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Eat More Stars and Earn more PC Points! #EatMoreStars #GuildingStarsCA

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Over the last few months, I’ve shared with you some great information about the Guiding Star program.  

First we learned about what Guiding Stars are and what criteria Loblaws uses to rate different food and products.

Then I showed you how you can make great food choices to making amazing, healthy meals!

 

Now that you’re buying foods with Guiding Stars, Loblaws is congratulating you by giving you more PC Points!

eatmorestars

The more stars and item has, the more points you get!

For every 1 star item, you will get 10pts

For every 2 star item, you will get 30pts

For every 3 star item, you will get 30pts

Bonus items!

When you log into your PC Plus account and load your offers, you can see the bonus offer for the week.

This week’s offer (ending September 17th) is 3000 PC Points when your purchase $10 on Canned or Frozen Fruits and Vegetables!

eatmorestars_week3

What are you going to buy with all of your PC Points??

Healthy recipes + PC Guiding Stars = Success! #GuidingStarsCA #PCStars

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Lots of healthy ideas

I’m not very creative in the kitchen, so I was very happy to see that Fortino’s (and the other Loblaw’s properties) have an amazing recipe section.  I found the chili recipe in the “Heathier Choices” section. And you can narrow you search even further to suit your needs.

 healthy_recipes

Putting the healthy recipes together with the PC Guiding Stars program is a recipe for success!

The Hearty Vegetarian Quinoa Chili is a one-pot meal that was easy to prepare and full of stars!!

 11 Stars!!

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It could have been a 12-star meal, but they were out of Quinoa, so I went with the Bulgar & Quinoa which was 1 star less.

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And so easy to make!

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So yummy! So filling!

When they say “hearty,” they weren’t kidding!  

I had left out the jalapenos that the recipe called for because I was worried it would be too hot.  But I think a little would have given it a bit of added flavour.

 

Here is my adaptation of the PC recipe!

Hearty Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
Serves 8
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Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
55 min
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
45 min
Total Time
55 min
Ingredients
  1. 4 tsp (20 mL) olive oil
  2. 2 onions, diced
  3. 2 tbsp (25 mL) chili powder
  4. 1 can (796 mL) PC Blue Menu Diced Tomatoes
  5. 1 can (540 mL) PC Blue Menu 6 Bean Medley , drained and rinsed
  6. ½ cup (125 mL) PC Organics Quinoa
Instructions
  1. In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook onions for 12 to 14 minutes, stirring often, or until golden.
  2. Stir in chili powder; cook 1 minute longer, stirring frequently.
  3. Stir in diced tomatoes and juices, beans, quinoa and 1 cup (250 mL) water. Bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender.
  5. Serve garnished with PC Blue Menu Yogurt Spread and chopped fresh coriander, if desired.
Notes
  1. Original recipe called for mushrooms and jalapeno.
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Disclosure – I am participating in the Guiding Stars Blogger Outreach program by ShesConnected. I have been compensated in exchange for my participation in the campaign. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Schedule your free appointment with Loblaws’ Dietitians today! #GuidingStarsCA #PCStars

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Since start this campaign with Loblaws, I have learned so much already!  The Guiding Stars program makes choosing better products easier and when you meet with the Loblaws Dietitian, you will learn so much more!

Free Services available from your local Loblaw’s Dietitian

Each store with a Dietitian will have Free services available.  Appointments or registration may be required, so check your store!

Here are some of the services available at my local store:

  • Complimentary Nutritional Services (Available by Appointment Only)
  • Healthy Eating for the Everyday Athlete and Athletic Recovery
  • Healthy Hydration
  • Zucchini, You Can Never Have Enough
  • Effortless Overnight Oats

Who are the Dietitians?

I called my local RCSS and made an appointment to meet with the Dietitian.  If you are in the Oakville or Milton area, I highly recommend that you meet with Karolina!  She is very knowledgeable and personable and we had a great time!  

Dietitian

About Karolina Otto

Karolina Otto serves as your In Store Dietitian and supports all health and nutrition initiatives. Karolina brings 20 years of experience with an extensive background in foodservice management, nutraceuticall sales and marketing, child health and senior nutrition education. Karolina is a culinary enthusiast with a passion for making healthy eating fun and delicious. Her mission is to provide customers and associates with inspiring health as well as value-oriented solutions they can incorporate into their shopping experience and everyday lives. Karolina is a graduate of McGill University holding a B.S. degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and is a member of Dietitians of Canada. She is recognized for her passion for nutrition, health and wellness.

What happens at your appointment?

It all depends on you! Each appointment with the dietitian is customized to you and your health needs. You will learn how to shop and eat based on any diet needs that you have — diabetes, food sensitivities or allergies or sport training requirements, just to name a few.

She will give you all the information you need to make good food choices to keep you healthy.

Shopping with the Guiding Stars

After Karolina told me all of the great services she and Loblaws provide to Loblaws shoppers, took me for a tour of the store. 

After she understands what her clients’ nutritional needs are, she shows them around the store, teaching them about food choices, how to read labels and how Guiding Stars helps them make better choices.

Produce

Since most produce doesn’t have a nutritional label on them, the Guiding Stars book lists everything you need to know.  She explained that this is particularily important to diabetics who are concerned about their caloric intake.  She also explained that since stars are give based on higher levels of fiber and lower levels of sugar, some fruits won’t get many stars, if any at all.

BlueberriesUnderstanding the Guiding Stars

As I mentioned above, those food that have a higher level of fiber and lower levels of sugar, will get a higher number of stars.  

Reading Labels

This was an eye opener for me.  I thought that I knew a lot about reading labels, but there were some key factors Karolina taught me.

The number of the nutritional label isn’t one serving. It is the weight of the food that is around 100 calories.  So even tho the label says that 8 crackers are 100 calories if it is over 35 grams, that is more than one serving of that food group. 

On my mark, get set, shop!

Armed with my new knowledge about serving sizes, Guiding Stars and labels, I am ready to make better nutritional choices for my family!  I really recommed meeting with a Loblaw’s Dietitian!

(And if your’e lucky enought to be in the Milton or Oakville area, you’ll meet with Karolina who is fantastic!)

Click here to find a dietitian near you!