It’s Thanksgiving today in Canada, which means a LO-HO-HOT of turkeys are being eaten. SO, to give back to those turkeys, and to even things out a bit, why not try this DEELISH vegan recipe one day this week. I think you’ll find that you AND your family will love it.

INGREDIENTS:
(Serves 6-8; Cooking time approx. 45 mins)

6 cups cooked rice noodles, quinoa, OR brown rice
1 six-ounce package of firm tofu, drained and cubed
2 tbsp sesame oil or canola oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
Bunch mushrooms (if desired — I love portobello)
2 cups broccoli florets
1 medium red pepper, chopped
2 green onions, sliced

THE SAUCE
1/2 cup natural peanut or almond butter
3/4 cup orange juice
2 tbs tamari / soy sauce
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
(water, if consistency is too thick — which it shouldn’t be…)

1/4 cups chopped peanuts

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cook the noodles, if using, by following package instructions. To cook brown rice or quinoa, place 2 cups of grain in 4 cups of watter, bring to a boil. Then, lower the heat, cover, and simmer (15 minutes for quinoa or 30 minutes for brown rice). Toward the end of the cooking time, make sure all water is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let stand for 10-15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add tofu and brown each side — gently turning over the cubes. Remove from heat, and set aside on a separate plate.

3. Heat remaining 1 tbsp of oil. Add garlic, carrots and onion (and mushrooms would be great!). Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.

4. Add broccoli and stir-fry for another 3-4 minutes.

5. Add bell peppers, green onions and whatever other veggies you want (green/purple cabbage would be great), and stir fry for 2-3 more minutes.

6. Combine the veggies, tofu and grains/noodles in big bowl.

7. TO MAKE THE SAUCE: Place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with a fork until smooth. Add water if sauce needs thinning out (or orange juice for more sweet; tamari for more salty). Let it sit for an hour before serving, if possible.

8. If you want, sprinkle with cilantro.

9. DEFINITELY sprinkle with chopped peanuts.

10. Enjoy! And, let us know how you like it!

Recipe adapted from the brillers book Enlightened Eating: Nourishment for Body and Soul, by Caroline Dupont.

I actually had the pleasure of meeting Caroline and receiving nutrition counseling, energy work and meditation guidance from her. She’s extremely gifted and a lovely person.

To contact Caroline and/or to book a consultation with her, please visit her website http://carolinedupont.com.

Hi Gorgeouses! Guess who’s back? Our resident holistic nutritionist, Lori Kennedy — here to motivate and inform us! Enjoy! And, congratulations, Lori, on the birth of your baby girl! Love, all us Gorgeouses!

So I had my baby 7 weeks ago today. Let’s just say that, no matter how much you plan, things never go the way you want them to. I had a pretty traumatic birth experience where I ended up having an emergency C Section. I had midwives because I wanted a natural birth –- the exact opposite happened. The baby and I are fine and healthy, which is all that matters –- EXCEPT that I am left with a stomach that resembles the face of a walrus!

SO today I will start writing about how I plan to lose the 20 pounds I have leftover from 9 ½ months of eating whatever I wanted. (Yes, I know I am a nutritionist but I was pregnant and all my nutritionist ways went out the window –- I am human after all!) My pre-baby body was hot, if I do say so myself. It was hard work to get it and keep it, and I am determined to feel good about my body again or at least good enough to be naked in front of my husband without covering my walrus stomach with my hands.

I am sure a lot of you moms can relate. You want your body back! I am with you in your struggle. I am still wearing my maternity pants because I refuse to buy pants in bigger sizes and my pre preggo-pants don’t fit …YET!

I invite you to dedicate the next 12 weeks to getting your body back. It doesn’t matter whether you had your baby 7 weeks ago or 7 years ago –- there is no time like the present to regain your health and your self-confidence.

Here are some things that have helped me over the last 7 weeks to avoid eating the chips that my husband keeps buying.

1. Apple and 1 tablespoon of raw or roasted almond butter – BEST SNACK EVER!!! Almond butter can be quite expensive. I get mine from Costco.

2. Berries shake – fastest breakfast and portable, can drink it with one hand. All you of moms can appreciate something that only uses 1 hand.

Recipe:
1 cup mixed frozen berries
1 cup soy milk or whatever milk you want
1 cup water
1 tsp oil – I use extra virgin; you can’t taste it, use whatever oil you want – Flaxseed, hemp, canola
1 scoop protein powder – I use hemp but whey is fine too
Blend on high. Enjoy!

3. 70% Dark Chocolate –- 1 square per day

4. Cucumber, salsa and hummus — my husband came up with this
Cut up cucumber. Mix 2 tablespoons of salsa with 1 tablespoon of hummus. Use the cucumber instead of pita or bread. I keep cut up cucumber in my fridge at all times.

5. Grapes — great to munch on when you want something sweet

Goal for the week — pick 1 day to cheat and eat whatever you want. This has really helped me. My day is Saturday. I literally eat whatever I want on Saturdays. If I want crappy food during the week, I force myself to wait until Saturday. If I still want it…I eat — GUILT FREE!!!

Another tip: Have a dinner plate full of salad before you eat your dinner. Salad fills you up so you don’t eat so much at dinner.

What are some of your tips for losing your baby weight?

Lori

CHECK OUT LORI’S BIO HERE!

Got a nutrition question of your own, Gorgeouses? Ask LORI (click here to ask your question). LOVE!

Jessica Alba just a couple of weeks (if that) post baby, already looking fabulous….

Q: My baby is almost 4 months old…what do you recommend regarding exercise, losing weight and breastfeeding? I have read conflicting things and would like to know the best, safest way to lose the baby weight without it affecting my breastmilk.

Thank you!

–Michelle B.

A: This is a question that is near and dear to my heart since I am expecting my first baby at the end of August. I am someone who practiced what I preached. I kept a pretty strict diet and worked out pretty hard – I avoided wheat, dairy and most starches/sugar on a regular basis and weight lifted at least 2 times per week plus cardio 4-5 times per week. WOW did my world get turned upside down when I got pregnant. Needless to say that I have put on more then a couple pounds and had to slow down with the workouts. The result is that I feel fat! I know, I know…I’m pregnant but I thought I would be one of those people who only gained the appropriate 25 pounds. NOT SO!

When I got this question it sparked an urge to formulate a “Bring Sexy Back” plan for all of you moms who want their pre-baby body’s back.

From the research I have done, it is okay to work out pretty intensely assuming you exercised pre baby. It’s the calories you take in or lack thereof that mostly affects the amount of breast milk you will produce. As long as you are providing your body with the right amount of calories coming from good quality, ‘clean’ food there should be no reason you can’t lose the weight!

THE “BRINGING SEXY BACK” PLAN

*If you have never exercised before reduce the exercise portion by half the days and time and work up to 4-5 days per week.

Consult your physician before starting any exercise or diet plan.

Consistency is key!

Exercise:
Cardio: 4-5 times per week for at least 30 minutes (moderate to vigorous intensity)
• Walking/running on the treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical or stair climbing.
• Classes at a gym.
• Going for a brisk walk with a stroller.

Nutrition:
Breastfeeding moms need to make sure they are getting enough calories. For weight loss purposes it’s the type of calories that matter. Maximize your eating by consuming lots of low calorie foods like fruits and veggies!

Tips:
• Make sure you are eating every 3-4 hours
• Don’t let yourself get hungry – then the cravings are too strong to avoid
• Ensure you have cut up fruits and veggies on hand to snack on
• Spend some time cooking and freezing – helps to avoid ordering take out
• ALL MEALS SHOULD CONTAIN A LEAN PROTEIN AND GOOD QUALITY FAT
• Avoid starch at dinner
• Avoid empty calories – sugar is the enemy!
• Load up on fiber

Breakfast: HAVE IT!
• Make sure it contains protein and a complex (full of fiber) carb
• Slow cooking oats with egg whites or cottage cheese is a good choice

Snacks: Fruit with nuts or whole grain crackers with a nut butter

Lunch:
• ½ cup complex carb (quinoa, brown rice etc.)
• 4oz protein
• Veggies
• 1 tbsp fat

Snack: Veggies with hummus, cheese, or yoghurt

Dinner:
• 4 oz protein
• 2 cup veggies
• 2 tbsp fat

I plan to have a protein shake later on in the evening or throughout the night if I get hungry. [Haley's note: for a good protein shake recipe, try Lori's Shake To Go!]

Remember that everyone is different [Haley's note: If you want a more personalized plan, email Lori herself!]. I have had clients who couldn’t lose the weight until they stopped breastfeeding. Consuming organic, good quality food and avoiding processed simple sugars is a great place to start!

Good luck!

Lori

CHECK OUT LORI’S BIO HERE!

Got a nutrition question of your own, Gorgeouses? Ask LORI (click here to ask your question). LOVE!

Q: I am a person who absolutely has to eat breakfast daily. I will eat (for example) two slices of multigrain toast with local honey and a non-fat yogurt with fresh berries or oatmeal with raisins and skim milk. I always have a 1/2 cup of orange juice, coffee (usally black, sometimes with a bit of 5% cream) and a tablespoon of Salba seeds in unsweetened applesauce.

I am 5′10″ tall and weigh about 142 lbs. I am currently nursing a 7 month old baby boy. Even though I eat what I think is a good amount of food in the morning (around 7:30 am), I am weak by mid-morning (let’s say by 10 am).

What can I eat to prevent the mid-morning blood-sugar lows (if that is what it is)? Any suggestions?

Thank you!

– Lori L.

A: Your mother was right when she said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day! In North America we have our eating habits backwards having our largest meal at dinner time instead of in the morning when we need the most energy from our food. What you eat for “break – fast” helps to determine your energy levels and food cravings throughout the rest of the day. It is important to consume a balanced breakfast that contains a good amount of protein, complex carbs and fat. A bowl of cereal even if it’s a fibre or a flax cereal with skim milk just doesn’t cut it.

Carbohydrates convert into sugar (energy) which can quickly raise blood sugar levels. Whenever something goes up, like your blood sugar levels, it quickly comes down. This “crash” is experienced by feelings of more carb cravings, fatigue in the early morning or in the afternoon, headache, irritability and light headedness.

In my weight-loss program 10 Weeks to WOW! all my clients do for the first week is change their breakfast. I give them pages of balanced breakfast recipes that they must consume for 7 days. The comments I get at the end of the week are that they have a lot less sugar cravings; they have constant levels of energy and are able to make better food choices throughout the day; most even lose 1-2lbs! This is because their breakfast now contains protein and fat whereas before it was all carbs.

The question I was asked was how to avoid blood sugar dips a couple hours after eating breakfast. It’s a great question.

Let’s break down your breakfast –- REMEMBER a balanced meal means that the meal contains protein, carbs and fat:

2 slices of multi grain toast – approx 30g carbs
Honey (1tsp) – 5g carbs
Non-fat yoghurt (100g serving) – 5 – 10g carbs & 4g – 6g protein
Berries (1/2 cup) 10g carbs
½ Cup Orange Juice – 15g carbs
Total Grams Carbs: approx. 70g

Keep in mind the average daily consumption of carbs should be between 120 – 200g of carbs per day! This breakfast contains half the amount of carbs one should consume in the entire day first thing in the morning. I am not debating that these foods are healthy –- they are, but they are not balanced.

My advice would be to cut the honey and the orange juice and have 1 slice of toast instead of 2. If you want the taste of orange in the morning, have ½ an orange instead of drinking the juice. The orange contains fibre. You can still have the yoghurt and berries. On the slice of toast I would add a raw nut butter like almond or walnut butter (1 tbsp). I would also add in a good source of protein like ½ cup 1% cottage cheese or 2oz low fat (7% M.F.) cheese or ½ cup egg whites.

Remember that a meal should only keep you full for approximately 3 hours. Try having a snack around 10am –- something that also contains protein or fat.

Hope this helps!

Lori

CHECK OUT LORI’S BIO HERE!

Got a nutrition question of your own, Gorgeouses? Ask LORI (click here to ask your question). LOVE!

Q: Can you recommend some good protein bars? I’m constantly on the go, and I’m getting a little bored of the Zone bar. What do you suggest? Thanks!

– Sarah C.
(These are not Sarah’s exact words, btw. I [Haley] deleted her question by accident and this is what I remember, but anyway. THANKS SARAH!)

A: There are a lot of bars on the market and choosing one can be daunting and confusing. Although I think that protein bars serve a purpose, I wouldn’t suggest choosing a bar over good quality food. Here are some points you want to look for when choosing a protein bar.

Sugar Content:

Protein bars taste good because they usually contain a lot of refined sugars. Be sure to read the ingredient list in addition to checking the nutrient profiles to determine which sugars are naturally occurring and which ones are refined. FDA labeling laws require that all ingredients be listed in order of quantity used. If a refined sugar is within the first three ingredients it is not a good choice. Refined sugars: sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, chocolate, brown rice syrup and corn syrup. Bars with these ingredients are chocolate bars with protein powder added into them.

Saturated Fat:

Most protein bars contain a moderate amount of fat, usually anywhere from 2.5 – 10 grams of fat. This is not a bad thing unless the majority of fat is saturated. You can tell how many grams of fat are saturated by reading the food label. The saturated fats are coming from hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats as well as palm oil, palm kernel oil and other tropical oils which are oils you would want to stay away from. You want to check the ingredient list for these types of ingredients, too.

Calorie Breakdown:

The calorie breakdown will determine if the bar is either an a) protein bar; b) energy bar; c) meal replacement bar. A protein bar has approximately 25-30grams of protein usually coming from whey protein. An energy bar is mostly carbohydrates and is good for endurance athletes. A meal replacement bar usually has about 300-400 calories and has more carbs (25-40grams) than protein (10-15 grams).

Best “Clean” Bars Around:

There are a bunch of “clean” bars that are now on the market. The ingredients vary from dates, raisins, oats, flax, unrefined cane sugar, maple syrup, almonds and protein from soy or whey isolate. These bars are considerably more healthy for you and can be eaten more frequently than the usual protein bar.

Examples of “clean” bars: Elevate Me, Vega Energy Bars, Greens+ Express Bar and Daryl’s Hi-N-R-G Bar.

Enjoy! Lori

CHECK OUT LORI’S BIO HERE!

Got a nutrition question of your own, Gorgeouses? Ask LORI (click here to ask your question). LOVE!