Are you in need of a tune-up? Feel anxious about the upcoming holiday eating frenzy? Perhaps a bit sluggish from the Halloween sugar bonanza? Then I have just the thing for you! No-Fun November. Yay, right?!? Perhaps better known as Nourishing November (but that’s too nerdy, imo), this 30 day clean living challenge will get you all glowed-up, just in time for Decadent December. (American friends, you have my permission to wrap this up in time for thanksgiving!) This is intended to be a fun-ish 30 day challenge. Always consult with your doctor or medical professional before starting any new exercise or dietary programs. I’ll begin this by saying that…
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How to host an amazing zero waste party
We have been entertaining in a zero-waste style for about four years now. Not always 100% successful at actually getting to zero, but we get pretty close. We are also pretty lucky as North Vancouver, where we live, has an excellent recycling program. Here are some tips and tricks to get you started on hosting an amazing zero-waste party: 1. Make it easy. For every party, even for children’s parties, we always set up a recycling station. Our station includes something for compost (usually a nice carboard box lined with newsprint for a larger party, or just our regular compost bin – cleaned and empty – for smaller get togethers.…
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Cashew Coconut Greek Yogurt
Thick, creamy, tangy and delicious, this cashew coconut Greek yogurt will be a staple in your household. Made overnight in the instant pot, this plant-based yogurt is easy to make and so much better than store bought. I’ve tried at least 10 different dairy-free yogurts, and they just aren’t great. Thinking homemade might be better, I then tried a handful of coconut cream yogurt recipes with mixed success, but was always disappointed with how the cream and coconut water would separate. So I moved on to cashew milk yogurt, and thought the texture and flavour weren’t quite cream enough. So finally a lightbulb went off and I decided see if…
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Gluten and dairy-free Valentine’s sprinkle cake
This gluten and dairy-free Valentine’s sprinkle cake is sure to please the kids and your sweetheart. Yummy and moist, with layers of jam and whipped coconut cream, this surprisingly easy cake is perfect for any holiday. As some of you may know, I try to create a special decadent dessert for my husband every valentine’s day. You may remember the chocolate peanut butter cream tart, or last year’s white chocolate hazelnut tart. This year, I wanted to include my son in the fun, so I decided to re-imagine his favourite rainbow cupcakes into a gluten and dairy-free Valentine’s sprinkle cake. (My rainbow sprinkle cupcake recipe is based off of Paula…
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Mantras for Healing
After a couple of challenging years of pandemic living, these mantras for healing may help restore mind, body and spirit. These past two years have been so so difficult. Don’t get me wrong, the pandemic brought some amazing silver linings (huzzah for no more commuting!). But there has been so much yuck lately; on a personal level, within our communities, nations, and globally. Grief, loss, trauma, illness, mental health issues, economic loss, and environmental stress – we all need some healing love right now. It is so hard to know what to do and how to help, especially when all I really want to do is flop on the couch…
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Dragon Masters Birthday Party
For my son’s special day this year, it just had to be a Dragon Master’s birthday party. If you haven’t yet read the Dragon Masters book series by Tracey West, they are just amazing. I’m not sure who looks forward to each book more, me or my seven year old! As the party was going to be taking place with some social distancing restrictions still in place, we decided to invite a small number of kids to the forest near our house. It was the perfect setting for a dragon-themed party, and made social distancing easy and safe. The games and activities we did could easily be moved to any…
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Easy and fun DIY Dragon Eggs
These eggs will be a hit at your next Dragon party. I love a theme party, I really do. Creating a magic space for a few hours brings me joy. My son loves the Dragon Masters books by Tracey West, so this year we decided the theme for his birthday party this year was DRAGONS! So. Much. Fun. Plus it gave me the perfect excuse to make these DIY dragon eggs. Never one to shy away from a challenge, I like birthday themes that aren’t available at party stores. It’s a great chance to stretch your creative chops with very little stress. Kids are easily wowed, so a little effort…
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Gluten-Free White Chocolate Hazelnut Tart
A decadent, gluten-free, creamy white chocolate dessert, loaded with fresh fruit and crunchy hazelnuts. Perfect for a Valentine’s Day treat. Dairy-free option too! Every year for Valentine’s Day I try to make my husband a new dessert based on a treat he already loves. Last year I made him this incredible chocolate-peanut butter cream tart, meant to bring to mind an upscaled Reese’s. This year I drew inspiration from our favourite Ritter Sport bar – the White Whole Hazelnut. While you may not be a white chocolate fan, I think the crunchy nuts and fresh fruit in this tart might just change your mind! How to make the tart This…
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Gluten-Free Ginger Peach Crisp
Warm and spicy, try making this gluten and dairy free ginger peach crisp for a taste of summer in the middle of winter As a lifelong huge fan of peach crisp, I had a goal to make a healthier version that was safe for my family to eat. I wanted to make a gluten free peach crisp, amped up with warm ginger spice. It’s hard to believe I’ve been making peach crisp for over thirty years. (Wait, how is that even possible, I’m pretty sure I’m only 32???) My first time trying to make it by myself was as a young teenager. My mum went away on an Outward Bound…
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Cream Tart
Easier-than-it-looks, decadent dessert. Layers of chocolate pâte sablée biscuits sandwiched between marscapone peanut butter mousse, topped with berries, peanut butter cups, macaron and peanut butter mini cookies.
