EAT: Artichoke Fries

From #yyc to #mia, is a long a way to go for a three day cruise. We docked in Miami early, and were off the boat by 8 am. Our flight home was scheduled for 6pm so we had a whole day to explore Miami and shop. The cruise was awesome, and somewhat over whelming. I kind of felt like I was stuck in a ridiculous over the top limo with all off the flashing neon lights and 24 hour refreshment stations. 

It was fun to have a holiday with my whole family. In Miami, we had lunch at Canyon Ranch. I have been dying to go to Canyon Ranch since I can remember. It sounds like heaven to me: healthy food, unlimited exercise classes, and spa treatments. 

We shared an order  of Artichoke Fries, and they were incredible. Artichokes are an amazing vegetable with multiple health benefits and a rich unique taste. 

Home Made Artichoke Fries: 

Ingredients: 1/2 pounds artichoke bottoms (fresh, frozen, or canned)

1/2 tsp lemon lest

1.2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp nutritional yeast

2 cloves minced garlic

2 tsp olive oil

Preheat the oven to 375. Place the artichoke bottoms in a steamer and steam for 5 minutes or until tender. Remove from heat and let cool enough to touch. Slice the artichoke bottoms into thin fry like strips. 

In a medium sized mixing bowl combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, garlic and olive oil. I've also been adding a tsp of crushed red pepper for an extra little kick. Combine well.

 Place the artichokes into the mixing bowl with the seasoning and toss until the artichoke fries are well coated. Place the seasoned artichokes on a baking tray.

 For a true fry texture use a perforated baking sheet. Bake for 25- 30 minutes. 

* I have had difficulty finding frozen artichoke bottoms, and have used canned artichoke. They taste just as good.

-Enjoy!

Break em in.

Elle Canada might be the best magazine period. The January issue is incredible; featuring useful modern/ urban day survival tips. Like how to break in high heels; with out the pain of walking around for hours in tight shoes. 

All you need is your new shoes, a cotton swab and some nail polish remover. Wet the cotton pad with the nail polish remover and gently rub the insides of your shoe. The acetone in the nail polish remover gently softens the leather with out damaging the integrity of the shoe. This trick only works on leather based shoes, but it does work. Huge life saver. 

Even though my heels are more comfortable thanks to this little trick, I still like keep my tieks in my purse. Just in case. 

Careful Now, Chiquita

Chiquita Brand is the worlds largest supplier of Bananas. Chiquita Brand has an enormous bank of capital resources; large enough to attempt a fiscal war with the multi billion dollar Canadian Oil Sands project. Chiquita Bananas ironically is defaming the Canadian Oil sands as an unethical venture. Chiquita brands is boisterously boycotting the canadian oil sands. The company stated that they would no longer use canadian oil. Unfortunately for Chiquita, you can't shop for oil the same was as you can for food. When you fuel up the oil in any given tank is a commercial mixture, making it difficult to trace the origins of the fuel. In addition the extensive pipe lines used to transport North American oil are a cleaner and less energy intensive shipping method. Chiquita's desire to only use middle eastern oil is a hypocritical and energy intensive unrealistic initiative.

Chiquita's animosity towards the Canadian Oil Sands is an attempt from Chiquita to reinvent their brand as environmentally and communally sound. The only problem with Chiquita's new brand strategy is the massive continuity discrepancies between Chiquita Brands public relation strategy and their actual business practices. Chiquita Bananas is an empire built on controversy and has been awarded multiple times by Forbes magazine as one of the worst multi-national companies.

Chiquita Bananas unethical business practices begins with a cartel of fruit trade. Chiquita secretly owns dozens of "supposedly" independent banana and fruit companies. Chiquita has a cost leadership strategy, in an attempt to keep trade prices low and profits high, Chiquita will use dangerous pesticides that often burn plantation workers skins. These pesticides often penetrate past the banana peel and into the flesh of the fruit. Since 1980 Banana, a fruit protected by it's thick peel, has been climbing it's way up the list of dirty fruits and vegetables. The pesticides that Chiquita Bananas use threaten the health of it's workers, and nearby communities.

The pesticides that Chiquita uses in South and Central America have long been banned in Canada, The EU and The United States. The cost leadership production strategy of Chiquita does not coincide with the companies "declaration" of only supporting drilled oil. The production and shipping costs of the oil favored by Chiquita far surpasses that of the oil sands. In addition, I believe that Chiquita's boycott of Canadian oil is rooted in a much deeper and unethical monopolistic endeavor.

Chiquita Brand, and Chiquita executives in 1998 were involved in a drug and weapon trade in Columbia.The actions of Chiquita were halted by the SEC. Two senior executives were forced to retire as a result. The company was forced to restructure their brand and brand affiliations. In 2011 a BBC investigation discovered that the restructured parent company of Chiquita still engaged in terrorism activities. Chiquita Brand is one of the largest cocaine smugglers into Canada, Europe, and The US. In 2008, Authorities seized a metric ton of pure cocaine (worth over $33 million dollars). The 2008 Chiquita drug bust was not the first for Chiquita. In 1998 a similar amount of cocaine was seized coming in to Europe, and in the 1980's Chiquita was busted for smuggling drugs through a Texas border.

Chiquita Brand employees military guards and slave labour to work the fields. The military guards use brute force to manage fruit pickers. Chiquita Bananas is not an eco friendly or community driven organization. The company in a multi billion dollar fruit trading company with a history of unethical, and illegal business practices. In 2007 Chiquita was accused of trading death for profits. 

Why Chiquita would boycott the oil sands in beyond me. In my opinion Chiquita in only putting gas on the fire of their consumer volatile brand. The amount of controversial and eco-terrorism arguments that can be used against the brand surpasses that of the Oil Sands. In a time of unlimited information; consumer have an increased ability to spot the inconstancy of a brand or product. These discrepancy can easily wreak havoc on any organization.

No excuses! Exercise anywhere.

A few minutes a day, or exercise has huge benefits to the body and mind. Just 10 minutes a day will boost ones overall fitness level;  (aerobic, cardiovascular, and muscular). An increased general fitness level, allows one to enjoy more recreational activities such as skiing, snowboarding, hockey, and hiking with out fear of injury or exhaustion. Daily exercise is beneficial not only to our physical appearance but also to our internal health. Daily exercise improve ones health by strengthening the immune system, and forcing internal organs to work through the process of converting stored calories into energy. Daily exercise is like fiber for the body, it helps to clean the body out, while exercise promotes the production of serotonin a mood lifting natural antidepressant. 

It can be a challenge to fit in the time for a workout every day; especially when your daily routine is a little out of sync. I have a month of for winter holidays from university and personally the though of a single month of gym/yoga fees is enough to disinterest my very positive fitness intentions. I always travel with a gym bag and my computer. You do not need an expensive gym membership to squeeze in your daily workout. All you need is a bit of time you can set aside, and a room that have some extra space for moving around. 

This is a quick 10 minute workout low-intensity workout, that can be done anywhere. The only piece of equipment that you need in a chair. Check out Tracy Anderson's site for motivational tips and tunes to accompaniment your workout. 

Many fitness clubs over air condition their facilities. When you workout at home or in a hotel the room temperature tends to be warmer. Go with it! The more you sweat, the more you will work your internal system granting you the most benefits of your workout. 

BIG FAT BUNS

Nothing pulls together a look of elegance more so, in my opinion, than a big, beautiful, voluptuous bun. Big buns have the illusion of only being a fashion that those with uber long and beautiful hair can master. Until recently when I pulled my hair up and into a bun it resemble the week geeky bun of the beauty salon. My bun got bullied hard core by the fatter, tighter, and more perfect buns. Thanks to Elle Canada and Loepsie I have managed to master the "sock bun" transforming my ugly duckling of a hair bun into a chubby beautiful swan.

 (Take that bun bullies!)

A Sock Bun works great for shoulder length hair and longer. As long as you choose a sock that is close to your hair color no one will be able to tell that you have a sock in your hair. 

Start by cutting the toes off of an athletic sock.

Then roll the sock up starting with the missing toe, until the sock takes on a tight donut shape.

Put your hair into a pony tail, and slide the sock bun on to your pony tail. 

Keep the sock close to the end of your hair and fold your hair over the sock.

Once the sock is somewhat covered with your hair roll the sock/hair down closer to your scalp.

The sock bun does not require a lot of extra bobby pins, however because my hair is somewhat short I like to secure my ends in place. 

Weekly Horoscope: Jan 2-8

Well Happy New Years, and "reset" month. I like routines, and I have this need to always fit in my blog and my workout in to a daily routine. Yesterday proved impossible and unfeasible to do so. I could feel my anxiety and frustration at the disruption of routine rise; until I realized that January 1st offers a reminder to activate a personal improvement reset switch. For 2012, I hope to swing with the punches better and allow my routine to camouflage into its time and location restricted environment. My daily workout and blog is crazy important to me, however if my setting prevents me form performing my routine compulsion I have to remember that it is OK. I can catch up tomorrow. I spent all day yesterday traveling back from MIA to YYC. 

Happy New Years, and good luck with your minor/ major new years resolutions!

Capricorn:

This year you will have a strong feeling of general well being. You'll be highly creative, enthusiastic, and eager to make your surroundings (at home or your workplace) more elegant. In fact, you're prepared to lie out some serious coin to do so. Actually, wealth and benefit will come to you to the extent you might gain weight. Hiking could be a good counterbalance. This is definitely the best year in more than a decade for vacations, romance, love affairs and success in sports. You will also derive much joy from children, especially your own kids.

Aquarius:

This year your home life is going to be so much happier. Some of you will move into larger, more luxurious digs. Others will buy beautiful things to enhance their home because Aquarians will feel richer where they live. Not only this, but your family relationships will improve immensely. Family members will be more generous to each other and your day-to-day relationships will be more joyful. This quality of expansion to your home scene could be quite literal in terms of more people at home! Birth, adoption or marriage might expand your home scene - or you might get a pet.

Pisces:

Your mind creates your world. This is how it works for all of us. First comes the thought, and then comes the word. From the word springs the deed, and the deed soon becomes habit. Habit eventually hardens into character. This is why we have to watch our thoughts with care! You understand this process well. Therefore, you should be glad to know your thoughts are going to be unusually positive and optimistic in 2012. (Don't ask - they just will be.) So if your thoughts are positive and optimistic, by extension your whole world will be. Relationships of siblings will improve. Your plans for the future will be bigger and more ambitious. And your self-imposed limitations will fall away as you give yourself permission to succeed.

Aries:

The first half of 2012 will focus on earnings and cash flow for most Aries. There will be increased activity in this part of your life, for sure! Obviously, you'll be dreaming up ways to get a better job or make money on the side or get a raise, and most of you will definitely feel more flush this year. (Money is so handy when you want to buy things, isn't it?) However, specifically, whatever you value most is what will be in abundance. This is also the year where you will achieve a far better understanding of how to use what you have. And also to make sure that you own your possessions and they don't own you. Ka-ching!

Taurus:

Well, things are sitting pretty for your sign, aren't they? After all, lucky moneybags Jupiter is in Taurus until July. For starters, this means you're beginning a major growth cycle in your life that will last about 12 years. In the next decade, you will undergo experiences that help you to discover who you really are. With Jupiter in your sign, you have the almost magical ability to attract people and favourable circumstances to you. Try to make these connections mutually beneficial. This will be a fortunate year for you. As the months go by, your self-confidence will increase, definitely. Many of you will score significant successes. That's nice. Nothing succeeds like success.

Gemini:

Many of you will find that you're more in touch with your spiritual life this year. This could be due to encountering a teacher or a life-changing experience. Or it might be because of your own personal sense of mortality. It's as if you have greater clarity when you look at others around you. You see people's needs and you see how they go about fulfilling them. Because of this clarity, it's easy to be compassionate to others. In fact, your increasing clarity and observations of others might thrust you into the role of teacher for others. (Conversely, some of you will meet a teacher.) Some will even be much more involved with a particular religion or church. This is all part of setting the stage for Jupiter to enter your own sign in July.

Cancer:

This is definitely going to be a much more popular year for all Cancers. You will schmooze more with friends and quite likely be involved with clubs, groups and organizations. But more than that, you're going to give a lot of thought to your hopes and dreams for the future because Jupiter is activating a part of your chart that encompasses your goals. It will benefit you to share your ideas about your dreams for the future with others because friends will be supportive to you this year. In fact, feedback from friends can help you shape your goals or modify them. You will get the most bang for your buck if you can improve the lives of others as well as your own this year. (That's how Jupiter works.)

Leo:

This is a very interesting time for Leos! Jupiter is now slowly travelling across the top of your chart. This will take all year and into next year, depending on whether you are a July Leo or late August Leo. For certain, the influence you will feel from Jupiter at the top of your chart is that your reputation is sparkling! Jupiter expands. Jupiter is also related to groups, foreign countries, publishing and the media. Therefore, in some way your name will be much more hyped this year. Your reputation will be "out there." It's a great year to move ahead in your career or profession. Traditionally one gets kudos, a raise, and praise - that sort of thing. Increased travel is likely. And for some, this is a chance to change fields to a Jupiter line of work like medicine, healing, the law, higher education or travel. A very successful year indeed!

Virgo:

All Virgos will experience many more chances to travel this year. The year 2012 is all about broadening your experience of the world, and travel is one of the most logical ways to do this. However, some will explore more through study and education. Others will find themselves engaged with people from other cultures in different countries. Your views on the world will change. You will broaden your knowledge, including your awareness of philosophy, consciousness-raising movements and spiritual ideology. (Pretty heady stuff.) Many of you will drop old prejudices - and probably get new ones! (We're naked without our prejudices!)

Libra:

Two signs get a financial benefit from Jupiter this year. Aries is one sign and you are the other. Many Librans will benefit through inheritances this year. Others will benefit indirectly because their partners earn more money or get a bonus. Some will benefit from the resources of others because people will let them have the use of something even if they don't own it. There are many ways you will feel richer this year, but you will feel richer! To be sure, another area that will get a boost of abundance is your sex drive. But then, you always were a sign that believed, "Chaste makes waste."

Scorpio:

This year is a time of culmination for you. You will feel satisfied with how well you are doing at the art of living. You have a lot to be proud of. In some ways, this year will be a turning point in your life. This year offers many opportunities for success, in part because you're ready to go after what you want. One-to-one encounters with others will be particularly meaningful and beneficial. This is a good year to consult experts. And because others benefit you, it's obviously a good year for partnerships and close friendships. It's easy to meet someone who is older, wiser, richer and more worldly.

Sagittarius:

All Sagittarians have a fabulous chance this year to improve their health. This is good news because many of you party hard, which means you're writing checks your body can't cash. So it's good to boost your health through a change of lifestyle, diet and exercise. Certainly, all Sagittarians can improve their jobs. You can get a better job, or better duties at your current job, or better workplace conditions, and your evil boss will be transferred or fired. ("Ding Dong! The witch is dead!") You will also gain the esteem of co-workers and others who work with you. It's all-good!

Home Made Vegan Pizza

Happy New Years!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling a little um lethargic this morning. 2012, is the first new years that I have rung in outside of Canada, and with out snow. I have to admit it feels strange to ring in a new year far away from winter. After a night of dancing and staying up late to watch the fire works pizza sounds great. And what sounds better than vegan cheese stuffed pizza crust?

For the Pizza Dough Combine:

1 tsp sucanat

1 1/2 cup warm water

1 1/2 tbsp yeast

1 tbsp olive oil

and stir together in a large bowl

in a smaller bowl combine:

 in 1 tsp salt

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup spelt or all purpose flour

plus thyme, and oregano, and a dash of garlic powder.

slowly stir in the dry mixture until well combined, knead for 5 minutes and cover with a damp towel. Let the dough rise for at least one hour.

pre heat the oven to 425F

Roll out the dough on a floured surface and be sure to stretch the dough well. You will want the dough to stretch beyond the limits of the pan.

Sprinkle some non dairy cheese around the edge of the pizza pan, and carefully fold the dough over pinching the crust closed.

Dress the pizza with tomato sauce and your favourite toppings.

Bake for 25 minutes or until the pizza is nice and crispy.

-enjoy!