The Conscious Dietitian

Blueberry Kefir Post-Workout Snack

on October 16, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Every day there is new research emerging on the importance of our gut and resident microbes. From influencing the risk of diabetes to obesity, and anxiety to depression, we know that our tiny little microbes rule our world and we are just starting to understand how to keep them happy. Kefir is a fermented milk drink which contains a large number of beneficial bacteria; aiming for at least one fermented food a day is a good habit to get into and helps ensure a healthy colony of good bacteria is residing in our gut. Alongside the beneficial bacteria, this Blueberry Kefir Post-Workout Snack also has the perfect ratio of carbohydrates and proteins for a post-workout snack. By offering a quick refuel and a load of beneficial bacterial this post-workout snack really can be, and should, enjoyed at any time of the day.
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Vegan Ranch Dressing with Hemp

on October 11, 2017 · Leave a Comment

Hemp hearts are currently a hot topic, and for good reason. They are an easy protein source, packed full of essential fatty acids, locally grown, and super versatile. I love hemp so much I’ve share my favorite milk alternative Hemp Milk, and a yummy nutrient dense snack Hemp and Sunflower Seed Pâté in the past. This Vegan Ranch Dressing with Hemp is my new favorite way to incorporate hemp into my day. The creaminess of the hemp lends itself to this dressing, and there’s no reliance on any other nut or seed butter (tahini, I love you but I need a change). It’s a great salad dressing for those hearty cold weather salads. I love it with shredded kale, beets and carrots on top of fluffy quinoa. Yum!
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So Simple Pumpkin Spiced Coffee

on October 2, 2017 · Leave a Comment

It’s hard to not get get caught up in all the pumpkin spiced hype. Coffee shops have been on the band-wagon even before the leaves started to turn. Now that October is here, I think it is fair to start filling the kitchen with pumpkin spiced everything. I love cafe style Pumpkin Spiced Lattes but I also know that they are so loaded with sugar and not worth the post-latte crash. Here is my healthier alternative to the sugar-loaded versions. This So Simple Pumpkin Spiced Coffee may turn out to be a regular in your autumn morning routine.
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Easy Hemp and Sunflower Seed Pâté

on September 22, 2017 · 2 Comments

Hemp hearts are a food that comes up daily in my practice. I recommend it to many of my clients as a great plant based complete protein that offers a wide nutrient profile including omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium and zinc. Generally my focus is on breakfast, where most people struggle with getting in a good protein source – ”add 3tbsp of hemp hearts to your oatmeal” or ”make a chia pudding using Homemade Hemp Milk“. The beauty of hemp is its versatility, and so it doesn’t get confined to just breakfast I wanted to share this Easy Hemp and Sunflower Seed Pâté. Hemp hearts give this pate a nice rich creamy consistency and provide 13g protein per serving. Serve it with some seed crackers or cut up cucumber for a tasty afternoon treat, or as a light lunch.
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Hemp Milk Recipe – A Better Alternative

on August 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment

If you haven’t already heard, the new Canadian Food Guide draft is out and it’s down one food group – dairy. With more and more people becoming environmentally conscious, dairy has taken a back seat. There is a growing number of milk alternatives available – rice, almond, buckwheat, quinoa, soy just to name a few, though each pre-packaged milk alternative comes with its pros and cons (see Milk Alternatives – Finding The Best One For You and Almond Milk – Is It Worth Going Nuts For? ) Hemp seeds have been back on the Canadian market since 1998 and are only just being introduced to Australia and New Zealand. If you haven’t considered hemp milk yet now is the time! This homemade Hemp Milk Recipe is packed full of protein and essential omega-3 fatty acids. Bonus points for simplicity – no straining required.
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Creamy Summer Slaw with a Yogurt Dressing

on August 13, 2017 · Leave a Comment

The summer markets are bursting with berries, stone fruit and fresh tomatoes. With the overload of delicious blueberries and wild blackberries we sometimes forget about the more humble harvests. Cabbage springs into season in summer and has a lengthy season lasting over 6 months depending on the climate. Cabbage is also packed full of antioxidants and is an easy addition to summer salads, BBQs and stir-fries. I’m sharing one of my favourite recipes -Creamy Summer Slaw with a Yogurt Dressing, adapted from My New Roots Sarah Brittons’s Cookbook Naturally Nourished. Her version is a beautiful creamy autumn slaw, using seasonal Brussels sprouts and apple. I’ve revamped it to suit the summer months, showcasing one of the most undervalued vegetables on our shelves – cabbage of course.
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What’s In Your Bread That’s Making You Sick

on May 31, 2017 · 1 Comment

Gluten free is all the buzz, and many people feel better when they cut out wheat. But what if it isn’t only gluten – a protein found in wheat, barley and rye – that is causing the problem? Canada has been using the highly criticized herbicide glyphosate in the harvesting of wheat and scientists and medical professionals have proposed that maybe it’s the herbicides residue that our bodies are reacting to. Could it be that the demonizing of gluten has drawn attention away from the potential effects of this industrial agricultural practice?
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Moroccan Smokey Eggplant Dip

on April 18, 2017 · 1 Comment

Two months ago my trip to Morocco came to an end. My bag was filled with foreign souvenirs in an attempt to bring some of the exotic land home with me. Alongside the carpets, pillowcases, ceramics, tapestries and clay body masks were the edible souvenirs of almond butter, honey, argan oil and spices, as well as the inspiration to bring Moroccan cuisine home with me. Over these last 2 months this unfortunately has not materialized into anything. Routine and familiarity overshadowed my memory of all the Moroccan favourites I had dined on the 3 weeks prior. Now I am ready to share some of my favourite dishes. This Moroccan Smokey Eggplant Dip packs a lot of flavour for such simple ingredients. I wanted this recipe to be the first from my trip to share.
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Simple Turmeric Ginger Latte

on December 31, 2016 · 3 Comments

Simple Fresh Turmeric and Ginger Latte with Maple Syrup

Is turmeric the superfood of 2016? Will we see it come and go with the likes of Goji Berries and Agave Syrup? I sure hope not. Turmeric has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and has been renowned for its anti-inflammatory properties. Western medicine has caught on, though the majority of the research has been done on one of its isolated constituents – curcumin. If you’re like me and your Christmas was filled with extravagant dinners and endless treats, then it’s time to start filling your pantry full of foods that will nourish your body into 2017. This simple Turmeric Ginger Latte is such a great nighttime treat, and a great replacement for chocolate. Try it out, it’s easier and more delicious than you think!

Easy Curry Lentil Soup with Kale

on November 29, 2016 · 3 Comments

A Simple Curry Lentil Soup with Kale

I’m writing this post from the tropics, from Sumatra Indonesia. While I’m sitting beach front eating papayas and mangoes for breakfast the autumn chill is in full force at home. This is my third trip to Indonesia, and I am understandably a big fan of Indonesian food. Sumatrans like their food spicy, and tempeh and tofu are always on the menu, alongside fresh seafood and dark leafy greens. Despite my love affair with South-East Asian cuisine, I do find myself craving for the hearty lentils based soups of home. This soup was a regular before I left home, and will be one of the first things I make once I return. Don’t get me wrong, I am going to savour every last bit of Indonesian food while I can, but sometimes a Curry Lentil Soup with Kale is what your body needs.