Stephanie Kay Nutrition

Real Food for Real Life

Skillet Cottage Pie

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A classic Irish dish, this skillet cottage pie is easy to make and incredibly good for you.

Skillet Cottage Pie

When I’m in the mood for a warming, savory meal, cottage pie is the perfect treat. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it’s very inexpensive to make and makes plenty of leftovers. This skillet cottage pie recipe is a slightly quicker more convenient way to make a family classic as it uses fewer dishes, which means less cleanup and more time for eating.

Cottage pie and Sheppard’s pie are very similar in nature. Both coming from England, cottage pie is typically made with ground beef, whereas Sheppard’s pie is mostly made with ground lamb or mutton. In North America, we typically refer to this recipe as Sheppard’s pie, but I think the rustic nature of this particular dish really calls for the name Skillet Cottage Pie.

The reason this dish makes my approved list of recipes is that it is made with 100% real food. I think stick-to-your-ribs dishes like Sheppard’s pie, roasts, and stews, have gotten a bad reputation in North America, but when you break it all down it doesn’t really make any sense. These dishes are made with whole foods that are local to the land, so suggesting they are unhealthy seems rather foolish to me. For instance, potatoes are a wonderful whole food that should be celebrated so much more than they are feared. As one of my clients said to me; “Potatoes come out of the ground, how can they be bad for you?”, and she is oh-so-correct. My goal with my work is to reconnect people with their food, teach them where their food comes from, and help them learn to love real food. It shocks me to think that many people have no problem eating a refined sugar and oil-loaded granola bar, but are afraid of something as simple and natural a potato. It is time that people take a step back and look at the big picture, think about where their food actually comes from and how it got to their fork. Visit a farmer’s market, learn what grows locally, and learn to eat seasonally. If we could all just do a little more of this, the world would be a much healthier place.

Skillet Cottage Pie

This skillet cottage pie is the perfect Sunday dinner; whip up a batch on the weekend, eat up and freeze all of the leftovers for so many more delicious meals to come.

More Pie Recipes:

 

12 Healthy Portable Breakfast Ideas

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Weekday mornings can get pretty hectic, but that doesn’t mean that breakfast needs to be skipped altogether. There are lots of simple, healthy, and quick breakfast ideas that you can grab and go on your way out the door to ensure you are set up for a day of success. So here are 12 healthy portable breakfast ideas that will help get you out the door in a hurry.

12 Portable Breakfast Ideas

As the saying goes, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Although the saying is most certainly up for debate, I am a big fan of breakfast; not only is it my favorite meal of the day, but I often recommend ideas to clients to ensure they are fueled for their day as well. The word breakfast literally translates to ‘break the fast’ and, when you eat a good breakfast, you help give yourself energy for a productive day and help to limit cravings in the afternoon.

When it comes to actual breakfast options it is important to opt for a well-balanced breakfast with lots of protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Whether you are eating at the kitchen table, or chowing down in the car (not suggested but I realize it happens), or eating at your desk in the morning, this simple rule will help make sure that you are ready to tackle your day. So, here are 12 of my simplest, most delicious, convenient, and grab-and-go healthy portable breakfast ideas.

Portable Breakfast Ideas

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1. Spinach Breakfast Casserole

This is not only one of my personal favorite healthy portable breakfast ideas, but this Spinach Breakfast Casserole is the most popular recipe on my blog! Although this recipe requires a little advance planning, it makes enough servings for an entire week of breakfasts and it is really simple to prepare. Think of this recipe as a full weekend breakfast stuffed into one delicious weekday bite!

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2. Chia Seed Pudding

When it comes to chia seed pudding the flavor options are endless, it’s getting the right ratio of seeds to liquid that makes this breakfast a winner or a loser. You can either make a Perfect Chia Seed Pudding and add any toppings and flavors you like, or go for something a little more indulgent like my Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding. The fat and protein content in the chia seeds can help to balance blood sugar to keep cravings at bay and keep you mentally alert for a morning of work.

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3. Protein-Packed Smoothie

At this point, everyone knows that smoothies make a healthy portable breakfast idea, but it’s the content of your smoothie that truly determines if you’ve got a good option or not. Just like any plated meal, a well-balanced smoothie should contain a source of carbohydrates, protein and fat to help keep you full and help you avoid that hangry feeling later on in the day. Learn how to master your morning smoothie, so you aren’t making those oh-so-common smoothie mistakes.

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4. Hard-Boiled Eggs, Avocado & Tomato

This is the ultimate of healthy portable breakfast ideas, you can literally just grab 2 hard-boiled eggs, 1 avocado, and 1 tomato, and go. Of course, you’ll have to boil your eggs ahead of time, but once you learn how to boil perfect eggs you can whip up a batch while you’re watching your favorite TV show. And, just to be clear, if you are worried that the combination of eggs and avocado “too high in fat”, fear not, it’s an incredibly healthy option. If you don’t believe me read my blog post all about why full fat is always best, and why you should be more afraid of your morning muffin than eggs and avocado.

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5. PB & J Overnight Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a staple breakfast that has been around for generations; it’s filling, it’s inexpensive and it’s efficient. You can certainly make a warm batch of oatmeal on the stovetop, but for the mornings you just don’t have time to try a batch of overnight oatmeal instead. This PB&J Overnight Oatmeal version combines the flavors of a childhood classic, without any added sugars, making it one of the best healthy portable breakfast ideas around.

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6. Western Omelet Muffins

When a western omelet meets a muffin, you get the best of both worlds; Western Omelette Muffins! People seem to love muffins for breakfast, but a muffin is really just a glorified cupcake with no icing. They are loaded with refined flour and sugar and although they may go well with your morning coffee, they will give you a big ol’ sugar crash within an hour of breakfast. So try mixing things up with a protein and fat-packed egg muffin instead.

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7. Morning Glory Muffins

Ok, so you might be wondering why I am giving you a muffin recipe after I rip on muffins for breakfast. The reason? It is the ingredients in the actual muffin that determine whether it’s a good choice or not. The standard coffee shop blueberry muffin or lemon poppy seed muffin has as much sugar as a chocolate bar or half-pint of ice cream. WHAT?! Yes, it’s true. The reason this Morning Glory Muffin recipe works is that it is free of refined flours and refined sugars, and loaded with vegetables, protein, and healthy fats.

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8. Breakfast Egg Bake

The fun thing about a Breakfast Egg Bake is that you can pretty much add anything you like to it. This little number is loaded with sweet potatoes, breakfast sausages, and a ton of veggies making it an absolutely delicious combination. This recipe makes enough portions to feed you for the week (and then some), but you can also easily half or quarter the recipe to make fewer servings. Just slice and go in the morning for a delicious healthy portable breakfast idea!

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9. Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Bars

These little Blueberry Baked Breakfast Bars make a great healthy portable breakfast idea because they are essentially a handheld version of a bowl of oatmeal. Made with rolled oats and sweetened naturally with berries, they are low in sugar and high in fiber to help keep you full. These bars can actually be made with any type of fruit, and you can add all sorts of nuts, seeds, and spices keeping the flavor options endless. Plus, they freeze really well too, so you can batch-cook a bunch for grab-and-go breakfasts for weeks ahead.

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10. Homemade Granola & Plain Yogurt

Granola and yogurt is a classic breakfast combination, but it is truly the quality of your granola and the type of yogurt you use that determines how healthy the choice actually is. What most people don’t realize if that depending on the type ad brands they opt for, granola and yogurt can be more like a dessert for breakfast than an actual breakfast. By making your own homemade granola, like this Nut & Seed Granola or my Holiday Spice Granola, and opting for plain full-fat yogurt, you can ensure you are making the healthiest choice possible with a portable breakfast loaded with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

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11. Sourdough Toast with Almond Butter & Banana

I’ve got good news, bread is not the devil, it just comes down to the quality of the bread’s ingredients and the way it was made. A slice of naturally leavened sourdough topped with all-natural nut butter and slices of banana is not only a handheld breakfast you can walk out the door with but something you can easily make at the office too. All-natural sourdough bread is made with wild yeast and naturally fermented making them more easily digested, richer in beneficial bacteria, and make their nutrients more bio-available. (Pro-Tip: For an extra little hint of sweetness add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your banana slices.)

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12. Leftovers

If you can let go of the idea of “breakfast foods” you will save yourself a whole lot of hassle in trying to help come up with healthy portable breakfast ideas. Dinner leftovers are one of the simplest and best healthy portable breakfast ideas because all of the cooking is already done, you just need to grab and go! In North America, we have created this idea that there are specific foods for specific meals, but that is certainly not the case. Traditionally our ancestors and many cultures around the world today simply eat dinner leftovers for breakfast. Leftover soups and stews, meats and veggies all make great breakfast meals, or use odds and ends of leftovers rice and potatoes and top it with an egg for a hearty way to start the day.

Western Omelette Muffins

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These fully loaded western omelette muffins are an easy make-ahead breakfast idea that will give you simple and portable breakfasts for a week.

Western Omelette Muffins

 

A quick scan of my blog and you might notice that egg dishes are one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast ideas; my Spinach Breakfast Casserole and my Breakfast Egg Bake are staples in my kitchen. The reason I love them so much is that I think they are such a filling way to start the day. Eggs have a bad reputation, and quite frankly I’m sick of it. It is a huge misconception that eggs are an unhealthy choice. In fact, I think people should be far more afraid of their store-bought cereals, granolas, bread, and muffins than an innocent little egg! Eggs are 100% natural food that are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. A single whole egg contains 13 essential nutrients, and 6 grams of protein, and is rich in healthy omega-3 fats.

As with any food, the quality of the eggs you buy determines how nutritious they actually are, so here are a few things to look for.

  • Organic: In the grocery store, shop for organic eggs whenever possible. Organic eggs come from hens raised in a free-range system with access to the outdoors. Hens are fed a certified organic feed.
  • Pasture-Raised: Go beyond organic and look for pasture-raised eggs. Pasture-raised eggs ensure the hens spent time outside, weather permitting in Canada, as well as on the barn floor.
  • Local Farms: In my opinion, the best way to buy eggs is directly from a local farm or farmers’ market. Organic and pasture-raised eggs are often available from local farms providing some of the freshest and best quality eggs around.

Egg labeling can get really confusing with buzzwords like ‘enriched’, ‘omega-3’, ‘free-run’, and ‘free-range’, so the more you know, the more you know what to look for. Check out this great Guide to Buying Eggs from the Canadian Egg Farmers so you are well-equipped to make informed decisions. These Western Omelette Muffins are quick to prepare and make a great on-the-go breakfast option, but also as a simple school or office lunch.

 

PB & J Overnight Oatmeal

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This quick and easy overnight oatmeal recipe pairs perfectly with busy mornings, just like peanut butter and jelly.

PB & J Overnight Oatmeal

 

Oatmeal is a tried and true breakfast option, but sometimes we just don’t have time to heat up the stovetop and make them on the hob, so overnight oatmeal is a great alternative. The flavour combinations for overnight oatmeal are endless; you can truly add any mixture of fruits and spices to add flavour to your morning oats, but nothing quite goes together like peanut butter and jam, so this peanut butter and jelly overnight oatmeal brings you the best of both worlds.

Overnight oatmeal is just as simple as it sounds; you merely need to combine the ingredients the night before, and the hard work is done overnight while you sleep! Similar to a bowl of cold cereal, overnight the oats soften in their liquid and turn into a porridge that you can eat cold or warmed up. There are many different types of oats, however, for this particular recipe rolled oats or quick-cooking oats work best.

There are many ways to flavour your overnight oat recipe, so finding the right combination of nuts, seeds, spices and sweeteners is endless. Ideally, when choosing ingredients it is important to ensure that you add a little source of protein and fat to your recipe to help ensure your breakfast is well macronutrient balanced, and you don’t end up hangry later on in the afternoon! In this recipe, the inclusion of chia seeds with the berries helps to make a natural Chia Seed Jam, while chia seeds are rich in fat, and fiber and add a little protein. Spices like cinnamon and vanilla extract help add a little flavour without adding any extra sugar, and a dollop of peanut butter (or nut butter of your choice) adds extra protein and more healthy fat.

 

PB & J Overnight Oatmeal

 

This peanut butter and jelly overnight oatmeal recipe is the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for a warm summer day, especially because there is no cooking required.

More Healthy Overnight Oatmeal Recipes:

 

Portuguese Soup (Caldo Verde)

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Caldo Verde Portuguese soup is a simple recipe made of potatoes, kale, and a little sausage, and it is the perfect heart-warming soup for a cold and rainy day.

Caldo Verde Portuguese Soup

 

If you are wondering if I am Portuguese because I am posting a Portuguese soup, the answer is no. If the ginger hair has not yet given it away, I am a total blend of Scottish, English and Irish, however, that doesn’t mean that I can’t love the Portuguese’s soups! I’ve only had caldo verde Portuguese soup a handful of times in my life, and every time I do I seem to enjoy it more and more. The first time trying this soup was while on a vacation in Portugal, visiting northern and southern Portugal with a friend from the area who was showing us all it had to offer.

As I mentioned in my last post, there is nothing I love more about travelling than experiencing new cultures through their food. I love learning why we got to where we are based on where we came from, and why particular dishes became so popular. I think what I loved most about this dish is how simple and humble it actually was. From the ingredients alone, you can see how inexpensive it is to make, and how it was likely created out of what people had access to at the time; potatoes and greens go a long way when you need them to! Today caldo verde is a traditional dish and served at celebrations like weddings and birthdays, but I’ve decided to celebrate it for the everyday.

This Portuguese soup, also known as caldo verde, is a cheap and cheerful dish that is ready in 30 minutes or less. Make a big pot for a weekend brunch or batch cook it on Sunday for a week of delicious lunches.

 

 

Carrot Cake Energy Bites

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These no-bake carrot cake energy bites taste just like carrot cake while being packed full of energy and are good for you!

No-Bake Carrot Cake Energy Bites

If you love carrot cake, you’re going to love these carrot cake energy bites! Not only are they quick and easy to prepare, but they have all of the flavors and spices of carrot cake while being naturally sweetened and healthy. Whip up a batch, store them in the fridge, and you’ll have a healthy snack ready whenever you need them.

There are lots of natural sweeteners on the market, and as the need to remove refined sugar becomes increasingly more common, so do alternatives for sugar. If you walk into your local health food store, there is often an entire shelve dedicated to natural sweeteners so deciding the best from the worst can sometimes be confusing.

In my opinion, the more unprocessed the sweetener is the better it is for you, so choices like maple syrup, honey, or fruit are always the best options. However, it is important to keep in mind that even the best natural sweeteners are still sweeteners and should be treated as an occasional treat, not an everyday indulgence. Just because something is made out of dates or honey doesn’t mean we can eat as many as we want, they are just a slightly healthier option than the ones made of plain white sugar. Moderation is the key to success. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t eat them at all, we just need to be mindful of how frequently we are actually eating them.

No-Bake Carrot Cake Energy Bites

These healthy carrot cake energy bites are a quick and easy recipe that doesn’t require much skill in the kitchen. Simply toss the ingredients into a food processor, roll them into balls, and you will have tasty on-the-go treats for weeks ahead.

 

How to Avoid Getting Hangry

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Hangry is the (unofficial) technical term for being so hungry that you are angry. In fact, most of us have experienced it, perhaps we just didn’t realize what it was called. It is that moment in time when you become cranky, moody, irritable, or when you are about to have a massive meltdown that can only be avoided by eating something ASAP. Fortunately, a little understanding goes a long way, so let’s talk about how to avoid getting hangry.

how to avoid getting hangry

 

Back in the day, I used to be the queen of hangry. It would literally happen to me on a daily basis; between my meals or before I made it to my next meal, I would get so irritated that it would literally put me in a bad mood. My friend jokes that she used to have to pack granola bars in her purse in order to make it through an afternoon with me to ensure I didn’t have a meltdown. Thankfully, she is kidding (to a certain extent), however until I realized what was actually occurring I didn’t know how to solve it.

What does hangry mean?

All jokes aside, getting hangry is a real thing, it’s just that the name is a little silly. What getting hangry actually refers to is unbalanced blood sugar, specifically the moment when your blood sugar has dropped so low that you become angry and irritable. Glucose is a form of sugar and it is the body’s main source of energy. Glucose is acquired in the diet by eating sources of carbohydrates, which give the body energy to do its functions. Not only does it give us the energy to do physical tasks, but it gives us the energy to do mental tasks as well. There are many different types of carbohydrates, all of which contain varying concentrations of glucose (or sugar), however, in the end, they all play a similar role in providing a source of energy. In order for the body to function optimally, a certain amount of glucose is required in the bloodstream (AKA blood sugar) in order to keep up upbeat and active. Every time we eat a meal with carbohydrates we provide the body with a certain amount of glucose (energy) to keep us going. After our meal, as time passes, the amount of glucose present in the bloodstream begins to drop as we use up our energy. The brain, unlike other organs, is heavily dependent on glucose to do its job; if you have ever missed a meal before you many have noticed that it can be hard to concentrate on simple tasks or pay attention. So being hangry, is actually the brain’s reaction to the moment when blood sugar has dropped low enough that it begins to panic a little and causes you to be hungry and angry as it searches for it next source of fuel.

Why Do People Get Hangry?

One might think that the simple solution to avoiding that hangry state is to simply add more glucose to the diet, right? Wrong. In fact, that is actually the last thing you want to do. Allow me to explain.

When food is consumed, carbohydrates break down into simple sugars (glucose) as food is digested. As this glucose is digested, blood sugar levels begin to rise as glucose enters the bloodstream. The more concentrated in glucose foods are (think candy vs. oatmeal), the more quickly they will spike blood sugar levels and in turn trigger insulin. Insulin is responsible for managing the amount of glucose present in the bloodstream, so as blood sugar rises it will work to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream and send it to organs, and tissues and store any excess as body fat. The body can only handle so much glucose at one time, so once our organs and tissues are topped up with glucose for energy, our body will store any excess glucose as fat. The issue with this process is that once all of this glucose is stored in your cell, your blood sugar will then drop too low again and send you into hangry mode.

Think of it as a rollercoaster effect. If you eat donut or drink a soft drink, you are sending a large amount of glucose into your bloodstream at one time, and way more than your body can use at once. Doing so will greatly spike your blood sugar levels, sending insulin into overdrive, working to store all of this excess glucose, until it has removed the excess from the bloodstream until blood sugar is at an ultra-low level. It is at this point that you end up craving more sugar to help increase your blood glucose levels so you have energy again. It’s a vicious cycle. The key to balancing blood sugar is supplying just the right amount for our bloodstream to use at one time.

What’s the problem with being hangry?

Unbalanced blood sugar is less than ideal for supporting energy levels and cravings, but it can also affect a lot of other negative effects on the body and its systems. This vicious cycle of dips and spikes in blood sugar triggers a cascade of stress responses in the body. Why? Because low blood sugar implies a lack of energy source for the body and brain, which causes stress on the body and the body will try and respond to solve it because your body is designed to help protect you. When blood-glucose levels drop to a certain threshold, the brain sends instructions to several organs in the body to release hormones that increase the amount of glucose in your bloodstream; primarily, the body signals adrenaline and cortisol which are stress hormones used in difficult situations. The issue is that your body is not actually in a real stress mode (i.e. – you’re not being chased by a tiger), you just can’t seem to put down your iced vanilla latte or you love your starchy carbs just a little too much. You are essentially continuously putting your body into a fight or flight response mode with a fake scare and this is incredibly taxing to your adrenal and hormonal health.

How to Avoid Getting Hangry

Fortunately getting hangry can be alleviated, you just need to know what to look for. So here are some simple and important tips to consider on how to avoid getting hangry.

1. Add Protein and Fat to Every Meal

Eating a 100% carbohydrate-based meal will put you on the express train to Hangryville. Adding a source of protein and fat to your meals is a good way to help balance your blood sugar by slowing the spike of glucose to the bloodstream; dietary fat helps to slow down the digestive process, and protein is the most satiating nutrient and will help keep you fuller longer. A simple breakfast of a bagel or cereal is not a well macronutrient balanced meal as it is completely carbohydrate-based, will spike your blood sugar, and will leave you hangry before noon. In fact, for most people even a bowl of oatmeal, albeit might be healthy, it is not well macronutrient balanced and will have you reaching for a snack by mid-morning. Alternatively, opt for a more satiating and balanced meal with protein and fats, like a breakfast of scrambled eggs with veggies and avocado to keep you going until lunch and even all afternoon.

2. Avoid Sweetened Drinks

Because liquids require next to no digestion, drinking a sweetened or sugary beverage is like sending glucose directly into your bloodstream and will quickly spike your blood sugar. Avoiding sodas and energy drinks might seem obvious, but this also includes items like fruit juices, fruit smoothies, vitamin waters and flavoured coffees. These drinks often have as much sugar as a standard chocolate bar, so your morning orange juice and vanilla latte might be causing your afternoon hangry moment and cookie craving.

Fiber-rich foods are forms of complex carbohydrates that take longer to be digested and absorbed by the bloodstream, therefore they do not spike your blood sugar and help keep you feeling fuller longer. Vegetables are the primary source of fibrous food and adding more to all of your meals and snacks will be beneficial. Beans, lentils and grains are also good sources of fibre, however, they should always be paired with a source of protein and fat as they do contain a lot of starch with can impact blood sugar. Fruit also contains some fibre, however, it should always be eaten in its whole format as dried fruits and fruit juices are incredibly concentrated forms of sugar that can spike blood sugar levels quickly.

4. Don’t Overdo the Refined Carbs

Going overboard on starches, even all-natural ones like grains, beans and lentils, for some individuals can just be too much glucose for their bloodstream to handle. Although these forms of carbohydrates are in fact whole foods rich in fibre, they do contain high levels of starch which will eventually turn into glucose in the body. In excess, they can lead to spikes and dips in blood sugar, so for some people, oatmeal for breakfast, lentils at lunch and rice noodles for dinner is just far too much. Additionally, although foods made of flours are technically made of complex carbohydrates, they act much more like simple carbohydrates in the body and can cause spikes in blood sugar. Items like crackers, cookies, and granola bars (not to mention donuts and pastries) are less than ideal choices because they are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream causing spikes in blood glucose. Whole grains like rice, oats and quinoa are always best eaten in their whole format, and not in food products made out of them.

5. Eat Regularly, Not Often

The cautionary tale of eating multiple small meals per day is fuel for the hangry fire. With stable blood sugar, you should easily be able to go 4-5 hours between meals without experiencing dips and spikes in energy or experiencing hanger. Eating three well-balanced meals of protein, fat and carbohydrates per day should help to ensure blood sugar is balanced. Avoid skipping meals and only eat snacks if you are truly hungry! Adding unnecessary snacks, especially sweet ones, will merely add more spikes to the blood sugar roller coaster and keep you in the hangry zone.

Garlic Green Beans

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Buttery garlic green beans – a delicious and easy side dish!

garlic green beans

Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic

 

I’m straight-up obsessed with garlic. It’s pungent and spicy, yet sweet and savoury, and it is my go-to flavour to add to any dish. It can easily take a humble vegetable and turn it into a culinary experience with one simple ingredient, just like this garlic green beans recipe.

The thought of buying, peeling and chopping garlic used to annoy me. It seemed like such a meticulous task that was not worth the reward, but when it comes to cooking it turns out that the little meticulous tasks are the ones with the biggest payoffs. Garlic is part of the allium family (closely related to onions, shallots and leeks) and it is a classic ingredient that has been used since the beginning of recorded history and is still commonly used in the present day. It is the base of many French, Italian and Indian dishes, as not only does it provide flavour but is well known for its medicinal properties. The sulfur-containing compounds in garlic are known to help boost the immune system, reduce inflammation, and even improve cardiovascular health.

There are many different varieties of garlic available, and although grocery stores often sell just one you can buy multiple varieties at your local farmers market as they vary slightly different flavour profiles. Thankfully, garlic is not as scary as many people make it out to be, so here are a few quick tips for selecting, buying and storing garlic.

  • The entire “head” is called a garlic bulb, while each segment is called a clove.
  • Leaving the bulb whole of garlic whole is the best way to store fresh garlic, as it will last several months.
  • Local fresh garlic season runs from mid-summer through early fall, so try to buy it in season for maximum flavour and health benefits.
  • In stores, purchase garlic that is plump and has unbroken skin. Gently squeeze the clove to ensure it is not too soft.
  • Store fresh garlic in a cool and dark space, moisture is garlic’s worst enemy.

These garlic green beans are worth every little bit of work to peel, chop and cook your garlic, and they make an excellent side dish to any dinner or summer BBQ.

More Healthy Side Dishes:

 

Chai Spiced Apple Oatmeal

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This chai-spiced apple oatmeal is a healthy and heart-warming breakfast for chilly mornings!

chai spiced apple oatmeal

 

Oatmeal is a staple breakfast; it’s rich, filling, creamy, and can keep you going for a busy morning ahead. The key to a good bowl of oatmeal is all about the cooking method and flavors you can add to it. A bowl of apple cinnamon oatmeal is most certainly delicious, but sometimes you just need a little more spice in your life and this chai-spiced apple oatmeal does just that.

Spices are so much fun to play around with, and truth be told, they used to scare me. I had no idea what spices to buy, let alone how to use them, when to use them or why I should use them. My idea of ‘flavor’ came in the form of a pre-packaged seasoning or a jar of sauce. As I learned to cook and experiment with new recipe ideas, the more my spice cabinet grew and the more I began to pay attention to how combining certain spices could create specific flavor profiles. I could easily create an Italian flavor by combining a little basil, marjoram, oregano, and thyme, or a quick Mexican taco seasoning by combining some chili powder, paprika, cumin, and garlic – the options were endless! The more I experimented the more confident I became in the kitchen and the better my food tasted. I no longer relied on the Mrs Dash’s of the world, as I could create my own spices blends to make dishes from around the world. Plus, my taste buds were no longer excited by salt, sugar, and fat, but by the things that give real food flavor; herbs and spices.

 

chai spiced apple oatmeal

Healthy Oatmeal Recipe with Chai and Apple

This chai spiced apple oatmeal is a simple recipe that does just that, packs a world of flavor into a simple bowl of oatmeal to give you a breakfast to look forward to. The word ‘chai’ by itself actually just means tea, and the way we know chai in North America is actually masala chai, meaning a tea with a mix of spices. There are a variety of different spices that you can add to a chai spice mix; everything from cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamom, nutmeg, star anise, and fennel all show up in different blends. I opted to keep this blend really simple with common pre-ground spices you might already have in your pantry (there is no need to pull out the pestle and mortar for this one!) however feel free to experiment with your own personal blend of preferred spices.

More Healthy Oatmeal Recipes:

 

The Best Natural Sweeteners

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At this point, it is common knowledge that added sugars are not ideal for our health. Sugars, found in everything from baked goods to granola bars and marinades, are not only adding pounds to our backsides but stealing our vitality. Sweet treats should most certainly be consumed in moderation and treated as treats, however, that does not mean we must forgo them completely. It is possible to incorporate small amounts of natural sweeteners in our diets from time to time, you just need to know which ones to look for. So here are the best natural sweeteners to reach for when the time comes.

The Best Natural Sweeteners

 

Top 3 Natural Sweeteners

1. Raw Honey

Raw honey is a traditional natural sweetener that has been used for generations both as a food and medicinally.  The health properties of honey are well known, although like all food, depends heavily on the quality of the honey.  Raw honey specifically is rich in beneficial enzymes, phytonutrients, and is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Bees store honey at room temperature for a reason, when it is heated above 117 degrees Fahrenheit honey loses many of its healing properties, and although it is still delicious and sweet, it loses much of its nutritional benefit. When choosing honey, opt for a local variety that has not been pasteurised and is raw if possible. Ideally, try to visit a local farmer’s market or speciality shop to ensure you are buying some of the best local produce available.

Use honey as a natural sweetener for coffee or tea, or use it as a substitute for sugar in baking and cooking.

2. Maple Syrup

Real, pure maple syrup is an all-natural sweetener from the sap of maple trees that is rich in trace minerals. The process of making maple syrup is an age-old tradition that Indigenous peoples were making long before European settlers arrived, that was used both as a food and medicine much like raw honey.  Canada produces more than 80 percent of the world’s maple syrup, and there are multiple grades and colours of maple syrup available including extra light, light, medium, amber and dark amber; the lighter the colour the more subtle the flavour. Compared to honey maple syrup has fewer calories and a higher concentration of trace minerals including manganese and zinc.

When purchasing maple syrup, ensure that the label read 100% maple syrup, and there is no “maple syrup flavouring”.

3. Fruits (Fresh or Dried)

Fruit is considered nature’s candy; it’s naturally sweet and contains natural sugars. Fructose is the sugar found in fruit and depending on the type of fruit, the content of fructose will vary.  Delivered in their whole form, fruits come with a host of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, so using whole fruits is a great way to add a natural sweetness without forgoing too much nutrition. In addition to fresh fruits, dried fruits can be used as sweeteners in baking and cooking, keeping in mind they are much more concentrated in sugars than fresh fruits, so much less is required to create the desired sweetness. It is important to ensure you purchase dried fruits with no added sugars or oils. Often companies will add extra sugars and refined oils to keep fruits tender, sweet and soft, however, this is not necessary and simply adds unwanted sugars and calories, so be sure to read the label before buying.

Mashed bananas and apple puree are great ways to add sweetness to baking, fresh fruit adds flavour to plain yoghurts and smoothies, while all-natural dried fruits are great for making granola or raw energy bars.

Best Natural Sweeteners: Runners-Up

In addition to my top 3, here are some other natural sweeteners that are great sources of unprocessed natural sugar.

Molasses: Molasses, specifically blackstrap molasses, is the liquid byproduct created by refining sugar cane into table sugar. Unlike table sugar, molasses contains many minerals, including iron, manganese, copper, calcium, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium, making it a healthy sweetener.

Coconut Sugar: A newer sweetener on the North American market, coconut sugar is a lower glycemic natural sweetener than can be used in cooking and baking. Coconut sugar is also sometimes referred to as ‘coconut palm sugar’ or ‘coconut crystals’ but any can be used as a substitute for white sugar.

Organic Whole Cane Sugar: Simple white sugar is made from either sugar cane or GMO sugar beets, and although raw organic whole cane sugar also comes from sugar cane it is an unrefined version. This form of cane sugar is the only one that does not separate the sugars from the molasses and therefore it is the least refined format available. This type of sugar is often labelled as Sucanat, Rapadura, or Raw Organic Cane Sugar.

Stevia: Stevia continues to be somewhat controversial in the nutrition world, however in small amounts it can be used as a natural sweetener. Stevia is three times sweetener than sugar, so often a small pinch is all you need. Look for stevia powder or liquid in health food stores, and note that it has a slight aftertaste so it is not for everyone.

Pistachio Crusted Salmon

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Moist and flaky salmon with a crispy and crunchy crust, this pistachio-crusted salmon is equally delicious and nutritious!

Pistachio Crusted Salmon

This pistachio-crusted salmon recipe is a quick and easy dinner that you can get on the table in 30 minutes or less, making it the perfect weeknight meal. The crunchy pistachio crust, paired with the sweet and tangy sauce, and a splash of citrus elevates all of your taste buds in one simple bite.

Salmon is one of the easiest fish to cook; it’s versatile, fast and simple. There are many different ways to cook salmon, be it in the oven, on the grill, under the broiler or on a summer’s BBQ,  they all enhance the flavour of the fish in their own special way. Truth be told, salmon doesn’t take as much time as most people think it does. I think far too often, people end up cooking the life out of their salmon, and think they don’t like it because the flavour is not there. Salmon truly tastes best when it is light and buttery, and that texture can be easily attained at home.

Pistachio Crusted Salmon

Pistachio-Crusted Salmon Recipe

I’m definitely not reinventing the wheel with this recipe, a quick google and you will see that there are many recipes for pistachio-crusted salmon, so this is my take on it. The quality of your dish really comes down to the quality of your salmon, so buying the best quality salmon available will ensure your dish hits the mark. The bulk of salmon sold in the grocery store is either farmed or was caught and shipped to China for processing before hitting your grocery store shelves. As with all of the food I buy, I try (whenever possible) to buy more responsibly and sustainably sourced options. To me, it is worth the extra time and investment to ensure that I am consuming something that is more nutritious and has a smaller environmental footprint. There is a great local fishmonger in my area that sources sustainable seafood, so be sure to check out your neighbourhood to see what is available. 

More Healthy Salmon Recipes:

 

5 Healthy Habits I Do Daily

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Creating a healthy diet is about more than just opting for broccoli over pizza, it’s about creating healthy habits that fit your lifestyle that you can keep for the long term. This is something I talk about a lot with clients or in my workshops because it is truly the hardest part about creating a healthy lifestyle, and changing the habits you have established over the past 10, 20, or 30-plus years.

5 healthy habits I do every day

 

The temptation to go all in and change everything at once is big. Although the “rip it off like a band-aid” method may work for some people, for many it will have them crawling back to their old habits before the sun has set on day one. Rather, when creating change it is important to make choices and create healthy habits that work for YOU. What works for Jane Doe will not necessarily work for Joe Blow, and that is totally acceptable. Creating healthy habits takes time and requires trial and error. What you think will work often does not, and things you think will never work for you often do, but that’s the fun of it.

So these are 5 healthy habits that I do every day that work for me. You are more than welcome to try and incorporate some into your daily routine or take inspiration from mine to help you create your own.

1. Workout or Get Active

I have always been an active person, so working outcomes naturally to me. I love the feeling of pushing my body and seeing what it can do; be it lifting heavy weights or going for a run. No matter how busy my schedule gets, I always make working out a priority in my day and ensure never falls off my to-do list. At the start of every week, I create a rough workout schedule in my head so I know what days I will workout where and when, so it is worked right into my week. I used to be an evening workout kind of girl, but in recent years I have moved my workouts to the morning to ensure there is no reason to miss them. Most days of the week I wake up at 5:30 am and I am in the gym for a 6:00 am workout. This time is really important to me; it allows me to start my day doing something I love, helps me clear my head, and energizes my body for the rest of my day. I typically go to the gym 5 or 6 days per week, but on the days that I don’t I always ensure there is some form of activity in my day; be it a walk outside or something simple that gets me up and active. I think it goes without saying that movement is one of the most important healthy habits you can implement, so you just need to find the type that works for you.

2. Drink Water Before Anything Else

I am a coffee drinker, and I look forward to my cup of Joe every morning, but it is never the first thing that I drink in the morning. Every morning I make sure that the first thing I drink is a big glass of water. I used to make fun of people who carried a water bottle everywhere, but that is actually exactly what I do now. Every night when I go to bed, my bottle of water comes with me and sits on my bedside table so it is the first thing I reach for in the morning. Don’t get me wrong, I get up, make my bed, and all that jazz, but in the process, I am sipping from my bottle of water before I head to the gym, or while I am making my morning cup of coffee. This is a really simple healthy habit that can have a huge impact.

3. Eat Something Green

When I was learning to eat better, I was absolutely obsessed with adding more greens to my diet. If I made a dish that didn’t have something green in it, I would always add a side salad to ensure that there was something green going into my mouth. Leafy greens and green vegetables are incredibly nutritionally dense, rich in fiber, and great sources of vitamins and minerals. As my cooking skills have evolved I’ve certainly found more ways to add greens to my diet, and there is never a day that passes where I don’t eat green veggies during (at least) one meal.

4. Digital Detox Before Bed

Screens have become a big part of our everyday life, there is no way around it or out of it. Like many, I enjoy spending time on my phone, browsing online on my computer, and watching a bit of TV. In fact, I used to fall asleep watching TV and bring my phone into bed with me all of the time; a screen was the last thing I looked at before I fell asleep and the first thing I would grab in the morning. A couple of years ago we implemented a rule that we could no longer bring our phones into the bedroom, and recently I’ve stopped using my phone at 8:00 pm to help me “digitally detox” before I go to sleep. Research shows that digital screens emit blue light that actually suppresses melatonin production (your sleep hormone), making it harder for us to fall asleep and fall into a deep sleep. Adding this digital detox to my daily routine has dramatically increased my sleep habits and, in turn, my energy levels!

5. Take Some Me Time

As far as healthy habits go, I think this one is one of the most important. We live in a culture of “go, go, go” and “more is better”. Like many Type A people, I am always adding things to my to-do list, saying yes to opportunities, and keeping my days filled with things to do. Whether it is working on a blog post, going to the gym, running errands, or hanging out with friends I always seem to find time to fill my schedule with things. Although I might seem like an extrovert to some, I am mostly an introvert and I recharge by being alone and doing something for myself. Every day I try and find a little time to do something for myself that helps me keep my balance and helps to recharge my batteries for the next day. Although it would be lovely to treat myself to a massage or pedicure daily, that is certainly not realistic for time or money! So instead I try and keep it simple; be it enjoying a coffee in a local coffee shop, reading a book, going for a walk, or simply cooking my favorite meal, doing something for me helps me maintain my balance and makes me a happier and healthier person.

How To Boil Perfect Eggs

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Boiling eggs might seem like the simplest kitchen skill, but unless you know exactly how to cook them you’ve likely experienced the unpleasantness of a poorly boiled egg. When overcooked, boiled eggs take on that dark green colour around the yolk and that somewhat sulphuric taste which is not pleasant for anyone’s taste buds! So, whether you are looking for a runny yolk to dunk your toast in, or that perfectly hard yolk to add to your egg salad, the perfect boiled egg makes all of the difference. Here is a timing guide on how to boil perfect eggs.

how to boil perfect eggs

 

Hard-boiled eggs are a staple in my meal prep routine; they are quick and easy to prepare and incredibly versatile in recipes. They are convenient to grab and go for breakfast, ideal for adding to salads, and a delicious afternoon snack.  When it comes to boiling eggs, be sure to buy the highest quality eggs you can find. Not only will they taste much better, but their colour will differ and higher-quality eggs have better nutritional value as compared to conventional eggs. If you are able to buy eggs from your local farmers market or a local farm this would be the very best option, alternatively opt for pastured, free-range or organic eggs whenever possible.

Boiled Egg Cooking Times

Whether you like them soft-boiled or hard-boiled, the art of a good-boiled egg is really in the cooking time. Here is a quick guide to cooking times on how to boil perfect eggs.

2 Minutes = The white isn’t fully set and the yolk is totally runny.

4 Minutes = The white is fully set and the yolk is thick and runny.

6 Minutes = The white is fully set and the yolk is mostly set but still a little runny in the middle.

8 Minutes = The white is fully set and the yolk is fully cooked but still tender in the middle.

10 Minutes = The white is fully set and the yolk is fully cooked but still dark yellow.

12 Minutes = The white is fully set and the yolk is fully cooked all the way through and light yellow in colour.

Boiling eggs is one of the first kitchen skills most people learn, and it turns out everyone learns a little differently. There are many different ways to boil eggs, and everyone has their own tips and tricks, this just happens to be my method.

How to Boil The Perfect Egg

Instructions:

  1. Fill a saucepan with water 3/4 of the way up and bring to a boil.
  2. Using a slotted spoon, drop your eggs into the pot gently being careful not to crack them.
  3. Depending on how you like your eggs, leave them in for the desired time in the boiling water. (i.e. 4 minutes for soft-boiled, 6 minutes for medium-boiled or 10 minutes for hard-boiled)
  4. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
  5. If you are serving them immediately, run them under cold water so the shells are easier to handle.
  6. If you are keeping hard-boiled eggs for later use, place them in a bowl of cold water until they cool down and then store them in the fridge.
  7. Boiled eggs can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days and used for breakfast, lunches or a quick snack.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

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Flourless Chocolate Cake with Ganache

Made with eggs, dark chocolate, and maple syrup, this flourless chocolate cake with ganache is healthy, decant and delicious! This chocolate cake is perfect for a special celebration, holiday, or just any day of the week when you are looking for a special chocolatey treat.

Paleo Flourless Chocolate Cake

I’m not much of a dessert person. Don’t get me wrong, I love dessert, but I’m really more of a salty over sweet person, so it really has to be a specific type of dessert to make me want to indulge. When it comes to cake, there are three types of cake that I love; chocolate, carrot, and wedding cake. I realize ‘wedding cake’ is a general statement, but if you have been to a wedding with me before you know I love to chow down on a piece of cake (or two). There is something about the simplicity of wedding cakes that really gets me going; simple batter with lots of sugary icing, what’s not to love? Get one too many cocktails in me at a wedding, and I’ll be asking for your slice of cake too!

Paleo Flourless Chocolate Cake

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Ganache

This flourless chocolate cake with ganache is something that I originally made for a New Year’s Eve dinner party, but this is a more refined version as it is naturally sweetened. I’ve limited the ingredients and the steps in this recipe to make it simple to prepare. It’s not overly sweet, but still incredibly rich, fudgy, and chocolatey, which is just the way I like it.

Gluten-Free Flourless Chocolate Cake

The ganache topping and raspberries are totally optional (I just thought it looked pretty!), so a simple dusting of cocoa powder over the cake served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream would do the trick too. Serve this flourless chocolate cake with ganache at your next dinner party and everyone will be pleased.

Easy Beef Stew

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Nothing says comfort like beef stew, and this easy beef stew recipe is healthy and heart-warming!

Easy Beef Stew

‘Cockles of the heart’ is an expression that my dad used to say when I was a kid. I never really thought anything of it, it seemed like a totally normal expression to me, until I became an adult myself and realized that nobody else says it. The thing about expressions is that they are inherited culturally or traditionally and it turns out that this is exactly what this expression is; from my pops to me! The good news is that it actually makes sense. The cockles of the heart are its ventricles, named by some in Latin as “cochleae cordis”, from “cochlea”, alluding to their shape. (I googled this definition, don’t worry.) And what’s even more interesting is that it is thought that the expression is of Irish Gaelic Origin, so the fact that I’m using it to describe an Irish-inspired easy beef stew is even more fitting!

How to Make Beef Stew:

Beef stew is a traditional dish made with beef, potatoes, and vegetables simmered in a rich gravy. Although the specific ingredients for a beef stew can vary slightly from one recipe to the next, this easy beef stew recipe is my take on the classic dish.

  • Season the meat. Add stewing beef to a cutting board and season generously with salt and pepper.
  • Cook the meat. Heat oil in a large pot and cook the meat, in batches, until browned on all sides to help sear in the juices and flavor.
  • Cook the vegetables. Add onion, garlic, celery, and carrots to the pot and cook until tender.
  • Thicken the stew. Return the beef to the pot and add some flour to coat the vegetables and beef, this helps to thicken the stew.
  • Cover with broth. Cover the beef and vegetables with beef broth.
  • Add the potatoes. Add potatoes and bay leaf to the pot and stir to combine.
  • Cover and simmer. Cover the pot and allow the stew to cook and simmer until the beef is tender and the broth is rich and thick.
  • Season to taste. Season the stew with additional salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve. Spoon this easy beef stew recipe into bowls and serve with a sprinkle of parsley!

Once cooked, this easy beef stew can be served immediately, and stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

 

Easy Beef Stew

I’ve had many bowls of stew in my day, and this recipe is a staple in any kitchen. Stewing the tougher cuts of beef is a great way to cook with them because the low and slow cooking time helps to tenderize the beef into a delicious melt-in-your-mouth stew. I added carrots and potatoes to this stew, but you could also use parsnips and add green peas as well (I actually just forgot to do so). This recipe works as a Sunday family dinner, or it is a great make-ahead recipe for a week of winter lunches.

More Healthy Beef Recipes:

 

 

About Stephanie

I’m a nutritionist on a mission to change the way you look at food and teach you how to make real food work for real life in a realistic way.

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