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Easy Meal Plans for Busy Families

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Etsy Gift Guide 2021

by Stephanie

Etsy Gift Guide 2021

It’s my favourite time of the year when I get to showcase my favourite artists and makers who sell their beautiful work on Etsy!⁠
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This gift guide features beautiful gifts that come from Canadian artists.⁠
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I’m choosing to focus on Canadian artists because… well I’m Canadian, but also because I want to support local businesses.⁠
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Plus if you want to get these items sooner rather than later, then ordering local is the way to go. ⁠

Here are the gift guide ideas!

First up is this super cute mug (above) from Beard Bangs. I love this mug because I have a black cat named Shadow and it reminds me of her! Plus it looks like it fits the perfect amount of hot beverage whether it’s your favourite tea or fancy coffee!

Next up on the gift guide is one of my favourite artists Jenn from @pepo.ceramics.⁠
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This is a salt cellar which is super important if you use a lot of salt like me. 😀⁠
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Jenn’s pieces are beautiful, durable and fit into any kitchen space. I have a few of her pieces and love them. This salt cellar is on the list!⁠

I saved this linen napkin from @confettimill a few weeks ago and it catches my eye every time I go on Etsy. ⁠
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So simple yet so luxurious and a beautiful addition to your holiday meal or a gift for someone special.⁠
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If you use a lot of olive oil and vinegar for dressings why not jazz up the boring bottles with these elegant dispensers from @poteriebonmatin?⁠ Based in Montreal, @poteriebonmatin‘s work is colourful and practical for any kitchen. ⁠

Next on the gift guide are these gorgeous linen tea towels.⁠ We don’t use many paper towels or paper napkins in our house so I’m always on the lookout for pretty linens to use for various jobs around the kitchen⁠
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I’m slightly obsessed with linen and love the bright colours of these towels from Bluebird Aprons Store based in Toronto.⁠

Last up, but certainly not least are these handsome mugs from @filcollective.⁠
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People are very particular about their mugs. I prefer them with a big handle and lots of space for coffee, tea and warm elixirs. These are just the ticket.⁠
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The FIL Collective is three emerging artists and friends from Southwestern Ontario. They shared an interest in beautiful objects and how those objects impact the space we live in. ⁠
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All of these gifts and more can be found here. ⁠

Have a beautiful holiday!


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***EDIT: These are RAMPS! Oops. But you can still ***EDIT: These are RAMPS! Oops. But you can still read about all the benefits of garlic and green garlic below. Also, you can use ramps in the recipe I gave you!***

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This week I got my first batch of green garlic in the veggie box!⁠
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Green garlic, or spring garlic, is a younger version of the garlic we know well and use in our cooking. It’s milder and can be used in many recipes. You can eat the white and green parts.⁠
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It has a white base like a green onion although it’s a bit bigger and its green stems are more flat than rounded. ⁠
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The younger version of this garlic has the same amazing health benefits as its older version making it an excellent addition to your recipes.⁠
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Not to mention it’s local and can basically be grown anywhere which is fantastic news for our environment.⁠
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Health Benefits of Garlic:⁠
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⚡️Helps to reduce cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure⁠
Garlic’s sulfur-containing compounds can be beneficial to the upper digestive tract.⁠
⚡️We need to eat garlic in our meals at least 2-3 times a week in order to see these health benefits.⁠
⚡️Use it raw and cooked. Raw garlic retains its health benefits more so than when it is cooked.⁠
⚡️Dried garlic doesn’t have the same effect as raw or cooked. Tastes good though!⁠
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⚡️A Quick Recipe: Quinoa (or rice or millet) with Green Garlic⚡️⁠
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Slice the ends off of the green garlic and thinly slice the entire vegetable including the green parts.⁠
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Put a tablespoon of olive oil into a pan and sauté the green garlic for 1-2 minutes. Add quinoa (about 1-2 cups) and stir. Add a bit of salt and pepper and voila! You have a flavourful side dish. ⁠
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#recipe #springrecipes #simplerecipes
My brother-in-law Steve spent a large portion of o My brother-in-law Steve spent a large portion of our Christmas dinner sharpening my knives. I was so grateful, but also hesitant that I would cut myself.⁠
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When I started cooking with my newly-sharpened knives, I was in awe.⁠
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Sharp knives make all the difference when it comes to enjoying cooking. It's also safer if you can believe it.⁠
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With a sharp knife, you're less likely to push down harder on the knife trying to get it through an onion, for example.⁠
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It just slices through with little pressure. ⁠
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Dull knives leave room for error and slicing fingers (listen, I've cut a few fingers over the years...).⁠
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If you're having trouble enjoying cooking at home, I encourage you to either get a new knife (it doesn't have to be expensive), or get someone to sharpen your knives for you (call a Steve in your area!).⁠
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Take care of them with a little holder and treat them kindly. Having a sharp knife will bring you one step closer to love cooking at home.⁠
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xo⁠
Steph⁠
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#kitchenskills #cookingtips #easycooking #enjoycooking #inthekitchen
Keep Meals Simple Friends! I’ve said this befor Keep Meals Simple Friends!

I’ve said this before: keep your meals simple. 

Pick meals that take fewer than 20 minutes or less to cook so you’re not scrambling during the week to make dinner and keep the elaborate meals for the weekend.

Another idea is to choose a couple of veggies to roast on Sunday that you can use for various meals during the week. 

Roasted sweet potatoes are great with chicken thighs, but also taste fantastic in a frittata or taco. 

Cook once, eat twice (or three times).

Meal planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Keep it simple and nourishing and it get easier over time.

I’m accepting new clients at @onehealthservices! DM me if you’re looking for meal planning and prep help. 

#mealprephelp #mealplanhelp #springrefresh #
Mondays are our busy nights. I have tennis (so fun Mondays are our busy nights. I have tennis (so fun!) and my son has soccer. ⁠
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That's why I make sure to make Mondays an easier night for dinner. ⁠
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Enter salads and bowls!⁠
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Last Monday, I made a salad bowl with arugula, leftover rice, olives, tomatoes, chicken, and feta, and wowee it was yummers!⁠
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By prepping ingredients, the kids can take what they want and leave what they don't want (eh-hem, tomatoes) and we have a meal full of elements that will keep us satisfied and nourished.⁠
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Need meal prep and meal plan help?⁠
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I'm currently accepting new clients @onehealthservices! DM me or visit the link in my profile here @lealoucooks to chat about custom meal plans.⁠
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#mealprep #mealplanning #health #naturopath #virtualappointments #realfood #wholefood #foodmatters #holistichealth #culinarynutrition

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About Stephanie

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Hey! I'm Stephanie. I'm a Writer, Culinary Nutrition Expert and Cooking Instructor helping families cook nourishing meals. Read more about me {here}.

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