Fun stuff round up!

Hey guys!

So since I have been lacking in writing recipes lately, I thought it might be fun to do a recipe round up of all the tasty recipes I have been finding!!

I do have to tell you that my next TWO Our Big Earth entries are SO TASTY!   The one coming up in January, is one of the best, most satisfying recipes I have created!!

Moving on!

First off, my friend Elizabeth from On Tap For Today just got back from a cruise, and look at this picture…. how amazing is it?   Go check out her blog from her trip, the pictures are to die for!!

Ok… food!!

~~~Mother Rimmy is whipping up some Spicy Cod Soft Tacos with Crunchy Slaw…  I want to make these every day for the rest of my life *drool*

~~~One of my lovely readers PAM, sent me this recipe the other day,  I have yet to try them out, but they sound interesting!! Black Bean Brownies.  Thanks Pam

~~~For all my vegan friends… here is a great alternative to turkey.  It sounds so tasty and savoury!!! Seitan Holiday Roast

How about some 5 minute No back peanut butter granola bars? YUM!!

Also a super thought provoking read from Tasha – Vegan No More…

And as a food finale, what I will probably be making tonight… Oh She Glows - Vegan Mac N Cheese... This recipe looks amazing!

 

Ok ok… on more… You all should know by now how much I LOVE ETSY!!!  I’d say 3/4 of my wedding is from Etsy, as are baby gifts and a few Christmas gifts…  One of my favorite blogs also has an inspiring Etsy site,  her stuff IS TO DIE FOR… perfect for Christmas gifts…   

Well hope you enjoyed this little round up!!  Let me know if you check out any of the blogs/recipes!!

Well time for me to get back to school stuff… 1 practicum day left and 11 classes and I am DONE for 3 beautiful weeks!!! 

Ciao for now!!

Jess

ps.  we tried to do a “family” photo for Christmas… haha

Forget it… Lance dislikes the camera and loves Dave…

So we just settled for an us picture… didn’t work either..

I guess we’ll have to wait until Mexico for our amazing wedding photographer!

Winter wonderland!

Are you snowed in??

After over 3 hours of back and forth with our school, it’s official we have a snow day today.  It’s a 45 min drive to school and the roads aren’t so pretty, so gratefully they understand and the 5 commuters get to stay home today.  

We don’t have crazy amounts of snow, but it’s the black ice that’s the kicker,  last night it was a ice rink… I was sliding on gravelled roads!!   But it’s pretty!

Our pooch loves the snow!!  Funny part is, he snorts it when he is out there, and then spends a few minutes coughing!! haha

Sassy pants!!

anyways…. FOOD!

I made the MOST AMAZING pizza the other day  - I had to use my flash for the pictures though, so they aren’t very good… but it will help you get the point.

I took one of those pilsbury pizza dough,  spread it with hummus, asparagus, peppers, spinach and sprinkled with sundried tomatoes.  SO GOOD!

It took under 15 mins to cook……. and it was SO good. I loved the hummus rather than tomatoe sauce… no need for cheese!!

I love pizza!!!

I also will give you a sneak peak of my breakfast, pretty much every school morning…

Sauteed mushrooms and crab with egg whites and a “garlic bread” mini bagel… aka bagel with earth balance, nooch and garlic powder until the broiler…

I change it up with different bread sources such as brown rice wraps, mini pitas etc.

And there has been some crockpot soup too… jam packed full of veggies…

I tossed carrots, butternut squash, potatoe, turnip, peppers into the crockpot loads of garlic – let is simmer all day while at school… came home and added chicken bullion and other spices and blended it up in the Vitamix!!  SO yummy!!

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I’ve also been playing with my wedding hair!!  I really want to wear it down, but thought I would play with it up too…

Don’t mind the self shots…   What are your thoughts? 

UP?

or DOWN (pics from a pervious wedding)

I am the curly hair one with doing the brides veil…

GO!….

 

Happy Thanksgiving to the US readers!!!  And anyone in snowy gross weather… drive safe… xo

Jess

A New Look!

Hello again!

I thought since we got covered in snow yesterday and today I had to get my car winterized, it was time to “Winterize my blog!”

How do you like it?

The first picture was a few years ago on a snow day, we were out tobogganing,  the middle two snow pictures were from a weekend up at the ski hill and the 3rd was in Newfoundland at the end of a 3 hour, –15 degree hike!  BRR… 

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So now that the weather is getting cooler, I have a fun product for you!! 

This would be an AWESOME stocking stuffer or Christmas Gift!

The lovely people at Thermos send me this hot/cold mug at just the right time!  I have been leaving in the morning at 7:30am and by the time I get to school at 8:30 my tea is COLD!!

This little baby is amazing… I put my tea in it at 6:30 am and it was still STEAMING hot at 2:30… we’re talking, burn your face off hot!!  Insane hey?  I couldn’t believe it!!   The other good part? 

It’s completely leak proof!!  So I just toss it in my bag, and go!!  No worries of soaking wet homework!   The top is awesome too, and doesn’t leak a drop…

I’m seriously impressed.   I do know they are a bit pricey, around $20-$25, but totally worth every penny, if you like hot beverages!  (It keeps cool drinks cool too, but I haven’t tried that yet, it’s too chilly here!)   Click here to see what other fun things they sell.

Here are the specks on this baby, which you can find HERE

Vacuum Insulated Tumbler

Item Number: SK1005ACDN

UPC: 0-41205-62827-9

• TherMax^® double wall vacuum insulation for maximum temperature retention, hot or cold
• Retains hot temperature for 5 hs, cold - for 9 hs
• Unbreakable stainless steel interior and exterior
• Cool to the touch with hot liquids, sweat-proof with cold
• Spill-resistant drink lid
• Fits most automotive cup holders

• Redwood
• Midnight Blue

• Capacity: 470 mL
• Size (cm): 8.5(L) x 8.5(W) x 19.5(H)
• Weight(Kg): 0.32

If you are interested in buying one, they are available at tons of different stores!

The only thing that I would put on my wish list for this product is that it came in HOT PINK or another fun girly color!

Thanks again to Thermos for this lovely product,  I will now be able to focus on my school work instead of running to the cafeteria 10x per day!!   I’ll be drinking hot tea all day thanks to you!!

I did get this item for free from the company, but would never steer you wrong, I give 100% honest reviews!!

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Last but not least…  I am back to loving Zumba, as I found a super fun instructor!!

This is currently my favourite Zumba dance… have you tried it yet?

ZUMBA WAKA – Great song too!!

Love this video/dance/song!

Have a great rest of your weekend!!

xo

Jessica

Rainin on a Sunday

Hey guys!

Long time no see!! 

I thought I should drop by and say HI, it’s been so long, but life (as always) has been chaotically busy!! Good news, only 4 weeks left of school before CHRISTMAS BREAK!  I am sooo ready!!

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I haven’t had much to post on the food front lately, because I have had to change my eating habits to the COMPLETE opposite of how I have been eating.   Click here to find out why.

I’ve had to eat things like white bread & pasta!  EEK!  It is really helping me with my stomach problems!  I have also had to cut out all red meat, caffeine, solid chocolate, carbonation, coconut and of course dairy.  It’s been interesting, but it’s so nice to be feeling better!

I’ve been making lots of pasta…

Still steaming veggie pasta…

And fun breakfasts.

Trying to fit in healthy elements where ever I go.

I am missing eating lots of veggies, fruit and all my yummy whole wheat treats… but I was terribly suffering every day for eating that way.   If you have IBS, and have any tips or suggestions, I’d greatly appreciate it.    This website has been my guiding force lately.

That’s why there have been no new recipes, or fun foodie pictures, because I’m eating pretty plain and boring foods…

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On to other fun things… I got glasses!!

They aren’t an every day thing, just for night driving, and when my eyes start to get tired!  It’s kinda fun, but very weird to get used too!

Here’s a silly shot!

  Hehe…

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The weather here has gotten so GRAY… one day I’d love to live on a tropical sunny island!

This is what the next few months of my life will look like,  the joy of being a west coaster I suppose!

  I’ve been trying to keep my spirits up by getting back to ZUMBA!  There was a 2 hour zumba party here at the night club on Friday night, a few friends and I went, and had a blast, so now I am hoping to get back to it 2x per week!!

Also HOT YOGA just opened here too, so I’m going to give that a go too…  

Have you been to hot yoga?  Thoughts?

What are your winter’s like where you live?

We hardly get any snow, but it’s just gray and rainy ALL the time!!

Miss you guys

Jess

xo

Survey Time!

Hello!!!

So a few of my fav blogs have been doing this “vegan survey”, while I am not vegan, I will just change it to dairy-free!!

1. What is one food you thought you’d miss when you went dairy free, but don’t?
Cheese!   I didn’t think life would be good without it.  I still miss it sometimes (FETA), but I get over it.

2. What is a food or dish you wouldn’t touch as a child, but enjoy now?
Hmmm… mom you could probably answer this better!!  Maybe beans?

3. What dairy free or  vegan food you feel like you should like, but don’t?  seitan

4. What beverage do you consume the most of on any given day?
Water and a ton of peppermint tea

5. What dish are you famous for making or bringing to gatherings? raw deserts

6. Do you have any self-imposed food rules (like no food touching on the plate or no nuts in sweets)?
Ummm… no?

7. What’s one food or dish you tend to eat too much of when you have it in your home?
Sabre Hummus, so good soy ice cream & peanut butter & Co yummy flavoured PB

8. What ingredient or food do you prefer to make yourself despite it being widely available prepackaged?
Bread, there is nothing like fresh warm bread!  This is just recent though!

9. What ingredient or food is worth spending the extra money to get the good stuff?
Balsamic Vinegar =

10. Are you much of a snacker? What are your favorite snacks?
Not a huge snacker, but when I get a craving – popcorn super salty

11. What are your favorite vegan pizza toppings?
Roasted garlic, sundried tomatoes

12. What is your favorite vegetable? Fruit?
Asparagus and brussel sprouts.  Fruit – mango or pineapple

13. What is the best salad dressing?
Oil and Balsamic

14. What is your favorite thing to put on toasted bread?
Earth balance with sliced tomatoes or cucumbers and salt & pepper.

15. What kind of soup do you most often turn to on a chilly day or when you aren’t feeling your best?
I love soup in general – anything homemade, pea soup?

  16. What is your favorite cupcake flavor? Frosting flavor?  'I haven’t had a cupcake in ages, but probably chocolate!

17. What is your favorite kind of cookie?
Pre dairy freeness – cranberry, oatmeal and white chocolate.   Now it’s truly any cookies I can eat! hehe

18. What is your most-loved weeknight meal?
Hmm… no idea.  When I was single, there were  a lot of smoothie and popcorn dinners

19. What is one dish or food you enjoy, but can’t get anyone else in your household to eat?  Mushrooms!!

20. Favorite non-dairy milk?
Almond milk

21. Most disastrous recipe/meal failure?
A sweet and sour recipe a few months ago.. so bad

22. Favorite pickled item?
mmmm… yes please… anything pickled

23. If you were stranded on an island and could only bring 3 foods…what would they be (don’t worry about how you’ll cook them)?
Hmmm good question.   Great bread and I don’t know what else!

24. Fondest food memory from your childhood?
The smell of mom’s muffins

25. Favorite vegan ice cream?
Butterscotch ripple – So Good Soy Ice cream

26. Most loved kitchen appliance?
Vitamix.  muahahhaaaaaaaa

27. Spice/herb you would die without?
nutritional yeast, I don’t know if that is a spice or a herb, but I’ll pretend it is!!

28. Favorite flavor of jam/jelly?
Not a fan of jam or jelly.   In Newfoundland you can get “:bake apple” jam, which is awesome…  Bake apple is actually a berry!

29. Favorite dairy free recipe to serve to an dairy eating friend?
Red curry with pineapple probably!

30. Seitan, tofu, or tempeh?
I only like tofu

31. Favorite meal to cook (or time of day to cook)?
I like cooking in the morning, I love having soup cooking all day, so I can take lots of tastes!

32. Name 3 items in your freezer without looking.
bananas, minced lemongrass and shrimp

33. What’s on your grocery list?
Egg whites, mushrooms, sour dough bread

34. Favorite grocery store?
Let’s just say it’s a good thing I don’t live close to a whole foods!!

35. Name a recipe you’d love to make dairy free, but haven’t yet.   Nachos!!  No dairy free cheeses like me :( 
.

36. Food blog you read the most. Or maybe the top 3?
As if you don’t all know this www.ohsheglows.com

37. Favorite vegan candy/chocolate?
Hmm… I wish I could say oooy gooey caramel…   I don’t really have one!

38. Most extravagant food item purchased lately?
I’m a student, and am broker than broke… so nothing fun, sorry

39. I have to ask… last meal, what would it be?
Nachos with cheese and veggies, with LOADS of the best quacamole ever, followed by a HUGE blizzard with a ridiculous amount of caramel and rolos!!

40. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I love there I live, but if it was somewhere extravagant, and safe – somewhere in Asia with TONS of good food!!

41. If you could meet anyone on earth, who would it be and why?
Hmmm…  can’t think of anyone

42. Favorite quotes?
“Be the Change”

43. Where’s the most exciting place you’ve been?
Mexico about a million times!

44. Think about something you didn’t think you could do, but did. What was it?
Be a good student!!  I am shocked at my marks right now!!

45. If Bobby Flay was your personal chef for a day, what would he make you? Well, what would you politely ask him to make you, rather?
Anything he wanted to! ha

46. If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would it be?
what a weird question… a baby hippo?  haha

47. What’s something that, if you don’t do, your day feels incomplete?
Kiss my honey,  read emails/blogs!

…Your turn! Copy and paste this survey to your blog with your own answers filled in, and/or answer some of your favorite questions in the comments section below.

102 days…

It’s 102 days until our wedding…

We will be getting married on this beach…

And I can’t remember if I ever shared our invitations… if not these are them.   How cute are they?

Pretty fitting too I think…

My mom just gave me the news that the bridal shop that I got my dress at just closed down!  EEEK… I’m so glad I got my dress before… I’ve only had it for a few weeks!!

In case you missed it… I have made my bridesmaids bouquets

All the fun stuff for the reception arrived the other day too!!  Such fun stuff, but I can’t show you yet!!!!!!

Anyways, I’m just so excited, and haven’t taken a food picture in over a week………  so I thought I should come say hi!!

xo

Jess