Maple seeds and nuts

November 5, 2015November 5, 2015 / livelycravings / Leave a comment

This is the quickest snack or treat to make when headed out the door and realize “shit” I should bring something. I have you covered, this will make people think you went out of your way and really it took you an easy 10 minutes. Nothing against making energyballs but the tedious task of rolling sometimes gets to me. Plus there is only one bowl and spoon to wash. It makes a great vegetarian alternative to breakfast and tops well on many dishes or muffins. Organic pumpkin seeds are twice the price so I occasionally splurge. Bulk barn is more affordable. I buy most of my nuts at Costco. Maple seeds and nuts are also an alternative to candy.

Maple syrup

Cinnamon

If you want another spice

Salt

Raw shelled Pumpkin seeds or Pecans. Other nuts work too.

Preheat oven to 350

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

Wet seeds or nuts in a bowl with maple syrup and sprinkle cinnamon and or spice. I sometimes let them marinade.

Roast pumpkin seeds till some start browning about 6-7 minutes. Take out of oven and stir a little, it’s easier to eat when they are clumped together. They are so hot that they continue to cook so if you want to move the parchment paper to a cool spot to stop them cooking or let them hang out on the pan to cook a little more.

OK we should go over shelled pumpkin seeds. I find boiling them first helps the chewing process but I still find them to hard to chew.

I hope you had a nice Halloween and you enjoyed some pumpkin seeds. I moved so it was a little overwhelming. I finally have unlimited internet so all I need is time to sit.

I’m wishing everyone health and happiness!

Tomato Kale Quinoa Casserole

September 18, 2015September 18, 2015 / livelycravings / 1 Comment

Tomato kale quinoa casserole is one of our family favourite meals and I am so happy to share it with everyone to enjoy! It’s something out of the ordinary, very delicious and uses up extra kale and tomatoes. I loaded up last weekend at the fall fair farmers market, my favorite is the spaghetti squash but I love all the vegetables. My favorite vendor Mary Bridget shares her recipes with me and how to cook certain veggies like the black Spanish radishes boiled with potatoes and mashed. I tried and it was yummy! Up until last year I never cooked squash but Mary Bridget told me how to cook each one and with a little practice I also mastered it. No more canned pumpkin for me. I look forward to blog about squash.

Mix in casserole dish

1 cup uncooked quinoa or rice

1 cup stock

Mix the following in a bowl and put half on quinoa and stock.

1 can diced tomatoes and any extra that needs to be eaten

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin mix

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp 0regano

1/2 tsp salt and pepper

This picture is missing kale

Fry ground meat, any kind then add

small onion chopped

1 chopped red pepper

1/2 cup frozen or fresh corn

1/2 cup black beans

4 cups chopped kale

Then add the rest of tomatoes

then finish with

1 cup shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350 cover with foil and bake for 40 min, remove foil and bake for 10 min more.

Top with avocado and maybe more shredded cheese.

Feel free to add any extra veggies you may have, such as jalapenos.

Also nacho chips on the side goes well.

I get pretty excited when I have so many locally grown organic veggies!

I wish health and happiness to all!

Go to Guacamole

September 12, 2015 / livelycravings / 1 Comment

Two ingredients avocado and salsa mashed up and paired with Mary’s crackers, nachos or chips is my favourite go to snack for work. It is so satisfying and it gives me the boost I need to work hard. It can be made so many ways. Some people think they don’t like it because they tried some they didn’t like, well I bet they never tried it with bacon, green onions and chicken. I especially add garlic when I feel my immune system is weak and I don’t care if I have garlic breath because it keeps me from getting sick. My friend Debbie makes it the traditional way with equal amounts avocado and fresh tomato, cilantro, minced garlic, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon or lime. Plus it’s tomato season so this is a great recipe to use them up.

All I do is mash up some avocado and add a scoop of salsa.

Tip:

-infuse a little bacon in anything and it will get eaten.(unless you don’t eat meat)

-Buy the avocados green and put in a paper bag to ripen. Then put in fridge and eat within a couple days.

So simple apple peach crisp

September 6, 2015September 6, 2015 / livelycravings / 2 Comments

Quick! Before peach season is over pick some up! Simple and crowd pleasing! I went to the Windsong music festival last weekend, they had a potluck breakfast Sunday morning. I made peach apple crisp on the BBQ. I creamed the topping before I left so the only thing to do was cutting up the apples and peaches. We all have our own crisp recipe but I find this one to be really easy and good. My family’s favorite is strawberry rhubarb apple crisp but thats for next June when they’re in season. Be creative and use fruit that you like. I like to make a family size and a few little ones for my snack at work or the kids lunches. Freezes well too! I’ve made smoothies with the left overs by using coconut milk and vanilla protein powder.

Start first with getting the topping mix ready. Add just coconut oil or use half butter or just butter, maple syrup or honey to desired sweetness. Then add cinnamon, cardamon, nutmeg and vanilla.

I use less rolled oats and more quick oats. I love pine nuts on top but my kids don’t like any nuts in it. If you want you can use flaxseed, pecans or walnuts. My secret ingredient is one pack of Natures Path maple nut instant oatmeal. Use another kind with no nuts if you are sending to school. The oats should be wet. Grease dish(es), cut up equal amounts of peaches and apples then sprinkle cinnamon on top. I like to use more then one kind of apple for variety. Preheat oven to 375 and bake until the top starts to brown, about 30 minutes. I like to turn off the oven and let it sit in there while I do some activity and then I come back an hour later and its perfect temperature. Scoop and pour coconut milk or whatever kind of milk you have on top. Keep it simple and have fun.

Fried peaches

August 26, 2015August 26, 2015 / livelycravings / 3 Comments

It’s a beautiful time of year when the peaches are ripe! I eat them only this time of year which makes them a special treat. To ripen faster, place in a paper bag and put in a dark place. It’s nice when the skin just peals away with you fingers with no effort but usually you need a peeler. I have an allergy to the birch tree, it’s very common and so many people don’t have a clue about it. The main allergen in birch trees is highly cross-reactive to many plant foods but cooking destroys the allergen protein. The most common are apples, peaches, kiwi, hazelnuts and almonds. Well that clears that up, back to peaches. Peach apple crisp is the bomb! But we are making fried peaches today that goes well with pancakes, oatmeal, ice cream and much more.

I like to use a cast iron pan but use whatever pan you have. Peel and slice the peaches, put in a pan with coconut oil at medium temperature and stir occasionally. Add a spoonful of honey, a pinch of cardamom and cinnamon, and a squeeze of lemon. Cook for 5 mins, then add vanilla at the end. My general rule is 1 or 2 peaches per person and have fun making it your own.

I wish I had more time to share my ideas. The kids start school soon and it will be blog party time.

Hello world!

August 16, 2015August 19, 2015 / livelycravings / 1 Comment

Cooking for me is about being creative and following your cravings. I like to look at recipes and get ideas and adapt to fit my almost dairy free, sugar-free and grain free lifestyle. I would love to share my non-recipes that make life easier for everyone because there’s no need to measure. Obviously there’s an exception to that when baking.

We all know everything in moderation but are we all in reality? The 80/20 rule is in my mind moderation. 80% healthy and 20% less healthy. I also have a freegan mentality which means if it’s free pizza or cake I will probably eat it.

I have many passions and hobbies and would love to share my favorite easy recipes, sewing patterns, gardening ideas and other awesome ideas like having really cool musicians let me make them their favorite food.

Hope you love it!