It's Late, They're Great... and Good For You!

So, it's my 5th week on my 30 day cleanse.. yes, that's right. You do the math and will realize that I am doing two 30 day cleanses back to back! I feel great, I'm bursting with energy, my mind is clear and my sleeping habits have changed... ALOT! So what do I do at the end of a deep cleanse day, when I'm not so sure I want to go to bed...? Looks like the answer is: Bake and Blog.

Baking when you are cleansing is a mastery at self discipline... no slip ups tonight... Not one single lick of that spoon.

What did I bake you might ask? The most delicious breakfast muffins ever... No white sugar, no white flour, no butter or oil.... and they're good? (this is probably the question you are asking yourself right now) BUT they are wonderful! and only a mere 2.5 weight watchers plus points for these gorgeous muffins!

I came upon the recipe via Pinterest, and they quickly became a family favourite... (the original recipe can be found here): http://www.welltraveledwife.com/2012/09/oatmeal-banana-breakfast-muffins.html

After following the original recipe a few times, I've tweaked to make it a little healthier and less in points... Here is my Version:

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins ( a la Leanne)

2.5 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
      (I grind these to flour form, then add to a bowl to be combined with the rest of the ingredients)
1 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Coconut Cane Sugar
1.5 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Baking Soda
2 Ripe Mashed Bananas

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
    Spray tin with non-stick cooking spray or line 12 muffin tins with silicone or foil liners.
2. Place all of the ingredients, including bananas in a large mixing bowl or Kitchen-Aid, and mix      until combined.
3. Divide batter among cupcake liners, and bake for 15-20 minutes (I never bake mine for more than 18 min), or until toothpick comes out clean. 
4. ENJOY!

Now, Just take a look at these.... 2.5 points per muffin, (when the recipe makes 12)!!!

Well, it's 11:20 and I think I'm finally ready for sleep... Off to bed I go.

xo,
Leanne

Christmas 2012

As late as it may be.... yes, that's right... 2 months after Christmas, no posts in over a year and I'm finally ready to get back at it! Thought I'd share a few photos from Christmas with you! We had Christmas day at our house, Boxing Day Christmas at Jeff's parents, and then we took off to Banff for 3 days and celebrated my birthday there. Here's a few photos... Enjoy!

Happy Love Day....

It doesn't get much better than Cousins, Sugar and a Bunch of Red and White and a whole lot of Crazy! (Maybe this post will get me back into blogging too!)

xoxo,
Leanne

Our New House Guest...

Well, probably one of the best things about Christmas this year is having little kids, so I can get as giddy as a kid myself and go Christmas crazy....

So this year we've started the "Elf on the Shelf" tradition... he come from the North Pole, sent by Santa to spy on the kids and report back each night on if they've been Naughty or Nice, great leverage as Sophie and Avery get older... lol

Every morning when the Elf returns from the North Pole, he lands somewhere else and your kids are supposed to find him, there are a tonne of great ideas online as to where your can land and funny little things he can do...

Our Elf came tonight and we've named him Maxwell the Magnificent...

Tomorrow morning Sophie will come downstairs to find the following (see below picture). Max has returned from the North Pole with Christmas PJs for Sophie and Avery!

I LOVE...

The way you play with your baby sister! It is so adorable how you two giggle together and make each other laugh!

xoxo,
mom

My New Go To

Last week I went to my Sister In Laws for a lunch/playdate, the kids had Sandwiches and this is what Amanda made for us... Doesn't it look delicious? She found the recipe in the latest Sobeys Magazine and I had to make it again this week, it was just SO GOOD!

Honey-Mint Fruit Salad

2 Honeycrisp Apples (I used Jonagold)
1 Fresh Mango, peeled and cubed, (Amanda used pears instead and I liked it better)
1 Cup Blueberries of Blackberries
1 Cup Strawberries Quartered
1 Lime (juiced)
1 TBSP Honey
1 TBSP Medium Shredded Coconut (I used 2 TBSP)

1. In a large bowl, combine Apples, Mango and Berries
2. In a small microwaveable bowl mix lime juice and honey, microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, to soften honey. Pour mixture over fruit, add mint and gently toss to combine
3. In a dry skillet, toss coconut over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until lightly toasted (I didn't do this, and the salad still tasted great!). Sprinkle over fruit right before serving.

Enjoy!

Cilantro Lime Chicken

Avery is teething and we're not getting much sleep, so I thought I'd document a few recipes I've tried in the last little while and get caught up on blogging...

The First being Cilantro Lime Chicken:

I found this recipe on pinterest a few days ago and had to try it pretty much immediately, as I love crock pot recipes, especially in the winter and it sounded so easy! I love days where dinner is already cooking at 10am for some reason dinner time always feels really hectic, trying to keep tired kids happy and get everyone fed, bathed and to sleep in a short amount of time, so a crock pot is the perfect solution! Here's the link to the original: http://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/2011/11/18/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken.html (my photos aren't as great) and I've made a few changes, so I'll post mine below:


In a slow cooker, mix together:
One 600ml jar medium or mild salsa
Juice from one lime
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
One package taco seasoning
One 340 ml can of corn niblets
2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (optional)
Add 4-6 fully thawed chicken breasts, halved
Cook on low for 6 hours

This chicken was so tender and juicy once cooked! They suggested serving it with taco chips or sour cream. I served it over rice... Next time I might use it as a taco filling!