Confession

may or may not LOVE Lil Wayne. Don't judge :-)




I also love Green Monsters. I made one for breakfast today.
(1 cup spinach, 1 cup almond breeze, 2 packs of Amazing Grass, and 1 T of Twister Power):







I also had a glo-bar with my coffee on the way to work:



Lunch was leftover tofu curry from last night, as well as a grapefruit.

For dinner this evening we had veggie burgers (from Costco), raw veggies, and potato slices baked with spices and cheese on top.



These veggie burgers we bought from Costco are AMAZING. They taste JUST like a real burger, but they are made with portobello mushrooms. Even my hubby loved them!

When I was younger and lived at home, I always used to trick my mom and sister into eating veggie burgers. They would never have wanted them if they had known!! Hehe. My sister used to say how good they were, and I only told her years later that they were not the real deal.

Would your family eat a veggie burger? Tofu?





Dessert was my favourite Easter treat, a Cream Egg.



This egg will satisfy my Easter chocolate craving until next year. I can't eat them more often that that because they are just toooooooo sweet. I am sweet enough.

Okay, now you confess a SECRET/ bizarre crush?

And, what is your favourite Easter treat?

Giveaway Announcement and Goldenberry Review

Caramel Vanilla Coconut Almond Latte Oats

(say that 3 times fast)

- 1/2 cup coffee
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 macaroon chocolates
- 1 tsp organic coconut
- 1 tsp almond butter



It was a day full of grains.

Oats for breakfast, brown rice for lunch (Amy's Bowl):



(I also had some coconut Greek yogurt, and 1 piece of cheese).

And then white rice (blech) for dinner, with sweet and sour meatballs.





I have noticed lately that after eating white rice I am hungry about 10 minutes later. What a useless excuse for a food. I won't be buying white rice anymore. It turns into sugar almost instantly in the body and provides very, very little nutrition. Brown rice only from now on (unless of course sushi is involved)!!

Because I was hungry right after dinner, I had an organic grapefruit (very different from a non-organic grapefruit). The texture is different (softer), the taste is different (more flavour, more juice), even the colour is different. My sister-in-law, who is often skeptical of organic food has mentioned that organic apples taste more like apples. It is true. I love an unadulterated, fresh piece of organic produce.



I was reading Jessica's blog this evening and noticed that she was eating Goldenberries. Then I remembered that I have some that the nice people at Navitas Naturals had sent me to try a while back!!

Since Jessica gave them a good review,
I tore the package open and tried a few.
(I am a poet and I didn't know it).



The taste was reminiscent of a raisin, although a seedier, tarter, tangier, much cooler version of a raisin. The seeds give the berries an interesting crunch, and the strong, tangy taste is very appealing. I have been nibbling on these berries all evening!

Incan Golden Berry (Cape Gooseberry) - A superfruit that is native to Brazil, but has spread to Chile in Peru where it thrives. The tiny seeds are full of nutrients, and the berry is high in protein (compared to other berries). They are a good source of Vitamin P (anti-inflamitory, antioxident, antiviral). The berries are also an excellent source of Vitamin A.

Have you tried Goldenberries?

Canadians can find Navitas Naturals products here.

Giveaway Announcement

As mentioned yesterday, in light of my trip to NY (17 days away!!!) I would like to do a NY inspired giveaway. When I think of New Yorkers, I think of busy people running around the city with giant Starbucks cups :-) Hehe. I read a lot of celebrity magazines.

If you want a chance to win a $25 Starbucks Gift Card just leave me a comment. I will choose a winner randomly on Monday 29th.

This giveaway is open to everyone!

Kids? A BIG Giveway? Coming Soon (Enough)!

n Monday I was contacted by Jason from CSN Stores.

CSN Stores has a number of websites with great products ranging from modern decor to kids furniture and cookware. Of course, I was instantly interested in the cookware, although maybe one of these days I will be thinking more about kids furniture - *Nudge nudge, wink, wink.* (Don't get too excited - see the Q and A below!!)

Jason presented me with the opportunity to either try and review a product from one of CSN Stores' sites myself, OR do a giveaway with my readers.

I decided that I would like to let you, my lovely readers, in on the action and do a giveaway instead of a product review.

The stuff on these sites is AMAZING, and I don't need to try it out to know that!

I am very excited that on Monday I will announcing another BIG giveaway!!
You won't want to miss out!!

Now for my eats ...

Breakfast was a smoothie.

Open up!


Mmmm, chocolate smoothie goodness. This was made with 1 cup unsweetened almond breeze, 1 T almond butter, 1 pack Chocolate Amazing Grass, 1 pack Kids Chocolate Amazing Grass, 1 scoop chia seeds, 1 scoop of the power blend that Navitas Naturals gave me to try.

This smoothie kept me full all morning.

I didn't have anything to take for lunch today, so I had to pick something up. I decided that Booster Juice would be the healthiest option. I had a vegetarian Greek wrap:



And some fresh juice (4 carrots, ginger, and apple) that I just about gagged on.
Too much ginger - blech!



The hubby and I were craving breakfast for dinner this evening. We made omelets and then put them on top of toasted whole wheat bagels, topped them with cheese, and broiled them for a couple minutes. I smothered mine in Sriracha. I have a problem.



Dessert was a grapefruit with a sprinkle of stevia (thanks to NuNaturals for the stevia).



I was recently asked this question as part of my "Ask Me Anything Feature":

It seems like you have a good career and a happy marriage. Are babies the next step?

Yes, the hubby and I are happily married (nearly 6 years now!!) and we both have our careers in full swing. We own our own home, have two cars, and a landscaped yard. I'd say babies are the next step :-) But we might sneak another trip or two in first! I think 28 would be a good age to get pregnant. I would also like to try and convince some of our couple friends that they should have a baby around the same time!! None of our couple friends have kids yet!! Crazy hey!!

So, tell me about your thoughts on kids.
Do you have them? Want them? When? How many?

Fighting it Off

woke up this morning and felt the beginnings of a cold in my throat and head. I had to drag myself out of bed. I needed something to boost my immunity, so I had an immunity smoothie with a banana, TwisterPower Superfood Blend that Navitas Naturals sent me to try, some Amazing Grass, chia seeds, and Almond breeze:

It was a delicious, chocolaty elixir:

I felt okay throughout the day, but not 100%.

Lunch was leftover stew from my Irish dinner party:

As well as an orange and some cheese:

I picked up some homeopathic cold pills on the way home. They have worked for me in the past, so I am sticking with them.

Dinner was curried chicken, some brown rice with salsa, and 2 mini samosas.

Samosas are one of my most favourite foods.

Have you ever had a samosa?

I wanted some cold-busting vitamins for dessert, so I had an orange and a grapefruit:

I also had 3 of my valentine's chocolates and a mini KitKat.

I am going to bed early to try and outsmart this silly cold. You can't get me coldy, no, no, no.

What is the first thing you do when you feel a cold trying to get you!!??

I usually:

1) Go to bed early
2) Take homeopathic cold pills
3) Take vitamin C and D
4) Load up on citrus and other healthy foods
5) Gargle with salt water

I have kept 2 or 3 colds at bay already this winter with those 5 things, and have not developed a cough yet this winter (which is a first for me I think).

Product Review and Irish Theme Dinner

Navitas Naturals sent me some products to try, and I was especially excited to receive this product:

It is a 100% Pure Hemp - Cacao - Maca Super Food Blend. All three ingredients are certified organic, kosher, vegan and raw. The mix is high in protein, omegas, and antioxidents. The maca benefits the endocrine system to help energize and nourish.

15 g of the powder has only 60 calories,1 gram of sugar, and 6 grams of protein.

For breakfast yesterday I mixed about 30 grams with a cup of Almond Breeze and a banana:





It looked like a chocolate shake, and had the texture of a smooth shake, with NO grainy texture at all. This powder does not have a strong flavour as I could mostly just taste the banana, with a very faint chocolate taste. I have tried other protein powders, and they ALWAYS have a strong, gross taste. This didn't have that at all. It was so mild that it could be mixed in with anything, or sprinkled on yogurt, etc..

The smoothie I had for breakfast yesterday kept me full for SO long! I don't know if it was because I was busy cooking, or what it was, but I didn't eat anything else all day unti supper! Not healthy, but I ate enough at supper to make up for it!

I am going to use it in my green monsters from now on for an extra protein kick!

Have you ever tried any Navitas Naturals products?

If you don't know about the company, here is some info for you from their website:

"The “Navitas” in our name is the Latin word for energy.

And like our name implies, our mission is to provide premium organic functional foods that increase energy and enhance health. Part of this effort is to continually search for the world’s most beneficial natural foods. Navitas Naturals is a certified organic, green business headquartered in Marin County, California.

We specialize in organic and wild-crafted functional foods, and strive to lead the industry in this expanding market. Health conscious consumers choose our nutrient-rich products because they are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Our premium quality “superfoods” are always free of additives and trans fats; the absence of these elements speaking to the purity and effectiveness of the products.

Our company is committed to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. We source our premium functional foods through direct partnerships with farming communities around the world. An essential part of our mission is to create economic opportunities among indigenous people in developing countries, and our support of native agriculture helps expand development of global organic farming practices."

I spent the day cooking yesterday for an Irish themed dinner party with friends. Each course was paired with a different Irish beer:

The amuse bouche was goat cheese on a homemade apple pear chutney:



The first course was an assortment of Irish cheeses and breads. I made 3 different breads: brown soda bread, Irish soda bread, and beer bread:







Next was a salad with an Irish cider dressing:



Murphey's Onion Soup:



Medival Stout Stew:



And a mocha chocolate souffle with whisky sauce:



Paired with a Guinness of course :-)



Mocha Chocolate Souffle with Whiskey Sauce
(Source: The Irish Spirit Cookbook)

Souffles:
- 2 T ground almonds
- 5 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 1/4 cup fresh brewed coffee
- 2 t flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 large eggs, separated

Sauce:
- 2/3 cup whipping cream
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
- 2 T Whiskey

To make the Souffles: Preheat the oven to 375. Butter 6 eight ounce ramekins and dust with the ground almonds, shaking out the excess.

Melt the chocolate and add the coffee. Stir in the flour, 2 T of the sugar, and the egg yolks.

Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the other 2 T of sugar. Beat until firm peaks form. Fold into the chocolate mixture gently. Spoon into the ramekins. Bake 15-20 minutes.

To make the sauce: Heat the cream, add the chocolate and stir until melted. Add the whisky. Spoon over the souffle.

Bon Appetit!

Packages in the Mail!

hank you to Navitas Naturals for sending me these goodies to try out! I will be posting a review soon. I am especially excited to try the Hemp Cacao Maca Twister Powder!

Another BIG thank you to the people at Crofter's Organic for sending me these Superfruit Spreads that are made with organic, fair trade sugar.









I look forward to trying and reviewing all of these products within the next week.

I was so excited yesterday when I found Greek yogurt at the grocery store! I had never (until today) tried Greek yogurt. For breakfast this morning I scooped about 2/3 of a cup into a bowl, and topped it with honey:



Then I put 2/3 of a cup of granola on top:





As weird as this is, I am not a huge fan of Greek yogurt. It is too thick for me. I prefer a runnier yogurt - Source Vanilla Yogurt is still my fave. I will eat the container up, but I doubt I will buy it again.

Do you like Greek yogurt? Do you eat it plain or in/on something?

This morning at work I had 1/2 a donut. I hate when there are donuts in the staffroom. I don't even really like them, but the peer pressure gets to me :-)

Lunch was leftover Mexican casserole - as good as this stuff is, I am getting tired of it after eating it 3 times in a week!



I supplemented my lunch with some strawberries and cheese:





I had an oatmeal, raisin cookie too.

Dinner tonight was leftovers from last night (this BIG Cook thing leaves me with TOO much leftover food!!!). I had leftover sweet and sour pork with brown rice and hot sauce:



I felt like fruit this evening so my snack was a grapefruit and a banana topped with almond butter and coconut:





I just finished writing a science test for my lovelies ... and I also wrote out valentines for each of them. Thirteen and fourteen year olds are NOT too old for valentines ...

These are the ones for the girls:



And these are for the boys:



I will be giving these out tomorrow as it is the last day before our 5 day weekend!

Do you give out valentines? Do you celebrate valentine's day? What do you do?

Don't forget to enter my "Things I LOVE" Giveaway.

The Contest closes at 5:00 pm on Valentine's Day.