Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label healthy. Show all posts

Fresh Attitude Asian Style Stir Fries

My family and I enjoyed the delicious, healthy, ready-to-heat stir-fries from Fresh AttitudeThese single-size servings can easily be cooked in a microwave oven without the mess or in a wok for a quick nutritious meal or to serve as a side dish to share. Canada's Food Guide recommendations have encouraged us to add more fruits and vegetables to our diet, and I am glad that Veg Pro International, the vegetable producer behind the popular Fresh Attitude salads and baby lettuce blends has this new line of fresh vegetable Stir Fries.

The launch of avocado and spinach toppings in Subway sandwiches and salads

Subway restaurants are the world's largest submarine sandwich franchise, with more than 39,000 locations in over 100 countries. Subway Canada introduces seasonal ingredients, avocado and spinach to their line up of sandwich and salad topping for a limited time in over 3000 Subway locations in Canada. 
I was able to attend a Subway Canada location to taste the healthy, delicious addition of avocado and spinach in my favourite Subway tuna sandwich. At the event, I was able to become a sandwich artist and make my own sandwich :)
I like having fresh, healthy options, as meal times become more exciting and satisfying. Subway has added spinach to their regular topping and avocado is available for an additional charge at participating locations. 
Many of us know the nutritional benefits of avocado and spinach. Here is a little reminder, so we can include these seasonal ingredients more in our diet. 
Avocado has soluble fibre that aids in digestion, the monounsaturated fat that raises good HDL-cholesterol and lowers harmful triglycerides, and reduces the risk of heart disease. The Lutein found in avocado helps with eye health. Avocado also has magnesium, potassium, B vitamins and folic acids. Spinach is low in calories and high in magnesium, folate, iron, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. 
Don't forget to add avocado and spinach to your favourite Subway sandwich next time you go to one of the participating locations, as it is seasonal and only available for a limited time.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Torviewtoronto © 2010 - 2013 unless mentioned. Please Ask First

Orange Endive Salad

Olive oil is known to have lots of benefits because of its healthy fats and antioxidants, such as improving our cardiovascular function. These health benefits make extra virgin olive oil a wonderful addition to our meals. The stability of the oil when it is in storage and while cooking allows us to include it in all types of meal preparations.
It is also important to know more about the quality and origin of this oil we use everyday. Learn more on how to Flavour Your Life with this healthy delicious oil.

Here is an easy to make delicious Orange endive salad adapted from Fresh Italian cooking book by Academia Barilla.
 
2 medium oranges
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 head endive thinly sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Cut the peel and white membrane from the oranges, then slice the fruit into segments. In a bowl, whisk the juice that dripped from the oranges with the lemon juice, salt, pepper and olive oil. Toss the sliced endive with the dressing and serve.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Torviewtoronto © 2010 - 2013 unless mentioned. Please Ask First

Prevent cross-contamination when preparing food

It is very easy to spread bacteria around the kitchen, which can contaminate our hands, cloths and cutting boards. The finding from 2012 Lysol Cross-contamination study done by Global hygiene Council indicates our lack of awareness about food hygiene. I wanted to share their research to raise awareness about the level of cross-contamination that happens because of raw food so we can prevent it.

Preparation of one simple meal can contaminate up to 90% of the kitchen surfaces touched, which creates food borne illness.  
There are about 11 million cases of food borne illness in Canada; most people recover, some end up with serious health complications and some cases result in death if the person has a weak immune system.
  • Hands: spread germs.  Although, we know this we most times don't take precautions by washing our hands often enough to prevent bacteria.  Our faucet becomes contaminated without us even knowing that we touched it.
  • Raw vegetables are a threat that goes unnoticed.  E.coli outbreak that happened in Europe last summer was the result of unwashed vegetables.  The study states it is better for us to wash even the pre washed salad items.  
  • The chopping boards and knives are usually found to be contaminated because we use the same utensils for everything we cut.
  • The kitchen sponge, kitchen towels and cloths used to wipe our hands and surfaces are full of danger.
Here are tips from the Hygiene council so we can protect against harmful bacteria and cross contamination.
Hand hygiene: Rinsing the hands is not effective. Wash hands thoroughly using soap, hot water, clean towels after each stage of food preparation and before eating.  
Automatic soap and liquid cleaner dispensers reduce the spread of contamination.
Surface hygiene: Clean and disinfect food preparation areas before there is any contact with food.  Also clean hand-contact areas such as faucet handles, condiment jars and garbage can lids.  Use antibacterial wipes or sanitizer with paper towels for cleaning high-risk surfaces.
Any kitchen towels, cleaning cloth and sponges used for cleaning should be disinfected and washed in hot water or disposed after use.
Refrigerators and sinks should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Food preparation: Cut meat and vegetables with separate knives and cutting boards. Soak, scrape, brush, scald and wash all fruit, salad and vegetables before using. Do not wash raw meat in the sink before cooking as it spread germs.  Proper cooking of the meat will destroy harmful bacteria.

Cooking:  Always cook poultry and meat above 75 degrees Celsius. Don't leave uncooked food at room temperature for longer than two hours.  Reheat and re-serve leftovers only once.

Hope this lengthy :) information will be useful to all of you.  
I tested the new stainless look no touch hand soap system from Lysol that dispenses the right amount of soap by sensing our hands underneath the nozzle.  

The slightly perfumed healthy touch hand soap refill is enriched with skin moisturizing ingredients such as Aloe Vera and vitamin E to remove harmful bacteria and germs.  

When active the sensor makes a sound, which motivates children to wash their hands often.  The convenient on/off switch in the back of the container is useful in a home with little ones so we can control their use.  It is also very useful and handy to have in the kitchen and washrooms.  

Whenever using paper towels and toilet paper use eco-friendly products that have the EnviroCare label.  These products are made with 100% recycled paper, which is safe for our sewer system.  The premium quality products have a luxurious softness.  

The research material is from the study by Global Hygiene Council. All rights reserved on photographs and opinion of written content Torviewtoronto © 2012 unless mentioned. Please Ask First

Zucchini chocolate muffins

zucchini chocolate muffin
1 cup grated zucchini
2 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp heavy cream, whipping cream or milk
3/4 cup vanilla flavoured sugar
1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder 
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp each ground spice cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom

Beat eggs, sugar, oil then add the cocoa and zucchini.
Stir in the combined flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices. Pour into lightly greased muffin tins filling 2/3rd.
Bake at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack.
This makes 12 muffins.

All rights reserved on photographs and written content Torviewtoronto © 2012 unless mentioned. Please Ask First