RECIPE: EASY SALMON

After reading about the benefits of the Mediterranean way of eating, I'm determined we will eat more fish. Thankfully, Monkey adores salmon. His favourite recipe for salmon is so simple to make -- it only takes 20 minutes of preparation and cooking time.

Ingredients:
Salmon fillets (one serving size is about 6 ounces)
Minced garlic
Lemon
Maple syrup

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425◦F. Place salmon fillets (skin down) in a baking dish.

On each fillet, spread 1/4 teaspoon of minced garlic, squeeze fresh lemon juice and drizzle 1/4 teaspoon of maple syrup.

Bake for 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The salmon is ready when it easily flakes apart with a fork.

This recipe can also be done on the BBQ in the warmer weather. Enjoy!

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THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY OF EATING

Have you heard of the Mediterranean way of eating? It is a diet rich in olive oil, fruit, nuts, vegetables, fish and legumes. It even allows wine with meals. Just imagine yourself sitting in a small restaurant overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, enjoying fish caught that very morning and sipping a glass of red wine. It sounds idyllic, but it turns out this way of eating can also be good for you. I recently read an article in the New York Times about an impressive study that found about 30 per cent of heart attacks, strokes and deaths from heart disease can be prevented in those at high risk if they follow the Mediterranean diet.

So, what does the Mediterranean diet actually mean? The basic premise is as follows:

- Olive oil each day, in salads, drizzled over food
- Nuts, a generous handful a day (combination of walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts)
- Fruits, at least three servings a day
- Vegetables, at least two servings a day
- Fish, at least three times a week
- Legumes, at least three times a week
- Wine, at least seven glasses with meals a week
- Eat white meat (poultry, pork) instead of red meat
- Avoid commercially-packaged sweets

The study was so conclusive that researchers ended the study early (after almost five years) to ensure all participants benefited from the findings. Very interesting, and just one more reason to eat more fish each week!

(The image is one that I took of the beach at Albufeira, Portugal).

IF I WENT TO ... THE OSCARS

The Oscars are this Sunday. Will you be watching? I will definitely be tuning in, and it all starts with the red carpet arrivals. I love watching the stars strut down the red carpet in their designer gowns, glittering baubles and elegant hair styles. Now, let me just imagine for one moment that I'm heading to the Oscars this year. This is what I would wear ... 

Ah, wouldn't it be fun for just one night?

Vera Wang dress /  Tiffany & Co. earrings / Kotur clutch / Jimmy Choo shoes

RECIPE: A SIMPLE VINAIGRETTE

My friend Maggie recently taught me another lesson in cooking. She taught me about a secret ingredient that transforms a simple, everyday salad vinaigrette. It's fennel seeds. Just add one teaspoon the next time you make a salad and your taste buds will thank you.

Here's my go-to recipe for a simple vinaigrette:

Mix two tablespoons balsamic vinegar, one tablespoon Dijon mustard and one teaspoon fennel seeds. Slowly add 1/3 cup olive oil and whisk together. If you like a vinaigrette that is more sweet, just add one tablespoon maple syrup.

Simple, right? Enjoy! 

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CURRENTLY LOVING: THIS REVERSIBLE SWEATER

Marc Jacobs is one of my favourite designers. His clothes tend to be classic silhouettes with a bit of edge. Years ago, I bought a denim skirt with exaggerated pleats that has since become a wardrobe staple for me -- it still draws compliments with its unexpected shape.

How brilliant is this reversible sweater by Marc Jacobs? Double your outfit potential with just one purchase -- I love it!

THE ANIMAL PRINT SHOP

The Animal Print Shop captures a range of animals -- from the forest, farm, jungle, water, dessert, etc. -- against a simple white backdrop to create captivating photographs. The expression from this cow's face (above) makes me smile. One large framed photograph, or a collection, would definitely make a statement in any room. I have my eye on that grizzly bear for our dining room. And, the Little Darlings series would be sweet for a nursery too.

PRETTY THINGS IN PINK, PURPLE & RED

Here are just a few pretty and fun things in pink, purple and red that I recently spotted ...

1. Eames Elephant
2. Silk-chiffon scarf by Alexander McQueen
3. Silk cotton blend dress by Girl. by Band of Outsiders
4. Happy Socks
5. Satchel bag by The Cambridge Satchel Company
6. Hug Me Sweater by Oeuf (for the little ones!)
7. Bamboo cord bracelet by Hortense
8. Gramercy Oxfords by Cole Haan

RECIPE: PINK CUPCAKES

Beets are a good source of antioxidants to protect healthy cells, folic acid to promote healthy growth and potassium for healthy hearts. This week, I've been adding beet puree to just about everything we eat ... pizza sauce, grilled cheese and waffles to name just a few things. I'm borrowing the cookbook Deceptively Delicious: Simple Secrets to Get Your Kids Eating Good Food by Jessica Seinfeld from a friend, and it has inspired me to be puree-happy. The premise of the cookbook is to add vegetable or fruit puree to increase the nutritional value of a meal without having to coax your kids to eat one more vegetable. Although I don't agree with the idea of being 'deceptive' (I want Monkey to know and learn about the foods he eats), I do like the idea of incorporating extra nutrients in each meal. So, that is how we came to have a lot of beet puree this week.

Beets also give food a fun colour -- bright pink -- just in time for Valentine's Day! I modified the recipe for Angel Food Cupcakes for a festive (the original recipe called for yellow squash puree), low-sugar alternative for little ones. Monkey is a big fan.

Ingredients:
5 large egg whites
3/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup beet puree
1 teaspoon fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

Frosting ingredients:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/3 cup beet puree
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325◦F, and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper baking cups.

Combine egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with an electric mixer, and beat until egg whites double in volume and stiff peaks form, 4 to 5 minutes.

Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in flour, agave nectar, beet puree, lemon juice and zest to the egg white mixture until just combined.

Divide batter among muffin cups and bake until the tops are lightly browned and spring back to touch, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cupcakes cool.

For the frosting, beat cream cheese, beet puree, orange juice concentrate in a medium bowl until smooth. Spread the frosting over the cooled cupcakes.

Makes 12 cupcakes. Enjoy!

LET IT SNOW!

Let it snow! Let it snow! I adore the snow. We are in the midst of a snowstorm, or snowmagedon as my friend called it, here in Toronto. The streets, trees, cars and rooftops are blanketed in pristine white snow. It is beautiful and peaceful in our city. We shoveled once this morning and we'll have to go out again this afternoon. Monkey likes to use his preferred stick to help clean off the stairs.

Here's a song to start your weekend. It's Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles. We are going to spend a lot of time playing in the snow this weekend. When was the last time you made a snow angel?! I can't wait. And, whatever you do this weekend, have a great time!

RECIPE: SALTED BROWN BUTTER CRISPY TREATS

When was the last time you had a Rice Krispies treat? We recently went to a children's fundraiser with the customary face painting, sing-a-long music and bake sale. My friend made festive Rice Krispies treats in the shape of a heart with red sprinkles. I hadn't had one in ages and it was just as I remembered ... gooey, crispy and oh so tasty. Fast forward a couple of days and I found this recipe for salted brown butter crispy treats in the Smitten Kitchen cookbook. Does the fancy name make it sound any more adult?

Ingredients:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
One bag (250 gram) marshmallows
Heaping 1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Directions:
Butter an 8-inch square cake pan with 2-inch sides.

In a large pot, melt butter over medium-low heat. The butter will melt, then foam, then turn clear golden and finally start to turn brown and smell nutty. Stir frequently, scraping up any bits from the bottom as you do. Don’t take your eyes off the pot -- the time the butter begins to take on color and the point where it burns is often less than a minute.

As soon as the butter takes on a nutty color, turn the heat off and stir in the marshmallows. Remove the pot from the stove and stir in the salt and cereal together.

Quickly spread into prepared pan. Use a piece of parchment paper to press it firmly and evenly into the edges and corners.

Let cool, cut into squares and enjoy!

STREET STYLE INSPIRATION: WINTER WEATHER

I am in need of some winter street style inspiration. It's about that time of year when I dread putting on my winter coat -- it feels like I step outside looking the same day in and day out. This is such a simple winter look. I love the oversized coat with a cozy scarf, little pop of colour, jeans and tough boots. Here's my take on this outfit ...



Coat / Jeans / Sweater / Boots / Scarf

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A BIRTHDAY BOY!

Our little Monkey is now two years old! A true toddler. Two years ago we brought home a little baby who slept and squeaked, and now he is a sweet boy who gallops everywhere, sings at the top of his lungs, says "oh no!" very dramatically, plays hide-and-seek while laughing uncontrollably, craves dance parties, adores reading his favourite books, and still loves hugs from his mom. He makes me smile every day.

This past weekend we had a small family birthday party, and to celebrate we made party hats, streamers and a birthday cake (my decorating inspiration is here) ...