Minted Watermelon and Cucumber Salad and smiles...

Look at what my sister made for the party.... this most amazingly fresh and refreshing salad. Minted Watermelon and Cucumber Salad. Absolutely perfect for a hot summer night.

Watermelon Cucumber Salad with Mint, Tarragon and Lime  (adapted from Chatelaine.com)

     2 English cucumbers

    1/4 large watermelon

    1/4 cup lime juice (3-4 limes)

    2/3 cup torn mint leaves (I would use half this amount)

    2 tbsp tarragon leaves, finely chopped

    1/2 tsp salt

 Slice cucumbers in half lengthwise. Scrape out and discard seeds. Chop cucumber and watermelon into small chunks and place in a large bowl. Stir in lime juice, herbs and salt.

Salad will keep well, covered and refrigerated, up to 2 hours.

Ok, I couldn't resist posting one more family photo... reason is... I miss brother and my sister made the lovely dish... and we are cute smiling siblings together!

My baby's growing up...

Yes, that's right, my baby's growing up... she is 11 now... and this was a little celebration we had before the Australians left and before we left for our big trip to Disney (photos coming soon).

My parents got her favourite cake... Oreo blizzard cake!

Blow those candles hard Melanie!

Such love between cousins, a beautiful birthday kiss.

Sharing laughter and good times.

OMG, I just love her beautiful face with her beautiful card matching her outfit!

Even though it was Melanie's party, I decided to make all the girls a memory wire bracelet, each unique with the colours and styles they wear- they were a hit!

All the beautiful girls! I love them so and wish I could hug them all right now!

Last time I promise- farewell dinner for the Australians

Ok, I know this summer time family visiting fun is dragging on, but hey, this was an awesome summer and there was so much love... so I thought I would let you see one last glimpse into the fun times. Our farewell to the Australians.

It had to be lamb... of course... for my beautiful Greek sister-in-law! With a side of rice and my little California mix salad with strawberries and almonds. But wait, do you see that blob of electric green jelly above the rice? That's mint jelly... I know it's not real healthy, but I can't eat lamb without it.

Here we are, enjoying some lamb. My mom also prepared some oven-baked drumsticks.

Look who's sitting at the kids table- all but kids... funny role reversal here?

The kids enjoying their lamb too... they kinda look like a bunch of cavemen!!!

Ok, so this is the chaos that is Charles and Rebecca's stripped daughters.... this is a glimpse into how 'hectic' it is to try and have they sit peacefully for a picture... these were all taken within seconds of each other. My hat goes off to you Charles and Rebecca for your great patience!

Ok, so now we need to change spots...

Ok, wait, no Rebecca, don't choke Estelle.

and Charles, don't snap Estelle's head off!

... ok, well, I guess, we'll just go for the first picture eh?

Nice Nails- Ode to Minnie Mouse

Some of you know that we recently came back from a once in a lifetime Disney World Vacation. In anticipation of meeting Minie Mouse, Melanie and I got matching (well, sort of) pedicures- thanks Mom.


 Red with white polka dots. Some pedicurist have different ideas asa to what a polka dot should be... but we loved it. They even added a silver shimmer top coat. Perfect to match Minnie's dress.

 Ok, I know there are no painted toes here... but I just had to share with you Stephanie's first ever 'tap tap' that's what we call flip flops. How cute and miniscule and guess what- it has a giant 'love' butterfly on the front.  These are fantasic!

Summer Father-Daughter Time

This summer we celebrated family love in so many ways, but these photos depcit some delicious father daughter times.

 The Hallidays and the Heberts enjoying their Father-Daughter moment in the pool.

 Look at that cute father's eyes, as blue as the crystal pool water.

 A father and a daughter....

 Stepanie saying, 'hey,you are not my father Uncle Brent'.

'You are my father'... that's him under Stephanie's tummy, she apparently giggle like crazy when he does this... don't you just love it?

oh, and here's one that doesn't fit in- like on Sesame Street, one of these things is not like the others... But it's Father-Son picture time. This picture makes me laugh and brings joy to my heart! It looks like my dad is the Godfather and the boys in the back... Charles and Brent modeling poses and then Barrie with the cheesy grin - hee, hee, hee!



I got my groove back!

To my family, friends - my awesome support network... I just wanted to share a little bit for a moment- a little bit of an Oprah moment.
This summer has been awesome with family, friends, vacations, visits and lots and lots of amazing experiences.... here's a picture that says it all!

After weeks away vacationing and finding it very hard to follow my healthy living lifestyle that I joined (I am not saying 'started' because that implies that you will be ending) almost a year ago to this day. I was in a rut, needed my ass kicked, needed to stop fantasizing about big cheeseballs and not moving as much- here's a picture of 'WHAT NOT TO EAT'... but this is where my mind was at-

These are 'Honey Boo Boo size cheeseballs' - so bad-ass, we just had to take a picture when we went to Florida. DO NOT CONSUME!

I wanted to share with you the following email I sent to my dearest life coach and friend Szos recently to annouce that I was back on the train to ultimate health: mental and physical and spiritual... all combined to pull me back into a 'SuperChantal'- the email was titled - 'I got my groove back'.

"I have been up at 6:00am for the past 3 mornings going for 45 minutes walk - really fast walking, lots of sweating and this morning even some 30 second jogging- but oops- hurt my foot because i was pounding it so hard and i am logging all my food on my fitnesspal and eating fat free greek yogurt and organic granola and green tea and making 'recipes' for dinner in the 34 degree humidity and not calling some pizza guy instead to bring me dinner.... and I am journaling every morning - remembering the blessings of the day.... Hallelujah, this chick has got her groove back, watch out world! I am going to run you over, stay out of my way!!!!!"

And to you all, to God and the Universe, I say 'THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU'.  Because of your caring, encouraging words and spirit I am now continuing along this journey and forever committed to me!

Some last bits of family love

Ok, some of you know I went on a little trip recently, don't worry, I will be sure to post those photos soon, but before I hop into the next chapter, I need to finish this lovely visit from the Australians chapter. This day was so special and fun because it was the official 'picture' day.... We all put on our lipstick (well, I did), and took some glamour shots... see what you think.

 The Hallidays.

The Halliday holding the Hebert girls- OMG- they stayed still!

 What gorgeous girls eh!

 Ok, Lola was supposed to be in this photo, but she didn't want to participate. But this turned out so beautiful anyways.

 See, there's a bit of Lola here... but she is wrestling to get out of her Dad's arms.

 Here is my sister's family,all posing and all! Aren't family portraits quaint?

Here are the cutest couple ever, the couple responsible for all those beautiful kids.... Love my bumble bee parents!

Having Fun... Staff Party Style

I was recently charged with putting together our Summer Staff Party together and lucky for me, I convinced my friend and colleague Sarah she had the perfect home and backyard for such an event.

 Here's me and my girls, Noelle, Kelly, Magalie and Nancy... there to get the party started!

 The little girls enjoyed the pool right away!

 The party had an Olympic theme.. so this was my take on the 100 metre dash. It was fun and people really got into it... and so did their dog Zoey.

 Iain won the race, way to go! So why not show the Ussain Bolt pose, eh?

 Look at this big set up, so rustic and country. A giant kettle of water boiling over a wood fire. Just like the cowboys used to do.

 I don't know if the cowboys ate this? But we enjoyed this delicious farmer's field corn on the cob.

Here's the feast, corn, dogs, burgers and lots and lots of it!

 

Since we had our mini Olympics, I had to make sure the little girls each won a golden cup! Good job participating girls!

 Iain found the perfect spot for himself.... in the Kids Only treehouse.

 Thanks to Sarah and Dave for hosting an awesome party in your beautiful home. We all had a great time!

New favourite Panera Salad

Check this out... it was like a giant bowl of healthy delicious salad... perfect for sharing, right Melanie?

It's Panera's  Strawberry Poppyseed & Chicken, it's All-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, romaine, fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, fresh pineapple, Mandarin oranges, pecans & fat-free poppyseed dressing... and I love those pecans! The whole salad is only 340 calories- you could eat it all- if you don't get a little bread on the side to fill you up.

But here's something I won't share with my daughther...

My big bowl of Cafe Latte... ooooh, I just love it, but you know, if I sprinkle cinnamon on it, she likes to put her fingers through the foam!

Lemon Cupcakes- Sweet and Tart

Here's the Lemon Cupcake I promised you. So delicious and I omitted the blueberries for the little Australians... just in case they don't like them inside their sweet treets- I just put one on top for a bit of fruity contribution!

Lemon-Scented Blueberry Cupcakes (cookinglight.com)

YIELD: 1 dozen (serving size: 1 cupcake)

Ingredients:

Cupcakes:

1 1/2 cups (about 6 3/4 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided

10 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 large egg

1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk

1/2 cup 2% reduced-fat milk

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

Frosting:

1/4 cup (2 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Fresh blueberries (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°.

Place 12 decorative paper muffin cup liners into muffin cups.

To prepare cupcakes, lightly spoon 1 1/2 cups flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Measure 1 tablespoon flour; level with a knife. Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour plus 1 tablespoon flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Combine melted butter and egg in another large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk, milk, and 1 teaspoon rind to butter mixture; stir with a whisk. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, stirring just until moist. Toss blueberries with remaining 1 tablespoon flour. Fold blueberries into batter. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 5 minutes on a wire rack; remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

To prepare frosting, place cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon rind, vanilla, and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed just until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar (do not overbeat). Stir in juice. Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes; garnish with blueberries, if desired. Store, covered, in refrigerator.

Nutritional Information (for one cupcake):

Calories: 236, Fat: 7.7g, Protein: 3.7g, Carbohydrate: 38.7g, Fiber: 0.7g

Delicious Olive Walnut Spread

Here's another one of my sister's delicious recipes. The Kalamata Olive Walnut Spread.... try it, you'll fall in love!

OLIVE WALNUT SPREAD

1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
1 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup sour cream (125 mL)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried oregano
freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbsp chopped fresh Italian parsley

In a food processor, pulse olives and walnuts together until coarse. Add sour cream, oil, lemon juice and oregano and pulse until combined well. Season with pepper to taste and stir in parsley. Stir into bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Bok Choy Salad

As promised, here is my sister's delicious recipe. Enjoy!

BOK CHOY SALAD

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup white sugar
1 Tbps soy sauce

1/4 cup margarine
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
2 packs (3 oz each) Ramen noodle pasta, crushed (ie. Mr. Noodles)

1 medium head bok choy
3 green onions

In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, sugar & soy sauce. Set aside.

Melt the margarine over medium heat in a small skillet. Crush the ramen noodles while still in their package and add to the margarine along with the almonds & sesame seeds. Sauté until everything is golden brown. Remove from heat & drain on a paper towel.

Chop the bok choy & green onions and add to a large bowl. Just before serving, sprinkle with the noodle mixture and dressing, and toss to coat.