For me, any day can be a reason to celebrate. As hard-working parents, we all deserve to take some time to appreciate ourselves and cherish the big and little things life brings us — I like to start with what's right in front of me.
With summer right around the corner, we all have backyard BBQ's, pool parties, and get-togethers on the deck with family and friends on our minds. One of my favourite things to do during the hot summer months is to use the witching hour to my advantage by throwing the perfect summer happy hour party. Your sunny time out party can be set on a patio, backyard, by the pool, on your balcony, picnic style, at the cottage, or even in your living room!
Halloween is all about fun! And with so much sugar around, here are some ideas to build the meal squeleton of your kids' day on a fun-gory, but healthy and nutritious scale . . .
Cheese is one of my ultimate comfort foods because it is linked to my best childhood memories. I remember going to the cheddar cheese factory with my grandmother for fresh warm squeaky white cheddar that we would sprinkle with salt and devour. In my mother’s Eastern Township hometown, getting fresh cheese was part of day-to-day life, just like going to church on Sunday.
Have you noticed that we see cabbage everywhere at this time of year, in all kinds of different colours and shapes? My favourite is red cabbage, not only because I love the colour purple, but it is also the one with the most vitamins. Red cabbage has 10 times more vitamin A and twice as much iron as green cabbage. Here is a great recipe to appreciate it even more—with kale and apple, it enhances its flavour and balances the bitterness.
We now know more than ever that a daily regime high in fruits and vegetables is the best to promote vitality and good health, and prevent cancer and other diseases. Plus, we all know that since the body is made of at least 70% water, we do need to stay hydrated. Sometimes a headache is just a simple message from your body to remind you to drink a glass of water . . . or to have a slice of watermelon.
1. Watermelon is made of 92% water, so it is really hydrating. And as we know, water is vital for a healthy body.
Can you believe we are already getting ready for fall? I feel like we haven’t seen summer…
So, I decided to really enjoy the last days before the back-to-school routine kicks in and the one-pot oven meals and slow cooker season begins. Here is my ultimate late summer menu:
Here is a perfect summer recipe, which I learned during my Italian Cooking Immersion in Parma at Academia Barilla. It is easy to make, and even though it requires a little more time, your patience will be rewarded with ecstatic pleasure, as it is so delish! So, get your mixer ready and let's whip up an unforgettable dessert.
Basil is one of the best herbs to grow in your garden or even in a box on your balcony. It is lush, fragrant, and the perfect aromatic touch to many meals, especially tomato-based.
I personally put basil in everything—in fresh water, in desserts, even in a mojito instead of mint!
1. Eating gluten-free doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Think variety. Try a new recipe—for example, fresh fish seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and thyme, served with a fresh peas and mint quinoa salad, or a simple veggie and rice salad.
2. Think colour! Your meals will not only be very appetizing, but colour in fresh produce is a reminder that they contain vitamins and antioxidants.
