Whole Wheat Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

In an effort to feed my family healthy, wholesome breakfast options. I tried this new recipe for some Whole Wheat Lemon Poppy Seed Scones.
 

Here's the closeup....

Here are the bright and tangy ingredients, and now, the recipe!

Whole Wheat Lemon Poppy Seed Scones

http://keepyourdietreal.com/food/breadsmuffins/whole-wheat-lemon-poppy-seed-scones/

Ingredients:

2 cups   Whole wheat white flour

1/3 cup Brown sugar, packed

2 tsp      Baking powder

1/8 tsp Salt

1/3 cup Butter

1              Egg

1 tsp      Vanilla extract

1/2 cup 1% Milk

2 Tbsp   Lemon zest

2 Tbsp   Lemon juice

1 Tbsp   Poppy seeds

1              Egg (for egg wash)

1 Tbsp   Milk (for egg wash)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375º.  In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Cut the butter into the flour mixture until the pieces are a bit smaller than the size of a pea.

In a separate mixing bowl, whisk the egg, vanilla, milk, lemon zest, lemon juice, and poppy seeds.

 Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture until just barely combined then place the batter onto a floured surface and knead until it comes together (may need to add 1/2-1 cup of additional flour). The dough should be neither sticky nor dry.

Press the dough into a 1″ thick rectangle. Cut in half vertically, then horizontally, then again vertically. There should be eight triangle shaped scones of equal size.

Next, cut each in half again, diagonally. Now there should be sixteen triangle shaped scones of equal size.

Place the scones onto a greased cookie sheet. Create an egg wash by whisking together the egg and milk. Brush the top of the scones as well as the sides with the egg wash.  Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the tops turn golden brown.

Et voila! Now these are good served warm and you can add some nut butter to boost up the protein content for a good breakfast fix.

Healthy Lifestyle Share-out

Well, I am so grateful for the angels in my life! I have my beautiful daughter, with whom I have been going to the gym 6 days a week with- with whom we have lost 6 lbs for me and 9 lbs for her. We have gained muscles and filled with achy body parts we didn't know existed- a good ache! I have my wonderful husband who is our house manager- I write the healthy food lists, he finds the sales, shops and puts it all away, he supports us like no other love could. I have my wonderful coach, Szos, supports my heart, builds my courage and makes me see it all so clearly as the dance of life becomes more and more intertwined. I have the support of the Wharton clinic and the experts who follow my progress, give me advice and share wonderful tips for healthy living and weight loss.  Today, I went to the clinic and had a 3.6 lbs weight loss- for a total of 86.9 lbs. There is so much support around me, personally, professionally and even in the media. I have heard them all speak and there advice just resonates with where I am now (Health experts like Dr. Oz and Jim Karas. I need to know what to eat, when to eat and how to exercise- I need to know the way the body reacts to these foods, when to eat protein, when to eat carbs, how much .... the Universe is so clever. I was driving to work this week and wondering how much we really should be working out and what to eat for breakfast... and I flipped right into an interview with lifestyle and exercise expert -Jim Karas- who basically was reading my mind and answered my questions WOW right?
Before I share with you what I heard, I thought I would share with you some photos. You know... to kinda show me and the Universe... yah, you've come a long way baby! Oh, yah, and move aside... I am a tiger and you're gonna hear me ROAR because I am going to triumph all over this healthy living amazingness!!!

Just starting... full of hope and smiles!

Few months ago... full of hope and smiles.... and 85 lbs less to carry around!

Ok, now back to some juicy bit of knowledge:

Here's what Jim Karas (www.jimkaras.com) was saying on CHUM FM a few days ago...

This is how you lose body fat.... it all has to do with your workout intensity.

It's not how often you go, it’s your Workout intensity. He works out 3 hours a week, splitting the time up, maybe 45 minutes 4 times a week or 30 minutes 6 times a week.
He says there are 2 extremes out there. Those who think  walking will help them love weight. He says he has never seen anyone walking themselves thin. Walking is active resting. It's good to walk, but it won't help you love weight. The other extreme out those that go crazy with triathlons and bootcamps,our bodies weren't designed to work so harshly

In general, he says, cardio, doesn’t help you to lose fat. It’s resistance and weight training that does. To lose fat do weight training, huf and puf rest , do next machine/weights,- he says spurts and bursts, rest and repeat. Change it up, trick your body and metabolism by changing up your routine so your body doesn’t get used to it.

A question was asked, if you exercise first thing in the morning, should you do it on an empty stomach. He believes no. Exercising on an empty stomach will not only burn fat, but muscle too. Eat about 100-150 calories of protein rich food- yogurt is great, and egg or a some good bread and peanut butter.Then have a full breakfast- eggs, turkey bacon etc, after your workout. The bigger the breakfast the better- fill it with protein.Eggs are great they fill you up and leave you satisfied all day

Here's a last little tidbit of information, he mentions that your diet should be filled every day with about half your food coming from fruits and vegetables.

Banana Blueberry Flax Muffins

Let me introduce you to breakfast in a muffin!

This is a great way to include all the things you want to get in a breakfast. Whole grain, flax, bananas and blueberries! Potent and packed for a morning of success!

Here's the recipe, I followed the steps and added some blueberries for punched up antioxidants.

Banana Blueberry Flax Seed Muffins

Adapted from http://www.food.com/recipe/banana-flax-muffins-332699

Makes 12 muffins

3 large bananas

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup ground flax seeds

1 egg

2 -3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup of frozen blueberries

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mash bananas. Mix bananas, flax and egg.

Mix dry ingredients together and add. If needed add milk, one tablespoon at a time. It depends on the size of your bananas and the consistency. Add frozen blueberries at the end.

Fill greased muffin tins. Bake for 20 minutes.

Thanksgiving- Giving thanks for Family and Fall

Finally, I have caught up with posting some photos of weeks past... It's OK to talk about Thanksgiving - the Americans still haven't had there's!
Let me share with you some moments of love, celebration, thankfulness and turkey!

A few weeks ago, we celebrated this special day at my parents' home. Their home was filled with turkey smells, spice and love. One lovely addition was this gorgeous and festive flower arrangement that adorned the center of our table. I just love the feeling fresh cut flowers give the room.

We had Grand-maman and grand-daughter love...(and some sleepy blank stares)

and sisterly love. What you see here is Julie and I sitting on the floor and me giving her a special sisterly back massage... we absolutely know exactly where to massage, how much pressure etc... this is a bit of heaven for us as we have realized over the years that our husbands may have a lot of great qualities, but massaging is NOT one of them. My sister-in-law Rebecca must be so happy! Just look at one of Julie's husband's many talents... photo bombing with his arm!

Here is the golden and juicy star of the show. I love turkey, and the best part is that after the meal, my dad and I roll up our sleeves and pretend we are surgeons and crack the bones and remove all the delicious left over meat. It's our 'thing'!

 

Here's my lovely protein rich plate with tons of turkey, green beans with cashews and red peppers, a little potato and a taste of stuffing. I am so thankful for the amazing family I have and the love and turkey we get to share!

GoGo Quinoa- A little Cheer in your snack life!

I know right? It sounds like a cheer, GO GO QUINOA! But it's a name of this delicious product that Brent found at Costco.  You know I am a big fan of Quinoa and in trying to eat healthier, and wheat free as often as possible, here is a good alternative.

These little cookies are perfect for a snack because they are individually wrapped. You can eat one at a time and feel satisfied. They are about 80 calories per cookie and are totally delicious.

The list of ingredients is rather earth and figure friendly, and look... I even found out that there is such a thing as baby quinoa, it has a name- kaniwa, LOVE IT!

It is a Good Life!

Oh ya, for sure!
I just wanted to share with you some of the struggles that I have been challenged with during this healthy living weight loss journey.
When I started this journey 2 years ago, I was full of fire and passion for everything healthy, clean, homemade, less processed and also starting to move my body more and more each week was a big part of  it. My fear was that I would love this passion, fall off the wagon and gain the weight back. I have been working with the Wharton Medical Clinic and with my awesome life coach Szos and they have helped and encouraged me through the months. Well, this works well when you are a focused path and you keep seeing positive result with your health issues. But what happens when their advice and your body/mind/soul don't agree and you start slipping back to your old ways?
This unfortunately is what has been happening for the 6 months or so. With pressures all around with work, family, illness and stress piling up around me, I was turning to food once again for comfort. I would set goals to start logging all my food again on myfitnesspal - something that always keeps me in check- and just find reasons not to continue with it. I was postponing my Clinic appointments because I didn't want to see the reality of it. I knew this had to stop before a gain of 15lbs became an avalanche. I did not want a repeat performance of my Weight Watchers success story gone bad 25 years ago (loss of 100lbs and subsequent gain of 100++lbs).

This is where my angel comes in.... Can you hear the chimes ringing!!!! Melanie is my angel. Melanie, my beautiful, courageous and inspiring daughter is my angel!

For a long while I have been trying to help Melanie work on her health issues, trying to focus on healthy eating and moving our bodies together, it hasn't really worked 'til now. Thanks to her health teacher at school, who's topic was discussing exercise and health clubs, Melanie came home last week asking that we join a gym.  Wow, I never thought of that? I had joined GoodLife in the past and tried to exercise during at lunchtime during my work day... hated it! Didn't last because I had to rush home for Melanie after school or be home at night with Melanie as Brent had to go to work. But guess what... My excuse- being present for Melanie- has been my reason for jumping in again with my Nikes and water bottle in tow! Reason that this is perfect now is that you need to be 12 years old to join. So my 12 year old and I went to the GoodLife Fitness for Women above our local Loblaws and signed up, got our tour, got our gym bags and filled them up with little deodorants and locks and towels. 
Here's where the angel part comes in... I have never seen Melanie sooooo excited to do anything like this in her life. She can't wait to go to the gym and try out the treadmill, elliptical machines, resistance machines- she wakes up in the morning so excited and reminds me, Mommy, remember we are going to the gym tonight. She is whipping my butt with her excitement, the butt whipping I needed to get back on track. Now we spend our evenings at the gym, working our muscles, our hearts pumping, our bodies sweating- not lying on the coach snacking all night. Amazing how refocusing on a healthy habit (gym time) makes all other habits fall into place- logging my food and activity, eating healthy snacks and meals, planning healthy meals and preparing them on the weekend.

I love all the angels in my life!

Soupy Sunday - Mulligatawnski Soup a fun twist on an old classic

Here's something your should try for your next Soupy Sunday, an alternative to a delicious spicy, fragrant soup. It's called the Mulligatawnski Soup, made by those 'cooky' sisters Janet & Greta Podleski. What I love the most here is the addition of Quinoa, my new favourite wonder food!

Mulligatawnski Soup

Adapted from Crazy Plates Cookbook by Janet & Greta Podleski

Ingredients:

1 tbsp butter or olive oil

1 cup each chopped celery, onions,and carrots

1 clove garlic, minced

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1 inch cubes

1 tbsp grated ginger root

2 tsp curry powder

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp ground gloves

4 cups chicken broth

1  19 oz can diced tomatoes drained

1/2 cup quinoa, dry

1/2 tsp pepper

1 apple, peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

3/4 cup light coconut milk

Directions:

Melt butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add celery, onions, carrots, and garlic. Cook and stir for 3 – 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften and onions become translucent.

Add chicken and cook until chicken is no longer pink. Add ginger, curry powder, chili powder, cumin and cloves and stir for another 4-5 minutes.

Add broth, tomatoes, quinoa, and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add apple and simmer for another 5 minutes, stir in coconut milk and cilantro or parsley Heat for 1 more minute and serve hot.

Ok, big closeup! But I just really wanted to show you that it's so full of goodness, health and nutrition. I think anytime you can make a full, balanced meal in one dish, you have found a WINNER!

Roasted Chicken Masterpiece

Oh my, my, my, my.... What a lovely golden roasted chicken we have here!

...and guess what??? I made it!
I know that I have shared with you my recipe for roasting the perfect chicken before, and adaptation from amazing Chef Nigella Lawson. But this time I made it even more delicious, just look at that golden bird!
Her recipe is real simple, chicken, butter, lemon, salt and pepper.

But I kicked it up a notch this time... I did the usual:

    1 chicken

    1 lemon

    1 tablespoon sea salt

    1 heaped tablespoon butter

but this time I also added a rub of olive oil and some paprika... don't you love the crispy golden colour?

Ta da! Make your own roast chicken and feed your family! You will be so proud and it's soooooooooo much better than the store bought stuff. Serve with a giant side of stir fried veggies a little basmati and there you go! On your way to being mother/wife of the year!

Recycling... out with the old

Here's something great to share. Having to donate about 20 bags of used clothing, now that's some recycling! I have been feeling like my 'weight loss' efforts are at somewhat of a stand still at the moment, trying my best to make healthy choices... but the challenges of real life sometimes beat you down. But here's an exercise that can help you refocus for sure. After a 90lb or so weight loss, go through your closets and get rid of all the clothes that are too big....

... which is exactly what I did!
This fall, I decided to finally clean up those piles of clothes that were cluttering my closet for the past year and a half. Wow, what a weird and wonderful, cleansing experiment!
I got rid of about 10 bags of clothes that were too big (Melanie and Brent got rid of about 8 bags), so off we went to the Value Village drop off!

Here's my take away from the whole experiment... I so understand 'hoarders' now!
It felt like by giving away all my big clothes, I was giving away a part of myself. I was giving away the past 15 years of my life. But it was a good 'hard',  it showed me the progress I have made. Although I wanted to hang on to these old rags, it made me realize that I can never go back, only move forward!
Ok, I did keep a very large pair of pants. You see, once I have reached my goal, I will stand in my old large pants, I means seriously, one 'new' me will stand in one 'old' pant leg... how's that for progress?