Tis the season! The season of cold and flu that is. Unfortunately this bug hits many Canadians every year, remember the H1N1 virus of 2009? This year, we seem to be dealing with the regular trustworthy flu. Whether this is something that affects you every year, or whether you feel you are a healthy individual who cannot be bothered with stressing over the flu, in some way it is still on everyone's mind. 
The flu shot is also big this time of year, since I won't endorse vaccinations, nor is it...

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I absolutely love a good homemade muffin. Morning Glory muffins have been a family classic for a while in my household. I can remember even as a child waking up Christmas morning and seeing morning glory muffins laid out with hot crossed buns beside our stockings. I love food that evokes a memory or emotion. For me, muffins are an essential part of the holiday season, the spices, the warmth, the hearty goodness, it's to die for! 

My grandmother's birthday was this week, and the family is getti...
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A recent post on my Facebook page posed the question: "Which is the harder struggle, eating well or working out"?

I was amazed at the split right down the middle, definitely did not see that one coming! So I've decided to write about some ways to overcome the struggles and focus on the goal. Let's start with working out...

Why is it so hard for people to get moving?

The truth is, I'm not really sure, and you probably aren't either. You just don't like to do it. But what is it that you're not enj...
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Ok kids, here we go! The newest ‘trendy’ diet on the market.... The Paleo Diet. My girlfriend Kat introduced me to this celebrity-driven phase of getting healthy (by healthy I mean losing weight, and quickly gaining it back...in abundance). She pretty much had the same feelings towards it I did once I did some research... “UGHHH, are you kidding me?!” Man this stuff really grinds my gears. Almost as much as this meathead a friend told me about on talk radio endorsing the Convenience S...

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Ever feel like your salad needs a makeover? Are you a slave to the traditional lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and peppers? Many of us are, and the reason is... it's what we know! 

Well I read this great book and feel in love with salads all over again. It is important for us to find inspiration and excitement in what we are eating, otherwise- what's the point? You should live to eat, not eat to live. And my November pick of the month is dedicated to just that.

100 Best Fresh Salads is a book I pic...
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2 loaves gluten-free bread, diced into one-inch cubes, toasted and cooled
1 large celery stalk, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil 
2 tbsp garlic, finely chopped 
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
1 cup organic chicken stock 

½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper


Sautee the onion and celery in olive oil on medium-low heat until translucent. Add the garlic...

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2 loaves gluten-free bread, diced into one-inch cubes, toasted and cooled
1 large celery stalk, diced
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 tbsp olive oil 
2 tbsp garlic, finely chopped 
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
1 cup organic chicken stock 

½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper


Sautee the onion and celery in olive oil on medium-low heat until translucent. Add the garlic...

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4 tart apples

1 pear, shredded

2 tbsp raisins

2 tbsp chopped dates

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

3 tbsp maple syrup

4 tbsp walnuts

½ cup water

 

Preheat oven to 400.

Cut a circle around the top of the apple and remove the core, almost to the base of the apple. Keep the tops.

Combine all ingredients, except for the water into a medium bowl. Mix well.

Scoop mixture into each apple and replace the top.

Place water into a baking dish, add apples

Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until app...

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1 bag Pamela’s gluten-free bread mix

1 yeast package, included

1 1/3 cups warm water

¼ cup canola oil

 

Combine the bread mix, yeast and water, with an electric mixer, mix for approximately 3 minutes on medium.

 

To make into bagels, use ½ cup of the mixture on a well greased baking sheet. Dip your fingers into the oil to make the shape of a bagel without it sticking. Let the dough rest for 1 hour to rise. After an hour, poke holes in the center of the bagels to create the holes.

 

In ...

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1-2 ripe bananas mashed

½ cup assorted berries of choice

1 cup buckwheat flour

1tsp baking powder

2 tbsp organic cane sugar

½ tsp sea salt, ground fine

1 egg, beaten

1 cup organic milk (or alternative)

2 tbsp melted butter or ghee

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

 

Preheat large skillet, lightly greased with butter. The skillet is ready when small drops of water sizzle and disappear almost immediately.

Mix dry ingredients together; add egg, milk and butter or ghee, beating well after ...

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1 cup amaranth seed
2 cups water
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 bunch spinach
2 ripe tomatoes, chopped
1/2 pound portabello mushrooms, sliced
1tsp finely chopped basil
1 tsp finely chopped oregano
1 clove of garlic minced
1 tbsp onion, minced
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Add amaranth to boiling water, bring back to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat and add garlic and onion. Sauté approximately 2 minutes. Add tomato, mushrooms, basil, ...

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1 tablespoon olive oil
4 cloves of garlic, minced 
1  sweet onion, diced

1 yellow bell pepper,  diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 medium carrots, cubed

1 zucchini, cubed
2 cups butternut squash, (or pumpkin) diced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled, diced
2 cups organic, gluten-free vegetable broth

5-6 medium vine ripened tomatoes, diced 
1 15-oz. can of organic kidney beans
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp gluten-free chili powder
Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Start by placing oli...

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1 grilled chicken breast from last night’s dinner, diced

Take 2 cups, pre made shredded coleslaw mix (consisting of carrot, red cabbage and Chinese cabbage)

½ cup edamame beans (fresh or frozen)

½ clove minced garlic

2 tbsp finely chopped cilantro

Handful slivered almonds

1 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp cold-pressed sesame seed oil

Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and toss thoroughly. 

 
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3 eggs, beaten
2tbsp olive oil
 1 large handful of baby spinach
1 roma tomato, diced
1/4 cup kalmata olives
1/4 red onion, diced
2 tbsp sliced scallions
1 tsp oregano
2 tbsp crumbled feta cheese
Small handful of dill, if desired
pinch of sea salt and fresh ground pepper

In a medium skillet, heat olive oil. Gently cook tomatoes, scallions and oregano, for about 1 minute. Transfer to egg mixture, and add remaining ingredients. 
Cook lightly with a lid on until omelet is soft and fluffy. Top with fresh pars...
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*can also substitute the peppers for tomatoes if desired

6 red bell peppers 
1 diced green chile
2 cups cooked brown rice
 1 cup cilantro, finely chopped
½ cup onion, finely chopped
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
pinch of sea salt

1. In a medium sized bowl mix diced chiles with cilantro, onion, cumin, chili powder and salt
2. Cut the tops off of the peppers and set aside
3. Place peppers in a large sized baking dish
4. Stuff the peppers with the mixture; place tops on peppers to close
5. Bake at 350° for 1 hour
6. Serve

 
...
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• 1 head romaine lettuce, or mixed greens if preferred
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup fresh black olives
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large vine-ripened tomato, chopped
  
• 2 cups heirloom tomatoes
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 lemon, juiced
• ground black pepper to taste

1. In a large salad bowl, combine the Romaine, onion, olives, bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and cheese.
2. Whisk together the olive oil, oregano, lemon juice and black pepper. P...

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1 cup coconut water

1 cup fresh pineapple

1 tbsp chia seeds

3 tbsp organic, vanilla yogurt

 1 scoop protein powder (whey, hemp, soy)

 Combine all ingredients and blend with ice until smooth.

 

...
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¼ cup pitted Kalmata olives, chopped

1 cup water

½ cup quinoa

1 ½ cups chopped bell peppers

½ cup diced celery

1 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped

1 tsp dried oregano or 1 tbsp fresh chopped

2 tbsp dried basil or ¼ cup fresh chopped

1-2 tbsp wheat-free tamari

3 tbsp cold pressed olive oil

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

black pepper to taste

 

Rinse and cook quinoa in 1 cup water (approx 15 mins). Once cooked, set aside to cool.

Dice celery and peppers and place in a l...

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1 butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and cubed
2 tbsp butter
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cups organic chicken or vegetable stock
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large saucepan, melt butter. Gently cook the onion, until tender. Add the squash and stock, and cook until the squash is tender, about 18 minutes.
Transfer to a blender or food processor and add the remaining ingredients. Blend until desired consistency is reached.
Sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds, ...
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Adzuki Bean Salad

1 cup Adzuki beans

1 cob fresh corn, cooked, kernels removed

¼ cup red onion, finely chopped

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 handful of freshly chopped parsley

 

Mix all ingredients together and serve

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Monday

 Breakfast

 Turkey Bacon

Hard boiled egg

2 slices gluten free bread... try this brand

 

 Lunch

Adzuki Bean Salad

For the recipe, click here

 

Dinner

 Grilled salmon

Brown rice, topped with diced avocado and mango

 

Tuesday

 Breakfast

 Organic vanilla yogurt with seasonal fruit, sprinkled with hemp seeds

 

Lunch

Butternut Squash Soup with toasted pumpkin seeds

For the recipe, click here

 Dinner

 Tabouleh Salad

For the recipe, click here

 

Wednesday

 Breakfast

 Pin...

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Oy, the challenge of quitting smoking, or any bad habit for that matter. I've never been a smoker but I know how much I love chocolate and a nice glass of Masi and I can only imagine it's a million times more difficult than either of those two things. I've got 3 basic steps to simmer the fire at the tip of your fingers.

STEP ONE..

WANT TO QUIT! You won't get anywhere unless you are 100% committed to kicking your bad habit to the curb. 
A psychology professor of min...

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Nothing is worse than waking up with that pounding, brain splitting headache; that, can’t get out of bed, mouth is dryer than a cotton ball, dizzy, nauseating, disorienting hangover. How many times has the evil hangover made you say, “I am never drinking again!” And each time you say it, you swear this time you really mean it! That is, until the next weekend rolls around. We’ve all been there, some of us more than others, but everyone learns their lesson at varying rates, so let’s n...

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