July

Celebrate Summer

Celebrate the season with refreshing, wholesome dishes. Articles and recipes from our community of holistic nutrition professionals will keep you energized, healthy, and ready for all your summer adventures. 

Can you believe half the year is gone already? Let’s do a check in on where we are with our goals that we set at the beginning of the year, whether they are for improving our physical health, mental health and wellness, or related to our career. Studying holistic nutrition could be the next step for you. Find a branch and learn more about the Natural Nutrition Program. Registration is open for Fall.

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin”, but how does it affect our health and wellbeing? Did you know it affects more than your bones? Exposure to sunlight isn’t enough, so how can we be sure we get enough? Here are some things you should keep in mind.

Travelling can disrupt healthy eating routines. We want to try new things, enjoy good food and indulge while we’re on vacation! However, we may find it difficult to accommodate various dietary choices. Here are some tips to stay nourished and energized during your summer travels from Alina Muresan, C.H.N.C.

This unique take on a pasta salad features creamy yogurt dressing, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. This is a tasty choice for picnics, potlucks, and any dinner during the warmer months. Seasonal, fresh, and hearty – great on its own or serve it on the side of whatever meat is fresh off the grill for a delicious summer meal. Recipe from Paula Hingley, R.H.N. 

It can be difficult to find balance with what we eat, and it will look different for everyone. This would be especially challenging in summer when you want ice cream, or various snacks and treats during your summer activities, parties, and get-togethers. Stephanie Kay, R.H.N. shares some ways to help reframe and learn how to balance while not giving up on cookies, cakes, and other goodies – you’re still allowed to celebrate after all!

This is a quick, easy, and refreshing but also nutrient-dense, nourishing, and above all TASTY soup. Zucchini is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and abundant this time of year. Mint is not only refreshing but can also help digestion. Recipe from Nissrine Boufawaz, R.H.N. 

This is a fantastic way to hydrate during the hot summer months. These refreshers are like a juice and smoothie hybrid – boost of nutrition and nice and cooling beverages. Ashley Madden, C.H.N. shares 3 recipes. They are nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, summery and colourful!

Summer’s warm weather means we can shed the layers of clothing. But for many, this can trigger self-doubt and anxiety. A holistic lifestyle can help you build a foundation for a more positive relationship with your body. Learn some ways you can cultivate a positive body image and build acceptance and confidence this summer.

Do you love the sweet potato fries at restaurants? Here’s how you can have it at home! This is a savoury side dish is packed with antioxidants, vitamin A and C, potassium, fiber, and zinc. We paired it with a vegan garlic aioli for dipping. Healthy eating can be delicious – give this recipe a try!

As we get busy with summer activities and maybe get a little lazy with our healthy habits, this is a good reminder to take it back to basics and eat simple balanced meals. What does eating a balanced meal look like? Stephanie Kay, R.H.N. breaks it down so you can understand what balance can look like, tips and tricks, the benefits of eating balanced, what macronutrients are, and some meal examples. 

Ciara Morin is a holistic nutrition practitioner who helps busy people how to nourish themselves. She’s also working on creating something for a niche community special to her. We sit down and chat with her to see why she chose to take the leap and study holistic nutrition at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. Get inspired by her story!

Whether you’re doing a simple walking trail or hiking a challenging mountain, it’s important to prepare and fuel your body with the right nutrients to support your energy, health, and wellbeing. Enhance your hiking experience with healthy snacks so you can nourish yourself while you get some exercise, fresh air, and take in all the beauty that nature has to offer. Blog post from Bailey Fitzgerald, R.H.N.

This is a fruity and invigorating dessert that has brain-loving ingredients. This recipe from Orsha Magyar, C.H.N. of Neurotrition uses coconut cream instead of coconut milk. Learn more about MCT fats and why they’re so great for you. Neurotrition works with brain and mental health and neuro-inflammation. This is just one of their tasty anti-inflammatory brain healthy recipes.

Why does our appetite change when it’s hot outside? How can we have our best and healthiest summer yet? This blog post provides insights and tips on how you can do just that with what foods to include, why buying local makes sense, and more including some healthy BBQ alternatives.

These drinks are sure to keep you cool while nourishing you at the same time. Recipes from Tracey Reed, C.H.N.C. are very versatile with some options for various dietary needs. Which will you try this summer to quench your thirst?

Watermelon is hydrating, but what else can you eat? When it is hot and humid outside, it is important to have constant reminders to stay hydrated. Kathleen Trotter, R.H.N., shares some tips and foods that can help keep us hydrated all summer. 

Who doesn’t love a good BBQ, but is it healthy for us? This blog post breaks down the science behind grilling, some of best foods to grill, and some easy tips on how to keep grilling healthy this summer. Happy eating!

There’s nothing like fresh summer produce and flourishing gardens to help you get a variety of foods in your diet for a healthy lifestyle. “In order for our bodies to function in an optimal manner, we each need to look well beyond just a single superfood. A balanced, varied diet will always win out.”

Summer is zucchini season! Do you have more zucchini than you know what to do with? Whether fresh from the garden or from the farmers market, there are so many deliciously creative things to do with this versatile and nutritious vegetable. Check out these ideas and some recipes from Meg de Jong, R.H.N.

Will you be camping this summer? Check out this incredible resource for all your camping meal needs! Joanna Brown, C.H.N.C. teaches us how to keep it healthy and delicious with recipes like Campfire French Toast, Dutch Pot Chicken and Dumplings, Easy Campfire Steamed Veggies, and more!

Articles

  • 10 Healthy Eating Tips for Summer – Balance is key – you can enjoy the summer and still maintain a healthy lifestyle. Brittney Cox, R.H.N. shares 10 practicals tips + 2 delicious summer salad recipes.
  • 3 Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun This Summer: Besides slathering on the sunscreen, here are some tips from Emily Bitz, R.H.N. to stay hydrated, healthy, and sun safe this summer.

Summer Activities

  • Creative Practices for Stress Relief: This article shares practices that can inspire creativity, a skill we can all access to help relieve stress. Consider integrating one or more of these activities into your self-care routine to enhance your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being. Article by Ashleigh Grange, R.H.N.
  • Stressed? Take a 20-minute ‘nature pill’: Studies show that taking at least 20 minutes out of your day to be in contact with nature can significantly lower your stress hormones. Article from ScienceDaily.

Environmental Working Group

Before you have fun in the sun, take a look at this guide. The Environmental Working Group has compiled this great list of guidelines and sun safety tips to keep you protected this summer.

July is Peach and Raspberry Season! Jennifer Barnes, R.H.N. shares a beautiful drink recipe using these seasonal fruits. The perfect summer drink!

Farro is an incredibly versatile ingredient rich in vitamins and minerals. This salad from Stephanie Kay, R.H.N. is hearty and nutty, with the freshness of cucumber, arugula, and feta. This salad has lots of texture, fibre, and is a great make-ahead meal that tastes like summer.

Great for those hot days when you don’t want to turn on the stove or spend long in the kitchen. It’s so tasty and fresh and hydrating and comes together quickly. This is a must-try! Recipe from Alicia Heafey, R.H.N. 

Invited to come up with some recipes for Dr. Mayer’s new book “The Gut-Immune Connection”, NeuroTrition put a twist on a classic salad to make it brain, gut, and immune-health loving. Full of fibre, healthy fats, and polyphenols, this is one tasty salad you need to try this summer.

Did you know low water consumption can be associated with headaches, fatigue, joint issues, and more? Here are some tips from Heidi MacAulay, R.H.N. on getting enough water and nutrients in your body not just in summer but all year-round!

Mango & Shrimp Fresh Spring Rolls

A fun and fresh meal that the kids can help with, try these Mango and Shrimp Fresh Spring Rolls from Delia Mota, R.H.N.

The No-Diet Solution: It’s about feeling good and healthy in your body, supporting cognitive and cardiovascular health, and promoting a sense of energy and wellbeing. How do you become the best version of you?

Looking for something to read while you lounge at the beach or pool? Check out all the amazing books written by CSNN graduates.

Love granola, but don’t want to turn on the oven? Try this unique recipe for “Rawnola” (Raw unbaked granola) from Sisley Killam, R.H.N.

I was drawn to CSNN because of the in-depth training (science and research, fundamentals of business, connection of mind, body, and spirit), and course flexibility while trying to balance work life, parenting, and student life.