Thursday, April 21, 2011

Red Ginger-Broadway

Last night a girlfriend and I went to dinner at a new place called Red Ginger 967 West Broadway (sorry no website). It is the same owner of the old Kam's on Davie, which I heard was very popular for Asian food.  We were both really impressed...for such a dreary stretch along Broaday, this is a bright and shining little treasure.

Kam himself was there and was one of the most charming, personable and lovely restaurateurs I have encountered (other than Vikram Vij).  He came by the table many times, with his bright and cheerful smile and silly jokes. 

This is the type of place where going with a group is best so you can order a variety of dishes. As there was only two of us, we ordered the lemon chicken, and the assorted veggies with chili sauce and a fried rice.  Every dish was absolutely delicious!  Even though the lemon chicken was deep fried, it tasted light and crispy, yet tender and the sauce was delicate and full of lemony flavour...not too thick and goupy like some can be.  And the veggies came in a heaping dish and were perfectly spiced. Of course the rice was lovely and filled with yummy treasures like shrimp and veg and brought the meal together nicely.

If you are in the hood looking for some yummy Asian fair,and a bright and friendly atmosphere head to Red Ginger and Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Baby Bump

I feel like I haven't written forever, and that's probably because I haven't.  I have been stuck in some sort of rut lately I think....too busy doing not much of anything during the evenings to feel bothered to write.  But I actually feel sad when I don't take the time to do something that I actually love doing....I feel like I am cheating myself.

So here I am, peaking at my cute little baby bump and feeling good to be writing in my blog.
My baby bump is getting bigger each day, as is my appetite.  I can no longer fit into my dress pants and have become a big fan of my stretchies with long shirts.  I had to go buy a belly band which is a great little invention so I can still wear my regular clothes and just not do up the button....it will suffice for a while I am sure.

I am actually looking forward to doing a little maternity shopping...I haven't bought any clothes in many months and now I have an excuse! I am finally over the gaggy, awful feeling period which sort of felt like a murky cloud for the first 4 months.  I actually went to a pre-natal yoga class last week and LOVED it, so I am planning on going again tomorrow night.  You can't even imagine the beautiful energy you feel when being in a room with 35 other pregnant mamas...with so many big tummies, it just feels wonderful...so much vitality and life in that room.

Ivan continues to rub my belly each night before bed with an aurvedic oil and it feels awesome.  I have also been giving myself regular rub downs with olive oil after my showers to keep my skin soft....I stopped using body lotion years ago when I discovered how many chemicals and shit goes into that stuff.  And I want to minimize that exposure to my baby....and oil works just fine!

Anyway, off to bed for us...and I look forward to getting back into the writing swing more often again...cause I always feel great when I do!

sleep well and enjoy!

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Gluten/Dairy Free- Delicious Pizza

Last night we had company over for dinner.  Ivan had invited them over without really checking with moi first and I made a joke that he would be the one to cook then.  And he did bless his heart!  We had a very causal pizza and beer night and it was awesome (well no beer for me)...super relaxed and fun.  Ivan pulled out a couple of our fav thin crust frozen pizzas and he added praws and bacon and a variety of fresh veg and topped it with a spicy provolone cheese I found at Les Amis Du Fromage . 

I, on the other hand have been off dairy, gluten/wheat during pregnancy so I stopped off at Panne Rizo on cornwall. It was my first visit there and wow do they have a nice variety of lovely gluten free baking items....you must try the banana, pecan mini cakes.  I bought two frozen pizza shells (they are small) which I was to thaw out before baking.  I then made a sauce of tomato paste, fresh chopped basil, garlic, oregano, thyme, chili flakes and a splash of olive oil.  I spread on the crusts and topped one with prawns, asparagus and red onion and the other with mushrooms, tomatoes, capers and olives and both of them were AWESOME!!! 

I put the pizzas on a baking tray, but next time I will place directly on the rack because they did get a wee bit soggy in the middle...still good though.  I made a lovely simple baby arugula salad dressed with fresh lemon juice and olive oil, and I piled it high on top of my pizza....I really didn't miss the cheese...and neither did my body...I felt great afterwards, and enjoyed the equally delish leftovers today.

If you have a restricted diet, give this a whirl and I am sure you will Enjoy!

Friday, April 8, 2011

Healthy Snack Ideas

Now that I am preggers, I am very conscientious of what I put into my tummy.  Well actually I have been that way for many years....I am a pretty healthful eater, but especially now!  I have heard from numerous people and my naturopath that whatever allergies mom has...if they eat those foods, the children can then adopt those allergies too.  I am lactose intolerant....but I would eat cheese before every now and then...and suffer the bloating and other uncomfortable side effects...so now I am doing my best to avoid dairy and wheat/gluten as I don't want my baby to have to suffer.

So yes, its a bit of a challenge to find foods that work for me...but then again not really.  I am loading up on wild and brown rice, kamut pasta and breads, rice noodles, quinoa, loads of fresh veggies and fruits.  We also eat fish a few times a week, and the odd free range chicken.

Snacking has been a bit more challenging...but again, there are so many awesome healthy snack foods these days....I have found lots of options.  One of my favorites is roasting a variety of nuts with some yummy spices...my latest fave...a mixture of your fave nuts toss with a bit of maple syrup, curry pdr, cyan, rosemary and salt...yum!

I also love snacking on rice cakes smothered in a nut butter (I'm onto cashew these days) topped with sliced apples or pears with a drizzle of honey.

Another is the natural plantain chips I found in my health store

Pickles are another....but not just the usual safeway crap...I went to wholefoods and brought some pickled cucumbers with all natural ingredients and they are AMAZING.

You can also roast a bunch of chickpeas with a little olive oil and spices for a yummy snack

We do indulge in popcorn about once a week with movie night.  Never microwave..we have a really cool popper!

But my newest attempt and favorite snack is (believe it or not) roasted Kale!  I read a recipe while flipping through a mag at my dentists office and so gave it a whirl.  You basically take one bunch of Kale, wash and remove stems and rip into bite size pieces, toss with a bit of olive oil and spice as you like..I just did a bit of sea salt (but next time would try a combo of different seasonings) roast at 350 for 10-15 mins and they are like chips!!!!  Ivan loved them too!! I can see this becoming a regular household snackie for us..and how healthy is that!

Healthy can be quick and easy...so munch away and Enjoy!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Wishebone

So after dining on our beautiful roast chicken the other night, I kept the wish bone.  I don't know why I did, but something made me set it aside, and a rush of memories came flooding back.  My mom used to always save the wish bone and put it below the windowsill to dry out over night.  Then the next day..or whenever, we would make a wish and bust it apart....the loser with the smaller piece always feeling so ripped off that their wish would no longer come true.

It got me to thinking about wishes and how they evolve over the years and different phases of life.  When we were little, Shayne and I would always roll our eyes when we asked our Dad what he wished for for his birthday or Christmas and his reply was always, and still is the same....oh I don't know...love, health and happiness.  Ohhhhh DAD...come on, we would say...frustrated that he wouldn't tell us something we could "buy" or get for him.

His wish was a far cry from my wishes back then....when I was in elementary school I wished for a puppy (as soon as we got one, I completely ignored it and developed allergies).  I wished that Sean would pass me a note, or wave to me from the school bus window as it passed by.  I wished my mom would let me shave my legs, and I really wished for a canopy bed like our neighbour Dana had.

Once I was into Jr. High, my dreams became more sophisticated....I wished Dave (Clint, Cliff, Ben, Neil...pretty much all the older boys) would pick me up in his hot car and eventually marry me... I wished that Steen would break up with his girlfriend and date me. I wished my parents were cooler and would let me stay out all night with no curfew.  I wished the vodka and cigs I hid in an old pair of socks, inside a bag tucked at the back of my closet were not found by my mother.

High school was not much different...although I now wished for better math grades, and a red Mustang convertible 5.0 GT (instead I got a blue Grand Am wrapped in a big red bow for my 17th birthday and was pissed off).  Ahhhhh the ungrateful mind of a teenage girl.

Yes, I actually thought of all of these things as I put the wishbone aside to dry for the night.  And I thought of what I would wish for...and low and behold, my wishes have changed.  I now find myself wishing for the health of our unborn baby, and the safety and well being for myself, family and loved ones.  If you ask me what I want for my birthday...I most likely will still say a trip somewhere warm, or a new pair of shoes ( I think that is just a women's way)....but if you ask me what I really WISH I had....well love, health and happiness sounds pretty darn good to me!

Enjoy.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Roast Chicken

I have probably written about my love for perfectly roasted chicken numerous times before....and there are a million different ways to make them.

Of course my moms is the best...but even when I try it her way, I somehow just don't seem to get it right.  I have played around with different temperatures and for me I have discovered that the best way is to roast that baby at high heat for approx 1hr and 20 mins (depending on the size of the bird).  I roasted mine on Sunday at 400 degrees and it had a nice crispy skin with juicy and flavourful meat.

I rubbed my seasonings (lemon, herbes de Provence, salt and pep and garlic) directly on the meat by separating the skin with my fingers and it was perfect.

Try the high heat roasting method and I think you will be pleasantly surprised...although watch your smoke alarm and enjoy!

Friday, April 1, 2011

April is for Fools

Not much to write today...except I think April Fools day is one of the stupidest things invented.  I think some people make up stupid shit to trick their loved ones and friends...and it can either lead to disappointment or hurt or maybe both.  I am not saying this because anything particular happened to me today...but I heard of too many stories that just kinda put me off.

I believe in making people feel wonderful about themselves...doing my best to add to their joy and happiness...not tricking them to believe something that really adds no benefit but instead potential hurt or disappointment.

Just my two cents....my husband will completely disagree...he found himself to be quite funny today.

All I have to say is if you insist on tricking someone on this stupid day...make sure the result makes them laugh...not just YOU! 

I am now off to munch popcorn and watch a movie....happy Friday, behave yourselves and Enjoy!