Morning Force

FA, LA, LAAAAAH! 

AUUGGGGHHHH. I am so over school projects; and studying for exams. My brain is in desperate need of vacation; where it can enjoy tabloid magazines, TV re-runs, and hot beverages. 

With less than a week left of school for the fall semester, I am struggling to stay energized and carefree. My attitude is slipping, and I've needed to call in THE FORCE, for support. 

Getting out of bed in the winter when it is still dark out is any thing but inviting. With the help of the force, aka a Lego Star Wars Alarm clock my morning aversion to darkness is defeated. 

Lego inspired mornings... A Christmas gift idea for the lovable nerd in your family. 

Fish TAIL braids!

Fish Tail

 Braids, are my go to winter activity hair style. The braid, pulls my hair back and keeps it orderly while I play outdoors. Because Fish Tale braids are braided differently, I find that after a day of rocking a fish tale braid, I don't have the "typical" braid kinks to deal with. 

To fish tale braid your hair yourself, think of it as french braiding in reverse. 

First divide you hair into two pieces.

Then take a mini piece of hair from one of the large halves of hair and cross it over to the other half.

Repeat crossing back and forth little pieces of hair. I find that for the most dramatic look it is important to cross outside hair into the inside of the opposite half.

 Fish Tale braids are super easy, and look great! 

Weekly Horoscope: Dec 5-11.

Happy Monday, I hope you all had a lovely weekend and a great start to your December. Here is your weekly Georgia Nicols horoscope for Dec.5- Dec.11. We have a full moon this Saturday; so enjoy. 

Sagittarius:

 Oops, the Full Moon at the end of the week is opposite your sign so this will likely generate tension by Thursday and Friday between you and others. But hey, you can see this coming. Meanwhile, the Sun and Mercury are in your sign boosting your energy, charm and verbal skills. Plus the promise of increased earnings is almost a guarantee. (You'll also be pleased with sweet purchases.) So don't get your belly in a rash if things are tense by Friday. Just remember: You can't keep your shirt on if you're trying to get something off your chest. Postpone your complaints. Make life easy on yourself and others.

Capricorn: 

Life is good. Fair Venus is in your sign dancing beautifully with lucky moneybags Jupiter. (It doesn't get much better than this.) In a nutshell, you feel lucky. (It's time to alphabetize your blessings.) Romantic relationships, casual friendships and professional associations are all running smoothly in your life. As your year ahead holds one of the best times for vacations in more than a decade, start planning! You deserve the best. Naturally, the Full Moon at the end of the week will introduce some tension with others, most likely work-related or health-related. But it's minor stuff - nothing is really going to harsh your buzz. (This is your hour!)

Aquarius: 

Your year ahead is looking so positive with home and family, you're laughing! For many, your family is expanding. (Keep in mind this means real-estate opportunities exist for you as well.) Because you feel so happy, any tension that arises on Thursday or Friday before Saturday's Full Moon will just be a glitch in the matrix. Most likely, it will manifest as conflict with a friend or group. Naturally, this will hurt you because friendships are important. (You're a networker extraordinaire.) Since everyone else can feel this tension as well, why not show others how to set the bar high? Demonstrate how to overlook minor tensions with a view to keeping the peace with everyone else. It only takes one person to really turn the vibes sour, doesn't it? Do what you can to keep things positive in this interconnected binary universe. After all, you'll never again be as young as you are today.

Pisces:

Basically, all your social contacts are smooth and friendly this week. Your dealings with friends and groups are great! Hopefully, you are learning to handle Mars opposite your sign because it's going to stay there until next summer. It's a painful fact that it will encourage conflict with others, but only if you let it. Basically, Mars is just energy. Instead you can work with others and accomplish an enormous amount. Admittedly, by the end of the week, you might feel as confused as a termite in a yo-yo because this Full Moon aggravates your home-and-family-versus-career dynamic. Just cope as best you can. People notice you now - keep this in mind. (If you're going to crayon on the wall, do it behind the sofa.)

Aries: 

The big thing for Aries to note this week is that as this Full Moon approaches on Saturday, it will actually create an accident-prone situation for you. (You need this like you need another hole in your head.) Be aware of this because it's a fact. On Thursday and Friday, it behooves you to slow down and be extra careful and observant. Watch for the stupidity of others. Guard against your own distractions. Not only are you dealing with the influence of the pending Full Moon, Mercury retrograde is in the picture as well. (Gulp.) This could cause snafus to travel, transportation and communications. Charge your cell phone.

Taurus:

Travel plans plus publishing, the media, medicine and the law are extremely positive this week. Ditto for anything related to higher education. It looks like you're going places! (Travel for pleasure is definitely on the agenda.) However, as the week progresses and the Full Moon approaches on Saturday, disputes or conflicts about shared property, taxes, debt, mortgages and loans might arise. Something with your cash flow, assets and liabilities could come to a head. You might be forced to deal with past issues about how to share something or pay down a debt. Nevertheless, you're in party mode! You also feel physically passionate and ready for fun. With lucky Jupiter still in your sign, you're laughing. (Hopefully all the way to the bank.)

Gemini:

You're feeling pretty flush right now because others are giving you support, gifts or paying you back what they owe. How reassuring! Romance is both sweet and passionate with new relationships and existing partnerships. However, the Full Moon on Saturday is in your sign. (Yikes!) It is the only Full Moon in Gemini all year. The classic tension with a Full Moon is between partners and close friends. In fact, ex-partners might be part of the mix. But forewarned is forearmed. If you know this is coming down the pipe, your ability to stay light on your feet while being patient, accommodating and verbally witty will assuage difficulties with loved ones. (Happiness is wanting what you have.

Cancer:

This week you'll enjoy a lovely sense of well-being. You'll feel happy, strong and physically vigorous! In fact, good news related to your work is likely. You might get a raise or praise. (Yeah, yeah, money praise doesn't pay the rent.) Because you're in party mode and interested in romantic possibilities, accept invitations to sports events, social diversions, the theatre and movies. Friction with children and romantic partners might build by the end of the week, but you can skilfully smooth things over. Remember that tension related to a Full Moon is gone in 48 hours. Stay flexible; it's the most rigid trees that are the first to be snapped in the wind.

Leo:

This week you'll enjoy a lovely sense of well-being. You'll feel happy, strong and physically vigorous! In fact, good news related to your work is likely. You might get a raise or praise. (Yeah, yeah, money praise doesn't pay the rent.) Because you're in party mode and interested in romantic possibilities, accept invitations to sports events, social diversions, the theatre and movies. Friction with children and romantic partners might build by the end of the week, but you can skilfully smooth things over. Remember that tension related to a Full Moon is gone in 48 hours. Stay flexible; it's the most rigid trees that are the first to be snapped in the wind.

Virgo:

A promising, friendly, social week ahead! Accept invitations to schmooze with others. Romance will offer little surprises. You feel creative and eager to play! Participate in playful activities with children because you have lots of energy now to share with others. Naturally, the increasing tension before the pending Full Moon on Saturday is a reality, and this could create a tug-of-war between the demands of home and family versus the demands of career and your outer world. You'll feel pulled in both directions. Yes, you are the sign of service, but if you don't meet your own needs first, you'll be of no use to anyone. Remember this. A healthy self-interest is a survival issue.

Libra: 

Many of you will enjoy tweaking your digs or redecorating because you're entertaining at home and having fun times with family. No question. (You love good conversation in a beautiful room with candles, good food and drink.) However, be careful driving and walking because the Full Moon at the end of the week is an accident-prone situation and this will manifest most strongly on Thursday and Friday. Think twice before you say anything or do anything. (Did you know that the origin of the word scruples means "to hesitate?") You might save yourself some grief by pausing to have a sober second thought.

Scorpio: 

This is a busy social week! You'll love schmoozing with others because all your interactions will be pleasant and light. Privately, you'll discover how much love there is in your everyday world. You'll feel emotionally supported, especially by siblings, neighbours and relatives. You might also more keenly appreciate the beauty in your surroundings. (Yeah, it sounds pretty feel-good, but it's true.) The only dark cloud on your horizon will be some financial tension on Thursday and Friday before Saturday's Full Moon. (Why is there always so much month left at the end of the money?) Look for old opportunities to boost earnings.

Warm up! Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash is a winter power food. The squash is low in fat and high in fiber. Butternut squash is loaded with potassium which helps prevent muscle fatigue and bone health. Meaning you can enjoy more skiing/snowboarding without overly exhausting your muscles, and B vitamins which are essential for the proper functioning of the immune and nervous system. As a vegetarians in can be a struggle to getting enough vitamin B's. The squash lovely color indicates it's most important health perk. Butternut squash is loaded with  vitamin A, which helps to promote beautiful skin. 

Butternut Squash Soup

Preheat the oven to 375 F

1 large butternut squash

1 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic

1 tbsp dried rosemary

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

Cut the butternut squash long ways in half, and scoop out the seeds. Place the halved squash on a baking sheet. Put two cloves of garlic in each squash scoop. Drizzle the squash with the olive oil, and sprinkle with the salt, pepper, rosemary, and paprika.

Once cooked remove from the oven and let cool. Then peal of the skin and cut into chunks. 

1 tbsp coconut oil ( or olive oil)

1 large red onion chopped

1 L (quart) vegetable stock

1/2 cup non-dairy plain milk

1 large red apple chopped

1 tsp agave nectar

1 tsp dried ginger

1 tsp Cinnamon

1 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp chili pepper

In a large saucepan heat the oil, and add the onion stirring until soft. pour in the vegetable stock and the milk. Add in the squash, apple, garlic. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Or until the apple is very tender. Using an electric hand blender, ( or very carefully transferring the soup to a blender) pure until smooth. Add the agave, ginger, cinnamon, chili powder, sage, and nutmeg. Stir well. 

This soup is a nice thick consistency. If you wish to "thin" out the soup add some extra non dairy milk. 

-enjoy

The Radleys: Vamp Fiction at Its finest

It seems that there is a surplus of Vampire inspired literature: either leading the best sellers list or their made for TV/movie adaptations is the most talked about program. I, myself am suffering from Vampire Fatigue. There are only so many ways that a writer can creatively pen; likable, and innocent blood sucking, murderous, protagonists.

Enter Matt Haig, and his latest novel, "The Radleys." The Radleys, are your average dysfunctional suburban family. Peter and Helen,  are an attractive city couple that moved to the countryside to provide a quiet and stable life for their children. Peter is an overworked doctor, and Helen is a forlorn housewife. Peter and Helen are the parents of two teen aged kids: Rowan and awkward boy, whom  is constantly ridiculed, and the prime focus of the high school bully. Rowan sister Clara is mousy, animal loving vegan. 

Rowan and Clara Radley don't fit in at school. They're not like the other kids. It puzzles the teens beyond rationality to understand why they innately provoke caution in others. The confusion of their normal existence is erased by an act of self defense made by Clara that leads to the realization of "The Radley family secret. The children, were born vampire, and have been raised in an Abstainers Household. 

Clara loves her transformation; regardless of the implications it creates for her family.  

"Be proud to act like a normal human being, Keep daylight hours, get a regular job, and mix in the company of people with a fixed sense of write and wrong." -The Abstainers Handbook

The Radleys, Is a funny and imaginative read. Matt Haig, cleverly spins the vampire diet as an addiction that requires constant support to maintain; combined with the ever present lust for thirst. Add  the dynamics of with-holding important facts of life from your family and you have the prime contents for a drama-licious read.

 I loved reading The Radleys, The book was clever and imaginative. Matt Haig, did not patronize any character. Instead he created a family of unique personalities each fighting their own personal demons as they accept the truth and conditions of their existence. 

Matt Haig's, The Radleys, Is less vampire fiction, and more great fiction. The novel is an effortlessly witty read that constantly reminds the reader of why The Radleys Is a 2011 ALA ALEX Award winner. 

Most Desired Holiday Accessory!

2011 has been a tough year for the economy. The recession hangover of 2008 is still very much a haunting presence as we approach the holiday season and 2012. The must have accessory this party season is not the conventional "Birkin Bag" nor is it a channel clutch. In polar contrast the most envied and coveted accessory a girl can have for the holiday party circuit is: "uber glam, show 'em off Legs." 

Everyone from Hollywood it girls, to local socialites are recession proofing their accessories and focusing on improving their bodies. Strong, toned legs, improve your overall fitness and strength. I love to snowboard, and these leg exercises will help prep you for winter activities as well, they will stir leg envy at all the holiday parties. 

This leg workout is inspired by Tracy's Mat Dvd. All you need is chair, and a strong focus to help you stay tall. 

I'm wishing you all, a fantastic Holiday Season. 

-xoxo Kendra

Shred the slopes; Get Fit.

I love winter! More specifically I love Snowboarding. I know that , I'm kind of the opposite of most people; because of my love for snow I am fitter and more toned in the colder snow filled winter months. The satisfaction and adrenaline of "dashing through the snow" on technical sled is unbeatable. A day skiing or snowboarding is not only great for your spirit, but it is a total body workout that requires large muscle movements to hold and edge, mixed with interval of anaerobic exercise. 

A single day on the slopes can zap over 1,000 calories ( and can help prevent the dreaded seasonal weight gain). 

For ski and snowboard reviews of resorts, check out: Board the World. My Personal favourite place to shred is the Canadian Rockies. I love Sunshine Village Ski Resort and Marmot Basin in Jasper.

There are a lot of great ski/board clubs; that can enrich you social life. Whether you are learning to ski or snowboard, or getting back into; you need to be patient, listen to your body, eat health foods, and always remember the importance of pre ski and post ski stretches.

So go,  get out, and enjoy winter!