Delicious, Healthy Chocolate Date Smoothie Bowl (vegan, gluten-free)

 

It's a smoothie. In a bowl. But you already knew that. The smoothie bowl is your morning-time friend - a quick blend of healthy, filling, nourishing whole foods that will help energize you and take you through to lunchtime. Plus, if you do it right, the smoothie bowl is super tasty too. Let's do it that way!

Off The Shelf: Our Animal Hearts by Dania Tomlinson (Book Review)

Summer ain't over yet - there's still time to grab a great book and head for the beach! If you're a fan of sunny, romantic beach reads, Our Animal Hearts, by Canadian Dania Tomlinson, isn't the book for you. But if you want to be caught up in a fanciful, dark, captivating tale that has you reading through to sundown, this is a perfect choice. It's weird, for sure, but weird is good. Weird is different. Weird is something you haven't read before.

Easy As Pie Caramelized Pear and Chocolate Pie (vegan & gluten-free)

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.

California Pears are in season right now and I took advantage of their abundance to make this "Easy As Pie" Caramelized Pear and Chocolate Pie. I have always been confused by the expression "easy as pie" because pie (particularly the crust) isn't all that easy to make. According to Wikipedia though, easy as pie refers to the act of eating pie. And I think we all agree that's easy to do. (Maybe a little too easy?) I decided to name my new (vegan and gluten-free) pie creation Easy As Pie Caramelized Pear and Chocolate Pie because this sweet, pretty little pie is just about as easy to make as it is to eat. Here's how it's done...

Adults Want Back To School Stuff Too! (With A Giveaway)

My daughter and her friend were talking about back to school today and they both agreed that the only exciting thing about going back is shopping for fresh school supplies and clothing. I told them that adults still carry that same feeling with them as we head into fall. I guess it's from all the years of preparing for back to school with nervousness and excitement. That's why, when I'm shopping for the kids for back to school, I like to buy a few things for myself and my home office.

Pear Ginger Muffins (vegan)

*This is a sponsored post. All opinions are authentic and my own. Thank you for supporting the awesome companies that partner with Woman in Real Life.

One of the many beautiful things about summer is that we tend to crave healthy, natural foods. Nothing is more satisfying on a hot summer day than a piece of ripe, refreshing fruit. I like to take advantage of these warm weather cravings while they last by incorporating fruit into as many meals and snacks as I can. That's why I created this recipe for vegan Pear Ginger Muffins. Not only are these muffins moist and delicious, they also harness the health benefits of fresh California Bartlett Pears.

What Are Your Thoughts On A&W's Beyond Meat Burger? & What I Ate Wednesday (Vegan Eats)

Usually I just eat my vegan food and mind my own business. If people have questions about a plant-based diet, I'm happy to answer them. I can even take a joke or two directed at my diet. But I have been reading some of the debate surrounding the new Beyond Meat Burger at A&W (a nation-wide fast food restaurant here in Canada) and I thought I'd weigh in with my opinions. First off, A&W is not the first fast food chain in Canada to offer a plant-based burger. I have been enjoying Harvey's delicious veggie burger for many years now. (In fact, A&W also has another vegetarian burger. I guess all the hype is because of the Beyond Meat partnership.) But I'm always happy for more vegan options. And I'm also fine with eating fast food from a chain restaurant that also serves meat, because we don't all live in Toronto or Vancouver downtown, with vegan restaurants all around us. My parents, for example, live in a town with no Harvey's. They have a McDonald's of course, but I can't get a thing to eat there. They also have A&W, so hooray. I think that, if we support the vegan options, we'll find more of them available in the long run.

Yes it's kind of odd that A&W launched the plant-based burger through vegan Instagram/YouTube celebs - odd because the burger comes dressed with mayonnaise (which contains egg) and apparently an "Uncle" sauce that also isn't vegan. It would certainly make my life easier if they just made the whole package vegan. I went to A&W to sample the Beyond Meat Burger this past week and the guy seemed confused when I asked for no mayo and no sauce. He told me that would mean no ketchup or mustard either - and we can't have that, now can we? So I'm still not sure what the "Uncle" sauce is or whether I need to avoid it.

A Dream Basement Tour - Complete With Wine Cellar, Craft Room and Movie Theatre

Photos by Dylan Photography.

This 10,000-square-foot Stouffville, Ontario home - custom-designed by Royal Interior Design - is a carefully crafted blend of beauty, elegance and function. "A lot of people think a beautiful home is not practical or functional for children or everyday living," says Royal Interior Design principal Catherine-Lucie Horber. "I always try to find the perfect balance of beauty and function." The basement is a case in point. With the abundance of trim work, beautiful finishes, dark flooring, plush furnishings and glam accessories, it has an elegance that could easily translate to a sophisticated condo.