A Guide to Feeding our Future

Archive for the ‘The Educated Consumer’ Category

Juicing for Health

One of the great joys and choices we have is in deciding what we will put into our bodies! This winter, while you need a boost in energy and vitality, why not consider juicing?

We have recently purchased the Breville Juicer, and we are having good results with it! There are many different products on the market and differing recipes and reviews. Do your research to discover which model, make and recipes are right for you.

Another way to get the most out of your fruits and veggies is with a high powered blender; and there is much to be said about that! We will discuss that method and topic on another day…

For now, enjoy collecting your recipes and information. If you have a recipe already that you particularly love, please feel free to share it!

In Health,

The Educated Eater Team

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Beverages, Feature Food of the Month, Health Tips, Snacks, The Educated Consumer

The Educated Consumer – Coconut Flakes

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

Coconut flakes

In search of the perfectly shaped coconut product that was both organic and unsweetened, I came across this month’s feature. Coconut is such a life giving food! It has unfortunately been defiled by most manufacturers, through the use of rancid oils and sugars. Shredded coconut is abundant on the market, but flaked coconut is harder to find. There are some recipes that you can really need a flaked coconut for, thus the search. I discovered my find in an unlikely place … Homesense! However, your local health food store, or perhaps a food chain, that has an organic section may carry it.

Category:

Desserts, Snacks, The Educated Consumer

The Educated Consumer: Pomona’s Universal Pectin

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

pomona's pectin

I was lucky enough to recently have a bounty of grapes surrounding my home. I quickly collected before the birds did; but then what was I to do with them all? Jelly! I searched for the perfect recipe … Yet, every one I found called for SO much sugar. It seemed like a waste to turn these lovely, organic fruits into jelly-candy! That’s when I went on a search for an alternative … and found it … Voila … “Pomona’s Universal Pectin” to the rescue!

This pectin jells with a very low amount of sugar … and you decide what kind of sugar you will use! As it says on the box, “Regular fruit pectin requires your jam or jelly to be 55-85% sugar to set firmly. Pomona’s is pure citrus pectin with no dextrose or preservatives. Its jelling power is activated by calcium (included), not by sugar content…. You can use this pectin with any type of sweetener.”

1 box makes up to 22 half-pint (8 oz) jars. You can also adjust your batches apparently (I started with just one at first but am anxious to try more at a time!). Many ‘traditional’ recipes tell you that you cannot double batches as it will not set.

This product is vegan and gluten free.

Questions about this product? You can go online to check out their recipes and FAQ.

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The Educated Consumer

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The Educated Consumer: President’s Choice Organics Lentils

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

lentils

President’s Choice Organic Lentils are a most versatile and healthy choice to have in your cupboard. I love that I can find this organic product in my local Atlantic Superstore (Loblaw’s – in other areas of Canada). The only drawback to these is if you are wheat intolerant, they are manufactured in a large plant and so the disclaimer has to be that they may contain ‘traces’ of wheat. At least the company is honourable enough to mention this possibility. No legumes cook quicker than lentils, taking only 15-20 minutes. The red lentils are wonderful in soups. the whole (not split) green lentil is great for many dishes as filler. I use green lentils mixed in with rice, added to stews, meatloaf, etc. 100grams of lentils will give you 26grams of fibre! I  also will use the whole lentils for sprouting on my window ledge. These become a live, organic, green food that you can produce long before your outdoor garden begins to give you rewards!

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The Educated Consumer

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The Educated Consumer: Super Lemon Cake, Super Easy!

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

Super Lemon, Moist Cake!

Super Lemon, Moist Cake!

Here is a super easy way to entertain … everyone loves Lemon! This is a moist, delicious cake that is GLUTEN FREE. I will say, that there is a bit of dairy protein added to it. If you are lactose intolerant, this might not be an issue, however, if you are allergic to casein or whey, best stay away.

Most families who are newly dealing with gluten intolerance are not ready to tackle dairy too. They need to know that there are easy products that can replace what they already know as ‘food staples’, like cake mixes. Most of my cakes are made from scratch – but that is not the reality for all people. This is a compromise food. Most yellow cakes are full of synthetics, gluten and toxic colourings; this mix would certainly be a healthier option! I like to add extra lemon juice to the mix and one can easily substitute lactose free milk or coconut milk in the batter.

For frosting? I use real lemon juice mixed with icing sugar. I grind my icing sugar in a vitamix using organic raw cane sugar – which takes only about 30 seconds! Add a splash of vanilla and orange extracts, some rind and some of this “True Lemon” and you have real zing! I add some of the real lemon to the cake mix too … In my house, we like it good and tart. In this way, we are educating people to ‘mix things up’ a little and improvise … and eventually they will be thinking “outside the box” entirely!

Category:

Desserts, Substitution Ideas, The Educated Consumer

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The Educated Consumer: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This month’s feature is cool and refreshing for the summertime! Dole has recently created frozen chocolate covered fruit as a low fat treat. They come in flavours of strawberry, Banana, Pineapple.  They are low in sugar and surprisingly satisfying! While the fruit may not be organic, and the chocolate may have ‘traces of dairy’ but is generally safe for most people. As a compromise food, this scores better than high fat, high sugar frozen bars, etc. In the grocery aisle, in my opinion, this product would be the winner. Enjoy!

Category:

Desserts, Kid-approved, Snacks, The Educated Consumer

The Educated Consumer: Gluten-Free Pancake Heaven!

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

PC gf pancake

I stumbled across the boxes of gluten free pancake mix in the organic section of the Superstore one day. I looked at all the different ingredient lists and finally settled upon this particular box. “How bad can it be?” I thought … I should have wondered “How GOOD could it be?” These pancakes were every bit as satisfying as a ‘regular’ batch of pancakes could be! Naturally, pancake batter can be used for far more than just pancakes … it can become the coating on onion rings or a dumpling-like crust on pot pie, etc.

Celiacs have spent decades without the luxury of custom-made gluten-free boxed foods such as this. I am sure that now many people are rejoicing over the increase in products on the shelves out there designed to better meet their needs. As a non-celiac person reducing the amount of gluten eaten in my household, I am happy to have made this delicious find!

Category:

Breakfast, The Educated Consumer

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The Educated Consumer: Coconut Whipped Cream!

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

coconut cream frontcocnut cream back

Dairy FREE Whipped cream in a can…that is actually BETTER than the real thing! Can you believe it? I hardly did! This was a real find. I was able to find this a few times on the refrigerated shelf of an Atlantic Superstore (Loblaws). Since then, it has been more of a challenge to locate. I am hoping that more people buy it and it becomes more popular. I would not claim this as a super food – but it is a great alternative for those who are dairy intolerant and wish to have just a little cream on their fruit cup!

The only thing I will say that you need to know is … You must shake it very well before each use. The coconut cream is quite thick. So unless you force it to the top of the can, you will use up all of the pressurized air in the can and the cream will remain stuck inside. Once you learn this trick, you are good to go!

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Desserts, Kid-approved, The Educated Consumer

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The Educated Consumer: Coconut Sugar

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

concunt sugar

Have you heard yet about Coconut Sugar? It’s a great alternative to traditional sugars! This is only one of the many companies that are manufacturing coconut sugar these days. What is the big deal? It is a less refined product than many sugars. It also scores lower on the glycemic index, so it’s a better alternative for those concerned with blood sugar regulation.

What is it like? It tastes more like a rich, brown sugar; I don’t find it tastes like coconut at all. I will say the only drawback I’ve discovered is that it tends to clump or dry out more quickly, but other than this, it is a beautiful option to sweeten your dishes. It is also versatile in baked goods and, overall, an easy substitution for traditional sugars.

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Substitution Ideas, The Educated Consumer

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The Educated Consumer: GoGo Quinoa Soups

By: Hollie M. Hunt-Last, D. C’Ed. ROHP/RHN – Moncton, NB

soup front

Is there anything more satisfying than SOUP on a cold day? In my neck of the woods, I’ve come to be known as the “Soup Queen”. I make my soup by the Vat and freeze it. However, not everyone has the same penchant for soup making that I do. This soup was in a health store and pointed out to me by one of my former students. She mentioned that it’s “great to have in a pinch, when you haven’t had time to make it yourself from scratch. There is very little objectionable about the labeling of this soup.”  Since then, I’ve noticed other products by this company. Not all quinoa products are created equal, so when something grows in popularity, they might be doing something right.

 

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Soups, The Educated Consumer

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