The Spiralizer- You can't help achieving your healthy lifestyle goals when you have cool tools

It's been a while- you know- busy with work, school, kids, celebrating and living the healthy life!

June was filled with celebrations for birthdays, staff lunches, Father's days... you know, I counted 16 meals this month that were 'out of the norm' for me. I am very grateful for the love, the celebration and the social fun times this month brought. I reconnected with old friends and made healthy choices and 'celebratory choices'  living 'The Month of Celebration'. 

I visited the Wharton Clinic this past weekend and was pleased with my progress living my healthy lifestyle despite all my celebrations. I lost an additional 3.4 lbs and 2 inches. Yeah me!!! A total of 75lbs lost since the beginning of my journey, now that's a great milestone!

I credit the reason for my success being that I continued with my valiant effort at being a 'Workout Warrior' and making fresh food fun!  Check it out my new toy, the Spiralizer!

Thanks to my sister and her family for this wonderful new gift that I have wanted to try for months! I got a spiralizer and wanted to try and make fresh veggies fun for my family.

Check out my spiralized cucumbers! I got my daughter involved and she had so much fun...' I wanna do it, I wanna do it!" she yelled.

Here's what I made with those spiralized cucumbers:

Cucumber Cilantro Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cucumbers
• 1 red pepper
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 bunch cilantro

Dressing

• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp canola oil
• 1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• S&P to taste

Prep all your veg, mix your dressing and assemble! You can add your favourite veg or fruits... both my daughter and I immediately mentioned that mango would be awesome in this salad.

So after a delicious meal, a night of aquafitness and pool dancing with my daughter, I showed up to the office before 7am the following day and totally owned the day, the short new hair, the hippie blouse and the honest truth about living life in a balanced and healthy way.

Bright and Sunny California Quinoa Salad

Let me share with you a delicious recipe for an awesome and nutritiously dense way to get your protein. With 11g of protein and 8g of fibre per serving, you know it's going to be satisfying... and it's so good for you.

Quinoa is a great grain alternative. The protein in quinoa is complete, meaning that it contains all the essential protein building blocks that our bodies need. The addition of edemame and almonds just adds even more protein, but what I think makes this salad so delicious is the lime zest, it makes it bright and sunny.... just like California!

My source calls it a 'copy cat' recipe to the Whole Foods version of this salad, so here's the recipe.

California Quinoa Salad

(adapted from http://damndelicious.net/2014/06/07/whole-foods-california-quinoa-salad/)

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• Zest of 2 limes
• 1 mango, peeled and diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup shelled edamame
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Instructions

In a large saucepan of 2 cups water, cook quinoa according to package instructions; set aside.

In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar and lime zest; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine quinoa, mango, bell pepper, edamame, red onion, coconut flakes, almonds, raisins and cilantro. Pour the balsamic vinegar mixture on top of the salad and gently toss to combine.

Serve immediately.

These are a few of my favourite salads

Ok, are you ready for the greatest pop of colour your eyes can see??
Check out some of these favourite summer salads packed with great colour, nutrition and taste!

Here's my fresh fruit salad. It gets gobbled up, not only because it's delicious, but because it's served in my favourite Anthropologie bowl! And set against my new summer placemat.... it's a photographer's dream!

Now check out my Greek inspired Veggie Salad!

It's a blend of cucumbers, peppers, shredded carrots and feta.... of course, kalamata oilves! And lightly dressed with Greek dressing.

Ok, but here's my new favourite. It includes a totally healthy, delicious and new to our family- Edemame- soy beans.... Yes, I am eating beans, but these beans are delicious. And so full of protein you won't believe it. So here's what I did!

Nice eh!, Of course, against my other new summer placemat.

So this is what I did.... used some leftover grilled corn, chopped red pepper and cilantro, mixed it all together. Then I created a dressing with the juice of one lime, some oilve oil, salt and pepper... and there you go! Full of nutrition- this ain't no traditional garden salad!

The Queen of all Mothers... and Light Lemon Cheesecakes

Look at this gorgeous mother of mine. The Queen of all Mothers. So full of love and life with the kindest, most generous soul...

 ...not to mention a gorgeous new outfit (matching her youngest grand-daughter) straight back from her trip to Myrtle Beach (hence, the tan)!

 I made the boys take this photo of all the girls... Grand-mamans, moms and future moms. I LOVE IT!

 Meanwhile, some boys supporting their fav' hockey team/colours were hanging out.

 Mums for my Mom!

 Silly Snackers...

 Just love this little guys' Osh Kosh!

 ...and he and his sister just love their daddy so much!

 ...oh, and don't forget a gorgeous smile for the celebrated one! Nice!

 Julie always makes the best salads, this one is super enhanced by the candied pecans from South Carolina!

 Delicious steak dinner for the grown ups...

 ...while this little guy was real busy...

 ...and so was this guy... and Julie, loves her ketchup, I think she might still put some on her steak?

The wonderful evening, hosted by my sister and her family, was of course topped off with a light and delicious Lemon Cheesecake with a raspberry coulis... (recipe to follow).
So much love, so much laughter, like when Stephanie led us in songs and giggles, and most of all, so much family togetherness and craziness it all filled our hearts (and bellies)! Merci for all the love you give us Maman!

Quick Asian Slaw

You never know when or where you are going to find inspiration??? How about Saturday morning at the gym, while on the treadmill watching the Food Network and then going down from the gym at Loblaws into the fresh produce section.  That works!

I had seen a show where the chef made some Asian Slaw... he had me at CILANTRO! I didn't see all the particulars, but I did see cut up snow peas, cilantro (my love) and cabbage. I know he made a special dressing, but I chose this delicious pre-made dressing for a quick add in.

SO in the end this is what I did....

• 1 bag cole slaw mix
• 1 orange pepper, chopped
• 1/2 cup sliced snow peas
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup of Asian dressing

Toss it all together and top with toasted sesame seeds.

Delightful, bright and fresh. Might be nice with some mango, or some apple or Asian pear too!

Delicious Quinoa- the miracle food

Here's the recipe I promised you. May I introduce you to the apricot quinoa salad!
Quinoa is one of the most nutritious grains you can eat. It’s a complete protein and high in calcium and iron.

This is a delicious version of the salad my colleague brought or our office pot luck... and it keeps on being replicated and the recipe requested everywhere it travels.

 Here's the recipe. Try it, I know you'll like it!

 Apricot Quinoa Salad

Salad Ingredients:

2 cups stock

1 cup quinoa

½ cup chopped snow peas

½ cup finely chopped red bell pepper

¼ finely chopped red onion

¼ cup raisins

¼ cup finely chopped dried apricots

¼ cup toasted slivered almonds

¼ cup chopped basil or parsley

Dressing Ingredients:

5 tsp raspberry vinegar

5 tsp orange juice concentrate

4 tsp honey

1 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp finely chopped garlic

Directions:

Bring the stock to a boil. Add the quinoa, cover and simmer over low heat for about 15 minutes. Remove from the heart and let sit for about 10 minutes fluff with a fork, let cool and place in a serving bowl.

Add the snow peas, red bell pepper, onions, raisins, apricots, almonds and basil.

Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the quinoa mixture and stir to combine.

Makes 6 servings:

Calories per serving: 225

Protein 7g

Carbohydrates 38g

Fibre 4g

Fat 6g

Cucumber Melon Salad

Now here's the other delicious salad recipe I wanted to share with you. It's a combination of many recipes I have seen and put together with my favourite little fresh herb... CILANTRO!

I often feel sorry for the poor honeydew melon. No one really eats this green melon on a fruit plate, he's always the one left behind. Well, let me present to you a recipe which will showcase this green melon. The star of the show... it's so fresh and delicious, you are going to want to make this for your next new salad creation for sure.

Here are the bulk of the salad, honeydew melon, cucumber and shredded carrot slaw.

I chopped a whole honeydew melon and English cucumber into bite size pieces and placed them in a bowl with the carrot slaw.

For the dressing, I used some Asian flavours. In a separate bowl, I whisked together the juice of 2 limes, 2 Tbsp of canola oil, 1 Tbsp of sweet chili sauce, 1 tsp sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and and a big handful of chopped cilantro.

Pour the dressing over you cucumber, melon, carrot mixture and cool in the fridge for 30 minutes (or longer). It tastes so sweet, melony, tangy and fresh. I absolutely loved this salad, hope you do too!

My first Quinoa

It's been a while, my husband's health, crazy running around... now he is back home and recovering and we need to focus back on eating at home and planning meals. It's amazing what you take for granted (like a normal dinner time), when it's taken away from you. So now, we are back enjoying some healthy nutritious things and making meal time wholesome and good.

So I present to you my first ever Quinoa salad. I found a recipe that included tons of veggies.

You know that Quinoa is a wonder food! It has so much protein and fibre, just check out a 3/4 cup portion.

148 calories, 5.4g protein, 3.5g fiber

Here's the recipe I worked with. Delicious and quite lemony fresh.

Quinoa Colour Salad

(Courtesy of : Michael Smith, http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipes/quinoa-colour-salad/recipe.html?dishid=8553)

Yield : 6

Ingredients

    1 cup quinoa

    2 cups water

    pinch salt

    1 carrot, peeled and grated

    1 red pepper, seeded and diced

    1 cucumber, washed and sliced

    3 green onions, sliced thinly

    1 bunch parsley, chopped

    The zest and juice of 1 lemon

    1/4 cup olive oil

    Salt and pepper

Directions:

Rinse the quinoa well in cold running water. This will easily rinse away the natural bitter coating on the seeds. Drain and toss into a small pot. Add the water and season with salt. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover with a tight fitting lid, turn the heat to low and simmer until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.    
Meanwhile get all the colorful veggies ready. Toss them into a bowl and when the quinoa is done, add it as well. Add the lemon and olive oil, toss well, season with salt and pepper and serve.

 

Beautifully served with a roasted chicken and sauteed haricot vert.

Cilantro Love

What do you do with leftover fresh roll fixin's?

THIS!!!!
I shared with you some fresh roll recipe a few weeks ago, now it's time for sharing with you what I do with the leftover ingredients.  You'll have the following leftover:
- bean sprouts
-shredded carrots
-cucumber
-fresh cilantro (Ohhhh, how I love you)

Mix it all together with a light Asian dressing and some chopped mango and chopped peanuts and you have amazing leftovers!

Big Salad Time

Remember the Seinfeld episode about Elaine always ordering the 'Big Salad' at coffee shop all the time. Well this is what I made for my family one night not too long ago.

My daughter doesn't like Feta/Greek salad because of the olives... so I made her a Ceasar salad. I have these great dollar store bowls - 3 of them - and I cut up some romaine for all of us. Had my dressing ready, veggies, feta, olives for the Greek salad for my husband and I. I cooked up some chicken breast and cut it up as well...

...et voila, 3 Big Salads made to everyone's desires and they were delicious and nutritious and filling!

Grilled Chicken Salad - making the most of the end of BBQ season

Well, this is it folks.... it's officially the end of BBQ season. When your fingers freeze and it takes your BBQ 20 minutes to warm up... it's time to say goodbye and put it away until next Spring.
So here is my take on making chicken breasts exciting... BBQ them and chop them up and put it all on a big salad.

There's something just so yummy about the smokey BBQ taste on those big chunks of chicken breasts. Here's something that might excite your family- low fat garlic cheese bread. Here's a way to make them healthier. Take a whole wheat bun, place a bit of butter and garlic powder in a bowl and mix it around, spread it around and then put it on your bread- spread a small amount of low fat mozzarella cheese on top - you don't need a lot- just one-two tablespoons and then broil it in the oven. Your family will think they are having a real special treat!