Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Carmen

Well I’ve finally decided to take the plunge! This is the year, the one where I go big or go home! For the last couple of years a number of people have been suggesting to me that I write a recipe book. There are lots of books out there on eating gluten free and some dairy free, but very few sugar free and often if they are dairy or gluten free there may still be sugar present.

For a number of reasons I delayed and delayed in doing this, even though I was confident that it would many people would be interested in it and likely be a success. For whatever reason I have decided it’s time and am diligently outlining and creating.

Part of the fun in creating is that I am taking my old tried and true family recipes and methodically, one by one, making the appropriate adjustments and trying it out. I am a big believer in making sure it works out before actually sharing it and publishing it for others. It only makes sense to me. Besides my family is enjoying being my guinea pigs and making sure that it tastes good 🙂

On the weekend I tried out my Mum’s coffee cake recipe, which I have always loved, making the appropriate adjustments. I was pleased that it turned out fabulously and to be honest if you had tasted the original and the sugar free one side by side you would not know the difference. I guess that is one advantage I have growing up with these recipes as I know what the originals taste like, so I can compare as to whether the new versions measure up.

Everyone gobbled it up and is now asking for more. But I am onto the next recipe to try…which I have not decided which one yet, but I am sure it’ll come to me soon enough. In the meantime if you are looking for a sugar and dairy free coffee cake, I would definitely give this one a try.

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

Batter:

1/2 c. Earth Balance vegan spread

3/4 c. coconut sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

3 eggs

1 c. vegan sour cream

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Topping:

1/2 c. coconut sugar

1/2 c. walnuts, finely chopped

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tbsp. Earth Balance vegan spread

Mix Earth Balance, coconut sugar, vanilla and eggs. Add vegan sour cream. Mix separately flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add dry ingredients into sour cream mixture.

Spon half batter into well greased bundt pan. Sprinkle half topping over batter. Spoon in rest of batter. Pat firmly with remaining topping.

Bake at 350 F for 45-50 minutes.

Winter Fun in Edmonton

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Carmen

Skating is a fantastic, fun, free winter activity. Enjoyed outside in the crisp winter air, no matter what your age, a good time is had by all.

A couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure of spending the afternoon with my cousin Jimmy and his wife Allison. We ventured out to Hawrelak Park, which is a favorite place of mine in Edmonton and enjoyed some time on the ice.

Unfortunately we did not have skates for the twins, and though we could have rented some I decided not to this time around. We had a hoot! Luke and Chloe found pylons to push around and ‘skate’ with, while the rest of us played games of tag and chased each other around.

And when we were tired, we took a rest, or just sat down on the ice for something to do. Why not?

The Shiny Sink

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Carmen

At this time of year many of us create a goal of decluttering our homes. Maybe it’s because the new year is upon us or for us in the Northern Hemisphere we have been looking at it for too long being stuck in our houses more. Either way many of us feel inspired to get moving.

But if you’re like me, feeling inspired is about as far as you get. Because then you look at it and feel overwhelmed by the prospect. Where to start, what to do or feeling like the amount of work you do seems to have very little impact or progress.

I was listening to an online webinar last week through Hay House called Start the New You Now. They had a number of speakers and videos each day that you could listen to for free. There were a number of different topics and themes but the ones that I felt drawn to were the ones about decluttering and organizing your life. And I learned some interesting things.

The thing that stuck out for me was what Dr. Christiane Northrup said in her talk ‘A Shiny New You’. She talked about this principal by the Fly Lady called the Shiny Sink. Which was basically shining one sink in her house each day.

You may think “how can this help me to declutter?” but here is the theory behind it. Clutter breeds more clutter and decluttering breeds more decluttering; so by starting with one sink in her house and shining it each night this eventually and quickly spilled over. Then she was shining 2 sinks each day, then 3, etc. She also said the sink was a symbolic thing you could pick whatever space you wanted.

So I decided to test this theory out. The island in my kitchen is constantly covered with papers, dishes or whatever finds its way there. It is a landing pad for stuff. This is where I wanted to focus. Each night I would make sure that the island was completely clear and nicely wiped clean before I went to bed. The first morning it felt so good to come down to the kitchen and start with a clean, clear space waiting for me. So I did it the next day and the next and now I automatically clear it at the end of the day. Not only that, I find I am clearing it during the day as well. If something makes it’s way there I use it and then it gets put away shortly after. It’s like stuff won’t ‘stick’ to it now. Which is great, I am loving it!

In the next little bit I will add another space that I want to keep clear and I can see that in the future I will have a nice clutter free home!

One of the other things that Dr. Northrup mentioned too is to not to overwhelm yourself and expect it to be all done in a day. It takes time and breaking it down into little pieces or zones helps; and to almost take your time doing it. That way you’ll have more success and it’ll stick.

She also noted that it is a good idea to declare clutter free spaces in your home and a cluttered space. We are only human after all and some of us need that little bit of disorganization 🙂

She also suggested things like cleaning 15 minutes a day and making your bed each day; again creating areas of control and success in smaller pieces.

For whatever reason her suggestions really resonated with me and are working wonders! I can’t wait to see what else happens in my home. For now, I’ve got to go and clear the island! it has a few things on it….

For further tips and tricks to declutter your home check out this blog post Declutter your Home, Declutter your Mind

New Year, New You

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Carmen

It’s that time of year again. The time of year when many people make New Year’s Resolutions. The sad thing is many of us do not keep them much past the first 2 weeks of the year.

I have written and read many an article on why this is, too much pressure, not being ready, or you don’t really want to do it but feel you have to join the crowds in this New Year’s Ritual.

I have not created New Year’s Resolutions for many years. But I do have a ritual that I do at this time of year to set New Years intentions and start out positively. Like many people I feel new year, time for new stuff to come into my life. Let’s leave the old stuff behind! I also feel inspired – but I don’t inundate myself with all these have to’s, resolutions or goals. I keep my ears and eyes open and participate in what calls to me. Whether it be some of the many online seminars at this time of year or decide on a task/ project of my own. For instance, right now I feel like I want information, I want to grow and expand spiritually. In fact I am craving it, so I am seeking it out avidly. And I am enjoying it. There is no specific goal or end result in mind, so no pressure. I’ll just do it until I feel satisfied and then I’ll move on.

I believe though that setting an intention for the year is a good thing, and I have done this through the ritual I mentioned above and am going to share with you here. I have done this for many years and find it to be quite effective and cleansing. It is a way of releasing and leaving the old stuff in the last year that you do not want anymore and entering the new year creating space for new things to come into your life, whatever they may be.

It is a fairly simple exercise that I do on New Year’s Eve. And this year I had the pleasure of sharing this experience with my loved ones, which I felt was a real treat.

Set Your New Year’s Intentions

On New Year’s Eve, take a piece of paper and write down all the things that you want to let go of, no longer serve you, release or wish to leave behind in the old year. Write them out by hand, do not type them out.

After you have completed your list burn the paper at midnight on New Year’s Eve, with the intention of releasing it all. Holding the intention is important. We did this outside at my parents firepit, placing our papers in one at a time and saying whatever came to mind as we did so. For example “I release these items and leave them in the old year”. It was lovely. Then we stood a few minutes in silence and when we were ready went back inside.

Then take a new piece of paper and write down all the things you want to create and manifest in 2017. Be specific and write out in as much detail as possible; using present statements such as I am, I have, etc. This is very important because if you simply say I want the Universe will say that’s great you want it and that may be about all you’ll get. It is also important to understand that your new list is not necessarily the opposite of what you left in 2016, as they may be quite different. They may be a springboard for setting your new intentions but it is important that they remain separate. You do not create your new list solely based on the old one. This will create a block in your manifestation.

Once you have completed your list just tuck it away and keep it somewhere where you can look at it later on. Yes, you are literally writing it down and then pretty much forgetting about it. There will be a time when you will go back to it but for now, leave it to rest. Of course you can leave the list and add to it over the next couple of days if you think of something you wish to add.

I felt a definite shift in my energy and outlook once we completed this. I felt lighter for one and had a more positive outlook on what was to come.

Though this is very effective on New Year’s Eve you can certainly do this on New Year’s Day or early in the New Year if you did not have the opportunity to on New Year’s Eve.

So in the next couple of days take a piece of paper and start writing! (The first full moon of the year is January 1 & 2nd and is a Super Moon, as well as another full moon on January 31 – which is another great time for releasing and a to do this activity)

The Importance of Taking Time for Yourself

Posted on January 12, 2014 by Carmen

Taking time for ourselves is one of the most vital things we can do to thrive in this life, apart from food and water of course. Yet so many of us don’t do it for one reason or another.

I have written about this before but have been talking to so many people lately, especially women and mothers, who are dying for some time for themselves. They say they don’t have time in between caring for their children, taking care of the house and many of us are working too. But is we don’t do it we end up feeling lost, invisible, our sense of self worth can go down and we are just plain unhappy. Now I am not saying that men and fathers don’t need time for them as well, I am just noticing that women are seriously lacking it! And it is not just women with families that are depleted. We are naturally givers so women with boyfriends, friends, co-workers, etc. are also lacking this.

I know, many of us feel guilty when we take a little time for ourselves or feel like the house will come falling down. Well here’s a newsflash for you ladies, your household and your children will go on without you, whether you are there or not. And if you are a few minutes late, or get held up, nothing bad will happen. Everyone will survive. So don’t feel guilty, enjoy your time because you and your family are going to be so much better for it when you do return.

I know it is challenging to do this at times. I get every second weekend to myself when the kids go to their Dad’s, but sometimes I feel like I am just dying by the time Friday night comes. I love my children, but I have felt pulled in so many different directions and attended to so many needs I am just depleted.

The key is to take time every day for you. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy but time just for you. And be strict about it. If you’re taking it at a time when other family members are up and may be looking for your attention, tell them you are going to do X and to not disturb you. And just do it.

“But I am so busy! I don’t have time to add one more thing.”Just take 5 minutes for you each day. Start by making a list of things you love to do – go for coffee, take a walk, chat with a friend, write, take a bubble bath, etc. Write down everything you can think of and then start doing these things one a day. If reading is a love, take 5 minutes before you shut off the light at night and read. Or write down 3 things that you are grateful for before you go to sleep – this is time for you, time that you reflect.

Sometimes I put on a webinar to listen to while I am doing something else. I consider this time for me. Even I may be making dinner or cleaning I am still doing something that I enjoy and will benefit from. And I have added no extra time or thing to do in my day.

As you do more and more each day and it becomes a habit, you will start to find another 5 minutes somewhere else in your day to do something for you. And then another 5 and another, and eventually you will find that taking time for you is doable and you love it! You’ll feel happier, more confident, sexier and more alive!

Taking 5 minutes here and there throughout the day will sustain you and keep you balanced. It will get you through until a time when you can take a longer period of time for yourself, like a retreat weekend or a spa getaway. It will keep you from feeling completely depleted and dying for some me time. For me, if I get a chance to write during my day, this feeds my soul and I am exhilarated. I then find I can tackle anything that comes along. It doesn’t matter if I finished what I was writing or not, it is just a matter of doing something that I love!

It is not hard to do. You just have to start. Cause like I said I just see so many of us women dying, disappearing and yearning for something for them. And we need to take it! Not only is it good for us and our self confidence but it improves our relationships. We are happier so so is everyone else. You know the saying when “Mamma Bear is unhappy no one is happy”. It’s true.

So go start by making your list of all the things that you love and take 5 minutes for yourself today! and everyday after this.