Tuesday, May 31, 2016

A Pineapple, An Elephant & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #85


I had an appointment in a nearby town yesterday. When I'm in another town, I think, "different thrift store..." So, after my appointment, I headed to this other town's Salvation Army Thrift Store. And it did not disappoint. I felt like it had a lot more interesting, unique items than our local Salvation Army Thrift Store. My theory is that the folks who make up the mix of people in a town look for different treasures at the thrift store than folks in other towns do. And they donate different treasures too. Does that make sense?

Sunday, May 29, 2016

Fruit & Nut Build-a-Balls from Energy Bites (Recipe and Book Review)

Fruit & Nut Build-a-Balls recipe is easy and super-healthy - for a quick snack on the run, a lunchbox treat or a post-workout energy boost  #vegan #glutenfree #healthy

When I found out that DK has an entire book devoted to energy bites (it's called Energy Bites, haha), I was intrigued. I love a healthy, tasty portable snack more than anyone probably should. But seriously, how great is it when you have nutritious and delicious little bites of energy in the freezer all ready to grab on the run?

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

DIY Filing Cabinet Makeover Using Vintage Book Pages #12monthsofdiy


The material that we (the participating #12monthsofdiy bloggers) chose for this month's project is Mod Podge. Funny thing though, my diy this month also incorporates two materials from previous months - namely Fusion Paint (seen on the table in this post) and another thrifted, secondhand item (like the lamp and bookends in this post).

Plaid Enterprises was kind enough to send me some Mod Podge for this post. Can you believe I had never tried any of their products before? I bet you my next project will have Fusion Paint, a thrifty treasure, Mod Podge and whatever our next material is!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Vintage Christmas Albums & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #84


Seeing as we just enjoyed the most beautiful, sunny long weekend, I am loath to bring up Christmas. But here I go anyway. We visited my mom and dad on the weekend. (Dad recently celebrated his 89th birthday!) I always come home with a box of some vintage something or other. This time it was Christmas albums.

I can't resist a Christmas album. As long as it's December. Not November. Not October. I'm not going to buy Christmas gifts super early just because the stores start rotating Christmas tunes in the fall. Although I really should shop earlier...

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Books To Nurture Creativity for The Whole Family

Books to nurture creativity for the whole family - besides being really beautiful, these books will get the family coloring, drawing, writing and creating together! #art #crafts #drawing #family #fun #bookreview

Summer is great for so many reasons, not the least of which are road trips, camping and cottage vacations. Whether you're chilling in the passenger seat of the car, hanging out on the dock in a Muskoka chair or kicking back poolside, you'll want to take along some books.

These fab creative books from Quarto are perfect not only for occupying free time, but also for bringing out your inner artist. Not to mention the fact that they are useful for keeping kids busy in the car or on a rainy day! In this post, I'm sharing a selection of creative books that suit the interests and ages of my family members, but I really think that all of these books work well for a range of ages and for any sex.

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

What I Ate Wednesday

 

Is there ever a bad time for pancakes? I don't think so. I crave them on the regular. As I said in this previous WIAW post, I have been digging Bob's Red Mill Organic High Fiber Whole Grain Pancake & Waffle Mix of late. It's a quick solution when you don't have time (or the inclination) to make pancakes from scratch. All you need to do is add non-dairy milk and a flax "egg." Plus, blueberries. Loads o' blueberries!

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Hardy Boys Memorabilia & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #83


I'm taking a walk down memory lane today. I have this Hardy Boys mirrored framed photo on the wall in my basement. Because where else would I put it? I figure the basement is a good place for whimsy. By rights it should probably be discarded in my 4-month household declutter. But I can't do that - I'm a mother now, with all the (many!) responsibilities that entails, and I figure I can use a reminder now and then of my inner child. Like, "Oh yeah, there was a time when I actually explored my own interests..." Like Shaun Cassidy. He was an early interest.

Monday, May 16, 2016

Peanut Butter and Jam Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding (vegan recipe)

Peanut Butter & Jam Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding - with a tiny bit of work the night before, you can have a delicious, satisfying, filling and nutrient-rich breakfast on the run. #vegan

This delicious peanut butter and jam chia seed breakfast pudding makes a filling, energizing, nutrient-dense breakfast that's conveniently prepared the night before.

When I can't think of what to eat for breakfast, I often default to peanut butter and jam on toast. There's nothing wrong with a classic breakfast standby, however there are so many other creative ways to eat your peanut butter. Take this Peanut Butter and Jam Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding for example. This recipe may not be as quick to prepare as peanut butter and jam on toast, but with a tiny bit of work the night before, it's pretty darn easy and provides a filling, energizing, nutrient-dense breakfast.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

What I Ate Wednesday

What I Ate...a day of healthy, easy, tasty #vegan foods! #idea #food #eating

Since a few of you asked me to share What I Ate Wednesday posts more often, I'm back to photographing almost everything I eat. Sometimes people think I'm strange. But it's kind of fun anyway. While it might seem slightly obnoxious to photograph your food each day, I hope that people will look at what I eat and take away some ideas for healthy, tasty, simple meals. I'd like more people to know that eating vegan is really quite easy, whether you do it every day or a couple of times a week. In my opinion, you don't give up anything by being vegetarian or vegan. On the contrary, you add lots of possibilities to your life - possibilities for healthy and delicious plant-based meals that are kind to your body and to our animal friends.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Vintage Quilt Tote Bags & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #82


I didn't do any thrifty or vintage shopping this week, but I did add a treasure to my collection nevertheless. I received a package in the mail this week from my very kind cousin Mary who lives in Texas. She blogs her groovy perspective on the world over at Babylon Sisters. She also handmakes incredible bohemian gypsy curtains, which she sells via her Etsy shop. Her curtains have appeared on the TV show Sleepy Hollow. Mary and I grew up nowhere near each other and yet we have so much in common, including being committed vegetarians.

Mary sent handcrafted tote bags for me and my sister. The totes are made from antique quilt pieces created by our grandmother (my dad's mom). I have lots of quilts, dishes and linens from Mom's mother, but little from my dad's mother. The quilts were in bad shape so Mary smartly turned them into these lovely (and useful!) keepsakes.

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Zesty Peanut Lime Chopped Salad #CincoDeMayo (Giveaway)


Happy Cinco de Mayo! Here in Canada, I suspect most of us celebrate by downing Corona and eating tacos. But for those withe Mexican heritage, Cinco de Mayo means something more. Apparently those in the United States tend to celebrate this day the most. Head over to this interesting article for five facts that may surprise you about Cinco de Mayo.

And if you are looking to celebrate with a special meal, the folks at Que Pasa Foods have some yummy ideas for you! They suggest serving a big bowl of this Zesty Peanut Lime Chopped Salad - not just today, but any day you want a delicious spring meal. I think this would be a great potluck dish, served with broken up Que Pasa purple corn chips on top.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

What I Ate Wednesday

What I Ate...a day of healthy and delicious #vegan eats. Ideas for the vegan dabbler, newbie vegan or experienced vegan.

The other day my mom told me she misses my What I Ate Wednesday posts. With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, I'm doing this post for her. (I'll get you something better too Mom. I promise.) Mother's Day for me this year will involve getting up around 5:30 a.m. to do my daughter's hair and makeup for a dance competition. You don't know how much I love my usual breakfast in bed, followed by hours of reading magazines! (I made my husband promise I'll get to do this another day.) Hopefully at the very least my little girl will be less critical of my hair and makeup work this weekend. ("The bun is crooked! The eye shadow's not the same on both eyes!")

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Nice Cream (Dairy-Free)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana Nice Cream - an easy, delicious recipe for a dairy-free ice cream that will satisfy your summer frozen dessert cravings! #vegan #healthy

As the weather gets warmer, one's thoughts tend to drift towards icy cold, creamy dessert treats. While ice cream may be your summertime favourite, there's a healthier way to indulge that will still completely satisfy your cravings.

I've created this healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Banana "Nice" Cream as a still-delicious, but more nutritionally beneficial (and dairy-free, vegan) version of ice cream. If you haven't heard of "nice" cream before, you're in for a revelation, because this taste sensation get its ice cream-like texture from frozen bananas. Bananas. That is all.

Featured Vintage Treasures & Vintage Bliss Tuesdays Linky Party #81


Currently I am taking a (very short) vacation from thrifting. With warm weather entertaining opportunities coming up, I want to get the house de-cluttered and tidied up. (I'll take to adding more "stuff" again later I'm sure.)