Image Map

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

Mango Coconut Pancakes (gluten and refined sugar free)


HAPPY PANCAKE DAYYY!!!

This year I wanted to treat my pups too so after heavy research I created these dog AND people friendly delicious mango and coconut pancakes. Everyone was very happy in this house this morning!

Makes 5 thick pancakes 

Ingredients:

1 cup gluten free rice flour

1/2 cup gluten free oats

2tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 egg

1 cup skim milk

2 tsp honey 

2 tsp olive or vegetable oil + more for cooking

1 mango, thinly sliced without skin

Toasted coconut shavings or desiccated coconut for topping

Pure maple syrup 


1.) In a bowl, mix the first four dry ingredients. In a separate bowl lightly beat the egg then stir in the milk, honey and oil. Gently fold the egg mixture into the dry ingredients till just combined. (Do not over mix) Transfer to a pouring measuring cup. 

2.) Grease and heat a large skillet over medium. Pour about 1/3 of the batter per pancake onto the hot skillet. Place mango slivers on top of each pancake and wait for small bubbles to appear around the edges before flipping. 

3.) Allow the mango side to cook for a couple minutes then flip once more to check for doneness and transfer to a serving plate. Top with maple syrup and coconut then serve! 

* For dogs give half a cooled pancake to smaller dogs and full one to larger dogs. Add only a light drizzle of maple syrup and small amount of coconut. 


Thursday, February 8, 2018

My 5 Tips and Tricks for Spring Cleaning Success


It’s that time of year again SPRING CLEANING TIME....well not technically spring but I like to be one step ahead of the game and the beginning of the year is a perfect time to get organized and de-cluttered because it’s the one time of the year that everyone has their “super motivation” panties on and you’ll have a clearer idea of what you really want to achieve and get rid of. It’s time to get our zen on!
Rule #1 START SMALL. Don’t wreck yourself by trying to do your entire abode in a single day. I know when I tried to do that once I ended up half assing most of it and really regretting the quick build up soon after. The best thing to do in my opinion is start with the little niggling things like junk drawers, medicine cabinet and desk drawers. I actually have 5, count em junk drawers in my house. Well I say junk drawers but they are filled with some useful things in accordance to the room they’re in (eg. rubber bands, pens and sticky notes in the kitchen, hair accessories, creams and ointments in the bathroom...etc) Anyway, it took me a good 2 hours to finish all of them. I was left scratching my head afterward when I was hauling away a full black trash bag. I guess you should never underestimate just how much stuff those drawers can hold!

#2 SET ASIDE A FULL DAY FOR CLOSETS....you’re going to need it. Closets are basically the Hoover Dams of junk storage. Get a big box to fill with donatables and a big black trash bag for garbage and broken junk. Be determined to get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year (in some cases few years). This can also be a good time to install shelving or a book case if you haven’t already. This will give you more room for organization and order.
#3 TACKLE THAT KITCHEN. As a cook, nothing stresses me out more than when I can’t get to an ingredient easily due to over stuffed, messy cabinets. We’re all guilty of it. A funny memory from my childhood was helping my grandmother clean out her pantry and finding a box of cereal from 1987....it was 1996. Everything needs to go through the keep it or toss it process, even spices. Free up some room for fresher (probably healthier) ingredients. It’ll also inspire you to cook more when everything is in its right place, ready for use.

#4 CONSIDER A LIGHT REDECORATING. Tired of looking at that same old dusty vase and fake flowers you set up 5 years ago? How about that cheesy print you bought at TK MAX? Or that IKEA side table that’s on the verge of collapse if you set one more thing on it? Don’t forget to treat yourself to some refreshed surroundings. It doesn’t have to be an extreme home makeover, just choose a handful of things to change out and keep it within your budget. You can find amazing new inexpensive decorations by checking the online SALE sections of home decor shops or hit up the next flea market nearby. Most vintage things were made with much better quality than new things AND you will most likely find that “one of a kind” centrepiece that’ll be the envy of visitors.
#5 FINISHING TOUCHES. Once everything is done and dusted, do a walk through and make note of all the little bangs and scratches around the house. By this I mean things like a stuck drawer, creaking door, crack in the paint, peeling wallpaper, wobbly desk or burned out light bulb. It might seem like a pain in the ass but these are the little things that disrupt the good energy flow within your household. Once all fixed up you’ll notice a definite calm and tranquility and let’s be honest, it won’t take that much time to take care of these little annoyances.
Happy cleaning!