Make Every Morning Count

One thing I've learned in my "quest" to become healthier is that every single thing you put in your mouth counts. Now, obviously one cheat meal won't be the end of everything, but getting into the habit of even one big cheat meal a week can really derail you... especially if you're like me and your willpower isn't that strong!

I can't eat a big breakfast - it makes me feel sick. So, I'm usually limited to egg whites with some seasoning, but it isn't enough to get me through the day until lunch (with school and work my schedule is tight). When my friend Stacey introduced me to smoothie bowls, I was pumped! So, now, because I'm usually on the go, I drink my breakfast along with my egg whites.

(C)Katherine Wittman

This beauty has 10g protein, 9g fibre, just over 50% daily recommended Vitamin C intake, and a whole lotta taste!

Cherry-Banana Breakfast Smoothie

1 cup Silk Unsweetened Coconut Milk
1 cup no sugar added frozen dark cherries
1 banana
1 tsp flaxmeal
1 tsp chia seeds
3 tbsp vegan yogurt
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
handful of kale, chard, or collard greens

Place all ingredients in blender, food processor, or NutriBullet. Blend until smooth. Enjoy!

Namaste.

Spaghetti in a Tangy, "Cheesy" Vegan Sauce with Lemony Herbed Mushrooms

Don't let the lengthy title, ingredient list, or instructions fool you; this pasta dish is super easy and takes no time at all. Perfect for a busy night when you're working late, need something filling in a short time, or just simply don't want to cook, but don't want to order in.

There are a few ways to make this "cheesy", but the best (and most colon-friendly way - confused? Check out my post from yesterday) way is listed first in the recipe. You'll likely have all of these ingredients in your pantry/frig already, and you can always make this without the gluten-free or dairy-free ingredients if that's not your kinda thing.

This would also be a fantastic recipe to use any skinnypasta HIGH PROTEIN or upcoming SUPERFOOD fresh pastas with... just saying :)

Spaghetti with a Tangy, "Cheesy" Vegan Sauce with Lemony Herbed Mushrooms

spaghetti, linguine, or any other pasta (enough for 4-6 people)

1 tbsp. Becel Vegan Margarine

2 tbsp. minced garlic

3 tbsp. Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose flour

1 tsp. corn starch

2 cups dairy-free milk (I like So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk)

1/2 cup cashews and/or almonds

2 tbsp. + 3 tbsp. lemon juice (fresh-squeezed or bottled)

1 tbsp. + 1 tbsp. onion powder

black pepper

1 tbsp. dill weed

1 tbsp. rosemary

1 tsp. dried basil

6-8 white button mushrooms, sliced

2 tsp. + 1 tsp. lemon zest

olive oil

salt

1. First, make the "cheese" part of your "cheesy" sauce:

 - in a blender or food processor, mince cashews and/or almonds to a powder (near-powder is okay)

- add 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp onion powder, black pepper to taste, a pinch of salt, and a splash of olive oil and blend until smooth.

- add water if needed until the "cheese" mixture is smooth

[Other options include: cream cheese (dairy-free if needed), nutritional yeast, or shredded cheese (dairy-free if needed)]

- set aside

2. Bring water in a large stove-top pot to a boil, and throw in a few pinches of salt. Toss in pasta and cook according to instructions.

3. Melt margarine in large skillet. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant. Add mushrooms and stir. Add 3 tbsp of lemon juice, a splash of olive oil, stirring frequently. Add lemon zest, dill weed, rosemary, basil, and 1 tbsp onion powder, continue stirring. 

4. Once mushrooms are browned, add another splash of olive oil, stir in flour and corn starch. 

5. Add milk slowly, stirring as you pour. 

6. Add your "cheese" mixture (or optional other "cheese"), and stir until the sauce is smooth. Sprinkle remaining 1 tsp. lemon zest and a dash of black pepper to sauce, and stir.

7. Once pasta is ready, drain and toss with sauce. Serve with whichever garnish you choose.

Enjoy!

Sidenote: YES, you can eat amazingly on a vegetarian/vegan diet! Albert Einstein was known for being "onto things", and he said this:

Yup.... way to go old man!

Namaste.

Almondine This!

It seems like just a few posts ago where I was bitching (slightly... nope... full on bitching) about not being able to eat fish or seafood. It was a dark time, it was a gloomy time... it was a bitchy time. BUT now I'm able to eat fish (and some seafood) again!

My doctor couldn't exactly explain why, but after consulting a holistic nutritionist friend, she suggested that it may be due to my one and only colon. The way she explained it to me, inflammation and irritation in the colon can cause your body to intercept harmless food proteins and nutrients as harmful, thus causing reactions and 'creating' allergies. Confused yet? I still am.

Colon health is integral in staving off allergies, and helping to prevent 'new' ones. Mercola.com states that,

"Allergies [m]ay [a]lso [b]e [d]ue to Leaky Gut Syndrome. Besides being associated with inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, or celiac disease, leaky gut can also be a contributing factor to allergies... Once the integrity of your intestinal lining is compromised, and there is a flow of toxic substances 'leaking out' into your bloodstream, your body experiences significant increases in inflammation... According to a growing number of experts, including Dr. Loren Cordain, a professor at Colorado State University and an expert on Paleolithic lifestyles, humans are NOT designed to eat grains, and doing so may actually be damaging to your gut."

Anywho, my point is that, since I've been eating to 'treat' my colon, I've been happier, clearer, and healthier! Pinterest has definitely helped me to find some recipes, and then create my own gluten-free, dairy-free, colon-friendly recipe, just like what I had for lunch today.

Today's lunch was adapted from Kings Markets for one person, but you can adapt it if you are feeding your fam. Only 394 calories per serving, and 34.4 g of protein (according to MyFitnessPal)!
*note: I only used Rice Wine Vinegar as I didn't have Lemon Juice. Super tasty!

Filet of Sole Almondine

1 1/2 tbsp sliced almonds
200 g sole fillet (you can get individual sole fillets for around $3.00 CAD at Sobey's)
1 tbsp Bob's Red Mill Organic Coconut Flour
1 tsp garlic powder
2 stalks green onions, chopped
1 tbsp Becel Vegan Margarine
1/2 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
black pepper to taste
dried or fresh parsley to taste

1. Combine coconut flour, garlic powder, and black pepper; coat filet with mixture. Melt 3/4 of the tbsp of margarine in skillet over medium heat. Sauté filet until golden on each side (about 3-4 mins per side, depending on your stove).
2. Remove filet from skillet to your plate. Combine sliced almonds and green onions in skillet with the remaining 1/4 tbsp of margarine and stir until fragrant (don't "over-toast" the almonds!).
3. Spoon onion and almond mixture over filet and sprinkle with rice wine vinegar and parsley.
4. Enjoy!!!

(c)Katherine Wittman

Namaste.

Enjoy Pasta Again!

Quick, what's the first thing that you think about when you hear the word "pasta"? For me, it was usually "CARBS!"; although pasta is easy, of course, I never got excited or happy about 'having' to have pasta for lunch or dinner. Plus, even gluten-free pasta can be packed with soy, sugars, and other additives that can make a bowl of pasta more of an indulgence than a healthy alternative. The good thing about most gluten-free pastas is that they fill you up without having to have too big of a portion, but they leave you with that heavy feeling. And, most people go gluten-free to avoid that heavy feeling. So.... lose-lose situation, right?

Not anymore! Skinnypasta, created by two Italian sisters from my own stomping ground of Calgary, Alberta, offers a "superior level of nutrition", giving you what other gluten-free pastas (yes, even corn-based ones) cannot: non-GMO, no soy, no rice, no corn, no nuts, no additives, all-natural, no preservative, plus amazing taste. They even have high-protein, low-calorie pastas (your favourites - spaghetti, fettuccine, linguine), and vegetarian, gluten-free entrees (ummmm... pretty sure that these pastas were made for me!).

I've recently tried the gluten-free, vegan, individual-serving Butternut Squash Ravioli... oh yes, didn't I mention that Skinnypasta has handy individual entrees for when you need a healthy lunch or dinner? Yup... they were made for you, too! 

The ravioli - 5 out of 5 stars absolutely - it was a serious treat to have ravioli again without that heavy, "I-just-cheated-on-my-diet" feeling. And, my picky husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the Gnocchi in Pomodoro Sauce family meal so much that we couldn't wait to eat it (as is obvious in the picture below), so you get the end result of our meal. Three words: OM NOM NOM!

Couldn't wait to eat it... so here's the end result (Gnocchi in a Pomodoro Sauce by SkinnyPasta)

So, you ask, what's next for my love affair with Skinnypasta? Well, I can find it in-store (if you can't find it in a store near you, request it via Skinnypasta's website here), or I can order it online (hellll yes!) to get my fix. Bring pasta back into your life!

Tried it already? Let me know what you thought of it in the comments or on my Facebook or Twitter pages. 

Namaste :)

Fantastic "Fish" Sticks

Fish is amazing. Bar none. But, for those of us who have a severe allergy to it, it's not so amazing (though I often dream about a delicious smoked salmon.... ah).
In my cooking, I often try to experiment with the food to make it work for me and what I'm craving... though this hasn't always been successful... but these "fish" sticks really worked. They're great reheated as well. You can substitute chicken for turkey if you prefer; turkey just gives that flakiness that we love from the original fish sticks. Enjoy!
Also, in the spirit of fish sticks, these are fried, but you can also bake them in the oven at 450F for 30 minutes (15 minutes, flip, another 15 minutes)


"Fish" Sticks
2 turkey breasts
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup Kinnikinnick gluten-free panko style breadcrumbs
1 tsp ground rosemary
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp yellow curry

You will need a medium-sized skillet.

In small, shallow bowl, pour in 1/4 cup olive oil for dipping turkey breast. Cut turkey into strips and dip completely in olive oil. On medium-sized plate, combine breadcrumbs and spices. Dip turkey strips and coat completely in breadcrumb mixture.

Heat stove to medium. Pour remaining olive oil into skillet and place turkey strips into skillet. Depending on your stove, turn strips as until they are lightly browned on both sides.
Enjoy!

Nommmm :)

What Is My "Alive"?

Rise Against has this song called Black Masks And Gasoline with the lyrics:

``Simply because you can breathe

Doesn't mean you`re alive

Or that you really live.``

I like the rest of the song, don`t get me wrong, but those lyrics have stuck in my head for my many years of being a Rise Against fan because they speak to me. Yeah, yeah, I know you`re probably imagining me sitting around a camp-fire with a guitar and a tattoo on my wrist that says `John & Yoko 4Ever`, but these lyrics are some of the only words that have stuck so close to me over the years.

I guess it`s fitting as to where I am right now; I'm in a profound transition - a deep metamorphosis - that I cannot control. I've let my inner fire goddess start calling some of the shots and she just goes with no filters, but she gets me what we want: a resolution. It`s hard, and I get in trouble for it... plus my sarcastic side sometimes drowns out the magic of my fire goddess making me seem plain bitchy. Like I said - a transition.

The hardest part about this transition is that I feel as if I am bursting from the seams with life and I'm ready to live. I'm making headway, but, for me, living means getting out there and experiencing the wo

rld beyond money and materials goods and status quos and hypocrisy (though I'll never escape hypocrisy). Calgarians are preoccupied with material goods and money and status - it's sickening. Bigger is better here, unfortunately. Bigger can be better (get your head out of the gutter), but when we're taking about creating unnecessary competition or elitism we're actually setting ourselves back rather than forward. I am lucky to have nice things, I am lucky to be able to have money, but I am starting to transition out of placing such great importance on material goods, status, or money. I just don't care.

This may also stem from my work with Eyes Wide Open Life - through working with this dynamic group of entrepreneurs, I have created in myself a kick-ass entrepreneur building my business around my heart. 

I LOVE to write and, after years of the same old question: "What are you really going to do with an English degree?" and responding: "I don't know"... I'm now saying: "Watch me."

And that's what working for profit is all about, right? You're supposed to enjoy yourself and then be rewarded for it. 

Ah, yes... I hear the laughter and the jeers. And my fire goddess asks: "Why devote yourself to something for life if it does not give you pleasure, enjoyment, and reward in some way?"

Good question! And why do we work in jobs that we hate? Because we are ruled by money, material goods, and status. It's a cyclical thing, and it sucks.

I have no immediate solution to this. I can only follow my heart through this transition and metamorphosis and trust that it will lead me in the right direction and help me to feel even more alive every day.

Namaste, All!

Metamorphosis

Does anybody else do their best thinking in the shower? I swear it's not just me that solves problems and brainstorms solutions and gets crazy awesome ideas while the water is pouring down from that heavenly shower head. 

Tonight I got into the shower late - around 12:30am - and started thinking about time management and my work habits after a long day (yes, even those of us who work from home have long work days). See, I have a consulting company in which I write creative and business copy, along with providing other services like customer inbox support and social media content creation and management. I work for some incredible, incredible people (and companies) and I truly feel like I'm doing what I LOVE! But, I'm also a full time university student taking much too long to complete my degree, so the time management skill is something I'll admit I severely lack.

This can be a problem and it stresses me out; I know I can do the work, and I know I can do it well, but why am I not DOING IT?!?

We've all been there.

It was during my shower that I started thinking about it: how can I better manage my time? Just one simple thought that inspired a veritable brain stew of juicy personal insights and, ultimately, a metamorphosis. 

So... what's the big deal? Well, I have grown up with the notion that I was a doormat - a person that could not do anything right and was basically walked on by everyone. I was bullied... a lot. I was taunted and teased and I put on the victim hat and wore it very convincingly... I ALLOWED myself to be walked all over by playing the part of what we'll call a "lost girl". I lied to make myself look better and build myself up, and purposely put myself in situations that were just not a good place to be. I did it to myself but I don't regret it... not one bit. Sure, I made SO many mistakes, but learning, growing, and moving on from who I used to be shaped who I am today. I shed that skin and, now, I kinda like me. I kinda like me a lot. 

So, what does this have to do with time management? Well, I realized that my aversion to DOING stemmed from my attitude about myself: the doormat mentality. I will apologize and take on burdens that either are not mine to take on, or simply do not exist. I tend to make a big deal out of nothing and then beat myself to a pulp for doing something wrong or going at a pace that I think that others probably think is too slowly. This makes me not even want to do anything (and may explain why I sleep so much - it's not cause I'm tired, it's cause I'm a professional avoider! I kid, I kid) and, thus, has caused me to have poor time management skills. But this is NOT an excuse... nooo sir. This is an epiphany - a revelation if you will. This may seem like something totally obvious to you, but for me it is going to change everything. 

I am remarkably privileged to work for Eyes Wide Open Life and be a part of the brilliant EWO Collective. I used to think that being surrounded by strong-willed, tenacious women would overwhelm me and squash my voice and personality, so I avoided these women in both my personal and work lives. Boy, was I wrong! I am surrounded by some of the most strong-willed, smart, tenacious, GENIUS women in both aspects of my life and I am thriving! 

These women truly know how to embrace their feminine and have introduced me to a type of sisterhood I thought only existed within the relationship I have with my best friends and actual sister, and I am eternally grateful for it. They nurture and incubate my strengths and voice, and don't blame me, judge, or berate me because of my weaknesses, and I strive to emulate them and study their practices and ideas. They inspire me so whole-heartedly and I have, once again, shed a skin that has become too heavy and worn. 

Because of this inspiration, my lifestyle has changed for the better. I am more outspoken and upfront with what I want and I understand now what my path is and that it can change... and to embrace that change and where it may take me. I do yoga every morning I can with my amazing cousin and her love (check out their FREE yoga program here) and I have more clarity now than I feel I ever have. Sweet, sweet clarity. 

I was watching a webinar that featured some of the on-fire business priestesses I work with at Eyes Wife Open Life: Amrita Khalsa, Kiva Leatherman, and Anne Perry (watch it here - you'll be more than glad you did). They were talking about time management and stopping the overwhelm, and one key idea really stuck out and resonated with me: it's about taking time for yourself, too! 

This seemingly simple idea is, of course, easier said than done, but it is possible and it is REWARDING! Giving yourself some freedom and taking the time to focus on yourself gives you breathing room and energy to get to work when the time comes. 

So now, I'm changing again. I'm shedding the old, tired, worn out skin that was saturated with overwhelm because of mismanaged time and not enough inner peace and dialogue. 

I'm not saying, "I can't do it" anymore; I'm replacing it with "I'm going to get it done" and I'm confident that I will do it. 

Can't wait to see what my next shower brainstorming sesh brings me! Tell me how you make the most of your time in the comments below and what you do to relax. 

Stop Apologizing For Love!

Love is a force that captures our minds and bodies in the same way fear does. Love is one of the most frequently-used, most-trusted, and most feared words in our vocabularies... and it seems like many people are forced to, or just do, apologize for it.

Why?

Love is beautiful and inspiring. And yes, while sometimes it can be overbearing and scary, love is the precursor to new beginnings, to good feelings, and to PEACE. 

So stop apologizing for love. Love fearlessly and always, love until everybody around you can feel it, and love because you want to, not because you need to. It doesn't matter if you are gay or straight or what the colour of your skin is, be accepting of love and let it inspire you - stop resisting it!

A fundamental Kadampa Buddhist teaching is that you should love all others, and recognize that their happiness is more important than yours. This is, of course, not saying that we should abandon self-love, but encouraging self-love and self-improvement so that we can be at our best to help others. So that we can inspire. So that our love is pure. 

So that our positive karmic intentions carry on throughout our world that so desperately needs it (like Pay-It-Forward).

Reflect: how did you LOVE today?

Photo from Pinterest

Daily Dose of... Buddha

Photo from Pinterest

Namaste.

Yes!

Photo from Pinterest

Perfect Potato Latkes

My husband's mother is a great cook, and she loves to make new things for us when we visit for dinner. A couple of weeks ago, she made these great potato pancakes that I gobbled up (she's great at being mindful of my allergies) and really inspired me to create my own potato latke.

Now, this recipe is pretty standard (I'm guessing), but it is really good and, of course, my own.

My recipe can also be eaten just as a mashed potato recipe, but making them into those latke "pancakes" makes it that much better. I served this with a simple salad and made for four so that there was some left over for lunches, plus a bit more.

As always, you can make it into something that is not gluten or dairy-free, but this is how the gf df peeps do it - what what! ;)

Gluten and Dairy-Free Potato Latkes

5 russet (or yellow) potatoes, peeled

1 cup carrot, grated

2 green onions, chopped

1/2 cup bacon bits (omit for vegetarians)

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 cup Daiya brand cheddar-style "cheese"

1/2 cup Tofutti "Better Than Cream Cheese" Plain cream cheese

1/4 cup Becel Vegan Margarine

1/2 cup So Delicious unsweetened, plain coconut milk

1/8 tsp. basil

olive oil or cooking spray (for frying only)

Place potatoes in large stove-top pot, fill with water so that potatoes are completely covered. Bring water to boil, and cover pot. Once boiled, reduce heat to low-medium and let potatoes sit for 15 minutes or until soft. Drain water.

Melt cream cheese and margarine together until liquid and add milk and basil. Stir until thoroughly combined. Add cream cheese mixture to potatoes and mash until smooth or desired texture is reached.

Add Daiya and remaining ingredients and combine thoroughly.

In stove-top pan, heat olive oil or cooking spray over medium heat. Scoop potato mixture into round, pancake-like shapes on pan. Depending on stove, let fry for 5-7 minutes and flip.

Serve hot and enjoy!

(C)FrenchOnionSoupBlogCalgary

Freedom

Be Not Afraid of Failure... Welcome It!

'Nuff said

Let's Talk About... Kadampa Buddhism

(Almost) every Monday night for the past couple of weeks, my sister, my husband, and myself have been attending Kadampa Buddhist teachings at the Akshobya Kadampa Buddhist Centre here in Calgary.

Life-changing.

You can check out more about the centre, and Kadampa Buddhism, here: http://www.meditationalberta.org/kadampa-buddhism/

Kadampa Buddhism is a Mahayana Buddhist school founded by the great Indian Buddhist Master Atisha (AD 982-1054).

In the word, ‘Kadampa’, ‘Ka’ refers to Buddha’s teachings, and ‘dam’ to Atisha’s special Lamrim instructions. Kadampas, then, are practitioners who regard Buddha’s teachings as personal instructions and put them into practice by following the instructions of Lamrim.

By integrating their understanding of all Buddha’s teachings into their practice of Lamrim, and by integrating their experience of Lamrim into their everyday lives, Kadampas use Buddha’s teachings as practical methods for transforming daily activities into the path to enlightenment.

(from http://www.meditationalberta.org/kadampa-buddhism/)

Get Cultured... Take A Magical Adventure

I've blogged a bit on the importance of education and my views on the matter: we need to create an unbiased curriculum for the people in "Third World" or "low-income" countries to learn how to use the supplies that "First World" countries send to them, how to become sustainable, conflict resolution, and allow these people to form their own, unbiased, opinions on how they want to help the world grow! Can you imagine the benefit that we would see - environmentally, economically, and spiritually? Can you imagine a world with little to no need for weapons, a world where smog and air quality was not a concern? 

The Western World can learn much from the rest of the world, too. The Western ideology is that we make the technology, we make the money, we distribute goods, we can only learn from ourselves.... well, no. The Western World needs to take off the "know-it-all hat" and put on the "open-minded" glasses. How can we advance if we are no longer willing to learn? How can we become tolerant and balanced if we are not willing to see past our own issues, our own wrong views?

Take an adventure! Get out there- talk to people! If you're feeling down because of someone, if you're feeling like someone has wronged you- talk to that person! Guaranteed you'll feel better, the other person will feel better (because, although we can't read minds, we can read signals... sometimes its pretty obvious), and you will be closer to reaching a sense of inner peace.

Isn't that what we all strive for - peace? Peace comes from an open mind, a soul that is open to new experiences (travelling, trying something new, etc.), and a heart with the utmost compassion and good intentions, intent on ending suffering.

Be not afraid to be who you really are

This does not happen overnight - it is a work in progress! But I have faith that it will be worth it and I strive to change for the better. 

Join me!

Kick Your Sandwich Into High Gear

I looooove a good duck pate. I just do. I know, it's a liver spread, but wow is it ever good! I blame my Grade 7-9 French teacher for this... 

But keeping pate and making pate are hurdles that I don't think that I'm really qualified to jump over just yet, so I have to make do with what my imagination and skills provide.

So, I present my take on the pate spread to light a fire under your boring sandwich's butt!

(FYI: This does not include any actual liver; but it will spread and look like a pate)

Also, you'll need a crockpot for this one.

Turkey & Avocado "Pate" with Sauteed Red Peppers and Caramelized Onions

500 mg lean, fat-free ground turkey

lightly toasted pieces of gluten & dairy-free bread

1/2 bottle of light, sodium and fat-free gluten/dairy free Italian salad dressing

1 tbsp pepper

In crockpot, combine turkey, Italian dressing and pepper thoroughly. Turn crockpot to low and leave for 7 - 8 hours (do this first thing in the morning). When time is up, turn crockpot heat to high and leave for 1 more hour.

Turkey should be a deep brown colour and finely minced.

While waiting for turkey, make avocado mixture and veggies:

2 avocados, pitted

2 tbsp lite mayo

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp lemon juice

1 tbsp pepper

1/2 or large onion, chopped

1 red bell pepper, cut into strips

1 tbsp Becel vegan margarine

Mash avocados in medium-sized bowl along with mayo, garlic powder, lemon juice, and pepper (I like to leave chunks of avocado). Cover and refrigerate.

Melt margarine in medium-sized frying pan. Add onion and pepper, stirring frequently until onion is caramelized.

Once timer rings for turkey, add to avocado mixture and combine thoroughly. Avocado-turkey mixture should take on the consistency of a pate. Spread across toasted piece of bread.

Top with caramelized onion and red pepper and sandwich.

Enjoy!

(c)FrenchOnionSoupBlogCalgary

Did You Know?

Get the Good Facts on Good Fats

Avocados are PACKED with good fats and have been branded a "superfood". That's right, move over quinoa! Check out Best Health Mag's post about health benefits of avocados here. The thing I find with avocados, though, is that they rarely take centre stage in a dish (except for guacamole), and they rarely get any credit for lending that lasting, buttery taste we all so crave.

So, I created this simple, avocado-featured salad to quench your good fats craving and satiate your stomach.

Ahhh-vocado Chicken Salad
2 avocados, without skin and pit
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast - cooked and pulled apart
1/2 cucumber, diced
3/4 leek, diced
2 tomatoes, diced
2 small red bell peppers, diced
1/2 large carrot, julienned
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 small apples, diced
2 tbsp. lite mayo
1 tsp. lime juice
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
sprinkle of curry powder
1/2 tbsp. black pepper, crushed
dash of paprika
dash of salt

In large bowl, combine all vegetables (except avocados) and chicken breast.
In small bowl, mash avocados until chunky-smooth. Add mayo, lime juice and spices and stir thoroughly. Combine avocado mixture with veggies and chicken thoroughly. Serve with my chicken tenders or tofu sticks.
Enjoy!
(C)FrenchOnionSoupBlogCalgary

Lovely, Lovely Lentils

This is an awesome, vegetarian recipe! Lentils are very high in protein and pack a nutritious, low calorie punch to spice up your dinner routine! Go meatless at least 4-5 days a week if possible.
(When I say 'gutted', you say 'fight'! No, but seriously... when I say 'gutted', I mean cored - cut the top off of the pepper and shake all those little seeds out from your lovely, gutted pepper)

Note: this recipe has been updated a bit since I first posted it almost two years ago :)

Lovely Lentil-Stuffed Peppers

2 bell peppers, gutted
1/2 cup red lentils
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp. lite mayo
1/4 cup Kinnikinnick gf/df bread crumbs
1/2 cup gf/df, low sodium vegetable broth
(note: for non-veg, use beef or chicken broth)
1/4 cup medium salsa

2 tbsp. crushed pecans
2 stalks green onions, chopped
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tbsp onion powder
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. coriander
1/4 tsp. yellow curry powder
1/8 tsp. white pepper
1/8 tsp. basil
2 large bay leaves for garnish

In small stove-top pot, bring broth to boil. Add lentils and black beans and stir often. Once mixture is thick and soft, use masher to make it smooth, and then add the remaining ingredients. Stir after each addition.
Cover lentil mixture and let stand for about 5 minutes.
Pipe or spoon lentil mixture into each bell pepper (if lentil mixture is too runny, add more breadcrumbs or pecans).
Serve with salad or home fries (or grilled veggies - OM NOM NOM!)
Enjoy!

Also (amazing idea) - you can use the extra lentil and bean filling as a kind of burrito filling for tomorrow - YUM!

(C)FrenchOnionSoupBlogCalgary

Let's Talk About... Change

"Everything changes, nothing remains without change." - The Buddha

I feel like the word "change" is just an overall loaded word. I also feel like it's connotations are highly feared when they should be celebrated. Should we replace "change" with "metamorphosis"? "Growth"? "Blossoming"? These all have positive connotations - when we think of metamorphosis we usually think of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, or a flower "blossoming" from a plain, green bud into a thing of beauty.

So.... why can't we be that beautiful butterfly or that flower? Let's go back to kindergarten for a sec and be that beautiful butterfly!

 Maybe "changing" the world wouldn't seem like such a colossal task if we switched our train of thought to "assisting in world growth" or, to make it sound a bit more creative and less stick-up-my-butt, "telling the world to grow up!"

 We all have ideas about how this will happen, and that is why I love the internet. It is a world-wide forum on how we live our lives, how we achieve (and do not achieve) peace in our own lives, and our ideas about everything. Yup, every single little thing - haven't you ever perused the YouTube comments section?

Believe it or not, this is helping you to grow/change. You are taking a stance in what you believe in, whether or not you agree with something, and maybe even educating you on a topic that you wouldn't naturally stumble upon. Like.... the gluten and dairy free diet and controversies about it, perhaps?

 Growth/change can be the hardest thing. I am slowly growing up past my fears of failure, my fears of doing something wrong, my fears of letting things go, amongst others... not to mention to massive growth that it took to identify my allergies, discover cooking with them, and creating this blog!

But I am growing... and it is exciting! The new opportunities that have opened up to me are terrifying, fascinating, exciting, and will continue this never-ending growth spurt!

I am proud of myself.

Say it to yourself now. I AM PROUD OF MYSELF!

For:

- list your accomplishments, big or small (if you can't think of any, you're not trying hard enough)

Now, what needs to change? What do you need to grow past? Are you holding onto something that is preventing this growth?

Chances are, you probably answered yes to at least one of those questions. If not, you're not thinking hard enough - you can always improve!

Think of the quote from Buddha above; where would we be if we hadn't changed/grew?

When I think of who I was, especially in high school, I see much growth/change. I see my Self hurdling over obstacles to GET WHAT I WANT TO BE HAPPY.

What do you want? Write it down, blow it up, frame it. WHAT DO YOU WANT??? Will you be happy and true to your Self?

How are you going to get it? I bet that it will involve change/growth - I bet that it will take a bit of life revision to say "I need to change this" or... "I need to grow up".

Our mantras:

"I am proud of myself"

"I am ready to grow"

"I can be that beautiful butterfly"

"I am going to be true to my Self"

"I am going to be happy"

Namaste.