tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56482654853979833162024-02-21T13:01:45.124-05:00The Healthy KitchenLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-84957986106927513752012-07-05T09:40:00.001-04:002012-07-05T09:56:39.295-04:00Chili-Rubbed Sweet Potato Rounds with Guacamole
Three reasons why I LOVE this recipe:
It's packed with nutrition (sweet potatoes are chock full of beta-carotene and vitamin C and avocados have anti-inflammatory properties, are full of fiber, vitamin A, C and folate).
It's ridiculously easy - you don't even have to peel the potatoes!
Best of all, it's incredibly tasty!! Spicy roasted sweet potato rounds topped with some creamy guacamole...Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-17503878776806108602012-05-18T15:46:00.001-04:002012-05-18T15:50:48.650-04:00Sloppy Joes
I remember when I was a kid, one of my favourite meals was Sloppy Joes. They were basically spaghetti sauce with ground beef added until it was thick enough to stay put on the bun. Oh my, I loved this meal! This version is much healthier and let's just say, a bit more refined. It combines earthy lentils with the delicate crunch of walnuts. It's got a tomato base, but not overly so, Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-29622422058260193802012-04-01T22:24:00.003-04:002012-04-02T09:25:49.172-04:00Banana Soft Serve
What if I told you that you could make your own ice cream right now with only one ingredient...frozen banana? You'd think I was a little nuts...or at least forgotten what real ice cream actually tastes like! And you might be right; but I do know this stuff is AMAZING! I'd seen this technique all over the blogs for a while and I'm not sure why it took me so long to try it at home, but Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-754520414628804372012-03-29T09:36:00.000-04:002012-03-29T09:36:31.988-04:00Broccoli-Almond Pesto with Rice Noodles
Phew! It's been a busy few months...resulting in a severe lack of posts! My apologies. The good news is that I've got a good number of recipes ready and waiting to be shared with you in the coming weeks - Yay!
So, back to it...it's spring again, and that means time to clean up our diet a bit. By way of another blog I frequent, I found a great New Year's cleanse hosted by Whole Living Magazine. Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-50172344715031023342011-12-13T13:26:00.002-05:002012-03-29T08:07:43.454-04:00Roasted Squash and Macaroni Casserole
Every summer our family is lucky enough to benefit from my in-laws' plentiful garden. Almost every visit from them in the late summer weeks includes handfuls of fresh produce like garlic, onions and tomatoes! But what we all look forward to the most is their late Fall offerings of Hubbard Squash! If you haven't tried this type of squash you're missing out! It's so smooth and creamy and you'd Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-83789296942175245412011-11-08T13:59:00.002-05:002012-03-29T08:07:08.251-04:00Spiced Squash and Toasted Almond Quinoa
Having been on maternity leave for the last 13 months, I'll admit that I've watched my fair share of daytime television. But for all you haters out there, I'd like to point out that you can learn some really interesting and valuable things on some of these shows! For example, did you know that Anderson Cooper rarely eats anything other than boiled hotdogs? Or that you can incorporate your Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-34923838235832329562011-10-05T14:28:00.001-04:002012-03-29T08:06:06.469-04:00Pumpkin Pie with Pecan Crust
There's something about Fall weather that just makes me crave pumpkin... And with Thanksgiving coming next weekend there's really no better reason for breaking out a yummy pumpkin pie recipe! I found this one online a few years back and therefore can't credit the author, but if I could, I'd tell them that this recipe is one of my favorites of the season!
The recipe itself is very quick and easyLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-55724330779548279502011-08-09T10:57:00.001-04:002011-08-12T10:37:30.144-04:00Portobello Mushroom Burgers
I've been eating veggie burgers and veggie dogs for a long time now...and I love them...especially during barbeque season. But, it's nice to have an alternative to these guys when you get a hankering for a thick and juicy (meat-free) burger! Actually, I'll admit that after trying these earlier this year, I haven't had a soy veggie burger all summer!
These burgers are surprisingly meaty Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-59996062034548595872011-07-13T20:37:00.002-04:002011-08-12T10:37:06.651-04:00Maple Banana Loaf
FRUIT FLIES!! Arg!! Is anyone else dealing with this mid-summer pest? Over the past few days they've declared war over our kitchen and so far, they're winning! Isn't it amazing how fast they reproduce?! I mean seriously!! I realized quickly that the super-ripe bananas sitting in the fruit bowl was not helping our cause. Hmmm, alright, if I have to...I'll make banana bread...twist my rubber armLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-34350510567893948582011-06-23T20:19:00.001-04:002011-06-29T15:45:18.553-04:00Falafel Sandwich
Back in university, before I decided to go vegetarian, every Saturday morning we'd all head over to the farmer's market in Fredericton and nosh on local yummies like sausages and chicken wraps. After going veg, I had to find a replacement for these sacred rituals...enter, Falafels. Yes, I know, if you've never heard of them before the name could sound scary or intimidating, but don't fear...theyLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-26897486311015711382011-06-06T11:00:00.001-04:002011-06-29T15:45:46.929-04:00Steel Cut Oatmeal, Two WaysThere's nothing like a warm bowl of oatmeal to greet you in the morning! Growing up, I loved the little bags of instant oatmeal that came pre-flavoured with maple and brown sugar. I'd go through phases where I liked my oatmeal thick and lumpy, almost dry; and others where I'd eat it almost like soup, sloppy and full of milk. Those bags of instant oatmeal are at one end of the "oatmeal spectrum" Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-83328929186566265222011-05-06T13:58:00.013-04:002011-06-29T15:46:19.886-04:00B-raw-niesEvery Spring I get the urge to do a bit of a diet cleanse...meaning for three weeks I tighten up my diet by eating more veggies and completely avoiding all caffeine, alcohol, sugar and anything processed. This helps realign my diet after a long winter of maybe not the best eating habits...and it doesn't hurt with the upcoming tank top and bikini season either!!
Anyway, we started this cleanse Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-67798111509054556542011-04-09T17:29:00.008-04:002011-06-29T15:47:13.574-04:00African Sweet Potato and Peanut Stew
This dish is one of those ones that you'll have to pack away the leftovers right away, or else you'll find yourself coming back to the pot over and over again to sneak "one more spoonful" until you're left with pants that are too tight, and minimal leftovers for lunch the next day! I first tried this recipe when my super mother-in-law made it for us this Christmas...we've pretty much made it Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-50923084040004121662011-03-13T19:09:00.006-04:002011-06-29T15:47:54.702-04:00Coconut-Lime Chickpea Stew with Rice
I found this recipe in the Holiday issue of Food & Drink magazine...you know, the one you can pick up for free at the LCBO. After reading the title I was a little bummed as it was originally called Coconut-Lime Chicken Stew with Rice...booo! But after thinking for, oh, a nanosecond, I realized this stew would be fantastic with chickpeas instead! And so it was...sooo fantastic!
I made a few Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-10808915360078291912011-01-31T19:12:00.006-05:002011-06-29T15:48:20.582-04:00Easy Pleasin' Hemp-Oat Bars
As promised here's another recipe featuring hemp nuts. I'm always looking for a yummy snack to replace those boxed granola bars I used to eat so often. These wheat-free bars are perfect because they have the texture of chewy granola bars but aren't too sweet and have no processed or refined ingredients! Best of all, they freeze really well and you can make them in no time flat! They're great Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-34973699159769429862011-01-04T19:15:00.008-05:002011-06-29T15:48:45.041-04:00Quick and Easy Pumpkin Curry
I've been meaning to share this fantastic Pumpkin Curry recipe with you all for a while now...it's become a regular favorite in my house as of late. It features mild curry flavours including slightly spicy from the red chilies and ginger, and creamy sweetness from the coconut! Best of all, it's SUPER easy to make! I know, I know, I always say that...and yes, I always mean it! But this one isLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-56936044705468654462010-11-22T13:42:00.011-05:002012-02-14T09:19:17.140-05:00Who wants Brownies?
If you're anything like me...brownies are one of those treats that are perfect for just about any occasion! My favorite way to eat them is slightly warmed up with a big scoop of ice cream on top (try this brand!).
These brownies are just the way I like them, slightly crispy on top and ooey gooey fudgy in the middle! They taste sinful, but really, compared to other recipes, they're not all that Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-23016027882083364782010-11-04T10:47:00.010-04:002011-06-29T15:49:10.472-04:00Spicoli Burgers
These burgers are from the brilliant Dreena Burton's Eat, Drink and be Vegan. Their name was inspired by the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High (great movie if you haven't seen it!). Anyway, in it, the hilarious character Jeff Spicoli (played by Sean Penn) is a surfer dude who partakes in smoking lots of marijuana!! Since these burgers are packed with nutritious hemp seeds...well, I guess it Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-16771690066493550272010-09-17T08:59:00.013-04:002011-06-29T15:49:29.450-04:00Roasted Yellow Pepper and Corn BisqueWith the crisp Fall temperatures coming at us these days, it's nice to have a comforting soup to come home to. This dish is perfect for the season, using fresh corn, yellow squash, and yellow peppers. Together, they make a beautiful yellow soup that is slightly sweet and very creamy! Due to the pepper roasting, this soup does take a bit more preparation than others, but it's so worth it! And if Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-26735931648911440472010-09-06T09:18:00.012-04:002011-06-29T15:49:41.668-04:00Coconut CakeIn the past, when it came to cake, I would usually go for the standards, chocolate, vanilla, or to spice it up, marble! But on one occasion I was looking for something with a little hint of the tropics for a dinner I was making - alas I found this Coconut Cake! It has since become one of my favorites!
As always, I love it because it's so easy and always turns out perfect! And it works really Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-76736127270495632632010-08-25T20:28:00.009-04:002011-06-29T15:49:54.899-04:00Zucchini MuffinsIf you head out to any local farmer's market or produce stands these days, you'll notice that it's the season of summer squash. Yup, that includes your pattypans, yellow crookneck squash, yellow summer squash and zucchini! Now, I'll admit, I haven't yet found a way to incorporate these babies into my regular diet, even this time of year (I prefer the various varieties of winter squash), but I'm Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-48472785472165422122010-08-15T20:39:00.005-04:002011-06-29T15:50:31.828-04:00Brazilian Rice SaladI'm always on the lookout for tasty bean and grain salads. They're typically easy to prepare, healthy, and great for weekday lunches, potlucks and a nice addition to casual dinners with company.
This rice salad is one of my favorites! The rice is cooked with coconut milk so it's so nice and creamy. There's a very mild spicing, nothing too different or strong tasting. And the beans combined with Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-9813967152458856142010-07-30T11:04:00.018-04:002011-06-29T15:50:47.104-04:00Chocolate Chip and Peanut Butter CookiesFinding that perfect cookie recipe can lead to a lifelong search. I know I've never been completely content with most recipes I've tried...they were always too thin, too sweet, too hard or too dry. And when I removed the eggs and dairy components, I figured it would be even harder to find the perfect cookie!
Well, wasn't I surprised when these unsuspecting recipes resulted in perfect cookies! Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-11072641039666219342010-07-21T14:42:00.011-04:002011-06-29T15:51:10.009-04:00Creamy Broccoli and Spinach Soup with Coconut MilkOk...I know it's summer, and people don't typically think of eating a steaming bowl of creamy soup when it's hot and sunny outside. But hey, like everyone else, I go to work everyday and soup has always been a tried and true staple for my weekday lunches. And it's always nice to have a couple servings of soup lying around in the freezer for those nights when cooking something for dinner sounds Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5648265485397983316.post-60888582553149134932010-07-16T17:03:00.001-04:002011-06-29T15:51:32.329-04:00Fresh Basil Pesto and Tomato BrushettaWhen I first cut out eating dairy, I had a few moments of mourning for all my former favourites that were now off-limits. But, happily, as I've come to discover, there's ALMOST ALWAYS a comparable (or better) version of these foods available without meat, eggs or dairy.
One of my former favourites is basil pesto - with it's creamy texture made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and Leighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12589417369273552328noreply@blogger.com