This recipe is for all the San Fran fans!...reminds us of visiting Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant at one of the Piers.  Sweet and tangy memories of San Francisco....


JCJ's Sweet Chili Shrimp

15-20 Cooked Shrimp 
2 Tbsp of Sweet Chili Sauce 
15-20 Sliced Field Cucumbers

1. In a pot, boil water over medium heat.  Add shrimp and cook until shrimp pink and floating.  Slice your cucumbers at this time.

2. Once cooked, remove from heat and drain.  Cool shrimp under cold running water. 

3. Transfer shrimp to bowl and add the sweet chill sauce. Add coated shrimps over sliced cucumbers.  Serve and enjoy!

We love this recipe for snacking, hanging out with some friends, and watching some football! Or, make up a big batch and portion out for afternoon snacks or kids' lunchboxes!

JCJ's Vanilla Almond Crunch

1/4 cup partly skimmed evaporated milk
1 Tbsp of cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract
3 cups of Almonds
1 cup of sugar
2 Tbsp of Vanilla Whey powder

1. Preheat oven to 300'F. Spread almonds on a cookie sheet and bake, stirring after 10 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove almonds and let cool as needed.

2. Combine evaporated milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sugar in a pot. Dissolve mixture over medium heat.

3. Add almonds and continue to cook and stir frequently. Cook until nuts are completely covered and no liquid is left. Lightly coat the cooked almonds with Vanilla Whey powder.

4. Spread over cookie sheet on wax paper to let them cool.

*Optional: add 2 Cups of Kashi Honey Sunshine Cereal to help give them a extra crunchy bite!

This recipe has been modified for you busy bees.
You can freeze this recipe, then reheat and add mini pitas when you are on the go! I hope you enjoy this tasty breakfast, tried and tested by JCJ!

JCJ's Break-y Scramblers

1 package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed
1 bunch green onions (white parts only), finely diced
4 eggs, beaten
1 container of cottage cheese (no added salt)
whole wheat breadcrumbs (optional garnish)

1.  Preheat oven to 325'F (165'C).  Lightly grease a muffin pan.

2.  Place the spinach in a small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until spinach softens.  When wilted, set the spinach aside for later. 

3. In a bowl, mix the onion, eggs, cottage cheese.  Add the spinach to this mix and stir all ingredients until combined thoroughly.  Divide evenly in your muffin pan.

4.  Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes, until egg is firm and fully cooked (use your judgement!).  If using breadcrumbs, remove pan from oven after 30 minutes and sprinkle with crumbs to top; return pan to oven for 5-10 minutes to finish.  

Note: If you are using a mini muffin pan, cook for 1/2 the time, again use your judgement when egg is firm & fully cooked.

Happy New Year!

Just want to keep all of you in line and help to set you up for the new year!  Here are some nutrition tips that I would like you to consider in 2013:

1.  Increase Fibre!  Eeat more fibrous foods like apples, carrots, beans, and whole grains.  Most of us don't get enough fibre in our regular diet.  Fibre helps move things along, it helps lower cholesterol, and it keeps us full.

2.  Limit your sugar intake!  Got a sweet tooth? Eat more fresh or dried fruits.  Fruit has natural sugars that will help keep your cravings in check.  It's great to add to cereals,  or yogurt.

3.  Watch your sodium intake!  Your body does need sodium to function, but too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure.  To control your sodium intake learn to read labels, use spices instead of salt to flavour your foods, and limit the use of processed foods.

4.  Prep your meals!  Pick a couple of recipes to make for the week that are easy to freeze like chili or banana bran muffins.  Having healthy foods on hand will help to save your sanity on those days when you're stuck thinking "there's nothing to eat here!" or "I don't have time!"

5.  Water, water, water!  It blows my mind how many people forget to drink water (I too have to remind myself!).   If you are having a hard time drinking water, just make sure that half of your fluid intake is, to quote Adam Sandler's hilarious The Waterboy, "some high quality H20!"  Drink at least 2-3 litres a day, or more if you're working out.

Keep these tips in mind for the new year, and the new healthy you! 

~JCJ