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Chocolate Almond Mousse

Posted: February 12, 2020

These recipes are created by Jennifer Barnes Holistic Nutritionist who loves good food and helping client`s improve their health with diet and lifestyle changes. Jennifer runs a private nutrition consulting practice in Kitchener helping clients understand what their body needs to function, so they can enjoy life and their food with less stress. Food is essential in her practice, she loves creating recipes that leave you satisfied, nourished and healthy, no matter your current dietary restrictions. The right food is medicine, the right food is essential and the right food is powerful.

You can learn more about Jennifer at www.jbarnesliving.com

Chocolate Almond Mousse

A Chocolate Valentine treat for you and your loved ones that is gluten, egg and dairy free for those who have dietary restrictions.

This recipe is delicious and nutritious made with simple whole ingredients and easy to make. It contains avocado, a medium chain fat that is more easily absorbed by the gastrointestinal track, keeps you fuller longer and helps balance your blood sugar. One serving of this dessert contains 50 % of your daily intake of fibre. Fibre is essential for many health benefits, is excellent for gut health, especially the gastrointestinal track and helps lower cholesterol. This recipe is a great way to add healthy fats and fibre to your daily diet. Go ahead and indulge and eat your way to good health.

Many of the ingredients for my recipes can be purchased at the market…shop locally and come say hello to the vendors at St Jacob’s Market District.

Enjoy!

Chocolate Almond Mousse

Servings 6 5 minutes

Ingredients

4 Avocado (peeled and pits removed)
1/2 cup Maple Syrup
1 cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
1/3 cup Cocoa Powder
1/2 cup Almond Butter
1/2 cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes (Optional) Sprinkle on top of Chocolate Mousse or toast to add another dimension)
1/2 cup Strawberries (Slice strawberries and place on top of mousse)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. You may need to occasionally scrape down the sides.
Sprinkle Coconut on top and or you can toast the coconut for an added dimension. To toast coconut spread coconut flakes on a baking sheet and bake at 325 F. The flakes will toast quickly and won’t take more thank 5-10 minutes.
Divide into small bowls, add your choice of toppings or enjoy as is.

Notes

No Cocoa Powder

Use cacao powder instead.

· No Almond Butter

Use peanut butter or any type of nut butter.

· Optional Toppings

Toasted coconut, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, crushed nuts, or fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and banana.

· More Fibre

Add ground flax seeds before blending.

Meet the Community of Creators at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market: Deidre Zervos, Botanical Propaganda Bath & Body

Posted: February 4, 2020

**Part of a series of stories focusing on the producers and makers you’ll find at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market**

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Deidre Zervos, Owner, Botanical Propaganda

So how does someone with a background in restaurant management end up as a natural bath and body product entrepreneur? For Deidre Zervos, Owner of Botanical Propaganda at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, it was personal.

“My daughter suffered from cystic acne, and her doctors wanted to prescribe a medication,” she explains. Deidre started researching the side effects of acne medications and topical ointments and was concerned by what she discovered. She decided to look down a more natural path to see if there were any alternatives for treating her daughter’s acne. “I eventually found an all-natural oil product and learned about oil cleansing; that was the discovery that started me on my new path.” In 2015 she left the restaurant business and started Botanical Propaganda at the Market (she also operates The Bath Market in the Village of St. Jacobs).

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Deidre began researching and experimenting with natural skin care ingredients. “I don’t have a chemistry background,” she says, “so I’m self-taught for the products I make. I’ve taken courses and classes, and I’ve done a lot of research. Just because something is natural doesn’t mean it’s good for us. Poison ivy is ‘natural’, and we wouldn’t want to rub it all over our bodies!”

Deidre has strict criteria for the bath, body and wellness products developed for Botanical Propaganda. All ingredients are sourced from Canadian suppliers, and are not tested on animals. Toxic ingredients, like phthalates and sulfates, are never used and all of her products are vegan. She also follows a ‘less is more’ philosophy, and is developing more products that are package-free. “Our saying is ‘Ditch the Bottle’,” Deidre says. “We make shampoo bars that are package and waste-free. We want people to have a quality, reasonably priced product that also helps the environment by reducing plastics.”

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While Botanical Propaganda is known for its bins of bath bombs at the Market, Deidre says her favourite product is the whipped sugar scrubs they make. “They are unique to us,” she says. “They are gentle, exfoliating scrubs that turn into a creamy, lathering body wash. They’re sulphate-free, scented, and they’re very aesthetically pleasing!” And with names like ‘Chubby Unicorn’ and ‘Be Flamazing’, they’re fun too.

Deidre loves being part of the Market culture and specifically choose the Market as the location to launch her business. “Here you meet the people who are making your product,” she explains. “It’s an opportunity for our customers to understand a little more about who we are, what our philosophy is and why we’re doing what we’re doing. We have fantastic conversations with our customers here!”

The relationships Deidre fosters with the community also go beyond sales. “We just partnered with Hope Springs Cancer Support Centre on a holiday fundraiser,” Deidre explains. “We met them through the Market, and were able to provide product for them. You don’t get that interaction if you’re just an online company. Here, you understand who your community is.”

Deidre also likes how the Market works with vendors on special promotions and events. For example, February is the Lots of Love campaign at the Market.

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“Our customers can expect heart-shaped bath bombs for sure!” Deidre smiles. “We’ve also come up with themed scents for our whipped scrubs; there’s ‘Stupid Cupid’ and ‘Wine is my Valentine’. And there’s a special promotion where if you spend $40 with us, you’ll get a free sugar lip scrub – which is nice for all of the kissing that will be going on around Valentine’s Day!” Market-goers can also stop by her booth in Peddler’s Village to fill out a ballot for a large gift basket of pamper products, no purchase necessary.

And gentlemen – Deidre wants you to know she has lots of products available for you too. “We’re finding men are becoming more involved in ‘self-care’, and are open to the idea of purchasing products that are more natural as well.”

Deidre loves that her customers are so loyal, and says people are realizing the importance of paying more attention to the ingredients in their body care products.

“Our biggest organ is our skin. People are taking time to eat healthier and live cleaner lifestyles. So if you’re working hard to put good things into your body, doesn’t it make sense to put good things on your body too?”

Deidre also feels it’s important to listen to the needs and wants of her customers.

“Natural ingredients might be a little more expensive to use, but at the end of the day if that’s what people want and that’s what’s better for us and for the environment, then that’s what we’re going to choose for our products.”

Botanical Propaganda is one of the many makers you’ll discover inside Peddler’s Village at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

Meet the Community of Creators at St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market: Katrina Wood, Eco Refillary

Posted: January 17, 2020

**The first in a series of stories focusing on the producers and makers you’ll find at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market**

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Katrina Wood, Owner of Eco Refillary

Katrina Wood started her business, Eco Refillary, as a way to give back and make an environmental lifestyle change. “I live in the country outside of Mount Forest, and for 7 years our water wasn’t being filtered properly so I relied on bottled water,” Katrina explains. “I didn’t realize plastics were such an issue. I recycled the water bottles and thought I was doing the right thing.” However, she discovered only 9% of plastics are actually recycled in Canada. She decided it was time to make a change, and looked at other areas in her life where plastics existed. Shampoos and conditioners, laundry soaps, dish soap – all were packaged in plastic containers. Her resolution to make a difference led to the development of her company – Eco Refillary.

The premise of her business is simple: people can purchase a refillable glass bottle which is weighed, and then filled with the product of their choice. The amount they pay is based on the amount of product they’ve chosen. Customers can also bring in their own clean, dry containers and fill them with the products too, all of which helps reduce the amount of plastics they consume. At present her product line includes shampoos, conditioners, body wash/lotions, deodorant and cleaners. She also stocks several reusable products such as metal and glass straws, dish cloths, produce bags and coffee filters, providing easy ways for people to make a positive change. “Change doesn’t have to be everything all at once,” Katrina says. “I usually suggest people start in one place at a time – say, the bathroom or kitchen – and make a few changes there. It all really adds up.”

Katrina follows strict criteria when choosing products for Eco Refillary. Every product must be biodegradable, vegan, gluten free (Katrina herself is celiac), and the products cannot be tested on animals. She supports small businesses that are taking initiatives to lessen their environmental impact. Dealing with local companies is important to her (her products come from Cambridge, Burlington, and Barrie to name a few). The ingredients in the products must be natural, so they’re good for your body as well as the environment. Most importantly, Katrina says the products she brings into Eco Refillary have to work really well, and she tests each one personally to make sure they do.

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Being able to help her customers put a face and a name to the makers behind her products is important to Katrina too. “Ashley runs her business, The Bare Home, out of Burlington,” Katrina says. “She’s such a sweet person: I always drive to go and pick up my products from her, so I know her. It’s so important to me to be able to help market other people’s products for them – it gives me so much joy.”

Katrina has been part of the St. Jacobs Farmers’Market family since August 2019, and is already seeing return customers at her vendor location inside the Market Tent – a bright, friendly place to explore. Even though she initially thought her products would appeal mainly to millennials, many Gen X and baby boomers have tried the products and find they love them.

“People come to the Market all the time and are on a mission to get what they need, and then head home!” she says. “While they’re rushing through they’ll discover my booth my accident, and then are excited to find us because they’ve been looking for this type of product.” And Katrina loves that she can fill that need for people.

Eco Refillary is one of the many makers you’ll discover inside The Market Tent at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market

LOTS TO LOVE SALE – Feb.1-29 Try Out All that is NEW!

Posted: January 17, 2020

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter – be first to know of deals, promotions and contests happening at the St. Jacob’s Market, Market Road Antiques and St. Jacobs Outlet Mall!

See “Visit Us” for Hours of Operation

Have You Tried Bone Broth?

Posted: January 15, 2020

It’s trendy and popular right now. But what is it and how does it differ from regular broth. All broths are made from boiling food in water. But unlike a typical chicken or vegetable broth, bone broth is made from boiling mainly bones with little meat.

The goal is to simmer the bone for a long time, anywhere from 14-48 hours to get as many amino acids, minerals and collagen out of the bones. Advocates will tout all kinds of benefits it probably doesn’t have. However, do not dismiss it either. Bone broth contains nutrients and amino acids such as glutamine and gelatin which can be very healing for the body, help repair the gut lining and maintain joints, bones, skin, hair and nails.

Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is best known for it’s ability to help us build muscles. This would include muscles that line the gastrointestinal tract, which are essential to its function. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce pain and repair the gut lining.

Glutamine can be taken as a supplement but it is also found in meats, fish, eggs and dairy products. Many vegetables have glutamic acid which can be converted to glutamine in the gut by good gut bacteria. Adding veggies to your bone broth can increase the nutritive content.

There is no magic bullet for fixing the gut. It requires a number of strategies. Consuming bone broth, which contains valuable nutrients that the gut needs, can help.

Bone broth can be purchased at health food or specialty stores. Store-bought will not be gelatinous and will probably not taste as good as the one you make yourself.

Give your gut a boost by consuming bone broth on a regular basis. It feels good when you drink it. More importantly, you can use bone broth to make amazing soups and stews. It’s nice as a hot beverage….just heat it up and add you favourite herbs and sip like you would tea or coffee.

Go ahead make some bone broth….it’s great this time of year and good for overall well being.

I will be running my “7 Day Reboot Cleanse” soon…the menu is filled with delicious foods to help you lose weight, have beautiful glowing skin and feel energized. Click here if you want more details

Traditional Bone Broth Recipe

4 lbs or 1.8 kg bones (chicken, turkey or beef)
1 large onion, cut into quarters
2 carrots, cut in half (do not peel)
2 stalks celery, cut in half
4-6 tbsp apple cider vinegar
6 peppercorns
1/2 bunch parsley
2 bay leaves (optional)

1. Place all the ingredients in a 16 or 20-quart pot. Fill the pot with water. Bring to a boil and lower to a simmer. Cover, but leave it slightly a jar to let out the steam. Remove any froth that surfaces.

2. Simmer for at least 12-14 hours or until the water level is reduced by half.

3. Strain out the veggies, bay leaf and peppercorn from the broth using a large sieve or a metal strainer.

4. Transfer the broth into jars and either freeze or store in the fridge. Broth can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days or freeze until ready to use. For easy freezing, pour into an ice cube tray and freeze, then remove and place in a bag in the freezer. Broth can be seasoned with sea salt and pepper if desired.

Tips:

Bones can be purchased at large health food stores or local butchers. Try to get organic, if possible.
Leftover cooked bones are fine to use. For example, if you roast a chicken, remove the meat and save the remainder. Freeze the bones to use when you are ready to make a big batch.
If using chicken bones, chicken feet are great for extra gelatin.
If using raw beef bones, roast them in the oven at 350°F for 30 minutes to brown the bones and give the broth more flavour.
Bone broth freezes well and last in fridge for up to 3 or 4 days
Be sure to simmer the broth long enough that the water level drops by half. That is when you have finally cooked out the taste of water.

Kids Day: Halloween Edition – October 26 & 31, 2019!

Posted: October 18, 2019