We Are All Cooking Heroes

It’s September, and time to get back into the routine of everyday home cooking. For some, it can be a tough transition – especially after the long, lazy days of summer.

I don’t know about you, but I find summer cooking simple and easy with all the fresh local produce that’s available (think salads and barbecues). But as September sweeps in with cooler temperatures, the local produce is not so easily prepared. Sturdy root veggies force us indoors to take up our positions in front of our stovetops to cook soups, stews, and simmering one-pot meals.

To motivate myself during this transition of daily cooking, I started listening to podcasts on how to create change. 

I learned to start with small steps, celebrate success with small wins, and continue to build until you reach your desired result. Great advice!

The podcasters I listened to also suggested treating or rewarding yourself when you reach your goal. For instance, one expert would reward himself with his favourite smoothie whenever he accomplished his exercise target.

Hmmm…what would I choose as my reward for cooking dinners seven days a week? That’s a tough one. 

Simple Grocery Shopping Tips

Simple Grocery Shoppng Tips

Grocery shopping for the family can be confusing and stressful, but it doesn't have to be. Here are 18 simple tips to help you grocery shop for the family stress-free and with success!

Five Ways To Save Money On Your Grocery Bill

How To Save Money On Your Grocery Bill

Have you noticed that the price of food is rising as fast as the housing prices in Vancouver? Well, okay, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but you have to admit, food is not cheap. When I'm at the grocery store, I have to stop myself from gasping at the cashier's total and accusing them of overcharging me. I typically smile (a fake smile), pay, and discreetly check the bill while walking away. They are never wrong.

We have to eat. And if we eat well, this means lots of fresh whole foods and not much junk food (such as the high fat, high sugar yummy food that we shouldn’t, but do, eat). Our bodies will work better, we will have more energy and think smarter…. in other words, we will be “healthier.” However, the not-so-good for us food is typically cheaper (think fast food take-out) than the good-for-us food (think fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese). So what is the solution to this eat-healthy-affordable food dilemma?

We have to shop smarter. We have to strategize and think of grocery shopping as a competitive sport where the goal is to eat and live well...without going into debt.

Here are 5 simple ways to help you save money on your grocery bill:

1. Choose The Best Produce. Be Ruthless.

Pick the best produce

Choose what looks like the freshest fruit or vegetable in the pile. It may require rearranging the food displays the produce folks work so hard to build. You will have to be discreet. Dig around, move things and find the best looking fruit or vegetable. Often they are at the back of the pile. The produce staff like to move the older stock to the front because we tend to grab the first ones we see. This is how they rotate their stock.

When you find what looks like the ‘one,’ pick it up and inspect it carefully before you put it in your basket. Avoid bruises, blemishes and signs of spoiling. Take charge. If it looks slightly old, then keep hunting. This way, you will purchase the freshest produce and it will keep longer, eliminate food waste and save you money.

2. Know your prices.  

If you know what you should pay for your food, then you will not be tricked into buying products that claim to be ‘on sale.’ For instance, I buy a type of coffee that always goes on sale. However, the ‘on sale’ price varies between stores. The one-pound bag can go as low as $13.00 a pound. So when I see it ‘on sale’ for $16.00 I know I’m being duped. If you know your prices (roughly, we can’t all be perfect) you can avoid being ripped off. This requires paying attention to prices when grocery shopping.

3. Look for sale signs.

If you have the space in your home (and the extra money) it’s worth stocking up on the deals. Sale items are often at the storefronts, at the end of the aisles or at the checkout counters. However, you may have to hunt for them because they aren’t always obvious. Don’t be fooled by signs. Some stores advertise certain food items with signs that are camouflaged as sale signs. However, if you look closely, the signs are only advertising the product but not a sale. Shopping can be as intriguing as a detective novel.

4. Search for the discount bins.

Stores typically have them tucked away in a corner. You can find decent deals on hard goods, such as soaps, tea, cleaning solutions, etc.

Know Your Prices

5. Bring your magnifying glass.

Read the ‘best before dates’ before you buy, especially on perishable items such as bread, milk and boxed lettuce. Pick the package with the longest ‘best before date,’ which is usually at the back of the pile (you are at an advantage if you are tall or have long arms). This way, your food will last longer and you will not be throwing out as much. You’ll save money in the long run and have more flexibility about when you eat your food.


There are many great ways to save money on your grocery bill and these are just a few simple ideas. It really boils down to shopping smarter. And remember, the cashiers do not purposely charge you too much for your groceries! Real food is not cheap.

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  

7 Ways To Fight The Boredom Of Everyday Home Cooking

Let’s face it, cooking every day is dull, boring and monotonous. Planning, shopping, cooking and clean up is no easy feat. Combined with a busy lifestyle it can be terribly stressful. When you cook breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for the family, it can add up to over 1,000 meals a year. No wonder it’s tedious!

But we all know it’s always a good idea to cook your own food at home from scratch. You, and your family eat better, which means you can take more control over your health. So, just how can we avoid the boredom of everyday cooking? Here are 7 ideas to consider:

10 Ways To Reduce Food Waste And Save Money On Your Monthly Food Bill

Only buy the veggies you need to reduce food waste

There’s so much guilt around food these days. We’re bombarded every day with guilt about our eating,  I suggest it’s time to by-pass the guilt and just enjoy food.  Appreciate all the tastiness, pleasure and health benefits it gives us, guilt-free…even if it’s a chocolate bar.

Self-Care Healthy Eating Tips For Moms

Self Care Healthy Eating Tips For Moms

A mom’s life is like being on a roller coaster ride going in circles.  You do everything and look after everyone: the kids, the dog, the house, schedules, daycare, appointments, meal planning, shopping, family obligations, real work to pay the bills, and in your ‘spare time,’ you squeeze in a personal life. It’s exhausting.

We’re so busy looking after everyone else that we tend to put self-care, including healthy eating, on the “I’ll do it later” list.  
But think about it. If you get sick, who’s going to get the stuff done?  
You are. 

That’s why self-care healthy eating is important to add at the top of your list.  It’s a doable goal and here are some tips to help you out.

What Are Modified Milk Ingredients?

This package of cheese has "no modified milk ingredients"

“And, it’s made with real liquid milk,” said the elderly woman in a chef’s hat and apron at the grocery store.  

She handed me a small, free sample of Monterey Jack cheese produced by a Canadian cheese company. 

 “And, it has no modified milk ingredients in it.” She added.

“Oh really?” I said. “And what exactly are modified milk ingredients?”  

“Oh, it’s kinda like a paste or a powder, but not liquid milk.” 

Hmmm….not exactly a scientific answer, but my curiosity was piqued so I headed out to discover exactly what modified milk ingredients were and if I should be eating them.

How To Avoid Dishpan Hands

I was born with dishpan hands. It’s embarrassing, especially when I shake hands with other people. I’m sure it feels like rubbing against coarse sandpaper. 

I cook a lot, which obviously doesn’t help.

I’ve tried to improve this uncomfortable situation using various therapies through the years. This includes slathering on expensive ‘rejuvenating’ ointment at night and wearing white cotton gloves to bed. Not only did I feel foolish sleeping with white gloves but my rough hands never did rejuvenate.   

How Much Water Should You Drink?

How much water should I drink?

Do you own the perfect water bottle?  

I’m always impressed by many people come to my classes with their beloved water bottles and sit them proudly on the table like a beacon of health. 

The bottles come in all shapes, styles and colours. Some are stainless steel with wide rims and others are coloured with drinking spouts that pull up. They are multi-coloured and round. And some can even hold a whole day’s worth of  water…these always impress me.