Rachel A. Bies, CNP is the on-site nutritionist for McEwan Foods and Fit Factory Fitness Gym. She believes that food should always be delicious, fun, and healthy, and will be sharing her foodie nutritionist tips, recipes and lifestyle suggestions with SDTC readers! We love her approach to clean living and think you’ll find her easy tricks helpful and inspiring.

It’s important to keep your kitchen and pantry stocked with quality ingredients.  One of my all time favourites is olive oil! It’s great for cooking, baking, dressings, and even skincare (look out for that in a future post).

How to choose:
I prefer organic, that way you know you’re getting the best and untouched (minus pesticides and herbicides) olives in the world. Also choose cold pressed: this means it hasn’t been heated or pasteurized, and extra virgin: it’s the FIRST press from the whole fruit and hasn’t been blended with other oils! My favourites are Italian, Greek and Argentinean.

Health benefits include:

  • Boosts immune system and fights viruses
  • Lowers cholesterol
  • Regular use can lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure
  • Great source of Vitamin E and healthy fats (great for skin)
  • Has shown to reduce levels of obesity
  • Balances out blood sugars and insulin sensitivity

So stock up your kitchen!