Cauliflower Bake Using 'Cashew Cheese'

Cauliflower subs in for pasta in this satisfyingly filling main. This delicious healthy paelo alternative to traditional cream sauce is perfect for dairy-free, gluten-free diets. This is such a comfort meal that the whole family will love, and it really tastes 'cheesy'. If you've never tried making a cashew 'cheese' sauce, this recipe is a must!

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup  (150 mL)  raw cashews
• 1 cup  (150 mL)  Broth OR water
• 2 tbsp  (30 mL)  Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp  (2 mL)  smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp  (2 mL)  pepper 
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 clove  garlic
• 3 cup  (750 mL)  chopped cauliflower florets, blanched
• 1/2 cup  (125 mL)  chopped parsley, plus 2 tbsp (30 mL), loosely packed

Preparation

1. Soak cashews in broth for 1 hour. In blender, combine with mustard,  paprika, salt & pepper and garlic and blend to a fine creamy consistency. Scrape mixture into large bowl.
2. In large pot of boiling water, lightly blanch cauliflower for 3-4 minute; drain and toss with sauce and 1/2 cup/125 mL of the parsley.
3. Scrape into a 9-inch/23 cm ovenproof skillet or square baking dish. Bake in 375°F/190°C oven for 30 minutes or until bubbling. Garnish with remaining parsley

You can always add a little sauteed sausage, chicken or bacon and serve it as a meal, or keep as is and serve as a side dish! Enjoy.

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

Roasted fennel & beets Quinoa

Whenever we have a relaxed weekend I find myself cooking up a storm in preparation for the week. I love to try new recipes and explore with different flavors. This weekend I made several recipes including this amazing roasted fennel and beet quinoa salad. Here's how easy it is.

-slice one fennel bulb in half and then into 1/4 inch strips. Toss in olive oil and place in a parchment lined baking dish
-wrap 3-4 beets in foil and place on same sheet
Bake these in a 425 oven for 30-40 min or until beets are fork tender and fennel is caramelized

Meanwhile rinse your 1 cup of quinoa and cook in water or broth for 18-20 min.

Mix all ingredients together. Drizzle with additional olive oil, salt & pepper, and if desired add chopped parsley, dried cranberries and some cashews! This dish tastes great hot or cold. Naturopath approved!

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

Chia Seed 'Tapioca' Pudding - Naturopath approved!

This is such a simple, tasty and healthy recipe that is gluten/dairy/grain-free and a hit with the kids and entire family! This qualifies as a paleo dessert if you are following this sort of diet. High in fiber, omegas and moderate protein from the chia seeds, this is both a wonderful dessert OR mid-day snack.
1 can coconut milk (or 2 cups of milk substitute such as almond milk - omit coconut water in this case)
1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup chia seeds
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp Honey (or sweeten to taste)
option - grate peel of 1/2 lemon

Mix in a glass bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hrs or overnight. Serve topped with fruit if desired!
 



Enjoy!

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

New Year Reflections!

As the New Year is upon us I like to take a little time to reflect on the past and set some goals for the future. Like many of you, I find New Year's Resolutions to be frustrating and unnecessary. We make them with great intentions but they are often setting us up for failure. Don't get me wrong - they CAN work for some people, but for the majority of us they don't. What I do encourage is setting goals - this however does not need to happen on New Year's, but anytime you feel like a change is needed. I like all my patients to set health goals for themselves, but I like them to be specific. For example, if you want to 'eat better', clarify what this means exactly. Perhaps your goal will be to eat vegetables twice daily, or include leafy greens 3x/week. Make your goals specific and achievable. Writing them down helps, that way you have something to refer back to in a few weeks to remind yourself of what you wanted to achieve! Better yet, become accountable by sharing your goals with friends or family.

For myself, as I reflect back on this year the thing that stands out for me the most is the impact that one person can have an another, and how the trickle effect can change so many lives. I have come to realize that for every mother, father, sister or child that come to see me, the effects reach far beyond that single patient. I have seen entire families change their health when one individual becomes the role model for positive change. This is what I find incredible in my line of work. This is what motivates me.

This past year my dear childhood friend lost her battle with brain cancer. Alyson lived by the philosophy of 'give back more than you take'. She was a true inspiration during her life time but even more so during the 3 years that she lived with this invasive cancer. She continued to rally her resources to raise money for the future treatment options and research in brain cancer, and left an amazing legacy the now continues without her presence. She left a real impact on me which has changed the way I see my profession and my role as a Naturopath. I understand that through education and passion I can be a voice for change, one person and one family at a time. My goals for the upcoming year are to give back more than I take, to find my inner voice of inspiration and share it with anyone who will listen! Each patient that listens is my victory and my marker for success! I will take each of your success stories and let it feed my passion, and hope that it continues to spread. I wish the same for all of you - may you find your own inner voice, your calling, and may you let it shine!

Happy New Year!

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

Gluten-free Pumpkin Bread

This is the pumpkin loaf I made from the roasted pumpkins (see Facebook posting for details). I had to adjust the recipes I found and sort or went with what I had, but here is roughly what I used:

Gluten-free Pumpkin Loaf
1 cup coconut flour
3 cups gluten free flour blend
1  cups  brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger or pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 cup organic coconut oil
2 organic free-range eggs, beaten
2 cups pumpkin puree
1 tablespoon vanilla

Place in 2 parchment lined loaf pans. sprinkle with seeds of your choice (I used pumpkin). Bake at 350 for 1 hr. Delicious!

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

'Freedom for Birth' Movie Screening!

We are pleased to be hosting a screening for the documentary 'Freedom for Birth' at VFL Wednesday October 10 at 7pm. Entrance is free, but please call or email us to reserve your spot, and donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted!

ABOUT THE FILM
Freedom for Birth is a new 58 minute campaigning film that re-frames Human Rights as the most pressing issue in childbirth today.

In many countries around the world, women are being denied the most basic human right of autonomy over their own bodies. They cannot choose how and where to give birth. Those that persist in their desire to have a normal, physiological birth are sometimes forced by judges to surrender to surgery or threatened with having their babies taken away by child welfare services.

In many countries, if a woman wants to have a home birth supported by a midwife, those midwives face criminal prosecution. Some midwives, like Ágnes Geréb in Hungary, are even imprisoned. Freedom for Birth calls for radical reform to the world’s maternity systems so that these Human Rights violations stop and women are afforded real choice as to how and where they give birth.

to view the trailer please click here.

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!

NEW Online Dispensary!

                               

NEW Online Dispensary at Vitality for Life!

We are excited to give our patients another convenient option for purchasing and/or refilling their prescriptions. Simply go to our website and click the ‘Visit our Online Store’ button to enter. Select your product and it will be shipped to you within 2-3 business days at a flat rate of $5! Our online dispensary also carries a greater array of products than are available in the clinic, giving us greater options for product recommendations and/or alternative to your existing products!

The Search option makes it easy for you to find what you are looking for and the checkout process is easy and convenient! Check back regularly for sales on your favorite products.

We hope this feature takes the stress out of supplement shopping!

Please note: Vitanica and Thorne products are currently not offered in the online dispensary but we're hopeful they will be in the near future - please speak to Dr. Anna about an alternative product that may be substituted for one you are currently taking if this is the case.

Dr. Anna Falkowski HBSc, ND
Naturopathic Doctor, Clinic Director
info@vitalityforlife.ca
www.vitalityforlife.ca
Twitter: @NaturoDoctor
We're On Facebook!