New Beginnings

sorry for all the radio silence folks.

i've been trying to plan a few new directions for this blog and testing out a new look, while making some tough decisions.

so, if you can hang in there ... i'll be back soon!

Savouring Summer this Season

image via here 

Fresh herbs are the true gem of summer recipes and part of what makes the season such a prize winner. Now that winter is on our heels it's time to shutdown those fading green gardens, and winterize up our homes. I fully admit that i shed a few tears whenever i have to see my edible garden come to an end, but many of the plants have already withered away, but the herb plants are still holding on by the skin of their leaves. So grab up those herbs and save them using any of these four suggestions to relish that sweet summer glory all winter long. 

 

images via here, here, here and here. Also, here and here 

1. Smaller pots inside - window sills are your best friends during the winter. Herbs love to grow on the sills or in areas of the home with lots of light. if you still have large herb plants still in your garden, divide and repot into small containers that can easily can be brought indoors. This will help sustain their growing cycle and in most cases you can even replanted them into the garden in the spring. say hello to new fresh indoor herb gardens with this one my friends.

2. Sweet sachets - nothing is better than the smell of fresh herbs like basil, rosemary. i find that they can be quite uplifting at the end of a long day actually. So why not harvest those end of season outdoor herbs, dry it in either a brown paper bag or by hanging, then crush up gently and place combinations into small sachets that can he placed around the home or in drawers. Combinations like rosemary and lavender are really good.

3. Herbed ice cubes - This is a culinary dream team is especially great for those busy nights when you wanna make that 5 star meal, but have like 1 start energy. Harvest the those last herbs, chop up and place them into ice cube trays. Then top with water or oil and freeze until needed. Add them as a quick boost to stir-frys, soups or dips. Try different herb mixes as well like basil with chopped garlic, or thyme and parsley with red pepper flakes.  

4. Scented fireside sticks - We are in the season of firing up the fireplaces. This year try take some of your harvested herbs and wrap into bunches with rope. On your next fireside movie night throw a one or two bunches on the roaring flames for a nice sweet smelling aroma. For this mix, try sage, rosemary and thyme!

HALLOWEEN PARTY

halloween is all about them treats lets be honest. everything bad for you is free range, zero calorie goodness on that day, am i right?!  this year we are the first time in a long time headed out for halloween eve and so i scoured the Pinterest pages to find something spooktactular to make and take.

welcome young frankenstein. 

i openly admit this idea was not my own original thought (wish it was), but what i didn't anticipate when i blocked off a whole evening, dawning my best sweatpants and ponytail to make these, was how quick, easy and little mess it would be.

What you need: All of which i sourced at Michael's, however a good place to go is also your local bulk barn or bake shop.

• medium size marshmallows

• green candy melts 

• edible eyes

• black icing gel

• edible pen in black and red

• bbq skewers

How to do it: Melt your green candy melts following directions on the package (for me with no microwave, i did this by placing the candy in a glass bowl and placing it over a pot of simmering water). Be sure that your candy is well melted and stirred with no clumps. Next place a marshmallow on a skewer and then roll it in your melted green candy, making sure it is well coated. Then place it on a baking sheet lined with wax paper, or stand it up using a vase to allow the candy to cool slightly. When the candy is still fairly soft, place the eyes on, pushing them into place. I suggest doing all your "bases" for as many as you plan to make now as you will need to allow the candy to cool fully for about 20-30 mins before moving on to the next steps. Once the candy has cooled fully, take your black icing gel and fill in the top of the head creating the hair. Using a toothpick, pull sections of the gel forward at the front of the face to create the look of the hair. Place a dab on either side of the face for the bolts (or ears). Finally draw on the mouth and stitches with using your edible pens.

Why not give it a shot tonight or this weekend if you need a last minute edible conversation starter this halloween.

click here to view the pinterest original post

France 1: Chardonnay grapes in Chablis

When an opportunity presents itself to spend part of your favourite month of the year, October, strolling through the golden French countryside, you take it. The other week my other half and I took off with three very clear goals in mind – 1) try to relax,  2) try all the local wine we could get our hands on, and  3) stuff our faces full of warm fresh fluffy pastries. oh sweet, sweet, gluttony, followed by a lot of walking mind you.

I'm an avid traveller, if you couldn't already tell, and  i whole heartily believe that your mind and body feel better when you are out exploring something new. I read once that "travel makes you modest, because you see what a small part you occupy in this world" and it really is true. There is so much to see, touch, and learn when you get up and go anywhere. When i travel I come back feeling refreshed, reinvigorated and with a new found appreciation for my day-to-day life. 

Our trip into Paris started near the old Opera on Rue la Fayette just north of the Louvre where we spent a wonderful evening catching up with two very dear and newly married friends (welcome to the club you two!) who are lucky enough to call his beautiful city home. The next morning we kissed Paris goodbye zipping off straight for the most northern part of Burgundy wine region to a little quaint town called Chablis – obviously well known for their amazing white wine and chardonnay grapes. So of course, we made a point to try some of that deliciousness.

insert obligatory travel dork 

shutters for days and days and days,

chardonnay fields forever 

i know what you are thinking, and yes, trust me i would have brought these home if i could for that backyard vineyard i'm dream of

downtown Chablis, main square

it tastes even better than it looks

Chablis is the most beautiful very small town, seriously you should go there

Chablis is a very, very small town. There is basically just the one main road, which makes it perfect for a half or full day stop as part of a bigger trip. If you happen to find yourself here, head to the main square and pick up a walking tour map from the tourist office. You can easily navigate this tour which takes about all of an hour and gives you a good bit of history, highlights architecture and walks you through the entire town. The main square has a small number of cafes that serve up a good croque-monsieur and cold glass of Chablis. The streets are lined with wine shops that happily offer tastings and information about production, and there are a few wonderful home decor shops and small patisseries.

As for wine itself, Chablis are crisp, and refreshing almost more of a dry taste than fruity. Since Chablis wine is made from pure Chardonnay grapes some experts say that it's the "purest" expression of what true chardonnay is. 

(more posts about the trip and travel guides to come)

Off to Paris

we are packed, on a plane and now off to explore France. we will be hitting a few different towns, and are planning to sample a whole lot of wine and champagne and delicious cheeses. stay tuned, touring travel guides to follow! 

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF FALL 2015

image by Ireart and for purchase here

"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall."
– F. Scott Fitzgerald
Try out this fall playlist to help you get into this cool and cozy season. 

image via here, here and here.

let us all come together and celebrate this beauty paint palette of a season with fireside chats, good friends, cups of homemade apple cider or mulled wine and oversized knit sweaters and knee high socks. xoxox.

Popping it while it is hot

with the summer season comes summer treats, and this year i finally got my act together and used these adorable popsicle molds i bought at the end of season last summer on clearance. by far popsicles are an easy cooling off treat to make and something you can really basically do with anything. more often than not i just grab what i have in the fridge and squeeze or blend it into liquid form, add flavour (if needed), water, give it a good mix in the blender and then into the molds they go. this method is also very friendly to the  "i'm almost going to kick the can" looking fruit you might have before they get too rough. 

on a side note, since i'm trying to keep things healthy, i find i avoid adding sugar or honey. that is not to say you can't, but i personally tend to find by using fresh local fruit the sweetness i like is already there, so i'd rather just enjoy that.

here are two of my favourite homemade popsicles that i'm loving this season.

Vanilla Raspberry

- 1/2 cup raspberries, cooked on the stovetop for a few minutes just to soften up, then     

   popped into the blender to smooth

- 1/2 tsp lemon juice

- 1 tsp vanilla extract 

- 1 - 1/2 cup water 

this image via here

Lemon Lime

- 1/2 of a lemon juiced 

- 1 lime juiced

- 2 cups water

- 4 tablespoons of lemon and lime rind grabbed from the ones you just juiced and 

  dropped into the molds before they hit the freezer. 

Tips for when learning to run

image via here

so i took up running. more specifically i've been trying to take up running for the past few years. it's been one of those on the wagon, off the wagon, behind the wagon, watch the wagon roll by kind of processes. but this time, i think i've finally got in front of this wagon. 
I should preface this post by saying that i do not "look" like a runner, i'm wiggily and giggily in all the wrong places, and i may not be able to kill that 5k just yet in record time, but by golly i think i've figured out what works and i've really come to like how it makes me feel.

to anyone thinking of starting out or trying running, here are some tips i've learned.

be ok with sucking - the fear of just looking stupid stopped me soooooooo many times. there is nothing attractive or remotely cute about learning to run. you feel crooked, out of sync, you wheeze more than you ever want to admit, but you gotta get through that. realize that everyone sucked at some point. just own that sucking, then suck it up and spit it out, as you stomp all over it because you're awesomesauce and your doing it.

get good music - literally flood your iPod or music devise with as much angry loud music as you can that makes you wanna move. pop those earbuds in and get that playlist behind you, and you'll find it gives you spikes of extra energy. i personally found that when i hit a really good song it jolted me into pushing myself harder, running faster and basically created my own style of interval running, which over time has greatly improved my stamina and endurance. 

start small - baby steps. never be ashamed of a good walk/run. give your body time to be open to new changes. really listen to your body. if you over do it and hurt yourself you'll feel deflated.

image via here

look straight ahead and say something positive - whether your run outside or in a gym, don't look around. don't look down. don't focus on anything but a point ahead of you and as you run listen to your breathing and repeat to yourself " i can do this" or "watch me do this" (in your head perhaps). always repeat something positive and narrow in on that thing ahead and run like you just have to go grab it.

invest in good shoes - this point is pretty straight forward, but good shoes can change your performance, a lot. make sure to invest in ones that have a lot of built in support to help support your legs, knees, ankles as you begin to learn to run.

relax your upper body - this was hard for me to do at first, but over time remind yourself to take long deep breaths and relax your arms and chest. once i could do that it seriously helped me avoid having my usual side cramps that slowed me down or stopped me for a stretch or two. 

protein and water - let me start by saying that i drink a glass of water before i go to the gym, and then a few sips here and there throughout my workout. for me personally, i have found that drinking a bottle of water during my short runs has always lead to cramping. now, this is my own experience and everyone is different, so be sure to listen to your body and hydrate as you need it. one of the things that was hard to deal with in the beginning was the leg stiffness the following day, or even two days after was (and sometimes is still) brutal. i found that eating healthy protein after my run and really upping my amount of water intake throughout the day has really helped my recovery time.

one foot after another - lastly, just remember that all it takes is putting one foot after another. you got this.

and if you want a good motivational video to inspire you to try running or anything new, make sure you watch this! i click on it anytime need a good kick start to get me going. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26U_seo0a1g

Let the mountains be my home

"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity ... " 

(John Muir)

last weekend i escaped my city life for fresh air, unbelievable mountains and the sound of water rushing past. for an entire week I was shipped off to Whister, BC for an event, and was left almost hoping to never return. what more can you ask for in a perfect location really. John Muir had it right, nothing can make you feel healthier and happier than escaping to the wilderness. for me the mountains did just that. I literally felt myself unwind, my muscles relax and i found comfort in my surroundings.  

the event I attended was held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, which, let's be honest, is a dream hotel and world unto itself. the service is unbelievably impeccable, and the amenities go far above and beyond any other hotel experience. from luxurious sized rooms, friendly staff, restaurants with great food, indoor/outdoor pools and to even free early morning and late evening yoga classes. just once, i recommend you treat yourself to this bucket list experience.

to follow that, if ever you are looking for a fancier outstanding meal out in Whistler, literally head straight to the Rim Rock Cafe. situated in Creekside, this fine dining experience offers by far the best seafood and game meat selections prepared to perfection. I recommend trying the flavoured oysters to start followed by the venison tenderloin ... trust me (i ate them).

broken up into little resort like pockets, Whistler is highly accessible via walking or bike trails, that provide a nice variety for exercise breaks. surrounding some this amazingly lush and rich green environment you will want to be outdoors, so just throw on some SPF and shades, and off you go. if you find yourself in this area and know you have some extra time, head out on one of the many Eco Tours (some include canoeing, skiing or zip-lining), or to the Aboriginal Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre, or plan a trip to Alexander Falls.

one afternoon the weather was perfect and I had a little free time from my event, so I quickly ran over to the Peak to Peak Gondola and headed further up the mountain to take in some killer views.
if heaven is a real place, i think i found it on top of the mountains amoung the clouds.
it's so surreal to me to be in a place where you can be walking in shorts in one minute and in a snow suit skiing around the next.

being a winter lover, i had found my beloved snow and was blissfully loving life that afternoon.

like Muir said, "wilderness is a necessity". i know that now. i surprised myself with how much i loved this place. it's peaceful and perfect to say the least. it is a spot i'll definitely be escaping too when the city gets too much and maybe, just maybe one day ...  i might finally follow that urge to move out into the forest. 

The Shuffle - Spring 2015

plug in those headphones and enjoy!

(for those without Spotify, you will have to download the app to play, 
but trust me, it's worth it.)

How to Take a Sauna like A Finn

images via here and here

recently my local gym renovated the old locker room sauna and as a proud Finn i couldn't be happier. growing up, my Finnish family taught me and my siblings at a very early age the true art of how to take a good sauna. nothing is better at the end of a long day, or good workout than a hot sauna. no matter your level of stress, or worries, after spending time sweating it out you will undoubtably feel VERY relaxed and refreshed. you will also sleep super well. Finland is the birth place of the dry sauna ritual and i strongly believe it's key towards good health and a long life. so for any takers here are a few key notes on how to sauna like a true Finn.

1. Finn's use the sauna almost daily, and heat wise, it should be anywhere between 80-90 degrees Celsius. if you haven't taken a sauna before, make sure your start with minimal time and work your way up gradually so you don't over do it or get light headed. also, start by sitting on the bottom bench and slowly over time work your way up to the top to enjoy that full heat.

2. create some hot steam by periodically throwing a small cup sized amount of water on those hot sauna rocks to create short blasts of heat. if you find it hard to breath in the hot air, a trick is to place your tongue on the roof of your mouth and breath slowly.

image via here

3.  the hot, then the cold, then repeat method is the best ritual of the sauna by far. the trick here is to enjoy the heat for 8-10 mins allowing your body to sweat and detox. then quickly emerse yourself into cool water like a shower, lake or pool for a few seconds. this might sound unpleasant, but with your body warm from the sauna, the cool water actually feels refreshing and not as cold as you would think. then go back into the sauna and repeat another 3 or 4 times.

image via here

4. taking a sauna helps to promote good circulation in the body, but Finn's often take this to the next level by gathering up birch branches and making a "vihta". you dip it into water and gently brush or swat yourself with the bunch to relax your muscles, open the pores and increase circulation. 

5. finally complete your sauna ritual by following it up with a fresh shower to rinse, clean-up and close the pores.

sauna's are a ritual to be enjoyed by yourself, with friends or with family. if you have access to one i highly suggest you try practicing these techniques if you can to enhance your next sauna experience. i assure you, you won't be disappointed.

The Markham Fair

Hello Markham Fair! i haven't been to this particular local fair, or any fair for that matter, in years, so i made sure to enjoy a full day of animal meeting, fair food eating, live magic shows and concerts, games, rides, cooking lessons, craft shopping and fireworks watching. i love everything about going to the fair and I've decided it will now be a fall season ritual i make sure i practice every year. we happily all pigged out on Tom's donuts, lobster mac & cheese (from one of the best gourmet food trucks), and even a whole bbq turkey leg – because sometimes you just gotta, even if it looks totally barbaric. nothing beats the lights and kid like excitement you feel at a fair.

i even made a little video to share ...

itunes music  //  Circle - Fashion me a drum

just a few more pictures from our day at the fair.

Ain't he just beauttttiful.

nothing will beat fresh lemonade from a lemon shaped stand.

fall windy weather with sunshine and braids.

only the best  lobster mac & cheese for her, and bbq pulled pork for him!

i wasn't kidding about that caveman dinner time turkey leg. 

my favourite ride will always be the ferris wheel. 
you just can't beat the coloured lights and a good view.

the best ending to a perfect fall day.

A Scratch & Win Valentine

valentine's day is only a few days away, and if you are still looking for a unique and inexpensive gift for someone, how about this. today i am re-sharing a diy project that will teach you how to create customized scratch & win valentine cards for your sweetheart!

What you will need:

• one piece of card stock
• access to a colour printer
• packing tape (or thick roll of clear tape)
• scissors
• metallic paint
• dishwashing liquid
• small paint brush 

first start out by designing your card template. next you need to add "Win A Date" or copy the of your choice, and "Scratch Me" in one or more areas. here is where you should have fun with your design, colours and wording choices to make it as unique and personal as you like. find a white clip art, or vector image of a heart (or go ahead and create your own), and place in your layout. add a small text box inside the heart where your secret message will appear. copy your entire design and paste it three times horizontally to create three side-by-side images on your page. next go back to your text boxes and type in each heart what your receiver will win.

sample secret winnings can include things like,

• beer & board games night,
• pho & a movie, or
• a winter picnic.

once you are happy with your design, print it out.

now, take your packing tape and place one full strip horizontally across your design covering all three hearts. be sure to watch out for any wrinkles when laying down the strip. the packing tape now acts as a protective shield over your hidden message so they won't get damaged when painted over or when scratched. now cut away any excess tape that reaches past your page edges. next mix equal parts metallic paint (or the paint colour of your choice) to dishwashing liquid, and mix well. in thin layers, using a small paint brush, coat the area over each heart creating an outline and then filling it in. the thinner the layer the faster it will dry between coats helping to speed up this process. the object here is to layer enough coats until your message becomes hidden by opaque colour. once you are happy with your coating place your painted design in a cool dry place for a few hours (or even overnight). once it has fully dried, take your scissors and evenly slice your paper vertically into three equal strips, creating your three scratch and win cards! you can now place them in an envelope, or hand them directly to your valentine. 

I actually made these for my husband this year, so now i just have to keep him away from reading my blog until the weekend so I don't kill the surprise! I'm very much looking forward giving him these over a quiet romantic evening in front of the fireplace at home with our favourite wine and a fantastic chocolate fondue! :)

for more valentine projects check here!