Remember GORP?

Oh, probably not, because whenever I mention it these days NO ONE knows what I’m talking about and it makes me feel ANCIENT. It was a thing, I promise. And I’m bringing it back.

GORP stands for “Good ol’ raisins and peanuts” and it was the snack of my childhood. It was sweet and salty and you could shove an entire handful in your mouth. Pure, simple, happiness. GORP.

Quinoa is an excellent and easy alternative to rice and other grains and cooks really fast for quick weeknight meals. Quinoa is a known as a “superfood” because it’s gluten-free, provides a great deal of protein (almost twice that of brown rice) and contains iron, calcium, potassium and fibre.

Did you know that 2016 has been named the “International Year of the Pulse” by the United Nations?

I love my job. As a Nutritionist and food educator, I get to teach children about healthy and nutritious foods. The best part of my day is watching kids try tasting something new and actually like it! Nothing makes me happier than seeing kids eat and enjoy real, whole foods.

I asked my kids to make me a healthy dinner (as a SUPER FUN experiment). I expected…well, to be honest, I don’t know what I expected. I unleashed my three children aged six, five, and three into the kitchen to make me dinner COMPLETELY WITHOUT MY HELP.

Yes, I made sure they were safe. And yes, my husband was out of town.

Did you wake up with good intentions this morning?

The good intentions to eat right, and start your day off with the mighty-fine whole grain goodness of steel-cut oats? I don't blame you! These oats are better than the rest. They are minimally processed so your body takes longer to digest them, keeping you fuller, longer. Plus they're full of fibre, protein and iron. They should be called Powerhouse Oats. You're pumped!

And then you read the box. Simmer for 25 minutes?! F*** that. I'll just have coffee. AM I RIGHT?

I wasted a lot of time thinking about nachos these past few weeks. I spent a lot of time talking to friends, and considering how to make nachos “healthier”…and then I really sat down and thought about it. No one is going to make my sweet potato nachos. No one is going to make tortillas from scratch. No one is going to put spirulina or dried kale on their nachos. What’s the point?

We are lucky to live in a world with so many options, aren’t we? But they’re so darn confusing sometimes. The Internet is a wonderful wealth of knowledge but can be intensely conflicting. One site says “it’s healthy,” the other says: “avoid it!” Thank goodness I’m here to help you sort this stuff out.

You know when you open up a can of chick peas and drain all that goo away?

You know that garbage?

IT MAKES AWESOME WHIPPED CREAM.

And it tastes amazing. Really. You have to try it. And you can't mess it up.

Surprise your guests! They'll never know. It can be your little secret.

I bet you have some sitting in your cupboard right now. Go ahead. I dare you.

Aquafaba Whipped "Cream" 

Ingredients

Goldfish crackers are the ultimate snack. Kids like them, parents like them, they’re cute and cheesy. But what if you could make your own? That’s like the PRIMO ULTIMATE, right?

The ingredients in goldfish crackers aren’t bad necessarily... but there’s still stuff in there that wouldn’t be in your kitchen cupboard.

I made these crackers with five ingredients. FIVE.  

You could say I’m old school.

I dated my husband for just over a year; we were engaged for 11 months and got married at a lakefront lodge in front of all of our friends and family. We moved from Toronto to Petawawa (my husband is in the military), bought a house, and got a dog. I was pregnant just in time for our honeymoon, two months after we wed in 2008, and I didn't stop having babies until my third was born in 2012.

I was 31. I was living the dream. For real.

What is with Valentine's Day these days?

People are becoming completely milquetoast about the whole thing.

I get it. I'm not a big Valentine's Day person. My husband buys me flowers, not roses, every year. And I love them. People, I will take flowers when I can get them. We don't go out. I might make a nice dinner. That's about it.

But when it comes to the KIDS... they get excited about GROUNDHOG DAY so I figure Valentine's, we can make a little more of an effort, right?

Have you heard of this dessert? It's incredibly decadent, and as the name says, basically like sex... in a pan. It's SO GOOD.

You won't believe how lemon can brighten up this rich and delicious split pea soup.

I mean, this soup was delicious all on it's own, but when you add the freshness and nutrition of vitamin C, your body will just buzz with happiness. Vitamin C is great for your bones and teeth, promotes iron absorption, and is a well known anti-oxidant which is good for your heart. On top of that, the split peas in this soup are full of fibre and protein, a very heart healthy food. So have a bowl (or two) and feel all warm and fuzzy inside for so many reasons!

Kale.

Hey! I saw you roll your eyes! I know, I know. It's been done. Like, a million times.

But wait! This kale is CREAMED. And so GOOD. If you like creamed spinach (and who doesn't? I mean, cream, butter...yum!), then you'll love this version with kale. It's a little different but a lot delicious.

And this recipe can be made in one pan and comes together in FIVE MINUTES.

Yup. I said five minutes.

Sold? Well, you will be once you give it a try.

So go ahead:

Did you make a “no-refined sugar” resolution? Good for you! Sugar can be a hard craving to beat, and you’re on the right track. Just remember balance. If you cut too many things out of your diet, the chances you will binge on the sweet stuff increase.

I bet you’re missing jam. I know why-it’s super yummy on toast or with peanut butter for lunch! But jam is typically full of refined sugar. Don’t worry-I’ve got a recipe so you can welcome jam back into your healthy lifestyle with open arms, no guilt…and no refined sugar!

Is there anything better than ice cream? I mean, it’s the greatest treat ever. We actually RUN IN TRAFFIC towards trucks because they have that twinkly music playing and we know they’re full of it. Ice cream, that is.

It really doesn’t matter what sort of weather is happening outside. If you want it, you’ve got to have it.

Again, I’m talking about ice cream, people.

This recipe requires nothing but time and a little effort. No machine needed. And it’s dairy and egg free!

Veggies and dip are a staple. They're great for parties, lunches, after school snacks and potlucks. You can't go wrong with veggies and dip! Or can you?

My oven is working over time right now. It's constantly on. I honestly put oven mitts on my hands to go outside because I thought they were my actual mittens. Time to get out of the kitchen, don't you think?

Things that have been in my oven in the last week:

Granola, a turkey, squash, random vegetables, muffins, date squares, garlic, pie, cookies, fish, cupcakes, play-doh (don't ask), appetizers...you get my drift. My oven needs a break.

Screw the oven-I don't want to sweat anymore while I'm standing in the kitchen.

I'm all for baking over the holidays. Christmas just isn't the same without my Mom's shortbread or flour covered children. I love how the house smells but I do not like how my pants fit.

So I decided to lighten up at least ONE of my recipes this year: Gingerbread. And I'm sharing because that's what the holiday season is all about (Insert eye roll here). Why only one? Because BALANCE. That's why. Besides I can only hear my husband tell me I'm "ruining" one recipe per holiday.