Oh She’s Glowing

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What was on the menu last week?

15 minute creamy avocado basil pasta.   Blended basil, avocado, fresh lemon juice, cracked pepper …. all come together to gently coat spaghetti in a wonderfully heart healthy and delicious sauce.

Enlighten miso power bowl with roasted sweet potatoes, quinoa, edamame and a lovely orange maple miso dressing.

Cesar salad – classic cesar made plant friendly and dairy free, cutting saturated fats creating decedent lighter meal when time is in short supply.

Glo bars (the best granola bars I have ever eaten)!  They come together quickly, they are seriously delicious and packed full of ingredients that will have you glowing form the inside out!  These bars are so good that my ‘picky one’ is now happily eating, hemp, chia seeds and raw oats … seriously.  The bars can be made nut free for school and won’t take you long to throw together.

All thanks to Angela Liddon’s new cookbook: Oh She Glows

I have been waiting to get my hands on a copy of her much anticipated new cookbook and it does not disappoint.  Check out Angela’s blog at http://www.ohsheglows.com  It is chock full of tips, recipes and all-round good stuff.

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When I was growing up dinner was at 6:30 every night. You did not have to eat but you had to be at the table.

I think my folks like most families were on to something…

We have all intrinsically known that eating with others whether it is family, friends or colleagues can be good for your health.

We eat slower, make better choices and the social element can increase your levels of serotonin (the neurotransmitter that Keeps us feeling happy). There have been some impressive studies about the effects that sitting down to a family meal can have on the development of a child and the dynamics of the family.

  • It’s a place to pass on family traditions
  • You can easily create an ‘unplugged’ zone for communication (It is amazing what you will learn when you are not distracted)
  • It offers structure and routine
  • Allows parents or caregivers to check in with kids and teens gaining valuable insights that might be harder to tap into otherwise
  • Family meals can have a positive impact on literacy and language development
  • Kids who eat with their families on a regular basis are less likely to be obese
  • Many studies have shown that children that sit down to a regular family meal will be less likely to have substance abuse problems, have a better sense of well being and actually do better academically

Family does not have to mean that you a re related, whether your family consists of kids, teens, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends or neighbours, family is family.

Schedule some time to sit down with those that mean the most to you and slow things down a bit.

Do You Want Your Kids to do Better in School? Sit Down and Have a Meal with Them

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Take Back the Family Table!

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I have 2 kids, one of which will try anything at least once and the other who is incredibly picky and only eats about a dozen things, I have a wonderful spouse and a schedule that is packed.

As most busy moms I struggle to get healthy, interesting and delicious meals into my family that are quick and easy to prepare amongst homework, meetings  and activities. Top that all off with the fact that we are vegetarian – vegan actually. What goes on our table and in our mouths is completely plant based ( mostly, the picky one will have dairy on the occasion ).

What is a Family Supper Club, a quiet revolution I hope.  Talking with other busy moms I am amazed at how many skip the family meal at the end of the day.  All saying that with 2 kids, 3 kids or 4 kids + they are just too busy – “we eat on the go and hopefully get a meal in once and a while on the weekends”.  Well it is time we take back the family table and gather a few more times each week.

So the plan is that I will be posting some easy, quick to prepare, menu ideas and musings on family and this crazy life.  I hope you will join me.

See you at the table!