Health Benefits
A multitude of studies have proven the health benefits of a completely plant-based diet to be remarkable. Scientific research shows that ovo-lacto-vegetarians are healthier than meat-eaters, and vegans are the healthiest overall.

Major health benefits include prevention of major illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and adult onset of diabetes. A vegan diet also reduces the risk for food-borne illness such as e.coli, salmonella, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) (mad cow) and the deadly strain of avian influenza, H5N1. Studies have also shown that people following a plant-based diet maintain a healthier weight and live 7 to 15 years longer than their meat-eating counterparts.

A plant-based diet offers vibrant health with more energy and vitality. It's a wonderful way to feel good on the inside and radiate that well-being on the outside. You'll look great and feel great enjoying a longer and better quality life.

Hearth to Home's meals are created to provide optimal nutrition using high quality organic, plant-based ingredients.

We follow nutrition recommendations from top Canadian dieticians like Brenda Davis and who wrote Becoming Vegan, a guide to vegan nutrition. Vesanto Melina also co-authored the recent update for the Dieticians of Canada and American Dietetic Association's Position on Vegetarian Diets.

Research has shown that the greatest protectors of health such as phytochemicals, plant proteins, antioxidants and fibre are exclusive to plant foods. And the two biggest factors most responsible for diseases are animal protein and processed foods. Animal foods are the exclusive source of cholesterol and are very high in saturated fats. Processed foods include the above plus trans fatty acids, refined carbohydrates (sugars and starches like white flour and white rice), harmful chemical residues and excessive sodium. Over-consumption of such "foods" now malnourishes more people on this planet than under-consumption.

Hearth to Home's meals are lovingly prepared - homestyle - with no processing whatsoever, using a variety of whole plant foods to create a symphonic effect of nutrients all working together. We provide the foods that are more challenging to prepare in time-pressed lives such as tofu, tempeh, legumes, whole grains and a rainbow of different vegetables. We ensure every meal is creatively balanced with whole foods as these are the most nutrient dense.

Our portion sizes are 3 cups per meal comprised of 1 cup protein, 1 cup veggies and1 cup of a whole grain. Portions can be divided into the appropriate size for what your energy requirements are. Our ingredients are listed with our reheat instructions and a nutritional analysis is coming soon.
more on our ingredients here

Convenience
We shop at the many markets and stores it takes to get all the ingredients that go into gourmet nutrition. Much of our produce comes directly from local farmers in the greenbelt around Toronto. We do the shopping, chopping and mopping to save you time and money that can be used for other aspects of a balanced life - like spending time with family and friends, exercising or other leisure activities.

Environment
From an environmental standpoint, a plant-based diet treads more softly on the earth. Cutting out animal products in the diet is the single most important thing a consumer can do to help the environment, dwarfing the impact of such things as recycling, and even transportation choices. A vegan diet saves on the huge amounts of water, fuel, grain and energy it takes to get meat to the table. It takes 14 times the amount of water, 10 times the amount of energy, and over 20 times more land for an animal-based diet than it does for a plant-based diet. A vegan diet cuts down on habitat loss, soil erosion, and pollution from pesticides and animal waste.

Compassion
Eating a plant-based diet saves countless lives, both animal and human. The choices we make with our fork affects ourselves, others and the environment in a more profound way than anything we do. A vegan diet is an informed, intelligent and conscious way to act.

A plant-based diet is compassionate towards animals, promoting a philosophy of respect for all beings. In Canada alone, half-a-billion animals are slaughtered for food each year and farm animals are not protected by any anti-cruelty laws. That is a lot of violence, degradation, and suffering being projected into the atmosphere in which we all live. It affects everyone who lives on this planet. While some of us may know it consciously, all of us feel it subconsciously.

The amount of land, food and water it takes to raise animals for slaughter world-wide could be used instead to ensure all people in the world can be fed and help end world hunger.

Taste
Enjoyment of healthy food begins with the freshest ingredients
enhanced with uplifting flavours of herbs, spices, fruits, nut and seeds.

There is no need to sacrifice taste for health with our flavourful meals. Familiar atrributes of creamy, cheesey and meaty can still be enjoyed as we use healthier alternatives to acheive the same delicious results.

Our menus offer a lot of variety, changing weekly, and are a celebration of the season's finest harvests.