Don't start your summer off with lighting your bbq on fire like I did one year (that's another blog post!) - get your BBQ ready to do the lion share of the cooking.  Read my tips for a safe season at WonderMoms!

Escape to the Islands with my review of Palm Bay Coolers at the always outstanding Balance My Life (and a few coolers now and then can do that!!).

Nothing can replace teaching your children about a proper diet and exposing them to a wide variety of healthy fresh food but starting their day off right with all the essential vitamins and minerals that their growing bodies need can help ease the everyday concern about what goes into their bodies.  My whole family (husband, 5 year old son and 9 year old son) take 2oz of Vemma and Vemma Next Children's each morning.  The kids ask for it each morning and has become as much a part of their morning routine as brushing their teeth!

No preservatives, no artificial colours and no artificial flavours, all the essential vitamins and minerals along with antioxidant powerhouse mangosteen, aloe vera and organic green tea make it a winning formula for my family.  And if that wasn't enough, for every case of Vemma Next that is sold, one case is donated to children in need in the country that it was purchased in - now that's dedication to children's health!

Contact me to find out more or visit http://www.nadinehughes.vemma.com/ to see the complete Vemma line. 

Last week I stumbled across a radio interview with Neil Pasricha, the author of the new book, "The Book of Awesome". The book is a result of his fantastic website, http://www.1000awesomethings.com/ , which he created at a low period in his life when he wanted to be reminded of the small things that made him smile. Things like,

 

• The cool side of a pillow
• Opening and sniffing a pack of tennis balls
• The smell of rain on a hot sidewalk
• Dancing when you're home alone
• Popping bubble wrap
• Laughing so hard you start crying
• And 994 other awesome things

While I listened to Neil speak about what made him smile, I found myself nodding and smiling too. That great feeling was contagious as I pictured my favourite simple food things. I started to compile a list and was grinning the whole time. Go ahead and try thinking of your own awesome things, the sillier the better, and I dare you not to start smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat! In the meantime, here are some of my awesome favourites: 

 

• The smell of fresh basil
• The crusty top of melted cheese
• The taste of the first ripe tomato in my garden
• A frosty glass from the freezer  
• The granular icy part of a Lola  
• The cork popping on a champagne bottle
• The way the bubbles from the above champagne feel on my tongue
• Eating summer cherries and spitting the pits as far as I can
• My first coffee of the day

Have an awesome day! 

FOOD STYLING
Date: Tuesday April 20th

Time: 7:00 pm
Location: The Cookbook Store
850 Yonge Street at Yorkville Avenue
Tickets: $20.00 Please call to register




Ever wonder how those glorious photos are styled in your favourite cookbooks? Want to be taken behind the scenes in a food stylist's day? Then let two of Toronto's most talented stylists show you tricks of their trade and tell their hilarious stories of working as a food stylist. Sandra Watson has worked on Food Network shows as well as with many renowned local and international authors. Ettie Shuken works with corporate clients as well as magazines. This dynamic duo brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from all facets of the food world for those looking to spruce up their food presentation skills or those just curious about the world of food styling.

Pre-registration is required. Please call the store to register. 416-920-2665

Celebrate Earth Day's 40th anniversary with the Town of Oakville (and me)!

April 22, 2010

6-9 p.m. (my workshop starts at 7 p.m.)

Town Hall, South Atrium

1225 Trafalgar Road

There's no better way to celebrate Earth Day in Oakville than by learning how to live greener every day! There's something for everyone:

• Workshop on cooking local food with Nadine Hughes of The Cook's Companion
• Earth Day cake cutting with Mayor Rob Burton
• Hands-on demos of energy-efficient technology and green gardening
• Town hybrids, Smart Car and state-of-the-art street sweeper
• ... plus raffle prizes and free giveaways of great green products!

 Child minding is available on site, so bring the whole family!

Raisins are a nice way to add a serving of fruit to your diet. From breakfast to dinner, and everything in between, you can find recipes that include raisins. For example, this free Fruit & Sunshine Recipes book has some nice raisin recipes that you can incorporate into any meal plan.  In my family raisins are added to cereal, pancakes, banana bread, couscous, carrot salad or alone as a snack.  They're versatile and easy to pack on the go as well.  I remember giving them to my toddler one by one ever so slowly on plane rides for the take off and descent to help him chew, swallow and keep his ears clear.  Now there's a marketing angle for Sunshine!


Want more than the 17 recipes that are included in the above book? Sun-Maid has been sharing their raisin and dried fruit recipes with families since 1912, almost 100 years. In celebration, they have created a collection of 34 free recipe books that span (to date) from 1915 to 2007.

Head over to Holiday with Matthew Mead to find out how you can win the opportunity to have your blog or online shop mentioned in the magazine. Holiday with Matthew Mead ( http://www.holidaywithmatthewmead.com/ ) is a "book-azine" celebrating and offering inspiration for the Christmas holiday season. To be released in October 2010, Holiday is offered via online orders only - in limited quantities - and will not be sold on newsstands. But, by simply following the BUY HOLIDAY MAGAZINE link below their banner, you can reserve your own copy of this beautiful magazine, with guaranteed delivery of the magazine straight to your mailbox! Holiday with Matthew Mead is144 pages of holiday inspiration with well-known and admired designers, bloggers and top-notch features, printed on beautiful paper and not drowning in ads!


Now, head on over for your chance to win!

This should be a great evening.  Please join me and Dare To Dream!

InsideHalton Article: Business Excellence Awards announce 40 nominations

InsideHalton Article: Business Excellence Awards announce 40 nominations

Great to be amongst so many awesome entrepeneurs. Best of luck to everyone!

CTS Television: Online Video Player

Check out my segment on yummy no back Chocolate desserts on Real Life. I'm the first segment after the intro (about the 3 min mark). Enjoy! CTS Television: Online Video Player

CTS Television: Online Video Player

Great kids Valentine's Day crafts from The Groove Mamma.

CTS Television: Online Video Player

The Groove Mamma is now on Facebook.  Become a fan and get access to more yummy food photos and news.

February has our thoughts turning to romance with the approach of Valentine’s Day. This year picture yourself romantically holding hands across a beautifully prepared meal while the flicker of candles light up your loved one’s smile. Can you see it? No? Could be the two kids crawling under the table and your exhaustion from preparing the meal alone blurring your vision!

For some, preparing a meal at home has all the romance of a crowded bus stop. But it doesn’t need to be if you take a different approach and look at it as a way to spend quality time with your loved one. One of you not a cook? Don’t worry, there are always simple things to do in the kitchen such as boiling water, setting the table or opening the wine!

To help create a romantic and fun atmosphere in the kitchen here are a few tips to help get you on your romantic journey.


• Banish the bright lights. Dim the switch, choose the under the counter lights or light candles to help with the relaxed mood.

• Prepare a special drink to enjoy together while cooking. My recipe for Sgroppino below is a perfect starter with fresh oysters. Give the non-cook the task of keeping these flowing!

• Play a collection of your favourite and most memorable songs to reminisce about together.

• Feed the kids early and rent their favourite movie for them to watch; it should buy you a few hours at least!

• Keep your menu simple and easy to prepare. Cooking together should be fun and enjoyable, now is not the time to try complicated recipes. Chicken Piccata and Creamy Brown Sugar Strawberries are simple yet delicious.

Sgroppino
Serves 2
Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250ml) of chilled Prosecco (or any sparkling wine)
• 2 tbsp chilled Vodka
• 1/3 cup frozen lemon sorbet (or gelato)
• ¼ tsp chopped fresh mint leaves

1. Pour the Prosecco and vodka into 2 champagne flutes dividing equally.
2. Spoon a scoop of the sorbet into each flute.
3. Top with fresh mint and serve immediately.


Freshly Shucked Oysters and Mignonette
Serves 2
Notes: If you don’t want to shuck the oysters, pick shucked ones up from your local seafood store on your way home and keep them on a plate of ice in the back of your fridge until ready to eat.

Ingredients:
• 12 freshly shucked oysters on the half shell
• Lemon wedges, to serve
• 1 shallot, finely diced
• 125ml (1/2 cup) red wine vinegar

1. For the Mignonette sauce, stir the shallot and vinegar together in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Note: the sauce can be prepared the night before and kept in the refrigerator to let the flavours infuse.)

2. Serve the oysters with the lemon wedges and the sauce for drizzling. Enjoy these casually in the kitchen with the Sgroppino while you are preparing the main meal.


Chicken Piccata
Serves 2
Notes: To butterfly a chicken breast, lay the breast on a cutting board. Using the edge of a sharp knife parallel to the cutting board, begin cutting down the length of the side of the breast. Carefully slice the breast in half widthwise almost to the other edge. Keep that edge intact and open the breast along the "fold."

Ingredients:
• 1 skinless, boneless chicken breast, butterflied and then cut in half
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 65ml (¼ cup) fresh lemon juice
• 125ml (½ cup) chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons capers (from jar), brine rinsed off
• Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Place the flour on a plate and dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

2. In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes or until chicken is browned. Turn chicken over and cook for 3 minutes. Remove, transfer to plate, cover to keep warm.

3. Into the same pan, add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Season to taste. Return the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

4. Serve with rice, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables or green salad.


Creamy Brown Sugar Strawberries
Serves 2

Ingredients:
• 12 large strawberries, cleaned with stem still attached
• 1 cup light sour cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• ½ cup brown sugar

1. In a small bowl, combine the sour cream and vanilla.

2. To serve, using the stems as handles, dip the strawberries in the sour cream and then into the brown sugar. Enjoy!

Tune in to CTStv Real Life with Sharon Caddy today (Feb 9) at 4:30pm EST to learn about fun Valentine crafts to do with the kids as well as some yummy no bake sweet treats for your sweetheart!