I was doing some reading in The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods, when I came across some very interesting information about meat. My goal over the last couple of months has been to reduce my meat intake and obtain the needed protein from other sources such as legumes. However, I am finding it hard to completely avoid meat and I am not truly ready to go vegetarian. So, for those of you who have similar stories, I thought I would share a little bit of information about how you can continue eating meat in a healthy way.

Cooking methods: Did you know that broiling or grilling meat at high temperatures creates potent carcinogens? These toxic compounds damage our cell membranes as well as the DNA within our cells, setting the stage for the development of cancer. 

Animal feed: Did you know that animals raised on a plant-based diet, rather then the typical industreal grain-fed diet, have fats that are much healthier for our human bodies (omega-3 fats). Animals that are grain-fed have significantly diminished health benefits (more omega-6 fats). Look for free-range, organically grown, and grass fed when purchasing meats.

Appropriate intake: Limit your meet consumption to no more than 3-4 ounces daily (the size of a deck of cards). This 3-4  ounces will provide a good amount of protein in your daily diet.



  

Holistic Health Expo 2011

I have recently joined forces with Holistic Corner in an attempt to make it easier to access whole foods for your whole health. Our first mission is our amazing Chocolate Mix that is featured in many of the recipes on  my blog. It is not always easy to have the right ingredients to make healthy choices, and that is where we would like to help. By the end of March we will be up and running and ready to sell our first product. 

If you haven't already heard, the Holistic Health Expo is taking place on March 27th at the Caboto Club in Windsor. This will be our first leap into the community. My partner Jennifer Castaneda RhN and I will have a booth with three delicious samples; our chocolate smoothies, chocolate balls, and chocolate sauce; all of which can be easily made with the Chocolate Mix. Jennifer Castaneda Registered Holistic Nutritionist, will also be taking on new clients and will be sharing valuable information about what a Registered Holistic Nutritionist does and what you can gain through one. I look forward to joining her in practice when I complete my schooling. 


We hope to see you at the show!

Our Valentine's Day Dinner

Heart Shaped Quesadillas

Berry Sorbet and Homemade Heart Chocolates

Delicious Banana Bread with NO Butter

I came across this recipe today and had to try it. It is a low fat banana bread that substitutes apple sauce for butter. The reason I found it was because I did not have enough butter for my regular banana bread. It is so moist and has a wonderful crunchy outer layer. It is definitely a must try.

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs whites
3/4 cup cane sugar
1/4 cup non-sweet apple sauce
1 tablespoon ground flax (optional)
1/2 tablespoon ground/chopped almonds (optional)

Combine banana, egg whites, apple sauce, cane sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Add dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt) until mixed well.  Mix half of the flax into the batter. Pour batter into a bread pan that has been oiled. Sprinkle the rest of the flax and the almonds on top of the bread. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.