My Aquaponics System

I am really happy to share with you guys the progress of my Aquaponics System. I made this video to show how it is possible to build and maintain your own system. We have today a giant tomato plant that gave us more than 100 tomatoes and sage, thyme, basil, rosemary, lettuce, arugula, swiss charge , collard greens and some Tilapias as you'll be able to see on the video

I just want to be clear that this system was made by my partner in crime and he did all of it. It means, bought all the tanks, pumps, clay, seeds  Ph, everything. I am just sharing and learning how to live with it.

Any questions, doubts, tips, help, I would love to know it. Please don't hesitate to contact me!

Cheers
L.

Nuts Balls – A Delicious and Healthy Recipe

Hello guys, so long since I've written here… I would like to apologize for this forgetfulness, but I’ve been working a lot and on the weekends I am trying to find time to workout and spend time outside close to nature.

But last Saturday I made something really really delicious, healthy and tasty that I couldn’t not share with you. It called Nuts Balls. The best thing in this recipe is the nutrition facts and the tasty is amazing. Imagine eat something that melt in your month and at the same time you know that you’re giving something with high nutrition to your body.

Everybody knows that I love desserts, sweets and this is one of my big challenges to be healthy and fit. Sugar is so bad for us. I’m trying so heart to change the sugar in my life for something better, and I’ve been trying for years, and I failed. Because my theory is when you’re eating something that you love, maybe the benefits comes from the happiness is bigger than detriments from that food. But I still feel that guilty when I’m eating my sweets, cakes or cookies.

And then I discovered these Nuts balls, that I loved so much that I stopped to miss my sweets and feeling that guilty inside. And as usual super easy to make it.

TIPS: You can use your favorite nuts. I used in my Walnuts, Almonds and Cashew. It is good with pistachios as well, and Dates. If you don’t like Dates, you can use Apricot. To give more flavor you can roll the balls in unsweetened dry coconut or cacao.  

Recipe

• 100g Walnuts
• 100g Almonds
• 100g Cashews
• 200g Dates
• 50g Unsweetened dry coconut
• Food Processor

First you'll put all the nuts inside the food processor and mix a little bit until the nuts turn in small peaces.

After that, you can heat a little bit the Dates for 1 min in the microwave or in a pan. And then put all of them inside the food processor with the nuts and mix for 5 min, until start to became like a folder. 

The heat from the food processor will cook the mixture, such as happens when we make peanut butter.

Grab a spoon and take little by little the mixture and make some balls.

For last you will roll the ball with the coconuts!!! yummyyyyyy

Finally it's ready, I can't wait to eat all of them!!!!

Guys believe me, this is so good, so yummy! I swear you will not regret to make this delicious recipe! Try it, make it and tell me if you like or not!!!!

Cheers, and have fun!!!

Beijosss 

How to build your Aquaponics System

Hello Guys, did you miss me??? Yes, I did miss you guys! I have been working so hard that I couldn't find any time to share my new idea and all my culinary adventures!!! I learned some great new recipes, and in the future I want to share here. But today I want to talk about something that it is really important for us and for the world, I want to talk about food. How it is so important to buy good vegetables and fruits, a how this is really good for your life. I believe in this, and as I already spoke in some posts before, I want to continue to share this idea with everybody.

Some years ago when I still used to live in Brazil, I started to grow my own food. The idea to have my own garden in my house, was unbelievable great! I started with some herbs, after gingers and tomatoes. The best day was, when I was walking around the Lagoon in Rio de Janeiro, I found in the middle of street an Avocado Tree. Imagine that, it was like a dream! Everybody knows that I love so much avocados, and find that Tree was a God gift! This is one of the best parts to live in a tropical country, live with full of Tree around you. Amazing!!!

Gavin picking the Avocados. Every week we could have some fresh avocados!!! Lucky

When I moved to Canada I couldn't forget this amazing experience and I wanted to continuing to have this culture in my life. Canada has a complete different weather than Brazil; COLDER, and dryer.  So I needed to start all over again, and study what kinds of plants, fruits and vegetables, it will be possible to grow in this environment! But it is possible, and because all of these aspects and issues Gavin (my partner in crime and my man) had the brilliant idea to build an AQUAPONICS SYSTEM!

Aquaponics System is in my opinion is one of the best idea of the millennium to save the world!!! Do you guys realize that this system we can save the world and still be healthy? Perfect combination, don't you think? Now you guys ask me: what it means save the world? Aquaponics System it is a combination of aquaculture and fish farms. We have at the same system plants and fish, and they feed themselves and also using the same water to pass the nutrients and the bacteria for each other. Speaking better, the fish poop feed the plants throw the water; and then the plants clean the water and giving back the perfect water (with right Ph) to the fish. It is a cycle.

Wikipedia:  "Aquaponics  refers to any system that combine conventional aquaculture (raising aquatic animals such as snails, fish, crayfish or prawns in tanks) with hydroponics (cultivating plants in water) in asymbiotic environment. In normal aquaculture, excretions from the animals being raised can accumulate in the water, increasing toxicity. In an aquaponic system, water from an aquaculture system is fed to a hydroponicsystem where the by-products are broken down by nitrification bacteria into nitrates and nitrites, which are utilized by the plants as nutrients, and the water is then recirculated back to the aquaculture system. As existing hydroponic and aquaculture farming techniques form the basis for all aquaponics systems, the size, complexity, and types of foods grown in an aquaponics system can vary as much as any system found in either distinct farming discipline"

My Aquaponics System

Tilapia Fish





                                                     The Pumps

Tomatoes, Cucumber, Rosemary, Basil and Cilantro

The other side we have: Spinach, Arugula, Beets, Lettece and more Cilantro

Can you see the Spinach growing???? The roots stay 
between the water and the clay.
















For me this is unbelievable. It is just the begin, the fish will grow and we will procreate them. In time we will able to see what it will be easy to grown, what it's hard, and maybe in the future we can be more sustainable and healthy.  I will keep posting and sharing the new, and tell you guys if the Tilapia is really more tasty. The only problem for me is: not have feelings for the fish, and I don't know if I will have courage to kill them... :l

Let's see, keep asking and I will let you know the news!!!!

Be Healthy in the Winter Time.

Finally winter arrived. This one of the warmest winter over 20 years in Toronto. Most of the time, the temperature was above zero, and unfortunately we didn’t have a lot of snow. Yes, we love snow! That’s the best part of the winter, see the snow flakes falling from the sky is amazing. And also fresh snow is the best snow to do ski and snowboard for who loves Outdoor sports!  Actually, Canadians are one of the best in winter sports, like: Hockey; Skating, Skis, Curling. It's a nice opportunity to be fit and healthy and still doing what you like.

  

  

I came here to alert who doesn’t like to do winter sports, and prefer stays home watching Tv. sitting on the sofa. I know this is so cozy be inside, beside the fire, under of a heavy blanket and drinking a delicious hot chocolate. Sounds like a dream, and it is. But not everyday, once in a blue moon, maybe in a romantic night with boyfriend or husband. Let’s celebrate life, enjoying the fresh air, being outside doing something productive (whatever makes you happy), but please don’t spend all your winter’s nights, inside and eating.  This will makes you sedentary, fat and depressed. Don’t think negative, that it is so hard be outside feeling cold. Think positive, I’ll stay outside feeling the fresh air, exercising, and burning calories. Winter is not the best time to gain weight, but it is to lose weight.  To warming up your body you can burn many calories. Using temperature to increase your caloric expenditure can be beneficial. If you are cold and shivering, you can take encouragement from the fact that you are burning extra calories while trying to stay warm. The more you shiver, the more you burn. Don’t think is it amazing?

  

Now let’s talk about we like more, food! Because you are burning calories all the time to warming up, you need to consume more calories. BUT this is not an excuse to eat just fatty food. You just need to do winter diet, and of course you can eat much more than in the summer!

Some Winter diet tips:

Soups

Not only does it warm the soul, but a steaming bowl of soup is also one nutritionist's secret to calorie-control. Most Sundays in the winter, I make a pot of a non-cream vegetable soup to keep in my refrigerator for the week. At work, I'll eat a small container of the soup right before having the rest of my lunch, and then when I walk in the door starving, I have a mug of warm soup before dinner. It's a therapeutic, low-cal way to curb my appetite -- and research has shown that eating soup before a meal can slash the overall number of calories you consume.

Shepherd’s Pie

It is a little bit heavy, but still a good choice to have for lunch. Nutrition ingredient; potatoes, extra lean beef and you can add some vegetables and cheese. Try to use more vegetables, and less cheese.

Oatmeal

Everybody know how Oats are really really healthy. I enjoy a lot to have some with bananas. Sometimes we need something that it will give us more sustainability throughout the day. So let’s make an Oatmeal with some nuts, very nutrition and you’ll keep you awake for all day.

I am so excited to enjoying my winter, even if this one was so short. Spring is coming and will be another beautiful season to make different things, and eat different food. One of  the best things in Canada for me, we are able to have the 4 seasons, that in Brazil is 

just the summer. Have fun!!!!

Kensington Market - The Hippest Place in Toronto

The first time that I went to the Kensington Market in Toronto, I thought a little bit confuse. First impression it was look like a big market, where you can buy cheap and no value thing (China’s “nothing things”). But when I started to walk toward the Augusta Ave I realized that Kensington Market is much better, much more culture, fun, cozy and healthy than I thought. You can see different types of people walking throw the market; Hipster, Grunges, Business and Style people everywhere. Also you can see some “cool homeless” talking with the local people. It seems that everybody belongs to the same tribe. Kensington Market is a richly multicultural downtown neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. The development of the neighbourhood first began in the 1850's when the Denison family started to sell off parts of their property as building lots.  The first lots were offered at $350 a piece but didn't sell very well. Subsequently, each was divided into three smaller lots which were more affordable and, as is still seen in Kensington today, higher density.  As the lots were sold, more roads were built, often named after members of the Denison family or in reference to their home country of England. The majority of the homes in the area were built between 1870 and 1880. At that time the neighbourhood was composed of immigrants from Ireland, Scotland and England.

Anyways, for me the most special thing is: you can find fresh, healthy, vegan and gluten free food in many cute stores and restaurants.  Today this place is a reference for this kind of food or for who wants to belong to this world.

  

I started to buy my fruits and vegetables there, because the small stores have more variety, cheaper and remains me my open market in Brazil. I can’t wait for the summer arrive and I’ll start to buy fresh food from the local producers. Actually as I said before I always prefer to support either the local producers and these small stores.

  

Another store that had my attention was the Natural Food Market that I found there. Everything looks fresh, kindly and super super natural, everything inside the store is made by wood. All the time that I go there I want to buy something different, the Nuts are amazing, special cookies and dry fruits, and also I could find Acai. This Brazilian fruit so delicious, healthy and taste, made my day better.

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                                                               

I could spend all my day writing and posting photos from Kensington Market, it has so much to see there. If you can go, have a  delicious brunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants there, after walk around and you'll be able to enjoy this hipper neighborhood!!!!

Healthy Homemade Chips

As I said
before here, this Blog is an alternative for who wants to continue to eat
everything that they want it, and still wants to be healthy and
fit.

It is so nice
when you eat something that you can enjoy, and at the same time you don’t feel
guilty to have eating that food.

The week recipe
is Healthy Chip. Who doesn’t like CHIPS? It is so good, when you’re drinking, watching
a movie, playing board games. It’s easy, salted, convenience, and then you
realize you ate all the whole bag. But if you pay attention at Nutrition Facts,
you will regret having had that bag of chips, which seemed so good and innocent
by your side.

Regular Nature Ruffles

In the begin is
not so bad, because doesn’t have anything artificial. BUT, 27% FAT, more 12%
sodium.  For just 50g (21 chips), you will eat
this easy and much more than 50g.

We love
PRETZELS, who doesn’t? But it is worse than the Ruffles. Less calories, BUT 36%
Sodium and if you take a look at the ingredients, you’ll can see it has some artificial
 corn syrup, malt syrup, active dry yeast,
ammonium, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide. All of these ingredients are
industrialized. If you have a choice, always prefer which one is more natural,
even if this one has more calories. But it will not be too bad for your health.

Anyways,
nothing can be better than HEALTHY CHIPS, right? Why don’t you make your own
chips? They will have more taste, and less calories and sodium, whatever less
everything and more healthy. You can use many kinds of veggies, like: potatoes,
beets, carrots, yams, cassava or you can use fruits as well if you wants sweet chips, like: bananas, apple and pear. You can create your recipe mixing the veggies
and the herbs together and using Infuses Olive Oil Infused Olive oil Recipe . It is so fun, healthy and
really nice to offer for your guests when they come to your house.

   

I had o good time making my own chips, and now I am having a great time eating my HEALTHY HOMEMADE CHIPS!!! Yumyyyyy

Eat with Pleasure, Arugula Salad with Beets and Goat Cheese

I am really happy today that I have more time to spend on my
health. I can understand more about nutrition, what is better for me or not.
People are different, and certain foods are good for some and bad for others.
That’s why I don’t believe in some diets, like: gluten free, no carbs, and no
lactose. When you really want to change what you’re eating and start to eat
well, you need to look for a professional. They’ll really know
about your body and which foods will help you. At the same time you can
start to study food, which food has more vitamins, protein, sugar, and
carbs. Depend what you want. That’s why Nutritionists are important as well.
Both together (doctors and nutritionists), will match a perfect combination,
either for your body or your nourishment.

I’ve been eating healthier since I arrived in Canada. I
believe the reason is the fact that I have more time to devote myself to my
diet and lifestyle I've been having here. Before in Brazil I was eating healthy
as well, but I didn’t have to time to pay attention in the food I was eating
and buying, and also I used to go out to eat much more than here. Another
special reason is in my personal opinion Brazilian food are better than Canadian
not just because is fresh and healthier, but the desserts, sweets and the
Brazilian junk food are more delicious. I miss so bad, brigadeiro, picanha,
coxinha de galinha (Chicken Croquette), farofa (Cassava Flour)... Maybe because I grew up there, and I am more used
to with these food.

  

Brigadeiro, nothing is better than that. Water in my mouth

 

 Picanha, farofa and Campanha souce. I made by Myself in Canada!!!! Yummyyyyy

Brazilian Chicken Croquettes (1k calories, but worth it)

Now that I have more experience in this field, my better
advice for you if you want to start to have a healthy diet is: start eating
foods that you like, especially if  they are healthy, will be more pleasurable and it will
last longer. That is why I love to make this Arugula salad recipe. All the ingredients
I use in this recipe I love all of them.  But better than all of these, all the ingredients
are very nutritious. 

SIMPLE, EASY AND DELICIOUS...

You will see
in the future, you will be able to create your own recipes. Choosing what you
like, what it is good for your health. When you are preparing your food, you can
understand and comprehend everything is needed to prepare it. It is really fun,
you have to enjoy. More than that when you can understand that the food can cure
all the diseases in your body, more than medicines, you’ll give more value to
this.   

Be healthy!!!

BRAZILIAN CHICKEN CROQUETTES