Island Adventures & Sweet Potato Fries

There is nothing more soothing to my soul than a long weekend trip to the west coast of Vancouver Island to explore the ruggedly beautiful beaches.

After a fun day exploring the PNW, sweet potato “fries” hit the spot.

Method

• Wash and slice two large sweet potatoes
• Arrange on baking tray
• Drizzle with olive oil, nutritional yeast and freshly ground pepper
• Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

Enjoy

SOS Free Eating Plan

I discovered the SOS (salt, oil, sugar) free eating plan a couple of weeks ago and having been eating an oil, sugar (mostly) and salt free diet for the past couple of weeks and I feel amazing. Thus is a great cleanse to start
the new year off right.
There are a lot of studies that show most North Americans eat two or three times the healthy upper limit of salt consumption every day. What does this mean for our bodies? An increased risk of heart disease and kidney issues, and excess salt also ages you by slightly dehydrating the body.
Next on the avoid list is oil. Most of us have been taught that oil is healthy for us but nothing could actually be further from the truth. Oil is a very manufactured product that often includes chemically separating the oil from the whole food and it is also very susceptible to oxidation. So much better to get your fats from whole foods such as hemp hearts, avocado etc.
And sugar, I feel that we all know about the evils of sugar but, in case you don’t, I’ll dedicate an entire future post to what is wrong with refined sugar.
Eating SOS has also opened up a whole new world of delicious recipes.
Here is one: a turmeric and nutritional yeast covered roast potato dish with a cilantro, parsley walnut dipping sauce.
So healthy, so good.

Method – Potatoes

Wash 10 small, red potatoes and slice into quarters lengthwise. Dip in nutritional yeast, turmeric and freshly ground pepper mix.

Place on baking sheet and roast for 35 minutes.

Method – Walnut Dip

· 1 cup walnuts (soaked overnight)
· 4 Cloves Garlic Whole
· 1/2 Bunch Cilantro
· 1/4 bunch parsley
· 3/4 cup filtered water (add more if you prefer a thinner consistency)
· 1 tablespoon Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Enjoy.

A Perfect Parfait

In my last post, I promised you a yummy, low sugar, dessert recipe.

Well, this one is more of a breakfast or snack item but it is definitely low sugar, nutrient-packed and very delicious.

• fresh berries of your choice
• Greek or plain, full fat probiotic yogurt
• Homemade granola (recipe below)

Layer items, or as in pic below, arrange in a bowl and top yogurt with a drizzle of dark chocolate syrup for extra yumminess.

Homemade Granola

• 2 cups raw, whole rolled oats
• ½ cup raw nuts
• chopped ¼ cup raw seeds (sunflower or pumpkin seeds are great)
• ½ cup unsweetened dried fruit of your choice
• 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup or raw honey (or a combo of both)
• 2 tbsp virgin coconut oil
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 large pinch fine sea salt

Recipe: Preheat the oven to 300º F. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Done.

Beach Yoga & Energy Balls

 

The feeling of freedom I get from doing yoga and meditating in nature keeps me balanced, happy and somewhat sane.

I practice yoga in a studio over the winter but when spring hits and I can do a few Sun Salutions gazing at the Pacific Ocean and the mountain range behind it, well nothing indoors can really compare to that. Going barefoot in the sand and letting my feet, usually imprisoned in some sort of high heel, sink into the cool, grains of dark sand feels better than the most luxurious spa treatment. And if you believe in earthing, it is better than the most luxurious foot treatment.

The beautiful ocean air, the sweet sound of the waves lapping the shore and my own little yoga practice on a deserted beach is my recipe for re-balancing and relaxation.

Then I like to go home, chilled out and stress free, to work on some other recipes.

This week I have a raw energy ball recipe that’s full of nutritious ingredients and easy to pack in your bag when you’re in the run. Clean eating approved and delicious, here it is:

Almond Oatmeal Energy Balls

 

• One cup oatmeal
• One cup almond butter
• 1 T honey or maple syrup
• 1 T flax seeds
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients together. Form into balls. Refrigerate.

 

Healthy Happy Hiking Snacks

The Grind is taking up a fair amount of my spare time right now so it’s going to be the subject of another blog post. This one to be exact.

The stairmaster-esque climb, the intense sweating, the checking of the heart rate every few minutes and the unbelievably long time it takes to get to the first quarter mark can make this hike feel like a special form of torture. But, that said, it’s the best and quickest way for me to achieve my summer fitness goals. And, for this reason, in spite of all of my complaining, I kinda love it.

However, my fitness level is at a point where I definitely have to sit and take a break part way up. I stare into space for a while, gulp down some water and text a few friends the exact same message “I’m in actual hell right now”. Then I usually hear my stomach grumble angrily. The last time this happened I devoured a sugary granola bar but…no more. I’m eating clean and sugar free now. So for my grumbly, half way up the mountain hunger pains I’ve made a yummy, no-sugar alternative. I tried these snacks for the first time a few days ago and my verdict is YUM.

Disclaimer: this recipe is only delicious after you’ve been sugar free for a while and have reset your taste buds.

Here’s my easy as (sugar free) pie recipe:

Workout Cookies

2 ripe, mashed bananas
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
a dash of cinnamon
Mix all ingredients, drop by spoonfuls on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.

There you have it. Take these on your next trek into the woods and your body with thank you.