Northern Holistic Living

01/06/2026

Roasted chicken - This huge chicken was from a local farmer. The flavour was outstanding. Rich stock was made for this chicken noodle soup.

01/06/2026

My new favourite way to eat homemade yogurt. Warm up 2 dates (cut in pieces) add some pecans for crunch and some banana slices, dash of cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup. Delicious! High protein - approx. 17 grams of protein in this serving (1/2 cup)

01/06/2026

A busy day in the kitchen baking sourdough bread.

01/06/2026

I used 4 litres of 3.25% milk to make yogurt. It is so easy to make.

You have some options once the yogurt is ready. I strained the yogurt for 4 hrs to make Greek style yogurt that is thick and high protein. (I removed about 4 cups of whey). I continued to strain a portion for 10 hrs to make cream cheese and I strained a portion for 24 hrs to make Cheese balls (like Labneh). The best part about all of this is that it requires two ingredients: milk and yogurt. No fillers, No sugar, No preservatives. Simple.

02/13/2025

Haskap Swirl Sourdough 🩷

My sister Rachel Paterson gifted me a bag of frozen Haskap from . For a special treat on Valentine’s Day, I wanted to create something unique with them.

🩷 Haskap Swirl Sourdough 🩷

🩷🩷🩷 I am tinkled pink with the results! 🩷🩷🩷

Haskap berries are a nutritional powerhouse! Here's a breakdown of their potential health benefits:

• Rich in Antioxidants:
Anthocyanins: These are the pigments that give haskap berries their vibrant color. They are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Other Antioxidants: Haskaps also contain other antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoids.

• Anti-inflammatory Properties:
The antioxidants in haskap berries may help to reduce inflammation in the body.

• Improved Eye Health:
Anthocyanins may help to improve vision and protect against age-related macular degeneration.

• Immune Support:
Vitamin C, a key nutrient found in haskap berries, supports a healthy immune system.

🩷🩷 Happy Valentine's Day 🩷🩷

02/13/2025

Using chicken feet in your homemade stock offers several significant benefits:

Rich Collagen Source: Chicken feet are incredibly rich in collagen, a protein that provides numerous health benefits.

Joint Health: Collagen supports joint health by cushioning joints and reducing inflammation.

Skin, Hair, and Nails: Collagen improves skin elasticity, strengthens hair, and promotes healthy nail growth.

Gut Health: Collagen can help heal and repair the gut lining.

Flavour Depth: Chicken feet contribute significantly to the richness and depth of flavor in your stock. They impart a savory, slightly gelatinous quality.

Nutrient-Dense: Chicken feet are a good source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.

Cost-Effective: Chicken feet are often relatively inexpensive, making them a budget-friendly way to enhance your stock.

Sustainability: Utilizing all parts of the chicken promotes sustainable cooking practices.

How to Use Chicken Feet in Stock:

Clean Thoroughly: Wash the chicken feet thoroughly under cold water to remove any debris.

Roast (Optional): Roasting the chicken feet before simmering can enhance the flavor of the stock.

Simmer: Add the chicken feet to your stockpot along with other ingredients like bones, vegetables, and herbs. Simmer for several hours (or even longer for maximum collagen extraction).

Strain: Strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the chicken feet and other solids.

Important Note:
Appearance: Chicken feet may look unusual, but they are a valuable ingredient for making rich and flavorful stock.
By incorporating chicken feet into your homemade stock, you can create a truly nutritious and flavorful broth that will enhance your soups, stews, and other dishes.

12/06/2024

Whipped Tallow Lotion

I used tallow, coconut oil and avocado oil.

Avocado Oil: This oil is packed with vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin E. It's great for moisturizing and repairing damaged skin.

Coconut oil is a great addition as it adds moisture and has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Coconut oil not only adds moisture and beneficial fats to your lotion but also imparts a lovely, natural coconut scent. It's a fantastic choice for a fragrant and nourishing skincare product.

12/05/2024

I made tallow today.

Here are the benefits of homemade tallow:

1) Nutrient-rich:
Tallow is a source of healthy fats, including saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).
It also contains fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) and other nutrients.

2)Skin benefits:
The fatty acids in tallow are similar to the natural oils in our skin. This makes it a great moisturizer and can help soothe dry, irritated skin. It may also be beneficial for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

3)Cooking benefits:
Tallow has a high smoke point, making it ideal for high-heat cooking methods like frying and searing.
It also imparts a rich flavour to food.

4)Sustainable:
Making your own tallow allows you to use a byproduct from your food waste, reducing the amount of waste that goes to the landfill.

5)Cost-effective:
Once you have the initial investment in equipment, making your own tallow is much cheaper than buying it pre-made.

03/05/2024

03/05/2024

Red meat is a nutritional powerhouse, providing a rich array of essential nutrients that are vital for various physiological functions in the body. It's a particularly excellent source of high-quality protein, heme iron, vitamin B12, and zinc, among other nutrients.
1. Protein:
Important for muscle growth, repair, and overall body function.
2. Iron:
Heme iron found in red meat is highly bioavailable and crucial for oxygen transport and storage (hemoglobin and myoglobin).
3. Vitamin B12:
Essential for nerve function, red blood cell production, and DNA synthesis.
4. Zinc:
Supports immune function, wound healing, and various enzymatic reactions in the body.
5. Selenium:
An antioxidant mineral that supports immune function and protects cells from oxidative damage.
6. Phosphorus:
Essential for bone health, energy metabolism, and DNA formation.
7. Niacin (Vitamin B3):
Important for energy metabolism, DNA repair, and enzyme production.
8. Riboflavin (Vitamin B2):
Involved in energy production and the metabolism of fats, drugs, and steroids.
9. Creatine:
Supports energy production during short-duration, high-intensity activities.
10. Taurine:
An amino acid important for bile salt formation, eye health, and cardiovascular function.
11. Vitamin B6:
Essential for protein metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and immune function.
12. Choline:
Supports cell membrane structure, neurotransmitter synthesis, and lipid metabolism.
13. Carnosine:
An antioxidant dipeptide that may have protective effects against oxidative stress.
14. Copper:
Essential for iron metabolism, connective tissue formation, and antioxidant function.
15. Potassium:
Important for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle contraction.
16. Magnesium:
Supports muscle function, nerve function, and bone health.
17. Vitamin A:
Essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.
18. Vitamin D:
Important for calcium absorption, bone health, and immune function.
19. Vitamin E:
An antioxidant that protects cells from oxidative damage.
20. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10):
Supports energy production in cells.

10/24/2023

advice: always read the ingredient list

DEAR Coffe Mate: YOU ARE LYING to YOUR CUSTOMERS

The bottle says "ZERO SUGAR" twice on the front and again on the nutrition "facts"

I have not seen misinformation on nutrition facts EVER before this example.

At least the ingredients list still reflects the contents (presumably).

However, it seems that the nutrition facts no longer do

Remember your ABCs:

Always
Be
Checking
(Ingredients)

And PS, just use cream in your coffee and stop eating vegetable oils, they kill our taste for real foods

(How? For complex reasons that I go into in my second book, The FATBURN FIX so if you ask me for a "cite" I have bad news: there is not just ONE! It takes a lot of scientific work to piece together and understand the link. If it were as simple as pointing to some study, then someone else would have cited it already --and I would not be the only one saying this)

01/20/2023