So I’ve been on a crazy cookie baking kick of all kinds (post those later) and took a break to make these – just because I can’t remember the last time I made muffins.
They’re not difficult to make and the variations are plentiful. However muffins can be funny because they need to be moist but not wet and have a fair amount of fruit to be good. I like them fully loaded. These turned out perfectly yummy and since I had strawberries and ripe bananas at home, I just went with it. The addition of Greek yogurt is a nice touch. Great with coffee/tea for breakfast or mid morning energy snack.
STRAWBERRY BANANAMUFFINS
Ingredients
2 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup Greek yogurt
1/3 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sliced strawberries
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, mix mashed bananas, Greek yogurt and melted butter, using wooden fork or spoon. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour last, mix just enough to blend the ingredients; do not over-mix, the lumps will work themselves out.
Add sliced strawberries to the batter and mix them in to distribute evenly through the batter.
Grease a regular size 12-cup muffin pan with a non-stick spray. Or better, use the paper fillers. Pour the batter evenly into each cup, about 3/4 full. Bake for about 20 minutes, until a tester inserted in a muffin comes out clean. Cool on rack. Remove muffins from pan and slice to serve.
Storage tip: These are best stored refrigerated and they can be frozen.
I think I’ll be making more muffins. Do you have any good recipes to share?
The 37th Annual Vancouver Pride Parade took place yesterday and is one of the city’s flagship events!
Attracting crowds of more than 650,000, it is considered one of the largest.
It was certainly fun sitting with a few tiki inspired friends from the comfort of a condo on Robson.
We looked down on the crowd so to speak and our gracious hostess with the mostest made sure we were looked after.
The VIP (very interesting people) sectionI always did love watching roller blading in the nudeThe cleanup that began moments after the parade ended – like it never happenedThe party never ends – Sunset Beach after the parade – Food/Music/VendorsMy pride inspired cookies. Oatmeal/Raisin with a splattering of rainbow coloured Indian Fennel candy.
I’ve been thinking about buying a new helmet for my scooter for the past three years now. Most of the ones I’ve come across are geared towards men.
This one shouts “look at me” – why don’t they have a female version or is it androgynous? Too tough looking for me.So instead of wearing a helmet I dyed my hair RED to match my MiO
A matching helmet did not come with my vintage-inspired creamsicle lookingscooter so I’ve been wearing one that a friend gave me (so that he could buy a nicer newer model) that is all scratched up and doesn’t really suit me. Mine is ‘real’ vintage but not in the good way. I can have one painted to match (that’s too matchy) or just buy a new one but every time I go to check them out I think the old one is good enough because the newer ones are just as ordinary. I don’t want something that looks like I’m riding a Harley and I don’t want one that looks like I’m riding a horse either. Maybe I should create some fashionable helmets for women with scooters? Or maybe I’ll just buy one of these:
the four variations in the series of ‘custom made helmets’ – by jyo john mullor
Dubai-based digital designer jyo john mullor has realized a series of helmet designs that appear to leave the human head totally exposed to outdoor elements. The trompe-l’œil effect brings about the illusion that a series of different people with shaved heads are seamlessly integrated into the plush, yet sturdy protective gear. Four variations include a motorcycle cap with ears and earrings, a simple bicycle style with shaved brunette hair, and a vintage safety hat with attached goggles stretching over the surface of the skin. Although not yet physical objects, Mullor’s ‘custom made helmets’ provide a look at the possibilities of extreme personalization, and would guarantee a double take on the road.
A vintage safety hat with attached goggles stretches over the surface of the skin. I could go with this.Now this style appeals to me. I even like the colour combo.
What do you think? Would YOU wear one of these?
Jia Jia says “yes” to this Vespa in mint condition with sidecar – but then it would be “what kind of helmet do I get for him?”
Just had to do it! Did you really think I was going to let one more week go by without posting a few more photos of my two BFF’s? (best furry friends).
I want to be a lounge lizard like Jack. He really makes himself at home.“But I love sushi – especially wild barbeque salmon. It’s so much better than that dead fish I found and tried to eat behind the Planetarium.”
Little did I know that Jack loves Thai food and I’m told he goes nuts for rum/raisin ice cream but I wouldn’t know because I’ve only given him french vanilla. I suppose I can always add rum to it, if he likes overproof. Now I have him on a different diet (one with much less alcohol) and have asked for joint-custody….at the very least.
My unbiased opinion of Jia Jia is even though he has some quirks he’s very smart and is the sweetest, kindest, most gentle and sensitive dog I’ve ever known.
Playful Jack likes to sleep curled up into a little ball with Jia Jia’s teddy bear. Good thing Jia Jia is so generous with his toys. It’s hard to keep the bed tidy but I don’t care about that as much anymore. I always cook an early dinner for them and walk them several times a day. They keep me occupied and they’re the best good company. I feel like they’re both old souls. Poor Jack does not have a warm coat for when the weather gets colder so I may need to buy him one…hee, hee.
I know just the place in Yaletown!
“Ha, ha…I’m up here & you can’t come up the stairs on your own. You’re so spoiled you always want to be carried up….and she always does. People say I have a long snout but you look like a little cow with YODA ears!”
I’ll try not to post photos of them for a while….no promises though!
In the meantime here is a new board I created on Pinterest for these two:
Have you heard of Graham Norton? OMG his show is so funny. Of course it would be, he’s British Irish!
He’s the guy in the polka dot shirt.
It’s been some time since I got enthusiastic about watching a talk show. Even though Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel are funny, smart and talented hosts I get tired of the same routine and the same guests who seem to jump from one show to the next and the stories are all the same. I used to love watching “Chelsea Lately” until Chelsea Handler’s wisecracks became predictable and a bit rudely over the top. I think Jon Stewart was brilliant on the Daily Show (HateWatch anyone; super funny) & David Letterman’s finale was hilarious. I stopped watching the late night talk shows but that’s mostly because I’m usually in bed before they come on.
Recently someone turned me onto this BBC guy Graham Norton (the graham norton show) because of an episode with Jim Carrey talking about Dumb and Dumber to, actor Jude Law starring in adventure thriller Black Sea, and actress Tamsin Greig, on stage in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (loved the original film version) & Jeff Daniels. I like the way they all interact together as if you’re sitting in someone’s living room…of somebody famous that is. I’m always interested to find out what Jim Carrey is up to because I’ve always been a fan and especially since having met him on a handful of occasions on account of a mutual friend – from an intimate dinner to an intimate Malibu wedding and a few house parties. He’s no dummy to, obviously quick witted and has a spiritual side not many people are aware of. He’s got the best energy.
Even if you only watch the first few minutes (but try to stick it out for at least 10 minutes) it’s guaranteed (in my opinion) to make you laugh. WATCH THIS:
Comedy is good for our health therefore we need comedians, especially now.
It’s summer and hot as hell which means less clothes, which means more skin, which means wearing sunscreen. That’s right, it’s the mid-July obligatory sunscreen post.
Here are some natural sunscreens (they all meet the Environmental Working Group’s eco standards for a more natural alternative) that are the SPF equivalent of having your cake and eating it too:
I took this pic of our family cat Frosty a long time ago. He loved to borrow my sunglasses. As you can see he took precautions in the sun with his fair fur. We should too!
Purple Prairie SunStuff: thick and creamy (maybe not necessarily the adjectives you want associated with your sunscreen) with a “distinctive” smell but will do in a pinch (and…no chemicals…so there’s that).
Soleil Toujours Broad Spectrum SPF 30: the gateway mineral sunscreen for newbies: user-friendly (unlike that contouring kit you bought) it absorbs really well into your skin. Only drawback is that it’s not as natural and detoxifying as other products on the market.
Alba Botanica Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen: the word “botanica” is so pretty that it almost cancels out how thick this one rubs on. Happily no fragrance or parabens but water lovers beware: it’s only resistant for 40 minutes.
Nature’s Gate Sport Vegan Sunscreen: calling all vegans—this mineral sunscreen rubs in real nice (for a mineral sunscreen) and is 80-minute water resistant, which means you can run in and out of the super cold surf pretending you like it as many times as you’d like. Bonus: little to no fragrance.
Jurlique Sun Specialist: good for face AND body (hello multitasking) and absorbs pretty quickly. P.S. sadly it doesn’t feel as moisturizing as some of the others but def not a deal-breaker.
Or you can forget about it all together and just wear a wet suit.
And on a more serious note, Lisa from the Garance Doré blog had some questions about the efficiancy of organic sunscreens: Is there a possible downside to going organic? Do they effectively prevent skin cancer? Are there any ingredients in the all-natural versions that could have weird side effects? She talked to Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, Co-director of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington, DC to get some answers:
Can you tell me a little bit about your background and why you believe sunscreen is so important?
The risk from the sun is cumulative, so it’s always a good idea to wear sunscreen (no matter how old you are or how much previous sun damage you have).
Are the chemicals in regular sunscreen really that bad for you? If so, what are they (what ingredients/names should we be looking out for?) and what are the negative effects?
The negative effects, if any, of sunscreen have been debated for years. There is no scientific proof that they are harmful.
What are the benefits of using organic sunscreen?
The organic sunscreens are usually less irritating.
Does organic sunscreen prevent skin cancer and sun damage as effectively as regular?
Yes, when used properly.
What is the potential downside of using organic? Is there one?
It’s more expensive than regular sunscreen, therefore people might skimp on the amount they are using, which could lead to a lower SPF than what is on the bottle.
What ingredients (good and bad) should we be looking out for in organic sunscreen?
Pure mineral zinc oxide is best.
For someone transitioning to natural sunscreen, what is your advice?
If you have sensitive skin, even so-called “natural” sunscreens may irritate it, therefore you should start slowly.
Aside from sunscreen, what other measures should people be taking to protect themselves from the sun?
As the weather gets warmer, I would recommend transitioning to a foaming or glycolic cleanser in the summer to keep the pores clean, an antioxidant serum in the morning before SPF and at night, a glycolic or retinol to keep skin turning over. These ingredients will make skin a little more sun sensitive, so use an SPF of at least 30 and wear a hat.
There. Now you can all get back to figuring out whose rooftop/backyard/stoop/front porch you’ll be hanging out on tonight.
Do any of you have any good organic/all-natural/chemical free sunscreen goodness tips to share?
DON’T FORGET THE SHADES:
My latest sunglass obsession are these tortoise/pink cat eyes from Kate Spade. I think they look terribly chic! These catty IT girls definitely pull off the look very well.
Ginette Sunglasses – Kate SpadeKate MossThe girl King
It’s been many years since the fashionable boutique on 4th moved to new headquarters in Kerrisdale. Happy to have them back in the Kits neighbourhood! Fab was one of the first little shops to bring designer jeans from L.A. and New York to Vancouver and what’s so funny as it so happens, is that when I surprisingly stumbled upon the store once again I was wearing a pair I had bought from them that I hadn’t worn in years. By coincidence I just pulled them out of the bottom of my drawer and said “hey, it’s been a while…let’s see if we can still get it on.” What’s even better is that they still fit and look as good as new. I realize that the items I did buy from them then, I still have and they did not go out of style.
I have my eye on the white t-shirt dress.
What’s new at FAB: some things are better tried on. I can now spot something that doesn’t quite go WOW on the hanger and know it will look great on and become a staple. Bonus – this time everything is under $100. They still sell jeans just not with the high price tag.
FAB Clothing
Ella (in stripes) and Andrea (in cobalt blue) will be happy to help you out.
2151 West 4th Ave. (between Arbutus & Yew)
Welcome back – we missed you!
They have some fun retro styles perfect for summer, lots of hats, accessories and even some choice nail polish colours by “Butter London.”
I rode my bike over to the Vancouver Folk Festival yesterday at Jericho beach.
SOULSTONES
The music sounded great and I always love wandering around to see what the local vendors are selling. Among the usual woven hanging baskets, blankets, sarongs, tie-dyes and pipes there are a few fresh surprises.
A necklace caught my eye because instead of the clear pink semi-precious stones (slightly squared off) being incorporated into a silver chain it was done with gold. Simple,casual, elegant. Margot, the friendly designer behind “Soulstones” told me the meaning behind the Rose Quartz stone I’m attracted to, and I like it even more now:
Self-love
Protection
Peace, happiness, gentleness
Healing lore: for emotional wounds & the heart (I need this stone).
There are several more suggestions but the above is what appeals to me.
Camille from “Dark Anachronisms” (in the striped shorts) makes vintage-inspired hats and hair/hat accessories. I especially like the flower crowns, not so much for wearing alone on my head (it’s a really young look) but for decorating a hat in place of a scarf. Very pretty and well detailed. You can picture an image of bridesmaids and angelic looking flower girls wearing them.
Wine & Dine – squinting in the Sunshine with my good friend Rosa who I met taking tango lessons about 12 years ago.
It has become a yearly tradition. A birthday celebration and rendezvous between two friends at the same place with a great ambience and view. I’m talking Sandbar rooftop, Granville Island. We talk about everything over a bottle of wine and discuss what has changed in the year since we’ve last been here. What were we talking about last time oh, I see…the same thing. What has changed? What have we learned? Where do we go from here? How can we improve on perfection. Of course I can’t give you all the details but there’s always lots of laughs.
Photo: Vancouver Sun
Honjin Sushidinner (regarded as having the best sushi in Vancouver – definitely one of the top places) in tatami room with adventurous visitors I met in Palm Springs who make their home in Philadelphia but travel all the time. Nice to meet up again.
Last night dinner at Cardero’s with seven other fun women before Theatre Under the Sky Stars (there were no stars in the sky last night) at Stanley Park to watch the hilarious musical Hairspray (not to be confused with “Hair” or “Shampoo”) – I loved John Travolta in the film version. The play was very entertaining with a talented cast who could really belt it out.
I speak for all women. Tank: Bear Dance Clothing (L.A.)Sometimes I want to be invisible…but it’s nice that it matches my beach bag. Coco’s Closet
And of course these two characters continue to engage me:
They look guilty. I surprised them.Waiting patiently outside Market Meats
“We’ve been sooo good so far today maybe she’ll forget about the snapping at that dog and person yesterday. What do you think she’s buying for us this time?”
You ain’t seen nothin until you WATCH THIS (1 minute video) and you will know why these dogs are SO SPECIAL:
Life is too short not to have some fun. Enjoy your weekend.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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