Finally settling in!

I apologize for the late notice, but I am just wrapping up the first week in my new place and things have been completely hectic, as I am sure you all understand. Someone once said the most stressful things in life are marriage (yes!), divorce (definitely!), and moving (indubitably!!). We managed to do the entire move in 1 weekend - packing and all. This week, we didn't even take a day off of work. So now we are realizing that all the pots and pans are still in boxes and we have exhausted nearly all the pizza places in town (scant pickings, by the way). So last night we mustered up the strength to get groceries and made a really fantastic salad.



Spinach Berry Fun Salad
(almost all organic ingredients)
Baby spinach
Red onion, sliced
Cherry tomatoes, cut in half
Red Pear, diced
Blueberries
Walnuts, Pecans, Cashew mix
Goat Cheese (for the non-vegan)

I try at all cost to avoid store bought salad dressing for many reasons. The main reason being that I love making my own salad dressing inventions and the second reason that they almost always have some weird poly/trans fats. But again, since all of our kitchen equipment is inaccessible for the time, I gave in to a bottle of dressing. Wow! I was really surprised. It was actually tasty and not full of crap ingredients. Nice.
I don't want to propagate the brand, because I am actually a bit ashamed that it was so good.



In the end, it was such a hit! And thank goodness too, because that's what we're having again tonight :)

Welcome to Spring, aka. Smoothie Season

Hello! It's officially spring here in Toronto: the sun is shining, everyone seems to be walking or biking, spending time in the garden and on decks. So in honor of the warmer weather, I am bringing smoothies back into my diet. I steered clear for the winter months because of the cold, and opted for more warming foods. My days are usually quite busy, so I tend to eat some fruit or trail mix (see Superfood article below), and then take time out with friends to prepare and share the evening meal together. Now, especially with get-up-and-go mornings, I am desiring something quick and easy to bring with me to work in the morning, but also nutritionally viable and exciting. Here's the first installment of Daily Smoothie Recipe:

Chocolate Pear Banana Blitz
(all organic ingredients, if possible)
1 banana
1 sliced pear
handful of raw cashews
4 dates (pitted)
2 tbsp raw cacao powder
1/2 c. Vitacoco
1/4 c. water, as needed

Blend together until smooth and enjoy with a spoon - yum!

I am going in to the office, so I thought I should probably bring something just in case I need a snack to tide me over til dinner. So, I quickly put together a few things we had in the fridge for an easy salad. It's surprisingly delicious, although really simple. Usually I do not use oil or vinegar, but would use lemon/lime and maybe Braggs or Nama Shoyu, but I am using what we already had in the cabinets and not being too picky.

Tomato Cucumber Salad
7 cherry tomatoes, quartered
4 in. of English cucumber, halved and sliced
sliced white onion, to taste
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
few dashes of toasted sesame oil
dash balsamic vinegar
Sea salt & pepper
(experiment with other spices as well: fresh mint, dill, or cilantro add nice zest)
Put all into container with lid and shake. Voila! Easy, transportable lunch or snack.

What are your favorite smoothie or salad recipes for rushed days?