Little Miss Cornucopia

thinking out loud : currently

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 01:20:00 -0500

...watching once upon a time, season three and girls, season three. #WhatIAm

...singing along to this song, this song, this song, this song, this song, every single one of these songs, and every song by this girl, this girl and this girl. #WhipMyHairBackAndForth

...celebrating the fact that my baby sister has turned 18. ohmygoodness! Time flew so fast! I still remember the very first time I saw her pretty face and all of the many amazing memories! Kara is my baby sister and I love her so much! Hope you had an amazingtastic 18th birthday and sorry I wasn't there to celebrate with you! Love you lots!

#TwentyFourThirtyFourIDontEvenKnowTheScore

...drinking this tea, this tea, steam distilled water, shots of E3 Live, green juice and green smoothies.

Get Up & Go Green Juice

Ingredients:
2 cups spinach
1/2 grapefruit
2 apples
1-one inch piece fresh ginger
2 celery stalks
ice (optional)

1. Working in this order, put spinach, grapefruit, apples, ginger and celery through the juicer.

2. Fill 2 glasses with ice, if desired, and pour the juice into the glasses.

I prefer to make the juice, fill my mason jar and sip on it. mmm.

#NotTheBestJuicerInTheWorldButItWillDoForNow

...reading mockingjay (the final book of the hunger games trilogy), which I started reading in december, is taking me a long time to read. #DontWantTheStoryToEnd

#ILikeToRemoveTheCoverFromMyHardcoverBooks

...eating pomelo, pineapple and mango topped with artisana coconut butter, hemp seeds and bee pollen. I also made a batch of tasty peanut butter berry bars from the lovely Becky at Olives & Wine and these healthy peanut butter rice krispie treats #BetterThanRiceKripieTreats from Lee at Fit Foodie Finds. #PeanutButterMakesAComeback

FOODIE FACT : Pomelo is where the grapefruit is hybridized from with the help of the orange. It is also one of the high packed Vitamin C fruits which hold with it so many benefits according to Dr. Linus Pauling

Here are some basic facts:

Vitamin C is a cofactor of enzymes involved in the formation of collagen, a protein which strengthens and makes skin elastic encouraging faster wound healing. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron in the body.

Pomelo is also packed with fiber, a must-have nutrient to help maintain regular bowel movements, prevent hemorrhoids and even colon cancer.

This amazing fruit helps those still not on plant based diets lose weight due to its high natural fiber content.

This is one of my favorite fruits and is a great way to trick the body in feeling full. For those who are trying to slowly transition into more raw plant based diets I would definitely recommend having this fruit part of your diet.

...and salad. always lots. of salad.

You are a goddamn tree stump with leaves sprouting out
Reborn.

Mary Lambert - "I Know Girls" (Body Love)

...trying to comment more often on blogs that I really enjoy. It's so easy to read blogs in a reader and then flip to the next one. As a blogger, I love getting comments so I'm really trying to share the love. Just know that even if I don't comment every. single.time. I'm still reading you.

...wishing that I had tickets to go to this event this weekend. I'm definitely not a biker chick (not that there is anything wrong with that). Yet, I fell in love with motorcycles and boys who ride them when I was in my early twenties (I think I'm more addicted to the speed than the bikes, but that's another story).

Did you see who the special guests are? Chibs and Tig from Sons of Anarchy. SOLD OUT. Boo!

...needing some more z's. I've been getting into the habit of staying up later than usual and snoozing through my first and second alarms, which leads to cranky rushed mornings. Me and "My Little Taste Tester" no likey.

...crushing on Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter/rapper/drummer/record producer/fashion designer/entrepreneur/thinker/innovator/genuinely beautiful person, Pharrell Williams. #LovePharrellForReal #BecauseHeHappy

...sharing this post to lovely miss Amanda's Thinking Out Loud party page, filled with inspiring, thought-provoking, thoughtful posts.

Visit Amanda's blog, leave her a smile and a cookie, and then go comment on some of the other Thinking Out Loud posts.

wiaw : i wanna be a ball(er)

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 8 Jan 2014 22:02:00 -0500

It's time for another "What I Ate Wednesday" post!

This party is brought to you by the loverly miss Jenn from Peas and Crayons.

Instead of focusing on a day of eats, I would like to present you with a platter of sweet heavenly goodness:

For Christmas dinner, my date (that's right) and I were in charge of dessert. It was his idea to cut and arrange fruit for fresh fruit platters, so we did pineapple, grapes, watermelon, blueberries, aloe vera, banana, mango, and pomelo.

Naturally, I wanted to contribute a little something more...enter Amanda's no-bake holiday cookie energy bites, Angela's peanut better balls, and Kathy's no-bake gingerbread man cookie dough balls.

Amanda's no-bake holiday cookie energy bites were perfect to make for Christmas. A winning combination of white chocolate, orange, and cranberry, these sweet little things certainly didn't last long. Lucky for me, I made a double batch of these babies.

Angela's Peanut Better Balls. Will the peanut butter/chocolate fans please stand up? These magical balls are made with ingredients like 100% natural peanut butter, pure maple syrup and coconut flour. I wish I listened to Angela's suggestion of putting these into mini cupcake liners because once you have them in your fingers, they melt so quickly. But, so worth it!

Kathy's NO Bake Ginger Bread Man Cookie Dough Balls combine two things that I adore: ginger and molasses. Instead of the typical gingerbread men, which can take some time to make, allow your taste buds to celebrate the flavors of the holidays in bite-sized form.

Wanna be a baller?

Get to the kitchen and make some balls (or bites)

thinking out loud

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 21:22:00 -0500

I'd be lying if i said that Christmas hasn't been on my mind a lot lately. ANYWAY. I've had a lot of other things on my mind too, which is what today's post is all about: thinking out loud.

This link-up is brought to you by the lovely miss Amanda from running with spoons. I've never tried running with spoons but i think i would be really great at it, especially if there are treats involved.

1. Even though it's only thursday, it actually feels more like a friday for me. as of 2:44pm today, my "little taste tester" officially started his christmas holidays and has the next sixteen days off from school.

2. What is your favorite Christmas song/album? My favorite is The Bells Of Dublin by The Chieftains. When I was growing up, celebrating Christmas with my family, and especially with my brothers and sisters, was an unforgettable experience. Our father played this album every year at Christmas time and made this album unforgettable for me and for all of us. #ILoveYouDaddy

3. Speaking of music, I've been listening to Lorde's album more and more over time, and the more I listen to it, the more songs I like. Her music is like a breath of fresh air and then some...and she's a kiwi too, which I adore. Lorde fans..what are your favorite songs off the album?

4. I've been watching Once Upon A Time on Netflix and I am loving it. With each episode, I feel like I'm taking a trip into the woods to discover the mythology behind Red Riding Hood or to learn more about Snow White. Rumplestiltskin has really been messing with my head though.

5. There's a new gym in Ottawa called Liquid Gym. It's a North American first - with physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, recreation, training, and an endless pool, all in the same location. This is obviously not your typical gym though. It’s for people with injuries or medical conditions who will benefit from hydrotherapy and range of motion exercises. The Ottawa Senators have one of these amazing underwater treadmills in their dressing room, but the Liquid Gym has six of them.

6. I love all things ginger (and molasses too). When a friend messaged me to tell me about a new Ginger Secret she had heard about, and that it was the best thing ever, of course I was all ears. I laughed at her because I've known about the Ginger Secret for years and I can attest that it is the fastest way to prepare fresh ginger, plus you will be able to always have it on hand. Curious yet? Here it is. Enjoy!

7. On the topic of food, there are so many things I want to make this weekend. Cookies, balls, squares, salads, green things, blue things, and purple things too! What are you making for Christmas? Please share. I will love you forever! :)

Seven is my favorite/lucky number...so that's my cue to say Goodnight, Sleep Tight and Shine Bright! X

sharing is caring : december

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 23:16:00 -0500

Happy Monday! It was a cold, snowy weekend here in Ottawa, but I managed to spend some quality time on myself while "my little taste tester" was with his Dad.

In spite of the cold weather, I finally started Christmas shopping, mailed holiday cards, and sipped on hot cocoa non-stop. It’s so nice to have some time to observe all of the rituals and rhythms of the season. and now, as I begin a new week, some recipes and reads that have caught my eye lately.

I don’t know what’s more exciting than a square of perfectly flavored dark chocolate …on a stick …begging to be dipped in some hot milk. right?

If you're thinking about edible gift giving, these Hot Chocolate Sticks from fed & fit.com look like a perfect gift to me!

Sugar cookies are one of my favorites during the festive season. Purely Twins share a fabulous recipe for the best grain-free egg-free sugar cookies. "My little taste tester" thinks we should make these and leave them out for Santa this year. How cute! He still believes! But then again, so do I ! :)

Speaking of Santa, I'll bet this Kick Ace Extra Sharp Holiday Cheddar Cheese Ball would kick Santa in the ace.

When I saw Emma's Cabbage, Apple and Pomegranate Salad with Ginger Almond Dressing I knew it was a winner. Packed full of superfoods, this salad is so colorful, creative and fun.

I love all things ginger and so does North America's Gluten-Free expert, Kathy Smart. Kathy's No-Bake Gingerbread Man Cookie Dough Balls need to get in my mouth right MEOW!

Speaking of ginger, I love how Davida's Chocolate Gingerbread Granola Bars look... like the perfect thing to make for a Christmas dinner extravaganza. These are definitely on my to-make list!

1. For a long time I went to doctors, alternative medicine professionals, healers and therapists looking for their answers, looking for their handouts and looking for someone to fix me. I viewed myself as broken, as someone who needed to be fixed and glued together. At one point in 2011, I had enough of modern medicine. I was upset, frustrated and disappointed. I felt like the doctors didn't care or pay any attention to me. They didn't find anything wrong with me. Yet they wanted to give me some pills without any reason but guess-work. I had enough and said: no, thank you.

When I moved on to nutritional medicine, got into holistic health and continued my natural, holistic healing journey...and realized that my health is 100% in my own hands. Taking Responsibility For Your Health helped me realize that I am not broken. I do not need to be fixed. I am responsible for my own healing.

I am trying to accept myself as a whole person. I am not perfect. I have things to heal on the physical, emotional and spiritual level. But I am a whole person with my imperfections and problems. I am not broken. I do not need fixing. I am a person with some challenges who is responsible for her own healing journey.

2. Nicole's blog posts are always so inspiring, and with the new year creeping up on us, A Starting Point For Change helped me recognize that it's time to love myself and treat myself well, starting now. it's time to create magic in my life. I deserve it!

3. I have so many food, environmental and chemical sensitivities. Grocery shopping used to be so overwhelming but once I broke things down, it was not so intimidating for me. I stand by the article 3 Health Foods To Avoid. My genetics are starting to catch up with me, plus I have "my little taste tester" to think about too, so I take this stuff very seriously now.

4. This list may seem a little silly but if you're interested, 34 Ways To Make You Stuff Last As Long As Possible can, supposedly, help you stretch your dollar. I had no idea that breaking apart your bananas or wrapping the stems in tin foil makes them last longer!

5. Ben Ralston hits a raw nerve with me in his article Can't Live With My Wife, Can't Live Without My Son. I could share my story as well as it seems so similar, yet different, but almost the same: Pain. Loss. Change. Resistance. Grief. Sorrow. Despair. Rage. The Void. Isolation. Loss of Purpose. Helplessness. Agony. Frustration... -A mother unable to protect her own kids is not a feeling that I can even begin to describe...If you are not familiar with Ben Ralston and his work - or if you are doing your own "work" you may want to go visit his page.

6. The 8-Hour Sleep Myth: How I Learned That Everything I Knew About Sleep Was Wrong, for those who think themselves failure for not sleeping 8 hours straight through the night - “Even a soul submerged in sleep is hard at work and helps make something of the world.” ― Heraclitus, Fragments

7. And finally, The Delicious Dish introduced me to Pete Schweddy and his balls, which sound like a great gift idea this season. Ben & Jerry liked the idea too. Unfortunately, I cannot find this flavor of ice cream anywhere in Canada.

What's one recipe that you have really loved lately?
What have you been reading recently? <---- I have Mockingjay beside me on my bedside table but I haven't started reading it yet.

what i ate wednesday : testing, testing

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:20:00 -0500

happy wednesday!

today's what i ate wednesday photos are recipes that i tested and really loved...

The Only, Raw Vegan Granola Recipe You'll Ever Need

I'm hooked on this stuff!

I've tried several raw granola recipes, and this one is the easiest and best tasting.

Although Gena recommends a dehydrator for this, I cooked mine for several hours on the lowest temperature setting on my oven (around 115 degrees).

Baking it at 350 for 30-40 minutes supposedly works well too.

Apple & Raisin Oaty Breakfast Cookies

Cookies for breakfast? Hella good!

I made these cookies for my "little taste tester" before school and he loved them!

The original recipe called for raisins but I added chocolate chunks and mini chips instead.

Chocolate for breakfast? I say YES!

Chocolate Almond Cookies With Fudgy Frosting

If you're looking for something to do with the leftover nut pulp from nut mylk, these cookies are the perfect solution.

I may have found my new favorite chocolate frosting too.

You will either love me or loathe me for sharing this recipe with you.

There is no recipe for the next one

This is just a simple bean and lentil salad that I threw together.

Moosewood's Caribbean Stew

Sweet potato, red bell pepper, tomato, cabbage and kale in a perfect not-to-spicy broth.

I WILL be making this again! It's that good!

Raw Pizza Snack Bites

These savory little bites of goodness are soooo good!

If you've never tried nutritional yeast, this is the perfect recipe for it.

And honestly, they really DO taste like pizza! :)

Special thanks to my favorite sweet pea, Jenn for hosting the what i ate wednesday party on her blog.

If you want to see what other people around the blogging world eat, visit Jenn's blog.

You'll probably find something you really like.

(selfie) + spill it, sundays

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Sun, 1 Dec 2013 05:05:00 -0500

happy sunday! it's the first of december..and Ba Da Ba Da Da...i'm lovin' it (already). i do not eat mcdonald's.

spill it, sundays is a new ingredient brought to you by the big letter A (Arman), of Australia, where today is the first day of summer.

spill #1: i may move to Australia for the next several months.

special thanks to the big man, Arman, for hosting this super sunday bowl of fun!

oh, what a night! early december two thousand thirteen. what a very special time for me...

i don't usually do the selfie thing...

question. how many pics do you take t'il you get to the center of it ?

spill #2: it took me three shots to get this pic (i'm not drunk).

spill #3: cultural background
half scottish and half irish, french and dutch.
mom has red hair. dad ~~has~~ had red hair. two brothers and five sisters have red hair.
none of our children have red hair though.
poo.

spill #4: most memorable birthday + why
my tenth birthday was pretty special. for the first time, i had a birthday party at my house with my friends. my sixteenth birthday was pretty special too. my friends surprised me with dinner at eastside mario's + gifts. my twenty third birthday was a celebration with a few close family members while i was in vancouver. we even had cake :) i celebrated my thirtieth birthday with my sisters..poppin' bottles in the ice...

my thirtieth bday with three of my five sissys.
as i remember what a night!

spill #5: one thing i want to accomplish in my lifetime
i will own a bistro/cafe/restaurant.
"my little taste tester" thought of a great name for my first product.
he already made a commercial about it too.
i got this.

what a lady, what a night!

spill #6: stoopidest thing i've ever done

met a guy in toronto and went to british columbia with him the same day.
i left three days later...

but i got to stay here, which was amazing!

spill #7: childhood hero

mariah carey.

or any female singer who had a chance to sing on star search.

i wanted to be that girl!

mimm : my birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 18:18:00 -0500

The following is a super special guest post written by "my little taste tester", who celebrated his 9th birthday on November 7th. Since we've spent the last few days celebrating, I thought it would be nice to view the world through the eyes of a nine year old, for a change.

Katie throws a party for us every monday - connecting people together from all around the world. hearts and hugs to you Katie for doing this for us ♥

Hello!

4 days ago it was my birthday.

I was really, really excited for my birthday.

On Thursday, my Mom and I were out shopping...

and when we came home, my aunt Kirsty was at our house:

Kirsty was visiting my grandma and grandpa in Cornwall and came to see me because it was my birthday.

That's it!

"My little taste tester" was born at 11:11pm on Sunday, November 7, 2004 in Ottawa, Ontario Canada.

That night, the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) lit up the sky and for the first time in my life, I caught a glimpse of the lights from the delivery room window.

Auroras were spotted all across Canada and the United States, as far south as California and Arizona. Even days later, people in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the U.K. reported seeing the lights in the night sky.

How cool is that?

Here's what we saw in Ottawa:

If you would like to see more photos of this incredible celestial event, please visit Science @ Nasa's November 2004 Aurora Gallery.

Big hugs and kisses to "my little taste tester" for writing this post.

Thank you for reading! Have a MARVELOUS Monday everyone! xo

Have you ever seen the Northern Lights?
Do you ever see the numbers 11:11 on your clock? I ALWAYS do! Today I saw the number 1:11, 4:44, and then :44 on my oven timer. neat-o!

currently : november

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Sat, 9 Nov 2013 20:50:00 -0500

...watching the snow fall from my balcony. it's shaping up to be a wet weekend here in Ottawa but i don't care. i love it.

...singing along to this song (thank you Davida), this song, this song, this song, this song, or any song from this cd. #ConfessionsOfASwifty

...celebrating my little taste tester's ninth birthday. november seventh. party at grandma and grandma's house tomorrow. what do you get a nine year old boy for his birthday? #Lego(MyEggo).

my little taste tester's fourth birthday. little boys are the biggest sweethearts ♥

...drinking one liter bottles of rise kombucha mint chlorophyll flavor. love. and organic traditions maccacino drink with a dash of homemade almond milk.

...learning about yoga and your moon cycle (thanks to this beautiful woman). #YogaNidra

“the monthly hormonal cycle of menstruation serves as a constant backdrop for the mental and emotional life of every woman, as well as being an important factor in her overall state of health.

from the spiritual point of view, the days around the menstrual period are very powerful and auspicious for a woman to practice meditation and japa yoga.

the period commencing three days before the onset and continuing for five days of menstrual bleeding and the first five days of the new cycle is a time when a woman gains a heightened level of awareness naturally, by virtue of the altering hormonal balance.

this is a time when her natural insight and intuition become very prominent, and it is a most powerful time for psychic awakening.“ – from asana pranayama mudra bandha by swami satyananda sarawati.

...reading how the scots invented the modern world by arthur herman. i am eager to learn more about the history of Scotland and the scots; it's part of my heritage.

...eating cucumber and radish slices with sea salt and amy's kitchen : indian vegetable korma in the oven. fancy!

...wishing for more snow on the ground. i know it's cold. and wet. yet my nine year old thinks it's one of the most magical things in this world. walking in a winter wonderland.

...thinking about christmas and christmas shopping. yes, already. i want to try to start early this year. i love it so much and always have so much fun with it! it really is the greatest time of the year. i dive head first into this season and want everything to do with it and it's fine with me if it starts in november!

...trying to comment more often on blogs i really enjoy. it's so easy to read blogs in a reader and then flip to the next one. but i know as a blogger that i love getting comments so i'm really trying to share the love. but just know that even if i don't comment every. single.time. i'm still reading you.

...sharing the following finds from around the world:

-the anatomy of a complimen t so interesting.
-twitter owes me $4. how much does it owe you?
-things that will never happen to you.
-ten romantic movies currently streaming on netflix, for your viewing pleasure.
-the world's ten most polluted places. so sad.
-slaves of the internet, unite!
-and finally, ten reasons your dentist probably hates you. so good.

xo Maria

healthy breakfast recipe : nut berry quinoa bowl

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Fri, 1 Nov 2013 20:24:00 -0400

breakfast is one of my favorite meals, and i never, ever, go without it.

for me, breakfast is always nutritious and healthy. it jump-starts my metabolism. it’s the fuel that gets me going so i can face the day ahead. i cannot emphasize how vitally important breakfast is to get you started on your day. you've just had maybe 6 to 10 hours of not eating – your body needs sustenance and is ready to be refueled.

some mornings i like to have quinoa porridge for breakfast. i mix between quinoa and chia, quinoa and steel -cut oats, this cereal, this cereal or this cereal.

quinoa, pronounced keen-wah, is a grain-like seed. quinoa is complete protein food, which means it includes all of the eight essential amino acids that are needed for growth and repair. it is a complex carbohydrate, high in vitamins and minerals, and gluten free. sometimes i use quinoa flakes and other times i use the traditional quinoa seed. it is so very easy and quick to do, plus it is jam-packed with nutrition.

nut berry quinoa bowl

ingredients:

1/4 cup quinoa

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup almond milk (more or less)

1 TBSP maple syrup

toppings: almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, berries, banana, goji berries, bee pollen (one of the most nutritious foods on the planet, which contains a myriad of health benefits).

directions:

1. add quinoa and 1/2 cup water to saucepan. cook on low to medium heat, stir every so often, until it has reached a creamy texture (about 15 minutes).

2. add a dash of maple syrup to sweeten.

3. remove quinoa from pan and add to bowl and let cool for a few minutes.

4. add almond milk and stir.

5. add toppings

feel free to get creative and add anything you desire!

how do you like to eat quinoa?
what do you like to eat for breakfast?

wiaw : my block

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 00:51:00 -0400

ever since i started writing this little blog, i’ve accumulated a lot of things. posts. pictures. friends. words. really nice comments. and of course, a lot of recipes. some of them my own, while many of them the genius of others.

honestly though, some of these recipes, i’ve only made once or twice. but others are staples in my weekly cooking rotation. and as october winds down, i’ve been making an effort to cook more and revisit some of the old recipes i’ve forgotten about.

reflection is a lovely thing, especially when food is involved and it's what i ate wednesday.


i think Jenn eats peas and colors with crayons. i like spinach and my favorite color is yellow.

every week, without fail, Jenn throws a big party on her blog. if you like eating, you should check it out.

without further adieu, here is a short list of what i've been eating lately. i think it encompasses a lot of love and good eating from me to you.

cheers, my friends.

one. red lentil and spinach curry (vegan tikka masala) from the taste space. sooooo good! warming, creamy, and perfectly spicy. i eat this over rice and it is awesome!

two. white bean and kale soup from vegetarian times. i wasn't a fan of this the first time i made it but my eight year old son loooooves it. i really like how the flavors meld together when you let it sit overnight - and it freezes well too.

three. no bake elvis bars from oh she glows. apparently, Elvis liked banana and peanut butter sandwiches (with bacon too). instead of peanut butter, these use banana and almond butter with a delicious almond-based crust. sorry, no bacon. there's chocolate instead.

four. homemade pizza with jalapeno "nut meat", tomato sauce, basil macadamia cheeze, and marinated veggies. this isn't an "under five minutes recipe" (like most raw vegan treats) because of the dehydrated crust. one word. awesome.

five. super easy falafel with lemon garlic aioli : it's a little weird and totally amazing, trust me.

six. green monster smoothie. bananas + homemade almond milk + spinach+ dates + vanilla + cinnamon + nutmeg equals pure bliss. i do a lot of smoothies over here and this is one of my favorites!

seven. 5 ingredient chocolate mousse. i can't seem to keep this stuff in the fridge. "my little taste tester" loves to get his hands on it and gobble it all up like a turkey. or a moose.

thanks so much for coming over to my block - where everything is everything.

fa sheezy

wiaw: thirteen - pumpkin spice muffins

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 2 Oct 2013 00:00:00 -0400

i have an awesome recipe for pumpkin spice muffins to share with you for what i ate wednesday today at peas and crayons !

my continuing gratitude to Jenn, the girl genius who started this revolution. ♥

muffins are such a classic little treat. great for breakfast, an afternoon snack, with a cup of tea or even dessert. these gluten-free pumpkin spice muffins, made with oat flour and almond flour, are light, fluffy and satisfying.

this is the first muffin recipe i've posted. "my little taste tester" (who happens to be my beautiful, loving son) and i had a conversation last night about my recipes during which he gave me his blessing to post this one for pumpkin spice muffins. he gave his approval by gobbling down ~~a full batch~~ one or two muffins after dinner. gobble gobble.

a stamp of approval from "my little taste tester" means that these pumpkin spice muffins are ready for “prime time"!

enjoy.

pumpkin spice muffins (gluten-free, vegan, paleo, sugar-free, dairy-free, egg-free, oil-free)
adapted from a muffin recipe by Kelly at nosh and nourish.

2 cups flour (i used one cup almond flour + 1 cup oat flour) *or sub with your favorite flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp cloves
dash of allspice
1 cup cooked pumpkin purée
1 large banana, mashed (or 1 cup full fat coconut milk from a can)
1/2 tsp vanilla
up to 80 drops of stevia. or other sweetener *or 1/2 cup maple syrup, honey, coconut nectar or agave

optional add ins:
1/4 cup pecans
1/4 cup chocolate chips (i used enjoy life minis)

optional topping:
1-2 TBSP pumpkin seeds

directions
1. in a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, baking soda, sea salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, and allspice).
2. in another bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (pumpkin, coconut milk, vanilla, and sweetener).
3. stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
4. optional: fold in pecans and chocolate chips, if using.
5. line your muffin tin with muffin cups or coat it with coconut oil (like me).
6. spoon the batter evenly into muffin cups.
7. optional: add some pumpkin seeds to each one (for a little extra crunch).
8. bake at 350ºF 25-30 minutes.
9. cool and enjoy!

makes 10-12 muffins depending on how full you fill each muffin cup.
i filled mine 2/3 full and ended up with 11 muffins.

*Kelly's original recipe called for brown rice flour, coconut sugar, flax eggs, and a banana. i substituted the brown rice flour with oat flour and almond flour; the coconut sugar for stevia; i omitted the eggs altogether and used coconut milk instead of mashed banana. kelly topped her muffins with streusel while i topped mine with pumpkin seeds.

what's your favorite fall food?
aside from food, what's your favorite thing about the fall season?

wiaw: twelve

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 23:20:00 -0400

i bookmark a lot of recipes. recipes that i find on other blogs and from my cookbook collection. i also recently joined Pinterest (follow me!), which may not be a good thing. time will tell. some of my isoteric pantry items are from bookmarking a recipe and then forgetting/waiting to make the recipe. then I try to save the ingredient until i finally make the recipe. so, i hold onto ingredients perhaps a bit longer than needed.

this week, my challenge was to eat through my pantry and my long list of bookmarked recipes. i realize that not all recipes will be winners, but thought i would share my thoughts anyways. that’s the fun of wiaw!

ready. set. go! check out jenn's blog for even more food!

current eats iHeart + bookmarks

1. oats

i love oats. for a long time though, i didn't like them so much. they made me feel full and bloated and i didn't like that feeling. so i avoided them.

i do not eat overnight oats. although i've never tried overnight oats, i do not like the look of them: soggy, wet, and drippy. no thank you.

i do not eat anything out of a microwave either. no mug cakes or thirty second oats for this gal.

my favorite way is to cook oats is on a stove top with water, almond milk, or a mix of both. sometimes, i'll cook and flavor my oats then add them to a small mason jar for later.

i love that there are so many toppings! i like bananas, cinnamon, a tablespoon or two of nut butter (almond, peanut, sunflower seed, cashew, hazelnut). apples, berries, raisins or other dried fruits, hemp seeds, chia seeds, nuts, or protein powder are also great in oats.

currently loving these inspirational recipes i found on the internet.

1. pancake love

the truth is, i’d gone the last few years not eating pancakes. let me back up. i spent a lot of years eating a lot of pancakes… pancakes for dinner, late nights at Denny’s, the whole bit. the pancakes just kept adding up and the easiest thing for me to do was cut out the temptation altogether.

but that’s all behind me now.

my pancake preferences have certainly changed over the years and now i only enjoy the lighter at-home ones made with bananas or berries.

currently loving these vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free pancake recipes. yes please.

3. tea

i abso-frickin-lutely love tea.

any hour. any day.

i love how you can mix and match to your heart's desire until you come up with the perfect blend that will warm you up from the inside out. so soothing.

currently loving mighty tea chamomile citrus and ginger twist, david's tea pumpkin chai (with cinnamon, pumpkin pieces, cloves and cardamom, plus the sweetness of caramel and pumpkin candy), and traditional medicinals nighty night tea.

4. root vegetables

i’m deeply drawn to vegetables grown underground. i find them mysterious. like crystals and gemstones, they come from a world that I know little of.

currently loving potatoes, yams, beets, squash, carrots, turnip, parsnips, and radishes. roasted to perfection and drizzled with coconut oil and sea salt. this is bliss.

5. lentils

i always seem to gravitate towards foods that are easy to cook. nutty and earthy, lentils are one of my favorite ingredients to use and they make a nice compliment to any meal.

currently loving janet's recipe for red lentil and spinach curry (vegan tikka masala) or any one of her other lentil recipes. this girl knows lentils.

these gluten-free lentil energy bars sound pretty darn tasty too. #bookmarked

6. soup

i LOVE soup! easy to make, difficult to screw up, very tasty and usually healthy. i will concede that i rarely make my own stock, but that doesn’t stop me from making a delicious, flavorful soup.

in my opinion, there is nothing more satisfying than curling up on a chilly fall day with a bowl of your favorite soul-warming soup. 'tis the season for rich, hearty soups and stews featuring your favorite deliciously comforting ingredients.

currently loving vegetarian times white bean and kale soup, season's and supper's fall vegetable soup, and the food network's moroccan spiced chickpea soup.

happy wednesday!

how do you like to eat your oats? do you like tea or coffee? what is your favorite root vegetable?

disclaimer: i do not own any of the photos (except for the pic of "my little taste tester"), GIFs or any recipes unless stated.

no-bake honey oatmeal cashew butter chocolate chip bites

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Fri, 30 Aug 2013 15:48:00 -0400

...try saying that ten times fast.

easy on-the-go snacks are the best option for me and "my little taste tester". i love to seek out a mission to create a new healthy snack that will fuel our bodies for whatever the day brings.

enter….no-bake honey oatmeal cashew butter chocolate chip bites.

i found a base recipe online and have worked it and re-worked it over and over again to suit our tastes.

one of the greatest things about these little bites is how flexible and creative you can be with these little bites. there has yet to be a time when I was not able to make a quick batch for lack of on-hand ingredients in my pantry. as long as you have a few ingredients on hand, like oats and nut butter, you can make these yummy treats.

i have substituted the chocolate chips for raisins, dried cherries, blueberries, or cranberries. i've added in nuts, protein powder, or other cereals for texture. i like to mix things up by using almond butter in one batch, peanut butter in another, cashew butter in the next batch, or even macadamia nut butter or pecan butter.

the options are endless here.

no-bake honey oatmeal cashew butter chocolate chip bites

ingredients:

1 cup oat flour (or regular oats ground up in a blender or food processor)
1/2 cup oats or muesli mix (I used Bob's Red Mill gluten-free muesli)
1/2 cup crispy rice cereal (I used GoGo Quinoa's quinoa choco-puffs)
1/4 cup unsweetened, dessicated coconut (shredded coconut or coconut flakes work too)
1/2 cup cashew butter (almond butter, peanut butter, or other nut butter)
1/2 cup honey (could try maple syrup, agave, brown rice syrup)
1-2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips

directions:

1. in one bowl, mix together oat flour, oats, crispy rice cereal and coconut.
2. in another bowl, mix together nut butter, honey and vanilla (or melt on low heat).
3. stir the nut butter mixture into the oat mixture.
4. form into 1″ balls and place on parchment or wax paper-lined baking sheet (or use a square/rectangular pan to make bars instead, then drizzle melted chocolate on top)
5. put them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
6. and voila…they’re done!

These can then be put into zip lock bags or containers to store in the refrigerator (or freezer for longer term storage).

Enjoy!

Liebster Award

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 19:26:00 -0400

Christine from Simply Me Just Be nominated me for the Liebster Award.

the Liebster Award gives recognition to blogs with fewer than 200 followers. the purpose of the award is to encourage the writer to continue their work. in German, Liebster means sweetheart, beloved person, darling, liked very much, affectionate, loving favorite, preferred above others, liked or loved above others. i accept this award, with great honor. thank you, Christine!

okay, off we go then...eleven random facts about me

one. i'm mildly paranoid of bees, wasps, bumblebees, hornets, and basically anything from the bee family. i was once stung very badly by millions of bees (give or take a few hundred). i love honey though.
two. i have two brothers. one older brother. one younger brother. my older brother is two years older than me while my younger brother is fourteen years younger than me.
three. i dislike crumbs - of any sort - in my bed. i also like my sheets and blanket to be in a specific place on my bed. not pulled up too high or too low. i have my own system.
four. i can play four musical instruments: the piano. the violin. the flute. the recorder. i sing too.
five. i have five younger sisters ranging from age seventeen to thirty one.
six. i have moved six times since two thousand and four.
seven. i fell off my bike on my seventh birthday and ended up in the hospital with a concussion. i learned how to play the piano when i was seven. i won first place in a singing competition when i was seven. i got straight a's on my report card when i was seven.
eight. my son is eight years old. he is my greatest gift!
nine. i missed my first month of high school in grade nine because i was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease.
ten. if i could own any pet i wanted, i would choose to own a mandrill. they're colors are so vibrant and they become even more vibrant when the mandrill is excited. think of rafiki from the lion king.
eleven. i used to carry pepper spray/mace in my purse. one time, a friend was looking through my purse and accidentally triggered the switch - gag! i had to use it once on someone on the streets on vancouver..scary!

here's what Christine wanted to know:

1. what is your favorite quote? I have so many favorite quotes. One that resonates with me on such a deep level is "If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present." - Lao Tzu
2. what inspires you? music inspires me, people inspire me, i inspire myself, my brothers and sisters inspire me. i find inspiration from many things rather than one thing in particular.
3. what single moment had the greatest impact and has changed your life? the moment i held my son in my arms for the very first time. "The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."
4. what is the greatest lesson you have learned recently? it's okay to slow down.
5. if you could have a day with anyone, who would that person be? my late grandfather
6. when was the last time you cried? last night. august 19, 2013. i cried watching felicity. i like crying. it always feels good to cry.
7. what is the first thing you would purchase if money was not object? a house."my little taste tester" and i share a one bedroom apartment. its cozy but a house would be even cozier.
8. do you have a bucket list and if so, what is number 1 on that list? no bucket list. number one: make a bucket list.
9. what song best describes you? the middle. jimmy eat world. because my sister said so.
10. savory or sweet? all things sweet.
11. what is your favorite book? i don't have a favorite book. if i had to choose one book to read for the rest of my life, i would choose to read the bible.

not sure if those answers have me pegged as a weirdo or not...so please leave me one random fact about you so i can feel a little bit better...ha ha!

the force is strong with this one

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 15:39:00 -0500

IMAGINE a world where you have...

...an endless number of ways to feel alive...

trillions of reasons to never be bored ...

an infinite number of beautiful things to create ...

...already so many beautiful things to behold ...

and 7 billion crazy characters to play along with.

As you know, this is YOUR world.

It's full of more potential for pleasure, love, glory, beauty and bliss than can be comprehended. It even surprises you with misfortune so you can experience the full range of your explosive emotions, and so the good things are that much sweeter.

This world, this life, is amazing. It is perfect. So please, stop taking life for granted.

Instead, focus on being a force for love, for change, for questioning what is right, for re-questioning when you must, and for the diehard belief in the goodness of people.

“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”
~Joseph Campbell

Go forth and be the force of awesome! ♥

the reality of me

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 08:34:00 -0500

I've been blogging for about 7 months now. At first, I felt good if I could write 4 or 5 posts a month...and I always felt really good if I could write more than that!

In my opinion though, blogging is much more than writing as many posts as you possibly can, it's more about the experience - and the people I've "met" through it - this has blessed me so MUCH.

Once or twice, I've thought of giving up this space - but I don't think that's what I'm supposed to do just yet. So I will continue to "work at it" during the times when I just want to hibernate and not talk to anyone...

This blog is still my little lifeline to my family of online sisters...and I'm so thankful there are a few of you out there who view me in the same way.

With that being said, and to my surprise, a new reader and follower, the ever-so-marvelous Carolyn Hughes, The Hurt Healer, has showered me with a token of affection.

It is with great pleasure that I accept The Reality Blog Award: Real. Energizing. Amazing. Lovely. Inspiring. Touching. Yippee!

Here are the guidelines in accepting the award:

Visit and thank the blogger who nominated you.

Acknowledge that blogger on your blog and link back to them.

Answer the 5 questions presented.

Nominate up to 20 blogs for the award and notify them on their blogs.

Copy and paste the award on your blog somewhere.

Here's the list of 5 questions:

If you could change one thing what would you change? If I could change one thing about everyone in this world, including myself, it would be to Be Yourself. Look into your heart for who is there. Feel it in your bones who you are. Let your mind remind you of what thoughts and dreams still rest within your very being. One of my favorite sayings is "You are the only person you will spend your whole life with". You are the only person who knows you and what you need now.
If you could repeat an age, what would it be? Funny, my little "Taste Tester" asks me this question all the time. I always answer it the same way: "I am happy with my age. I have lived each age before this and I will live each age after this". I have no regrets and I would not want to repeat or change anything
What one thing really scares you? No fears. I used to have a great fear of fire. My family has been through a few fires over the years. I used to have dreams about being in fires. Oddly, I was never scared and I never got burned.
What is one dream you have not completed, and do you think you’ll be able to complete it? As a mother, I watch my dream come true everyday. I dream and wish for a happy, healthy, loving, caring child with a warm and gentle soul - and so far, in my eyes, that's what he is..fully, completely. My dream is my reality.
If you could be someone else for one day, who would it be? I am content being myself. I would not trade places with anyone, even for a single day. I think I would miss myself too much.

I would like to nominate the following bloggers for the Reality Blog Award:

Jessie Loves To Run
My Recovery Diary
Cauldrons and Cupcakes
Strength in Freedom
The Misadventures of a Darwinian Fail

You are all winners! Thank you all for providing me with inspiration every day!

marvelous in my monday + christmas (books, trees, gifts + cards)

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 07:47:00 -0500

Happy Monday me lovelies! I trust you're all feeling marvelous today (and everyday for that matter) #beyourself #loveyourself

It's been a little while since I've written a MIMM post and I must admit I miss my mimm's. It's time for a link-up party with the marvelous miss mimm Katie, The Healthy Diva.

Thanks for always being the perfect party hostess Katie!

Here are a few things that I'm feeling marvelous about today:

Marvelous Magical Movie - on Friday, my little "Taste Tester" and I went on an adventure together to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 3D.

Naturally drawn to such stories like The Hobbit and its sequel The Lord of the Rings, we love the adventure, the strange worlds, the facing of great odds, and the sweetness of victory. Tales like these enchant us because they are larger than life and they allow us to easily escape from our everyday existence.

Marvelous Meal - after the (almost) 3 hour movie, I ordered Greek food for the two of us.

Chicken souvlaki, Greek potatoes, Rice, Greek Salad & Tzatziki
I made wraps. Plenty of food for the both of us.

Marvelous Health Food Store Score:

Sunflower Sprouts, Seaweed snack, Goji/Cacao/Chia/Maca snack,
Vanilla Cacao Buckwheat snack bites, Coconut flour,
Coconut Jam, E3 Live, Hemp Hearts, Lentil Coucous Salad, Sweet Potato buckwheat pasta,
and a Vega Endurance bar,
all for Less than $50.00
SCORE!

Marvelous Mood - not sure if it's because it's beginning to look alot like Christmas, or because we are in the process of transitioning from one "world age" into another, but I am so grateful for whatever is happening. I am feeling a tremendous flow of grace and energy as a new doorway to the world opens.

Prepare your Body, Mind & Spirit for a Radical Shift

Marvelous Yoga/Meditation session - this weekend I combined these two practices in the comfort of my own home rather than running to do a class session.

No matter how long it's been since my last practice, a simple Yoga and meditation session helps me to manage my own stress and confront life's pressures in a more positive way. It replenishes me and repairs my energy on every level. #namaste

Marvelous Music - lately, I've been listening to some incredible female artists. Listening to these ladies makes me feel like I can conquer the world!

A Fine Frenzy, Florence + The Machine, Kina Grannis,
Schuyler Fisk, and Taylor Swift

Marvelous ME - Yup, that's right. Why the heck not?! That's how I'm feeling about myself so why not express it? I feel good, I feel balanced, my energy level is good, my mood is uplifted, and my relationship with myself is going right in the direction where I want it to be.

You are enough!

More Marvelous-ness: 25 Days of Blogging Christmas Challenge

The creator behind this blogging challenge, miss Jenny, actually lives in Newton, Conneticut, just 2 minutes away from Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please take a moment to visit Jenny's page where she expresses her feelings about this tragic event and provides a link to a donation page for those who are interested in lending support.

My Favorite Christmas Book: since I was a wee little gal, I've loved the story T'was the Night Before Christmas . . . When all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse....

Real or Artificial Tree: Artificial. I wouldn't feel right having a real tree in my little apartment.

Standing just 4 feet tall, it may not be the biggest or the brightest...
but it's ours and we love it!

Did you know...Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes with pine, spruce, and fir trees, people used to hang evergreens over their doors and windows because, in many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

Best Gift You've Given: I don't know what the best gift I've given has been. I love the idea of baking Christmas treats, and wrapping them up for others to enjoy.

Christmas Baking Recipe Round-up for Chocolate Lovers:
-Homemade Chocolate Bars with Almonds
-Raspberry Belgium Chocolates
-Raw Chocolate Nut Fudge with Sweet Strawberry Topping
-Chocolate Truffles
-Truffle Wrapped Cherries, Cream Cheese Brandy Cherry Balls, Magic Chocolate Balls + more
-Chocolate Almond Butter Cups with Raspberries, Roasted Almonds & Sea Salt
-Raw Chocolate Fudge
-Healthy Bites Smart Snickers, Vegan Marshmallow Bites, or Cherry Delights
*I made the Cherry Delights and added a little cocoa. Then I made them again with mini chocolate chips. YUM!

Other fun Christmas recipes I've found:
-Christmas Cake Pops
-Whole New Mom's 30 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes Round-up
-Cravings of a Lunatic Recipe Round-up: pies, pastries, cookies, bars and more
-Chocolate Covered Katie: pretty much any of Katie's recipes will do!
-the Better Mom's 20 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipe Round-up

Hardest Person(s) to Buy For: My sisters.

#truth

Post a Picture of an old Christmas Card: I don't have any vintage Christmas cards but here's a few nice ones that I found online...

...as I finish writing this marvelous post, I'm ready to hit Publish. First, I glance at my Christmas Countdown 2012 Clock, and I notice that there's officially 7 days, 16 hours, 12 minutes, 10, 9, 8, 7 seconds...and the countdown continues...until Christmas! Yippee!

Have a marvelous Monday everyone!

favorite things i'm loving at the moment...

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 05:28:00 -0500

Hello Lovelies! Happy Wednesday!

Some randomness on Little Miss Cornucopia today. I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite things with you--it might just be fun for me, but I love all these things so much that I just can't help but share!

1- Favorite Things Christmas Swap 2012 - a fancy holiday gift exchange organized by these two gals.

This little package, from the lovely Miss Sara (blogger extraordinaire at Life in out of a lab coat) arrived in my mailbox the other day and immediately brought a smile to my face:

Packed full of holiday treats, no doubt! Here's what was inside:

-The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Hand Cream + Shea Lip Butter #smoothassilk
-Sephora Makeup Palette (my very 1st item from Sephora!) #howdoilivewithoutyou
-Sally Hansen -#440 In The Spotlight nail color #iheartglitter
-Handmade Soaps #smelldivine
-Absolut Vodka #perfectmix
-Chocolate - Bailey's + Reese Tree + Aero Peppermint Tree + Hershey's Candy Cane #love

Sara's package was absolutely perfect in every way! I love each and every single item.

2- The Nutcracker - Over the weekend, I took my little "Taste Tester" to the ballet for the first time. With our tickets in hand, cheeks rosy red from the cold and our coats buttoned up to our chins, we entered the theatre with a sense of wonder. We were both so enchanted by this magical holiday performance. #classic

Photo courtesy of the Alberta Ballet's online event listings page

3- Christmas Movies - My little "Taste Tester" and I have certainly enjoyed quite a variety of holiday movies so far this month:

Our list of movies, so far, has included: All I Want For Christmas, Elf, Miracle On 34th Street, The Polar Express, To Grandmother's House We Go, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, Home Alone, Unaccompanied Minors, and Christmas With The Cranks.

And, there's still 13 days left until Christmas! #imagine

4- Jenny's 25 Days of Blogging Christmas Challenge

Day 11: Favorite Christmas Tradition-on Day 7 of this challenge, I mentioned that my most memorable Christmas (es) involved my Uncle Dave dressing up as Santa Claus and passing out gifts to all the children.

Before the gifts were handed out, each of us children would have to perform a "special talent" on stage in front of everyone. I loved singing, yet I was always so nervous to perform in front of a crowd, even my own family.

This is how I imagined it!

This is what I really wanted to be doing instead:

Family, love, laughter, homegrown talent, gifts, music, and a delicious feast became the perfect Christmas tradition for the entire family, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa who made it all possible. #familyfirst #timeofmylife

Day 12: Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags - Personally, I love unwrapping gifts that are wrapped in paper. They're so much more fun to open (yes, I'm still a child when it comes to stuff like that :P)

On the otherhand, when gifting to an adult, or for large presents, I prefer using gift bags - plus, they can be reused #3R's - but for children, I usually always use wrapping paper.

-What's something you've been loving lately?
-What's your favorite Christmas movie?
-Have you ever been to the ballet?
-Choose a day from the Christmas blogging Challenge & share it with me

I love and appreciate all your thoughts :)

a thrill of hope...

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Sat, 8 Dec 2012 05:48:00 -0500

When I first read about Jenny's 25 days of blogging Christmas Challenge on Sam's blog, I thought I'd have no problem whatsoever writing 25 Christmas-related posts in 25 days. Apparently I was wrong #sorrynotsorry

I obviously have some serious catching up to do considering today is December 8th (Day 8) and I've only completed days 1, 2, and 3 of this challenge so far.

On another note, can you believe there are only 16 more sleeps until Santa comes?! I'm still wondering if my little "Taste Tester" can go another 16 days believing in Santa. He still believes, yet he sometimes questions whether Santa is "real or not". He doesn't want to visit Santa at the mall this year because he's convinced that Santa already knows what he wants for Christmas. Uh oh! However, the one and only thing that he wants for Christmas is impossible to find anywhere (believe me I've searched everywhere). *If anyone knows where to find a 3D model of the entire City of Ottawa. please let me know asap.

Moving on ... here are a few all-things-Christmas that I need to catch up on..

My Favorite Christmas Song: I have so many favorites that I even created my own Christmas Song playlist on YouTube. Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus, Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, Ding Dong Merrily On High, O Christmas Tree, Jingle Bell Rock, Deck the Halls, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town..

My very favorite Christmas song of all time though is O Holy Night:

I loooooove Glee! It's one of my favorite television shows #gleeks (Gossip Girl is a close second xoxo). If you're a gleek, like me, you'll agree that Rachel Berry can be quite annoying at times, yet her voice is simply magical in every way. I love the way she belts out each song and she really kicks somes serious butt with her version of O Holy Night.

Best Gift I've Ever Received: When I was 18 years old, my Mom and Dad bought me a gift certificate for Young Driver's of Canada driver's education course. I always had a fear of getting behind the wheel (they both knew it too).

Still, I never did get over my fear of driving until about 10 years later, when I finally decided it was time to get my license. I was 28 years old by the time I was a fully licensed driver in Ontario.

Favorite Tree Ornament: all the ornaments that my little "Taste Tester" makes and brings home from school. I have ornaments that he made in Junior Kindergarten up to Grade 2. We haven't put up our Christmas tree yet but once we do, I will gladly share the photos of each ornament with you.

Most Memorable Christmas(es): year after year (for many years), my uncle Dave would dress up like Santa Claus and pass out Christmas gifts to all the grandchildren. Grandpa and Grandpa had 10 children and gifts for 20+ grandchildren. No one had a house big enough to suit that many people so a room in a local community centre was rented instead. Music was played, Christmas dinner was served, many laughs and gifts were exchanged. #timeofmylife. #bestchristmasever

Post a Picture of Christmas Decor: like I said, I haven't put up the Christmas tree yet but here are a few photos I pulled from Pinterest:

Source: lovefoxvintage.blogspot.com via em on Pinterest

Source: drhousecleaning.blogspot.co.uk via Fantastic Cleaners on Pinterest

Source: houseandhome.com via Torani 1925 on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Little Miss on Pinterest

My favorite outoor decorations: Christmas lights on Parliament Hill in Ottawa - a must see

What's your favorite Christmas song?
What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?
Most memorable Christmas? Why?
What's your favorite Christmas ornament or decoration? Why?

a letter to Santa + christmas cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Mon, 3 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500

Today is Day Two of the 25 Days of Blogging Christmas Challenge. If you'd like to read about what day one was like, head over here to check it out.

I don't usually ask for anything for Christmas but I wanted to put in a special request for the holidays. Instead of writing a Christmas wish list, I chose to write a letter to Santa:

My body has put up with alot from me - especially during the last two years: I've abused it and overused it. I've overfed it and underslept it. I tense it and twist it. Yet rarely do I appreciate it. Nonetheless, whenever I need it to, it's there for me and it still works for me.

I will continue to work on really loving, accepting, and approving myself EXACTLY AS I AM because when I do, everything in my life works that much better. I've already noticed that when I do this, it's as if little miracles appear everywhere. My health improves, I attract more money, my relationships with others become much more fulfilling, and I'm able to express myself in creatively fulfilling ways. All this seems to happen without even trying.

Loving and approving of myself, creating a space of safety, trusting and deserving and accepting, creates organization in my mind, creates more loving relationships in my life, has helped me attract a new and better place to live, and has even enabled my body weight to normalize.

When you love yourself and your body, you neither abuse yourself nor others.

Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are my main keys to positive changes in every area of my life. I don't care what it is - poor health, lack of money, unfulfilling relationships, or the lack of creativity - when there is a problem, there is only one thing I ever need to work on, and that is LOVING MYSELF.

For me, loving myself begins with never ever criticizing myself for anything. Criticism locks me into the very pattern that I am trying to change. Understanding and being gentler with myself helps me move out of it. I criticized myself for years, and it never worked. When I finally started approving of myself, magical things started to happen (and will continue to happen) in my life.

**
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Naturally Sweetened

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups almond flour or almond meal

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2/3 cup coconut oil, melted

3/4 cup coconut palm sugar or cane sugar or 1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup + 1 TBSP molasses

2 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP chia seed/flax seed combined with 6 TBSP water (or use 1 egg)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil and sugar (or honey). Add chia, flax, or egg, molasses, and vanilla. Stir well.

Add the dry mix to the wet mix and stir, just until combined. It will be like batter at this point.

Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or until it's firm like regular cookie dough.

Form into 1 1/2" balls and place on a cookie sheet about 1 1/2" apart. *There's no need to flatten them.

Bake for 12-14 minutes. Check after 10 minutes. *They'll crack a little (that's good!) and will still be soft.

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Place 3-4 cookies on a plate and leave them out for Santa.

What's on your Christmas Wish List this year?

Thankful Thursday #2

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 11:02:00 -0500

Things I Am Thankful For...

Many times in our lives we go through things that cause us pain, sorrow and even leave us feeling hopeless. It's really important that we can reflect on the things that we are thankful for.

If there is one thing that I have learned in my own life is that by living with a life of gratitude it can change your entire outlook on your life and how you handle the things in your life.

There are many tough things that we go through over time, but if you can take a moment to stop and simply reflect on the blessings in your life I believe you will see just how blessed your life is!

I'm linking this post to Jessie's blog (Jessie Loves To Run),
the creative genius behind the Thankful Thursday concept.

Thanks for always being such a sweetheart, Jessie <3 xo

With that being said ... here are some reasons I am thankful.

1. My Son - for making me laugh and helping me realize my strength. For keeping me sane and ... for driving me crazy sometimes :) Children have their own special way of making you feel that you are “super special” to them, the smile that they can bring to your face when you are feeling blue and they look for nothing in return.

2. My son's father - one of my best friends. Thank you for being my friend and for helping me learn more about myself along the way.

3. My Nephews - Robbie, Christopher, Alejandro, Ryan, and Thomas - my little superheroes. It's amazing to see what a childs love can do to anyone at anytime.

4. My Brothers & Sisters - Rob, Kirsty, Jeana, Joan, Erin, Daniel, and Kara

for being 7 of the greatest people in my life!
Brothers and sisters can’t be beat .. best thing in the world!

5. Family Time - I love spending time with my family! It doesn't matter what we're doing, I love the feeling of being with family. Our time together is the most meaningful thing to me.

What are you thankful for today?

Mighty Minestrone Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 13:16:00 -0500

Minestrone Soup has a lot of ingredients. While I'm not usually a huge fan of this sort of soup, this particular recipe is an exception. I've made it a several times, using a different concoction of ingredients each time I make it. "The Taste Tester" certainly loves it too and I think the effort of making it is worth it.

Be warned, this recipe serves about 8-10 so make sure you have enough people around to eat it; or freeze some for later :)

Mighty Minestrone Soup

3 TBSP Olive Oil
1 cup diced Onions
1 cup diced Leeks
1 cup diced Carrots
1 cup diced Celery
1 cup diced Turnip
1 cup Sweet Potato (or other potato)
10 cups Vegetable Broth or water

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Add onions and cook until soft. Add leeks, carrots, celery, turnip, and sweet potato (or potato). Cook until vegetables are soft, about 10 minutes.

Add vegetable broth. Bring to a boil. Then add:

3 bay leaves
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup fresh basil, or 1 TBSP dried basil
1/2 tsp marjoram
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp thyme
1 tsp salt (or Herbamare)
1-2 cups cooked beans (red kidney beans, navy, pinto, lima, or your choice)
1 cup tomato sauce, tomato juice, or diced tomatoes

Cook soup for 15-20 minutes. Then add:

1 cup diced kale or broccoli

Cook 5 minutes longer. When ready, add:

juice of 1-3 lemons
1/2 cup diced parsley

For a richer soup, add:

1/2 cup of cooked brown rice or 1/2 cup cooked barley.

Soup is ready to serve!

Great with fresh baked bread, garlic toast, and a salad.

This minestrone soup recipe will keep refrigerated for 3 days, or freeze in heavy duty zipped bags or portion sized containers for 3 to 6 months if well sealed.

If you decide to make this soup, please be sure to let me know what you think!

ENJOY!

What I Ate Wednesday #10

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 10:00:00 -0500

Hello lovelies!

I trust that you're all feeling fine on this wonderful Wednesday!

I took a few days away from blogging and haven't posted anything since Friday. Fortunately, my only excuse is that my blogging time had been eaten up by time spent with family, friends, and travelling. How beautiful is that!?

On this particular day, "The Taste Tester," my Mom, and I enjoyed a brisk walk through Cooper's Marsh Conservation Area - and it was brisk! It was a fabulous day for a brisk walk - frosty and fresh, but oh so beautiful - the perfect weather for circulation and to help get the system going. The sun started to peek through and I felt fantastic! Fall is in full spring!

When we returned home, I was ready to eat:

Cleansing Breakfast My first Green Juice of the day: celery + spinach + cucumber + arugula + dandelion leaves + 2 apples + lemon + ginger + mint. I ate a nice Fruit Salad around 11am. Fresh peaches, pear, banana, blueberries, and goji berries with sprinkles of fresh squeezed lemon and cinnamon. YUM! Lunch was warm broth (please refer to the kitty cat) and a Garden salad with Dill Cheeze from Simply Raw Express, which is OUT OF THIS WORLD!! Dinner was a nice, warm, rich Mighty Minestrone Soup with onions, leeks, carrot, celery, turnip, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kidney beans, and brown rice seasoned to perfection with bay leaves + garlic + fresh basil +marjoram + oregano + thyme + salt and pepper. OH YEAH! Dessert was 1/2 an Acai Berry Vega Sport Endurance bar. "The Taste Tester" also looooves these bars so naturally I split it with him. BEST PROTEIN BAR EVER!!

That's what I ate Wednesday :P

Visit Jenn's blog to see what other people ate.
Seriously!

I'm heading back to Jenn's blog RIGHT NOW - I seriously have to make her Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers . They look fan-freakin-tastic!!

Thankful Thursday (Gratitude Link-Up)

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Thu, 8 Nov 2012 13:02:00 -0500

Do you dedicate time daily to be thankful?

When I was first introduced to this link-up by fellow blogger Jessie (Jessie Loves To Run), I've been wanting to get involved. Being thankful and expressing gratitude is so important.

It is said that the first 17 seconds of any thought are the most powerful, and they create enough energy to start attracting what you are thinking of into your life.

Using the power of gratitude to create the life of our dreams often starts by being thankful for what we want to have as if we had already received it.

You can see the importance of being thankful when you realize that you can use thankful feelings to achieve what you desire.

It doesn't matter if I'm feeling depressed, angry, moody, jealous,or negative; it's never too late to start enjoying the many benefits of being thankful.

I Am Thankful For...My Son, James. With a pure heart of gold, he is loving and kind and he always tries to live right. Extraordinary in everything he does, he teaches me to live life in the present - it's his specialty. He helps me realize that my spirit is indestructible...and to always have fun!

I Am Thankful For...The Warm Sunshine that comes through my windows everyday. I used to live in a basement apartment that had no sunlight except through two tiny little windows. Waking up to no sunlight is depressing - you can never tell what time it is or what the weather is like.

I Am Thankful For...the Good Times. Yesterday was my son's 8th birthday and even though we didn't arrive back home until 10:30pm on a school night, we had a nice birthday celebration with his Dad's side of family (we will celebrate this weekend with my side). We ate dinner at the restaurant, had cake and opened gifts at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and went bowling with family and friends.

I Am Thankful For...the Bad Times. If I look back at all the difficult moments of my life and appreciate what I got out of it: a lesson, a "tougher skin", even simply the experience, it helps me make better choices in the future.

I Am Thankful For...Being Thankful. It has the power of changing my mood almost instantly from a negative to a positive. Good feelings and positive energy arise when I notice myself acknowledging what I am grateful for. It helps me be in the present by noticing what I DO have and stopping to acknowledge it. This can be the company of a person, having food, or just being able to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell.

What are you thankful for?

Marvelous in My Monday #8

noreply@blogger.com (Maria @ Little Miss Cornucopia) — Tue, 6 Nov 2012 00:07:00 -0500

Hello marvelous Lovelies! Happy Monday!

"I Don't Like Mondays" is a song by the Boomtown Rats and was the #1 single in the UK for 4 weeks in 1979 (the year I was born). Source

Who would ever want to be in a band called the Boomtown Rats? No wonder they didn't like their Mondays!

"Manic Monday", sung by The Bangles, was written by Prince, under the pseudonym "Christopher", a character he played in the film Under the Cherry Moon.

Supposedly, Prince gave the song to The Bangles lead singer Susanna Hoffs, so that in return she would sleep with him. Source

Thankgoodness I'm not manic - and with a little help from one of my favourite blends, the ever-so-lovely Miss Katie, I Do Like Mondays!

Visit Katie at Healthy Diva Eats for even more marvelous-ness

Here's what I'm feeling marvelous about today:

1. Healthy Bites arrived in the mail today. I came home and discovered these marvelous little balls in my box. Sweetgoodness! Lindsay (Cotter Crunch) hosted a giveaway on her blog a few weeks ago and I WON!! A dozen Healthy Bites.

Lindsay is a certified Nutrition Manager and Fitness Consultant and her husband is a professional triathlete. In a quest to help her husband find healthy pre and post recovery snacks, she created Healthy Bites, all-natural, gluten-free, organic bite-sized balls of sweet goodness.

Lindsay sent me 5 different flavors of Healthy Bites: Apple Peach Raisin Cinnamon, Pineapple Ginger Marshmallow, Mint, Muddy Buddy, and Cookie Dough. This was a complete surprise because I thought I was only getting one flavor to try.

As soon as I saw the Pineapple Ginger Marshmallow bite, I thought "This is the one for me!" I love roasting/toasting marshmallows on a campfire but regular marshmallows are a no-no for me and Lindsay obviously uses an all-natural (I assume vegan) marshmallow alternative. I was surprised at how smooth this bite was to eat. No chunks, which I love! It has a perfect tropical pineapple flavor with just enough ginger kick. Love it!

My little "Taste Tester" wanted to try the Mint bite, which came as no surprise as he's a big fan of anything that combines mint with chocolate. As soon as he took his first bite, I watched his eyes roll into the back of his head with pleasure and delight. Ha! SOLD!

Healthy Bites are a winner in this house, no doubt. I can't wait for tomorrow so I can eat some more :)

2. I finally finished reading Catching Fire-the second book from the Hunger Games trilogy.

I didn't read the first book, "The Hunger Games", however, I DID watch the movie a few weeks ago and I’ll be the first to say that it is highly addictive. If you haven't seen it or read the books, I ghighly suggest checking it out.

You see, I’m a movie addict. I love stimulation. I love the art and craft of creating words into visuals. I crave the opportunity to lose myself in make-believe worlds. But, after watching The Hunger Games—despite the fact that the acting was excellent, my psyche and my soul couldn’t take anymore.

Yet, it was only a matter of time before I got over the shock from The Hunger Games. Then, I wanted more. I bought Catching Fire and reading it became my nighttime ritual for the last couple of weeks. Now that I've finished reading it, I MUST go to the bookstore to buy Mockingjay, the third and final installment of the trilogy.

3. Accent Vlog-My 1st Video EVER!

I found this on Jessie's Blog (Jessie Loves To Run)

The instructions are:

Say These Words: Aunt, Route, Wash, Oil, Theater, Iron, Salmon, Caramel, Fire, Water, Sure, Data, Ruin, Crayon, Toilet, New Orleans, Pecan, Both, Again, Probably, Spitting image, Alabama, Lawyer, Coupon, Mayonnaise, Syrup, Pajamas, Caught.

And

Answer These Questions:
What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
What do you call gym shoes?
What do you say to address a group of people?
What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
What do you call your grandparents?
What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
What is the thing you use to change the TV channel?

My little "Taste Tester" did an awesome job filming, right?! I couldn't have done this without him :)

Oh -and I forgot to mention that I'm a country girl from a tiny little town called Williamstown in Ontario, Canada. Williamstown is about an hour and a half outside of Ottawa Ontario (the capital of Canada). Now, I live in Ottawa and I have been here for almost 10 years.

So...What do you think? Do I have an accent? I don't think I have an accent.

If you've done the accent vlog, let me know ok. I'd love to see it!

What was marvelous about your Monday?