Cold hands, hot meals!
There’s nothing like the onset of winter cold to entice us to seek out warmth, especially on our plates. Hot dishes, with aromas that often remind us of Grandma’s kitchen, are like small portions of happiness, providing both physical and mental comfort.
But wait, just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean that we have to eat more. Stick with your good eating habits and choose healthy foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals, and stay physically active. In winter as in summer, practising sports requires the right energy intake at meals and proper hydration.
Here are a few tips to help improve the quality of your favourite “comfort foods.” Soup’s on!
Flavour your soup broths with your favourite herbs: parsley, basil, oregano, thyme, etc. Add fresh or frozen vegetables (carrots, onions, turnips, snow peas, spinach, green beans, celery, peppers, etc.), and whole grain pasta or rice.
- For a creamier soup, process boiled vegetables with their cooking water in a food processor or blender, and season to taste.
- To turn your soup into a meal in itself, just add legumes: red kidney beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc.
What’s cookin’ . . .
Vegetables (onions, garlic, carrots, turnips, broccoli, potatoes, tomatoes, green and yellow beans, squash, etc.) will add colour, flavour and vitamins to your simmered beef, pork and chicken recipes. When it looks good, it tastes better! Choose lean cuts of meat and cook them in a steamer or slow cooker. Aside from being simple, this method of cooking helps preserve all the food’s nutrients.
Cosy mornings
Having a hard time getting out from under the covers? Start your day off right with a hot bowl of porridge or a homemade muffin, fruit and a cup of hot chocolate milk.
Crunchy crisps
Replace the traditional apple with frozen berries: raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, etc. Many recipes for fruit crisps are low in sugar and fat. Served hot, fruit crisps are a real treat for the tastebuds . . . and guests always want seconds! Speaking about the trusty traditional apple, why not bake it in the oven, halved and cored, with a sprinkling of brown sugar and a few dried raisins in the centre . . . a real treat!
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- How to choose a pair of ice skates
- How to make a skating rink
- Disc golf
- Staying warm, even in the winter
- Guide to winter comfort
- Introduction to broomball
- Nordic walking in Québec
- Avoiding injuries caused by extreme cold
- Criteria for a good family tobogganing area
- Cold hands, hot meals!
- Danger! Frozen bodies of water
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