16 books and counting....

This morning I just finished reading "Barefoot" by Elin Hilderbrand.  Based in Nantucket, this book was about 3 women - who each had a secret.  One was fighting from cancer, the other had an affair with a student, and the last woman was dealing with a cheating husband.  There was a 4th main character - a young boy who became a part of the women's lives.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by Elin Hilderbrand. 

#13 on my list is to read at least 30 books - this is book 16, so I have 14 left before I can scratch it off my list!

OMG - I'm turning 30!

My 30th birthday was December 27th, 2010.  My husband came up with a great way to celebrate: a wine and cheese! I thought this was great since it is #29 on my list!

I decided to make an invitation by video --- my creative juices were at work:

The video was fun to make, and so was the evening.  Below are some photos! I think I started something with the lip face. ooops! :)

Crusted Paleo Salmon

Replace almond flour with regular flour & bread crumbs - and you have a paleo-crust batter that you can pretty much use with any meat - chicken, fish, beef, etc.  This time I tried the batter with salmon and it was even a hit with my husband!

Ingredients

1/2 cup of almond flour
1/4 tsp of coriander
1/8 tsp of cumin
4 salmon fillets
2 tsp of lemon juice
sea salt & black pepper






Instructions

Preheat the oven to 500F.

Combine almond meal, coriander and cumin in a small bowl

Spritz the salmon with the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.

Coat each fillet with the almond meal mixture.

Place skin side down on an oiled pan

Bake at 500F for 15 minutes

Lemon & Garlic Herbed Chicken

Another quick meal - Lemon & Garlic Herbed Chicken. I found this on a Paleo website - but can't remember the website.

 Ingredients

chicken thighs
4 cloves of garlic
Lemon juice
Lemons sliced
Fresh Thymes

Instructions

Place chicken thighs on baking dish



Mix lemon juice, thyme & garlic in a bowl & based over thighs.

Baste thighs with marinade & put in oven at 350 until chicken is cooked & crispy

Coconut Shrimp!

Have you ever been to a cocktail party and the server offers you coconut shrimp that melts in your mouth? 

Below is a recipe I found on a paleo website called Paleo Mama: http://paleomama.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/paleo-coconut-shrimp/

Ingredients

12-15 shrimp
 1 - 2 eggs
1 tsp of paprika
1 tsp of garlic powder
1/2 cup of almond flour
1/4 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut
3 tbsp of coconut oil





Instructions

Beat eggs with spices

Combine flour & coconut in shallow dish

Take shrimp - dip in eggs - then in coconut flour & Continue until all shrimp have been dipped and covered.

In frying pan  - melt coconut oil and cook shrimp 2-3 mins each side until shrimp is golden brown.  Let set for 5 minutes to allow coconut to stick to shrimp.

Quick and Easy Meal

I was alone for dinner one night and decided to make a quick Paleo meal. I had left over beef & fresh spinach in the fridge and a ripe avocado.

Below is the result! It was delicious, was quick, and was a great meal for one.

Ingredients

a couple of handfuls of spinach
1 avocado diced
1 cup of diced beef
olive oil
lemon
garlic (or spice of your choice)

Instructions

Mix first 3 ingredients in bowl
Make a dressing with 3 last ingredients and drizzle on top of mixture

Bread-less Pizza is possible!!

Since I started cooking 3 times a week at home - these mushroom pizzas have become one of my signature dishes and is so quick on a busy night.

 Ingredients

Portobello mushrooms
Pizza sauce (I like homemade pizza sauce)
Vegetables (of your choice)
Meat (of your choice)
Cheese
Garnish






Instructions

On flat side of portobello mushrooms spread pizza sauce, toppings & cheese

Put in oven at 325 until cheese is golden brown

Serve with salad of your choice (I love greek salad!)

Smooth Ride

After doing a small triathlon in 2009 I realized that many competitors had an advantage over me because of the style of bike they used.
I wanted to get a good bike #88 - especially if I plan on competing in a Sprint Triathlon.  My husband came home and surprised me one day with an Opus Belladonna bicycle.  I still don't really understand the branding of bikes - however I tried it out a few times and it does ride smoothly.

Now all I have to do is learn how to use the gears for next years triathlon!

So Simple, So Tasty!

I wanted to make something healthy for my friend's birthday  - but wasn't sure what to make.  I was browsing Paleo recipes and came across a Pecan Pie recipe that consisted of all natural ingredients. It was the perfect desert!

Here is a photo of the Pecan Pie I made!  It looks good - but was a bit "puddingish" probably because I didn't have a food processer and had to use a blender and add much more water han called for. I can't remember where I found the recipe - but below are the ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 cups of almonds (soaked & drained)

36 pitted dates

1 tablespoon of fresh lemon

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon of seasalt

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 cups of pecans (soaked & drained)

olive oil

Instructions

Soak almonds for an 1 hour and drain (save the water)

Put almonds and 10 dates in a food processor and blend until they come together into a crust-like consistency.

Add a small amount of water (saved from soaking the dates) if necessary to aid in bringing almonds and dates together.

Grease a pie plate with olive oil

Use a spatula to press the almond-date crust into the bottom of the plate or pan forming a full pie crust.

Put the finished crust in the freezer until you are ready to fill it.

Combine the remaining dates, fresh lemon or lime juice, cinnamon, sea salt, and vanilla in a food processor and blend until the mixture takes on a smooth consistency. If needed use a small amount of water left over from soaking dates

Spread the date filling evenly over the almond-date crust.

Arrange pecans on top of date filling and press down lightly to help keep the pecans in place.

Galaxy Theatre for 1?

I don't know why but there is something taboo about going to the movies by yourself.  People almost seem sad that you're going to the movies alone.

I got this look when I went to the Peterborough Galaxy Theatre and asked if they had a popcorn & drink combo for 1.  Not surprisingly - they had a popcorn and 2 drink combo.  I purchased a popcorn and drink seperately and proceded to the theatre room that was playing The Switch with Jennifer Aniston & Jason Batman.

(I also decided to wear my vibrams to the movies too which added to people's curiosity! haha! )

 

So you think you can communicate?

In every self-improvement book I have read, the consistent message was to join a Toastmasters Club. Communication is key in all relationships - whether for career or for personal life.  One may think they can communicate well - however there is always room for improvement. 

I am a member of two clubs now - Morrisburg Toastmasters (http://www.morrisburgtoastmasters.com/) and an Ottawa bilingual club called Avancé Synergie (http://avancesynergie.freetoasthost.org/).

My goal for my 101 list is to complete my english CC (Competent Communicator) and my CL (Competent Leader). CC This consisted of 10 speeches all focused on improving part of my presentation whether it be organizing, vocal variety, memorizing etc.  After each speech - I was evaluated and offered suggestions of improvement.  Below are the topics I chose for my 10 projects.

October 2010 - I finally completed my CC - below is my certificate! :)  I am now working on my English Competent Leader and my French CC.



What would Jack Bauer do?

Many people talk about two shows that I really never had the chance to watch - "24" with Keifer Sutherland and "Sex and the City" with Sarah Jessica Parker. 

# 67 on my list is to watch these series from start to finish..  I didn't think I'd get my husband to go for watching Sex and the City, so I suggested 24. Something that we can do together and cuddle on the couch!

So far we have completed the 1st season and are on the 2nd season.  I'm not sure what the big hype is - and I'm thinking maybe I should have convinced him to watch Sex and the City.... but I'll keep you updated on the progress.

2010 Favorite Author!

My friend introduced me to a new author called Emily Giffin.  She is by far one of the best authors I have ever read.  All of her novels are page-turners that are captivating, honest, humourous, and deal with real-life issues.

Forewarned - if I start a Emily Giffin novel - good luck in trying to get me to drop it! Emily's novels are definitely the type of genre/style I enjoy reading.

Her first two books are about 2 best friends.  The first book - "Something Borrowed" is in the viewpoint of one of the friends, and the second book is in the viewpoint of the other friend.

The third book is called "Love the One You're With" and is about a woman who is realizing what true love is about, and the fourth book is called "Baby Proof" and it's about a woman who has to decide how far she would go for true love.

Her fifth novel is called "Heart of the Matter", which I will be reading in January! Can't wait!!

Reliable Joy

Joy Fielding is an author who I have enjoyed along with my mother and sister. We have read pretty much all of her books - her latest book called "The Wild Zone" proved that we can always rely on Joy Fieldng for a simple, quick, page-turning experience. Of course, it wouldn't be Joy Fielding if there wasn't a twist at the end.

Books turned in to movies!

My friend and I decided to start a book club (#62 on my list) - and we had the idea of maybe we should read books that eventually turn in to movies.  We could then go as a group and watch the movie on the book that we just read.  Someone told me - so really - you are starting a "disappointment club"... ha!
I have read 2 books that have turned in to movies. Shutter Island & The Town.  Shutter Island was good - it kept me going and turning the pages. The Town however was dreading - the only thing that kept me going is the fact that I knew Ben Affleck was the main character. The Town was lacking dialogue.

Not a fantasy genre lover!

I miss the old series books that I used to read as a teen called VC Andrews. I remember reading VC Andrews - and couldn't wait for the next book of the series to come out.  I decided to go to the library and get a Nora Roberts trilogy.

The trilogy I picked was called Sign of Seven Trilogy.  The first book was called "Blood Brothers", the 2nd book was called "The Hollow" and the third book was called "The Pagan Stone"

I realized from this trilogy that I am not a fantasy genre type of person.  I have never seen any vampire movies, have a hard time with Harry Potter and even Pirates of the Carribean.  Needless to say, I completed the trilogy - but couldn't get through the 3rd book fast enough. 

I recommend if you like Nora Roberts & fantasy genre - otherwise leave it on the shelf!

Nerd I am!

Life has gotten in the way the last 6 months and I haven't been updating my blog regularly.  #13 on my list is to read 30 books. I'll separate these updates in to a a few postings - based on genre of book / author etc.

This book was recommended to me by a friend who is in the financial industry.  It was a good easy read. I knew a lot of ideas in this book - but it was nice to refresh my memory!

Gram's Potato Stuffing!

Every special occasion at my grandmothers - she makes potato stuffing that nobody can duplicate.  Everyone in my family would eat Gram's stuffing for all meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack,....whatever. It's THAT good!:)

Thanksgiving weekend  - I asked my grandmother to show me how to make her potato stuffing.  She told she makes it different every time and doesn't follow a recipe.  Oddly enough - it tastes the same everytime.

With country music in the background & lots of laughs, I finally learned how to make Gram's potato stuffing!

Below I've shared a picture, but I am not sharing the recipe!

RHU Completed!

As a sales consultant for a company that specializes in living benefits, it was important for me to get my RHU designation.

RHU stands for Registered Health Underwriter, and basically means I specialize in living benefits (disability insurance, critical illness insurance etc) and I can now put RHU next to my name on my business cards.

I completed the designation on May 30th, 2010. Below is the certificate that is currently hanging on my office wall.

The RHU Designation certificate looks better than my Bachelor of Commerce Degree !