Fat Tuesday: Mardi Gras Dessert Recipes

Happy Fat Tuesday, y'all!  Here's a round up of some pretty serious Mardi Gras desserts!  Even if you are too busy to try a recipe or following a stricter diet-- it doesn't hurt to look!  

Lemon Icebox Pie by Lauren Salkeld via Epicurious

Chocolate Cupped Cakes with Coffee and Chicory by David Guas and Raquel Pelzel via Epicurious

New Orleans Pecan Pie via Taste of Home

French Quarter Beignets via Paula Deen

Banana Pudding via Boulder Locavore

French Vanilla Bread Pudding with Praline Rum Sauce via Cajun Delights

Yummm!!! Are you cooking or baking anything special tonight?  Share in the comments!!!

xoxo,

Ashley

Craft Break: What's for Lunch?

I haven't talked about Mister G in a minute.  Well, lately the weather has been really nice and he has been spending a LOT of time in the backyard.  He loves chasing the tiny lizards about and has a new best friend that lives next door.  They are so cute together-- they even kiss each other through the fence!

I have been super productive so far today-- and hopefully will continue to be.  I made a list of things I have been putting off and crossed them off my list one at a time.  Once my list was finished, I took off my secretary hat and it was time to craft.  As I have mentioned before, I am opening my Etsy shop next month.  I am so excited!  I have so many things to finish before the grand opening!

I swear nothing works up an appetite quite like hours of crafting.  I wanted to share a yummy recipe with you that my friend Jessica gave me.  I call it orange-ginger-peanut stir fry.  Very creative, I know...

For one hungry crafter you will need:

1/4 cup Basmati rice

1/2 cup salted water-- with (optional) a little splash of oil

1+cup raw veggies-- today I used fresh snap peas, mushrooms, carrots, and onion.

Rice vinegar

2 tbs orange juice -- I recommend squeezing an orange and using fresh juice

1-2 tbs peanut butter

1 tbs fresh chopped peeled ginger

1 tbs brown sugar-- I added this part, but in all fairness Jessica gave me the recipe while we were on a cleanse.  I'm sure she would approve.  

For your rice:  Boil your salted water, threw in your rinsed basmati rice and stir it while it boils for 1 minute.  Then cover your rice and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes.  I always forget to set my timer, so I checked on the rice when I thought it was about done.  Fluff it with a fork and take a taste.  If it's still a little crunchy, let it cook a bit longer

Cook your veggies.  I used a tiny bit of oil and stir-fried my veggies.  I always start with my densest veggies (like carrots) and as time goes on add the lighter veggies (like mushrooms).  Add a splash of rice vinegar if you like

To make the sauce:  Mix your peanut butter, chopped peeled ginger, splash of rice vinegar, orange juice, and brown sugar together.  Take a taste and see if you need to add a little extra of any of the ingredients

Combine your rice, veggies, and sauce and enjoy!  

Strawberries - my favourite summer fruit! Whats yours?

It is starting to warm up here in Australia, and my favourite part of warmer weather is fruit! Refreshing, cold fruit! My favourite is Strawberries. They are just always a fruit I can rely on to refresh me! My kids love them too which is great. I did some research on them ( but I love researching!) and here are some things I learnt:

1. Available all year round, but peak from November to February
2. On average there are 200 seeds on the outside of a strawberry (amazing!)
3. An excellent source of vitamin C and vitamin B (folate)
4. 100g has 90kJ - which is a healthy snack, and good for those who are watching their weight.
5. Strawberries are not a berry, rather a member of the rose family and the real fruits are the yellow seeds
6. Strawberries as part of a healthy diet, may help decrease blood pressure, and may reduce the risk of heart disease.
7. Strawberries contain Phytochemicals known to act as antioxidants
8. There are a few hundred different varieties of strawberries
9. Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in spring.
10. They are great to share, and served with a lot of foods.

You can use strawberries in fruit salads, fruit punch, cheese and fruit platters, sorbets, ice creams, tarts, cakes, sauces, crepes, waffles or served over breakfast cereal. But I love them best dipped in chocolate!

What is your favourite fruit?

How to manage stress?

Stress is experienced when there is an imbalance between the demands being made on us and our resources or ability to cope with those demands.

The level and extent of stress a person may feel depends a great deal on their attitude to a particular situation. An event which may be extremely stressful for one person, may not be for another person, we are all different and cope differently.

Stress is everywhere and so many of us get stressed, which is why I am writing this post to hopefully help someone get tips on how to manage stress.

A variety of factors can contribute to a person feeling stressed. This may include:  environment, lifestyle or emotional and personal style issues. An individual person’s attitude, personality and approach to life will influence how they respond to stress.

The following factors all play a part:

• How a person thinks about a problem
• The different ways a person copes with difficult situations
• Life experiences and life history
• A person’s self-esteem
• Whether they have people around who can provide support.

Here are some tips on how to manage stress:

Exercise regularly – regular exercise is a great way to manage stress.  At least 30 minutes of exercise three times a week.

Avoid conflict – avoid situations that make you feel stressed as much as you can.
Relax – make sure you give yourself some time to relax each day and try to spend time with people who make you feel good about yourself.
Eat well – a nutritious diet is important. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sleep – getting a good nights sleep is important, at least 8 hours sleep.
Enjoy your life – it’s important to make time to have some fun and to get a balance in your life.

If you dont rethink what is stressing you out and manage it, it can lead to anxiety and depression. I hope we can all take some time out to ensure we don't get stressed!

How do you manage your stress?

Eat the right foods - for your body's sake!

Ok so we all know we have to eat well. But do we? Well I dont all the time. But I try!

Antioxidants are important for our bodies. So here are a few types of foods that will benefit your body and you will feel better.

Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries in fact any type of berries. They are are great sources of antioxidants and vitamins.

Tuna or any type of fish. They have Essential Fatty Acids  - Omega 3, Omega 6 & Omega 9 - We need them to achieve and maintain a healthy heart, also essential for a healthy brain and for healthy function of  eyes, skin, hair, immune system and many other organs.

Nuts mainly walnuts are great particularly to nibble on if you need a snack and they are full of omega 3 and antioxidants.
Green vegetables we all know that they are good for us they have many vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy, such as vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron and calcium.

Green Tea is  great  because of the antioxidants it contains. It also helps detox the body and support the immune system.
Dont forget some form of exercise each day is great too......well I'm off to have my morning walk now!

What foods do you like to eat?