Jul
29
2013

Top Four Things To Look For When Buying Healthy Bread

Not all healthy breads are created equal

Top Four Things To Look For When Buying Healthy Bread

There are more and more options showing up in the bread aisle and the varieties can be confusing. Whole wheat, whole grain, ancient grain—it's difficult to separate the marketing spin from the actual health benefits of buying 'healthy' bread.

Buying nutritious bread will help avoid blood sugar spikes, leads to a healthy lifestyle by helpong build muscle and keeps you feeling full longer.

Here are 4 things to look out for where trying to make smarter decisions in the bread aisle:

Don't get pulled in by buzz words—there are varying degrees of enforcement when it comes to buzz words surrounding bread ingredients. Just because the packaging looks like a health conscious product, does not mean it actually is. Reading the ingredients and looking at the nutrition label are the ONLY way to know what's actually in the package. Words like light, multi-grain, or wheat germ are often used to confuse consumers and say nothing about the whole grain being included.

The first ingredient should be a whole grain. Not wheat flour, not wheat. If a whole grain is used it will list the grain. Whole rye, whole grain wheat flour, and whole oats are all good examples of what you are looking for. Having the whole grain means you are getting natural, unprocessed fibre.

Each slice of bread should have at least two grams of fibre.

Your bread should not contain any inulin or polydextrose. These two additives are often included to artificially boost fibre levels.

Jul
19
2013

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Delectable simplicity

Easy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

chicken pot pie
Chicken pot pie is one of those dishes everyone loves. In our family it's always a winner at dinner time. The ultimate comfort food it arrives at the table like a delicious wrapped gift. Beautifully scored golden pie crust that when cut open reveals a delicious meal-in-a-dish that warms the soul.
 
This homemade version means you know exactly what is going into it. Fresh vegetables, chicken, and soup. Your kids will absolutely love it and I you'll be asking yourself how you ever bought the store-bought variety to begin with. Magnifique!
 
 
Easy Chicken Pot Pie
 
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, diced
2 frozen deep dish pie shells
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and diced
1 roasted chicken breast, diced
1 can sweet peas (540ml), drained
1 can (284ml) condensed cream of mushroom soup (alternately, one can mushroom soup)
 
Preparation:
 In a hot pan sautée the diced onion until translucent. Set aside.
 Remove pie shells from any packaging and allow to thaw 15 to 20 minutes in pie tins. 
 Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Add diced potatoes and sliced carrots and simmer without lid until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain vegetables in a colander.
 In a large bowl combine onion, carrots, potatoes, peas, soup and chicken. Place filling in one pie shell and moisten edges with water. Remove other shell from pan and flatten edges gently on countertop. Place on top of filling, seal and crimp edges. Trim excess pastry.
 Cut several slits in the top of the pie, place pie on baking sheet and bake on the middle rack of a pre-heated oven at 450F for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 350F and continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes until browned on top.
Jul
11
2013

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

An unwrapped take on a classic

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup Recipe

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
Traditionally my family made cabbage rolls for special holidays. My mom would set up the kitchen in the morning and start making cabbage rolls en masse. Some were served for whichever holiday was coming up that week and a bunch more were made to put in the freezer. Cabbage rolls are not an easy undertaking, and if you're already making them, you might as well make a lot!
 
I came up with this recipe for an easy, slow cooker take on the classic. No rolling, no boiling, or freezing cabbage. As easy as 1..2..3.. Give it a try and see if it's a hit with your family. My kids love it as much as the real thing!
 
Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup
 
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
1 garlic cloves, minced 
1lb lean ground beef
1 cabbage, shredded
4 cups chicken broth
2 cans condensed tomato soup
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup uncooked rice
1/2 cup canned, diced tomatoes
2-4 cups water
Salt and pepper, to taste
 
Preparation:
 
 Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil and saute onion until translucent. Add garlic and meat; cook,  stirring often, until meat is browned. Drain well and then place contents into a slow cooker.
 
 Add cabbage and remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Use water to fill crockpot to within an inch of the top. Turn to low and cook for 8 to 10 hours.
 
 I like adding salt and pepper at the end of the cooking process to ensure perfect results.