The Power Up program identifies quality products through clean and transparent labeling. These products will provide energy supportive nutrients essential to the body.
To engage and simply educate our customers on the importance of using quality food as fuel.
Danielle has grown up in the grocery business and is very passionate about healthy lifestyle choices and the importance of reading food labels. She’s been practicing in the health and wellness industry since 2006 and in 4 years she graduated from the Canadian College of Massage and Hydrotherapy, Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, and Bauman College in Berkley California. Danielle co-founded a company called 4 the Luv of Food, which developed a formula that has helped over 200 people gain control of their blood sugar levels. Using this simple formula she lost 23 lbs. in 3 years and hasn’t looked back. She developed a line of blood sugar friendly snacks called Danielle’s Naturals and believes healthy eating should NEVER compromise flavour. Danielle finds joy in educating and motivating others to make more mindful food choices.
We live in a country that has a limited growing season but in those 160 days of the year we yield some of the most delicious fruits and vegetables. We are also fortunate enough to have some impressive greenhouse crops year round.
When produce comes to us from other countries they are picked early to ensure ripeness upon arrival, which deprives the fruit or vegetable of optimal high-energy nutrients. Local produce is picked ripe, with minimal travel time allowing for peak nutrition.
We want to encourage you to eat with the seasons. Local, seasonal, homegrown food sustained our ancestors in a healthy manner providing all the energy they needed for their day. There were no strawberries in the winter, and while we are fortunate to have them available to us, are they going to give us the most nutrients? Not likely. Past generations were not influenced by the nutritional advice that promoted foods inaccessible to them. They kept things simple and so should we.
It’s our job at Vince’s to identify Ontario’s Goodness as well as in-season produce year round to make sure you’re getting nutrition at its finest.
We are a community-based store that loves to support local. Beyond our produce department we have many suppliers that offer products using locally sourced ingredients. Buying local foods:
Whether it’s oats, barley, maple syrup, or honey we take pride in bringing awareness to products that support the local movement.
One of the main contributors to today’s health issues is excess sugar, which comes in the form of carbohydrates. All foods fall into one of, or a combination of three main nutrients – carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. The body can breakdown and use all three, but the only one it can readily store are the carbohydrates.
Carbohydrates include sugars and starches as well as indigestible fibre which helps to slow down the rate at which the sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Once consumed, all carbohydrates turn into glucose (sugar) which the body may use for energy or store as glycogen in the liver and muscles.
When we over consume carbohydrates and our body has to continuously store unused glucose, the glycogen tanks get full causing glucose to pool in the bloodstream. This increases the body’s production of insulin. Over time the body can develop a resistance to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that shuttles glucose to the cells for use or storage. With excess glucose floating around the bloodstream the liver sends it to the fat cells and can also make it into LDL cholesterol, which is when diabetes and other diseases can manifest.
Diet plays a huge role in controlling insulin and blood sugar levels. Fats and proteins slow down the rate in which sugar is absorbed so they are good additions to carb heavy meals allowing the body to use the carbs for energy leaving nothing left to store.
Now that we’ve broken down the basics there’s a general rule that we stay true to, never eat “lonely” carbs.
We use a simple formula created by 4 the Luv of Food to identify the blood sugar friendliness of a product:
Carbohydrates (–) Fiber (–) Fat (–) Protein should = 0 or less than 0
We will be using the “Balance Factor” (BF) scale to clearly identify a products impact on our blood sugar. If a product has a number of 0 or < 0 then it has the green light.
If the product has a positive number then caution (yellow) is advised and pairing is recommended. For example: pairing crackers with cheese, apple and peanut butter, berries and Greek yogurt.
What defines a clean label? Simplicity. Products made with minimal and pronounceable ingredients. Foods that are clean will provide energy, potential vitamins and minerals, and result in little to no waste. Clean foods should leave you feeling energized, healthy and satisfied. When you fuel yourself with quality foods your body is less likely to crave foods that aren’t beneficial.
Picture yourself looking through a clear food package and being able to see every single ingredient listed. Does that product look as appealing? Transparency is feeling comfortable looking at every ingredient and still wanting to take it home. When you look at a conventional food label there are likely several ingredients you may not understand. Some of them are fancy words for harmless add-ins and some of them are quite harmful especially when consumed on the regular. We understand that it’s nearly impossible to avoid every processed food but we are going to give you a clear picture on what to look for and what to avoid.
Here’s a list of food additives that sound scary but aren’t:
Guar Gum and Xanthum Gum – both vegetable derived and aid as a thickening agent especially in gluten-free goods.
Lethicin aka soy lethicin – Used as a stabilizer in bread and prevents salad dressings from separating. Derived from corn so best to look for organic and non-gmo products.
Ascorbyl palmitate – an antioxidant made from Vitamin C and palmitic acid, a natural compound derived from fat. It prevents spoilage in food and your body will use the vitamin C and breakdown the rest.
Absorbic Acid – another term for Vitamin C. It used to maintain the colour, flavour, and texture of foods.
Lactic Acid – made from fermented corn, beet, or cane sugar. Often found in probiotic rich foods.
If you see the following “toxic” ingredients on a label it’s best to avoid if you value your health:
Synthetic Trans Fats (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils)
High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)
Artificial Sweeteners
Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Benzoate
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA and BHT)
Artificial Flavours
Artificial Colours (Yellow 5, Red #40 and Blue #2)
Yeast Extract (another form of MSG)
Fruits, vegetables, legumes, poultry, and meat are examples of whole foods. Rolled oats, and nut butters are examples of whole foods that have been minimally processed. While typically the most nutritious foods are on the perimeter of the grocery store the inner aisles have some hidden gems that are whole food based and we’re going to tell you all about them.
Convenience foods have a bit of a bad reputation. Often they are associated with highly processed, pop-in-the-microwave, and serve type meals. This can be true, but as our lives become faster paced and the emphasis on health increases, so have our options. Retailers have adapted to meet the needs of their customers and lots of fresh and healthy options are available daily in stores. Vince’s puts time and thought into a variety of prepared foods made onsite. We are also going to put together some health conscious specific meals for an easy grab and go without the compromise… stay tuned! We will also be highlighting products on our shelves that are multi-purpose. If we recommend coconut flour we will be sure to include preparation suggestions and recipes at our in store demos.
I was looking forward to the time change. Daylight in the morning gives me the energy to get my day going. While I am enjoying the morning light, the drive home in the dark is pretty draining… I guess you can’t have it all. Finding the energy to make dinner is a challenge when you feel like you should be getting ready for bed soon. It’s funny how daylight can have such an impact on our energy levels. I’ve found a great one pot chili recipe that’s perfect for these chilly evenings!
One of my dinner solutions to a low energy mood is a one pot meal and this is the perfect time of year for a nice bowl of chili. What’s even better than a one pot meal is a dish that’s even better as leftovers! This one pot chili is a hearty dish that’s simple to throw together, can be made in batches and frozen for those busy nights. You can adjust the heat according to personal preference.
Makes 10 servings
Since this dish is such a great source of protein a fresh baked cornbread muffin on the side is the perfect compliment. Give this delicious recipe a try: Zucchini & Roasted Cornbread Muffins.
As I was searching for one pot meal inspiration I came across this list of 53 healthy one pot meals on Greatist. They’re all healthy one pot meals, perfect for our busy schedules. I’m sure something will spark your fancy.
What are some of your favourite one pot meals?
Our Power Up Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using quality food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for nutrition tips and tricks from me, our in-house nutrition expert!
To our health & wellbeing,
Danielle
I’ve mentioned before that eggs are one of my favourite breakfast foods. I could literally eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Unfortunately, I’ve had to cut eggs from my diet for the time being which I will elaborate on another day.
This meant it was time to find alternative breakfast options. So, I turned to my second favourite breakfast food which is oats! While I do really enjoy hot oatmeal, I find that my go-to lately has been overnight oats because they are quick and readily available. I make the base the night before and switch up the toppings depending on my mood.
Here is the base recipe for overnight oats and some of my favourite toppings:
Mix the oats, chia seeds, almond milk, and vanilla together until well combined. Place in a sealed or covered container overnight in the refrigerator.
In the morning, stir in desired toppings and enjoy!
Since eliminating eggs, I have had to find egg replacement options for some of my favourite baked good recipes. I wanted to share a few that I have had the most success with:
Mix 1 Tbsp ground flax with 3 Tbsp water and let sit until fully absorbed and thickened.
You can replace each egg with ¼ cup of puree.
1tsp baking soda and 1Tbsp vinegar (I used apple cider vinegar) can replace 1 egg in most recipes.
I didn’t even know what this was until I was looking for alternatives. Aquafaba is the liquid left over from cooking beans or legumes. It’s also the same liquid found in canned chickpeas or beans. I use canned chickpeas quite a bit, so this was useful for me. Use 3 Tbsp of aquafaba to replace 1 egg.
Our Vince’s Power Up Program Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for more nutrition tips and tricks.
Danielle
This time of year is all about pumpkin. Pumpkin flavoured everything lines pastry cases, is featured on coffee bar menus, and of course pumpkin is used for fall décor. I do love the flavour of pumpkin but I’m not a fan of the artificial syrup used to sweeten those famous lattes, or products that really don’t contain all that much pumpkin at all. A lot of pumpkin flavoured treats contain mostly seasoned filler and although it may just be a treat it can easily get out of hand especially as we head into the holiday season.
When choosing to have anything flavoured it’s important to be mindful of the sugar content. A Starbucks grande Pumpkin Spice Latte has 50 grams of sugar in it! That’s 50 grams of liquid sugar that will not fill you up. It’s especially worse when paired with a tasty sugar filled treat.
In the spirit of real pumpkin flavourings, this festive maple pumpkin yogurt dip will satisfy your pumpkin cravings without the added sugar. Although low fat options are starting to take the back seat, I wanted to reiterate that full fat yogurt is the way to go. The flavour is much better and it gives you the flexibility to add carbohydrate-rich fruits, granolas, and sweeteners. Using yogurt as a dip is a fun way to change things up, especially for the kids. This recipe is also a great lunch box addition or after-school snack.
Makes about 1 cup of maple pumpkin yogurt dip. Dip can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
What are some of your favourite healthy pumpkin recipes? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
Our Vince’s Power Up Program Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for more nutrition tips and tricks.
Danielle
The weather is starting to cool down and we’re starting to get bombarded with everything cold and flu. I’ve always been about preventative measures to ensure a healthy immune system especially throughout the winter months. When I take these measures, even when a cold does hit, it rarely sets me back more than a couple days. Now that I’ve got a little one to care for, I want to support her immune system as best as possible with supplements and good nutrition.
We especially lack Vitamin D during the winter months and most people are deficient. I highly recommend asking to have your vitamin D levels checked at your next doctor’s appointment. You might be surprised with the results.
Cold liver oil is rich in vitamins A, D and Omega-3 fatty acids. Omegas are anti-inflammatory and vitamin A is essential for the immune system.
Both as a supplement and from dietary sources such as kefir, fermented foods like sauerkraut and kombucha.
If I feel something coming on elderberry syrup is my go-to and during the winter months. We even dose a few times a week as prevention.
Oregano oil is also a must if you feel something coming on. A few drops of this powerful antibacterial does the job.
The most important of all these tips is to be conscious of what we’re using for fuel. Lots of whole foods and limited processed foods are the best medicine.
Although it may seem a little early to bust out the chicken soup recipe, it’s honestly a recipe full of healing properties and is super comforting. When cooked, chicken releases the amino acid cysteine, which helps to aid decongestion. Meanwhile garlic fights viruses and bacteria. So, if you’re feeling like you need a nutritional boost give this twist on chicken soup a try.
What to do:
Sauté onion, garlic, ginger, and sweet potatoes on medium heat for 5 minutes in a soup pot.
Add chicken and stock and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and add leaf greens and almond butter and stir to combine all until creamy. Cover and simmer for 5 – 10 min. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.
Do you have any cold and flu health hacks?
Our Vince’s Power Up Program Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for more nutrition tips and tricks.
Danielle
We’ve got Ontario cauliflower in stores now and there’s no better time to get creative with this vegetable! As with other cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, broccoli and bok choy, cauliflower contains phytonutrients that have significant anti-cancer effects. These phytonutrients help to improve the detoxification capabilities of the body, specifically at the cellular level.
The neutral base of the cauliflower makes a great palette for a variety of flavor combinations. Depending on your mood you can go as basic as fresh herbs, garlic and chili flakes, curry adds a delicious Indian flare, or try nutmeg and cinnamon to really compliment this vegetable.
This Mediterranean inspired recipe would make a great side at your next BBQ.
Serves 4-5
This has become quite a popular way to use cauliflower for a low carb alternative. Next to zucchini noodles this is a go-to for me. Essentially you just add raw cauliflower to a food processor and grind until it reaches a rice-like consistency. Then add in your favourite fixings and stir fry in a pan. I personally love adding sliced green onions, tamari and chopped cashews.
After washing and trimming the cauliflower, cut it into ¾ inch thick slices. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and bake or grill. I like to top with fresh herbs once cooked.
I particularly love this for salads. When it’s in season and extra delicious I like to take advantage and enjoy it raw for a boost of extra nutrition.
What are some of your favourite ways to enjoy fresh Ontario cauliflower and other local produce?
Our Vince’s Power Up Program Mission is simply to educate our customers on the importance of using food as fuel. For all your Power Up news make sure you check out Vince’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Also make sure to follow @VincesMarket and #powerupwithvinces, sign up for our Power Up Newsletter and keep an eye out for more nutrition tips and tricks.
Danielle
Looks for our PowerUp tags throughout the store to find products that are PowerUp approved. Watch out for special “Food for Thought” tags on these shelf talkers for relevant and interesting information about the products.
Be sure to check out our demo schedule for opportunities to try new products and chat food with Danielle, our in house Nutritionist.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for foodie insights and delicious recipe ideas.
Look out for our post of the week every Wednesday!
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Get ready for Christmas Eve with Vince’s in the kitchen. Kids are invited to bake fresh sugar cookies for Santa and even prepare a special mix of Reindeer Food for Rudolph and the gang complete with a touch of… https://t.co/eR3xF4v9l4
CONGRATULATIONS to Laurie Osborne for being the recipient of #RandomActsofVinces Newmarket FINAL Week 13.
Sponsored by @cocacola_ca & Vince’s Market.
Thank you for all the nominations, we keep all of them and… https://t.co/G3xQQMXvnp
Looking for tasty chocolate that looks beautiful wrapped up too? @fraktalschoc has you covered with a variety of chocolates in different gift bags 🍫🎁 https://t.co/vMmwGIWB46
Last time to nominate someone or organization from Sharon. Sharon is this weeks Community to nominate a person or organization to be the recipient for Vince’s Market Random Acts of Vince’s, Sponsored by Coca Cola.… https://t.co/9ezaEEEpPb
This flyer we have Tre Stelle Mascarpone products as our Community Product Initiative! When you purchase one of these items 15% of the sales go towards the local charity near each location! @groceryfndtn… https://t.co/DVX8VosLcS
CONGRATULATIONS to Laurie Osborne for being the recipient of #RandomActsofVinces Newmarket FINAL Week 13.
Sponsored by @cocacola_ca & Vince’s Market.
Thank you for all the nominations, we keep all of them and… https://t.co/I2FCo4j8Dy
CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle Viney for being the recipient of #RandomActsofVinces Uxbridge Week 12.
Sponsored by @cocacola_ca & Vince’s Market.
Thank you for all the nominations, we keep all of them and appreciate… https://t.co/y1V6CUwFjT
ONE DAY LEFT! 😁
NEWMARKET nominations only - person or organization! DM us.
Winner receives gift basket for Vince’s Market, Sponsored by @cocacola_ca
Winner will be announced on Sunday!
#randomactsofvinces #RAOV https://t.co/9HfAsUKmaB
Team Members from Vince’s Market gift wrapping at @uppercanadamall in support of @CLCentralYork #vincescares @ Upper Canada Mall https://t.co/TReR1czLLV
Looking for International Wine? WE have it! Stop by either our Sharon or Uxbridge location to pick up your International wine & pair it with delicious cheeses 🧀🥂 https://t.co/ALCyCmCNnK
When shopping at any of our locations be sure to keep an eye out for the Castello Cheese board ballot box in our cheese islands! Fill out a ballot for a chance to win a Castello Prize pack! 🧀 https://t.co/dBd2u6DYQD
Last time to nominate someone or organization from Newmarket is this weeks Community to nominate a person or organization to be the recipient for Vince’s Market Random Acts of Vince’s, Sponsored by Coca Cola. Please… https://t.co/GkjGSkujfP
CONGRATULATIONS to Michelle Viney for being the recipient of #RandomActsofVinces Uxbridge Week 12.
Sponsored by @cocacola_ca & Vince’s Market.
Thank you for all the nominations, we keep all of them and appreciate… https://t.co/3SI2QhzM97
ONE DAY LEFT! 😁
UXBRIDGE nominations only - person or organization! DM us.
Winner receives gift basket for Vince’s Market, Sponsored by @cocacola_ca
Winner will be announced on Sunday!
#randomactsofvinces #RAOV https://t.co/anGtekygGz
WELCOME to our new Sharon location! We are OPEN 🎉 @ Sharon, Ontario https://t.co/OLFMp6EawX
There we have it.. Sharon store is ready to go for tomorrow mornings GRAND OPENING 🎉 Be sure to stop by at 8am 😬☺️🙌 @ Sharon, Ontario https://t.co/ReFHgGSRP2
ONE MORE DAY !!! GRAND OPENING FOR OUR NEW SHARON LOCATION TOMORROW AT 8AM 🎉🎉🎉🙌🙌🙌😍😍😍
Be sure to stop by tomorrow morning (new location is right beside our old Sharon location)! @ Sharon, Ontario https://t.co/6XO22rMqik
CONGRATULATIONS to Sue & Les Smith for being the recipient of #RandomActsofVinces Tottenham Week 11.
Sponsored by @cocacola_ca & Vince’s Market.
Thank you for all the nominations, we keep all of them and appreciate… https://t.co/Mo2eQi1FVF
Hard at work today prepping for our GRAND OPENING IN THREE DAYS 😍🎉 https://t.co/ZHEyMQfLrw
THREE DAYS UNTIL GRAND OPENING! Stop by THIS Saturday, November 30th for our Grand opening at our Sharon location. Reminder the current Sharon location is closed this week. SEE YOU THEN! 🎉🙌 https://t.co/NE7BlgcuEe