Fruitful Kitchen

05/01/2024

Thanks to for a great event last night lead by .
Check out the last slide for my creation featuring

10/23/2023

I had the pleasure of attending the Dietitians Farm Tour in the Ottawa area with

We had the opportunity to visit where they grow delicious mini cucumbers and a variety of flavourful tomatoes and our second stop was at where they grow a variety of mushrooms from cremini to oyster mushrooms.

I always love seeing how our food grows and really appreciate how hard these people are working to grow our food. There is so much that goes into producing food for our communities (i.e ideal environment & climate, cost, labour, delivery…).

Food prices have been a challenge for many lately, but is a great resource and continuously strives to encourage Canadians to increase their consumption of fruits and vegetables while navigating challenges. Check out for all the great resources on fruits and veggies!

06/12/2022

Using leftover cooked couscous that my friend sent me home with last night to make a salad for lunch. I haven’t had a chance to post recipes lately as Brady requires lots of attention 😂… so i’m basically sharing a quick recipe without measurements, you can’t go wrong! Also, if I had feta cheese, I would have for sure added it to the salad.. but for now, this will do!

Ingredients (no measurements, just use what you have!):
-cooked couscous
-chopped spinach
-cherry tomatoes
-pickled artichokes
-cucumber
-fresh mint
-fresh basil
-green onion
-red onion
-broccoli
-canned beans (rinsed and drained)

Vinaigrette
-lemon
-red wine vinegar
-extra virgin olive oil
-salt & pepper to taste

05/18/2022

My five minute lunch was simply made from leftovers and it was so yummy!

Using leftover roasted eggplant, zucchini, and onion and peppers on top of mixed greens, served with leftover salmon and tabouleh. Add a little feta, olive, oregano, lemon and olive oil and you have yourself a delicious lunch 😍

04/29/2022

Pulled chicken burrito bowls!

When your friends have a baby you make them food.. and of course a little extra for quality assurance 😉

04/26/2022

Feels good to have some time to get back into the kitchen!

I never get sick of a good filling salad (chicken was not pictured but was a great addition). I wish lunch looked like this every day, but as a new mom I’m learning to be flexible and to let go of expectations. I’ve been awake since 3 am, so you just gotta go with it 😂

04/10/2022

My last recipe for Manitoba Beef Producers Cattle Country March 2022 features a classic Beef Stroganoff! This was so tasty, swipe left for the recipe.

02/21/2022

Happy Family Day to my Ontario people 💕

We’re officially moving back to Ontario in less than 3 weeks!! I’m SO excited to be closer to friends and family again 🙏

Our pack and move date is set for March 8-9th, so things are getting a little stressful over here planning a move with a dog and a newborn 😅

Scott and I are both from Toronto but we’ve moved around for his work these past 5 years and now we’re going back to Ottawa 🤗

I lived in Ottawa for 12 years for University and work. That’s actually where I met Scott 🥰
Now we’re coming back with a dog and a baby… hopefully we can settle down in Ottawa for a bit!

Hope you’re all having a great day 😊

02/16/2022

Another one of my recipes featured in Manitoba Beef Producers Cattle Country February 2022 issue!

This delicious Beef Shepherd’s pie makes for great leftovers or can be an awesome freezer meal. I made a big batch and froze them before my son was born… best thing I ever did to prepare for a newborn!

Swipe left for full recipe 🤗

12/28/2021

It was a Christmas miracle after all! Brady Parker Johnstone was born on December 25th at 2:50 pm, weighing 6 lb and 15 oz.

A few long days at the hospital, but our hearts are exploding with joy. We are so happy to be home with our little guy 💙

We have officially joined the no sleeping club, but it’s all so worth it 🥰

12/24/2021

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you all get to enjoy some time with a loved one even though Christmas might still look different for many this year.

We would have loved to be back home with our families this Christmas, but we’re so thrilled to welcome our new little one into this world any day now.

Wishing you all happy holidays! 🎄 💕

12/15/2021

38 weeks today!! Baby can come any day now 😊

Also, there is 10 days left until Christmas! Even though though we can’t fly back home this Christmas, I know it’ll still be a special one 💕

12/13/2021

The most beautiful and delicious beet & chicken soup! Reminds me so much of my Armenian grandmother’s borscht. 😋

I made this last Friday and it’s been such a great batch of soup to have for the past couple days. You gotta try it with a dollop of sour cream or plain yogurt, it’s so tasty!

Here is what I did!

Ingredients:
-2 Tbsp olive oil
-1 large onion, diced
-3 cloves garlic, minced
-3 carrots, peeled and diced
-2 celery stalks, diced
-1 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
-4 to 5 beets, peeled and diced
-1 cup sliced red cabbage
-2 cups diced potatoes
-1 tsp dried sage
-1/2 tsp chilli flakes
-5 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
-3 cups water
-2 cups cooked , chopped (I used 6 chicken drumsticks)
-salt and pepper to taste
-1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
-1/4 cup fresh Cilantro, chopped
-1/4 cup, fresh parsley, chopped

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, carrots and celery for 5 minutes.
2. Add beets, potatoes, cabbage, sage, chili flakes, broth and water. Stir and bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium. Cook until potatoes/beets soften.
3. Add cooked chicken and season soup with salt and pepper. Cook for another 5-8 minutes.
4. Add fresh herbs like dill, cilantro and parsley and remove soup from heat.
5. Optional: serve with a dollop of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt.

Enjoy!

12/12/2021

It’s a good morning over here! These fluffy lemon ricotta pancakes with an eggnog twist turned out soo good 😍

I found a lemon ricotta pancake recipe online and made a couple modifications by replacing half the milk with eggnog as well as added some cinnamon, nutmeg and ground clove. Yumm!!

Hope you have a great Sunday!

12/09/2021

Couldn’t stop baking this week! What else is a girl to do when it’s -25 🥶 at 37 weeks pregnant! Bake and share cookies!

I wish I could make and share these with everyone… but if you’re looking to make Christmas cookies this year, these are my top 4 favourites:

-ginger molasses cookies by
-Rugelach (little crescent rolls) by
-Double Chocolate Crinkle cookies by
-pecan snow ball cookies by

What is your favourite Christmas cookie?

12/08/2021

Do yourself and favour and make these GINGER MOLASSES COOKIES!!

The softest and most chewy ginger molasses cookies from are just perfect! If you’re looking to bake Christmas cookies this year, you need to add these to your repertoire!

Side note… does anyone else get turned off when they see a post for a cookie that is labelled as gluten free, dairy free, nut free, sugar free, keto, non GMO & paleo. Unless you have a specific allergy or dislike a certain ingredients, there is no need to eat a Christmas cookie that has absolutely no butter, sugar or gluten 😂

Tip: Enjoy your favourite foods and time with your loved ones this Christmas because that’s what really matters 😊

12/03/2021

Catch my second segment on with Manitoba Beef Producers tomorrow night on CTV at 6:30 pm.

I’ll be preparing 3 recipes to Treat Yourself At Home!

If you can’t tune in, you can find the episodes on YouTube via Great Tastes of Manitoba’s website!

12/01/2021

How am I already 9 months?!

I can’t believe we’re already at this point, but I’m so excited to meet this little guy 💙

I know the post partum phase will be extremely difficult and trying to mentally prepare myself for no sleep… but I know it will be worth it. I love the community here and have really enjoyed hearing everyone’s experiences, so thank you for sharing 😊

11/25/2021

Cozy up with my Hearty Beef Chili recipe!

I can’t get enough of chili so I made a huge batch to freeze for my postpartum meals when baby arrives. This is going to be the best meal coming home from the hospital 🙏

✨Hearty Beef chili✨

Ingredients

1.5 kg lean ground chuck (you can also use lean ground beef)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp coriander
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1 cup mushrooms, diced
2 bell peppers (red and green)
1 can crushed tomatoes
4-5 Tbsp tomato paste
2 ½ cups low sodium beef broth
1 bay leaf
1 can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
Chopped green onion, shredded cheese and plain Greek yogurt for garnish

Directions

1) Cook ground meat over medium-high heat in Dutch oven with salt and pepper, breaking up with wooden spoon until browned and cooked through.
2) Add the onion and garlic and cook for 5 min.
3) Add the cumin, coriander, chili powder and cayenne pepper stirring for 1 minute. Add the mushrooms and green peppers and sauté for 5 minutes.
4) Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth and bay leaf. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally for 15 minutes.
5) Stir in the kidney beans and increase heat to medium to bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaf and adjust seasoning to taste. Top each serving with chopped green onion, shredded cheese and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt if desired.

Enjoy!

11/08/2021

Chicken, Mushroom & Pesto Orzo 😍 (recipe below)👇🏼 make sure to save it!

Last night’s creation is too good not to share. Such a great way to use up leftover roasted chicken 😋.

This makes for the perfect side dish or main course. I served this with a side of kale caeser salad and it was the perfect combo!

Recipe:
-2 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
-2 to 3 cups cooked orzo (about 1 cup uncooked)
-1 Tbsp olive oil
-1 onion, sliced
-2 cloves garlic, crushed
-2 cups mushrooms, sliced
-3 tbsp pesto
-1 cup Parmesan cheese
-1/4 cup chicken broth
-1/4 cup cream
-salt and pepper
-handful of fresh basil or fresh parsley

Directions:
1. Cook orzo according to package and set aside.
2. In a large pan or saucepan, drizzle olive oil and sauté onion, mushrooms and garlic.
3. Stir in cooked orzo, cooked chicken and chicken broth.
4. Mix in pesto, parm cheese, cream and salt + pepper to taste.
5. Garnish with fresh basil and/or parsley.

Enjoy 😊

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11/04/2021

Looking for a tasty and comforting recipe? This is Vietnamese Chicken Noodle soup (also known as pho) is a must try and it’s budget friendly too!

I love going out for pho, but making it at home can be just as tasty, comforting and affordable. So get ready to be impressed, because you’ll be making this chicken pho on repeat all winter.

The recipe calls for Manitoba boneless skinless chicken breasts if alternative cuts work best with your preferences or budget. Remember, when you’re following a recipe you can always modify it to your liking. In the end, you will end up with this delicious bowl of Vietnamese chicken noodle soup!

Find the full recipe at www.manitobachicken.ca and search “Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup”.

Manitoba Chicken

11/03/2021

Which one would you rather?
A) Avocado toast with tomatoes, garlic, black pepper & chilli flakes or
B) Goat cheese, tomato, balsamic glaze & basil 😍

This lunch was so satisfying and took me under 7 min 😋. After my OB visit, I made a quick stop to pick up a few things at and had to get their fresh multigrain bread. Turns out, it made for the perfect toast 👌🏼

11/01/2021

I make a squash soup every year, and it just gets better and better. The secret ingredient is to add an apple for a little hint of sweetness. You will love this roasted squash soup! (See below for recipe)

I made sure to freeze a big batch for when we have our baby. Having frozen meals on hand will be a life saver when I have my newborn. I just wish I had a bigger freezer 😬

✨RECIPE ✨

Ingredients:
-1 acorn squash
-1 butternut squash
-1/4 cup butter
-2 parsnips, diced finely
-1 large carrot, diced finely
-1 medium onion, diced finely
-2 stalks celery, diced finely
-1 apple, peeled and diced
-6 cups vegetable stock (or chicken stock)
-1 cups water
-3/4 cup pumpkin purée (optional)
-2 sprigs thyme or 1 tsp dried
-fresh sage or 1/2 tsp dried
-1/2 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 cup milk
-salt and pepper

Directions:
1) Roast acorn and butternut squash for 30 min on 400.
2) In a large saucepan, add butter on med/high heat and sauté onion, parsnips, carrots, celery and apple. Stir and cook for 7-8 min.
3) Add stock, water and pumpkin purée and bring to a boil.
4) Reduce heat, add thyme, sage, cinnamon and simmer for 20 min.
5) Add milk and simmer for another 5 min.
6) Remove soup from heat, and blend with an immersion blender. Add additional milk or boiling water to adjust soup consistency to your liking!
7) Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy 😋

11/01/2021

In case you missed it!! Baby’s first Halloween 🖤💀Also, can you believe I won best costume?! 🤗

10/26/2021

Need some dinner inspo for a delicious weeknight meal? Red Coconut Thai curry with shrimp is one of my favourite go-to’s 😍

What you will need:

-1 can of full fat coconut milk
-3 tsp red curry paste
-1 Tbsp fresh ginger (ground)
-3 garlic cloves
-2 tsp fish sauce
-1 lime, juiced
-2 Tbsp brown sugar
-2 cups chicken broth
-1 small onion,
-1 package of large frozen shrimps (10-15 shrimps), thawed
-1 cup diced pineapple (optional)
-1 carrot, sliced
-1 head of broccoli, separated in large florets
-1 cup mushrooms, sliced

Sides
-white sticky rice (cook as per directions)
-cilantro for garnish

Directions:
1) in a large sauce pan, pour coconut milk and simmer for 5-7 until it thickens.
2) Add red curry paste, garlic, ginger, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice and chicken broth and stir.
3) Add shrimp (thawed) and cook for 5 min then add all desired veggies and cook for another 5 min.
TIP: Do not over cook veggies, they taste best when they have a little crunchiness to them!
4) Serve with sticky rice, rice noodles or any other type of grain that you like!
5) garnish with cilantro and enjoy!

10/24/2021

My first cooking segment aired last night on CTV Winnipeg where I showcased 3 beef bowl recipes! You can watch the full segment on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OTUvXw-mDM&list=PL6sN4AmB13TP45WxQ0F-Foqj38bm1nu0R

On a busy weeknight cooking can sometimes be a chore, especially if you're trying to please the tastes of a family. This is why making dinner bowls is a perf...

10/22/2021

Tune in tomorrow night for my first segment on at 6:30 pm on Winnipeg! We’ll be cooking up 3 of my favourite beef bowls with manitoba beef producers.

For those who don’t live in Manitoba, I will have the YouTube link which I will share with you!

Excited and slightly nervous to watch my first “cooking show” 🙈. I’m pretty critical of myself, but I feel like many of us are? I’ll try not to be too hard on myself lol 😆

10/13/2021

Did you know the UN declared 2021 as the International Year of Fruits & Veggies!

I partnered with to give you my top 3 tips on how to reduce food waste in the kitchen.

10/12/2021

I partnered with Half Your Plate Canada to celebrate International Year of Fruits and Vegetables! Check out the video 🤗

10/12/2021

Fall golf with my pumpkin spice muffin at 29 weeks pregnant 🎃🍂🏌️‍♀️

So thankful for a great weekend with my partner. Another thanksgiving without our families this year, but we played our last round of golf and have lots to be grateful for.

Hope you all had a great weekend!!

🍂