Not only is butternut one of the most delicious (and popular) of all squashes, but it’s incredible fibre content make sit a fantastic prebiotic (yes, that's right PREbiotic), supporting a balance of healthy bacteria in the gut. High fibre foods also help with blood sugar management, reduce inflammation and diseases associated with inflammation (cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity), and increase immune function, not to mention butternut squash’s high vitamin C content, which as we all know is also integral for immune support...
Read moreWalnut Date Muffins with Orange Zest
I just love the combination of dates, walnuts and orange. I use them in salads, side dishes, and even to add a little life to my mains like chicken or halibut. Because of this apparent affinity to these ingredients, I often have all three taking up space in my rather modestly sized fridge. Another thing I often having lingering around and overflowing out of my cupboards and refrigerator drawers is a plethora of alternative fours...
Read moreRoasted Beets with Fennel
The nutrient-density of beets is rivalled by few, but one other veg that is up for the task is fennel – the licoricey-flavoured plant used for both culinary and medical purposes for thousands of years. The health benefits of fennel are numerous, some of which include relief from anemia, gas and bloating, constipation or diarrhea, colic, respiratory disorders, as well as menstrual and other hormonal disorders. It also boasts numerous benefits for vision and eye health, and has been shown to support cognitive and immune function...
Read moreGrain-Free Gingerbread
In North America, when we think of “gingerbread” we often think of people-shaped cookies with gumdrop buttons and icing sugar smiles. While these are more accurately referred to as “gingerbread men” the only thing they have in common with traditional gingerbread is that telltale spicy flavour profile. Classic gingerbread is just that, bread. Or perhaps more accurately, a loaf. Because of this, it is also known as gingerloaf, pain d'épices ("spice bread") in French, or lebkuchen (“loaf cake”) and pfefferkuchen ("pepper cake") in German. Whatever you call it, it’s damn tasty and wonderfully warming especially during the winter months when most mouths savour the spicy flavours of this delightfully dense folk food...
Read moreRoot Veggie Latkes with Honey Spiced Sautéed Apples and Greek Yogurt
You guys have probably figured out by now that I love me some fats. Fats are an integral part of our diet – they are a slow burning and long lasting energy source, help with inflammation control and management, improve cognitive function, contribute to heart health, and are integral to hormone balance. In fact, every single cell in our body is made up of something called a phospholipid bilayer (lipids being fats), and therefore are a major component to literally the structure of our entire body and existence...
Read moreSimple Seasonal Dark Chocolate Mousse, Four Ways
Enter the following incredibly simple, and seriously tasty delight that, with an All-Clad immersion blender, takes only a few minutes to make. Plus, it’s free of grains and gluten, dairy, refined sugar, eggs, and is completely paleo and vegan friendly. Best part of all, you can whip it up the day before so that it’s all ready to go when the dessert course arrives and you’re a rummy eggnog or two deep...
Read moreApple Cranberry Chutney
I’m a big fan of flavour, and one of the best ways to infuse some pizazz into your foods is with a dip, dressing, or sauce. Chutney is one of my favourite sauces. Calming to spice, uplifting to savoury, there’s nothing this sweet and tangy taster can’t do! And there are endless directions you can go in in terms of making it your own. Many people think of mango when it comes to chutney, but as long as you have some sort of fruity base and vinegary buddy, you’re on your way to chutney-ville...
Read moreDecadent Dark Chocolate Espresso Cashew “Cheesecake”
This decadent dark chocolate espresso cake is grain/gluten-free, refined-sugar free, dairy-free, egg-free (in fact it’s totally plant-based), and therefore hopefully pleasing to a number of your brunch guests with dietary considerations. And the mocha flavour goes smashingly with a latte, espresso shot, or even Bailey’s and coffee (hey, this is a no-judgement zone), as the feasting comes to a close. Best part of all, you can make it the day before and let it set in the fridge overnight so it’s ready to go without a fuss as the stunning centrepiece of your sweet-treat side table...
Read moreTurkey Meatballs with Apple, Cranberries, and Walnuts
I've always wondered why we reserve the killer combo of cranberry and turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Aside from the occasional turkey sandwich, most people are limited in their exposure to this nutritious and delicious bird. Famously known for its abundance of tryptophan - an amino acid that has been time and time again linked to improved cognitive function, muscle and tissue growth an repair, enhanced sleeps, and of course it's positive effects on mood balance (it's basically nature's anti-anxiety "drug") - turkey is packed with protein and is incredibly satiating. Plus it's rather easy to find in free-range form...
Read morePakora Fritters
Many people don’t realize how easy fritters are to make until they try them. They're so versatile, and provide a tasty and seemingly impressive side to bring to dinner parties and potlucks. Fritters also make great batch-cooking snacks, whereby they refrigerate and freeze easily, ready to go when you need a little somethin’-somethin’ at the flick of an oven nob...
Read more