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!

Good evening peeps! How are ya?

I woke up this morning and I was FREEZING! I am not loving this -30 weather.

I started my morning with a Green Monster (almond breeze, chia seeds, almond butter, banana, and amazing grass).

Then I ventured out into the darkness to my car, and seriously almost got frostbite on the way from my house to my car.

I am a major wuss in the cold - but seriously -3o something is not my idea of fun.

Lunch today was some pasta with tomato sauce (boring, I know). The hubby and I usually buy groceries on Sunday, and we just didn't this week. We haven't felt like going out in the cold!



I also had an orange and a glo-bar:





After work I did a little bit of Christmas shopping!! I love finding the perfect gift for people.

Hubby made dinner - Chicken tacos. He cooked some ground chicken with some taco seasoning, and then added salsa and cheese and wrapped 'em up. We dipped them in sour cream of course.

I ate this toffifee while the hubby assembled dinner. I am a big help like that.



After dinner we did some more shopping and picked up a few groceries.
I enjoyed a 1/2 sweet, non-fat caramel brulee drink from Starbucks. It helped to warm me up.

How cold is it where you are? How do you keep warm?

Good evening bloggie pants.

So today I felt a new sense of freedom, not having any classes or tests to worry about. I felt guilty all day though, like I was procrastinating and not doing homework that I should be doing - I guess it takes a while for that feeling to wear off!!

Before I get to my eats from today, last night I had a BIG snack because that test made me hannngry, and I eaten my dinner at 4:00 yesterday. My snack was some brown rice with hot sauce:

An orange:

And some pickles and cheese:

This morning for breakfast I had some eggs and rye toast:

And a glass of orange juice:

Lunch was a frozen dinner (Now that I am a little less busy, I will have time for better lunches I hope), and a babybel cheese. Yes I am addicted:

I also had vanilla yogurt topped with frozen blueberries, that melted just in time for lunch:

For dinner this evening I made a lovely veggie and tofu stir-fry with some Asian noodles tossed in to bulk it up:

I always eat stir-fry with chop sticks. It totally tastes better that way :-)

After dinner the hubby and I went shopping for picture frames and spent WAY too much money. We have been blowing through cash like it is going out of style lately, as we are busy decorating our newly (almost 100%) finished basement. I want it to be ready for all the Christmas festivities that will be taking place at our home. Before and after pictures will be up within a couple weeks for sure!!!

After blowing a million dollars (give or take a few bucks) we went for lattes to the local Starbucks/ Chapters. My city has no free standing Starbucks!!! Crazy hey!! They are all inside of either the Chapters/ Safeway/ or a hotel. I got a skinny, decaf, 1/2 sweet gingerbread latte.

Now I am about to make a soothing concoction for my throat, as I woke up with a sore throat ... again. Didn't this happen like 3 weeks ago!!?

What is your typical coffee order?

Also, before I forget ... Check out Taylor's blog for a great giveaway!!

I Can't Say ...

No. I just can't. When it comes to taking on more than I can (or maybe want) to handle - I have a really hard time saying no. When people ask something of me, I always feel like I have to say yes, so that I don't disappoint them or let them down in any way. Do you feel like this?

Sorry - just feeling a lot of pressure lately, and needed to express myself a little bit!

On to my eats from this wonderful Wednesday!

Breakfast featured a packet of Amazing Grass, mixed with 1 cup unsweetened Almond Breeze, 1 T almond butter, and 1 banana:

On the way to work I also had:

And:

Lunch was leftover soybean balls from last night:

And this:

And this:

I also had 1 bite of a brownie (1/2 a 2-bite brownie).

For dinner the hubby suggested that we take a break from cooking and go to one of our favourite restaurants/ coffee houses for a nice, fresh meal. I think I am getting used to the veggie meals, because I ordered a "Green Bowl" - many green veggies, brown rice, sprouts, tofu, and lime peanut sauce:

I ate half and saved the rest for lunch tomorrow. The picture in my header (big pic at the top of my blog) was one I took at this same restaurant.

After dinner the hubby and I went for a coffee to Starbucks. I normally get something very plain, beacause I find their flavoured drinks WAY too sweet, and WAY to artificial tasting. Today I decided to give a flavoured latte another chance, but to ask for 1/2 the flavour. I got a small skinny 1/2 sweet pumpkin spice latte. It was really good, and much better than the full flavour one.

Oh, Christmas cup - I love you.

Does anyone love the Miley Cyrus song "Party in the USA" as much as I do?
Someone did a remake of the song (same melody, different lyrics) and made a video for it. I am really liking it right now:

I am also really loving this song:

What songs are you digging at the moment?