Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Nothing too new to post here this morning (why?...we need to leave in 15 min for a play group and both boys are still wearing NO clothes...yikes!)...so here's a repeat, kinda 're-done' that I thought you might enjoy! We had great friends for dinner last night...and I thought I would be festive by baking a heart shaped cake...using this lovely pan that my mother-in-law gifted to me a few years back. I used my Chocolate Zucchini Muffin recipe that I share with you back in the summer...still using that frozen shredded zucchini out of our garden! Love that! It came out of the oven...smelled amazing...but looked like it needed something...so I simply melted a little peanut butter and created this cute heart on top...best combination out there:) Enjoy this day!!

Off to find some festive 'red' clothes for the boys to wear...fast!!

Brown Rice Crispy Squares..my favourite!

This recipe will change your life! If you're like me, traditional Rice Krispie squares have always been a favourite treat...especially if you add a little chocolate to them! Made famous for being 'low fat', I think they get consumed more often then they should! Like most candy and desserts...it's catching to advertise them as 'low fat'...but...that doesn't mean 'low sugar'! In fact...most things labeled as 'low fat' are incredibly high in sugar! I went off Rice Krispies years ago because I knew that all they contained was white sugar and more white sugar (marshmallows)....not to mention the margarine and 'white' rice crisps used, which your body turns into....sugar! I was a VERY happy lady the day I discovered this recipe! It was made VERY often for the first while...and then I kinda forgot about it until this past weekend when Jay mentioned them! I'm confessing to have gone to the store especially to buy the ingredients for them on Monday morning! Everyone will love these...especially kids! I can guarantee that you will eat more than one...but you won't eat the whole pan due to the amount of protein from the brown rice and almond butter...you will feel satisfied and full VERY quickly!

Why is this recipe so great? The cereal is made basically of brown rice (some brands do put a bit of cane sugar in theirs...not gonna kill you though!). The brown rice syrup is made basically of...you guessed it...brown rice (and a little water)! The almond butter....made purely of almonds...and is a great protein! That's it...simple and amazing! I often make a pan of these to take along on a road trip...a little sticky to eat, but always a satisfying snack. If we make them for just at home, I do try to store them in the fridge. Keeps them crispy...and I think they just taste better cold!

Enjoy! You will be surprised at how sweet they are!

*little disclaimer...the ingredients for the original Rice Krispie Squares probably cost about $3 for an entire pan! These...unfortunately due to the price of the Brown Rice Syrup run about $10 a pan. So...an occasional treat they are!

Brown Rice Crispy Squares

1 box Brown Rice Crisps cereal (make sure you buy the 'crisps', not 'puffs')

1 3/4 cups Brown Rice syrup (looks similar to a jar of light honey)

3/4 cup Almond Butter (Peanut Butter tastes great too...just make sure it's all natural and not sweetened at all...this recipe is plenty sweet on it's own!

1/2 cup chocolate chips (I try to buy grain-sweetened, non-dairy....if you do, it makes this a vegan treat!)

Pour the rice cereal into a large bowl. Heat the syrup in a small pot over low heat. As soon as the rice syrup liquefies, immediately add the peanut butter and stir until mixed. Letting the syrup cook too long will result in hard squares, rather than chewy! Pour over the rice cereal. Mix well!

Let cool for 2 or 3 minutes and then stir in the chocolate chips. Doing this sooner will cause them to melt from the heat of the syrup.

Pour the mixture into a lined 9x13 baking pan. Wet your hands slightly and pat down until firm on all areas.

Let cool for a while in the fridge...while you enjoy the sticky leftovers out of the bowl!

**second disclaimer...I ate 3 (small!) of these while typing out this post! I might go grab another.

Buying Bulk...and Choosing Wisely!

This is a post that I have been wanting to make since I started my blog! There are many reasons why I was excited about this post...and many different people that I wanted to do it for. This is for those that think they aren't able to purchase Organic or Natural foods for their family because shopping at Health Food Stores isn't in their budget...and also those that already shop at stores like Costco, but are stuck on comfortable habits of buying cases of KD and loaves of white bread in bulk...when the healthy alternatives are sitting right next door! Save the searching and wondering for me...I scoped out Costco for you this week...and this is what I came up with! Costco is literally almost every week adding a new Organic product to their stash...it's awesome...it also tells me that this is what people are buying (how exciting is that!!), or else they wouldn't bother to research it and bring it in! The prices compared to the Health Food Store or local grocery store are incredible!

I apologize if you don't have a membership and can't put this to practice...but I guarantee that you know someone who does and who wouldn't mind you tagging along on their next trip! Also...you may think our store is different because we are in BC....but...I have recently been in both Calgary and Ontario...and saw almost all the same things...so go check it out! If you're in the USA I'm willing to bet you have even more available to you!!

Sorry in advance if some of the photos are a little sketchy...it was kinda a weird feeling to have people watching me take random photos on my phone...so most were taken pretty quickly!

Let's begin!



Silverhills Squirrelly Bread...bread made without flour!...many varieties...AMAZING price...regular $4.99 for ONE loaf at other stores...here $5.99 for TWO! (savings of $4)



Organic pasta sauce...often close to $4 for ONE jar...$6.99 for THREE! (savings of $5)



Everyone's new favourite grain...Quinoa...by far the best place to buy it...$8.59...organic...it will get your family through many many meals! (savings of about $8)



Annie's macaroni...every kid (and husband!) deserves this once in a while for a treat!
Usually on sale at other stores for $1.99-$2.99 a box...$11.99 for TWELVE boxes! (savings of $12)



Kirkland brand Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil...actually cheaper than their non-organic brand! $10.89...about half the price as anywhere else. (savings of $10)



Amy's soups...a great quick go-to meal for any age! Flavour is amazing...and they are filling! Usually on sale for $2.99 a can...here 8 cans for $12.79 (savings of $12)



Stock in a box...I use this a lot for cooking...especially in the winter...very convenient! Usually about $3.99 for one...$10.69 for 8! (savings of $14)



This is a new product for Costco...one I was VERY excited about! My boys love these thin rice/flax crackers. I've been buying them for a few years at $2.99 for one sleeve...here you get 4 sleeves for $6.79. (savings of $5)



A rare and occasional treat for Noah...great to have on hand though. Amy's snack packs of crackers and cookies...individually packed. A normal box of one variety is $4.99 at other stores...here you get 4 different flavours...in 24 servings...for $7.99. (savings of about $12) Remember, organic sugar is STILL sugar! Organic white flour is STILL white flour:)



Our favourite chip for the past year...$4.99 for one very small bag (one serving basically) at the health food store...voted the most 'clean' chip by many sources...$6.99 for a very large bag...so good!!! And often on a coupon for $4.99! (savings of about $15-$20...no typo!) Makes a great cracker too!



A great Organic, Non GMO Tortilla chip...always fresh and light...$4.99 for a huge bag. (savings of $5)



The Larabar...a great raw food energy booster snack...great treat with a cup of tea too! I think I had one of these everyday when I was pregnant with Noah..and for that reason I can no longer stand them...but still, they taste awesome and are a GREAT value. Usually on sale for $1.99 at other stores...here $11.89 for 12! (savings of $12-$15)



Spinach and lettuce...organic...usually around $4.99-$6.99 a container...here $3.79. (savings of $2)



Baby carrots...always organic at Costco...$2.99 for a teeny tiny bag elsewhere...here $5.49 for a bag you can hardly lift with one hand...these also freeze well for steaming later if you can't eat them all before they spoil! (savings of about $15...seriously!)



Almond milk...fingers crossed they soon start carrying Original Unsweetened...cause that's our family favourite! Right now they only have Vanilla, which makes for a yummy treat when warmed up! Normally $3.99 for ONE..here $9.99 for six. (savings of $12)



Organic Cow's milk...we aren't dairy lovers in our house...but if you are...they have that too! $7.79 for 4 liters...just had a lovely reader inform me that it's about $5.50 for 2 liters at other stores. (savings of $3)



We aren't juice drinkers here (unless it's fresh from the juicer!)...but if you or your kids are...this is a great Organic Super Fruit juice! $9.39 for two. (savings of about $5)



One of our family's favourite buys! Organic frozen veggies...our boys LOVE them! They beg for a bowl of frozen peas...it's weird I know. Anyhow...$5.79 for a huge bag...these are really $ at health food stores. (savings of about $25) They also carry frozen organic non-gmo corn and in Calgary they have green beans too!



Alexia Sweet Potato fries...Jay loves these...$3.99 for a tiny bag elsewhere...here $7.59 for a party size bag! (savings of $7)



Occasionally we treat ourselves to a processed cereal..this is a favourite, but we usually mix it with some Millet flakes to cut down on the sweetness. $5.49 for a double pack (stop laughing at the Fruit Loops you see in the background...both people beside me were buying them!! (savings of $5)



Another new product...and very yummy treat to have occasionally!



Yeah! Costco's only option for Peanut Butter is Organic...however it still contains sugar...but...better than the alternative! $8.99 for a HUGE tub (savings of $15-$20)



Almond Butter...great alternative to peanut butter...little better for you:) Exact same brand in a tiny jar anywhere else is about $8.99...this tall guy is $6.79! (savings of $12)



We have pancakes or waffles atleast once a weekend for breakfast...always made from scratch because the healthy mixes are just too $...until we found this! Our other new favourite Costco product! Spelt pancake/waffle mix...made in Alberta...tastes AMAZING! Not that we can't make them ourselves from scratch...but we just don't always feel like dragging all the ingredients and measuring spoons out! This takes about 3 minutes to start cooking...they are SOOOOOOO good!! $7.69 (savings of about $12)



This next one is a ridiculous savings! Bob's Mill Spelt Flour...$9.99 for a slim short bag anywhere else...$6.89 for this big guy at Costco. (savings of $15)



Dried spices...many organic varieties...VERY reasonable! They ARE out there!! (savings of $15) Sure the bigger non-organic one sitting beside MIGHT be cheaper...but are you really going to use ALL that oregano before it expires??!!


That's it! There were definitely some more things I could have added to the list...but I thought I'd get you started! Oh...and if you lost track, this shopping list here at Costco was a grand savings of APPROXIMATELY $285! And I would fully enjoy eating each of these purchases...and more importantly never feel guilt about eating any of them! Take a minute to really think about that!

And don't get me wrong...I'm a firm supporter of our small local community stores...we want to keep them running...but there are some items that you just can't help but pick up somewhere else!!!

Happy shopping! Anyone want to join me for a Costco/Starbucks run this afternoon??!!

Cinnamon Pecan Crusted Salmon

Want to amaze some company this weekend? Or perhaps whip up a simple meal that will impress a certain special someone??!! Tried this for the first time last night...and it was a HIT! I knew Jay would be home later than normal last night for dinner...so I started to think about what I could make that would be different...especially since the boys would be in bed already and I wouldn't be distracted by them while I cook.

We both enjoy fish...and don't eat it nearly enough (I think this is the 4th time I've cooked salmon since we've been married??!!) For the amount of wow-factor and flavour this meal has, it's relatively simple and quick! For side dishes I included steamed broccoli (simple) and a mix of brown and wild rice (1/2 cup brown rice, 1/2 cup wild rice....2 cups of water...bring to a boil...cover and simmer without removing lid for 45min...SIMPLE!)...they both tasted GREAT with the salmon...wouldn't have changed a thing!

The only downfall to this one? It smells remarkably similar to Apple Crisp while baking...Jay's heart skipped a beat when he walked in the door...it's the number one desert in his books! Note to self...next time have an Apple Crisp ready to slip in the oven when the salmon comes out! (I whipped up some AMAZING oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies while doing dishes though...always a favourite too...I'll share that recipe soon...my brother in Ontario considers them a food group all on their own...definitely a recipe everyone needs to have!)


Cinnamon Pecan Crusted Salmon
2 portions of salmon
1/4 cup BBQ sauce (I used Organicville)
1/2 cup pecans, finely ground in a food processor
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix the ground pecans with the cinnamon. Brush salmon pieces with BBQ sauce. Coat with pecan mixture, pressing so the mixture sticks.

Heat a skillet on medium high heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Brown salmon on each side until pecan crust is golden. Remove and put on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until salmon flakes with a fork.

Enough for 2 portions of salmon.

AMAZING! ENJOY!!!

Quinoa Soda Bread

I came in the house yesterday afternoon...after nearly two hours of shoveling snow (apparently it DOES snow in the Okanagan??!!)...and was in the mood for a warm comforting snack. I eyed some homemade organic yellow plum jam that was gifted to us, sitting the pantry...and I couldn't help but think how yummy that would be on some warm bread! I just happened to have a recipe in mind that I was wanting to try out...so here it is! This one is a keeper...it hit the spot, and the boys loved it too! Definitely tasted best warm out of the oven...but Levi wanted some for breakfast today and it was still lookin' pretty good! It tasted great with the fabulous jam (thank you for the jam if you're a fellow reader!!)...but if I was honest about it I would say that the bread had more savory tones to it. I will definitely whip this up to pair with lunch or supper sometime when we have company. It took literally about 3 minutes to make...and exactly 30 minutes in the oven...who doesn't have time for that?! And the kitchen smelled amazing!! I'm desperate to try one of the variations listed after the recipe...everyone loves a little parmesan in their bread!

Quinoa Soda Bread (slightly altered from Quinoa)

1 cup milk (I used Unsweetened Almond Milk)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 cup quinoa flour
1 cup spelt flour (other flours may work too)
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
3 Tbsp butter
1/2 tsp butter

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a large baking sheet, or line with parchment.

Combine the 1 cup of milk and lemon juice in a small bowl.

In a large bowl, combine the quinoa and spelt, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into the flour mixture, making small pea-sized crumbs.

Form a well with the dry ingredients...



...and pour in the milk mixture.



Starting from the center, blend the ingredients slowly until the mixture forms a soft dough.



Place the ball of the dough onto the center of the baking sheet. Gently flatten the ball to about 2 inches in thickness and brush the surface with the 1/2 tsp of milk (I forgot this step!). Cut a large shallow X across the top of the bread using a sharp knife.



Bake on the center oven rack for 30-35 minutes. Remove from the oven, allow to cool slightly on the baking sheet and cut into wedges. Serve warm.




Variations
Rosmary Parmesan Bread. Add 1 tsp rosemary and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese to the flour mixture.
Cheddar Cheese Bread. Add 1 cup shredded aged cheddar cheese after cutting in the butter, and sprinkle another 1/4 cup on top of the loaf right before baking.

Minestrone Soup

This one's a keeper! I find myself whipping a large pot of this soup up every time we have company for lunch. It's one of those recipes that always goes far...people always love...kids too!...and it's packed with lots of healthy goodness. As Jay would say...every time..."it tastes like I'm literally eating a bowl full of fresh vegetables, it's so good"...well honey, that's because you are! It's basically the only way I can get him to eat kale:) Hope your family enjoys it too! Why not have some company for lunch and try it out on them:) From start to finish this soup takes 30 minutes...gotta love that!

Minestrone Soup

I Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, diced
4 large carrots, chopped
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 cups water
4 cups kale or spinach, finely chopped
1/2 cup rotini (I use brown rice pasta rotini)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp pepper
4 Tbsp basil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (optional)

Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion and saute until almost cooked, approximately 5 minutes, stirring often.

Add carrots and garlic, saute for 3 minutes, stirring often.

Add tomatoes, beans, stock and water. Bring to a boil.

Add kale, rotini, red pepper flakes, and pepper. Bring back to a boil, cover, reduce to simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes or until pasta is cooked.

Add basil and balsamic vinegar, if using, stir and serve. If desired, sprinkle bowls with Parmesan cheese.

Adding the balsamic sounds a little funny, I know, but it really gives the soup a nice zip...try it out!

Enjoy!

What would you do with an extra $1,200 next Christmas?

Happy New Year to all my favourite readers! I hope that your Christmas was as blessed as ours was:)

Every year at this time I find myself trying to figure out a strategy on how to cut back our grocery bill. It's not that we mind spending the amount of money that we do on our food....I mean we ALWAYS eat well...we ENJOY our food....we RARELY eat out - always eat at home...we don't have a lot of WASTE...we buy the BEST quality that we can find...but it feels like every year when we total it up it seems like A LOT for just 4 people (although Levi - 15 months, practically eats for two!). I've tried the obvious things in the past like giving myself a weekly budget...but I find that two weeks in, there ends up being exceptions because something is on sale that I want to stock up on, or we're having a party, or whatever! So my brilliant strategy for this year is going to be completely opposite. Let me explain myself...

Instead of limiting myself every week, which is tricky cause every week brings different events, or I end up doing a Costco run...which leaves me discouraged because I went over 'budget', I decided to focus on the 'budget' one month at a time. I thought, what if I could save $100 a month...that's basically $20 a week...I know that could be done with pretty little effort. Then my mind went right away to what that would like over a year's time...$1,200...wow! Who wouldn't want that in their pocket at the end of the year??!!

So how am I going to do this? For me, it means planning our meals and then only buying what I need for those meals once I get to the store...and not being swayed by displays at the ends of the isles!! Our whole family is lucky enough to eat all three meals at home everyday...awesome...but that means having the food for three meals everyday...that's a lot. Planning out lunches and suppers (breakfast in the winter is always just oatmeal...that's an easy one!), for us, will help eliminate buying extras at the store. Like I said before, we never waste what we buy...but I know there are always a few things every week that I pick up and don't really need. As well, I know there are always a few things I forget because I don't plan out the meals perfectly...and then I end up running to the store just to get those one or two things...and end up spending $20 on things that look good, instead of just the $2 on a can of tomatoes...sound familiar? Another strategy...plan one or two meals a week based on something I already have in the freezer or pantry...most of us could go quite a while before we ran out of freezer food!

So what will you do with your $1,200 next Christmas? Here's a few ideas!!
- Donate to Compassion!
- Sponsor an extra 2 or 3 kids a year through Compassion!
- Add the $ to your vacation fund!
- Replace that old couch in your living room that you've been talking about for the past 5 years!
- Get a family membership to the gym!
- Hire a house-keeper to come every other week!

...your options are endless!

Join me on my adventure! Send me any tips you have...and I'll pass along any others that I come up with!

This adventure isn't about 'going without', but rather just seeing how much more you can have!