Oh man; it’s hard to believe that Prince is dead. A trailblazing talent with such avant-garde style, he was almost impossible to categorize. Prince will continue to live on through his feel-good music. Love his music!
In the opening lines of his Billboard Top 10 1984 single “I Would Die 4 U” he sang:
“I’m not a woman, I’m not a man, I am something that you’ll never understand”
Dearly beloved
We are gathered here today
To get through this thing called “life”
Electric word, life
It means forever and that’s a mighty long time
But I’m here to tell you
There’s something else,
The afterworld
A world of never ending happiness
You can always see the sun, day or night
So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills
You know the one, Dr. Everything’ll-Be-Alright
Instead of asking him how much of your time is left
Ask him how much of your mind, baby
Cause in this life
Things are much harder than in the afterworld
In this life,
You’re on your own
And if the elevator tries to bring you down
Go crazy (Punch a higher floor!)
Woo!
If you don’t like
The world you’re living in Take a look around
At least you got friends
Are we gonna let the elevator bring us down?
Oh, no lets go!
Let’s go crazy Let’s get nuts
Let’s look for the purple banana
Until they put us in the truck, let’s go!
We’re all excited
But we don’t know why
Maybe it’s cause
We’re all gonna die
And when we do (When we do)
What’s it all for (What’s it all for) You better live now
Before the grim reaper come knocking on your door
Tell me, are we gonna let the elevator bring us down?
Oh, no let’s go!
Let’s go crazy!
(shortened – lyrics by Prince & taken from the album Purple Rain)
RIP
On another note……it’s EARTHDAY Today
Let’s each do our part to make the world we’re living in a BETTER PLACE!
I have a great idea for your leftover risotto….and don’t ever tell me you never have leftovers!
Risotto Cakes from “Verve” in Vancouver
I make risotto from time to time and there’s always more left over for another meal. It’s so rich on its own so it’s nice to have an alternative for it, otherwise it can get boring.
I had the pleasure of visiting a new place called Verve (previously Central on Denman in West End, Vancouver). I was looking for a place to listen to jazz and grab a decent bite to eat and luckily this place did not disappoint.
Verve chef Peter Chun sent a few plates over our way when I ended up there with a friend one evening. Everything was good but the standout share plate were the risotto cakes. Granted we didn’t try every single thing on the menu but hey…what a clever way to use leftover risotto. I don’t have his recipe but I found one that you can use and bend to your own liking since I know whoever is reading this is a creative type person who loves trying different things.
Here it is:
Ingredients
3 cups leftover risotto (roasted garlic, mushroom, etc.)
2 large eggs
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup canola oil
Directions
In a large bowl add the leftover risotto, eggs, corn, bread crumbs, and Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix to combine well. Form into 12 balls about the size of a walnut, then flatten into patties and arrange on a baking sheet.
Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the patties and cook until they are golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the patties from the oil to a baking sheet lined with a brown bag or paper towels to drain the excess oil. Transfer to a serving tray and serve hot.
Okay; super relatively short post. I haven’t abandoned my health posts entirely it’s just that I must feel excited, a little curious or at least inspired to post anything since that is the whole point of this blog. I think we’re being inundated with too much info.
There’s information overload and tons of stuff on health food store shelves so in a nutshell (speaking of nuts, nuts are good for you) what supplements are good to take for:
Heart Health: omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, niacin Increased Energy: vitamin B12, acetyl glutathione, ginseng Improve Skin: probiotics, idebenone, black currant oil Strengthen hair and nails: biotin, iron, vitamin C Toning and helping muscles: calcium, magnesium, B vitamins Weight loss: alpha lipoic acid, chromium picolinate, green tea extract Sleeping better: cQ10, magnesium, melatonin, L-tryptophan Bone strength: manganese, vitamin D3, curcurmin Anti-aging: selenium, Imedeen Prime Renewal, glucosamine, DHEA
So there you have it. Seems that supplements can really be great, but super important to work with your doctor on that, instead of just following trends!People jump on the bandwagon for the next miracle cure. Not everything is created equal but at least we have many options which is a good thing.
Oh one more thing…..
My Morning Routine: drinking warm water with lemon has racked up serious buzz in recent years—celebrities from Naomi Campbell to Gwyneth Paltrow are doing it, which is good enough reason for us all (but I swear that is not what started me on this – it was on account of having organic lemon trees on a property rented a year ago and I’ve been doing it ever since). Sipping on this combois said to help balance your body’s pH levels, wake up your digestive tract and liver, and detox the body. While the claims it helps aid weight loss are dicey, at the very least it can serve as a healthy alternative to a sugary morning latte. I add cayenne, a little honey and sip it through a straw because I’m told the lemon can erode tooth enamel over time.
Some random charming & delightful shots while out and about walking the dogs
Heron and some quacks
Fond memories of Hy’s Mansion in West End, Vancouver. I used to love going for dinner here with my mom and her sister when they visited me when I first moved to Vancouver from Montreal. It was a special time and place. The grounds are beautiful.
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are?
“When you think things are bad,
when you feel sour and blue,
when you start to get mad…
you should do what I do!
Just tell yourself, Duckie,
you’re really quite lucky!
Some people are much more…
oh, ever so much more…
oh, muchly much-much more
unlucky than you!” – Dr. Seuss
Photographed by Patrick Demarchelier, Vogue, November 2014
While red is the flower of love I prefer a bouquet of white roses. And I’m the girl who couldn’t resist the crushed rose de rose petal blush from by Terry sold exclusively at Barneys. It’s divine.
Why mess with a sure thing?
All things Rose. The seductive, beautiful aroma of Rose, considered the Queen of Oils, has been used for beautification purposes since the beginning of time.
The usage of rosewater dates back to early Egypt, when Cleopatra (yes, that Cleopatra) used the natural product in her skincare regime. Why not follow in the footsteps of the world’s most legendary beauty queen? And the girl who would be King!
Not to mention it has found a place in almost every Indian household. The girls who do my brows are Indian and when they finish threading they massage a tiny amount of rose gel from Bombay on my browbone to help soothe the area. The scent is so heavenly I ended up buying a jar from them.
Pure rose oil is an ingredient in my Divine Oil from *Skin so Divine. Also I use rose water in the Divine Facial Mist.
Pure rose water is the distilled water of roses. When purchasing rose water buy only the 100 percent pure form. Often what is available in pharmacies and even some natural food stores is synthetic rose oil and water with preservatives added.
Rose has one of the most lasting effects on the body compared to most other essential oils. The frequency of rose essential oil is over 300hertz. This is due to the enormous amount of roses it takes to make Rose essential oil. Imagine the positive energetic frequency of that plant power when used on the skin? Its simply amazing. There is no substitute for rose in aromatherapy, its divine therapeutic benefits are unsurpassed.
This From Vogue Magazine:
Bottles of the old-school elixir have pride of place on many a makeup table—Romy Soleimani’s included. “I’m half-Persian, so I grew up with rosewater. My aunts drink it; they put it on their face,” explains the makeup artist, who stocks Jurlique’s rose mist in her kit. On set and in the real world, rosewater does double duty, Soleimani explains: “You can use it as a hydrating toner, or spray it afterwards to reawaken your foundation, pressing it in with a sponge.” As for the reaction from those in her chair, basking in the garden-scented cloud? “It’s usually ‘Ahhh!’” she says with a laugh.
That sense of universal calm is fueling a growing passion for rosewater. Elsewhere in the beauty world, it’s turning up everywhere from bold-face skin care (Le Weekend de Chanel) to small-batch start-ups . Of course, hydration doesn’t stop at the skin. New York–based Juice Press recently released its bottled Water + Rose, tinged with the venerable Bulgarian rose, and Juice Served Here, in Los Angeles, launched a smartly packaged version in February, touted for its anti-inflammatory and calming effects. JSH just wrapped a six-week partnership with the water-filter company Soma, in which a portion of the Rose Water proceeds benefitted clean-water projects in Flint, Michigan; a new charitable collaboration is on deck. What’s not to love?
Rose Water Beauty Tips:
Use rose water to prevent or reduce eye puffiness.
Just place a bottle of rose water into the fridge for half an hour and then, apply some of it on a cotton pad and gently place it on your eyes. It will help sooth the tender skin around your eyes and prevent or reduce eye puffiness.
Freshen your face throughout the day by spraying rose water mist on your skin.
Especially, in the summer time, rose water can become your faithful friend, caring for your skin like nothing else; just spray rose water mist on your face (or you can also apply it using a cotton pad), it will instantly freshen your skin, naturally hydrate and nourish it, adding a wonderful radiance and glow.
Add 2 cups of rose water into your bath for a divine and unforgettable experience. Rose water will soften and add freshness to your skin, and add a beautiful scent.
Acclaimed former interior and graphic designer Eileen Fisher launched her self-named collection in 1984 making her mark withclean lines, simple shapes, and a timeless, functional style.And she designs clothes with a conscious.What does that mean?
Just as farm-to-table is changing the way we think about our food and where it comes from, farm-to-closet will change the way we think about clothing. Because clothes are an agricultural act. An odd way to think about garments maybe, but true when they’re made of natural fibers.
I love wearing my Eileen Fisher silk shells but this season her key ingredient is organic linen. The company uses flax grown by farmers who rely on age-old practices and modern insights to control weeds and pests naturally. It’s harder than spraying a field with synthetic chemicals, but worth the effort.
By supporting organic farming, you’re helping to protect the soil that sustains what we eat – and what we wear. So you can feel even better about what you’re wearing.
A great meal is only as good as its ingredients, and a great look is only as good as the materials it’s made from.
A few favourites taken from the website:
Organic Linen Long Tunic – USD 228.00
Eileen Fisher tunic in lightweight, breathable handkerchief linen.
Available in your choice of color.
Ballet neckline.
Long, dropped sleeves.
Loose fit.
High-low hem hits mid-thigh.
Pullover style.
Organic linen; machine wash.
Imported of Italian material.
Long Organic Linen Jacket USD 248.00
Eileen Fisher organic handkerchief linen jacket—available in your choice of color.
Mini mandarin collar; button front.
Their vision: for an industry where human rights and sustainability are not the effect of a particular initiative, but the cause of a business well run. Where social and environmental injustices are not unfortunate outcomes, but reasons to do things differently.
Okay, technically avocados are a fruitbut most people treat them more like a veggie which is unfair considering how versatile they are.
I just ate avocados from Mexico for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Granted as much as I love avocados, that doesn’t usually happen. It’s just that on Sunday I spend part of the afternoon at the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver for the second Avo Showdown Event with chefs who prepared amazingly creative dishes using avocados from Mexico. It inspired me to incorporate avocados into more dishes. You should have seen what these chefs came up with and how delicious everything tasted with 10 savoury concoctions and 7 desserts. Avocado toast is so 2015!
It was difficult for the judges to decide on a first place winner (the winning prize was a trip for two to Club Med Cancun) but the Cannoli where the pastry chef substituted avocado in place of ricotta cheese was the outstanding #1 winner.
Justin Darnes from Drinks Undressed demonstrated a unique cocktail using smoked avocado and banana infused Cachaca (sugarcane liquour) and passion fruit. He garnished it with cinnamon dusted banana & avocado coins. Divine! Chef Jonathan Kinney from the academy demonstrated an elegant layered parfait with granola, yogurt and fresh fruit in a wineglass (or sundae dish) topped with sliced avocado and toasted coconut. Simple but amazing. And that’s the thing – it is so simple!
Since I am not in favour of wasting food I try to combine leftovers in my fridge into some kind of edible substance, and I like being creative so…..
I did not enter but I think my original Avocado/Tofu Ceviche recipe is a winner. Next year!
Breakfast:
I make my own homemade granola so using what was in my fridge I just layered it into a margarita glass with yogurt, sliced mango, blackberries and sliced (a little riper than I like) Mexican avocados. It worked together extremely well and tasted great.
Lunch:
Tuna Avocado Salad on Hearts of RomaineFor the dressing I mixed a small amount of mayo and ripe avocados – creamy and perfect! A healthy alternative to mayonnaise. Chopped cucumber, green onion, cilantro & red pepper were mixed in the bowl along with the albacore tuna and avocado chunks. Hearts of Romaine are a healthy alternative to bread.
Dinner:
MexiGreek Salad for starters – a chopped salad of not overly-ripe Mexican avocados, sweet onion, grape tomatoes, cilantro, cucumber and feta cheese (black olives; optional). Dressing: lemon olive oil, S+P.
My skin is already looking so much better. Now I’m not sure if it’s on account of the La Mer Concentrate I’ve been using combined with my own skincare, or the avocados. or all of the above.
The Winners
Do you have an original simple recipe using Mexican avocados that you’d like to share?
It’s very seldom that I spend a ton of money on a single skincare/makeup product. It’s not that I haven’t done it before but I’m simplifying so many areas of my life right now and skincare is amongst them. Add to that the fact that I make my own natural products.
In the exceedingly competitive beauty market it all comes down to what works for you and what you can afford to spend. If money is not an issue and you believe an expensive product will work better then by all means go for it. Sometimes the simpler the better but I won’t knock anything before trying it. And contrary to the naysayers, some of the more pricey products are superior and seem to work more effectively.
I’ve received various products to test out and blog about and even though I’m under no obligation to do so, I like to share my favourites. Which brings me to the most recent one from La Mer. It’s called The Concentrate or; the Miracle Worker (after all it has a trademarked miracle broth secret ingredient). I’ve been using it for only two weeks and it seems to have smoothed out a rough patch on an area of my face created by an allergy to something. I love the soothing texture and how evenly it spreads and helps hydrate.
Here’s the thing. In the short time span I’ve been using it, it appears to be a first-rate product but I would look around before I shell out several hundred dollars for a tiny bottle. Can I pay $320 for 1 oz of this so-called miracle product? The answer is yes. Do I want to? The answer is no. Will I? It’s possible only if it works. The high prices on many skincare and makeup products are beginning to put me off. I’m questioning where to draw the line on spending. Do you feel the same way?
Here is what the company has to say:
THE CONCENTRATE
A saviour of skin, the Concentrate complements skin’s natural healing process with the restorative power of the sea. Designed to soothe visible irritation and redness caused by cosmetic procedures such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments, it is infused with a dose of highly concentrated Miracle Broth™, the heart of La Mer’s profound powers of transformation. Irritation appears soothed and dry, fragile skin made strong for a radiant renewal.
Thoroughly massage onto affected area at least twice per day. For optimal results, follow with your *Crème de la Mer moisturizer. *another several hundred dollars.
Your thoughts on the cost of beauty and where do we draw the line?
“Wide brimmed and narrow, some tall, some not, some fancy, some colorful, some plaid, some plain. She doted on changing hats at every opportunity. When she met the Prince, she was wearing one hat, when he asked her for a stroll, she excused herself, shortly to return wearing another, equally flattering.” – William Goldman, The Princess Bride (loved that movie).Hats are radical; only people that wear hats understand that. Philip Treacy (Irish milliner/designer based in London).
“Take off your hat,” the Girl King said to the Mad Hatter.
“It isn’t mine,” said the Hatter.
“Stolen!” the King exclaimed, turning to the jury, who instantly made a memorandum of the fact.
“I keep them to sell,” the Hatter added as an explanation; “I’ve none of my own. I’m a hatter.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking-Glass The Wide Brimmed Stetson, a Personal Style Favourite (last 4 photos)
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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