New Year, New Food - Grain Free Raspberry Chocolate Muffins

As we do when a new year is upon us, I went in search of some healthy recipes to take me through the winter months.  I stumbled upon Detoxinista and have been eating well ever since.  The website is run by a holistic nutritionist and is organized by category.  It's very easy to find yummy, healthy recipes that cater to those of us who have tummy issues, food sensitivities and who also just like to eat quality meals that aren't full of preservatives and all that nasty stuff we should be avoiding as much as possible.  No one with a bad diet was ever accused of being 10 years younger than they actually are.  Isn't that motivation enough?

I have spent countless hours trolling the Detoxinista site and have made a list of all the ones I want to try.  Normally I could live on cheese, vegetables, chocolate and coffee...but with the Danish Exchange Student living with us now, I am forced to actually come up with, and provide proper meals.  Fortunately she likes cooking and is always asking what she can do to help - I might just survive this experience!  We tried the avocado chocolate pudding - it was phenomenal and really tastes like the best chocolate pudding ever.  I don't like avocados but I couldn't even taste them in this.  The site also includes recipes for cauliflower pizza crust, spaghetti squash 'pasta' casserole, and vegan/gluten free mac & cheese.  There is something for everyone, gluten free, celiac, paleo, low carb and how about...simply hungry!

I was looking for something we could make that would be easy for us to take in the morning, rushing for school, starving between meals (I had no idea how much teenagers eat) or when I just can't see myself putting a meal on the table.  I found these yummy looking muffins and decided to give them a try...

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Muffins (Grain-free)

• 2 cups almond flour (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 whole eggs
• ¼ cup coconut oil, softened (butter works, too)
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup fresh raspberries (or thawed from frozen)
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• 12 muffin liners

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350F and line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
2. Combine all the ingredients– except for the raspberries and chocolate chips– and mix well, until the batter is a uniform consistency.
3. Gently fold in the raspberries and chocolate chips, until they are spread throughout the batter.
4. Using a ¼ cup to measure, drop batter into muffin liners and bake for 15 minutes at 350F, turning the pan halfway through for even baking. The final muffins should be golden brown around the edges and firm in the center.
5. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then remove to cool completely.

These came together quickly and I had them in the oven in under 5 minutes.  The mixture seemed very thick, much thicker than it looks on the Detoxinista website, but they taste good and held up well.  We will be keeping these in the food rotation with some variations from time to time.  Bananas and peanut butter perhaps?



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On the mend

I've had the stomach flu since last Friday and was only able to leave the house for the first time yesterday.  Apologies for my lack of posts and the delayed giveaway, normalcy shall resume on Monday,

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

Friday's Random Thoughts...kind of...

Happy Friday!  I realize I haven't said a peep in almost two weeks.  I have been busy with a million little things as well as some minor health issues (welcome to the 40s!) and just haven't felt like doing anything but lying on the couch.  My health problems are *ahem* female related...I wont be going into them here but I might need a minor surgery.  In fact, I'm really hoping I get the surgery so this can be put to a stop and I can get my life back!  It has been almost a month of dealing with it and besides the inconvenience, it's taking a toll on my happiness and outlook.  Hence the lack of blog posts.

I have birthday photos, questions to answer, recaps to do, outfits to Polyvore, events to discuss...and once I am feeling better I will get them all done and shared with the world.

I might resort to posting products and giveaways just to keep things moving so please forgive me if I jump the shark for a few weeks - I promise my usual sparkling self will be back soon!

In the meantime...I hope you are having a great spring and will do my best to keep up with your posts!


Have a fabulous day!

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Cheesy Quinoa Cakes - Recipe

These are such a nice snack - I like them with hummus salad dressing but any sort of tangy sauce will do.  They are like latkes but with quinoa!  And cheese!  YUM!  Oh...did I mention they are gluten-free?  Perfect for those of us with tummy sensitivities!

To cook quinoa use a 2:1 ratio of water to quinoa, bring to a boil then put on 'low' and simmer for 15 minutes.  Easy peasy!

2 cups cooked quinoa
2/3 cup grated cheese
3 tablespoons flour (use gluten-free flour if you like)
2 green onions, thinly sliced (I use 5 or 6)
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
Extra virgin olive oil

salt to taste

Mix everything but the oil together in a bowl and heat the oil over medium heat.  Spoon the mixture into the hot oil - I use a big tablespoon or a small ice cream scoop.

 Each side takes about 5 minutes to get nicely golden brown.  Squash them down a bit to make the 'pancakes' nice and crispy.  You will need to add a bit of oil for each batch but a little bit goes a long way!

My batch usually makes 10-12 pancakes depending on how big they are.  I have eaten them for every meal and snacks in the last few weeks and lost all of my Christmas flubber without even thinking about it!


Have a fabulous day!

Quinoa Casserole - Recipe!

Seriously...this is so yummy I have made it every second day for the last few weeks!  It's very easy to make and keeps well in the fridge.

Quinoa has so many great health benefits and is so easy to prepare and cook with...there's no reason it shouldn't be in everyone's diet!  Packed full of protein and magnesium (something women tend to suffer a lack of) it is a tiny little powerhouse of goodness!

It is like a grain but it's actually a seed.  It can replace rice, couscous or anything else you would like to improve.  I have also seen quinoa flakes and flour and found a number of recipes for brownies and other goodies!  Quinoa is gluten free and easy on the tummy so it is perfect for anyone with digestive issues!

Quinoa cooking...use a 2:1 ratio of water to quinoa and bring to a boil.  Then turn down to low and let simmer for 15 minutes.  Let it sit for 5 minutes then fluff up with a fork.  Yes, that's a spurtle.  From Scotland.

One 10 oz container of condensed 'Cream of' soup.  I found organic mushroom in the health food section of my grocery store.

1/3 cup mayo

2 tablespoons milk

1 1/4 cups shredded cheese

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1tbsp nutmeg

2 cups raw broccoli

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa

Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a casserole dish.

In a large bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, milk, shredded cheese, pepper, and nutmeg until well mixed. Stir in the quinoa and broccoli.

Spoon mixture into prepared casserole.  Sprinkle on a couple tablespoons of Parmesan and bake for 35-40 minute - should be bubbly with golden edges.

For those who asked about my new bakeware...I love it!  It is actually non-stick even tho it's not teflon.  I have baked this casserole in this pan loads of times and it comes out of the dishwasher looking perfect!

Have a fabulous day!

My favourite smoothie recipe

I have been drinking smoothies a couple of times a day for over a month now and I am so amazed at how much girth I have lost!  I have lost a lot of my fluff and dropped at least 1 size since April 1st.  Each night for dinner I have chicken with lots of veggies and even a little bit of dark chocolate!  I have one cheat day a week when I just eat whatever I want.  I believe a big part of my weight loss is the organic aspect of what I am putting into my body, when the liver doesnt have to work so hard to process toxins it can get to work on processing fats and flushing all those pesky calories out!  I highly recommend choosing organic at every opportunity and considering how many products are shelved together it's easy to pick them up when you do your regular grocery shopping.  Organic living is also about sustainability.  This means our lands aren't being destroyed by chemicals and pesticides.

My favourite smoothie tastes like a peanut butter sandwich!  Oh my goodness it is soooo good!


3/4 cup of frozen berries (I use raspberries, blackberries and black currants)
Just cover the berries with Pom juice (Pom Wonderful or Bolthouse)
Add 1/2 cup almond milk
1 tbsp ground chia (you will have to grind them at home)
2 tbsp almond butter
Cinnamon
1 scoop of Organic Clear Fiber (Available at your local health food store)
1 scoop of unflavoured iso-whey protein powder

Blend until it is all ground and smooth.

What I love about this smoothie is all the protein and fiber that keep me going until lunch time!


Have a fabulous day!

It's Laser Day!

Today is the big day!  In a few hours the Suburban Prince and I will be heading into the city for lunch, a little bit of shopping and then my laser eye surgery!

I hear I will be offered a valium and have no idea if I should take it or not.  I have never had one and have no idea if it will knock me out, give me a fit of the giggles, give me the munchies, make me see all the beautiful colours....oh wait, I think that's pot.  If anyone can tell me what a valium is like I would love to know what to expect!

Above is the view from the optometrist's office...the CN Tower and Varsity Stadium...the Suburban Prince and I had our first date in the hotel bar in the big building on the right hand side.  Turn left and go down this one way street and you will find yourself in the most swankified shopping area of Toronto (Yorkville) and I'm not feeling good about spending the day there with my glasses on, without makeup!  But so happy to know I will be coming home to a new life, without contacts and glasses!

I should be back online tomorrow night!


Have a fabulous day!

Cross Border Shopping

I am often asked what I buy when I cross the border for the day so I decided to take photos and share what is on my cross border list!  I normally only buy things I know I can't get in Canada or are at a much lower price.  With the dollar being so close to par it is easy to get some great deals!  I remember when I was pregnant we went to Target to pick up all the baby gear and everything cost us half what it would here! 

I live close to a quiet border crossing and tend to see the same guards over and over - one American guard always laughs and tells us we are crazy to drive 2 hours to shop!  He obviously doesnt understand women at all!  We always tell him it's our moms day out and we had to get far enough way that no one could call us back to find their pants or Cheerios or anything silly like that!

A lot of people are afraid of what will happen when they come back with all of their stuff but there is nothing to fear - the customs officers just want you to pay your bills and be on your merry way!  I arrive at the customs booth with my passport and reciepts in hand and know exactly how much I spent.  I am polite and cheerful with the officer and make it clear I am there to pay my bill, not trying to get out of it. 

The guard will give us a yellow ticket with instructions to park...but I tell them I know the drill!  Once inside the customs building it's always a good idea to remember the guards are human beings and deserve respect and kindness.  You wouldn't believe the number of times a guard has deleted a section of my bill after some friendly banter and a smile.  I dont recommend crossing at Niagara Falls...the guards out here have told me that's the worst place to work and cross.

Canadians have to pay tax on certain items...some guards will ask for the details of every item on your receipt...others will scan it and estimate.  Either way, be prepared to answer questions.  Most items are not subject to duty fees contrary to popular myth but just about everything is subject to Federal and Provincial taxes.  Even with the 13% we pay in Ontario I still save a lot of money!

Snowman shaped marshmallows.  Nuff said.

Minty chocolate - my favourite!

Ibuprofen PM - for those nights I just cant sleep!

Vitamin C powders - we do have these in Canada but they are 26.00 a box in most places.  In Target they start at 6.00 and go up to 9.00 depending on the flavour.  I bought 6 boxes...saved approximately 120.00 right there and got to spend the day with a friend I adore and rarely get to see!

Zinc lozenges - I am obviously terrified of getting sick!

Archer Farms fruit and yoghurt bars. 

I keep these in my purse, car, desk!

I had High Heeled Life bring these back for me once!

Flavoured coffee! 

Yes we have coffee in Canada but not pumpkin coffee!

Would you believe these are made in Toronto but not sold in Canada?

We have about 4 flavours of Coffee-Mate in Canada. 

I cant resist the huge assortment I can get in the US!

Have I mentioned I live 45kms from the closest Sbux?

We have Goldfish but not the assortment in the US stores.

The little cartons went into the Little Prince's stocking!

We have very little in the way of nut selection

(keep your filthy mind in check) and this is the perfect combination!

Fiber!  In a gummy!  Who knew!?

VitD and Calcium in a gummy - I am quite facinated with these!

A girl's second best friend!

Fiber, vitamins, bio-flavinoids and anti-oxidents. 

The keys to nice skin, hair and staying youthful!

The Suburban Prince actually shook me awake at 6am to ask me to remember to get the chips he likes!

Luna Bars!  Oh my...deeeeelish!  We have a few flavours in Canada but certainly not chocolate peppermint stick, chocolate raspberry or blueberry bliss!  I cleaned off the shelves.  I eat these as a healthy snack on the run or when I am craving a chocolate bar.

I had no idea Luna bars come in protein too!

  

I use loose power over my foundation to set it and recently I noticed every brand seems to be switching to mineral makeup.  I havn't been able to find loose powder anywhere that isnt mineral so I got online and found a couple of brands available in Target. 

So there you have it!  Of course this doesnt include the clothes, boots, Dreft (not available in Canada) and Christmas presents I bought for the Princes but it is a good example of what I will stock up on when I spend a day stateside!

Have a fabulous day!