Ingredients

2 cups Cheesy vegan kale chips

2 cups Watercress, rinsed and dried

2 cups Mache, rinsed and dried

225 g FirmTofu (approximately 1/2 brick), cubed

1/2 cup of Mushrooms, sliced

1/3 cup of Walnuts

1/4 cup Spinach pesto

1 Avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed

1 Tomato, diced

2 Tbsp Hemp hearts

1 tsp Olive oil

Directions

Prep Time:  40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Prepare spinach pesto and cheesy vegan kale chips according to their recipes. Set aside. Fry tofu in olive oil on medium high heat until golden brown, about 5-10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.  Combine watercress, mache, tofu, mushrooms, walnuts, avocado and tomato in a large bowl and toss. Add pesto and mix to coat salad. Sprinkle with hemp hearts. , and sprinkle with hemp hearts. Serve topped with kale chips.

Serves 4

]]> https://kalya.ca/2018/10/16/spinach-pesto/ Tue, 16 Oct 2018 18:15:44 +0000 http://kalya.ca/?p=650 Pesto is a delicious, fresh and comforting sauce that brightens any meal. Our version adds a twist on the original by substituting one of our favourite leafy greens, spinach, for the traditional basil. Spinach is an excellent source of potassium, zinc, iron, calcium and iron, as well vitamins A, B6, C, K, niacin and folate. If that isn’t reason enough to try this green delight, the added benefits of nutritional yeast definitely are. In addition to adding an extra dose of niacin, B6 and folate, nutritional yeast provides Thiamin, Riboflavin and an ever important vegan source of vitamin B12.

Ingredients

 2 cups of Fresh spinach

1/2 cup Nutritional yeast

1/2 cup Olive oil

1/3 cup Pine nuts

1/4 cup Fresh cilantro leaves

1/4 cup Fresh lime juice (approximately 1 lime)

3 Cloves of garlic, minced

1/4 tsp Sea salt

1/4 tsp Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Add spinach, cilantro and pine nuts to food processor and blend until smooth. Add garlic and nutritional yeast, and blend again. Slowly add olive oil and lime juice as food processor is blending. Add salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. Enjoy over pasta or as a salad dressing, or simply as a dip.

Serves 4

By now, we all know how wonderful kale is for our health. Just one cup of this wonder cabbage contains a myriad of vitamins, including  A, K, C and B6, and minerals, from manganese to magnesium. Kale is a tasty addition to salads, a welcome touch in your morning smoothie and the base of a savoury healthy snack. Our cheesy kale chips, made with equally nutritious nutritional yeast, is a quick and easy way to satisfy your potato chip craving.

Ingredients

1 large Bunch of kale (approximately 4 cups)

2 tbsp Olive oil

1-2 tbsp Nutritional yeast

1 tsp Cracked black pepper

Directions

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 20-25 minutes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Remove stems from kale and tear into bite-sized pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale, either in a salad spinner or simply by patting dry with paper towel. Toss in a large bowl with oil, nutritional yeast, and pepper, being sure to coat all pieces of kale. Spread in a single layer on large parchment-lined baking dish. If necessary, cook in batches. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crisp. Remove from baking dish and allow to cool. Serve immediately or store in cool, dry place.

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup unsweetened nut milk (ex: almond or cashew)

1/4 cup frozen strawberries

1/4 cup frozen blueberries

1 large banana, peeled and chopped into pieces

1 majool date, pitted

1 Tbsp raw cacao powder

2 tbsp natural peanut butter

2 tbsp hemp hearts, plus 1 tbsp for garnish

1 tsp spirulina (optional)

Directions

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Add all ingredients to blender except hemp hearts (1 tbsp) and spirulina (optional) garnish.

Blend until smooth. Serve immediately, garnished with hemp hearts and/or spirulina.

Serves 1

Kalya is all about love, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of Valentine’s Day than with a feature on natural beauty and skincare company, BKIND. Based in Montreal, BKIND embodies conscious beauty with their all-natural, vegan, handmade products that cleanse, moisturize and nurture skin with kindness. BKIND products have quickly become a favourite of the Kalya team for their environmentally-friendly and cruelty-free approach to skincare. Relying on simple ingredients such as coffee, coconut and cranberries, they present the idea of food as beauty. We sat down with BKIND founder, Marilyne Bouchard, to discuss her company’s roots, philosophy and goals for the future.

K : Tell us about yourself and your company? Why did you start BKind? What do you hope to bring your customers with your products?

MB: I have always been a large consumer of creams and body products! I like to take care of myself and use the least makeup possible. I have extremely sensitive skin, and one day I got tired my skin’s negative reaction to these (expensive!) products, even those labelled hypoallergenic. I became interested in the DIY philosophy. With many attempts and LOTS of mistakes, I was able to concoct customized recipes for my capricious skin. Having a Bachelor’s of Science and Master’s in Microbiology, I have a certain expertise in creating products that will last a long time without preservatives. I started BKIND because I am not the only one with sensitive skin. At first, it was only a small project, but BKIND quickly made a name for itself, and the company grew quickly. With my products, I would like to open people’s minds to the benefits of natural products. We are seeing more and more reports and articles on cosmetics and the dangers of the chemicals they contain. People do not realize that their $100 face cream may contain contaminants or products that can damage their skin.

K: Kalya’s mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle. How do you feel your products embody this goal?

MB: Using BKIND products means choosing natural and humane skincare because all products are vegan. It also means supporting a local brand.

K: Which products would you recommend to new customers and why?

MB: First of all, the coffee scrub! Personally, I love it. It leaves the skin soft and hydrated, and it’s perfect for me because, in the morning, I ‘m always in a hurry and do not even have the time for hand cream. My favorite scent is pineapple – grapefruit…MIAM! It moisturizes well without being too greasy. This recipe saved me because, before, my hands would crack and bleed during the winter (thank you Quebec winter!).

Secondly, the eye cream infused with green tea! I love it and I use it for everything. During the winter, I also use it around my mouth and on my face when my skin has become dry due to lack of attention.

K: BKIND also has another eye cream option. The anti-wrinkle contour cream is made with a blend of coffee and a blend of coconut, jojoba and rosehip oil.

K: We love the BKIND soft and hydrating face scrub. The dual scrub exfoliates the skin while leaving it soft and subtle to the touch, and is made with antioxidant-rich cranberries and moisturizing coconut oil.

K: Where are your products available?

MB: On my website, www.bkind.ca, and ETSY under BKINDPRODUCTS. The café and boutique, Lefebvre et Filles in Verdun (Station LaSalle) also sells a few of my products, but not the entire line.

K: Finally, what aspects of BKind bring you the most joy? Where do you envision Bkind in the future?

MB: What I love is meeting new people. In the last year, BKIND has allowed me to meet many wonderful people. The Quebec scene is filled with audacious, passionate entrepreneurs. I’m lucky to have met these people and I love collaborating with them. The “Research and Development” side is also what brings me joy with BKIND. I love trying new recipes and learning more and more.

For the future of BKIND, I have several small projects in mind, but I am very ” go with the flow.” I’m not planning anything specific because I do not like plans and I don’t want to impose anything on myself. Of course, I would love to have my own little shop on Wellington Street! Or a double boutique with a vegan bakery, why not?!

BKind is well worth discovering, and the ideal choice for last minute Valentine’s gifts. The Valentine’s day duo featuring a hand cream and moisturizing coffee scrub is the perfect way to discover or indulge your passion for natural beauty.

For more with Marilyne, watch our French interview here.

Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats

2 tsp chia seeds

1 cup unsweetened soy milk

1 tbsp raw cacao powder

1 tbsp maple syrup

1 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut

1 tbsp sliced almonds

1 tbsp (1/2 oz) dark chocolate, grated to small flakes

Directions

1. Layer ingredients in order listed in a small mason jar.
2. Leave in refrigerator overnight.
3. The next day, stir until all ingredients are well incorporated. Can be eaten cold or warmed up in the microwave or a small pan.

References

(1) Whitehead, A., Beck, E.J., Tosh, S., & Wolever, T.M.S. (2014). Cholesterol-lowering effects of oat beta-glucan: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Amerian Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 100, 1413-21.

Ingredients

2 frozen banana

1 frozen mango

½ cup unsweetened soy milk

½ tbsp matcha powder

Directions

To prepare mango, peel and cut it into cubes, and freeze overnight, along with bananas. To make ice cream, add frozen mango to food processor with peeled and sliced frozen banana. Add milk and blend until smooth. Once smooth, add matcha and blend again to incorporate. Serve immediately. For a sweeter variation, replace soy milk with coconut milk.

Ingredients

1 frozen banana

1 cup almond milk

1 tbsp raw cacao

1 tbsp natural peanut butter

¼ cup brewed coffee

Directions

Peel banana and slice banana. Add to blender with milk, cacao, peanut butter and coffee. Blend until smooth. To get the most out of your smoothie, drink it 2 hours before your workout.