The Fresh Blog
Lifestyle, Health, Nutrition & Inspiration from Luvo
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Miso 101
If you’ve had Japanese food, you’ve had miso. It is a paste made from soybeans that are steamed and fermented with salt, with other ingredients that may include barley, rice, hemp seed, wheat, and more. It has a long history in Japan, and is known for its mysterious essence of umami, one of the five […]
Endive 101
In season in the fall, endive is a nutritious leafy vegetable that kind of looks like a miniature hybrid of lettuce and cabbage. The leaves have a tender crunchiness and their flavor is a little on the bitter side. Alongside its cousins radicchio, escarole and frisee, you sometimes see endive coming into play in fancy […]
A Guide to Veggie Noodles
When it starts to get a little colder outside, who doesn’t love cuddling up inside to a big bowl of warm pasta? Well, if you’re trying to watch what you eat or just incorporate a few more healthy meals into your life, then you might not be so crazy about this carb-heavy cuddle. Luckily, there […]
Sweet Sweet Potato Recipes
It was a big deal when I discovered sweet potatoes. I don’t remember eating them growing up, so it when I found out about them I feel like I became an adult. I mean, here was a totally new type of potato with tons of flavor and a whole lot of nutritional value (including off […]
How to Eat Healthy While You Travel
We’ve all been there. You’re in a foreign city, sleep-deprived and trying to find your bearings, but your phone’s map doesn’t work because you don’t want to rack up roaming charges. It’s the absolute worst time to be low on energy because you haven’t eaten well, or haven’t eaten anything at all. The good news? […]
Overcoming the Winter Workout Slump
If you’ve found yourself in an exercise slump, don’t worry you aren’t alone. We all have busy lives, vacations, injuries and a pile of other reasons that put our regular workout routines on the backburner. In fact, this happened to me a few weeks ago. I had finally run the half marathon I’d been training […]
A Guide to Gochujang
If you’ve recently become obsessed with bibimbap, or you are a long time lover of the signature Korean dish, then you need to know about Gochujang.
DIY Granola
Ah, granola, the plain yogurt’s savior and breakfast bliss bowl‘s accoutrement. So ingrained in our society, granola is now an adjective for your neighbourhood lady who composts regularly and wears Birkenstocks year round. Though traditionally associated with health, these days the standard, store-bought granola can often exceed the amount of sugar found in a can of […]
Reinventing Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the rare foods that has transcended the ages. Your mother might have eaten it, and your mother’s mother. The reason is simple: it’s healthy, easy to prepare and relatively inexpensive. Despite daily competition from sugary cereals, greasy sandwiches and breakfast bars, oatmeal is a consistent companion that delivers a healthy start […]
Halloween Candy Craving Guide
Halloween can be a scary time if you’re trying to stick to health goals—and keep your kids from climbing the walls. But Halloween isn’t Halloween if you can’t indulge a little bit. The key is not only making smart choices about what you choose to snack on, but also to go easy on the amount. […]
6 Tips to Stay on the Fitness Train This Fall
I’ll be the first to admit that sticking to a fitness routine is tough. My commitment to fitness tends to ebb and flow, but I have found that the key to staying motivated is keeping your workout options fresh. This fall, why not put the gym membership on hold (or just continue not having one, […]
Deflating the Calorie Myth – it is About the Sugar
Originally posted Oct 20th 2015 on Linkedin I am a big Seahawks fan, so writing this in support of Tom Brady’s comments is a big deal for me. But I believe in our common cause – the truth about sugar. I appreciate Tom Brady for championing the sugar conversation. I am disappointed in the responses by the […]
Savory Apple Recipes
It’s about that time of year (apple season) when couples drag themselves (or skip) to the apple orchards on the outskirts of the city. Markets overflow with apple baskets stuffed to the brim, and people start to wonder, “What are some tasty things to do with apples?”
Beans Around the World
Beans are an essential pantry item around the globe. They’re affordable, packed with protein and fiber, and their culinary possibilities are virtually unlimited. Depending on where you are in the world, beans can take on very different roles. Sometimes they’re even used in desserts! Here’s a breakdown of some popular global dishes that highlight the […]
Bibimbap 101
Bibimbap is one of my favourite dishes. I love Korean flavors in general, but there’s something about this colorful medley of rice, vegetables, proteins, and spicy sauce that draws me in. The different textures and flavors complement one another so well. Serve a little kimchi
Oats on Anything
If you’ve been to a café lately, which I’m just going to assume you have, you’ve probably seen a delicious snack or square made even tastier-looking by the presence of flaky oats sprinkled on top. There are few foods these days not touched by the presence of oats, a miracle food if ever there was […]
Know Your Apples
Apples are big in North America. Grown in every state, and several Canadian provinces, they’ve been ubiquitous here since arriving with colonists in the 17th century. Hundreds of years later we have a huge array of apple types that range from sweet to tart, mushy to crisp.
6 Things To Do With Leftover Pumpkin Seeds
You spent your last Sunday driving to the closest pumpkin patch (which really wasn’t that close at all) in anticipation of your favorite scary holiday Halloween. Last year, you carved a pretty generic pumpkin of triangle eyes and sharp-ish teeth but this year, you plan to make something way more complex with one of the […]
Global Cutlery
Let’s face it, we take cutlery for granted. It’s always just, there: on the table, loitering around the plates, pointing at the glasses. Sure, if you’re at a wedding or other fancy event, talk always goes to which is the salad fork and which is the pork fork, or which spoon one should to use […]
Macronutrients 101
Forget about flavor for a moment. Ignore the joy you feel eating something delicious, and the satisfaction you get from making a meal that your friends or family rave about. Food, at its most basic level, is our fuel, and there are three types of nutrients in food that provide all the energy our bodies […]
Take Yogurt From Sweet to Savory
If the thought of swapping your fruity yogurt for a savory yogurt makes you furrow your brow in befuddlement, hear me out! Savory yogurt can be a surprisingly delicious way to fuel your morning (or any time of day, really). Just think–yogurt is often the base for savory dips and dressings, so why not pick […]
How to Grow Sprouts
I never thought the day would come where I’d proclaim to the world that I love sprouts! And my love runs deep. One of my favorite breakfasts/lunches/dinners is a nice and chewy toasted Montreal-style bagel with cream cheese and a pile of sprouts on top. Sprouts are a great salad topper and add delicious crunch […]
The Best Red Wines
If you saw our post pairing Luvo entrees with white wines, you’ll know you’ve got many options for taste matching with cool crisp cups. Today we’re going to complete the circle by suggesting a few red wines you might want to try with our new meals. You probably saw this post coming, because you’re smart.
4 Recipes That Use Coffee (That Aren’t Drinks)
A hot cup of coffee is something I would have a difficult time removing from my daily routine, but did you know there are plenty of other ways to enjoy it? And I’m not talking about the endless world of caffeinated beverages available on every corner. Just like you can cook with wine , you can […]
Matcha Time
Matcha is everywhere. The powdered green tea has been around for a long time, but lately it’s getting more media attention and showing up often in green-tinged food items in cafes and grocery stores around the world. Powdered tea has been consumed for over a thousand years and has a strong connection to Zen Buddhism. […]
How to Make Tofu Tasty
Having been both vegetarian and vegan in my past lives, I’ve had quite a lengthy relationship with one of the most popular non-meat protein sources: the mashed soybean product also known as tofu. I’ll be honest, like many people raised in carnivorous households, I never found tofu to be particularly interesting. That was, however, until […]
The Best White Wines
Luvo entrées are great on their own, of course, but if you’re looking to take them to an even higher degree on the taste experience scale, you might want to consider pairing your dish with a glass of wine. Since there is a lot of variety of flavors, sauces and seasonings in the latest entrées, we […]
Just Put an Egg On It
We know you’re into protein. We are too. Not that we’re being crazy about it, we’re just trying to make sure we get enough to satisfy our daily needs. It’s well known that protein helps repair muscles—it’s one of the main macronutrients our bodies need to function optimally, along with carbs and fats. So how […]
Follow the Leader!
Parents, you’ve got the hardest job ever – you have to soothe those screeching toddlers in public, claim the kid that knocked over the store display and, in general, teach miniature humans right from wrong. It’s a daunting job, and we commend you! We’re all busy, with growing lists of things to do and teach […]
Seriously Good Desserts You Can Make From Chickpeas
When you think about chickpeas, it usually revolves around falafel and hummus or tossing a few in your salad here and there. But these little round beans—that are a great source of fiber and protein and filled with vitamins like B6 and potassium —also make great desserts.
Healthy Buzzwords Decoded
It seems like there’s a new healthy buzzword making the rounds almost every other day. Keeping up and learning what they actually mean can be difficult. Which ones are just marketing ploys designed to make you think you’re eating healthy when you’re actually not? Which are the real deal? Let us break it down for […]
How to Make Avocado Cream
It’s everyone’s favourite holiday: National Guacamole Day! Since we already stunned the world with our tasty Guac-KALE-mole recipe last year (did you try it yet? Do it!), we thought we’d switch it up this year with a recipe for our favorite sour cream substitute:
Secrets to Better Kebabs
The concept of eating foods on sticks was clearly invented by a genius. A quick and tasty meal you can take on the go that requires little to no clean up effort… what’s not to love? Since we’ve already covered how much we love said foods, we thought we’d take this opportunity to focus on […]
Guide to Sausages
Summer’s coming to a glorious end. If you’re a meat eater, perhaps you’ve had a chance to enjoy at least one barbecue, if not many more. One of my favorite things to grill, and I’m guessing they’re also one of yours, are sausages. But which kind? What flavor? There are so many types and combinations, […]
The Nutrition Questions I’m Always Asked
From the playground to the Player’s Tribune events, I’m quite a popular gal. I’d like to say it’s my winning personality that draws the fanfare, but often it’s the fact that as a dietitian, I’m available to answer all of those nagging, personal questions about food and nutrition that leave you wondering…what’s the real story? […]
Non-Powder Protein Smoothies
Our bodies need protein. Along with fat and carbohydrates, it’s one of the major macronutrients we need to function. Lately it seems that everyone is pro-protein, from athletes to average Joes, citing protein’s ability to do just about anything. Experts say you should get between 10% and 35% of your daily calories from protein. So […]
The Coolest Hybrid Vegetables
What do you get when you cross broccoli with cauliflower? Broccoflower, of course. It’s just one of many hybrid vegetables or fruits you might already be eating. And though new ones take many years to perfect before they hit the market, there are likely many more on the way. Let us introduce you to a […]
Guide to Asian Greens
We’re just a tiny bit obsessed with greens over here at Luvo (evidence can be found here, here and here. They’re tasty, very good for you, and you have so many options to choose from. That being said, we have yet to delve into the wonderful world of Asian greens! Here’s a rundown of greens […]
How To Make Veggies “COOL”
Who liked vegetables as a kid? Okay, some of us did. Some of us were perfect children who ate everything our parents put in front of us, with a smile. Others of us did not do that. Some of us need to be coaxed, cajoled, and/or tricked into eating something healthy.
6 Recipes to make in your Waffle Maker
A year or so ago, you got a waffle iron as a gift for your Birthday/Wedding/Anniversary/Christmas/or whatever it was. At first, the idea of hot and fresh waffles every morning sounded like, well, the BEST IDEA EVER, but after a few too many meals accompanied by syrup and butter, you got tired of waffles. The […]
Six Healthier Ways to Enjoy Italian Food
Ah, Italian food, I’ve yet to meet a person who doesn’t love it in some form. Be it pasta, pizza, or tiramisu- it’s garnered a rep for being an indulgent and unhealthy fare, yet traditional Italian cuisine is quite contrary. Heart-healthy olive oil, antioxidant rich tomato sauces and fresh herbs in rustic Italian food is […]
Vitamins 101
When people ask whether I take a multivitamin, they’re often surprised when I quickly and bluntly blurt out “no.” Studies linking vitamin use to a lower risk of chronic disease have been largely disappointing, meaning that at best, only a weak or modest relationship has been established. Some studies have even shown a potential risk […]
Cooking with Wine
At the end of a long week (or short one, let’s be real), there’s nothing I like more than pouring a glass of wine and cooking a nice dinner. Whether I’m cooking with or for someone else or just for myself, wine definitely enhances the experience.
Radical Food Trends of the ‘90s
I don’t know about you, but when I think about the ‘90s, I can’t help but reminisce about getting home from school and popping some pizza bagels in the microwave, cracking open a bottle of Koala Springs, and turning on my favorite talk show: Ricki Lake. I couldn’t wait to find out who was going […]
Vegan Ice Cream Floats
When I pitched this idea of recreating this childhood favorite earlier this summer, everyone’s eyes seemed to light up! The next 10 minutes was filled with a hilarious discussion, complete with horror stories of slumber party soda experiments gone wrong and a seriously (unserious) debate on the best and worst soda brands to use (which […]
Coconut 101
Did you know that the coconut’s name comes from the Spanish word ‘coco’ which means ‘head’ or ‘skull’? That’s because coconuts have three indentations in them that make them look like faces. Neat! Another thing I learned today: coconuts are not nuts at all, but a type of fruit known as a drupe. Coconuts are […]
Allergy-Friendly Trail Mixes
Let me guess: you like to hike. Me too. And when I do, there’s one thing I always have with me. Trail mix. It’s the perfect snack—you can customize it, easily carry in a small container, and just eat as much as you want. The variety I like usually has nuts, but what if you’re […]
Millet 101
Millet is a nutritious, gluten-free, nutty-tasting grain that’s popular all over the world, but it’s just starting to pick up steam here as more people are exploring the diverse world of healthy grains. It’s rich in dietary fiber, iron, calcium, magnesium, and B vitamins. Like many other grains, it can be served on its own […]
How to Build Your Desk Pantry
Eating healthy food on the job (that actually tastes good too) can be a challenge, especially when it feels like there’s just not enough time during your work day to prepare something good for yourself. Many of us are tempted to go out and grab a fast food combo only to feel the remorse (and […]
Instagram Cage Match: Latte Art vs. Bliss Bowls
Instagram is a fascinating place where you can get sucked into a black hole that started with an innocent ‘like’ on a friend’s breakfast photo and spiraled out of control and now you’re creeping your ex’s sister’s new husband’s BFF’s magnificent beard game and wondering who the heck this chick named