Move over Mr. Potato Chip, and you shitty chocolate sidekick – I’ve got some new friends and their names are Applesauce and Almond Butter!

We just moved past the turkey gluttony, next on the agenda Halloween party bonanza and chocolate up the hoo-ha. Just when we think our gut will explode the figgy pudding carols will commence and everyone in our lives will converge in a grand mission to get us drunk at eighteen different holiday parties. With the devils of decadence banging at our door, how does one not balloon out of control and age at miraculous speed? Well perhaps not the answer to all your spineless indulgence – but a quick trip to The Nutrionista may help.

For those of you west enders (i.e. perhaps 80%), The Nutrionista is a cute little good-for-you health food shop has infiltrated the fish, Portuguese tart, booze and 7/11 slurpee section of Dundas West. Having dwelled in the Beaconsfield village ‘hood for quite sometime, Toronto holistic nutrionist, Cathy Bouchard, was frustrated with the lack of close to home shopping for quality health foods, ‘I was tired of waiting for one to open, so I did it myself’. Thank you for your gumption, we are glad you are using your expertise to offer all of us hot dog bingers a healthy alternative to rotating who-knows-what, for god-only-knows-how-long from the local smoke and zine shop.

Jam your desk full of tasty treats so when the clients start delivering expensive popcorn and treats galore as a kiss ass holiday maneuver – you will already be well positioned to say ‘No thanks…I’m going to instead satisfy my cravings with this tasty rice cracker and hummus.” You might be thinking ‘Hey…are those guys playing a trick on me? Why would I eat puffed wheat when I can lick butter?” Yes, it’s tough to maintain control but if you begin training yourself now with some pleasing snacks that will satisfy hunger – then the chances of you splurging on a gym membership (that you will never use) come January will be less likely.

I wandered around the shop pulling a variety of tempting offers from the shelves and the result was a beautiful display of nutritional treats that were pleasing, tasty and made me smile knowing I was doing something nice for my body.

Inari Banana Chips $2.39
Traditional Fig Bars $4.49 (do you recall the joy of childhood tearing these apart and sticking back together?)
Mary’s Organic Crackers $4.49
Almond Butter $7.79 (Do yourself a favour, and stick it in a smoothie)
Filsinger’s Apple Sauce $3.99
Sunflower Kitchen Classic Hummus $3.99
Bite Me, sassy seed n’ raisin cookies – $.2.35 (cure an entire afternoon of frustrated hunger)
Camino Fair Trade Orange Chocolate %65 – $4.29…a little pricey but if you are spending that much on some caramel drizzled latte…

Further to all the jazzed up wholesome grub, you can try out one of those hot topic period cups and swap all that chemical loaded bleach for eco-friendly home cleaners.

Bouchard will be hosting detox courses later this fall – but not the variety that make you eat brown rice for a decade mixed with a liver flushing cocktail, rather she will aid you with building detox into your daily life. We will keep you posted.

The Nutritionista
1255 Dundas St. W (Just east of Dovercourt)
http://www.thenutrionista.ca