Feed it Forward - How are WE dealing with food insecurities?

The amazing #FEEDITFORWARD team!

Last week I was approached by our dear friends at Gastropost Toronto to write and share what food insecurity means to me.  

I figure we should begin with the true meaning of Food Insecurity - according to Stats Canada:

 

• Food insecurity rates have remained relatively stable over time. Every year from 2007 to 2012, approximately 5% of Canadian children and 8% of Canadian adults lived in food insecure households. This means that they did not have access to a sufficient variety or quantity of food due to lack of money.

• The most recent statistics indicate that in 2011–2012, 8.3% of Canadian households experienced food insecurity.

• Nunavut had the highest rate of food insecurity (36.7%), over four times the Canadian average (8.3%) in 2011–2012. ce94c57ca63fb7a3967e28c7dab12b25bd0ff946cf0f417e69

• In 2011–2012, the rate of food insecurity was more than three times higher in households where government benefits were the main source of income (21.4%) compared with households with an alternate main source of income (6.1%).

1 in 6 Canadian children are affected by hunger.. Astonishing fact.  We must work harder to eliminate this stat.

As we can see, this is cause for concern.  How do we as a city, province and nation address this?  How are we relieving or refocusing on lowering these issues.  Good news is that there is a movement happening - Thanks to Maple Leaf Foods and Gastropost Toronto people are stepping up to get involved through community gardens, education, lunch programs, volunteering OR even nominating someone in their (your) community that is going above and beyond to assist in food insecurities.

All smiles - the mini humans are so inspiring and great to be around!

How is RBN helping - Well food and wellness has always been in our top considerations BUT as of last year I've been working with Real Food for Real Kids (RFRK) - which is a non for profit dedicated to bringing kids (some less fortunate) whole foods that are ethically sourced,  quality made, grown by local farmers, using only environmentally responsible vehicles and supply litter-less reusable lunch containers.   Oh and you get to spend afternoons learning and educating young minds about food and such.  Its such a joy and has become the favourite part of my week. 

What are some other great ways YOU can get involved?

1. Community gardens: Pitch in some volunteer hours to help seed, plants and teach the younger generations about how and why local food growth and sustainability is a prime issue.
2. Form a group in your neighbourhood or school, maybe you take turns doing a new activity bi-weekly to bring awareness and support.
3. Nominate someone YOU know that is already taking part in this great initiative - click HERE for details to #feeditforward pledge!
4. Look to schools and daycares to teach and get them involved, in my experience as a nutritionist - the more kids know, the more apt they are to learn, eat and explore food and our food culture!
5. Let RBN know your idea too - we're always looking for new ways to motivate and give back!

***

 “​This blog post was promoted by Gastropost + Maple Leaf Foods but the opinions are completely my own based on my experience.”

Please share this with anyone you think should be involved!

xoxo
rbn

Paprika & Lemon BLUE GOOSE PURE FOODS Chicken & Chicken Sausage and White Bean Stuffing!

Happy Tuesday friends!

For those of you who DO NOT follow me on Instagram or Twitter may not now that I've partnered up with Blue Goose Pure Foods (website is being updated) as their newest BA - Brand Ambassador!  This means you can follow us and them for weekly (or more) recipes, tips & ideas using their great products and line of organic and ethically raised proteins. 

 

 Fortunate for RBN their brand policies are inline with ours - they support local & community brands and ideas, they use only the best and ethical local farmers & it shows in the food!  My goal is use my Nutrition background for healthy and nutritious elements and then sprinkle my Culinary Expertise with fun techniques and methods to learn and implement into YOUR home kitchen!  

Bonus: Fall in Ontario is such a rich and season with a great line up of local & seasonal ingredients at our finger tips!

RBN Smoked Paprika & Lemon Roasted Chicken 

SMOKED PAPRIKA & LEMON ROASTED CHICKEN

What you'll need:

1 Blue Goose whole chicken (Breast or thighs could work too)

2 lemons

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp Smoked or Spanish paprika 

3 tbsp EVOO

Sea salt & cracked pepper

What to do:

Preheat oven to 400.  Wash your chicken and dry thoroughly - may sound odd but I always do it!  May need to remove giblets or trim any excess fat.  Mix together 2 tbsp of EVOO, paprika, 1/2 lemon and S&P into a wet rub.   Rub all over chicken and try to save half of the marinade.  Stuff chicken with cooled down stuffing (recipe below).  Season with extra salt and pepper.  Cap stuffing with half a lemon (shown here) and add remaining stuffing into a small casserole dish and put aside.  Roast chicken for 20-25 minutes at 400.  Afterwards lower to 375 and bake an addition 40-55 minutes - this is a great time to re-marinade.  Using a thermometer - internal temp should be 180f (82c).   ***When there is roughly 20 minutes left add in extra stuffing to reheat.  Let rest for 10/12 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.  I served our chicken with roasted tomatoes and acorn squash, for a lighter meal add a spinach salad and some sautéed greens.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHITE BEAN & SAUSAGE "STUFFING"

What you'll need:

2 cups cooked white kidney beans (soaked method or org can)

3 Blue Goose paprika chicken sausages, diced

1 sweet onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

Small handful fresh parsley

1/2 lemon juiced

1/2 tsp poultry spice

1 tbsp maple syrup

***optional

1 tbsp bourbon

1 tbsp raisins

What to do: 

Sauté onions and garlic until translucent.  Add in sausages and try to render and crisp up.  Add in beans and remaining ingredients EXCEPT parsley & bourbon.  Cook stuffing for 3-5 minutes, then finish with last ingredients.  Allow to cool before stuffing to prevent any burns.  Once chicken is done, remove stuffing into a bowl to serve.  Finish with fried sage leaves or more parsley & lemon!

Yumms!

Roasted Tomato side dish: Tomatoes, garlic & EVOO. Roast for 20.

Again follow us on Instagram & Twitter to get your WEEKLY BLUE GOOSE recipes (link in top of blog)..

For where to shop, questions or recipe ideas email me!

Also relaunching RBN 30-day White OUT challenge: 30 days no white foods, no processed foods & NO sugar!  Email me for your copy ~ $75.00

*Includes support through email.

*4 Food journal walk through & critique.

*Recipes & Lifestyle tips

and MORE!!!

xox rbn.

UP on the blog/website this wknd:  

Surf & Turf Taco's: BLUE GOOSE sausage & giant prawns!

 

 

 

 

The Happiness Challenge & How-to: Insert #healthy habits into YOUR life!

 

For those of you that follow me @rachelbies on Twitter - know that we proposed a gratitude journal #challenge in which you write down your thoughts of gratitude every morning - THE REASON: Studies have shown people who are grateful & mindful show less signs of depression, anxiety, anger and overall it becomes a mood enhancer.  For an extra 2 minutes a day - We believe the benefits outweigh the "work" - this is also #10 (no value) on our list of HEALTHY & HAPPY HABITS!  Take a look at our list...these are in no particular order!

RBN Healthy & Happy Habits

1. Mornings: Wake up and try to go without looking at your phone or computer for the first 30-60 minutes after waking.  Connect with your loved ones, pets, go for a walk, drink lemon water.  You'll notice that you start your day more settled - its tough at first but you can do it.  Make it a priority to decide that YOUR day is going to kick A$$!

2. Lemon Water: YOU know how strongly I feel, past blogs and social media highlight this.  It will start your body as alkaline, wake up digestion and great for skin!  DO IT!

3. To do lists:  I'm a list maker.  Obsessed with them.  The downfall is that they can leave you feeling incomplete or disappointed in your day.  New version: make a list of 3 things; 1 small, med & large.  Anything else is a bonus.  For tasks you don't complete - add to next day and give yourself a break!

4. EAT: This is crazy important, no excuses!  Eat a bar, a smoothie, an RBN bfast bowl or toast!  Something!  We burn our food when we sleep and we need FUEL for our long days of work, movement and stress.   Get up 15 minutes earlier to prevent rushing in the mornings or prep the night before - EMAIL ME for a top 10 breakfast list!

5. Afternoons: Take a 15 minute walkabout after your lunch, preferably outdoors but if unable then stretch your legs in your office.  Make it even more enjoyable with a nice tea...ahhh almost like a spa.

6. Après Work: When you get home or have finished work, take some space - outdoors, yoga, bike ride, meditation - something that isn't a chore, work or for someone else! JUST YOU. Maybe its looking up a new recipe or writing in your gratitude journal!

7. Dinner: Try making dinners a thing.  Not an inhale and eat standing at the counter but eat at a table, with friends or loved one.  Plan, shop, decompress from work.  Clean up together.  Be mindful and thankful for where your food is coming from!  Trust me - its the best and fall is the season of dinner parties! Yumms.

RBN has ton of DINNER PARTY ideas - just ask us!

8. Electronic Detox: Josh and I have to adhere to this.  Make a cut-off time for phones/social media.  Take your IG pics and then phone gone.  No phones after 9pm, etc.  Make ones that work for you.  Incorporate a conversation or a board game - something that doesn't involve your head down in a screen! Upside: Tomorrow you'll feel so satisfied after ignoring your phone for hours.

9. Gratitude is a mood lifter: Buy yourself a little old journal!  We're on day 23 I believe and it works. Less stress, anxiety and more mindfulness.  Not sure where to start? I'm grateful for... the food on your table - the fact that you have a job to go to - your family (even though they are crazy lol) - fresh air!  It can be as little or as big as you want!

10.  Meditate:  There's this great app called Headspace that I've been using and loving!  It's 10 minutes a day (or when you have time) & is narrated by a nice british lad (dreamy) and teaches you how to relax, be mindful and be aware of your thoughts - NOT to run from them.  I suggest looking into it!

 ***Results may include: Constant smiles, annoying your co-workers & constant humming.  LOL.

GET YOUR BOD BACK FROM SUMMERTIME FUN!

RBN - 30 WHITE OUT CHALLENGE IS BACK 

EMAIL ME rachelbiesnutrition@gmail.com

for more details!!  Whooooo!