Healthy Life Lessons

Sorry, but I have to say it every year: DO NOT BUY PACKED PASSOVER FOOD! While all processed food is basically crap, the stuff they make specifically for Passover is often even worse.  Not only that, but its ridiculously expensive and tastes like shit. Do yourself a favour and make your own Passover eats.  We only buy the whole wheat matzo and whole wheat matzo meal and that's about it! If you like cereal or granola for breakfast, I know that it can be hard to just eat matzo.  I don't recommend it anyways, its just empty carbs that will leave you feeling famished and sluggish in a few hours. This granola is filled with fibre, protein and nutritious seeds and fruits.  Pair it with some Greek yogurt and maybe some fresh fruit and you'll be sailing through your morning with energy and vitality. Passover Power Granola 1/2 cup coconut oil 1 cup apple sauce 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp pure, uncut stevia powder (or other sweetener, to taste) 1/2 tsp ...

This coming Friday is the first night of Passover...and its Good Friday! We've got a big celebration planned as my parents are coming here and we are all, my brother and his family included, going to my in-laws' for a big sedar. I am glad its a short week.  It's Monday, but I can't really say we had a relaxing weekend around here.  It was busy.  Good busy, but busy.  And Adam caught a bad cold and lost his voice and has to give a big talk today.  He's pretty down in the dumps. Our little pre-Passover party on Saturday was a hit though, and my charoset was an even bigger hit!  I am thrilled since (1) I've never bothered to make it before, and (2) I didn't, as usual, use a recipe, I just made up my own. The photo shows just the tiny amount that was left afterwards, and Adam polished the rest off yesterday.  Even if you don't celebrate Passover, its a yummy little treat and you don't need to eat it with matzo by any means.  It would actual...

Oy. Its been quite the week. Car accident, work, and the most stressful thing of all?  Organizing what the kids are doing this summer! I am on the girls' daycare board, and just waiting until the second day of registration left us on the wait list for one week this summer for Big A.  She is also going to Kingston for a week to see my parents and my mom and I are going nuts trying to find a camp for her for that week!  Getting kids into activities and camps these days is a freakin' competitive sport!! This weekend is not likely to be more relaxed either.  I work tonight and tomorrow and they we have a community pre-Passover party, the girls' spring session activities start up again, then Big A has a birthday party on Sunday and I have my first book club meeting.  All that and I have to start making stuff for Passover.  This year my parents are coming here for the first time ever, and we are all doing a sedar and my in-laws' place.  For tomor...

This delicious curry can be rolled into a roti shell (or whole grain tortilla), or served over rice or quinoa (or cauliflower rice!).  Its so yummy, you may just want to eat it alone.  No matter how you serve it, it is as healthy as it is tasty.  Win win!! Sweet Potato Chickpea Roti 1 cup lentils, cooked 1 sweet potato, cooked, peeled and mashed 1 tsp coconut oil 1 onion, diced Fresh ginger, chopped, to taste 2-3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbls garam masala 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp salt Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional) 1/4 cup cider vinegar 1 can light coconut milk 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1.5 cups, cooked) 1/2 green cabbage, sliced Saute onion, ginger, garlic and spices in oil in large skillet or pot over medium heat.  Once onion has softened, add vinegar, coconut milk chickpeas and cabbage.  Simmer until cabbage is cooked.  Stir in cooked lentils and sweet potato and continue cooking over medium low heat until liquid redu...

I don't know what plan the universe has for me but after being hit by a car while walking a few weeks ago, I was sideswiped while driving our car yesterday! It was yet another reminder of how things can change in the blink of an eye. I am, fortunately, not hurt, however, pretty shaken up.  And the car is in bad shape.  Very expensive repairs required and we will be without it for about 2 weeks.  At least insurance will cover it. It wasn't even the usual impatient, rude Toronto driver who did it (believe me, if you think Canadians are polite, you'll feel differently if you drive in this city!!).  It was a dude from London, Ontario, a guy driving his musical band to a gig.  Unfamiliar with the city, he is apparently not used to driving in Toronto and tried to do a U-Turn without looking and smashed into me. At the end it really meant nothing more than a wasted bunch of hours dealing with towing companies, police and insurance, so I am trying to focus on...

One of my favorite food blogs is Vegan Richa .  Virtually every recipe she posts is not only nutritious but drool-worthy.  Recently she posted a granola recipe using lentils instead of grains.  OMG, I cannot believe the brilliance!  What a fabulous idea!! My kids will NOT eat lentils and beans knowingly and getting Big A to eat protein at all is often a challenge, but the kid loves granola.  I could have done an entirely lentil-only granola, but I was afraid that was too risky, so I simply added them along with the other (gluten-free) grains to bump up the protein in this granola.  Oh man, so so so good! This granola pairs some of my very favorite things: ginger, figs, and warm, sweet spices. It also happens to be gluten-free, sugar-free, and high fibre.  Adding cashews would be awesome, but I kept it nut-free so the girls could take it to school.  If you aren't a fan of figs, substitute with another dried fruit such as raisins, cranberries...

In case you haven't heard, Target, which finally came to Canada a few years ago, is now leaving.  Yep, like they will all disappear within the next few weeks. Apparently they tried to use the U.S. business model here and it just didn't work because, well, we Canadians are unique.  Partly, we love online shopping and Target didn't offer us this option.  Its true, at least in this house.  Internet shopping has become so simple, and in a big city like Toronto where getting anywhere can be mayhem, and what your looking for in the stores could be sold out, it just saves so much time and energy. Nevertheless, now that Target has got the last of its stuff on 40% off or more sales, we packed the kids in the car on Saturday and heading to the nearest one to check it out.  The deals were indeed very good, so we all brought some things to take home.  The girls got sandals for summer that they adore (so much so that they are refusing to take them off)...

Good morning, its International Day of Happiness AND the first day of spring! As you shed all the layers of clothes from winter, perhaps you should also consider shedding the weight of tasks you've been putting off? Are you a procrastinator?  Some people put everything they don't enjoy off until the last minute.  Others do everything immediately to get it off their back.  Most of us procrastinate only in some areas, like everyday stuff, getting out the door, cleaning the house, or filing taxes, or big stuff like ending relationships, quitting smoking or...dental work. We are, after all, naturally hedonistic creatures that seek out pleasure and try to avoid pain, but with most things our anticipation of negative events is often worse than the actual event.  This is something I discuss a lot with clients with fears about leaving a relationship, starting fertility treatment, getting rid of clutter they have been hoarding, etc.  What is most frigh...

Most people think of January 1 st as the time to try and make a change to their lifestyle, whether it’s giving up smoking or losing weight. But that may not always be the best time to try and give up a bad habit or adopt a good one.   If you live in a northern climate then its likely cold and dreary, which can bring down both your mood and your motivation. Making a healthy lifestyle change is a great idea any time of year, but some people may find spring a particularly good time to do so.   Days are getting longer, there is more sunshine and temperatures are more hospitable.   Spring is all about change, growth and renewal, which is perfect inspiration for making a commitment to get healthier. Often after a long, harsh winter we feel like we are experiencing a reawakening as we enter spring, savouring the better weather.   Use your craving for fresh air and the outdoors to your advantage and boost your daily physical activity.   Whether you simply sta...

Its What I Ate Wednesday  from Peas and Crayons ! What I am eating lately is a lot of the recipes I am creating for my business .  On this day konjac powder was used in almost everything from my usual oatmeal breakfast bowl... To this delicious vegan hot and sour soup, served with roasted kabocha squash.     Snacks were a handful of Babybell cheeses and a few massive Pazazz apples (my last ones...). Dinner was my absolute favorite konjac recipe of spicy sesame noodles (made with calamari this time). These recipes are all on my new website .  What are you eating?

As I enjoyed some roasted kabocha squash last week, it hit me that since its drier than other types of squash, and a bit more starchy, it might be possible to bake grain-free goodies much like what you can do with plantains.  I happen to like the taste of kabocha better and I find them crazy filling because you eat the skin, which is full of good-for-you fibre. This weekend I gave it a try and it worked superbly! Because you include the skin you kind of need a high speed blender, unless your food processor is powerful enough, because you want it completely pureed. These make a great breakfast, meal on the go, or snack.  They're good plain, but also yummy with butter, nut butter or other topping of your choosing. Unlike baked goods made from plantain, which I find a bit dry and bland, these are very moist and flavourful.  To me, they taste kind of like a pumpkin spice pudding cake.  Yum! Kabocha Kake 1 small kabocha squash 1/2 cup egg whites 1 scoop stevi...

If you are a regular reader than you know how I feel about the current state of our always 'connected' culture: I hate it and I think our society is going to HELL-IN-A-HANDBAG.  I think its creating a population of narcissistic, zoned out, self-centered desensitized automatons. I am well aware that I am in the minority here.  Most people I know have wholeheartedly embraced this obsession with texting/phoning/surfing/downloading every minute of every day.  I think it is FUCKING RIDICULOUS and DANGEROUS! The biggest problem on our roads now is not impaired driving, but distracted driving. My reluctance to jump on this train has definitely put me out of sync with much of the world, but I don't really care...its one ride I don't want to be on.  I do what I have to (i.e. since I now run a health food business, I have been told I HAVE NO CHOICE but to be on Instagram and Pinterest), but to be honest, I don't understand the point of this stuff. What I hate the m...

On Wednesday, I took my mother-in-law and a friend of mine to see a taping of the Steven and Chris show.  This is CBC's daytime lifestyle show.  I watch it during the week sometimes, while I eat lunch, if I am at home. I like it because they are sweethearts, and I can honestly say they really are like that in person.  It totally comes across how genuine they are when you see them in person. I snapped that pic on a filming break as they were answering audience questions. That being said, watching a taping of a television show is a great reminder of how misleading the media can be. Shows like this often make me feel a bit inadequate.  The fashion models, the clothes, the celebrity guests, the décor features...I am no fashion plate, nor am I a DIYer!  I love watching this stuff, but I wear very simple clothes, have a very simply decorated home, and although I love to cook, I certainly don't have a knack for presentation nor 'artistry on the plate'. I jus...

I am really short on time for blogging this week, so I am just popping in to say, don't forget to follow me on Twitter: erica_health and/or Instagram: konjacforlife for your chance to win this amazing basket of 7 different organic cereals from Nature's Path!! Also, check out my new website, which is finally open for orders: www.konjacforlife.com

No the girls don't have lice! But I am acting like they (and I) do! I know, I am a bit neurotic. Yesterday, I was sitting at my friend's house after spending most of the afternoon in Big A's classroom as a parent volunteer.  The daycare where my friend's son goes, and where the girls go, called to say her son had lice along with 5 other kids in the room. A little while later, Adam called me because both of Big A's friends who go to Brownies with her, also had lice so their parents called to say they wouldn't be going.  Um, hello, I just spent the afternoon in the classroom with those kids!! We walked to the school to get the kids, who were not to happy to hear I was going to be putting them through the treatment last night, but come on, can you blame me?  Big A mentioned 2 other kids who were also found to have lice yesterday!  Better safe than sorry!  By the way, a nice thick conditioner plus tea tree oil and one of the special combs does the trick j...

Hello folks!  Its the warmest day we've had all year and I am loving it! Before I head off to the girls' school to help out in Big A's classroom for the afternoon, I thought I would share some exciting news. Nature's Path sent me this massive, incredibly generous box of their products - the cereal lovers in this house are going to be over the moon - and you can win one too! Just follow me on Twitter or Instagram and let me know in a comment on either one that you want to win the basket.  Contest is open to those in both Canada and the U.S.!

Hello!  Its Monday!  Its supposed to warm up this week.  Oh hallelujah! As you know, I am an apple connoisseur.  Apples are one of my favorite foods, bar none. But not just any old apple.  No thanks to Golden or Red Delicious,  Macs or Galas, Granny Smiths, or Cortlands. My favorite apples of all time are, in order of my adoration: 1. Mutsu (Crispin) 2. Honey Crisp 3. Pazazz 4. Pink Lady What are Pazazz apples?  I am so glad you asked!  They are a new variety I just discovered and they are AWESOME! They are a relative on the Honey Crisp which I discovered on sale at Loblaws a few weeks ago.  They are MASSIVE, sweet, tart, crisp and delicious.  The whole family loved them.  Unfortunately, after introducing them for a special price, they tripled the price to $2.99/lb and since each apple is about a pound, they are now a little too much of a luxury (when I can find my favorite Mutsu for 99 cents a pound at the market...

I am bad-ass strong.  Yeah, you heard me! I may be a tiny 5'2, but I can kick some serious butt!  I often lift as much weight in the gym as men twice my size.  So what if most of them are senior citizens... One thing I struggle with though, is my grip strength.  My large muscles - legs and back - are often strong enough to lift or push heavy weights, but my forearms are not and I find those muscles tend to cramp up quickly when I am holding really big weights.  Its super annoying! The other issue is I have small (ugly, man-like) hands, and most bars and dumbbells and cable attachments are made for bigger hands. I keep telling myself I am going to start focusing on strengthening my forearms, but I always seem to forget.  So I am putting it out there right now to keep myself accountable. At the very least I can commit to grabbing a weight and doing some exercises in the evening while we watch television a few times per week. If you struggle with the ...

Go into any health food store...or even the supplements section of your standard grocery store, and you'll be blown away by the number of products available, claiming to make you look and feel better and/or prevent and treat disease. Some have true value while many others are unproven.  Most are expensive. Since I was a kid - when my parents had me take a chewable multivitamin (not Flintstones!) - I have always taken a vitamin or supplement of some kind.  Over the years, just what I have taken has changed based on my needs. I'll be honest, I eat such a healthy diet and live such a healthy lifestyle, I don't know whether it is crucial I take everything I take, but most North Americans are sorely lacking in the nutrient department and can probably benefit from some supplementation. In my case, despite living a healthy lifestyle, I live in a big city, with a fair amount of pollution (some of it shared with us from New York State, thank you very much), and a norther...

If there is one food people tend to be passionate about, besides chocolate, its bread. I know, I live with a man - that would be my wonderful husband - who adores bread.  He is happy to just grab a piece from a loaf...even that dreaded end piece, and gobble it down without even putting anything on it! Big A also loves bread, although she favours it slathered with peanut butter and honey or PB&J. When people have to cut down on carbs, giving up bread is often the most difficult sacrifice for them.  Its hard to find a good low-carb bread! The Great Low Carb Bread Company makes a whole line of low-carb bread products and we were lucky enough to receive a whole bunch of them to sample.  We got their: Plain bread Sourdough bread Cinnamon bagels Pumpkin spice bagels The products do not contain any refined flour or sugar, and are high in fibre and protein.  They do, however, contain gluten. A slice of bread is only 60 calories, however, they are ver...

As you know, if you've been following this blog for a while, I don't really believe in super restrictive diets.  Not because they can't help you lose weight, but because most people can't stay on them for very long.  Oh, if only I had a dollar for every client that has come to me for assistance losing weight, who has lost a significant amount of weight on one or another restrictive diet, only to gain it back, and then some, because it was unsustainable. But they continue to grow in popularity: Low-Carb, Paleo, Gluten-Free... I've noticed that many of the health bloggers I follow who spent a period of time swearing by these diets and what a cure-all they are, eventually go off them and admit they weren't all they hoped they would be and were too difficult to maintain long-term. So I really wasn't expecting much when I was sent The Ketogenic Diet to read.  What is it, you ask? A ketogenic diet is essentially a super low carbohydrate diet, like belo...

Hello!  It might be Monday, but at least we're finally into March!! I apologize for the lack of recipes lately...I've been very busy cooking and baking, but almost everything has been for my new website .  Its up, but I need to get the email working before you can place orders. Although I love cooking, believe me, I am not putting gourmet meals on the table 7 days a week!  For one, there isn't time, and two, my kids are super picky.  On nights during the week when Big A has activities (right now its Brownies on Tuesday and dance on Wednesday), I still look for healthy, but quick and easy options that won't lead to dinnertime squabbles.  I am still happy to let the kids to go bed without dinner, if need be, but ideally, I want them to eat some wholesome food and there to be some peace in the house. I am happy to admit I resort to 'kid' food quite often, like Life Choices ' chicken nuggets, organic mac&cheese, etc. The girls generally despise le...