Low Sugar Hot Cocoa (Vegan Option)

Makes 1 mug 

I’ve been sharing this recipe with a lot of clients lately and they’ve found it the perfect warm, comforting solution. So, I wanted to share it with you. This recipe is so simple that it barely qualifies as a recipe. But I wanted to share it because it’s a great way to satisfy a sugar craving with barely any sugar. It makes a hot cocoa that my fellow dark chocolate lovers will enjoy.

Use this as a technique more than a recipe. Adjust it to suit your tastes. For example, make it vegan by using a plant-based milk alternative and maple syrup. Want a stronger chocolatey flavour? Use more cocoa powder (or do the opposite if you want it weaker). Like orange chocolate? Try adding a drop or two of orange blossom water. Want to get the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric that made golden milk so popular a number of years back? Add some, along with the black pepper to activate the anti-inflammatory compounds. For the photos, we jazzed it up with some whipped cream and some chocolate shavings.  

Low Sugar Hot Cocoa Ingredients

1 mug milk of your choice (dairy, oat, soy, etc)

Scant 1 tablespoon cocoa powder

½ teaspoon sugar (or sweetener of your choice)

Options:

2 drops orange blossom water

1/8 teaspoon turmeric powder and a small pinch of black pepper

Top with whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping 

Low Sugar Hot Cocoa Directions

1. In a small saucepan on medium heat, add the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and other optional ingredients.

2. Warm, stirring frequently, until steam rises from the saucepan.

3. Enjoy!

Looking for something cold and chocolatey and low added sugar? Check out this super simple recipe for chocolate banana popsicles

Photo credit: Olivia Dodsworth

Fish Tacos

GLUTEN-FREE OPTION

SERVES: 2 / PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES / COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES

This is a very simple fish taco recipe. It’s perfect for my absolute favorite fish, halibut. Don’t worry if you can’t find halibut in your local supermarket or your price range (halibut is expensive). You can also substitute other white fish such as cod. Even salmon works in this recipe. Be sure to use a large skillet for this recipe and don’t be tempted to use less oil for frying. Also, be patient and wait until your oil is truly hot before adding the fish to your skillet. All three of these errors will result in soggy fish. And, no-one wants a soggy fish taco.

FISH TACOS INGREDIENTS

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour (gluten-free if desired)

• ½ teaspoon plus a pinch salt, divided

• ½ teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided

• 1 pound firm white fish, such as halibut or cod, cut into 2-inch chunks

• ⅓ cup vegetable oil

• 2 cups cabbage, shredded

• 2 tablespoons lime juice

• 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

• 1 avocado

• 4 hard shell corn tacos (or 6-inch tortillas)

• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

• Hot sauce (optional)

FISH TACOS DIRECTIONS

1. Combine the flour, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper on a plate with a rim. Pat the fish dry with a paper towel. Dredge both sides of the fish fillets in the flour mixture.

2. Heat the oil in large skillet over medium high heat. Add the fish. Sauté, until the fish is browned on all sides, approximately 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, place the shredded cabbage in a small bowl. Add the lime juice, olive oil, a pinch of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. Toss to evenly coat the cabbage in the dressing.

4. Slice the avocado.

5. Assemble your tacos. Top each tortilla with fish, cabbage, and avocado. Garnish with cilantro, hot sauce, and an additional squeeze of fresh lime juice.

INGREDIENT TIP: Using pre-shredded cabbage, often sold as coleslaw mix, is a fantastic time saver.

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Lentil Crust Flatbread (Pizza) Recipe

This is a delicious way to include lentils in your diet. I mean, who doesn't like pizza?!

Note that if you have picky kids, don't call this pizza. Because while the crust is delicious, it does taste different than regular pizza crust. So, use a different term than "pizza". Such as "flatbreads". This way picky kiddos won't expect pizza and they'll be open to this new dish that's called "flatbread".

Also, note that you need to soak the lentils the night before you plan to make this dish.

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Lentil Crust Flatbread (Pizza) - Crust Ingredients

2 cups of soaked red lentils (soak overnight)

1/2 cup water

1-3 garlic cloves (as per your taste preference)

1 TBSP dried basil

1 TBSP dried oregano

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 TBSP olive oil

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Lentil Crust Flatbread (Pizza) - Toppings

1 can of tomato puree/sauce

1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese, feta, or a plant-based cheese alternative of your choice

Vegetables/protein of your choice

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Lentil Crust Flatbread (Pizza) - Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Rinse and drain lentils and transfer into the food processor.

3. Add 3 garlic cloves, dried basil, dried oregano, sea salt, baking powder and ½ cup of water for consistency.

4. Puree all the ingredients until smooth.

5. Heat a heavy-bottom frying pan over medium heat. Use ~1 tbsp of olive oil to grease the pre-heated pan and pour in the batter. Smooth the batter out with a spoon, it will look like a mini pancake. Make sure the batter is THIN.

6. Repeat this step (should make about 8 mini crusts)

7. Cook 2-3 minutes on each side. Then, transfer your flatbreads to a baking tray covered with parchment paper.

8. Add your tomato sauce, cheese, and toppings.

9. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until cheese is bubbling and brown.

10. Enjoy!

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Get more recipes on my recipe page HERE.

Photo and recipe credit: Amazing student Hanna Kim (Thanks Hanna!)

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Mint Chocolate Whip (No Added Sugar)

Mint chocolate is one of my all-time favourite flavours. The beauty of this recipe is that you can satisfy that mint-chocolate craving without any of the added sugar. I know because that's exactly the situation that created this recipe. I was aiming for a smoothie but the result was more of a mousse in texture. A rich, creamy, decadent, intensely minty chocolatey mousse. YUM! Sometimes the best inventions are discovered by accident.

Serves:
1 big serving or 2 smaller servings.

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Mint Chocolate Whip Ingredients

• 3 dates (pits removed)

• 2 tbsp cacao nibs

• 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder

• 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds

• ⅓ cup of coconut milk (with the fat)

• ½ cup milk or plant-based milk alternative of your choice

• 2 drops of peppermint oil

• ⅛ of an avocado (very ripe)

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Mint Chocolate Whip Directions

1. Blend thoroughly and enjoy immediately!

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Looking for more healthy recipes featuring mint? Check out this recipe for pistachio-mint smoothies.

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Beets: What to Do With Them

These versatile root veggies are one of my favourites! A classic storage, root veggie, you can find local ones throughout the winter. Beets have been making headlines lately because they may help boost exercise performance. Many kids like them because of their naturally sweet taste. However, people often wonder what the heck to do with them. So I’m sharing a couple of my favourite ways to use beets.  

Grated – Raw Beets

Beets don’t even need to be cooked. Simply wash them, peel off the outer skin, and grate them into a salad.

It doesn’t get any easier than that!

Roasted Beets

When I’m turning on the oven to cook something, I often pop a few beets in at the same time – either for a warm side-dish today, or for chilled as a salad in the future.

1. Wash beets and cut off any long tails or furry top bits.
2. Cut a piece of tin foil large enough to wrap the beet in. Lay it on the counter, shiny side up. Pour a dollop of olive oil in the centre.
3. Roll the beet around in the oil to coat it. Wrap the tin foil tightly around the beet.
4. Repeat for each beet.
5. Place wrapped beets on a cookie tray or in a baking dish.
6. Roast until tender, how long this takes depends on the size of the beets and the heat of your oven – at 350 degrees F it may take as long as 2 hours; at 425 degrees F it may take as short as 45 min.

Beet and Bean Borscht

From: Pulses: Cooking with Beans, Peas, Lentils and Chickpeas

This is a fantastic, hearty and tasty, full meal in one pot, vegetarian borscht (perfect for Meatless Mondays). While the recipe takes a little longer to cook, it makes a lot of soup. And, this soup tastes great re-heated. Freeze leftovers (without the yogurt or sour cream topping) in small batches.

Makes 6 Litres

• 3 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 3 celery stalks
• 3 cups green cabbage, shredded (a Cuisinart or food processor makes shredding quick work)
• 3 cups beets, peeled and chopped
• 10 cups vegetable stock (home-made or lower sodium)
• 4 cups beans such as navy beans or white kidney beans (canned or cooked from dry)
• ½ cup canned or fresh tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• 1 bunch fresh dill (or parsley)
• plain yogurt or sour cream

Directions

1. In a big soup pot, sauté onion and garlic in oil until softened.
2. Add carrots, celery and cabbage and sauté for about 3 minutes.
3. Add beets and stock and cook for about 1 hour or until beets are slightly tender.
4. Add beans, tomatoes, lemon juice, pepper and dill. Warm thoroughly.
5. Serve topped with a dollop of yogurt or sour cream.
6. Enjoy!

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