prayer.

My friend Meghan got some devastating news. Her 4 year old daughter, Ivy has Ewing's Sarcoma in her leg. We are trying to relieve Meghan of financial stress, so she can focus on her daughter right now. Any support is greatly appreciated. I attached some info here if you would like to contribute.
http://www.helpivyrose.blogspot.ca/
I send out a little prayer each night before bed, maybe you can to. There is all kinds of research on the healing powers of prayer, I figure it can't hurt to be a believer.

5 months!

5 months! time is zipping by. i can't seem to get a picture of him without her....she loves him so. as do we all.

Harvest Time

I picked my garlic about 2 weeks ago and they have been drying in the shade since then. They look pretty good. The bulbs are small to medium sized. I was reading that the closer you plant the cloves the smaller the bulbs so I will spread them out next year or maybe it was the stock I got as my friend's who planted the same garlic had the same outcome. Looking forward to tasting them soon! Will keep you posted....

Soo Soo....

they slept at my parents last night. she forgot her soother. she slept just fine and now her confidence is boosted and she knows she can do it. tonight she went to bed without her beloved soo soo. her choice. it's nice. but also a little sad. she is growing up.

funny comic.

Breakfast

Who says breakfast has to be sweet?

steamed spinach

bbq salmon with soy sauce/maple syrup marinade

brown rice with lentils, onions, garlic and tumeric

leftover dinner makes a great breakfast

delicious

a birthday gift idea.

i have blogged before about how we all have so much, especially when it comes to kids 'stuff', so with yet another birthday party approaching, i decided to make a crafty gift package for the soon to be 4 year old!  it will be her own mod podged canvas.  back in october i made my brand new nephew a mod podged keepsake http://forhealthyroots.blogspot.ca/2011/10/crafting-101.html. so today, i packeaged up all the essentials and put it together as a gift package. bella helped along the way and even made her own little canvas today. she is so proud of it. so cute. here it is and a few of her in action.

 here is a shot of the supplies.

what you do need to invest in is some super cute hole punchers. i have a couple; leaf, owls, heart and borrowed a monarch butterfly from a friend which is the best one! i pre-punched little baggies full of them and labeled them for easy use. I also pre-cut her name using stencils onto cute and colourful paper. I added in a canvas, a good wide brush and a small bottle of mod podge. i put in a simple instruction sheet, which is basically apply glue anywhere and everywhere and then brush a layer when project is complete! i think it is a fun gift....what ideas do you have??

Chai Vanilla Cupcakes

I'm heading to a friend's for a girls get together tonight and made these fabulous cupcakes. I honestly can't remember where I got the recipe from and I altered a few things. They were chocolate cupcakes but I am partial to vanilla so I left the cocoa out. I also did not have Earth Balance so used good butter instead. They turned out super cute.

I had some pretty good helpers (until I found them with the sugar carton being poured directly into their mouths!!)

 

remember how fun it was to lick the egg beaters or wooden spoon??

Vegan Chocolate Chai Tea Cupcakes

Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
1 c. almond milk
1 tsp. apple cider vinegar
1/3 c. vegetable oil
3/4 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. all-purpose flour
1/3 c. cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt

For the frosting:
1/2 c. Earth Balance vegan margarine (or butter)
3-4 c. powdered sugar
2 chai tea bags
2 tbsp. boiling water
2 tbsp. almond milk
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions:
For the cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the vinegar with the almond milk and let sit for five minutes. Whisk together the almond milk/vinegar, oil, sugar and vanilla. In another bowl, sift together the dry ingredients. Add wet to dry and mix until combined. Pour batter into greased cupcake molds and bake for 25 minutes, or until springy. Let cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:
Beat the Earth Balance until soft. Brew the tea in the two tablespoons of boiling water and let sit for ten minutes to steep. Then, add the almond milk. Add that mixture, plus the powdered sugar and cinnamon to the earth balance and continue to beat for 10 minutes until very light and fluffy. Frost cupcakes.

Makes 12 cupcakes.

A Simple Treat

 I made these super simple and quick cookies after my spin class tonight as I was craving a sweet treat but wanted it to be healthy. (As an aside, Kai slept the whole time I was gone and still is!)  I think I ate about 10 of these.....maybe a few too many?

Applesauce Cookies
3 ripe bananas
2 c. rolled oats
1/3 c. applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. ground flax
1/2 c. dried cranberries

1/2 c. chocolate chips

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Using a fork, mash the bananas in a bowl. Stir in oats, applesauce, dried cranberries, flax and vanilla extract. Mix batter well. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto a lined cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Done!