In keeping with Spinal Cord Awareness month, the following from SCI-health.org discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for those with SCI. Check out these great tips here!
SCI-Health: Dietary Guidelines For Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Hummus is a versatile, protein packed snack that can be eaten many ways. Whether using as a dip for chips or veggies or used as a sauce for sandwiches and pitas, this fantastic power packed food can add some extra protein and nutrients to your next meal. It is easy to make and stays fresh in your fridge for up to a week, making hummus a quick and easy snack! The following from The Huffington Post shows fantastic ways to make different hummus variations.
It’s hard to pick up a health magazine without hearing about “Super Foods.” Certain grains, nuts and seeds, fruits, vegetables and fish have been named so because of high levels of antioxidants, omegas, and health boosting vitamins and minerals. Some of these “super foods” are well known, however, many are new to the mainstream diet. The following from Greatist.com provides 30 awesome “super food” recipes that will help you create easy, delicious, and healthier meals for you and your family!
Greatist.com: 30 Superfood Recipes You’ve Never Tried Before
Did you know that there are certain foods that can help improve your teeth and give you a healthier smile? The following from Alive Magazine gives great tips on what foods to eat and what to avoid to keep those whites pearly!
April is Earth Month and in yesterday’s Earth Day post we discussed how eating locally and in season can help reduce your carbon footprint. But this can also be better for your health and your pocket book! How do you know what is available and when? Foodland Ontario has compiled a Fruits and Vegetables availability chart so you always know what’s in season. Check it out here!
FoodLand Ontario: Availability Guide
The old adage “you are what you eat” is becoming more prevalent in today’s health conscious society. There is an importance in selecting the proper foods to fight off disease and nourish our bodies to optimum health. In honour of Cancer Month we’ve decided to share with you some of the top cancer fighting foods that you can easily incorporate into your daily meal plans. Check out this slideshow from Reader’s Digest:
Many parents with children who have autism are moving towards a strict gluten/casein free diet. Although this diet has not been medically proven to help with the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders (ASD’s), many feel that it does. The following from Web MD discusses the pros and cons of the gluten/casein free diet and the connection to ASD’s.
We want to hear from you! Comment below on your views on the Gluten-Free Casein-Free diet and its effects.
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eat well everyday!
Saturday March 22nd is World Water Day. A day when we celebrate one of the most important and scare resources on the planet. Water is extremely important to our bodies and we cannot live without it. The following article from CDC.com discusses the importance of hydration, how much water your body requires and tips to ensure you are getting enough. On this World Water Day remember to take care of your health by drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day and try to do something for others who do not have access to this great resource.
CDC: Water: Meeting Your Daily Fluid Needs
There are many Canadian Organizations who focus on bringing clean water to those without access. Some of these great organizations are listed here to help you find information on ways to donate to and how help those in need.
This Nutrition Month we are providing you with ways to get the most out of the foods you eat. Selecting the best foods is part of the process, however, knowing how to prepare them into easy and tasty meals is equally important. We are happy to welcome a guest to the blog to discuss some valuable cooking tools that will simplify meal preparation and assist you in the creation of healthy, delicious meals.
Shannon Crocker, MSc RD, is a food and nutrition consultant, writer, media spokesperson and kitchen coach. A keen cook, she promotes real food for healthy living. Visit Shannon’s website at www.shannoncrocker.com, follow her on Twitter @shancrockerRD and check out her video podcasts at www.goodfoodcast.com.
March is Nutrition Month! To help get Canadians cooking, Dietitians of Canada suggests six basic kitchen tools that will help you whip up a healthy meal quickly.
1. Steamer basket: Why not skip the frying pan and forgo the oil? Steaming your veggies is a quick, easy, and healthy alternative to sautéing.
2. Box grater: A ‘grate’ edition to your kitchen tool kit is a box grater! While we love using our grater for cheese, it can also be used for all kinds of vegetables. Salads with grated zucchini, beets or carrots are a tasty side dish option.
3. Immersion blender: An immersion blender will make preparing healthy soups an absolute whizz. Vegetable-based soups, such as carrot, tomato or sweet potato are a scrumptious way to enjoy more veggies.
4. Lemon juicer: This dishwasher-friendly and ergonomic gizmo will allow you to season food with lemon or lime juice effortlessly. Adding a zip of lemon is a healthy and easy way to add tons of flavour to your food.
5. Oil mister: Cut out excess fat from your diet by using an oil mister. Instead of drowning your cooking pan or salad in glugs of oil, the mister will simply coat in a fine spray, which is all you need!
6. Sharp Knives: If you find that you are squishing tomatoes instead of slicing them, then your knife isn’t sharp enough. Having the right sharp knife for the job makes cooking a little easier – especially cooking veggies!
And if you’re looking for a little kitchen inspiration, visit www.cookspiration.com to download Dietitians of Canada’s brand new FREE app – Cookspiration – that offers up meal ideas depending on your mood!