Happy Thanksgiving Canada!

image from catchmyparty.com

We are hosting family from New York City this weekend and have been thinking of what to do while they are here. I love having out of town guests because it gives us a chance to hangout with friends or family we don't get to see often and also, me, a chance to be a tourist in my own city. It's a reason to wander through different neighbourhoods or take part in events that you might not otherwise think of doing.

I enjoy looking for "off the beaten track" places or unique things to do whenever we go traveling. So, because it's Thanksgiving in Canada, I thought it would be fun to explore some different things happening this weekend across the country.

Vancouver:
Swallow Tail Tours is hosting a chef guided rainforest walking tour. On the 2 hour walk, you'll discover edible herbs, berries and mushrooms and learn how these earthy ingredients are whipped into culinary delights. Enjoy a gourmet lunch with wild herb tea served in a mountain cabin by the river.

Calgary:
Check out the exhibits at the Glenbow Museum. Made in Calgary is a 5 part series and they are showing "The 1980's" this weekend. As Calgary soared to economic power during this time, it also brought a new energy to the arts.

Saskatoon:
Because we are a part of a wonderful "handmade, artisan and craft community", we have a soft spot for ventures where artists and designers show and sell their wares. Support made in Canada products at the pop up shop Mix and Match.

Ottawa:
Did you know there was a Canada Agriculture and Food Museum? There is and it's in Ottawa! They have fantastic Thanksgiving events this weekend. Everything from making apple cider to guided tours of how renewable energy is generated from natural resources.

So, what are we going to do this weekend in Toronto? We're going to do what we like best. Going for brunch at Cafe Belong, check out the farmer's market and go for a hike all at the Evergreen Brickworks.

Happy Thanksgiving!
xo

Hanging onto Summer

As we try to ward-off the inevitable season change, there is a way to keep a little summer with us all year round...preserving!

Join the vast growing preserving community. It's fun, easy and healthy and, you always have something delicious on hand. While you do have to set aside a bit of time to do the actual preserving, why not get a friend or two together and do it as a group thing? Host a "make and share" party!

Here's an easy recipe to make your own peach jam from pickyourown.org, a website that provides local listings of pick your own farms in numerous countries including Canada, United States, Australia and South Africa. They have great tips and you can always check to see what is growing seasonally in your area.

Of course while you are making your own preserves for yourself or as lovely gifts for all your friends and family, you have to look good doing it. We have a stunning apron called "Jars of Love" designed for the canner in you. It also has the cheeky message "well preserved" to be taken any which way you like :)

Enjoy!

 

Getting Ahead

There is always a sense of accomplishment when you feel organized, when you have more things checked off the list than not. One item that is always on my list is to have a healthy breakfast. But, who has time to do more than toss some cereal into a bowl and pour milk?

Well, I found this recipe from savvymom.ca. It takes only 10 minutes to prep and you have a healthy breakfast for the next day! 

via savvymom.ca

Make-ahead Breakfast: Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (2% or more)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons raisins or currants
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 apple peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries.

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except raspberries, in a glass bowl or container with a tight fitting lid. Pour raspberries over top. Put the lid on and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
2. In the morning, stir in the raspberries. The oats can be served on their own, or with additional maple syrup, sliced fruit, nuts, and/or granola.

Enjoy!

Make-ahead Breakfast: Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (2% or more)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons raisins or currants
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 apple peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries.

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except raspberries, in a glass bowl or container with a tight fitting lid. Pour raspberries over top. Put the lid on and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
2. In the morning, stir in the raspberries. The oats can be served on their own, or with additional maple syrup, sliced fruit, nuts, and/or granola.

- See more at: http://kiwiandbean.com/overnight-oats-bircher-muesli/#sthash.ByVZPais.dpuf

Make-ahead Breakfast: Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (2% or more)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons raisins or currants
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 apple peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries.

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except raspberries, in a glass bowl or container with a tight fitting lid. Pour raspberries over top. Put the lid on and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
2. In the morning, stir in the raspberries. The oats can be served on their own, or with additional maple syrup, sliced fruit, nuts, and/or granola.

- See more at: http://kiwiandbean.com/overnight-oats-bircher-muesli/#sthash.ByVZPais.dpuf

Make-ahead Breakfast: Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (2% or more)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons raisins or currants
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 apple peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries.

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except raspberries, in a glass bowl or container with a tight fitting lid. Pour raspberries over top. Put the lid on and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
2. In the morning, stir in the raspberries. The oats can be served on their own, or with additional maple syrup, sliced fruit, nuts, and/or granola.

- See more at: http://kiwiandbean.com/overnight-oats-bircher-muesli/#sthash.ByVZPais.dpuf

Make-ahead Breakfast: Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1 cup plain yogurt (2% or more)
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2-3 tablespoons raisins or currants
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 apple peeled and coarsely grated
• 1 1/2 cups frozen raspberries.

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients, except raspberries, in a glass bowl or container with a tight fitting lid. Pour raspberries over top. Put the lid on and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
2. In the morning, stir in the raspberries. The oats can be served on their own, or with additional maple syrup, sliced fruit, nuts, and/or granola.

- See more at: http://kiwiandbean.com/overnight-oats-bircher-muesli/#sthash.ByVZPais.dpuf

How to Have A Party Without The Guests of Honour

For the past couple of months my sisters-in-law and I have been planning a party for my sister and her husband to celebrate the upcoming birth of their first baby later this month.

The Melon Baby

We were having it catered, baking our own desserts, planned the decorations and made up the games. We even had a teleconference to make sure we had everything covered...that's how organized we were!

The very day of the shower as we were setting up and making the melon baby, my sister calls me to tell me that her water broke (a month early) and that she couldn't come to the party because they were keeping her in the hospital until the baby is born which would be within a week. What are the odds of that?!

The onesie cake my cousin made

So, now what? We have 50 guests and no guests of honour.


After we made sure my sister and the baby were ok, we went on with the party! She called in and thanked everyone on speaker phone. We ate, played the games and even opened all her presents (just in case she got stuff she now needed right away). We had each person pick a gift and open it. We videoed it all for them to see later.

The baby block cake she also made

Although the guests of honours were not there, everyone still had a great time and all our hard work was appreciated.

My baby nephew Adam arrived August 22nd, everyone is happy and healthy. He obviously wanted to come to the party and decided he was coming that day!

Now we have many more parties to plan :)

Did You Want Fries With That?

Watching Super Size Me and few years ago made quite an impression on me. I can't help but think about how your health can be effected by the food choices we make.

I also realized that much of food culture has to do with what we see and hear advertised. It IS hard to eat just one chip, of course I want fries with that....

But that was then and this is now...we have options. Here are a few healthy versions of our fave fast or junk foods. Instead of fries...try zucchini fries. Say no to another potato chip...say yes to more parsnip chips. No need to ask "where's the beef?" when you can have a sweet potato and black bean burger.

None of these will taste just like the non-healthy versions you are used to but they will all satisfy your appetite and may help to curb your craving for empty, nutrition-less food. Now you can super size with the healthy variety and feel good about it (but not too much!)

Happy Good Eating!
xo

Photo credit unknown. Taken from article by Michelle Berg