Gigi

Did you ever notice some of the best times you share with family involve food- the good homemade nourishing kind. It was while sharing a bowl of homemade broccoli soup with my son and his girlfriend that I received news that would change my life. I found out that I was going to be a gramma! This past August little Miss Lilah entered my life. Some might say I am bias but she is the most beautiful baby!!!! Like many of the women in her life she has a little attitude. She knows what she wants and exactly how to get especially from her daddy! There is no other gift greater than that of a grand child! It brings tears to my eyes every  time I talk about her or share the million photos I have of her! Because all of the other grandmotherly names were taken, I was given the name of Gigi. It is a name I wear very proudly! Little Miss Lilah Elizabeth Lillian Payne-McCleary I love you to the moon and back infinity times and then some more!!!!
I am such a wimp, right now I have a tear in my eye just thinking about her!
That you Darby an Emma for making me a Gigi!
Told you my life had gotten a little busy since April.

Life is about Changes

It's been a very long time since I'm written on my blog. But I'm happy to be back. Life has been busy since I last posted. I moved, which was a very huge event in my life. I had lived and raised my children in a small town or rather a village. In fact my children grew up in a tiny house just around the corner from where I had spent my childhood. It was a perfect place for my children,we had half an acre of land surrounded by forests, a creek and farms. My children grew up to love the outdoors. They loved to hike,and wander through the forest. It is with a tear in my eye that I proudly say all of my children have grown up to be totally amazing adults! Each have listened to their hearts and are doing what they love. Did I say I was proud??? I thank my father for helping me give my children such a wonderful home. I am now living in a city, which is taking some getting used of. I think I'm not sure I will ever get used of the sirens in the city and I do miss the sounds of the frogs croaking at night. There are many things I do love about my new home. I often wander around my new neighborhood imagining the stories the old houses must hold. Those old houses have such wonderful energy. Another one of my favourite things to do is to walk downtown to the farmers market. All the fresh produce- awesome! But the best thing about living in the city is being close to 3 of my children who are all going to university here!! Another proud Mama moment!
Change can often be a little scary but with change often comes much happiness! I miss my old house and all of its memories but now its time to make new ones!
Stay tuned for my next blog to find out what else has made life busy. 

Happiness is closer than you think!

happiness must come from within not from another

look inside and never be afraid to do what makes you truly happy! 

Happy Sunday!

Hope your week is filled with much sunshine!

xo

A little smile for you!

Green Smoothie Challenge! mmmm!!!!

Join me on my 30 day Green Smoothie Challenge !

                                  Only one Rule
    Drink at least one green smoothie per day
    Reward = Radiant health!

                  

Quinoa Burgers

I am always looking for looking for new recipes for inspiration. I love experimenting and making them my own. The following recipe is one of such experimentations inspired by a few recipes I found on Pinterest. I hope you enjoy it I sure did!

Quinoa Burgers

Ingredients:

3 cups of quinoa, cooked
1/2 cup shredded carrot
3/4 cup shredded zucchini
1/2 cup finely chopped broccoli
3/4 cup of gluten free bread crumbs
4 cage free eggs
1 tsp cumin
1 small garlic clove minced
sea salt and pepper to taste
1 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

Mix all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Mixture should be moist. If it feels too wet add more bread crumbs. If your mixture seems a little dry add a bit of water.
Form the mixture into patties. Cook in olive oil, browning each side. Top with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

Lemon Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients:

1/2 cup of finely chopped cucumber
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tsp tahini
1 small clove of garlic minced
1/4 tsp pure honey
sea salt and pepper to taste
Sprinkling of hot sauce ( optional)

Mix ingredients together and refrigerate until ready to use.

Quinoa is delicious and wonderful plant based protein!

Wishing a Beautiful Sunday! xo

My Light Shines Brighter!

I am just sitting here sipping my tea enjoying the sun shinning through my window enjoying the solitude. A smile slowing creeping across my face, as I realize how truly blessed I am. I was lucky to spend friday with my son and his girlfriend who are expecting a baby. Yesterday I had the pleasure of cooking for a crazy bunch of people I like to call my family! We are all so different in many ways, and we don't always agree yet without them I think I would shine a little less. Thank you to all of my friends and family who help make my light shine a little brighter. xo

Start a Revolution!

Loving your Self !

Why is it we need to remind ourselves to love ourselves, I wonder?

Yummy way to start the day!

                    Cinnamon Granola

This granola has become my go to snack or breakfast food. There is always a fresh jar of granola on my counter. After much trial and error I have finally perfected my recipe. I do admit I love to change up the recipe according to tastes that day. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family and I do!

Ingredients:

4 cups of cooking oats

1 cup of sunflower seeds

1 cups of pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup chia seeds

1 cup of ground flax seeds

1- 1 1/2 cups of almonds 

3 heaping tbsp of virgin coconut oil

4 tbsp of pure maple syrup

3 tsp of cinnamon

1/2 cup of raisins

1 cup chopped dates

Blend 1 cup of the oats into a fine flour. Pulse the almonds until they are small chunks. Add all of the seeds, flour and oats into a large bowl. In a saucepan add coconut oil, maple syrup and cinnamon. Heat until liquid. Pour onto the seeds, nuts and oats. Mix until dry ingredients are well covered.

Spread onto a baking pan.

Place in the oven. Bake for about an hour at 300 degrees Celsius. Stirring every 15 minutes so it browns evenly.

Add the dates and raisins. Cool. Keep in a jar on the counter. Enjoy! It is delicious mixed with coconut/ almond yogurt, berries, with almond milk or my favourite- topping baked apples!

For Emma

                                 Broccoli Soup 

Ingredients

1 1/2 heads of broccoli

2 carrots

1/2 onion

2 stalks of celery

3-4 cloves of garlic

5 cups of vegetable broth 

1 tsp of of dried basil or 5-6 fresh basil leaves

1/2-1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup of  1% -2%milk or coconut or almond milk

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

Chop onion and garlic, cook in olive oil until the onion is translucent. 

Chop 1 head of broccoli, carrots, and celery into bite size pieces. Place in a sauce pan with the vegetable broth. Add in onion, garlic and basil. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour. Puree mixture, return mixture to sauce pan. Chop up remaining broccoli into small pieces, add to sauce pan. Heat on medium heat  for about 5 min until broccoli softens. Add in the milk and 1/2 cup of cheese. Heat until cheese is melted. 

Serve in soup bowls. Top with remaining cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Happy Family Day xo

My New Jeans

My holistic journey has so far has had both its ups and downs. The one valuable lesson I have learnt so far - is to literally trust my gut! If it makes me feel rotten and bloated I simply don't eat it. It has not been easy but I have eliminated wheat and gluten, red meat and refined sugar from my diet and am feeling a lot better! I did it slowly one thing at a time. I also recognise that I am only human and its okay to cheat every once and awhile. I live by the 80-20 rule. 80% of the time I am a "good girl" and 20% of the time I give myself permission to be bad without any self loathing.  At least 70% of my diet is plant based- which I am loving!

To my surprise last week when I went to purchase a new pair of jeans I had to go down not one but two sizes!!!!!!! I realise its just a number and the real reward here is my improved health, still it was a proud moment for me! I did it without a scale or counting calories or following a diet. I simply listened to my gut!
YAY ME!!!