Fall Canning Adventures

This year I have decided to take on a new hobby of canning. It was something I was privileged to grow up with my mum and grandma who did heaps of it and I got to enjoy their hard work. I thought with being pregnant and with being a mum of an active toddler why not give canning a try so that we always have healthy options in the house throughout the winter.
I have been enjoying the wealth of fruits and vegetables from friends and family and their luscious gardens. My Grandma brought by apples from her tree that were so delicious, Eva was eating them faster then I could cut them. With them I made apple sauce, apple crisp, and sliced them up and froze for apple pie making with Grandma. I just love knowing that I am eating and cooking with fruits and vegetables that are natural with no preservatives or sprays.. just a little bird poo.

Last week I made homemade tomato soup and lentil soup, I love having warm hearty soups for lunch.

I love how changes of seasons inspire new hobbies and interests. I love being able to stretch myself as a mother, wife and cook. I find there is so much out there to learn and discover that I want to seize every season in life and every new adventure. I have been really interested in learning Chinese cooking, so thinking it might be time to sign up for a new cooking class and learn a new culture of yummies! 

Quote of the Day: "Keep learning! You are as bright as your last bright idea." - George Burns

I will speak the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth.

What power the truth holds in the life of a child, the truth about who they are and what they are capable of.

I love the undeniable confidence that Eva carries, nothing holds an obstacle to great to achieve. Fear is something that is unknown in her reality. As her mother I am constantly amazed at the boldness and zeal she holds for life. She inspires me to desire only faith and belief in who she is, in who I am! 

I am so thankful that I have been given this privilege to speak over her life what she is; fearless, pure, perfect, righteous, loving, caring, beautiful. (and so much more). What she knows about herself, what she knows God thinks of her, and what she knows we believe to be true about her.. is what she will radiate. 

This saying I wanted her post in her room "Perfectly Perfect", because I wanted those words to penetrate her very being. So I made a sign to hang in her room, and the funniest thing is that every morning when I go to pick her up out of bed I find that sign in her crib. She has been sleeping with it...  I thought that was awesome. Even though she has no clue about what the sign actually says, it seems to be something that is very special to her. 

That's the power of speaking the truth, sometimes we don't know why we desire the it. 

                                                              BUT

I think its because it's the "Truth that sets us Free" to be who we are, which is who HE is!

From Ground Beef to Ground Sausage

I am not a big Ground Beef person, I can't stand the chewy fat pieces and all the grease that comes out of the meat. The smell is overwhelming, and the taste is bland if you don't add flavours/spices. I only cook it because Dave likes Spaghetti Bolognese, but then I usually make myself a sauce with vegetables.
I have recently discovered Ground Sausage, and I can't get enough of it. I love the flavours, the lack of fat/grease, and the texture. It's not too expensive either, all you have to do is squeeze it out of the casings and cook with a little olive oil.
I find its nice to have another kind of meat to cook in pasta dishes, other than ground beef and chicken.

So here are a few links to a couple good recipes with Ground Sausage,

http://www.culinarydisaster.com/wordpress/26/roasted-tomato-sausage-penne/

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bow-ties-with-sausage-tomatoes-and-cream/detail.aspx

http://www.ifood.tv/recipe/quick_corn_sausage_chowder

I hope you can come to enjoy the wonders of Ground Sausage as much as I have.

Super Energy and Antioxidants Smoothie

I just wanted to share with you, something that has quickly become a family favourite... SMOOTHIES!! Not just any smoothie, but a drink packed with Vitamins, Iron, Antioxidants, and a good serving of your daily fruits and vegetables.
Dave and I have kinda been feeling exhausted when we wake up in the mornings, and then again half way through the afternoon. So I knew our bodies were lacking in energy, needed for each day.

So I found these really awesome Smoothies, with ingredients that may make you go, "Yuck, that sounds nasty," but you will be surprised how amazing they taste and what a difference you will feel.

1 cup of mixed berries (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, cherries)

1 banana ( We go through heaps of bananas in the Belgrave home, so I buy heaps some to eat and some to freeze in ziplock bags.)

1/4 cup of carrot juice

1/4 cup of apple juice

1 tbsp honey

1 handful of spinach (fresh or frozen)

Put in a blender and mix er up! I send them to work with Dave in a travel mug. And if my husband will drink them, they gotta be good!  The first few drinks I made for him I didn't tell him what was in it, because I know it would be a mind over matter thing. So once I found out he really liked them and was enjoying them, I revealed all my secrets.

Endorsing "Baby can Read"

I am  a firm believer of the Children's Dvd Series "Baby Can Read". "Baby Can Read" is a dvd series for ages 3 months to 5 years. It's suppose to help give children a head start in learning to read, communicate, and inspire a curiosity to learn. I started the dvd set with Eva when she was 8 months old and now she is 15 months and has a steady growing vocabulary of 30 words. I can't believe her determination to try and say new words. She's always watching our mouths and giving each new word she hears a try. I didn't see results right away with Baby Can Read, but my persistence with the program I can now see has paid off.  Eva is trying to talk heaps and I love that when she says a new word, the expression of excitement and proud look of achievement are beaming on her face.

We are now learning how to use those words to communicate with each other instead of just using them to define an object.  I believe that kids confidence in themselves begins growing at a young age, what a blessing it has been to be able to give her that extra boost and head start on her learning.

I have also found Eva loves learning outdoors as well, she loves to be visually stimulated and be hands on. Like picking up rocks and throwing them, smelling flowers, picking dandelions, walking up driveways, watching birds, and pointing to the sun.

You can find more information @ www.yourbabycanread.com

Im completely sold on this product and will be using it with all our children. I just wanted to share my success with this product, for other parents out there that also want to cease the window of learning with their children.

Summer Fashion Ideas

I love fashion and coming into summer gets me so excited because I can pull out my much loved summer dresses and sandals. I feel like I can play around with my clothes and be so much more creative when its warm out. I find with being a mother now, I often will look in my closet for the outfit that is comfy, easy to chase a 15 month old around in, stain resistant(or aleast last me till noon) and of course mummy cute.

I love New Zealand fashion, I feel like in Canada we are a few steps behind. BUT I am excited to see some new styles making its way to our stores here in Saskatoon.  I still feel like I am playing it risky when I sport these funky fashions,  because most Canadians are still stuck in their short shorts, bunnyhugs, and skate shoes. But we are getting there, I just think maybe my risk taking might inspire someone else to step out and try something new. 

Fashions change so quickly that is why I like to make the most of what is out each year, just means lots of dumps to Plato's Closet to get out with the old and in with the new. 

Its so fun being woman, (I know most men reading this blog will be shaking there heads). 

Little advice for married women out there, to every 3 things you buy= 1 thing for husband. Then all will be happy!! 

Check out a few of my favourites for this summer... 

Shorts with button up shirt tucked in with cute little belt

Cute Jean Jacket to put overtop summer dress's

Shorts romper ( super comfy)

Cute Summer Dresses

Funky Sandals

Off the shoulder shirt

Adds a splash of color and effortless- lots and lots.

Buffalo Chicken Fingers Recipe

When we go out to eat and it is cheap wing night, Dave will always order the Buffalo Chicken wings with a side of Ranch dipping sauce. They are his favourite Canadian meal, so I took the liberty of finding a good Buffalo Chicken Fingers recipe. I have tried a few, but this one I felt knocked his socks off. We had them in whole wheat wraps, with cheese, lettuce, tomato and ranch sauce. YUM!

Heres the recipe, super easy and delish!

ngredients

1/4 cup hot sauce
2 tablespoons vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons tomato catsup
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
1 1/2 cups dried bread crumbs, seasoned or plain and 1 1/2 tsp paprika

Vegetable oil cooking spray

Method

Stir together hot sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, and catsup in a wide, shallow dish to make a marinade. Add chicken, turn to coat, cover and refrigerate for 10 minutes, or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Remove chicken from marinade and gently press it into the bread crumbs and paprika, rolling well to evenly coat chicken all over. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil and arrange chicken on top, being careful not to overlap them. Spray chicken all over with vegetable oil and bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.