While it seems like almost all fruit and vegetables are available year round, just because you can buy them doesn't mean they're good. Just as August tomatoes don't compare to the pale imitations you find in January, there is some produce that is at its best December through February. Good winter choices include cabbage, leeks, celery, kale, parsnip, and certain varieties of squash.

Pumpkin season is here in full force friends! And while pumpkin pie and pumpkin muffins are undeniably delicious, this year I wanted to get a bit more creative… in this healthier take on cheese sauce, pumpkin stands in for the heavy cream, cutting way back on the calories and fat (while significantly contributing to your Vitamin A needs!). Nutrition yeast also takes the place of generally very nutritious, but notably calorie dense, cheese – and along with fantastic flavour, it packs a serious vitamin B12 and fibre punch that cheese just doesn’t have.

As we bid farewell to summer in Canada, let’s celebrate the routine change in seasons and turn to welcome fall with open arms. Crisp evening strolls, picturesque falling leaves, and my favourite fruit coming into season aside, the cozy nights featured in this shift in seasons brings so many comforting food with it – so let’s explore shall we!

Yearning to enjoy some summer grilling, but looking to keep an eye on your total carbohydrate consumption? I hear you – and I’m here to help! The reality is we quite often get more than enough carbs from tasty beverages and delicious sides (think ciders, sangria, chips & crackers, and fresh fruit). These delicious yet high carbohydrate foods & drinks are in abundance at cook-out type events and are quite often enjoyed socially (and this social connection is absolutely part of health & happy life)… Enter the Portobello mushroom...

Because sometimes all you have is 10 minutes or less - to prep for that August long weekend event/ plan the menu for the annual family picnic/ get dinner on the table, the list goes on… the summer months can be busy ones, I get it. And I’m here to help you get some nourishment on the table when time is of the essence. Perfect as a light meal base, side dish, or starter, salad - featuring ample fresh veg - is a go-to at my house for many reasons.

It’s berry season! And I can’t think of any better way to celebrate than with a simple and delicious crisp. And for me, there are two things that go hand in hand – sunshine and coconut! So here you have it - a simply delicious summer harvest and perfectly coconutty crisp. This recipe is perfect for those busy summer schedules that call for no-fuss, light, yet satisfying dishes (as it requires only a dozen easily sourced ingredients and one bowl to prepare). At the end of this cooking session, you have a warm and comforting inside with a crunchy crisp topping. The perfect plant-based, gluten-free summer dessert!

Generally a highly favoured contribution to most meals (as a starter or a fun and flavourful protein source for your main meal), this eat makes for a great spring potluck or summer cookout appy as it's super easy to assemble and quick to cook. Crab cakes are an undeniably delicious comfort food – but I’d be hard pressed to find a whole wheat, low fat, and high protein variety on a restaurant menu. So let's make our own!

As we close the chapter on Winter and enter Spring, delicious and nourishing comfort food continues to make an occasional appearance on the menu. In light of this, let's add one more nutritious recipe to this section of the toolbox before we transition. And because I have a special place in my heart for food assembly parties (pizza, tacos, burgers, salads...) why not start a new perogy party tradition?! Hey, don't dis it til' you've tried it friends.

Ahhh summer... yes, this light and refreshing salad was designed with a view to bringing back some of those distant memories of warm summer days... they will be back again, and I know you're with me when I say I am so ready. While we wait for those leisurely summer days to return, let's get cooking!