Even though I had to work all day, it did feel like a lovely mini weekend in the middle of the week. And I did celebrate by going out to dinner and dessert with my peeps {strawberry and chocolate crepes anyone?}.
Unfortunately I didn't have time to bake today, but here is a cake I made a few Canada Days ago, inspired by this recipe from Kraft. I think I've had dessert on the mind a lot lately, as my past few posts have featured cake or cupcakes!
Happy birthday Canada...this is truly a wonderful country to live in!
Inspired by this blog, P. and I tried making pizza on the barbeque tonight...and it was INCREDIBLE! I'm not sure what the difference is, but pizza - which is usually pretty yummy - was raised up to a whole new level! Find the instructions here {and homemade tomato sauce definitely sets it over the edge}. Enjoy!
{photo from craft lovely}
As I've mentioned, I have endometriosis. My doctor believes my surgery a few weeks ago was a success, but endo does grow back eventually...bugger. To keep my health in check I've been seeing my friend Laurie - my 'nutritionista' - who is focussing her new business, LkM Nutrition, on the family - family planning, infertility, pregnancy, and food for babies and toddlers.
I've been to Laurie for two sessions now and she is fantastic! I feel a big change in my body having implemented the new foods and vitamins she has recommended. Laurie just started two informative new blogs and I'm excited about both! Blog #1 has interesting tidbits and nutritional hints for family planning, infertility and pregnancy. Blog #2 guides parents on making their own food for babies and toddlers - and it's called Baby Bites and Toddler Tapas...love! How wonderful to make your own baby food - to save money, but also to have that control and awareness over what your baby is actually ingesting.
Laurie also offers a service called Freezer Fill-Up where she will help you prepare meals in your home that can be stored in the freezer to help you eat properly when a new baby arrives. This gal is quite innovative and great at what she does! She is located in the Roncesvalles area of Toronto, but can also meet via Skype. Be sure to check her out - this nutritionista comes highly recommended.
Don't you just love finding a new blog that is a little gem? I usually waste insane amounts of time at interior and graphic design, wedding and artsy blogs but I just found a cooking blog that has some wonderful recipe inspiration - For the Love of Cooking.
On the weekend I made their Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins that uses yogurt instead of butter {I am always alarmed at how much butter is used in baking, and even more grossed out at the amount of shortening in some older recipes}. These muffins are marvelous! Note that I only used 1/3 cup chocolate chips...I'm a chocoholic, but 1 cup seemed like a lot. And I also tried making these with spelt flour {less gluten} and they were wonderful too...just add about 1/4 cup more of spelt flour so that it rises a bit better.
Enjoy! I'm definitely making these again soon!
