer. However the main theme of the day was the topic of GMO’s. If this is a new term to you – it means Genetically Modified Organisms. Doesn’t sound so appetizing does it? Since there are so many questions, concerns and comments around this area,  I thought I would bring to you, my readers, some of latest and most currently research in the area and what you can do as a consumer!

Firstly – you should know that many GMO’S are currently found in most of the food that we eat. Sounds crazy…right? But they can be found among very few crops such as cotton, soy, corn and canola – and these few crops are the basis of most commercial and packaged food that is sold in the market. So a simple solution of course, is to just stop eating these foods and do I what I have been advising all along…eat whole foods!

But the problem with GMO’s goes much further than this. There are many claims, policies and science that goes into this whole field. This has all caused a substantial amount of controversy as to whether GMO’s really actually beneficial to us? The initial theory and “claim” was that they would help to save world hunger, give new variety of foods, improve rural livelihood, help facilities and the environment. Instead they have created more harm that proved to be beneficial. GMO’s have proved to be unsustainable as farmers have to use new seeds every year while destroying the land, they have also created numerous allergies, health problems and deadly conditions, contaminated large sources of our foods and crops that certain populations rely on-  and this is just to name a few! So really the goals that may have been in mind, aren’t really accomplishing what they had set out. In fact Europe has already figured this out. In Germany GMO’s are not only rejected by consumers but farmers are liable if they are caught planting GMO crops. Unfortunately in North America – the trend is not the same. There are large companies behind this that will do anything they can to protect their “seeds” and make sure that “their seeds” are the only ones used by farmers in a majority of North America’s farmland. This is a sad truth but there is something you can do. You have a choice to make each time you buy food. There are resources available like the Non GMO project which has set out to help consumers find products that are free of GMO’s. It is important to know and learn what you can do as a consumer and what you can do for your health.

Okay I know, now comes the question of Organic!

I still constantly get asked, how do you know? What is the benefit of organic – is there a difference? Well the proof really is in the pudding. Just try it and see for yourself. It has taken me several years to get the point where I am at now – where I am pretty much 100% organic, local – with the exception of eating out sometimes and other such factors. I have to say that not only do I feel better physically but I know that I am not contaminating my body with pesticides, hormones, residues and GMO’s!  I have made the choice not  to put toxic foods into my body and have it affect my children one day or my health down the road. You too have this same choice to make. So choose wisely!

The other huge question around organic is the cost. “Organic food is sooo expensive!” The same point that I make to my clients and cooking class participants was also made yesterday.

The initial costs of buying organic – yes “seems” more expensive when you look at your bill and start to compare. But it is the bigger picture that needs to be looked at. First of all, most people consume and eat a lot of meat during the week. Well, meat is expensive – so cut down on that, have more vegetarian meals and you will be saving (plant based foods such as beans and grains go a long way in terms of $ value!) The nest point to mention is that most people also dine out  during the week- this is the perfect opportunity to start to make your own healthy organic meals and Dine In! Then you will also be saving and it’s more fun! So in turn by making these small changes you will begin to afford organic and high quality foods – and there actually may not be more actual dollars spent but the value of your health will increase. Isn’t that what it is all about anyways…eating the best foods  so that we can feel our very best? (then you will also save on health bills/prescriptions down the road etc..). Why else are we on this planet? Just think about this and it will start to make sense – even if it is not right now.

So just to reiterate you have a choice to make. What do you want to eat?  how do you want to feel? where do you want your food coming from? – if you don’t know then start by saying NO to GMO!

The Delicious Organic and NON GMO plate of food served at the Conference…can you say YUM!

For the Love of Chocolate!

I have given myself permission to have chocolate everyday. This may not sound like a good thing – but let me tell you that it is, on sooo many levels! Not only does chocolate or better yet cacao possess many amazing nutrients including magnesium, antioxidants and other amazing trace minerals- it makes you feel good. So that should be good enough – right?!

I think I speak for most people (especially women) when it comes to wanting your “fix” of daily chocolate. But the truth is that most women when they “crave” and eat chocolate, they are most likely going for poor sources where chocolate isn’t even the main ingredient. In this case, it is more of an addiction because it is the sugar that many are addicted to and not the chocolate. Not to mention most chocolate bars are full of processed dairy, hydrogenated oils, soybean oil and other ingredients which just take away from the “pure-ness” that chocolate is meant to be. If you want chocolate it in things…add it yourself to your own recipe and make it yummy. But never buy a low quality and poor sources of chocolate. What a waste!

I like to enjoy the purest and most natural forms of chocolate.  Whether it is in the form of a piece of dark chocolate from Endangered Species, Zazubean or local sources such as Chocosol and Living Libations, I am happy to support good fair trade chocolate from all over. Then of course there is cacao powder (both raw and dark roasted), cacao beans and cacao nibs. I add these guys to smoothies, puddings, raw pies, granola, oatmeal, hot cocoa or any other treat that deserves being made chocolaty! When it comes to chocolate try get as pure as you can – with as little ingredients as possible. You may as well get the best chocolate you can – it will only taste better and you will feel it, right down to your core!

So for my daily creation today – being that it is the afternoon on a snowy day. I could go for a hot chocolate or I could go for something with a bit more substance but yet is still warming. I love playing with  my vita-mix and creating something new and fun. So instead of a smoothie – I am going to make a warming, spicy pudding. Here is what I am using and why I used it!

Spicy and Warming Chocolaty Pudding

1 scoop of Chocolate Sun Warrior Protein Powder – to give me a boost of pure vegan protein.

1/2 cup rice milk or almond milk – to make it creamy and somewhat wet

splash of coconut water – Yum!

1-2 dried banana – to sweeten it up naturally

1/2 pear – to thicken and sweeten

1 tsp cinnamon – to warm me up!

1 tsp mesquite powder – to give me extra energy!

1 small piece of ginger – to spice it up!

1 tbsp raw cacao powder – to make it extra chocolaty

1 tbsp raw cacao nibs – to give a chocolaty crunch

1 tbsp chia seeds – to make it thick and delicious

Blend all this goodness and pour into a bowl and enjoy!

Sugar n’ Spice

If there were two words to sum up the month of October it would be sugar and spice. Sugar is what makes Halloween so popular. It is not the fun and cute costumes, the pumpkins or the decorations, it is the empty calories that fill up the bags for millions of kids all across North America that make this holiday so memorable. If you were to rethink the concept of Halloween -you could change this and still make it fun and full of “sweetness”. Not to mention, you would be doing teenagers and kids all over a huge favour in the long run. In case you didn’t know, there are so many delicious healthy treats that you could be giving out on Halloween. If you’ve got kids of your own, you could be doing what a friend of mine does, Halloween in reverse. Invite all of your kids friends over…and make them most decadent chocolate cake, cookies etc. using natural organic ingredients, whole grain flours, maple syrup, real cocoa powder and then later have your kids hand out naturally sweetened lolly pops, chocolates, gummies, or anything else that is fun and naturally “colourful”. That way your kids can still dress up, get in their dose of sweetness and have a great time!

On a whole other topic…there is spice…the almighty contrast that compliments sweetness. Spice is thrown in the mix because the fall season begs for warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom. All delicious and all can bring flavour and natural sweetness to anything created in the kitchen. One of my favourite things to make this time of year that blends both worlds together is cinnamon baked apples. Not only are you getting the natural sweetness from the apples, which of course would sweeter if they are local, but they are full of fiber and taste delicious when they are baked. Then you top them off with a scrumptious mixture of maple syrup, brown rice syrup, raisins and some nuts such as almonds or walnuts. There is no healthier way to have dessert, snack or breakfast then to bake up some apples and top them with this glaze and spices such as cinnamon and ginger. These spices are warming and compliment the apples – what better combination than apples and cinnamon ?

So get your sugar n’ spice on and have fun with some “natural” alternatives to sugar and some warming spices and make this time of year, happy, healthy fun for the whole family!

Happy Halloween!

Baked Cinnamon Apples

Ingredients:

6-8 organic apples (braeburn, fuji, honey crisp, royal gala)

¼ cup chopped raisins

1 cup almonds or walnuts, chopped or ground

1 tbsp brown rice syrup

1 tbsp maple syrup

½-1 cup apple juice

1 tbsp cinnamon

Fresh ginger

(optional extras clove powder, cardamom pods,  allspice)

1 Tablespoon Coconut oil

Preheat oven to 375F

1. Core apples, leaving the bottom intact to prevent leakage
2. Finely grind or chop nuts by hand or in a food processor. In a medium bowl, combine ground nuts, cinnamon, raisins and syrups and mix well.
3. Stuff the mixture into each of the apples and place them into a small glass baking dish.
4. Pour the apple juice on top of the apples and into the baking dish.
5. Bake in flat corning ware greased with coconut oil, uncovered for 20 minutes and baste apples with juice at bottom and continue to bake for another 20-30 minutes or until tender.

Thanksgiving in Ottawa – Veggie Style!

I hope you all had a fantastic Thanksgiving weekend! It was such a perfect weekend for me to get away. My boyfriend decided to take me to Ottawa for the weekend. I had never seen Parliament, and it was about time! I also knew that Ottawa had some other amazing things to offer – so we took off and had a fun filled, veggie eating weekend.

I was also actually surprised to find out that Ottawa had quite a bit to offer in the way of vegetarian, healthy living and local fair. It was so nice be completely accommodated for in a new city. We frequented a delicious restaurant called The Table. It is buffet style, and I am normally not one for a buffet – but this was the freshest and tastiest buffet I have ever been too. I don’t even really want to call it a buffet, but it was more like a table topped with organic, local and vegetarian goodies – and mostly gluten free too! The first night we were there, I was in heaven, I just filled up my plate with quinoa, squash, cabbage, broccoli, tempeh, spinach and seaweed, lentil dhal. I love when I can pick and choose everything what I want on my plate (especially when I am not home). I also love when all the ingredients are listed for me on a little card, so I know exactly what is in it!

So being more than satisfied the first night – we made sure to come back on our way back to Toronto – here is what my take out dish looked like! Can you say YUM!!!

We were also so lucky to find an amazing Farmer’s Market on Sunday morning. It had such a nice community feel and was loaded with some goodies. We went there on an empty stomach – which is never a good idea but we found some local pears and carrots to munch on. There was so much amazing produce, but I didn’t have a kitchen to cook in or else I would have gone wild! Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, squashes, greens – all of the ingredients for the perfect fall harvest vegetarian warming meal! I had to hold back and now I will have to wait until next weekend at the Brickworks market to stock up.

After we left the market, I was still hungry of course – and we were lucky enough to find this cozy little bakery called The Wild Oat – which featured an amazing menu like toasted spelt veggie sandwiches, salads and soups. So we sat down to a chai latte and a toasted spelt sandwich with tahini and roasted veggies. It was fantastic!

We spent the rest of the day perusing through Ottawa, the Byward Market, Parliament Hill, The Rideau Canal and other little nooks. So I have to say, for a first trip to Ottawa, I was not only impressed with the city itself and all of it’s history but the amazing culture and organic veggie food that it had to offer!

BY the WAY: For those of your with your FAVOURITE VEGGIE MEAL posted on my blog – tomorrow is the day where I am going to list the top three picks (so you still have today to GET POSTING!) and then YOU my readers will vote which ones (out of the three) are your favourite posts and why! Then the lucky winner will be selected, contacted and will attend any one of my classes for FREE!

Nourish yourself this year!

Start off the year right. You owe it to yourself to nourish your body with fresh delicious food and your mind with the satisfaction that you can make the choice to be the best YOU this year. Make the right choices now, or else January will pass by to quickly. Then in February… well no one feels like starting anything new in February. Then March comes and you tell yourself you may as well wait until the spring or summer to start eating right or getting in shape or going on a cleanse. Well I am telling you that if you start right now, by the summertime you will already be looking and feeling great!

So the key is to get yourself motivated today. Start up a new exercise program and fill your kitchen full of healthy choices. You may even want to take a COOKING CLASS (see side column for details) or two, get yourself loaded with health supportive and tasty recipes to get you on your way – just email me if that is your plan!
I am also offering a WHOLE FOOD MAKEOVER WORKSHOP series starting next week that should definitely get you on your path to good health and well being. Sometimes you just need a little push in the right direction to get you on your way.
But if you are the type that just wants to do it yourself, then let me at least give you a few tips to get 2009 to YOUR best and most nourishing year ever!

1. Choose fresh and whole foods everyday
2. Choose organic and bio-dynamic foods as often as possible
3. Choose food that is fresh, local and seasonal
4. Choose foods that are colourful, vibrant and that vary in texture, flavour and shapes (this is great for kids too!)
5. Experiment cooking with different grains, legumes, vegetables and spices for variety
6. Limit your consumption of fried, processed, packaged and sugar laden foods
7. Limit your consumption of commercial meat and dairy (instead select naturally raised or organic whenever possible)
8. Start up a new exercise program, even if that means taking a walk around your block!
9. Find alternative methods for relaxation, healing and rejuvenation (massage therapy, aroma therapy, acupuncture, tai chi, yoga and pilates).
10. Have Fun!

Quinoa with Porcini Mushrooms and Dried Cranberries

Ingredients:

1-cup quinoa
2 cups water or vegetable broth
Salt
1 ounce (3/4 cup) dried porcini mushrooms
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ cup minced red onion
1 garlic clove
1 stalk celery
1 cup chopped fresh spinach
1 cup dried cranberries or currents
½ toasted pinenuts or pecans
Freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley or thyme

Procedure:

1. Rinse quinoa and place in large pot and dry toast on a low heat for a few minutes. Add 2 cups of water and bring to a boil with salt. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Combine 1 cup of water with porcini mushrooms in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove the pan from the heat and let the mushrooms soak for 20 minutes. Then drain the mushrooms, reserving the mushrooms and the liquid separately. Roughly chop the mushrooms.
3. Warm the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onions and celery and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 7 minutes. At the last minute add the spinach.
4. Add the reserved mushrooms, the garlic, and the cranberries and sauté until the cranberries are heated through about 2 minutes.
5. Add the pinenuts, quinoa, salt and black pepper to taste, and the mushroom soaking liquid. Cook until the liquid has been absorbed, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped parsley and serve hot.