Chocolate recipe?.......Really?  

Why am I promoting Chocolate here, you may be asking. Well, I have a sweet tooth and for those who know me really well my relationship with sugar has been a love, hate one. When your Naturopathic Doctor tells you that if you don't get your sugar consumption in check "you will develop Type II diabetes," you know it's time to step up to the plate and own it!  I know first hand what it is like to make choices when it comes to Nutrition. There are a number of reasons why I chose to become a Holistic Nutritionist  besides the personal reason to acquire the skills to regulate my blood sugar.  I love to educate people on the benefits of making good choices when it comes to food. Sugar  is something that I grew up with and have enjoyed thoroughly.....or so I thought until chronic symptoms and conditions reared their ugly head. Thank goodness for the abundance of great food choices besides the sugar that I had in my life. It might have been much more difficult cleaning up the diet. It's been about 14 years when I began my journey toward wellness. Sugar doesn't have a hold on me like it did. Ask me some time about the whole journey, I promise it won't bore you.

As with most things there is a place for sugar but what kind and how much? I just spoke to a large group of business people who are entrepreneurs and lead busy lives. It wasn't enough to stand there and "talk" about health so I actually had them label read and investigate and understand. There were many "aha moments." This is so important and when we own it we make changes, we make good choices for us and our health. "There is no time like the present to make good choices."

I am going to include here for you a Chocolate Coconut Quinoa Ball recipe and what I would like you to do is create these and keep them in your fridge or freezer and when you get that craving for sugar these are your go to. (no more than one per day)

If you suffer from Candidiasis or have Type II Diabetes please message me and we can modify the recipe somewhat for you. Or you may for a time not be able to consume them. That's okay though.....there are other alternatives and it's not the end of your having chocolate. Let me teach you ways to incorporate healthy foods for a more regulated blood sugar and show you how to decrease those cravings and feel fuller longer. All the while having more energy, a greater zest4life and perhaps even weight loss if that is what you desire.

Coming up is my Back to School Fun with Food Session on Tuesday August 19th (register by clicking on the link below) and then in September, stay tuned for the Make Good Choices Series where you will hear from my guest speakers and get some applicable health and wellness tips for you to apply in your daily life. Come along to learn how to have a zest4life with the zest4life Weight loss programs I am running as well. 

If there is a topic near and dear to your heart with regards to health and wellness please let me know. I'd love to hear from you.

Let me know how you make out with the recipe below.  

Make Good Choices with Back to School Fun with Food- Register and have your name entered in for a Lunch sack

Although it's only August we cannot help but look at the calendar and try to plan these next few weeks before the children big and small go off to school. I know that in my home both of mine are going off to their places for University and College and they will be shopping, cooking and fending for themselves. Food is important for many things one of which is keeping their brains fired up and excited for learning!!

It's a wonderful time of year as well when our Farmers Markets are brimming with all the fruits of the farmers labour. Honey, veggies, fruits, meats, maple syrup, fish, soups, plants, flowers. The list goes on and on. It's just great. For more information on your local Farmers Market visit http://www.farmersmarketsontario.com/

Why not take some time to seek out the many special events and attractions our region has to offer and maybe even the odd workshop that is being held.

Make Good Choices is bringing a Back to School session on Tuesday August 19th at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm or 6:30 pm. Why not take time to have "Fun with Food" and learn some tips and  try some samples of what you can make that is nutritious, delicious and easy to do. The cost for this session is $20 plus tax.  Share of Proceeds will go to Rainbows Canada, "guiding Children through Life's storms."

Register now for this session by clicking here. When you register you will have your name put in for a draw to win a Lunch Sack 

Also, two great cruises coming up. Wouldn't you love to join me and all the others on these ships for some fun, food, excitement, relaxation and great learning? Click on the links below for details.

Looking forward to seeing you. 

YOUR SUPPORT IS APPRECIATED ** Please Vote**

FINAL ROUND, I am very honoured to have been nominated as Barrie's Favourite Nutritionist. I would love to have your support again now to win this award for the 3rd year in a row. Please cast your vote now, I am #84 Nutritionist Katherine Parent Make Good Choices.. Voting ends September 5th. http://www.simoe.com/whatson-story/4723891-vote-now-barrie-advance-readers-choice-2014

UPCOMING EVENTS & SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

August 14th Speaking at Small Business Connect 9:00 - 10:30 am. 411 Huronia Rd. Unit 5, Barrie, ON L4N9B3 Free to attend.

August 19th MGC Back to School - Fun with Food. Samples and Recipe ideas to take home. Katherine Parent will give you tips and tricks for those back to school Nutrition concerns. You will benefit from this informative session.

Where: at Suite Success 411 Huronia Rd. Unit 5. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm.

Fee: $20 + tax 

Share of Proceeds to go to Rainbows Canada. 

August 23rd Dragon Boat Race Barrie

August 30th Run or Dye 5 km - Rainbows Barrie

August/September - Running Room Clinic Nutrition Talks

October 19th - 26th Small Business Networking Cruise - Royal Caribbean Internationals Allure of The Seas (largest cruise ship in the world). In 2014 we are heading back to the Western Caribbean and departing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Our ports of call will be Labadee, Haiti (Royal Caribbeans private destination), Falmouth, Jamaica and Cozumel Mexico.

January  22nd, 2015 Reinvention Retreat on the Seas -An Opportunity to visit a world class destination, Cozumel, while you discover your passion!

Ongoing zest4life weight loss programs available. Click here 

Recipes 

Chocolate Coconut Quinoa Balls

3 cups cooked quinoa

1/4 cup raw cacao powder

1/3 cup maple syrup (pure) * can omit

3 tbsp nut butter (I have used Tahini which is sesame seed, Almond or cashew)

1 tbsp coconut oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut * can use mixture of seeds such as flax, chia, hemp instead if you wish to increase fibre and omega 3.

Mix all ingredients together with the exception of the shredded coconut. Form into 1 inch balls. If too soft place bowl in fridge to chill then form into balls.

Sprinkle the shredded coconut in another dish and coat each ball in the coconut and place on parchment paper or cookie sheet. Place in fridge or freezer until ready to serve. 

Makes 20 servings, each serving 75 calories 10 g carbs, 2 g protein, 3 g fat, 1 g fibre 

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad 

4 LUNCHES

2 cups broth (vegetable)

1 cup quinoa dry

6 baby artichokes in water, roughly chopped (canned organic fine)

2 tbsp sun dried tomatoes cut into small pieces

10 Kalamata olives, sliced

1 large handful basil, rinsed and thinly sliced

1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) rinsed and drained

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 tbsp rice wine vinegar

Rinse quinoa in fine mesh sieve. Combine broth and quinoa in a pot and bring to a boil.

When boiling reduce heat and cover. Cook for 10-15 minutes. Let cook and fluff

Combine artichokes, sun dried tomatoes, olives and chickpeas in a large bowl. Add quinoa, basil, olive oil and rice wine vinegar. Stir gently to combine. Enjoy! Will store in fridge all week for lunches. 

Have a wonderful weekend and Make Good Choices......for a healthier, happier you.

Health and Happiness,

Katherine 

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