Mella doing Zumba- an hommage to Britto

You know I love the artist Britto. The bold, bright colours all outlined in black, like old time Fauvism (my grade 10 art teacher would be proud to know I still remember). Well, after the renovations in my home, my goal was to create some bold and bright art work for the walls to spice it up! I came upon this image of a Britto painting on Pinterest and fell in love.

I call it Mella doing Zumba.

This is the beginning stage of the transformation of an old canvas my brother left behind. See the little model I was working from? It took some time to reproduce...

...but I think it was worth it! It hangs in my dinning room wall above the new Ikea credenza and it just punches the room up with colour.

Sprouted Snacks...the benefits

So this is the latest in healthy snacking... Sprouted Snacks..

Brent picked these out one day and they were delicious and spicy...

Here are the ingredients.... good for you sprouted stuff.... and now for the public service annoucement on sprouted food. I took this from the manufacturers website. http://www.gowaybetter.com/sprouting/

...Sprouting creates enzymes which start the seed on its way to becoming a plant.  When seeds begin to grow, the natural enzyme inhibitors that protect them from being digested are no longer present.  It also reduces or eliminates all of the other antinutrients found in raw seeds. Sprouting biologically activates the seed.  The plant proteins, essential fatty acids, starches and vitamins are now BIOAVAILABLE for human digestion, resulting in better nutrient absorption...

Sounds good to me... sprouted food, here we come!

Honouring Sam

Sam, my oldest friend (I mean the friend who I have known the longest- she's actually 2 weeks younger than me!) came to town and there is nothing more I love to do than to host a Tea Party... this time in honour Sam's visit from America.

I got my giant silver star present ( a wedding present that I have never used) and made some delicious homemade cookies and scones (I've shared these recipes with you before).

Some chocolate and spice red and green cranberries and almonds, some chocolate covered caramels and some just plain almonds.

Here we are: Sam, me and Marla. Posing like the little Guelph friends we are!

Since Sam is like a sister, her surrogate Mom and sister and new niece had to come to the party.

Stephanie was soooo excited to meet Sam!

Since there are soooooo many kids now... most of them Marla's I had to take a group shot... I really should have made a movie... you could have seen the chaos! What fun to get together and catch up... we are all so 'grown up' now!

Guelph Girl Christmas Party

Happy Christmas Eve from me and my Guelph Girls!

Every year Robin (blond) and Suzanne (red/blond/brown) - my University of Guelph Girlfriends- get together for the holidays with our families. So this year was at my house and let me tell you... it was glamorous, check out the bling on us!!!

You have to have fancy cheese for the party- always on the list, Boursin!

Trying to keep it healthy, that's my goal...

...and festive too, with olives and fun forks!

... my girlfriends sure like their wine... it even matches their hair!

.. our little girls are growing up... check out the picture on the wall in the top right corner, that's them 3 years ago...

...what sweet friends posing like the Queen and her servants...

...I love kids at Christmas!

...I thought I was being nice and giving the little man a little tube of M&M's, I guess it's kinda big...

...but look at this little devilish look he got once he opened up the chocolate... let me tell you... it went downhill from there...

Suzanne topped the event off by placing her pretty feather wreath on her head. Oh, my... oh what fun it is to have parties in the middle of the afternoon... just look at her husband's expression in the background.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... in my house

After the renovations we did in our home, I felt it was time to spruce up the old decorations we had for Christmas and make everything pretty and shinny and new.... but since there were no more funds left after the renos, it was a good thing that Dollarama had my favourites.... shinny balls!

Just added a few trees to my centrepiece.

Shinny red balls in my vase...

...in my hurricane lamp...

...hanging from my kitchen window and all from Dollarama, Martha Stewart would be proud... or jealous.

My cutie pie in front of our little tree.

My brother's cutie pie with Australian Santa and Melanie's handy girl guide Christmas craft.

My coffee table centre piece, ribbit!

..more shinny red balls in my kitchen.

...and the little red berries that surround my bowls and mirrors... I love Christmas!

Soupy Sunday- Big 'ol Chicken Noodle Soup

Oh boy, do I need a giant bowl of this!!!! Sorry I have been late with my posts but I have been hit with a big cold/flu/sinus infection and tummy troubles... and I got my daughter sick too! We are both recovering, on antibiotics, but I have not been able to eat except for soup, crackers, toast and clementines. No coffee, no dairy, no veggies... except for the little bits in my soup. So this pretty bowl of homemade soup was made a few weeks ago, but I wish I still had some because it would have been so appropriate this past week.

I have been eating healthy and well-balanced meals for the past year and when you get hit with a bug like this it kinda floors you. I miss the spices, flavours and even moving, walking and going to Zumba.

This is how I made this soup:
In a big stock pot, place olive oil and one chopped onion and glove of garlic, add 2 chopped carrots and 3 stalks of celery. Add your broth (1 box) and about 3 cups of cooked chicken breast, add salt, pepper, basil to taste, let simmer for about 30 minutes and you are done!

One thing though... it has made me grateful for my health and appreciate the love and support I have around me. Have a warm bowl and enjoy your health!

Decadent but Healthy Chocolate Cupcake

Here's the recipe as promised folks. Here's my motto- there will always be a reason to celebrate, so why not make it a 'healthier' celebration. These healthier chocolate cupcakes were so delicious and most. The ingredients were, organic, clean (except for the sprinkles) and lower fat and they were moist and decadent.

Decadent but Healthy Chocolate Cupcake Recipe

 adapted from http://suite101.com/article/decadent-but-healthy-chocolate-cupcake-recipe-a196173

Directions:

To start, preheat oven to 375.

For cupcakes, have ready:

 •1and 3/4 cups sifted all-purpose white or whole wheat pastry flour

•1 and 1/4 cups sugar; organic, raw, or "turbinado" for a healthier choice

•2 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder (aluminum free)

•1 teaspoon salt, preferably sea salt. Use only 1/2 tsp. if you're using salted butter

•2/3 cup (organic) 1% or skim milk

•2 (free range and/or organic) eggs

•2 squares unsweetened baker's chocolate (find an organic brand if possible)

•1/3 cup (organic) butter

•1 Tablespoon agave nectar or honey

Ingredients for frosting (using natural options as above when possible):

•2 squares unsweetened chocolate

•1 Tbsp butter

•1/4 cup milk

•1/4 cup sugar

•pinch of salt

•1/2 cup cream cheese (organic)

Directions for Cupcakes:

 1.Sift dry ingredients into an electric mixing bowl, add milk and eggs, and mix for about 2 minutes at medium speed or mix for two minutes by hand.

2.If you are using an organic, raw or turbinado sugar, don't sift these in with the other dry ingredients, just add after the others are sifted into the bowl.

3.Melt the unsweetened chocolate squares and butter over med./low heat in a double boiler, or in a saucepan nested into a slightly bigger one that contains about a cup of water. Add one Tablespoon agave nectar or honey to the chocolate/butter once it's melted.

4.After the melted chocolate/butter mixture has cooled for about 5 minutes, add to the other ingredients and mix for another 2 minutes (add a little more milk if the batter seems too stiff).

5.Divide the mixture into 12 cupcake liners placed into a muffin/cupcake baking tin.

6.Bake for 25 minutes

Directions for Frosting:

 1.Melt 2 squares unsweetened chocolate and 1 Tbsp. butter using the same method as above. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

2.Add the milk, sugar and pinch of salt. When cool, stir in the cream cheese. Test the sweetness and add a little agave nectar or honey if needed.

When cupcakes have cooled, frost them and add any decorations you desire, but remember, standard cake decorations usually contain refined sugar - these cupcakes are perfect without!.

Celebrating with Mama Bear and Baby Bear

November are some of my favourite people's birthdays... So, I never miss an opportunity to make cupcakes. And when I can make them healthier and add a few little decorations on top... I can't wait to share!

These turned out real moist and delicious (recipe to come) - Decadent and Healthy Double Chocolate Cupcakes.

Here is my beautiful, sweet, soulful and divine friend Robin, she is always loving life, celebrating and never settling- it was my turn to celebrate her life and make a special birthday dinner for her. She will be know as 'Mama Bear' in this post.

Here's her 'Baby Bear'. They celebrate their birthdays just a few days apart- ask Melanie, he is one 'Active' boy!

Tonight was a special night, so he got to put on his Mama Bear's lipstick, he was so proud!

Dim the lights... and blow out the candles... please don't get too close, you're gonna burn your hair Baby bear.

 ...yum, it was gooood, and I loved the sprinkles he said....

... actually, no, it's more fun to use the pretty toothpick and stab it into the cupcake.... I love them so and whenever we get together, it's always a celebration!

Healthy Lifestyle Progress Report

Hello to all my dearest friends, family and fans (LOL),

I thought I would share with you some awesome news about the changes that my healthy lifestyle (can't call it new now, it's been over a year) have brought about into my life.

A few days ago I went to visit my endochronologist (my diabetes doctor) and she was so happy to see me! When does a doctor ever tell you that? She asked how I was doing, and I shared with her that I had now lost over 80 lbs (which she verified on her scale to now be over 85 lbs), and took my blood pressure, checked my bloodwork and was amazed and so my next question to her was, "Ok, what medicine can you take me off of now?". Well she decided to take me off the cholesterol medicine, one of the blood pressure medicines and cut in half the diabetes medicine. She was so pleased to see me and share good news, because her appointments usually are filled with increasing medicine for her patients. Well, I am glad I could make her day!

So here is my Progress Report:

• Since the beginning of this journey I have lost 85 lbs,
• Stopped taking 4 1/2 medicines to control my weight-related chronic illnesses (only one blood pressure medicine and 1 1/2 diabetes medicine left to conquer),
• Gone down 4 sizes and can now shop at 'regular' stores for nice tops- like Old Navy- see picture below....
• ...but one of the most amazing transformations in the picture below is that as I found out at my latest tea party with the St.Germains, I can now cross my legs..... CROSS MY LEGS, like a lady!!!!

 I am beaming with joy and excitement for the next steps on this lifelong journey, in fact, last night I asked my husband what he thinks about being married to a Victoria Secret model, like the ones on the TV commercial, because one day I will look like that... not as tall though I told him, and maybe no wings either... he thought that would be fine! On a great note too, my husband has started going to the same clinic for weight loss and he lost 12 lbs so far! Yeah!!!! So one day he is going to look like Tom Brady (his football hero) and I will look like his wife Gisele Bunchen, who I believe, was a Victoria Secret model! Life is freakin' AWESOME!

Best Ever Soft Ginger Molasses Cookies

Seriously speaking, this is the best cookie I have ever made in my life. It's a soft ginger molasses cookie and it comes out perfectly round and delightfully delicious!

 Here's the recipe to follow, I suggest doubling-tripling it for the holidays!

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/big-soft-ginger-cookies/

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup margarine, softened (I used butter)

1 cup white sugar (I used organic cane sugar)

1 egg

1 tablespoon water

1/4 cup molasses

2 tablespoons white sugar (I used organic cane sugar)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.

3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container

Makes 2 dozens cookies

Calories:

 143 calories,    Carbohydrates   21g, Fat  6 g, Fiber   0.4 g,   Protein 1.6g

I don't usually place the percent daily value, however, look at how high the levels are. This is about triple the amount of a 'regular' cookie.  Iron 8 %, Thiamin 10 %, Niacin 8 %, Vitamin B6 2 %, Magnesium 4 %, Folate 13 %. 

Part of my goal is to eat 'clean' when I can. this product is inexpensive and can be found at Loblaws in the Organic Food section. 

 Here's the molasses- it's so good, check out what I found...

"A by-product of sugar extraction from either sugar cane or sugar beet, molasses retains a variety of minerals, making it a nutritious source of energy compared to plain sugar, which is stripped of non-energy nutrients during processing."

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/506766-the-healthy-benefits-of-molasses/#ixzz2EOukP9e9

Oooooh, if you scratch this picture, you can smell what heaven smells like, cinnamon, ginger and sweet spice! Or is that girls????

Look at the before and after.

 And a great big picture of the Big Soft Ginger Cookie and her friends! Trust me, make them and watch them disappear!



Grilled Chicken Salad - making the most of the end of BBQ season

Well, this is it folks.... it's officially the end of BBQ season. When your fingers freeze and it takes your BBQ 20 minutes to warm up... it's time to say goodbye and put it away until next Spring.
So here is my take on making chicken breasts exciting... BBQ them and chop them up and put it all on a big salad.

There's something just so yummy about the smokey BBQ taste on those big chunks of chicken breasts. Here's something that might excite your family- low fat garlic cheese bread. Here's a way to make them healthier. Take a whole wheat bun, place a bit of butter and garlic powder in a bowl and mix it around, spread it around and then put it on your bread- spread a small amount of low fat mozzarella cheese on top - you don't need a lot- just one-two tablespoons and then broil it in the oven. Your family will think they are having a real special treat!

First babysitting job

OMG, how cute right? Me and my daughter walk into our first babysitting job for my niece and this is what we saw by the front door when we came in....


Her cute little soft leather 'pantoufles'- some of you might know that means 'slippers' in French.

Look how excited Stephanie was to see us!

She made towers tumble for us...

... and gave us big smiles- and I did too with my 'no maintenance' weekend face and hair'!

We said goodbye to the parents who were dapper and snappy looking for their evening out... yes, there was some protest during this photo shoot.

... then it was time to relax and drink our milk... It was quite cute, my sister left me some instructions about Stephanie's schedule... and I would like to 'officially' report that Stephanie did not approve of her mother's schedule one bit.

...instead of sleeping at 8, it was jumping in the 'jumpy jungle' and talking to the monkey!  Regardless, it was a real blessing to watch her and we had a great time. It had a wonderful effect as well. It got Melanie so excited about babysitting that she signed up for and took her official Red Cross Babysitting course and passed with flying colours. So if you ever need a babysitter, I have a great recommendation.