Healthy Foods & More...

Almond Butter

Erin — Thu, 10 May 2012 23:19:03 +0000

Almond butter: a rich and delicious alternative to the perhaps more pedestrian peanut butter. Don’t get the wrong idea – I love peanut butter (it’s fairly safe to say that peanut butter was a staple in most of our childhoods, right?). However, as peanut allergies become more commonplace, there is a large variety of peanut butter alternatives available at most grocery stores.
Although they tend to be pricier, alternative nut butters, like almond butter, are often less processed, have a higher nutrient value and taste delicious.

Looking at nutritional value, almond butter outscores peanut butter. Though they have a similar amount of protein, almond butter contains significantly more fibre, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and Vitamin B6. Almond butter contains slightly more total fat, it has smaller amounts of saturated fat (the majority are monounsaturated or polyunsaturated).
For more info, check the USDA Food Reference.

Important to note: when you buy almond butter, there are typically no preservatives or emulsifiers added. This means there will likely be some oil separation (but don’t worry! It’s suppose to be like that) and you’ll have to stir it up before using. Store in a cool, dry place.

Ways to use:
- spread on toast and use in sandwiches.
- add to oatmeal or other hot cereal.
- add to sauces, dressings and marinates.
- add to smoothies
- bake with it!

Green Cleaning Workshop

Erin — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:27:02 +0000

Join us for our first workshop with Martina Schumann! This informative session will teach you how to make simple, safe, and effective cleaners (with take-home sample and recipes!) and include a discussion about what it means to clean “naturally”.

Space is limited!

HOMEPAGE – Goji Berries

Erin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:31:40 +0000

Goji Berries

Erin — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:31:08 +0000

Goji berries (pronounced “go-jee”) are acclaimed as one of the newer superfoods, having gained immense popularity with health enthusiasts over the past few years. They are grown on deciduous perennial plants, vine ripened, and summer harvested in the temperate and subtropic regions of China and the Tibetan Himalayas.

Dried goji berries have a soft, chewy texture and have a pleasant taste that’s just slightly bitter – They share similar flavour characteristics with cranberries, raisins and cherries that pairs well with other foods.

Nutrition
Similar to other berries, gojis are able to deliver high nutritional value along with very few calories. They are a good source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and fibre. It is important to note that while super foods are indeed a beneficial addition to most diets, they are not a “silver-bullet” and should be eaten in moderation within a balanced diet.

Buying & Storing
Goji berries are typically sold dry in Canada, or as an ingredient in tea, wine, juice, cereal, trail mix, or other health foods. It is a good idea to buy dry organic whole berries and add them yourself to your food. There are pure juices available, but these can be quite pricey. Dried goji berries should be stored like any other dried food in your pantry: away from moisture, in a cool dark place (eg. in a jar in your cupboard).

Preparing
Dried goji berries can be eaten whole like raisins, tossed into hot or cold cereals, sprinkled on salads and soups, brewed with tea, or added to muffin mix. Don’t hesitate to add these to a morning smoothie or your afternoon trail mix snack. The possibilities are almost endless!

HOMEPAGE – Coconut Sugar

Erin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:24:05 +0000

Coconut Sugar

Erin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:23:11 +0000

Coconut is quickly becoming a darling of the natural food world. The boom in popularity of coconut oil, flour, dairy substitutes (milk, yogurt and ice creams), and more recently coconut water makes us not surprised to see a variety of coconut sugars on the market.

Oh coconut… what can’t you do?

There are definitely some advantages to switching to coconut. First, there’s the glycemic index score of 35 earning it a spot on the low glycemic sweeteners list (this means that you won’t get a blood sugar spike after consuming it, and that it is suitable for diabetics). Second, there’s a much greater content of vitamins and minerals in coconut sugar compared to its refined sugar counterparts. Finally, there’s the flavour. Coconut sugar has a subtle sweetness. You’ll have to use slightly more in your baking, tea or coffee, but the rich caramel notes make this sweetener a worthwhile addition to the pantry.

Give it it’s own mason jar in your cupboard!

Rooibos Tea

Erin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 21:58:34 +0000

Rooibos tea (“roy-boss”) is also referred to as “red bush” tea. Indigenous to South Africa, its traditional uses include infantile colic, allergies, nervous tension and skin conditions. The Rooibos leaves contain unique flavonoids (aspalathin and nothofagin) that act as potent antioxidants. It has a delicate sweet and nutty flavour, and is naturally caffeine free!

There are both traditional Rooibos and green rooibos varieties available. The difference is that traditional (fermented) rooibos is harvested, cut and sprayed with water. The damp leaves are then allowed to ferment for 12 hours before being spread out and dried in the sun. This process gives the distinctive amber hue and characteristic taste. Green (unfermented) Rooibos is harvested, cut, and then dried immediately without the fermentation/chemical oxidation step. Green Rooibos has a lighter colour and milder taste compared to it’s traditional counterpart.

How to brew:
Using freshly boiled water, add 1-2 tsp of Rooibos tea per cup.
Steep 4 – 6 minutes depending on the strength desired.
Enjoy straight, or with milk and honey!

HOMEPAGE – Food Boxes

Erin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 14:25:43 +0000

HOMEPAGE – Thursday Plantation

Erin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:03:08 +0000

Thursday Plantation

Erin — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:01:23 +0000

Tea Tree is an ancient medicinal plant native to the South Eastern coast of Australia. The oil from pressing the tea tree leaves is used for it’s beneficial topical anti-microbial, anti-fungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties!

Examples of uses:
- dandruff
- acne
- fungal infections
- herpes, cold sores
- cuts & abrasions
- insect bites
- sinus & bronchial infections

Oh hello, Emus in the fields!

Check out the whole line in-store!
Shampoo, Conditioner, Body Wash & Lotion ON SALE