Take advantage that pomegranates are in season to whip up this super easy, antioxidant rich, heart healthy salad! 

Did you know? Studies show pomegranate seeds improve blood flow, stop plaque formation, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure and are a powerful antioxidant which counteract free radical damage!



Ingredients
1/2 cup Pomegranate seeds
1/2 cup Cilantro, chopped
1/2 Onion, sliced
1.5 Cups  Pea Shoots
3 Tbsp Feta, Crumbled OR Slivered Almonds ( 

Dressing
2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tsp Aged Balsamic
2 Tbsp Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions
Mix dressing ingredients together in a large bowl and add onions. Let sit 10 minutes. 
Seed the Pomegranate- see directions below.
Place all ingredients in the bowl.
Toss and serve!

No time to prepare breakfast in the morning? Try this recipe! Prepared in minutes the night before, just grab and go in the morning. 

(Though ideally you should be sitting down and enjoying your meals in a relaxed setting for optimal digestions... sorry, just had to remind you!)

Why is this a nutritious breakfast? 
Oats are nourishing to the nervous system and help balance you in time of stress. As a side bonus, the protein in this power packed breakfast will keep your blood sugar balanced throughout the morning and leads to less cravings and snacking at night! Plus, lots of antioxidants and nutrients from the berries. Oh, and its gluten and dairy free too!

Ingredients
3/4 cup rolled oats (Bob's Red Mill is Gluten free)
1/4 shredded coconut (unsweetened)
2 Tbsp goji berries
1/4 cup of chopped almonds 
2 Tbsp hemp or pumpkin seeds
1 cup of unsweetened Almond, Soy or Coconut milk
1 Tbsp cinnamon
A squeeze of raw honey or raw agave to taste, if desired.

For a Chocolate variation: add 1 tsp raw cacao nibs. 
For a Vanilla variation: add 1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract.
For a Mixed berry Variation: add fresh raspberries or blueberries in the morning.
For a Nutty Variation: add pecans, walnuts and cashews.
For a Tropical Variation: add dried pineapple, fresh mango.
For a Fall Harvest Variation: add a Tbsp pumpkin puree, dash of nutmeg and clove & chopped walnuts.
For a Warming Winter Variation: add dried cranberry, chopped pecans, dash of cardamom & candied ginger. 


Directions:
In a Mason jar, place all dry ingredients and give them a stir.

Add milk.

Cover and leave in fridge overnight.

Add a little extra milk in the morning if you like it more liquid.

Yes, its as simple as that!

Makes: 10-15 Preparation Time: 20-25 minutes

This wonderful high protein snack is mineral rich and high in fiber and B vitamins. Perfect choice to stabilize blood sugar and ward off cravings. Makes a nice appetizer or side dish for lunch, dinner or brunch.

Ingredients
1 package soba noodles (Buckwheat)
1 cup snow peas
1 red pepper
1 cup bean sprouts
1 cup pea sprouts
1/4 cup cilantro
1/4 cup cashews
2 stalks green onion
1/4 cup shredded carrots


Sauce
3/4 c coconut milk
1/3 c peanut butter
2 tsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp red thai curry paste
Salt to taste
 
Whisk the sauce ingredients together in a large bowl and set aside.

Cook soba noodles according to package instructions. Lightly steam snow peas as you are cooking the noodles (1-2 minutes). Run noodles and snow peas under cold water when they are finished cooking to cool them.

Thinly slice (Julienne) red pepper, carrots and snow peas into matchstick sized pieces.

Chop cilantro, pea sprouts, green onion, and cashews.
 
Mix all ingredients together in sauce bowl and serve it cold on a green leaf or in a bowl.
 
There you have it, an extremely tasty gluten and dairy free meal. Makes great leftovers too!

This week a recall came out that affects many of our patients so we thought we would help spread the word. Please continue to share!

 Health Canada has recalled several digestive enzymes due to the discovery that they have been contaminated by Chloramphenicol. Chloramphenicol is an inexpensive antibiotic which can cause rare, but serious side effects of bone marrow suppression and aplastic anemia. Chloramphenicol has also been know to create a resistance to antibiotics over time, thus its use was largely discontinued in developed countries, but continues to be used in underdeveloped nations.

If you are taking digestive enzymes, please check the recall list frequently as new batched are updated: 
http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2013/36355a-eng.php

Because the recall spans so many brands, many of them high quality brands like Metagenics, it is believed the contamination happened at the source of the raw materials. They are a handful of raw material suppliers of nutraceuticals in the world, many companies often use the same sources. In this case the supplier was Specialty enzymes & Biotechnologies.

What to do if you are taking a contaminated batch?
1. Stop taking it right away. 
2. Take a multi-strain probiotic short term to rebalance your intestinal flora.
3. If you are breastfeeding, Chloramphenicol passes through breast milk so possibly re-balancing baby's flora may be indicated.
4. Chloramphenicol is metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys. Make sure your liver is in top shape, some dandelion leaf and root tea would be helpful as the root works on the liver and the leaf on the kidneys.
5. Drink lots of water to flush it out of your system.
6. If you are still worried, consult with your Naturopathic Doctor.