Pasta!

Pasta; a healthy food? Pasta is very low in fat and sodium and is a great source of energy, fibre and carbohydrates depending on which variety you choose. The bonus of living in Canada is the opportunity to eat enriched pasta that contains vitamin B. Canada is the world’s largest exporter of durum wheat. You can also buy pasta that is gluten free with omega-3. That is the good, nutritional news. Depending on the past you choose can change your nutritional profile.

Changing Our Diet Could Help Fight Global Warming

Can’t run out and buy a new hybrid car, can’t afford to install solar panels on the roof of your house or public transit just isn’t an option for you? Well there is something simple that each of us can do to help fight climate change and the answer just might surprise you. By cutting back on our consumption of animal based foods; meats, dairy and eggs we can greatly reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Why is eating less meat so beneficial for the climate? Right now there are just too many cows, sheep and other livestock on the planet. Individually, they may seem harmless enough, but their numbers take a huge toll on the global environment. It is encouraging knowing that on the most powerful solutions of all is also the simplest and its right under our noses, on our plates.

How to eat a slice of cake with no regrets!

Tired of playing "Diet Deal or No Deal" with yourself as a delicious chocolate cake practically dances before your eyes?
Here's how to decide whether to pass up a temptation or enjoy it with no regrets: Put a fitness price tag on your favourite indulgence that shows how much extra workout time it will take to burn off its calories. For example:
Enjoying an occasional cheesy slice of pizza may be well worth the price -- adding 36 minutes to your regular brisk walk, 20 to a bike ride, or only 15 on the stair-step machine. Boom! Just like that, those calories are gone. But do you also have 60 more minutes to spare to walk off that chocolate cake?
I found this chart on the internet and found it very resourceful and thought I would share. There is also a bonus; exercising regularly expanding at least 3,500 calories of energy a week can make your real age 3.4 years younger. Although I don’t need to look younger at my age, I thought it would help others, perhaps my English teacher!

My Pantry

I thought it might be helpful to share what ingredients I keep stocked in my pantry (and fridge) to allow me to prepare quick, home-cooked meals every day. Here's what you can find in my kitchen right now:
Pantry
• Oils: extra-virgin olive (salads, sauteing); peanut (frying, wok-cooking); sesame, walnut, truffle (embellishment)
• Vinegars: sherry, balsamic, apple cider, red wine, rice
• Salt: coarse and fine sea salt
• Pepper: black, and a blend (always from a grinder), ground white pepper (for Asian dishes)
• Sauces/Condiments: dark soy sauce
• Canned veg: whole plum tomatoes, beans
• Chicken broth (2 boxes)
• Pasta: various shapes, but mainly spaghetti and penne (our faves). I buy Barilla or DeCecco for everyday pastas and I stock up when they are on sale. I prefer dried pasta to fresh pasta, but I do make fresh pasta once or twice a year and freeze any leftover dough.
• Other noodles: soba, rice vermicelli
• Grains: rice (short grain, jasmine, basmati—
• For baking: Unbleached all-purpose, cake, and whole wheat flours; baking powder, baking soda, dry milk (for bread)
• Sugars: regular and brown
• Coffee (regular and espresso), teas
Fridge
• Dairy: milk, yogurt, cheese
• Non-dairy: soy and rice milks
• Juice
• Eggs
• Peanut butter
• Unsalted butter (also frozen)
• Assorted lettuce
• celery
• carrots
• onions (yellow and green)
• ginger
• Herbs stored in a glass of water with plastic bag over
• yeast
Freezer
• Frozen veg: peas, corn,
• Van's waffles
• Morningstar Farms "sausage" links
• Assorted meats/poultry (for example, we stock up on whole chickens and rib-eyes when they are on sale)
• stock in plastic tubs
• pie crust
On the counter
• garlic, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, other fruit in season
As far as spices go, unless I am cooking something that requires a specific spice or blend of spices (like Indian, Mexican, or Morrocan dishes) I don't really use them every day. I prefer to stick with salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
I know this list seems long, but most of the pantry items on this list can last for weeks or months if stored properly. If you have a well-stocked fridge and pantry, basic meal components are at your fingertips and cooking is a breeze. What do you always have on hand for quick meals?

Frozen Foods

You know one of those days where you’re just too lazy to cook anything at all? Then find yourself eating some frozen foods? I’ve had those days; actually I’ve had lots of those days. Today I would like to talk about frozen dinners that we love. I have a favourite from every cuisine, the most popular; Italian! I love the Michelina’s frozen foods! From Alfredo Fettucine to pizza and chicken nuggets, I love them all. Michelina has got some really good pastas, but after eating one every week, you will never want to look at it again! How about Kraft Dinner? Macaroni and cheese always works, but is more as something you can only eat once in a month or two. Then we have the frozen pizzas, chicken wings, burgers, fries and all the other unhealthy stuff. Well this is embarrassing, for a person who loves food to confess about eating frozen foods and actually liking them, it is unusual. What can I say? I think we all have those days. So if you know any great frozen foods that you think are awesome it would be nice to hear about them so that I can go out and save them for a lazy day!

Are you skipping breakfast?

Teaching children to eat healthfully these days is, unfortunately, more complicated than just encouraging them to eat their Brussels sprouts. Studies suggest that many children and working adults often skip breakfast, and missing a morning meal has been linked with lower overall intakes of a variety of nutrients. Kids are also eating more foods prepared outside of the home (which often means bigger portions), drinking more sodas and consuming less dairy (which is important for growing strong bones). From experience, I can say that cafeteria food is what leads to children being obese. Many students skip breakfast because they don’t spend time in the kitchen in the mornings preparing a lunch because they buy fatty foods at school.
In the last 30 years the percentage of U.S. of children aged 6 to 11 who are overweight has nearly tripled. As childhood obesity becomes more common, diseases previously only seen in adults are becoming increasingly prevalent in children. For example, estimates predict that one in three American children born in 2000 will develop type 2 diabetes at some point during their lives. Other research shows that plaque building up inside arteries; the most common cause of heart disease, can begin in childhood
As for adults, the trend is increasing. Rushing to work with a drive through coffee is ruining the routine for adults. Lack of eating and sleeping is the cause of unhealthy eating. Adults must start getting on track with their diets so they can teach children to be sharp during the day. Adults need to teach children good eating habits that ensure they’re getting the nutrients they need, but not too many calories. To that end, the nutrition experts online and at your clinic can offer you tips and guidelines.

Halloween!

Well you know yesterday was Halloween. I had some great recipes on fun Halloween foods and if anyone followed up with that I’d like to hear how that went. As usual I was very busy with working and what not and did not have much time to make anything crazy. I baked some special Halloween cookies and was headed to a Halloween party. The cookies were a great hit! They were done in, say 2 minutes? They were simple macadamia nut cookies with a little icing and spooky designs on top. Although I didn’t get the chance to cook anything creative this year, I would like to know if anyone came up with something scary and nasty! And most important, did it taste good? You want to make something that will scare your pants off but also something that actually tastes good. Otherwise, there would be no fun in cooking something that looks good, but tastes horrible. So if anyone has any disaster stories, or successful cooking stories, reply to this post!