Oh my goodness this sauce is delish! For real, i'm not tootin my own horn. The red wine gives the sauce such a deep rich flavour and the pasture raised ground pork that I get from Terra Nossa is so tender and sweet. You can definitely use beef instead of pork if you prefer and if you can, the best ground beef to purchase is always the way nature intended; grass fed grass finished beef. I like to add some freshly chopped basil at the end with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, that's the LOVE right there.
Gluten Free Pumpkin and Vanilla Muffins
Mmmmmmmm Yum! I created these morsels of deliciousness for my mom, she needed something in the morning that wasn't laced with gluten, but also something gluten free that didn't crumble in your hands, taste terrible and contain ingredients that were worse than the gluten version of a muffin.
I made these muffins with organic brown rice flour and a little arrowroot flour. Arrowroot is a starch derived from a tropical plant called maranta arundinacea. It is usually used to thicken sauces instead of using cornstarch; which so many people cannot digest these days. It has been known to sooth digestion, reduce diarrhea and help with urinary tract infections, it's a pretty awesome rhizome actually.
Brown rice flour behaves very similar in baking to whole wheat flour, although good organic local whole wheat flour is higher in nutrients in general, brown rice flour is a great alternative for people who are watching how much gluten they are eating. Gluten in general (even for people without celiac disease) has been shown to disrupt the digestive system, create a fog in the brain and increase inflammation in the body as a whole. When I do have gluten which is usually in bread form, I try to eat a local and organic red fife wheat version or an einkorn wheat that has been fermented (sourdough). These breads and types of wheat are closer to the heirloom grains that our ancestors ate (which contain less chains of amino acids) so they are much easier on the digestive tract, as our bodies can recognize the proteins much better and break them down into an absorbable source of nutrients.
Chimichurri
Oh snap! This is a summer must have in your fridge all of the time kind of salsa, chimichurri is so versatile the best part about this salsa is that it really is super healthy for you, super easy to make and it tastes f#*&ing delicious. The only thing you must remember is that the quality of your ingredients, especially the olive oil is key to the nutrient density of this salsa.
Lets talk nutrients! Parsley, it helps in the detoxification of the liver, contains high amounts of vitamin K; which we need to clot our blood and it also helps support optimal bone health. The cilantro has a powerful antioxidant compound that helps detoxify heavy metals from our bodies and it has recently been known to help regulate blood sugar and increase insulin production (http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=70).
Everything is raw in this dip so the vitamin C from the fresh herbs is at it's most powerful, the raw garlic and onion has antibacterial properties and helps boost the immune system. The unfiltered raw organic extra virgin olive oil contains phytonutrients and heart healthy omega 9 oils. The importance of quality over quantity for the olive oil here is very important if you want to achieve a super nutrient dense chimichurri.
Now, go make this and make sure everyone eats it, especially your significant other cause the garlic and onion will decide the romance for the evening:)
Homemade Organic Vanilla Extract
Have you ever wanted to make your own vanilla extract? It's so easy and you save so much more money by making it yourself, it makes great Christmas or birthday gifts, you just have to plan 5-6 months ahead, ha!
So many vanilla extracts contain colouring, sugar and preservatives. When you make it yourself you know exactly what you are getting and you can share the health with others. Click on the pic to know how to make your own and learn everything about this amazing whole food.
Warm Oatmeal with Fresh Papaya and Mango
Mmmmmm, warm oatmeal is so comforting to me and it's such an easy nutrient dense breakfast that can be made ahead of time and eaten for a couple of days; just warm the oatmeal up in a oven safe dish with a little bit of water on the bottom of the dish for about 10 minutes, add your fruit and yogurt and you are ready to go.
Did you know that by eating fresh papaya in the morning can help keep you regular? My Mexican family recommend eating 5 papaya seeds along with fresh papaya, keepin it real! Whole gluten free rolled oats help reduce LDL cholesterol which in turn balances both types of cholesterol, it's all about duality/balance. The via seeds and yogurt add some protein while the fresh fruit adds even more fiber.
Buy organic plain yogurt (650g container) add 1/2 teaspoon true cinnamon and 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey, stir together and you have a much healthier yogurt for your body.
Homemade Kimchi
A couple of months ago I was travelling South East Asia with my man and we met a wonderful Korean couple that would make kimchi in their hotel rooms while travelling, I thought that was weirdly amazing and the best part is that they shared with us. I also got Regina's recipe and I keep it near to my heart. So this is her recipe but of course I changed a couple of things to make it my own.
Kimchi, kombucha, sauerkraut are all foods that increase good bacteria in your gut because they are fermented. The standard American Diet, pharmaceutical drugs and stress are quickly depleting all of our good bacteria in our gut and the health industry is finally making a point to let people know that we must increase our gut bacteria in order to be healthy.
Poor amounts of good gut bacteria have been correlated to constipation/diarrhea , lowered immune system, inflammation, dementia, depression, anxiety, autism, arthritis, the list goes on. I eat something fermented everyday and I think you will benefit from it to!
Thrifty, End Of Summer Ideas.
I Know, it's not the end of summer yet! But, it has been such a hot spring and summer here on Vancouver island that so many vegetables and fruits are ready earlier than usual. I love to freeze, pickle and can as many fruits and vegetable for my family, but also for my winter catering's and personal chef clients. So here are some easy ideas on what to do with the abundance of Canadian summer whole foods.
Click the image to direct you to my Knowledge is Power tab to continue reading.
Upcoming Cooking Class, Canadian Style Eh!
TASTE OF CANADA | CHEF CHRISTINA | WITH ROCKY CREEK WINERY
July 17 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Taste of Canada, yes I said Canada everyone! Come and enjoy an evening of locally sourced whole-food with Chef Christina Acevedo. You will not only taste delicious food, but you will be able to purchase most of the food that Christina will be cooking, from local farmers on Vancouver island. Learn specific cooking techniques, nutritional information and where to buy local produce straight from the source.
Go to The Worldly Gourmet for all of the details.
Bon Appetit!
What To Know About Grass Fed Beef
I just read this artcile today that was published in 2012 and although it is three years old I think it still has some very good points. I really wanted to share this article with all of you because I feel that it is important to really understand where are food is coming from and how it is produces. What struck me most in this article was what he wrote about organic vs grass fed. I have always felt comfortable purchasing certified organic beef from the grocery store until now... Read more by clicking on the picture, you will be redirected to my Knowledge is power page.
Taste Of Asia Whole Foods Cooking Class
Here is my next whole foods cooking class that will be held at The Worldly Gourmet Kitchen Store in Ladysmith on June 11th.In this class you will learn about the nutritional content within the food I am preparing, specific cooking techniques that will enhance your final dishes and how to make healthy, delicious tasting Asian food all with as much local and organic Vancouver island produce! For more information, go directly to The Worldly Gourmet and follow the registration process. See you there, only 7 seats left!
Here is what your mind and belly will be satisfied with:
Roasted sweet potatoes with a Thai peanut sauce
Korean style beef lettuce wraps (Bulgogi)
Pickled carrots and daikon radish
Sweet coconut rice
Garlic Season Is Here!
Garlic is popping up everywhere on Vancouver island right now. For most, it has been sitting in some cozy nutrient dense earth since October of last year. Lets talk about garlic and it’s healing properties for the body. Garlic is a member of the lily family and it’s cousins; onion, leek and chives all have powerful healing properties for the body as well. It is one of the oldest cultivated plants dating back as much as 5000 years ago, so you know it has to be legit. Read more here.....
Gratitude For Infinite Knowledge! Sustainability
What a fantastic class I had this evening with a bunch of lovely people. It was so nice to have had Tim Mock from Winhorse Farms there to answer all of the questions everyone had. I wanted to re-post this video regarding sustainable farming vs conventional farming in honour of tonight's event; Featured Farm Cooking Class with Windhorse Farms- Grass fed/grass finished beef. Thanks everyone who attended.
Knowledge is power! Read a little more Here
Featured Farm Cooking Class with Windhorse Farms
Here is my next whole foods cooking class, coming up April 10th at the North Oyster Community Centre.
It will feature a lovely, local grass fed/grass finished beef farm. Windhorse farm is located in beautiful Duncan B.C, I had the pleasure of spending some time with Tim a while back and I can't wait to share my recipes with you that feature his amazing grass finished, organic beef. Here is a link to a great video where you can learn a little more about Tim and Laurice Mock's amazing farm Moosemeat and Marmalade click on season 1- episode 4 (beef and Tea)
Pay Pal link below!
Featured Farm for April-Windhorse Farms
Pay here Today! Just click on the arrows and choose how many people you would like to pay for. *You do not need a paypal account to pay for these this class!
CLASS NOW CLOSED/FULL
How many people would you like to pay for?
1 person $55.00 CAD
2 people $110.00 CAD
3 people $165.00 CAD
4 people $220.00 CAD
Featured Farm Cooking Class
CLASS NOW CLOSED/ FULL
I am so excited to announce these new Whole Foods Cooking Classes that I will be teaching every month. It will feature a new local farm from around Vancouver island and bring awareness to all the local, organic and nutrient dense food right in our backyard! Featured Farm For March- Code's Corner Organic Farm
