Swerve Towards Sugar-Free Frosting

So how was your long weekend?  Ours was lovely, thanks.

Saturday we cycled to Christie Pits for some playground fun and popsicles. 

Sunday we took the girls to an arts festival at the Distillery District.

Monday we had a park playdate in the morning and then we took the girls to Vaughan Mills in the afternoon.  Adam took them bowling while I cruised the mall.

Now it's back to reality, but at least it's a 4-day week.  And at least I've now found a way to make sugar-free frosting.  Yes, sugar-free frosting.

Who doesn't love frosting?  My kids, like most kids, usually gobble it down and then leave the cake.

Personally, I like really sweet, sugary frosting, like fondant.  If it's more like sweetened whipped cream, that I don't want any part of it, that makes me gag.  I don't like marshmellow or boiling icings either.  Just the straight up powdered sugar kind.

I try to avoid sugar as much as possible, so I don't eat frosting very often these days.  So I was very excited to discover Swerve carries a powdered sugar alternative and even more excited when I found that it's now carried by Low Carb Canada!  It's made from erythritol, so it doesn't affect blood sugar, and it's calorie free.  And for those of you who avoid anything 'artificial', it's a 'natural' alternative sweetener.



For my first experiment with it, I combined a 1/2 cup with a 365g container of quark cheese (quark is like cream cheese, but it's much higher in protein and it's fat- and salt-free), a 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract and a squirt of vanilla stevia.  Then I iced a gingerbread cake I'd made.  It was fabulous!  Next time, however, because if I am going to eat frosting, I want it to be SWEET, I might use more Swerve, but I still thought it was pretty awesome.  I made the cake as a "Happy Mother's Day to Me" treat last weekend ;)

 

Of course no amount of frosting can sugar-coat the situation in Oklahoma today.  My thoughts are with everyone there affected by the tornado. 

 

 

Infertility Awareness Week 2013

Not only is it Victoria Day here in Canada, but it's Infertility Awareness Week!

To kick things off, I've got information on how to maximize your fertility provided by Dr. Victoria Maizes, who has just published a new book: Be Fruitful.

Simple Ways to Increase Fertility

Seven Tips from Victoria Maizes MD

 Age matters! Today many women are putting off child bearing until later in life, and it is affecting their fertility when they do finally start trying to conceive.  Women in their 20s have a 25% chance of conceiving each month while women in their early 40s have only a 5% chance. 

 Don’t stop eating fish!  While women should avoid fish that contain high levels of mercury, like shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish, other fish are safe and very important to the pregnant woman’s diet.  Fish is the best source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are critical to a baby’s brain development and can even help prevent post-partum depression.

 Ditch the junk food!  Processed foods are filled with exactly the wrong kinds of carbohydrates and fats that lead to high glycemic indices and interfere with fertility.

 Take folic acid!  Taking multivitamins with folic acid BEFORE conception and through the third trimester helps protect against autism as well as neural tube, cardiovascular and limb defects.

 Exercise, but not TOO much!  Too much exercise can cause infertility.  When trying to conceive, it is not the time to train for a marathon, or even participate in very vigorous yoga classes.  Vigorous exercise may temporarily stop menstrual periods or shorten the latter half of the cycle interfering with conception.

 Make your home green!  When planning a pregnancy, either avoid buying new furniture and carpet, or buy green products instead.  Also avoid new paint, which releases high levels of chemicals into your home.

 Be particular about containers!  Stay away from plastic food containers, Tupperware and refillable water bottles while trying to conceive.  Plastic contains BPA (bisphenol A), a chemical that has strong estrogen-like activity that interferes with normal hormone function.  BPA is also found in the lining of many canned goods.

 Stay calm!  Hormonal changes associated with chronic high stress signal the brain that this may be the wrong time to reproduce.  The brain responds by altering its signaling to the ovaries.

 Victoria Maizes MD is the executive director of the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and a Professor of Medicine and Public Health.  Her newest book is

Be Fruitful: The Essential Guide to Maximizing Fertility and Giving Birth to a Healthy Child.  For more information about fertility visit her website victoriamaizesmd.com or follow her on twitter @vmaizes. 

While all of Dr Maizes suggestions are valid, I do feel it is important to mention that many causes of infertility have nothing to do with lifestyle.  For example, you could be born with a bicornuate uterus or endometriosis, or a genetic disorder that causes sterility.  You could have blocked fallopian tubes or a pituitary tumour.  So please, never ever assume that someone you know facing infertility will overcome the problem just by 'relaxing' or changing their diet.  Often medical intervention is necessary and this is very frustrating and upsetting for individuals struggling with infertility to hear.

Also, while poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, can definitely age you prematurely, don't assume that living a really healthy lifestyle can allow you to beat age-related infertility.  Fertility begins to decline after a certain age and often this is genetically determined, so believing you can wait until your 40s to conceive because you eat all organic food and do yoga is simply wishful thinking.

Please visit the Infertility Awareness Association of Canada for more information and resources and check out this very short awesome video:

Wired for Wellness

I got pretty darn lucky this week: I got asked to attend TELUS's First Wellness Learning Centre Session featuring Lyzabeth Lopez and the Samsung GALAXY S4!

Me and a group of other wellness bloggers got to visit the TELUS House in downtown Toronto for this fantastic event.

TELUS employees who work in this building are lucky to have fabulous, immaculate facilities, including a first rate gym and fitness studio.  I love any company that promotes employee fitness and wellness!!

The event kicked off with a butt-kicking workout led by Lyzabeth, and then we were fed a healthy lunch and, you won't believe this...we each got to take home a Samsung GALAZY S4 phone!  We got a presentation about all of this amazing products' features and honestly, I almost fell off my chair.  I called Adam immediately after the session to beg him to let me switch my plan to this phone, and I am thrilled to say, he agreed!‏
 

Here's some info about the phone:

About the Samsung GALAXY S4 from TELUS

  

·         It captures life’s meaningful moments: sporting the world’s first-ever Full HD Super AMOLED display, the GALAXY S4’s five-inch screen showcases images in stunning resolution. And with its Dual Camera mode (including a 13-megapixel rear camera), you can capture life’s moments in as many ways as you can think of – and enjoy them seamlessly through TELUS’ 4G LTE wireless network experience while you’re at it!

·         Breaks language barriers with S-Translator: say or text what you need translated and the GALAXY S4 will read or text the translation back to you. This is a must-have feature for avid travelers!

·         Provides Effortless Innovation: features like Smart Pause, Air View, Air Gesture and Optical Reader detect your motions, face and voice to enable screen control with no need for finger touch activation (and you can use the screen with gloves too!)

·         Group Play: like to share what you love? Connect with those around you to play and co-create content, without the need for a Wi-Fi connection or cell signal.

·         Toss it in your bag, worry-free: constructed with Corning’s Gorilla Glass 3, this phone is as beautiful as it is tough, and can withstand the daily bump and grind.

The Samsung GALAXY S4 is available from TELUS for $199 on a three-year term or $650 month-to-month. For available general plans and pricing, please click here.

I also love that TELUS has partnered with a great cause (all the attendees were lucky enough to also take home one of these limited edition cases, and TELUS made a $50 donation in each of our names to Rethink Breast Cancer:

TELUS and Rethink Breast Cancer

TELUS has a long-standing history supporting the fight to end breast cancer. Since 2008, TELUS has given $5.4 million towards research, early detection and treatment of breast cancer in Canada.This year, TELUS will be encouraging Canadians to “raise their paws to support the cause” and will donate $300,000 to Rethink Breast Cancer (and QBCF in Quebec).

 How can I get a case?

Starting in May and while quantities last, TELUS will include this free, uniquely designed case with each purchase of a white Samsung GALAXY S4. To show its continued support to breast cancer prevention efforts, TELUS will also donate $25 to Rethink Breast Cancer (or QBCF in Quebec) for each purchase of a white Samsung GALAXY S4.

 Join the conversation on Twitter by tweeting using the hashtag #raiseyourpaws.

 About Rethink Breast Cancer

Launched in 2001, Rethink is the first-ever Canadian breast cancer charity to bring bold, relevant awareness to the under-40 crowd; it strives to foster a new generation of young and influential breast cancer supporters, infuse sass and style into the cause and, most importantly, responds to the unique needs of young women fighting breast cancer. No pink ribbons required.

 Source: www.rethinkbreastcancer.com 

 

One of the purposes of this event was to demonstrate how the technology can be used for wellness.  We receiving an exciting presentation about a new app coming out called UP by Jawbone.  Given all the evidence that tracking one's activity and food intake can help people stick to their diet and exercise programs, and help them to reach their goals, I think this is very exciting:

 

UP by Jawbone: Available at TELUS

 

 

 

UP by Jawbone:  a wristband and app that aids in   tracking how you sleep, move and eat, ultimately helping you use this information to make healthy life changes.

 

 

 

 

The wristband, available in eight different colours, tracks things like your movement and hours of rest. This tracking system is advanced enough to track hours of deep sleep vs. light sleep, the amount of time it took you to fall asleep and even how many times you woke up!

 

The UP app displays data tracked from the band on your Android device’s dashboard and prompts you to track things like meals and mood. UP is flexible enough to track nutritional information from package barcodes and even photos you’ve taken of a meal!

The app helps you set alerts, reminders and daily goals, tracking your progress over time. It then provides insights to keep you motivated.

 How can YOU get one?

Up by Jawbone will be available online and in select TELUS stores across Canada starting this summer.

For more information, head to Jawbone.com or contact Emma Miller at TELUS.

As if all that wasn't enough, TELUS provided each of us with a new yoga mat, awesome glass waterbottle and a few samples of Biosteel sugar-free recovery drink to equip us for future workouts.

 

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO TELUS FOR INCLUDING ME, I WAS HONOURED TO BE PART OF THIS EVENT!

 

 

Barbecued Bean Burritos

After a week in New York filled with more animal protein, sugar and alcohol than usual, it's back to basics: a mostly plant-based diet!  But even Adam gave this meal high marks.  It's delicious and hearty enough to satisfy the biggest carnivore.

Serve in your favorite tortillas along with the stewed peppers and onions, or your other favorite toppings such as cheese/vegan cheese, avocado, chopped lettuce, onions, and tomatoes, etc.

 

Barbecued Beans

1 cup sprouted bean mix (or any kind of sprouted legumes)
1 can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained (or 1.5 cups cooked beans)
1/4 cup bbq sauce (your favorite home-made or store bought variety)
1/2 cup tomato salsa (your favorite home-made or store bought variety)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbls tomato paste
1 tbls mild chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)

Combine sprouted beans with 2 cups water in a covered pot.  Bring to a boil and then remove lid, turn heat down to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes until at least half of liquid has been absorbed.  Add in remaining ingredients and continue to cook until it thickens.



Stewed Peppers and Onions

2 red bell peppers, sliced in strips
2 green bell peppers, sliced in strips
1 red onion, sliced
1 Spanish onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1 can tomato paste

Place all the ingredients in a skillet or deep fry pan, except for tomato paste.  Set heat to medium and cover with lid, stirring occasionally until onions and peppers start to soften.  Remove lid and stir in tomato paste.  Continue to cook for at least 20 minutes until veggies have stewed down and are soft and sweet.

To assemble burritos, place desired amount of bean mixture into the centre of each tortilla and add some of the peppers and onions and/or other desired add-ins.  Roll up tortillas and spoon more of the onions and peppers over top.  Makes 4-6 HUGE burritos.  Both peppers and onions and beans can be frozen.

Unfortunately I have no photos of the finished product as Adam and I devoured all of them (yes, all of them), before I remembered.  Oops!  What can I say, they were delicious!

This recipe has been shared with Vegetarian Mamma's Gluten-Free Friday and Diet, Dessert & Dogs' Wellness Weekend.

Treat Yourself!

I have a $25 gift card for SpaFinder that can be yours, redeemable at over 20,000 Spas, Yoga, Pilates, & Fitness Studios Worldwide!

For a chance to win, just follow me on Twitter and/or 'Like' my professional Facebook page and then leave me a comment that you've done so.  You get 2 entries if you do both!

Just look at this list of over 100 participating yoga studios in the Greater Toronto Area alone.  The gift card is like a free class!

This contest is open to EVERYONE.  Contest closes May 31st, 2013.

Balsamic Sundried Tomato Green Bean Salad

This made a lovely spring side dish at our family's Mother's Day BBQ.  It's very easy to make too!  I didn't add any salt because I thought it was flavourful enough (Dijon has a lot of sodium already), but season to taste.

2 lb fresh French green beans, washed and trimmed
1 pint grape tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup good quality balsamic vinegar
1-2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 cup julienned sundried tomatoes
2 heaping tbls Dijon mustard
Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Dump beans in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and put immediately into ice water.  Drain, pat dry and place in a large bowl along with tomatoes.

Meanwhile, place vinegar, garlic, seasoning and sundried tomatoes in a small sauce pan.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and then simmer until liquid reduces by half.  Remove from heat and whisk in remaining ingredients.  Pour over beans and tomatoes.  Serve warm or at room temperature.  Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

The Birthday Party

It's over.

We survived.

It was a success.

I wish we never had to do it again.

We probably will.  Every year.  For at least another decade.

Oy!

But the good news is, we definitely picked the best venue.  Honestly, if you live in West End Toronto, Bob Abate is an amazing place to have a party!  The gym is large, they supply tons of toys, climbing equipment and even a bouncy castle!  There is a kitchen right off the gym, and the staff are incredibly helpful.  It was awesome.

Awesome in a kind of, crazy, insane, ridiculous way.  In total, I think there were about 30 kids.  The volume was about 100 decibels, between the karaoke, the screaming, the bouncy castle, and the parents trying to chat over the din.  Given the energy level maintained by the kids over the 2 hour period, I'm actually very surprised no one got seriously hurt.  These kids were on fire!

I was, unfortunately, very disappointed with the baked goods.  Nothing I made turned out how I'd hoped.  The cake pops became 'cake balls'.

The rainbow cupcake pull-apart cake simply became 'swirly cupcakes'.

And the chocolate mini-cupcakes were made simply to make sure there was enough.  Hey, I am a neurotic, Jewish mother after all!

I've finally admitted to myself that not only do I completely suck at decorating cakes and cupcakes, but I also despise it too.  Nothing ever turns out as I intend and I find it incredibly stressful.  So next year I'm hiring out my sister-in-law to do it for me.  She loves doing it and is very talented.  And frankly, I'm done.  I think if I have to spend as many hours as I did this year decorating baked goods, I'll stab myself it the eye with an ice pick.

So there you have it:  The 4th and 7th joint birthday extravaganza for 2013.

I hope all you moms out there had a lovely Mother's Day.  Mine was fabulous, thanks.  I was greeted with beautiful cards and two smiling girls yesterday morning.  Then I went and taught my spinning class at the JCC.  Then lunch at home and Adam sent me out for my annual shopping spree.  I managed to find a great pair of shoes and a  few items of clothes that will be perfect for work this summer.  Then we headed to my in-laws for a BBQ.  But I think the best gift of all yesterday was that the girls were happy and cooperative, and most amazingly, they played together in the afternoon for about 2 and a half hours without any fighting.  I think that's a record in this house!