Valentine's on Your Own

Hello Lovelies,

We have hit February and I wanted to do a post for all of us on our own on the 14th.

I must admit there's so much happening in my life right now that I'm standing in amazement and am so grateful. I have put in so much hard work, have pushed and stuck to what I said I would do and God has seen fit to heal, progress, prosper, and bless. 

I was crying tears of actual joy and that felt wonderful. To have your effort recognized by others and rewarded, without drama, it brings up feelings of strength and builds self-esteem. That last part was unexpected but very welcome.

As I am very busy with good things and happenings that are truly blessings, I am preparing in advance for what I am going to do for the 14th to take good care of myself and celebrate my accomplishments.
I am single this year for the first time in a long time, and I have chosen a lovely itinerary for myself.
Some people have recommended going out to these special singles things, to get all fancied up, have some drinks, blah blah blah.
My introvert answer was quite simple.

Truly, I  am not a go out and party gal anymore. I prefer to do simple, keep my energy reserves strong by limiting outings, do the quiet and fun stuff for short/sweet spurts.
I will be snagging some tasty food, I adore asian noms, dumplings, dim sum items, rice paper rolls, tom yum soup, salty fish and rice, and lychee yummies for dessert!

I have also decided to do a little diy floral arrangements thingy to brighten up the winter blah happening in my room. I found these sweet things on the internet and said, hey, I can do that!

That means I get to take myself to a lovely flower shop. I adore going there, it always smells good and is nice and warm.

 I might even do one with some cute succulents.

I'm still dreaming of getting my wheaton terrier puppy, but that has to wait for another day.

If you're  not sure what to do to romance and enjoy yourself, I found some really easy idea's on Pinterest,  some that you can splurge on and some that cost absolutely nothing to treat yourself.

For a long time I have been putting my own needs on hold, waiting to get better, waiting for pieces to fall into place, waiting for the promises to be upheld, waiting for the right job, the right place, the right time.
Finally, God opened my eyes; the answer really is, now.
Do it now.
Try it now.
Ask now.
Be there now.
Be kind now.
Be a part of it now.
Recognize this moment now.
Live now.
Celebrate now.
Forgive now.
Let go now.
Share now.
Give thanks now.
Trust God to get you where you need to get to.

Have a delightful February and be good to yourself and others.
Take care, be well, love freely...
Chef Kiki

Valentine's GF Vegan Smoothies: Creamy Spiced Banana N' Oat and Creamy Mango N' Oat

                

Hello Lovelies!

Today we are celebrating Valentine's Day, with Smoothies that say I looooooooove you AND I want you to stay healthy so you can be around for a looooong time. 

Romantic and caring in one sip of yumminess. I say, DO IT!!!!!!!!

I know you saw Oats in the title and may have gone, whoa la! 

Fear not, for I used gluten-free oats and was quite happy. I will say that some people have a reaction to the proteins in oats even when they are GF, I personally indulge very rarely as I do not want to set any itchy rashes off, which oats that were not GF have done to me in the past. I have no problem with Mum's GF Oats and  I can tell when I am a bit more sensitive, digestion-wise on a given day. That's when I omit them and use Maca powder or I cook the oats and use those instead. Explore and do what works best.

                          

Creamy Spiced Banana N' Oat Smoothie

Ingredients:

1/2 Ripe Organic Banana

2 Tbsp GF Mum's Quick Cooking Oat Flakes or use 1 Tbsp Maca Powder

1 Tbsp Unsweetened Almond Butter

1 Scoop Vanilla Protein of choice

1 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Pie Spice mix

1 Tbsp Grade B Maple Syrup

1 Cup Unsweetened Almond milk 

Method:

-Place all in blender and blend for 30 seconds until smooth, add a bit of extra almond milk if too thick and serve immediately over ice.

                        

I know there are some of you who need an alternative to bananas as not everyone can eat them, mangoes say love to me, so I am using them in this slight variation. 

                       

Creamy Mango N' Oat Smoothie

Ingredients:

1 Cup Mango chunks

1 Cup Unsweetened Almond milk

1 Tbsp Organic cold-pressed Coconut oil

1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon

1Tbsp Unsweetened Almond butter

2 Tbsp Mum's GF Quick Cooking Oat Flakes or 1 Tbsp Maca Powder

1 Scoop Vanilla protein of choice

Method:

-All ingredients in blender, whizz for 30 seconds, serve immediately over ice.

                        

Delicious and filling vegan bliss. Sigh...

Enjoy & spread the healthy love this Valentine's morning for you and your cutie patootie!

Guy Help for Girlie Valentine's (NMBP) and DIY Box of Love

        

Bonjour monde!

This is part 2 of the Valentine's DIY Box of Love Gift, and is it girlie! I wanted this post to be a no-brainer for you poor gentlemen who feel like you are drowning in a vat of peanut butter on the 14th. 

Today, we give you the mighty mani/make-up suggestion box, among other things. See for yourself:

             

Help!!!! That's what I hear men screeching when it comes to dreaded V-day. I have simplified an overly trashy, overly expensive, overly commercial, and confusing holiday gift ideas, for you non-romantic, but she will strangle me if I don't make an effort, and I do love her so please assist me, gift box. You must purchase a box at the Dollar Max or Dollar tree, but first buy the items you want to put into it, that way the stuff will fit into this box-I know, you would have gotten that wrong. Shhhh, it's our little secret. So, when you have a girlie girl ,you need to speak the lingo and that's actually easier than you think. remember this: 

NMBP

N=Nails     M=Make-up   B=Bodycare   P=Perfume/Plushies

Nails: A gift box full of colours that your girl likes and are trendy, will be a huge hit if she's into that stuff. Essie is a very popular brand and is now sold in all kinds of stores, pharmacies, and places like Sephora. Feel overwhelmed, ask the lady who works there to pick out the season's latest colours and here's the link so you can find out more on your own. 

http://www.essie.com/

They range from $9.99-$12 a pop. I recommend adding some fun sparkly colours from other companies that are a bit less expensive, so she can have a few colours and add a base coat that is clear-why? Base coats protect the nail and btw, gel nail colours are all the rage right now. They just stay on longer and are more vibrant, I am not into it that much but you may hear your lady talking about it as your eyes glazed (pardon the pun) over in absolute boredom. Back to other brands of nail colour. Sometimes they go on sale for less than $3, just make sure you know her favourite colours. Look through her wardrobe, ask her friend, or check what polishes she has, you may even overhear her squealing as she looks at her Pinterest board. Feign interest and write it down, tuck it away in your wallet and you are good to go-just don't be obvious. If it's all too much or not enough, throw a mani/pedi gift certificate from her favourite place (ask a friend of hers) and then add a card, chocolate or candy and watch the kisses fly your way.

You can also get these awesome nail decals aka nail wraps from Jamberry, that are easier on the nails, are full of fun designs and very au courant, from this place on-line and they have Valentine special designs along with gift cards, if it's all too much. Here:

https://www.jamberry.com/us/en/

https://www.jamberry.com/us/en/shop/shop/for/nail-wraps?collection=collection%3A%2F%2F1120#.VrAAyOYrmwI

https://www.jamberry.com/us/en/shop/shop/for/giftcards#.VrABG-YrmwI

Perfume= A scent she loves, has been bugging you for, talks to her girls about, or is running low on. 

YOU MUST find out through stealth mode tactics because perfume is highly personal. What does that even mean? Well, you may like a scent but she may hate it and that's because when a person likes a scent, it usually indicates that the perfume will smell good on them. When they do not like a scent, it usually means that it will stink to high yuckie Mc Yuckerson's on them or they may be allergic, it's a chemical thing and our bodies instinctively know.

                 

And now we move forward to Make-up:

Lip balms, lip gloss, false lashes and glue, Mascara, Lip pencils, Eye pencils, and colour whispers are great if you have no clue what she likes to wear. Again, do some recon, and try to take pics to bring with you of what she already has. This way when you go to the pharmacy or Sephora (which you can buy on-line if you can not stand shopping), you can show the lady who works there and she will guide you to the right stuff, usually (Be clear out the gate with her about your budget). 

Have fun and think about what you find she looks sexy in, throw some choices with chocolate and a card or note then you are good to go! 

                          

Bodycare: Body scrubs are awesome, I have a recipe that I make but I highly recommend you go to Lush or seek them out on Etsy. Get stuff she likes and you can even throw in massage lotion bars or sexy body butter. 

For Lush products, and they already have Valentine box sets, here is a link. If you go to a store be prepared to be overwhelmed by smells of scented everything!!!!!!
http://www.lush.ca/

              

Another fun item I have discovered at the pharmacy are lipsies, they have a slight wash of colour and smell yum-scrum. Throw in some lipstick that is a trendy new colour with some awesome sparkle face powder and you will be receiving happy smiles. Keep your receipts in case she needs to return or exchange, sometimes a girl may buy what you bought, before hand unknowingly.

                

My last suggestion is a Plushie: Try to get something different than the usual bear, unless she adores those. I am an Eeyore fan, but you can get a Kawaii Hello Kitty, or a giant Soot Sprite or Lobster-if she's your lobster and that's your thing. Here are some links to help you out, gift cards are also very acceptable so do not panic, and remember to add your card or note with actual writing from you and something nice. See previous post if you are needing help in the writing department, I linked fonts in that one too.

http://www.sephora.com/?country_switch=ca&lang=en

https://www.etsy.com/ca/search?q=body%20scrubs

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=body%20butter

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=pokemon%20plushie&ref=auto2

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/116379403/big-soot-sprite-pillow?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=soot%20sprite&ref=sr_gallery_5

                                      

(Poppa Bear showed me this and I am obsessed with it, I think soot sprites are too cute! Big time want for our couch.)

http://www.sanrio.com/plush-and-toys/

http://www.sanrio.com/hello-kitty-valentine-shop/

The Best Gf, Vegan, Salted Chocolate Ganache Recipe for Rich Chocolatey Cupcakes (Soy-free)

Bonjour my lovelies,

This is the yummiest post in the Valentine's DIY Love series and I thought this special day was perfect for gorgeous, chocolatey, vegan, gluten-free cupcakes (two ways)!

Hard to believe but those beauties are gluten-free & vegan! 

Yes, I know. 

Amazing, magically decadent and delicious.

I would personally make these cupcakes for that special someone, and give them with a bunch of different colour lipstick kisses with a note that explains what each kiss is for, kinda like this...

                                      

The pic is from boholoco.com because I didn't take a pic of the one's I did for Poppa Bear last Year's Valentine's. 

I also did it a bit differently, I had these cute small envelopes, wrote on the outside what each kiss was for, used loads of different lip colours and put a cut out, paper kissed piece of my lip imprint, then wrapped it all in pretty ribbon. 

It went over really well!

Here is a fun idea of how you can incorporate the cupcakes into a romantic or scary or action flick movie night for Valentine's, it need not be expensive either. I tried to add the link to momsandmunchkins.ca to get you the free printables but for some weird reason it would not load, no matter what I tried. At least you have a pic with a good idea. 

Below the first pic is a cheapie breakdown idea from the sweetsandsavorylife.com blog.

                         

                              

I am including a recipe for the vegan gf chocolate cupcakes from The Pretty Bee blog (no the cake part is not my recipe, I am giving you a sumptuous vegan ganache recipe), I changed some ingredients and added coffee to the adjusted liquids because as a Chef, I like the enhancing flavour coffee adds to chocolate. 

It was not enough to make it taste like coffee because I don't care for coffee, as I am an avid tea drinker, however, I have noticed the taste difference when it's not in there. I used her recipe as I wanted to try something different and because she also includes a vegan vanilla buttercream for those of you who prefer both vanilla buttercream and chocolate ganache choices be on offer. Both are splendid. I am putting the link to her blog and down below my pics, and my vegan ganache recipe follow, which is a decadent chocolate bowl of, slather it everywhere delightfulness!

 Yes, you may slather it everywhere, it will be our little secret.

( I used Bob's Redmill Flour which can be a bit beanie at times, so I make my cupcakes the night before to allow the flavours to mellow and settle. You may use a gluten-free boxed mix if you prefer to make life easier, I won't judge. Do as you please and are able to.

                                    

Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Bean Frosting.

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

Easy chocolate cupcakes with creamy vanilla bean frosting.

Author: The Pretty Bee

Recipe type: Dessert

Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1½ cups gluten free flour blend (all purpose flour works well, too!)
• 1 cup turbinado sugar
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup water (I use half water and half coffee)
• for frosting:
• 3 Tablespoons vegan buttery spread
• 2-3 Tablespoons almond milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar (I prefer the corn free kind from Whole Foods)
• ½ vanilla bean pod, inside scraped out to get the seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.
3. Add the oil, water, vinegar, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
4. Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about ⅔ full.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
6. Cool in pan, then move to a wire rack to cool completely.
7. Make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the vegan buttery spread and the vanilla bean on medium speed. Add one cup of the powdered sugar and continue to beat. Add a little of the almond milk, then more powdered sugar, and keep alternating until all the powdered sugar is in the mixing bowl. If the frosting is too thick, add a bit more almond milk.
8. Frost cooled cupcakes. Store the frosted cupcakes in the refrigerator.

http://theprettybee.com/2014/09/vegan-chocolate-cupcakes-vanilla-bean-frosting.html

These were my cupcakes...           

               

                                                Chocolate cake batter fun!

               

                                                      Ready to bake

               

Let these sit overnight if you use a strong tasting flour, I place them in ziploc bags and freeze em'.

Now it's salted chocolate ganache making time. Whoohoooooooo!!!! Make this the day of serving or make ahead 2-3 days and coat cupcakes then freeze right away. The day of serving, remove from freezer and let sit 15 minutes on counter.

THE BEST GLUTEN-FREE, VEGAN, SALTED CHOCOLATE GANACHE

INGREDIENTS:

500 Ml Coconut milk

2 Tbsp Earth Balance Margarine (soy-free)

1/4 Cup Maple syrup or agave

2 Pkgs. Enjoy life chips (283g each)

2 Tbsp Vanilla extract

1 ½ tsp grey sea salt

*For cinnamon add 1½ tsp cinnamon (This is optional but I really find it adds a wonderful punch, whisk it in at the very end, you will see how awesome it is!)

  

Method:

-Heat coconut milk, margarine, add shortening, and whisk

-Our over chips in a bowl, whisk til smooth, whisk in salt

-Add vanilla and whisk well.

-Place plastic wrap touching and covering all ganache top to prevent skin from forming, chill 3-4 hours until scoopable with a spoon, thickened but still a bit loose. You don't want to pipe it, this gets spooned over your cupcakes.

-Spoon over cooled cupcakes until well covered, add sprinkles, cool in fridge for 15 minutes and serve.

They can be frozen and keep up to 1-2 weeks in the freezer.

  

             

                       Aw yeah, chocolate love happening right here baby!

              

Yumminess in the making, I highly recommend you be a dear and taste some. Just to be sure it's good and all ;P

              

It should look like this and have this consistency when out the fridge, if it has gotten too hard leave it on the counter for about 30 minutes and see if it's right. I beat it with a hand mixer for 30 seconds if it's a bit too stiff, this gives the right pouring texture.

                

                                                     Sprinkleration time!

                

Placing them in the fridge really stiffens up the texture and makes for a wonderful mouth feel when you bite it. Now for the hard part, waiting...

                                

  You must sacrifice and taste test once more, you're so kind hearted, you giver you.

                               

                                           2 bites are a really good idea

                             

Here you go, I made some with chocolate that were vegan and some non-vegan carrot cake one's for others who requested something cream cheesy. 

I hope this ganache recipe works well for you and adds that extra touch to your special occasion. Leave your comments or questions down below and let me know how it goes.

                       

Poppa Bear and I wish you a wonderful and blessed Happy Valentine's Day Everyone!

                               Remember to fill it with love and great memories.