Cooking is Sexy ... The Flu? Not so Much.

esterday was the last day of summer, but if you came to my house you wouldn't have known it.  It was a gloomy day - windy, rainy, and cold, and I was home with a fever.  I had major chills that made my bones cold, and they didn't subside all day.  I felt tired, and weak.  Surprisingly, I still had an appetite ... or I thought I did.

Breakfast was baked eggs with 1 tomato, 1/2 yellow pepper, green onions, herbs, 2 whole eggs, 1 white, and some cheese:

My flu eyes were bigger than my flu stomach, because I couldn't finish this dish, nor anything else I ate over the past 2 days.  Lunch was about 1/2 of this plate of the hubby's leftovers from Sunday:

In the afternoon I snacked on a grapefruit.

For dinner last night I through some stuff together for spaghetti and meatballs, then zonked out on the couch and let the hubby finish because I was too exhausted and cold.  

 

(Meatball Mixture: Organic Ground Beef, Garlic, 1 egg, 1/2 cup oatmeal, Italian Spice from my "Sexy Gourmet" spices, oregano, salt and pepper)

After cooking the meatballs in the oven for about 30 minutes (too tired to fry them), the hubby tossed them with whole wheat spaghettini, and this gourmet pasta sauce we bought at Sunterra in Calgary.

I ate about 3 bites, and put the rest away in the fridge.  I had lost my appetite, and wanted nothing more than to hibernate and find some way to warm up.  I shivered my way through a hot shower, and chattered my teeth in a steaming bath.  I then ventured out into the cold to plan for a sub for today too.  The hardest part about being sick when it comes to my job, is that someone else has to do my job when I am away!

I woke up feeling just as awful and cold on this first day of fall as I did yesterday.

I tried to warm myself up with some comforting oats.

Apple Pie Oats

 

- 1 cup unsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze

- 1/2 cup quick oats

- 1 grated apple

- 1 tsp brown sugar (or more)

- 1 tsp cinnamon

- pinch of nutmeg

- 2 Nilla Wafers

- 1 tsp cinnamon raisin PB&Co. (optional - to taste)

Bring liquid to a boil.  Add oats and apple, and cook 1 minute.  Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1-2 minutes.  Top with sugar and spices, and Nilla Wafers.

 (grated apple)

 (brown sugar and cinnamon)

(nutmeg)

 (Nilla Wafers)

I didn't eat lunch.  Too cold to move.

Dinner this evening was pineapple chicken (that was in my freezer from when I did the BIG COOK) served over chow mein, with roasted fennel (tossed in olive oil and balsamic).

CSN Store Giveaway Winner

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The winner is Alanna from Blood Sweat and Cupcakes!  Congrats Alanna!  Send me an email and I will send you your promotional code! 

I went into work tonight for our meet the teacher evening.  I felt really weak, and extremely warm for the first time - too warm.  I am back to being cold again.  Off to bed.

How was your week been going?  What are you looking forward to in the next few days?

Do you still have an appetite when you are sick?  

I am looking forward to feeling better!

Vegetarian Dinner with Friends

There is still time to enter my $40 CSN Store Giveaway.

The winner will be chosen randomly on Tuesday.

I had an exciting weekend!  On Friday I went out with my sister-in-law dancing.  My eats on Friday included steel cut oats with cinnamon and berries, a Thai dish that I split with a friend, and some chicken soup.  I had a few beer in the evening.  

On Saturday morning I made a quick berry and banana smoothie, then headed to the bridal shop with my sister!!!  She found "the" dress in no time - it is absolutely PERFECT for her, and I am so excited.  We also booked her venue on Friday - I am loving being the wedding coordinator for my sister.  Lunch on Saturday was 1/2 box of Organic Annie's mac and cheese.  

On Saturday evening the hubby and I went to our friends' home for a vegetarian dinner.  The meal was excellent.  The food was full of flavour, perfectly cooked, and a feast for all senses.

Salad (beets, goat cheese, etc. - simply amazing!):

Main Course (curried squash, kamut, red lentils in tomatoes, green beans, cheese rolls - best green beans I have ever had the pleasure of eating):

Dessert (homemade drumsticks - they were as good as they sound!!!):

We drank red wine and Prosecco.  We had a fabulous evening!

This morning the hubby and I headed out on the road for a couple hours to visit my mom.  We picked up coffee in the morning and split this giant sandwich for breakfast:

We had breakfast food for lunch, but I wasn't feeling great so I only ate about 1/3 of this plate:

We had take-out won ton soup for dinner this evening, a perfect comfort food for me when I am not feeling 100%.  I am definitely coming down with something, so I am off to bed early.

Do you like green beans?  What vegetable do you enjoy, but always forget to cook?

I love green beans, brussels sprouts, and beets, but never remember to make any of them.

Mexican Night Out

Breakfast this morning was inspired by one of my favourite kinds of Lara Bar - Cocoa Coconut Chew.  The ingredient list on this bar is a mere 5 ingredients (dates, almonds, walnuts, cocoa powder, and dried coconut).

Cocoa Coconut Oats

- 1/2 cup quick oats

- 1/2 cup light coconut milk

- 1/2 cup unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze

- 1/2 tsp coconut

- 1/2 tsp mini choc. chips

Bring liquid to a boil.  Stir in oats for 1 minute.  Remove and cover for 3 minutes.  Stir and top with toppings.

I have been waking up with a bit of a sniffle lately, so I loaded up on the chicken soup and produce for lunch today.  I had a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup, a peach, some peppers, and some cukes:

I had to pack my new water bottle too!  I love pirates.  And by pirates, I mean Johnny Depp.  

My hubby and I were excited to go to a local restaurant tonight called for a traditional four-course Mexican meal, cooked by a new friend named Mariana.  Mariana is from Tiujana, and has been living in my city for a while as a personal chef.  She is now headed back to Mexico, and so this evening was a good-bye party for her, and a celebration for Mexican Independence Day.

The meal was healthy, fresh, and absolutely fabulous.  We enjoyed every bite.  This food was authentic, and traditional, and the exact type of meal that I love.

Appetizer (sopes): 

Soup (tortilla):

Main Course (chicken with pumpkin seed sauce, rice and beans):

 

The hubby had a stuffed pepper with rice and beans:

Dessert (bread pudding - the best I have ever tasted):

I had the wine pairings with my courses, and it was a prix fixe menu, which I really like.  

Have you ever had traditional Mexican food?  

Have you made it?  Have you had it in Mexico?  

What is your favourite Mexican dish?

Don't forget to enter my $40 CSN Store Giveaway!

Maple Cinnamon Raisin VOO Parfait & Spiced Quinoa

Maple Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oat Parfait

- 1/3 cup quick oats

- 1 scoop chia seeds

- 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze

- 1 tsp real maple syrup

- 2 tsp golden raisins

- A few good sprinkles of cinnamon

 

Mix together and put refrigerate overnight.  In the morning make banana soft serve (1 frozen banana, 3-5 T Almond Breeze) and layer with the oats.

This was one of the best breakfasts I have had in a while. It is a keeper fo sho.

Tuesday's Eats:

Breakfast: 2 eggs, 1 slice toast

Lunch: 2 leftover pork crepes, a peach, 1/2 red pepper, 1/4 cucumber

Snacks: cheese string, an orange, a chocolate truffle

Dinner: Chicken noodle soup, with ketchup & pepper stirred in because it makes it so good.

(Before adding ketchup)

 (After adding ketchup - mmmmm mmmmm)

My breakfast this morning was the oat parfait above.  Lunch was a couple more leftover crepes, red pepper and cukes, and an iced cappuccino.  I made a quinoa dish for dinner:

Spiced Quinoa

(serves 2)

- 3/4 cup quinoa (rinse well)

- 1 cup chicken broth

- 1/2 light coconut milk

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon

- 1 1/2 tsp curry

- 1/2 tsp cumin

- salt and pepper to taste

- 1/4 chopped cucumber

- 1 chopped tomato

- 1 cup chickpeas

Mix the first 7 ingredients in a pot, and bring to a boil.  Once boiled, remove from heat and simmer on LOW on another burner for 17-20 minutes covered.  Toss in cukes, tomato, and chickpeas, and stir to warm.

Do you like quinoa?  What is your favourite dish to make with it? 

Link to a great recipe if you'd like because I bought a big bag and so I have lots to use!

Don't forget to enter my $40 CSN Store Giveaway!

Giveaway Announcement

$40 CSN Store Giveaway Announcement

I was recently contacted by the promotions team at CSN Stores.  As most of you know by now, CSN Stores has 250+ online stores that sell an extremely wide range of products, with my favourite being the cookware of course!  They have a huge selection of dutch ovens, crepe pans, and kitchen scales - all things that are on my wish list.  I have worked with CSN Stores in the past to do some reviews and giveaways.  The last time I worked with them I reviewed a kettle, so this time I will do a giveaway for my readers!

This contest is open to residents of Canada and the US.

The winner will receive a $40 promotional code to spend at CSN Stores.

To enter:  Leave a comment on todays post answering my profound question :-)

The winner will be chosen randomly on Tuesday September 21st.

On to food ...

I started my morning out today with a grapefruit and a slice of toast (homemade Irish bread):

Lunch was a small bowl of chipotle chicken soup, 1 peach, and 1 apple.

Dinner was chipotle salmon, veggies, and salad:

 

I had class tonight, and it was great!  I think I am going to like grad school!!  I am taking Neuropsycholgy on Wednesdays, and Therapy on Mondays. I am also finishing up some stuff for a directed reading course. It should be a great semester.  I came home from class famished.  I had 2 egg whites, and some veggies:

To enter the $40 CSN Store Contest, answer the following question in your comment:

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

RICH

It was unplanned, but my eats were superbly rich this weekend.

I get sick of really rich foods quite quickly, and can only handle them in small doses, therefore I didn't finish any of my plates this weekend.  I am now jonesing for a Green Monster and a pound of lettuce.

On Friday night the hubby and I went out for dinner for our friend Jocelyn's 30th birthday! 

We went to the Fireside Bistro, where we split some bruschetta and red wine.  I ordered the Prawns Thermador as my main course.  It was the richest dish I have ever had (and not the greatest).  I gave some prawns away because I just wasn't feeling it.  I should never have ordered it because I wasn't in the mood for something rich, especially after having leftover Swiss steak for lunch.  I ordered a beer for dessert :-)
 Genius move Jolene. 

 

We had a relaxing Saturday morning.  We enjoyed the pancake mix that we bought in Calgary at Sunterra:

Lunch was 1 cup of broccoli soup and a small piece of wifesaver breakfast.

On Saturday evening we stayed in, had a roast chicken dinner with all the fixings and some red wine again!

This morning we got up early to watch our friends finish their half marathon.  The hubby never gets to see other people race because he is always racing, so this time he got to be a spectator.  I made his and her oats before we left.

Chocolate Maple Latte Oats

(makes 2 servings)

1 cup coffee

1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze

1 cup quick oats

1.5 T Mighty Maple PB (PB & Co.)

2 tsp maple flakes

1 tsp chocolate chips

Bring liquid to a boil.  Stir in oats for 1 minute.  Remove from heat, and cover for 3 minutes.

Stir in PB.  Put oats into bowls and sprinkle with maple flakes.

We shared a really unhealthy lunch at Costco (Pizza and Poutine).

The hubby's family came over for dinner this evening.  

We made a chicken chipotle soup, poblano pepper crepes, Irish bread, and a chocolate banana creme pie.  I may or may not have had some more red wine ;-)

(making the crepes)

(crepes)

(Pibil pork)

(crepes stuffed with Pibil pork and a little sprinkle of cheese)

(crepes topped with poblano pepper sauce)

 (homemade Irish bread)

 (chicken, black bean chipotle soup)

(chocolate, banana cream pie)

What is the most RICH dish you have ever eaten?

Do you like rich foods, or do you prefer lighter fare?

Although my eats were good this weekend, I am so sick of rich food.  I need me some salad!

(Unfortunately we made enough crepes to feed an army - any takers?)