7 Minute Rum 'n' Pear Ice Cream Dessert!

This is such an easy and quick dessert when you need something sweet for that after dinner fix.  Five ingredients, 7 minutes from start to finish and you have a satisfying dessert to cap off your meal.  Mix it up and substitute with apple or banana - whatever you have on hand.

 

I only had one pear available so I had to reduce the sauce longer.  If I had 2 pears, I would have used both, keeping all the other ingredients the same, and the reduction time would have been shorter.

 

Quick, easy, yummy!  What else do you need to know?

 

Here's what you'll need:

                                             1 sorry looking pear, like mine

                                             3 T butter

                                             1/2 t cinnamon

                                             1/3 C brown sugar

                                             1/3 C dark rum

 

 

 

Sweet heavenly ambrosia over ice cream.

So easy you can make it every night - if you dare!

 

Super Simple, Fast and Easy Muesli Recipe

When it comes to breakfast, think outside the box, the cereal box that is!  Muesli, or a version thereof has been long enjoyed around the world.  Chock full of healthy ingredients, what's not to love?  You'll feel good about eating it to get you started on your day.

Make a batch of it and keep covered in your fridge so you (and your family), can enjoy it throughout the week.  It will absorb the yogurt so as you scoop out a serving for yourself, add some extra yogurt. 

Feel free to throw in some berries to raise the nutrient value of your morning eats.  Prepare a big bowl of mixed berries and keep it next to the muesli so it's a breakfast no-brainer (when most of us have little brain power at that time anyway!).

As I said, this is a super simple, fast and easy recipe to put together for that quick breakfast.  You can easily double or triple the recipe based on your household needs. 

Why not pack some for work for that 3 p.m. slump when you need something that will fill your tummy until dinner time?  This is also a great after school snack for kids to tide them over until dinner too.

I bet you have most of the ingredients to make this with the exception of the flax and wheat germ.  No worries if you don't.  It'll still be as good for you.  So no excuses, make it now!

Here's what you'll need for ~ 4 C of product:

                               1 large apple (cored & chopped with peel)

                               2 C large flaked oatmeal

                               1 C vanilla (or plain) flavoured yogurt*

                               Scant 1/2 cup slivered almonds

                               1/4 C currants (or raisins)

                               2 T ground flax

                               2 T wheat germ

                               1 t cinnamon

                               Agave or honey to taste (not shown)

                               *In the video I say I don't give a measure but I thought I 'd better

 

Watch the step-by-step video "how to" below:

 

 

And there you have it.

A super simple, fast and easy muesli recipe.

Great for a quick breakfast or anytime snack!



As you can see,
Oscar was very upset to have missed making the muesli.
He made me feel even guiltier by doing the dishes.
Well he showed me.
 

Our Master Bath a la Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater

A few years back, my husband Dave and I realized our master bath ensuite needed a redo after the bath enclosure collapsed on top of me while I was in the shower.  (He recalls this as my "Psycho" shower scene.)

 

 

This was the bathroom's way of telling us we needed to do something -- and fast.

 

Well, when it comes to design, and there are two opinions, let's say it was not a fast process as much as an extended negotiation!  We did finally agree that we both loved famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright's (FLW), classic design "Fallingwater", likely his best known residential design.

 

 

We took elements of his vision and translated it into a design that would work for our own space. It's hard to believe this bathroom is a mere 5 feet by 11 feet!  It's not the space you have but what you do with the space.

 

 

We thought long and hard about how we used the bathroom and what our dream list was in terms of frills, putting it all into a context that would hint at Fallingwater.

 

 

I think we did a good job.  Whenever we have guests and the bathroom door is open to reveal the stone wall, everyone makes a beeline to it for a better look.  Our friend Michel always says he could just live in that space forever.

 

I hope you'll enjoy this tour of our very special bathroom!

 



The brick feature wall extends the length of the room.
For visual continuity, it continues into the shower area.
These are staggered stone panels of 12 inches by 24 inches.

Here is a nice shot of the feature wall.
The spot lights provide a relaxing low light ambience.

 

Can you believe we fit double sinks in a 5 foot wide space?
Yes, we did!
The crystal lights over the sink area sparkle
like the water below the FLW home.
The white Silestone counter is our take
on the home's balconies.

 

We wanted a spa hotel feel.
A built in lighted magnifying mirror and
a built in commercial hair dryer helps do the trick.

 

Waterfall faucets...
Self explanatory in terms of fulfilling
our vision of Frank's vision!



Built in drawers provide lots of storage
and a great way to hide ugly trash cans.
Who wants to look at used Q-Tips?



Each of us has a pull out drawer for personal items.
Tell me, who hates rooting through the back of
a fixed shelf trying to find things?



A heated towel rack adds to the spa experience.



Simple greenery inspires a calm milieu.
Hooks were added for robes.



A built in teak bath seat...



...contributes to the sense of relaxation.
The wood element is part of the FLW design.



Continuing with the whole organic feel,
we installed panels of small rock tile.
Underfoot, the texture provides soothing relief
for an acupressure-like treatment!



A rain shower on one side of the space.
It's great sitting on the bench with
the hot water trickling over your head.
Did you catch the marine speaker in the ceiling?
You can pipe in the music of your choice...
for a start or finish to your day.


On the other side,
we have a shower tower for an
invigorating shower massage.
Rain shower or tower of power?
Why not use  both for the full spa experience?

 
And here's the real deal...
Frank Lloyd Wright's classic Fallingwater.
Our inspiration!

When you're re-doing a space,
remember inspiration can come from anywhere!

Magazines are great but try to think outside the box.

Speaking of box...
I once designed a whole colour scheme around a Kleenex box I thought was chic!
What are you waiting for?
Go forth and get inspired for your next project!


 



 

 

 



 

 

 

Low Calorie Dreamy Creamy Fruit Dessert for the Brain Dead!

Watching your calories?  Dying for something creamy, sinful and satisfying?  Well look no further, my friends.   The search ends here. 

 

This is perfect for Brain Dead Thursdays.  Unbelievably stupid easy to make when you've got the craving for something decadent that won't cling to your hips but brings joy to the lips!

 

AND... the really great news...

 

97 CALORIES

 

for a huge portion!  With this paltry calorie count, just go ahead and eat the whole thing!

 

Here's what you'll need for 2 servings:

 

                                 1 C ice cold skim milk

                                (place in freezer for about 20 minutes)

                                2 C frozen strawberries or sliced fresh

                                4 packets Twin Sweetener

                                (each packet = 2 t sugar)

 

Watch the video below for step-by-step how to!

(Check out Oscar, the kitchen cat's guest appearance)

 

 



Looks like a zillion calories but so not!

You can eat this every single day guilt free!

 

Mix it up by varying the fruit or,

if you don't mind a few extra calories,

throw in a few teaspoons of Quick. 

Maybe a spoon of instant coffee & Quick for a mocha treat?

Once you have this creamy base to work with,

your days of dessert denial are over!

Falafel - a Satisfying Wrap!

I hope you paid attention and kept some tabouleh from my last post so you can make this fantastic and now ubiquitous falafel sandwich.  If you didn't,  get the recipe for it here.

It may seem like you need engineering skills to fill and fold this creation.  But don't be overwhelmed.  The good news is you'll be compensated for this small struggle by using shortcuts like prepared hummus, tahini sauce and boxed falafel mix to make the process easier.

This is great for group eats or for a family that needs to eat at different times.  Just leave everything out and let everyone make it to their personal taste!

Here is what you'll need for 2 satisfying falafel sandwiches:

 

                            1 package falafel mix

                            1 Japanese eggplant

                            Prepared hummus

                            Tahini

                            1 C tabouleh

                            2 large pita pockets

                            Hot sauce (optional)

Here is a close up on the falafel mix I used.

Prepare the mix according to directions.

When your mix is ready,
scoop a rounded tablespoon for each falafel patty.

Shape and flatten each patty...

Fry the patties in hot oil until they brown.
They will fry quickly so watch carefully!

Here they are, flipped.  Great colour!

My mix makes about 24 patties.
I separated the remaining patties,
wrapped them in foil and then baggied them for the freezer so I can enjoy them some time later in the future.

Slice eggplant on an angle in 1/4 inch slices.

(You can prepare the eggplant while your mix is soaking.)

Fry in hot oil until golden on both sides.

Here is the eggplant - perfect!
Now let's build the falafel!

Cut around the edge of the pita about 2/3rds,
open it so you can flip it open like a book
but it's still connected on the left side.

Spread hummus on bottom part of pita.

Divide eggplant between the two pitas.

Add about 3 falafel patties - that should do it!

Drizzle about 2 t of tahini over patties.

If using, add hot sauce to your taste.
I used Sriacha but you can also use Tabasco.

Add 1/2 C tabouleh to each wrap.


Fold the right side of bottom pita into
the crease where the two sides join.

Continue rolling to the left!

I've taken a bite to show you the inside.

OMG!  Stuffed with yummiliciousness,

this two-handed creation is one satisfying pita!

 

Tabouleh Salad

This is one of those salads that bursts with healthful goodness.  It's a staple in the middle eastern diet.  Like Cuban Picadillo (see post here), every family has a different ratio of bulghur to veggies.  Some are bulghur heavy and others favour the greens.  My preference is for somewhere in between.

 

 

We can learn a lot about eating right from this cuisine. Greens in the form of parsley and mint, juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, crunchy bulghur wheat and a simple olive oil and lemon dressing.

 

What a great lunch to take to work or a nice light dinner when you just feel like taking a break from the meat thing. 

 

This makes about 6 cups for plenty of good eating.

 

Here's what you'll need:

 

                           1 C bulghur wheat

                           2 C chopped curly parsley

                           1 bunch fresh mint (about 1/2 C chopped)

                           2 vine ripened tomatoes

                           3 Lebanese style cucumbers

                           3 green onions

                           1/2 C olive oil

                           4 T lemon juice

                            (or 3 T lemon juice & 1 T white wine vinegar)

                           1 t granulated garlic

                           Salt to taste



Cover bulghur with water.

Let soak for at least an hour.

I let mine soak for 3 hours simply because I went for a nap :-)

It should have a chewy, not hard texture when ready.

With a knife or small spoon,
take the seeds out of the tomatoes.

This is how the de-seeded tomatoes look like.

Dice tomatoes...

Halve each of the cucumbers lengthwise.

Halve the halves.

Dice the cucumbers strips.

Chop the parsley...

Remove the mint leaves from the stem.  Chop.

Trim and chop the green onions.

Drain the bulghur wheat through a fine mesh.

Press with the back of a spoon to press all the water out.

Place bulghur in a large bowl.

Add tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions...

Add parsley and mint.

Add 4 T lemon juice or 

3 T lemon juice & 1 T white wine vinegar,

and 1/2 C olive oil, granulated garlic.

Mix thoroughly.

Add salt to your taste.

A colourful salad filled with healthy goodness!

This is so delicious and satisfying,

you'll want to gobble it up.

However...

Make sure you save at least 1 cup because next post,

you'll need some to make a couple of falafels!