Food and Recipes

July 21, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Rich Ralph

Fitness Goop’s Top 12 Food Films

Documentaries have always been an effective method used by film makers to shed some light on various subjects that may otherwise go unnoticed. In the past, however, documentaries have often held a misconception of tiresome, mono-toned narration and boring cinematography. Fortunately, as the real food movement continues to build in momentum, and as the filming technology evolves, many critically acclaimed documentaries have been produced and popularize in the mainstream. With the ever-increasing number of food documentaries being produced, I thought it was time to take a moment to acknowledge my top picks of must-see Foodie Films. These films cover a...

July 21, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food, Food and Recipes, Holistic Health, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

5 Minute Breakfast: Goji Berry Oatmeal

You have heard it before, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Indeed it is, but it's what you have for breakfast that really counts. Having breakfast with a good source of protein and a complex carb is important for many reasons. Protein (such as nuts and seeds, eggs or greek yogurt) and complex carbohydrates (such as whole grain oatmeal or quinoa) help balance blood sugar which you need for energy, brain function, a happy mood and craving control. A latte will not suffice! I also understand that being on a time crunch is one of the most common...

July 12, 2014 In Fitness, Food and Recipes, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Estimating Your Daily Caloric Needs

Calories; they are everywhere these days. We spend an awful lot of time and energy trying to count how many calories we consume per day, per meal, even per forkful. Yet many of us usually spend little if any time trying to figure out exactly how many calories we actually need, otherwise called our caloric needs. It's pretty easy to look up in any number of nutrition tables how many calories a certain food contains. It’s also pretty easy to add up all the calories you have eaten in a day to get your total daily caloric consumption. It's a little...

July 6, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight, Uncategorized By Vancouver Health Coach

How To Be Gluten-Free Without Being Socially Awkward

No one wants to be socially awkward. However no one wants to eat something they know causes unpleasant symptoms, either. For the 1 in 133 people worldwide suffering with Celiac disease, or the 6-7% of people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, living gluten-free (GF) is not easy. There has been a tremendous increase in availability, variety and quality of gluten-free products in recent years. However, there are still many facets of gluten-free living that create a ton of awkward social moments. Let’s start with the dinner party. Being a guest in someone’s home, who you know put a ton of effort into...

July 3, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Vegan & Gluten-Free Smoothie Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Smoothie vs Pumpkin Spice Latte

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion” Henry David Thoreau Have you been thinking about ordering a Tall Pumpkin Spice Latte but somehow you are resisting the 300-calorie drink that delivers 3 tablespoons of sugar! Try this gluten-free Phytonutrient Rich Pumpkin Spice Smoothie (and enjoy a small coffee on the side). For only 200 calories and without any refined sugar, this Superfood drink delivers phytonutrients like beta-carotene that have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory powers. The carminative spices, ginger and cinnamon, reduce gas in the stomach and help with the digestion of...

June 23, 2014 In Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Gluten-Free: Just Another Fad Diet or the Solution to Your Health Problems?

The gluten-free industry is booming, estimated to reach $6.2 billion by 2018, according to research done by MarketsandMarkets. Gluten-free products can be expensive, and although widely more available now than even 5 years ago, it can still be a challenge to find them unless you’re in a health food store. So what is all the hype about anyway? Is gluten-free just the latest fad diet? Could going gluten-free be the solution to your health problems? Let’s start with the basics. Gluten is a protein found in foods processed from wheat, barley, and rye. It also commonly contaminates other grains that do not...

June 21, 2014 In Eliminating Toxins, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, News, Spotlight By Vancouver Health Coach

Detoxification: Do Cleanses Really Work?

Many of us have experimented with detox kits purchased from health-food stores and noticed huge changes. Some dropped weight, and others found their skin cleared up. Some had to spend the first couple of days in the bathroom until their bodies got used to the new regimen, after which they felt fantastic. Others felt ill during the entire cleanse and remained depleted afterwards. They probably would have been better off not doing the cleanse in the first place. Our primary organs of detoxification are the liver, gall bladder, kidneys and the skin, and all in all, they do a fantastic job considering...

June 9, 2014 In Food and Recipes, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Carob and Pumpkin Seed Bars

While pumpkin seeds have many beneficial functions in the body, they have gained popularity for being a good source of zinc- an important mineral to prostate health and fertility. Zinc is needed to produce sufficient and healthy sperm making it necessary for conception. Zinc is also one of the antioxidant minerals that is said to help disarm free radicals (cancer causing molecules) and prevent the process which allows cancerous prostate cells to multiply. To reap the benefits of pumpkin seeds, they are best eaten raw and soaked beforehand for optimal absorption. Although roasting them really brings out their full toasty flavor,...

May 30, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Eliminating Toxins, Fitness, Food, Food and Recipes, Green & Healthy Living, Holistic Health, Weight Loss By Vancouver Health Coach

Healthy Glow Hemp Protein Smoothie

Hemp could win an academy award for being an excellent source of plant based protein. This quality alone has made hemp protein a desirable addition to vegan and raw food diets but you certainly don't have to follow a specific diet to enjoy the benefits of this plant powerhouse! In addition to protein and fiber (which are needed for good digestion and blood sugar balance) hemp provides both omega 6 and omega 3 essential fatty acids which are needed for a healthy heart and nervous system, glowing skin, happy hormones, weight loss and much more. Your body cannot produce these fats...

May 18, 2014 In Editor's Picks: Must Haves for Staying Healthy, Food and Recipes, Monthly Giveaway's | FREE STUFF, News By Vancouver Health Coach

Fitness Goop Giveaway: Win $100 of Hemp Products Courtesy of Manitoba Harvest

To kick start our Monthly Giveaway Contests, we’ve partnered with Manitoba Harvest who are generously providing us with a $100 gift certificate to give to YOU to enjoy their amazing hemp products. Click here http://a.pgtb.me/VTRCCs and enter for your chance to win! We’ll pick one winner at random at the end of this month. About May’s Giveaway Hemp is a sustainable, green-friendly plant that’s been around for many generations. It is versatile and used for many things such as clothing, rope, car material and of course food! Why Eat Hemp Foods?  Taste great! Hemp foods have a slightly nutty flavor, which compliments pretty much any dish. Easy...