You CAN Win Friends with Salad

In recent years, it seems like the risk and frequency of various illnesses and diseases caused by poor diet has been rapidly increasing. As a result, celebrity chefs, doctors and personal trainers, among others, have been trying to communicate healthier lifestyle and eating habits to the masses.

Chef Jamie Oliver has been one of the most prominent personalities in the healthy eating movement for years. One of his newest shows, Jamie’s Super Food, explores cities and islands with the healthiest, longest living populations, and creates inspired healthy dishes.

In the first episode of Jamie’s Super Food, he ventured to the wild Aegean island of Ikaria, Greece. There, he “uncovered” what many of us know, yet we choose to ignore: to live long, full lives, we need to eat clean, vegetable-based diets, with smaller portions of meat, and exercise every day! For most Canadians and Americans, our portion sizes and waist-lines continue to expand at alarming rated, and we have not stopped to do anything about it.

As Jamie explained about the Ikarian diet, they eat tonnes of fresh greens and vegetables every day – dressed with healthy Greek olive oil – along with fresh cheese from healthy goats, and consume smaller portions of meat. It is the essence of the Mediterranean diet and something we should all aim to do more often.

To get you started with your Mediterranean diet, I am making a quick and easy Fennel Slaw. This is a great addition to your Meze (Greek appetizer and dip) spread, or served as a sweet and sour burger topping in place of fatty, sugar-loaded coleslaw. This Easy Fennel Slaw is a great dish to make in advance since it just continues to meld together the longer it sits.

Whenever I am creating recipes with CleanWorkout.com, we come up with fast, simple and healthy dishes that can be prepared early in the week and that keep well in the refrigerator. Most salad greens are too delicate to last for more than one day, but the fennel and carrot in this slaw are robust and will not break down.

TIP: Serve your Fennel Slaw on top of quinoa and wilted spinach, and with crumbled feta cheese for a balanced, light lunch.

Bon Appetit!

Making The Perfect Chocolate Cupcake

For years I have scoured cookbooks, the internet, folklore and everywhere in between in search of the perfect chocolate cake base. Something light, fluffy, moist and dangerously chocolatey.

One day, I was in my usual Mad Scientist mood and created the most incredible dark chocolate cake that I had ever tried.

Intensely dark, ultra moist and a soft crumb. This was the perfect chocolate cupcake.

Now, I am sharing my secret catering recipe with you.

Enjoy.

Leave your caramel sauce in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. It will set up giving you a smooth, rich, dense topping that can be spooned on top of your cupcakes. Try this as a cake filling, as well!

 

Holiday Gifts from Better than Yia Yia’s

HUGE thank you to better than yia yia’s for the beautiful (and delicious!) Gingerbread Cookies and Baklava. I have been gifting plates to clients and friends this past week and the reaction has been tremendous.

So good. So addictive. So festive!

The baklava is flaky and nutty, with the subtle sweetness of honey. It is not too sweet or dripping in syrup like most Greek pastries from the store. Large pieces of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are wrapped in the delicate spice of cinnamon, complimented by the buttery pastry. I challenge you to limit yourself to one piece.

The Gingerbread Friends are the perfect type of gingerbread cookie – soft and chewy, and filled with festive holiday spices, they taste just like the holidays. Again, they are not too sweet and have a perfect texture. Almost like a cookie mixed with a cake – dense with a good chew. For the gingerbread lovers on your list, there is nothing better.

Check out better than yia yia’s website and their holiday menu here. Best of all, you can make any of their sweets into a beautiful gift platter! Beautifully wrapped and even topped with a bow.

Better than Yia Yia's Festive Gingerbread Friends are even better to eat than to admire. Soft, chewy, and full of holiday spice, they are a must for everyone on your list!

Tickled Pink

One of my favourite people is getting married and her gorgeous blush and gold colour palette needs to be acknowledged! I had the privilege of attending her Pinterest-worthy bridal shower yesterday and, for a few hours, felt like it was actually spring.

Light pink hydrangeas, pink ombre layer cake, and a table of homemade Italian sweets are guaranteed to put you in a good mood.

The perfect Pinterest bridal shower with a plethora of homemade goodies, a pink paper flower wall, fluffy hydrangeas, and a polaroid station.

The perfect Pinterest bridal shower with a plethora of homemade goodies, a pink paper flower wall, fluffy hydrangeas, and a polaroid station.

In homage to the festivities, I have showcased some of my favourite pink cosmetics that will put a smile on your face and get you ready for spring.

Pink products to put a smile on your face (clockwise): Fujifilm Instax mini 8 instant camera; OPI Nail Lacquer in Passion; L'Occitane Rose Bonne Mere Soap; Korres Body Butter in Jasmine; Bite Agave Lip Mask in Champagne; Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm; Aquiline Pink Sugar Parfum; NARS Blush in Angelika.

Pink products to put a smile on your face (clockwise): Fujifilm Instax mini 8 instant camera; OPI Nail Lacquer in Passion; L’Occitane Rose Bonne Mere Soap; Korres Body Butter in Jasmine; Bite Agave Lip Mask in Champagne; Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm; Aqualina Pink Sugar Parfum; NARS Blush in Angelika.

Enjoy!