

BLACK BEANS: WHY YOU SHOULD ENJOY THEM MORE + A FEW GREAT RECIPES
These guys make an amazing addition to chilli, soup, and many rice dishes or in your favourite bean dip! They have a soft texture and an earthy flavour to them; they puree nicely and can easily be incorporated into many recipes. When combined with rice, grains, nuts, seeds, corn, cheese or wheat you will be getting a complete protein; a protein source that provides all of the essential amino acids. By incorporating black beans into your meal planning you will be providing you


BLACK BEAN RECIPES
Two-bean Vegetarian Chili 2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced ½ red bell pepper, seeded, chopped ½ green pepper, seeded, chopped
2 large chipotle chillies, seeded, minced (can be found in a can in the gourmet cooking section of grocery store)
1 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes with added puree (be sure to check the label and ensure that you are choosing a product with no added sugars/preservatives)
3 cups water
1 15-ounce cans black beans


WHAT WOULD NATIONAL BANANA LOVERS DAY BE WITHOUT A POST DEDICATED TO "THE BANANA"?
Bananas are great eaten on their own, sliced on top of cereal or yogurt or enjoyed in a favourite banana bread recipe. With the exception of avocadoes and dates, bananas contain the highest concentration of potassium by weight then any other fruit. So they are an excellent addition if you notice any of the following symptoms: Depression Diarrhea Edema/water retention Headaches Muscular fatigue and weakness Insomnia ….among others Bananas will provide you with the following nu


BANANA RECIPES
Banana Oatmeal Muffins 1 cup old-fashioned oatmeal, uncooked (not instant)
1 cup pureed fully ripe banana 1/2 cup milk
1 large egg, beaten
3 tbsp plus 1 tsp oil
3/4 cup whole wheat flour 1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Place paper muffin cups in muffin pan. Stir together oatmeal, banana, milk, egg and oil; set aside. Stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger and nutmeg. M


ALLERGIES LEAVE YOU FEELING MISERABLE? HELPFUL INFORMATION & TIPS THAT WILL LEAVE YOU BREATHING
I had this post all set to post today but after attending a great webinar last night I had to add a few more “interesting facts” that were shared by Dr. Sarah Oulahen HBHSc, ND. Whether you are affected by seasonal allergies (happening only at specific times of the year) or perennial allergies (occurring throughout the year and possibly for many months) they impact our health, our mood and our overall enjoyment of life. So why are some of us affected by allergies and all t


SUPPORT YOUR BONES AND THEY'LL SUPPORT YOU BACK
Our 206 bones perform some pretty important functions in our body; from forming our framework to protecting our soft organs. Caring for our bones isn’t something we should worry about only as we age; it’s just as important in our younger years as well. Bone density can only be increased up to about age 30, afterwards we move into maintaining what we have and preventing significant decline. Our bones are constantly regulating calcium balance and repairing from everyday stress,


BUCKWHEAT: THE "NOT REALLY A WHEAT AT ALL" GRAIN THAT HAS AN INTERESTING RELATIONSHIP WITH
The name is a little misleading because Buckwheat is not really part of the wheat family at all; it’s not a grass and is actually related to rhubarb…. So I guess a more accurate name for this guy would have been “Buckbarb”? Buckwheat is a broad leaf plant that requires less nitrogen then cereal crops so it grows well under a wide range of soil conditions. Buckwheat is gluten-free and can be enjoyed in pilaf, breads, pancakes, cereals and porridge. The first time I ever tried


GREAT BARLEY RECIPES
Barley Salad 3 cups water 1 cup pearl barley (not quite as nutritious as whole hulled barley but it is the most common form for consumption because it cooks faster and is less chewy) Salt to taste ½ cup chopped fresh parsley Green onion to taste 1 cucumber, diced 5 or 6 radishes, diced 1 red bell pepper, sliced ½ cup chopped mix herbs (your choice) Dressing 3 tbsps. olive oil 3 tbsps. fresh lemon juice 2 cloves garlic, crushed Salt to taste Bring water to a boil, add barley a

GREAT IN SOUP AND SALAD : GREAT RECIPES PLUS A FEW THINGS YOU PROBABLY DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT BARLEY
Barley is a whole grain containing both soluble and insoluble fibre. It’s a great addition to soups, stews, cereals and breads. We should be aiming for 2-4 servings of grains per day, so for example 1 serving of grains would be equal to the following: 1 slice of bread ½ cup of cooked cereal ¾ cup of dry cereal Incorporating some barley into your meal plan will provide you with the following important nutrients: fibre manganese selenium copper zinc iron calcium protein carbohy


BRUSSELS SPROUTS: RECIPES
HOW I LIKE MINE I like to prepare mine in a casserole dish with just a little water in the bottom, sprinkled with a little fresh lemon juice, pepper and fresh garlic. Placed in the oven at 375 degrees they will take approximately 35-40 minutes depending on the size and how many you are cooking at a time. Here’s a few more great recipes: Brussels sprouts with walnut-lemon vinaigrette Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Shallots Brussels Sprouts Gratin For more information about Brussel