I buy most of my produce from Kins Farm Market because I believe they represent the next best thing to buying produce straight from a local farmer. Plus their story is inspirational! Twenty-two years ago when the Leung family moved to Vancouver they opened an 8-foot produce stand on Granville Island and now they are running a produce empire with 26 stores. But lately I’ve been getting frustrated with Kins because their lack of local produce has become apparent. So, I took local to the next level last weekend by taking a drive to Emma-Lea Farms.

fruits & vegetables, Personal Journey, tipsjessAugust 6, 2012Local

The Magic Number 23

20-35% of your total daily calories should come from fat because in addition to providing flavour, texture, and energy, dietary fats supply fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E, and K). Because fats are more energy-dense than carbohydrates and proteins, they also help us to feel full and satisfied after eating a high-fat meal and may help us lengthen the time between meals.

fat, protein, tips, vitamins and minerals, weight controljessJune 24, 2012full, Olive oil, almonds, Heart healthy fats

Poppa's Kitchen Wisdom

Before getting into dietetics last September I took ‘cooking lessons’ with the best chef I knew – my grandfather. Considering I started our lessons not knowing there was a proper way to chop an onion, I learnt a lot from him. Yes, I could have taken professional cooking lessons from a fancy school but the hours I spent with my grandfather were priceless and now that he’s no longer with us I will cherish those moments forever. I dedicate this post to my Poppa even though he once called blogs “people’s dirty laundry.” Please enjoy his wisdom as much as I did.

tipsjessJune 10, 2012dessert, recipes, water, cooking

A Three-Balanced Meal

Growing up, your mom, coach and doctor probably told you to eat a “well-balanced meal.” So, as an adult have you finally figured out what that meant? If not, hopefully this post will help.

Dairy, fruits & vegetables, protein, tipsjessMay 13, 2012Canadian Food Guide, balanced meals

Beans, Beans, the Magical Fruit...

…the more you eat the more you toot. I really dislike this saying and I think for two good reasons – one, are beans actually a fruit? And two I hate the word toot! Well, according to my sources legumes ARE in fact the dried fruit or seed of a leguminous plant in the leguminosae family and include: peas, beans, alfalfa, soybeans, and lentils. However, in the fresh form, they are used as vegetables. What do ya know – I learned something too!

fruits & vegetables, protein, salt, tips, vitamins and mineralsjessApril 22, 2012beans, farting

Hunger Games

What does a deck of cards, a golf ball and a tennis ball all have in common? Well, besides the ability to play with each of them they’re all accurate portion sizes! In this day and age we eat too much but who’s to blame? Is it us and our inability to stop when we are full or is it the food industry, who continues to serve us these huge portions? My goal for this week is to give you the tools you need to eat the right portions when you come face-to-face with a dinner plate.

fruits & vegetables, protein, tipsjessApril 1, 2012Canadian Food Guide, protein, servings

A Closer Look at Organic Foods - Part 3

The whole premise surrounding organic food makes it really tough for consumers and nutrition expects because there is no clear consensus for what to do. Even as I’m writing this I’m telling you two different things because I’m also conflicted. I don’t want to tell you not to eat organic food because some of it is better for the environment or promotes fair trade between the farmer and consumer. But on the other hand some organic products are a huge marketing ploy, for example Dole bananas. Here’s my advice – eat more fruits and vegetables whether it be organic or not. Try to buy local or sustainable products and just be more conscious regarding where your food is coming from. One step at a time - right?

organic food, tipsjessMarch 18, 2012fish, Local, Sustainable, The Salmon SHop, The Crab Shop

Rotten Egg #6 - Frozen, Canned & Dried Fruits and Veggies

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so why not surprise your loved one with a basket of nutritious red strawberries? What’s that? Did I hear you say strawberries aren’t in season? Well, did you know that frozen strawberries could actually be more nutritious than fresh strawberries? Can’t beat the gift of health!

Here Fishy Fishy

Now that you know heart-healthy fats exist, adding flavor and texture to your food while providing energy and vitamins to your body, I thought this would be a good time to introduce you to my two friends omega-3 and omega-6. Both of these guys are essential fatty acids. ‘Essential’ means you need to eat foods containing these two fatty acids because your body is unable to make them by itself.

fat, protein, tips, vitamins and mineralsjessFebruary 5, 2012cardiovascular disease, fish, Olive oil, Omega, protein