© Cara StHilaire

Everyone knows about the importance of making healthy food choices for oneself as well as the family, the irony of the situation is that it is not always easy to make these healthy food choices. The following are a few strategies that can help one make healthy food choices. The first healthy food tip is to avoid temptation – one shouldn't go into a store hungry. This helps in stopping oneself from taking the easy way out and buying fast food while on a hectic schedule. At times one is too tired to cook after a long day of work and would rather just order out, instead a healthy food option would be to cook in large batches and freeze the leftovers; that way one already has prepared meals in the freezer which are ready to eat. Eating slower is something one should practice as well.

© Witches Falls Cottages

When I lived in Italy and France, one of my almost daily pleasures was picking up fresh bread from a bakery. While this isn't always possible in other parts of the world, I've found that it doesn't mean going without the pleasure of fresh bread on a daily–or at least a frequent–basis. On a week-long visit at the home of some friends, I was delighted to enjoy freshly baked bread each day…and they made it there in the house, with a Panasonic bread maker. Sure, it doesn't have the cultural enjoyment of going to a bakery, but believe me, I took this idea back home with me and looked for a bread maker for myself! Both these and I lead very busy lives, but an automatic bread maker is fast and easy to use. I'm also glad to be able to decide the quality and range of ingredients in my bread now!

© Like_the_Grand_Canyon

Traditional Canadian foods carry hints of British and French colonial influences, but there are other regional differences in food and customs too. Food in the provinces of Eastern Canada shows signs of English heritage, except in Quebec where the influence is French. In the provinces of Western Canada, the cuisine reflects the explorers and settlers who made simple and hearty meals from available ingredients.

In norther Canada, including the Northwest, Yukon and Nunavut territories, diet is limited by a short growing season, and is dominated by preserved food ingredients and influenced by the native Inuit diet. Along the west coast in British Columbia, Asian immigrants have had a big impact on food and cultural practices. In Vancouver, Toronto and many other places in Canada, Lunar New Year celebrations that were inspired by the citizens of Asian heritage are enjoyed by many other Canadians as well.