A Guest Post for A Good Cause

Oct 4, 2011 • Categories: Uncategorized • by

My brother Sean, is a Vice Principal of a school in Mississauga and asked me to share this with you. Sadly, one of his students at age 11, passed away in early July of 2011. However, as you will read below, his determination for an 11 year old boy was absolutely inspiring and touching. Please read below and pass it on.

By: Sean McCarthy

Curtis Chow had courageously battled cancer for many, many years.  His initial cancer was a neuroblastoma (a form of brain cancer) and it spread throughout his body despite many treatments.  Curtis was the epitome of a fighter, literally and figuratively.  He came to school throughout his chemotherapy last year and participated in all school events.  His hard work and dedication to school earned him the grade 6 perseverance award which was given to him in his hospital bed at Sick Kids’ in the final days of the school year and the final days of his life. Continue reading “A Guest Post for A Good Cause” »

1 Comment

Success Story: Kinga – Bye Bye Allergies!

Sep 29, 2011 • Categories: Success Stories • by

I consulted Kinga a few months ago on her nutrition and wellness at 889 Yonge. When this email popped into my inbox with this message, I just had to share it (with her permission of course):

“I know we only had one session together but nonetheless that one meet had a tremendous effect on me, physically and emotionally.  My allergies have subsided drastically!!!!!!!!  About 80% of it is gone!!  I have more energy then ever and I haven’t felt this happy and clear headed in a very very long time”. 

Change takes time, effort and a willingness to let go of old habits and let new ones enter your life. It’s not a piece of cake (more like a meaty bowl of chia pudding), but rather… a lovely journey in getting to know yourself better. Kinga was a wonderful example of someone who made some healthful changes and had life-changing results.

The other important point about Kinga is that she was truly ready for change. She was tired of suffering from daily annoyances of food allergies/sensitivities because it was taking over her whole life. She made a significant commitment to herself and this was the joyous result!

If you have been thinking about change for a while now and starting new healthy habits, but can’t seem to translate your good intentions into action, then write it down before you go to bed. When you wake up in the morning read your intention before you start your day. For example, let’s say your intention is to drink lemon and water every morning. If you write it down before you go to bed and then read it in the morning, you are far more likely to do it! I know it might sound a bit silly, but every little change counts and that is a great place to start.

Want some joy in your life? :) 4 upcoming workshops:

1. Feel Good Food: http://www.joyoushealth.ca/banish-cravings-emotional-eating-for-good/

2. Gluten-Free-Deliciously: http://www.joyoushealth.ca/how-to-be-gluten-free-deliciously/

3. Eat Well Feel Well 8! http://www.joyoushealth.ca/eat-well-feel-well/

4. Mexico Wellness Retreat 2012 – Exciting! http://loveactionyoga.com/programs/retreat/

 


Joy McCarthy, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach of Joyous Health, loves to inspire others to eat well, live well and be happy.

Joy has clients from all over the world and consults via phone and Skype. Contact Joy today and take the first step to achieving joyous health. REASONS TO HIRE A HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST.

 

0 Comments

Comfort Food recipe Alert: Sweet Potato Parsnip Soup

Sep 27, 2011 • Categories: Recipes, Superfoods • by

Attention all you comfort-food-lovers out there! This recipe is fabulously good. In fact, I made it on the weekend and my official recipe tester said “It’s out of this world”. I love soups because they are easy peasy, require few ingredients and they are wonderful as an appetizer or they can hold their own as a main dish with a beautifying salad.

This recipe is certified organic and 100% local – can you get any better than that? Nutrient-dense-mega-watt-tasting ingredients = sweet potato carrot soup with East Indian-inspired spices. So this is what I bought:  2 sweet potatoes, 4 parsnips and a bunch of garlic from a farmers’ market.

Before I share this recipe, I must tell you about one of my fave root veggies, sweet potato. They are a nutritional superstar and your tastebuds will love em’ too thanks to the natural sweetness they provide to a recipe. So here’s the joyous nutritional scoop: Continue reading “Comfort Food recipe Alert: Sweet Potato Parsnip Soup” »

12 Comments

Coconut Lime Truffles: Raw Dessert

Sep 25, 2011 • Categories: Recipes • by

I taught a raw food cooking class on the weekend and one of my students’ favourite recipes was this dessert. These truffles sound incredibly decadent, don’t they? We often associate the word “decadent” with fattening and unhealthy, but these refreshing and lively mouthfuls are the furthest thing from either.

In fact, these truffles have superfood powers! The two main ingredients are avocado and coconut oil (they’re reminiscent of an amazing key lime pie recipe I posted several months ago).

What makes avocados so super?

  • They’re a source of monounsaturated fat (otherwise known as good or heart-healthy fat), which studies have proven helps to lower cholesterol. This type of fat can even beautify hair and skin.
  • Avocados are a good source of potassium, a mineral most notable for its ability to regulate blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
  • Studies show antioxidants found in the avocado help lower the risk for both breast and prostate cancers.

What makes coconut oil so super? http://www.joyoushealth.ca/2011/01/26/health-benefits-of-coconut-oil-why-you-need-to-get-some/

Ingredients:

  •  1 ripe avocado
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup organic coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut (look for organic and unsulfured)

Method:

Peel and remove the seed of the avocado, place into food processor. Squeeze the juice of the lime on top of the avocado and add the lime zest. Melt the coconut oil over medium heat, then add to the food processor. Add the honey and blend until completely smooth.

Transfer to a bowl and place in freezer for one hour or until its solid enough to form into balls. Place the shredded coconut into a bowl. Spoon out the avocado mixture and form into balls.

(Note: The balls won’t be perfectly round, but once you roll in the coconut shreds they’ll form better.)

Place rolled balls back into the freezer for a couple of hours.

These bites are best eaten right out of the freezer. They’re not a treat you can let sit at room temperature for hours. (Then again, they’re so gosh darn delish, you probably won’t want to let them sit that long, anyway!)

 


Joy McCarthy, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach of Joyous Health, loves to inspire others to eat well, live well and be happy.

Joy has clients from all over the world and consults via phone and Skype. Contact Joy today and take the first step to achieving joyous health. REASONS TO HIRE A HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST.

1 Comment

Sunshine Quinoa Salad Bowl

Sep 23, 2011 • Categories: Recipes • by

I don’t remember the last time I actually wrote a meal plan for a client with a sandwich suggestion for lunch. Why? Time and time again I hear people tell me they are completely bored with their lunch and looking for something different instead of eating a sandwich day after day.

Why do we get so stuck in sandwich rut? Likely because it’s easy, we don’t have to think about it and it doesn’t take much effort to slap together two pieces of bread with something inside. However, I’m here to help you break out of your sandwich rut and enter the world of delicious and nutritious quinoa.

Many recipes feature quinoa because not only is it packed with nutrients, but it’s very easy to make — it takes only 12-15 minutes and cooks just like rice (1 part quinoa, 2 parts water). The only limitation to quinoa is your creativity. There are so many ways you can make quinoa dishes, it will satisfy all your tastebuds, from sweet to savoury.

I have written about the nutritional benefits of quinoa many times, so for today’s post I’m going to give you some general quinoa-eating tips and then share this bright and tasty quinoa bowl.

You will be pleasantly surprised at just how easy this recipe is to make, especially if you have leftover quinoa from a previous meal. I have a sneaking suspicion this recipe will get you out of your sandwich rut and you might never look back (or complain about being bored with lunch again!).

This recipe is jam-packed with fibre, protein, vitamins (including A, C, K and B-complex), antioxidants and a mega-dose of deliciousness.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked quinoa
3 carrots chopped
1 ripe avocado, cubed
1 tomato, chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
2 large handfuls of any leafy green (ie. spinach, kale or arugula)
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil (evoo)
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Cook quinoa ahead of time and use the leftovers. Not sure how to cook it? Instructions are here. Combine all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Mix until combined, add evoo, sea salt, pepper and enjoy!

Serves two.


Joy McCarthy, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach of Joyous Health, loves to inspire others to eat well, live well and be happy.

Joy has clients from all over the world and consults via phone and Skype. Contact Joy today and take the first step to achieving joyous health. REASONS TO HIRE A HOLISTIC NUTRITIONIST.

2 Comments

Take a Risk why don’t cha?

Sep 21, 2011 • Categories: Inspiration • by

I have a little story for you….

I was reading something that provoked a memory of a very defining moment in my life about 8 or 9 years ago that I feel the need to share right now. The setting: Laying in bed, cosy and warm, my monkey brain was going a million miles a minute. Continue reading “Take a Risk why don’t cha?” »

16 Comments

Quinoa Carrot Spice Muffins: Gluten-free

Sep 20, 2011 • Categories: Recipes • by

One of my lovely clients — who recently embarked on the gluten-free way of eating — passed this recipe my way. It’s so good — especially after I made a few minor modifications — I had to share it with you!

I was excited to try out this recipe because the only flour it contains is quinoa flour. I haven’t had a great experience with it in the past, but this muffin recipe is a hit (even with gluten-loving friends). The carrots give the muffins a super-moist texture and the coconut sugar provides a sweet hint of flavour. Since the recipe is also low on the glycemic index, you can also kiss cravings and imbalanced blood sugar goodbye.

A little bit about gluten-free diets before I get to the recipe. Many people think ditching gluten is a one-way ticket to eating whatever they want. They assume they’ll lose weight regardless of how much food they eat, which isn’t true. Most people with this mentality actually end up gaining weight and increasing their risk of inflammation and disease.

So choosing the right gluten-free products is the way to achieve a happy belly and better digestion. Be weary of the menagerie of gluten-free products at your health food store. Read the labels, look for sugar and salt content and avoid ingredients with names you can’t pronounce. And, please, avoid refined, processed gluten-free products (for example, white rice flour, cookies, cakes, etc.).

Ingredients:

1-1/3 cup quinoa flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
2/3 cup soaked raisins
2 large eggs (vegan option: 2 tbsp chia + 6 tbsp water, let sit for 5 minutes to become pudding-like)
2/3 cup coconut sugar
2/3 cup organic full-fat yogurt (vegan option: swap to 1/2 cup almond milk)
2-1/4 cup grated carrots

Method:

Preheat oven to 350F. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder/soda and cinnamon. Stir until well blended. Mix in the raisins and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar and plain yogurt. Stir in the grated carrot.

Using a spatula, gently stir the flour mixture into the carrot mixture until blended. Scoop the batter into muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes or until a toothpick — when inserted into the muffins — comes out clean. Makes 12-15.
Upcoming Workshops in 2012:

Winter Eat Well Feel Well 6-wk nutrition + yoga class
Gluten-free Deliciously: Mar 10
Spring Detox: Apr 14
Feel Good Food: May 12


Joy McCarthy, Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach of Joyous Health, loves to inspire others to eat well, live well and be happy.

Joy has clients from all over the world and consults via phone and Skype. Contact Joy today and take the first step.

5 Comments

Let’s Get Stinky! Babaganoush Recipe Plus Healing Powers of Garlic

Sep 20, 2011 • Categories: Snacks, Superfoods • by

Okay, I will admit it – I’ve been sick like a dogg (with 2 “g”s). Seriously, not the good kind of “sic”, the sneezing, stuffy nose, feel like doo-doo, and a voice that’s a cross between Miss Piggy and Barry White – talk about sexy. And my beauties, I have no one to blame but myself (SIGH). Continue reading “Let’s Get Stinky! Babaganoush Recipe Plus Healing Powers of Garlic” »

3 Comments

Chia Chocolate Pudding with Local Peaches

Sep 16, 2011 • Categories: Recipes, Superfoods • by

Guess what my lovelies? You can have this for breakfast, for a snack or for dessert! And it’s ready in about five minutes. All you have to do is put 2 spoonfuls in a bowl and let it sit and work it’s magic with hot water or any non-cow milk alternative ie. almond/brown rice/hemp milk.

The BEST effect of eating this chia pudding is the wonderful results it will have on your digestion. And I know this will make you joyous especially if you have trouble with your BM’s (bowel movements). If you suffer from constipation or loose stools, are often bloated or the plumbing just doesn’t seem optimal, then chia may very well because the answer you’ve been looking for (at least it’s a starting point).

A little chia 101, then READ HERE for more about chia:

  • Chia is 100% gluten-free and Chia Goodness is raw.
  • Complete source of protein with ALL essential amino acids – the building block of every single cell in your joyous bod!
  • Fibre-dense. In fact more fibre than wheat bran and flaxseeds. (really wonderful for ppl with hard or dense stools – great for the elderly)
  • Source of omega-3s. One of the greatest plant sources of a fatty acid called alpha-linoleic acid (ALA).
  • Low in calories and high in nutrition: Source of calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, phosphorous, folic acid — all important for cardiovascular, bone health, stress reduction, baby-making and more. Continue reading “Chia Chocolate Pudding with Local Peaches” »

8 Comments

Feeling “the” Loneliness

Sep 14, 2011 • Categories: Inspiration • by

Note from Joy: I asked Michael to write a post for Joyous Health because I was so touched by this post he wrote for 889 Yonge. I personally can relate to this from time to time – loneliness.

By: Michael DeCorte Founder of Jock Yoga

Continue reading “Feeling “the” Loneliness” »

8 Comments