A really inspiring talk on nutrition and MS

Like squash? Wild Rice? Roasted pecans?

Mmmm...this recipe was so delicious. I am about to embark on some leftovers for lunch! The only thing I screwed up on was, I sliced the squash down the middle instead of lengthwise. (didn't seem to matter too much). Made them a little wobbly, thats all.

Here it is: Roasted Acorn Squash with Wild Rice Stuffing

• Ingredients-
• 3 medium acorn squash (about 1 1/2 pounds each), halved lengthwise and seeds removed
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium shallots, finely chopped
• 4 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
• 2 cups cooked wild rice mix (1 cup uncooked)
• 2/3 cup pecans, toasted and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more as needed
• 
  
• INSTRUCTIONS
• 1. Heat the oven to 450°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
  2. Place squash cut side up on a baking sheet, brush 1 tablespoon of the melted butter over the tops and insides of the squash halves, sprinkle with brown sugar, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Roast in the oven until just fork tender, about 25 to 30 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, place 1 tablespoon of the melted butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. When it foams, add the onion, shallots, and celery, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and stir to coat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 6 minutes. Stir in the thyme and cook until just fragrant, about 1 minute.
  4. Remove from heat and stir in the rice, pecans, cranberries, and measured salt and pepper.
  5. Divide the rice filling among the roasted squash halves (about 1/2 cup for each) and drizzle the remaining tablespoon of butter over top. Continue roasting until the squash is completely fork tender, the edges have started to brown, and the filling is heated through, about 20 to 25 minutes.

RIP Jack LaLanne

I always liked this guy and his attitude! He was way before my time but a guru to many. He was way "ahead" of his time. He just passed away this evening, and lived to the ripe old age of 96! He enjoyed wonderful health his whole life long.

Born Francois Henri LaLanne in San Francisco (his parents were French immigrants), he felt the effects of sugar and bleached flour in his diet. After hearing a health lecture, he devoted his life to following a diet of raw, unprocessed foods. His staples: two meals a day and no snacks.

He opened up a chain of gyms and worked out releltlessley his entire life. Fitness and nutrition were his life, and for him it certainly paid off.

At age 60 he swam from Alcatraz Island to Fisherman’s Wharf while pulling a 1,000-pound boat – and while handcuffed. At 70, shackled again, he pulled 70 people in 70 boats 1½ miles through Long Beach Harbor.

The quote I most remember is "Exercise is King: Nutrition is Queen, put 'em together and you've got a

Kingdom. The guy was always happy and full of energy. He was sure doing something right.

He often said, "I cannot afford to die, it will ruin my image."

Rest in peace Jack LaLanne. You were a wonderful role model.

Despite advanced age, LaLanne continued to work out every morning for two hours. He spent 1½ hours in the weight room and half an hour swimming or walking.

Black rice is better for you than blueberries...

Did you know that a spoonful of black rice contains more disease fighting antioxidants than a spoonful of blueberries? I just read that the other day and was a little surprised. Anthocyanin antioxidants show promise for fighting heart disease and cancer. They are found in fruits and vegetables that are purplish in colour, like purple cabbage, eggplant, blueberries and black rice bran. It also has way less sugar and lot's more fiber and vitamin E. We're generally a brown rice household but I've been eating the black stuff lately too, and it's delicious. It has a nutty, earthy taste and is a little bit crunchy. I picked up mine at Urban Fair bulk food section. Organic, yet inexpensive like the rest of the grains..It's cheaper than blueberries too!

Just thought I'd share. Bon Appetit!

Cheap thrills

I am so not one for kitchen gadgets. Like most people out there I have had my share of useless kitchen gadgets and for me in all honesty most of them really are are useless. The fanciest thing in my kitchen is my crockpot (which has been pumpin' non stop for about a month now with this cold)!

One day out of the blue I picked up these two things from London Drugs (which was really unlike me). I am not a fan of shopping to begin with, and useless kitchen stuff is about the last thing I'll buy. But to my delight I have been using both of these items every single day! One is a milk frother (under $5). And the other is a rice cooker ($14). The rice cooker is something that I would have deemed completely useless (although I do have a girlfriend who swears by hers). And now I can see why!

I love it and it makes every single type of rice and whole grain perfectly (and it steams veg too). It shuts off automatically too. I just wanted to share because I am using both of these things every single day, and both of them together are under $20 bucks. Yup, cheap thrills :)

community and garden are two really beautiful words.

Not really sure how, but my (neglected) garden plot still manages to put food on our table. I haven't been around the garden much the past few months but hey...it happens to all of us. That thing called life! Now that summer is winding down I will be making the garden much more of a priority again. Luckily for us here in BC we can garden all year long and grow much of our own food. Here are a few pics of the garden this morning. Every garden is just such a heavenly place to be. In spite of my neglect I've still got lettuce, potatos, beets, peppers, squash, basil, cilantro, thyme, parsley, chives, pumpkins, rosemary, onion...I can't even think of what else right now. Soon I will also have eggplant, and hopefully a few carrots. I am looking forward to growing garlic this year as well. Hope I don't miss the boat again on the planting of the garlic again! Really can't recommend enough, growing your own food. It is truly something I wish I started doing long ago for countless reasons.

what will be our jack-o lanterns!

This doesn't look like the most appetizing thing in the world here I know, but it's my favourite way to enjoy kale.

Last year I had such an abundance of it in my garden that I had to get creative in finding ways to get it in me and this is by far, my favourite way.

Kale chips. My boyfriend isn't a fan (and I'd be lying if I said that they tasted better than potato chips haha), but they are delicious as far as I am concerned, majorly healthful, and perfect for that crunchy salty craving. I made these last night and they seriously take 15-20 minutes. There are many variations for the recipe but I keep it simple. I just wash and dry the the kale (certified organic or from your garden preferably), break pieces off the stems (bite size), turn the oven on to 300 and lightly toss the kale in olive oil (extra virgin/cold pressed if possible). Personally I spray a very light coating on. I sprinkle with sea salt, bake, and minutes later voila! I start crunching away!

It is important however to keep a close eye on them, turning them every ten minutes, as they burn easily. I don't overload the pan either. I like them crispy like chips so I don't crowd the pan. Dark leafy greens have more nutrition per calorie than any other food source and with cold and flu season coming it's good to up the nutrition quotient any way we can! bon apetit and namaste.

You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt.-Author Unknown

I wrote the little little story below for the Roundhouse recreation guide last fall and feel every bit as excited, thrilled and inspired to be getting back to the garden now. If you've been thinking about starting a garden, just do it!

Honestly, If I can do it anybody can..♥

If someone told me a year and a half ago that I would be growing my own food, I would never have believed it.The thought had honestly never occurred to me. Not once. Nobody in my family grew plants. I actually don’t recall seeing a single houseplant during my entire childhood!

At one of the yoga classes I teach, a participant (and now friend and garden buddy!) mentioned that she was getting on a list for a plot at a community garden in our neighborhood, and I found myself a little intrigued…

I decided to attend a garden meeting to find out what it was all about, and couldn’t believe that I got a plot right away! I was both scared and excited. I didn’t know a single thing about gardening. But you know what? It doesn’t matter! Having a garden is one of best things I have ever done. I couldn’t recommend it more highly, and the food couldn’t be more delicious! I am saving money, eating the most delicious organic food, and lightening my carbon footprint. I am also greatly enjoying being more involved in my community.

I am literally brimming with happiness over my garden.

The therapeutic benefits of gardening are absolutely endless, and well documented. Studies have shown that simply looking at a plant can reduce stress, and lower blood pressure. You get to engage all your senses, while getting out into the open air. It is also a mindful practice in which we are reminded about the cycle of life.

You could grow vegetables, flowers, herbs, or a combination of things. You could garden in your community with others, or you could garden on your window ledge, in containers, on your fire escape, rooftop, or even other people’s backyards.

I cannot recommend enough, growing your own food. There is such an incredible satisfaction in watching your garden grow.

And for children, the benefits are truly endless. Studies have shown that once kids see where their food comes from, they will make healthier food choices, while learning patience, self-sufficiency, self-esteem and environmental awareness.

There are countless resources out there for getting started, and people who know how to garden love to help and share their wisdom, and even they will admit that sometimes things don’t grow, or they die.

Oh well…just plant something else!

For me it’s all one big, fun, tasty experiment in which I get to play in the dirt and connect with the earth.

And the harvest? Now, That’s the best part!