Healthy Eating | Simply Whole Foods

Category: Healthy Eating
- Eating Locally and the Beauty of an Applewood Board
  
  Posted at 2:45 pm by Hollie Jeakins Photography, on August 2, 2016
  I’ve been making an effort to get out and visit the local farmer’s markets lately and I have completely rediscovered the meaning of fresh! Eating local is beneficial for so many reasons but you simply can’t beat food that was plucked from the berry bush or pulled up from the soil just hours beforehand.
  
  Local berries are super soft, incredibly juicy and have the most beautiful and vibrant colouring.
  
  Many local farmer markets also sell more than just produce. I came back today with fresh produce, grass-fed beef, pastured eggs and this gorgeous applewood board as shown in the photos above. I instantly fell in love with it! The board is food safe so I can use it as a serving dish, a centre piece or as a food photography prop. If you’re in the Greater Toronto Area, you can purchase a similar board at the Waterdown Farmers Market from Rogue Custom Milling + Woodwork. My wood is lighter than pictured as the photos have been edited darker. The directions I received were to spread a small amount of walnut oil to keep the wood in pristine condition for years to come.
  
  Summer is quickly passing us by and there in no time like now to get out, support your local farmers and enjoy some unbelievably fresh food.
  
  -Hollie
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  Posted in Food, Gluten Free, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living Blogs, Paleo, Whole Food Diet | 1 Comment | Tagged Dairy Free, Food Photography, Gluten free, Simply Whole Foods
- Eggplant Bolognese Sauce Instant Pot Recipe
  
  Posted at 2:44 pm by Hollie Jeakins Photography, on April 6, 2016
  This sauce happens to be my favourite right now. It’s super duper, crazy delicious! I can’t get enough of the flavours and textures. This sauce is super simple and quick to make which are more reasons why I LOVE it so much. If you are vegetarian, I’d suggest replacing the ground meat with canned organic chickpeas a for a delicious twist.
  
  If you purchase your eggplant and ground meat on sale, this dish can be quite cost-effective. Especially if you use it as a sauce or “topper” for another dish.
  
  Serving over pasta or rice would be good idea, however, I never got that far. I taste tested the dish and then just kept eating and eating it like a bowl of chili! Next time I’ll add chunks of avocado because that would just be heavenly.
  
  To serve as a topper: try adding a spoonful on top of a creamy pureed soup along with some fresh avocado or as a layer of filling for lettuce tacos. You could even roast a head or two of cauliflower (seasoned with some cumin and turmeric perhaps) then mix some of this sauce in just prior to serving.
  
  If you’re not an eggplant lover; don’t turn away so soon. I feel this dish is the perfect re-introduction. Continue reading →
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  Posted in Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Healthy Eating, Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker, simplywholefoods, Whole Food Diet | 17 Comments | Tagged Gluten free, Paleo, Simply Whole Foods, Whole foods
- Are You Ready? It’s Time to Start Eating Better Every Day
  
  Posted at 11:00 am by Hollie Jeakins Photography, on March 8, 2016
  Years ago, when I started my whole foods journey, I was unaware that those little steps would lead me in a new path and ultimately change who I am today. I would never look at food the same way again. I would start a food blog, make all my meals from scratch, and consume whatever information I could on healthy living. I would end up switching to natural bath and body products. I would also end up switching to all natural house cleaners and laundry detergent. And that is where I am today! A little overboard? To some maybe.
  
  I’ve had my fair share of people thinking I’m a health nut because I didn’t give my child Halloween candy when he was two. But I’m so happy with my choices. Everyone has the right to make their own decisions in life and lead the path they wish to take. I’m happy to say my children are flourishing. They are happy to eat a whole foods diet because I’ve tought them the importance of food and how it impacts their health, mood and immunity system. No one wants to be sick all the time, and the power of food to heal and protect is simply amazing. Also, homemade treats sweetened with real honey, void of enriched wheat while using healthy fats goes along way to making little kids happy. There’s no need for Twinkies here.
  
  Pre-SimplyWholeFoods, I would have a muffin and a coffee for lunch every single day. Every single day. All that nutrient-void wheat and overdose of caffeine was what I was using for my fuel. I cringe a bit because I don’t think my breakfasts were any better. The wheat was bogging down my system and causing so much unneeded stress on my digestive system. Now I realize the importance of balanced meals. Today, my meal would include something along the lines of: healthy greens, some protein and a good amount of healthy fat.
  
  I was afraid of fat back in the day. I would consume all things low-fat. Today, I have more knowledge and I’m all about healthy fats. Healthy fats are simply amazing for our bodies. I’ve seen first hand how grass-fed butter (combined with fermented cod-liver oil and a healthy diet) can work together to heal a compromised immune system. We were consuming all home-made meals with very little (if any) processed foods. Everything works together and slowly, over time your body starts to heal itself.
  
  My body is starting to forgive me for eating foods that didn’t agree with it for so long. I’m so thankful that I started on my journey those years ago. I’m also thankful that I now have the knowledge to make informed decisions that benefit the health of myself and my family. I’m a happier person for it. Continue reading →
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  Posted in Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living Blogs, Inspiration, Nutrition, Whole Food Diet | 3 Comments | Tagged Gluten free, Simply Whole Foods, Whole Food Diet, Whole foods
- Ok, the Instant Pot is Incredible
  
  Posted at 9:13 am by Hollie Jeakins Photography, on March 1, 2016
  Have you tried cooking with an Instant Pot yet? Pressure cooking has quickly become the hot new kitchen method in the paleo/real whole food community and I must say it’s for very good reason.
  
  I agree with all the rave reviews. The Instant Pot has been my goto appliance for the majority of my meals since I got one back in December. While I still love my other kitchen tools like my Vitamix blender, food processor and dutch oven; I find I’m turning to my Instant Pot more and more. It’s just so easy and gives me so much extra time that I’ll often use it multiple times daily. Simple just works for me!
  
  Also, the Instant Pot provides me the convenience of the slow cooker with MUCH tastier results. My slow cooker has been hiding out in storage and I’m not sure it will ever return. Maybe I’ll need to dust it off if I’m expecting a large crowd but time will tell if it ever gets used again. If I’m going to be out all day, the Instant Pot still has the option to be used as a regular slow cooker. I often find regular slow cookers change the texture of the food slightly just enough that it bothers me. Anyone else find that? I find there is no texture change at all when using the Instant Pot.
  
  Since I’ve started using the Instant Pot we have been eating healthier, saving money and I’ve personally gained back a ton of time. For example, I can make a large batch of rice or oatmeal in 3 to 4 minutes without the food ever-burning, requiring stirring or needing any attention whatsoever.
  
  We are becoming partial to food cooked in the Instant Pot over traditionally cooked items. Don’t get me wrong, things like roasted sweet potatoes, kale chips or a fancy prime rib roast – you’re going to always need your trusty oven for those. BUT things like soups, stews, roasts, rice, oatmeal, meatloaf, mashed potatoes; the Instant Pot wins the round.
  
  Here are a few of my favourite ways that we are utilizing the Instant Pot in our house to eat healthier, save money and gain back precious time. Continue reading →
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  Posted in Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Healthy Eating, Instant Pot, Paleo, Pressure Cooker, Whole Food Diet | 10 Comments | Tagged Dairy Free, Gluten free, Instantpot, Simply Whole Foods
- Instant Pot Mushroom Soup Recipe
  
  Posted at 9:24 am by Hollie Jeakins Photography, on February 12, 2016
  Mushrooms are totally delectable and I love them prepared almost any way you can imagine. Sautéed with LOTS of garlic, baked, stuffed and of course inside a big bowl of comforting mushroom soup!
  
  Did you know that mushrooms are often considered medicinal? They are known to absorb and safely eliminate toxins in our bodies. A natural blessing in today’s toxin-laden world. Some mushrooms, like relishi, are even believed to increasing longevity. Just more reasons to chow down on some mushrooms today.
  
  Health benefits aside, mushrooms can also naturally enhance the flavour of your dish! They boost the savoury element of foods they are cooked with due to the natural presence of glutamic acid. Mushrooms are a great way to add some umami to your dish! (Umami is Japanese word that is translated as “pleasant savoury taste“).
  
  If you’re not sure how to get more mushrooms into your diet then consider a delicious bowl of healing soup. I like a hot bowl teaming with mushrooms and bone broth for the base.
  
  Try not to be tempted by those ready-to-eat cans of mushroom soup. They almost always contain unhealthy ingredients that should be avoided. Ingredients like modified food starch, flavourings, soy protein concentrate, MSG and vegetable oils are anything but friendly to our bodies. Instead, they can bog down our intricate bodies and cause negative effects.
  
  Homemade soup on the other hand, made with real, fresh ingredients like the ones you see below nourish our bodies and provide them with the tools to heal from the inside out.
  
  Recently I’ve started to use homemade bone broth as the base of my soups because it contains so many extra vitamins, minerals and proteins. If you don’t have access to bone broth, don’t worry, you can use chicken or veggie stock and your soup will still be full of nourishing goodness.
  
  I use a mix of King Oyster, Cremini and Button mushrooms for a more complex taste but you could totally substitute your favourite.
  
  Instant Pot Mushroom Soup Recipe Continue reading →
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  Posted in Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthy Eating, Instant Pot, Paleo, Pressure Cooker, Whole Food Diet | 5 Comments | Tagged Dairyfree, Gluten free, Instapot, Simplywholefoods, Soups and Stews
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- About Hollie
  
  Hi I'm Hollie! I share step-by-step recipes and tons of healthy eating inspiration. My recipes are dairy free, gluten free and paleo friendly that are perfectly suited for those with allergies and intolerances. I hope you enjoy!
  
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