My Delicious Nutritionists

Photography by Tara Noelle

I have had the honour and pleasure of teaching a group of fine, fabulous, healthy, energetic ladies a series of cooking classes. Most of them are former nutrition students, who never had the benefit of taking any practical cooking courses as part of their holistic nutrition program. So they  requested an private 8-week private cooking series, custom make just for them. The classes started in the fall and the last one is schedule for the end of march- I am sad to say good-bye.

It was last year in Februray when I was fortunate enough to meet a few of them at a priave class that I held on behalf of the Holistic Cooking Academy, then I was lucky again to have them + more their friends join my Spring Detox Retreat in Collingwood. This incredible weekend together set the foundation for some amazing bonds and a platform to express our common interests.

There are still spots left in my Raw Detox Retreat this spring!

Then come fall we started their very own private cooking series. They were keen, interested and intrigued to learn more about healtha nd nutrition. Most of them, being nutritionist are already well immersed in the world of holistic health and cooking, but just wanted to take their knowledge a little bit further…and that is where I came in!

We set out with several classes at one of the ladies, Susan Schroeter’s Lean on Me nutrition studio in Oakville. She has an incredible private kitchen cooking space that was very accommodating to our classes. Not to mention it is steps away from Organic Garage – so if I was ever in need of an extra lemon, or more quinoa, there it was! Then the last few classes have been held in my home, as we started to cover more complex and involved winter warming recipes that required more than one oven and a few gas burners.

I has been so amazing to work with a great group of ladies that live and breath health just as much as me,  they have all taught me so much. They are all experts in the field of nutrition with their own focus and are extremely passionate and dedicated to a holistic, natural and a healthy way of life. It is so much fun to be able to teach and connect with others that are like-minded and have a similar path in life!

Here’s a glance of what our 8 – week itinerary looked like:

Week 1: Raw Foods and Sprouting – nori rolls, sweet heart cookies etc…

Week 2: Sea Veggies and Asian Flavours – baked “tuna” casserole, tempeh stir fry etc…

Week 3: Healthy Sweets and Gluten Free Desserts – pea licious muffins, carrot ginger muffins etc…

Week 4: Exploring Whole Grains – warm farro salad, wild rice salad etc…

Week 5: Heart Health Recipes and Balanced Blood Sugar – baked cinnamon apples etc…

Week 6: Indian Flavours and Healing Spices – Cozy Chai Latte etc…

Week 7: Winter Warming Comfort Foods – Mac n Cheeze etc…

Week 8: Breakfasts and brunch foods: Granola etc…

Here are some pictures of the ladies in action, unfortunately not all of them were at this particular class Warming Comforting Veggie Meals – but we have 5 of 7!

Lovable Laurie chopping squash.

Thorough Susan..pulsing those beans!

Careful Anne, making those onions perfect!

Beautiful Sam, delicately adding water.

Joyous Jessica, peeling yams.

Thank you ladies, you have made my life and my knowledge that much richer – and I will miss our fun cooking sessions together!

The Power of Sea Veggies

I know you have heard of seaweed, also known as sea vegetables, and I know you have eaten them a number of times (whether you realize it or not) -but before you turn up your face and look the other way, let me tell you how amazing they are and what they can do for your health!

When I refer to sea veggies it is anything that, yes, grows in the sea and this includes nori (what your sushi is wrapped in), wakame (what is in your miso soup), arame (often in your seaweed salad), dulse, kombu, kelp, hijiki and the list goes on. The list even carries over to varieties of seaweeds that are in hidden forms of commercial foods such as ice cream, baked goods, jelly, salad dressings, chocolate milk and toothpaste. This is what I mean when I said you’ve eaten them many times before – and you didn’t even know it.

These little wonders, because they are grown in the deep depths of the sea, carry with them the highest doses of vitamins and minerals. All of which are essential to human health and daily nutritional balance. Sea vegetables are singularly the most nutrient dense food, as they are earth’s first vegetables and the best part is, is that they are delicious! Sea greens are a direct manifestation of their environment and therefore contain and abundance of minerals that is 7-38% of their dry weight. In such small amounts, seaweed contains more vitamins and minerals than any class of food. It supplies all the  minerals needed for human health in proportions very similar to those found in human blood. The most significant elements that can be found in sea greens are calcium, iodine, phosphorous, sodium,and iron. Sea veggies are also extremely rich in protein, vitamin A, B, C and E.

The health benefits of sea vegetables is so vast and incredible. They do everything from reducing blood cholesterol, removing metallic and radioactive elements from the body, and prevent goiter. So if you are suffering with a thyroid problem, like so many women these days, then sea veggies are for you! Seaweed also has antibiotic properties, counteracts obesity, strengthens bones, teeth, nerve transmission and digestion. Seaweed is also an incredible beauty aid as they help to maintain glowing healthy skin and contain anti aging properties. To me, this sounds like the perfect food!

(Source:  The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood)

So how do you use sea veggies?

The garden of sea veggies is extremely versatile and they can be used in a number of recipes and incorporated into numerous styles of cuisine and compliment or accent many dishes from soups, salads and desserts. To explore this world of sea veggies and roll your own sushi, I encourage you to join me next Thursday October 8th at my Scrumptious Sea Vegetable class!

If you have ever used or tried sea veggies, share your story. Leave a comment and let us all know what you have done with Sea Greens!