In this month’s issue of Dishing It Up…

The Pandemic Diet: How to Lose the ‘Quarantine 15’
Kickin’ Chicken!
How to De-Stress with Niksen, the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing
Five Ways to Clean with Lemon
Mega Matcha from Lake & Oak Tea Co.

Here’s a taste of each from the sampler platter…

Sampler Platter

The Pandemic Diet:  How to Lose the ‘Quarantine 15’
Pandemic weight gain isn’t uncommon given our current stress and, sometimes, boredom.  While there’s no one ‘pandemic diet’ that will shed those pounds, this article provides practical tips.  And it suggests you shift the narrative to look at the pandemic as an opportunity.  For instance, reframe “this is the worst thing ever” to “there’s so much I can’t control, I’ll control making a true lifestyle change.”  Take baby steps.  “I needed something to focus on that allowed me little victories….It makes 2020 feel a bit less dire”, says one woman.  So choose one small focus and celebrate that win.  Then choose another.  And if you want help, reach out.  For those who prefer a one-on-one approach, nutritionists like me can provide personalized counselling and support virtually right now to help you meet your unique needs and health goals.
Read more…

Kickin’ Chicken!
One of the suggestions in the article above is to “embrace semi-homemade”.  Indeed, selectively using quality ready-made products can be a huge time-saver.  Take this 4-ingredient recipe for Kickin’ Chicken, an oldie but goodie from Eat, Shrink and Be Merry, for example.  Simply mix salsa, spicy peanut sauce (I use PC Blue Menu Memories Of Szechwan Spicy Peanut Satay Sauce) and chopped basil, pour over boneless chicken and bake.  It may sound weird but, trust me, it is delicious.  To make it a meal, toss pre-cut broccoli with olive oil and sea salt and roast it along with the chicken for the last 10-15 minutes.  Want more carbs?  Nuke some pre-cooked brown rice, either home-made or one like this.  Presto, dinner!  Note: please do not use cooking spray as indicated in the recipe but, rather, lightly oil your baking dish with olive oil.
Read more…

How to De-Stress with Niksen, the Dutch Art of Doing Nothing
In my blog post In Search of Sisu & Scandi Winter Wisdom, I talked about sisu, hygge and lagom.  But it seems I missed niksen, the Dutch art of doing nothing!  And this is much harder than it sounds, especially in our go-go-go culture.  Niksen is “not doomscrolling through social media or streaming whole seasons” on Netflix.  Rather, it is “intentional purposelessness, the opposite of distraction….and can be as simple as ‘sitting in a chair or looking out the window,’ just letting your mind wander.”  Niksen “can soothe burnout by giving our brain time to process the massive amounts of information we take in every day, ‘which in turn can boost one’s creativity’…by making space for new ideas”.
Read more…

Five Ways to Clean with Lemon
These are all great ideas but I particularly enjoyed #3, the Lemon Air Freshener, which “will make any space smell like you’ve spent the day cleaning (even if you’ve spent the day shopping online in bed).”  Or niksen-ing.  😉  And the Daily Shower Spray sounds like a wonderful morning pick-me-up as well!
Read more…

Mega Matcha from Lake & Oak Tea Co.
And speaking of morning pick-me-ups, Mega Matcha is my new morning ritual.  Formulated by a nutritionist, it is exactly as advertised on their site: “A matcha made in heaven! Mega Matcha blends the highest quality ceremonial grade matcha with adaptogens maca + ashwagandha, powering up its ability to relax the mind while promoting a smooth, feel-good boost of energy.  Shake, whisk or blend – your mood will thank you later.”  Yes it does!  And I like that Toronto-based Lake & Oak Tea Co. is “dedicated to fostering self-care rituals that help bring a little joy and balance to your life.”  They also donate 2% of their profits towards mental health initiatives in Canada.
Read more…

 

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