Wednesday 12 June 2013

#mspjourney to wellness - Day 7

Day 7 - Tuesday, June 11

7:00am - large glass of water

7:30am - Cup of hot lemon water with the juice of 1/2 lemon

9:30am - Green smoothie with spinach, kale, frozen raspberries, spirulina and maca powder

1:30pm - Bowl of homemade Broccoli Kale Spinach Soup and homemade gluten-free flatbread
(recipe: http://www.mysweetpancreas.com/2012/09/green-goodness-soup.html)

4:00pm - 2 squares of 70% cocoa coconut almond "nutbar" chocolate bar which is vegan, fair trade, organic and gluten and soy-free!

6:30pm - Store-bought fresh salmon/dill/lemon/pepper burgers topped with organic dijon mustard and on top of fresh chopped purple kale (side of sweet potato rounds baked with pepper and chilli powder)

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8:00pm - 1 hour Pilates class (feeling the pain now)

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11:30pm - went to bed after doing a few hours of freelance over a glass of red wine



Tuesday 11 June 2013

#MSPJOURNEY to Wellness Day 6

Day 6 - Monday, June 10

This week my goal is to make liquids the main part of every meal to give my digestion a bit of a rest. Although with dinner tonight I was not able to stick to the routine. For the rest of the week I am going to stick to liquids for breakfast, lunch and dinner and snack in between with salads, proteins and veggies :)

7:00am - large glass of water

7:30am - Cup of hot lemon water with the juice of 1 lemon

9:30am - Piece of gluten-free toast with 1/2 an avocado

12:30pm - Bowl of homemade Tomato Minestrone Soup and homemade gluten-free flatbread
(recipe: http://www.mysweetpancreas.com/2013/01/healing-minestrone-soup.html)

3:30pm - Gluten-free flatbread as a snack

6:30pm - Greek salad: cucumbers, red onion, organic grape tomatoes, feta cheese, kalamata olives, greek seasoning, lemon and EVOO and a grass-fed free-range turkey sausage with whole grain mustard and tomatoes (not pictured because I was running late for yoga and had to eat quickly)

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8:15pm - 1 hour Power Yoga Class

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11:00pm - went to bed and said my mantra 5x in my head: I am grateful for everything in my life



Monday 10 June 2013

June Journey to Wellness Day 5

TGIF Day 5 - Friday, June 7

7:25am - slept in a little bit so had a large glass of water and started getting ready!

7:30am - cup of hot lemon water

9:30am - smoothie: greens powder, frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana and water

12:30pm - Salad: raw kale, yellow beets baked the night before, organic edamame, cucumber, avocado and pumpkin seeds with EVOO, apple cider vinegar and lemon!

3pm - Mary's crackers with some hummus

8:30pm - Leftover chicken burger on a bed of organic spinach with tomato and then on the side we had organic roasted red pepper hummus with Mary's Sticks & Twigs gluten-free pretzels - yum! I also found this Cider at the LCBO called William that is gluten-free, organic, Canadian and only 8g of sugar  per can - pretty good!

9pm - SWEET TREAT - So Delicious (brand name) Coconut Milk Chocolate Almond Bar - they are actually quite small, dairy-free and have 8g of sugar per bar so not so bad - and it was Friday, I wanted a treat :)

We watched a movie and went to bed fairly early because Will had a work softball tournament in the morning and I had to work at the PYC (Power Yoga Canada) studio! zzzzzzzzzz


Friday 7 June 2013

June Journey to Wellness - Day 4

Day 4 - Thursday, June 6

7am - wake up and listed everything I was grateful for about my life in my head, had a glass of water

7:30am - cup of hot lemon water

8:00am - smoothie: hemp powder, almond butter, cacao, cinnamon, 1/2 banana, water and spirulina

10am - omelette with mushrooms

12:30pm - Salad: raw kale, swiss chard, spinach, shredded carrots and beets, some red quinoa, napa cabbage, an avocado, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts and lemon dijon dressing!

3pm - Mary's crackers with some hummus

7:30pm - Chicken burgers on a bed of organic spinach with tomato and avocado and baked sweet potato rounds: ground chicken, green onions, juice of 1 lemon, lemon zest, dijon mustard, whole grain mustard, garlic, pepper

9pm - 2 small glasses of red wine

........................

6pm - 30min walk, 50 squats and power grocery shopping!

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*I didn't get to meditate tonight as I was doing freelance design, cleaning the kitchen and buzzing my husband's hair haha, but I did sit for about 3 minutes to clear my mind before going to sleep!





Thursday 6 June 2013

June Journey to Wellness - Day 3

Day #3 - Wednesday, June 5

My affirmation for today was: I now listen to my inner guidance. I notice my thoughts, feelings, visions, and words. I now have the strength and courage to follow them and take the steps given to me.

7am - wake up and listed everything I was grateful for about my life in my head, had a glass of water

7:30am - cup of hot lemon water

8:00am - chocolate chai smoothie: hemp powder, spirulina, cacoa, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, almond milk, almond butter, maca powder, water, 1/2 banana

10:00am - had some of my amaranth heated up with flax seeds and cinnamon

12:30pm - mixed greens (chard, kale and spinach) with red cabbage and carrot slaw, with my summer chickpea salad I made last night on top - so delicious the next day!

3:00pm - we had a treat to celebrate a bride-to-be that I work with so I had a piece of this raw vegan frozen bar made of almond butter, coconut oil, cashews and agave - yum!

6:30pm - minced turkey cooked with garlic, onions, tamari sauce (gluten-free), chile flakes and put that on top of a cabbage slaw in collard green leaves to make wraps!

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8pm - 1 hour Power Yoga Class

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*I did some design work after my yoga class and shower and repeated my affirmation before heading to bed around 11pm.


Wednesday 5 June 2013

June Journey to Wellness - Day Two

Day #2 - Tuesday, June 4

Goals this week: cut out coffee, finish the book I'm reading, finish my 3 freelance projects, let go of everything that isn't needed in my life!

7am - wake up and listed everything I was grateful for about my life in my head, had a glass of water

7:30am - cup of hot lemon water

8:00am - chocolate chai smoothie: spirulina, cacoa, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, almond milk, almond butter, water, 1/2 banana, greens powder

10:00am - piece of gluten-free toast with almond butter and an organic apple/ginger tea

1:30pm - mixed greens (chard, kale and spinach) with red cabbage and carrot slaw, pumpkin seeds, sprouts and a piece of salmon with dill and a lemon, dijon, EVOO and pepper dressing

3:00pm - other favourite rishi tea: organic cinnamon plum mmmmmm

6:30pm - grilled chicken with summer chickpea salad: organic chickpeas, tomatoes, yellow pepper, green onion, lots of dill, olive oil, sea salt and pepper and fresh lemon juice over arugula

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7:30 - 9pm - 4km walk with my friend

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*After my walk I cleaned the kitchen, meditated and did some deep breathing for 15 min and then read 2 chapters of the book I want to finish this week!


Tuesday 4 June 2013

June Journey to Wellness - Day One

Day #1 - Monday, June 3

Food aspect of today was amazing, and the exercise and meditation part as well! Overall it was an amazing first day and nothing crazy out of my routine - but very inspiring as well!

7am wake up - listed 3 things I was grateful for in my life: the sunshine, my husband and family and my health - I repeated this 3 times in my mind with a big smile :)

7:30am - large glass of water, cup of hot lemon water (1/2 lemon), greens powder with water

9:30am - warm bowl of amaranth with cinnamon, sunflower seeds and flax seeds

12:30pm - Kale salad with dill, hemp hearts, sprouts, red cabbage, carrots, pumpkin seeds, lemon and EVOO dressing

3pm - 15 Mary's crackers with organic hummus (Sunflower brand) and my favourite anti-inflammatory tea - Turmeric/Ginger from Rishi

6:30pm - BBQ'd salmon topped with fresh dill and lemon, baked sweet potato slices, fresh cucumber and tomato salad with lemon and EVOO

.................

8pm - 1 hour Power Yoga Class - during savasana I sent love to my pancreas for five minutes

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10:30pm - 10 minutes of meditation and relaxation breathing, repeated the following mantra 10 times for healing and self love purposes:

Only beautiful, loving things occur around me and within me.

All recipes available upon request but these are quite simple and ingredients are listed above :) xo

*Note, the VegeGreens powder by Proventive is a green food supplement. I use this if I'm travelling and it's perfect if you don't have access to a blender or the ingredients to make a smoothie (which I didn't). The powder is berry-flavoured, has numerous vegetables, vitamins and nutrients in it - a blend of over 60 phytonutrients! Also available in larger containers instead of travel packs.






Monday 3 June 2013

My June Journey to WAKE up my sweet pancreas

Happy June!

I have been so excited for June to come so I can start this health + wellness journey with all of you.

It will be broken into 3 categories: 

• Food + Nutrition (recipes as well of course)
• Exercise 
• Self-Love + Inner Wellness

I'm actually cutting this journey down to 4 weeks, 5 days per week and leaving weekends for inspiration and research - but still keeping with the program just not documenting my every move!

I hope this journey I'm embarking on will motivate and inspire you! Feel free to comment, ask questions, share accomplishments or results and GET INVOLVED with the healing process with me!

This "June Journey" looks something like this:

• Daily Food, Exercise and Self-love/Inner Wellness Posts
• Posts on what is inspiring me, what results I'm getting, how I'm feeling etc etc
• Each week will have a theme to follow along with if you so desire

The point of this "journey" is to start healing my pancreas FOR REAL with techniques I've been adapting, researching and paying attention to over the last year. 

I am sharing who is motivating me and educating me....along with things I am finding out myself through trial and error and pure exploration and experimentation.

The basis is from these nutrition and healing gurus:

Julie Daniluk's book: Meals that Heal Inflammation
Kris Carr's book: Crazy Sexy Kitchen
Dr. Mark Hyman's Book: The Blood Sugar Solution Cookbook
Louise Hay: You Can Heal Your Life

I also research and follow these authors and health gurus like crazy....so it's not ONLY their books that have motivated me to start this, but their articles, their tweets, their blogs and so on...you get the point.

At the beginning of each day I will write a post about what I'm grateful for, then I will post my breakfasts, my snacks, my lunches, my dinners, my mantras, my meditation themes and my exercise and relaxation techniques for the day. I am committing to doing this 5 days a week for not only myself, but for you guys as well! I am on a mission to WAKE my pancreas UP and get it going again.

So, there's a lot to share here, a lot ahead of me and you this month and A LOT to accomplish. I am just so grateful to have this forum and followers like you. 

Please don't hesitate to participate and maybe awaken your spirit, or your pancreas a little too! :)

xoxo

Friday 10 May 2013

I ACCEPT what I cannot change!

For those of you that don't know me that personally, I am a self-proclaimed Spirit Junkie (term ever so lovingly borrowed from the wonderful Gabrielle Bernstein http://gabbyb.tv/. She is amazing, please visit her site, pick up one of her books or just watch a few clips of her giving you positive love + light!

I use her daily iPhone app, Spirit Junkie, for daily inspiration AND motivation...and today's really reminded me of something I always like to address when it comes to my illness:

I accept what I cannot change.

Living with Type 1 Diabetes for the last 25 years has definitely had it's ups and downs (no pun intended)....but I have never once stopped living the way I've wanted to, or ever let my disease tie me down or limit me in any way.

I can't deny that there have been times I have thought, poor me...or why me.....but I can count on one hand the amount of times those thoughts have entered my mind - and then ever so lovingly I have let them go.

I accept what I cannot change is an interesting line for me to write about because I AM trying to change my disease for the better - I am trying to be the healthiest diabetic possible for me, and I am trying to reverse what some consider my inevitable future. 

I am not trying to prove I will not need insulin to survive, I will always need insulin to survive until there is a cure to waking my pancreas back up! But, I am going to try everything I can to wake my pancreas out of hibernation and heal myself - if that means lying in my yoga class in shavasana sending love to my pancreas, so be it - if that means going on a month-long raw/vegan food diet to see what results I get, so be it - and if that means standing in the mirror every morning and every night repeating the same mantra: "Only beautiful, loving and healthy things occur around me and within me" - so be it!

I am accepting this disease because I cannot change the fact that I have been blessed with this challenge, and that's how I view my diabetes, as a challenge that is part of my path on this beautiful earth. This outlook will push me forward to help others with diabetes to accept the disease, take responsibility, be thankful for the challenge and learn how to survive with positive energy and light!

I cannot change the fact that I have this disease, but I can change the way I accept it and the way it effects my spirit and soul. 

I accept my disease fully. I always have. But I WILL change it....

Wednesday 8 May 2013

Kale OPA! Quinoa Salad

As you've probably guessed this is a variation of a typical greek salad - made more substantial with some quinoa and even more healthy and delicious with freshly chopped organic lacinato kale!

Chopped Lacinato (dinosaur) Kale - my favourite kale for taste, texture and chopping!
Quinoa (I usually add in as much cooked quinoa as I feel like)
Green Onions and chives chopped
Yellow and Orange chopped Peppers
Sliced Kalamata Olives
Sliced Cucumber
Pumpkin Seeds
Hemp Seeds
Greek Seasoning (I use Clubhouse, but I should really make my own with dried herbs)

Dressing: juice of 1 lemon, EVOO, apple cider vinegar, black papper, spoonful of whole grain mustard

This salad is SOOOOO tasty, it's healthy and delicious and full of nutrients. Plus, the quinoa fills you up and adds protein!

OPA!


Friday 12 April 2013

Hello Weekend!!!!

It's Friday, and I'm starting a new "Hello Weekend" weekly post about how you can stay healthy on the weekend - Diabetic or not!

It's easy to relax and let go on the weekends, who are we kidding? However, if you look at it from a different perspective, perhaps relax and rejuvenate...you will keep your healthy living goals on track!

Here are some FOOD tips:

• Make your own fries or chips - slice sweet potatoes, beets, yuca root, or plain old potatoes into thin round slices and bake for 40 min in the oven - toss in coconut oil and your favourite spice (cumin, cayenne, cinnamon) salt and pepper before putting in the oven - great for side dishes or just SNACKS!

• Add greens to every meal - even breakfast! Who doesn't love eggs benny or even pancakes on the weekend? I try to get creative with my breakfasts on the weekend because I don't have time during the 9-5 grind throughout the week. Try serving your omelette on a bed of spinach or kale instead of toast...or serve your pancakes with a side salad of spinach and berries!

• Make your own food! This is so important - as much as you may want to order take-out, go out to a restaurant or just grab something quick and easy at the store, you actually have the time on the weekends (I hope...) to make your meals with fresh and healthy food and LOVE!

• Plan your meals for the week - look on some blogs (ahem....) for recipes, tips or even google a food program for the week (coming soon). Make a list, take into consideration left-overs, so what you make for the dinner one night can be lunches for the next day!

• Cook for the upcoming week - because I actually do cook for people as a side venture, I do most of my cooking on Sundays. Make a huge pot of soup for lunches, cook a large batch of quinoa to make a salad, side dish and even breakfast meals!

• On top of all of these exciting food tips don't forget to EXERCISE! Moving for at least 30 min every single day is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Even if it's pouring rain outside do a little circuit in your living room - squats, push-ups, sit-ups, jumping jacks...whatever gets your heart rate up and breaks even a bit of a sweat is beneficial in so many ways for your mind, body and soul.

• Don't forget to try meditation and daily affirmations - you will notice a big difference in your life if you bring both of these practices into your life every day. Try them out for a week and notice how relaxed, happy and inspired you feel :)

Wishing you all a HAPPY + HEALTHY weekend!!!!!!

xoxo

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Kale + Cabbage Salad

This salad really doesn't require much, however it is very satisfying and VERY good for you, and tastes pretty good too :) It's the perfect refreshing salad for a hot summer day - however, I enjoy it any time of the year and it makes you very satisfied especially with the added avocado!

Kale + Cabbage Salad

Chopped Lacinato (Dinosaur) Kale
Chopped Napa Cabbage
Chopped Red Cabbage
Julienned Carrots
1 avocado sliced
Thinly chopped green onion
Pumpkin Seeds

Dressing: EVOO, 1/2 lemon, apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp whole grain mustard, 1 tsp of honey, pepper

Mix and enjoy! If you want the kale to be slightly more tender let it sit in the dressing for about an hour before serving!

Other options: adding quinoa to make it slightly more substantial, adding sliced almonds or sunflower seeds instead of pumpkin seeds!









Thursday 14 February 2013

Mango Raspberry Sorbet

Ok seriously, this might be one of my favourite things to eat of ALL TIME! I ate the entire bowl and was craving more.

The best thing about this recipe is that it's literally the easiest thing to make and the most delicious thing you will ever try - or one of them at least ;)

I don't know if these flavours are just the perfect match or what but it's SO good!

• First, buy fresh mangoes, slice them up, take the skin off and freeze them.

• Mix the frozen mango slices with frozen raspberries in a blender. Add about 1/2 cup of water depending on the amount of fruit...use as much as you think, but not too much, and BLEND!

• You can always stick it back into the freezer and enjoy the next day (like I did last night!)

Other combinations I've done are: banana and cinnamon (just like ice cream, freeze the bananas after you peel them) - banana, cacao and almond butter, peaches and ginger!




Monday 11 February 2013

Spicy Pseudo-Mayo Dip

If you love spicy mayo as much as I do...or did...you will LOVE this recipe!

Avocado is not only the best addition to any salad, it is also the best replacement for mayonaise.

Sweet potato fries are also another favourite snack of mine and when paired with this pseudo-mayo dip you will not be able to get enough - or share!

Spicy Pseudo-Mayo Dip

2 Avocados
3 tbsp EVOO
Zest of 1 lemon
2 cloves of garlic pressed
Chile Flakes
Sriracha Sauce - 2 tbsp
Celtic Sea Salt
Black Pepper

Mix all ingredients together until smooth and let cool in the fridge. I drizzle sriracha and sprinkle chile flakes on top for visual appeal ;)

Spicy Sweet Potato Fries

Cut 2 large sweet potatoes into sticks. Put into a large bowl and drizzle 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil, chilli powder, salt and pepper over the potatoes. Mix very well until all potatoes are covered and then bake at 400° for 40 minutes in the oven, turning once.






Thursday 7 February 2013

Kale Ginger Slaw

When you have a lot of random leftover veggies in the fridge it is easy to just look at them and toss them out. Well, I have a better solution - besides roasting them and making a great meal or soup - but using them to make a slaw salad that is great with any meal!

Kale Ginger Slaw

Raw Kale
Julienned Carrots
Julienned Zucchini
Julienned Celery
Red Cabbage chopped/sliced
Quinoa
Pumpkin Seeds
Toasted Sesame Seeds

Dressing: Tahini, Sesame Oil, Tamari, Freshly chopped ginger 2 inches, 1 clove of pressed garlic, 1/2 lemon, black pepper

Mix all veggies together, add cooked quinoa - as much as  you desire - sprinkle with seeds and then dressing and mix together. Let sit for at least 15 minutes before serving.

I also made wraps out of this delicious dish and spread 1/2 an avocado lightly onto the wraps as it was very soft and then added the pre-mixed Kale slaw!







Saturday 2 February 2013

Weekend Craving Tips!

Superbowl always has people craving wings, nachos, beer, ribs, cheese dip and deep fried food! Not only do the commercials on TV try and drill these images of food into our heads, but so do our friends and family who aren't on the same clean-eating path as we are.

So here are a list of tips for Superbowl weekend, and really any weekend in general:

• Try veggies instead of chips with your salsa, guacamole or black bean dip. These dips are VERY easy to make yourself which will save you calories, preservative chemicals and unnecessary fats and sugars!

• Craving pizza? Use ezekiel wraps and make your own pizzas in the oven in just a few minutes - try making a homemade sauce with tomatoes, herbs and fresh basil. Add veggies and if you want some goat cheese instead of cheddar or make your own pesto in minutes and use as the base!

• Having a carb moment? Sauté lots of greens with garlic and chile flakes and serve some quinoa pasta on top making the greens the main part of the dish - your cravings will still be satisfied but you'll have more of the good stuff in the meal!


• Pop your own popcorn and melt coconut oil on top - sprinkle with cinnamon if you like a sweet but salty treat, or just sea salt and pepper!

• Last but not least, considering it's Superbowl weekend, try a vegetarian chilli instead of a meat-heavy one. Instead of wings try serving grilled chicken with salsa and sliced avocado on the side - and instead of nachos prepare a mexican-style salad with all the ingredients you would put on a nacho plate but substitute with healthy fresh veggies instead of meat, cheese and more cheese!

Tuesday 29 January 2013

Green + Yellow Arugula Salad

The colours are important in this salad because, without knowing, those are the only colours of the vegetables I put in it!

This salad is for Day #2 Lunch for my lovely first client of The Ginger Route - a fresh food delivery service I'm starting in the Durham area.

Green + Yellow Arugula Salad

Arugula - I use about 2 large handfuls
Cucumber sliced
1 golden yellow beet sliced (first you must roast them on 400° for about 30 min)
1/4 cup of edamame beans (I buy them organic, frozen and cook them for 5 min on the stove)
Yellow pepper sliced
1/2 an Avocado
Freshly chopped Parsley
Sprinkle of Walnuts on top

Dressing: EVOO, 1/2 tbsp of organic honey, 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard, Sea salt, Pepper and a hint of fresh ginger grated in!

It's a delicious, healthy satisfying salad to remind you of warm summer days on these cold winter ones!




Monday 28 January 2013

Holiday Ginger Granola

I made this granola for the holidays initially, to give as a gift from the heart.

The recipe is quite simple, and it's all in how you mesh the ingredients together. I was thinking holidays, warmth, colourful, spicey when I came up with this granola recipe so I hope I inspire you to make this yourself - if not, I will be selling it soon ;)

Perfect for a topping on yogurt, breakfast cereal like amaranth porridge, or just a little snack with some hot ginger tea!

Holiday Ginger Granola - this makes a lot so use a large bake pan 

6 cups of rolled oats
1/2 cup of sunflower seeds
3 cups of almonds
1 1/2 cups of pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup of sesame seeds
1/2 cup of dried cranberries
1/2 cup of dried ginger
1/4 cup of currants
1/2 cup of dried apricots
2 tbsp of cinnamon
1 tbsp of ground ginger
1/2 tsp of nutmeg
1/2 tsp of cloves
1/2 tsp of sea salt
1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of almond extract
1/2 cup of coconut oil (melted)
1/4 cup of honey
1/4 cup of maple syrup
1/8 cup of ginger syrup

• Preheat oven to 350°

• Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well (oats, almonds, nuts, seeds, spices etc)

• Combine wet ingredients (extracts, oil and syrups) in a bowl and pour into dry ingredients and stir until fully mixed

• Scoop on to an oven pan evenly - sprinkle with cinnamon & ginger or maple syrup lightly on top

• Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden, stir a bit halfway

• Remove and let cool - as it cools it will stick together nicely

• Add Apricots, Ginger, Currants and Cranberries once cooled and mix well





Friday 25 January 2013

Menu planning and Groceries...


Planning menus for the week can seem like a good idea but who really does it? Well, we've started and it's made a grave difference in not only our grocery budget, but our time management as well!

Below is a list of potential meal items, and some tips of grocery shopping and planning your meals throughout the week. Buying certain things in bulk such as quinoa, amaranth, nuts and seeds can save time and money - especially when you can add something to several dishes throughout the week!

Mornings: Start each morning with hot lemon water - 1/2 lemon each morning

Breakfast:

Smoothies: 
• Protein Powder (Vega or Manitoba Harvest Hemp Seed Powder) or Greens Superfood Powder (Amazing Grass brand)
• Vanilla Unsweetened Almond Milk (1 cup)
• Almond Butter (1 large scoop)
• 1/2 banana
• 1 tsbp cinnamon
• 1 tsp of maca root powder

Amaranth Porridge: (bulk barn) Amaranth, water, cinnamon and once cooked add walnuts, cinnamon and apples or bananas or sliced almonds

Quinoa Porridge: Quinoa made with cinnamon (add in beginning so cooks with it) top with trail mix or nuts of your choice, apples, maple syrup

Coffee: If you love coffee and don't RELY on it to wake up, please try to consume Organic Coffee. I used Newman's Kerig cups which are the same price as all the others at Metro or Loblaws.
*Better idea: herbal tea...cutting down on caffeine will really help your body, energy levels and take you out of the caffeine reliance. If you're really looking to make changes try juicing!

Juice: carrot, grapefruit, ginger or spinach, lemon, cucumber, celery, ginger, apple

Snacks:

• Sliced apple with almond butter
• Celery, peppers and cucumber sticks with hummus
• Trail Mix: almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, raisins
• Toast with almond butter or Ezekiel English Muffin (GF freezer section of grocery store) with almond butter or coconut oil and cinnamon
• Quinoa Muffins - recipe from my blog
• Spicy Chick Peas - recipe from blog
• Sweet potato cubes - cut sweet potatoes into little squares, drizzle with Olive Oil or Coconut Oil, Salt and pepper and bake for 40 min at 375°

Lunch:

• Soup: Broccoli, spinach, onion, garlic soup from my blog
• Tomato Minestrone Soup from my blog
• Butternut Squash, Carrot, Ginger soup from my blog
• Kale Salad: Raw kale shredded, whatever veggies you like chopped up, pumpkin seeds, goat cheese if you like cheese in your salads and cooked chicken or salmon
• Veggie Sandwich: Deli fresh bread with hummus, sliced avocado, peppers, sprouts, arugula
• Add quinoa (I cook a huge pot on Sundays for the week) and add to any salad or dish - even if you just have organic spinach, quinoa, avocado, carrots and onions with pumpkin seeds it's still delicious and nutritious!

Dinner:

• Mexican Quinoa bowls - Quinoa, Pulled chicken sauteed in lime, garlic and pepper, black beans, corn, tomatoes or salsa, onions, white cheddar cheese if you must - Mix all ingredients together in a bowl with the quinoa as the base OR add to a Brown Rice or Ezekiel Tortilla and make a wrap!
• Grilled salmon with quinoa bowl - broccoli, snow peas, carrots, onions, tomatoes, chick peas
• Homemade pizza with gluten-free crust (you can make it on the weekend or the day before) with homemade pesto and veggies - recipe on blog this weekend we're making it tonight and it's SOOOO easy.
• Soups like above and add healthy veggie sandwiches or tortilla wraps with veggies
• Spicy Cumin Quinoa bowl - can add chicken to it and serve as a hot dish and then have it cold for lunch the next day - recipe on blog
• Portobella mushroom burgers with side salad - dress with tomatoes, avocado, whole grain mustard
• Black bean/sweet potato burgers with sprouts, arugula, tomatoes, onions etc.
• Pasta but serve it with a large amount of sautéed kale/spinach or swiss chard as the base, and then add 1 cup of cooked pasta and the rest of your toppings like sauce and veggies....this way you're still full, but portions are reversed and much healthier!!!

The key is to make what you can store for a week on the weekends, like quinoa, amaranth etc and then add it to a bunch of dishes throughout the week. Also, I do a lot of my cooking after yoga before bed at like 8-9pm so it's ready for lunch, and dinner the next day!

Try to grocery shop like this: condiments = sugar (except healthy mustard) and sugar = disease, fat, sick and tired. Same with juice...make your own juice, or try to buy organic juice with like 3 ingredients...Tropicana etc all have added sugar no matter what they say. Try goat cheese and feta once in awhile....and limit dairy for longterm health reasons...if you don't react to it no problem but it can still lead to disease in the long run. Try almond milk in your smoothies and coffee or get a hand frother and make mini-lattes every morning. 

Quinoa is your friend because you can make any dish better by adding it: salad, veggies with salmon or chicken, breakfast - even making quinoa-flour muffins is so easy! Wheat is also not great....and creates major reactions in a lot of people they don't even know exist like allergies, dark circles, skin rashes etc. It's the one of the most highly GMO'd product next to corn and coffee so if you buy breads/wraps etc try really hard to get them from a bakery at least...or a small deli instead of famous brands or loaves at the grocery store. Gluten-free options for everything are out there: brown rice or quinoa pasta, sweet potatoes, brown rice wraps etc.

If you have any questions or concerns, or specific goals you need help with please comment on my facebook page and I'd love to help!!!

xoxo

Diabetic Lifestyle Tips

Living with Diabetes, T1 or T2, is not always a walk in the park - let's be honest, there are a lot of ups and downs...no pun intended. It can be frustrating when no matter how healthy you try to be your blood sugar still goes up, or drops more than you planned. For me, going low when I'm not hungry or not in the mood for juice really bugs me! Or, when I move my site for my insulin pump and it's not working properly so I start going higher.

The best ways for me to manage my diabetic lifestyle is to eat as clean as possible, get moving every single day no matter what, even if it's just a 20 minute walk around the block. The 3 rules I live by as a Diabetic now are:

• Nourish, Balance and Calm my body, mind and spirit
• Eat as fresh and clean as possible
• Accept the disease as a part of me and not try to fight it, let it define me, or let it bring me down

There are some people out there that claim carb-free is the way to go for either weight-loss or for diabetic control. Here's where they're wrong: it's portion control and the right foods that will help you lose weight AND will help keep your sugars under control.

Here are some tips I incorporate into my every day life when it comes to food:

• Never make the carbohydrate the main part of the meal: f I'm having quinoa pasta, I sauté greens as the base and then have 1/2 - 1 cup of cooked pasta as the topping instead of the other way around. If I'm having amaranth porridge for breakfast I add pumpkin seeds, cinnamon, almond milk, walnuts and maybe 3 apple slices but 1/2 the amount of amaranth I would need to fill me up!

• The grains you eat matter! Sweet potatoes, quinoa, amaranth are all great sources of carbohydrates that won't spike your sugars AS MUCH as white pasta, rice (both white and brown), bread etc.

• Veggies are important at every meal: Ok, maybe not breakfast per se, but even if you're having an omelette fill it full of carbohydrate-free vegetables that are not only healthy, but will not effect your sugars AND leave you feeling full! My favourite? I make scrambled eggs and top them with tomatoes, green peppers, olives, asparagus, onions, spinach and some black beans topped with avocado!

• Fruit = Sugar. Yes, I love fruit...when the season is right. I also portion my fruit correctly so it doesn't effect my blood sugar as much. For example, I use 1/3 of a banana in my smoothies instead of a full one. I snack on small amounts of berries as they are extremely beneficial for our health with all of their antioxidants, and won't effect your sugars as much as a full orange or apple.

Proteins make the best snacks: almond butter, hemp seeds, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds - they are all great sources of protein and healthy fats that will stabilize your blood sugars and fill you up between meals. Just don't have TOO many nuts at one sitting...portion control is key when it comes to high-calorie nuts and seeds.

• Sugar is the devil: Sugar is in MOST packaged foods - crackers, cookies, cereals, granola bars - you want to stay away from these things most of the time as they are empty calories and hidden sugars without any vitamins or nutrients for your body! The more sugar you consume, the more fat your body will store because sugar = fat.

• Water and herbal teas are your best friends! Coffee once in awhile isn't a bad thing, but if you rely on it every day it's a problem. Try a smoothie or green juice - trust me, you will experience more of a energy boost than any cup of coffee you've consumed. Caffeine and alcohol can put your body's adrenal glands into overdrive which causes more stress and more inflammation - 2 things you don't want extra of in your body as a diabetic.

Remember, the key is you want to nourish your body and your mind with the food you eat. When you eat a clean diet your body starts to balance out more and not fight the stress you are putting it through, leading to better sugars and better control of your Diabetes.

Daily yoga practices, meditation and self-love are just a few other things you can do to balance out the stress in your body and therefore calm down you down.

For any other tips or questions please feel free to write on my Facebook Page!


Thursday 24 January 2013

Kale Slaw

Ok this Kale Slaw may not be exactly the same, or as good as my last one:

http://www.mysweetpancreas.com/2012/11/kale-dill-slaw-and-spicy-cumin-quinoa.html

but it is VERY good and cleansing!

Kale Slaw - quantities depend on how many people you're making for, use your own judgement

Raw Kale leaves broken into small pieces
Chopped red cabbage
Chopped napap cabbage
Julienned Carrots
Julienned Zucchini
Sliced red, yellow and green peppers
Sliced red onion
Pumpkin Seeds

Dressing:
EVOO, whole grain mustard, fresh lemon, clove of garlic minced, apple cider vinegar, fresh oregano, himalayan salt and black pepper

Mix everything together, add dressing and mix again. Let sit for about 15-20 minutes, and add pumpkin seeds before serving.

*Today for my leftovers I am adding quinoa, yellow beets, avocado and extra lemon!

Wednesday 23 January 2013

Morning Green Juice

I definitely can't take credit for inventing this myself as there are so many juicers out there promoting their latest juice cleanse or recipe. Kris Carr however, is an amazing woman to follow and be inspired by - and her juicing philosophy is to have green juice EVERY DAY (preferably in the morning)!

So my favourite, and easiest green juice is pure, clean and simple!

Morning Green Juice

3 stalks of Celery
1/2 Cucumber (I cut the skin off if not organic)
2 leaves with stems of Swiss Chard
2 inches of Ginger
2 handfuls of Spinach

Chop, Juice, Drink!

You can add an apple if you need some sweetness or even mix in a tbsp of honey!

Benefits:
• clear, radiant skin
• alertness - coffee? what coffee?
• digestive love
• absorption of many essential vitamins and minerals
• happiness!


Tuesday 22 January 2013

Gluten-free Cinnamon Berry Muffins

These muffins are amazing for breakfast and so healthy! I altered the recipe slightly from Julie Daniluk's book Meals that Heal Inflammation and they turned out amazing!

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Berry Muffins

2 cups of almond flour
1/2 cup of quinoa flour
1 cup of frozen raspberries or blueberries (I used strawberries as they were sold out everywhere!)
1 tsp of baking soda
1 tsp of himalayan salt
1/2 cup of coconut oil (I melt it down first before adding to mixture)
2 tbsp of cinnamon
1 tsp of ground ginger
1 tsp of nutmeg
1 tsp of cardamom
3 eggs
1/4 cup of honey (I love wildflower)

• Pre-heat oven to 300°
• Mix flours, baking soda, salt and spices well in a large bowl
• Mix in eggs, oil and honey
• Mix in berries thoroughly and make sure they're evenly distributed
• Beat the mixture until it's nice and smooth
• Spoon into muffin cups one at a time in muffin pan
• Bake for 30 min, turn the pan half way through
• Let cool before serving





These lovely muffins are gluten-free, low in sugar and very delicious. The cinnamon and spices (much like a chai mixture) are so great for the colder months - especially when enjoyed with a spiced tea almond milk latte or hot chocolate for the kiddies!

Thursday 17 January 2013

Chocolate Chai Protein Shake

I love chai tea - like, crave it. Cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves - mmmmm! So if you are a big fan of those spices, especially in the winter months, like I am AND you love chocolate, this shake is for you!

Chocolate Chai Protein Shake

1 cup of vanilla unsweetened almond milk
1/2 banana
1 tbsp of almond butter
1 tbsp of raw cacao powder (I use Navitas Naturals)
1 small tbsp of Triphala Powder (Organic Traditions - rejuvenating ayurvedic cleansing tonic powder)
1 tsp of ginger powder
1 tsp of cardamom
1/2 tsp of cloves
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 large scoop of Greens Superfood by Amazing Grass

Mix together in a blender (or magic bullet haha) and enjoy - add ice if you wish!

This fills you up, isn't high in sugar and is cleansing as well - plus, the spices are delicious and it tastes like an Iced Chai Latte - only it's vegan and healthy!





Vegan Kale Pasta Bowl

This delicious pasta bowl was a collaboration of a Pesto recipe from Meals that Heal Inflammation by Julie Daniluk, and my own creativity!

This dish can be enjoyed warm or cold...and is spectacular the next day for lunch!

Vegan Kale Pasta Bowl

TruRoots Quinoa/Amaranth/Brown Rice Spaghetti (available at Costco)
Vegan Pesto - sunflower seeds, EVOO, lemon juice, basil, garlic
4 large leaves of Kale chopped
Mushrooms
Tomatoes
Black Pepper
Garlic
Chile Flakes

    • Cook spaghetti pasta as you normally would

    • Sauté mushrooms in coconut oil and garlic - 1 clove pressed

    • Sauté chopped kale in coconut oil, chile flakes and garlic - 1 clove pressed

      (I did it separately from the mushrooms but to save time you could do them together)

    • Cut fresh tomatoes to top your dish with

    • Heat pesto in a sauce pan to warm - whether you made it at the same time or prior to

    • Mix spaghetti, pesto, mushrooms and kale in a large bowl

    • Top with black pepper, tomatoes and parmasen cheese if you wish and aren't vegan or dairy-free!

Pesto (exact measurements are up to you these are just basic guidelines)

3/4 cup of sunflower seeds
1 cup of EVOO
2 cloves of garlic
1/2 lemon squeezed
5 large basil leaves

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor!






Again, it's better to add MORE greens that pasta so you aren't over-doing it with the carbs to raise your blood sugars. It's just as delicious and just as satisfying without feeling like you went overboard and ate too much! Use as much garlic, chile flakes and black pepper as you wish - I like the hint of spice with the pesto and garlic mushrooms!

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Healing Minestrone Soup

First I have to say that this delicious soup started out with the question: What can I make with all the random ingredients I have in the fridge and cupboard that will fill us up for lunch and is still really healthy?

The answer? Well that's in the ingredients below. I call it Healing because it is the perfect soup for a cold winter afternoon, for when you're feeling sick or just when you want to have something a little lighter for lunch or dinner, but will still leave you satisfied. The chickpeas add protein and the health benefits of all these delicious vegetables are incredible! This soup literally includes everything but the kitchen-sink!

Healing Minestrone Soup

1 large can of organic no salt added diced tomatoes
3 organic vegan vegetable cubes with 6 cups of water
3 large carrots chopped
2 yellow onions diced
3 cloves of garlic pressed, 1 clove chopped
3 large Swiss chard leaves chopped
1 zucchini sliced
8 white mushrooms sliced
2 portobello mushrooms sliced small
1 package of Enoki mushrooms
2 stalks of celery chopped
2 cans of chick peas
1/2 large napa cabbage chopped
6 fresh basil leaves chopped, 2 full leaves thrown in
Black pepper
Herbs de Provence mix: rosemary, basil, oregano, thyme, fennel, lavendar

   • Saute onions and garlic in grapeseed oil until translucent

   • Add veggie broth and bring to a boil

   • Add all vegetables, basil & herbs except swiss chard, celery, zucchini, enoki mushrooms & cabbage

   • Once boiling, bring down to a simmer for 20 minutes

   • Add Swiss chard, celery, zucchini, enoki mushrooms & cabbage and simmer for another 15 minutes

Top with fresh pesto (recipe coming), parmasen cheese or some pepper and serve!







Apple Flax Pudding

This recipe is great for breakfast or any snack throughout the day. It is sweet, but if you portion it right it won't effect your sugars that much. It's from Julie Daniluk's book, Meals that Heal Inflammation, which is one recipe book I highly recommend for anyone living with Diabetes, and even those who are not.

Apple Flax Pudding - with almonds and granola

3 medium sized apples
2 tbsp of ground flax
1 tbsp of cinnamon
1/4 cup of sliced almonds
1/4 cup of homemade granola

1. Peel and cube apples
2. Bring them to a boil with 1/2 cup of water
3. Bring to a simmer and cook for ten minutes until mushy
4. Mix in flax and cinnamon
5. Sprinkle with almonds and granola and serve!

You can mix up your toppings of course, and in the recipe book Julie makes a few suggestions like almond milk if you want it to have more liquid. I would try walnuts, pecans, ginger, sunflower seeds.

Enjoy!





Friday 4 January 2013

The Bullet

Getting back to work after the holidays is always tough - whether you stayed true to your clean eating habits and exercise, or not.

 For me, my commitment to smoothies and juices in the morning has sort of slipped through the cracks, and although I still enjoy a warm cup of lemon water each morning I have to get back into the swing of things!

So this morning while I was searching for a lunch bag I found, in the back of our cupboard, the infamous Magic Bullet. My husband and I haven't used "the bullet" in probably over a year because we use our blender for smoothies, salad dressings or chai-tea mixtures. It was a sign - I need to start making my green protein smoothies again - and now I can make them at work!

What a brilliant idea, and I'm actually shocked I haven't thought of this earlier! It's compact, easy to use - you can have a smoothie ready in less than a minute, preparation and all - and it doesn't make a huge mess!



My morning smoothie:

1/2 banana (frozen or ripe)
2 scoops of Amazing Grass Green Superfood Powder
1 tbsp cinnamon
1 tbsp ground chia seeds
1 tbsp of ground flax meal
1 large tbsp almond butter
1 cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk
1 tsp of maca root powder
3 ice cubes





If you're looking for a new morning routine but not sure you have the time until you get to work, invest in one of these Magic Bullets - they are so convenient, fast and easy to use. I know not every office is as relaxed as mine, but for a brief 40 second blend, your body will thank you!

Thursday 3 January 2013

Kale Pasta Bowl

I came up with this basic recipe last night because it's more about portion control than actual ingredients.

Instead of eating a huge bowl of pasta with a bit of greens as a topping, I switched it around! I used the sautéed kale as the main part of the dish and used the quinoa pasta sparingly as a topping!

Kale Pasta Bowl - GF and Veggie

6-7 large leaves of Kale
1/2 cup of Quinoa pasta - I used penne
3 tbsp of homemade pasta sauce
1 tbsp of kalamata olives sliced
Handful of cherry tomatoes
Chopped fresh Oregano
Chiles
Grapeseed Oil
2 cloves of Garlic

Directions:

• Cook Quinoa pasta as you would normally and set aside (or cook at same time as kale)
• Heat up sauce as you would normally stovetop and keep simmering until kale is ready
• Sauté the kale in a pan in 2 tbsp of grapeseed oil with 2 cloves of chopped garlic and 2 tsp of dried  chile flakes - about 5 min - it will shrink up a lot

Place as much kale as you like on a plate making it the main part of the dish. Add the pasta, sauce, olives, chopped oregano and drizzle with EVOO and parmesan cheese if you wish!