As many of you already know, or are finding out, I **LOVE** Paris. I love the architecture, the shopping, the language, the culture, the people... everything - especially the FOOD. And one of the Frenchest (is that a word? yes, I'm going to go ahead and decide it is) things you can eat while in Paris is le macaron. You can hardly walk down the street without seeing these shiny, colourful
les macarons parisienne
As many of you already know, or are finding out, I **LOVE** Paris. I love the architecture, the shopping, the language, the culture, the people... everything - especially the FOOD. And one of the Frenchest (is that a word? yes, I'm going to go ahead and decide it is) things you can eat while in Paris is le macaron. You can hardly walk down the street without seeing these shiny, colourful
Petits Boutons de Financiers
A few years ago, while visiting friends in London, hubby and I took a quick jaunt over to Paris for three whole days and two nights. I was my first trip to France, and as soon as I stepped of the train at the Gare du Nord, I felt like I was home. Everything about that short three days was wonderful, save the sore feet... you see, we tend to enjoy seeing a new city on foot, so that's how we
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Gluten-Free Irish Soda Bread Recipe
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| Tender, delicious gluten-free soda bread. |
As with anything in life, you get a little, you lose a little.
I just wish Mother Nature would reverse the getting and losing when it comes to life post-menopause
, Darling. I'm losing on top where I've never been particularly gifted, if you know what I mean. I buy bras in the teen section because the only adult bras that fit me are those pull-over-your-head uniboob running bras
and Ladies, come on. These tight little torturers (once you squeeze into them, which could take a good seven minutes; I timed it once) are, shall we say, less than inspiring. If you're over a certain age and so is your husband, you know what I'm talking about.
, Darling. I'm losing on top where I've never been particularly gifted, if you know what I mean. I buy bras in the teen section because the only adult bras that fit me are those pull-over-your-head uniboob running bras and Ladies, come on. These tight little torturers (once you squeeze into them, which could take a good seven minutes; I timed it once) are, shall we say, less than inspiring. If you're over a certain age and so is your husband, you know what I'm talking about.So I'm losing oomph there and I'm gaining in the new mid-section of me I like to call Doris because it somehow seems appropriate. These love handles deserve a name, after all. A retro name like Kitty or Patty or Madge. Because they're evidently not intent upon leaving. They insist they're here to stay.
So since Doris won't go away, I try to coax her to skedaddle by eating lots of lettuce. And a rice cake or two. I tell myself, Bunny food rocks! But I lose even more of my boobs when I eat this way.
And Doris still sticks around.
Which brings me to bread. (What midriff conversation doesn't?) In this case, Irish soda bread. Yep. The classic, yeast-free quick bread. I'm not gonna give up a bread this delicious. Even for Doris. I'll just have to run up and down the block. A lot. In between taking iPhotos with my iPhone. That's my plan anyway.
That should work, right?
I'm sick of being sick already!
Okay, I'm officially sick with being sick. I'll admit, it's kind of nice to take a "benylin day" every now and again and have the hubby wait on me hand and foot... and as far as I'm concerned, a sore throat & headache is a good enough reason. But it's been FOUR DAYS now, and this officially sucks. I can't breathe, I get exhausted just getting out of bed to let the dogs outside, I can't be more
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Sick day
The worst part of a sick day is the being sick part.
I went to sleep last night thinking of the different things I would like to bake today. Sadly, this morning I woke to a sore throat and a headache. Super. I mustered enough energy to get dressed & gear up to head out with my hubby to walk the dogs. Less than a block from the house I could tell the cold air & brisk pace was doing me no good.
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I went to sleep last night thinking of the different things I would like to bake today. Sadly, this morning I woke to a sore throat and a headache. Super. I mustered enough energy to get dressed & gear up to head out with my hubby to walk the dogs. Less than a block from the house I could tell the cold air & brisk pace was doing me no good.
Back to Basics....
I love to experiment with new recipes and try new things with my baking. Every time I taste some new delicacy or lay eyes on some stunning pastry creation, I see it as a challenge... I putter and play in my kitchen, making a huge mess and plenty of mistakes until I achieve some sort of success. Often times though, it's nice to get back to basics and make something that puts a smile on
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Sophisticated Blondes
Believe it or not, I know people who do not like chocolate. A proud chocoholic myself (my recent purchase of a 10 kg bag of chocolate chips guaranteed my status in that club), I personally find it hard to believe people who make this claim. Be that as it may, for those of you who enjoy a sweet treat sans chocolate, Browned Butter Blondies are sure to be one of your favourites.
There are two
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There are two
Gluten-Free Multi-Grain Crackers
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| Company worthy gluten-free olive oil multi-grain crackers. |
This is a light, pleasantly crisp cracker that is flaky and tender- and you won't believe it's gluten-free and vegan. The texture is so elegant. Yet. The flavor retains an earthy touch of rustic, with a hint of... Dude. Cue soft focus. Suddenly I feel as if I'm in a varietal wine commercial, tossing my hair back (if I had tossable tresses, that is and not a sensible cheek length bob that refuses to toss) and laughing just so- with a tableaux of my closest, dearest multicultural friends, of course- revealing a gleaming set of perfectly capped teeth as I raise a globe of pinot noir into the rosy glow of a Napa Valley sunset to convey The Good Life.
The life without chin hairs and medical bills and neighbors who don't recycle.
All kidding aside (I don't sport a tableaux of polo
shirt wearing best friends and I've never been to Napa Valley or for that matter, capped my teeth or Botoxed my frown lines leaving the perfect hint of crow's feet to crinkle when I smile so that you don't notice my eyebrows are frozen back to 1985) I just might bake up a batch of these tasty crackers for Oscar night, whip up some Roasted Eggplant Tapenade and pop open a bottle of lovely Veuve Clicquot Brut.
Uh oh.
shirt wearing best friends and I've never been to Napa Valley or for that matter, capped my teeth or Botoxed my frown lines leaving the perfect hint of crow's feet to crinkle when I smile so that you don't notice my eyebrows are frozen back to 1985) I just might bake up a batch of these tasty crackers for Oscar night, whip up some Roasted Eggplant Tapenade and pop open a bottle of lovely Veuve Clicquot Brut. Uh oh.
Roasted Vegetable Chowder - Vegan + Gluten-Free
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| Craving a bowl of comfort? Have I got a soup recipe for you. |
Frost was not on the pumpkin this morning. Not my pumpkin, anyway. Mine's long gone. Turned into a pie. Well, that and it was 80 degrees yesterday. Skateboarders careening by my apartment (at impressive speeds for a Fat Tuesday) wore nothing but Aloha shorts. Welcome to Santa Monica in February.
But what was on my pumpkin- if I still had one?
Pollen, dude. The trees are blooming, doing their sexy spring thang. Bursting. Co-mingling. Giving the bees something to buzz about. And I'm all about having a good time. I believe in love. And bees. But tree pollen, I have to ask you. Why so hostile?
Can't we all just get along?
I am thick and stupid from your assault. Not to mention, dripping from frontal orifices (not the most attractive trait sported by a woman of a certain age, I assure you- though how would you even know? You're a microgametophyte, for goddess sake).
So while your intrepid gluten-free goddess is suffering the slings and arrows from various coniferous and deciduous assaults, forgive me for posting a recipe reprise today. I am too itchy and spike-ridden to bake something new. I need comfort. I am making soup. Roasted vegetable chowder, to be exact. And besides. This one's a keeper from the archives you may have missed.
A rich and flavorful chowder made with roasted vegetables.
Read more + get the recipe >>
Have a Sweet Valentine's Day!
Here's wishing you all a very Happy Valentine's Day. I'm going to be devouring these wonderful chocolate hearts, filled with a raspberry crème fraîche from Chocolaterie Bernard Callebaut, and watching the Olympics of course...what treats are you and your sweetie enjoying?
Go Canada!Vas-Y Canada!
Gifts from the Tropics & Ginger Cream Scones
On Sunday, my parents returned from their annual holiday in Hawaii. Every winter for more than 20 years now, they leave the cold, bleak winters of Alberta for a month of sun and sand in Oahu. I can only imagine how difficult it must be some years, to leave the ocean and warm breezes of Hawaii and return to bundling up in layers and shoveling snow until spring arrives. I would hope that the
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Coconut-Ginger Rice Pudding
A few months ago, I went to visit my sister in California. It was a great visit, but then it always is. We go shopping (naturally - we were practically raised in a mall!), we go get our nails done at the absolute best nail salon in Southern California, we hang out, do cool stuff and then we shop some more. Since her husband was out of town during my last visit, I got to be her date for my
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