Chocolate Confusion & Cooking Challenges

Topics Mentioned:

Introduction(00:00 – 03:21)

Topic One (03:21 – 11:13): Vitamin D continues to surprise us: Even more important than we thought! https://globalnews.ca/news/3954605/vitamin-d-canada-winter-food-supplements/ ; https://health.usnews.com/health-care/articles/2018-01-09/vitamin-d-supplements-may-make-arteries-healthier

Every organ, tissue, and cell in the body has a receptor for vitamin D, so we know it is much needed in the body. It is known for warding off seasonal depression in the winter months, but its multitude of functions are wide-ranging: reducing arterial stiffness, improving bone density, and boosting immune function, among other things. Daily drops like GNA Naturals Fast Absorb Vitamin D3 Drops can make a world of difference!

Topic Two (11:13 – 19:00):Ancient beverage bone broth the latest food fad http://abc7.com/food/ancient-beverage-bone-broth-the-latest-food-fad/2947213/

Bone broth’s reputation as a collagen supplement has made it super popular among people with joint pain, and they’re also discovering that it tastes good, too! You can make it easily yourself, but if your time is limited, you can purchase Goodness Me! bone broth in stores, or Organika Bone Broth powder here.

Topic Three (19:00 – 24:36):The chocolate science hype machine: How did chocolate become a health food? https://www.vox.com/videos/2018/1/15/16885442/chocolate-science-health-flavanols

Every year we read articles highlighting chocolate’s health benefits, but these studies might not be due to actual science. Rather, companies such as Hershey’s and Nestle have used millions of dollars to back research studies and news stories that seek to change our ideas of chocolate. Before choosing your next chocolate fix, find out what makes a good, healthy choice, like Organic Traditions Cacao Powder! Emily was snacking on Green & Blacks 85% Organic Dark Chocolate J

Audience Questions:

Question 1 (25:50 – 32:56):“When cooking, what’s the best healthy oil I can use? Which ones do you use, and why?”

Question 2 (32:56 – 38:59): “Are all salads healthy? I usually eat one with lunch to get my greens, but are they inherently good for you?”

Often times the health of salad can come down to the type of dressing used. The right dressing can enhance a salad’s health; the wrong dressing can ruin whatever benefits you would get from the salad!

Question 3 (38:59 – 43:01): “Do you ladies use microwaves?”

How can we cook for a family without the use of these conveniences?

Recipe (43:01 – 46:25): Super Nourishing Chicken Soup

Serves 12 – 18

Gluten Free
Wheat Free
Dairy Free
Low-Insulin Potential
Diabetic Friendly

Here is a soup that is not only extra nourishing, but also delicious enough to prepare and enjoy every week. The cider vinegar helps release minerals from the chicken bones, and extra minerals come from the wakame, herbs, organic produce, and unrefined salt. Perfect for the whole family.

BROTH

1 whole naturally-raised chicken

4 litres pure water, cold or room temperature

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 strip wakame

1 large onion, skin left on, cut in quarters

2 stalks celery with leaves, coarsely chopped

2 medium carrots, coarsely chopped

2 cloves garlic, left whole

6 strips astragalus root

3 heaping Tbsp dried flowering green oats

Place the chicken, water, and vinegar in a large crock pot or soup pot.
Let the chicken sit in the cool water and vinegar for up to an hour, adding the wakame, vegetables and herbs as they are ready.
Then bring the pot slowly to a boil and simmer on low for 6 to 24 hours (the longer the better to liberate the minerals from the bones).
After simmering is complete, remove the chicken from the broth to cool. Remove the skin and pull the meat from the bones, cutting it into pieces. Set aside.

SOUP

Broth

½ cup brown rice, wild rice, or a mixture

1 onion, diced

3 carrots chopped

3 stalks celery, chopped

2 tsp. whole-mineral sea salt or to taste

Pinch cayenne

Fresh ground black pepper

Chicken pieces

2 tsp. thyme

½ bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped

Pour the broth through a fine strainer into a soup pot, discarding the herbs and vegetables. Keep it simmering and add the rice, and simmer 30 – 40 minutes.
Add the fresh vegetables. Simmer about 15 minutes, till tender.
Add the seasonings, parsley, and chicken pieces. Simmer briefly to develop the flavour.
Taste and correct seasonings, and enjoy.

Preparation Tip:

Making this soup can fit into a busy working life quite nicely. I start mine at suppertime or in the evening in my crockpot, and simmer it about 18 – 20 hours, finishing the soup in less than an hour (including only 15 minutes of my time) when I get home for supper the following day.

Nutrition Tip:

This soup was inspired by the change-of-season soup used in Chinese medicine to bolster the immune system when the seasons change. Astragalus is an adaptogenic herb that supports immune function and healthy stress response, and the green oats are a nourishing tonic for the nervous system to help fight fatigue, irritability, digestive distress, or other symptoms that can come from nervous system overload. These gentle, supportive herbs are suitable for the whole family.