• High in Vitamin A, calcium, chlorophyll and plant digestible iron.


• Gradually and favourably alters the condition of the blood.


• Diuretic and liver toning properties


• Helps reduce water retention, PMS, balance menopausal extremes and toning the whole female system.


• A significant remedy for hay fever and allergies

• Throw into your green smoothies


• Juice, juice, juice along with some ginger, beets, and apple for a happy, healthy liver.


• Chop and seep in hot water for a bright green, fresh tasting tea.


• Mix in with wild leeks, kale, basil or whatever greens you like to make amazing pestos.


• Dehydrate as you would kale to make awesometown kale chips.

Lemon Nettle Chips

8 cups of nettle leaves, de-stemmed, washed and dried
1/4 cup lemon (or juice from one lemon)
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp sea salt

• Toss nettles in lemon, olive oil and salt.


• Distribute evenly on dehydrator tray.


• Dry for 8-12 hours at 115.

Sour Cream and Onion Free Kale and Nettle Chips

2 head of Kale
4 cups stinging nettles, de-stemmed
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup raw cashews
pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup water (or just as much as you need to make this mix creamy)

• Place all marinade ingredients in a blender or food processor and process until smooth. Add water as needed just in order to blend. Remember- you will be drying this out again after so you want to avoid doing this as much as you can.


• With your hands, mix together the marinade, massaging gently.


• Transfer to dehydrator rack or parchment lined baking sheet


• Stick in your dehydrator on medium-high setting for 8 hours or in your oven on its lowest temperature with the oven door left slightly open

• Kale Chips: Lemon and Sea Salt


• Kale Chips: Spicy Thai Ginger


• Kale Chips: Macro Japan


• Kale Chips: Nacho Cheesless


• Kale Chips: Sour Cream & Onion Free


• Kale Chips: Chocolate Covered Kale Chips


• Kale Chips: Dijon Balsamic

• Do your research.


• Read labels and ask questions.


• Make informed decisions.


• Set a standard that makes sense and is achievable by you.


• Know that every choice counts.

Taking your old multi-purpose kitchen cleaner and that nail polish remover and dumping it down the drain is not the solution to getting it our of lives. After all, there is no away. What we pour down the drain will eventually make its way back into our body through the water supply. Those chemicals are viscously strong little devils that persist in our environment and in our cells, being passed on from mother to child in utero. There are chemicals like DDT that were banned in the 70's that have been found in unborn children.

• Cooking oil


• Helium and propane tanks/cylinders


• Medications


• Solvents -- used in "everyday" cleaning agents for home and body.


• Single use batteries


• Paints, stains, coatings and their containers -- and this includes nail polish.


• Paint thinners, strippers, degreasers and other solvents which includes oven cleaners, polish remover, some make-up removers, toilet bowl cleaners, bathroom surface cleaners, kitchen cleaners etc. 


• Pressurized cylinders that held propane, oxygen, helium or other gasses- think cooking sprays, hair sprays, mousse and those disgusting air fresheners


• Fertilizers and pesticides, including the ones on conventional produce... Hey, wait a second?!?! Right. 


• Vehicle engine antifreeze/coolant and its containers


• Empty lubricating oil containers, and lubricants. Yes this includes the toxic personal lubricants and petroleum jelly. Can't put it down the drain but you'll put up in those private spots.


• Oil filters 

Natural Cleaning Options

What  are your favourite natural cleaning options or recipes?

mechanically separated chicken, pork and/or beef, water, potato starch, salt, wheat flour, wheat gluten, modified milk ingredients, modified wheat flour, dextrose, sodium erythorbate, hydrolyzed soy protein, onion powder, smoke flavour, sodium nitrite, yeast extract, spice, garlic powder, smoke. Contains gluten, wheat, milk, corn, soy and MSG.

• Mechanically Separated Chicken, Pork, and/or Beef: Certain brands of hot dogs may state "made with mechanically separated meats (MSM)." MSM meat is a slurry of a meat product created by forcing bones with meat attached under high pressure in order to separate the bone from the meat tissue. In 2004, MSM beef was no longer permitted in processed meats due to concerns over relations to mad cow disease. However, today, hot dogs still may contain up to 20 per cent MSM pork, as well as any amount of MSM chicken or turkey. The U.S. Food and Safety Insepction Service maintains that these meats are safe to eat.


• Sodium Nitrite: A preservative used in meats and fish. It is used to preserve a certain colour and prevent the growth of the bacterium which causes botulism. Sodium nitrite reacts with stomach acid and other chemicals in the stomach to produce nitrosamines. These have been shown to cause cancer in animals.


• Sodium Erythorbate: This is a food additive used mainly in meats, poultry, and soft drinks. It is often used in hot dogs to facilitate curing and helps to retain that pink colour. It also helps to improve flavour stability and prevents the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.


• Yeast Extract: A taste enhancer that actually contains MSG (monosodium glutamate). This neurotoxic chemical has been associated with various health concerns such as reproductive disorders, migraine headaches, endocrine imbalances, and obesity, as well as many others.

• Cook for longer at lower temperatures to avoid that charred situation.


• Use turmeric in your BBQ sauce or marinade as the phytochemicals in turmeric help to offset the free radicals that get produced in the high-heat cooking process.

• Wheat and other glutenous grains: These will stress and strain the digestive system; if you have a sensitivity to gluten, it can increase our sensitivity to other things like pollen causing hay fever.


• Sugar: Glucose competes for uptake with vitamin C, a natural anti-histamine, and so the more sugar we consume, the less Vitamin C we can absorb, thereby weakening our immune function. Additionally, sugar is acid forming in the body, which is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria, fungus and viruses.


• Dairy: Like sugar and refined grains, dairy is also acid forming in the body and as such creates a breeding ground for the bad guys. Additionally, dairy can make us really mucousy, adding to the congestion common with seasonal allergies.

Natural Remedies For Allergy Season

Part of getting out the bad stuff -- and short of moving to the arctic for the seasonal thaw -- there are loads of natural remedies you can add in. These are recommended by clinical nutritionist Josh Gitalis.

• Quercetin: It's one of the best natural antihistamines. It works by stabilizing the membrane of histamine-releasing cells. It also has anti-inflammatory properties (up to six, 500 mg capsules a day may be needed).


• Vitamin C: A natural antihistamine and immune system booster.


• Nettles (Stinging Nettle): A herb that has been shown to alleviate allergic rhinitis.


• Sabalia: A homeopathic remedy effective for treating seasonal allergies.


• Echinacea and/or Astragalus: Herbs that boosts the immune system (don't use for more than three weeks at a time)


• Vitamin B5: Helps strengthen adrenal function, which is intimately involved in the immune response.

Lifestyle Practices For Symptomatic Relief

• Neti Pot: Using warm salt water in the neti pot allows you to flush your nasal passages, as a way to clear out sinuses. It also works as a way to prevent sinus infections.


• The Salt Pipe: Over here in the kitchen we all have one and love it. You breathe in through the pipe, inhaling the minerals and the natural cleansing air through a sea salt filter. This helps cleanse the lungs and open the airways, and can also be a great relief for wheezing and even asthmatic responses as a means to avoid steroidal puffers.


• Yoga: Get yourself upside down! Inversion poses like the shoulder stand, headstand, plow, or even bending over while standing and hanging your upper body upside down will help drain the nasal passages and cleanse the lungs. Start for just one to two minutes to avoid too much pressure on your head if you're heavily congested.


• Steam Inhalation: Another great way to drain the sinuses and relax the lungs is through steam. Boil some water in a pot and then drop some food-grad essential oils of eucalyptus peppermint and/or myrtle. Put your head over the pot, cover with a towel and breathe in the goodness.


• Air Purifier with a HEPA Filter: Using a HEPA filter is an amazing way to remove spores and pollen from the air. Ideally you would have one to keep in your bedroom with the doors closed while you sleep.

Foods to eat lots of during allergy season

Now we get to the fun and delicious part. I love great food all year long, but come this time of hear, I pay extra attention to high, high, high dose on some potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant rich powerhouses. My favourite way to take all these in is via the blender as they mix together to make a delicious, refreshing drink.

• Turmeric: A potent anti-inflammatory root containing curcumin. This helps to bring down any inflammation in the body, including in the lungs and gut which are vital for preventing allergies and other immune-stimulated sensitivities. 


• Lemon:Bring on the vitamin C/antioxidant power to help the white blood cells zip around and do their thing and also to work as a natural anti-histamine.


• Ginger: Ginger is another anti-inflammatory food that also promotes the production of digestive juices to better help us process what we eat, as well as increase the circulation of the good stuff through our body. As a bonus, ginger stimulates the part of the immune system that produces anti-bodies, thereby amping up your body's natural defenses to foreign invaders.


• Cayenne: Cayenne boosts immune system function and increases circulation throughout the body. It also can be helpful in healing intestinal inflammation, which is common in people who suffer from multiple food sensitivities.


• Raw honey: Raw honey has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties and is a powerful antioxidant that helps strengthen the immune system. Honey has been shown to help eliminate pollen allergies by taking it in small doses (about one teaspoon twice a day), similar to how an allergy shot might work. The key is to consume honey from your area, where the pollen you are breathing might affect you.


• Irish Moss, Chia Seed and/or Aloe: These foods all have a potent mucilaginous property; the slimey-ness helps clear excess mucous from your lungs while supporting the health of the lining of the intestinal tract- a key to reducing environmental and food sensitivities.

Allergy Season Anti-Inflammatory Elixir

1 tsp turmeric
juice of 1 whole organic lemon
1 tsp fresh ginger root, grated
1/2 tsp each ground cardamom, clove, and coriander (for extra antioxidant power)
pinch of cayenne (or more if you can handle it!)
raw honey (or more to taste)
1-2 tbsp of prepared Irish Moss, Aloe Gel or Chia
3 cups water or chilled herbal tea

Place all ingredients in blender and mix until smooth. Sip up and feel the power!

Question of The Day: What are your tips to thriving through allergy season?

For more spring seasonal inspiration, be sure to check out this wild leek pesto, this dandelion inspiration, and this superfood power broth!]]>

Sweet Potato Kugel

7-8 cups grated sweet potato (about 5-6 sweet potatoes)
2 apples, grated
1 cup  goji berries or raisins (optional)
1 cup quinoa flour or almond meal (for non-Passover times, I opt for brown rice flour)
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
pinch each of clove and nutmeg
1 cup water

Topping
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup slivered almonds
2 tbsp coconut syrup or maple syrup
pinch of sea salt
pinch each of cinnamon, clove and nutmeg

• Preheat oven to 350


• Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl (omit topping)


• Place in 12 x9 baking dish and flatten firmly with the back of a spatula. This will help it hold together


• Bake for 30 minutes.


• While baking, mix together topping ingredients.


• At the 30 minute mark, remove kugle from the oven and sprinkle with pecan mix.


• Bake for another 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving so it will keep together.

Is this working?

It is time to UnDiet your Passover!

• Instead of artificially coloured horseradish, make your own horseradish using beets.


• Instead of mystery gefilte fish with hydrogenated oil and sugar, make Quinoa Quiches.


• Instead of traditional potato and matzo meal knishes, make these shiitake mushroom knishes.
  


• Instead of sulphite-laden dried fruit compote, make baked apples.


• Instead of a Matzo Meal Cake that uses 1/2 dozen eggs, make these Sweet Potato Buckwheat Brownies


• Instead of palm-oil crusted fruit flan, make a grain-free fruit crumble.


• Instead of faux chocolates with mystery fillings, make chocolate covered fresh figs.


• Instead of those creepy jelly lemon wedge candies, make this almond honey brittle.

1. Supports local projects that promote the sustainable development of the community


2. Employs a majority of staff from surrounding communities.


3. Focuses landscaping on native flora to support the local fauna as well.


4. Sources food from local growers and suppliers.


5. Hotel has in place an environmentally sustainable wastewater system.


6. Chooses environmentally friendly garden and pest treatment options


7. Uses all-natural soaps, detergents etc.


8. A compost/recycling program for hotel food, paper, plastic and glass waste.

Let's get this straight right now -- baking with whole grain, gluten-free flour, while avoiding butter, refined sugar and eggs does not typically make for super moist, easy and delicious baking. Until now mes amis.

See, a new baby arrived in my family in December and the only person who loves a slice of dry cake with tea more than my mom, is my sister-in-law Carly and she was well in need of some great cake.

I failed her though. I did.

This cake wasn't dry at all. It was super moist, just sweet enough and way too good to have around the house. What was my secret weapon?

Apple sauce. I love using apple sauce in my gluten free baked treats because it works in three magical ways to make for baking success.

1. Apple sauce has a naturally occurring pectin which acts as a binding agent to help with gluten-free baking.

2. Apple sauce has a natural sweetness to it so less additional sweetener is needed.

3. Apple is fibre rich which helps to hold in and retain moisture. This means it can also replace some of the oil in most recipes.

Something about using apple sauce whether it be in muffins, pancakes, brownies or cake, always seems to do the trick.

The inspiration for this recipe came from the gorgeous version created by my dear friend Kristin.

Apple Gingerbread Cake

by Meghan Telpner

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Keywords: bake breakfast dessert snack gluten free dairy-free sugar-free vegan vegetarian apple Ginger cake whole food fall winter

6040295

 

Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

Dry Ingredients

• ¾ cup gluten-free brown rice flour


• ¾ cup gluten-free buckwheat flour


• 1/4 cup sunflower seed meal


• 1 tsp baking powder


• 1 tsp baking soda


• 1 tsp cinnamon


• 1/2 tsp nutmeg, freshly ground


• pinch of clove


• pinch of sea salt

Wet Ingredients

• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger


• 1/4 cup succanut or coconut sugar


• 1/4 cup maple syrup


• 1/4 cup black strap molasses


• 1/3 cup applesauce


• 1/3 cup water


• 1 Tbs apple cider vinegar


• 1/4 cup ghee, butter or coconut oil


• 1 tbsp chia, ground and mixed with 1/4 cup warm water


• Note: You may wish to use 2 cups of your own favourite gluten-free flour blend.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 F

Line cake pan with parchment or grease with butter/oil and dust with flower.

Mix together all dry ingredients.

In a separate bowl or blender, whisk/gently blend together the grated ginger, sugar, syrup, molasses, apple sauce, water vinegar and butter/oil.

Mix wet into dry and add the chia paste.

Pour into cake pan and smooth out with a spatula

Bake for about 25 minutes, until the top is lightly browned and a toothpick, inserted into the centre comes out clean.

Hangover Cure Smoothie
6 leaves of romaine lettuce
5 inches of cucumber
2 dried dates (soaked if possible)
1 cup watermelon
1 Tbs hemp seeds
½ Tbs ginger
pinch of cayenne
1 Tbs goji berries (optional)
1 tsp spirulina or 10 drops Ocean's Alive Marine Phytoplankton
2 tsp buffered vitamin C powder (optional)
1 cup ice
2 cups water

Put all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth

• Sore throat


• Bronchitis


• Pneumonia


• Tuberculosis


• Chest coughs

Super Holiday Nog


500 mL warm to hot water
2 Tbsp cashews
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
pinch of ground clove
¼ tsp ginger powder
¼-1/2 tsp turmeric
½ - 1 tsp maca (optional)
2 Tbsp lucuma powder (or just add extra honey)
¼-1/3 cup sea moss gel
Honey

Blend this joy together until smooth.