When was the last time you did a freezer inventory? Can’t remember? I was in the same boat. There was food lurking in the back corners that quickly became freezer burnt and sadly in the garbage. When I became intentional (by doing a freezer inventory), all of this changed. I was able to feel confident with what I had on hand, I spent less money on groceries and actually spent less time making meals. Today, I will share my 3 steps to successful freezer inventory.
What is a Freezer Inventory?
A tool used to review what is in your freezer. Allows you to track food stored so that it...
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(without realizing it)
Do you overeat at restaurants? Let’s be honest; we all do. After all, there are just too many factors gently encouraging us to eat more. Like the size of our plates, the dark ambiance and our increasing portions! Not to mention, we tend to be members of the “clean plate club,” which means if food is put in front of us, we eat almost everything. Many of my clients are surprised to discover that the average restaurant entree contains a whopping 1,200-1,500 calories– and this does not include beverage(s), appetizer(s) or dessert! Similarly, the nutrition is comparable whether you eat at your favourite chain or...
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What is the point of making a New Year’s resolution for living better, healthier lives if it is not maintainable? Today, I will share my 5 best tips for boosting your health and well-being! All my tips are achievable and sustainable all year round!
1. Focus on “life-long change”:
This year, ditch all those fad diets, the hunger strikes, the elimination diets and take charge of your health with real foods that taste good! Remember that any valiant effort to lose weight that involves deprivation and/or extreme exercise is unsustainable; you will eventually default to your old habits. Therefore, make a commitment to focus on lifelong behavior change using...
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The holidays mark a time to eat, drink and be merry! I am all about all of these things. However, today I will be focusing on the drinking part and doing a nutritional comparison of the most popular festive and alcoholic beverages. Whether you identify more as a holiday sipper or a guzzler, this article will hopefully shine some twinkling light on what’s in your favourite beverages.
Drinking your Calories vs. Eating them
Before we jump into exploring our festive beverages, let’s first highlight how liquid calories are processed differently in our bodies from food calories. Quite simply, the act of eating (chewing and stomach expanding) signals to the...
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Are you getting enough orange foods in your diet? It is recommended that we consume one orange (and dark green) vegetable daily to get enough vitamin A and folate (Health Canada). Today, let’s spotlight three orange foods, why they’re healthy and how to include them in your diet.
What makes Orange Foods Healthy?
Orange vegetables get their vibrant colour from beta-carotene, a form of vitamin A that acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin A supports our eyesight, regulates our immune system and keeps our skin healthy. Orange vegetables also tend to contain other health promoting nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, fibre, lycopene and flavonoids. Brightly coloured foods...
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Are you able to enjoy Halloween candy without over-doing it? Did you know that how we approach Halloween treats is how we will approach other food temptations? This topic is important since every holiday (ie. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, Easter) has food temptations. The good news is that we do not have to ban treats and we can even enjoy them!
Three Simple Ways to Enjoy your Treats (but not overdo it)!
Stock up on Healthy Foods!
It is key to stock up with vitamin-rich foods like whole grains, proteins, fruits and veggies and have them easily accessible in the kitchen. You will also want to invest...
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Now that you've mastered three steps to packed lunches, you're likely looking for some extra lunchbox inspiration! Here are my 15 favourite lunches, ready in 15 minutes or less. Click on blue lunch titles for a hyperlinks to the recipe!
Andrea’s 15 Favourite Lunches!
Easiest Greek Lentil salad:
This is my favourite option for a filling lunch loaded with fibre and protein. Simply rinsed and drain canned lentils and toss in veggies and a simple olive oil and vinegar dressing.
Time-saving Tip: Use veggies that you have pre-cut on a weekend to speed up the prep time. Portion into lunch containers for later in the...
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September is the perfect time to start fresh. With children returning to school and crispness in the air, adults also feel inspired to make positive changes - like packing healthy lunches! However, lunch is the most popular meal to eat out and the least likely to be prepared at home. According to Tracking Nutrition Trends Survey, only 37% of Canadians prepare their lunch at home.
Today, we will cover the three steps (three P’s) to master the packed lunch. My follow-up blog will include my 15 favourite lunches (ready in under 15 minutes).
Step 1: Plan
The most common reason people...
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Are you WAY too busy! Are you able to slow down long enough to catch a breath and possibly make a home cooked meal? Or does cooking seem like a distant luxury? After all, cooking involves time and effort. You need grocery items, time to plan and even need a hint of creativity if you want to eat something different from the night before. This is where meal kits have stepped in. They provide fresh ingredients delivered right to your front door in pre-portioned baggies along with step-by-step photos or cooking instructions. This meal service could be called “build a meal” because it gives you all necessary...
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