Sunday, October 31, 2010

Happy Halloween!!!!!


L 

ast night the hubby and I went to a Halloween party.  

I was batman.


The mask was very uncomfortable, so I opted for makeup later on in the evening.


There was a lot of great food, and awesome costumes!

Layered dip
Bread sticks with blood tomato sauce.
Cake pops

 A few of you asked for the cake pop recipe.  You can find it here.

Edward Cullen

League of Their Own Character, and Freddy Mercury

Elin Woods
Devil, Sookie, Cigar Guy, Edward, Creepy Clown (the husband), Wenda, League of Their Own, Freddy Mercury

Vyvyan from "The Young Ones" and Wenda
Lego Man!!!!!
It was a fun night!  I nibbled on a bit of the food, and drank a few glasses of wine throughout the evening.  

This morning I made some festive oats for breakfast:


Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Oats

- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1 cup unsweetened Chocolate Almond Breeze
- 2 T pumpkin
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 4 drops Vanilla Stevia (sample from NuNaturals)
- 1 tsp chocolate chips
- 1 graham cracker

Bring Almond Breeze to a boil.  Add oats.  Stir 1 minute.  Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 3-5 minutes.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Mix pumpkin with spice and stevia.  Top oats with pumpkin mixture and 1 crumbled graham cracker.

A friend from school came over this afternoon so we could work on a presentation for class.  She brought me a pumpkin spice latte.  When we were done our work, I wrote a paper for another class.  I snacked on 2 mini bags of Cheetos while writing:


Dinner was a Hay Stack (rice, cheese, taco beef, salsa, black olives, and taco chips):


How was your Halloween?  How many kids did you get?  
What is your favourite Halloween treat?

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Ghoulish Goodies


My eats have been lame for the past two days ...
My baking has been much cooler!

Frankenstein Chocolate Cake
Cake Pops

Getting ready to go to our friends' Halloween party.


What are your Halloween plans?
 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Blog Cards


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pecial delivery!!  I ordered these cards last week so that I would be able to exchange with the other bloggers at the FoodBuzz Festival (and to give to people who question my public food photography, and ask for the website).  I am really happy with how they turned out!

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We had a pretty wild snow storm on Tuesday.  I had a comforting bowl of oats Wednesday morning to warm me up.  My maple mocha oats contained: 1/2 cup coffee, 1/2 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 tsp Dark Chocolate PB, 1 tsp maple flakes:


Lunch was 2 eggs with toast and an iced cappuccino, and dinner was Mac and Cheese:


This morning I had a toasted tomato sandwich for breakfast, a turkey sandwich and a pear for lunch, and a small helping of spaghetti bolognese and a bowl of soup for dinner (Eastside Mario's).


I haven't been blogging on Monday or Wednesday evenings lately as I have class those nights and just want to collapse by the time I finally get home at 9:30 p.m..  Grad school is going really well!  I am done exams, and now I only have 5 papers to write and 2 presentations to do before the end of the term.  It is much less stressful than my last fall semester was.  I am looking forward to being done however, so that I can get into Christmas mode :-)  I know it is not even Halloween yet, but I am a total sucker for Christmas.  I love everything about it, and cannot wait to start baking, decorating and shopping. 

This was my Halloween costume last year, and I am wearing the same thing tomorrow (with black pants and a black t-shirt underneath for work):



I have a different costume for this weekend - it is pretty wicked sweet. You will have to wait until Sunday to see what it is.  Hint: I bought a kids costume in the biggest size.

What is your favourite holiday/special day and why?  
What holiday to you go "all out for"?  

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

10 on Tuesday

M 


ornings like this make me wish I could curl up and stay in bed:


We had our first snow fall of the season today. 
My city has been issued a weather warning.  
The winds are gusting at 80km/hr.  It is not pretty.

In other news, 10 days until I leave for the Foodbuzz Festival in San Fransisco!  
I am nervous to travel by myself, but I am also excited.  
I have never travelled alone before, not even a little trip.

Breakfast for the past two mornings has been a Green Monster (1 cup Almond Breeze, 1 frozen banana, 1 tsp hemp seeds, 1 scoop Amazing Grass) and a pear:



Lunch has been the same as well (turkey sandwich).  
I also had an ice-cappuccino yesterday, and veggies today:


I had an exam last night, so I had a quick veggie pita pizza while cramming:


This evenings dinner was from The BIG Cook.  It was saucy chicken on rice:


My snack was Source Vanilla Yogurt (the best yogurt) with 1 tsp of melted PB:


10 on Tuesday

1. What is your favorite decor item in your house?
I love the original painting in my living room of a red tree.

2. What is your favorite hair product?
I only use shampoo and conditioner - nothing else.  I always use Live Clean.

3. Are you a good dancer?
I bust out moves you haven't even heard of before - like the unicorn.
Don't ask.

4. You get some good news, who’s the first person you call?
I tell the husband first, and then I call my mom.

5. Would you rather take pictures, or be in pictures?
Take them.

6. What is your shoe style?
I like simple heels, closed or peep-toe.  I also love boots.

7. How often do you eat out?
Once or twice a week, sometimes more ... we are on the road a lot, and also have a lot of social engagements with friends that revolve around going out.

8. If someone has food in their teeth, do you tell them?
Depends who it is.  Not usually, because it is awkward.

9. Do you fold your underwear?
Nope.

10. Milk, dark, or white chocolate?I like milk the best.  I don't care if it is a foodie sin to say so.  It is creamier.  I also love dark chocolate, and the white chocolate-like substance (that is not made with cacao beans, so it is not chocolate) as well.

Have you ever traveled alone?  Where to?  On a plane?  By car?
What are your answers to the 10 on Tuesday?


Sunday, October 24, 2010

Vanilla Yogurt + PB = LOVE.

M 

y week was full of homework and studying, as was my weekend - blah.  

Fortunately last week I was contacted by the promotional team at CSN Stores.  I have worked with CSN Stores many times in the past, alternating between giveaways and reviews of their many products from their huge collection of on-line stores.  CSN stores sell everything under the sun, including kitchen bar stools and other furniture, to baby products, cookware and other kitchen gadgets.  Last time I worked with CSN stores I did a giveaway, so this time I will do a review. 
Any requests for what you would like me to review?  
Some ideas I have include: crepe pan, steak knife set, or a mini loaf pan.

On Friday morning I made German Chocolate Oats with 1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze, 1/2 cup quick oats, 1 tsp Dark Chocolate Dreams PB and 1 tsp coconut:


Lunch was Sukiyaki beef with rice and veggies from Edo Japan.  I had a quick chicken Caesar salad for dinner before getting to my homework:


I took a break on Friday evening around 11:30 to watch some TV and share some popcorn with the hubby.

On Saturday morning I had a few pancakes, then headed out of town to visit my mom for the day.  Lunch was a green chicken curry at a Thai restaurant.  I drank a lot of coffee and tea, and snacked on some beef jerky on the way.


My Saturday evening was spent studying.  I am cool like that.  Dinner was a Booster Juice, and some yogurt with PB in it (I had this snack 3 times this weekend):


If you haven't tried vanilla yogurt with PB stirred in it, please understand these 2 facts:

1) There is a first time for everything
2) There is no time like the present

Melt the PB for about 20 seconds first.  You're welcome.

My dad took the family out for brunch this morning.  I had the small southwestern breakfast.
(I didn't eat the toast):


I snacked on yogurt with PB and hemp seeds this afternoon, then went to my in-laws for supper.  We had Caesar salad, stuffed pasta shells & garlic bread.  Dessert was apple crisp.

I ate about 1/2 of this.  My husband has no idea when it comes to dishing out portions for me!
As most of you know by now, in 2 weeks I will be going to the Food Buzz Festival in San Fransisco!  This weekend I bought my welcome reception gift exchange gift.  Each attendee has been asked to bring a foodie gift that represents their blog or region.  We are going to do a gift exchange at the welcome reception.  I am excited to show you all what I bought, but it will have to wait until I get home - don't want to spoil the surprise for the potential recipient :-)  

What type of foodie gift would you give to represent your blog or region (around $20 value)?


Thursday, October 21, 2010

Addict

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omebody stop me!

I have become an addict.

I am addicted to Irish soda bread in the morning:

Served with vanilla yogurt Wednesday morning (toppings: PB, Hemp Seeds, Coconut)



Served with a Green Monster this morning (1 banana, 1 cup chocolate Almond Breeze, 1 T Salba, 1 pack Amazing Grass)


I am addicted to sandwiches at lunch (turkey with lettuce, Gruyere, mustard, banana peppers, pickle on rye).  On Wednesday I had an ice-cappuccino and an apple too.  Today I had some yogurt and carrots with my sandwich.

I am addicted to celery with cheese whiz, which I had last night with a carrot.


I am addicted to Gruyère cheese, which I used in a grilled apple and cheese sandwich yesterday.  I served it with Campbell's Tomato Soup.


I am addicted to green curry on sticky rice.  I made it with shrimp, and devoured it.


Good food is my crack.

What's yours?