Magic Bullet Miracle.

You know that you have good friends when they buy your spouse birthday gifts that are really meant for you. Like when my wonderful friends bought my hubby the Magic Bullet (yes, THE Magic Bullet from the Infomercial) for his birthday. Oh, the possibilities...

like my Chocolate Milkshake that I made for dinner tonight. I wish I could take credit for the recipe, because it's genius, but I got it from the wonderful Skinny Chef website. Usually when I tell people of these whacky creations they respond with your typical, 'you crazy girl, you get on wit' yo' crazy self.'

But in all seriousity...this milkshake is insanely creamy and yummy. Yes, it does contain fat, but the fat from the avocados is the heart healthy kind - as opposed to the artery clogging kind found in ice-cream.

Chocolate Avocado Milkshake - From Skinny Chef

1/2 Avocado
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups skim milk
2 tbsp sugar*

Blend in blender (or, if you are so blessed, in your magic bullet) and voila. I seved mine over ice. Magical!


*After 27 years of homage to little yellow packets, I have decided to use actual sugar. I was raised on saccherine and aspertime, and now at age 30, I feel that the few extra calories are better than the unknown effects of artificial chemical sweetners.

Dressed for Success!

Having a soy intolerance means that I can't eat 99% of commercial salad dressings out there. They are all made with soybean oil. All except the Renees brand. I looooooooove Renees dressings - all of them! I always have at least 3 going in my fridge at the same time. Also, they have great recipes on their website which I do love to browse.

There is only one problem with my love/obsession with Renees dressings -the kind in the jar-really high calories (80 per tbsp). I do like my big salads where I douse my lettuce in creamy dressing. This week I discovered a little trick to stretch my dressings without adding muchos calories. I add 2 tbsp 1 % buttermilk to 1 tbsp dressing. I get the creaminess and the moistness (c'mon, you can trick your brain that it's not rabbit food) without upping the fat intake. I've heard some people do the same thing with yogurt, but I find it tastes too sour.

Runway in a Bowl

So after spending an entire day (9-5) in the mall yesterday, there is no denying that Fuschia is the it colour for Spring 2009. But fuschia soup?

I must admit, the colour looks a little weird in a plate, but this 3 ingredient, 3 minute prep dish is perfect for spring. It is actually quite pretty - like - Easter egg pretty. I originally took this recipe from the original Moosewood cookbook.

Chilled Fuschia Soup

1 can of beets, drained
3 cups 1% buttermilk
1 tbsp minced dill (or 2 dill toppits cubes)

Put all ingredients in a blender. Serve right away, or chill for at least 1 hour. Personally, I think it tastes better after it's chilled.

I am a yoga dropout.

again.

I don't have an answer for this, so I'll just put it out there into cyberspace and see what happens. I have yoga guilt.

I don't love yoga, and I seem to be terrible at it due to my very short arms and non-existant torso, but I feel like I should be doing it because it's healthy and it's supposed to clear your mind or whatever. But every time I go, I get frustrated at how much I suck at it and how boring it is to actually clear you mind. So I feel guilty.

Is yoga guilt a Jewish thing? Lord knows we have a monopoly on guilt.

So I've spent the past week doing Bikram Yoga, which is yoga in a room that's heated to 37 degrees celsius. My body does not tolerate heat well, so I thought this would be a nice challenge. Suprisingly, I enjoyed the heat and find it did help me relax and stretch.

The thing about yoga is it supposed to help you cultivate patience. But so is trying to move a pen across the table with your mind. Just because they say it's supposed to happen, doesn't mean it will....sigh....

I think it's time I bind my downward dog and take it for a hike!

My favorite Things: Stuff I love so much I will even get on a plane to get some!

*disclaimer: this post is girlie. Guys, scroll down to Chili, below.


I've had the most uninspring day ever. Miserable weather and recession talk has been getting me down. So for no reason whatsoever, I'd like to share some things I can't live without.

1. Inglot Nail Polish

I didn't discover Inglot until they had closed their 1 Toronto store. It's too bad too, because they make the BEST nail polish. It dries fast, with no stink. Now if I'm going to Montreal or Ottawa, I stock up on a few colours!

2. Palmers Cocoa Butter Lotion

The greatest cream I've ever used, and that's so important when the weather is really cold. So much better than the fancy expensive stuff. Also, unfortunately, not available in Canada (why sell a moisturizer in a country where the temperature is below freezing for 7 months a year?)

3. Four O'clock Chocolate Spice Tea

I discovered this in Mexico and became hooked. To my delight, I found out that it was a Canadian product. I had to speak to 5 different people in Quebec before they told me where to buy it here. I've been trying to wean myself coffee so I start my morning off with a cup of chocolate spice tea with chocolate milk every morning. It's my new addiction.

4. Kiss Me Mascara

The concept of 'tubing' your eyelashes sounded freaky, but all it means is - this is awesome mascara that won't smudge or be raccoon-y. End of

story. Expensive, but worth it!

It's Chili

Tomorrow is Superbowl Sunday, which to me, means that Desperate Housewives will probably be a re-run. I don't watch sports. But I know tomorrow is a big one for the guys (the girls get Valentines day soon so it evens out). So if you love your guy, keep him around longer with this yummy healthy chili. My brother found this recipe on a cereal box years ago and it is the one I use consistently. The all-bran cereal might sound a little gross, but trust me, it gives a fantastic texture!

Healthy Chili
1lb Lean Ground Beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 medium green peppers chopped
1 can tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce
4 tsp chili powder
¼ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp salt
pinch pepper
1 can red kidney beans
1 cup All-Bran cereal

In large, heavy saucepan, cook beef with onion and green pepper until meat is browned, stirring frequently. Drain off any fat. Add tomatoes, break in chunks. Stir in tomato sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper until well mixed. Stir in beans and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cereal and cook about 10 minutes longer, stirring frequently.

When flowers won't do, say 'I love you' with poo.

Ok....so....how to begin this one.

First of all, I have to say that I love http://www.uncommongoods.com/

They have unique and creative gift ideas, and I visit the site often. Having said that, today just added a new product - in time for Valentines Day - that has left me scratching my head.

"Elephant Poo Roses

The saying

'stop and smell the roses' takes on a whole new meaning with these odorless paper roses that are handmade completely from elephant poop! Eco-friendly, innovative, sanitary and stink-free "

I wasn't aware that growing ACTUAL FLOWERS was a threat to our environment.

That it would be more cost effective to pay a human to poop 'n scoop behind dumbo's-well-behind and then for someone else to fashion flowers out of feces. As explained on the site...

"The making of paper starts with the collection and processing of the dung pulp. Elephant dung is typically full of short to medium grained fibrous materials from the elephants diet which when processed makes excellent paper."

While I applaud the innovation, I don't know of a woman who would feel warm and fuzzy with such a shitty Valentine's gift. Roses are sold for $15-48.