Tag Archives: nutrition


‘Tis the season for…

Organic Grass-fed Beef  It’s naturally good! It’s that time of year again! Fall and winter in Ontario are grass-fed beef seasons. For those of you that don’t know, grass-fed beef means that the cows only eat grass and whatever else … Continue reading

10 Ways to Make your Recipes Healthier

When it comes to healthy living, one of my main philosophies is that I don’t believe in diets or quick fixes. I believe in learning, every day, to make healthy choices that lead to living a healthy lifestyle. Continue reading

5 Healthy Choices to Make This Week

by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist The world of health and nutrition can seem overwhelming. You know you could be doing better, and want to make some healthy choices but you don’t know where to start. Here are 5 healthy … Continue reading

5-Day Meal Plan

It’s officially fall, and the easy, breezy days of summer have become a distant memory. Everyone is back at work and kids are back at school, which means adjusting to busier schedules & new routines. Continue reading

A Better Way to Cook: Culiniste

“A Better Way to Cook;” the tagline from Montreal-based food delivery company, Culiniste. They deliver a box of fresh ingredients to your door that contains everything you need to make 3 meals for your family. Intrigued? So was I. Continue reading

Are You Motivated to Get Healthy?

I can give you all the advice, healthy recipes and meal ideas in the world, but you have to be at a point where you want to help yourself. Continue reading

Avoid the Freshman 15, even if you’re not in school

If you’ve gone to college or university, you probably understand what it means to gain the “Freshman 15.” It’s the inevitable weight gain that happens as a result of being away from your mom’s cooking, and thrown into the world of cafeteria food, late-night take-out, beer and sleeping late. Continue reading

BBQ steak with chimichurri? Yes please!

A delicious blend of fresh parsley, olive oil, garlic, and red wine vinegar, chimichurri is great with BBQed steak and it’s a healthy choice too. Continue reading

Being Healthy Starts with a Plan

One of the key factors in living a healthy life is meal planning. If you put time into a plan and buying groceries, you’re more apt to make healthy meals. Continue reading

Best Dairy-Free Options

With all of these new dairy-free options to choose from it can be difficult to know which ones are healthy choices. Here’s a list of my favorite dairy-free choices. Continue reading

Brandy McDevitt, Registered Dietitian

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203 Oneida Terrace, Ottawa, Ontario K2J 0M3

(613)304-1422

http://www.tummythyme.com

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contact@tummythyme.com Continue reading

Broccoli Doesn’t Have to be Boring

by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist It’s easy to get stuck in a cooking rut especially when it comes to vegetables. We’ve all done the boiled or steamed broccoli thing, and it’s boring. Next time you go to cook … Continue reading

Cauliflower Mash

Lately I’ve heard a few people say they’re in a dinner rut. They make the same go-to meals every week and have run out of ideas. In truth,  there is a variety of seasonal vegetables available at this time of year that you shouldn’t forget about! Continue reading

Cauliflower Mash

Move over, spuds. Next time the fam damily is craving mashed potatoes, shake up the dinner fare by using cauliflower instead. Continue reading

Common Weight Loss Setbacks

Weight loss and maintenance are common struggles for many people. When it comes to weight loss strategy, I don’t recommend calorie counting and daily weigh-ins. Instead, I like to focus on individuals and the types of foods in their diets. Continue reading

Cooking 101… a la Buns in the Oven

Story and Photos by Lindsay Ruck

Pam Collacott is creating confident cooks in the kitchen,  one parent at a time

Continue reading

Crunchy, Gluten-Free Buckwheat Granola

Gluten-free seeds, buckwheat groats can be boiled and eaten for breakfast like oatmeal or roasted and made into a crunchy granola. They can be a substitute for rice at dinner, and are also available as noodles. (They can be called soba noodles, but make sure they are wheat-free.) You can also buy buckwheat flour to make gluten-free muffins, cookies or pancakes. Continue reading

Detox Time

Remember the refined sugar and fat from holidays sweets? The deep-fried, fatty and processed appetizers? The alcohol? As a result, our bodies are overloaded with toxins. That being said, anybody can be toxic at any time of the year due to poor eating habits, stress or their environment. Continue reading

Do Cheetahs drink Giraffe’s milk?

Do Cheetahs drink Giraffe’s milk? No…so why do humans drink cow’s milk? As Dr. Joey Shulman points out in her book Winning the Food Fight, “Humans are the only creatures that drink milk from the mother of another species.” I’ve never thought of it this way, and it sort of grossed me out. Continue reading

Do We Teach Kids to Hate Veggies?

  by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist We all know vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals that your body needs to function properly and avoid illness. It’s no secret most … Continue reading

Easy Ways to Get Kids Eating More Fibre

    By Brandy McDevitt and Melanie Roet, registered dietitians and co owners of TummyThyme Fibre is the part of plant foods that our body does not fully digest. Fibre has been shown to promote bowel regularity and softness, help … Continue reading

Eat Food, Mostly Plants

As Michael Pollan would say, “Eat food, mostly plants.” Why? There are many health benefits to a plant-based diet. Nutritionist Lauren Follett explains. Continue reading

Eat Seasonally

Loco for Local – FRESH and in season best bet for great taste Continue reading

Eat Your Veggies

A Vegetarian Lifestyle has its Advantages
But makes sure you know how to get all the nutrients you need
By Kelly Barry, R.D. Continue reading

Falling for Squash

by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist After a summer of BBQs and fresh cooling salads, I think we’re all starting to crave the warm comfort foods of the Autumn season: soups and stews, hearty breads and earthy squash. At this time … Continue reading

Family Dinner: Offering Dessert

Some great advice from Sonia Jean-Philippe, a Registered Dietitian with Ottawa Public Health: Try not to use food (such as dessert) to reward, punish or comfort. Continue reading

Five Day Meal Plan

Lauren’s meal ideas are healthy, easy and yummy Continue reading

Food for Life Continues …

                by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist I’m back, and so much has changed since I last posted! Here’s the short version: In August 2013 we moved from our 700 square-­foot condo in … Continue reading

Food For Life: Savoury Salmon Bites

by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist We moms have to stick together when it comes to healthy toddler meals and snacks that can be whipped up in no time. We’ve all been there: you come home from your afternoon outing, … Continue reading

Four Simple Substitutions for Healthier Pancakes

Pancakes are often considered an “unhealthy” food choice, but they don’t have to be. Here are four simple substitutions to make your next batch of pancakes healthy! Continue reading

Fueling a Young Athlete

Good nutrition is important for a young athlete because it supports optimal development, meets high energy and nutrient needs, and helps prevents injury or illnesses. Continue reading

Get Cooking with Kale!

by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist As you know, kale is a superfood. For a while it was considered a trend in the nutrition industry, but with all of it’s amazing health benefits and versatility, this green isn’t going anywhere. Kale … Continue reading

Get Into the Habit of Mindful Eating

Counting calories, watching portion sizes, exercising regularly and choosing lean-protein, high-fibre and low-fat options are common strategies when it comes to weight loss and maintenance; but have you heard about mindful eating? Continue reading

Get Smart about Your Health

If you’re looking to feel better and to live more healthfully, you might want to check out an upcoming special event. It’s called Live the Smart Way Expo and it’s taking place April 18 and 19 at the Shaw Centre, … Continue reading

Gluten Free Utopia

Do you or somebody in your family need to live a gluten-free lifestyle? Then you don’t want to miss Gluten Free Utopia. Slated for Saturday, April 5, at the National Library and Archives, 395 Wellington Street, it will showcase more than 50 regional vendors specializing in all things gluten-free. Continue reading

Go Meatless Tonight with Falafels

Have you ever tried falafels? I feel like they’re underrated when it comes to healthy, vegetarian meal options. I love them. They taste like they should be bad for you, but they’re not (except if deep-fried). Continue reading

Goodness! Bake Something Nutritious and Delicious

  Here’s an easy weekend recipe that’s good in all the right ways. Enjoy! Butternut Squash Maple Walnut Scones Makes 12 Scones Dry Ingredients: 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour ¾ cup rolled oats ¼ cup coconut sugar or brown … Continue reading

Grant Alternative students get education in healthy eating

  Kids at Grant Alternative School have a taste for healthy food, thanks to an initiative that allows them to cook up ideas, get busy in the kitchen and serve their parents a nutritious meal.  The opportunity comes courtesy of … Continue reading

Growing Up Organic

By Chelsea Brunette and Samantha Brazeau-Wilson

Kids don’t always realize gardening can be one of life’s pleasures. And parents might be surprised how helpful it is in the development of good eating habits. Continue reading

Healthy Aging

How to live to 100
(or just feel great getting there) Continue reading

Healthy Baking = Love from the Kitchen

Winter Snow Days and Valentines celebrations are the perfect occasions to bake something special and show our nearest and dearest we’re sweet on them. Who doesn’t love a treat that’s still warm from the oven? The delectable aroma in the … Continue reading

Healthy Baking with Bananas

The next time you’re grocery shopping buy double the amount of bananas you normally would. Let one bunch get nice & ripe, and than pop them in the freezer. Continue reading

Healthy Carb & Protein Choices for Your Kids

  by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist As you may have read from my last post, it’s really important to make sure your kids have enough healthy fats in their diet. Fats are just one of the three macronutrients that … Continue reading

Healthy Chocolate Pudding

This pudding is healthy because it’s made with healthy fats from the coconut oil and avocado. Healthy fats are important to include in your diet for the health of your brain, nervous system, skin and hair; they also promote good HDL cholesterol levels. Continue reading

Healthy Glowing Skin Starts on the Inside

If you want to achieve healthy-looking skin, it’s not about what you put on your body that makes a difference, it’s what you put into your body that matters. Continue reading

Healthy Holiday Baking

If you’re in the baking mood I have a great list of delicious and healthy Christmas baking recipes that you’ll be eager to make and share this Christmas season. The best part? You can tell people they’re healthy, and they won’t believe it! Continue reading

Healthy Holiday Desserts

  by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist At this time of year, desserts and sweets are everywhere: gingerbread, chocolate, shortbread, Nanaimo bars; they can be difficult to avoid or resist. These traditional desserts are typically high in refined sugar, white … Continue reading

Healthy Muffins FTW

Those big coffee-shop muffins? They’re cake shaped as muffins. You can have your muffin & eat smart with Lauren’s healthy Whole-Wheat Banana Muffins recipe. Continue reading

Healthy Popcorn

I recently discovered something truly amazing –  how to make my own healthy microwave popcorn using organic kernels and a brown paper lunch bag. Trust me. This is really exciting for all the health-conscious popcorn lovers out there. Continue reading

Healthy Snacking Strategy

Winter in Canada is upon us once again and colder temperatures = staying in, being less active, and eating more. Our appetites naturally increase when it’s cold in an attempt to “survive” by storing fat. This is okay, but it’s important that you reach for healthy low-calorie, high-fibre snacks if you’re feeling extra hungry. Continue reading

Healthy Toddler Snacking: Veggies on Veggies!

  by Lauren Follett, BA, RHN, Registered Nutritionist Parents often come to me with a common challenge when it comes to toddler meals: getting their kids to eat raw vegetables. Either your toddler is too young to chew through raw … Continue reading

Healthy Yogurt Choices

I consider yogurt a healthy breakfast, snack or dessert option. It’s a great source of protein, vitamin D, calcium, and healthy bacteria , which is good for digestion. That being said, not all yogurt is created equal. Continue reading

Heart Healthy Recipes

Looking for some tasty, heart-healthy recipes your family can enjoy? These three recipes are loaded with taste and goodness. Continue reading

Is Your Frying Pan Safe?

It can be overwhelming enough to keep track of which food and drinks are healthy, and now I’m talking about your cookware too. I feel the same frustration when I hear about yet another common food, drink or everyday item that’s no longer considered healthy or safe to use. Continue reading

It’s All Good, Gwyneth

I recently bought Gwyneth Paltrow’s new cookbook, “It’s All Good” for my mom, and I couldn’t resist flipping through it before I gave it to her. Continue reading

Kale Hummus

Looking for a tasty weekend (or any-day) treat? Try Lauren’s Kale Hummus. It’s packed with flavor and goodness. Continue reading

Kids Hungry? WRAPS, FTW!

Are your teens “reportedly” on the brink of starvation all. the. time? You can wrap up this little dilemma nicely—with no kitchen sweat. Stock the fridge, the counter and the cupboard with wrap fixings and let them go too it. … Continue reading

Know the facts; Understanding food allergies and intolerances

If your child suffers from a potentially life-threatening food allergy, it can be down right scary!

by kelly barry, R.D. Continue reading

Let’s do (School) LUNCH!

The skinny on how to overcome common lunch-packing challenges by Brandy McDevitt, Registered Dietitian As parents know all too well, the return to school signals a return to the kitchen. You’re baaack—to the routine of packing lunches for the kids. … Continue reading

Licking the Lunch Bag Blues

How To Liven Up the Lunchtime Routine
By Kelly Barry

By this time of year, packing lunches is becoming a bit of a chore for most of us. The kids are getting bored with the same old sandwiches and when life gets busy it can be hard to find a moment to brainstorm some new ideas. These fresh tips and suggestions may help to spark some renewed interest in the packed lunch. Continue reading

Love Mustard

I love mustard. Do you? There are a few reasons you should make mustard your condiment of choice: Continue reading

Lunch Evolution

By Alan Viau

Making nutritious school lunches the kids will eat is a challenge. The solution involves whatever they can or will eat, as long as it’s healthy. However, what they decide to put into their lunch bags might surprise you! Continue reading

Make Healthy Summer Smoothies

What better way to cool off than with smoothies using fresh, local ingredients? They offer easy, wholesome ways to soak up nutritious fruits and vegetables. Continue reading

Maple Ginger Cedar-Plank Salmon Recipe

A few weeks ago I discovered the True North Salmon Company, a North American company that sells hormone and antibiotic-free, sustainably caught, farmed Atlantic salmon. Continue reading

Nourishing Change during Nutrition Month

For Nutrition Month in March, Dietitians of Canada is encouraging all of us to make small changes, one meal at a time. These tips and recipes will help make it easy. Continue reading

Nutrition Month: Eat Well from 9 to 5

In the middle of your workday afternoon, when your energy starts to wane, do you grab for a quick energy-boosting snack? Maybe you take orders and make a run to the nearest ‘Bucks for frappuccinos, oat bars and pumpkin spice … Continue reading

Nutrition Program Helps Families make Healthy Choices

(NC) Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in Canada. Today, over 1.6 million Canadian children between the ages of 5-17 carry extra weight, with 11.7% classified as obese. Most adolescents do not outgrow this problem and continue to gain weight … Continue reading

Ottawa’s Eating Evolvd

Eating Evolvd provides fresh, healthy meals that are 100 per cent gluten free. They’re prepared by a chef and delivered to your home, office or gym. Continue reading

Power Packed French Toast

  This wholesome recipe by nutritionist and dietary consultant Shirley Plant will help you kick off the weekend with lots of energy.  French Toast 6 slices sprouted whole grain bread or your favourite gluten-free bread 2 eggs ¼ cup milk … Continue reading

Premium Fuel for Your Body

It’s common knowledge that eating raw fruits and vegetables is good for you, but do you really know why? Continue reading

Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies are really good and good for you. If you’re new to quinoa, this recipe is a great introduction. Enjoy! Continue reading

Real Maple Syrup

If you’re still buying Aunt Jemima’s butter flavor “maple syrup” it’s time to stop because there’s nothing local, natural or nutritious about it. Make the switch to real maple syrup that’s produced in Ontario and 100 percent natural and healthy! Continue reading

Salad Making Tips

If your New Year’s Resolution to “eat more vegetables” is proving to be more difficult than you thought, don’t worry. These salad-making tips will help you get back on track with your resolution in no time! Continue reading

Salmon: Sensational Goodness

An Essential Fatty Acid, Omega-3 is Vital for Important Body Functions

You’ve probably heard that you should be getting enough Omega-3, but do you really know what its benefits are? Last night we made a delicious dinner that was definitely high in Omega-3: Baked salmon with a delicious soy ginger garlic marinade and polenta. Before I give you the recipe, you have to learn a little bit about Omega-3.

  Continue reading

School-day Smarts: Breakfast Muffins FTW!

Start the day the easy way with these nutrient-packed muffins, created by nutritionist and dietary consultant Shirley Plant . Yum! 3 cups rolled oats 2 tbsp ground flaxseed in 6 tbsp hot water 2 tsp baking powder ¾ tsp baking soda 2 … Continue reading

She’s travelling, studying, writing and bursting with good health tips

Follow Ottawa Family Living’s Food for Life blogger, Lauren on her International Wellness Journey.

Continue reading

Sick Health Policy

Why are Ottawa’s recreation facilities and hospitals contributing to obesity?
By Pam Dillon Continue reading

Six Steps to Healthy Dinners

Cooking an easy, healthy meal doesn’t have to be complicated; it’s all about how you approach it. You can put together a different healthy meal every night simply by switching up your combination of ingredients. Continue reading

Small Changes = Big Results

A word of caution – there’s definitely truth behind the saying “old habits die hard.” Continue reading

Smoothie Goodness

by Shirley Plant High Protein Smoothie 2/3 cup frozen or fresh blueberries 1 tbsp cashew butter or almond butter 1/4 slice of avocado 3 tbsp hemp seeds 1 tsp ground chia seeds 1/2 small banana (optional) 2/3- 3/4 cup of … Continue reading

Souper Friday: Enjoy a Bowl of Goodness!

  There’s nothing like soup to warm you up after a session of skating, sliding, skiing or walking Fido in the wintery outdoors. This easy Souper Friday soup recipe is packed with nutrients and wholesome goodness. It’s kid-approved and a … Continue reading

Spinach and Tomato Pasta Salad

By Lauren Sytsma This pasta recipe is healthy, easy & delicious, and provides a creative way to add raw leafy greens to your family’s diet! Instead of store-bought pasta sauces that are high in sugar, salt and preservatives, this homemade … Continue reading

Spring Clean your Diet

I’m teaching a workshop next week on how to “Detox from Winter, and Clean up Your Diet for Spring” so I thought I would share a few tidbits from my workshop with my loyal blog readers. Continue reading

Spring Clean Your Diet!

Feeling kind of sluggish after a winter of cocooning? Nutritionist Lauren Follett says it’s time to spring clean your diet. You’ll feel and function much better. Continue reading

Spring Resolutions

Spring kind of reminds me of the New Year’s period; it’s a time for fresh starts. The weather warms up, plants start to grow, and people are inspired to get outside and start living life again. I’ve seen many people … Continue reading

Stick It to Fast Food

Kids swearing off junky food? Yes! November boycott designed to make fast food uncool Students are saying “No!” to fast food with a provocative – and smart – new campaign. Named Stick It to Fast Food, the effort by the … Continue reading

Strengthen Your Immune System

This time of year is cold & flu season. It’s cold outside so everyone spends more time indoors, and germs circulate making it very easy to catch a cold or the flu. Continue reading

Sweet Potato Pancakes FTW!

  Do you celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday? If you do, here’s a new twist on this annual treat. Sweet potatoes are packed with nutrients and they make a tasty addition to traditional pancakes. Sweet Potato Pancakes Ingredients 11⁄2 … Continue reading

Teaching Children Where Their Food Comes From

Want your children to understand where their food comes from? Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group. Continue reading

Thai Shrimp Salad Recipe

I think most of us feel a little sluggish at this time of year and we could certainly use a break from rich, heavy food. Continue reading

Thai Zucchini Noodle Salad with Sesame Peanut Dressing

The other day I bought an awesome new kitchen gadget: the OXO Julienne Peeler (available at The Bay for $10.99). It works like a regular peeler, but the blade is serrated to form long, skinny strips of whatever you’re peeling. Continue reading

The Healthy Side of Bacon

  Admit it. Your relationship with bacon is complicated. On one hand, you can’t imagine your life without it. It smells amazing and tastes even better. It has that perfect mixture of saltiness, sweetness and smokiness. It makes that satisfying … Continue reading

Think Outside the Salad Box

Here’s a recipe I made a couple days ago for lunch. I ate it warm, and it was so tasty & satisfying. Feel free to switch up any of the veggies, herbs or use another bean or whole grain –use whatever’s leftover in your fridge or garden – think outside the salad box! Continue reading

Thoughts on Vitamins

Should you take vitamins or supplements on a regular basis? Lauren weighs in. Continue reading

Time for a Snack Attack!

Actively planning for healthy, well-balanced snacks is the key to ensuring you get the benefits of a snack between meals without any of the downsides. Continue reading

Time to Detox

Everyone is interested in detoxing at this time of year. You’ve overdone it over the holidays, and want to rid your body of built-up toxins. I’ve put together an awesome smoothie recipe that includes fresh, raw ingredients that will do the trick. Continue reading

Tips to Stay Slim this Summer

Here’ the skinny on staying slim this summer

(And the rest of the year too!)

  Continue reading

Try a Great Local Fish: Rainbow Trout

I love fish, and try to incorporate it into my diet twice a week. If you enjoy eating fish it opens up a world of opportunity to incorporate healthy, lean protein into your diet. Continue reading

Try this Whole Grain: Spelt

I’ve been experimenting a lot with healthy baking up at the cottage, and the other day I used spelt flour to make some healthy cookies. Continue reading

TummyThyme Yummy Time

By Lindsay Ruck

These two Ottawa moms share their passion for nutrition and help growing families eat better. Now that’s delectable! Continue reading

WFD: Sweet Potato Stew!

Wondering what to cook for dinner? This tasty, nutritious sweet potato stew hits the “sweet” spot. You and the kids will be clamouring for seconds. Continue reading

Yes Peas!

I’ve been feeling inspired to cook lately, and with the cold weather keeping me indoors more I find I actually have time on the weekends to visit the market, cook and try new recipes. Continue reading