Monday, May 30, 2011

Natural Cure for Eczema

Since I have been preggers I have had pretty bad eczema on my fingers of all places...preventing me from wearing my wedding ring and itching until the skin is gross and raw.  I refuse to use any medications while I am prego so I was determined to find a natural solution.

I tried putting coconut oil on at night, then tried burts bees hand balm, a variety of skin creams and nuthin...it was awful and kept me awake at night itching like a mad woman.  Until I found Manuka Honey Skin Cream by Zibadel Naturals!  This stuff is amazing and didn't cost a fortune...I bought it at Whole Foods and am so glad I found it. It is clearing my eczema right up!  It is also supposed to help aid burns and cuts and other skin issues.  It goes on like a thick balm, so you don't need much of it and it has a faint smell of honey....much nicer than any disgusting medication I have ever been given in the past.

So if any of you or your kids are sufferers...give this a whirl and enjoy!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Eat Your Dang Quesadilla (and fake cheese)

That line from Napoleon Dynamite gets used often around these parts...not because I often make them...but because its funny.

That said, in the past few weeks I have been experimenting with Quesadillas using left overs.  I can maybe do leftovers the next day...but day 3 forget it...it must look, feel and taste different for me to find it appetizing.  So last night, I used some of our left over meat from the Monday night Roast chicken dinner we had, popped it in a pan with sauteed onions, blanched asparagus, tender mushrooms and a few canned jalapeno peppers...added some spices...flopped the filling in a rice flour tortilla shells topped with my new favorite cheese substitute called Daiya browned on both sides and super yummy!  Ivan made up a quick salsa of avocado, tomato, diced chillis and mango to top them with and really we were both super impressed.  He didn't even mind the rice wraps and the fake cheese (this is by far the best substitute out there).

I think you can pretty much do these up in about 15mins flat using your leftovers...add a can of black beans...really the sky is the limit, so be creative and enjoy!

Friday, May 20, 2011

Hockey again?

So tonight we were invited over to friends house to watch the hockey game, and I reluctantly said yes.  And and I enjoyed myself.  We ordered in...I sipped on my Perrier, and chatted with Cara who also doesn't like hockey...so it was a great fit.  The guys got to watch their game, the gals gabbed but we were all mostly entertained by their 3yr old son who is quite gorgeous and funny.

I love his version of the alphabet song....abcdefgxyz...forgot just a FEW of the letters in between...it gave us a real chuckle...how cute.

Now we can have them over for a game so I have a friend to play with too.

happy long weekend everyone and enjoy!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Husband Abandonment Syndrome

I am not sure if there are any other women out there feeling the same husband abandonment as I...but it seems to happen every year around this time...you know, when the Stanley Cup play-offs begin.  It's like you become a stranger in your own home...the t.v. is glued to the hockey station almost every night...and when your hubby's team is in the playoffs it's even worse!  It's like he disappears for weeks...months on end.  AND mine likes to watch a lot of the other games too....barf is all I have to say.

Ivan is a Canucks fan....I am a half-assed flames fan...they are the team I feel most closely aligned to (being from Calgary and all) but I really put no effort or emotion into supporting them....I really just don't enjoy fixating on the television to watch anything, let alone sports.  Sure I can appreciate that millions of people are excited about it...but my god...its like they give up life in order to ensure they can see the next game.  We pretty much cannot make any plans to do much of anything if there is a "game" on. 

Now I don't mind going to the live games....where I can people watch and feel the energy of the crowd and sing Oh Canada...now that's fun.  But to sit my ass on the couch for 3hrs every night...forget it!  Ivan was invited to the game tonight which is great...I know how much he will enjoy that...and it gave me a night free of loud, obnoxious sports announcers.

I even tried my best to get into the season last year...but alas, I would sit for 5 minutes and my eyes would glaze over and I got antsy and needed to "do" something.  Is it just me?  I asked my friend Aryn today...but she's a "cool chick" and enjoys watching the games too.

I suppose if there were a big group of people together, with good food and bevies then I would like it (even though I can't drink right now).  I will admit, as I sit here writing I just heard a huge cheer from the window across the street..and it made me smile...I guess their team scored.  Perhaps this is just a way for people to feel good about something??? I dunno...I don't get it.....but whatever makes ya happy I guess.

Now I am off to read a book...for those Canuck fans out there..enjoy!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Hearts of Palm

I had never heard of heart of palm before one of my girlfriends took me to Dallas for a fun vacation, and she ordered a salad with it....said it was her fave.  I thought it was so fresh and yummy tasting.

That was about ohhhhh... 5yrs ago or so.  I have not seen or eaten them since.  So on the weekend I wanted to make a fresh summer salad to go with my bbq jerk chicken and low and behold I found one with hearts of palm!  I cheated and just got the canned version (I have never seen them fresh) and tossed them with kalamata olives, red onion (mellowed out by chillin in a little lemon juice to cut the bite) roma tomatoes, blanched asparagus and fresh basil with a red wine/garlic scented vinegarette....how delish does that sound.  It was awesome! 

Hearts of palm sort of reminded me of jarred artichokes...along those lines...so don't be scared...give em a try and enjoy!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Healthy Cookies!

So as my tummy gets bigger each day...so does my appetite.  I still haven't gained THAT much weight...under 10lbs but I am only 5 months along.  I have begun to feel precious little flutters pretty much daily, and it is wonderful.

I have once again been craving sweets....most likely due to my mama's traditional Easter Egg hunt at home.  She still does this for me annually...and now my cute hubby gets to partake as well.  We scurry around the house to find gifts, and usually Ivan has found 10 by the time I find 2...damn that sneaky bugger.  My mom tries to give me clues with her eyes so I can find more....quicker...but that Ivan...gosh is he good.  Mom and Dad just watch with amusement, and we love to entertain.  This year however, the gifts seemed to be for one such soon-to-be grandchild...bibs, mitties, blankies, toys, books...I came to a fast realization that Easter may no longer be mine....it will now become our babies!  We did of course enjoy many bars of chocolate, which I haven't had in a long time....and you know, once you start the sweet train...its hard to stop!

So I researched gluten free/wheat free oatmeal cookies and found an awesome recipe to curb my cravings... they were delish...who thought sugar free/dairy free and egg free could be so good.  I even used Carob instead of chocolate...yum.  They went in a matter of 3 days!  I don't think they were Ivan's favorite thing...but for an ultra healthy alternative, I would take these any day...and so I did..and enjoyed every bite.

So each night before I go to bed, Ivan rubs my belly with a nice oil and we have a chat with the baby....so last night....as I lifted up my shirt to reveal my baby belly....to my embarrassment, I also revealed numerous cookie crumbs that were scattered all over my stomach...one big chunk and lots of little sprinkles...we both burst out laughing....what a class act! Reason, once again for Ivan to call me his little slobalina...I used to think that was a ridiculous nickname...but if the shoe fits......

If you are a health conscious person like moi, but are craving something sweet...make the cookies, just eat them with a bib, and Enjoy!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Family and Friends

So yesterday was officially the 1yr anniversary of my blog.  It was kind of exciting to think about...although a bit disappointing in the same breath because I haven't been writing quite as diligently as I want/ed.  But that is okay....busy living life I guess vs. writing about it.

We just returned from a wonderful vacation to Toronto and Calgary.  Why wonderful you ask....since it is just Calgary and TO...not like its paradise or anything...but it is where my family is.  And if you haven't quite grasped it yet....my family is so important to me.

We spent time with one of my best friends in TO and her lovely new fiancee, and then some time with some of our favorite relatives and then enjoyed a few evenings with my brother and his girlfriend and my mom and dad flew out to TO to surprise them which was just awesome.  Dad took us all out to La Castile in Toronto which was quite the experience.  You pull up through these big iron gates to a beautiful old castle type place...it was magically haunting inside with grandiosity everywhere.  You just knew the mafia must have a standing reservation, it was an amazing room.  It is a steak and seafood house and the steaks are the size of your head, and cost just the same as any high end steak joint...LOTS.  Portions were huge and we all ate like kings...it was wonderful.

We then went to Calgary to stay with my folks and visit a few friends which was also lovely.  I enjoy being at my parents home very much...cooking and eating meals together and just lazing about, and seeing my dear friends was just awesome...I wish we all lived closer.

Not sure if it was the extra hormones floating around my pregnant bod or what, but I found it very difficult to leave Calgary this time...even shed a few tears.  Thank goodness we spent a night in Canmore with more best friends which took my mind off home and settled on pure enjoyment of the company at hand. 

We drove back to Vancouver and here were are, in the soggy pouring rain...enjoying our little home...and making our own little family.  We had another ultrasound today and baby is well...healthy and looked very happy floating about.  He/She even wiggled and kicked its wee feet for us....just like dad....a real toe wiggler.

If you live close to your family and loved ones, please don't take it for granted....make a lunch date with your mom...or cook Sunday dinner for your sister.  Sometimes people who live close by never bother to see one another....so know that you are very fortunate....take advantage and Enjoy!