A real cultural marker, poutine is Quebec's "embarrassing but adored" junk food. It consists of french fries and squeaky cheese curds topped with warm gravy. Since I'm not a fan of the greasy and "mushy" version, I make my own healthy vegan poutine to satisfy my "comfort food" cravings. I use oven baked fries and tofu instead of cheese curds. My homemade "gravy" sauce is made from healthy ingredients and is completely vegan.
Read MoreI always try to pack the most super foods and nutrients as possible in their snacks without them realizing it. I often do a super easy, almost instant chocolate avocado pudding (don't worry... no one's going to notice the avocado taste!), so I thought why not freeze them and make pops? I added dates instead of maple syrup and an extra pinch of chia seeds. I also topped these with Goji berries, a nutrient-rich small dried fruits. They're rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Read MoreEvery now and then I get a really bad craving for Mexican food. I guess it's because of the Mexican heritage you can find around here. Wherever you go in California, you can always find shelves loaded with roasted hot peppers, different types of hot sauces and refried bean cans. And it's everywhere.... From the grocery store to the corner store, from the gas station to the street stand.
Read MoreEver since we bought our high speed blender (Vitamix), we drink a smoothie almost every morning. At first, my husband was complaining about their taste when I added few green leaves. But last year, on our trip to New York, we took a green smoothie at the Grand Central Terminal in a small grab-and-go shop. It probably was the first green smoothie my husband drank with good appetite (in seconds!). The secret ingredients were fresh ginger and lime juice. We now add those in every green smoothie we make and they always come out great ! No more complaints !
Read MoreI've tried a few gluten free pancake recipes and a couple weren't so good (ask my husband!). These decadent flourless pancakes are not only delicious but are easy to make! Whenever I serve these on a weekend brunch, they disappear in minutes !
Read MoreFigs and blackberries are still available in California's farmer's market, but I can see it's the end of the season, since pumpkins, pomegranates and apples have made their arrival.
This vegan ice cream is divine ! Meyer lemons have a sweeter, less acidic flavour than the more common lemon varieties, but if you can't find those, the recipe is still delicious. The combinaison between figs and blackberries is just perfect.
Read MoreEvery week, we buy "ugly mushrooms" and "not so pretty apples" at the Mountain view farmer's market. Yes, they are cheaper, but we also choose to buy them for ecological reasons. There's a growing "anti-food waste" campaign that advocates that ugly fruits and vegetables need love too (since they normally end up in garbage).
Read MoreGrab-and-go snacks are really important for my family since we love outdoor activities. Everyday, we either eat a granola bar, a cookie, a trail mix or an energy ball with fresh fruits. Kids (and adults!) are SUPER sensible to hunger and most of the time, a nutritious snack can help control cravings between meals and may even help avoid a tantrum. These delicious energy balls are filled with plenty of healthy foods and seeds. I often double or triple the recipe, especially when Noah is helping me sprinkle the seeds on top of the balls. They are great frozen too! I prefer to pack them cold so the chocolate melts slower and we can head to the beach or a trek and have our snack ready!
Read MoreOne thing that my family and I love is to visit "pick-your-own" fruit and veggie farms. It feels good to take a break from our urban kind of life. It's really about getting to know were our food comes from and understanding the whole process from farming to what ends up on our plates. Most food in our stores have been cultivated for their shipping qualities rather than taste. Therefore, it gives my kids a chance to understand where their food comes from and gives us the opportunity to taste ripe fruits and veggies.
Read MoreChia seed pudding is one of our favourite go-to breakfast (and dessert!) at the moment. This ridiculously simple recipe can be done in a matter of seconds. You just need to let it soak overnight and you will get a delicious nutrient-packed pudding with the consistency of tapioca. You can add whatever fruit puree you like or just blend it with cocoa powder to get a dessert. If you're not a fan of that kind of texture, blend it before serving to get a creamy omega-3 rich pudding.
Read More