September

Food Sustainability

CSNN is all about food sustainability practices and eating organic! Check out the below for articles and tips on how our health is connected to the quality of food we eat, what are the “Dirty Dozen”, how to eat organic on a budget, and more. 

Eating foods at their peak freshness has benefits for your health and the planet, here’s why you should opt for a holistic approach to seasonal eating: Richer in antioxidants, lower carbon footprint, and greater phytonutrients, just to name a few benefits.

Our dietary choices can be a powerful tool to fight climate change. This post talks about the holistic approach to food sustainability and how it impacts not only climate change, but how it is essential to preserving our natural resources, promoting biodiversity, and supporting people and the planet. Find out the 5 ways that can make a difference.

How can eating organic be part of a holistic lifestyle? Not only does it impact your own health and wellbeing by choosing organic but is better for the planet than conventional farming.

Whether it’s a large garden, some pots on your patio, or a few pots in your home, everyone can gain the nutritional benefits of herbs, even if you don’t have a green thumb! These 3 herbs are very easy to grow. They’ll add amazing flavour to your meals and you can save money as well.

Canada’s National Organic Month is the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming and products across the country. Hundreds of individual events showcase the benefits of organic agriculture and its positive impact on the environment. Organic represents a vibrant alternative food system and an alternative option for clothing, personal care and cleaning products.

Updated Eco-Nutrition Course

Eco-Nutrition explores the facts about metal and other elements in food, air and water and their effect on our health. Students gain insight into both the major causes of pollution and the existing threats to both the Earth’s and human immune systems. Students learn to make food choices that are wholesome and safe for everyone.

Try this seasonal one-pan breakfast for stable energy and increased focus throughout your day. With cozy vibes for the season, and good dose of protein, this is especially good if you struggle to add it to your diet or would like to build and maintain muscles. Recipe from Lisa Cheverie, C.H.N.C.

Janice Doerksen, R.H.N. shares this recipe for seasonal corn. Roasting corn brings out their sweetness and elevates the flavour. This is a great soup recipe to add to your rotation as cooler weather comes. Yum!

Looking for more Vegan Recipes? Eating plant-based is a great way to be creative in the kitchen.  Plant-based meals help gut nourishment and diversity. This is dairy-free but still creamy, satisfying, and is packed with protein. Recipe from Amy Jones, R.H.N.

This is an easy and fresh way to eat your vegetables, along with a creamy sprouted almond dipping sauce. This vegan and gluten-free meal is sure to satisfy! Also good for meal prep for busy weeks. Recipe from Agnes Blicharz, C.H.N.C.

Don’t get overwhelmed with the do’s and don’ts of healthy eating. We want our healthy habits to be realistic, affordable, and sustainable. Joanna Brown, C.H.N.C., shares some easy healthy swaps you can start today along with some health benefits and recipes to try.

This savoury rustic pie is simple to make and great for company. It looks impressive and more complex than it is and is customizable, depending on what you have on hand. Enjoy this new way to eat your greens! Recipe from Nissrine Boufawaz, R.H.N.

This is a gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar free dessert, complete with a vegan cream cheese frosting. This is a decadent-tasting dessert made with wholesome and nourishing ingredients. Recipe from Mitra Shirmohammadi, MSc., R.H.N.

Here are 10 surprising facts about plant-based milk you should know. There are more and more milk alternatives out there in cafes and grocery stores. This post will help you understand the options and how to pick the right one for your tastes and needs.

CSNN’s Eco-Nutrition course sparked Meg de Jong’s desire to grow her own food. Find out more about her WHY, the benefits she has reaped since doing so, and some inspiration if you’d like to start as well. Remember that every little bit counts! Whether you’re becoming more aware of the types of foods you’re buying at the store or planting your own herbs and vegetables, it’s a step in the right direction to be more connected to our food and planet.  

As the weather starts getting cooler, we want to turn to cozy dishes. This roasted tomato and walnut Bolognese shows us that pleasure foods can also be healthy foods! This has anti-inflammatory ingredients and is easy to prepare. Ashley Madden, C.H.N. also provides some helpful cooking tips and the nutritional highlights of the recipe.

Healthy can be within reach for everyone, even if budgets are a little tight. Stephanie Kay, R.H.N. shares 15 tips for grocery shopping and meal planning to make it easier to reach your health goals without sacrificing finances. Don’t stress about fancy ingredients! With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can support your health while sticking to your budget, no matter what that may be.

Miso Mashed Root Vegetables: As we enter the fall weather, eating seasonal root vegetables can help us feel more grounded. Chock full of minerals, antioxidants, and natural fiber, they can also help us feel full for longer, providing us with sustainable energy. This recipe also uses miso, one of our favourite fermented gut-friendly ingredients. Recipe from Olesia Guts, R.H.N.

Growing your own food can be a very rewarding hobby. Check out this article to learn 5 simple ways you can use organic gardening to boost your nutrition. 

Squash is abundant this time of year. Take advantage of this nutrient-rich powerhouse ingredient with this simple but extremely flavourful soup. High in vitamin C, iron potassium, magnesium, and beta-carotene, this starch is low on the glycemic index and is a wonderful satiating soup. This vegan soup recipe is from Cindy Spratt, R.H.N.

Diversity in food looks good on your plate and is good for your health, but it’s also good for the planet! Find out what are the best and worst foods for the planet and ways you can eat better for the environment. 

What does seasonal eating look like and how can it benefit your health and stress levels? Not only is this a great way to feel more aligned and healthier, it’s also more budget-friendly. Find some meal ideas in this article to help you eat with the seasons.

Food sustainability and eating organic go hand-in-hand with the green movement and caring about the environment. Random Acts of Green lets you earn green points for your eco-friendly actions and redeem them for real-life rewards. Download the app today. 

Why Choose Organic?

  • WEBINAR: Why Choose Organic to Impact Your Health and Wellbeing – Presented by Alexander Arthur, R.H.N. for Organic Week 2022. This webinar explores the importance of how your food choices impact the environment and why we should be choosing organic. A brief overview will be provided on the benefits of biodiversity, microbiome in soil and in humans, and how food choice equals power.
  • Eating Organic on a Budget – It’s a common complaint that organic food is too expensive, but there are tons of benefits to eating organic. Debora Palmieri, R.H.N., shares the benefits and also some tips.
  • What it Means to Eat Organic – ‘Organic’ has become a very loose and overused term in our society. Rachel Murray, R.H.N., explains what ‘organic’ really means, and why it matters.
  • The Link Between Organic Food and Our Health –  “While it’s positive and empowering to have organic food become a mainstream item, it’s important to have a firm understanding of its benefits and impact on our health and the health of our planet.” Mara Panacci, R.H.N., shares how organic food can boost your health. 

Food Before Supplements

Environmental Working Group

Dirty Dozen: EWG’s 2025 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ – Reduce your exposure to toxic pesticide residues with the Environmental Working Group’s ‘Dirty Dozen™’ and ‘Clean Fifteen™’ lists.

The Many Ways to Use Apple Butter – Fall’s Tastiest Condiment. It’s Apple Season! This versatile and tasty condiment is sure to please. Here’s an easy recipe for a sugar-free spiced apple butter along with some new ideas on how you can use it to boost your meals this fall. Recipe from Lisa Cheverie, C.H.N.C. 

Don’t waste those carrot tops! You can compost them, of course, but why not make it into a pesto? This tasty sauce has a huge nutritional punch. Pair it with pasta, salads, buddha bowls, or steamed veggies. Recipe from Alyssa Flegg, R.H.N.

Nothing says autumn like a cozy soup with warming spices. Here is a simple recipe to add to your soup repertoire. This is delightfully creamy while being vegan and dairy-free. Recipe from Brittany Gordon, R.H.N. 

The Best Slow Cooker Smoky Chilli – Here is an easy dinner idea that is nourishing, hearty, and sure to be a crowd pleaser this fall. It’s full of nutrients and fiber, healthy fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals. What more could you want? Recipe from Erin Lamb, C.H.N.C. 

This is a podcast from 2 CSNN grads, Leesa Klich and Lindsay Finnie-Carvalho (rEATsearch). They look over some studies about climate change mitigation through dietary change, greenhouse gases, sustainable diets, and more. Very interesting! Listen to the podcast or read the transcript.

Looking for new ways to spice up your wraps? Or how about tasty new veggie combinations to keep things fresh? Nicole Kaumanns, R.H.N. shares her go-to version. Give it a try!

Tanya Church, R.H.N., writes about how we can all choose better produce with fewer pesticides and chemicals, even if you’re on a budget, and why it’s important. Article from EcoParent. 

 A simple how-to guide on how to use up herbs and make amazing tasting oil. Petra Scott, R.H.N. shares how to do this and also some of the benefits of herbs, different herb flavour variations, and more.

Laura Brining, R.H.N., makes a rich and delicious classic comfort dish that is vegan and gluten-free. Try her shepherd’s pie recipe tonight! 

My time with CSNN was by far my greatest education experience. It was exactly what I needed and I am so happy with my career thus far. I am so excited for my future in this field! 

Skylar Nesbitt, CSNN Grad