Money-wise Tip: Bang for your Buck

  Looking to stretch your dollars more & more these days? Here are a few tips & tricks I've learned from growing up in a large family, plus some I've had to learn myself along the way.

Cheap protein: A Vital component of every day.
 -Eggs, not only are they known for being a good source of pr otein, they are also a good source of Omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vitamins A & D ..also only $3/doz.
-Tuna, a fish from the heavens. Your mom said it was brain food for a reason. Not only is it full of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins (including 100%dv B3) & minerals (with 190%dv selenium)
 for full explanation of benefits, click here
-Soy milk, although the nutritional values may differ between brands, adding soy milk to your cereal will greatly improve your chances of a balanced day. It's always a good source of protein, iron & B-vitamins, it usually comes fortified with additional vitamins and nutrients.
 (1 cup of soy milk& 1 cup of Vector cereal gives you nearly 100%dv of all your common nutrients. Makes getting everything you need a little easier.)
Frugal Fibre: Kick-start your day & last until lunch!
-Oats (in bulk), grab-n-go pack are good, but usually about 4x the price, just add a little cinnamon, honey & apple for an awesome breakfast.
-Brown rice, great for lunches & paired with dinner...because you can't afford couscous or quinoa. The recipes are limitless.
-Discounted whole-wheat bakery bread -there's nothing wrong with it, it's just not as fresh. (use it within 2 days or refrigerate)
Delectable Desert: Home-made parfaits. 
-look for a good sale sticker or a 50% off tag, you'll be using it all at once anyway.
-plain granola, in bulk, is much cheaper than a box.
-use frozen/thawed fruit. (ex. blueberries, strawberries, or a berry blend) Store brand is good, and you'll be sure the fruit is always frozen in peak season.
-layer the 3 multiple times in a large glass. Tasty, frugal, and no guilt. Just the way I like it.

Killer Recipe: Turkey and Cucumber Sandwich

  Simple, delicious, affordable & healthy.

    This Turkey & Cucumber Sandwich hits all the right notes. Paired with some whole-grain (or even flax) bread, even the most diet-conscious reader can get a sandwich full of flavour, seasoned with Horseradish & garlic, instead of belt-busting mayo.

See the Recipe Here!

Satisfy Your Brain!: What You're Really Craving- Chocolate

Chocolate. MMmmm. The dealbreaker of diets, our number one guilty pleasure.
Often times when one restricts themselves from the food they love, they are more apt to cheat on their "healthy lifestyle". Not to fear though, because you're thinking of all the health benefits, and that lightens your guilt. What if I pointed out to you that you could basically elminate your guilt by making some really small changes? Recently on Dr.Oz, or one of those shows, they had been trying to get kids to eat healthy alternatives. Dark, unsweetened chocolate was said to be full of antioxidants and had multiple benefits compared to our much loved milk chocolate, which is full of fats and sugars. Problem was, most kids are turned off by the bitterness, especially those "hyper-tasters", which made me recall my favourite dark chocolate as a kid.
A really easy way to cut out a lot of the sugars and fats is to skip the snack aisle and head straight for the baking ingredients. Buy Semi-sweet Baker's chocolate. It is still a really high quality chocolate for a better bargain and often has less additives. It also still has that mild sweetness that just melts in your mouth. You can often get away with eating less and still be satisfied because it is so much richer.
So go ahead, and indulge in a piece. Maybe one is all you need!

Killer Recipe: Grapefruit Granita Sorbet

Today, I've got my favourite dessert recipe of 2011:

An icy cold vegan granita recipe, similar to a sorbet, 

made with just a few simple and easy ingredients, including fresh grapefruit.




Check it out, I hope you enjoy some healthy indulging!
More to come!

Satisfy Your Brain: What You're Really Craving

Keep Everything running smooth with Good Fat 

  The first step to losing weight or just plain eating healthier is losing your addictions to the food you eat; we all have cravings. We crave things for a reason, usually our body "needs" something. Unfortunately, with all the delicious temptations out there, our eyes crave what our body might not. Your "sweet tooth" might really be your mind associating an unhealthy food with something it needs, such as vitamin C. Time to re-train your brain. Your "fast food" craving might actually be your body telling you to eat more "fat". (ie. omega3&6)
    Many people are still fearing fat, yet fat has many benefits when used in a diet correctly. Cutting it out all together will only trick your body into storing more of it. Instead, try reducing your overall fat intake and replace "bad fat" with "good fat".. that way your body and mind are still satisfied, and you can focus on your workout instead of snack time.
So, here are some really easy and tasty ways to cut down on your fat while leaving your mind and palette satisfied! feed your body what it's really been craving all along!

• Avacado & Sea Salt (more potent flavour, less needed) instead of Mayo (sandwiches)
  (try it in cottage cheese!)
•  Instead of buying pre-cut fries full of trans-fats, Toss Home Cut Fries in Olive oil and Bake them, don't fry! (way healthier option that only takes a few moments) (suggestion: while tossing cut fries in olive oil, add garlic powder, oregano and a little sea salt for a delicious restaraunt-style fry)
• Nuts are a good source of Omega3 fats and a better alternative to the crunch you'd get from chips.
• Whole Grain Crackers are also a good alternative to the usual bag of salty snacks.
• also try cooking with sesame oil or olive oil instead of vegetable and canola oil, fewer calories and it doesn't skimp on the flavour! You won't miss cooking with butter!

   Switching sinfully fatty foods to good fats has not only caused me to have more energy and healthier cravings, but my skin has also benefited. Good fats are equally good for the skin because, instead of causing acne like many fatty foods, it actually helps heal & protect the natural moisture barrier of the skin, and my cellulite is gone!  I don't crave fast food at all anymore, I'd be much happier to have an avacado and cottage cheese than some deep fried French Fries! MacD's doesn't hold any power over me!
What other reasons do you need to make a few changes?

What this blog is all about:

   Lately I've been wondering why childhood obesity rates are still on the rise when there is so much emphasis on healthy eating. It's really not that hard, whole foods are good, and processed, have all sorts of issues that are only still being discovered now. Is it because the majority of people have passed on their bad habits or inherited insensitive taste buds? Possibly, but maybe it's because they there is no "healthy food" available? Could it be that some people just don't understand what is and isn't as healthy as they think?
  I wanted to start this blog to show people that despite money or access to fresh produce all the time, you can still improve your diet -and health- every time you eat.
  Being someone who suffers from multiple medical conditions, I needed to change my diet to make my life work. Whether you have a digestive problem, immune-deficiency, mobility problem, or you just want to eat healthy to increase immunity, stay fit & live longer, I've got plenty of tricks and tips to get the most out of every meal. I come from a large family where my mom had to feed 7 of us on a tight budget. I'd like to think I've learned from the master.
 It's time to go back to the way our parents (or grandparents) viewed food, where you know you can't trust it if it's not a natural ingredient.

ps. We've reached the 7million+ mark in population, it's due time we talk some sustainability.