Making Healthy Choices

We love comfort food in our house and have a go-to group of recipes we make often.  Recently I was given the opportunity to review a newly released cookbook focusing on everyday comfort foods.  Even more interesting, all the recipes are vegan.  I was so excited to have a look at it and make some of the recipes.  I’m always looking for more plant based healthy recipes. Fuss-Free Vegan was written…

These quick pickled beets will instantly add bursts of colour to your table. Use them to top a citrus or green salad or add to a sandwich or burger.  They look so fancy, but they only take 30 minutes to make. I’m already planning more to give as gifts. The November Recipe Redux challenge is to make a sweet or savory, naturally colored, nutritious dish. I instantly thought beautiful dark red beets…

Roasted Squash with Hazelnuts and Pomegranate

This beautiful dish is perfect for a special occasion but it is so easy and delicious that it really works for any day.  It makes a wonderful side dish, and could be used as a main dish or as part of a salad. It can be served either hot or at room temperature.  Don’t you just love the versatility? You need this! I love to use buttercup squash for this dish. In the stores, it is often labeled as…

Hot and Sour Soup

What do you do when you are sick? What do you eat, or try to eat? This is the soup I turn to. Every time. I’ve been making this soup for over 15 years. It is my feel better healing soup.  Everyone needs one of these. I found the foundation of this recipe in 2000 from the August Chatelaine Magazine. The recipe for Hot and Sour Soup got my attention. Especially the sentence under the title: “This…

Sheet Pan Eggplant Souvlaki

Eggplant is in season and I have been having fun experimenting with new ways to use it and of course enjoying traditional recipes too. My favourite Eggplant dish is Baba Ganoush, often referred to as poor man’s caviar for its silky smooth texture. Lately,  I am finding eggplant is surprisingly versatile and I’m excited by some new recipes I have been developing. I hope to post my Baked Eggplant…

Blueberry Lime Chia Jam

I first came across the combination of blueberries and lime from a very simple dessert in “Les Halles” cookbook by Anthony Bourdain.  I have made that recipe so many times … it is so simple, easy, and delicious with a surprising combination that is outstanding.  I was smitten. When local blueberries are in season, I always make it again, many times more. There is a bumper crop of blueberries this…

Apple Cider Baked Beans

Sweet, smoky and comforting, these Apple Cider Baked Beans are the perfect dish to set up in your crock pot or slow cooker to simmer all day.  The slow cooking provides ample time for these beans to become rich and delicious with flavours of sweet apple cider and smoky paprika and rich depth from molasses and mustard.  My favourite recipe for Baked Beans was originally from the Fanny Farmer…

Aquafabulous! – Book Review and Roasted Carrot Dip Recipe

Aquafaba (chickpea or bean water) is something most of us have and would typically throw away.  It is an amazing substance that can be a very useful and versatile ingredient that will have you eating more chickpeas and beans just to get and use the water!  I’ve been fascinated with aquafaba ever since I heard of it being whipped into white fluffy stuff and was excited to learn more about it and…

We got a coupon in the mail for a FREE sour cherry Slurpee® and as much as my kids want to go and use it, I keep strategically forgetting. I was shocked to learn that one 355 ml serving of this Slurpee has 46 grams of sugar, almost 12 teaspoons. I’m also not crazy about the ingredient list:  glucose/fructose and/or sugar, water, citric acid, natural and artificial flavour, colour, sodium…

Black Bean, Corn and Red Pepper Tacos

Black Bean, Corn and Red Pepper Tacos This recipe started out as a dip.  It was so popular and well liked it turned into a main mix for a few different Mexican style dishes.  It has evolved a little over the years, but always starts with the same foundation.  It is a very versatile mix that can go a lot of different ways depending on what you have on hand, what ingredients are in season or what…

Vancouver Outdoor Adventure Show 2017 Giveaway

Being an active family that loves the outdoors, I am pretty excited to be going to the show and also super excited that I can offer you a chance to win a family pass!  I have 2 family passes to give away!!  Enter by leaving a comment on the bottom of this post. Squamish River, British Columbia What I love about this show is the chance to get a ton of information in one place.  As a family we…

Dark Chocolate Seville Orange Truffles (with Avocado)

Dark Chocolate Seville Orange Truffles (with Avocado) I remember making truffles years ago, but only once or maybe twice a year because they were so rich.  Traditional truffles are made with butter or cream to make them so smooth and creamy, with the incredible texture that only truffles have.  If you love truffles, this recipe is going to change your life. Avocado, which is today’s butter, oil,…

Citrus Rosemary Roasted Almonds

Citrus Rosemary Roasted Almonds Isn’t it amazing how fast the year has gone?  It is time for the December Recipe Redux! This month we’re playing a little party game. We were instructed to reach for the nearest cookbook and redux the recipe on page 201, 16, 216 – or any combination of the number ‘2016.’  So fun!  For this  The Recipe Redux I chose “The Art of Simple Food” by Alice Waters.  On page…

Molasses Gingerbread Cookies with Sprouted Spelt Flour

Spicy and sweet, these easy molasses cookies are filled with gingerbread spices. They are a delicious holiday cookie that is perfect with a cup of tea or to dunk into a glass of milk, a great after school snack or sweet addition to lunch boxes. They also pack well and would be a terrific holiday gift for neighbours or teachers. Molasses Gingerbread Cookies with Sprouted Spelt Flour As far as…