It was bound to happen. Three weeks into the school year and I have a cold. I am doing everything to get better – drinking lots of clear fluids, resting as much as I can, taking immune-boosting supplements, washing my hands, and eating lots of nourishing chicken noodle soup. Chicken soup has been used for centuries to soothe symptoms associated with the cold and flu, most likely due to many nutrient- and antioxidant-dense ingredients it contains.
These ingredients often include polyphenol-packed onions, beta carotene-rich carrots, virus-fighting garlic, and, of course, chicken. Chicken is an excellent source of the compound carnosine. Continue reading “Dinner Tonight: Chicken Noodle Soup”
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Sometimes I just need a big bowl of pasta. To me it is the ultimate in comfort food and thanks to a variety of premade pastas, it can be on the table in less than an hour.
I woke up Saturday to fall-like weather and it instantly put me in the mood for cozy comfort foods like soup, chili and stews. The great thing about these types of foods is that they can be made in big batches and frozen for future quick and healthy meals. I know I am not alone when trying to balance work, kids’ homework and extracurricular activities; carving out a little time on the weekend to make a couple of big meals will save you some time and money when you are trying to figure out what to make after you have just spent 3 hours at an ice rink or a soccer pitch!
For those hectic mornings that are about to start, I give you blueberry and sweet potato muffins. This nutritious and pre-made meal is like a pancake but in a muffin shape – and is handy for breakfasts, too. This recipe is a great way to enjoy the last pickings of blueberry season. And whether it’s weekend-long hockey tournaments, musical recitals, or potlucks, these muffins are perfect to throw in a bag for easy-to-eat nourishment.
For some, school has already started, and for others there are still a couple of weeks before we have to start making lunches. Making healthy lunches can be challenging, especially if you have a picky eater. But with some weekly planning and asking for the kids to help with their lunch boxes, back to school lunches can be easy, and even fun.
