Sunday, February 28, 2016

Vegan Blueberry-Lemon Scones

Last year, I discovered scones for the first time while I was helping a friend out with French grammar. Her mother made us some of the raspberry variety served with tea, while we studied away on a cold winter evening. They were very tasty and buttery, perfect as winter comfort food.

Fast forwarding a year, this mommy (me) is craving them and has decided to whip up a batch or two of her own. But this time, I wanted to have homemade ones that were healthier since I've been trying to get back on track with my pre-pregnancy habits and weight. So I started exploring vegan options.

The recipe I am proposing to you is for lemon-blueberry scones, as the title suggests. They are very, very light in flavour, as there is little sugar and no butter or egg. I recommend serving them warm and with a bit of salted butter (if you have no sensitivities to it) or even cinnamon honey, they taste simply delightful this way. Also, if you wanted to use different fruit, go ahead. I just so happened to have a pack of blueberries and a dozen lemons at home, just waiting to be used.

Personally, I tried them two ways: The first was with white flour and white sugar, and the second was with whole-wheat flour and brown sugar. And although they almost tasted the same, I think I preferred the whole-wheat version s.

Happy baking! :)








Vegan Blueberry-Lemon Scones
Serves 8

Ingredients:
  • 2 cups of flour;
  • 3 tsp baking powder;
  • ⅓ cup sugar (white, brown, your choice);
  • ½ tsp salt;
  • ½ tsp nutmeg+cinnamon;
  • 2 tsp lemon zest;
  • 2 full tbsp lemon juice;
  • 1 cup blueberries; and
  • 1 cup coconut milk.
Directions:
  1. Set oven to 400°F.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon together in a bowl.
  3. Add washed blueberries to the mix. Combine until blueberries are covered in the dry mixture.
  4. Using a spatula, move dry mixture away from the middle of the bowl to make way for the lemon zest, juice and coconut milk.
  5. Combine all the ingredients with your hands, but do not overwork the dough, as this will cause the scones to be dense. The dough will be sticky, and that's okay. 
  6. Dampen your hands with water to help with stickiness, then pick the dough up and place it on parchment paper, then flatten until it measures about 9 to 10" in diameter.
  7. Sprinkle a little more lemon zest and a few more blueberries on top, then slice into 8 equal pieces to make it easier to separate when you remove this treat from the oven.
  8. Pop it in the oven for approximately 24 minutes, or until the surface is golden.
  9. Wait 5 to 10 minutes and serve warm!


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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Western Caribbean Cruise with Royal Caribbean International

Looking out my window thinking about the -42°C and storm we recently had, I can't help but remember that this time last year, my husband and I were on vacation. Somewhere very warm. Away from the cold. We had actually booked our trip three weeks prior, as a last-minute thing to escape that year's blistering cold winter.



Last year's vacation was all about exploring the Western Caribbean in +Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas, visiting: Falmouth, Jamaica; Labadee, Haiti; and Cozumel, Mexico. This was my second cruise with the Oasis, and I loved the ship just as much as I did the first time.

Fort Lauderdale

Our journey began in the popular port city of Fort Lauderdale. The moment we landed in FLL, a sensation of pure relaxation took over our bodies. I must admit, the first time I heard about Fort Lauderdale, I thought it was some small port town that happened to be by the water. Little did I know it was a fun tourist destination with tons to see and do. The night life is vibrant, the food is good, the shopping is cool and the beach is simply breathtaking. Our favourite was walking by the board walk and watching people swim, roller blade and just enjoy life. 





The Oasis
From the moment we reached Port Everglades, we immediately spotted our ship. It's the biggest, baddest ship on the Floridian coast and is very hard to miss. I have to say, Royal Caribbean is very organized in terms of passenger registrations, baggage control and time management. Their staff works really well together and their efficiency is incredible. It's also great that every staff member comes from a different part of the world. We met a fantastic South African yoga instructor and gym attendant, a Costa Rican cashier at the Coach shop on deck and Brazilian surf instructors. I loved getting to know a few of them.

The ship is absolutely jaw-dropping when you first enter. In my opinion, they have something for everyone. They have a full gym, a beautiful spa, several types of restaurants to choose from, organized sports in their outdoor court, a casino, comedy club, shopping, baking classes, zip lining, surf simulators, card-game room, aquatic performances, Broadway shows, rock climbing, a carousel and anything else that could attract your attention. We even got to do some Yoga on the helipad a few mornings, and that was c o o l. And to top it all off, my hubby and I even got to see the Caribbean server we met the LAST time we were on the Oasis, when we celebrated getting engaged! AND HE REMEMBERED US!!! (See picture below)



Royal Caribbean has a nice rewards program called The Crown and Anchor Society for returning customers. And since it was my husband's third time riding with them, we got an upgraded room, additional discounts on drink packages, invitations to exclusive events and more. It's worth signing up for if you think you may do a few cruises in your lifetime.








Labadee, Haiti
The morning we arrived to Labadee, my husband and I were doing our morning run on the track. It was exciting getting closer and closer to the coast while completing each lap. Before disembarking the ship, we were told that the area we would be exploring for the day was isolated from the rest of the country, with police securing the grounds. The two beaches were nice, and Royal Caribbean organized a nice lunch with burgers, pork chops and fresh fruit. The market was fun to walk through and there were nice trails to follow. 

One thing I craved from this visit, however, was to actually learn about the city's culture. When my husband and I cruised the first time in the Eastern Caribbean, we had the opportunity to explore without facing any distinct dangers.







Falmouth, Jamaica
The next day, it was Jamaica's turn. That day, we planned to go through caves and climb Dunn's River Falls! The online pictures of the falls do not do this landmark any justice. We spent a little over an hour climbing them and cooling off in the fresh water. We also got to buy cool water shoes... Those are definitely useful to not slip.









Cozumel, Mexico
This was the last stop of our cruise, and by now, we were looking forward to just grabbing a cab and going on our own little adventure. We started off by asking a taxi driver to take us to a popular tourist shopping destination, and 15 minutes later, we were there (don't ask me where that was... I completely forgot the name of the area!). We browsed the shops and the very commercial restos until we decided we wanted to experience authentic Mexican grub. 

So we asked around, and the locals eventually led us to a popular fast-food place. We tried out their tortilla wraps and homemade guacamole (which were delicious, just by the way) and continued on with our day. Since we did not have much time to hit up a beach by this point, we walked back to the port. This took us about 45 minutes. Then we saw it. A +Hard Rock Cafe. (Side note: Since we began dating in 2012, it has become an essential tradition that we eat at this restaurant and collect the cocktail glasses every time we travel to a new city and see this franchise. No exceptions to this rule. Oh, and we usually have their yummy fajitas.)










Have you ever been on a cruise before? If so, which cruise line did you go with and where did you visit? Have you been on the Oasis before? Write to me! :)


Connect with my on Instagram @ChezAlesiaDunn !

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Mommy Time

As a new mom, I can relate to the feeling of wanting to be with my baby all the time. It is completely normal. I carried him in my belly for nine months, gave birth to him, and now I don't want to spend any precious moment away from him. It's completely understandable.

But I think that more often than not, us mommies tend to forget ourselves in the midst of motherhood and all that it brings into our lives. I know I was starting to experience that at first, any way. 

The first month is and should be about baby and creating a bond with him/her. But I think that a mommy should start doing things for herself and with her husband (or significant other) once she feels her "recovery" period is over. This could mean catching up with friends over coffee, going out for dinner and/or a movie with the husband or even just taking an uninterrupted nap alone. Find a reliable and trustworthy babysitter, such as your mother, other relative, a trusted neighbour or friend to watch your precious little one. Some adult time is good for the soul.

The first time I left Lukey alone, he stayed with my mother at about one month old. That day, I spent my time doing groceries, an activity I enjoy doing solo, and went shopping for some much-needed clothes. I made sure to do my makeup all nice and to wear clothes that made me feel good. When my alone-time was up, I had missed my baby, felt refreshed and was ready for him again.

It has been scientifically proven that when we do anything on an on-going or full-time basis, it is beneficial to take a time out every once in a while. This helps you rediscover yourself, regain perspective, increase your patience and even decrease your chances of getting post-partum depression. And remember, when you are relaxed, your children will be relaxed.

Since January, I have committed myself to the gym, and I strategically chose one with a daycare. It fits all of my needs. Every cardio machine has a TV where I can either watch a show or turn to the daycare channel and watch my son live. The caregivers know to call me if he has a diaper accident, is hurt, hungry or crying non stop, so I am always at peace when I go to the gym and know he is in good hands. And there is a nursery for breastfeeding mothers. Yes, it all costs extra (about $16 biweekly) but I am doing something I love wile feeling confident about whom my son is with, and that is priceless.

Plus, I want to show my baby and my future babies that only when we love ourselves can we genuinely love others.

What are your thoughts, mommies? I would love for you to share. :)

Thank you,

Alesia D.

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Yummy Chicken Noodle Soup

Last week, I heard my husband commenting on how much he would like to have a bowl of hot soup at the end of his work day, so I decided to get the ingredients together and be a good wife. Since we've been trying to use up all the meats in our deep freeze, step 1 was to pull out them chicken thighs and put them to good use. (I am a complete meat hoarder. Some people collect stamps or lipsticks; I collect different cuts of chicken, beef and fish when they goes on sale.)

As I was making this delectable soup, it came to my attention that my neighbour-friend was suffering from a gastro, and since I a l w a y s make lots of extra when I cook any soup, stew or spaghetti sauce, I thought I would share.

Before I sent some over to her house, however, I needed my hubby's seal of approval. Thankfully, he loved it. (He always tells me he loves my cooking, but I wanted to ensure it was as good as it could be, since we weren't the only ones who would be eating it.)

A few hours passed, and my neighbour finally sent me a message saying that a) she and her family loved it and b) she was feeling better! Now I don't know if there is a correlation between this soup and her gastro going away, but I like to believe there is.

This soup is easy and fun to make as long as you enjoy cutting lots of vegetables.=D




So without further delay, here is my recipe:

Yummy Chicken Noodle Soup
Serves 8-12

Ingredients:

  • 6 litres water;
  • 2 lbs chicken thighs;
  • 1 pack +Barilla bow-tie noodles;
  • 1 +Knorr beef or chicken broth cube; 
  • 1 celery head, diced;
  • 1 large red onion, diced;
  • 4 red, yellow and/or orange peppers, diced;
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, sliced;
  • 10-15 carrot sticks; chopped;
  • 2 tbsp fresh or dried parsley;
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano;
  • 1 tbsp dried basil; and
  • salt + pepper to taste.

Directions:

  1. Bring water to a boil in large stock pot, then add chicken thighs and broth cube.
  2. While chicken is cooking, make sure all vegetables are washed well.
  3. One by one, add each vegetable starting with the carrots.
  4. Allow chicken to cook and all the flavours to blend on medium-high heat for approximately 1 hour.
  5. Once chicken is cooked, remove from the soup and shred using two forks. Then bring chicken shreds back to soup.
  6. Add all your herbs (including salt and pepper) and stir on medium heat. Leave your soup like this for about 30 minutes.
  7. Add noodles 15-20 minutes before serving.
  8. Bon appétit!
Thanks for following!

-Alesia D.

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Have you tried something similar? Do you have any special ingredients you like to add to your soup? 
Tell me about it!


Thursday, February 4, 2016

Newborn No More

February 4, 2016, marks baby Lukey's three-month "birthday", if you will, and it also marks the day he is no longer considered a "newborn". *Pass the tissues please.*

Day 1! :)
These past three months have been filled with all types of emotions, from happiness to fear, joy to frustration, excitement to doubt. But the strongest emotion I have felt thus far has been love. Love, because every time I look at him, I see a miracle. A miracle that has not only doubled in weight since his birth, but a miracle that is transforming and learning new things with each passing day. This is the same miracle that evolved from a little seed-like thing into a full-sized baby, which I carried with me for nine magnificent months. 


This little boy of mine is settling into his personality and is so curious about everything in his surroundings. He is the reason I am who I am today, and he is the reason I am in awe, every day.


I found it a bit hard adjusting to a constantly crying baby for the first two months, but some time after that period, I somehow learned that if I made him sleep more in the morning and early afternoon, he would be less grumpy and cry less. For example, every time he woke up (about every three hours), I changed his diaper, then fed him laying down in a comfy spot until he fell asleep. So far, so good. This has been my biggest accomplishment so far!


At this point, baby Lukas has hit all his milestones; he comfortably lifts his head when on his tummy, pulls himself up into a seated position (with the support of your hands), looks at and follows objects, babbles and makes cute sounds, brings his hand to mouth, is beginning to grab various objects, and responds to different sounds.


I am proud to say that my little man no longer sleeps by my side in his bassinet. Nope, he has been sleeping in his crib for about three weeks like a big boy. He wakes up every 3 to 4 hours to feed at night, but goes right back to sleep *most* of the time. (Let's keep it real mommies, we all know this is not the case every time.)


He loves his bath time, particularly when you put a mirror in front of his face as he seems to be fascinated with his own face. He loves falling asleep during car rides, enjoys time with his grandparents, and always gives mommy and daddy BIG smiles when he is being changed. My heart melts every time he gives me those lovey eyes and smiles...


I would say we have a great bond being formed and solidified, and he trusts his mommy to be there for him.


Now that Lukas has grown out of his newborn state and settled into a routine, I have been making more time for myself by exercising and catching up with life. This time last month, I signed back up at the gym and have been going full force. I also signed up for dodgeball again (if you're looking for a sport that provides you with a GOOD and INTENSE workout, sign up, it will change your life). Now, going full force has left me with a few temporary injuries, like knee pain, back pain and even pulling a glute muscle (umm, ouch?!), but it has also helped me identify my new physical weaknesses. Thanks to a good workout plan, I have been able to strengthen my body and feel a lot less pain, if any at times.


Motherhood has also given me more confidence. I had it before, but not to the point of feeling comfortable enough to always speak my mind, especially around strangers. It is fascinating how one tiny human being can have this effect, and it is equally as hard to explain how this came to be. I am more sure of myself, more able to stand my ground and more capable of expressing my needs.


It has been a privilege watching little Lukas grow from newborn to infant, and I look forward to guide him through all of his stages in life, hand in hand. 







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Are you expecting a little bun in the oven? What do you imagine your first three months with a newborn being like?