No Fuss Comfort Foods – CONTEST ALERT

Happy January my fellow nutritious nibblers! I am back, as promised, with another edition of Good For You Grocery Finds. This “post-holiday” season I find I am filling my shopping cart with no fuss comfort foods that offer convenience—in tandem with great taste and yes, optimal nutrition. So let’s get to it—here are this month’s fabulous finds. (Ps-Don’t forget to enter our Grocery Finds Giveaway—see below for details!)

Brie de Meaux (Dongé brand)

As an unabashed cheese lover, no one was more delighted than me, when a recent German study revealed regular cheese consumption can help reduce the risk for fatal cancers. And I can assure you, since discovering this utterly sublime, rich creamy Brie de Meaux at Choux Choux Charcuterie I have been consuming it regulary—with glee. Hailing from the town of Meaux, in the Brie region of France, this raw cow’s milk cheese—reputed to be a favorite of the French Emperor Charlemagne—is quite simply one of the best cheeses I have ever tasted. Just yesterday I enjoyed it melted and paired with sauteèd pears and toasted walnuts atop grilled sourdough bread. Now THAT’S comfort food at it’s finest! An added bonus—Brie de Meaux, unlike many cheeses, is fairly low in calories, fat and sodium; so it won’t derail even the strictest of diets. I highly recommend you place a wedge of Brie de Meaux in your own shopping basket—your body and palate will thank you. (NOTE* There are several “brands” of Brie de Meaux on the market—but this Dongé variety is my absolute fave!)   (Available at Choux Choux Charcuterie and Ottavio Italian Bakery and Delicatessen.)

Nairn’s Organic Oatcakes

After purchasing my scrumptious gooey cheese, I naturally went on the hunt for the perfect cracker to spread it on. I wanted something wholegrain, with a nice crunchy texture to compliment the cheese’s creaminess and I found just what I was looking for at—are you ready for this—London Drugs! Don’t look so surprised—Canada’s beloved drugstore chain is actually a remarkable place to find some pretty tasty and über healthy vittles, including many hard to find gluten free items. Nairn’s Organic Oatcakes are wheat free and are made from intact whole oats that have been lightly crushed, which gives them a delightfully hearty texture. Full of cholesterol-lowering soluble fibre, these traditional Scottish “crackers” have a low glycemic index, and contain no GMO’s or added sugars. What’s more, they’re incredibly versatile. I spread them with almond butter at breakfast, dip them in soups and stews at lunch or top them with some homemade jam for a quick snack. Convenient, tasty and bursting with nutrition, Nairn’s Organic Oatcakes truly are a Good-For-You find. To get your own package, head to London Drugs or Lifestyle Markets Douglas Street location.

Chosen Foods Virgin Avocado Oil

According to health and fitness guru Jillian Michaels, “avocado oil is the new coconut oil”. She may just be right—the smooth, rich tasting oil is surging in popularity on Google Trends and it definitely looks poised to become the new “it oil”. If I’m allowed to boast a wee bit, I have to tell you, I’ve been way ahead of this trend—I’ve actually been enjoying this gorgeous oil for several years—so it isn’t exactly a new “find”. What led me to start purchasing this rich, smooth green elixir in the first place you might ask? I was swayed by the fact that avocado oil trumps olive oil in many respects when it comes to supplying optimal nutrition. That may surprise you—but it’s true—avocado oil has more heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fats, Vitamin E and antioxidants than olive oil, plus it contains less saturated fatty acids. In addition, it is chock-full of beta-sitosterol, a plant compound that has been shown to reduce the risk for certain cancers. What’s more, it has a higher smoke point than olive oil, which means you can use it for frying without damaging its healthy fatty acids.   My current go to brand is Chosen Foods—their avocado oil, made from cold pressed Haas avocados, is, in my humble opinion, the best one on the market. (Available at Mother Nature’s Market and Lifestyle Markets)

Libre Naturals Granola Bars (formerly known as No Nuttin Granola Bars)

I admit it—occasionally I get “hangry”. Hangry—if you’re not familiar with the term—describes that decidedly unattractive state that occurs between meals when one’s blood sugar dips and hunger and um yes, irritability, blend together to make one, well, not too fun to be around. For most folks the “hangries” usually happen mid morning or mid afternoon. For me it’s that bewitching hour before dinner when the foe strikes—but I’m happy to report I’ve found the perfect cure for this malady—Libre Naturals Granola Bars! These slender, gluten free wholegrain bars ( they’re also peanut, treenut, dairy, and soy free) are absolutley delicious, full of soluble fiber, low in sugar, GMO-free, low in sodium, vegan and made right here on Vancouver Island! They’re the perfect snack to pop into your purse or backpack and their universal appeal renders them something the whole family can enjoy. What’s more, at only 110 calories per bar you can nosh on them without derailing your diet regimen. Available in 4 delicious flavors (apple cinnamon, chocolate chip, double chocolate chip and red berry) Libre Naturals Granola bars are guaranteed to not only chase away the hangries—they’ll also delight your palate and help you meet your daily requirement for health-enhancing wholegrains. (Available at Lifestyle Markets and Ageless Living)

GROCERY FINDS GIVEAWAY

Thanks to the generosity of Choux Choux Delicatessen, London Drugs, Chosen Foods and Libre Naturals we are giving one lucky reader a chance to win a 150gram wedge of Brie de Meaux, a box of Nairn’s Organic Oatcakes, a bottle of Virgin Avocado Oil and a $50 online gift certificate from Libre Naturals. To enter to win simply…

Send us a email (editor@eatmagazine.ca) with the subject line Comfort Foods and share it on Facebook and you will be entered in the draw. Be sure to include your name. Good luck. Contest closes Midnight, Jan 31 2017.

Terms: (prizes must be picked up within one week of contest end date or will be donated to charity. Open to Greater Victoria residents only.