25 posts from 2008

It's snowing!

Dec 22, 2008
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Being buried in snow for the past 10 days has been nice! It is so quiet, the neighbours are all out shoveling and being social, and it has been a good way to avoid the crazy shopping of this week! And it is so beautiful! Perfect for celebrating Saturday/Sunday's Winter Solstice and Christmas! Happy Holidays!

Holiday Cookie Recipes

Dec 11, 2008
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What would the holidays be without yummy goodies? Here are some recipes! Enjoy!

Cocktail Crisps

1 cup butter

8oz. package of Imperial Cheese

dash salt

1/4 tsp. tabasco

1/4 tsp. worcestershire sauce

11/2 cups flour

4 cups rice crispies

Cream butter and cheese together, add seasonings, beat in flour then add rice crispies. Mix well. Shape into balls and press down with a fork dipped in cold water. Bake at 350 for 15-20 min, until lightly brown. These freeze well.

Rosemary Nut Shortbread

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

2/3 cup granulated sugar (last time I made these I found them too sweet, might want to use less for a more savory cookie)

1 Tbsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 egg yolk

1 3/4 cups flour

2 tsp dried rosemary, crumbled

1 cup chopped pine nuts (any nuts are good though)

cream butter, sugar, vanilla and egg together, add flour, nuts and rosemary. Refrigerate for 1 hour, form into balls, press with fork. Bake at 325 until browned, 12-14 min.

Toys R Us Returns

Dec 9, 2008
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I was told today that Toys R Us just throws away all their returns, faulty or not! I don't know if this is true, but it comes from an unnamed source who works there.... Is this not crazy?? I think back to June when I purchased a bike for my daughter which did not fit her...did they just throw that away? Just think of all the children that have so little that would be so excited for a toy despite whether its been returned or not! So be sure of your purchase before you buy from Toys R Us!

Rosemount Shiraz, my new favourite wine

Nov 24, 2008
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WineList_dia_shirazCorkOver

It is spicy, with a slight plum flavour! Just delicious! Perfect for holiday entertaining as you can drink it alone, as well as with meat and even a chocolaty dessert!

If you choose to indulge, enjoy!

Centre for Inspired Living

Nov 17, 2008
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Thanks to an aquaintence, I was introduced to The Centre for Inspired Living. Although I believe that there is a God, I have a cautious distaste for organized religion. But this organization may be worth looking into. Check out their website http://www.centreforinspiredliving.org/... I got this prayer off it:

Prayer for Success

Today is a new day, a new beginning.

It has been given to me as a new gift.

I can either use it or throw it away.

What I do today will affect me tomorrow.

I cannot blame anyone but myself if I do not succeed.

I promise to use this day to the fullest

By giving my best, realizing it can never come back again.

This is my life and I choose to make it a success!..

Pumpkin Ginger Cookies

Nov 4, 2008
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IMG_2364

Here is a yummy way to sneak pumpkin into your child's diet!

Preheat oven to 350F.

3/4 cup of butter

3/4 cup pumpkin purée

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/4 cup molasses

4 cups flour (I use spelt or whole wheat cake and pastry flour)

4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

4 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp ground cloves

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together, add pumpkin, eggs and molasses. Add dry ingredients.

The original recipe calls for you to chill the dough for 1 hour, then shape into 1" balls and roll in sugar, but I often skip this step and they turn out great--and there is less sugar!

Bake for 8-9 minutes.

Orange Blueberry Muffins

Nov 1, 2008
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Here is a yummy muffin recipe...definitely Trevor and Brooke approved!

In food processor or blender mix together until well chopped and smooth:

1 whole orange (best to use organic for this because you leave the peel on...either way, wash well)

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 egg whites or 1 egg

1/2 cup milk

add all at once, then pulse until JUST mixed:

1 1/2 cup light spelt flour (or whole wheat cake and pastry flour)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

pinch of salt

1 cup frozen blueberries (optional)

Bake at 375 (350 convection) for approx 15-20 min. until golden.

Enjoy!

Autumn Comfort in a Cup! (AKA: pumpkin spice latté)

Oct 20, 2008
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Halloween 2007

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In my attempt to re-create the Starbucks experience at home, here is my recipe for a pumpkin spice latté! If you don't have an espresso machine, you can easily make it at home by warming up the milk and spices in a pot on the stovetop and add some strong coffee (it tastes just as good without the coffee too). So yummy on a cold, damp, fall day!

3/4 cup soy milk/milk

1/8 tsp each nutmeg, ginger and cinnamon

1Tbsp puréed pumpkin

maple sugar to taste (brown sugar or sugar-free vanilla syrup work well too)

place all ing. in a large coffee cup, stir and steam until warm and frothy

Top with 1 shot of espresso.

Enjoy!

Blissful Steps to a Sustainable, Green Future!

Oct 7, 2008
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Photo 32

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Today I bought my first pair of eco-friendly boots! Let me tell you, there is nothing better to make a girl feel radiant than a new pair of cute boots! Throw in the vital statistics of these "Tomale" boots by "Simple" and it is more than enough to take you from feeling radiant to down-right Goddessy:

I contain no animal byproducts or even regular animal products. I am a vegan friendly and veggie friendly shoe.
I have hemp uppers
It’s pronounced toe-mah-lay
I have coconut buttons
I am lined in certified organic cotton fleece
I have a natural latex and cork blended topsole
I have a recycled car tire outsole
I have a bamboo wedge heel
I am held together with water based cements

Plus, they are made in California instead of China!

I got mine at "Shoes On Yates" downtown Victoria for $130...another store in town had them for $149. They are so comfy - it's like wearing slippers out in public!

Lentil Soup - for Lara

Oct 5, 2008
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1 cup lentils

1/2 cup barley

6 cups vegetable stock

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

any other veggies (I like swiss chard or kale)

1/2 tsp oregano

1/4 tsp cumin

1/8 tsp chili flakes

salt & pepper to taste

add all ingredients to a large pot; simmer 1 hour

can be doubled

may need to add some extra water...it gets pretty thick some times.