MAKING GHEE

     Before I even get into all the reasons why ghee is so awesome, I thought I'd take a moment to explain what it is for those of you who have never made it. Ghee is clarified butter. It is a very common ingredient in French and Indian cooking.  It is also a major player in the world of Ayurveda, where it is prized for it's healing properties. You see butter is only 85% butterfat - the rest of it is made of milk solids and water. The process of clarifying the butter removes these "impurities" and what remains is golden and delightful.  
     There are so many reasons to love ghee. It is delicious, number one. It is excellent for cooking and sautéing because it has a high smoking point. Unlike butter, ghee keeps for about a month at room temperature or even longer in the fridge. It is rich in short and medium-chain fatty acids and butyrate (an anti-inflammatory fat). It is rich in fat soluble vitamins A, D, E (antioxidant for great skin, eyesight, hormonal balance), and K2 (builds strong bones). And it is okay for people who have casein or lactose sensitivities - who would have thought butter could be better?
Uses for ghee:
* Spread it on toast
* Melt over steamed vegetables, potatoes, and rice
* Sautee your spices in ghee and add to soups and stews
* Soothe a burn by rubbing ghee on it!

GHEE

1 pound unsalted organic butter

Method: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium low heat. Once it's fully melted, allow it to continue
to heat until it comes to a gentle boil. The milk proteins will first form a thin white layer over the entire surface, then expand into a thicker foam. Eventually, as the butter boils, the foam coating will break apart into smaller clusters. Technically, it's not the butterfat but the water in the butter that's boiling—that's a good thing, since we want the water to cook off. The foam will ultimately sink to the bottom of the pot as the butter continues bubbling away. You'll know that it's nearly done when the bubbling activity calms and then mostly ceases, evidence that the water is finally gone.

At that point, just pour the remaining butter through cheesecloth or a coffee filter to remove the browned bits. 

CELEBRATING MOTHERHOOD (with Ice Cream Sundaes)

     We invited my mom over for brunch to celebrate Mother's Day. After enjoying some awesome Sausage and Roasted Vegetable Frittata, Crispy Potatoes and a nice salad it was time for the main event - make your own sundaes. I made a batch of Maple Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream and a variety of toppings which included Maple Chocolate Sauce, Caramel Sauce, Cherry Sauce and Roasted Peanuts and Pecans. Mom went in for a classic Banana Split and I had numerous helpings of a Butter Pecan stylie sundae and kept it simple with just pecans and caramel sauce. Insanely good. I love my mom!

MAPLE VANILLA ICE CREAM

4 egg yolks

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 cans coconut milk (800 ml)

200 ml milk of choice (I used Coconut Dream Beverage)

1 Tbsp real vanilla extract

1 tsp sea salt

Method: In a bowl, whisk the egg yolks with maple syrup until well combined.

Combine the coconut milks in a saucepan over medium low heat and bring to a simmer. Gradually whisk into the egg mixture. Return entire mixture to the stove and cook over low heat, stirring often until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a wooden spoon. Let cool and then stir in the vanilla and salt. Place in the fridge until completely cold or overnight. Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers instructions.

CARAMEL SAUCE

from Daniel Walker's Against All Grain

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2 Tbsp palm oil shortening or butter or ghee

1/2 cup coconut milk

1/2 tsp sea salt

Method: Bring the honey to a low boil in a deep saucepan over medium high heat. Simmer on medium for 5-7 minutes, whisking occasionally. Remove from heat and carefully whisk in the oil, coconut milk and salt. Return to heat and continue to cook for 15 minutes. Serve warm or room temperature.

CHOCOLATE SAUCE

1/2 cup coconut oil

60 grams cocoa powder

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp real vanilla

1/2 cup maple syrup

Method: Whisk all ingredients into a small saucepan and whisk and warm on medium heat until all the oil melts. Serve at room temperature.

PRINT RECIPES

TAHINI TREAT

     After spending the last two weeks eating this awesome treat everyday (and sometimes two and three times a day) I've decided it is finally time to share the recipe with you. I'm warning you though, it is so good, and apparently very addictive. This should really come as no surprise to me though as I do recall being quite addicted to this yummy halvah I use to buy at the health food store years ago. I used to eat that stuff like it was going out of style too. I must have a thing for tahini. Luckily tahini is quite nutritious - for example it is a very good source of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals including iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese. It's good for your heart, it boosts nutrient absorption, it helps you burn fat, it fights cancer - it's a super food! But most importantly it tastes delicious and perfectly binds the fruit, raisins and hemp seeds together - making it spoonable and crazy yum.

TAHINI TREAT

1 apple, diced

1 banana, peeled and chopped

2 Tbsp raisins

3- Tbsp hemp nuts

about 3-4 Tbsp tahini

Method: Combine all ingredients and enjoy with a spoon.

BLACK FOREST BIRTHDAY CAKE

I know it's probably pretty obvious, but I love to bake. I especially love to bake birthday cakes. People really love it when you bake them a birthday cake too. It's a win-win situation. It's also pretty obvious that I am no vegan, but when I make chocolate cake I always use this recipe, which just so happens to be vegan - and seriously moist and delicious. It adapts really well to a black forest theme too when you slather it with coconut whipped cream and cherries. Yum.

BLACK FOREST CAKE

(makes one 6” layer cake)

¾ cup organic whole wheat flour

1 cup organic unbleached white flour

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

¾ cup organic cocoa powder, sifted

½ tsp sea salt

1 cup organic unsweetened coconut beverage

½ cup avocado oil

1 ½ cups local maple syrup

1 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

2 tsp pure organic vanilla

Method: Preheat oven to 350*.  Prepare two 6” round cake pans by greasing them with some oil and then lining with parchment paper cut into rounds.  Sift the flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together into a bowl.  Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, and then stir in the cocoa powder until dissolved.  Whisk the oil, maple syrup, vinegar and vanilla into the cocoa mixture.  Stir the wet ingredients into to the dry.  Pour into prepared cake pans and bake in 350* oven for 45-60 minutes in cake pans and for 22 minutes in the cupcake pan.  Allow to cool on a  baking rack for 10 minutes before removing cakes from pans.  Cool completely before icing.

CHERRY FILLING

 5 cups frozen organic cherries

1/4-1/2 cup maple syrup

2-3 Tbsp organic corn starch

Method: Place the cherries and maple syrup in a saucepan over medium high heat. Dissolve the cornstarch in a bit of cold water and then stir into the hot cherries. Stir until it thickens to desired consistency. Cool and refrigerate.

WHIPPED COCONUT CREAM

1-2 14 oz cans full fat coconut milk

1/4-1/2 cup organic icing sugar or a bit of maple syrup

1/2 tsp vanilla

Method: Chill cans of coconut overnight in the fridge. Chill a large mixing bowl in freezer. Remove just the solid coconut cream on the top and leave the liquid behind for use in a smoothie or something. Beat for 30 seconds with a mixer then add sifted icing sugar and vanilla. Use immediately or refrigerate.

To assemble the cake: Use a serrated knife to trip the domed top off of each cake. Pour 3/4 of the cherry mixture on the bottom half and then top with some whipped cream. Place the second layer on top. Use the rest of the whipped cream to ice the cake, then pour the rest of the cherry mixture in the centre of the top of the cake. Sprinkle with shaved dark chocolate and gently press some on the sides of the cake too. Refrigerate to harden the icing a bit. 

 PRINT RECIPE

FEARLESS DETOX

Detox is not as scary as you think!

     In fact, your body is doing it all the time and you're doing just fine. Traditionally the liver and gallbladder are associated with the Spring season, making now the ideal time to enhance liver and gall bladder function. Without strong liver function, detoxification is hindered in the body. Rather than thinking of a detox as something you do to your body - consider it more of a time to support and nourish the organs responsible for detoxifyIng the body (all year round). A healthy detox program emphasizes eating healthy foods and incorporating holistic practices that just make it easier for the digestive and detoxifying organs of the body to move accumulated waste or toxins out, as well as decreasing the toxic burden we generally put on our bodies.    
     After a winter of excess and hibernation, it feels good to switch gears and give our bodies a little attention in the spring. You know how nice it feels to drive your car home after getting a tune-up? The oil is squeaky clean, the fluids have been topped off, windshield wipers have been changes, tire pressure is at that perfect level, and you've vacuumed and washed the car until it shines? Well, just like our cars need some care and maintenance in the spring, so do our bodies.
     Some people freak out at the idea of a spring detox. It's not wonder - there are so many detox kits and programs out there that just scream DEPRIVATION, and I for one have no desire to live without the pleasure of food and eating. Juice fast? Forget it. Master cleanse? No way. I am happy to announce that maintenance does not mean liquid juice fast or maple syrup and lemon juice for days on end.

     As a registered holistic nutritional consultant and yoga teacher, I understand that the best way to support your body in it's effort to keep you healthy is to nourish and support with whole foods, gentle tonic herbs, and invigorating yoga. I've created a 7- Day Spring Detox that is effective and fun to do. There is absolutely no reason to be scared because you will NOT feel deprived. We are going to keep it simple and eat wholesome, delicious foods. The only thing you have to lose is some unwanted poundage, dark circles and puffiness under your eyes, and that feeling of lethargy that has been dragging you down.
     The Spring Detox has everything you will need: a step by step guide, the recipes, a shopping list and meal planner, holistic detox strategies, and yoga videos for vitality and wellness. You are invited to join the program and eat your way to vitality in 7 days!

The Keeping It Real SPRING DETOX E-Course launches on April 10th.

Early Bird Registration is on now - sign up today and save!

Regular Price $40 - You pay just $32 

 CHECK IT OUT!

EASTER CHOCOLATE

     I spent the last month keeping my eyes peeled for the organic chocolate easter bunnies I buy every year for the boys. They were nowhere to be found. I searched online. I had scouts looking in Montreal. I had a tip that a health food store in the city was selling dark chocolate bunnies, but when I showed up hoping they had the milk chocolate versions too I discovered that even the (wax crayon-like) dark chocolate ones were sold out. So in addition to being unable to find organic chocolate easter eggs for our egg hunt (as usual), this year I even had no bunnies.
     It was time to take matters into my own hands. I picked up a stack of organic milk chocolate bars, a fancy new egg shaped candy mould, and some fancy foil wrappers for the eggs. I made my own.

     It's really ever so simple. You melt the chocolate in a double boiler, pour into lightly greased moulds, freeze for a few minutes, then pop them out. 

      Making the eggs was simple too - I just heated a saucepan on the stove, held the flat end of an egg on it until it melted a bit and then pressed another egg onto it really hard until it stuck. I have to say I was pretty darn proud of myself.

     Since I've been on an experimental no dairy, no gluten diet I decided I needed a chocolate treat to celebrate the Spring Equinox too. 

     This here is the one of the BEST desserts ever. I kid you not. 

CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER PIE

Makes a 9" pie or tart pan

Crust:

1/2 cup organic unsalted roasted peanuts

6 Tbsp hemp seeds

3/4 cup coconut 

1/8 tsp sea salt

8 soft dates

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp maple syrup (optional)

Method: Soak the dates for the caramel layer in hot water while you make the crust. Grease your tart pan or pie plate with coconut oil. Process just the peanuts into a coarse meal in the food processor. Add the hemp seeds, dates, 1/4 cup coconut and the salt and pulse until the dates are incorporated. Add the rest of the coconut, as well as the vanilla, maple syrup, and process until doughy. Press the dough into the pan.

Caramel Layer:

1 cup soft dated (about 11 - soaked in hot water for 15 minutes)

2 Tbsp organic unsweetened peanut butter

2 Tbsp coconut oil

1/2 cup almond or coconut milk

pinch of sea salt

Method: Drain the soaked dates. Puree them in a blender or food processor along with the rest of the ingredients. Spread onto the crust. Place in freezer for 15 minutes before adding the mousse.

Chocolate Mousse Layer:

1/2 cup full fat coconut milk 

2/3 cup dark or semi sweet chocolate chips

2 Tbsp peanut butter

2 Tbsp coconut oil

2 tsp vanilla

1/8 cup maple syrup (depending on how sweet you like it)

Method: Heat coconut milk until it is almost boiling. Pour into a bowl and whisk in the chocolate chips. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Pour onto the chilled caramel. Freeze until set and serve frozen.

THE POWER OF THE GONG

 
 If you've ever taken a Kundalini Yoga class you may have experienced the immensely powerful sound of the gong. I fell in love with the gong because it enabled me to tap into a transcendent reality and connection with a vastness beyond my finite self. I was hooked.
     The gong is a transformational tool for deep healing and rejuvenation. A Kundalini Yoga class consists of a sequence of asanas, mudras, bandhas, pranayams, and mantras which open the flow of energy to create a receptive body-mind state. The gong can then be played during savasana when the students are relaxed and in a meditative state. The gong cleanses the subconscious mind and awakens transcendent states of awareness.
     Unlike most musical instruments, the gong sound envelope is unpredictable, non-linear, and trans-spatial. The gong produces a complex synthesis of blended overtones that allow the listener to experience sound in a completely new and entirely unique and personal way. The sounds produced by the gong are so new and intricate that the human mind is unable to categorize it. The powerful sound waves of the gong suspend the thought waves of the mind, bringing the listener to a zero point that is known as shuniya - nothingness - where inner truth can be accessed. The gong is the the yogi's instrument for creating a spontaneous meditative state that only requires the listener to let go.