by Jillian | Apr 21, 2015 | Healthy Easy Recipes, Nutrition
Ling Cod is a real treat around our home! You have to jig for it when you are fishing and usually my husband likes to troll for salmon. Catching a 30+ Spring Salmon is more of an adrenalin rush I suppose! 😉 Personally I love jigging for cod. The motor is off and all you can see and hear is the ocean all around you. It is very relaxing and peaceful. And an added bonus….I get to feed my family wild fish from the beautiful West Coast. This is a great recipe to enjoy that tasty white fish. I hope you enjoy this as much as we did 🙂 Again try to use organic ingredients when possible! Ingredients: ling cod olive oil (organic) gluten free flour mix-organic (any type) 2 tablespoons Chia and flax seed powder (organic) 2 tablespoons hemp seed hearts (organic) fresh squeezed lemon (organic) herbamare seasoning salt (organic) black pepper egg substitute Directions: In first bowl make up an egg substitute. You will use this to coat the cod before breading it. Use eggs if no allergies. In a second bowl combine G.F. flour mix, hemp seed hearts, chia & flax seed powder, salt and papper. Cut up the cod into smaller strips Heat up a generous amount of olive oil in a frying pan Dip pieces of cod into egg substitute then coat with flour mixture. Add to frying pan, squeeze fresh lemon overtop and cook until cod flakes apart I served this cod with a salad and organic brown rice. I used my apple cider vinaigrette with maple syrup recipe. I garnished it with parsley...
by Jillian | Apr 17, 2015 | Healthy Easy Recipes, Nutrition
Pre-packaged taco seasoning is not the best for you. They are full of preservatives and GMOs. Check out this taco seasoning recipe I made from scratch. We ate it tonight and all 4 of my kids loved it! Again I only cook simple healthy recipes, because lets face it, with 4 kids I don’t have time to make anything that isn’t easy! But just because they are simple and easy doesn’t mean I lose out on taste by any means! When adding spices or herbs I add to personal taste. So really make it as spicy or salty as you like 😉 Ground Venison (would also taste great without meat) 4 cloves of garlic chopped half of a medium onion chili powder Cumin Cayenne pepper Tumeric ground pepper Herbamare seasoning sea salt We served ours on an organic corn tortilla. We buy ours from a local company called Abuelos Corn Torillas. Add any vegetable to your tacos. This time we added lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado and cheese. Enjoy the goodness!!!! Peace, love and light,...
by Jillian | Apr 6, 2015 | Healthy Easy Recipes, Nutrition
I use this salad dressing on quinoa and salad greens. It is absolutely delicious!!! This recipe is for 1 cup of cooked quinoa. Use organic/non gmo ingredients when possible 🙂 3 tablespoons olive oil 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar approx. 1 tablespoon maple syrup 1 large crushed garlic squeeze of fresh lemon half teaspoon dijon mustard Tossed with tomatoes, feta, fresh basil and cilantro. Some interesting information on the health benefits of cilantro. I have also read that cilantro is very good for clearing out and detoxing metals out of our body. Information resourced from: http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/health-benefits-of-cilantro/ Toxic Metal Cleansing Cilantro is most often cited as being effective for toxic metal cleansing and rightfully so, this herb is a powerful, natural cleansing agent. The chemical compounds in cilantro bind to toxic metals and loosen them from the tissue. Many people suffering from mercury exposure report a reduction in the often-cited feeling of disorientation after consuming large and regular amounts of cilantro over an extended period. [1] Other Benefits of Cilantro May be able to help prevent cardiovascular damage. [2] The School of Life Science in Tamil Nadu, India noted, after researching the activity of cilantro leaves and stem, “if used in cuisine would be a remedy for diabetes.” [3] Strong antioxidant activity. [4] Has been shown to have anti-anxiety effects. [5] May help improve sleep quality. [6] Has been examined and described to have a blood-sugar lowering effect. [7] Cilantro seed oil possess antioxidative properties, consumption may decrease oxidative stress. [8] Research conducted by The Dental School of Piracicaba in Brazil found cilantro oil to be a new natural...
by Jillian | Mar 31, 2015 | Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Who wants to know a safe, effective and refreshing blend of essential oils to use around your home?! I was first introduced to this blend about 12 years ago from a couple Aromatherapists who I worked with at the Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa. It smells amazing, it is so refreshing to use and it actually works. Because of the antiseptic and antibacterial properties in the essential oils you get a disinfectant. I mostly use it to wipe down surfaces such as counters, tables, and the stove. I am so aware of everything I use around my children and there for I feel like this is a safe alternative to use around my home. It can also be used as an air freshener and I will often spray the mudroom area! I give those shoes and boots a good spray! How to make: In 500 ml of water. 15 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil 15 drops Lemon Essential Oil 15 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil 5 drops Peppermint Essential Oil Please see below for each individual essential oils properties for more information. Lemon essential oil is known for its antiviral, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. Use in a diffuser or humidifier to help fight with a cold or flu. Can also be used to help with asthma. Lemon essential oil used with tea tree and eucalyptus then mixed with water in a spray bottle makes for a wonderful disinfectant around the home. Contraindications: Slightly phototoxic so avoid exposing the skin to UV rays for 12 hours after use. Avoid during pregnancy. Eucalyptus essential oil is highly antiseptic so it is a great...
by Jillian | Mar 27, 2015 | Nutrition, Organic Gardening
I live in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. We have a fairly mild climate so this creates wonderful vegetable growing conditions! I grew up next to my Grandparents and they were avid gardeners. My Granddad was the veggie gardener so that is where my passion comes from. As soon as I could walk I was out there helping him. My Grandma would tell me stories of me sitting on my stool out on the deck watching for him to appear! I was out there everyday he was. I think being out in nature with him created this great sense of relaxation I get from it. My Granddad was a man of very few words, but he was kind and gentle and patient with me. I will forever treasure my 16 years with him. With today’s busy lifestyle of running around I find it hard to find hobbies and activities that are truly relaxing in my busy life. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way! This is why I’m trying so hard to get back to the basics, spend more time on our property and truly have quality time with our children. To really spend the time and listen to their little stories and what they are thinking. No one can really do this if we are all running around like crazy people!! Gardening ties into this healthy lifestyle I am creating for my family. So for seeds I use West Coast Seeds based out of the lower mainland. They are for organic growing and are nongmo. You can find them at almost any local nursery...
by Jillian | Mar 23, 2015 | Healthy Easy Recipes, Nutrition
The other night I decided to do some experimenting with some organic ginger I bought. I’ve hardly cooked with ginger but that has all changed with my last few meals! I did avoid putting ginger on tonight’s dinner just to give everyone a break 😉 So this recipe turned out amazing! I never expected it to taste so good and my whole family enjoyed it. I served it with a salad, homemade dressing (see previous post) and organic long grain brown rice. This dinner is super easy to make, just add all the ingredients in the order I have listed them in. Wild Salmon Organic Olive Oil Organic Chia and Flax Seed Powder Organic Hemp Seed hearts Grated Organic Ginger Local Honey Fresh Basil Leaves Fresh Thyme Leaves Cook in the oven at 400 for about 25 minutes or until salmon flakes apart....
by Jillian | Mar 19, 2015 | Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
I would like to share another blend of essential oils I often use. My children don’t get sick very often and I believe this is because we eat well, get lots of rest and use essential oils! We get a couple mild colds a year so whenever they are feeling under the weather or even starting to feel off I have my essential oils going. I will use a diffuser as a preventive and when they are full on sick I use the humidifier. As a preventive: In a diffuser mix with water 4 drops lavender 4 drops bergamot 4 drops eucalptus Light a tea light candle underneath When sick: In a humidifier, I would use more oils as they are diffused more slowly and they would just need more at this point. I think the reason Emalee doesn’t have asthma anymore is because of the essential oils opening up her bronchi and work as an anti-inflammatory. My other children have never had respiratory problems or had a cold turn into something worse, like pneumonia because the oils really help open up the lungs, clear the nose and let them get a more peaceful sleep. I should mention I do rotate the essential oils I do use so no one becomes desensitized. Everything in moderation, right?! I have listed some more information below about the essential oils of lavender, bergamot and eucalyptus. Bergamot: Bergamot essential oil is known for its calming, refreshing and uplifting qualities. Begamot can be helpful with eczema, acne, cold sores, psoriasis, wounds and oily skin. May help with digestion, urethritis, colds...
by Jillian | Mar 15, 2015 | Healthy Easy Recipes, Nutrition
Allergen free stir fry. Another super easy meal my whole family loves! Packed full of vegetables (some from our garden last summer), spices, herbs and local hormone and antibiotic free pork. It is possible to make a delicious and healthy stir fry without gluten or soy sauce. The kale I blanched and froze from our garden last year. The onions and garlic were also from our garden last year. They were hung up and stored in our pump house. So lots of vegetables you can actually save and keep over the winter. I can’t talk about enough about trying to eat out of the garden all year long! Anyone can have a garden even if it is out of some pots on your balcony growing herbs and greens. So if anyone is interested in gardening keep an eye out for my gardening tips! *all vegetables are organic. Do your best with this…no pressure 😉 Local antibiotic and hormone free pork. (Optional of course) onion (1) garlic (I used 5 cloves) grated fresh ginger red pepper (1) Carrots broccoli cauliflower zucchini kale turmeric organic chia and flax seed powder Herbamare (Sea salt infused with organic herbs and vegetables). Pepper Once pork is cooked add the vegetable sea salt and pepper. Then saute in onions, garlic and grated ginger. Throw all the other veggies in! Once vegetables are lightly cooked add organic brown rice into pan. Serve and eat up! If you wanted to add a gluten free soy sauce to individual serving you can at this point but you don’t need to because there is so much flavoring from...
by Jillian | Mar 13, 2015 | Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Today I was asked what a beneficial blend of essential oils would be for overall peace and wellness. I would like to share a blend I often use which is very uplifting with a sense of serenity, peace and calm. Let the essential oils help you when you are having a more stressful and overwhelming day! Not only do you get the uplifting affects mentally you also get the antiviral properties which is always a nice added bonus. In a diffuser mix with water 4 drops lavender 4 drops bergamot 4 drops sweet orange I have listed some more information below about the essential oils of lavender, bergamot and sweet orange. Bergamot: Bergamot essential oil is known for its calming, refreshing and uplifting qualities. Begamot can be helpful with eczema, acne, cold sores, psoriasis, wounds and oily skin. May help with digestion, urethritis, colds and flu due to its antibacterial, anti-infectious and expectorant properties. It is effective against anxiety, depression and other stress related conditions. Contraindications: avoid during first trimester of pregnancy. Lavender: Lavender essential oil has so many day to day practical uses. It is one essential oil I don’t leave the house without! Lavender essential oil is very calming and is known to help with problem sleepers. Some properties of lavender essential oil are; cell regeneration, allergies, dry acne, eczema, psoriasis, burns, boils, wounds, healing, insect bites, bee stings, sun burns and athletes foot. Aids sufferers with asthma, bronchitis laryngitis, wooping cough and infections. Calming, analgesic and balancing properties....
by Jillian | Mar 10, 2015 | Healthy Easy Recipes, Nutrition
An easy recipe to whip up the night before! This breakfast is a high source of proteins, omegas, iron and fiber. This recipe makes a large amount although my family of 6 ate it all this morning! If you have extra, this breakfast will either freeze or put it in the fridge to last a couple meals. You get to wake up to a wonderful aroma of apples and cinnamon! Directions: ~Cook on the low setting for 8-9 hours. ~Coat the crock pot with coconut oil or another type of cooking oil so the pan is easier to clean the next morning, before adding all the ingredients. 3 organic apples cut up into cubes 3 cups of a milk substitute. I like to bake and cook with coconut milk. 3 cups water 2 cups uncooked organic steel cut oats 4 tablespoons organic brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons organic sprouted chia and flax seed powder 2 tablespoons organic hemp seed hearts The next morning you can add whatever toppings you want. Some examples could be nuts, fruit or berries. Add some more coconut milk to individual portion and eat up! ...
