Food

This dish is based on Japanese ochazuke—cooked rice served in green tea, water, or broth. A few extra additions make it a satisfying and filling meal

Eating colorful plant foods—from dark blue and purple to green, yellow, orange, and red—is the key to good nutrition and good skin. Take butternut squash as an example. Its brilliant orange color indicates it’s chock-full of carotenoids and vitamin C, which help protect against UV-induced skin damage.

This simple condiment is perfect to jazz up your next meal. Whether you use it on toast paired with nut butter, drizzled on pancakes, dolloped on oatmeal, whisked into a salad dressing, or stirred into yogurt as a snack, the possibilities are endless.    

This breakfast crumble includes flaxseed (rich in omega-3s to deliver anti-inflammatory benefits), berries (a source of antioxidant action thanks to vitamin C), and fiber-rich apples (because a well-functioning digestive system can contribute to a healthy complexion). It can also be repurposed as a dessert with just a dollop of maple syrup-sweetened vegan yogurt!

Raw broccoli and cauliflower are detox superstars, containing nutrients that cleanse, restore, and nourish the body—skin included. Blueberries are known for their antiaging nutrient density and offer natural sweetness to cut the broccoli’s pungency. You can snack to your skin’s content or add this “caviar” to a larger meal!

This glow-getting stew is the ultimate make-ahead lunch. It’s loaded with skin-supportive nutrients, such as beta-carotene, that are thought to promote a healthy complexion. This bowl gets a boost from a simple side of quinoa and a scattering of antioxidant-packed pomegranate seeds.

Close your eyes, take in a forkful of this Asian-inspired salad, and you’d be forgiven for thinking that you’re feasting at an Asian street market. Seared over an open flame, tofu turns meaty and, dare we say, crave-worthy, while the crispy edges of bok choy are a special treat. For gluten-free noodles, look for soba made with 100 percent buckwheat, or use wide brown rice noodles.

This elegant grilled asparagus salad with jammy eggs, blistered onions, chewy spelt, and an attention-grabbing creamy dressing is the perfect way to celebrate the spring sunshine. Spelt berries are sold with their hulls intact, which means they’ll take a bit longer to cook but will reward your patience with al dente chewy nuttiness. They can be swapped out for rye berries, wheat berries, or gluten-free sorghum.

Fattoush is the Middle Eastern answer to panzanella bread salad. Crispy pita; grilled, tender zucchini; velvety cheese; earthy lentils; lively herbs; and a vibrant tomato dressing come together in a composed salad that’s jumpy with attention grabbers. If halloumi is not available, some torn fresh mozzarella would be a good stand-in (just don’t try grilling it). Those who are watching their sodium intake can make the salad without olives.

Hold the bun. This deconstructed version of a drive-thru staple replete with a “special sauce” ups the nutritional ante with more veggies and assures your summer burger habit never tasted so fresh. If desired, other ground meats such as pork, chicken, or even bison can replace the beef. Or make it a vegetarian salad by using your favourite veggie burger recipe.

This salad consists of an irresistible assembly of nutty red quinoa, sweet grilled peppers, buttery fish, creamy avocado, and fruity dressing. Harissa paste is a North African spicy red sauce that’s perfect for adding smokiness and heat to dressings, sauces, and dips. If harissa is unavailable, you can spike the dressing with a bit of cayenne instead. Quinoa and mango dressing can both be prepared ahead of time and kept chilled for up to four days.

This recipe is the perfect go-to breakfast when you want something quick that’s also special. Sweet potato not only adds a great pop of colour but is also a good source of vitamins A and B6, potassium, magnesium, and fibre. In this recipe, if you like, try to keep the egg yolk a little bit runny. When broken open, the yolk cascades over the dish, creating a luscious, creamy sauce.    

This soup is not only eye-catching, but also very versatile. Serve it hot or make it ahead and chill it to serve cold. It works great as an appetizer, a starter, or even as a light main course.

Frosty and refreshing, this is the perfect sipper to relax with. For those who wish to imbibe, an ounce of bourbon added to each drink turns this easy mocktail into a decadent cocktail.

In this easy yet impressive dish, fresh turmeric gives the fish a lovely golden hue. Make this recipe a complete meal by serving it alongside your favourite grilled vegetables.

This healthy ice cream comes together in minutes and satisfies when you’re craving a cooling post-workout treat. Tip: This easy ice cream can also be turned into popsicles. Simply use a little more liquid to create a softer consistency that can easily be poured into popsicle molds. Freeze until solid and enjoy as a grab-and-go treat.

This buttery salad is a tasty summer dish for any occasion. The butter beans pack a hearty hit of manganese, while adding flax provides omega-3s for a double dose of nutrients for brain health. Punch up the protein in this delicious salad, if desired, by adding chunks of tuna or salmon.

This delicious meal-in-a-bowl is a bright spin on a potato salad favourite. We folded in crisp romaine and paired it with blueberries, noted for their health-giving deliciousness. Drizzled with a fresh lemon dressing, it’s bound to be a steady favourite among even the fussiest of eaters.

From fish to dark leafy greens, our spin on a light Japanese lunch is loaded with brainy ingredients. Sprinkle with peanuts—another smart food—and you’ll love the added crunch.

Get your day off to a good start with these deliciously smart breakfast cakes. High in fibre and full of brilliant brain food, they’re great to eat at home with a foamed oat milk latte or to take on a mountain hike. They’re especially delicious with a smear of nut butter and a spoonful of blackberry preserves.

Healthy snack food is the key to survival when hiking or boating. And with the focus on brain health this month, we developed a smart snack food with the quintessential ingredients for optimal brain health.

With a blend of puckery grapefruit, peppery chives, and a hit of smoked salmon, this little starter brings a flavour explosion to the taste buds. Easy to assemble, serve it on a bed of spicy arugula for a pretty summer lunch salad that packs a wallop of brilliance.

Star anise adds an exotic sweetness to the dish, which also works as a healthy dessert. You can use any kind of apple for this recipe and adjust the amount of cranberries to balance the apples’ sweetness, since there’s no other sugar added. We tried Lobo, Cortland, and McIntosh, and they all worked well.

"You’ll be dreaming of this molten caramel skillet cake with sweet cinnamon, dates, vanilla, and pecans long after your camping trip is over."