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Seedy Trail Crackers Recipe

Seedy Trail Crackers Recipe

These crunchy, munchy crackers are simple, easy to make, healthy, and contain a lot of protein. We love to serve our Seedy Trail Crackers with any of our dips, or they would be great paired with a soup. Keep them fresh in an airtight container and then toast a little before serving to bring up the crunch and toasty, nutty flavor. Makes about 10 crackers

Ingredients (makes 10 crackers)

  • ¼ cup chia seeds
  • ¼ cup sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Combine the seeds in a bowl and add the water, garlic, and salt.
  • Stir and then let sit for a few minutes while the water is absorbed.
  • Apply the mixture to the parchment with a spatula to a depth of just under ¼ inch forming a square or rectangle.
  • Lightly score the mixture with a knife into cracker-sized pieces and sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt.
  • Bake for 35 minutes then remove from oven and deepen the score to separate the crackers.
  • Carefully flip over and bake for another 20 – 25 minutes until they are just looking golden on the edges.
  • Let cool for 15 minutes before eating.

 


What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is an award-winning health retreat immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia. Our one or two-week program—featuring daily hiking, yoga, exercise classes, time in our state-of-the-art spa, and of course, delicious, healthy cuisine—will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

Smoked Salmon & Halibut Chowder Recipe

Halibut & Salmon Chowder Recipe

Many people may not realize this but salmon is excellent food for your brain. It contains omega-3 fats in a ready-made form (EPA and DHA) that’s easily digestible, which is good because our bodies cannot produce EPA or DHA and so they must be obtained through diet. These fats are important for healthy brain function, the heart, joints and general well-being and can be found in trout, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards, kippers and, of course, salmon. It should also be noted that low DHA levels have been linked to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss so be sure to eat your oily fish! Here’s one recipe that we love. It serves eight people or you can freeze it and reheat at your leisure.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 4)

  • 2 cups fennel, diced
  • 2 cups celery, diced
  • 2 cups carrots, diced
  • 2 cups onion, diced
  • 2 cups sweet potato, diced
  • 1 cup peppers, diced
  • 4 garlic cloves
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ cup tamari
  • 1/8 cup Braggs
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups fresh dill, chopped fine
  • 1 tsp liquid smoke
  • 2 cubes veg or chicken stock, blended
  • 1 small can or 5 1/2 oz tomato paste
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • juice of 2 lemons
  • 1/2 cup of tofutti (dairy free) sour cream
  • 4-5 oz fish (wild Pacific salmon and halibut) per person
  • 8 cups stock

PREPARATION

  1. Sauté the vegetables in the olive oil. Move them to a large pot and add the rest of the ingredients. Let simmer until fish is cooked through then enjoy!

 


What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning health retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:

The Kootenay Bowl With Herbed Tofu

Colorful bowl of organic greens, baked tofu, fresh tomatoes, cabbage and grated carrots and garnished with crushed nuts.

Named for the invigorating, fresh, and health-inspiring lake which our British Columbia lodge overlooks, this healthy dinner bowl shares the same attributes. The Kootenay Bowl with Herbed Tofu recipe makes a great lunch, but treat the tofu as a cutlet and this recipe becomes a satisfying dinner packed full of protein and nutrients. Guests absolutely love the crunch of the vegetables with the smooth, creamy sauce. To make this bowl even more filling, add cooked quinoa or whole grain brown rice to the bottom of your bowl.

Serves 4.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Tofu:

  • 2 cups tofu, cubed
  • 1 tsp Braggs liquid aminos
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp fine, dried herbs, such as thyme, oregano, rosemary and/or basil

Bowl:

  • 1 cups beets, grated
  • 1 cups carrots, grated
  • 1 cups almonds, toasted
  • 2 cups spinach leaves
  • 3/4 cup sunflower sprouts or sprout of your choice

Dressing:

  • 1 cup nutritional yeast flakes
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup Braggs liquid aminos
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp tahini paste
  • 2 tbs almond butter
  • 2 tbs fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 cups olive oil

Method:

  • Sauté tofu cubes in a skillet with the oil and liquid aminos, and coat with the herbs when nearly done. If you like heat, add a pinch of dried, ground chilies.
  • Combine nutritional yeast flakes, water, Braggs liquid aminos, apple cider vinegar, tahini, almond butter, ginger, and crushed garlic in blender to prepare the dressing. Add oil in a steady stream while blending. (You will have leftover dressing to use again)
  • Assemble 4 bowls, starting with spinach leaves and topping with beets, carrots, almonds, sunflower sprouts, and sautéed tofu cubes.
  • Drizzle bowls with warmed dressing and enjoy!

Loki Dip Recipe

Loki Dip Recipe

This snack recipe is a guest favourite! Our famous Loki Dip is a perfect snack that is tasty, packed with protein and will curb an afternoon craving. Enjoy with fresh seasonal vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 2/3 c. olive oil
  • 1 c. nutritional yeast flakes
  • 2 c. hemp hearts
  • 1 Tbs. wheat-free tamari
  • 2 Tbs. Braggs liquid aminos
  • ¼ c. apple cider vinegar
  • 2 Tbs. dark balsamic vinegar
  • 2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
  • 1/3 c. tomato paste
  • 1 large clove garlic minced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • ½ tsp. basil
  • ½ tsp. thyme
  • ½ tsp. marjoram
  • 1 tsp. chilli powder
  • 1½ Tbs. agave nectar or honey

Directions

  • Blend well using a Vitamix blender. 
  • Refrigerate until serving. 
  • Enjoy!

To download more Mountain Trek recipes and to get the shopping list for this recipe, download our Habits 2 Health App now. 

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Fiesta Salad with Chicken Recipe

Fiesta-chicken-salad-recipe

Visit your local farmers market and buy all the seasonal ingredients for this fresh and tasty salad recipe. We always recommend you go organic for your produce and meat. This particular recipe serves four. Enjoy!

Chicken & Marinade

16 oz. chicken breast
1 Tbs. grapeseed oil
1 Tbs. lemon juice
½ Tbs. dijon mustard
1 tsp. maple syrup
½ Tbs. yogurt
Pinch dried coriander

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Combine all other ingredients and marinate the chicken within for 1 hour. Sauté & cool.

Salad

1½ c. cauliflower – florettes – blanched lightly
1½ c. celery – diced
1/3 c. red onion – finely diced
½ c. cubed radishes
6 Tbs. dried cranberries
1 c. red pepper – cubed
1½ c. cucumber – cubed
Cherry tomatoes
Organic mixed greens

Combine all and then gently add cooked, marinaded chicken.

Dressing
3 Tbs. oil
3 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. vegennaise or mayo of your choice
½ Tbs. agave
½ tsp. cumin
¼ tsp. coriander
Makes ½ cup

Combine above ingredients and pour over salad. At Mountain Trek we use the following portions:

  • Women: 1 ½ Tbs. dressing & 1 ½ cup salad
  • Men: 2 Tbs. dressing & 2 cups salad
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Vietnamese Salad with Steak

Vietnamese Salad with Steak Recipe

Barbecue season has arrived and with it comes delicious grilling recipes such as the one below that incorporates Vietnamese salad, a yummy take on a traditional green salad that incorporates a chilli-seasoned dressing. Invite your friends over and serve them the following and they’ll be sure to talk about it for weeks afterwards.

If steak isn’t your preference, you can swap the protein out for free-range organic chicken or the vegetarian selection of your choice, such as tofu or even portobello mushrooms. (Just be sure to include protein-rich vegetables in the salad such as spinach or broccoli.) The following amounts are enough to serve 8 people.

 

Marinade & Dressing Ingredients

  • 1⁄4 c. tamari
  • 1⁄4 c. grapeseed oil
  • 1/2 c. lime juice – freshly squeezed
  • 1⁄4 c. water
  • 4 tbsp sugar – raw
  • 4 tbsp minced garlic
  • 4 tsp chili paste

Whisk together all the above ingredients. Use 1/4 cup for marinade and the rest for salad dressing.

 

Steak preparation:

Get the best-quality organic sirloin steak – we recommend serving about five ounces of steak for each guest. Marinade the steak for a minimum of 30 minutes. If using a plate or glass bowl to marinade, be sure to turn halfway through marinating time.

Use barbecue to cook stead until its medium rare. Let rest 5 minutes and then slice thinly at an angle. Alternatively cut the steak and place on skewers before barbecuing.

Salad Ingredients: 

  • 8 c. mixed greens
  • 1 c. fresh basil leaves – julienned
  • 1 c. fresh cilantro – julienned
  • 2 c. red onion – finely diced
  • 6 c. snap peas
  • 6 c. English cucumbers – with peel – julienned
  • 6 c. carrots – julienned – blanched
  • Cashews dry roasted – unsalted (for topping) – chopped

 

Mix greens, basil and cilantro, onion, cucumber, snap peas, and carrots. Top with sliced steak and drizzle salad dressing over top. Sprinkle with chopped toasted cashews.

Cinnamon Granola Recipe

Recipe for Cinnamon Granola

This delicious, gluten-free Cinnamon Granola recipe is perfect for breakfast because it’s easy to make and can be stored for weeks. The ingredient list below is enough to make eight servings.

Ingredients:

2 ¼ cups rolled oats (certified gluten free)
¼ cup slivered almonds
¼ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
2 tbsp grapeseed oil
2 tbsp maple syrup
¼ tsp almond extract
½ tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 tbsp cinnamon

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 325°F
  • Mix grains, nuts and seeds together on a large baking tray
  • Combine remaining ingredients together in a saucepan and heat briefly
  • Pour over nut/oat mixture and toss well to coat
  • Bake for 45 minutes until lightly toasted. Stir every 15 minutes to brown evenly
  • Cool before storing in airtight container

A Full Day of Spa Cuisine Recipes

Spa-CuisineThere has been a lot of talk about “spa cuisine” in the past year and some people are questioning just exactly what the phrase means. Some assume it’s vegetarian or flavorless or served in tiny qualities. Others wonder if it’s new-age “superfood” or supplemental vitamins. In actual fact, spa cuisine can include meat, it’s delicious and, at Mountain Trek, it’s served in perfect portions at the right times during the day so your body doesn’t crave non-essential foods. From a scientific perspective, spa cuisine utilizes the natural elements, nutrients, and minerals in food to assist the body so that it can function at an optimal level of vitality. In layman’s terms, it looks colorful and tastes delicious! You’ll find little-to-no processed or refined ingredients in spa cuisine, and in many instances, a lot of what you’ll be consuming is locally grown or raised and seasonally appropriate. At Mountain Trek, you’ll discover that every single one of our meals is well-balanced and amazingly tasty. In fact, we have an on-site nutritionist who ensures the ideal amount of protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables are consumed throughout the day, and at specific times of day, while our chef is always discovering new and delicious ways to prepare the dishes. To learn more about meal composition and timings read our Healthy Eating Tips blog. But if you’re looking for a daily sample of delicious spa cuisine, we’ve included three recipes below for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bon Appétit!

Breakfast

Manna Bread Breakfast RecipeManna Bread Breakfast

Manna Bread is made with whole sprouted grain berries and pure water – a far cry from the heavily processed bread you find in most supermarkets. Manna bread can come in rye or multigrain or varieties and is available at your local health food store. Loaves tend to be smaller but that’s because Manna Bread is more dense and filling. At Mountain Trek, we’ll typically serve men three half-inch slice in the morning while women receive two slices. Women’s portion – serve with:

  • 2 slices smoked cheese (equaling ½ oz. or 14 grams)
  • 2 slices avocado
  • 3 slices tomato
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • Alfalfa sprouts

Men’s portion – serve with:

  • 3 slices smoked cheese (equaling ¾ oz. or 21 grams)
  • 3 slices avocado
  • 3 slices tomato
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • Alfalfa sprouts

Lunch

Kootenay Mushroom Barley Lentil Soup

Kootenay Mushroom Barley Lentil Soup

This recipe tastes best when you use freshly picked mushrooms from the forest floor, like we do at Mountain Trek. Whatever mushrooms you use, though, this recipe (which serves 4) will be sure to delight and fulfill.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ¼ cup yellow onions, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp grapeseed oil
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 1 cup carrots, finely chopped
  • 2 cup spinach
  • 1/3 cup barley
  • 2 ½ tbsp red lentils
  • 2 ½ tbsp sherry
  • ¾ tsp fresh rosemary
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¾ tsp paprika
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • 3 ½ cups veggie stock
  • 1 whole bay leaf
  • 2 ½ tbsp parsley
  • ½ tbsp Bragg’s or tamari sauce
  • 2 tbsp flax oil
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne

Directions:

  • Heat oil and butter in a large soup pan.
  • Add onions, celery, carrots, and sauté until translucent.
  • Add mushrooms and garlic and sauté until translucent.
  • Add barley, lentils and spices and sauté for 10 minutes.
  • Add stock and let cook over medium heat for approximately 30 minutes or until the barley is done.
  • Add Bragg’s, sherry, flax oil, and parsley.
  • At Mountain Trek, our portions are typically two cups for men and 1.5 cups for women.

Dinner

The Kootenay Bowl

The Kootenay Bowl

This easy-to-make dish is as colorful as it is delicious. It serves four.

Tofu + Marinade:

  • 1 ½ blocks (600 grams) herbed tofu, cubed. (By freezing, thawing, and then squeezing the excess water from the tofu its texture changes, allowing it to absorb the marinade.)
  • 2½ tbsp tamari
  • 2½ tbsp grapeseed oil
  • 2½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ – ½ tsp. rosemary powder
  • Blend the above ingredients and marinate cubed tofu in it for at least 2 hours before cooking.
  • Reserve some marinade for cooking tofu.

Dressing:

  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
  • 2½ tbsp water
  • 2½ tbsp tamari sauce
  • 2½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 large clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp grapeseed oil
  • 1 tbsp tahini Blend above ingredients and serve on the side.

The Bowl:

  • ½ cup quinoa cooked in 1 ¼ cup water
  • 4 cup mixed greens
  • ½ cup beets, grated
  • ½ cup carrots, grated
  • ½ cup red cabbage, shredded very fine
  • 4 large cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tbsp sunflower seeds, toasted 4 pinches alfalfa sprouts
  • Rinse quinoa well and cook until tender (about 12-15 minutes).
  • Sauté tofu in a small amount of the marinade until browned on all sides.
  • Place greens on the bottom of each bowl, put quinoa on top of that, then add rows of carrots, beets, and red cabbage.
  • Sprinkle with sunflower seeds; add tofu, sprouts, and tomatoes.
  • At Mountain Trek we serve the following portions: women receive 7 cubes of tofu, 1/4 cup of cooked quinoa and 1 1/2 tbsp of dressing; men receive 9 cubes of tofu, 1/3 cup cooked quinoa and 2 tbsp of dressing.

To find more Mountain Trek recipes and to get the shopping list for these recipes, download our Habits 2 Health App now.

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