I just got back from a fantastic holiday with family and I am pleased that I was able to keep to my plant based way of eating without too much difficulty and even happier that my family enjoyed the food I prepared and could see what an improvement this has made to my health on every level.
The one thing I over indulged in was bread and few cake slices, so between that and the wetter weather at the end of my holiday my fingers are a bit sore due to a flare up of arthritis. However, I am really pleased that my blood glucose has stayed stable which is quite amazing and against the conventional idea that all carbs are pretty much a no go area. Admittedly bread, unless truly whole grain and sprouted and vegan cake are processed so not something we should eat much of whether we are worried about blood glucose or not.
This morning after the long flight yesterday I thought I would like to give my body a boost to ensure I don't succumb to jet lag so drank a couple of glasses of water and then made a huge green smoothie which is absolutely delicious and acts as a bit of a cleanser after the bread indulgences.
Green Smoothie
In the biggest jug your blender has put
1/2 cup frozen chopped Kale
3 squares or 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach
1 small cucumber
Top greener half of a Romaine lettuce
1/2 apple
1/2 bottle green kombucha drink
1 tblsp apple cider vinegar (get one that is unpasteurized & has the mother present)
1-2 cups of water depending on how thick you like it - I used 2 as I felt a bit dehydrated from the flight.
Wizz up in the blender, drink & enjoy
Wednesday, 5 July 2017
Monday, 3 July 2017
Alive To Thrive Life
Yay I have done it!
I launched my website a couple of weeks ago and while it is still a work in progress it is actually out there, up and running.
The address is https://alivetothrivelife.ca. Please visit it and keep going back to see how it develops.
The plan is to start providing workshops seminars, cooking classes and retreats as well as coaching and a support network for people interested in including more whole plant foods in their diets or going fully whole plant based in their eating. I will be adding dates as I get locations and times set up. If you are interested in attending anything and there is no date yet just drop me a line at the email on
I chose the name because I believe we were created to thrive in life, to have full health, to be full of vitality and energy. Thus an Alive to Thrive Life is one of health, vitality, energy and joy with the knowledge that a whole plant food way of life helps the planet and all creation to thrive.
While I fully believe that eating animal products is the least healthy way of life, I also realize that for many people going fully plant based is a step too far. I also know that much of the information out there is really confusing so people continue to think that meat, fish, dairy are healthy despite indisputable evidence that they all contain unhealthy fats, cholesterol and hormones that harm us.
The processed food industry like the animal produce industry finances studies and research to back up claims that these products are healthy, will help us lose weight and increase energy so we are bombarded with at best biased information and at worst dangerous false information
The one thing that is agreed is that we all need to eat more veg, fruit, beans, legumes so if I can help people do that then I will be really happy. I know people are healthier and the planet is healthier when we eat more plants and less animal products and processed products, so it is a win-win situation.
I launched my website a couple of weeks ago and while it is still a work in progress it is actually out there, up and running.
The address is https://alivetothrivelife.ca. Please visit it and keep going back to see how it develops.
The plan is to start providing workshops seminars, cooking classes and retreats as well as coaching and a support network for people interested in including more whole plant foods in their diets or going fully whole plant based in their eating. I will be adding dates as I get locations and times set up. If you are interested in attending anything and there is no date yet just drop me a line at the email on
I chose the name because I believe we were created to thrive in life, to have full health, to be full of vitality and energy. Thus an Alive to Thrive Life is one of health, vitality, energy and joy with the knowledge that a whole plant food way of life helps the planet and all creation to thrive.
While I fully believe that eating animal products is the least healthy way of life, I also realize that for many people going fully plant based is a step too far. I also know that much of the information out there is really confusing so people continue to think that meat, fish, dairy are healthy despite indisputable evidence that they all contain unhealthy fats, cholesterol and hormones that harm us.
The processed food industry like the animal produce industry finances studies and research to back up claims that these products are healthy, will help us lose weight and increase energy so we are bombarded with at best biased information and at worst dangerous false information
The one thing that is agreed is that we all need to eat more veg, fruit, beans, legumes so if I can help people do that then I will be really happy. I know people are healthier and the planet is healthier when we eat more plants and less animal products and processed products, so it is a win-win situation.
Spicy Black Bean Burgers
I have just had a fantastic holiday with family in Jersey, Channel Islands, UK and thought I would share the recipe that I made for for our family & friends BBQ this past week-end. The confirmed meataholics who tried these tasty burgers all said they were really good & one admitted he had been back for 3!
I found some Porcini Mushroom paste in Waitrose here in Jersey- it is astounding so it is in this recipe. If I cannot find some in Canada I plan to just whizz some dried Porcini mushrooms through the blender and add that.
These do take a bit of prep but it really is worth the effort.
Spicy Black Burgers
1 red onion, diced,
1 red pepper diced
1 stick of celery, diced
4-6 cloves of garlic pushed through a garlic press
2 cloves of garlic slice thinly
2 tsps tamari/soy sauce
Steam saute in a large frying pan on lower medium heat to soften. then add
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp ground coriander,
2 tsp medium curry pounder
1 tsp bot paprika
Stir and cook for a minute to release flavours of spices
Add
1/2 sweet potato, grated,
2 medium carrots grated,
1 tsp tamari/soy sauce
Stir & cook to slightly soften the grated veg.
Turn off heat & allow to cool.
1 tin black beans drained well - half tin mashed with a fork to break up beans
1 tsp marmite
2 tsp Porcini mushroom past
1/4 tsp salt,
a few good grinds of pepper
1/2 cup large oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
In a large mixing bowl mix all the ingredients together , cover the bowl & put in fridge for 15 minutes, mix again & form a test burger in your hands. If it is too wet add more oats, mix, cover bowl and place back in fridge for 30 mins to firm up.
Either fry in a pan that has a very light spray of oil til crisp and golden brown or place on baking parchment on a tray and cook in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes, turning once half way through.
I did both and found the baked ones slightly drier but still a good texture and moistness.
I found some Porcini Mushroom paste in Waitrose here in Jersey- it is astounding so it is in this recipe. If I cannot find some in Canada I plan to just whizz some dried Porcini mushrooms through the blender and add that.
These do take a bit of prep but it really is worth the effort.
Spicy Black Burgers
1 red onion, diced,
1 red pepper diced
1 stick of celery, diced
4-6 cloves of garlic pushed through a garlic press
2 cloves of garlic slice thinly
2 tsps tamari/soy sauce
Steam saute in a large frying pan on lower medium heat to soften. then add
1 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp ground coriander,
2 tsp medium curry pounder
1 tsp bot paprika
Stir and cook for a minute to release flavours of spices
Add
1/2 sweet potato, grated,
2 medium carrots grated,
1 tsp tamari/soy sauce
Stir & cook to slightly soften the grated veg.
Turn off heat & allow to cool.
1 tin black beans drained well - half tin mashed with a fork to break up beans
1 tsp marmite
2 tsp Porcini mushroom past
1/4 tsp salt,
a few good grinds of pepper
1/2 cup large oats
2 tbsp chia seeds
In a large mixing bowl mix all the ingredients together , cover the bowl & put in fridge for 15 minutes, mix again & form a test burger in your hands. If it is too wet add more oats, mix, cover bowl and place back in fridge for 30 mins to firm up.
Either fry in a pan that has a very light spray of oil til crisp and golden brown or place on baking parchment on a tray and cook in a 200 degree oven for 30 minutes, turning once half way through.
I did both and found the baked ones slightly drier but still a good texture and moistness.
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