tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27360958512767549432024-03-05T15:33:33.470-08:00The Rumpus RoomThe artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-6218119559593976242012-12-20T12:12:00.001-08:002012-12-20T12:12:04.708-08:00Christmas Breakfast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaEBp4k0158/UNNwZX1CGZI/AAAAAAAAAH4/cUS0ncQUcqA/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FaEBp4k0158/UNNwZX1CGZI/AAAAAAAAAH4/cUS0ncQUcqA/s320/12+-+1" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Today I woke to a land of white. To some of you, this may not seem like a big deal but where I'm from, this is a MIRACLE! There was seriously a blizzard outside all morning! I was overjoyed but I knew I had limited time to enjoy the snow since it would probably start raining by noon. First I took my dog for a walk in the snow, then I went for a walk and took some pretty pictures of the snow. Once I got home, it was time for breakfast. This breakfast had to be special and christmasy to match the snow. So I decided on cranberry-orange oatmeal. And... IT WAS AWESOME!!! The flavours were so christmasy it just filled me with joy as my mom and I sat eating, looking out at the ever-falling snow. And so, I thought I'd share it with you :) Afterall, christmas is all about sharing and spreading holiday cheer isnt it? </span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwCohT7UzMs/UNNwZWYVsAI/AAAAAAAAAH4/d-KoUx_p_6o/s1600/12+-+2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwCohT7UzMs/UNNwZWYVsAI/AAAAAAAAAH4/d-KoUx_p_6o/s320/12+-+2" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Okie dokie. So this makes two good sized and filling servings.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Ingredients:</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-2 1/4 cups water</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-1/4 tsp salt</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-2/3 cup steel cut or other longer-cooking oats *see note</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-1/4 cup bran flakes</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-1/2 to 1 cup fresh cranberries</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-zest of 1/2 orange</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-2 tbsp coconut</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">-2 tbsp brown sugar</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Bring your water to a boil. Add in everything else and cook according to the oatmeal package instructions. Now just sweeten it more to taste; add milk if thats how you like it; watch some falling snow, or if there is none go eat in front of your Christmas tree and enjoy the holidays. </span></div>
The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-8187100014596329092012-12-19T21:35:00.000-08:002012-12-20T12:07:09.728-08:00Gingerbread cookies!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLGLbDl3zTY/UMq7jLsz56I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/pjXJGQ02mvs/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLGLbDl3zTY/UMq7jLsz56I/AAAAAAAAAGQ/pjXJGQ02mvs/s320/12+-+1" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Christmas cookies... There's something special about Christmas cookies. They aren't simply a cookie. At least not for my family... They're a bite of a season, a season of joy, laughter, happiness, family and friends. Everytime I bite into a gingerbread cookie my mind flashes back to memories of when I was a kid. I remember decorating a homemade gingerbread house when I was little with gum drops, icing, smarties, sprinkles, chocolate buds, all these candies my mom bought for me with the small bit of money she had. I loved it! We spent a whole day icing on roof shingles, sticking on goodies, and making mini stain glass windows out of those cute little orange slice shaped gum drop candies... I refused to eat the house for a good week because I thought it was so precious :P</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Moments and memories like this are what Christmas is all about. The little things that make you happy are the things you remember. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Now back to the gingerbread cookies... I've already made two batches of gingerbread this December and I've now found the perfect recipe which I will share with you guys today. I hope you enjoy them and they bring you Christmas cheer like they do me. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Recipe:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Optional ingredients: </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Butter icing or icing/glaze of your choice</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Mini candies/chocolates (smarties are great for gingerbread men buttons!!)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Sprinkles :)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Mix together:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">3 cups white flour</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1/2 tsp baking powder</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1 tsp baking soda</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">11/2 tsp salt</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">2 tsp ginger</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1 tsp cinnamon</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1/2 tsp nutmeg</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1/2 tsp cloves</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Cream then beat until light and fluffy:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">3/4 cup sugar</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1/2 cup butter</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Beat in:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">3/4 cup molasses</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">1 egg</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Gently stir in the dry ingredients until it sticks together. Have a small bowl of water next to you do you can spritz a bit of water into the mix if its just too dry. Now form it into a ball (it should be moist enough to stick together when compressed gently into a ball). Now put it into either a plastic bag or wrap it in plastic wrap. I thought my dough looked too dry so I sprinkled some water into my back onto the dough. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Let the dough chill for at least two hours so the moisture can absorb and the dough can roll out. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before rolling it so it can warm and soften up.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Now. Take your dough out and break it in half. If it crumbles, you have a problem. If this is the case, wet your hands and gently knead the two pieces of dough, trying to make it moist enough so it will </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); color: #38761d; font-size: large;">stick together gosh darn it!! I know this is annoying and tedious but all this work, care, and gentleness is what makes for perfect soft cookies. Once your dough is cooperating and sticking together, shape it into a ball and put it on a lightly floured table. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZL9dOtVnc/UMq8Cx-QR1I/AAAAAAAAAHA/HG7Xh3lZ2tA/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LKZL9dOtVnc/UMq8Cx-QR1I/AAAAAAAAAHA/HG7Xh3lZ2tA/s320/12+-+1" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Now roll it out to 1/6 to 1/4 inch thickness by rolling from the centre out. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ZLD_FYMTM/UMq8CzF6IRI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Re-WOdaXW1s/s1600/12+-+3" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6ZLD_FYMTM/UMq8CzF6IRI/AAAAAAAAAGw/Re-WOdaXW1s/s320/12+-+3" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Here's the time to take out your trusty cookie cutters. Cut out your cutest, favorite shapes and put them on the cookie sheet. Now take your leftover scraps and mush them together and knead a little bit so it becomes a new ball. All throughout the cookie making process you should be gentle with the dough because the more you mix it, the tougher the dough will get. You should also try to maximize the number of cookies you can squeeze into each roll, again, so they don't get tough. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Throw your cookies in the oven, trying to bake ones of the same relative side at the same time so some don't get cooked more than others. Bake them for 4-10 minutes. This depends a lot on your oven, cookie thickness, and size. You really just have to be careful to check them. Don't worry if you burn some, you'll get the feel of it soon :) </span><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Now you can repeat the process with your new ball of dough until you've cut up all the dough.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Take them out and put them on a rack to cool while you bake the others ones. Once they have cooled you can decorate them however your heart desires. This is totally the best part :D here's some of mine to give you some ideas. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzbY0jnsy48/UMuQffOxqAI/AAAAAAAAAHo/amf-NC-jzSg/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzbY0jnsy48/UMuQffOxqAI/AAAAAAAAAHo/amf-NC-jzSg/s320/12+-+1" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">Hope you are all having a great Christmas!</span></div>
<br />The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-938361732463676202012-12-03T21:35:00.003-08:002012-12-03T21:35:26.305-08:00Day 3: up-cycled sweatersWelcome to the third day of Christmas! :)<br />
<div>
Today I thought I'd share some cool ideas for up-cycling those old and/or oddly shaped sweaters that don't fit quite right. Am I the only one who has a billion sweaters in really nice patterns that never get worn because something about their shape is just wrong? Anyone else have this problem? Yes? Great, you're all set for this project :) No? Just hit a thrift store! They have tons of awesome (and oddly shaped) sweaters! </div>
<div>
Let's begin!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So there's 3 DIYs I'm going to show here. </div>
<div>
1. Sweater to skirt:</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCMinWyzGsbLnYzwqz05hnDnlfeYjWWyabtviuIh6feZA-rMPFZvPHWULZSjGfb6OhquuLBX6G_MbA_YQDatdFKn6KT9RoRtQIUdHU-Sa9lM4gpG4VinbP_WPppkRRX6MA6gen9MTG8s/s1600/blogger-image-1734344981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCMinWyzGsbLnYzwqz05hnDnlfeYjWWyabtviuIh6feZA-rMPFZvPHWULZSjGfb6OhquuLBX6G_MbA_YQDatdFKn6KT9RoRtQIUdHU-Sa9lM4gpG4VinbP_WPppkRRX6MA6gen9MTG8s/s320/blogger-image-1734344981.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
How awesome does this skirt look? It's so cozy for winter when you're just dying to wear a skirt but the weather is not all permitting. Just pair it up with some thick, warm tights, some boots, a sweater, a toque and you're all set. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Sweater to cowl:</div>
<div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-typWqYtgL_s/ULzm-nxwCUI/AAAAAAAAAFs/uY4jOlWSn-M/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-typWqYtgL_s/ULzm-nxwCUI/AAAAAAAAAFs/uY4jOlWSn-M/s320/12+-+1" width="106" /></a></div>
<div>
I saw this on pinterest and it looked so cute I just had to try it. A great idea since scarves are so darn over priced!</div>
<div>
Here's the link to her DIY: <a href="http://cottonandcurls.blogspot.com.br/2012/11/diy-infinity-or-circle-scarf-tutorial.html?m=1" target="_blank">http://cottonandcurls.blogspot.com.br/2012/11/diy-infinity-or-circle-scarf-tutorial.html?m=1</a>y</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3. Sweater to bag:</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/c/74/c749dc0177d56aaad8dd238164610154-orig" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cache.wists.com/thumbnails/c/74/c749dc0177d56aaad8dd238164610154-orig" width="286" /></a></div>
My friend had a purse that looked like winter sweater fabric and I thought "Omg, that would be such a great idea, a sweater purse!" So I googled some images for inspiration and I saw this one. I haven't actually tried it yet but I definitely will soon! Ill post a tutorial when I do :)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hope these give you some inspiration. I guess that's it for now. See you guys tomorrow for day 4! :)</div>
The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-75122595793571797132012-12-02T10:29:00.000-08:002012-12-02T10:29:01.921-08:00Guilt-free Starbucks drinks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLHfoJ5fjH8/ULudKMvh7JI/AAAAAAAAAFM/r2vEmwpUygg/s1600/12+-+1" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aLHfoJ5fjH8/ULudKMvh7JI/AAAAAAAAAFM/r2vEmwpUygg/s320/12+-+1" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Winter is actually one of my favorite seasons. Mostly because of Christmas... But what also makes me love it is the cold weather. It makes you so much more appreciative of when you're warm. I don't know about you but I bus and walk a lot and there's nothing like clasping a warm cup of yumminess in your hands as you stand waiting in the bitter cold. I'm sure everyone knows what I mean. This is why Starbucks is just so great. It warms you up inside and out. I also love how you can customize your drinks and have control over the calorie content in them. I never used to get Starbucks because I thought everything was too fattening but with careful customization (and sometimes a tad of awkwardness when your drink directions are so long...) they are quite within weight loss range. For these reasons, I have chosen to create a list of awesome guilt-free Starbucks drinks you would never have thought up.<br />
<br />
The key things to making your drinks guilt-free is nonfat milk; no whip; and when possible, sugar free syrups. However, another way to cut calories (and $$) and not taste is switching from latte to cafe misto. Its pretty much the same thing except instead of a whole lot of milk and a little espresso, you get half brewed coffee and half steamed milk. Don't bother with those ready to go expensive gingerbread lattes (that aren't actually very good... Ill give you a better recipe to make at home that is to DIE for!) or those caramel brullee lattes that are 400 calories each... Try one of these :)<br />
<br />
1. Carmel-toffee "latte": <br />
My new all time favorite creation. It is SO GOOD!!<br />
It has only 110 calories in a grande, but if you're opposed to ordering sugar free syrups you can also enjoy it at 150<br />
<br />
here are your drink's components:<br />
-grande cafe misto<br />
-nonfat milk<br />
-2-3 pumps of sugar-free caramel syrup<br />
-2 pumps toffee nut syrup<br />
<br />
Here's how to order it: <br />
"Hi there, could I get a grande nonfat cafe misto (here you should pause a second to let them get that down before your syrup shpeel) with 2 pumps of sugar free caramel syrup and 2 pumps of toffee nut syrup?"<br />
<br />
Yes... I know... It's long and somewhat embarrassing to say but you'll get used to it and it is well worth the effort. <br />
<br />
2. Hazelnut and caramel caffe misto:<br />
for grande:<br />
-nonfat caffe misto<br />
-2 pumps each sugar free caramel and sugar free hazelnut<br />
<br />
3. Peppermint-nut misto:<br />
A little like a peppermint mocha but... Not...? Its great for if you don't really like the Starbucks mochas (like me). <br />
110 calories in a grande<br />
-nonfat cafe misto <br />
-2 pumps each sugar-free hazelnut and peppermint syrup<br />
<br />
4. Guilt-free cinnamon gingerbread "latte": a twist on the gingerbread latte that adds seasonal yum!<br />
70 calories in a grande, if they don't have the sugar free gingerbread then it would be 110. <br />
-nonfat cafe misto<br />
-2 pumps each sugar free gingerbread and sugar free cinnamon dolce syrup<br />
<br />
5. Faux caramel brûlée latte:<br />
110 calories to a grande ( see a trend? ;P). I designed this purely to imitate a caramel brûlée latte but with less calories as the real thing has at least 300 even with skim milk and no whip. <br />
-nonfat cafe misto<br />
-2 pumps each sugar free caramel syrup and caramel brûlée sauce<br />
<br />
For those of you who like the mochas... Try a skinny mocha with your favorite syrups, preferably sugar free ones. Just remember that a plain skinny mocha packs 140 calories per grande and non sugar free syrups have 20-40 calories a pump. <br />
<br />
Here's some ideas, though I haven't tried them. <br />
<br />
-toffee nut (20 cals a pump) and sugar-free caramel mocha<br />
-Nutella mocha: with sugar-free hazelnut syrup and a pump or two of toffee nut... I'm gonna try this actually ;P<br />
<br />
Well, I hope you guys try some of these, I promise they won't disappoint (especially the caramel-toffee "latte"!!). Have a warm and cozy Christmas!!The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-60267248100671771332012-12-01T18:28:00.000-08:002012-12-03T21:42:24.805-08:00Day 1: Bucket List and Xmas Songs<div>
Hey there. Welcome to the first day of Christmas!<br />
<br />
Christmas is just great; there's so many different things to do during the season. Everyone has their own family traditions, things they like to do... My family is really one for Christmas baking. But sometimes I find it hard to think of things to do besides bake gingerbread cookies; this poses a problem because cookies, fudge, muffins, chocolates, all these are not exactly good for your body... In moderation yeah sure! It's great to indulge :) But anyways, sometimes we happen upon a loss of ideas for what to do during Christmas. For this reason I thought I'd start the 12 days of Christmas with... A Christmas Bucket List! Yay! Hopefully it will give everyone some ideas for what to do this December :)</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://superman5775.tripod.com/peanut5775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://superman5775.tripod.com/peanut5775.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Christmas bucket list:</div>
<div>
1. Go skating. </div>
<div>
2. Go tobogganing/tubing. </div>
<div>
3. Visit somewhere snowy</div>
<div>
4. Go to a Christmas lights display (something like <a href="http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2011/11/30/bright-nights-in-stanley-park-2011-a-magical-ride-through-a-holiday-wonderland/" target="_blank">this</a>)</div>
<div>
5. Drink hot chocolate</div>
<div>
6. Make a gingerbread house</div>
<div>
7. Bake Christmas cookies</div>
<div>
8. Look at lights</div>
<div>
9. Make a wreath</div>
<div>
10. Go see Santa</div>
<div>
11. Collect for a food bank</div>
<div>
12. Give out Christmas packs to homeless (consisting of cookies, other food, toothbrush, toothpaste, dollar store scarf/hat/gloves etc)</div>
<div>
13. Make a snowman</div>
<div>
14. Watch a Christmas movie</div>
<div>
15. Knit/crochet a hat</div>
<div>
16. Read a children's Christmas picture book</div>
<div>
17. Make paper snowflakes</div>
<div>
19. Clove oranges</div>
<div>
20. Pick out a Christmas tree</div>
<div>
21. Listen to Christmas music!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/exps20072_CC1049408D1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TOH/Images/Photos/37/exps20072_CC1049408D1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Speaking of Christmas music... How about a master Christmas music list? Yes? Going once! Going twice! Sold! Okay here ye'are ;)<br />
<br />
1. The Christmas song-Stevie Wonder</div>
<div>
2. Happy Christmas-John Lennon </div>
<div>
3. White Christmas </div>
<div>
4. Rocking around the Christmas tree</div>
<div>
5. Santa baby-Madonna</div>
<div>
6. All I want for Christmas is you-Mariah Carey</div>
<div>
7. Christmas in New Orleans-Louis Armstrong </div>
<div>
8. Suzy snowflake-Rosemary Clooney</div>
<div>
9. The Christmas alphabet-Dickie Valentine</div>
<div>
10. The night before Christmas </div>
<div>
11. All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth</div>
<div>
12. Santa Bring my baby back to me-Elvis Presley </div>
<div>
13. Winter wonderland-Dean Martin</div>
<div>
14. The 12 days of Christmas-Bing Crosby</div>
<div>
15. One little Christmas tree-Stevie Wonder</div>
<div>
16. Mistletoe and Holly-Frank Sinatra </div>
<div>
17. Christmas cards-Petula Clark</div>
<div>
18. The chipmunk song</div>
<div>
19. Blue Christmas-Elvis Presley</div>
<div>
20. Christmas time-Bryan Adams</div>
<div>
21. Frosty the Snow man</div>
<div>
22. It's the most wonderful time f the year-Johnny Mathis</div>
<div>
23. Have yourself a merry little Christmas</div>
<div>
24. Jingle bell rock</div>
<div>
25. It's the greatest time of year-Aly and AJ</div>
<div>
26. Snoopy vs. the red baron</div>
<div>
27. Merry christmas polka-The Andrews sisters </div>
<div>
28. Please come home for Christmas-Aaron </div>
<div>
29. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas</div>
<div>
30. Silver bells</div>
<div>
31. Santa Clause got stuck in my chimney</div>
<div>
32. Silent Night: Elvis Presley</div>
<div>
33. Oh holy night</div>
<div>
34. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer</div>
<div>
35. Feliz navidad</div>
<div>
36. Santa Claus is back in town- Elvis Presley </div>
<div>
37. "Zat you Santa Claus?"-Louis armstrong </div>
<div>
38. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas </div>
<div>
39. oh come all ye faithful</div>
<div>
40. Hark the herald angels sing</div>
<div>
41. Deck the halls</div>
<div>
42. I saw three ships come sailing in </div>
<div>
43. The holy and the ivy </div>
<div>
44. Away in a manger</div>
<div>
45. Baby it's cold outside</div>
<div>
46. Christmas is here-Donna summer</div>
<div>
47. A Charlie Brown's Christmas (whole album)</div>
<div>
48. Happy Holiday-Bing Crosby</div>
<div>
49. Here come Santa Claus</div>
<div>
50. The little boy that Santa Claus forgot-Arthur Tracy</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Well, I hope you guys have a great December :) hopefully these lists help.</div>
The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-67493195357597712302012-11-20T22:07:00.000-08:002012-11-20T22:07:51.872-08:00DIY sweater skirt<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Recently I've really been getting into the holiday spirit. I try to pretend this is the "wintry" spirit but in all honesty, it's really just that I'm getting over-excited for Christmas. I've also been getting really crafty recently (particularly "wintry" crafts). So when my mom held up this hideous old sweater vest and asked me if I wanted it, I said yes! After my initial reaction of "ew no" that is.</div>
And now, I have a cute knit skirt to wear during the winter (and Christmas!) months :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCMinWyzGsbLnYzwqz05hnDnlfeYjWWyabtviuIh6feZA-rMPFZvPHWULZSjGfb6OhquuLBX6G_MbA_YQDatdFKn6KT9RoRtQIUdHU-Sa9lM4gpG4VinbP_WPppkRRX6MA6gen9MTG8s/s640/blogger-image-1734344981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdCMinWyzGsbLnYzwqz05hnDnlfeYjWWyabtviuIh6feZA-rMPFZvPHWULZSjGfb6OhquuLBX6G_MbA_YQDatdFKn6KT9RoRtQIUdHU-Sa9lM4gpG4VinbP_WPppkRRX6MA6gen9MTG8s/s400/blogger-image-1734344981.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So now I'll share with you my DIY sweater skirt. Don't be judgemental of my very simple and bad sewing skills, I pretty much NEVER sew so this was one of my first real tries.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Materials:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-unwanted sweater/vest</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-sewing machine (well I suppose you could do it by hand...)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-scissors (good scissors or they wont cut the fabric)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-thread in similar colour to you sweater</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
-elastic band that fits your waist snugly and is at least 2" thick</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lets begin!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Okay so first you begin with an unwanted sweater or vest. Here's mine below... As you can see it's not exactly what you'd call trendy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4iLXW-lLIaOa9dnJ-rkKZ0XlhUjZSNe-TDXEKCgJc7t68K4UZjaLqm9zPvltYY441ABIXfa-Dpq-nCX2gSmP4sCS7rRfgp_QT86Q5LiGCsu314CKeP_ox3OyiY5vMgSy-VPG7pqGpTg/s640/blogger-image-386716973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4iLXW-lLIaOa9dnJ-rkKZ0XlhUjZSNe-TDXEKCgJc7t68K4UZjaLqm9zPvltYY441ABIXfa-Dpq-nCX2gSmP4sCS7rRfgp_QT86Q5LiGCsu314CKeP_ox3OyiY5vMgSy-VPG7pqGpTg/s400/blogger-image-386716973.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So then you cut across below the arms or however long you want your skirt to be, allowing about 1" of seam allowance. I was restricted to how long I could make mine because of the arms being pretty low. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once you've done that, sew the top of your skirt to the elastic band using a zig-zag stretch stitch. Make sure the inside of your skirt is what's touching the elastic like below. I had to gather my skirt a little bit to match it to the elastic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb3DzzPYTWqqaLSWMhnbB1pgRatmCtcKXNcRJsUOKdZTuur07svRAj4x0JBlBLwcsX6nDFxWv4ulTHd1g1rNfq-KHCvQbKVhMqC69yRK3C4stYURzQhB7HgA_f6G7oKnyA-mRBnN1MwA/s640/blogger-image--998391209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrb3DzzPYTWqqaLSWMhnbB1pgRatmCtcKXNcRJsUOKdZTuur07svRAj4x0JBlBLwcsX6nDFxWv4ulTHd1g1rNfq-KHCvQbKVhMqC69yRK3C4stYURzQhB7HgA_f6G7oKnyA-mRBnN1MwA/s640/blogger-image--998391209.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now take your skirt and fold the elastic and seam inside so that your top is where you want it to be like this... After you've done that you can sew the skirt to the bottom of the elastic with another seam along the bottom of the elastic. Now your skirt should look like this :) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KlTikIecb11k79Qq_lG5k4ug6EXollGEhIdDCefGt387BQ8ITeWb7oCgXcc7MOO9ypt8anBwkFUeUJ47X6VZofBjYJFRMmYhwzzhZjgxAMwxM1JDP_mLn_lp5qUlAvMuC4wbInvCai8/s640/blogger-image-1361901746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KlTikIecb11k79Qq_lG5k4ug6EXollGEhIdDCefGt387BQ8ITeWb7oCgXcc7MOO9ypt8anBwkFUeUJ47X6VZofBjYJFRMmYhwzzhZjgxAMwxM1JDP_mLn_lp5qUlAvMuC4wbInvCai8/s640/blogger-image-1361901746.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And now you can wear it and be all cozy like this :) Good luck not getting excited for Christmas when you wear your new skirt...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tell me what you guys think :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMF6xrVQliXg_ZWgSIaCmWavpzksb_2zfkfMl1W_ZzYru8-TUqohpO2BeS5SUG-Sfs6FweXgc8dhWObdCSDKyN7BvCk5wj40lZ_xEr0r95yEd0spzz4wekAahxZxhhtPJBqigLAD1i-s/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMF6xrVQliXg_ZWgSIaCmWavpzksb_2zfkfMl1W_ZzYru8-TUqohpO2BeS5SUG-Sfs6FweXgc8dhWObdCSDKyN7BvCk5wj40lZ_xEr0r95yEd0spzz4wekAahxZxhhtPJBqigLAD1i-s/s1600/photo.PNG" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-75545307006858448442012-11-06T07:47:00.001-08:002012-11-06T08:10:49.915-08:00Hard workHi everyone. I've gotten into a writing about what I'm thinking mood. That plus the fact that I found there is a blogger app so I can write things on my phone equals = me blathering on about what has been going through my head. <br />
This morning it's hard work. Mostly related to dance. You see, dancers, but in particular ballet dancers work HARD. Take how much work a scientific PhD student does and then add physical stress and injuries. That is how hard a ballet dancer works, and I don't think most people realize that. Probably because ballet, being an art is meant to look completely effortless and easy. You don't want to see a dancer finish their dance and then sit down on the floor panting and drinking a sip of water between breaths. <br />
Anyways, the point is, with all this hard work it's often very overwhelming. Often you're cursing all the hard work you put in to it and wondering if it's worth it. The past two days however, my mind has... Shifted. I woke up this morning and thought to myself with a smile "I'm working so hard" and "at this rate I'm going to improve so much". I even thought "I cant wait to get to dance today so I can keep working hard". My hard work has become something I'm proud of and excited about. Am I ranting too much? I feel like I'm probably boring you. Oh well, I guess that's the beauty of blogs. If people don't want to read it, they don't and you're none the worse from it. <br />
Well, those of you who have made it through all that, I hope you find pride and eagerness in your hard work like I have. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLWQCExg0fmnCjISzEeEvaIM8Q7mSHqylklw4IEf4rIFmZ9nnOxD1UQTft-K8vDObtkUI0990NwOExOn7iXRxj-xMB6NwQId1BcvWgxJwcPD4D8hbbvVokb0wyzTHpNVXvr9-Vh9StVA/s640/blogger-image-1217957022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLWQCExg0fmnCjISzEeEvaIM8Q7mSHqylklw4IEf4rIFmZ9nnOxD1UQTft-K8vDObtkUI0990NwOExOn7iXRxj-xMB6NwQId1BcvWgxJwcPD4D8hbbvVokb0wyzTHpNVXvr9-Vh9StVA/s640/blogger-image-1217957022.jpg" /></a></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-53359228144623702972012-11-05T22:39:00.001-08:002012-11-05T22:39:29.731-08:00Being healthy...You know, I was thinking as I ate my supper tonight... <br />
<br />
I love eating healthy. It was a weird thought because usually when you're on a diet, you're thinking about all the unhealthy or just undietary things you want. That Starbucks drink, that ever so yummy looking muffin at a cafe, carbs galore in the form of a heaping plate of spaghetti. Sometimes you get obsessed with the things you can't have and you forget about all the tasty and healthful things you do have. <br />
But today as I sat down to eat my chicken breast (which somehow seemed to have shrunk substantially in the oven), steamed veggies and salad; I couldn't help smiling. It's times like these we need to remember more often when we're trying to lose weight. Everything is worth it. <br />
I can't wait to have my breakfast tomorrow of yogurt, chopped mango, pomegranate seeds, strawberries, and granola. Healthy tastes so fresh and leaves you feeling bright and happy for the day ahead. <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-_nAMPrbjKxFSK-StRYvKeIpVBIkVN8GUNVikYq_krK6S7fzelS4TzdB5Ivr9MrnzHM-cEUhVvhnZ3ViwpPWlabvr2RrQ-flRSfNe0cLL37_2CqwfiAbJ1iLiabMw30pQ87O4WNiR6E/s640/blogger-image--1721449387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu-_nAMPrbjKxFSK-StRYvKeIpVBIkVN8GUNVikYq_krK6S7fzelS4TzdB5Ivr9MrnzHM-cEUhVvhnZ3ViwpPWlabvr2RrQ-flRSfNe0cLL37_2CqwfiAbJ1iLiabMw30pQ87O4WNiR6E/s640/blogger-image--1721449387.jpg" /></a></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-26749565776561480012012-11-05T19:16:00.000-08:002012-11-06T09:31:58.158-08:00Halloween Treat :)<br />
<pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">Hey guys I hope you all had a great Halloween :) I wasn't going to trick or treat this year because 1: I'm too old and 2: I'm trying to lose weight. But after everything I ended up taking my mom's friend's daughter out and so, I did end up getting a fair bit of candy and more importantly, chocolate. </span></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://getfitwithles.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/halloweencandy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" src="http://getfitwithles.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/halloweencandy.jpg" /></span></a></div><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">I was so proud of myself though because I only ate 2 1/2 pieces of chocolate that day!! This was a very large accomplishment for me and so far since, I've done good. But I got to thinking... I should do something different with all this chocolate and candy cause I don't really want to just pick at it day by day... That would take a long time. So I froze most of it but some of it I saved and decided to make... Da da da daaa!! Halloween popcorn squares!! Like rice crispie squares but with popcorn :) so here's the recipe I invented and am sharing with you. They are of course meant to be dietary so if that's not a concern for you, feel free to use as much chocolate and candy as you like. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Halloween Popcorn Squares:</span></b></span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">Makes 15 decent sized squares</span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;"></span></pre><pre style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; white-space: normal;"><span style="color: orange;">Ingredients:-1 bag (250 g) of marshmallows minus 6 marshmallows -1 80g bag popcorn-300-400 calories worth of chopped candy and chocolate-1 tbsp butterSpray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray or butter it. Pop popcorn and remove un popped kernels. In medium pot, melt marshmallows and butter on low heat, stirring till smooth. Carefully not to burn! Fold in popcorn and chocolate/candy pieces. Press into greased pan and refrigerate for 15 minutes before cutting into squares.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_1B8z_UYQOllQBOFjMwrUMOCRE75QPpr98BPDN8TB1nj-2Ex5jvX9hH3FR-i_ONkrrTohbykERWIpiZZnLv8HE__rlEAKAqTs8li-2lp8DAcEBnAjPtXbVJbrwkTc1jeFpU_rAiaUSw/s640/blogger-image-1737628356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU_1B8z_UYQOllQBOFjMwrUMOCRE75QPpr98BPDN8TB1nj-2Ex5jvX9hH3FR-i_ONkrrTohbykERWIpiZZnLv8HE__rlEAKAqTs8li-2lp8DAcEBnAjPtXbVJbrwkTc1jeFpU_rAiaUSw/s640/blogger-image-1737628356.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95QyEIvFX3MbSwDr3dN-llKZyVx0RC5QgM0FAUuhy8pvfycqwZLtO4v6HkORcx231S2T-6qFyRSE5Ixb2_CK9XxbjAlljqRp018TfzIGEeUkxo_dWL3A5bfkeClR1PLDec5DZ46gfuNM/s640/blogger-image--881181903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95QyEIvFX3MbSwDr3dN-llKZyVx0RC5QgM0FAUuhy8pvfycqwZLtO4v6HkORcx231S2T-6qFyRSE5Ixb2_CK9XxbjAlljqRp018TfzIGEeUkxo_dWL3A5bfkeClR1PLDec5DZ46gfuNM/s640/blogger-image--881181903.jpg" /></a></div>c<br />
<br />
I made 15 fairly large squares :)Calories per whole batch: 1470Each: 98 </span></pre><br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1_FcNDHMsLRDV53mRfKMsI3ZEeUXKJbKvdD3cpKckrfBeMgbwhE5X8vTFRsx7eAjMXs3PHhRzco4LnA54U7rnSmKG4v9EcijYr99H6otCy2Q71AVYo7N2opwU4vLnGCBCZv3s2NnYUA/s640/blogger-image-213422432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1_FcNDHMsLRDV53mRfKMsI3ZEeUXKJbKvdD3cpKckrfBeMgbwhE5X8vTFRsx7eAjMXs3PHhRzco4LnA54U7rnSmKG4v9EcijYr99H6otCy2Q71AVYo7N2opwU4vLnGCBCZv3s2NnYUA/s640/blogger-image-213422432.jpg" /></a></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-76896656754365390092012-10-14T20:20:00.003-07:002012-10-14T20:20:54.465-07:00Thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FAZCubdKWQ/Ts1UgsLRu3I/AAAAAAAADiE/FMBqKNPKNPo/s1600/poka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #bf9000;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3FAZCubdKWQ/Ts1UgsLRu3I/AAAAAAAADiE/FMBqKNPKNPo/s320/poka.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #bf9000; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> You know, I never think of fall as being a season I like all that much. It's rainy, dreary, boring, cold, lame. But this year, for reasons unknown I got really excited.I think it's actually the lack of usual rainy, grey fall weather home to Vancouver that has sparked my longing for everything fall. I've become particularly obsessed with pumpkin, cinnamon apple, and other fall flavours. I've also adopted a lot of browns, pumpkin/squash oranges, and deep reds into my wardrobe. My most recent excitement however has been over thanksgiving dinner. Aaaaah!! Nothing says fall like a harvest vegetable medley, some squash, potato mashies, turkey, and a big dollop of cranberry sauce! Not to mention the most important aspect of thanksgiving dinner... Pie. Diet friendly pie that is of course! Pumpkin pie. Apple pie. Pear pie. More pumpkin pie! Is there a person in the world who doesn't love pumpkin pie? Probably. But that person is beyond doubt crazy or seriously confused. Especially if we're talking about such a healthy diet friendly pumpkin pie. Here is a picture of my apple pie, pear-cranberry pie, and a few of my pumpkin tartlettes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KQKUwwVjMNdhhtBTmfTbwYaL72UCTY8jkxO1M3gBoyVjeW8WJvkVuj_RFWD40lrQog1fpuozEyN5MuhndmlxolFprfPRb-n4H-TcmkbKHcorka53TScOOOLjgsWhujH2ZTmyfqVzhLs/s1600/430560_4278046742991_673138334_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KQKUwwVjMNdhhtBTmfTbwYaL72UCTY8jkxO1M3gBoyVjeW8WJvkVuj_RFWD40lrQog1fpuozEyN5MuhndmlxolFprfPRb-n4H-TcmkbKHcorka53TScOOOLjgsWhujH2ZTmyfqVzhLs/s320/430560_4278046742991_673138334_n.jpg" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So now I will explain to you my pumpkin pie endeavor. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Step 1: obtain a massive pumpkin. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Honestly, $5 for a 15 ounce can of pumpkin?! No way man! So one day I decide to buy a pumpkin from superstore so I get off the skytrain near the store and I wander this way and that and after wandering in each direction for about 15 minutes I realize... There is no superstore here... I got off at the wrong stop, fancy that. I finally figured out google maps and I get off at a new station which happens to also be the wrong stop so I had to walk 5 looong blocks in my high heeled boots to get there but I did get there in the end. And so with my temper steaming I buy my huge pumpkin and bus home then walk home 7 blocks with a huge pumpkin in my arms. That was sort of awkward not to mention hard on the back but in the end, I ended up with a very satisfying extra large pumpkin sitting in my kitchen. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Step 2: purée the pumpkin. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This, was harder than you would think. First, you must chop the pumpkin which is... Difficult. It involved hacking it open with an axe. I left that to my mom ;) Then, you have to steam/boil it which is fine, not too much trouble there. Next, you need to peel it which is very bothersome and painful if you don't let the pumpkin cool very long. Which of course I didn't. LASTLY you need to purée it and since I only had a very old blender to do that with , it was quite the ordeal. The result however, was 6 cups of leftover pumpkin purée, two large pumpkin pies, and 8 little pumpkin tartlettes which I am very proud of. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Step 3: baking!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is the fun part :) if you're interested, I followed a "hungry girl" </span><a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/884" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;" target="_blank">recipe</a> <span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">:</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hungry-girl.com/sectionimg/2945hgpumpkinpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hungry-girl.com/sectionimg/2945hgpumpkinpie.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It turned out great with the following adjustments: </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Crust: </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-I used 1 1/3 cup fiber 1 cereal and 8 graham crackers</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-I didn't have light whipped buttery spread so I just used 3 tbsp normal butter and it worked well </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Filling:</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-I only put 2/3 can evaporated milk (8ounces)</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-In place of 3/4 cup Splenda I used 1/2 cup Splenda and 1/4 cup brown sugar</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-If you don't have any pumpkin spice use 1/2 tsp each ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ground cloves</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-add 1 tbsp of cornstarch, trust me it makes for a really good texture</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">So there's my new favourite pumpkin pie recipe. It has 130 calories per piece (1/8 of pie), a ton of protein and a ton of fiber! Great for breakfast :D The texture is really nice and dense and you honestly CANNOT tell that the recipe is low cal. I know Americans and other cultures celebrate thanksgiving later so hopefully this will still apply to some ppl but even so, there's always Christmas. </span>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-42504749747725810082012-07-25T17:48:00.000-07:002012-07-25T17:48:29.891-07:00local fresh and tasty!<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hi everyone :) how is everyone today?</span><div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Today was a legendary day, it was the day I got my first real taste of local and fresh produce. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> I finished my 2nd ballet class and I was supposed to have contemporary class but recently I've had a strange lump on my foot that hurts whenever I do much continuous movement; so I decided not to do the class. Now, I've been dying to go to one of my local farmers markets but every time I end up with somewhere else to be. So here I was with lots of extra time and I thought: "I should hit a farmers market!" so I googled my local farmers markets hoping there was one open on Wednesdays and turns out there was! So I went to an ATM, pulled out $20 (this turned out to be very difficult and embarrassing as it was my first time using one of those things and the guy kept having to help me :-/ I'm glad none of you saw me!) and hopped on the bus that took me to the Market. Turned out it didn't open till 3 so I read my book (Real Food, you should read it its really informing and interesting) in the park it was situated at, which just so happens to be filled with drug addicts and homeless people; people were looking at me a bit strange but you know. Finally it opened though and I started making my way along the aisle looking at all the fresh produce. Everything from cabbage and beets to blueberries and currants. In the end after much contemplation (keep in mind I only had $20 with me) I ended buying some local peaches, apricots, sweet raspberries, and pink currants. I'd read in my book that industrial peaches were incomparable to local ecologically grown peaches so I figured I'd put her words of advice to the test. Under usual circumstances I find peaches (supposedly ripe ones) not all that tastefull or sweet. Well. My friends. That was the absolute juiciest, sweetest, tastiest peach I have ever had in my ENTIRE life! I just HAD to blog about it. It just so happens that I had already eaten a peach today (an industrial one) that was pretty good and enhanced my view on peaches but thinking back, that peach was not nearly as good as the local one i got from the farmer's market. It was primarily the juiciness that was so different although the flavor was also much sweeter and better all around. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> The difference between industrial and local, fresh produce is that industrial produce is not picked ripe because it would never survive the journey to it's far away market. This downgrades the taste and texture as well as the nutritional content. In fact most of industrial produce is picked green and ripened artificially. For example, tomatoes are picked hard and green and the ripened with ethylene gas. This is why industrial produce does not develop the same complex taste and luscious texture. Whereas fresh and locally grown fruits and vegetables are picked during their prime state of ripeness allowing their flavors and other traits to fully develop to create the ideal, most vitamin rich fruit or vegetable the plant can give us. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> There is also the difference in soil and breeds of plants and how it is grown that makes industrial produce inferior also in terms of nutritional content. Fresh and mostly organic produce is grown on healthy, nutrient rich, fertile soil which gives the fruit more vitamins and antioxidants (who wouldve thought?!); whereas industrial crops are grown on sterile soil and sprayed with pesticides which are not only poisonous, but damage the antioxidants and vitamins in the crops.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> This is all why I've decided to try eating more fresh and local crops. I learned most of this from that book I mentioned before: Real Food by Nina Planck. I really do recommend you read it because it is actually pretty interesting despite my presumptions. Anyways, make sure you hit your local farmer's market sometime soon, I promise you won't regret it!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: orange; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">bye for now :)</span></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-70396793838351287012012-07-18T17:27:00.000-07:002012-11-05T20:53:54.850-08:00Like they haven't had enough... animal testing :(<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Hey guys, so I know I haven't posted anything for a looooong time... sorry :-/ Don't worry! Im back now. For now... :P</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In any event, I was out with my friend a few days ago and we were having greek wraps downtown. we got to talking about animal cruelty and now I'm sort of depressed... The reason? Because now I have to buy expensive makeup and hair stuff!!! She told me about how makeup and hair products and whatnot is tested on animals. Don't think I'm stupid, I knew a lot of things were tested on animals but I thought it was just along the lines of you put some blush on a bunny and if it gets a rash you know you did something wrong. Am I the only one who made this assumption? My guess is not. Either way I am sorry to inform you that that is completely WRONG. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Ex: The draize test (tests for eye irritation)for shampoo:</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">In order to test whether or not a shampoo will damage your eyes, a producer will strap down an albino bunny (albinos are apparently good for this purpose since they dont blink that much), clamp it's eyes open and squeeze shampoo in the bunny's eye. Ouch, we all know how much getting soap in our eyes hurts. Is it done? No. They leave the bunny there writhing in pain (as much as it can since it is strapped down) for about 2 weeks. Sometimes the poor bunny snaps it's neck from trying to break loose. The bunny's eyes crust over and it eventually dies. </span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">What is even the point of this? I honestly have no idea. The things our species does makes me feel sick sometimes. I don't know how people like this sleep at night, I honestly don't; knowing they're responsible for the pain and death of so many animals.</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here's a few links for more info:</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://e-infopages.com/2012/behind-the-untold-scene-animal-testing-is-an-awful-and-horror-research/">http://e-infopages.com/2012/behind-the-untold-scene-animal-testing-is-an-awful-and-horror-research/</a>
<br />
<a href="http://www.care2.com/causes/cosmetic-testing-on-animals-aint-pretty-plus-how-to-shop-cruelty-free.html">http://www.care2.com/causes/cosmetic-testing-on-animals-aint-pretty-plus-how-to-shop-cruelty-free.html</a>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A few extremely sad pictures...</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<img src="http://e-infopages.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/animal-testing-81.jpg" />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<img alt="Animal Experimentation Rabbit Draize Eye Irritacy test" src="http://www.animal-rights-action.com/images/animal-experimentation-rabbit-draize-eye-irritacy-tests.jpg" />
<br />
<br />
<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m59jizkpOL1rxve0qo1_500.jpg" />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Fortunately (unlike meat), they're are many companies that are animal testing free; and although they're more expensive I think that all of us should make that sacrifice (come on its probably only a starbucks drink's worth of money extra!) to promote these companies that actually have a conscious.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">A few animal testing free (GOOD! buy them!) companies are:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">MAC</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Aveda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Avalon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Crabtree and Evelyn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Beadheads</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">St. Ives</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Giovanni</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Kiss My Face</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tommy Hilfiger</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Victoria's Secret</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Alvera</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Milani</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Burt's Bees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Revlon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Almay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">E.L.F</span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Ones that Do test on animals (BAAADD!!! stop buying themm!!):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Cover Girl </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Clinique</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Maybelline </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Max Factor </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Rimmel</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">L'Oreal </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Johnson and Johnson</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Olay</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Sally Hansen</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Pantene</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Clairol (includes aussie, herbal essences, daily defense)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Yes that list is depressing... those happen to include practically ALL the products I use... next time i buy makeup though I'll be going cruelty free! I hope you guys will too.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">Oh and by the way, household products do the same thing... Arm and hammer, colgate, you name it.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 23px;">till next time</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="line-height: 23px;"><br /></span></span><br />The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-38578641341568011652012-02-27T17:19:00.001-08:002012-11-05T20:53:54.848-08:00Food Animal Cruelty: Dairy<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Hi everyone :) sorry I haven't written in a while; I've been relatively busy with my life, doing this or that. It's amazing how time can be swallowed up so easily without you getting much done. So today I thought I'd venture out on a completely different subject than my last posts have been about. If you've read the title I'm sure you can guess what it is. Food animal cruelty. This, in my opinion is one of the most atrocious deeds being done by the human race. I wouldn't say THE most, but quite surely one of them. Let's hold up a second. When you guys eat your meat, are you thinking "I'm eating an animal right now", or more "I'm eating meat right now"? Probably the later right? Well let me ask you this, how many of you ventured to think "If this was an animal... how was it raised?" or "I hope this cow had a nice life"? Probably not as many of you. I know I didn't really think about that very much when I was eating meat. So now let me ask you this. How do YOU think modern farm animals are raised? On pastures right? The cattle grazing in the fields, chickens squawking around pecking at the dirt, the little pigs rolling in the mud crying "oink oink! oink oink!". WRONG! Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong WRONG! If that were the reality this world would be such a better place! However, the harsh reality is that for the vast majority, it is not like that whatsoever. At least not in most countries especially North America. I've been told that England and other parts of Europe are much better at this whole humane animal treatment thing and I am so jealous that their country is so much more advanced when it comes to that. I've even read than parts of Europe refuse to trade meat with the US because their treatment is so unethical. So what is it that makes North America so undignified when it comes to food production? Read on my friends.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> There are so many different food animals I could talk about here. Pigs, cows, chickens, eggs, dairy, turkeys, goose, veal, sows, dogs, fish, shark, horse, the list goes on. But obviously I'm not going to talk about all of those so I figured I'd focus on Beef, Dairy, Chicken, Eggs, and Pork since those are most common. They may be a bit long so I'll just include one in each post for now. Here we go...</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/Pictures/coworganicfarming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://www.veganpeace.com/animal_cruelty/Pictures/coworganicfarming.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>The Dairy Disaster:</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I thought I'd start with dairy cows because they sort of lead to other cattle products. Dairy cows have one of the worst lives possible for a mother. The poor mothers are confined to minuscule stalls their whole lives; they are kept impregnated year round in order for them to continue producing milk. They are milked everyday by a machine which as you can imagine is quite distressing and not to mention creepy. Once their calves are born they're almost immediately torn away from their mother (usually 1-2 days after birth) in order not to "waste" her milk. The poor calves are crying for their mothers in distress; the males will eventually become either veal or normal beef meat, but the females are destined for the same fate as their poor mothers. Cows usually live for about 10-15 years but a dairy cow in a modern day factory will only live to be about 2 or 3 because by then their body is so lacking in calcium they can barely support themselves. The average cow is lame, suffers from ulcerations, laminitis, or rotten hooves from standing in their own waste all their lives. They also commonly have twisted stomachs, torn udder ligaments, pneumonia, or bacterial infection in their teats causing puss to be expelled along with the milk. Some disgusting, undignified, horrible, inhumane creatures also known as a few producers, will attempt to actually cut the teat off, in order to continue milking. Here is a picture of a cow with a teat infection taken at a livestock auction.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mfatv.com/LargePhotos/ca_cow_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://www.mfatv.com/LargePhotos/ca_cow_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">And here is a picture of cows b</span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">eing milked by machines at an american farm.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://furrycousins.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/factory-dairy-farm-cows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://furrycousins.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/factory-dairy-farm-cows.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Unfortunately that is not the extent of the horrors for a dairy cow. Let me take you to the livestock auctions. It's hard to believe that the people who handle these animals are actually human and not monsters in disguise. All sorts of animals you find at livestock auctions, the majority are in the most horrible of condition possible and yet they are still mistreated. People twist their tails to the point of fracture (dont ask me why), motivation to move comes from being electrically prodded, not to mention they're beaten a tremendous amount. I've had the misfortune to read that female cows often have a gloved hand shoved up their vaginas to check for pregnancy. How horrible is that? Can you even begin to imagine what that would be like? These cows are basically being subject to extreme mistreatment, torture, assault, and even what you would call sexual assault! I don't know about you but I am ashamed that my country, of which I am for the most part proud to be apart of, takes part in such practices on a daily basis! I was appalled when I read of how the milk I consume is produced.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Not to mention how they are normally transported for up to 3 WEEKS without provisions or weather protection. And maybe the most horrific part of all: slaughter. Here is a brief overview of how they are slaughtered:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Slaughter: (of dairy, beef, and veal)</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-stunned with a stun gun which would be great... HOWEVER, this is 5-10 % of the time not effective enough to render</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">the cow unconscious</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-throats slashed to bleed out (some are still conscious while they are being bled out)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-some cows don’t die before hock cutting, and are literally cut to death piece by piece</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-”downed” cows are dragged with hooks and/or chains as they are unable to walk</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-an average slaughter house kills 250 cows a day</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Horrific isn't it?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Now I have a confession to make. I don't eat meat but, I myself do actually drink dairy milk that is produced like this, each time I do I feel really terribly guilty but I can't help it for now. The problem is this: soy milk and almond milk is so dang expensive! It's not that I'm cheap it's just that I can't afford to be buying almond or soy milk, or ethical dairy milk for that matter, when it's over $4 for 2 litres! So that's why I took it upon myself to try to raise awareness about it, so that at least I'd be doing something. Even if you guys aren't going to convert to ethically produced dairy milk or other kinds of milk; I really hope you will try to do something about it nonetheless. Even just telling your friends about it is good! Or you could even venture to send a letter to your provincial/national agricultural minister like I did. Either way, I hope I at least taught you guys something. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">If you seek more information you can visit any of these sites:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.cetfa.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cetfa.com/</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.chooseveg.ca/animal-cruelty-canada.asp" target="_blank">http://www.chooseveg.ca/animal-cruelty-canada.asp</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.veganpeace.com/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.veganpeace.com/index.htm</a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Stay tuned for my next post which will include the story of another desolate animal commonly found on our plates. Bye for now.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> -Morgan</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-14319654484591969022012-02-12T11:52:00.000-08:002012-02-27T17:20:45.114-08:00Crocheted Toque/Beanie<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Good morning everyone! I'm in a right good mood today because guess what?! I got my first ever comment just a few hours ago! Thank you to Cosmo Dk! You've made my day! Haha that rhymes! Alrighty, So yesterday I posted a mini crocheted heart pattern. Today I thought I'd post another pattern, this time for a very simple and easy crocheted hat. This is just a basic toque/beanie. You can add decorations to it like the little hearts you might have made from my last post. Or you could crochet up some little flowers, or just simply add stripes by changing the colour here and there. This might be great to crochet as a gift for someone for Valentine's day, it only takes a few hours. :) After finishing the hat I decided I wanted a stripe so instead of taking some of the rows out and changing colour I just wove in a green yarn through the holes of a row twice and the effect is pretty good. </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Here's a picture of the end result:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPS0RmOSaDmxigzW3E1zasmcncE1l6SzykY7YVALS1oFqFAFlwiMY9Rfng_fTUloykJ7w72tCvuQ-ZOtRQzerEDsIM6nnhQXtX43ZFM_FxbgDYHlxdUHuhRAl55AUbgQpkjYvNJgd00A/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPS0RmOSaDmxigzW3E1zasmcncE1l6SzykY7YVALS1oFqFAFlwiMY9Rfng_fTUloykJ7w72tCvuQ-ZOtRQzerEDsIM6nnhQXtX43ZFM_FxbgDYHlxdUHuhRAl55AUbgQpkjYvNJgd00A/s400/photo+(1).JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Size:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">It should fit an average teenager or adult's head. I will add an optional round for those of you making it for someone with a slightly larger head (this will come after R6).</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Materials: </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Bulky yarn, a 6 or 7 wpi. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-10mm crochet hook</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Tapestry needle (big fat sewing needle)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Stitches and abbreviations:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ch: chain</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sl st: slip stitch</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sc: single crochet</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">st: stitch</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Instructions:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R1: Ch 5, sl st into first chain to connect. Ch 1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R2: Work 10 sc into the loop, join with a sl st into the first sc of round. Ch 1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R3: Sc in same st, *2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * until end of round. Ss into first sc to join. Ch 1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R4: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end of round. Join. Ch 1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R5: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end of round. Join. Ch 1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R6: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end of round. Join. Ch 1.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is how big it should look by now, you don't actually want it to be as big as the top of your head because it will end up too big. Maybe try finding a knitted toque that fits you and see how big the top is before the decreases started. However, for a larger size, continue with the row in brackets. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bP6MexGQs34koNZbM0fz2vSL0teqYtFb-WOReBFp9zdJZwAuQgMFiiPutlx7WpDkfC2TtjF_OIQggwKuU54HyuU9FUq8NpyNzng0GeWANISPLSUToMIfj-AqW_6XT6EielMTpbOm_KU/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bP6MexGQs34koNZbM0fz2vSL0teqYtFb-WOReBFp9zdJZwAuQgMFiiPutlx7WpDkfC2TtjF_OIQggwKuU54HyuU9FUq8NpyNzng0GeWANISPLSUToMIfj-AqW_6XT6EielMTpbOm_KU/s320/photo+(2).JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>(For larger size: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end off round, join, ch 1. If it is still not large enough, add another row but this time do 1 sc in next 5 stitches and 2 in next. This should definitely be large enough if you are using a Bulky or Super Bulky yarn.)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R7: No single crochet in same st! Now all you're going to do is 1 sc in every st around, join, and ch 1. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">R8: Repeat round 7 until hat is desired length. Cut the yarn leaving a 3' tail and pull it tight. Weave in the ends with the tapestry needle and you're finished! Yay!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Try making one for your partner or spouse for Valentine's day! Till next time!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> -Morgan</span>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-71540408830930770692012-02-11T19:15:00.000-08:002012-02-11T19:18:40.513-08:00Crocheted Valentine Hearts<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Hey guys :) Its been a while. Sort of :P a week or so maybe? Well, I've just been busy reading this new book I got and crocheting little heart clips for my little cousins out on the East Coast. So I was going to give you guys a how-to for a simple toque/beanie pattern, but I figured since it is getting close to Valentine's day, why don't I teach you guys how to crochet little hearts instead?! They're pretty quick if you know how to crochet the simplest stitches. So here's the pattern:</span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Materials: </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-yarn: you can basically use </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">anything, </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">worsted weight is good if you want a sort of thick heart, but if you want a nice delicate and lacy looking one you could even use embroidery floss/friendship bracelet string.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-crochet hook: for worsted weight use no less than 4.5mm; for anything thinner, use a four, or if you're using embroidery string a 3.5 is good for a nice lacy look.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-tapestry needle (just a thick needle with a big eye)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">stitches:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">sc= single crochet</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">dc= double crochet</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">tc= triple crochet</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ss= slip stitch</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">ch= chain</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">st= stitch</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Pattern:</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Start: Tie the yarn onto your crochet hook, ch3, ss to first st.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1: Working into the loop, dc, tc, dc. 3 sc, tc. 3 sc, dc, tc, dc; next ss into the loop, pull the yarn out and tight, next cut leaving a fairly long tail (about 3' long). Weave the ends in with the tapestry needle, or if you're going to attach them to something like clips, you can use the tail to sew it on with. And you're done! This is what they sort of should look like after you're done:</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<img alt="Crocheted Hearts - Red - Cotton" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.223470572.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hope you guys enjoy that, make some for a friend or family member for Valentine's Day! :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Until next time!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> -Morgan <3</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Happy Valentine's day! <3</span></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-15385786449746637442012-01-31T13:56:00.000-08:002012-11-21T11:49:58.297-08:00Completely Guilt Free Chocolate Mousse<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Hi everyone! </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Guess what?! I am now at a total of 4 page views!... hmm. Impressive?... I think not. Well, that's alright. Someday someone will follow me and read through all my posts and I wont have been writing these things to no one :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> So, in my last post I gave you guys (well, there isn't really any "guys" being addressed here, I'm mostly just talking to myself :P)a borscht soup recipe. Hopefully someone will actually try it in the future but so far my guess is that no one has since I've only had 2 page views since the recipe went up. But anyways! My spirits are not dampened; hey, it sure beats writing in a diary where you KNOW (and often hope) no one will ever read whatever you're writing. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> But in any event, *focus Morgan!* today, I thought I'd share my </span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">chocolate mousse recipe</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">. This is basically the bare minimum of calories one can have in a dessert; however the end results are completely satisfactory. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> It's not exactly what most people call mousse, it's actually made out of sterilized egg whites, sugar, cocoa, and whatever flavoring you'd like to compliment it. So it doesn't really end up all creamy and pudding-like, but rather... it's hard to explain. I guess, well, sort of a thicker foamy texture? No that just sounds weird. Hmm. Well I guess you'll just have to try it! I assure you its completely scrumptious. Here we go!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>CHOCOLATE EGG WHITE MOUSSE</b></span></div><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-1/2 cup of sterilized egg whites</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-2-3 tsp of sugar (or to taste) *see note bellow*</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-about 1-2 tsp of cocoa (I'm not entirely sure of that so, TO TASTE!)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-any other extracts/flavourings you'd like (Almond is good, Maple is reaaallyyy good, as well as peppermint)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>*note: you can use syrups to flavor and in the place of sugar. So for example if you were doing maple flavor, just use some maple syrup instead of sugar)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Directions:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In a smallish bowl, whisk egg whites. You can start with a whisk but then its probably best to switch to a mechanical beater. Or you can just use an electric beater the whole way through (i don't have one so...). Once mixture is getting stiff, add in a few teaspoons of sugar and continue whisking. Once the egg whites are still and can sort of hold peaks, add in the remainder of your sugar (however much you want to use), cocoa, as well as any flavourings. Mix this all in and you're done! Serve right away as it will start to separate. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Enjoy!</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you want a completely different flavour than chocolate, just don't put in the cocoa. I'm sure just plain Vanilla is great too! It's also very good on fruit :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It serves quite a lot, it could either be a big bowl for you, or two smaller bowls.</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Nutrition: (for whole recipe)</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Calories: 104</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Protein:14.5 g</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> So that's it :) It's really great when you're on a diet and all the desserts besides fruit out there are at least over 200 calories. Not to mention the high protein content! I'd really appreciate if anyone who tries it would leave a comment or something, It's great when you know people are actually looking at your posts. </span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Next post I might include a begginer's crochet hat pattern so come on by for that. Bye for now :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -Morgan</span>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-39797074729900115822012-01-29T12:05:00.000-08:002012-01-31T13:59:08.385-08:00Borscht Soup<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Hey everyone!! Guess what?! I had one page view since last night! From someone in Germany :) Thank you person from Germany for viewing my page! Did I ever mention I'm part German? And Scottish, French, Norwegian, Italian, and something else I always forget. I just remember that in total there's seven. Sometimes I remember them all but usually one or two happen to evade my mind whenever I try to pull em up to tell someone. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Anyways, enough with the blabber. Good morning everyone!! I thought I'd include one of my great low calorie, vegetarian, healthy, super tasty recipes in this new post. Just so you guys know, it's not that I'm some needs-to-be-skinny obsessive person, it's just that I have some ballet competitions coming up which I do actually need to lose weight for. But that doesn't mean I can't eat yummy food! </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> So today I'll be sharing my mom's great Borscht soup recipe. It's a really popular Russian soup, and if you ask me, it is the absolute best soup in the entire world!! It mostly consists of beets, cabbage, carrots, potatoes; which sorta sounds gross but I promise you, IT IS NOT.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Here it is:</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">This is just a picture I found on the internet but that's pretty much what my mom's looks like too.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjjaXkYa2cOsuQj0D4eZTWBqrFr2nPox-zlQ6XKk7uVZP-41GcfVtngrRKygWSdFT2ZeHZ_WVsCyNHeeocmgKcuck4jwRhLy_WY5zBph52C42d90p3ip-LjLRfT6sASwWj5JWQc1WeqA/s1600/borscht+shoup+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLjjaXkYa2cOsuQj0D4eZTWBqrFr2nPox-zlQ6XKk7uVZP-41GcfVtngrRKygWSdFT2ZeHZ_WVsCyNHeeocmgKcuck4jwRhLy_WY5zBph52C42d90p3ip-LjLRfT6sASwWj5JWQc1WeqA/s320/borscht+shoup+pic.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Beets, 4 small cubed (about 1/2" cubes)</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Carrots, 1 large cubbed</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Cabbage (i usually use white, but i think purple is fine too), 1/2 medium sliced into thin ribbons</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Potato, 2 medium cubed</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Garlic, 6 cloves crushed and chopped fine</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Large onion (yellow), sliced into thin rings</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Large tomatoes, 3 peeled and chopped</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Balsamic/red wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-White sugar, 1 Tbsp</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Vegetable stock seasoning, 2 cubes</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Water, 2 1/2-3 L</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Black Pepper, 1/2 tsp</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Salt, 1 tsp</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Butter, 1 tsp</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">-Optional: ~Fresh dill to garnish (about 1/2 cup chopped)</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> ~A dollop of sour cream to serve, </span><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">or you can substitute it for plain yogurt which tastes good too. </span><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">I don't use it but you might want to (keep in mind that will bring the calories up a bit too, for those of your worried about that)</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Instructions:</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">1.Combine soup stock cubes and 2 L of water in a separate bowl or pot.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">2.Melt butter in a <b>big</b> pot on medium. Add cubed beets and carrots, stir well to coat with butter. Sautee for about 5 minutes. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">3.Add onion rings, diced tomatoes, vinegar and sugar. Add in 2 Tbsp of the soup stock you prepared in step 1. Give it a little stir. Lower heat to a bit below medium.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">4.Simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">5.Add sliced cabbage, stir to moisten. Put lid on pot. Continue simmering for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">6.Add remainder off soup stock, potatoes, garlic, pepper, and salt. </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">7.Cook at medium (do not boil!) until potatoes are tender.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">8.Simmer for another 15-20 minutes on low for best flavour, or if you're really hungry you can serve now.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">9.<b>Before serving</b>, sprinkle the optional dill, and stir a little bit to distribute the flavor. Serve, add optional dollop of sour cream.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Note: some will prefer the soup without the dill.</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Serves about 6 or 7 nice big bowls.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Nutritional information:</b> per serving</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Calories: 95</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Total fat: 1.3 g</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Potassium: 650 mg (about 20% daily value)</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Dietary Fiber: 3.1 g</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Sugar: 8.5 g</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Protein: 2.6 g</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Vitamin A: 70%</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Vitamin C: 40%</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> And that's it! I hope you guys try it. It makes a really good hot dinner for those cold rainy days. I don't know about you but I sure get a lot of those where I live.</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> Until next time :)</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> -Morgan</span><br />
<span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2736095851276754943.post-69611726593119376932012-01-28T23:24:00.000-08:002012-01-28T23:24:30.652-08:00Welcome :)<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i>Hello fellow bloggers,</i></span><div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i> I'm really pretty new to this whole blog thing; in fact this is my first time. I've always wanted a blog but I figured no one would really actually want to read my ranting on about this or that. Which could be true, I guess we'll see :P I also always thought I wouldn't have enough time or... oh what's the word... determination, to keep it up. But, here I am. Hopefully a few people or so will join me in my little blogging experiment. </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i> So anyways, I think I'll start off by telling you a bit about myself. I'm a ballet dancer in training (hence the common lack of time), and I hope to one day soon be good enough to get into a company. I never really thought of myself as artsy or crafty but not too long ago I was thinking to myself "You know, I'm actually a very artsy person". I love all sorts of thing like knitting, crochet, baking, cooking, nutrition, beading, the environment; I've recently developed a thing for food animal cruelty which I guess I'll probably be ranting on about in the next few weeks. I also love poetry, dance (obviously), chickens, the word rumpus (for those of you who don't know, the definition is pretty much just a big racket, or disturbance; something one might find their children doing) and European accents. They're the best. Well, I basically love everything about Europe. When I retire I want to live in a nice beautiful country home in Ireland, complete with an apple orchard and beautiful garden with little gazebos and a pond with little ducks swimming around. I want to sit and eat cheese and salamis on crackers from humanely treated and slaughtered animals. I'll have a pet sheep dog and my little grand children will come to visit me and my husband. Haha, sounds like quite the dream huh? Well, we can always hope.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i> Now I bet you're wondering, what is this crazy lady who seems to talk about everything and nothing going to write about in her blog? Well, I will tell you. I don't like being restricted to just talking about one thing; I like to open up to the people I talk to. Considering that, I'll probably be talking about knitting and crocheting, I'll probably give you guys a bunch of patterns and HOW TOs to have fun with as that's what I love to do. I'll probably just include whatever crafty thing I happen to be trying, making soap or even painting moustaches on cups. I'll definitely throw out a bunch of awesome low calorie recipes, maybe some baked goods. You'll probably happen upon me talking about the mistreatment of food industry animals, or maybe fair trade coffee and the poor children in Africa making cocoa. Maybe I'll throw in a few poems I write, or perhaps I'll be too shy ;) either way, I think you'll find your fill throughout the next month or so, so long as we share some of the same interests.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i> In any event, I think that'll be it for my first post. I should go to bed cause I've got ballet tomorrow as is the usual (as you will soon come to see if you continue reading my posts). Bye for now guys :)</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i> -Morgan</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><i><br /></i></span></div>The artful chickenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06063944048038322949noreply@blogger.com0