Category Archives: Health and Wellness

Amazing Aloe – A Medicinal Plant Like No Other

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There is a special plant I want to talk about today, that is astounding in medicinal benefits. I’m talking about Aloe Vera. The restorative properties that Aloe has is incomparable to any other plant so far. Basically, Aloe is magnificent for both external and internal use. It heals, nourishes, disinfects, detoxifies and helps deter many digestive diseases and problems.

Using Aloe Vera to help heal wounds or burns is ideal, as it’s known to immediately soothe the area and helps to heal. It’s just great for your skin in many different ways. It’s an amazing natural hydrator (Aloe is over 99% water), it moisturizes, nourishes and rejuvenates your skin! Most of you know Aloe Vera to be of great use for sunburns. You buy the Aloe gel and slather it on your freshly burnt skin, and it soothes and heals. However, Aloe also soothes and heals internally as well. The Aloe gel is highly alkaline, and when ingesting it, it helps to alkalize the body, bringing it back to a healthy PH environment. Many foods and dietary habits make our internal environment acidic, so Aloe helps to balance it out, all while providing our body with so many active components, including enzymes, vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids and more. The antioxidant content within Aloe helps to boost our immune system as well.

An interesting fact about Aloe Vera, is that it is a natural antibiotic. Aloe prevents the growth of various bacteria and infectious microorganisms from forming within our body. It’s potency works to eliminate both internal and external infections. As previously mentioned, Aloe is also a detoxifier. It helps our natural elimination process, through our bowels, since it’s gelatinous properties help to move through our intestinal tract, absorbing toxins and helps to get our bowels moving.

My family always keeps a bottle of pure Aloe Vera juice in the fridge on hand. Whenever I have an upset stomach, I turn to this juice. It’s a great natural remedy for relieving problems associated with indigestion, acid reflux, IBS, ulcers, colitis and the list goes on. It is known that having a poor functioning digestive tract leads to many health problems, so it’s important to get your digestive system working back on track. I find that the way Aloe externally soothes our skin, it also soothes the internal walls of our stomach and intestinal tract as it moves through our body.

Due to it’s high level of potency, Aloe Vera should be used with caution. Ingesting too much Aloe can lead to a loss of electrolytes, it can interact with certain medications and can cause cramping and other adverse effects. So with any medicinal herb, use with moderation. If you’re wondering how raw, pure Aloe Vera juice/gel tastes, well the taste can be rather unpleasant. It has an oddly bitter taste, which is why it is best disguised in smoothies or other juices, however I usually just chug a small glass and get it over with. The health benefits definitely outweigh the cons in this case!

IMG_2409…yup that’s me beside a field of Aloe Vera in Mexico.

Cayenne Pepper – A Super Spice

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Cayenne pepper is noted to be one of the most useful of the red peppers, as it’s spiciness adds great flavour to foods, and the health benefits are extensive as it has been used to treat many ailments.

Cayenne’s natural heating properties act as a stimulant for boosting metabolism and energy, which supports weight loss by aiding the body to burn excess fats. The heat felt when ingesting cayenne does not burn or irritate the body, instead it contributes to an array of health benefits. Cayenne initiates blood flow to various areas of our body, such as our brain and digestive system. This can help reduce blood pressure, bringing it back to normal levels, and promote circulation.  It also helps lower the blood fat levels, when one consumes a diet high in fat. The heat of the pepper stimulates the production and flow of saliva which greatly improves digestion and even neutralizes acidity, as it increases enzyme production and the flow of gastric juices. It also stimulates intestinal motion which aids in both assimilation and elimination.

Ingesting cayenne during times of cold and flu is ideal as it helps to alleviate sore throats, breaks up the congested mucus and provides relief.  Cayenne acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent and is also known to be a counter-irritant, as it helps brings blood to the surface to help rid of toxins. The main ingredient in cayenne called capsaicin, has a profound effect on destroying certain cancer cells, such as prostate, lungs and pancreas. Since cayenne can cause us to sweat, it also aids in detoxification. There is a known cleanse used in total body detoxing, that consists of drinking a drink made up of filtered water, lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper.

Ingesting cayenne in a drink preferably 1 teaspoon mixed in some warm water, has been known to help people experiencing a heart attack within 30 seconds! This cayenne pepper drink improves heart health dramatically when taken regularly, as it reduces the chance of heart attacks and strokes.

Cayenne can be used ground or chopped and added to stir-fries, soups, sauces or dips, and is also great for marinating meat and fish. Ground cayenne is favoured amongst the mediterranean, mexican and american cooking, whereas the fresh, raw form is popular in many parts of South Asia.

I normally add literally a pinch of ground cayenne to stir-fries, and it adds the perfect amount of heat. I find that less is more with this pungent pepper. Be sure to figure out what your desired level of heat tolerance is, and start incorporating this super spice to your diet.

Hello Again…

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I realized I haven’t posted for well over a month now, so I apologize for the absence of new content, but I can attribute that to a good reason. I’m inclined to share that I have been studying holistic nutrition with the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and that has surely consumed most of my free time. You know you’re passionate about something when you are entirely consumed with what you’re reading that it doesn’t even feel like school. I find myself completely absorbed in the material that is natural health. During my first few lessons I already learned so much about vitamins, minerals, supplements, toxins, water, and natural remedies (just to name a few). So I’m excited to share some of this information on my website to help educate others. Reading about nutrients and how exactly they are needed by our bodies is incredibly illuminating. We only have one body, so it’s imperative that we take care of it to the fullest of our ability.

20130331-125856.jpg“Staying Healthy with Nutrition,” one of the books in the above picture, teaches the fundamentals of nutrition and how various vitamins and minerals from food play a vital role in maintaining health. It’s important to use nutrition as a means of staying healthy and preventing future illnesses or conditions from developing. Preventative nutrition is key to living a long and healthy life. I am excited to learn and understand how our body functions and what it needs in order to heal.

A Twist on the Traditional Shepherd’s Pie.

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Traditional shepherd’s pie consists of using minced lamb and vegetables topped with a crust of browned, buttery mashed potatoes. It’s a savory dish, often considered as English comfort food. Modifying traditional meals into healthier, lighter versions is ideal, since that traditional goodness is still maintained but it’s nutritional content is increased with added nutrients and flavour.

This recipe is perfectly seasoned, completely satisfying and absolutely delicious. The juices from the ‘gravy’ that is prepared with the ground meat and vegetables is what makes this dish so entirely tasty, as the juices literally ooze with flavour. There are many different variations of this meal. For vegetarians, the meat can be omitted, or substituted with tofu, beans, or lentils. Ground chicken or turkey can be used for a leaner choice of meat.

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I’m usually really picky when it comes to ground meat, however if the right ingredients are used, the meaty flavour that I dislike is usually overpowered. In this case, the red wine, ketchup and BBQ sauce really emit delicious flavours that help to take away the strong taste of the ground veal.

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Ingredients:
  • 1.5 cups ground veal
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram)
  • 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence (basil, mint, fennel seed, sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet BBQ sauce (I used Diana’s Original)
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Salt and pepper
Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes:
  • 2 sweet potatoes, skinned and cut into large pieces
  • 4 medium sized potatoes, skinned and cut into large pieces
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt
Preparation:

Heat oil in a large pan on medium-high heat, sauté onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add ground veal and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Add herbs (Italian seasoning and herbs de providence). Cook until the juices are evaporated, stirring well to avoid clumping. Add wine. Once the wine is evaporated, add ketchup and BBQ sauce and stir well. Add carrots, zucchini, and peas and stir. Add water, stir and let simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.

While mixture is simmering, boil potatoes and garlic clove in salted water until soft (about half hour). Drain and bring back to pot, add butter and mash until smooth. Set aside.

When the ground meat and vegetable mixture is done, place in an oven safe casserole and top with mashed potatoes. Bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 15-20 minutes. Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley and enjoy.

A Twist on the Traditional Shepherd’s Pie.

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Traditional shepherd’s pie consists of using minced lamb and vegetables topped with a crust of browned, buttery mashed potatoes. It’s a savory dish, often considered as English comfort food. Modifying traditional meals into healthier, lighter versions is ideal, since that traditional goodness is still maintained but it’s nutritional content is increased with added nutrients and flavour.

This recipe is perfectly seasoned, completely satisfying and absolutely delicious. The juices from the ‘gravy’ that is prepared with the ground meat and vegetables is what makes this dish so entirely tasty, as the juices literally ooze with flavour. There are many different variations of this meal. For vegetarians, the meat can be omitted, or substituted with tofu, beans, or lentils. Ground chicken or turkey can be used for a leaner choice of meat.

20130127-145255

I’m usually really picky when it comes to ground meat, however if the right ingredients are used, the meaty flavour that I dislike is usually overpowered. In this case, the red wine, ketchup and BBQ sauce really emit delicious flavours that help to take away the strong taste of the ground veal.

20130127-145213

Ingredients:
  • 1.5 cups ground veal
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 1 zucchini, chopped
  • 1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, marjoram)
  • 1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence (basil, mint, fennel seed, sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon sweet BBQ sauce (I used Diana’s Original)
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1/4 cup water
  • Salt and pepper
Ingredients for Mashed Potatoes:
  • 2 sweet potatoes, skinned and cut into large pieces
  • 4 medium sized potatoes, skinned and cut into large pieces
  • 1 garlic clove
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt
Preparation:

Heat oil in a large pan on medium-high heat, sauté onion and garlic for about 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add ground veal and salt. Cook for 1 minute. Add herbs (Italian seasoning and herbs de providence). Cook until the juices are evaporated, stirring well to avoid clumping. Add wine. Once the wine is evaporated, add ketchup and BBQ sauce and stir well. Add carrots, zucchini, and peas and stir. Add water, stir and let simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes, or until vegetables are soft.

While mixture is simmering, boil potatoes and garlic clove in salted water until soft (about half hour). Drain and bring back to pot, add butter and mash until smooth. Set aside.

When the ground meat and vegetable mixture is done, place in an oven safe casserole and top with mashed potatoes. Bake in a preheated oven at 400F for 15-20 minutes. Let sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley and enjoy.

Enriching Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil

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Apricot kernel oil is truly a versatile oil that is very beneficial for our skin. I use it regularly since it is very nourishing and moisturizing. Our skin is an organ after all, so it’s important to treat our skin naturally, the healthy way. Unfortunately, many creams and lotions are filled with synthetic fragrances, carcinogens, and other harmful ingredients, which are all horrible, as our skin absorbs these toxins into our body.  Apricot kernel oil is rich in both vitamins E and A, as well as essential fatty acids. Due to these nourishing components, apricot kernel oil is perfect for soothing irritated, premature, aged or dry skin. It’s a natural oil that is perfect for use on any skin type.

Since this oil is so moisturizing, it’s great to use all over the body after showering. It’s also gentle enough to be used for the most sensitive skin, and it can even be applied to the face, as it’s known to retain our skin’s elasticity and clarity.20130110-151130.jpg

Most oils tend to remain on our skins surface, leaving it feeling heavy, with an oily residue. Apricot kernel oil is light and gets readily absorbed into our skin, leaving it feeling soft. The nourishing, moisturizing and revitalizing properties of this oil makes it perfect to use as a carrier oil in massage, and aromatherapy therapy, when combined with various essential oils. It’s even a great natural oil to use for hair treatments to moisturize and strengthen the follicles, which will in turn prevent hair loss.

As it states on the back of the oil’s bottle, this oil is 100% pure in botanical ingredients, not tested on animals, contains no synthetic ingredients and is paraben and petroleum-free. Most skin-care products are put through various bleaching, or deodorizing processes that literally “swipe away” all of the essential components.

The apricot kernels are dried and then cold-pressed to extract the oil. This method retains the oil’s nutritional content. In case you’re wondering, apricot kernel oil has nearly no scent and is lightly coloured. It’s definitely worth switching to, to ensure natural and healthy skin care.

Enriching Benefits of Apricot Kernel Oil

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Apricot kernel oil is truly a versatile oil that is very beneficial for our skin. I use it regularly since it is very nourishing and moisturizing. Our skin is an organ after all, so it’s important to treat our skin naturally, the healthy way. Unfortunately, many creams and lotions are filled with synthetic fragrances, carcinogens, and other harmful ingredients, which are all horrible, as our skin absorbs these toxins into our body.  Apricot kernel oil is rich in both vitamins E and A, as well as essential fatty acids. Due to these nourishing components, apricot kernel oil is perfect for soothing irritated, premature, aged or dry skin. It’s a natural oil that is perfect for use on any skin type.

Since this oil is so moisturizing, it’s great to use all over the body after showering. It’s also gentle enough to be used for the most sensitive skin, and it can even be applied to the face, as it’s known to retain our skin’s elasticity and clarity.20130110-151130.jpg

Most oils tend to remain on our skins surface, leaving it feeling heavy, with an oily residue. Apricot kernel oil is light and gets readily absorbed into our skin, leaving it feeling soft. The nourishing, moisturizing and revitalizing properties of this oil makes it perfect to use as a carrier oil in massage, and aromatherapy therapy, when combined with various essential oils. It’s even a great natural oil to use for hair treatments to moisturize and strengthen the follicles, which will in turn prevent hair loss.

As it states on the back of the oil’s bottle, this oil is 100% pure in botanical ingredients, not tested on animals, contains no synthetic ingredients and is paraben and petroleum-free. Most skin-care products are put through various bleaching, or deodorizing processes that literally “swipe away” all of the essential components.

The apricot kernels are dried and then cold-pressed to extract the oil. This method retains the oil’s nutritional content. In case you’re wondering, apricot kernel oil has nearly no scent and is lightly coloured. It’s definitely worth switching to, to ensure natural and healthy skin care.

Szechuan Shrimp and Rice Stir-Fry

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Happy New Year everyone!

The holidays have come and gone, and it’s hard to believe we are already into year 2013! Looking back throughout the past year, 2012 was a very stressful one for myself, as there were a lot of challenges and changes, as well as a lot of adjusting and accepting that was required. That being said, I’m excited for 2013 to begin. A new beginning is much needed and I hope to do my very best to make this year a good one. Early this year I will be starting school again, which I’m excited about. This in itself is a new beginning, one that will allow me to one day gain the title of a Registered Holistic Nutritionist. Other than obviously studying, I hope to spend 2013 cooking new, delicious meals, spending time with family and friends, all while making new memories and embarking on new adventures.

This Szechuan style stir-fry is so incredibly flavourful, since it’s made with fresh ingredients including a large amount of ginger and garlic. I find that taking the time to make your own homemade sauce, is much better and healthier than any store-bought sauce. Stir-fries are an easy way to eat your grains, a variety of vegetables and protein, all in one easy to make dish. There are endless variations of asian inspired stir-fries, so it’s all about incorporating what you have, and being creative in the kitchen!

20130102-220835.jpgSzechuan Shrimp and Rice Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup whole-grain brown rice

  • 1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined

  • 1/2 onion, finely chopped

  • 5-6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 inch ginger, finely chopped

  • 1 cup peppers, thinly sliced (I used orange and yellow)

  • 1/2 cup carrot, grated

  • 1 sprig of celery, finely chopped

  • 1/2 cup corn

  • 1/4 cup peas (I used from frozen)

  • 4 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped

  • 1 tablespoon cilantro, finely chopped

  • 3/4 teaspoon chili powder

  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

  • Salt to taste

Directions:

Cook rice accordingly and set aside.

Heat oil in a wok or large frying pan. Add garlic and ginger, cook for 2 minutes. Add onions and salt, cook until onions are translucent (about 6 minutes). Add carrots, peas, corn and celery. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes. Add shrimp, soy sauce and chili powder. Cook until shrimps are pink in colour, about 6-8 minutes. Add peppers, cook for 2 minutes. Stir in Szechuan sauce. Keep stirring until sauce has thickened. Mix in rice, cilantro and green onions. Mix well and serve with a garnish of green onions.

Szechuan-Style Sauce:

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth

  • 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil

  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

  • 2 teaspoons corn starch

  • 1 teaspoon sugar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 teaspoon sweet-chili sauce

  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced

  • 2 tablespoons green onion, finely chopped

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Vegan Chocolate Mousse Pie

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Unlike most decadent, chocolate mousse desserts, this one is definitely guilt free that will actually do your body some good! What makes this dessert so special, is that it’s dairy and sugar free, but it tastes like real chocolate mousse. Especially with the holidays that are practically here, I’m sure everyone will have their share of heavy and fattening desserts made with lots of sugar and creams. This is a great alternative, and it’s incredibly easy to make. Whether your guests are health conscious, vegan, or good ol’ chocolate lovers, this lovely dessert is sure to be a crowd pleaser at any table.

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Filling Ingredients:

  • 4 ripe avocados, mashed
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup coconut oil
  • Nuts for garnish (I used walnuts)

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups oats (I used both steel cut oats and rolled oats)
  • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 6 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Combine all of the crust ingredients in a food processor, and process until fine. Pour into a pie plate and press evenly throughout the plate, including the sides of the plate as well. Bake in the oven at 375 F. for 12 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.

Make sure food processor is cleaned, then add all of the filling ingredients. Process until smooth. Once the pie crust is completely cooled, pour the filling onto the crust and distribute evenly. Garnish with some nuts and cocoa powder, and store in the fridge for 45 minutes before serving.20121215-123139.jpg