(((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))

Ahhhh! There's nothing better than a hug. Truly. Hugs are a physical expression of the giving and receiving of love. Of peace. Of happiness. A hug is a moment of soul to soul connection. There is something so sweet and comforting in a hug. This activity should be a mandatory part of everyone's day.

Paleo, Gluten & Dairy Free Banana & Coconut Wafers (and sesame seedsand cocoa)

Finally and Hooray! I nailed the recipe! I don't know if these should be called wafers, crackers, crisps, biscuits. I'm at a loss. 

This recipe is sooooooooooo easy. Serious! 

Preheat oven at 350 F

Gather up:

Medium sized mixing bowl

Largish baking sheet

2 sheets parchment paper 12in x 15in or 38.1cm x 30.4cm

An instrument to mix it all together. No! Not a wand! A fork or even a spatula 

A pizza cutter or some other sharp object

Bone Broth - Heal Your Leaky Gut

Bone broth is EASY to make. It takes little effort. Bone broth – or stock – is made by simmering the bones (usually beef or chicken) for a long period to extract minerals into a consumable broth. But it can also be made from the bones of bison, lamb, any poultry, or fish. I've even mixed lamb and beef or beef and chicken. I am brave! It is a powerhouse when it comes to nutrients. You can use bones that were cooked or use raw bones. I've used both but tend to use raw most often.

The glycine in bone broth helps the body to balance the amino acid methionine in muscle meat, the collagen helps to build and repair your osteo-skeletal system (not to mention being wonderful for retaining youthful looking skin and hair), and the gelatin helps to heal and seal the gut. That's what we want. Right?

You can simmer it on the stove for 6 - 24 hours (longer if you like) or use a pressure cooker. I use the latter for 90 minutes. I make approximately 2 litres (2 quarts) at a time. Ok if you are talking strict conversion 4.226 cups = 1 litre. Ok. Now to the recipe.

• 2 pounds (or more) of bones from a healthy source
• 1 onion - quartered
• 2 carrots - roughly chopped
• 2 stalks of celery - roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar or juice of half a lemon (or both)
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp peppercorns
• 2 litres (more or less) water 

Optional ingredients:

• 1 inch piece of ginger (peeled)
• 2 tsp turmeric ( it's an awesome anti inflammatory)
• Chicken feet (1 or 2)
• Pinch sea salt
• Parsley
• Any spice that catches your fancy

Bone broth, or stock, is an extremely good source of minerals and is known to boost the immune system and improve digestion. Its high calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus content make it great for bone and tooth health. Bone broth also supports joints, hair, skin, and nails due to its high collagen content. 

Place the bones in your pot or pressure cooker and cover with water and add the vinegar. Let it sit a bit. 10 or 15 minutes. The acid in the vinegar helps with the extraction on minerals from the bones. Chop up the veg and add to the pot along with all the other ingredients. You are all ready to start cooking with whichever method you've chosen.

When the broth is done, strain and refrigerate the batch or freeze some in smaller portions. Once cold you will be able to remove/discard the fat from the top of the broth. I keep my broth in the refrigerator for daily use. Every 3 or 4 days I take the entire batch and heat it in a pot over medium high heat and bring to a boil. I then refrigerate it again.  

Heat up a mug of broth! Sit back. Relax and enjoy!

Note: expect your broth to be quite gelatinous when it cools. But don't get upset if it's not.

Chorizo Sausage & Egg Frittata

Ready to devour !!

This is a hearty breakfast that you can make all your own by adding whatever veggie or spice you want. I'm sharing how I make this to suit my taste. I love hot,  spicy food so I make mine with a little heat. Alternatively you could use regular breakfast sausage if you aren't a spice/heat lover. This should feed 6 to 8.

Ingredients:

4 Chorizo sausages, casings removed

1 small sweet potato or yam, shredded

1/2 cup small broccoli florets 

Half package sliced mushrooms 

10 eggs, well whisked

Splash coconut milk

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp ancho chili  pepper

Method:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees 

• Cook sausage meat in skillet. While its cooking get your veggies ready. To shred the sweet potato I used the World Cuisine Tri-Blade Plastic Spiral Veggie Cutter which is a must have in a Paleo or grain and gluten free kitchen.
• When the sausage is almost cooked, add the veggies and the spices to the skillet and cook for approximately 3 - 5 minutes. Stir frequently. 
• Remove the pan from the heat
• Whisk the eggs with a splash of whatever milk you choose. I only use coconut. And then pour the eggs over the sausage mixture
• Place your cast iron skillet into the oven and bake for 30 minutes

Now, if you don't have an oven proof pan, then use a baking dish that will accommodate the mixture. First, grease the dish, then add the meat mixture and then, pour the eggs over and pop it in the oven.

Maple Blueberry Pork Breakfast Sausage

These are a delicious alternative to the usual breakfast of eggs & bacon.

Ingredients:

1 lb ground pork

1 large egg

2 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp cayenne or crushed chilli pepper (or less, or more )

1/4 tsp of savoury or sage

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt

1/2 cup frozen blueberries 

Method:

Put all ingredients in a bowl (except blueberries) and get messy. Mix thoroughly. Then add the frozen blueberries. Form into small patties. I usually get 9 to 10. Heat up that cast iron pan, add fat of choice for frying. I use duck fat. Cook through ( approx 4-6 minutes each side). Eat. Enjoy! 

Cheeky Monkey Nail Polish Review

A while ago I entered a contest via Toronto based fashion blogger Dainty Girl to receive a nail polish, colour of my choice, from  Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics. I happened to win that draw and I chose their Raunchy Bitch nail colour.

Cheeky Monkey's nail polishes are formaldehyde free! I love that. I haven't worn nail polish for a few years now due to the formaldehyde factor. My decision to enter the draw was based on the fact that this product didn't contain it.

Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics offers a wide range of colours; all named very daringly.
There is Bite Me, Spank Me and Get Wet to name a few. All fun! The colours are beautiful. Take a look here at their range of nail colours.

The photo below shows me wearing Raunchy Bitch. It has been three days since I applied. No chipping and no dulling. I used a base coat and top coat as well ( also Cheeky Monkey).These products apply smoothly. The colour is so vibrant. I'm sold. I shall be purchasing Blue Room Ball Buster and Lucky you next.

Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics-Raunchy Bitch

Raw Juice Cleanse ~ Thoughts

First and foremost....I would do this again. Second,  I would like to incorporate these juices into my daily diet...say one or two a day. Third, I would do this again at a time of year when the seasons change. I mentioned in another post that I've cleansed before (not juice) many times over the years. I've always, or pretty much always done this during a season change.

I never actually meant the posting of my journey to be a plug for Raw Juice Guru however, I have been blown away by the quality of the juices and the customer service. Eliane and team really care and they know what they are about. You can tell they are dedicated to healing people from within.

My juices were customized to me with the concerns I stated. I'm thrilled at the changes in my skin. I have (mentioned already) a slight rosacea issue and the redness is so minimal now. My skin looks and feels hydrated. Although I have worked with my Naturopath to get hot flashes under control and it's been very successful I still had the odd one at night. By the second night of juice feasting I had none! And I had stopped taking my menopausal supplement during this time. Incredible! My energy levels waxed and waned but now at the conclusion of my three day (plus 2) sojourn I have so much energy. And my mind...wow...clear and quick. It was previously sluggish and foggy (a little)

I won't lie. It's hard not eating solid food and I'm a foodie. A true foodie. I love tastes. Savory, spicy, salty (as in miso soup) and I yearned for lamb vindaloo much of my journey. My foodie mind was in essence torturing me! Damn mind! I'm the person that notices every restaurant when out traveling in the car and I seriously ponder what the food would be like or what delights are on 'their' menu. I'm also discerning. A good foodie almost always is. (that was an ode to my foodiness - such a geek) So, to persevere and stick with the juice was a challenge for me.

When I started this I'd just finished my second bought with the flu. I was still a bit mucousy but nothing serious. On the second day I noticed an increase in the mucous output but by the third this diminished.

Finally, I first heard about Raw Juice Guru from exercise guru extraordinaire Lisa Marie of The Daily HIIT and then read that great review on one of my fav sites Dainty Girl . Her post on her experience made up my mind to go for it.