My Exciting Life

Life never fails to amuse me.  This weekend, I find myself at the Eastern Association of Electroencephalographers annual meeting in Bromont, Quebec.  A stowaway of sorts (as I am neither a Neurologist, Neurosurgeon or Psychiatrist), I get to spend the days learning about ground breaking studies in brain functioning and the evenings enjoying phenomenal french cuisine while discussing these various studies with medical doctors (among other things, of course).  This movie is played out with the magnificent Chateau Bromont as the background.  Sometimes I cannot get over how simply charmed my life is.  

Le chateau. 

J'espere que vous jouissez votre journee! 

Sweets for your Sweet

So, remember a little while ago when I told you about the wonderful SOMA Chocolatemaker? Obviously I couldn't stay away and I thought it best to visit with the Little Prince just before Valentine's Day to see what special, limited edition offerings they had.

Inspired by Rodin, no doubt

The first thing I see when I walk amongst their shelves (and shelves) of chocolate is this gorgeous heart sculpture, nestled artistically on a bed of foliage.  Upon closer inspection, I realize the sculpture is made entirely out of dark chocolate and I'm so delighted that I have to take a moment to compose myself.  How could you eat something this beautiful? Oh, I'm sure I could, but I would definitely contemplate it for a few hours prior.

 Naturally heart-shaped Japanese walnuts

I had to get a closer pic of this gem

Now it's on to the showcase, where these adorable little treats immediately catch my eye.  "What are those nuts?", I wonder aloud and am immediately informed by the friendly staff that it is, in fact, a walnut but a special breed from Japan.  Imagine getting handed a little box of those? Not only do you get to hold someone's heart, you get 6 tasty little Japanese ones, too!

After all the chocolate cruising, I was feeling like I needed to indulge.  Given my past history of molten chocolate love, I ended the evening with a shot of salted molten dark chocolate (complements of the Little Prince, I might add. See? Chivalry does live on!).  Although the chocolate is always top quality at SOMA, this treat may have been a little too rich and I made a note to stick with the much loved Hot Chocolate at my future visits, which is diluted with almond milk.

Liquid love

I hope you all enjoy your special day with the one you love, whether it's a partner or yourself. <3

Wishing you lots of love and chocolate!

Collaboration for Edible Skincare

It seems everyone today is doing some sort of collaboration (you'd have to be living under a rock not to have heard about the insane reactions to H&M designer collabs!), but there are few that are going on in the world of health.

Allow me to be one of the first.


I was recently in the kitchen making some Edible Skincare that I was asked to feature on my friend's website: Whole Life Health and I am pleased to report that it is now available for viewing!  My friend is expecting and longed for a cream that was rich in cocoa butter, so I shared my homemade recipe for a cream that is incredibly moisturizing and therefore great to combate stretch-marks for a growing belly!

There are instructions and pictures, so I highly suggest you click the link and check it out!

Have a silky smooth day!

A Lovely Day to Study....

I had the most amazing morning; M made me a spinach mushroom omelete (I eat eggs now!), I'm wearing my favorite shirt and I'm studying at my favorite cafe.

That colour! The eggs are from an organic, free-range farm just east of the city

I discovered Mylk Uncookies last summer.  What lured me was their fresh made daily almond mylk (I still do not do dairy) and I ended up falling in love with their tea lattes (Earl Grey and Vanilla, Chai etc.)

Today, I ordered their Walnut Green Tea Latte with almond mylk and I'm planning on drinking many lattes throughout the day as I work away.  Have a look at how lovely this cafe is and soon you'll be lured down here too!

 Just like their almond mylk, it's all made fresh daily!

Retro feel, with a colour scheme inspired by Tiffany's

The raw treats! 

Enjoy your day!

Soup's On! My favorite Recipe of the week....

A photo of Thai Coconut Soup, from which I took my inspiration

Thai cuisine has certain distinct flavours and tastes, such as lemongrass and coconut.  I love Thai cuisine so much, but I recognize that I'm not the best Thai cook so instead of making  subpar authentic Thai dishes, I opt instead to incorporate random Thai flavours into easy dishes that I already know how to make.

Allow me to introduce my favorite Thai-inspired soup: a vegetable soup that is made creamy by the addition of coconut milk.  Who would've known it would taste so darn good?

1 small onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 medium yam, cubed
1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
2 cups vegetable stock
1/2 cup red lentils
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 14 oz. can of coconut milk
1 tbsp dried parsley (or 1/4 cup fresh)

In a medium soup pot, saute the onions in the oil until translucent.  Add the celery and saute for about 5 minutes.  Add the yams, cabbage, stock, lentils and pepper.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes.  Turn off the heat and stir in the coconut oil.  At this point, you can leave the soup as is or blend with an immersion blender.  Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

Have an exotically delicious day!

A Plea to My Colleagues, all the NDs!!!

If you are an ND, or currently studying to become one, you must must must attend the town hall meeting that is happening THIS COMING MONDAY from 12:15 pm to 2 pm in the Lecture Theatre at CCNM.

Why, you ask?
 
This meeting is being held to discuss the legislation that will affect all future NDs practicing in the province of Ontario.  Contrary to popular belief, the bill being passed is not in any way like the one seen in the province of British Columbia and we need to stand united as a school to ensure that it changes to reflect those of our colleagues on the west coast!

We desire full prescribing rights, a broad scope of practise and to be recognized as the primary caregivers and doctors that we are!

By coming to the meeting, you are ensuring that your voice as a practicing ND is heard and that the bill is not simply the musings of a few people on a board but rather that it reflects what the entire community of Naturopathic Doctors believe.


See you all on Monday, February 6th, 2012.