Natrel recently launched  a line of Lactose Free butter and an Organic butter too. I can’t tell you how happy I was when I received the press release which announced this news.

This is the first lactose free butter on the market*

There are only two ingredients in this butter: Lactose Free Cream and Sea Salt.

Other info you should know: at the moment it’s only available in a 250 gram package and I only saw “salted butter” on the shelves. The organic butter is only available in Ontario + Quebec, and the lactose free in Ontario, Quebec + the Atlantic provinces.

As someone who is lactose free, I can’t wait to bake some of my favourite recipes with this product without having to take a lactose free pill. I’m beyond excited.

I’m also excited to let you know about Natrel’s The Greatest Dessert Exchange which is currently underway! It’s a pretty cool ideal. Basically the concept is to Spread Joy this holiday season beginning with delicious Natrel products. Add a little love and the best ingredients to make your favourite dessert, and then offer it to someone you care about. Invite them to continue the dessert chain by doing the same for someone.

Feel free to visit Natrel’s Facebook page and share the official Natrel Greatest Dessert Exchange post. For each share, Natrel will donate 25¢ to Breakfast Club of Canada.

Here’s recap:

1. Make a Natrel dessert 
2. Offer it to a loved one
3.  Invite them to do the same

Here’s a recipe for a Big, Soft Ginger Cookie thats perfect for this time of year. Of course I used Natrel lactose free butter for the recipe. The best part was that I could actually lick the beaters without having to take a lactose pill. Yes Im a 51 year old adult!!

Big, Soft Ginger Cookie (original recipe from www.tasteofhome.com)

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Natrel lactose free butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup molasses
2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground ginger…be generous!
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon…be generous!
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves…be generous!!
1/4 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar in a small bowl

Yay lactose free cookies!

Directions
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls, then roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. (they expanded more than I thought so don’ t overcrowd your sheet). Bake at 350° until puffy and lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2-1/2 dozen.

Note: My first batch wasn’t as flavourful as I wanted them to be so I added more spice for the second batch and was MUCH happier.

I will definitely be offering these cookies to loved ones and participating in the #NatrelDessertExchange and I hope you will be participating too.

FINAL PRODUCT:

*Source: The first lactose free butter made with sea salt and lactose free cream available on the Canadian market )

Happy Baking!

For more information:

Website: www.natrel.ca

Twitter/Instagram: @NatrelMilk

Hashtag #NatrelDessertExchange

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natrel/

To learn more about the Greatest Exchange, please click here.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own

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I like to snack.

Don’t we all?

How do I satisfy my cravings throughout the day? Well there’s a few snacks that certainly do help.
For example, Prana, is a Canadian food company that specializes in delicious 100% organic, gluten-free and gmo-free snacks.

Recently they have launched two new products that are helping me with those cravings! (yay)

ProactivChia is an exclusive blend of probiotics and organic chia seed, with each serving providing 4 billion live probiotics – the perfect 2-in-1 solution for busy people!

Nothing beats a quick chia pudding snack ,which I make by adding my favourite dairy-free beverage and some chia seeds. Bingo – I’m not hungry anymore.

Another new product is Prana’s coconut chips. These crunchy and tasty snacks are a great alternative to traditional potato chips! They can be enjoyed in: Charleston (BBQ flavour), Hula (Salt + Pepper), Jive (Spicy Chili) and Classic (Original).

I was so excited about this product, that I decided to incorporate it into a recipe which involved three steps.

1. I took some firm tofu and diced it up and then fried it till golden.

2. Then I basted it with some BBQ Sauce.

3. For the final step, I took some Prana BBQ Coconut Chips and sprinkled it over the tofu. It was so delicious that I ate the whole thing.

However, under normal circumstances I  would package it up into small containers and snack on it.

There’s also Machu Pichu  – Nut & Fruit Mix which contains almonds, raisins, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, goji berries, white mulberries and goldenberries. Yum, Yum and more Yum.

FYI – this product is in my car as I seem do to do a lot of snacking in my car. Anyone else out there have this problem?

What’s even cooler? All Prana products are certified organic, vegan, kosher, preservative-free, sulfite-free and, above all, free of compromise.

For more information about Prana please click here.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own.

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The Good Press opened this week in the heart of Yorkville. I will tell you about their concept in a sec,  but first I want to tell you a GOOD story.

I was chatting with the owner  (Andew) about the different types of “cold press” machines and as he was talking…I was thinking “I know this guy”. When he mentioned the words ” my other location” – I asked him “what other location?” and he said “Sunshine Wholesome Market”. I then said “OMG – I met you 7 years ago when I was a food sales rep with Big Ups”.

What a small world!!

OK now back to the opening of the Good Press!! Here’s more info….

The Good Press offers a range of healthy options featuring: • Antioxidant-rich açai bowls • 8 oz. and 16 oz. selection of cold press juices • House-made nut milks

• Smoothies • Energy-boosting shots • Wraps and salads • Entry-level cleanses.

When I snapped a photo of these vegetables, I discovered from their friendly staff that these veggies are ORGANIC.

They also sell juice (in glass bottles) that have the cutest names with interesting flavour combinations. Ya gotta love it …i.e Pear Me the Details.

The menu is quite extensive – and takes up a good chunk of their wall. There is truly something for everyone!

Hope you get a chance to visit them one day soon!

For more information:

The Good Press 87 Yorkville Avenue Toronto

Hours: Monday to Sunday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Twitter and Instagram: @goodpressjuice

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thegoodpressjuice.ca

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As you know, I have been trying to avoid carbs…. which means I try to avoid sweet potatoes, squash, carrots and more. (I’m not listing them so I don’t get depressed).

However there’s a list of vegetables I am allowed to enjoy and that list includes: bok choy and asparagus. Here are two recipes that I made this week.

I am a bit frustrated with the first recipe as I can’t find it. Don’t ask..it’s in a cookbook but I don’t know which one. I have given up looking. Sorry.

But I’m going to share it with you anyway with my own made up recipe.

Again, this dish is a perfect side dish for salmon and can be served warm or cold.

Gingered Asparagus

Ingredients

asparagus

Sauce:

1/2 tablespoon tamari

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 minced garlic clove

1 minced chunk of ginger (please oh please buy organic.It’s so much more flavorful)

a bit of honey (sorry I didn’t measure)

DIRECTIONS:

1. steam asparagus

2. combine the ingredients to make the sauce.

3. drizzle the sauce of the middle of the asparagus dish.

Nutty Bok Choy Salad (from Gatherings: A Collection of Recipes from Netivot Hatorah Parents Association)

I didn’t have all the ingredients – but you get the idea.

Dressing

3 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons peanut butter

Topping

1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts

1 pk ramen noodles, crushed

Salad

5 cups bok choy, sliced

2 green onions, sliced

1 red pepper, thinly sliced

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, honey and peanut butter until well combined. Set aside.

In a small saucepan, saute peanuts and noodles until golden. Remove from heat

Put the salad ingredients in a shallow bowl. Right before serving, sprinkle the noodles and nuts over the salad.

Drizzle with dressing. Serve.

Happy Healthy Cooking

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When I was growing up, my mom made salmon burgers. But I’m not crazy about the smell of canned salmon so I started to make tuna burgers. They are easy to make, nutritious (I think) and freeze beautifully. Here’s the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

4 tins of tuna

4 eggs

2 cups of breadcrumbs (preferably real breadcrumbs. I always seem to have some in my freezer. I’m normal. I swear)

parsley

salt and pepper

a chunk of red onion

DIRECTIONS:

1. Take all the ingredients and whiz them up in a food processor.

Oh how I love my Cuisinart Food Processor

2. Shape into patties

3. Drop into a frying pan with a bit of oil.

FINAL PRODUCT

Ta Da

I’m going to serve these yummy tuna burgers with an assortment of condiments: mango chutney, Maille mustard, jalepeno jelly, and more. I collect condiments. Did you know?

I will also be serving them along side some roasted organic veggies that were graciously delivered by Fresh City Farms. I was blown away with the flavor of these vegetables. What a difference it makes. Can’t wait to share these veggies with my guests:

Other items I will be serving include a kale salad with curry sesame seeds and a lemon pistachio napa cabbage salad. Promise to post those two recipes on Wednesday so make sure you come back to www.momwhoruns.com!!

Happy Cooking!!

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As you know, I’m a food sales rep and every day I visit 10 (or more) grocery stores. However I am genuinely interested in grocery stores and will drive 1.5 hours on a a regular basis to visit Tops and Wegmans in Buffalo. I’d rather go to a grocery store than to the outlet mall. Go figger.

As a result of my passion for food (and grocery stores)..I was thrilled to be invited to a food bloggers media tour when Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens opened.

Here’s a list of reasons why you should visit this Loblaws:

1) IT’S ENORMOUS. You have never seen anything a grocery store this SIZE before. Ever.  It’s 85,000 square feet. …yes, 85,000 square feet.

2) They have supported local businesses. I love the fact that ACE Bakery is right there baking from scratch every day. Tea Emporium is also there with tea experts to help you pick the just the right tea.

3) There is a wall of cheese. That’s right – an 18 foot wall of cheese.  This store carries more than 400 varieties of cheese. Holy Cheese!!

4) Joe Fresh has 8,500 square feet. OMG – heaven for people like me who love Joe Fresh.

5) T&T has a sushi bar there where customers can watch the sushi being made while sitting at the bar.

6) There is a huge commitment to organic fruits and vegetables as well as local produce (when available).

7) There is free WiFi

8. There is one hour of free parking with any purchase of $18 or more (before taxes)

9) There is an LCBO, and a Presidents Choice  Cooking School (which you can rent out for a private function).

10) The Sculpture: There is a 3 dimensional sculpture created from reclaimed stadium chairs in the shape of a Maple Leaf.

Hope you get a chance to visit this outstanding Loblaws one day soon. I’m sure you will leave impressed.

Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens

60 Carlton Street

(415) 593 6154

Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 a.m to 11 p.m

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GInger Maple Vinaigrette

I have been in love with organic ginger for the last year. It all started when I was visiting Kensington Market and stopped by the Urban Herbivore. It was one of those cold winter days and I wanted some thing healthy and HOT, so I ordered some organic ginger tea. I watched them grind up the fresh ginger and then add some hot water. I loved this drink so much that I went out and bought some fresh organic ginger and then made the drink at home!

Often I just didn’t have organic ginger available and bought the normal ginger from the grocery store. Let me tell you – ITS NOT THE SAME. I will now ONLY buy organic ginger. I love how intense the flavor is – it’s not even on the same planet as the non organic ginger.

Lets discuss: organic vs non organic:

organic: stronger flavor, less water, you need less, costs more, not available at your local grocery store

non organic: flavor is not as strong, you need more, costs less,

The brand I usually pick up has a lovely recipe on the back and I FINALLY decided to try it. (took me long enough).

Here’s what you need for Ginger Maple Vinaigrette:

2 inch piece of organic ginger chopped

1 med organic garlic clove, minced

1 med shallot, minced

2 tablespoons maple syrup

2 tablespoons dijon mustard

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 cup olive oil

METHOD:

In a blender combine all the ingredients except olive oil and blend until smooth.

On the lowest setting, pour olive oil until emulsified. Adjust taste with salt and pepper. Use as a dressing or marinade and store for up to 2 weeks in a refrigerator.

I encourage everyone to:  a) pick up some organic ginger b) try the above dressing c) or try making fresh ginger tea.

Funny, as I type this blog post I’m thinking of ginger ice cream, ginger cookies, gingerbread latte, dipped ginger in chocolate. Who else has any ideas what to make with ginger?

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