Category Archives: Vivian Law

Wheat Belly-A Practical Application

Posted on July 21, 2012 | Leave a comment

Wheat Belly, the book, blog and general term for a distended abdomen caused by wheat consumption coined by Dr William Davis was a thought provoking read and has also been an influence on my lifestyle. I read the book on a sunny pool deck in March. Please see my initial review:

http://trainerspicks.blogspot.ca/2012/04/book-review-wheat-belly.html

The idea of wheat as a food that causes inflammation and other health issues is not a new concept. Many natural health practitioners and nutritionists advocate and prescribe diets that eliminate wheat and dairy to many of their clients. Eliminating wheat has health benefits which Dr Davis makes great claims for in his book. I found his patient examples of the recoveries they experienced from eliminating wheat in the book to be most convincing.
Wheat elimination is great in theory. However, in my observation of the normal population (myself included), it is very difficult to maintain a diet that is completely free of wheat, as it is a food that is everywhere and most of us have foods derived from wheat that we love. For me, the thought of eliminating pizza for life sounds incredibly painful.
The information that Dr Davis provides on the effects of wheat and its modern genetically modified permutation that is consumed excessively is thought provoking. He suggests eliminating wheat entirely and immediately. I did manage to try eliminating wheat for one day after reading the book. I measured my waist the day before and after. Incredibly, I shrank by an inch within that one day and I have never experienced any wheat intolerance symptoms. I have repeated the experiment on quite a few more days and found the same result. To be clear, I simply chose to eat wheat free foods for one single day at a time. Even with this small adaptation, I have noticed that I have diminished sweet tooth inclinations. Having a wheat free day is quite doable, so I’ve been able to incorporate this habit into my lifestyle and so have my clients to positive results.
Changing lifestyle and dietary habits is a challenging task. Therefore, making small highly ‘doable’, almost easy changes is the key to long term success in my opinion. Check out this condensed interview with Dr Davis to get a short, but informative presentation of the book:

If the video or the book piques your interest or healthy eating inclinations, try having a wheat free day first and perhaps more wheat free days will follow from the positive effects you may feel. I suggest choosing foods such as brown rice, potatoes, quinoa, buckwheat, sweet potato, brown rice pasta, millet, barley, polenta, and oats to replace the carbohydrate that you are accustomed to eating in your diet when eliminating wheat for a day. Changing the variety of foods you eat is always a good idea, as it increases the range of nutrients you ingest and it is simply more fun.

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Recipe: Quinoa with sesame, grapefruit and mint

Posted on July 19, 2012 | Leave a comment

This a light refreshing summer dish that I have adapted over the years from the Silver Palate Cookbook. It’s great as a side dish for a barbecue or on it’s own for lunch at a picnic. If you don’t like grapefruit, orange works equally well. The original recipe called for canned mandarin orange segments, which is even more convenient if need be. However, I find there is more zest and nutrition with fresh orange or grapefruit.

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

1 grapefruit, peeled and segmented into small pieces

2 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup mint, finely chopped

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1/4 cup walnuts, pine nuts or sunflower seeds

Cook quinoa in 2 cups of water, add salt to taste at the end of cooking and allow to cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, mix together quinoa, sesame oil and green onions. Add grapefruit (be sure to add any grapefruit juice that remains on the cutting board for extra flavour) and nuts, mix gently. Serve at room temperature.

 

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Fat Loss Tip: Enjoy the weather and relax by a pool

Posted on July 12, 2012 | Leave a comment

This is actually a general health and fitness tip, but most of us have goals of losing fat and this tip applies. I enjoyed a couple hours of sunshine by a pool this afternoon with a good friend. We both commented on how it was an exceptionally pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Most people that we work with experience fairly high levels of stress in their modern lives. Relaxation is always on the list of lifestyle habits that we advise for general health, well being and fat loss. However, this is much easier said than done. One idea to make more time to relax and enjoy life is to make a plan with a friend, much like the way you would if you’re trying to get more active. Most of us have difficulty taking time out for ourselves to unwind, myself included.

Why is relaxation a lifestyle habit that we advise? When we run around all day to accomplish our ever growing to do list, we stimulate our sympathetic nervous system. That is our high gear, flight or fight side. Our bodies need equal stimulus in addition to sleep to rest, relax and rejuvenate, which is what our parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for. When our nervous system is in better balance, we are in better health and everything in our bodies including our minds functions more optimally. When our bodies are functioning in an optimal way, fat loss becomes a natural consequence of exercising, eating well and enjoying life (to put is simplistically).

Enjoying good weather, swimming and relaxing is an activity that simply feels good and is good for you on many levels. Here is a photo of one of my favourite pools that I have experienced some relaxation at for a little inspiration to take some time out for yourself.

 

 

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Posted in Relaxation, stress relief, Vivian Law

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Recipe: White Bean and Feta Dip

Posted on July 8, 2012 | Leave a comment

I received a recipe for a black bean and feta dip from a client yesterday. She had tried the dip at a party and loved the flavours of feta and mint. I happened to have only cooked white beans on hand, as I prefer not to use canned beans, so I adapted the recipe. I really enjoyed these flavours as well. This dip is a great way to eat some raw veggies.

2 cups or 1 can of cooked white beans (black beans if you prefer)

1 shallot finely minced

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (greek, sheep’s milk is good)

1/2 cup chopped fresh mint

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

Salt and black pepper to taste

In a food processor, pulse beans and shallot until pureed. Add feta, mint and lemon juice, pulse until well blended. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

 

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Posted in Healthy food, healthy recipe, Veggies, Vivian Law

Book Inspiration: Everything Coconut Diet Cookbook

Posted on June 30, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Everything Coconut Diet Cookbook was brought to my attention just before Christmas 2011 by a family member who came across it at Indigo books. The diet and the recipes sounded interesting, so I got a copy and read it. I had read another book on coconut and health in 2010 called Coconut Cures by Bruce Fife, which I quite enjoyed as well.  Bruce Fife is quoted as a coconut authority in the Everything Coconut Diet Cookbook.

This book covers the details on how coconut can be used effectively in many ways to help a person improve their health and appearance. Organic, virgin coconut oil being the coconut product that delivers the most health benefits from increasing insulin sensitivity to improving the appearance of skin and hair. Many of the ideas are small changes that many people could implement. I found the book to be an easy, interesting read. The health booster beverage, warm water with lemon and coconut oil http://www.vivianlaw.ca/health-booster-lemon-water-with-coconut-oil/was inspired by this book and Coconut Cures.

A very interesting part of the book is the fairly large list of recipes that incorporate coconut products into many different everyday foods.  I have tried a few recipes so far and have found them to be quite tasty. For example, I love strawberry shortcake and there is a coconut version in this book, and is also gluten free.

The medium chain fatty acids found in coconut are a healthy fat, so this book is a great source of information on how to use this healthy fat for many different health benefits, much like Coconut Cures. However, the Everything Coconut Diet Cookbook provides even more practical applications and interesting recipes. I do not recommend diets at all, but this book is an interesting source of health improvement ideas to try.

 

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Posted in Healthy food, plant food, Review, Trainer's pick, Vivian Law

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Eat Your Greens

Posted on June 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

Most of us would like to lose fat from our bodies in select areas (see hormone fat loss post). I generally find it far too difficult to deprive myself of any food or drink, so I look for other solutions, such as making small changes. The most positive and easy to accomplish is adding more variety of foods or drinks that I consume. One of our favourite fat loss tips that we suggest to our clients is to try eating at least one cup of cooked greens everyday. Cooked green vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, collard greens, kale, cabbage, spinach, rapini, swiss chard, asparagus, dandelion greens, watercress, callaloo, the list goes on.
Most of us including myself need to work at eating a variety of foods to obtain an adequate variety of nutrients. This point is very important especially with plant foods as they all have slightly different phytochemicals and antioxidants that are highly beneficial to our health. I have looked to professional chefs for inspiration with different ways to prepare and enjoy veggies, as they are the experts at making food taste and look good. I have shared a few sources of veggie inspiration in previous posts and I will continue to look for inspiration and encourage veggie consumption.
I was out for dinner twice this weekend and came across restaurants that had great tasting greens on their menu. I would not have eaten that amount of greens if I had not ordered these items. I was at Foxley (a perennial favourite Toronto restaurant) with a friend and we ordered both the green mango seaweed salad and the kale salad. Both were absolutely delicious and a substantial amount of greens. My friend and I both commented that we would not know how to prepare seaweed or kale in such a delicious way, but we were happy to eat it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was also surprised to find great greens at Lil Baci last night. Their tuscan kale salad is exceptionally seasoned and their fresh fava and greens were well prepared and tasty. Again, items I would not have made myself, but I certainly enjoyed eating once on a plate before me. Look on the menu the next time you are out for a meal and see if there is a veggie you are willing to try. You may be surprised that it tastes good and you’re willing to try it again.

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Posted in fat loss, Healthy food, plant food, Recommendation, Toronto, Vivian Law

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Summer Drink: Grey Goose Orange and Soda with Lime

Posted on June 16, 2012 | 1 comment

I consume alcoholic beverages. I quite enjoy them. It is true that alcohol comes in at 7 calories per gram. I don’t tend to count calories, but it is good to be aware of what amount of energy a food or drink provides and make choices based on your enjoyment of the food or drink. The calories in alcohol unfortunately do not provide any nutritional value whatsoever. However, it is of paramount importance to enjoy life. I believe this is why the science seems to indicate that people who drink live longer than people who completely abstain from drinking.
If you choose to drink in moderation, here is a refreshing, sugar free and delicious summer or anytime drink I discovered when a guest insisted on having lime with their vodka soda. I did not think lime would taste good with the orange vodka, and I was incorrect. This is an exceptionally great vodka soda.

1 oz of Grey Goose Orange (or another orange flavoured vokda of your choice)
175mL (3/4 cup) club soda
juice of 1/4 of a lime, or more to taste

Pour the vodka into a low ball glass with ice. Top with club soda and squeeze lime thoroughly. Enjoy.

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Recipe: White Bean Dip

Posted on June 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

This is a recipe that has stayed with me for many years after trying it at a good friend’s summer dinner. The original recipe was from Gourmet magazine and used canned beans, but as I have mentioned before, I prefer to slow cook them myself for better flavour and minimal gas. The simple blend of fresh mint, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil with the pureed white beans makes for a clean and refreshing summer dip. Serve with raw veggies (ie. endive, celery, cucumber slices) or whole grain crackers. Makes a tasty, healthy snack anytime.

2 cups cooked white beans (or one can)
1 clove garlic, cut into slivers (more if you like the taste of garlic)
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2-1 cup mint and parsley, minced (depending on how much herb taste you prefer)
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor, puree white beans, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add mint and parsley, pulse until just blended through. Enjoy!

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Posted in healthy recipe, Healthy snack, Vegan, Vivian Law

Grand Electric, Toronto-A Convivial New Dining Experience

Posted on June 10, 2012 | Leave a comment

A friend and I braved the lineup to try Grand Electric for dinner last night. I had read a rave review by Joanne Kates in the winter and have meant to try it for some time. A beautiful warm night certainly made it easier, as the capacity of the restaurant doubled with their patio full of picnic benches crammed with people in every possible seat.

I must admit I have been on a taco tasting mission this month. One of the motivating factors has been missing out on Rick Bayless Mexican food, at Tortas Frontera at Chicago O’Hare airport. I have had my heart set on eating there since January this year. I knew nothing of Rick Bayless when I passed by the restaurant at the crack of dawn on my way back from Hawaii in early January. I just knew the menu looked amazingly appetizing and I had to try it another time. I passed through Chicago again in May and due to many circumstances at the airport, I missed out on eating at Tortas Fronteras again!!!

Tacos have been on my mind to say the least, so first stop was Tacos el Asador on Bloor. Very simple, well done, authentic tacos with their fish tacos being most exceptional. Next stop was going to be Playa Cabana, but the line was too long for the friend I was with, so we went to an old standby, Dos Amigos. After so many years, Dos Amigos does not disappoint with their blackberry margarita, cactus salad, and tacos al pastor complete with 3 sauces and pickled jalapeno.

Third on the taco tour was Grand Electric. After a wait of over an hour, we were shown 2 seats at a picnic table on the patio of Grand Electric. Our tablemates were friendly, we asked for recommendations and scoped out what they were eating. We decided to order one of every taco, in addition to spicy squid, tuna ceviche, and miami ribs.

I wish I could tell you which taco was what type, but that is the fun of eating here. Big, bold, intense flavours and not easily discernible meats…the fresh garnishes of cilantro and thin sliced jalapeno are a sparkling touch. Everything we had was great, although I cannot say I loved the fish taco. The key lime pie is super. So is the bourbonade. Grand Electric is first and foremost about the special, convivial experience and the food is outstanding as well. Otherwise, it isn’t so fun to wait for over an hour, squeeze into a picnic bench by a wall and deal with a ‘queue’ for the washrooms. The whole experience was unique and reminded me of another very different dining experience, Mission Chinese in San Francisco. Dining is a highly social activity and Grand Electric gives Toronto an innovative, new experience.

Another point of curiosity for me was learning of another Mexican restaurant situated in Brooklyn, NY with a similar name, Gran Electrica. I asked one of the owners and Grand Electric in Toronto was open first and both restaurants appear to be inspired by the same painting, Grand Electric Skull. The Brooklyn restaurant has some big names behind it, so it will be most interesting to compare notes. Hopefully some friend will head to New York soon and let me know.

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Posted in Restaurant review, Review, Toronto, Vivian Law

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Recipe: Red Lentil Pasta Sauce

Posted on May 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

This a recipe I came across and adapted while studying vegetarian nutrition. I enjoy it as a vegan main dish with brown rice pasta, and find I feel satisfied and energized after this meal. Some little people I know love it as well. It is a great way to have a few different vegetables at once. I find this particular mix of veggies the best tasting, but any veggies you have on hand especially ones you need to use up, is good to try.

Red Lentil Pasta Sauce

1 cup red lentils, cooked
(rinse 1 cup of dry lentils, bring to a boil in 2 cups of water, then simmer for 15 minutes until tender)

1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, finely chopped
1 stalk of celery, finely chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed, finely chopped (optional)

1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 small head of cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 bunch of swiss chard or kale, finely chopped

1 can 796ml of diced tomatoes
1 tsp oregano
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)
salt and pepper to taste

In a large saucepan, saute onion, garlic, carrots, celery and cauliflower in olive oil over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, lentils, and oregano bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes. Add finely chopped swiss chard or kale and simmer for 5 more minutes. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice to taste. Use an immersion blender if smaller discernible pieces of vegetables are desired.

 

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