style & design – THIN is IN

Oh NO….I’m still in the process of figuring out how to record on my TV. I lost something in Dropbox today and don’t even talk to me about making changes to my website. And then somebody sends me this youtube little glimpse into what’s coming! I better get with the program.

It gets better – the video is from Corning as in “CorningWare” the same people who make that thermal shock cookware that you can use on your stovetop. Everyone owns a piece.

I’ve never posted a link on its own but YOU MUST take a moment to view this youtube video if you haven’t already. Take my word – This is MIND BLOWING!

It's time to WAKE UP — It’s time to **WAKE UP**

SOMETIME SOON…..In the near future – a world made of GLASS…..

A stunning glimpse into the future courtesy of Corning: http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38&vq=medium

FUN

Simple and Satisfying – Surprising Substitutes

Healthy Baking: Surprising Butter Substitutes

By FitSugar | Healthy Living

Baking calms the mind and feeds the soul, but all that buttery goodness can pack on the pounds. If looking to make healthier baked goods, omitting some or all of the butter from your favorite recipes greatly reduce the amount of calories, fat, and cholesterol in your sweet treats. There are countless ways to replace eggs in recipes, and here are healthier alternatives to using butter. These substitutes are great for vegan bakers too.

Applesauce: Often used to replace oil in recipes, applesauce can also be used as butter alternative, and works best in cake-like recipes. Replace half the amount of butter in your recipe with applesauce; if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, use half a cup of butter and half a cup of applesauce. If you don’t mind a denser, more moist bread, replace all the butter with applesauce to cut even more calories and fat.

Avocado: Substitute half the amount of butter in a baking recipe with mashed avocado (it works well with cookies); use the same method as you would when using applesauce. Using avocado not only lowers the calorie content but also creates a softer, chewier baked good, and is perfect if you want to omit the dairy.

Earth Balance: Replace all of the butter with Earth Balance to reduce saturated fat and cholesterol. Using Smart Balance rather than Earth Balance will also save some calories, but note that Original Smart Balance contains whey, so it’s not vegan.

Canola oil: In certain recipes, replacing butter with oil works well, especially if the recipe calls for melted butter. Fiddle with your favorite recipes to figure out when canola works instead of butter; when baking chocolate chip cookies, I’ve had success substituting half a cup of canola oil for half a cup of unsalted butter. Although slightly higher in calories, canola is much lower in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Greek yogurt: Replace half the amount of butter in your cookie recipes with half the amount of full-fat plain Greek yogurt. For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of butter, use half a cup of butter and one quarter cup of yogurt. You’ll reduce the calories and the saturated fat. Play around with using more yogurt and less butter to see if you still like the taste and consistency. Here are more ways to use Greek yogurt in baking recipes.

Prune purée: Often used to help little ones stay regular, prune purée also makes a low-calorie and low-fat alternative to butter. Whatever amount of butter the recipe calls for, replace it completely with store-bought baby food prune puree (unless you have time to make your own; just purée prunes in the food processor). This option works well in recipes that involve chocolate and cinnamon.

Follow my “Gusto” board on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/intrigueimports/

FUN

Words of Wisdom

FUN

B Well – the Health Benefits of Pet Ownership.

Or in my case -borrowship. But here is a list of the TOP 10 HEALTH BENEFITS of having a pet according to Dr. Dave Hepburn who owns a Havanese pup named Leo.

1 Several studies have shown that having a pet helps you get in shape. One study showed that new dog owners lose an average of 14 pounds in the first year.

2 Pets help people survive heart attacks. Pet owners have healthier hearts. Those who own a dog are eight times more likely to survive one year after a heart attack.

3 Pets are great for mental health. Patients who have pets are less depressed or anxious and show lower scores on the depression severity scale. So, if you’re feeling blue take two Shih Tzu and call me in the morning.

4 A study out of the University of Missouri showed that within minutes of petting a dog, there is a massive release of beneficial hormones ( in the petter) known to be associated with health and feelings of well being.

5 Dogs are beneficial in speech and language development. (My Spanish is already getting better). Dogs are instantly loyal and eager to please — perfect companions during sometimes difficult speech- therapy sessions.

6 Pets help blunt pain. By initiating and maintaining the relaxation response, a pet can distract a patient’s focus from his or her pain and elevate his or her mood.

7 Pet owners often feel needed and responsible, which may stimulate the survival incentive. There is the feeling of the need to pull through a surgery or major illness to take care of their pets. Many cancer patients with pets admit to striving hard to live longer because they felt that their pets need them and only them.

8 Pets in the home teach empathy and responsibility and even raise IQs. In fact, dogs can improve children’s reading scores. Trained teams of dogs and humans help children who have trouble reading to jump grade levels in just a few months in a program where children read to dogs.

9 Seniors who have pets have far fewer doctor visits and sleep better.

10 To many researchers, the most exciting facet of these studies is that positive human- animal interaction may delay production of harmful body chemicals associated with diseases such as cancer. Studies indicate an improvement in body chemicals associated with a healthy immune system. We may see a time when people at risk for certain illnesses including cancer may be prescribed a Chihuahua.

Dr. Dave Hepburn, Postmedia News. Watch Dr. Dave on “Buyologic” on OWN, Tuesdays at 6: 30 p. m.

Also Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative 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.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

STYLE

style & design – Fabulous & Fashionably Fala

Let me introduce to you Fala Chien

Fala is a fashion designer with her own line, a friend and someone I worked with at 4^th Ave. Boutique. She’s a quadruple threat….young, smart, talented and beautiful. Fala currently spends her time jetting between New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai & Taiwan. She recently showcased her newest collection at New York Fashion week where she garnered attention from the media and was named new up and coming designer. You go girl!

Fala’s signature: simple, playful garments, each with its own unique personality like dresses that can be worn inside out, dress and jacket alter-egos with adjustable sleeves and other adaptable combinations. As Fala says, “fashion should be fun and playful.”

ABOUT FALA CHIEN – As a professional woman and a fashion designer, Fala understands the difficulty of balancing strength and femininity. This is the reason Fala is inspired to design clothing that make women feel both sexy and powerful at the same time. Her aim is to present clothing with “multi-wear” functionality that can be worn from morning until night. Simple yet Detailed. After ten years of working in various areas of the fashion industry, Fala debued her brand during Vancouver Fashion Week in 2008. Since then, she has been featured in several prestigious international fashion shows, and has often appeared in fashion magazines and newspapers worldwide. In addition, “Fala” by Fala Chien has become the brand of choice for many celebrities when they attend movie premieres and fashion events. From New York to Hong Kong, one can detect the newest collection from “Fala” by Fala Chien in many local prestigious boutiques & shops. I’m so proud of you Fala & I love my clothes made by you.

like this coat made by Fala which I love — In my Fala designed wool coat

FUN

Simple & Satisfying – Salad with Endive, Pear & Crumbled Stilton

Organic Greens, Endive and Pear Salad with Crumbled Stilton

I was recently taken out for dinner to La Cigale French Bistro where a friend ordered a starter of endive salad with walnuts and crumbled blue cheese that tasted divine. Unfortunately for this friend three of us dove into his plate & attacked the salad….then decided to order one for ourselves.

Did not ask for the recipe but I do know that….

Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill has had a very similar salad on the menu since it opened in 1999.

My birthday dinner there a few years back was very memorable and owner/chef Pino Posterero made a visit to our table to check on our meal. He says the secret to the success of this salad is in the vinaigrette which is simple to make, yet has a complex flavour.

Recipe:

120g (4 oz) Organic Salad Greens (including watercress or arugula)

16 leaves of Belgian Endive

1 ripe Bosc pear, skin on, cored and thinly sliced (ideally)

60 ml (2 oz) lemon shallot honey vinaigrette (see recipe blow)

Crumbled Stilton (preferably) or blue cheese (about 2-3 oz) or 80g.

Crumbled walnuts (this is not part of original recipe) but I think it would be a nice addition.

In a mixing bowl, combine salad greens, Belgian endive and pear. Add vinaigrette and toss lightly. To serve, divide the salad among four plates and sprinkle Stilton (& optional walnuts) on top.

Lemon Shallot Honey Vinaigrette

150 ml (1/4 cup) fresh lemon juice

90 ml (5 ½ Tbsp) honey

50 ml (3 Tbsp) white wine vinegar

50 ml (3 Tbsp) Dijon mustard

50 g (2 oz) chopped shallots

80 ml (6 Tbsp) extra-virgin olive oil

pinch of sea salt, pepper

In a mixing bowl, combine lemon juice, honey, white wine vinegar, Dijon mustard and shallots. Whisk in olive oil gradually until well emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.

It will keep refrigerated in an airtight container or glass jar for up to one week.

Makes 500 ml. Makes 4 servings. This would make a beautiful side to fish, pasta or almost any dish.

FUN

Scene in the City – what a RIOT!

THE CANUCKS ARE BACK IN THE GAME!

Let’s take a look back at Wednesday, June 15, 2011. That was the date of a rare public disturbance that broke out in the downtown core of Vancouver, British Columbia – known as the Vancouver Stanley Cup riot. A riot to remember. There is good likelihood that this will never happen here again.

We have faith that this will not happen here again – **Vancouver is LOVE**.

The riots happened immediately after the conclusion of the Boston Bruins’ win over the Vancouver Canucks in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, which won the Stanley Cup for Boston. At least 140 people were reported as injured during the incident, one critically; at least four people were stabbed, nine police officers were injured, and 101 people were arrested that night, with 16 further arrests following the event. A total f….up.

Real Fans Don't Riot — **Real Fans Don’t Riot**

With anything good…or….bad….there comes ART. Here, some of the artful abuse (aka graffiti) which is preserved at the Vancouver museum on one large wall.

One by one...changes come. — **One by one changes come – now don’t we feel dumb!**

FUN

AWay with Words – quotes on aging

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

Lauren Hutton, 69

People don’t grow old. When they stop growing, they become old – Anonymous

Aging can be fun if you lay back and enjoy it – Clint Eastwood

Maturity is a bitter disappointment for which no remedy exists, unless laughter could be said to remedy anything.–Kurt Vonnegut

You can free yourself from aging by reinterpreting your body and by grasping the link between belief and biology – Deepak Chopra
Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.–Margaret Atwood

Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.–Franz Kafka

At age 20, we worry about what others think of us.

At 40, we don’t care what they think of us.

At 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking about us at all.–Jock Falkson

60…..I can wait but these women although famous actors/models make it seem effortless & are the role models for aging gracefully. I can only hope.

FUN

B Well – B Vitamins

Are you comfortable in your dry skin?

I don’t have to tell you that the combination of low temperatures, decreased humidity, and blasting heaters can leave your skin flaky and itchy. But here’s what you may not know: because the outermost layer of our skin helps keep bacteria from entering your body, the cracks created by water loss can make you more vulnerable to infection.

Using a humidifier and lotion will help, but you can also moisturize from within. Research suggests that ceramides (lipid molecules that help prevent skin from becoming dry) found in whole grains may help build up the barrier that keeps moisture in. Add more biotin-rich foods (like swiss chard, eggs and nuts) to your diet – they’re members of the B vitamin family and promote the production of moisture-retaining fatty acids.

Dr. Oz on Winterproofing your Health from “O” magazine.

**B Vitamins should be added to your diet if you wish to achieve healthy skin. Vitamin B1, for instance, boosts circulation in the body and gives your skin a certain glow. If you’re a woman taking birth control pills then you are at risk of Vitamin B1 deficiency. Egg yolks, nuts and raisins are great sources of Vitamin B1. Niacin of Vitamin B3 helps your skin receive plenty of oxygen, which prevents development of acne among other benefits. Niacin-rich foods include tomatoes, broccoli and carrots.

***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. Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

FUN

décor & design – vintage finds and elegant objects

**After 11 years at their 6th Ave location Heather Ross [ in house ] has recently moved & rebranded their art salon/boutique to heather ross (natural eclectic). See address below.

NATURE is a constant source of information for Artist & Designer Heather Ross who is known for her wonderful sense of color & keen eye. Her paintings, while abstracted, draw upon the elements of earth, water, air & sky with soothing color palettes.

Her boutique is a favorite amongst designers, art directors and decorators who covet Heathers unique vision & the way she brings unexpectedly beautiful items together with warmth & sensitivity.

In her inviting space she creates a compelling mix of new and old. Lush pillows, antique textiles and unique finds from the flea markets of Europe mingle with contemporary ceramics, fresh décor & endearing gifts. Her clientele will discover art in her paintings and photos which grace the walls in an inviting atmosphere.

Here is what a few magazine’s have written:

This is the thinking decorator’s dream shop. I could not extricate myself from its intelligent, captivating spell. It has the feeling of an underwater garden, inspired no doubt by Heather’s upbringing on the coast and her love for all things natural’

“Heather Ross [natural eclectic] conjures a home dressed in driftwood hues, vintage finds and elegant objects… rather than a typical store, poured concrete floors, clean white walls and a purposefully raw atmosphere form an uncluttered setting for her restrained vignettes”
Canadian House & Home Jan 2010

“One third each evocative gallery, chic boutique, and European Atelier, Heather Ross (natural eclectic) offers an eclectic collection of hip items for the home.” Style at Home Magazine

AND I add to that “you must look up at the ceiling.”

Heather is currently working on a book & design blog, The Natural Eclectic™

New Location is at 2170 Fir Street at 6^th in Vancouver (they’re just getting set up).

Stay connected & inspired at heatherrossnaturaleclectic.com

Healthy Baking: Surprising Butter Substitutes

Also **Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative 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.

Here’s the link: http://www.voiceamerica.com/show/1686/transforming-health

Also Don’t miss listening to “Transforming Health” with host Brad King for the most evocative and informative 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.