Food Storage

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Cass. I am a Holistic Nutritionist obsessed with creating healthier favourites for both myself and my followers. I am known on Instagram as @the_nourishingproject, check it out if you want to see more of my favorite creations. I am a sucker for all things baking, making, creating and of course styling and taking photos of these creations before I indulge in what I have created. I love finding a normally high sugar/processed, but delicious recipe and transforming it into a nourishing treat/meal with nutrient dense ingredients and of course, lower sugar! Raise your hand if you’re favourite meal is breakfast?! (Immediately raises hand).  I have always been a pancake and waffle lover, but believe it or not, I had my first French Toast about 2 years ago. I know, I know, who am I? I always thought French toast was puzzling, but what’s not to love? Soft inside and crispy outside, cinnamon, maple syrup and you can pretty much make any flavour you want. Today I chose PECAN! If you love French toast, pecans and coconut whipped cream then you are in for a treat. This is the perfect recipe for any morning, weekend or holiday brunch. Christmas is just around the corner, just saying!  Step inside my kitchen and enjoy making and eating this dish as much, or even more than I do! Be sure to make extras to throw in the freezer and then reheat in the toaster for a quick, satisfying breakfast or snack. The best part about this is you can make it sweet or savoury. Today, I’m feeling sweet. So Let’s get started and fire up the pan!   Ingredients: Coconut Whipped Cream 1 can coconut cream unshaken and refrigerated overnight or for at least 6 hours. (insiders tip, lay the can upside down in the fridge so all the cream sits at the top when you open it!)  ¼ cup gluten free tapioca flour  1 tsp organic vanilla extract  French Toast 6 slices gluten free bread of choice (any bread is ok, I just love gluten free bread!) 6 organic eggs (local is always the way to go if possible!) ½ cup + 2 tbsp coconut milk  1 tbsp ground cinnamon pinch of ground sea salt  Pecan Pie “Syrup”  1 cup organic chopped pecans 4 tbsp organic canadian maple syrup 2 tbsp organic coconut oil 1 tsp ground cinnamon Directions: Coconut Whipped Cream Open can and carefully scoop the top layer of coconut cream from the can. If you skipped the refrigerator step, do yourself a favour and put it in the fridge! The top layer should be solid, this is what will make the whipped cream. Transfer solid layer into a chilled mixing bowl. Keep the remaining liquid from the can for later. I like to freeze them into an ice tray and use them in smoothies and even soups/curry’s. Whip the coconut cream until smooth, using an electric mixer. You can also refrigerate the mixer ahead of time. Whip for 1 minute. Add rest of the coconut cream ingredients to bowl and continue to whip until soft peaks form. Cover & putstore in fridge. French Toast Lightly oil a large pan over medium heat with coconut oil. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, coconut milk, cinnamon and sea salt Dip each slice of bread into the egg mix, making sure the full piece is covered/soaked in the mixture. Pan fry each slice of bread until egg coating is cooked, I find the time varies considering how much egg mixture the bread has soaked up, so be sure to check. Serve French toast on a plate and cover with pecan pie “syrup”. Pecan Pie “Syrup”        1.   In a small pot, mix together syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon and chopped pecans. Over medium heat, cook until warm. Pour over French toast when cooked. Tips on how to store: Refrigerator: Store in airtight jar or container, glass is best (I find the taste changes in plastic after 2 days). Use up within 3 days. Reheat in toaster.  Freezer: Store in airtight jar or container, freezer safe glass is best. Good for up to 2 months depending on your freezer quality. Reheat in toaster. *I like storing mine in a freezer safe glass container in the freezer. I will then take out a few at a time (or more) and keep in the fridge (glass container as well) for easy access. I highly recommend reheating the French toast slices in a toaster or oven. Toaster is fastest.  Follow @healthyplanet for more Health & Wellness recipes! from yourself. You can also follow me @the_nourishingproject on Instagram for pastmore Health & Wellness Recipes Happy sweet eatin’ from yours truly, Cass (@thenourishingproject)

There’s something about a pantry filled with glass jars, burlap sacks, and cloth-wrapped goods that fuels a desire for wholesome eating. Storing food this way reduces your dependency on plastic, which is good for your health and the environment. Here are five eco-friendly food storage solutions: 1. Mason Jars Mason jars don’t just make food look appealing, they’re also safe, cheap, eco-friendly, and versatile. Use large jars for storing grains and flours, medium jars for taking salads to work, and small jars for single-serving desserts or make-ahead breakfast parfaits. They’re also great for storing soups, on-the-go smoothies, dried herbs, and cut veggies. 2. Reusable Snack and Sandwich Bags These earth-friendly alternatives to plastic baggies are cost effective and fun. When made from organic cotton, cloth baggies are safe for storing and transporting food, as well as washable and biodegradable. 3. Glass and Stainless Steel Food Storage Containers If you like the convenience of stackable containers and snap-on lids, these are for you. Glass and stainless steel food storage containers are eco-friendly alternatives to plastic. Although they’re typically more expensive than plastic varieties, they last longer and are dishwasher safe! The key is to choose tempered glass and food grade stainless steel. 4. Beeswax Wraps Sometimes you need to cover up food without transferring it to a storage container. A green alternative to plastic wrap and aluminium foil is beeswax wraps. Beeswax wraps are malleable enough to mould around the tops of bowls or fold into transportable snack pouches. Most importantly, they can be washed and used over and over again to wrap cheese, sandwiches, bread, and other room temperature or cold foods. 5. Burlap Sacks Forget about storing your potatoes, onions, garlic, and other root veggies in plastic bags. Burlap is a more eco-friendly and functional option. It provides a dark, dry environment to keep root veggies fresh and is made from woven plant fibres – you can even compost them when they wear out. Look for varieties that have removable cotton liners for easy cleaning. Eco-friendly food storage is one more way to help reduce your ecological footprint and support your overall well-being.   Reference: http://naturalfactors.com/articles/5-great-options-for-eco-friendly-food-storage/