Italian Soup with Italian Sausage, Green Lentils and Spinach

Green Lentil & Spinach Soup with Italian Sausage

Eating soup and nibbling sweets are a perfect way to endure the hectic,cold days of December…right?

To me, soup season means accepting that winter is firmly in place, and it’s time to settle in and wait it out. Slurping soup when it’s cold, snowy, or rainy is comforting and helps endure the unavoidable short days and long, dark nights.

Soup warms our souls, and keeps us hydrated and healthy. Many soups are filled with veggies, and often made with beans or meat, making them hearty enough to serve as one-pot meals.

What will your go-to soup be this winter?

Italian Soup with Sausage, Lentil & Spinach

If you need a new idea, then try this Italian Soup with Italian Sausage, Green Lentils and Spinach, delicious served with homemade cheese biscuits.

Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

Red Lentil Curry Dahl With Coconut Milk

Red Lentil Curry Dahl With Coconut Milk

 Here's a red lentil curry dahl you will want to make! It's loaded with spices, coconut milk and has veggies. It's versatile, because you can throw any veggie you like in it. It's also a fast recipe to make, which for me, is the perfect recipe!

Curry Dahl

Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds, Coconut and Almonds

Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds, Coconut and Almonds

I have a confession to make: until just a few weeks ago, I didn’t know what overnight oats were.

I learned about the popular overnight breakfast bowl when I was meeting up with my regular group of gals in a crowded independent coffee shop in a trendy part of town.

The coffee shop had an abundance of natural light, and was stuffed with people a decade (or two!) younger than us. It was a good vibe, as they say. This coffee shop served a variety of specialty coffees with long names, delectable baked goods, simple tasty breakfast bowls and lunch sandwiches.

While standing in line waiting to order, I noticed “overnight oats” listed on the menu board hanging on the wall behind the server. It sounded good – oats with coconut, berry compote, chia seeds and nuts. So I ordered it.

I thought I was going to get a warm bowl of oatmeal that had been cooking overnight in a slow cooker. Which is why, when it came to the table, I asked the server for milk on the side. She gave me a stare like I was someone who would be better off served at a Tim Horton’s.

When I mentioned my confusion to my friends (while slurping up a spoonful of the cold – but delicious – oats) they looked at me like I was someone who still used a flip phone. This was when I was politely informed that overnight oats were a popular breakfast dish and had been since the iPhone was invented!

Well, I must admit they were yummy. I realized that I had tried overnight oats before, back when it was simply called muesli, which I believe is the same breakfast dish.

I recalled an old recipe I used to make in the past and loved. So I found it, and modernized it with chia seeds, coconut, almonds and cinnamon. I’ve included it here under the name “overnight oats” for all my trendy readers to try.

I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to customize it your way with different nuts, fruit, or different kinds of milk.

Roasted Squash, Kale Pesto, Rice Bowl

Roasted Squash, Kale Pesto and Rice Bowl

This recipe has quite a few steps (something I normally try to avoid), but it doesn’t take as long as you think. To save time, you could make the kale pesto in the morning or the night before. It’s a nice vegetarian recipe to serve to friends and family during the week or on the weekend. If you’re feeding a hungry group, then simply roast more veggies.

Arugula Walnut and Barley Salad

Arugula salad with walnuts, barley and herbs

If you are looking for a yummy fulfilling salad with grains, then try this arugula, walnut and barley salad. You will have to cook the barley ahead of time, but it's worth the effort.

Veggie Hoisin Stir-Fry

Veggie Hoisin Stir-Fry with lots of Vegetables!

 A healthy family-tested, vegetarian meal that is easy to cook. There is a little chopping, but not a lot of mess to clean up.  If you have hungry eaters, just add more vegetables.

Roasted Asparagus with Pine Nuts and Parmesan Cheese

Don't let the cold spring rain deter you from thinking that it's not spring yet.  Spring brings new produce to the fruit and vegetables stands and the first to appear is asparagus. If you haven't try roasting it, try it. You will not be disappointed.

Three Bean Salad

Three Bean Salad

Fish Tacos Recipe With Easy Sauce

Fish taco and cabbage, sauce and salsa

This recipe looks too easy to be tasty. Trust me though, it is. Try it and you won't be disappointed. Be warned though, these fish tacos are messy to eat because of the easy sauce, so I suggest passing out table napkins.

I'm fortunate to live close to a Mexican grocery store which sells fresh locally-made flour tortillas. I’d recommend them if you can find them, but they aren’t necessary. Any flour tortillas from the supermarket will do.

Curry Veggies With Garbanzo Beans

Curry Veggies With Garbanzo Beans

Are Caesar Salads Healthy?

Caesar Salad

“Are Caesar salads healthy?” I was recently asked. Well, as my co-worker, dietitian friend always says, 'It depends.'

If we look at the ingredients of a typical Caesar salad recipe: Romaine lettuce, fresh Parmesan cheese, croutons, olive oil, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and sometimes eggs….then I’d say these ingredients are real foods and definitely healthy. 

If you don’t have any dietary health concerns, then yes, a traditional Caesar salad is healthy.

If you’re watching your weight, or have some dietary health concerns, then be aware that a traditional Caesar salad has more fat and calories than a typical green salad made with a simple homemade oil and vinegar salad dressing.

10 Ways To Snack Smart

Snacking is contagious. Don’t you agree? Once you start it’s tough to stop. Especially if it’s salty potato chips, greasy french fries or anything with chocolate. Avoiding these treats is tough but doable. Here are a few tips to help you snack smart.  

1.  Just Say No And Don’t Buy The Junk Food  

Spinach Salad With Radish, Chickpeas, Blueberry and Farro

Ingredients for spinach salad with radish, chickpeas, blueberry and farro

Farro is an ancient grain with a similar texture to barley. It has a nutty taste which makes it interesting in a salad.

How To Make Hummus

Hummus is an easy snack to make and tasty! Plus it's loaded  with fibre and healthy olive oil. Try making it yourself, you'll be surprised how easy it really is. 

Enjoy!

Hummus

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 large clove of garlic
5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoon tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¾ teaspoon salt

Combine all ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth. If too thick add a little water. Serve with cut up vegetables or whole wheat pita bread.