I watched the Food Network a few months ago and stumbled across the show Eat, Shrink and be Merry. I have their recipe book, and I love that the sisters who wrote the book are local.
In the show, the sisters find people who make delicious recipes and then they re-do them in a lower cal and lower fat version. At the end of the show, the original recipe is pitted against the re-do and I've only seen the show once, but of course the sisters won!
The episode I saw was a re-do of the classic 7-layer dip. Who doesn't love the salsa, cream cheese, cheese, etc., paired with delicious corn chips?
I have to tell you that the Macho Nacho dip whipped up by the sisters is delicious and definitely something you want to bring to a holiday party, especially if you want to get invited again! The dip is delicious, lower cal, and lower fat than the original. The guacamole is really good on its own, and it can be frozen. Just leave yourself 45 minutes to make the dip, and enough time to let it set.
This recipe makes a ton of dip and it doesn't keep well, so bring it to your friend's place next time you're invited. It's sure to be a hit.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Great Spa Experience
Mindy and I went to Le Nordik spa today for some relaxation. It was fantastic. We went in the hot tub, followed by the steam room, then through the cold waterfall, and then for some relaxation on the wooden benches inside. We enjoyed the fireplace room, some hot tea, a nap in the bunkie, and the finnish sauna, too.
I told Mindy the only way it could be better is if it started snowing, and lo and behold, beautiful soft white flakes started falling soon after. By the time we woke up from our nap, everything was dusted with white. It wasn't as deep as this photo, taken from the website, but it was really pretty and magical.
I will not have any trouble sleeping tonight, that's for sure. And I pray it won't be another year before I get to Le Nordik again.
I told Mindy the only way it could be better is if it started snowing, and lo and behold, beautiful soft white flakes started falling soon after. By the time we woke up from our nap, everything was dusted with white. It wasn't as deep as this photo, taken from the website, but it was really pretty and magical.
I will not have any trouble sleeping tonight, that's for sure. And I pray it won't be another year before I get to Le Nordik again.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Bad Kitty, Part Two
We've started letting our cat Lexi outside. It was such a pain to try to keep her inside when she was always bolting for the door. I dislike when others let their cats roam the neighbourhood, but here I am doing it, too.
We let her out on Friday evening, and over a 12-hour period, Friday night and Saturday morning, we got no less than 5 phone calls from people saying that Lexi was trying to get in their house. We have a tag on her collar with her name and our phone number. She had gone into one house and the man was reluctant to let her outside in case she tried to cross a busy street. DH just told him to put her out anyway. The same guy called back twice more, torn between his desire to do as DH asked, and his fear for the cat.
Eventually he did let out the cat, and a few minutes later, at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, someone else called to say that the cat was at his door, trying to get in. We said "just don't let her in."
At 9:00 on Saturday morning, we got yet another call from a woman who said that Lexi jumped in her car when she herself was getting in. She was worried that maybe the cat was neglected or a stray. I assured her that the cat had been on the loose for no more than 10 - 12 hours and that she would be o.k. At this point I'd had enough, so I went to the caller's house and picked up the cat in the car. I figured it was the only way to make the phone calls stop.
Bad kitty.
We let her out on Friday evening, and over a 12-hour period, Friday night and Saturday morning, we got no less than 5 phone calls from people saying that Lexi was trying to get in their house. We have a tag on her collar with her name and our phone number. She had gone into one house and the man was reluctant to let her outside in case she tried to cross a busy street. DH just told him to put her out anyway. The same guy called back twice more, torn between his desire to do as DH asked, and his fear for the cat.
Eventually he did let out the cat, and a few minutes later, at 12:30 a.m. on Saturday morning, someone else called to say that the cat was at his door, trying to get in. We said "just don't let her in."
At 9:00 on Saturday morning, we got yet another call from a woman who said that Lexi jumped in her car when she herself was getting in. She was worried that maybe the cat was neglected or a stray. I assured her that the cat had been on the loose for no more than 10 - 12 hours and that she would be o.k. At this point I'd had enough, so I went to the caller's house and picked up the cat in the car. I figured it was the only way to make the phone calls stop.
Bad kitty.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Starting to pack for the Carribean
I know, I know. We're not leaving for another two months, but DH and I are pretty excited to celebrate our anniversary in the Carribean this year. It'll be a whole week of pampering, relaxation, sun, and fun at an yet-to-be-determined all-inclusive. I got a new bathing suit a week or two ago. It's basic black, which is SO not me, but it fit me so well and was only available in black.
I used to have a vintage-looking one-piece; brown with orange, green and yellow, that I loved so much. It finally got so worn out, it was transparent in inappropriate places.
Yesterday I stumbled across this bathing suit in the Trends section of Lou Lou magazine's website. It wa's an older posting, so I missed my chance to pick up the bathing suit at H&M. Now I am on a mission to find one like this before we go South. I know I already have a new suit, but I'll need at least two, right?
I used to have a vintage-looking one-piece; brown with orange, green and yellow, that I loved so much. It finally got so worn out, it was transparent in inappropriate places.
Yesterday I stumbled across this bathing suit in the Trends section of Lou Lou magazine's website. It wa's an older posting, so I missed my chance to pick up the bathing suit at H&M. Now I am on a mission to find one like this before we go South. I know I already have a new suit, but I'll need at least two, right?
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Precious Party
Tuesday, the 24th was Precious' birthday. We had a quick celebration because the older kids had piano starting at 5:30. She got a t-shirt (shown in photo) from our nanny, a doll and rocking chair from Grammy, two puzzles from Gramps, and a Cordz game from Mommy and Daddy.
Saturday, we had a birthday party for Precious. The teachers at her school told us she played with two little girls in particular, and they were both invited. Two other friends, one from preschool from last year, and Abbi, Precious' 'best friend', were both out of town.
She and her sister wore their best dresses for the party.
The party was really fun even though Precious had trouble sharing her toys with her friends. She insisted on helping them dress, she held hands with them, and got in their personal space, which they didn't mind. This is the key to their 'friendship'.
After a lunch of veggies and hot dogs, we had a cake made of cupcakes all pushed together. Precious chose yellow icing for it, and vanilla cake. It was delicious!
Her friends both got her Barbies. One was a birthday Barbie, and the other was the preschool teacher Barbie, which Sweet Pea has wanted forever, so she was thrilled!
Precious also got money from Oma (great-grandmother), Grandpa and Great-Grandma, and a big set of pink hairbands from Uncle Tyler and Auntie Anne Marie.
Saturday, we had a birthday party for Precious. The teachers at her school told us she played with two little girls in particular, and they were both invited. Two other friends, one from preschool from last year, and Abbi, Precious' 'best friend', were both out of town.
She and her sister wore their best dresses for the party.
The party was really fun even though Precious had trouble sharing her toys with her friends. She insisted on helping them dress, she held hands with them, and got in their personal space, which they didn't mind. This is the key to their 'friendship'.
After a lunch of veggies and hot dogs, we had a cake made of cupcakes all pushed together. Precious chose yellow icing for it, and vanilla cake. It was delicious!
Her friends both got her Barbies. One was a birthday Barbie, and the other was the preschool teacher Barbie, which Sweet Pea has wanted forever, so she was thrilled!
Precious also got money from Oma (great-grandmother), Grandpa and Great-Grandma, and a big set of pink hairbands from Uncle Tyler and Auntie Anne Marie.
Friday, November 27, 2009
A Few of My Favourite Christmas Things
Things I like to do around Christmastime:
1. Listen to Christmas music
I splurge on one new Christmas CD every year. I love the songs Little Toy Trains by Nana Mouskouri, Little Drummer Boy with David Bowie and Bing Crosby, and I feel like crying when I hear Do They Know it's Christmastime by Band-Aid. The Boney M Christmas CD is definitely a winner.
2. Decorate the tree
Cutting down a fresh tree is a new tradition that we started last year. When I was really small, we went to Herb's farm to cut down a tree, but now my family goes to a local tree farm, goes tobogganing and makes a morning out of it. I love the smell of a fresh tree, and I've really enjoyed upgrading my decorations over the last few years.
3. Look at Christmas lights
I think this is the year to splurge on one strand of lights to put up across the front of our house. We'll choose a different colour than our neighbour since they have the same house as us, and one strand across the front, too. It's not overdone, but looks festive and shouldn't be too hard to install on the eavestroughing.
5. Get Christmas photos taken
6. Buy gifts for everyone on my list. I hope I get them things that they love.
7. Look at Christmas catalogues, especially Pottery Barn.
8. Get together with friends. There's nothing like a sparkly outfit, some red wine, cheese and great conversation with wonderful people.
What are your favourite things to do in the month before Christmas?
1. Listen to Christmas music
I splurge on one new Christmas CD every year. I love the songs Little Toy Trains by Nana Mouskouri, Little Drummer Boy with David Bowie and Bing Crosby, and I feel like crying when I hear Do They Know it's Christmastime by Band-Aid. The Boney M Christmas CD is definitely a winner.
2. Decorate the tree
Cutting down a fresh tree is a new tradition that we started last year. When I was really small, we went to Herb's farm to cut down a tree, but now my family goes to a local tree farm, goes tobogganing and makes a morning out of it. I love the smell of a fresh tree, and I've really enjoyed upgrading my decorations over the last few years.
3. Look at Christmas lights
I think this is the year to splurge on one strand of lights to put up across the front of our house. We'll choose a different colour than our neighbour since they have the same house as us, and one strand across the front, too. It's not overdone, but looks festive and shouldn't be too hard to install on the eavestroughing.
5. Get Christmas photos taken
6. Buy gifts for everyone on my list. I hope I get them things that they love.
7. Look at Christmas catalogues, especially Pottery Barn.
8. Get together with friends. There's nothing like a sparkly outfit, some red wine, cheese and great conversation with wonderful people.
What are your favourite things to do in the month before Christmas?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
More Family Photos
My brother, his wife and I drove out to the memorial service last night, and got there just as it was winding up. It was nice to see some of my relatives, but we didn't stay too long as everyone was leaving. The best part was getting a chance to talk to my brother and his wife.
We also talked about the newlyweds watching the kids for a weekend so DH and I can go south sans kids in January or February for a week. My mom and our nanny can cover the weekdays. We finally have the childcare arranged. Now I'm worried we left it too late to book a resort that we'll like! It always takes us so long to make a decision that we miss out on early bird specials, and hopefully we don't miss out on the vacation altogether!
I'm including the last two poses from the SuperStore photo shoot. I scanned them in a had to lighten them up a lot so they don't look exactly like the original. In the family photo, my hair looks red, which I assure you it isn't, but I can't remember how to remove the redness in the photo, so I'll have to rely on you to imagine less red.
Normally I have a very specific photo in mind, and we had the same Christmas card photo pose two years in a row after I saw a great picture in Creating Keepsakes magazine. This year, I decided to let the 'photographer' decide what poses and what background. It was a lot less stressful and I do like how they turned out.
We also talked about the newlyweds watching the kids for a weekend so DH and I can go south sans kids in January or February for a week. My mom and our nanny can cover the weekdays. We finally have the childcare arranged. Now I'm worried we left it too late to book a resort that we'll like! It always takes us so long to make a decision that we miss out on early bird specials, and hopefully we don't miss out on the vacation altogether!
I'm including the last two poses from the SuperStore photo shoot. I scanned them in a had to lighten them up a lot so they don't look exactly like the original. In the family photo, my hair looks red, which I assure you it isn't, but I can't remember how to remove the redness in the photo, so I'll have to rely on you to imagine less red.
Normally I have a very specific photo in mind, and we had the same Christmas card photo pose two years in a row after I saw a great picture in Creating Keepsakes magazine. This year, I decided to let the 'photographer' decide what poses and what background. It was a lot less stressful and I do like how they turned out.
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