Let’s celebrate another holiday with Fast Lifestyle food. Canada Day is the independence day of our neighbors to the North so we will think of maple leaves, maple syrup, and the wide open plains of Alberta. We will also think of calorie restriction and healthy living to stay on track with our FAST Lifestyle.

National Holiday French Toast                                                                                          PB  HINT: This recipe makes 4 [four] slices of French Toast. Prepare all 4, but put the other 2 in a bag in the freezer for a really fast breakfast later.                                           4 slices 70-cal whole grain bread    [you will eat two today]                                                                                   one 2-oz egg                                                                                                                                                    2 Tbsp fat-free milk [use Almond milk for a plant-based meal]                                                        2 oz strawberries, fresh or unsweetened frozen                                                                                     1 and 1/2 tsp maple syrup                                                                                                                               one 60-cal sausage [I like Al Fresco brand sage breakfast links or use a meatless sausage]                      nearly black coffee or tea or lemon in hot water                                                                           green or fruit smoothie or natural apple cider

THE NIGHT BEFORE: Whisk the egg and milk together. Cut the pieces of bread into shapes like maple leaves or use a cookie cutter. [This step is important for the calorie count to come out right, so don’t skip it even if it seems to much like ‘crafty food.’] Put the bread into a pan with a rim which is just big enough for the 4 bread pieces. Pour the egg/milk mixture over the bread, making sure it is all wetted. Let stand OVERNIGHT. Also combine the strawberries and syrup. The next morning, cook the batter-soaked bread in a hot non-stick pan with a spritz of non-stick spray. Cook until browned on both sides. Cook the sausage, too. Mash the berries a bit and smear them onto the plated toast. Enjoy with the sausage, hot beverage of choice, and green smoothie. Whistle a few bars of “Oh, Canada” while you eat.

Bison Burger [beans/ beets] 293 calories                                                                                      GF                                                                                     There used to be a bison reserve in our favorite Canada place, PEI.  The beasts were a gift from Alberta.  The mushrooms we pick from our lawn and the beets, a gift from PEI friends, were pickled while on vacation.  Fitting foods for Canada Day.

one 4-oz bison patty [not beef. Venison is a good substitute if you have it]                          1 oz sliced mushrooms                                                                                                              1.5 tsp of curried catsup                                                                                                           ½ cup green beans                                                                                                                   2 oz pickled beets

Sprinkle a small, hot skillet with Kosher salt.  Cook one 4 oz bison burger  on one side for about 3 minutes. Flip it and cook until done as well as you’d like.  Put on a plate to stay warm. Sides: Add some water to the pan and stir/ cook the mushrooms until soft.  Meanwhile cook the green beans until soft.  To serve, put the ketchup on the burger, top with mushrooms. Arrange those colorful sides on the plate and get ready for some good eating.  I enjoy sparkling water with Fast dinners. [On Slow days, I enjoy wine.]