I'm going back

To Hot Yoga that is. I should have never taken a vacation from it. I'll keep you posted on my first few weeks of suffering, cause after that it's bliss.

Update: September 9, 2011

I've gone back. It's been so great. It's been hard. It has whipped my ass. Why did I stop? You should come with, it's fun.

Food post coming tomorrow. Happy night y'all.

Not a tart, so it must be...

A Tattoo



And two weeks later, still healing, still dry and there's a deep scab in the crease of my wrist (you know that's what happens when they heal right?). All self inflicted so I don't whine.

Pride Parade 2011- Victoria, B.C.

It's a beautiful day in the neighbourhood...

Today, myself and these two fine young men decided to get on our bicycles and ride the Galloping Goose Trail out to Sidney, BC. From our starting point (we drove a bit so Junior wouldn't suffer his first long ride) our round trip was 32.5 kms. Not bad for a Sunday afternoon.

Needless to say, boys... they were trying to pull some wheelies. Unsuccessful. 

This hay was being cut as we went past. The smell was heavenly. Fresh and outdoorsy and like summer. Amazing.



This is where we all should live. 

We saw these bathing beauties on route. We smelled them before we saw them.

They reminded me of the chihuahuas. That's all I can say about that.



Oh my word.



These horses were precious. They were grooming each other's manes. So sweet.



The town of Sidney is small and quaint and just the kind of place to spend a Sunday. They have all kinds of these fabulous statues around the main 'drag'. I love this one. Just a man and his dog.

Hope your Sunday was pretty spectacular as well.

Last note: Junior made it just fine. At the end he said "That was it?" When you're doing something fun with people you love that really is it. 

Eatmore Protein Bars

A healthier, way less processed version of that bizarre candy bar we all ate as kids. This recipe is from Amy Layne's Paradigm Blog, passed on by Lady J.

Merci Poupettes.

2 Cups of dry roasted peanuts

3 TBSP of peanut butter

1 Cup of dates (I chopped, then measured)

1/4 Cup ground flax

3 Scoops of protein powder (it didn't specify and I had vanilla in the pantry)

2 TBSP cocoa powder

1/2 Cup unsweetened coconut

1/4 Cup or more of water

1. Add peanuts, flax, protein powder, cocoa and coconut to food processor.

2. Pulse until peanuts are in small pieces

3. Add dates, peanut butter and start blending. Add water slowly and as needed. If you need more use more, but a little at a time. I used 1/2 cup in total.

4. Blend until dough like but not so much you don't see any texture.

5. Remove dough.

I put mine in a glass rectangular baking dish to spread it out. I had a little roller and rolled until the pan was covered and the bars were about 1/2 or so thick.

Into the fridge to set a bit. I took them out after half an hour and used a dough scrapper to just cut into it.

The pan I used created 20 bars out of this recipe. About 2" x 2" in size.

Individually wrap the bars and keep in the fridge for a grab and go. They can keep up to a week.

I froze half the batch, cut and wrapped.

I've also made a strawberry/ rhubarb cobbler this morning but am about to watch a movie and just too darn done with the laptop to stare at it any longer.

Happy Sunday You

12

As I was taking this picture he was asking if he would catch head lice from wearing the horns. I said probably.

For the past 7 years Junior has always asked for a 'theme' cake. A character. An object. A cake that looks like "you know, that thing..." Thankfully a few months ago he declared he just wanted a homemade ice cream cake. Whew.



Sparklers still smell like they did when we were kids.

Canuck Fever at City Hall

Mayor Fortin and Sir John A. MacDonald in the spirit

Date/ Protein Spheres



A very simple grab and go snack so you always have something at the ready.

All you need is a food processor and some simple, easily substituted options. In the batch I made I put:

2 cups of dates

1 cup of prunes

1 cup of cashews

1 cup of sunflower seeds

1 cup of coconut

1/4 cup of ground flax

2 scoops of Vegan protein powder

1 scoop of Greens+ powder

I processed until it was sticky and had to add a scant 1/4 cup of water until it stuck together.

You can make them whatever size you like. I used a 1 tablespoon ice cream scoop.

Roll the balls in whatever you like. I used sesame seeds, Lady J used coconut on her's. I think ground nuts would be pretty good too.

Store them in a container in the fridge. Or individually wrap them for the road.

Enjoy

Oh M.A. you silly.

Keeping it real in MessyTown

First you start out with a mess of flour everywhere (and if you were too lazy to sweep the floor, you realize the next day it has to be done).

But then you have your little gems stuffed with squash and seasonings, you heat a pan with a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and herbs and you know a bit of flour on the floor is no big dea.

Just a wee note: making your own pasta is very easy with or without a pasta machine of any sort. I have two kinds of machines and still like making it by hand. Of course if you're just going to roll out pile upon pile of long noodles... use the machine!

On a lighter note

Junior and I have found a new favourite. Surprisingly, He has a more open mind about eating Vegan than Mister does. And that I appreciate. We're trying yummy things as we find them. This almond milk was a real treat.