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# Inspired Edibles

~ wellness, wonder, words ~

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## Posts

- [DIY Deep Soothing Mango Butter Balm](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/08/diy-deep-soothing-mango-butter-balm.html) - Sun-kissed lips and dehydrated skin will love this deep soothing balm made from a base of mango butter, beeswax and coconut oil and gently fragranced with essential oils of mandarin, lavender and cedarwood -- basically, you'll want to keep a jar of this heavenly moisturizer in every room in the house (and maybe toss one into the
- [Homemade Beaver Tails (A Canadian Classic gets a little makeover)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/02/homemade-beavertails-canadian-classic.html) - The recipe featured in this post is my own version and does not in any way reflect the official BEAVERTAILS® recipe ---------------------- I couldn't let another winter go by without dedicating a post to our beloved national treasure: the beaver tail. That's right. Now I'll admit that the process nearly killed me. I don't
- [Cold Weather Wellness: 5 Ways to Create Sanctuary](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/10/cold-weather-wellness-5-ways-to-create-sanctuary.html) - As the days grow shorter and the cold weather settles in, we naturally spend more time indoors; winter invites us to create spaces that nurture warmth, wellness and mental clarity. Here are 5 ideas for transforming your home into a cozy, healing environment this winter: ✦ Optimize Natural Light Exposure Winter’s shorter days can make
- [Easy & Delicious Plum Sorbet](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/07/easy-delicious-plum-sorbet.html) - Stone fruit season is here and our plum tree is heavy with warm fruit that fit snug into my hand; their little bodies are still partly coated with a milky covering that protects them and also makes them look adorably sleepy, like they're slowly coming out of slumber. The wax covering fades and their brilliant
- [DIY Shower Steamers 🛁 Bath Melts](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/09/diy-shower-steamers-🛁-bath-melts.html) - i've been taking in the last whispers of summer while feeling that unmistakable shift in the air ~ you too? as we move into fall and the days start getting shorter, and a whole lot cooler, finding small ways to invite comfort and joy into our routines can be especially nice. these do-it-yourself shower steamers/bath
- [Easy & Delicious Sheet Pan Soup (Red Pepper, Sweet Potato & Cauliflower)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/11/easy-delicious-sheet-pan-soup-red-pepper-sweet-potato-cauliflower.html) - i've been having fun experimenting with the ease and deliciousness of sheet pan soup -- the first version i made was leek, parsnip, pear and fresh thyme... oh my, the depth of flavour and richness were so different and inviting. today's soup features another fall classic made with roasted sweet potato, bell pepper, cauliflower, onion
- [Flourless Peanut Butter and Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/06/flourless-peanut-butter-and-banana.html) - These cookies are probably the most unusual love bites I've ever made. Unusual, in part, because they are not only grain free but also flour free - no dehydrated chickpeas or coconuts here! But what amazes me most is that despite their lack of flour, baking soda/powder, butter and refined sugars, they turn out as
- [The Only Virgin Margarita You'll Ever Want](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/06/the-only-virgin-margarita-youll-ever-want.html) - The other evening my husband & I were out at one of our local watering holes, I ordered a virgin margarita and he ordered a regular. The drinks came to the table, I took one sip and declared it the best virgin marg I'd ever tasted -- I mean this was unimaginably good -- my
- [Strawberry Ricotta Cake (Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/04/strawberry-ricotta-cake-gluten-free.html) - I'll admit to feeling a little torn between lovers these days. It's a spring thing, you know. With each passing day, I find myself surrounded by new and ever-growing possibilities. Now I'm not one to name-drop but, if I must, I've got asparagus, artichoke, beets, leeks, radish, ramps, rhubarb, spinach and strawberries, all knocking at my
- [DIY Rosewater Skin Toner/Refresher](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/04/diy-rosewater-skin-toner-refresher.html) - in polyvagal theory, glimmers are small moments of joy, calm and safety when our biology is in a place of connection the garden is a place of glimmers for me; sometimes that might mean picking fresh fruit off the tree but sometimes it's more like salvaging a wonky piece of discarded driftwood that sits on
- [New Moon Intentions](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2025/04/new-moon-intentions-2.html) - A new moon marks the beginning of a new cycle and the end of the one before; in cosmic terms, it symbolizes fresh starts, new beginnings and the potential for growth and transformation. Tomorrow's new moon in Taurus is an especially welcome opportunity for grounding given the intense astrological currents of this past week. The
- [Marinated Chickpeas with Slow-Roasted Red Peppers & Feta](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/03/marinated-chickpeas-with-slow-roasted-red-pepper-feta.html) - Your biggest challenge is going to be resisting the temptation to devour the entire pan of jammy red peppers & caramelized garlic before they hit the plate! These warm chickpeas served up in a Greek style marinade with melty feta are the perfect spring transition dish - enjoy them on their own or wrapped up
- [Sleep Solutions for Sensitive Souls (Full Moon Edition!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2025/04/sleep-solutions-for-sensitive-souls-full-moon-edition.html) - If you’ve noticed that your sleep becomes disrupted around the full moon, you’re not alone! Many report having a harder time falling asleep and staying asleep in the days leading up to the full moon — experiencing lighter sleep cycles and a general sense of restlessness. And, it turns out, this isn't just folklore! There
- [Moist & Fluffy Banana Muffins (Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/10/moist-fluffy-banana-muffins-gluten-free.html) - so happy with the crumb in these tasty mike wazowski lookalikes (once you see it, you can't unsee it), some of them might even throw you a cheeky side-eye depending on how they bake up. the texture... with these little bundles, you can expect a moist, tender interior without the density or gumminess you might associate
- [All About Dealcoholized Wine ✨ (& which ones taste best!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/04/all-about-dealcoholized-wine-✨-which-ones-taste-best.html) - Several months ago, I started exploring non-alcoholic wines. I was curious about discovering an alcohol-free drink that might be a little bit more interesting tasting than sparkling water. The more I researched and experimented in this area, the more I realized how useful and time-saving this information might be for you as well. Whether you're
- [Elderflower Mocktail](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2025/03/elderflower-mocktail.html) - This non-alcoholic cocktail is made from the nectar of the delicately aromatic elderflower (elderflower syrup is so delicious!) -- intermingled with bright citrus and a touch of earthy tonic (or sparkles of your choice). You can dress it up for an elegant evening or keep it casual for a warm, sunny afternoon outside. It's easy
- [Winter Citrus Salad with Shaved Fennel & Castelvetrano Olives](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2025/01/winter-citrus-salad-with-shaved-fennel-castelvetrano-olives.html) - a winter soul-brightener with irresistible flavour—sweet, sour, savoury and a little zingy ✨ this simple salad brings together two of the season’s brightest citrus stars with tart-sweet golden berries, crisp fennel, and buttery olives, tied together in a vibrant lemon-ginger dressing. Details & Substitutions: ❥・the fennel – i use a mandoline to shave the fennel into
- [Winter Flourish Bowl](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2025/01/winter-flourish-bowl.html) - if you're feeling a little deflated as we move away from the holidays and into the depths of winter, i've fashioned a vibrant and restorative breakfast bowl with delicious ingredients to remind us that January can bring its own delights. i've dipped into some of the cheerful remnants from the holidays that we had on
- [Questions and Curiosities for the New Year](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/12/questions-and-curiosities-for-the-new-year.html) - as this very long year winds down, i’ve been turning over questions about presence, trust and self-expression. themes that feel like the work of lifelong chiseling rather than anything i would expect to wrap up in any tidy way. yet they provide a canvas for exploration and curiosity; maybe some will resonate with you too or
- [New Moon Intentions](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/12/new-moon-intentions.html) - A new moon marks the beginning of a new cycle and the end of the one before; in cosmic terms, it symbolizes fresh starts, new beginnings, and the potential for growth and transformation. When seen this way, it can become an opportunity to pause, reflect, and plant the seeds of what we wish to grow
- [Oven-Baked Orange Slices (No Sugar Added)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/11/oven-baked-citrus-candy-sugar-free.html) - This happy discovery came to me when I was experimenting with drying mandarins to use in homemade soap (i putz a lot with making stuff) ... well I had no idea how delicious these slices would be to eat on their own! I mean, truly like candy... there's plenty of dried fruit and fruit leathers
- [Fall Favorites -- Holiday Edition!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/11/fall-favorites-holiday-edition.html) - and then came fall, the season of the soul that reminds us over and over again how beautiful it can be to gather, rest and let things go So here we are in the third week of November and as many of us prepare to gather for a season of celebration, I thought it might
- [purple porridge! (apple blueberry oatmeal)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/08/purple-porridge-apple-blueberry-oatmeal.html) - no matter how old my boys become, this time of year always seems to remind me of dreaming up breakfast ideas for their first day back to school (school starts early in these parts...). i like to think this purple porridge is the kind of novelty they would have gotten a kick out of back
- [Autumn Sunrise Granola](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/10/easy-autumn-granola.html) - i recently stayed at a cozy inn on the coast where they were featuring a homemade granola as part of their breakfast offering -- there was a choice of granola sprinkled over creamy almond butter with sea salt flakes on toasted sourdough (i know, just awful) or ... granola with dreamy icelandic yogurt and a
- [Easy Apricot Ginger Jam (15 Minutes!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2024/07/easy-apricot-ginger-jam-15-minutes.html) - my husband and i were recently gifted a generous flat of fresh succulent apricots ~ even enjoying them daily as we were, we were not going to get through them all in time ~ i wanted to preserve their goodness ... making a batch of jam is a great way to take advantage of abundant
- [{Family Favorite} Lemon Squares](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/02/family-favorite-lemon-bars.html) - February is birthday season in our home (although we do have a lone Libra who keeps the rest of us balanced, thank goodness) and lemon squares are always part of the fun! We've had plenty of practice, tried many (many) recipes and always come back to this one... tangy, delicious, just the right balance of
- [Zero Proof Orange Liqueur (Triple Sec/Cointreau/Grand Marnier)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/06/zero-proof-orange-liqueur-triple-sec-cointreau-grand-marnier.html) - Orange liqueur is a delicious way to enliven craft cocktails (mocktails!) with sweet citrus notes ~ think of the beloved margarita, boxcar and cosmopolitan, to name a few ~ The orange liqueur family classically consists of Triple Sec, Cointreau and Grand Marnier ~ these liqueurs are generally made by infusing orange peels (together with other
- [Spiced Pear Mocktail](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/10/spiced-pear-whiskey-sour-mocktail.html) - If you're looking for a delicious non-alcoholic cocktail option for the holidays, this pretty fall-inspired sipper is for you! We're going to use some of the spiced pear water (cinnamon, anise, ginger) from this post and add some fresh lemon, zero-proof whiskey and a dash of maple syrup to create an earthy & aromatic cocktail
- [Warm & Comforting Pear Tea](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/10/warm-comforting-pear-tea.html) - but first... a little magic ~ we started our day watching the new moon create an annular solar eclipse ~ these phenomena always take my breath away and this year's gorgeous ring of fire was no exception ~ our view was partly obstructed by some passing cloud here and there but i think it only enhanced the
- [Easy & Delicious Dahl](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/01/winter-warming-dahl.html) - I think we can slide this one right into the category of foods made in contemplation of surviving winter. (maybe even thriving) A soul-warming pot of red lentil curry intermingled with ginger, coconut and tomato ~ so cozy, so satisfying and so ... simple -- yet not ordinary! this delicious & approachable version of Masoor
- [Gluten Free Biscotti (with Olive Oil)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/11/winter-citrus-biscotti.html) - ahhh, biscotti in the fall, if the song hasn't been written yet, it should. These twice-baked wonders (thrice in this case but i won't quibble) have a characteristically dry & crispy texture and a satisfying denseness that makes them especially dunkable in warm beverages -- although I'll confess that I rarely dunk, I love eating
- [Gluten Free Apple Cake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/09/autumn-comfort-apple-cake.html) - your heart will never lie to you, that's your brain's job ~ We moved our son to college a couple of weekends ago -- a transition precipitated by a mix of exhilaration, procrastination, frantic preparation, high emotions and laughter. Happily, lots of it. Humor is a great pain reliever and one of the things that kept
- [Tummy Soothing Tea {Mint, Ginger, Fennel}](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/02/tummy-soothing-tea.html) - An herbal tea blend (tisane) designed to support your digestive comfort and vitality while keeping you warm & cozy; this tisane is ideal after meals to help you relax and digest but you'll benefit from its comfort any time of day ~ as you will see in the research highlights below, the ingredients offer broad ranging
- [Honey-Oat Facial Scrub](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/06/oatmeal-honey-facial-scrub-with-sabja-seed.html) - Summer is a perfect time to experience this soothing & gentle exfoliating scrub made from all natural anti-inflammatory ingredients found in your pantry (fully edible too!) Great for sloughing off dead skin cells, removing debris and unclogging pores packed with mineral-based sunblock (or is that just me? i look like casper the ghost these day
- [Quick & Easy Plum Jam (low sugar/DIY pectin)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/07/15-minute-plum-jam-low-sugar-diy-pectin.html) - oh hello stone fruit season ❥ today i'm featuring a quick small batch plum jam (with a diy pectin) that tastes every bit as good as traditional jam ~ with minimal sugar and even less fuss, you'll love having this one up your sleeve to whip up in no time this summer. key features of
- [Skillet Grilled Eggplant with Molten Mozzarella, Tomato & Basil](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/07/grilled-eggplant-with-molten-mozzarella-tomato-basil.html) - It's especially handy when it's 100 degrees out and you don't want to heat your home but you do want to enjoy some otherwise melty goodness - the non-perforated pan allows you to skip the oven while cooking en plein air without the mess. And there's nothing to it. The seasoned skillet sits directly on
- [Thai Inspired Cucumber Mango Salad](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/07/thai-inspired-cucumber-mango-salad.html) - Sweet, Salty, Sour & Spicy it's what summer dreams are made of ✨ If you enjoy the flavors of Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum) this simplified variation is for you! The base of this salad is made up of crunchy summer cucs, juicy ripe mango and mildly piquant red onion - *that's it* -- the party,
- [Honey-Sweetened Ginger Peach Jam](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/07/honey-sweetened-ginger-peach-jam.html) - My fruit preserving career took off during Covid and there's no stopping this runaway train. For many, it was sourdough; for this girl, it was jammin' and I'm happy to report that this exploration has lead me to discover that it's not only a very doable process (no need to be psyched out) it's also
- [Butternut Squash Pad Thai](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/09/butternut-squash-pad-thai.html) - Well I can't very well move on from summer without sharing the story of the season. I feel a bit bad spinning it into a story because it does have an unfortunate outcome but if there's anyone I know who can take a situation like this and turn it on its head, it's this guy. Our
- [Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/05/thai-inspired-green-papaya-salad-som-tum.html) - Our master bedroom has always been off-limits to our dog. We established these parameters right from the get-go and in the four years that we've been together, she has only tested these boundaries twice. Her most recent transgression happened when we were preparing our home for sale in Ottawa. There were at least 6 workmen
- [Lavender Rose Travel Candles ~ DIY](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/05/lavender-rose-travel-candles-diy.html) - i woke to the stillness of the morning the sun barely cresting the horizon its gentle light stretching through my window like a sleepy yawn both of us reaching toward the other if you're drawn to the beauty & meditative properties of candlelight and like the idea of packing a little comfort with you on the
- [DIY Rose Petal Tea](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/06/rose-petal-tea-warm-or-iced.html) - Forget the margaritas this summer and invite the girls over for rose tea instead! (Okay, maybe do both). I've known about making tea from rose buds (the dried flower) for a while but wanted to experiment with fresh rose petals from the garden to make this herbal infusion (technically a tisane); the result is a gently
- [Avoiding Harmful Ingredients in Cosmetics](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/01/avoiding-harmful-ingredients-in-personal-care-products.html) - On December 29th 2022, the long-awaited Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MOCRA) was signed into law in the United States, marking the first time in over 80 years that the nation's cosmetic laws were updated. Up to this point, the cosmetics industry has remained largely unregulated at the federal level. Although the new legislation is a significant
- [Orange Ginger Tofu](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/03/sticky-orange-glazed-tofu.html) - You know you're onto something when your husband tells you your tofu's got great mouthfeel. At least two things make this tofu experience a happy one -- First off, the texture; the cubes are lightly coated in an olive oil/cornstarch mixture and then baked to crispness before being finished in the orange glaze. The cornstarch,
- [15 Vibrant Recipes to Celebrate Spring!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2023/03/15-vibrant-recipes-to-celebrate-spring.html) - I was going to title this post: '15 Recipes to Remind Us of Spring" but that didn't sound very committal so thought I better double down and cheer things on. How's your spring going? It's been raining here (northern california) for about 4 and a half months -- (mostly) good news and also, .... i'm
- [Honey-Lemon Roasted Asparagus with Feta](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/04/honey-lemon-roasted-asparagus-with-feta.html) - Blue skies are back and the sun is sitting a little higher. Light is filtering in broken color through the lemons and cherry flowers and I'm watching a bunch of honey bees floating between pink petals, their sharp buzzing no match for the orchestral arrival of the birds (did you know that songbirds have two
- [Roasted Maple-Glazed Carrots](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/05/roasted-maple-glazed-spring-carrots.html) - spring things.... maple syrup, carrots and sunshine 🌿 ready? me too let's go. The Carrot Variety -- start where you are, use what you've got. I don't have access to cute (and highly photogenic) bushy tailed market carrots right now but I did manage to go beyond baby carrots this month to find some large
- [Coconut-Lime Sunshine Soup with Wild Rice & Mushroom](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/01/coconut-lime-sunshine-soup-with-wild-rice-mushroom.html) - I thought maybe a little tropical warmth might be in order, particularly for those of you in the Midwest; I'm thinking of you, it's cold out there. Here's an approchable plant-based variation on the delicious Thai classic Tom Kha Gai. I suspect many of these ingredients are staples, so I'm hoping you can pull this
- [Crustless Broccoli Cheddar Quiche](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/04/broccoli-cheddar-quiche.html) - You're looking at one of my favorite I have no idea what to make for dinner dinners. Served in the company of a scrumptious spring cauliflower salad with roasted chickpea, fresh mint and apple that you can find here (sweet Marie, so unique and tasty). So the quiche... although I often whip it up last
- [Crispy Baked Spring Chickpea Cakes with Lemon-Dill Yogurt Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/03/crispy-baked-spring-chickpea-cakes-with-lemon-dill-yogurt-sauce.html) - You can plan things as meticulously as you like but the universe has its own sense of humor and sometimes the best thing you can do is roll over and laugh along with it. The boys and I put together an Easter care package for my Mom -- we filled it with a spread of edibles
- [Apple Blueberry Adaptogenic Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/10/apple-blueberry-adaptogenic-muffins.html) - I've been making these muffins twice a week (yes, twice a week) for the past year and I'm excited to share them with you today! a few things to keep in mind about this recipe ... forget everything you thought you knew about muffins these rustic beauties will power you through the morning with a
- [Light & Luscious Lemon Mousse (only 4-Ingredients!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/12/light-luscious-lemon-mousse-only-4-ingredients.html) - A light & airy lemon mousse that is elegant, delicious and utterly simple to make (love that combination). Formulated with lower sugar to preserve its irresistible tang, this mousse has big bright citrus flavor tucked into its pillowy texture creating a refreshing contrast to heavier winter meals... (and of course it's packed with vitamin C
- [Roasted Garlic & Creamy Potato Soup with Seared Mushroom](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/02/roasted-garlic-creamy-potato-soup-with-seared-mushroom.html) - I started making Béchamel sauce in my late teens. It was a technique I learnt from one of my sisters who served it to me one evening over ravioli with a red sauce on top. At the time, I had no idea that this creamy, luxurious white sauce was called Béchamel (nor that it was
- [Feijoa Compote with Pomegranate](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/10/feijoa-compote-with-pomegranate.html) - I first wrote about our feijoa tree (also known as pineapple guava) back in 2014. This beautiful evergreen with deep forest and silvery colored leaves is native to South America and now grown in many tropical and subtropical regions. It was introduced to California and New Zealand in the early 1900s, where it continues to be
- [Roasted Salmon with A Pomegranate-Balsamic Reduction](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2022/10/roasted-salmon-with-a-pomegranate-balsamic-reduction.html) - It went into the ground last spring, just a little Charlie Brown twig of a thing. And then, this happened. the world is full of miraculous things just waiting for us to pay attention that's how i feel when something like this unfolds in front of me (part of the miracle being that we managed
- [Carrot Ginger Soup with Sweet Potato](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/12/carrot-ginger-soup-with-sweet-potato.html) - friends, it's been a while. I hope you're keeping well. i missed the boat on a holiday favorites post this year (boo) but two things: first, i have a delicious soup for you today that we've been making on repeat over here - it's a simple vegetable purée with a deceptively complex flavor and luxurious
- [Apple-Plum Baked Oatmeal (enjoy warm or cold)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/07/apple-plum-baked-oatmeal.html) - I've made a few baked oatmeals in the past but this one is my favorite. Out of the oven, the baked oatmeal has the characteristics of a crumble, soft and melty as you scoop it into your bowl but as it cools, it gels (even without the addition of egg) which makes it easy to
- [Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies (GF)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/09/cinnamon-oatmeal-breakfast-cookies.html) - Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. -- Robert Frost September blessings -- sunrise walks ♡ with temperatures in the 110 range,
- [Vegan Sofritas 🌿](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/09/sofritas-🌿.html) - One of those i can't believe it's tofu tofu dishes: sofritaaaas .... Introduced to the world through none other than Chipotle fast casual dining. (not-so-short sidebar: I had never heard of Chipotle before moving to the States and quickly discovered its versatility on family road-trips; a highway stop where each of us could find something we
- [15 Vegetarian Recipes to Make this Fall](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/10/15-vegetarian-recipes-to-make-this-fall.html) - if there were ever a time to cook, let it be fall the nostalgic season of the senses that brings us back to comforting soups, stews and warm drinks in cupped hands; this post is a celebration of the soul-warming pleasure and surrender of the season 🌿 Black Bean & Sweet Potato Chili with Avocado
- [Golden Seared Turmeric Tofu (& some lunch ideas!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/12/golden-seared-turmeric-tofu-some-lunch-ideas.html) - Working from home on most days means a few things: I'm on a first-name basis with all the house plants (the ones that are still living that is); I'm occasionally in my pjs until noon (mortified when the doorbell rings but apparently too comfy to do anything about it) and, I'm always on the lookout
- [Cara Cara & Hemp Smoothie](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/05/afternoon-boost-smoothie-with-hemp-cara-cara.html) - Sometimes a blender can be a girl's best friend. Particularly during those phases we all occasionally encounter when time is tight, sleep is short and days are spent mostly running. Funny enough, it's precisely during these hectic times that our nutrient needs are at their highest while our ability to tend to them is often
- [4-Ingredient Uplifting Sugar Scrub (DIY)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/05/4-ingredient-uplifting-sugar-scrub-diy.html) - Something a little different today. A DIY body scrub with uplifting properties to bring a bright note to the weekend. The base recipe for this aromatic shower scrub is only 3 ingredients! (oil, sugar & essential oil) -- you'll also need a container of sorts to store it in (or a pretty jar if you're
- [DIY Foot Soak with Tea Tree Oil & Epsom Salt](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/09/diy-foot-soak-with-tea-tree-oil-epsom-salt.html) - I recently read a snippet from a Mom who's parenting advice can be summarized as: got a problem? just add water. Run the sprinkler, turn on the kettle, draw a bath, wash the dog, water the garden. I love this. Wellness through water -- sanus per aquam -- spa. In this category, the humble foot
- [DIY Migraine & Tension Relief Roll-On](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/05/tension-migraine-relief-roll-on.html) - This all natural essential oil fusion has been created to soothe tension headaches, migraine and nausea. The blend offers cooling, stabilizing properties to help relieve tension and tightness while supporting calm and restoring equilibrium. Some of the more common contributors to migraine and tension headaches include: hormonal fluctuations, environmental factors (weather/barometric pressure changes/exposure to synthetic
- [Polenta Canapés with Lemon-Basil Tapenade](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/07/polenta-canapes-with-lemon-basil-tapenade.html) - I might be the last to know. Precooked polenta - ready to heat and serve - is now available in (pretty much) every grocery store near you! I don't always pay attention to the packaged stuff but I'm glad I discovered these. The precooked option opens up so many fun possibilities, including the flexibility of
- [Cough & Throat Soothing Tea](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/09/cough-throat-soothing-tea.html) - You don't have to have a sore throat or a cough to fall in love with this aromatic cough and throat soothing tea but if you do, you may find it especially helpful. In this post, I show you how to make it at home. Here's a closer look at what you'll need: Slippery Elm
- [Strawberries Romanoff (and some memories)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/05/strawberries-romanoff.html) - I once read that our family stories are lost in just three generations. I've been thinking about this a lot lately; earlier generations of mothers and fathers - those who birthed us and those who nurtured us in other ways. Those who came from distant shores and changed the course of their lives, and ours,
- [Healing Hot Toddy (Alcohol-Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/healing-hot-toddy.html) - We've all experienced it. Watery eyes, stuffy nose, inflamed sinuses, sore throat, coughs, headache, fever, fatigue and chills. Nasty symptoms of the so-called common cold. And now that we have entered the true season of giving and receiving, I wanted to offer up this natural home brew to help soothe and support the discomfort associated with these symptoms. The ingredients selected for
- [Spinach & Mushroom Egg Bake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/05/spinach-mushroom-egg-bake.html) - There's a small park about a 20 minute walk from our home. It's easy to miss, tucked off to the side of a quiet road without the usual attractions. I stumbled across it one day with my four-legged companion and discovered pretty quickly how different I felt there. There's a stream that runs along the
- [Cardamom Pear Tea Bread](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/02/cardamom-pear-tea-bread.html) - I watched Alex Honnold scale El Cap again last night and enjoyed it even more the second time; I think I might have been holding my breath through the entire first viewing of Free Solo (even knowing the outcome, this film is seriously compelling). I'm even more captivated by Honnold's character though than his climb.
- [Slow Roasted Romesco Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/11/slow-roasted-romesco-sauce.html) - I can't help but think that Shakespeare really meant to write a love story about Romesco. Have you tried it? Made from a base of sweet bell peppers, tomato and almond, this Spanish sauce (not Roman in this case), takes on smoldering husky flavors from the slow-roasted caramelized vegetables and smoked paprika. It retains texture and
- [Smoky Chipotle Black Bean Meatless Balls](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/03/smoky-black-bean-meatballs-in-marinara.html) - A little plant love for your St. Paddy's green 🍀 (it counts, right?) I sure hope so because I think you're going to fall for these feisty Irish balls! Baked up in the oven, these meatless wonders are packed with scrumptious flavors. A simple combination of nuts, beans and quinoa (and the magic touch of
- [Lemon Basil Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/05/lemon-basil-vinaigrette.html) - Over the past couple of summers I've been splurging on basil oil (I can't get enough of the stuff) -- a simple blend of olives & basil made locally that we drizzle over sliced summer tomatoes (maybe with some plump burrata or creamy hummus, avocado wedges and garlicky queen olives in the mix - never
- [Weeknight Chana Masala](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/03/weeknight-chana-masala.html) - Offering some comfort and warmth with this delicious dish built from pantry staples. The beauty of this chana masala comes from the simplicity of its ingredients tossed in a mixture of earthen spices. This is a full-bodied, throaty curry by nature but you can adjust spice level as desired. Although they rarely make the front
- [Healing Tulsi Tea](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/02/healing-tulsi-tea.html) - Gather in for the ultimate winter hug friends. Have you tried tulsi tea? In this post, I will show you how to create your own homemade tulsi tea infusion. What is tulsi tulsi in Hindi or holy basil in English (I'm kind of in love with both names), is an aromatic plant grown throughout the
- [Meditation Obstacles: practical guidance for beginners](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/01/so-you-think-you-cant-meditate-practical-guidance-for-beginners.html) - As we settle into the new year, there seems no better time, and no better circumstances, to consider ways of inviting more peace into our lives. For all of its well-documented benefits, meditation doesn't always feel accessible to most of us. At the core of this lies a common misconception that there's a "right way"
- [Sleep Solutions: supporting health & wellness with proper rest](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/02/how-sleep-loss-leads-to-weight-gain.html) - I've always been mystified by the characterization of weight management as a simple matter of ‘calories in vs. calories out' – a reductionist approach that leaves plenty unsaid. Our weight may be influenced by a myriad of factors including metabolism, hormones, medication, sleep patterns and stress. And while none of these factors absolve us of personal
- [5 strategies to help reduce sugar cravings and restore balance](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/01/5-strategies-to-help-reduce-sugar-cravings-and-restore-balance.html) - If you're coming out of the holiday season feeling like you need to take a little break from the sweet life but aren't having the easiest time shaking it, you're not alone. Sugar has a very powerful effect on the reward center of our brain. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the chemistry
- [5 dietary strategies to help combat fatigue and restore energy](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/03/5-dietary-strategies-to-combat-fatigue-and-restore-energy.html) - In my last nutrition feature I talked about the importance of sleep and discussed dietary/lifestyle strategies for achieving it. The piece generated some good discussion in the comments section so if you haven't had a chance to read it yet, be sure to drop by to take advantage of that information as well. One of the most common
- [5 Ways to keep Metabolism Strong & Healthy](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/04/5-ways-to-keep-metabolism-strong-healthy.html) - In simple terms, our metabolism is the rate at which our bodies utilize calories. The higher our metabolic rate, the faster our bodies expend calories. Our metabolism may be influenced by a number of variables including our age, gender and genes – factors which may seem completely out of our control. The good news is that there are certain things we can
- [5 ways to Improve Digestion & ease Tummy Trouble](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/05/5-ways-to-improve-digestion-ease-tummy-trouble.html) - Gastrointestinal discomfort, or tummy trouble, is one of the most common health conditions I encounter in my nutrition practice. Some of the more familiar symptoms include: bloating; cramping; heartburn; gas; constipation and/or diarrhea. The associated discomfort levels can range from mild to debilitating and the causes, consequences and potential cures, are equally diverse. What I want to
- [5 Keys to Bone Health](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/09/5-keys-to-bone-health-and-some-monkey-bar-shenanigans.html) - I broke my wrist on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon in the park. I was doing backflips off the monkey bars with my boys and I might have gotten carried away. I over-rotated the landing and was heading right for my tush (which is what I should have let happen) but instead, I stretched out my hand to protect my fall and
- [6 Ways to Arm Your Immune System for Cold & Flu Season](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/11/6-ways-to-arm-your-immune-system-for-flu-season.html) - It's no fun being sick. We’ve all experienced the nasty symptoms that can accompany a cold or flu and know how difficult it can be to carry out our day to day functions. Reoccurring and enduring illness can also impact our ability to care for our loved ones and manage our work responsibilities. By building a
- [5 Strategies to Ease Constipation & Restore Balance](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/04/5-strategies-to-ease-constipation-restore-balance.html) - While it may not make the best cocktail party conversation starter, if you've ever suffered from a bout of constipation, you know how uncomfortable and frustrating it can be, and how welcome effective solutions are. -◊-◊-◊-◊-◊-◊-◊-◊- Many factors can influence bowel function beyond diet and exercise, including: hormonal fluctuations (pregnancy/menopause/underactive thyroid), stress and medication. And
- [Hot and Sour Soup from Scratch](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/12/hot-sour-soup.html) - Squee! Have you made your own hot and sour soup? I've been a long time fan of this spicy/sour concoction but had never attempted a version at home. There is a very distinct taste to quality restaurant style hot & sour soup that I suspected wouldn't be easy to replicate at home (and who wants
- [Baked Ricotta with pomegranate](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/11/baked-ricotta-with-honey-rosemary-pomegranate.html) - Complex, enigmatic and beautiful. I'm not sure there's another fruit on earth that stirs me quite like the pomegranate. From its distinctive crown to its soft leathery skin to its chambered interior flush with succulent jewels, the ruby red stunner never fails to capture my attention. And in this part of the world, I am blessed to encounter them frequently on my
- [Chocolate Mousse with Espresso & Grand Marnier](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/12/chocolate-mousse-with-espresso-grand-marnier.html) - The other morning - early morning - when the sky was dark and the floor was cold, I found myself in that curious transition between sleep and wakefulness; the one where your mind is on the threshold of consciousness but you're still under the influence of make-believe. They call it a hypnopompic state and it
- [Pomegranate Kefir Mousse (No-Bake, Egg-free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/11/pomegranate-kefir-mousse-no-bake-egg.html) - Stella and I walk past a blooming pomegranate tree every morning. We stop to admire the new fruit, the crown shaped tips and crimson tones. The changes are slight but notable day by day. We've not yet met the owners but we keep a look out. I can't help but wonder whether they'll harvest the
- [Baked Quinoa -Pecan Appetizer Balls with Yogurt Dip (Gluten-Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/12/baked-quinoa-balls-with-yogurt-dip-gluten-free.html) - Northern friends, if you've been wondering where the cold weather is, wonder not. It's here in sunny California where we've been freezing our tushies off ~ (my sons say I've gone soft). Warming things up over here however are these fragrant little bites. Some of my favorite meal experiences have been built from appetizers. Sometimes it's by design but more commonly, it
- [Simple & Delicious Roasted Carrots (with a festive option!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/11/simple-delicious-roasted-carrots-with-a-festive-option.html) - I could stare at these wonky characters all day long (current screensaver so I kinda am). If you do nothing more than roast them with a little olive oil and salt, I think you'll be really happy with the results. They ask little and give a lot. Looking at their withered bodies coming out of
- [Favorite Things - Holiday Edition!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/12/favorite-things-holiday-edition.html) - As I write this entry, the rain is pounding on my window and the wind is lashing against our back door. It's not snow but I love it just the same. I've got a candle flickering beside me, the warmth of my dog underfoot and a cozy blanket wrapped around my body (I'm also craving penne arrabbiata - extra picante
- [Roasted Maple Sriracha Pecans](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/12/roasted-maple-sriracha-pecans-2.html) - Despite some seasonal confusion (my heart is saying pine cones but my eyes are still seeing roses), I have to say, this dual border fêting is working out quite well for us. We gladly welcomed the five day American Thanksgiving break with some highly unstructured family time. It's amazing how much fun you can have doing precisely nothing. With a house full
- [Warm Sautéed Feijoa Salad in a Balsamic Beurre Blanc](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/11/warm-sauteed-spinach-with-blueberries-feijoa-in-a-balsamic-beurre-blanc.html) - As I write this entry, sunlight is streaming in through my morning kitchen and I'm noticing a myriad of lush green feijoa, otherwise known as pineapple guava, nestled in the grass under our evergreen tree. With today's generous harvest decorating the landscape, you would hardly know that I just collected two full bags of the fragrant egg-shaped fruit yesterday afternoon. My
- [Curried Cauliflower Rice Dressed for the Holidays](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/11/curried-cauliflower-rice-dressed-for-the-holidays.html) - It's not easy pulling off a major PR breakthrough when you happen to look remarkably like the human brain (especially when you're an edible). But the humble cauliflower has done just that. And a whole lot more. Emerging from the recesses of childhood memory where it was once written off as a wet, pulpy mass of tastelessness and rising to achieve
- [5 Minute Cashew Cream](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/03/5-minute-cashew-cream.html) - So then my husband says, it looks like you have a flat tire, driver's side rear. And I'm glad he did because of the things I'm likely to notice, a flat tire is not one of them. In this case, the car was safely parked in front of our home. Note to file: deal with
- [Autumn Couscous with Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Pistachio & Cranberry](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/10/autumn-couscous-with-maple-roasted-brussels-sprouts-pistachio-cranberry.html) - Food photo tip #27: be sure to shoot on a full stomach otherwise you’ll probably eat the dish before you get the perfect shot. No truer words have ever been written. When these roasted maple-balsamic brussels sprouts come out of the oven strutting their sweet and salty selves in that bewitching aroma, all I can say
- [Veggie Egg Roll Bowls](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/04/veggie-egg-roll-bowls.html) - Who knew a bag of cabbage could taste so good? I used to think the best part of the egg roll was the crispy, crunchy exterior -- you know with those warm bubbly pockets? (salivary glands on fya) -- not sure I ever gave as much thought to the interior until I discovered these bowls
- [Quinoa, Black Bean & Sweet Potato Slow-Cooker Chili {with Avocado Cream}](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/10/quinoa-black-bean-sweet-potato-slow-cooker-chili-with-avocado-cream.html) - I'm practicing. If I were to go by today's weather I would be making you iced tea with a sprig or two of fresh rosemary while sporting a bikini but that's not happening because I'm practicing -- practicing and preparing for El Niño. We've been promised (again mind you) a long wet winter here in drought-ravaged California and I'm getting
- [Fried Green Tomato Tartines (with smashed avocado)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/08/fried-green-tomato-tartine-with-smashed-avocado.html) - When life gives you green tomatoes, fry them! Our tomato crop has been a little spotty this year; a combination of nocturnal nibblers and drought conditions has led to some arrested development and before losing another on-its-way-to-red tomato, I decided to pluck some of the firm green ones and try something new. I'd never fried
- [Homemade Apple Tea (Tisane)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/09/homemade-apple-tea-tisane.html) - Well friends, the days are getting shorter, the heating pad's been dusted off and I'll soon be digging into the Christmas box for the fairy lights (I especially like them on those dark mornings when we're up before the sun - I hang them on the fireplace mantel for a little twinkle and cheer). Inching
- [Saucy Brazilian Shrimp (Moqueca de Camarão)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/06/saucy-brazilian-shrimp-moqueca-de-camarao.html) - Hello friends, it feels like forever. We've had an active spring filled with travel, family visits, work and play. Life has been full and generous and mostly fun with some bitter sweet moments along the way, all part of the course of life and the inescapable realities of moving our family to a different country.
- [Roasted Summer Plum Sauce with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/07/roasted-summer-plum-sauce-with-vanilla.html) - Normally any home purchase is news and certainly worthy of celebration but this one feels especially sweet for our family (yes, we just bought a home!!). When we arrived in the Silicon Valley almost a year ago now, little did we know that we would find ourselves in the middle of the most challenging real
- [Creamy Delicious Hummus](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/06/creamy-delicious-hummus.html) - Our local pub recently added a house-made hummus to their menu and we're pretty happy about that -- (a girl needs to balance out her pub night fries after all). The Chef won't divulge her secret recipe but the hummus is served with warm pita, a side of pickled red onions and topped with feta,
- [Gluten-Free Lemon Pudding Cake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/03/warm-lemon-pudding-cake.html) - What a difference a month makes. I don't want to jinx anything but we've got flowering peach and plum trees, blossoming roses and lingering sunlight. The windows are open, the breeze is gentle and welcoming and the lawn is strangely green thanks to a very wet winter. With the lemons hanging heavy on the trees,
- [Smoked Salmon & Rye Canapés](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/05/smoked-salmon-rye-canapes.html) - It's funny how the change of season can revive your interest in certain foods; I've been craving smoked salmon and cream cheese in a big way. My husband likes rye bread (especially with caraway) so I started playing around with the two ideas and I'm really happy with the result. I bought a round cutter
- [Blueberry Yogurt Banana Bread (+ The Sights & Sounds of Costa Rica)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/02/blueberry-yogurt-banana-bread-whole-grain-gluten-free.html) - Recently back from the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica, my hands are busy unpacking, sorting laundry and paying bills but my mind is flush with images -- swimming against the current in sparkling turquoise waterfalls, trekking in the lush rainforest with polls in hand and tucans overhead, soaking our trail-weary muscles in volcanic warmed hot
- [Thai Green Curry with Chickpeas, Cauliflower & Spinach](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/01/thai-green-curry-with-chickpeas-cauliflower-spinach.html) - Well the good news is that the summer solstice is now only 5 months away. (Right around the corner, really). In the meantime, anyone care to join me in my flannels for this mood boosting, winter blues busting, bowl of goodness? The combination of coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass and coriander is an aromatic feast for
- [Chocolate Avocado Pudding with Coconut Milk](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/10/chocolate-avocado-pudding-with-coconut.html) - Is it just me or does it feel like a small eternity since I last posted a chocolate recipe? That's what I thought. Well, have I got a doozy for you! A delicious twist on traditional chocolate pudding that will rock your socks off (or something like that). Today's feature is a dairy free, egg free, creamy delight that is
- [Southwestern Quinoa Salad with Honey-Lime Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/03/southwestern-quinoa-meal-salad-with-honey-lime-vinaigrette.html) - Today's delightful recipe is from The Clever Cookbook, a beautiful debut work written by the talented, humorous and fun-loving Emilie Raffa. I was first drawn to Emilie's blog, The Clever Carrot, a number of years ago through her distinct visual artistry. If you enjoy quality food photography, or are a food blogger looking to improve your own, my advice is to
- [My Favorite Alternative to Microwave Popcorn Bags!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/10/beyond-stovetop-my-fave-alternative-to-microwave-popcorn-bags.html) - Any popcorn lovers out there? It's one of our favorites! Whether we're binging on the latest season of Shark Tank or falling asleep to the theme song from Twin Peaks, the peppy kernel makes a regular appearance in our home. Microwave popcorn bags are convenient but, as many of you probably know, come with safety
- [Lemon Basil White Bean Dip with Creamy Cashew](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/06/lemon-basil-white-bean-dip-with-creamy-cashew.html) - If hummus and pesto got together and decided to have a baby, I suspect it would taste something like this. Fresh, creamy and deliciously aromatic, a full-bodied spread infused with peppery notes, hints of piquant garlic and tangy lemon all wrapped up in a delicate shade of chartreuse. The term hummus is traditionally reserved for the well-loved Middle
- [Raspberry Yogurt Pancakes with Oatmeal and Spelt](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/02/raspberry-yogurt-pancakes-with-oatmeal.html) - When our boys were young, pancakes were a breakfast regular. And not just on weekends. My husband would get up early in the morning on work days and cook up a batch of pancakes before the boys headed off to school. He would fill the batter with oatmeal and plump apricot and smother the cakes
- [Little Shells from the Heavens](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/04/little-shells-from-the-heavens.html) - We've had a slow arriving spring and a visit from the late winter flu. Watching my son curled up in bed the other day with a warm cup of tea surrounded by tissues and the rain falling all around, I was reminded of this ultra-comforting meal that was one of his favorites growing up. In fact, he
- [Scrumptious Apple Blender Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/04/scrumptious-apple-blender-muffins.html) - well, these might be my favorite yet ... (and that's saying a lot given the embarrassing number of muffin recipes I have on the blog). I do like my muffins! A brilliant ready-to-go breakfast option or any time of day comfort bite with your favorite cuppa. These are made from whole food ingredients using a
- [Where it All Began](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/01/delightful-apple-muffins-1-granny-smith.html) - When I first started this nutrition journey, I would spend hours playing around with recipes. Adding a bit of this, taking away a bit of that, until I finally came up with a list of wholesome ingredients I felt good about putting in my body and my family's bodies. There was - and still is - plenty of trial and
- [Tangy Quick Pickled Radish (& Zinc's Avo Toast!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/06/tangy-quick-pickled-radish-zincs-avo-toast.html) - The inspiration for these blushing beauties came from a surprisingly delicious radish salad my husband and I had for breakfast last summer in LA (yes, breakfast!) -- despite my initial reservations when I saw it on the morning menu, I was completely smitten. The radish salad was served on buttered sourdough (base layer) with generous
- [Spring Carrot Cake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/03/spring-carrot-cake.html) - A short list of things that will forever remind me of spring.... finding toy trucks, random socks and maybe a coin or two under the melting snow (it's a bit like lifting the sofa cushion, it's anyone's guess what's lurking under there); spring skiing and the smell of bain de soleil; running streams breaking the
- [Raspberry Beetroot Latte](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/01/raspberry-beetroot-latte.html) - What do you mean you've never had a beetroot latte? But seriously, to the two of you who clicked on this post, welcome. I hope you love this recipe! Beautifully vibrant, comforting and immune supportive, this tasty little number will wrap you in warmth and chase away the winter blues (and possibly the kids too).
- [Crispy Almond Butter Fig Bars](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/08/crispy-almond-butter-fig-bars.html) - in the infinite vastness of the universe, our lives are mere instants even on a geological time scale, let alone a cosmic one; we will all be dead any minute -- thomas nagel I may be a total weirdo but Nagel's words have brought me comfort more times than I can count. It's the kind of
- [Cinnamon Crunch Oatmeal Apple Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/04/cinnamon-crunch-oatmeal-apple-muffins.html) - take a lil gander at the ingredients and tellll me: mid-day muffin or your new favorite portable oatmeal? you're right... it's both! these little love cups are made from 100% oats (a combination of oat flour + oat flakes) intermingled with fresh apple, walnut, yogurt and eggs, scented with cinnamon and vanilla to keep the
- [Turmeric Glow Grapefruit (Baked with Maple, Ginger & Cardamom)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/01/turmeric-glow-grapefruit-baked-with-maple-ginger-cardamom.html) - About a decade ago, Sam Sifton, New York Times food editor and restaurant critic, made a list of the 15 best things he ate in New York City. On that list, the otherwise humble grapefruit from Pulino's which he described as transformed into ambrosia through the simple act of roasting muscovado (an unrefined sugar with
- [Maple Glazed Balsamic Tempeh Two Ways](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/05/maple-glazed-balsamic-tempeh-two-ways.html) - Just when you were ready to give up on the drab slab of soy for good, this happens. Marinated in a base of maple and balsamic and roasted to lip-smacking deliciousness, the depth of flavor and appetizing texture of this plant protein may surprise even the most reluctant. And you don't have to limit yourself to mock
- [Sweet & Sour Chickpeas](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/01/sweet-sour-chickpeas.html) - And the strangest part? I thought I didn't like pineapple (talk about not knowing yourself). If you've never been the biggest fan of the popular tropical fruit, this dish may surprise you too. The alchemy of flavors takes the focus off any one ingredient, instead delivering a complex sum of yumminess that's very... moreish (to
- [Coconut Cream Banana Pudding with Chocolate Garnish](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2021/02/banana-cream-pudding-with-chocolate-garnish.html) - I think every winter should involve chocolate drizzles. ... and a taste of the Tropics. You too? These individually portioned pudding cups feature a toasted pecan 'crust' with a banana coconut cream middle and a whipped coconut topping. For the arts & crafts portion of the show we're making chocolate drizzles! (get to that in
- [Strawberry Chia Overnight Oats (Vegan, Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/06/strawberry-chia-overnight-oats-vegan.html) - And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer
- [Winter Citrus Banana Bread](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/01/winter-citrus-banana-bread.html) - A little something to enjoy with your beetroot latte, then? Coming up on six years in California and I still have to pinch myself every time I get to walk out into my backyard to pick fruit for a recipe. The well deserved rain is falling hard and I'm at the point where I can
- [Spicy Tofu Buffalo "Wings"](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/01/spicy-vegan-buffalo-wings.html) - In my view, it's always a good time for buffalo wings. But especially so during Super Bowl season. Let's get a little fire going in our bellies! The last time I got to salute the local team was way back when our family had just relocated to the US (where has time gone?). Can't say
- [Simple Comfort Soup {Vegetable Farro}](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/12/simple-comfort-soup-vegetable-farro.html) - when we surrender to the flow of winter, a powerful wave carries us far from the rush of everyday life and inwards, to the place where our truth lies waiting. This is a time to reconnect with our essence, our humanity, our deep-seated creativity, and our place of nature. Words by Beth Kempton ~ I'll be
- [London Fog {Earl Grey Latte} + The Secret to Frothing Milk](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/01/london-fog-earl-grey-latte-the-secret-to-frothing-milk.html) - When the fog rolls in and the rains come, they can settle over us for weeks at a time. And while it's not cold in relative terms, it does have a way of penetrating right to the bone not to mention the bleakness of it all (errr, wistfulness). I crave warmth in my hands, on my lap
- [Smoky Peruvian Beans](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/10/smoky-peruvian-beans.html) - A couple of years ago when we were visiting this beautiful part of the world, one of the locals described the native diet as mostly "rice and beans"-- "and" he went on to say, "when we get tired of rice and beans we eat beans and rice." A well-rehearsed line no doubt but one that made
- [Vanilla Panna Cotta with a Pomegranate Jelly](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/12/vanilla-panna-cotta-with-pomegranate.html) - I got caught last week. I dashed out to bring my son to soccer and discovered that I didn't have a snow brush or scraper in the car. It was the first snowfall of the season with a sizable accumulation. The kind of accumulation you can't ignore. We were running late, there was no time to go back into
- [Cinnamon Spice Breakfast Oat Cakes](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/10/cinnamon-spice-breakfast-oat-cakes.html) - I'm so excited to share this recipe with you today! If you like oatmeal cereal for breakfast (and quite possibly even if you don't) you will fall in love with these all natural oat cakes -- simple and portable oatmeal biscuits that contain all the goodness of oatmeal cereal served up in a whole new
- [French Lentil Soup with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/03/french-lentil-soup-with-fire-roasted-tomatoes.html) - I have all manner of bean recipes on the blog but have been woefully neglectful of the humble companion lentil. Not that I have anything against dark sludgy masses of mush, but I will say that this particular recipe caught my attention for a few reasons. Built from a base of dark green lentils, this
- [Roasted Cauliflower Soup with Apple & Fennel](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/09/roasted-cauliflower-soup-with-apple-fennel.html) - Checking out of the Safeway this weekend (the undisputed hub of sociological observation), I was reminded that fall means different things to different people. I've already confessed not knowing very much about this well-loved game, but I nevertheless relish every bit of lively banter emerging from the lips of patrons and clerks as I catch snippets of information
- [Sweet & Savory Braised Butternut Squash with Yogurt Sauce (Kadoo Boranee)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/11/sweet-savory-braised-butternut-squash-some-anniversary-memories.html) - Imagine soft succulent morsels of butternut squash braised in the warming spices of ginger, turmeric, chili & cumin and tucked into a bed of tzatziki-style sauce and you will have an inkling of the culinary pleasure that is Kadoo Boranee. This Afghan style braised butternut squash is quite simply the most memorable dish I've eaten in the past couple of years
- [Chilled White Wine Sangria Gelée](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/06/chilled-white-wine-sangria-jellies.html) - You know how some recipes can get you more revved up than others? When I saw how well these little sangria jellies turned out, I just about burst with excitement! Then I had a Woody Allen moment and was absolutely convinced I was going to get flattened by a truck before having the chance to share them with you... Phew. I'm
- [Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss Bites](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/09/chocolate-peanut-butter-bliss-bites.html) - Welcome to our latest freezer friend - a love bundle featuring silky dark chocolate, smooth peanut butter and salted almonds. That's it. A bit of a week-changer no? When I was experimenting with these earlier this year, I discovered that chocolate and peanut butter melt together seamlessly to create the creamiest, dreamiest texture. And I
- [Flourless Pumpkin Muffins with Chocolate Chunks](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/10/flourless-pumpkin-muffins-with-chocolate-chunks.html) - Oh nothing to see here. Just some warm, melty and scandalously moist muffins that will have you falling in love with the cold weather again. (versatile too so if chocolate's not your thing, you can easily swap that out -- it just means we can't be friends, that's all). Protein rich, these beauties will keep
- [Blueberry Burst Breakfast Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/08/blueberry-burst-breakfast-muffins.html) - Not so long ago it seems I was making muffins for our family on a weekly basis. I'd bake a batch or two on the weekend (sometimes making extra for my mom) and the boys would enjoy them throughout the week -- in their lunchboxes, after school or as a grab-and-go on their way out the door. But muffin making
- [Buffalo Chickpea Tortilla Bites](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/06/buffalo-chickpea-tortilla-bites.html) - Summer officially begins on Friday in this home. It's the boys last week of school and we are cruising through it with the usual mix of chaos and excitement. Just beyond the end-of-semester projects, presentations and ceremonies, await the pool parties, UEFA Champions League finals and midnight chip runs to CVS. Yup, the first week of summer is about to descend
- [Grilled Nectarines with Maple-Balsamic Glaze](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/07/grilled-nectarines-with-maple-balsamic-glaze.html) - Is there anything better than a fresh summer peach? Possibly. My boys loved these warm off the grill the other night and if I'm being completely frank, I had the hardest time getting through a photo shoot with these soft, sticky wonders without diggin' in myself! -- they're really good. Peach trees are among the
- [Roasted Red Lentil Curry Soup](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/04/roasted-red-lentil-curry-soup.html) - I hope you don't mind if I squeak this one in before the warm weather settles on us for good. My brother sent a picture of giant snowflakes falling in the Québec Laurentians earlier this week, big fluffy cotton balls dotting the screen and resting in a pile of white on the spruce branches. I
- [Minted Rice Pilaf](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/06/minted-rice-pilaf.html) - I keep a binder of recipes. I started it about 25 years ago before the age of the internet and never stopped adding to it. It holds some of my favorite stuff -- handwritten recipes from my mother-in-law, articles written by Joe Schwarcz (food chemist) that my Mom saved for me from the Montreal Gazette,
- [California-Style Caesar Salad with Crispy Parmesan Croutons](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/02/california-style-caesar-salad-with-crispy-parmesan-croutons.html) - In a contest of salads, there are few that compete for my heart quite as well as a goood Caesar. I get cravings for this gem in the spring and I find it hard to resist fresh burrata & seasonal tomato in August but in the dead of winter, the relatively simple but almighty Caesar takes it.
- [Lemon Chia Seed Pudding with fresh berries](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/06/lemon-chia-seed-pudding-with-fresh.html) - I'm not sure it would have been his personal request but this is how we decided to start Father's Day in our home. A cool and refreshing lemon pudding that's tasty enough to enjoy for dessert - any time of day! My husband is a big fan of citrus puddings, jams, jellies, tarts and desserts
- [Quinoa Tabbouleh](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/07/summer-fresh-quinoa-tabbouleh.html) - I have a serious affection for fresh parsley. And I'm not talking about the kind relegated to garnish! Well-loved (and possibly overrated) in its dry form and woefully underappreciated in its natural form, fresh parsley will take you places the dried herb simply can't go. Full-bodied, bright and grassy, this vibrant green contains natural cleansing
- [3 Artisan Herb Butters you will love!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/06/3-artisan-herb-butters-you-will-love.html) - Here we are at the onset of summer. The season of warmth, abundance and discovery. My husband and I marvel at the rate of growth and the pace of change as we walk our little garden together in the morning. Sometimes we have to crouch down low, turn ourselves upside down on the ground or slide branches sideways to get
- [Gochujang Tofu with White Peach & Arugula](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/07/gochujang-tofu-with-white-peach-arugula.html) - Friends, how are you? I've missed you; it's nice to be creating in this space again. Life goes on in the natural world and Mother Nature, as though blissfully unaware, has been enjoying a revival in the hush of our human activity; as we pause, our air and waters have gotten cleaner helping the planet
- [Grilled Corn & Zucchini Ribbon Salad with an Herbed Buttermilk Dressing](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/07/grilled-corn-zucchini-ribbon-salad-with-an-herbed-buttermilk-dressing.html) - We made it back to our cabin in the woods for the first time in two years. It sits atop a forested hill overlooking a quiet, clean lake. We bought the original fishing cabin about 12 years ago with its bumps and bruises and have since fixed it up, little by little, turning it into something slightly more livable for our
- [Blueberry Bliss Breakfast Bars (No-Bake, Vegan, Gluten Free, Naturally Sweetened)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/05/blueberry-bliss-breakfast-bars-raw.html) - Even under the least desirable conditions (rain, snow, sleet, ice, and let's not forget those - 40 C wind chill temperatures), I always come back to thinking that walking my dog first thing in the morning is pretty much the best possible way to start the day. An ideal opportunity to welcome the new and
- [Overnight Breakfast Muesli](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/07/overnight-breakfast-muesli.html) - The dog days of summer have quickly settled in and if you're looking for a cool and refreshing way to start your day, this recipe is for you! Muesli - the original overnight oats - was first introduced in the 1900s by Swiss physician and pioneering nutritionist Maximilian Bircher-Benner as a way of supporting the health
- [Minted Strawberry Quinoa Salad in an Amaretto Dressing](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/05/minted-strawberry-quinoa-salad-in.html) - Have you ever noticed how life's little mysteries get sorted and solved during long car rides? I just returned from a brief road trip with our eldest son. A weekend soccer tournament in beautiful Vermont that saw us spending 12 hours in the car together. The weekend itself could not have gone better. From the generous hospitality of the people
- [Whole Grain Peanut Butter Cookies with Dark Chocolate Chips](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/whole-grain-peanut-butter-cookies-with.html) - I had every intention of making tofu casserole today but when I opened the oven door, what should I find inside but these enormously moist and wonderfully delicious peanut butter chocolate chip cookies. You just never know what the universe is going to throw at you. Happily, I have strong adaptive skills. February is birthday month in this family and
- [Oven-Baked Sweet Potato & Parsnip Chips](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/oven-baked-sweet-potato-parsnip-chips.html) - So here I was, thinking that I was the only one who had a thing for parsnip. Little did I know, there's a whole world of parsnip lovers out there, including my good blogging buddy Charles over at Five Euro Food, who posted a dazzling post on fried parsnip chips within a few hours of my waxing
- [Black Dragon Cereal ~ warm coconut milk, wild rice, mango and dragon fruit {Gluten Free}](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/black-dragon-cereal-warm-coconut-milk.html) - Monday was a bumpy night – our boys have been struggling with various forms of cold and flu and our dog decided to get in on the fun sometime around 4 am. I eventually came downstairs to start the day feeling a little less than myself. My husband was already outside gathering the garbage for
- [Pan Seared Sesame Tempeh](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/pan-seared-sesame-tempeh.html) - Whether you are a committed vegetarian or simply looking for ways to vary your diet by introducing more plant proteins, tempeh ("tehm-pay") is one of my favourite choices. Made from fermented soybeans, tempeh has a chewy, fulsome texture and nutty taste that makes it more complex and interesting, in my view, than tofu. The porous nature of tempeh also
- [Slow-Roasted Red Peppers in Balsamic Garlic Glaze](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/slow-roasted-red-peppers-in-balsamic.html) - The fields are harvested and bare, And Winter whistles through the square. October dresses in flame and gold Like a woman afraid of growing old. Anne Mary Lawler ----- My sister greeted us with these savoury delights when we visited her in the Canadian Rockies for a ski holiday. She served them naked, right out of
- [Greek Goddess Gazpacho ~ glow from the inside out](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/07/greek-goddess-gazpacho-glow-from-inside.html) - If you like Greek salad, you will fall in love with this Greek inspired summer gazpacho. And there are plenty of reasons to be enamoured. Made from plump seasonal tomatoes, juicy Kalamata olives and silky feta cheese, this cooling, no-cook soup will not only refresh you, it may also help protect your skin from sun damage.
- [White Bean & Feta Pita Pockets + 3 Other Mouthwatering Meatless Meals!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/08/white-bean-feta-pita-pockets-3-other.html) - I think the time may have come for me to start wearing a bib. (Aprons are too matronly; I'd rather be a kid). I was in the midst of preparing these delicious pita pockets last week - a little music going on, slicing and dicing into the tomatoes, squeezing the lemon, drizzling the oil. All
- [Slow-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes and Garlic with Herbed Ricotta & Balsamic](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/slow-roasted-cherry-tomatoes-and-garlic.html) - There's never been a better time to stroll down to your local market or nearby supplier to scoop up some of these gorgeous, seasonal tomatoes. From the vast array of colourful heirloom varieties - the thoroughbreds of tomatoes - to these brilliant red, lycopene rich, local cherry tomatoes - they are fragrant, fresh and bursting with flavour. It won't be
- [Frosted Mint Chocolate Bars](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/12/frosted-mint-chocolate-bars.html) - I know, I know... I thought I had signed off too but let me explain. The boys and I made these mint chocolate bars on Tuesday night as a Christmas gift for their piano teacher. We were just having fun, playing around and experimenting you know, but things quickly got out of hand - (my
- [Veggie and White Bean Rice Rolls with Sweet Mango & Ginger](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/01/veggie-and-white-bean-rice-rolls-with.html) - Have you ever encountered a cat with a voracious appetite for vegetables? Our little (big) fellow, Monsieur Black, is particularly fond of cucumber and red bell pepper (he also happens to love fresh watermelon and apricot). Upon smelling cucumber, he has been known to wake from a deep slumber two floors away and fly into
- [Oven Baked Crispy Coconut-Masala Chicken Thighs with a Curried Yogurt Dipping Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/01/crispy-coconut-masala-chicken-thighs.html) - It turns out that our teenage son is not only rebelling against his loving parents, he also recently took a big swipe at British particle physicist Brian Cox (happy to know we're in good company). I bought the BBC Series 'Wonders of the Universe' and 'Wonders of the Solar System' as a Christmas gift for
- [Roasted Honey-Dijon Potatoes with Fresh Rosemary](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/09/roasted-honey-dijon-potatoes-with-fresh.html) - So I have this reflex -- let's just call it the Canadian reflex -- that kicks into high gear somewhere around the back half of September. It's a not-so-quiet anxiety of sorts that appears to be hardwired into my brain and prevents me from staying inside on unseasonably warm, sunny days. Try as I might
- [Pearled Barley Vegetable Soup with White Bean and Kale](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/12/pearled-barley-vegetable-soup-with.html) - My son refuses to wear pants to school. No, no, it's not quite as bad as that. He will wear shorts. But if you're not familiar with the climate here in northern California (I'm not sure we were) it is not exactly balmy this time of year. In fact, the big news last Friday was
- [Flourless Black Bean Chocolate Chili Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/01/flourless-black-bean-chocolate-chili.html) - Are you clenched? I was reading the most fascinating article in the car last night while I was waiting for my son to finish up practice. It was written by a cancer survivor who described her success in relaxing her body and mind through the simple exercise of 'unclenching' her face. One of the first
- [Friday Favorites!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/06/friday-favorites.html) - We are in the season of graduations and convocations, end-of-year banquets and ceremonies, pool parties and sky-high energy levels. If you are raising a school-age child, you know all about this bountiful time of year. Today also happens to be the boys' last day of school and our youngest's convocation (off to high school we
- [Broken Heart Mint Chocolate Truffles (vegan)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/02/broken-heart-mint-chocolate-truffles-vegan.html) - I knew as soon as I unmolded these little hearts that they were ruined. Rough edges, jagged lines, cracks, crevasses, chips and divots. You name it, they wouldn't make the cut. I've been operating in the blogging world long enough to know this is not what people want to see. No big deal, I'm well accustomed to
- [Roasted Coconut Curry Chicken with Ginger Lime and Cilantro](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/roasted-coconut-curry-chicken-with.html) - I realize that I'm going out on a limb here messing with tradition, but just in case anyone is looking for an alternative to turkey this holiday season (or any other time of year), this Thai inspired chicken may be worth considering. It feels a bit odd talking about the holidays when it's sunny and
- [Succulent Coconut Curry Shrimp with Spring Peas](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/05/succulent-coconut-curry-shrimp-with.html) - I must have checked the search function on my blog five times trying to locate this recipe... Is it possible I haven't posted my coconut curry shrimp yet? And you thought the Sharks were full of surprises. Funny how some of your most well-loved and frequently made recipes can slip under the radar and not make
- [Massaged Kale Salad with fresh Apricot & Spicy Skillet Chickpeas](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/06/massaged-kale-salad-with-fresh-apricot.html) - It's not every day I make a plea to get intimate with your greens. I mean, who in their right mind massages their greens anyway? When I first encountered the term 'massaged kale' I found it not only pretentious but kind of silly too. Had kale been elevated to such a precious status that it
- [Autumn Harvest Black Bean Casserole](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/09/autumn-black-bean-harvest-casserole.html) - Have you ever had a shot of wheatgrass? Heavens! Just about gave me whiplash. (Anything that strong has to be killing something in your body, right?). But seriously, I've grown rather fond of the unusual taste of wheatgrass and, exaggerated health claims aside, it does deliver a nice range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. My
- [Crispy Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger & Pomegranate](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/12/crispy-dark-chocolate-bark-with-ginger.html) - Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love ♥
- [Blackberry & Coconut Water Post-Exercise Recovery Smoothie](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/08/blackberry-coconut-water-post-exercise.html) - Well, I'm so darn inspired by this late summer weather we're having, I thought it would be an ideal time to post about exercise nutrition. (That, and the small fact that our son is currently running 60 km/37 miles a week on average with his cross-country team. We are getting a very quick sense
- [Chocolate Zucchini Pudding Cake (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/09/chocolate-zucchini-pudding-cake-gluten.html) - I dropped in to a local coffeehouse on Friday just in time to catch the barista serving up an assortment of 'balance and clarity' (his words) with complimentary pieces of orange-infused dark chocolate. Delighted patrons mingled arms and exchanged smiles as they politely jockeyed for their share of splendor. I was tempted to push my
- [Nut-Free Granola Bars! (No Bake, Gluten-Free, Vegan)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/09/nut-free-granola-bars-no-bake-gluten.html) - I've had a number of requests for nut-free granola bars to accommodate those with allergies as well as those who wish to enjoy bars in nut-free environments (perfect for school lunch boxes!). Peanut (legume) and tree nuts (including: walnuts, almonds, hazelnut, cashew, pistachio and Brazil nuts) are among the most common types of allergies in
- [Revamped Greek Salad with Lemon-Tarragon Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/04/revamped-greek-salad-with-lemon.html) - There's a new pizza place in town and it's proving itself to be no ordinary joint. With its signature fresh thin crust offered in a choice of honey oat, dusted cornmeal or gluten free and a combination of 32 different toppings (forgive me but I must list just a few: grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, snow
- [Quinoa Cornbread Muffins with Black Beans, Arugula and Parmesan (Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/05/quinoa-cornbread-muffins-with-black.html) - I love a good cornbread straight from the oven with generous chunks of spicy jalapeno and a warm pat of melting butter (I mean, who doesn't right?) but lately I've had visions of plump, juicy black beans tossed into the mix. I've been imagining these perky fibre-rich fellows dotting the muffin tops for months now
- [Green Smoothie Ice Cream](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/01/green-smoothie-ice-cream.html) - I'm going for pure shock effect here folks. We woke up to -39 C wind chill temperatures in the Canadian capital today. So quite clearly, ice is part of the picture. Why not run with it. Insane? Almost certainly. But today I've decided to embrace the homeopathic philosophy of meeting like with like. That's right.
- [Kumato® and Fresh Mozzarella Salad with Sweet Basil and Balsamic](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/03/kumato-and-fresh-mozzarella-salad-with.html) - Irie. In Jamaican Patois, irie represents a condition of complete peace and contentment with one's current state of being. Or, more literally, irie means everything is alright. So as our family returns from a glorious week on the island of Jamaica and the snow continues to fall outside my window, I find myself hanging on to this
- [Jamaican Jerk Chicken with Mango Salsa and Creamy Coconut Millet](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/04/jamaican-jerk-chicken-with-mango-salsa.html) - Now that winter has officially returned to this fine country (-15 C wind chill the last two mornings), I am more determined than ever to set my mind (and body) back to the beautiful Caribbean. Anyone else feeling like they could use a little tropical inspiration? Ya Mon. This was our family's first trip to
- [Warming Kasha {Buckwheat} Cereal with Pear, Pomegranate & Pepitas - Gluten Free](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/12/warming-kasha-buckwheat-cereal-with.html) - I've been having the greatest time doing an Advent calendar for my sons who are (ahem), almost 15 and 12 years old. I came across a wood framed freestanding calendar at Loblaws about a month ago and couldn't resist. It's great because it's got these roomy empty boxes (well decorated too) representing each day that
- [Naturally Flavored Peppermint Hot Chocolate](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/01/naturally-flavored-peppermint-hot.html) - You learn at a pretty young age that in order to survive a Canadian winter you need at least two things: A good attitude and a great pair of long johns. I like to take my cue from the Buddhists who tell us that everything originates in the mind. Change your mind, change the experience.
- [Afternoon Tea Carrot Loaf](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/afternoon-tea-carrot-cake.html) - I love the ritual of afternoon tea. Whether it's from my home office or on the road, I look forward to the soothing warmth and comfort of a mid-day brew. There is something sacred about the process too. In that space of quiet where life is suspended for just a moment - watching, waiting, breathing in the
- [Mint Chocolate Rooibos Iced Tea](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/08/mint-chocolate-rooibos-iced-tea.html) - This gorgeous red rooibos tea is one of my favourite discoveries of the year. South African in origin, rooibos is high in antioxidants and naturally caffeine-free. It's gentle sweet flavour pairs beautifully with a number of different fruits, herbs and spices creating a different taste sensation each time. The featured blend, and subject of my discovery, contains our
- [Sweet & Savoury Maple Pumpkin Bites with Fresh Sage and Macadamia (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/sweet-savoury-maple-pumpkin-bites-with.html) - "I don't know what's in these that makes them so good mom, but they're so good ..." ~ son There you have it. That's all the proof you'll ever need. The funny thing is,
- [Oven-Baked Cinnamon Nutmeg Apple Chips](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/oven-baked-cinnamon-nutmeg-apple-chips.html) - It's hard to imagine a more sensory loaded experience than Autumn. (except maybe an all boys sleepover birthday party. Just speculating). --------------- Some of you may recall our trip to the apple orchard last year for our September birthday boy. A brilliant day in the outdoors with lots of gorgeous, crunchy apples just begging to be played with. Pies, purées, muffins
- [Medi-Mexi Salsa Verde](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/07/medi-mexi-salsa-verde.html) - With the summer heat hitting us hard, we are all looking for ways of enjoying seasonal foods without turning on the oven. I've had my blender out on the counter for weeks now - no point storing it - smoothies, chilled soups and salsas are the orders of the season and I couldn't be happier. A perfect way
- [Strawberry Vanilla Tie-Dye Yogurt Popsicles](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/07/strawberry-vanilla-tie-dye-yogurt.html) - With strawberry season at its peak of freshness in Ontario and the sweltering heat still upon us (note: that's not a complaint - savvy Canadians know better than to complain about the heat), I thought you would enjoy these delicious and wonderfully refreshing popsicles. And not just a pretty face, either. These hydrating popsicles pack a serious
- [Rosemary Honey Dijon Glazed Salmon ~ an easy, breezy, summer delight](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/07/rosemary-honey-dijon-glazed-salmon-easy.html) - I drifted into a summer nap under the hot shade of July, serenaded by a cicadae lullaby, to drowsy-warm dreams of distant thunder ~ Terri Guillemets ----------------------- We are into the long, dreamy, delicious days of summer. The heat is heavy, the days are long and the overwhelming desire is to kick back, relax and
- [Whole Grain Cherry-Apricot Breakfast Cake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/08/whole-grain-cherry-apricot-breakfast.html) - So here's the thing. There just isn’t very much evidence to suggest that drinking coffee is bad for your health. In fact, depending on what you're measuring, there may be more potential health benefits to drinking coffee than hazards. On the downside, there’s no question that coffee is not well tolerated by all - sleep
- [Lemony Kale Bites with Ricotta and Almond](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/05/lemony-kale-bites-with-ricotta-and.html) - Many years ago, when I first discovered that I was pregnant, I found myself in a Sunday afternoon yoga class. It was one of those overly warm and muggy Toronto days with the sun filtering orange through the windows of a peaceful second floor studio. It happened to be mother's day. The instructor had us come to a seated position with our eyes
- [Light and Refreshing Mojito Smoothie](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/06/light-and-refreshing-mojito-smoothie.html) - Mojitos are one of my all-time favourite summertime drinks. On the weekends, my husband and I try to escape for a few blessed moments of tranquility by the lake to enjoy a refreshing cocktail. Side by side on our wobbly dock, we chat about our crazy lives, share our dreams and soak in a few moments
- [Lemon-Lime Pudding Cake with Warm Raspberries](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/lemon-lime-pudding-cake-with-warm.html) - When my sons were a bit younger, they would often ask me about my favourite dessert. (Just one of those kid questions). The query would go something like this: "Mommy, if you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one dessert for the rest of your life... what would it be?" I would hem
- [Flourless Salmon Dill Brunch Bites](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/flourless-salmon-dill-brunch-bites.html) - If you're anything like me, the Easter long weekend has snuck up on you from out of nowhere and you're completely disorganized and utterly unprepared (oops, didn't mean to be quite that confessional...). But things have been a little busy. Contrary to popular belief, Spring - and not January - is the busiest time of
- [Vanilla Infused Banana Cream Pie with a Whole Grain Graham Crust](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/vanilla-infused-banana-cream-pie-with.html) - There are some definite advantages to staying home during a holiday long weekend. No traffic, no lineups, no packing or unpacking, no doggie separation and, most of all, no time pressure. Leisurely walks in the sunshine, a highly anticipated viewing of the Hunger Games, hanging out in bare feet and PJs on the deck and... this banana cream pie. The
- [Kamut Carrot Loaf with Swiss Chard, Dates and Walnut](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/kamut-carrot-loaf-with-swiss-chard.html) - It’s amazing what you can work into a loaf these days (and even more impressive how good it can taste!) When it comes to dark leafy greens and the powerhouse nutrients they deliver, that’s a good thing. Many of us have heard of Kale, Swiss Chard, Bok Choy and similar greens, but are less
- [Double Chocolate Guinness Brownies](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/double-chocolate-guinness-brownies.html) - My evil Irish twin put me up to these. Now, before you judge him too harshly, a few things to keep in mind: these are flourless, low sugar, flavonoid rich dark chocolate brownies. Very respectable as treats go. And the taste? Imagine the rich, velvety, melt-in-your-mouth moistness of chocolate torte combined with the earthy notes of Guinness and the textured crunch
- [Rich and Silky Dark Chocolate Truffles](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/rich-and-silky-dark-chocolate-truffles.html) - Inspired Edibles turns One Today! This time last year, a friend of mine had just shared a melt-in-your-mouth apple muffin from a Martha Stewart recipe – I loved the flavour and unique presentation so much that I came home and starting playing around with it – you know, messing with the recipe the way foodies do. Anyway,
- [Sundried Tomato and Zucchini Bean Dip with Warming Chili-Garlic Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/sundried-tomato-and-zucchini-dip-with.html) - Hummus is lovely and I eat it frequently but every once in a while I'm looking to expand my repertoire and in the mood for something, well, different. This is a versatile, nutrient rich white bean dip that's been dressed up and seasoned with thermogenic ingredients - (for those of us who do not live in
- [Smokin' Mole Cakes with Chili-Lime Guacamole](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/smokin-mole-cakes-with-chili-lime.html) - I came across this innocent looking bottle of chili lime sauce the other day in the grocery store and before I knew it, visions of black bean cakes were dancing in my head. They came dressed in sweet potato, celery and onion. Cashews too. And, in a smouldering black cloak of confidence, cocoa appeared. Vision complete. I
- [Jamaican Plantain Soup with Persimmon - An Aromatic Delight](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/jamaican-plantain-soup-with-persimmon.html) - Bold and aromatic, this Jamaican inspired soup is full of thermogenic spices that will warm your tummy while it nudges your metabolism. Although it is more conventionally teamed up with lunch or supper, I ate it for breakfast this morning and can attest to its deliciousness even at that odd hour. The persimmon has nothing to do with Jamaica - it was
- [Oven Roasted Rosemary Ricotta](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/oven-roasted-rosemary-ricotta.html) - I was so excited the afternoon I came across Sally's Simple Appetizer, that I was compelled to make it almost immediately. I served the baked ricotta fresh out of the oven as a snack for my sons when they arrived home from school (I may have had a bite or two myself). Warm, soft, delicious and satisfying, the dip was greeted with rave
- [Roasted Cauliflower, Seared Butter Mushrooms and a pretty great visit -](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/roasted-cauliflower-seared-butter.html) - I recently visited my mom in the Laurentian mountains of Quebec. I like to deliver her Christmas treats in person and spend some time together before our nuclear family hunkers down for the holidays. Although there wasn't much snow to speak of, there were plenty of bright lights and decorations strewn about, and a general feeling of Christmas
- [Grain Free Lemon Rosemary Pancakes](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/lemon-rosemary-flourless-pancakes.html) - If you enjoy the taste of pancakes but prefer to skip the heavy carbohydrates, you'll want to give these savoury delights a try. Wheat free and gluten free, these pancakes are packed with health building nutrients. They also happen to taste great and are easy to pull together. Grain Free Lemon Rosemary Pancakes 1/2 cup ground flaxseed 1/2
- [Minted Green Pea and Spinach Soup](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/minted-green-pea-and-spinach-soup.html) - I'm not sure how old I was, or where I was, when I had my first taste of pea soup. What I do remember, rather distinctly, is that it wasn't a very good experience. The soup was putty grey, thick, pasty and completely devoid of taste. Gag-inducing really. And so it came to be that I did not have a
- [Marbled French Toast with Fresh Strawberry & Granola](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/06/marbled-french-toast-with-fresh.html) - We had a brilliant father's day weekend at the lake. The sun was shining, the loons were... calling (?) and our golden retriever was in doggy heaven. We bought our cottage in the spring of 2003. A bare bones, post-war fishing cabin that appeared to be built on a permanent slant. The structure on the hill came complete with a
- [Rose Hip Vanilla Bean Parfait and so long summer...](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/rose-hip-vanilla-bean-parfait-and-so.html) - Without descending into the depths of the maudlin Irish (which I am firmly capable of), let me just say that I will miss summer. As a Montrealer, the beautiful beaches of Maine were our closest foot into the Atlantic ocean. I have many extraordinary memories of this part of the world, including travelling caravan style
- [Red Quinoa with Dates, Pine Nuts and roasted Butternut Squash](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/red-quinoa-with-dates-pine-nuts-and.html) - Butternut squash is my favourite autumn vegetable (oh dear, I admitted we're moving away from summer). The roasting process intensifies the flavour of this delicious harvest squash, making it absolutely irresistible - not to mention full of nutrients, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, fibre and folate. I like serving health building quinoa alongside a meal as a substitute for the
- [Classic Caesar Salad with Homemade Croutons and Caramelized Bacon](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/classic-caesar-salad-with-homemade.html) - It was one of those nights where nothing is planned but everything falls into place. We emerged from our Toronto hotel room mid-evening, turned the corner and took our chances on a historic building with a striking oak entrance (hand carved, it turns out). We were escorted up the stairs and into the white-clothed dining room,
- [Blueberry Chai Pudding](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/blueberry-chai-pudding.html) - We just returned from celebrating my mom's 80th birthday in the Quebec Laurentians. Just a small gathering of immediate family - you know, 70 or so of us (gotta love those French Canadian, Irish Catholic fusions). As things would have it, it was a picture perfect weekend for mom - stunning blue skies, brilliant snow filled mountains, and
- [Seared Scallops with Lime infused Tahini](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/seared-scallops-with-lime-infused.html) - Ever since I came across this post on Mis Pensamientos blog, I've been craving tahini in a big way. I started out by making her delicious salad, twice, but couldn't stop there. Before I knew it, I was hijacked by visions of pan seared scallops with lime infused tahini, rendering me completely helpless against the forces of the kitchen.
- [Strawberry Tuesdays: Orange-Strawberry Ginger Lime Shots](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/strawberry-tuesdays-orange-stawberry.html) - We recently had breakfast at a hotel restaurant in Toronto. The food itself was unremarkable but, what we all loved, were the delicious fruit shots that greeted us at the door. There were three different kinds of blended fruit with various herbs and spices lined up in shot glasses. They were absolutely gorgeous, refreshing and a perfect way
- [Baileys Chocolate Mousse](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/baileys-chocolate-mousse.html) - There's just something about Christmas and Baileys... If you like Baileys Irish Cream and you like chocolate, you will love this elegant, intensely flavoured mousse. The alcohol is of course optional. The mousse will turn out just as well without it. The preparation will take you about 10 minutes and then you simply store the mousse cups in the fridge until
- [Strawberry Tuesdays: Santa Berries on Ice](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/strawberry-tuesdays-santa-berries-on.html) - These Santa Berries just about sent me over the edge. (Oh, sure, they look well-behaved now). First, I had to teach them how to skate and believe me, it was no easy task. (It seems Santas are quite accustomed to staying still while the reindeer pull all the weight, if you know what
- [Oatmeal Cranberry Ginger Cookies & A Holiday Wish](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/oatmeal-cranberry-ginger-cookies.html) - It's hard to believe that we are only three days away from Christmas. Time seems to accelerate over time... I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a beautiful holiday and extend my very best wishes for the New Year ~ I look forward to returning in 2012 with more wholesome recipes to get us
- [Strawberry Tuesdays: Chocolate Bark All Dressed Up](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/strawberry-tuesdays-chocolate-bark-all.html) - I have to say that I was a little disappointed when I read about the Toronto Eaton Centre replacing its traditional Santa Claus visit with a video-chat session by skype. Enter the age of Cyber Claus. Really? ------------- This may not be your mama's bark. We like ours fully loaded. I figure, why stop at half measures when you can work in so
- [Pomegranate Salad - A Holiday Favourites List (and a Giveaway!)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/12/pomegranate-salad-holiday-favourites.html) - It's December 1st and I'm officially kicking off the Holidays with a Festive Salad, Holiday Favourites List and.... a Giveaway! ---------------------- Confession time. I'm not a good shopper. I don't enjoy crowds or noise. I get headaches from artificial lighting and recycled air. I find it exhausting and overwhelming spinning around in circles looking for
- [Strawberry Tuesdays: Cashew Butter on the Red Carpet](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/strawberry-tuesdays-cashew-butter-on.html) - I've experimented with my share of nut and seed butters over the years, but none as fresh or tasty as my son's homemade cashew butter. And that's the whole truth. I came home from walking our golden the other afternoon and my 11-year-old surprised me with a fresh batch of homemade nut butter and some apple
- [Raspberry Dark Chocolate Torte](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/raspberry-chocolate-torte.html) - My love affair with this torte all started because of Charles. As soon as I had one bite of his delectable Morning Star Mud Cake, I knew it was not going to be a one time thing. As discreet as I tried to be, my family soon found out about my affection for the dark confection. Before long,
- [Healthy and Delicious Overnight Oats](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/healthy-and-delicious-overnight-oats.html) - There are few things as positively wonderful as a homemade meal that's been prepared for you. This recipe comes pretty close. A nutrient-rich powerhouse breakfast, these overnight oats require no cooking and are ready to eat upon waking. Simply assemble the ingredients the night before (it should only take about 2 minutes) and allow them to soak in the fridge overnight. You can adapt the recipe however
- [Chipotle Spiked Mexican Lasagna with a twist](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/chipotle-spiked-mexican-lasagna-with.html) - I've experimented with a number of different Mexican style lasagnas over the years - some with pasta others with tortillas - all yummy. But this time, I wanted to do something different. The inspiration for this dish came from chipotle - or smoked chili pepper - one of my favourite ingredients. I was in the mood
- [All Natural Miniature Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/all-natural-miniature-chocolate-peanut.html) - Chocolate is a real food in itself - not just a food accessory. It is highly concentrated, small in bulk, but has remarkable high food value. Because of this, armies from the days of the Revolution to World War II have carried chocolate in their rations. It is included in the emergency field rations and
- [Almond Mango Lassi](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/almond-mango-lassi.html) - Our sons discovered mango lassis a couple of years ago when we were dining out at an Indian restaurant on New Year's Eve. They were intrigued by the name of the drink and decided to each order one. Well, it didn't take long before my husband and I were in there, tugging away on the boys' lassis, and wishing we
- [Maple-Ginger Pumpkin Purée over Apples](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/maple-ginger-pumpkin-puree-over-apples.html) - This year, our son decided that he wanted to celebrate his birthday at an apple orchard. (Actually, he wanted to celebrate his birthday at an orchard last year, but when he broke four bones during a nasty manhunt game in the schoolyard, it put a little wrinkle into our plans. Not to worry, the doctors have repeatedly assured
- [Sweet Potato Chili Fries with Roasted Garlic](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/sweet-potato-chili-fries-with-roasted.html) - Blame it on my Irish heritage, but I rather enjoy potatoes. In almost every form. I once had a Poutine Italienne (that's spaghetti sauce over gravy over curd cheese over french fries) before going out for dinner. My purported excuse? I was pregnant. Yikes. Happily, we are all capable of change. In an effort to put a calming mechanism on this
- [Apple Streusel Square Cake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/apple-streusel-square-cake.html) - I like the look of this country-style apple streusel cake almost as much as the taste. With Canadian Thanksgiving upon us (is it just me, or did that happen at warp speed?), I thought it might be nice to have a simple and delicious dessert option that is not drenched in sugar. My son and I
- [Baked Oranges in Vanilla Rum Cream](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/baked-oranges-in-vanilla-rum-cream.html) - I feel compelled to share that I am utterly in love with this song. That said, this recipe came about quite by accident one evening in Montreal. I had been chatting with a colleague about my dream of baked oranges in syrup (yup, I pretty much think about food all the time). Anyhow, I got back to my apartment that evening and started experimenting
- [Chia Running Bars](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/chia-running-bars.html) - Our eldest son recently spent a weekend glued to the book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall in which the author explores the world's greatest distance runners and their secrets to success. There is a passage in Born to Run dedicated to the wonderful power of iskiate - otherwise known as Chia. The author speaks at great length about the
- [Roasted Red Sheppard Peppers with Basmati and Wild Rice](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/roasted-red-sheppard-peppers-with.html) - Many of you smarties spotted a novel shaped pepper in the shot of my Orange Sesame Ginger Chicken. Long, narrow, and frequently curved, the gorgeous Sheppard Pepper is an intensely flavourful, fall classic. With its sweet taste and thinner flesh than bell pepper, it is also ideal for roasting and stuffing (I'm not sure why, but the word 'stuffing' seems entirely vulgar to me). Sheppard peppers are
- [Roasted Beet Penne in Chipotle Spinach Cream Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/roasted-beet-penne-in-chipotle-spinach.html) - Warning: you may never eat another pasta dish again. If you have not yet tried chipotle, this is a nice introductory recipe - the milk tempers the fire but the characteristic smokiness of this Mexican chili pepper still comes shining through. You can use canned beets in a pinch for this recipe, but the flavour of the roasted
- [Raspberry Key Lime Cheesecake](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/08/raspberry-key-lime-cheesecake.html) - I have never been particularly moved by cheesecake. Until, that is, I came across this gorgeous version by Aanya at A Toast to Taste. I just knew I had to play... Whenever I adapt a recipe, I try to reduce the overall sugar load while favouring natural sources of sugar over refined. It's surprising how quickly our palates can adapt and
- [Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup with Lemon and fresh Dill](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/07/chilled-cucumber-avocado-soup-with.html) - Some days, it's just too hot to cook... This no-cook chilled cucumber soup only requires a blender and a few key ingredients. It is summer fresh and full of flavour. It's gorgeous colour also makes it a great choice for guests. Chilled Cucumber Avocado Soup with Lemon and fresh Dill 3 green onion, chopped 2 large
- [Festive and Refreshing Fruit Yogurt Popsicles!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/06/festive-and-refreshing-fruit-yogurt.html) - The long weekend is quickly approaching and with everything else going on this time of year, I decided to put together some simple and healthy ideas for Canada Day - with some Red, White and Blue too. Kid tested and approved! These popsicles are very easy to make and you can experiment with different fruit, flavours and variations. Strawberry
- [Kiwi Mango Quinoa Salad with Ginger Lime Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/03/kiwi-mango-quinoa-salad-with-ginger.html) - With its exceptional nutrient profile and 15 minute cooking time, quinoa is a healthy and convenient choice for salads, cereals and sides. About Quinoa Quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”), is the seed of a broadleaf plant native to South America. While it is relatively new to North America, quinoa has been cultivated in South America
- [Autumn Oatmeal with Apple, Cranberry & Walnut](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/09/autumn-oatmeal-with-apple-cranberry.html) - My mom sent me four autumn leaves in the mail. They were the first she gathered from the trees near her home. I found them pressed together neatly in a card with her signature handwriting slanting almost vertical along the page. She said she wanted to send them to me so I wouldn't forget about
- [Spicy Peanut Chicken with Mango Slaw](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/07/spicy-peanut-chicken-with-mango-slaw.html) - Well, we're less than a week away from our big move and we could not be more excited. The renovations have been moving along swimmingly and, knock on my hard head, all appears to be in order and on track...when does that ever happen? The relative calm and lack of perceived trouble is stressing me
- [Zucchini Pasta with Chicken, Mushroom & garden fresh Marinara Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/08/zucchini-pasta-with-chicken-mushroom.html) - Whenever I find myself running behind on my writing commitments and the pressure starts to mount, I paint my fingernails red. A strange cure for writer's block perhaps but it works for me. Red is one of those colors that just won't be denied. Bold and energizing, it's an accelerator and mood changer. And it
- [Quinoa Breakfast Bowl](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/08/quinoa-breakfast-bowl.html) - The boys start school on Monday. I know. Seems cruel and unusual to me too. And yet, they feel good about it, so who am I to say. My eldest says he likes being in school with his friends when the weather is still so nice ~ (like it turns dramatically here in CA -
- [Baked Summer Harvest Zucchini Boats](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/08/baked-summer-harvest-zucchini-boats.html) - If you follow Inspired Edibles on Facebook, you may have caught a sneak peek of the inspiration for this post. This past weekend, our new neighbors delighted us with the most welcome housewarming gifts. An array of garden delights including: little gem lettuce (soft and buttery), firm and crunchy cucumber, fragrant basil and the sweetest, freshest
- [Sriracha Quinoa Meatloaf (Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/02/sriracha-quinoa-meatloaf-gluten-free.html) - I'm a little ashamed to admit that I once regarded meatloaf as having the same degree of allure and mystique as something akin to chicken pot pie. You know, the kind of dish relegated to Sunday night dinner that everyone tolerates but that nobody gets particularly excited about. Well, foolish me.I had a brief but
- [Popcorn Trail Mix ~ Sensible, Portable Snacking](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/10/popcorn-trail-mix-sensible-portable.html) - For me, eating popcorn has always felt a little bit like eating air. There's just not a whole lot going on there. And although I've recognized for some time that popcorn is a whole grain that is a perfectly healthy snack (particularly when not slathered in copious amounts of fake butter), still, it has never managed to
- [Roasted Salmon in a Strawberry-Balsamic Reduction](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/roasted-salmon-in-strawberry-balsamic.html) - Here we are coming up to Valentine's Day and I'm still putting away my Christmas decorations...is it just me? It seems every time I think I have them all captured and stored, another one pops up; it's like an endless sea of Santa things - they weeble and wobble but they won't go down. Onward.
- [Mexican Black Bean Casserole](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/spicy-black-bean-mexican-casserole.html) - I had planned on posting something entirely different today. Something light and luscious and spring fresh. Something downright inspiring. But with the second coming of winter, the temperatures hovering around minus 2 last night, and a flat tire to cap off an unusually bizarre (read bad) day yesterday, I just couldn't put it out there. I wasn't
- [Chickpea Tikka Masala (Vegan, GF)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/02/chickpea-tikka-masala-vegan-gf.html) - I'm finding my groove after some time away in the quiet mountains of the Lake Tahoe region. It's a strange thing harvesting lemons from your backyard one moment, and then finding yourself at a 9000 foot elevation surrounded by snow the next. Strange as in unfamiliar, but certainly not unwelcome. Boundless, beautiful California -- ocean, deserts, mountains, forests, lakes --
- [Autumn Kissed Oatmeal Carrot Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/10/autumn-kissed-oatmeal-carrot-muffins.html) - If I had to name it, I would call fall the season of low and slow. The days pass like all the others and yet nothing is the same. The fresh mornings, fading evening light, cool breezes and falling leaves. Words, images and childhood memories looking for a place to nest. Fall steeps me in nostalgia somewhere before my beginning.
- [winter white salad with mandarin and fennel](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/12/winter-white-salad-with-mandarin-and-fennel.html) - There's a scene in the Hollywood remake City of Angels that's indelibly etched in my memory. The heroine is making a breakfast fruit salad for her lover, which sounds simple enough, but there's nothing ordinary about this moment. She sinks her soul into the process and brings the viewer with her. We are meticulously drawn in to the color,
- [Matcha Green Tea Rejuvenating Smoothie](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/12/green-tea-rejuvenating-smoothie.html) - I did something completely different on the culinary front for Christmas this year. I invited the family to vote on Christmas dinner. I went about it by creating a menu with three categories: appetizer, main dish and dessert and listed three food options within each category. The menu was circulated electronically and the boys were
- [Caribbean Spiced Sweet Potato-Carrot Soup {wannabe Potage Crécy}](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/01/creamy-sweet-potato-carrot-soup-wannabe-potage-crecy.html) - Love the definition of Potage Crécy I recently came across: "French for it's cold outside -- you need some creamy carrot soup." Creamy carrot soup it is. Finally. Last week, while I was posting 'lean and clean' spring chicken on my facebook page (what an oops that was), the rest of the world was posting comfort and warmth.
- [Vibrant Chili-Rubbed Salmon Bowls](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/03/vibrant-chili-rubbed-salmon-bowls.html) - March has finally arrived and I know that comes as a great relief to many. Spring buds, longer sunlit days and warmer temperatures on the way to caress those weary winter bones (and not a moment too soon if I'm reading the collective temperament right). The transition has been quite noticeable here in NorCal. Spring vegetables strutting the best version
- [Matcha Green Tea Soft Serve (vegan)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/03/green-tea-soft-serve-the-luck-of-the-irish.html) - Our youngest stumbled upon his first four-leaf clover when he was barely six years old. We were getting out of the car and walking across a stretch of indecipherable greens when he looked down and said, "Mommy, look, it's a four-leaf clover." Just like that. Now having spent countless hours looking for four-leaf clovers in my youth
- [Ancient Grains Salad with Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Golden Beets & Blood Orange Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/03/ancient-grains-salad-with-shaved-brussels-sprouts-golden-beets-blood-orange-vinaigrette.html) - The best part about the limited variety of produce found at my neighborhood Safeway is that it requires me to make the occasional trip to Whole Foods. (I say occasional because no matter how narrow a mission I set out on, my grocery bill is anything but lean by the time I walk out the door). On
- [Spring Frittata with Fresh Garden Herbs](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/05/spring-frittata-with-fresh-garden-herbs.html) - This year marked our first spring planting season at our new home. I was intent on growing herbs and getting a vegetable or two into the ground. So with a deep breath and a huge leap of faith, I kept my ambitions low, stayed focused and started small. My husband built me two wood boxes and
- [Glowing Greens Smoothie with Mango](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/06/glowing-greens-smoothie-and-some-unlikely-inspiration.html) - I don't normally take my dietary cues from Starbucks but when the temperature climbed upwards of 100F earlier this week, I was reminded of a little discovery I made last year. It was a glorious late spring day when I found myself out and about (that's oot and aboot for my American friends -- see how much I've learned
- [6 Natural Strategies for Healthy Skin this Summer](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/07/7-natural-strategies-for-healthy-skin-this-summer.html) - Our skin is our largest and fastest-growing organ. It is our first line of defense, protecting our interior, helping regulate our body temperature and allowing us to experience the sensation of touch. And like all other body parts, our skin requires and responds to care. Much of what we see on the exterior of our bodies is a
- [Blueberry Basil Frozen Yogurt ~ all natural froyo!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/07/blueberry-basil-frozen-yogurt-all-natural-froyo.html) - I'm so excited to share this delicious and refreshing little number with you before things wind down over here for summer break. I'm always amazed to discover how a small collection of ingredients can harmonize to create such complex flavor. And in this case, it all happens in about 5 minutes - no ice cream/yogurt equipment required and no need to spend a
- [Black Bean Tacos with Mediterranean Salsa (Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/08/black-bean-tacos-with-mediterranean-salsa-gluten-free.html) - We've been doing some collaborative cooking in our home lately. Last week our youngest made this dish ~ a fairly detailed and somewhat laborious recipe for a young cook and I was happy to partake in both the result and the journey. He managed it with quiet confidence and persistence working through each of the steps and even made
- [Flourless Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/09/irresistible-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookies-flourless.html) - I had planned a warming porridge for this past week's post but a combination of weather (oppressively hot) and a new baby (not mine) queered the pitch. That's alright because in the process of being derailed, I discovered these obscenely delicious cookies. So I hope you don't mind me interrupting your Sunday evening to bring them to
- [Millet Porridge with Fresh Fig, Honey and Hemp](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/09/millet-porridge-with-fresh-fig-hemp-seed.html) - Every once in a while it's nice to be reminded that the universe is working in your favor; even when it comes to something as seemingly insignificant as a fig. And so it was on an early Saturday morning when I was preparing to head across town in pursuit of the not-so-common, common fig. I had just made a similar
- [Pumpkin Oatmeal with Macadamia & Beurre Noisette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2015/10/pumpkin-oatmeal-with-macadamia-beurre-noisette.html) - Growing up in the country with miles between houses, trick-or-treating by foot was not really feasible (nor was biking in a costume). Instead, my Dad would drive my younger brother and I along the country roads making as many stops as he could and waiting in the car as we knocked on doors and worked our magic. We would travel around
- [Roasted Sweet Potato & Persimmon Hummus with Flaxseed Crackers](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/01/roasted-sweet-potato-persimmon-hummus-with-flaxseed-crackers.html) - The first time I tasted hachiya persimmon, I gagged profusely and then proceeded to spit every ounce of it back up on the kitchen counter. My cheeks felt like they had been vacuum packed, my tongue went numb and I thought I might be going into anaphylactic shock. (have I got you excited about the recipe yet?)
- [Simple & Delicious Slow-Cooker Peanut Chicken](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/01/simple-delicious-slow-cooker-peanut-chicken.html) - Here's a new one. I recently purchased two movie tickets online (so far, so normal). My husband and I make our way to the theater and are unable to print our tickets from the dispensing machine (so far, so normal). We walk over to the live body behind the ticket booth, explain the situation and show proof
- [Simple & Delicious Quick-Pickled Red Onions](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/04/simple-delicious-quick-pickled-red-onion.html) - With the notable exception of making 125 jars of strawberry jam for our wedding guests some 20 years ago and the occasional flirtation with infused oils, my adventures in canning, curing, pickling and preserving (beyond freezing) have been rather restrained. And yet there is everything to love about this age-old practice. Sensible, economical and the ideal way to enjoy
- [Savory Quinoa Pie with Sweet Potato](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/05/savory-quinoa-pie-with-sweet-potato.html) - We expected to be on the road (and the soccer pitch) a good chunk of the weekend but when a change in circumstance gave rise to a free Saturday at home, my husband hit the yard and I started putzing in the kitchen. A nest-worthy day if ever there was, the cool drizzly weather helped seed my meanderings into an eight hour
- [Easy Breezy Slaw & The Rhythm of Summer](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/07/easy-breezy-slaw-the-rhythm-of-summer.html) - with the late day sun hitting our spokes and ice cream running down our arms, we pedaled frantically, our bodies shaking with laughter until we couldn't hold on any longer and tumbled off to the side of the road. Our bikes followed in a heap beside us landing on the dusty earth. Tiny gravel stones pushed into my sides and I
- [4 Dietary Strategies to Support Mood](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2016/10/4-dietary-strategies-to-support-mood.html) - Who doesn't love fall... the season of woodland walks, misty mornings and harvest moons; the season of wind-lashed cheeks, warming soup and crackling fires; the season of apple picking, color gazing and leaf crunching (not to mention the ever popular feijoa). And yet among these familiar marvels, comes an unnamed internal shift; one that can sometimes leave
- [Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/01/slow-cooker-butter-chicken.html) - It came down to putting away the Christmas decorations or making you a warming pot of butter chicken. It wasn't a tough choice. I've had many of you on my mind with the brutal cold and in all frankness, I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to the holidays. With both boys at home, we've had
- [Eggplant Lasagna](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/02/cozy-eggplant-lasagna.html) - I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape — the loneliness of it; the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show - Andrew Wyeth ... I like the idea of embracing the season of frost, storm and cloud while the story of spring unfolds.
- [Grilled Chicken Shawarma with Lemon-Tahini Drizzle](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/09/grilled-chicken-shawarma-with-lemon-tahini-drizzle.html) - Not exactly the picture of fall maybe but we still have a few more weeks of summer on the clock and I intend to use them! (besides, pretty sure grilling season is eternal). I'm featuring a current family favorite today with a scrumptious shawarma-style seasoning in a dreamy tahini sauce (nb: I've drizzled the tahini
- [Holiday Faves: Stocking Stuffer Edition! (+ Giveaway)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/12/holiday-faves-stocking-stuffer-edition-giveaway.html) - (📷 Unsplash). This giveaway is now closed ~ thank you so much to all who participated and congratulations to our winners! I know you will love discovering Abeego. ~~~~~ Friends, it's December 1st and I haven't done a Favorites post in forever! Time to share a few things I've been crushing on lately (trust me when
- [Curried Bean Stew (in the Slow Cooker)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/12/curried-bean-stew-in-the-slow-cooker.html) - I realize that for some of you, the slow cooker is now a relic from the past tucked away in the recesses of the basement with a sticky note marked donate if possible. Those of you who know your way around an instant pot (don't look at me, I still use libraries), will likely know
- [Warm Broccoli Salad with Arugula & Pom](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/12/warm-broccoli-salad-with-arugula-pom.html) - Friends, I've got the perfect salad to have up your sleeve during the holidays! So much flavor coming from a handful of ingredients (luv that) dressed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette with pretty pom jewels (psst: it features 4 greens but nobody will care, because it tastes that good!) My husband and I have been
- [Nuts & Seeds Raspberry Bars](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/02/nuts-seeds-raspberry-bars.html) - By the time February rolls around, my hunch is that most of us could use a little extra tlc. Not that there's anything wrong with the soul crushing depths of winter, plenty of notable Pisces have emerged from the doldrums: Chopin, Renoir, Michelangelo, Ginsburg, Einstein, Alexander Graham Bell, and Justin Bieber (nuff said). Still, a
- [Homemade Dill Pickles](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/03/simple-delicious-dill-pickles.html) - Making all your salt & vinegar dreams come true. As far back as I can remember, I was sneaking olives and pickles out of my parents' fridge and drinking the juice (the grand prize), with hands barely big enough to manage the jar. My love affair with briny things has continued over the years and
- [Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Squares](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/04/oatmeal-peanut-butter-chocolate-squares.html) - I'm thinking we skip the intros today and head straight to these yum bites. Sound good? If you enjoy a lil chocolate (we do!) these oatmeal squares are one delicious delivery system. A simple combination of whole grain oats (uncooked), peanut butter and maple syrup with a coating of chocolate et voilà - that's it!
- [Carrot Cake Banana Bread](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/05/carrot-cake-banana-bread.html) - This is what happens when you're craving carrot cake and banana bread with equal intensity and can't bring yourself to choose. Pretty sure it's what Plato was getting at when he wrote about necessity being the mother of invention. This simple bread brings together the signature spicing and creaminess of carrot cake with all the
- [Late Summer Garden Guacamole](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/08/late-summer-garden-guacamole.html) - My husband and I had a table-side guacamole the other night, everything assembled and mashed in front of us, and we couldn't get over the freshness of the ingredients. We were mmm'ing with every bite until there wasn't a drop left in our molcajete. Amazing how the simplest ingredients often give rise to the best
- [Deep Roasted Paprika Potatoes](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/04/deep-roasted-paprika-potatoes.html) - Shuffle this one up to the top of your must make list tout suite friends (toot sweet!) Crisp, succulent, smoked and salty, these oven roasted paprika fries might be just what your Sunday needs (with extra malt vinegar). Where are my salt & vinegar loving homies? Just a couple of potatoes, and you're halfway to
- [Black Bean Mexican Skillet](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2020/04/black-bean-mexican-skillet.html) - This tasty and satisfying Mexican-inspired family favorite registers high on the cozy scale and comes together in a single skillet. I especially like to serve this dish soaked in salsa with generous blobs of guacamole, but there are plenty of options. Turn up the heat or take it down as you like and sub whatever
- [Crispy Roasted Chili Lime Chickpeas](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/08/crispy-roasted-chili-lime-chickpeas.html) - I've been dying for an excuse to make these amazing roasted chickpeas that I've been savouring vicariously over the blogosphere. So when the sun gave way to clouds last week and the temperature started to dip, I decided to spark up the oven and get some chili lime action going on. I'm also conscious - sort of
- [Sprouted Spring Salad in a Jar](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/05/sprouted-spring-salad-in-jar.html) - Last year for Mother's Day our youngest son, then 10-years-old, surprised me with a salad made from sprouted greens that he grew in his bedroom window. He followed the directions on a package of seeds that his Grand-Maman gave him and patiently grew the greens in a mason jar on his sunny bedroom ledge. On
- [Eggs in a Basket ~ Succulent Baked Eggs in Sweet Potato](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/eggs-in-basket-succulent-baked-eggs-in.html) - This beautiful weather has got me all invigorated with fresh menu ideas for spring. As the daylight hours increase and temperatures rise, many of us find that we have more energy and a renewed sense of commitment and desire to get back on track with our diets following the long winter months. Eating seasonally provides our
- [Are Dietary Supplements Needed for Health?](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/02/are-dietary-supplements-needed-for-health.html) - The question often arises whether dietary supplements are needed to stay healthy. While our bodies require a variety of nutrients to maintain health, the source of these nutrients is important. As the name suggests, supplements are meant to complement a healthy diet not replace it. Food should be our starting point because it contains a
- [5 Uncommon Ways to Ease Anxiety & Restore Calm](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/06/5-uncommon-ways-to-ease-anxiety-restore-calm.html) - Breathing techniques, meditation and yoga are all well known for helping us engage our parasympathetic nervous systems (the rest and digest branch of our nervous system) and when practiced regularly, they're among the most powerful and effective ways of maintaining equanimity. Sometimes though, complementary tools can be very helpful as a bridge to transition --
- [Summer Listening List! (Health, Wellness & More)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/07/summer-listening-list-health-wellness-more.html) - When the boys were young, we would road trip from Ottawa to Kennebunkport in the summer listening to books on tape between rounds of 20 Questions (the cassette days!). Our favorite at the time was Andrew Weil -- or "Wild" as our youngest used to call him -- well-loved pioneer of integrative medicine. The boys
- [10 Things I Love About Mendocino California](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2019/05/10-things-i-love-about-mendocino-california.html) - If you're mulling over your summer-fall travel plans, I have a thought. The coastal town of Mendocino, offering some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in California, is an undiscovered jewel relative to other NorCal seaside destinations (and I seriously considered leaving it that way). Mendocino's somewhat remote location is both its challenge and its
- [Peruvian Beans with Romesco Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2018/11/peruvian-beans-with-romesco-sauce.html) - Since posting this recipe, many of you have dropped in to share your love of the creamy Peruvian bean (commonly known as the mayocoba bean). The bean's mild flavor and plump, buttery texture contrast beautifully here with the bolder, earthen flavors of Romesco and its ripply, almond textured body. The result is a pleasure dome
- [Quinoa-Crusted Sole in a Chili-Lime Marinade (Oven Baked, Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/05/quinoa-crusted-sole-in-chili-lime.html) - I planted my herb garden this past weekend. The sun was shining, it was warm and I loved being outside. In addition to my usual roster of aromatic favorites (lavender and lemon thyme being right up there), I found a pineapple sage plant that I thought was rather unusual in a delightful kind of way.
- [Homemade Tzatziki with California Greens](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/06/homemade-tzatziki-with-california-greens.html) - I've had a continuous supply of homemade tzatziki going in the fridge now for the past month or so. Every batch I make seems to disappear faster than the one before, so ongoing production has become necessary (I can't prove it but I suspect that the cucumber vendors at the market have started price
- [Thai Basil Chicken](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/03/thai-basil-chicken.html) - I'm not sure if we've had this conversation before. You know, the one where I ask you what your favorite cuisine types are and you ask me mine and we both nod in polite acquiescence but continue to think we're right and the other one's out to lunch. Yeah, that one. So, what's your favorite
- [A Gift for You: Slowing Down to Receive](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/12/a-gift-for-you.html) - The great disappearing month of December. No sooner do we turn the corner on November and it's gone. Just like that, a new year upon us. Amidst the busyness of the season, and all that it can represent for each of us, I wanted to share this short clip written and read by my youngest
- [New Beginnings: A Brief Encounter with a Beautiful Soul](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/01/new-beginnings.html) - A while back, I received a letter from a reader. It was written by a young woman, only 27, who was recovering from a double lung transplant that came about as a result of a lifelong illness with cystic fibrosis. She described her gratefulness for the transplant and understood how it had saved her life
- [Cancer has Made Me a Bigger (But Still Shallow) Person](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2017/11/stories-cancer-has-made-me-a-bigger-but-still-shallow-person.html) - Earlier this year, a remarkable woman reminded me of the importance of creating a space on the blog for personal stories -- themes that might impact us directly or remind us of a friend or family member going through a similar trial. My hope is that these features will provide some comfort and insight to help us
- [Hemp Hearts Avocado Salad with a Lemon-Delicious Pineapple Purée](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/hemp-hearts-avocado-salad-with-lemon.html) - When I was a young girl and my parents had guests over for dinner, they would always serve the same appetizer. It consisted of a half avocado in the skin filled with my mom's homemade vinaigrette. My mom's dressing was special. Not because it was fancy - with 10 kids at her feet, she was
- [Healthy Lunch Series: Baked Egg Cups over Lime-Tahini Spinach](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/06/healthy-lunch-series-baked-egg-cups.html) - This simple and rather scrumptious lunch idea was inspired by a ballerina. I was catching up on some on-line news the other day when a video caption flashed across my screen: "curious about the eating habits of Canada's top ballerinas?" Immediate seduction. And surprise. I guess I've always feared that the pressure put upon these
- [Roasted Butternut Squash & Coconut Curry Soup with Cinnamon Toasted Seeds](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/roasted-butternut-squash-coconut-curry.html) - I had the uncommon pleasure of a lunchtime visit this week from an out-of-town childhood friend whom I don't get to see very often. Since I knew that we were heading out for dinner later in the evening, and since we've never been ones to deprive ourselves on such occasions, I decided to keep lunch on
- [Spicy Coconut Curry Chickpeas with Lemongrass and Sweet Basil](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/spicy-thai-chickpeas-with-coconut.html) - When I think of wholesome, satisfying and delicious vegetarian food, this is precisely the type of meal I envision. But that wasn't always the case. Having been a slapdash vegetarian in my teens, I fell into the common rookie trap of gravitating towards pasta with oodles of cheese as the mainstay of my diet. As yummy and addicting
- [Fresh Blueberry Salad with Chèvre Medallions and Champagne Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/08/fresh-blueberry-salad-with-chevre.html) - Nothing remains as it was. If you know this, you can begin again with pure joy in the uprooting. ~ Judith Minty ~~~~~ Everyone moves from time to time and in
- [Homemade Orange Creamsicle Popsicles ~ All Natural, Vegan](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/07/homemade-orange-creamsicle-popsicles.html) - Well, I have to agree with my son on this one. These may be the tastiest popsicles I’ve made to date. He didn’t quite put it that way though. In fact, he said it precisely like this: “Wow, Mom, these actually taste like popsicles.” In teenage parlance I knew exactly what he meant. I finally managed to
- [7 Delicious Brunch Ideas for Mother's Day!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/05/7-sensational-brunch-ideas-for-mothers.html) - All things seem possible in May ~ Edwin Way Teale ~~~~~~ Today I am honoring the season of growth, renewal and new life by paying tribute to
- [Vanilla Blueberry Almond Smoothie Cups ~ Ready to Go Morning Goodness](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/vanilla-blueberry-almond-smoothie-cups.html) - I am completely smitten with the look of these little lavender-hued frozen smoothie cups and even more in love with their ease and convenience. All ingredients assembled and goodness sealed into muffin sized cups, they sit in the freezer ready to go. All you have to do is pop two units in the blender, add a little
- [DIY Chocolate Fondue for Two](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/02/diy-chocolate-fondue-for-two.html) - No fancy fondue pot? No problem. Enchant your Valentine with this delightful homespun chocolate fondue for two. Adorable and fully portable (oh, the places you'll go!), it makes its home in a humble muffin tin. Sometimes it only takes the smallest departure from the ordinary to make a moment memorable. I'm always tickled by the
- [Chocolate dipped Apple Wedges with Cinnamon toasted Oatmeal and Pecan](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/12/chocolate-dipped-apple-wedges-with.html) - I hope you are all enjoying a peaceful and fulfilling holiday season in whatever fashion suits you best. If you are anything like us, I suspect that you have been amply fed this past month (or so) and may be looking to shift gears from the heavier hitting sweets and treats to something a little
- [Creamy Cauliflower Purée with Shiitake and Smoked Paprika](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/10/creamy-cauliflower-puree-with-shiitake.html) - A couple of weeks ago, I served my family a side of cauliflower purée and my husband complimented me on the mashed potatoes (true story). Now I'm not sure if everyone would find the consistency of mashed cauliflower to be that of mashed potato but I will say that it has a refreshingly light texture in comparison to the denser/starchier potato while
- [Spicy Buffalo Cauliflower "Wings" with Homemade Ranch Dressing](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/01/spicy-buffalo-cauliflower-wings-with.html) - It turns out it helps to know a little something about football when you're living in the US. Take our most recent trip to LA. We crossed paths with all kinds of friendly people who asked us where we were from. My answer is still the generic "Canada" (I gave up on Ottawa some time
- [All Natural Frozen Banana-Lemon Cream](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/all-natural-frozen-banana-lemon-cream.html) - If you're craving ice cream but are looking for something healthier without the binders, fillers, emulsifiers, artificial flavours, trans fats and fake sugars, you will love this all natural frozen banana-lemon cream. [insert: have you ever read the nutrition facts label on a low fat/sugar ice cream product? Truly scary]. This is a gorgeous dessert, or snack,
- [Cleansing Beet Juice](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/beet-and-apple-cucumber-tonic.html) - Happy 2012 to All from Inspired Edibles! As we welcome in the New Year, I thought it might be particularly timely to share some fresh ideas on clean eating. January is an ideal opportunity to take stock in our health and get ourselves grounded in some health-building routines. To kick things off, I'm featuring foods
- [Brown Rice & Cannellini Bean Sliders with Fresh Parsley, Peach and Honey](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/brown-rice-cannellini-bean-sliders-with.html) - For those of you who may have missed our big news, (it was covered by most of the major Canadian broadcasters but sometimes these things get overlooked), we bought a rice cooker. Yes, it's true. And we have been making rice daily. That's: every. single. day. Nothing new to our Asian friends we understand but entirely new, in frequency, to
- [Blueberry-Apple Skillet Cake (Clafoutis)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/05/blueberry-apple-skillet-cake-clafoutis.html) - Lately, my boys have been on a cinnamon raisin bread roll. They come home from school, drop their bags and head straight to the kitchen - something they do fairly often. (The kitchen part I mean. Have you heard the rumor about teenage boys eating all the time? It's true). Anyhow, every time the boys
- [Raw Vegan Energy Bars with Walnut, Chia, Cherry & Pepita for Ida](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/raw-vegan-energy-bars-with-walnut-chia.html) - The other night my husband and I were relaxing on the couch catching a bit of the late evening news before heading to bed. I was drifting in and out of consciousness, as I am want to do in front of the tv, and just before fully transitioning to the other side, I caught of glimpse of
- [Seared Chili Garlic Shrimp with Tomato and Molten Feta](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/04/seared-chili-garlic-shrimp-with-tomato.html) - It's a rainy spring day in this part of the world. I've been meaning to post this succulent shrimp recipe for some time so today seemed a particularly fitting day to warm our tummies and our hearts. This is an easy preparation that delivers big taste and delicious flavors. It's versatile as well. You can
- [Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Red Pear and Gorgonzola ~](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/roasted-brussels-sprouts-with-red-pear.html) - I caught the greatest moment the other morning when I was out walking the dog. A mother escorted her young son across the street and onto the big yellow-orange school bus where her son made his way into a window seat. Mom then walked back across the street and onto the sidewalk at which point I expected the
- [Ginger Infused Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Squares (Grain Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/10/ginger-infused-chocolate-chip-pumpkin.html) - We may be living a different type of fall here in California than the kind that I'm accustomed to at home but that's not going to stop me from getting up to my elbows in orange! Over the past couple of weeks we've been baking oatmeal pumpkin breakfast cookies (so yummy), savoring squash soups and
- [Garlicky Bean Dip with Chipotle Spiked Tortilla Chips](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/04/garlicky-bean-dip-with-chipotle-spiked.html) - We had our first serious rainfall this week. And that's a good thing. Up until now, we have had the occasional sprinkling of rain but it never seems to last for more than a few minutes and doesn't really amount to anything. Even in the heart of so-called rainy season, I can count on one
- [All Natural Mixed Berry Chia Jam](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/04/all-natural-mixed-berry-chia-jam.html) - If you want to delight your guests and loved ones with a beautiful, delicious and succulent seasonal jam, have I got the thing for you! Even better? This version is brimming with nutrients and will only take you about 10 minutes to whip up (yup, that's right, 10 minutes!). Oh and don't worry, I won't
- [All Natural Apple and Almond Butter Fudge (Vegan, No Bake, Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/04/all-natural-apple-and-almond-butter.html) - I've been having so much fun experimenting with this homespun version of fudge. Now, I should probably get this out of the way right off the top. This is not your grandma's fudge (nor likely your aunt's, uncle's or sister-in-law's). If you're anticipating a traditional fudge recipe with accompanying taste, you will be disappointed. On
- [Warming Oatmeal with Apple-Blueberry Compote](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/10/warming-oatmeal-with-apple-blueberry.html) - I saw old Autumn in the misty morn Stand shadowless like silence Here the Autumn melancholy dwells And sighs her tearful spells Amongst the sunless shadows of the plain Alone, alone, upon a mossy stone No lonely bird would sing - Thomas Hood Have I mentioned that there might be a smidge of
- [Cleansing Winter Salad with a Maple-Ginger Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/12/winter-salad-with-maple-ginger.html) - We're smack in the middle of it. The season of abundant indulgence. So I say, enjoy every moment... moderation does not have to mean deprivation and when you're looking for something to balance out those heavier hitting sweets & treats or prop up the symptoms of a cold/flu consider this antioxidant rich, cleansing winter salad full of flavour & good
- [Chickpeas and Cheese ~ a healthy update on an old classic](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/chickpeas-and-cheese-healthy-update-on.html) - Here's a little update on a traditional favourite. Mac 'n' cheese has been around for as long as I can remember. It is a convenient and delicious comfort food that is well-loved by youngsters (and adults too). And while some homemade versions of macaroni and cheese offer nutritional benefits (my hubby makes a killer mac 'n' cheese that I'll have
- [Fully Loaded Miso Soup and Building a Strong Immune System](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/01/fully-loaded-miso-soup-and-building.html) - Move over chicken soup. There's another healing bowl of goodness in town and it comes fully loaded. A concentrated source of plant protein, antioxidants, protective fatty acids and active bacteria, miso dissolves effortlessly into this nutrient dense soup to produce the perfect combination of taste, health and comfort. You will fall in love with this
- [Sizzling Skillet-Seared Cajun Inspired Chicken with Shiitake, Braised Tomato and Onion](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/09/sizzling-skillet-seared-cajun-chicken.html) - I have two words for this dish: simple. delicious. nutritious. (you're right. That makes three!). --------------------- While I'm consciously avoiding terms such as: summer's end - (egad, I'm so not ready for that admission), I do recognize that most of us are settling back into our September routines which often means transition and trauma (ok, maybe I'm the only
- [Healthy Lunch Series: Vegetable Rotini with Flaked Tuna in a Light Lemon-Yogurt Dressing](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/05/healthy-lunch-series-vegetable-rotini.html) - I'm very excited to introduce the first recipe in a series of healthy lunches at Inspired Edibles! We all struggle with occasional lack of inspiration and not-so-occasional lack of time, so the goal of this initiative is to generate ideas for simple, wholesome meals that you can pack for the office or enjoy at home.
- [Healthy Lunch Series: Quinoa Zucchini Bake ~ served warm or cold (Gluten Free, Vegetarian)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/07/healthy-lunch-series-quinoa-zucchini.html) - As part of Inspired Edibles' ongoing Healthy Lunch Series, I'm excited to share this seasonal zucchini and quinoa bake that you can serve up warm and comforting from the oven or cool and refreshing from the fridge. Many of us are experiencing mercurial weather this summer -- cold and rainy one day, uncomfortably humid the
- [Baked Eggs & Veggies To Go ~](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/baked-eggs-veggies-to-go.html) - I am often asked for quick and easy breakfast ideas for busy families on the go. Something small, nutritive and portable for adults and children alike. The two most common morning time challenges are lack of time and lack of appetite. With this in mind, I have fashioned a nutrient dense, super simple recipe that
- [Balsamic Poached Chicken](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/02/balsamic-poached-chicken.html) - I glanced out the window at the signs of spring the sky was almost blue the trees were almost budding and the sun was almost bright --Millard Kaufman ~~~~~ Can you feel it in the air? Little whispers, hints and glints of spring. Flashes of hope and surrender. The transition has begun. And in the
- [All Natural Almond Butter and Banana Ice Cream](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/all-natural-almond-butter-and-banana.html) - Don't let what you can't do interfere with what you can do ~ John Woode Today is Earth Day – a celebration of nature and an opportunity to enhance our awareness and appreciation of Mother Earth. Pan-Canadian events include earth day planting, litter clean-up & recycling (more affectionately known as a "Trash Bash"), meatless Monday challenges, tree
- [Matcha Lemonade](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/05/lemon-matcha-on-ice.html) - I'm in love with the ease and simplicity of this time of year. No heavy coats, no boots and no extra socks. No frozen toes or frostbitten noses. Just a vast expanse of burgeoning green and the sweet contentment of wandering outside in bare feet and feeling the good earth beneath you. What's New In keeping with the season of renewal,
- [Vanilla Bean Matcha Latte](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/03/vanilla-bean-matcha-latte.html) - Some of you may recall my spring overture in the last post. You know, the one where I talk about the signs of spring fluttering all around us. Visions of daffodil greens and tulip heads pushing ground... Yeah. Well, let me just share with you a view from our home window taken that same day
- [Simple and Delicious Smoked Salmon Canapés](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/simple-and-delicious-smoked-salmon.html) - As recently confessed, I have a mild tendency (cough) to become elevated around the holidays. So, you can imagine my excitement when I happened to make these little festive appetizers on the day that we had our very first snowfall... Yes indeed. It was a thing of beauty. We woke to white - ground covered and branches hanging
- [Roasted Pear and Caramelized Onion Pizza with a Cauliflower Crust (Gluten Free, Grain Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/10/roasted-pear-and-caramelized-onion.html) - Do you experience pumpkin carving anxiety? Would you say that it's mild, moderate or extreme? Mine has definitely diminished over the years largely thanks to my sons' coming of age and an eventual admission that I am in no way gifted at the task. It turns out that I didn't have to speak the words,
- [Warm Mushroom and Toasted Paprika Bean Salad](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/warm-mushroom-and-toasted-paprika-bean.html) - The autumn sun is streaming full through my kitchen windows - bands of gold shifting across the floor. My dog's face is warm and soft in the November light. If only it would stay. This way. ---------------- This is a happy mood autumn dish that pairs well with a dark ale. And, this. (Who's old enough to remember trooper?) Paprika comes
- [Carrot & Sunflower Seed Breakfast Bread](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/02/carrot-sunflower-seed-breakfast-bread.html) - Every plant in the universe seems to want to grow in this part of the world and I think I know why. Of all the wonders California has to offer, surely the greatest has to be the sun. I miss the snow. I do. I miss home, my community and my family. I dream about
- [Roasted Brussels Sprouts Chips with Balsamic](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/10/roasted-brussels-sprouts-chips-with.html) - We've been living on the West coast now for about two months and I think it might be time for me to switch the clocks to pacific time. I haven't worn a watch in years but my cell phone, computer and bedside clock are all set to eastern standard time. A little sad I know.
- [Homemade Gummy Bunnies!](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/04/homemade-gummy-bunnies.html) - We're just getting back from a little road trip down the coast (LA) and into the southeastern interior of California (Mojave/Colorado deserts), Arizona (Flagstaff, Grand Canyon) and Nevada (Vegas). We drove over 2 thousand miles in 4 days but it was worth every neck cramp, backseat brawl, and early morning rise. There was a jacuzzi
- [Spicy Thai Coconut Soup with Ginger, Lime and Vermicelli](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/02/spicy-thai-coconut-soup-with-ginger.html) - You're looking at my current obsession soup. I can - and do - eat it days on end. I have long been a fan of Thai cuisine with its vibrant colours, unparalleled flavours and warming properties. Strangely, the one time I visited Thailand, I was so captivated by the beauty and serenity of the Buddhist Temples, that food
- [Oatmeal Buttermilk Breakfast Scones with Cranberry and Pistachio](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/12/oatmeal-buttermilk-breakfast-scones.html) - Home is where you make it ~~~~~~~ I started making these breakfast scones shortly after our sons were born. I wanted to begin Christmas morning on a memorable note and create a tradition that we could all look forward to year after year. Since then, we've added bits and pieces to our culinary repertoire, some
- [Raw Vegan Brownies with a Peanut Butter-Banana Frosting (Grain Free, Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/12/raw-vegan-brownies-with-peanut-butter.html) - You will love these nutrient-packed beauties! Full of wholesome ingredients, they turn traditional brownies into a powerhouse of goodness without compromising taste. In fact, they are more like a quality energy bar in nutrient value than anything else and would work well as a loaded breakfast bite on-the-go. These brownies are fully adaptable which means that you can substitute
- [Roasted Miso-Glazed Portobello Mushrooms on Hazelnut Quinoa](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/01/roasted-miso-glazed-portobello.html) - Well, you'll be happy to know that I've returned to some wonderful, warming foods this week. As much fun as it was flirting with ice cream in January, I think the taste buds will adapt quite nicely to this soft and succulent oven roasted delight. I've been on something of a quinoa-hazelnut frenzy these pasts
- [Ancient Grains Granola Cups ~ sensible nutrition on-the-go](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/05/ancient-grains-granola-cups-sensible.html) - I think what amazes me most about homemade granola is how much goodness you can pack into such a small area. (Yup, I actually get excited about these things). Each of these muffin-sized granola cups contains more health building nutrients than the average North American consumes in an entire day. And then some. Sounds pretty worthwhile to me.
- [Strawberry Coconut Spelt Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/strawberry-coconut-spelt-muffins.html) - I'm not quite certain what it is about springtime that reminds me of coconut, but a few days of warm weather, sunshine and melting snow and I find myself gravitating towards the gentle sweetness of this beautiful, white fleshy fruit. Happily, I've had an opportunity to contemplate the changing seasons and radiant sunshine this past week
- [Apple Buttermilk Muffins](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/apple-buttermilk-muffins.html) - Since I know you've been missing my muffin recipes (that, and the fact that my boys returned to school this week), I busied myself making apple buttermilk muffins this weekend. I think you'll like them. They have a rustic, textured exterior thanks to the whole grains and a moist, full-flavoured interior with only a third of a cup of
- [Fig Muffins with fresh Apple and Oat-Spelt Flour](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/10/fig-muffins-with-fresh-apple-and-oat.html) - Why so many muffins you ask? I bake fresh muffins pretty much every week for my children. It makes me feel good to know that they are getting some homespun goodness in their lunchboxes and it's a treat for them (they have never had cookies, cakes or otherwise in their lunches. So this is their
- [The Brain-Beautiful Smoothie ~ multiple mind enhancing nutrients in one delicious drink](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/brain-beautiful-smoothie-multiple-mind.html) - I promise there is no salmon in this smoothie. (Although I did consider dark chocolate). We all know that eating a varied diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is one of the best insurance policies against illness but interesting too is the ongoing research that points to how certain foods are specifically protective of brain health
- [Three Layer Chicken & Bean Quesadilla ~ protein rich, oven-baked goodness](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/three-layer-chicken-bean-quesadilla.html) - Last Wednesday was national Take Your Child to Work Day, a learning program designed to encourage Grade 9 students from across Canada to spend the day in the workplace of a parent (relative or friend). Since my husband was out of town on business, our Grade 9'er had a much easier time deciding which parent to spend the day with! But what
- [Healthy Lunch Series: Vegetarian Taco Salad with Homemade Seasoning](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/06/healthy-lunch-series-vegetarian-taco.html) - Have you got a dishwasher reorganizer in the family? We do. And it seems there's no easy cure. No matter how carefully I place the plates, pack the cups or hang the knives, our resident reorganizer sneaks back to the dishwasher, quietly opens the door and proceeds to refile all of the dishes I've
- [Full Spectrum Energizing Salad with a Honey-Lemon Tarragon Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/03/full-spectrum-energizing-salad-with.html) - I didn't expect to feel the transition to spring in Northern California. Well, not so much anyway. Unlike the dramatic seasonal transformations that take place at home, and the huge relief and joy that accompanies them, I suspected the transitions in this part of the world might be more homogeneous. Boring even. But I
- [Avocado Pear Soup with Beet Greens and Cauliflower](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/avocado-pear-soup-with-beet-greens-and.html) - I was going to say that this is the best tasting soup I've had this year (but realized that wouldn't be particularly impactful). So, let me just say that this soup is delicious - and great for you! As promised, it uses up the beet greens leftover from the Beet and Apple Cucumber Tonic recipe, as well as some
- [Cranberry Chia Energy Bars (Raw, Vegan, Gluten Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/03/cranberry-chia-energy-bars-raw-vegan.html) - We just can't seem to get enough of these delicious, nutrient dense energy bars! They have taken over as the 'granola' bar of choice in this home and every couple weeks I try and come up with a new set of ingredients to keep things interesting. Not only are these energy bars a snap to
- [Protein Quinoa Muffins with Fresh Apricot, Walnut and Dates (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/02/protein-quinoa-muffins-with-fresh.html) - You can't see me right now but I'm doing a little February happy dance. That's right. We've turned the corner on the longest and coldest (let's hope) month of the year and that's cause enough for me to engage is some celebratory toe tapping. But just wait until spring arrives, when things really get afoot.
- [Flourless Double Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/03/flourless-double-chocolate-almond.html) - Imagine my surprise getting an email from my son's drama director last Tuesday advising of a costume parade that my son was appearing in on the Thursday. So far so good, right? Except...this: "The costume parade is a chance for the director and the costume committee to see what the costumes look like and make any needed
- [Strawberry Balsamic Crostini with Ricotta & Fresh Basil](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/05/strawberry-balsamic-crostini-with.html) - Well, 9 months later and I've finally decided to bite the bullet and join a 'meetup' group in my 'hood. As much as I love the plants and my doggie (who I must say has been the best darn friend a girl could ever ask for during this life transition), it's time for this recluse
- [Orange Sesame Ginger Chicken](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/orange-sesame-ginger-chicken.html) - I don't know about you, but I'm always on the lookout for low maintenance, can't go wrong meals, particularly when we have guests over (that almost makes us sound social). I'm quite happy to engage in trial and error when it's just me and the plants but less inclined to do so in the company of others. I'm also
- [Oatmeal Peanut Butter Banana Muffins with Dark Chocolate Drizzle](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/09/oatmeal-peanut-butter-banana-muffins.html) - Back in my teenage years in Montreal, my best friend and I would often go to a Friday afternoon fitness class together (there may have been a boy involved - I'm not sure I remember). Following our workout, we would promptly dash to a local muffin stand and devour a giant ooey-gooey banana-chocolate chip mess (talk about eating our profits).I
- [Lemon Passion Fruit Panna Cotta](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/lemon-passion-fruit-panna-cotta.html) - It's amazing what can come about in the midst of a downward dog.I spent the better part of my fitness class last Friday daydreaming about lemon and passion fruit and how I might marry the two in a refreshing, creamy dessert.I had this at the back of my mind, and this at the front.As far as the passion fruit
- [Minted Strawberry-Rhubarb Clafoutis](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/strawberry-tuesdays-minted-strawberry.html) - Clafoutis is a simple and delicious French dessert that has many taste and texture variations.It is traditionally made with cherries and milk (or cream), and has a texture that falls somewhere between a cake and a custard. In this variation, I have chosen to use yogurt which gives rise to a slightly denser clafoutis compared to the
- [Strawberry Tuesdays: La Margarita](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2011/11/strawberry-tuesdays-la-margarita.html) - My holiday celebrating seems to start a little earlier every year.This year, my family grudgingly put up with a preview of Michael Bublé's new Christmas CD before Halloween. (I know, I know). I've not been able to play it since without major groans from the audience. And who can blame them.Whether it's Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or a different holiday you are preparing
- [Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burritos with Avocado and Arugula](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/sweet-potato-and-black-bean-burritos.html) - I’m delighted to report that I was invited to do a guest post over at The Three Little Piglets this morning on healthy eating. Thanks for the invitation Jen.One of my biggest objectives as a nutritionist is to show people that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Nor does it have to be
- [Blackberry Mango Salsa Salad with Ginger Lime Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/01/blackberry-mango-salsa-salad-with.html) - I had originally intended on posting my favourite mango salsa but it was nearing noon when I began assembling this recipe and I just knew fruits and veggies alone weren't going to cut it for lunch. So, I mixed in some plump chickpeas for protein and fibre and was delighted with the result. Chickpea, an otherwise ordinary looking legume, has an
- [Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/lemon-thyme-roast-chicken.html) - Now that I am firmly back in a Spring state of mind, I'm ready to post this luminous lemon thyme roast chicken.This simple idea came to me in the middle of a workout the other day - (I'm all about living in the moment, provided that moment includes food). The sun was shining, spirits were high
- [Chirashi Sushi (Scattered Sushi Bowl)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/04/chirashi-sushi-scattered-sushi-bowl.html) - I snuck away on a brief tryst to Montreal last week. No, not that kind! A play date with my sister. Just a 24 hour thing, but a great break from the ordinary and well worth the trip. Being in Montreal, quite naturally, there was food involved.We went out for dim sum at one of these massive cafeteria
- [Seared Pepper Shrimp with a Spicy Mango-Lime Dipping Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/seared-pepper-shrimp-with-spicy-mango.html) - I recently bought a set of spice jars that came with a package of desiccated ginger chips. I've never come across dried ginger chips before... what a revelation! They're so pretty - in a natural, woodsy kind of way - and enormously fragrant - like a ginger potpourri. I've got some sitting in a bowl on my desk. Anyway, I was so enchanted, I had to
- [Pan Seared Prosciutto with Molten Bocconcini and Asparagus in a Balsamic Vinaigrette](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/03/pan-seared-prosciutto-with-molten.html) - Another defining sign that spring has arrived: asparagus is on sale!Yay spring. So, moving forward with more yummy spring recipes, I wanted to share this little delight.This is a simple and enormously tasty dish that you can fashion into a salad, stand alone starter or meal. I have served it on many occasions to guests and have arrived at the
- [Lemon Currant Oatmeal Scones with fresh Lavender Leaves](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/06/lemon-currant-oatmeal-scones-with-fresh.html) - Ever since visiting this property, it has been a quiet fantasy of mine to cultivate my own lavender farm.Wouldn't you just love to run yourself and your naked feet through those fragrant purple fields? But since I'm not likely to abandon my life as I currently know it, nor obtain a degree in horticulture anytime soon, I
- [Lemon Thyme Artichoke Dip ~ a summer fresh delight](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/06/lemon-thyme-artichoke-dip-summer-fresh.html) - "There is no such thing as a little garlic" ~ Arthur Baer.------------------ Every morning, I visit my little herb garden to see what surprises await me.My sons made these beautiful elevated herb boxes for meon Mother's day this year (with a little help from their dad)The herb boxes are made of cedar. So not only do
- [Raspberry Mango Cheesecake Pops with an Almond Crust ~ Gluten Free](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/06/raspberry-mango-cheesecake-pops-with.html) - The most challenging part about making this recipe is resisting eating the entire cheesecake batter before putting the pops in the freezer (so, so, ... so, good).As indulgences go, this one is pretty innocent. In fact, these cheesecake pops are more like a healthy snack than a dessert.Made with two cups of fresh fruit, protein rich yogurt and delicately sweetened
- [Seared Garlic Chicken with Lemon and Olives](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/05/seared-garlic-chicken-with-lemon-and.html) - I seem to have developed a stress fracture in my lower right leg, just above the ankle.(Completely self-diagnosed mind you. Having broken 6 bones in my day, I consider myself a small, albeit entirely unqualified, expert in the field).Anyway, it's a bit embarrassing because it's not like I was doing a drop step into a turnaround jump shot when it happened.
- [Mango Chickpea Lettuce Cups with a Spicy Peanut Sauce](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/06/mango-chickpea-lettuce-cups-with-spicy.html) - Have you found your spot yet?You know that place near or far, real or imagined, that allows you to be a little bit more like yourself and a little bit less like the impostor who sometimes inhabits your being?I spent some time up at my spot this weekend. In fact, for the first time in nine
- [Warm Apple-Raspberry Crisp ~ Gluten Free, Dairy Free](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/warm-apple-raspberry-crisp-gluten-free.html) - Gorgeous, local apples are still flooding markets and grocery stores, so I decided to take advantage of these wholesome beauties and make a warming apple-berry crisp.Given that there is no shortage of crisp, cobbler and crumble recipes out there, I wanted to challenge myself to put together a topping that was every bit as delicious as the best ones available,
- [Spicy Orange Ginger Shrimp](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/11/spicy-orange-ginger-shrimp.html) - Do you ever get the feeling that your time is a little less than your own?Twenty-first century understatement, I know. Still, I can't help but smile every now and again when I think about the turnstile nature of our lives. I imagine myself a cartoon character shuffling from one space to the next on a giant board of insanity looking out for
- [Homestyle Apple Cider with a Pumpkin Chai Infusion](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2012/10/homestyle-apple-cider-with-pumpkin-chai.html) - About 15 years ago, my husband and I started a tradition of making a pot of hot apple cider every year at Halloween. It began as a way of keeping ourselves warm as we greeted little (and seemingly big) trick-or-treaters on what is almost always a rather fresh (read: freezing cold) Canadian evening. Since that time, it has quickly become one of our favourite fall drinks. Our
- [Cranberry Coconut Quinoa Loaves (Gluten Free, Dairy Free)](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2013/04/cranberry-coconut-quinoa-loaves-gluten.html) - Some of you may have caught a glimpse of these little loaves on my Facebook page prior to Easter.My sister, whom I hadn't seen in nearly 3 years (where does time go?), and her lovely daughter were visiting over the Easter long weekend and preparations were well underway. We had a splendid visit! There was
- [Szechuan Style Orange Ginger Chicken over Black Bean Quinoa](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/2014/01/szechuan-style-orange-ginger-chicken.html) - We snuck away for new year's.It was a last minute decision that had us dashing out the door in the late afternoon on the 31st -- bags half-packed, hair combed with a pork chop, two kids, a dog, a cat and a bottle of champagne. We drove 7 hours down the coast, stopping here and

## Pages

- [Contact](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/contact) - Kelly Mulcair is a grief counselor, holistic nutritionist and lawyer with over 20 years experience as a clinician and educator in the field of health and wellness. Guided by a deeply intuitive nature, formal education, and rich lived experience, Kelly brings a unique and multidimensional perspective to personal growth and healing, integrating insights from diverse disciplines to
- [Welcome](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/about) - Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there's a field. I'll meet you there ~ Rumi hello and welcome i hope you find a soft landing here. i love working with my hands and have discovered that the smallest things often bring the greatest and deepest joy. an introverted soul with a rich inner world,
- [Inspire ✨](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/inspire-✨) - when you touch one thing with deep awareness, you touch everything --thich nhat hanh we think the point is to overcome the problem but the truth is​, ​things don't really get solved they come together and then they fall apart then they come together again and they fall apart again it's just like that the
- [life 🖤](https://www.inspirededibles.ca/life-♥) - my dear Stella, this is a tough letter to write and also one of the most natural things i've ever done we are sitting outside watching the birds drink from your water bowl their beaks clinking enthusiastically against the metal another winged friend comes in closer perching its small body next to ours she's performing
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