Ask Carrie

Does eating healthy mean eating boring foods, and what are some fresh herbs I can use to “spice” up some of the foods I am cooking?

Since May is Mental Health Month in Canada, I want to talk about the importance of ENJOYING the foods we are eating. I see a lot of clients who think that eating healthy means eating foods that taste like cardboard; they associate ‘health food’ with something that must be feared! Images of brown beans and green goop circle through their heads. This line of thought inevitably leads to resistance to eating ‘healthy’ and when eating becomes stressful, it isn’t doing the body any good! We have to take pleasure in the foods we consume. All of that meal preparation needs to be worth it when we take that first big bite!

If you absolutely hate a particular food, you don’t have to eat it just because it is “good” for you. Instead choose something you love. We have access to many varieties of fruits and vegetables, so if you don’t enjoy eating brussel sprouts choose a different green vegetable you can cook up for dinner! Take a stroll through the Calgary Farmer’s Market. Be adventurous and try out different whole and local foods. You may find a vegetable you have never heard of. Give it a try, it might surprise you!

Enjoy what you are eating, and allow Bundles of Energy to show you how to prepare easy meals that are healthy and that actually do taste good! Part of holistic nutrition is listening to your body. Pay attention to the tastes you love. Use spices and flavorings that make you happy. Prepare foods that you take pleasure in making. Because at the end of a stressful day I know I want to relax, put my feet up, and enjoy a tasty meal that I absolutely LOVE.

Try some of these herbs and spices to add flavor and depth to dishes; fresh herbs can turn a dish from bland to a hit so easily. Let us show you how!

DILL: Fresh dill leaves can be purchased in grocery stores - look for green and feathery leaves that are only slightly wilted and add them to many different types of meals. Fresh dill provides a sweet flavor to foods while aiding the digestive system. Store fresh dill in the refrigerator in a container with a damp paper towel as it will keep for only a few days. It is wonderful on salmon; just place a handful of fresh leaves over the fish along with ½ a squeezed lemon and bake. It is also great with potatoes; just add fresh dill along with organic butter or coconut oil for a delicious blend of flavor (and don’t forget the green onions!).

PARSLEY: Parsley is a very popular herb and garnish for dishes. It is very high in nutrients, specifically vitamin C and chlorophyll. When buying parsley it should be a bright green color and have a fresh smell to it. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Parsley can be added to soups, stews, stir fries and even salads. See this month’s recipe for a great salad with couscous and parsley.

OREGANO: When purchasing fresh oregano choose leaves that are a bright green colour with no yellowing. It can be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped in a damp cloth for up to a week. Oregano is a powerful antioxidant, and it can easily be added to dishes by gently washing the leaves and tearing them up into small pieces. Add fresh oregano to soups and stews, homemade pizza and pasta sauces (oregano goes well with tomatoes), and even add fresh oregano to scrambled eggs. Cook your eggs with bell peppers, green onions, fresh oregano and a dash of organic grated cheese for a delicious breakfast.