Woman in Real Life

I'm the kind of person who is always hungry. I don't understand people who can go hours without food. I once had to fast for a medical procedure for a full day - I became a weak, shaky and disheartened mess. In order to ensure that I'm prepared when hunger hits - maybe while I'm watching a dance competition or driving to visit my parents, I always have a snack item or two (or three or four) in my purse. Plus a couple more for my daughter (another always-hungry type).

It's Friday. Have a good one. And don't worry too much about your Christmas shopping. It will get done. It always does. (By the way, that little encouragement was just as much for me as for you -- I have barely bought a single present.)

Normally I would call this Insta-Friday, with the "insta" representing cell phone photos. But I am mixing cell phone and camera photos, because I am tired of the quality of my cell phone photos. Nope. No iPhone 5 over here. Not that I'm jealous.

I am including this photo of fruit to illustrate a story about kids...my kids. I sent pears and apples in their lunches yesterday. Mostly they came back untouched. So, I cut them up after school and put them out like this. They ate it all. Apparently they are too lazy to bite into a whole fruit.

It's just week two of back-to-school for my kids, and I'm already running out of good ideas for healthy (to reasonably healthy) after-school snacks. The kids come home from school super hungry and don't want to wait even a second longer for something to munch on. If their snack isn't on the table when they get in, they start pulling random things from the fridge and the cupboards - and that probably won't turn out to be the most nourishing option. In fact, as soon as my son gets off the bus, he says, "What are we having for snack?"

Earlier this morning, I suggested that you spend a night at home this March evening, reigning as king or queen of your household in front of a late winter fire. Of course, you will also need to indulge in a cup of your hot beverage of choice. Mine's decaf green tea. And, with that hot beverage, you will need a little snack. I will, anyway.

After you finish all of your daily tasks—because, let’s face it, you probably don’t have household staff—and before you settle down with a book, whip up a batch of these bold tasting vegan berry muffins. These muffins are moist and flavourful with delicious bites of fresh, tasty and nutritious blueberries and raspberries. But you can substitute any berries (or even other fruit) that you wish.