Recipes

The Spa Cuisine at Mountain Trek is 5 Star. We are happy to provide some of those great recipes to all.

Zucchini & Yam Fritter Benedict with Foamed Hollandaise, Caramelized Onions, Roasted Roma Tomatoes, Applesauce

This Zucchini & Yam Fritter is a great weekend recipe, when you may have a little more time to put into breakfast. This creative take on eggs benedict satisfies the desire for a hearty breakfast, while keeping you light, with the zucchini yam fritter providing a vegetable substitute for English muffins. And cooking the carmelized onion with broth creates a rich and more unique flavor.

Nutritional Powerhouse: Eggs are a wonderful food for the brain. The yolks are a source of choline, which is associated with reducing inflammation and promoting brain function, like maintaining memory and communications between brain cells.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Caramelized Onion

  • 1 large onion finely sliced
  • ½ tsp grapeseed oil
  • ½ C vegetable broth

Fritter

  • 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and grated (about .5 lbs)
  • 1 medium zucchini, grated
  • 1 tsp dry dill
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 large eggs

Foamed Hollandaise

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 Tbsp neutral-flavored oil
  • 2 egg whites

Roasted Roma Tomato

  • 4 Roma tomato
  • ½ Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp thyme
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

Applesauce

  • 4 apples of your choice, cored and diced
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • ½ Tbsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Pinch sea salt

Poached Eggs

  • 4 eggs
  • 1 Tbsp white vinegar

Instructions (1 hr 15 min)

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  2. Start with getting the carmelized onions cooking.
  3. Heat a saute pan on medium and add oil. Add onions and a pinch of salt, stir until mixed. Add vegetable broth and cook on low until onions are soft and caramelized.
  4. Remove core from each tomato, and place on a lined and lightly oiled baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt, thyme, garlic, oil, and balsamic. Cook in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes.
  5. For the applesauce, cover the apples with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes. Strain out water, and put in a blender with remaining ingredients. Blend on high power until smooth.
  6. Mix the grated fritter vegetables in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt. Mix well and let sit for a few minutes to let the water release. Using a clean dish towel or cheese cloth, squeeze out the excess water. Mix the grated veg with the remaining ingredients.
  7. Portion into patties. Heat a drizzle of avocado or grapeseed oil in a cast iron skillet and add patties to the pan. Cook over medium heat until browned on both sides and vegetables are tender. About 5 minutes on each side. Transfer to the oven to continue baking for 10 minutes while you prepare the rest of the benedict.
  8. For the hollandaise, beat egg whites to stiff peaks and set aside. Whisk egg yolks and lemon juice together over a double boiler to temper. Slowly incorporate oil until emulsified. Fold in egg whites.
  9. Bring a saucepan half full of water to a simmer with the vinegar. Stir the water in a circle to make it swirl. Crack one egg at a time into a bowl, and add to the center of the swirling water. Cook until whites are solid, and then take out of water with a slotted spoon and place to the side.
  10. Place fritter on a plate, and top with caramelized onions. Place poached egg on top of fritter and onion and top with hollandaise. Serve the roasted tomato and applesauce on the side.

 


What is Mountain Trek?

Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning program, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you detox, unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. Our nutrition retreat program will detoxify your gut, remove toxins, shed unwanted pounds, and balance hormones. 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:

Seared Ribeye with Chimmichurri, Cauliflower Mash, & Grilled Vegetables

This Seared Ribeye with Cauliflower Mash and Vegetables is a simple yet impressive dish, especially with the always-crowd-pleasing chimichurri sauce. Ribeye animal protein provides long lasting energy and satiety, as well as iron and other essential nutrients. The cauliflower mash is a lighter alternative to potato, and is high in antioxidants and phytonutrients (which benefit in fighter cancer), making it an excellent replacement, especially since you will likely not notice a difference. A healthy dose of grilled carrots, broccolini, asparagus, and peppers rounds out this dish, making it a complete meal sure to satisfy both body and brain.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Ribeye

  • 1.5 lb ribeye steak
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp worcestershire
  • 2 tsp grapeseed oil

Chimichurri

  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced or finely chopped
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ cup finely chopped cilantro
  • ¼ cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 Tbsp. finely chopped oregano
  • ½ tsp red chili flakes. You can adjust your use of chili flakes based on your preference.
  • ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil

Cauliflower Mash

  • 1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

Grilled Vegetables

  • 4 mini peppers, halved
  • 1 zucchini, sliced into ½ inch rounds
  • ½ bunch asparagus, tips trimmed
  • 1 bunch broccolini, tips trimmed
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions:

  1. Make chimichurri by combining all chimichurri ingredients in a bowl. Let flavors blend for at least 1 hour.
  2. Take steaks out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking and rub with salt, pepper, and worcestershire.
  3. Make Cauliflower mash.
    1. Place cauliflower and salt in a large pot and cover with water, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a medium simmer and cook for 15-20 minutes or until cauliflower is tender/soft.
    2. Drain very well, and let stand for 5 minutes.
    3. In a food processor or blender add cauliflower, salt, and olive oil, and puree until smooth. Use a plunger if using a blender to avoid adding excess liquid which will make your mash runny.
    4. Transfer to a baking dish and re-heat (covered) to serve.
  4. Pre-heat oven to 425 F.
  5. After 30 minutes of steaks sitting at room temperature, turn a cast iron or oven safe pan to medium-high heat with oil. Let heat up and then add steaks to the pan. Sear for 4 minutes each side, and then place pan in the oven and let steaks finish 4-6 minutes or until thermometer reads 135F (medium rare), 145F (medium).
  6. Grill vegetables while the steak is in the oven.
    1. Turn the grill to medium heat.
    2. Toss all the vegetables with the oil and salt/pepper
    3. Place on the grill when warmed. Cook on each side for about 3 minutes, until browned and tender.
  7. Plate a large spoonful of cauliflower mash, vegetables, and layer with slices of ribeye. Top with chimichurri and 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:

Easy Chocolate Avocado Pudding

This simple chocolate pudding takes just 5 minutes to make. It’s decadent and healthy and sure to become your new favorite dessert! It comes compliments of Jenn Keirstead, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Mountain Trek’s nutritionist of 15+ years.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 2 ripe avocados, pits removed
  • 4 tablespoons cacao powder
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds, optional
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 pinch sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Combine all ingredients in a blender or a food processor and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides in between. Add more milk if needed to help blend.
  2. Taste test it to see if you prefer more chocolate flavor; you can add more cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon at a time, or for more sweetness, or add a splash more maple syrup. Blend until smooth.
  3. Transfer to an airtight container for storing. Refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  4. Serve chilled.

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:

Homemade Bone Broth

There is no better addition to your recipe arsenal than homemade bone broth. It’s a nutrient-dense addition to a vast number of other recipes, can be used as a cooking/sautéing liquid, and can be consumed on its own as a coffee or tea replacement. Needless to say, it’s versatile, and in the case of the recipe we’re sharing today—which happens to be Mountain Trek’s very own nutritionist’s recipe—deliciously savory. Compliments of Jenn Keirstead, a Registered Holistic Nutritionist and Mountain Trek’s nutritionist of 15+ years, this recipe is packed with so many benefits, including:

  • A highly absorbable source of vitamins + minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus, Vitamin A, K2, and minerals like zinc, iron, boron, manganese + selenium.
  • Packed with glucosamine + chondroitin; natural compounds found in connective tissue which supports joint health.
  • Collagen, and lots of it! This turns into gelatin that, when cooked, yields several important amino acids, which are a protein (e.g. building block).
  • Helps maintain digestive health. Bone broth is not only easy to digest, but it may also help in the digestion of other foods. Gelatin binds to the water in your digestive tract, helping food move through your gut easier. It is also believed to help with a condition called “leaky gut” and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
  • Loaded with amino acids glycine and arginine, which have strong anti-inflammatory effects; targeting cancer cells and all areas of internal inflammation.

Equipment Needed

  • Stockpot– at least one large 8 quart stockpot. Or, a large crockpot/slow cooker.
  • Roasting Pans– for the best possible beef bone broth, you need to roast the bones before you boil them.
  • Wire mesh strainer– to strain the delicious broth from the bones and vegetables.

Ingredients

Note: organic is key, so you are pulling out as high of quality nutrients as possible.

  • Grass-fed beef bones, or chicken bones*. NOTES:
    • Knuckles, joints, and marrow bones are best. If you’re unsure, ask your local butcher for the best broth bones and then request that they cut them in half
    • For added flavor incorporate meaty bones, and short ribs.
    • But as high of quality as you are willing to go.
  • 6 carrots
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

*Use an entire organic chicken carcass. After you roast the chicken, and enjoy the meat, use ALL the leftover bones, skin + any fat from cooking. Follow the same method below – except no pre roasting of bones needed.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450F and prepare two roasting pans.
  2. Transfer the beef bones and vegetables to the roasting pans. Don’t pile them all on top of each other. Roast for 30 minutes before gently tossing the bones and vegetables, and roasting for an additional 15-30 minutes more.
  3. Transfer the bones and vegetables to the stock pots and scrape up any remaining bits and juices remaining in the roasting pan using a metal spatula and a little water, if needed (don’t worry, all those brown bits add goodness and FLAVOR!).
  4. Fill pot with approximately 10-12 cups water, or until bones and vegetables are fully submerged. Cover the pot and bring to low boil.
  5. Reduce heat to low and simmer, with the lid slightly ajar, skimming any foam, occasionally. Simmer for at least 12 hours, ideally 24 hours (do not leave the stove running overnight. Simply cool and store in the refrigerator and continue to simmer the next day). Add more water if needed to make sure bones and vegetables remain fully submerged.
  6. Once the bones and vegetables have simmered and your broth is ready, you will need to strain the broth through a fine mesh strainer.
  7. Set the broth aside to cool. Pro Tip: Don’t forget about the meat on the bones! Whether you eat the remaining meat in a bowl of soup or in salads, I can almost guarantee that there is a TON of delicious nibbles waiting to be picked from the bones. Don’t let it go to waste! Now, you can discard the meat-free bones and compost the vegetables without guilt.
  8. Transfer broth to the refrigerator and allow broth to cool fully. The result will be a hard, thick layer of fat and a bottom liquid layer that looks like gelatinous brown jello. Pro Tip: Do not discard the top fat layer. It will melt together with the broth when heated and adds serious nutrients and flavor, as well as supporting brain health, immune system function, and hormone balance.
  9. Store your bone broth: Bone broth stores well in the refrigerator for approximately 5 days. If you make a large batch, freeze smaller batches in the freezer for up to 6 months (it reheats perfectly!).

 


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 Prawns

As fresh as you can get, this healthy and delicious veggie and prawn lunch bowl (which is named after the lake our lodge looks over) is definitely one to add to your routine. Packed full of lean protein, vitamin and mineral rich vegetables, this full meal offers your body and brain a powerhouse of good things, while keeping your body feeling light and trim. To make this bowl even more nutrient dense, try adding cubed avocado, a natural companion to the lightly spiced prawns.

Note: Unfortunately, this recipe is so new that we don’t have an image for it yet! The image above is borrowed from Low Carb Maven to give you an idea of what a veggie packed prawn bowl looks like. You can find her version of this bowl here. We will be publishing our own image for this recipe later in the year.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • 24-32 Prawns, sized 21/25, peeled & deveined (serving size: 6 prawns for women (4oz.) 8 for men (5oz))
  • 1/2 C cashews, toasted

Marinade for prawns:

  • 2 Tbsp tamari
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp grape seed oil
  • 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp ginger powder
  • 3/4 tsp sesame oil
  • Zest and juice of 1/4 lime

Bowl:

  • 4 C spinach or mixed greens
  • 1 C matchstick carrots
  • 1 C sliced peppers
  • 1 C sliced cucumber
  • 1 C daikon julienne
  • 1 C finely sliced red cabbage
  • sprouts for garnish
  • sliced radish for garnish

Dressing:

  • 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
  • 1 Tbsp lime juice
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp Tamari soy sauce (gluten free)
  • 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 Tbsp fresh ginger minced
  • 1 Tbsp grape seed oil
  • 1 Tbsp hemp oil
  • 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 1/2 Tbsp agave syrup
  • 1 Tbsp tahini

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400F. Prepa lined sheet pan
  2. Marinade and Cook Prawns. Blend marinade ingredients and toss prawns in it. Spread prawns and marinade on lined sheet pan. Cook until just done. Once cooked, remove prawns from juice, and refrigerate until ready to use.
  3. Toast cashews. Place cashews in pan on medium heat and stir occasionally until toasted.
  4. Assemble Bowl. Start with 1 C of spinach, then top the salad with little (1/4 C) handfuls of all of the vegetables. Top with prawns and cashews, and garnish with sprouts and sliced radishes.
  5. 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:

Mushroom Chickpea Loaf with Tahini Drizzle, Parsnip Puree, and Beet Slaw

health dinner

This vegetarian loaf has all the ingredients of falafel, with the added flavor and health benefits of wild mushrooms. And while this mushroom chickpea loaf is one of our more difficult recipes to make, we promise it’s worth every minute of your time; if for nothing other than the tahini drizzle, parsnip puree, and beet slaw that accompany it.

Chickpeas are a clean meat alternative high in protein and fiber (1 cup of chickpeas provides 44% of the daily recommended fiber intake). Another great reason to eat chickpeas in place of meat is that they are environmentally friendly to grow. They use much less water than other proteins, while also enriching the soil and having a low need for chemical fertilizers. Due to the high content of vitamins C and E, the parsnip mash is a nice potato alternative that supports strong bones, heart health, and prevents cancers, notably breast. Beet slaw adds brightness and a beautiful color to this dish, while being incredibly beneficial to your overall blood health. Beets are also used to increase stamina during exercise as they provide support for the lungs and heart, while increasing blood flow to the muscles. It’s easy to associate beets with blood health due to their bright red color!

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Mushroom Loaf

  • 2lb wild mushroom, trimmed
  • ½ onion, finely diced
  • 2 tsp cumin
  • 2 tsp coriander
  • 1 tsp cardamom
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1.5 can chickpeas
  • ½ C chopped parsley
  • ½ C chopped cilantro
  • 1 egg
  • ¾ C chickpea flour
  • 1 tsp salt

Parsnip Mash

  • 4 parsnip, peeled and cubed
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt

Beet Slaw

  • 1 red beet, shredded
  • 1 yellow beet, shredded
  • 1 carrot, shredded
  • ¼ C mint leaves, packed
  • ¼ C cilantro leaves, packed
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 Tbsp lemon Juice

Tahini Sauce

  • ½ C tahini
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • ½ tsp salt
  • Warm water as needed

Garnish

  • Pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  1. Fill a large pot full of water and bring to a boil. Add parsnips to the pot and boil until tender. Once cooked, remove from heat and drain well.
  2. Using a ricer, hand masher, or food processor, blend the parsnips into a mash potato consistency. Be sure not to over mix as they will become gummy. Add in olive oil and salt to taste. If the parsnips are too thick to work with, add in small amounts of warm water until you have the desired consistency.
  3. Preheat the oven to 375 F.
  4. Place mushroom, onion, herbs, spices, and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until course, working in batches.
  5. Heat a medium skillet with 1 tsp grapeseed oil on medium-high. Add the mushroom mixture and saute for 5-10 minutes until crisp.
  6. Meanwhile, pulse chickpeas in a food processor until coarsely chopped, then add to a bowl with cooked mushroom mixture.
  7. Add egg, chickpea flour, cilantro, parsley, and salt and gently stir to combine.
  8. Put the mixture into an oiled loaf pan and bake until the edges are browned and the center is completely set, 75–90 minutes.
  9. While the loaf is in the oven, mix the beet slaw ingredients in a bowl and place in the fridge.
  10. Combine tahini sauce ingredients and set aside until loaf is done cooking.
  11. Once the loaf is finished, plate it with mash and slaw. Drizzle with tahini sauce and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

 

Note: This recipe was created in collaboration with Forklore Foods.


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:

Tom Kha Gai Soup

Healthy Tom Kha Gai Soup

This Tom Kha Gai soup is a healthy and warming lunch or dinner meal. Its unique blend of spice, savory, and citrus offers your tastebuds an authentic taste of South East Asia, while a healthy inclusion of vegetables not typically found in this soup bolsters the nutritional resume of this dish. The coconut milk base affords a mouthful of taste and ample healthy fats while mushroom, broccoli, red bell pepper, carrot, and onion pack in vitamins and minerals. A wonderful soup year-round, it’s best served in the winter months.

Ingredients (Serves 6)

  • 1 Tbsp coconut oil
  • ½ medium onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4-inch piece ginger peeled and chopped
  • 4 Kaffir lime leaves
  • 1 red jalapeno, sliced and deseeded
  • 2 lemongrass stalks pounded with the side of a knife and cut into 2-inch long pieces
  • 1 Tbsp red Thai curry paste
  • 4 C chicken broth
  • 2 (14.5oz) cans coconut milk
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce or vegan Worchester
  • 1 Tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 Tbsp tamari
  • 1 C carrot
  • ½ medium onion, saute slice
  • 1 C broccoli florets
  • 1 C sliced white mushrooms
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1.5lb chicken thighs
  • 1 Tbsp Braggs amino acids
  • 1 Tbsp sesame oil
  • 2 C water
  • 1 bouillon cube
  • 3 limes
  • ½ C cilantro

Instructions

  1. In a medium pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, ginger, lime leaves, chili, and lemongrass, stirring frequently for 5 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
  2. Strain out the aromatics (the garlic, onions, chili, lemongrass, and ginger) and discard.
  3. Add in coconut milk, Worcestershire, and coconut aminos, stir. Add all of the veggies to the soup and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes.
  4. Follow the method for making the chicken below, and then add to the soup with the lime juice once vegetables are done cooking. Garnish with cilantro.

Cooking Chicken

  1. Set the oven to 400F. Heat a pan to medium-high and add 1 Tbsp coconut oil. Let heat the oil heat, and then sear the chicken on each side until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Add the Braggs, sesame oil, water, and bouillon then braise at 400F for 10 minutes. Once cooled, shred and add to soup at the end of cooking.

 

Note: This recipe was created in collaboration with Forklore Foods.


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:

Winter Kale Salad

Kale salad on plate

This healthy kale salad is a great way to pack your plate full of antioxidants and nutrients and is hearty enough to eat on its own but versatile enough to be paired with other proteins and sides. The butternut squash with warming spices is a great seasonal food for the colder months. It is high in vitamins A, C, E, and is anti-inflammatory. While higher in carbs than some other vegetables, it is a low glycemic index food that will support healthy blood sugar levels and sustained energy. The chickpeas and sunflower seeds provide a satisfying salty crunch as well as protein and fiber. Sunflower seeds are also highly anti-inflammatory and linked to improved heart health. Pomegranate seeds provide a burst of tart sweetness while adding even more heart-healthy and cancer-fighting antioxidants. This salad truly has it all.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

  • Green cabbage
  • 1 small butternut squash, peeled
  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 3 bunches dino kale, de-stemmed
  • 2 carrots, peeled
  • Juice of 2 Meyer lemons
  • ½ C olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
  • ¼ C apple cider vinegar
  • Sunflower seeds, roasted and salted
  • Pomegranate seeds

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425F
  2. Remove the outer leaves from the cabbage. Slice in half from the top down to the core. Place flat side down on the cutting board and slice 1-inch sections fanning out from the core creating wedges, the same way you just cut the cabbage in half. Toss with grapeseed oil, salt, and pepper to coat evenly. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  3. Cut the butternut squash in half vertically and scoop out the seeds. Slice crosswise into ½ in thick half-moons. Toss with grapeseed oil, salt, pepper, cumin, and cinnamon to coat evenly. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.
  4. Toss chickpeas with ½ tsp of grapeseed oil, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika to coat evenly. Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 10-15 minutes until crispy.
  5. While the veggies are roasting, wash and destem the kale. Chop into bite-sized pieces and put into a large bowl with 1 tsp olive oil and a pinch of salt. Massage the kale for a few minutes with your hands to gently soften. To create ribbons from your carrots you can use a mandoline or vegetable peeler, running the blade down the length of the carrot to create thin strips. You can also use a box grater to make carrot shreds if you don’t have a mandoline.
  6. To make the dressing add all of the ingredients to a bowl and whisk until smooth.
  7. Once the vegetables are out of the oven and have cooled a bit add them to the kale along with the carrots and dress. Reserve a few pomegranate seeds and sunflower seeds for garnish.

 

Note: This recipe was created in collaboration with Forklore Foods.


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:

Pumpkin Bison Chili

If you’re looking for a hearty chili that will fuel you but not leave you bloated and weighed down, this is the recipe for you. This healthy Pumpkin and Bison Chili recipe is absolutely loaded with everything you want; protein to sustain you, nutrients and fiber to keep you running clean, and flavor so rich you’ll think it was cooked for days. A wonderful dinner or lunch, this chili is also great for fueling on the trail, especially when the temps drop.

Key Ingredients & Their Value To You:

Pumpkin—Rich in vitamin A (245% RDI per cup) and C (16% RDI) to help your immune system, packed with antioxidants alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin to help protect your cells and reduce inflammation, and a good nutrient-to-calorie ratio to help regulate weight.

Bison— Protein-rich to provide you sustained energy, high in minerals iron, selenium, and zinc, which aid in blood production, fight free radicals that lead to inflammation, and support our immune system to fight off viruses and bacteria, respectively. Bison is also a leaner meat, so lower in calories to help with weight loss goals.

Black & Kidney Beans—High in fiber to aid our digestion, protein to balance our energy levels, and naturally low in sodium but rich in minerals that decrease blood pressure, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium.

Cumin—Contains naturally occurring antioxidants that have been proven to help control blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation caused by free radicals, and calm and IBS symptoms you may have.

Ingredients (Serves 6-8)

  • 1 lb ground bison
  • 1 Tbsp oil
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • ½ C diced carrot
  • ½ C diced celery
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tbsp ground cumin
  • 2 Tbsp chilli powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 4 C broth of choice
  • 1 (14.5) oz can black beans, drained
  • 1 (14.5) oz can kidney beans, drained
  • 1 (14.5) oz can pumpkin puree
  • 1 (14.5) oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juice
  • ½ C frozen corn kernels
  • ¼ C chopped cilantro
  • 2 Tbsp. lime juice

Instructions

  1. Heat a large pot or dutch oven.
  2. Add the meat, salt, and a ½ cup of water and turn down to low heat.
  3. As the meat cooks, use a wooden spoon or spatula to stir and break up the pieces. When done, drain off the liquid and set the meat aside.
  4. Return the pot back to the stove and heat the oil. Add onions, carrot, celery, and bell pepper and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.
  5. Add spices and garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
  6. Add remaining ingredients except for cilantro and lime juice and stir to combine.
  7. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add the meat back in and cook for 1 hour uncovered, stirring every 15-20 minutes.
  8. Remove from the heat, add cilantro and lime juice, check the seasoning and adjust as needed.

 

 


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: