Home

I am so happy and grateful to be home with friends, family, and favourite-familiar places. The days are long and the sun is warm. I am spending all the time I can outdoors  - parks, patios, gardens, neighbourhood walks.



I was able to attend my little brothers High School graduation ceremony. The auditorium was stuffy and borderline smelly, but I enjoyed every moment of it.

My best friend, Nadine, flew home from New York for the duration I'm in town. I've seen her almost everyday since I've been home, for an entire day or a short Starbucks. It helps that we live close to one another ;) Our time together couldn't be more perfect. I'm so blessed we're able to share a vacation at home together, as if it's summer of 2005 all over again.

My other bestie, Ingrid, and I explored St. Lawrence Market and enjoyed lunch at Cruda Cafe (a raw cafe in the market). We each had a juice and split a delicious raw wrap. I'm pretty sure we were talking a mile a minute..so much to catch-up on!

Fiddle head season! These are strange looking things..I'm not sure if I've ever had them. Have you?

Everything is so green and luscious.

I took my Mom to my favourite Toronto restaurant, Fresh, for the first time last week. She's officially hooked! We went again last night and she gobbled the black bean burrito, while I enjoyed the green goddess bowl. Afterward she was craving some cold frozen yogurt so we walked up the street and voila! I was comfortable from dinner so just snapped photos while she ate :)

Speaking of dinners...bbq season is full force (which I love).

BBQ Tempeh & Onion On a Bed of Green

Makes 1 large serving

Ingredients 

• 1 cup spinach, packed (I used half spinach, half romane)
• 3-5 baby tomatoes, cut into halves 
• 1-2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 large and thick slice of onion (best to cut with the onion root holding either end, for easy barbecuing). 
• 1 package of organic, GF, Tempeh (sold at Whole Foods, Noah's, and most major grocery stores)
• 3 tbsp "happy tummy salad dressing" (recipe below)
• 1 tbsp organic bbq sauce or ketchup (for tempeh grilling)
• 1 tbsp dried oregano, for garnish
• pepper to taste

Directions: Begin by preheating your bbq to medium heat. Meanwhile, prepare the base of your salad (lettuce, tomato, carrot, or any other veggies you wish to use). Once your bbq is nice and hot, spread desired sauce onto your tempeh, I used a simple organic bbq sauce. Grill both your tempeh and onion on each side for 6-7 minutes, until you have lovely grill marks and the tempeh is cooked through. The onion may be done first, in which case you can remove from the bbq. Once your tempeh is ready, remove from the grill, cut into small cubes, and top the desired amount to your salad (I used about half my tempeh). Dress with your favourite homemade dressing or follow my easy recipe below. Dig in! 

Simple salad dressing

• 1 tbsp balsamic 
• 1 tsp organic olive oil 
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• Maple syrup or agave to taste (I use a very small amount)
• squeeze of 1 lemon wedge 

Directions: Mix together and drizzle onto any salad or combo of veggies. 

I'm the luckiest ducky in the world. To my close friends and family, I love you guys! 

Happy bbq- season!

Simple Smile

To brighten your day, make a difference, and touch someone else's life in return, sometimes all it takes is one simple gesture - to thank your taxi driver, hold the elevator door for a stranger, hug tight, share an honest compliment, and above all smile. Smile brightly that is. A smile can be a powerful, strong, and warming gesture. It also uses less muscles then making the "frown face".

My favourite yoga teacher often says, smack in the middle of a challenging balancing pose, "lift and shine brightly through your finger tips". It's kinda funny, because as soon as he reminds the class to smile and "brighten" the pose eases and everyone gains that extra ounce of strength to push and extend a little further.

If a smile can brighten your yoga pose, then it can definitely brighten your day and others around you. Smile more and smile often. It's so simple, no?

To honour both smiles and simplicity, I thought I'd share one of my favourite "ball" recipes with you. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Simply Delicious Protein Balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 3 tbsp raw buckwheat groats (I used Loving Earth activated buckwheat..basically, soaked and dehydrated)
• 1 tbsp raw almond butter (you could use cashew or any other nut butter as well)
• 3-4 dates, soaked for least an hour (if possible)
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 heaping tsp Amazing Grass chocolate greens or cacao powder
• 2 tbsp Cinnamon 

Directions: In a food processor, grind your almonds and buckwheat groats. Slowly add in your remaining ingredients until the mixture begins to clump and stick together. If your mixture is too dry, add a small splash of water or almond milk. Roll into 8-10 balls, sprinkle with cinnamon, and store in the fridge for up a week.

Enjoy crumbled over a bowl of oatmeal or simply on their own. Ensure to smile as you eat them..after all, you made them :)

Mexican Fiesta!

To celebrate completing semester 1 of my Masters, I hosted a Mexican themed pot luck. It was a delicious success, full of laughs and ice cold margaritas.

I made a jumbo batch of my signature guacamole, a natural crowd pleaser and one of my favourites.

I also made my Mexican quinoa salad with black beans, although this time used half red/white quinoa to add more colour.

Friends bought incredible dishes, including homemade carrot cake, con carne (which I  didn't eat, because it had meat, but everyone said it was delicious!), apple pie, and more. Despite all the tasty eats, our main event was margaritas, which had us going back for seconds fourths. I rarely drink (maybe once a month?) so definitely felt the aftermath this morning. Alas, not the end of the world. After 2 litres of water, a veggie juice, and two cups of pure rose tea I felt like myself again and was able to enjoy a beautiful winter afternoon (14 and sunny).

But please, don't let my over indulgence slash minor hangover deter you from making these margaritas...they're so worth it!

 Ice Blended Margaritas

• Lime wedges (to top off each glass)
• Kosher salt, to rim the glasses
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup tequila
• 1 1/2 tbsp Cointreau (orange-flavoured liqueur) 
• 2 tbsp raw agave (this was the perfect alternative to white sugar)
• 12-15 ice cubes

Directions: Rim the glasses with lime/salt. Blend ingredients together, pour into pre-salted glass, and enjoy!  

Cheers!

I've never squeezed so many limes in my life...totally worth it.

Pretty flowers for the center piece. 

love, friendship, good food, and spiked punch - what more could I ask for?

If you're down under, have a great long weekend!

For the Love of Kale: Cleansing Vegetables to The Rescue!

I've been eating a lot of kale, broccoli, cabbage, and other naturally detoxifying veggies lately. The combination of dark greens and low sugar has really helped me to stay focused and energized throughout my month of final paper madness. I have my new friend and holistic nutritionist to thank ;) We've exchanged some wonderful tips and I actively keep track of my diet in my food journal. I enjoy the visual reference and it helps me to be more creative in meal planning.

The past few weeks have consisted of kale, the library (second home?), yoga, essay writing, TRX training (love), and more kale =) I'm kale crazy.

Thanks to loads of veggies and power yoga, it's been easier to maintain a steady balance. No more cramming, rushing around, or freaking out (okay, maybe a couple freakouts. I'm in University afterall). But I'm not gonna lie, it feels pretty good. Compared to my Undergrad degree, I feel in control and confident..for the most part, anyway ;) So, on that positive note, I'm happy to report that I've officially completed, and survived, semester 1 of my Masters degree. I can now relax, celebrate, and spend more time with my lovely lemons at Lululemon, Bourke Street. 

Now, let's talk kale. 

In the summer I like my kale raw, massaged with avocado and lemon juice, but in the cooler months (aka winter in Australia) I prefer it steamed or cooked-up in a lentil or sweet potato stew. In a nutshell, kale is a dark leafy green alkalizing fighting machine. It's loaded with vitamins K, A, C, and is a great source of dietary fiber (click here for more details on kales nutritonal profile). 

In the midst of completing my final paper, I whipped up this salad in less than 15 minutes flat. I took 45 minutes to enjoy it and returned to the books happy and re-energized. 

Cleansing Steamed Vegetable Salad

• 3-4 large kale leaves, chopped
• 1/2 cup spinach, packed
• 1 small broccoli head
• 1/2 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 tomato, chopped
• 1/4 cup purple cabbage, chopped
• Oregano or fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)

Directions: This salad is super easy. Begin by washing and prepping your veggies. Over a large pot of boiling water, with a stainless strainer, steam your kale and broccoli for approximately 5-7 minutes. Next, top your plate with your kale, broccoli, spinach, carrot, tomato, and cabbage. I love the purple cabbage in this, it adds such a beautiful colour. Garnish with dried oregano or fresh cilantro. Move on to your dressing and you're almost ready to eat!

Lemon Tahini Dressing

• 1 tbsp tahini (I use organic unhulled Tahini) 
• 1 tsp tamari 
• 1 tsp water
• 1-2 lemon wedges, squeezed
• 1/2 tsp agave (optional - I left out) 

Directions: Whisk all ingredients together and drizzle your dressing all over your salad, in any which way you like.

Eat up and feel your liver cheer with delight! Good until the last bite. 

What's your favourite dark leafy green alkalizing fighting machine vegetable? Kale? Mine too ;)

Congratulations if you too have graduated or completed a semester of University!
On and upward! xo

What I've Learned in 23 Years

I had a wonderful birthday (June 1, 1988). It was full of delicious food, good company, and thoughtful surprises. I'm so incredibly blessed to be here, in Melbourne. I'm thankful for my friends, family, education, and good health. I'm proud of my success and look forward to the future. In light of my birthday and turning 23 years-old, here are a few things that I've learned along the way...

Plan for the future, but live for the moment. Always remember to appreciate the moment. 

Beauty is everywhere in unexpected places.

 Take care of yourself - exercise, relax, drink lots of water - so you can live a long and healthy life. (inspired and totally reaffirmed by the beloved Lululemon manifesto)

 Healthy snacks keep your brain sharp and digestive system happy.

 Love and spend time with your family. It keeps you grounded in life.

 Best friends are irreplaceable and should never be taken for granted. 

Laugh until your abs hurt. It's good for you. 

 Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Also, be sure to enjoy a big brunch from time to time. 

Love the skin you're in, even when you may feel weak, tired, or unpretty. 

 Enjoy fresh fruit on a hot summer day. It's an easy way to stay hydrated. 

Floss and brush before bed. 

When you feel like crying, cry. Honour your emotions. 

Never say never. 

Set goals, take action, and remember to acknowledge and enjoy the process. 

Write, love, travel, take photos, make new friends, and follow your inner passions to absolute greatness. 

Happy Birthday to me :) 
Love,