November 2012 – Page 2 – Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION.

AWay with Words – food for thought

“Half the cookbooks tell you how to cook the food and the other half tell you how to avoid eating it.” ~ Andy Rooney

“When the waitress asked if I wanted my pizza cut into four or eight slices, I said, Four. I don’t think I can eat eight.” — Yogi Berra

“A fruit is a vegetable with looks and money. Plus, if you let fruit rot, it turns into wine, something Brussels sprouts never do.”
— P. J. O’Rourke”

“The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later, you’re hungry again. “
— George Miller

“I’ve been on a diet for two weeks and all I’ve lost is two weeks.” ~ Totie Fields

“ If people say if you eat dessert before dinner it will ruin your appetite — won’t eating dinner before dessert ruin your appetite for dessert?” ~ Author Unknown

“I really don’t think I need buns of steel. I’d be happy with buns of cinnamon.” ~ Ellen DeGeneres

“ There are four basic food groups: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and chocolate truffles.” – Unknown

“This recipe is certainly silly. It says to separate two eggs, but it doesn’t say how far to separate them.” ~ Gracie Allen

My mother’s menu consisted of two choices: Take it or leave it.” ~ Buddy Hackett “

“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.” ~ Garfield/Jim Davis

“Never eat more than you can lift. “
— Miss Piggy

FUN

B Well – Eat, Drink, Read, Think!

Who says that labels aren’t important?

Surveys repeatedly show that 80 to 90 percent of Canadians and Americans want labelling to tell them when food has been genetically engineered. Yet huge corporations don’t want us to know what’s in our food, and governments are listening to them instead of consumers.

But in November 2012, Californians will vote on Proposition 37, which would require clear labelling of foods produced through genetic engineering. Why is this relevant to us in BC? A victory in California could be the catalyst that finally brings GE food labelling to other states and because of our history of harmonizing food laws with the US, to Canada.

The corporations who profit from GE foods are spending huge amounts of money on ad campaigns designed to scare Californians into voting NO to proposition 37. Of course Monsanto’s on that list, but so are many big grocery brands that might be on your pantry shelves. We were saddened and perplexed to see Ocean Spray among them; why would a farmer-owned co-operative fight so hard to keep consumers from knowing what’s in their food?

On a more positive note, we’re proud of Richmond based Nature’s Path, a heroic local company that has given funds to support the YES campaign. Thank you, Nature’s Path – and all the other companies and individuals who are standing up for the rights of consumers. After all, when the citizens of countries as diverse as China, UK, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Latvia, and many others (40+ in total) already have laws requiring the labelling of GE foods, isn’t it perfectly reasonable for us to expect the same?

For further information visit: http://carighttoknow.org Taken from Edible Vancouver Magazine

Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health professionals – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America. Listen to it live or listen to previous episodes at: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

*The Vancouver Health Show takes place this weekend at the Trade and Convention Centre. Brad King will be one of the keynote speakers on Saturday, November 10th.

FUN

One thing to another – transform this!

Hat box 1 — Winnie the Pooh likes Cashmere

Hat box 2 — Angels look after gloves and a wool purse

I love Hat Boxes if only for the reason that you can never seem to find one when you want one. So when you DO find one make good use out of it.

These hat boxes are pretty and useful for storing cashmere sweaters, winter scarves and gloves. Some even contain hats.

You should store your good sweaters in summer months with lavender sachets or cedar blocks to keep moths from making holes – trust me on this!

They also smell much nicer than moth balls which my grandmother used to use.

Food + Drink

The ULTIMATE chocolate-chip cookies

The Look no Further for a Chocolate-Chip Cookie recipe (if I may say so):

If you love chocolate chip cookies as much as I do then I think you’ll find these ones quite delicious.

There are a few little tricks that help to make them turn out better but most recipes don’t mention them.

*TIPS: For instance, 1) using cold butter instead of at room temperature, 2) Refrigerating the dough for half an hour before baking and 3) putting them on a lower heat for longer than the recipe calls for.

Recipe:

2 1/4 cups (550 ml) all-purpose flour (I use whole wheat all-purpose) 1 tsp (5 ml) baking soda, 1/2 tsp (2ml) salt 1 cup (250 ml) unsalted butter, at room temperature (*see notes above). You can still use room temperature is that’s what most recipes call for but Mrs. Field’s knows better. 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) lightly packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 1/2 tsp. (7 ml) pure vanilla extract 2 cups (500 ml) dark chocolate chips or coarsely chopped dark-chocolate chunks.

Note: I made this recipe before using the coarsely chopped dark chocolate and it was delicious but this time I used a mix of equal amounts of bitter-sweet, milk, semi-sweet and white Ghiradelli chocolate chips. The taste sensation of all the different kinds was SWEET! I recommend using the mix.

Pre-heat oven to 350 (180c) or 300 if you follow suggestions above. Lightly spray a baking sheet with oil. In a medium bowl, use a fork to stir flour with baking soda and salt. In a large bowl, using a wooden spoon or an electric mixer, beat butter with sugar until creamy, about 1 minute. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually stir flour mixture into butter mixture, until just combined. Mix in the chocolate chips.

Scoop about 1 Tbsp (15 ml) of dough and place on prepared sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, placing at least 2 in (5 cm) apart. Don’t press down; they will spread as they bake.

Bake in centre of oven until cookies are golden around the edges, from 8 to 10 minutes at 350 and at least 15 if oven is at 300. Also depends on what size cookie you want – just check on them. Remove from sheet to a heatproof surface and leave for 2 min. Then remove the cookies to a rack to cool completely. Cool baking sheet or use another one and repeat with remaining dough.

If making ahead, form dough into a thick disc and wrap well. Refrigerate up to 2 weeks or freeze up to a month. Cookies will keep in a covered container at room temperature for a few days – but I doubt they’ll last that long.

You can make up to 5 dozen if forming them into regular size Tbsps but I prefer the size shown so always put double the amount of dough called for on the sheet. Less is MORE!

Nutrients per cookie (more or less): 1g protein, 5g fat, 12g carbs, 1g fibre, 8mg calcium, 92 calories.

FUN

Scene in the City – Old meets Nouveau

cafe — “One Love” for food and beverage at
651 E. 15th Ave @ Fraser St.

at E 15th Ave. and Fraser.

This old but “up and coming” area of East Vancouver is quickly becoming the new “hot spot” with an eclectic array of funky places to check out.

Even though establishments like the “Lion’s Den” cafe and “ClayZone Ceramics/Sculpting Gallery” (previously Heaventree Art Gallery – but with same owner) have been there for many years.

clayzone1 — Inside the ClayZone at 661 E. 15th @ Fraser

These two places have had a cult like following from the beginning but with the addition of the newly popular French Bistro “Les Faux Bourgeois” it has gained a fresh clientele.

Ken & Junko - owners — Owners Ken & Junko

“Lion’s Den” has quite the fusion menu with it’s mix of Caribbean and Japanese cuisine or Japaribbean. Most of the time Ken, the friendly Jamaican owner will greet you with a wise crack as his Japanese wife Junko works her magic in the kitchen. Right now every second Saturday chef “Big Al” originally from New Orleans is in the house to cook up Southern Fried Chicken, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Catfish and Cornbread as only he can. There is of course the story of how they got the name “The Lion’s Den” but you’re better off going in person to find out as told my Ken himself. Live jazz on Fridays.

clayzone2 — I love the colors in these clay designs.

On the block you will also encounter design geeks and coffee connoisseurs alike at “Matchstick Coffee Roasters”, a tasty “Gluten-Free Epicurean”, “Che Baba Cantina and Yoga Studio”, “Spool of Thread” where you can buy fabric and be taught how to make something out of it.

clayzone4 — Unique one-of-a-kind pieces at ClayZone

Art Galleries offing art classes and magic of clay for all ages and jewellery making classes at “ClayZone Ceramics and Sculpting Gallery” with owner Aline Beth Marshall and other local artists. http://clayzoneceramics.blogspot.ca/p/classes-and-workshops.html

clayzone3 — Beth instructs a student at ClayZone

gluten free epicurean — Gluten-Free Epicurean

art and sewing — Art and Sewing classes for a rainy day

Something to Discover!

FUN

AWay with Words – inspirational WOW

words of wisdom

Nothing happens unless first we dream. ~ Carl Sandburg

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night. ~ Edgar Allen Poe

Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony. ~ Gandhi

There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of the people you love. When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age. ~ Sophia Loren

There is a higher court than courts of justice and that is the court of conscience. It supercedes all other courts. ~ Gandhi

Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are. ~ Chinese Proverb

Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others. ~ Audrey Hepburn

“Where should one use perfume?” a young woman asked. “Wherever one wants to be kissed,” I said. ~ Coco Chanel

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched… but are felt in the heart. ~ Hellen Keller

FUN

B Well – Will Power!

Willpower – the Greatest Human Strength!

Willpower isn’t just some storybook concept. It’s a measurable form of mental energy that runs out as you use it, much like gas in your car. That’s why your resolve to hit the gym weakens after you’ve slogged through a soul-sapping day at work.

Roy Baumeister, a psychologist at Florida State University calls this “ego depletion”, and he proved its existence by sitting students next to a plate of fresh-baked chocolate-chip cookies. Some were allowed to snack away, others to abstain. Afterward, both groups were asked to complete difficult puzzles. The students who’d been forced to resist the cookies had so depleted their reserves of self-control that when faced with this new task, they quickly threw in the towel. The cookie eaters, on the other hand, had conserved their willpower and worked on the puzzles longer. That’s good to hear as I just ate 6 cookies.

Further studies have suggested that willpower is fueled by glucose –which helps explain why our determination crumbles when we try to lose weight. When we don’t eat, our glucose drops, and our willpower along with it. “We call it the dieter’s catch-22: In order to not eat, you need willpower, But in order to have willpower you need to eat,” says John Tierney, coauther with Baumeister of Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength.

We can wield what scientists know about willpower to our advantage. Since it’s a finite resource, don’t spread yourself thin. Make one resolution rather than many. One tactic is to outsource self-control. Get a gym buddy. Use Mint.com to regulate your spending, or RescueTime.com to avoid distracting websites. People with the best self-control aren’t the ones who use it all day long. They’re people who structure their lives so they conserve it. That way, you’ll be able to stockpile vast reserves for when you really need it, like hauling your lazy ass to the gym. Judy Dutton for Wired Magazine.

Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most up-to-the-minute interviews with leading health experts – Live every Wednesday @ 12PM-PST/3PM-EST on VoiceAmerica.com – #1 internet radio station in North America.

Month: November 2012