Great news in the world of fats!
November 07 2013
The FDA is moving towards eliminating artificial trans fats, the artery clogging substance that is a major contributor to heart disease in the United States, from the food supply.
The move concluded three decades of battles by public health advocates against artificial trans fats, which occur when liquid oil is treated with hydrogen gas and made solid. The long-lasting fats became popular in frying and baking and in household items like margarine, and were cheaper than animal fat, like butter. But trans fats have been shown over the years to raise the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) and actually decrease the amount of good cholesterol (HDL).
Used primarily today in fast food restaurants as cheap deep fryer oil and in some mass produced baked goods, artificial trans fats will be outlawed. This is something which we at MealEasy have done since the beginning. None of our meals exceed 0.5g of trans fats, be it artificial or naturally occurring. This goes to show that the only way to truly eat healthy is to make your meals at home using fresh, unprocessed ingredients.
What do kids really want to eat?
October 10 2013
We get asked all the time here at MealEasy if we have any “kid friendly meals”. And to be honest, we’re often at a loss on how to answer this question.
What defines a “kid friendly meal”?
- Is it something nutritious?
Then yes we have those. - Is it something quick to prepare?
Yes, we have those meals too. - Is it something straight out of a package or from a fast food joint?
Then NO; those we don’t have.
This awesome video explains how we’ve been coerced into believing that sugar coated cereals and fat laden burgers and fries are what every kid wants. It’s great viewing and may change your mind about what is a “kid friendly meal”.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWOcP-bXuO8
What You Need to Know About Antioxidants & Free Radicals
September 11 2013
What are Free Radicals and why should I care?
Free radicals are known for terrorizing our body’s immune system. They attack the nearest stable molecule, “stealing” its electron. When the “attacked” molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of a living cell. Some free radicals arise normally during metabolism. Sometimes the body’s immune system’s cells purposefully create them to neutralize viruses and bacteria. However, environmental factors such as pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides can also spawn free radicals. Continue reading
The Scoop on Salt
August 22 2013
A diet high in salt is a major cause of heart disease and stroke. Increased blood pressure causes an estimated two thirds of all heart attacks around the world. The average person consumes about 4000mg of salt a day – that’s over 1 1/2 times the recommended amount of 1500mg, which is roughly 2/3 teaspoon.
What can you do to lower your sodium intake? It’s easy, eat at home. Studies have shown that 77% of sodium comes from processed foods and food eaten outside of the home.
To help reduce added, unnecessary salt:
* Cut down on prepared and processed foods
* Eat more fresh vegetables and fruit
* Reduce the amount of salt you add while cooking or baking
* Prepare your own meals at home Continue reading
Infuse it! Oil, Vinegar & Herbs
August 01 2013
Do you have a surplus of fresh herbs growing in your garden? One great way to use these herbs is to make flavored vinegar and oil. It’s incredibly simple.
To make flavored vinegar, start with good quality vinegar such as white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Next, add some washed and dried herbs such as rosemary, tarragon or a combination of herbs such as rosemary, parsley, thyme and sage. How much should you put in? Well that depends on the size of your container. You want enough herbs to impart flavor but not too much that it overpowers the vinegar. Start with a small amount of herbs and then taste the vinegar after a couple of weeks to see if it needs more herbs. Continue reading
Royal Meal For a New Mother
July 22 2013
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, was admitted to hospital in labor on Monday, July 22. As the world awaits the birth, MealEasy‘s Chef Paul Routhier has designed a delicious meal in celebration of Kate Middleton.
High in iron, vitamins A and C, and less than 450 calories, this energizing meal will replenish much needed nutrients post-pregnancy.
Want the grocery list? Get in touch!
Baby Spinach & Strawberry Salad
Servings: x4 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- 2 tsp vinegar, cider
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 8 cups spinach, baby
- 1/2 onion, red, sliced (~1 1/3 cups)
- 16 strawberries, fresh
- 2 tbsp walnuts, roasted, chopped Continue reading
Habits of Healthy Eaters
July 16 2013
Getting kids to eat vegetables can be frustrating at the best of times. Blending kale to hide it in a soup is one way, but an easier way may be to involve them in planning, shopping and cooking delicious family meals.
Young children love to role play “parents” and if given the chance to plan a lunch or supper, they might pleasantly surprise you with their culinary creativity.
The MealEasy online meal planning app is an easy and fun way for kids to feel proud about the food they eat. They can select meals that look good, contain ingredients they like and generate an organized grocery list to help mom and dad shop in the store. Children, especially tweens and teens, can surf through the recipes and select favorites that they enjoy making and eating.
A Little Planning Goes a Long Way
Building healthy eating habits early in their lives ensures children will get the most from their bodies and live life to the fullest, one carrot stick at a time. After all, being healthy is about making a choice to live a healthy lifestyle. One with moderation, exercise, and of course, a little planning.
Get started today at www.mealeasy.com and Taste the Good Life.
Watch Haile’s speech at TEDxKids @BC, “There’s a Gourmet Chef in Every Child”
Chicken Cacciatore, Steamed Green Beans & Simple Garlic Mashed Potatoes
July 11 2013
Give this delicious recipe a try this weekend.
Email support@mealeasy.com the number of servings you want to prepare, and we’ll send you the revised recipe and grocery list!
Servings: x4
Ready In: 40 min
Cuisine Type: Italian 
Chef Paul’s Comments:
Mushrooms, red wine and tomatoes are here in this luscious Italian classic.
Wine Pairing Suggestions:
Corbieres (Languedoc) or Pinot Noir (Oregon)
This dish can handle a fairly robust Red wine. Continue reading
Weight Maintenance Strategies from a Dietitian
June 21 2013
Guest Blog by Angela Dufour, MEd., PDt., IOC Dip Sports Nutrition, Nutrition in Action and Author of PowerFUEL Food: Planning Meals for Maximum Performance
As a dietitian, I regularly see clients who may easily be able to maintain healthy body weights, as well as those who struggle to reach a healthy weight. Although everyone is different and there isn’t one guaranteed, no-fail method to weight loss or maintenance, there are certain dietary approaches supported through research which can assist us in achieving a healthy weight.
Topping the list of helpful weight maintenance strategies is appropriate meal planning. Because let’s face it, we all know what it’s like to have a long, hectic day at work or a week with more things going on than hours to do them. Whenever this happens, we often find ourselves too busy and too tired when meal times roll around.
The daily rush can potentially lead to developing poor nutrition habits such as compensating pre-planned, well-balanced meals for quick and simple fixes like fast food restaurants, take-out, and processed convenience foods. Not only does this become costly, it can lead us to consume more than our adequate amount of calories, as well as higher amounts of saturated and trans fats, salt, and added sugars – additives that should be limited if we’re looking to achieve a healthy diet.
Oh My! Fast, Fresh & Easy Homemade Salad Dressings
June 17 2013
Spring is a wonderful time for salad greens, sprouts and other tender leaves that can be mixed together to make beautiful, healthy salads. Fresh tender baby spinach with arugula, baby kale and bok choy leaves are just awesome. Adding more salads to your weekly meal plan is a good way to lose weight as long as you avoid high fat dressings.
Each of the following recipes makes about ½ a cup of dressing. All three can be made in less than 10 minutes and will last in the refrigerator for weeks.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Raspberry Vinaigrette
A wonderful dressing for baby arugula, mixed greens or a spinach and apple salad.
1/2 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons raspberry vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 shallot, chopped
1 teaspoon honey
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper, freshly ground
Place everything in a food processor or blender and puree.