Canada Archives - The Conscious Dietitian

Chia Seeds, Flaxseeds, Hemp Seeds – Which One Is For You?

Written by Rachel on September 20, 2014 · 4 Comments

Mother and Daughter near the Okanogan, where Flaxseeds are now grown.

Superfoods are big money. With their promises of everlasting youth and renewed vitality, consumers will happily spend the big bucks without further question. Some really are super, some are flops (ie. noni juice). We have always known that seeds hold a high nutritional value, but we’ve moved past the common sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seed and are now looking for something new and edgy. Chia seeds, flaxseeds and hemp seeds have all made their mainstream supermarket debut over the last few years. As super as they all are, each of them has individual health properties that are as unique as their consumers are. Some are better suited to certain individuals, and some consumers like to factor in their environmental standpoint. Which one is better for you…?
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Which Sustainable and Seasonal Fish To Enjoy This Summer

Written by Rachel on July 14, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Sustainable Seafood To Enjoy This Summer

Tofino, BC

Last month I shared my thoughts on Five Steps to Becoming a Sustainable Seafood Foodie. Last week in my inbox, the Centre for Food Safety sent me their thoughts on The Best Sustainable Fish To Eat In The Summer. Coincidentally, their article also included their top 5 tips on sustainable seafood eating.
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What Western Medicine Can Learn From Traditional Aboriginal Healing Therapies

Written by Rachel on July 4, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Traditional Aboriginal Healing - Vancouver Island BC

Mural in Chermainus, Vancouver Island, BC

For me there is no denying, there is something so very enchanting about traditional Aboriginal healing. Maybe it’s the images of peyote and smoke ceremonies. Or maybe it’s the idea of the mysterious medicine man, with his limitless knowledge in healing herbs and plants. Or maybe its just knowing that our First People had an effective world of medicine before colonisation. Medicine that came from this land and was specific for the people that inhabited it. Aboriginal healing extends far beyond herbal teas and smudging. At its roots it is the belief and the practice in a holistic approach to health- in treating the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual facets of health as one.

5 Steps to Becoming A Sustainable Seafood Foodie

Written by Rachel on June 5, 2014 · 3 Comments

Prince Rupert, BC. Historic North Pacific Cannery .

World Oceans Day is almost here! On June 8th people all around the world, from Australia to Canada, will be celebrating World’s Ocean Day in different ways. For me, the best way to celebrate our ocean is to show our appreciation for the food it provides us with. What better way to do that then to take a step back and reflect on our practices when it comes to enjoying a nice seafood dinner.
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Container Gardening – 8 Edible Plants To Grow This Spring

Written by Rachel on May 1, 2014 · 2 Comments

Spring Time in East Sooke Park, BC

It’s here! Its spring!

Once the cherry blossom trees are in bloom in Victoria the city comes to life. Watching those barren, graceless branches give rise to pink and white blossoms marks the transformation from winter to spring. But spring is more than flowers and butterflies. Spring also brings asparagus, rhubarb, and a whole lot of seedlings!
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My Top 5 Sustainable and Iconically Canadian Foods

Written by Rachel on February 25, 2014 · Leave a Comment

Vancouver Island, BC

The Sochi Winter Olympic Games gave rise to my first, entirely watched game of hockey. It was for the men’s’ gold – Canada vs. Sweden. The 3:30am wake up call brought forward my new found appreciation for the game. I am not sure if it was the lack of sleep, the showcase of phenomenal stick skills, or the nicely built men on skates, but I can definitely see the allure.

5 Simple Resolutions to Make 2014 a Greener Year

Written by Rachel on January 3, 2014 · 2 Comments

Sri Lankan Child Enjoying Local Fruits

New Years resolutions are sometimes a hit or miss. The year of 2012 saw me not purchasing anything new. Reflecting back I did well to not purchase anything for myself, but I didn’t hesitate to put a new Breville juicer on my birthday wish list. With 2013 commenced the declaration of having one raw-food-day a week. However, with my recent change in countries and climate, this one eventually petered out with my love for warming foods.
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Canada Approves GMO Salmon Eggs

Written by Rachel on November 30, 2013 · Leave a Comment

Pacific Wild Salmon Packed in the Pacific Northwest Cannery Near Prince Rupert, BC

Its been more than 15 years in the making, and now it has hit our shores. AquAdvantage salmon is the first animal genetically modified (GM) for food purposes. It is prized for its ability to grow twice as fast when compared to other farmed salmon, reducing the rearing period to 18 months from 3 years. The FDA has given its stamp of approval but activist groups still aren’t convinced. What questions do we need to be asking? Or, should we just be accepting of the fact that GM animals may be the way of the future?
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Ginger Spiced Apple Sauce Recipe and Fruit Picking Victoria

Written by Rachel on October 24, 2013 · Leave a Comment

I have Lifecycles to thank for my first venture of apple picking in one of Victoria’s most beautiful orchards. Lifecycles is a not for profit organization dedicated to cultivating awareness and initiating action around food, health, and urban sustainability in the area. They have their hands in the right barrels so to speak, and they are always looking for more volunteer fruit pickers.
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Hunter Gatherer Part II: Wild Blackberries and A Conscious Jam Recipe

Written by Rachel on October 2, 2013 · Leave a Comment

This season was my first blackberry season. Growing up in northern BC we had salmonberries, blueberries and huckleberries… but nothing that grows as feverishly as wild blackberries. After my fair share of thorns and bloody arms I had enough berries to make jam… but what sugar to use? Honey had taken main stage on my shelves but that wouldn’t do for jam. Are there environmental and ethical factors to consider when buying sugar?
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