There’s something about watching the creation of a new business. Maybe it’s because it’s a friend of mine, or maybe it’s because I love coffee, but watching the renovation, construction and overall building of the new 2% Jazz location (in the Hudson Building) has been nothing short of pure excitement. Having been through the same process before with Smoken Bones (conveniently, right around the corner on the other side of the building), I was well versed in the art of construction photography.

(...)Read the rest of 2% Jazz and 98% Funky Stuff (1,480 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | No comment | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: 2% Jazz, BC, cafe, Coffee, construction, Downtown, drinks, drip, eats, espresso, ethiopian, french press, Hudson Building, java, opening, pour over, roastery, Sam Jones, Victoria, what to do in Victoria BC

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Those who know me, read this blog or follow me on Twitter might be aware that life has been throwing me a few curve balls in the past few months. I say I’ve been hitting them out of the ballpark. Life is too short to have sorrow (so says a great song by “Pretty Lights”…look it up) and I intend to make the most of every day from now until the ends of time. Though it is easy to say, it is a lot harder to actually put it into practice. Sometimes you feel like shit. Sometimes you wake up with a hang over. Sometimes your kids drive you so bat shit crazy all day that the minute your husband walks in the door you want to run for the nearest mental institution and commit yourself (if only for the free housekeeping and food). But there are moments we strive for, so we push past the ones that make us want to scream at the top of our lungs. We revel in the good moments. Here’s an example:(...)Read the rest of Recovery/Breakfast Smoothie (1,235 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: almond milk, Chia, Chocolate, greens, Kale, magnum nutraceuticals, pb2, post workout, quattro, recovery drink, Smoothies, vega protein

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If you read my last two posts, you’ll know that there has been a very important and life changing thing going on in my life at this time. It’s hard to string into words the emotions that have been swirling around this house for the past few months, but it is nearly impossible to convey. Suffice it to say, there have been many tears, arguments, tense moments, quiet thought, introspection, discussion, belly laughs with friends, changes in routine, diet, habits…there have been ups and downs and everything in between. But this family is stronger than ever now and we only have each other to thank.

It’s hard when you are used to telling the whole world what’s going in your life. When something comes up in that life that seems too important to share, too intimate to show to everyone and anyone, then everything comes to a stand still. What could I possibly say here that would not share our secrets, air our dirty laundry for all the people to see? I felt empty. I couldn’t sit at this keyboard and write anything, say anything without thinking I was saying too much. If I share our lives at this tender time, will it make things worse? Will it be therapy?(...)Read the rest of Chocolate Chia Energy Balls (420 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: agave, cacao nibs, Chia, dates, energy balls, Gluten Free, Healthy, Hemp, honey, Protein, protein balls, protein powder, snacks, vega protein, Vegan

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It seems my last post hit a nerve. Maybe it’s that a lot of us are in a place in our lives that is inexplicably complicated. Struggling to haul ourselves out of bed to face the world for galaxies of different reasons. Too poor to buy food for our families, too tired to play with our kids, too busy to clean the toilet, too depressed to open the curtains. But my last post wasn’t supposed to be sad or depressing. Far from it.

My last post was meant to convey that I’ve reached a stage in my life where I realize that there is so much more to it then what I’ve given it thus far. Life is hard and the people in it make it complicated, lovely, exhausting, joyful, fun, difficult, terrifying and ultimately worth every second of tears and belly laughs. Decisions we make for ourselves can seem selfish as every decision made affects those around us, especially those we love and cherish. But one must, at some point in our life, make painful or terrifying decisions.(...)Read the rest of High Protein Lemon Coconut Poppyseed Muffins (731 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 34 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Baking, cacao nibs, coconut flour, Gluten Free, grain free, greek yogurt, Healthy, high protein, low fat, meyer lemon, muffins, no carb, paleo diet, paleo friendly, poppy seed, summer, winter

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A lot goes on behind the scenes of a blog, which is really just a window into someone’s life…or however much of it they wish for you to see.

Sometimes I feel like grabbing a megaphone and shouting from the rooftops about all that’s going on in my life. I want everyone to know what I’m doing, where I’m going and who I’m doing it with. And then there are times when I want to crawl under a rock that is hidden far below the sea with a million pounds pushing down on it and nothing but the silence of the waves to listen to. Those are the times when posting a recipe about what I made last week seems utterly irrelevant. I start to wonder why I’m doing this. Did I start this site to provide recipes to the public? Did I start it as a way for me to get things off my chest? Is anyone really listening anyway?(...)Read the rest of Chocolate Chip Pancakes (644 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 29 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Breakfast, brunch, buttermilk, chocolate chip, griddle cakes, Healthy, hotcakes, kid friendly, pancakes, pastry flour, quick, whole wheat

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Some people who have been invited to my home for dinner are often intimidated by me, whizzing about the kitchen at a frantic pace preparing nineteen different things at once. Everyone always asks me the obligatory, “if you need any help, let me know.” To which I always dishonestly reply with, “I sure will!” but I never do. No one works in my kitchen with me, but me. Sometimes Adrian is allowed, but really, I like to go it solo in there. I have a system of ins and outs, pass throughs, go arounds. I know where everything is and should go when I’m done. I can find anything in a third of a second and it only slows me down to have to explain, in minute detail, where to find something or how to chop something. If you don’t know what a Microplane or a Mandoline is or you can’t figure out how to chop the cilantro for salsa, then please….just pour yourself a glass of wine and put your feet up. I could really use the space. (...)Read the rest of Dinner with a Chef – John Brooks (657 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 15 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: Brooklyn Brewery Black Chocolate Stout, cooking with beer, jicama slaw, John Brooks, Mexican, Mole, Smoken Bones Cookshack, yucca

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Cheat days.

These words have haunted me for far too long. About eleven years now, if you’re counting.

I used to think that every day had to be a regimented, strict eating day and then only on the chosen day (or days in my case), could I indulge my true cravings. I would wait diligently until Friday night or Saturday night and then I would blow my calorie load (pardon me) on whatever I could get my newly toned hands on. After about ten years of on again off again dieting, crashing, splurging and guilt ridden excess, I think I finally found true balance. There are no cheat days. Never again will I call it those awful words. To cheat means to induce guilt, and we all know I have enough of that. From now on there will only be healthy living and healthy indulgence, for to have all work and no play makes Liz a dull girl. I will eat that beef rib and cornbread side with butter and I will drown it in chocolate porter. Then I’ll work out like I always do and I will feel no guilt. I will have my piece of chocolate cake and some bacon ice cream. People will wonder “how does she stay so skinny?” and they will ask me, as they always do. But I’m always truthful. Work out. Hard. Move your body. Every day. Pay attention to what you eat, don’t finish your kids plates, don’t drink your calories, water is always best.(...)Read the rest of High Protein Salad (494 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: avocado, breathe tattoo, buttermilk, cheat days, Cottage cheese, Eggs, guilt, healthy dressing, high protein, lemon, meyer, Salad, winter, winter salad, wrist tattoo

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I know what you’re thinking. Where are the guilty desserts, the luscious cream filled cakes covered in gooey frosting? Where are the guilt inducing sauced up meat filled dishes of yore? Where has the “guilty” in Guilty Kitchen gone?

Well, it’s still there, somewhere. It comes out every weekend or so when I like to indulge in a little meaty goodness at a good friend’s BBQ restaurant, but that is literally the only place I indulge for the most part. Here and there we have beer tastings with friends paired with many a cheese platter, meats, fresh baked sourdough and veggies and dip but for the most part I’m sticking to my healthy eating.

We try to keep meat eating down to once or twice a week, and again only because I have a big soft spot for BBQ and charcuterie. Everything else I’ll pass over for healthier options. I’m not dissing the meat eating world, this is just what works for me. For some the paleo diet is what works for them and I applaud them for it. I wish I could deal with that much meat. But I love my bread…..and beer. (...)Read the rest of Yogurt Panna Cotta with Early Grey Grapefruit Jam (579 words)

© Elizabeth for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 17 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: earl grey grapefruit jam, Easy, Healthy, liberté greek yogurt, low fat desserts, panna cotta, quick grapefruit jam, So Delicious coconut milk, sweet, vanilla bean, winter, yogurt panna cotta

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Sweet alcohol and cocoa on the nose. Starts sweet and transforms to a dark chocolate coffee taste. Surge of dark chocolate into the back of your throat and nose from this 8% brew.

Rating: 4.25/5

This is not for all but one to not be passed by for loud beer lovers. Phillips Brewing Co. Hoperation Tripel Cross IPA

A gorgeous balanced blend of citrus hop and Belgian yeasty spice on the nose. Next you are faced with a malty Belgian spiced taste mixed with copious amounts of aromatic hops. Finish is floral yet bitter that lingers on the top of your tongue.

© adrian for Guilty Kitchen, 2012. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us Post tags: beer review, Brasserie d'Achouffe - La Chouffe Ardenne Strong Beer, Brew Dog Rip Tide -Twisted Merciless Stout, craft beer, Howe Sound Brewing - Pothole Filler Imperial Stout, Howe Sound Brewing - Woolly Bugger Barley Wine, Lighthouse - Belgian Black, Phillips Brewing Co. - The Hammer Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, Phillips Brewing Co. - The Hammer Imperial Stout, Phillips Brewing Co. Hoperation Tripel Cross IPA, Vancouver Island, Victoria

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