I love food. Did'ya know?

Nut butter-goji-flax power balls

A slightly different kind of post today, all about my biggest passion: healthy, yummy food!

I have a crazy busy schedule this week, and I am finding myself at home for no more than an hour or two at a time. With this week being as kooky as it is, and with my upcoming road trip to NYC, I know that I will need some quick, easy, on the go energy to help power me through my long days.  Over this past weekend, I spent many hours in my kitchen, perfecting an entree recipe of mine as part of an assignment for my culinary nutrition course (recipe to come!).  I wasn't the only one working away on that, and after seeing all the Facebook postings, and Twitter updates from many of my schoolmates about their food creations, I was inspired.  Yesterday afternoon, I happily found myself with 60 minutes of me-time, and so after juicing what felt like every last ounce of fresh veggies I had left in my fridge for my afternoon green gulp, I figured I would also try and clean out a few pantry items that I am due to re-stock as well.  And with that, I whipped up a batch of all-new edible delights that I am calling "Nut butter-goji-flax power balls".  Super simple, super tasty!

Whatcha Need: 

1/3 C ground flax

1 1/2 T sunflower butter

1 T peanut butter (almond would be yummy too!)

1 1/2 T ground goji berries (they grind well in the blender)

1/4 C ground almond (I used pre-ground meal)

1 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

1 tsp. cocoa powder

1/2 tsp natural vanilla extract

1 T chia seeds

1 1/2 T raw honey*

Whatcha Do:

Mix all the ingredients with a wooden spoon or spatula until combined and easily handled.  Roll into balls. Refrigerate. Eat. Yum. Energy. Power.

*I eat a primarily vegan diet - no meat, poultry, fish, dairy, or eggs.  I do however consume raw honey;there are just too many health benefits not to, and it is simply an amazing sweetener.

Life.

Life is crazy delicious, isn't it?

I have to admit, I am simply exhausted more often than not right now, but at the end of each day, as I crawl into bed, turn on my ocean waves sound machine, and put on my sleep mask (yep, you need one of those when you go to bed before the sun goes down), I am nothing short of thrilled, grateful, and truly happy. 

Everything in my life seems to be rolling along as it should; pieces of the puzzle that I have taken 31 years to solve are slowly falling into place, serendipitous events are unfolding all around me, paths are intertwining with the characters I need most to meet, and I feel good.  I do wish I had more free time to devote to my family and friends right now however; I have sadly had to reschedule my trip home to see mom several times, and dates with my closest girlfriends have been shuffled around like pawns on a chess board.  And so it begs the question, how on earth did I think I had the time to date again?  A few weeks in on an online dating site, and it is clear to me that love may not be in the cards for me just yet.  I have no idea when I might even squeeze in a simple coffee rendezvous!  But, I soldier on, and do see the light at the end of this 18 hour day cycle, and it is beautiful.  

This week is going to be an epic one for me, as I have much awesomeness planned, and I am sure I will have many a story to tell via my next blog.  It's a 3 day workweek for this gal, and I am excited to be VIPing at my fave Spirit Junkie, Gabrielle Bernstein's reception & lecture on Tuesday night here in TO.  Wednesday (which will be my FRIDAY this week!) has me headed North to Barrie to hear from David Wolfe - "The rock star of the superfoods and longevity world".  He is scheduled to speak from 6pm til 11:30pm, but from what I hear, we will be there into the wee hours of the morning!  I am so pumped!  There are a few carloads of ladies from my culinary course making the pilgrimage together, and I am sure it is going to be an inspiring, raucous, and exciting night!  And then...on Thursday I head off on my much-needed NYC getaway, my solo excursion to the city that I admittedly would cheat on TO with, no contest.  I have my days booked solid, including meals at all the best vegan food joints, and some required TV related stops (while in NYC, I must check out the big, bright, and fancy network studios!).  Friday night I am again going to see Gabby B, this time for her "Manifesting your Desires" workshop, and then on Saturday morning, I have a date with a local farmers market via bicycle with my lovely hostess for the weekend, Grace.  I am also excited to share a bite at some point with a dear old CityTv colleague, that I haven't seen in close to 5 years, and just so happens to be visiting NY simultaneously.  

And after that?  Well, I have a few weeks left in my culinary course, and have nailed down one of my co-op placements with Belmonte Raw, the sassy, hip, and real raw food boutique in Leslieville that I encourage you all to check out.  Later on in May I am all signed up to earn my level 1 Reiki certification, and I also hope to finally write my Canfit Fitness Instructor exam!  And to wrap up the month, I will be taking yet another course with Meghan Telpner, only this time it's a business and marketing workshop!  I am hoping this will help me develop more focus about what exactly I plan to do with all these sexy new skills I am layering onto my being these days!

So yes, life is grand.  I'm tired, but it's a fatigue from fun and fabulous-ness, so I'll take it any day.

A conversation with Meg

Scorpio- Saturday, April 7, 2012 
An old repetitive and never-ending problem is going to get resolved once and for all. It may not seem like it considering the way things have been going lately, yet improvement is happening in areas of your life where it really counts. The only way to go is forward. Success is waiting for you.    

Huh.  Nice way to start my day, reading that there horoscope before even rising out of my bed at 7am.  Immediately I thought, yes, I must blog about this.

I think we all have at least one area in our life that we truly want to change for the better.  One specific habit, an old repetitive and never-ending problem, that we so desire to resolve once and for all, but we are just too frightened to make that huge paradigm shift.  I know I do.

It's funny, because just yesterday, whilst walking home from Whole Foods, I decided to have a conversation with myself about just that problem of mine.  I had recently read an article about why it is so damn hard for us to make positive changes in the most important areas of our lives when we know exactly what it is we need to do, to do it.  The writing stated that quite often it is simply an issue of our "child-like" selves resisting the ideas for change brought on by our "adult" selves, and thus sabotaging all of our efforts.  The article went on to say that the first step in making massive transformation in our lives is to simply have a conversation with our kid-self.  This internal chat should focus on distilling the FEAR that our child self feels about the change.  We also must insist that our grownup self will take care and ensure protection and safety into the soon to be new way of thinking and doing...

So yes, I talked to myself.  Half out loud I might add.  I must have looked mildly of a crazy person walking through Rosedale muttering words of encouragement under my breath to my mini-me.  But I did feel better after the "talk".  I felt lighter.  Calmer.  Total placebo effect?  Maybe.  But isn't that exactly what it is? Shifting perception equals a shifted reality after all.

Now upon receiving my astrological prediction for today, it only adds fuel to my fires of motivation.  Yes, most areas of my life are a rockin' - really and truly great.  And if I can revamp this one zone in my world, and END my never-ending problem, I can only imagine what amazing things will result...

So today I suggest to you, please sit down, take a breath, and say hello to your kid-self and give him or her a hug.  Have a conversation and see what transpires.  You just might be surprised.

April checkpoint

Okay, where did March go?  Seriously. Crazy busy fun times.  Breathe.

Well, this past week week marked exactly 10 months since my father's passing.  Not a usual milestone of note, but I took it as a marker to reflect on all that I have accomplished in those ten months, and with that, I do declare that I think dad would be proud.  I am really making things happen.  :)

 

So what goes on?  Well I am thick in the trenches of my CNE course, cooking up a storm, madly finishing assignment after assignment, amassing large quantities of super-food stock, and realizing less and less counter space due to my new array of kitchen appliances.  Not only have I been active with my new juicer, blender, steamer, food processor and mandolin, but now dear friends, I get to add a super high-tech professional level Blendtec blender to my arsenal!  Yes indeedy, I can officially bid adieu to my "Vitamix savings account" (they run you over $500), and put that money elsewhere.  Just last night, as part of Earth Hour, I hit up Doug McNish's book launch party for his new recipe compilation "Eat Raw, Eat Well".  Not only was this event filled with great food, great fun, and great networking, but it was also where my lucky name was drawn and I won over $800 worth of Blendtec swag!  And I never win anything!!  So amazing, so shocking, so blessed.  I also got the opportunity to meet Lisa Borden while there (she's an inspiration), and it was in her opinion that I won this great prize because the universe was recognizing my choice to do something better with my life.  There are just too many serendipitous events unfolding for me to ever question my decision to do what I am doing.  It was another motivating evening, and I left more assured than ever that this is the arena I want to play in.  

I am so grateful to have had the chance to connect with Doug and his crew, and will be eternally thankful for this opportunity to advance my culinary chops he's given me via this great gift!  

 This was my homework this weekend; just perfecting my quinoa breakfast bowl recipe for a meal plan development project!

So, where will I stash that money I was saving for a heavy duty mixer?  Perhaps I will put it towards a few fancy dinners when I hit NYC in April!  Yes, that is another plan I have in the works; a romantic trip to the city that never sleeps...ironically almost EXACTLY 2 years to the day from when I got engaged there in 2010.  This time around I am flying solo, and just like my gal Carrie Bradshaw, I intend to be courted and wooed by Manhattan over the course of my 3 day "date" with the city.  Fortunately I am blessed that my father's cousin's daughter (my second, third, fourth cousin?) is living in Washington Heights and  has kindly offered to accommodate me that weekend.   Grace is her name and I have not seen her since the summer I was in grade 10.  I really look forward to catching up, and getting her opinion on my very own "Grace" tattoo!  So that weekend promises to be filled with great food (Candle 79 here I come!), great fun, sweet recollection, and superb solo chill time.  Can't wait!

 Yup, that's me on Carrie's stoop.

Now that I have a Spring getaway in the works...why not start thinking about a Winter one, right?  And what better place to travel than Costa Rica to escape the snow?  Again, strangely, the last time I visited this country just so happened to be 2 years ago, the March prior to my NYC trip of "love".  So it's quite funny to me that I am now also booked to head back there as well!  Yuppers!  I am hitting up CR once again, this time along the west coast of the Guanacaste Peninsula near Nosara and San Juanillo.  I will be heading down there alongside 21 other sunshine seekers with a passion for holistic nutrition, yoga practice, and a desire to heal what ails them.  I'm part of the group signed up with one of Meghan Telpner's super retreat packages (yes, the same Meghan I am doing my nutrition course with!) and I am stoked to have the chance to scoop up one of the coveted spots.  This holiday runs during the last week of February, so I am hoping I can work it out so that I can have my week in the jungle, and then fly straight into Florida to spend my special March time with mom right after.  Wouldn't THAT be a divine way to ring in 2013? 

 Costa Rica, Pura Vida!

Well then, so this is where things stand: NYC in April...Costa Rica in February...Panama in November?

Let's hope!  Okay, so this week I should hear from BootyCamp Fitness in regards to my audition I did a few weeks back to be a part of their next home DVD video shoot.  It is taking place in Panama this coming November, and yes I am excited, yes I am praying, but man am I nervous about the results!  This would so be such a dream come true, and I am trying not to hold my breath in anticipation.  I am telling myself that I will not be disappointed if I am not chosen as I have so many other great things going on in my life right now, but jeez.  Come on!  Panama!  Workouts!  Sunshine! All in my birthday month!  It is so meant to be.  

Oh, and one other wee update;  this past week I received my first round of recipes to whip up as part of my new gig as recipe tester for "Chatelaine" magazine!  Super fun.  I signed up ages ago and now get to play the part of guinea pig with their meal ideas for upcoming issues.  No pay, but a fun excuse to try out new food ideas, and the chance to get my reviews published.  Not to mention, I think it'll be a cute addition to my culinary resume.  Hooray!

Anyway, that's it for now, dinner is in the oven and I best go give it attention.  I will try to write again soon, and my apologies for the erratic postings these days!  In the meantime, please cross all your parts for me, and pray for PANAMA!

March Madness (& Miracles)

“Single is not a status. It is a word that describes a person who is strong enough to live and enjoy life without depending on others.”

Inspiration can be found anywhere.  This week was one of those weeks in which my scattered focus almost left me drained.  However, it only took a few deep breathes, and several big jugs of green juice smoothie (with Maca!) to keep me in line and on target.  Along the way, I also kept coming across various words, ideas, and images that really inspired, and also guided me to reflect.  

The above quote was one I came across on a blog about being happily single, and it resonated.  I have been single for a huge portion of my adult life, but I can say with honesty that I was never really strong and single until this most recent stretch (post failed-engagement I suppose).  I think there have been a lot of variables at play in the last few years, (obviously with all that has gone on!) but I am actually really okay with it being just me.  I have always been really independent in most areas; I have lived solo since age 22 in Toronto, enjoy my alone time, can hold my own when it comes to home repairs, car issues, and just getting by every day (my finances? well that's another story).  But it was not until recently that I really felt happy to be single.  I am actually thrilled to be free to do all the wonderful things I want to do, on my schedule, in my own time, with no one questioning any of it.  I feel love now more for myself than ever, but I also feel myself giving out love to others more freely as well.  Not the same romantic love you give and receive in a "coupled" relationship, but love none the less.  And it's because I am content enough to be able to let down some of the protective walls I had built up, and allow others in; friends, co-workers, strangers...

This is not to say that I am not open to romantic love.  No, quite the opposite.  I think that now that I have established a wholeness on my own, I am more ready than ever for intimacy; when the timing is right, and the right person rolls along...

But I'm vibing on where I am now.  It's neat, feels good, and makes my life a happier place to be, single or not.  It's just a groovy way to live.

I like this above image a lot (I poached it from my gal Gabby Berstein's Pinterest page), for it gets me thinking about where love is of the utmost importance in my world; the love of self, and the love of food!  It also brings me to my next wee bit of stimulus from the week.

I came across this article by Jack Norris, RD, in which he briefly discusses the prevalence of disordered eating and various restrictive food diets (ie. veganism).  He states that recent studies have found that semi-vegetarians scored higher on restrictive eating behavior tests, but that vegetarians did not show signs of disordered eating.  Further, the researchers stated that the vegans had the most healthy scores, healthier even than omnivores, and even wondered if becoming vegan “could actually serve as a protective factor against developing disordered eating.”


I don't know why this made me feel so happy to read, but I suppose it helped to quiet that part of my mind that still constantly worries about my food decisions, and whether I am being too strict with my eating; if I am crossing that very fine line...anyway, I thought it a neat-o read.


Next up, was a blog I found on the Huffington Post Canada website.  Here's an excerpt:
 

Yet I never forget. I am always alert and vigilant because I know I can never be entirely safe from myself. Sometimes -- and this can happen; beware all of you out there who have gone through similar situations, or who have loved ones who have done so -- you slip. A treacherous crack opens inside you, inside your soul. The void gapes through. When this moment may arrive, is unknown. If you are going through a rough period you may be tempted to fall back into old habits. So you have to deal with it, decisively.

But I have done so -- and I have won! My mother, my yaya and I won that night when I ate the bun: the three of us. In Greek, the word for winning is "Nike." In our mythology, she is a woman -- and boy, is she gorgeous! Radiant, full of curves, and "normal." (Cindy Sherman even made her pregnant in a statue now showing at MoMa.) Yet there is nothing "normal" about her: Nike is a goddess. Like every woman: endowed with the power to overcome anything.

Just another great read for the simple reason that it is yet another writer putting it all out there.  In this case, the author is a recovered anorexic, and she, just like me, is well aware that it doesn't take much to relapse if you are not constantly conscious.  I am loving that there have been so many open, honest, and raw articles published recently about eating disorders, and how they not only affect the individual suffering, but also the impact on family and friends.  It is a shame that society was silent so long on the subject; I know first hand how tough it was to open my own mouth and talk candidly about my ordeal.  But with every shared story I learn.  With every honest admittance I grow.  With every relate-able detail, I am able to move forward and further away from my past with ED, and I think if we keep the momentum up, we can start turning things around, ditch the stigma, and save lives.  Let's keep it up!!!

Okay, so enough of my quoting from the internets.  This week was super cool because I also received a copy of Douglas McNish's new raw recipe book.  I am pretty stoked to try out a few recipes, and after flipping through it last night, it seems I am going to be spending A LOT of time in my kitchen with my food processor and mom's dehydrator.  So many yummy recipes to choose from!!  I am also pretty stoked to be heading to the official book launch next weekend at "EcoExistence", in celebration of "Eat Raw, Eat Well", as well as Earth Hour.  Oh, and watch for Doug's appearance on Global's "The Morning Show" this coming Thursday as well!

And finally, I thought I would share a couple of cheese-ball photos with you all.  As I have mentioned, I took part in an audition this past week to be a part of Booty Camp Fitness's next home DVD video shoot (in PANAMA!).  My audition was on Thursday night, and I was required to supply an essay about my connection with Booty Camp Fit, as well as 2 photos of myself...one head shot, and one full body shot.  Of course, I do not have any sort of portfolio as many professional fitness folks might, so I had to improvise...

After the show that day, I recruited cameraman Nick to be my photog, and we had a mini photo shoot right in the studio.  I am sure he felt awkward and uncomfortable during the whole session, poor guy.  But, the following images were what transpired, and I hope my goofiness in the first shot wasn't taken as a lack of professionalism!

As for the actual audition, well it was awesome!  I got to work directly with Sammie Kennedy, CEO and founder of the camps, and Megan the VP was the other "judge".  They were both totally sweet and friendly, and put both myself and the other potential recruit in the room with me right at ease from the start.  After a short Q & A, Sammie put us through a vigorous mini workout to test our abilities when it comes to burpies (ouch!), push-ups, high knees, and squats.  You name, we did it; it was like squeezing an hour long booty camp into a 5 minute session!  Good times!  I left feeling invigorated, excited, and thrilled to even just have the chance to give it my all.  Now we play the waiting game...I should hear by early April if I made the cut.  FINGERS CROSSED!!

One thought.

On this sunny Friday evening, after a quiet afternoon of reflecting on the week that was, I have one simple thought to share.

Simple, yet so profound.  These words, if acted upon, will change how you perceive others and the world around you.  A mantra to remember with every step you take, soul you meet, & smile you send out. 

We are ALL sorting out conflict, we all have demons, we all can choose love.

Happy week-end!

Spring has Sprung!

Sun Sign: Scorpio

Your horoscope for March 19, 2012

You should be feeling especially confident today, meg. You have been working especially hard lately, and the recognition you have received goes a long way to reinforce your feelings of self-worth. Your life goals suddenly seem more attainable and you pursue them with renewed vigor. Your confidence is grounded in reality. You will surely succeed

WOW! Life has been just non-stop since my return from my Florida vacation; so crazy busy that I have barely had a breath to myself, and obviously not a moment to sit down and really write out my thoughts in this here blog!  My apologies for being absent. 

Well, the biggest news is that I am super excited to have finally started my Culinary Nutrition Course with Meg Telpner!  I am 3 classes and 2.5 assignments in, and totally vibing on it thus far!  Meg is a superb teacher, entertaining speaker, and obviously an outstanding talent in the kitchen.  I so look forward to my Monday and Wednesday night meals at her loft-style cooking academy, and also having the chance to hang out for a few hours with a group of vibrantly sweet and health conscious individuals just like me.  The in-class time is invaluable to say the least, but I do think that I am going to learn vastly more than I ever expected through the well thought out homework plan that Meghan has devised.  Over the course of the next 12 weeks, we will be phasing through 2 writing projects/week, each one building on the last. We will look at everything from our own food "philosophy", to where the professional nutrition market is headed, cover all the cooking basics, and eventually will design full meal plans including all our own recipes.  The "at-home" commitment is also extensive, with much required cooking, reading and documentary screening to complete, BUT it's so all good; for once in my life, my "schoolwork" is FUN-work!

 

After just the first week of "schooling" I was already fully inspired.  I did a huge re-vamp of my grocery list, and made a few big shops at Whole Foods and my local health food shop to stock up on a few of the staples needed for my new creative cuisine.  I have tossed out my usual rice cake and nut butter breakie, in favour of a new "green smoothie" AM routine.  Armed with my shiny new high powered blender (one day I hope to be able to afford a precious Vitamix!), I have been mixing up yummy protein shakes each day to bring to work and power me through my long morning in studio.  I have tried quite a few combinations, and this morning was one of my faves, by far.  Packed with protein and savoury sweetness, this is what I included:

- 2 Tbsp Nut Butter

- 1 medium apple

- 1 cup kale

- 1.5 Tbsp. Chia

- 1 scoop chocolate vegan protein powder

- ¾ C. almond milk

- 1 scoop greens powder

- 3 dried dates

- Water to thin

Another way to get bliss from a blender? 

- 1 scoop SunWarrior raw vegan chocolate protein powder

- 1 scoop GreenSuperfood

- 1 capsule Maca root
- 1/2 avocado (silky smoothness!)

- 1 Tbsp. goji berries

- 1/2 C. frozen fruit of your choice

- Handful kale, spinach or other leafy green

- Almond milk to liquefy

...cuteness pause...

Chef David Rocco hits the Global Morning Shaw's Bloor street studios....so dreamy.

Between my course, work schedule, and keeping life interesting and fulfilling with friends and fun-having, gym time has been at a minimum. In order to keep feeling strong and powerful, I know I need to keep up with my training, and if I plan to run a 10K this Spring, I need to keep on my feet too!  A couple of weeks ago I implemented a new regime, and am now up at 3:30am for a run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.  I am still loving my BootyCamp DVD set (there are so many vids to choose from that I haven't gotten even slightly bored yet!) and this past weekend I also invested a tad of money in some more home-gym gear and am now also adding in a few simple dumbbell routines in the comfort of my own living room as well. 

Oh - and in 2 days, I am finally off to audition to be a part of the next BootyCamp DVD - stay tuned for more on that; even if I don't get selected, I am sure the process will be fun, and yet another notch on my belt of building more and more self confidence!

Well, as my horoscope for this past Monday predicts (see top of post), I think things are really finally starting to fall in to place.  I have a couple of other neat-o things in the works, but I am going to keep those under wraps until I have more details to divulge.  For now, I am feeling confident, positive and determined, and believe that the universe is backing me in my plans for change.  I am not sure how much of this "high" I am feeling is simply from my new green smoothie habit, or how much is simply a result of life really flowing....but either way, I am stoked.  I am feeling a shift, and it feels good.

Oh!  I almost forgot - Happy 1st day of Spring everyone!!