A few years ago, my friend, Bewildered Bug introduced me to Larabars. Apparently, I missed the whole "Lärabar" boat because I had no idea what they were. She told me that she was a fan of the healthier-for-you treat, especially since it was gluten-free and she followed a gluten-free diet. It sounded great, but I had never tried a Larabar in my life. Larabars once again … [Read more...]
Harvest Vegetable, Beef and Rice Soup
We had a great harvest season and have a few remaining squash, beets, and carrots from the garden. With the weather and temperature making it feel a lot like Winter already, it's time for Harvest Vegetable, Beef and Rice Soup! Thank goodness we're a soup-loving family! I've included two versions: One to make in your dutch oven or heavy pot and one that can be made in … [Read more...]
Summer Fresh #FreshSnacks Party AND a Giveaway!
It's the middle of the day and you're feeling a bit peckish. What do you reach for? One of our favourite snacks is Summer Fresh hummus and veg or hummus and crackers. Our five year old daughter is a hummus monster! She inhales hummus and carrots! Summer Fresh has convenient Summer Fresh Hummus Mini Dippers (4 packs) that come in Original, Roasted Garlic and Roasted … [Read more...]
16 Back-to-School Lunch Ideas
Now that September is here, what do you pack for your children's back-to-school lunches? Are you in need of some back-to-school lunch ideas? I am extremely mindful of what goes into our daughter's lunches. I want to make sure she's getting a healthy, hearty lunch, complete with vegetables, fruit, protein, and everything a growing child needs. I also want to make sure to … [Read more...]
Banana Peanut Butter Bites
Little One, at five years old, loves being in the kitchen and helping herself to a bite to eat. Though she's my little sous chef, she has been wanting to create her own dishes lately. The other night, I intended on serving a gorgeous fruit salad to our dinner guests, but as I was finishing up the main course, Little One decided to help out and make dessert...on her own. I … [Read more...]
Cream of Leek and Potato Soup
The warmer temperature and beautiful weather really make me feel so HAPPY! The fresh Spring air and the greenery really are uplifting! Flowers starting to bloom and trees beginning to bud...How can you not be excited? Know what I'm excited about? Fruits and veggies that are in season -- and those that grow in the wild! Rhubarb, asparagus, fiddle heads, and leeks are out … [Read more...]
Refreshing Summer Salad: Pineapple-Green Grape Cottage Cheese Salad
With the weather finally feeling like Summer is just around the corner, it's time for some lighter meals. Thankfully, my family is a salad family. Yes, even my husband and 5 year old daughter love their salads! Spinach salad, mixed greens, kale...they love it all. I try to change things up often for variety. One of our favourite salads is a simple and easy fruit … [Read more...]
Foraging for Edible Wilds with Kids
My Dad once told me that "you will never go hungry in the wild if you know what to look for". Learning what plants in the forest are edible is something that is not only fun, but so important for kids and adults alike. Over the Victoria Day long weekend, we took friends of ours and their kids on a nature walk on our property to look for edible wilds. We have a lot of wild … [Read more...]
Keep The Skin On!
Sure, you may not like that extra layer. The skin may seem a nuisance or you may not like the feel of it. Many have told me that the skin is unpalatable, so they prefer to just take it off! I'm talking about the skin on your fruits and veggies, people! There are health benefits in those skins you discard if you do peel your fruit and veg. One of our favourite "Skin … [Read more...]
Healthy Body Challenge
The following post is a guest post by writer and filmmaker, Beth Richards. Four years ago I was fitter than I’ve been since I was in my twenties, and felt great. Then stresses mounted on top of other stresses, loved ones died unexpectedly, my marriage broke up, I moved a couple of times, and as with many women - stress packed on the pounds: ten pounds per year to be … [Read more...]
Heart Beet Salad
Those of you who know my husband in real life will know how much he loves a good play on words. The double entendre and the manipulation of the English language are favourites of his. He's quite clever and loves a good pun. In fact, he's so "punny" (get it? Pun?) that he came up with the name for my kale and beet salad! I made this in honour of Valentine's Day, and Hubby … [Read more...]
Easy Kale Salad #LMDConnector
It seems like every January, when we ring in the New Year, many of us resolve to eat better, be more active, and make wiser decisions in order to be healthy. This year, I resolve to not resolve! That's right. I didn't make any New Year's resolutions, but lifestyle changes instead. Since we live on a farm, we eat pretty healthy and don't consume many foods that aren't good … [Read more...]
Hello, my name is SCOBY. Making Kombucha
The very first time I sampled kombucha was at my friend, Pebblewood Farm's daughter's birthday party. I was intrigued. Pebblewood Farm believes in all things good for the body and the environment. From making homemade/handmade soap from certified organic ingredients to raising chickens and collecting eggs on site, you can be sure that health and wellness is key for the … [Read more...]
6 Bento Lunch Tips
It's a known fact that I absolutely LOVE cooking, baking, entertaining, feeding people, and making bento lunches for my daughter's school lunches. Food = Family+ Friends + Love. It's a social thing. Sure, food nourishes and sustains us. That's its primary function, but it also has a social element. People gather together for meals. We celebrate with meals. It brings people … [Read more...]
Garden Harvest Spaghetti Sauce
One thing we always have in abundance is zucchini. Zucchini is a favourite in our family. My four year old asks for it! There's something so rewarding in growing your own food. Little One is part of the growing process and sees how her food goes from seed to plant and then from garden to the table. To me, that is important. I love that our four year old knows and … [Read more...]