Pumpkin Spiced Donughts

After Thanksgiving I still crave the sweet taste of Pumpkin.  I guess you could say that to some degree I'm addicted to the flavour.  Not only are they the star decoration of Halloween every year but they are also extremely beneficial for your health.  Who thought pumpkin donughts could be good for you?

Pumpkins are packed with vitamins and minerals and to make it even better are actually low in calories too.  They are high in fibre, potassium and vitamin C, Vitamin E, Riboflavin, Copper, Magnesium, Thiamin, Folate, Iron and more! Consuming one cup of pumpkin puree contains 100% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin A. In other words...making them...PRETTY DARN GOOD FOR YOU!

After receiving well over 15,000 likes and several regrams from some big time companies such as Wilton Cakes, and several dozen emails requesting the recipe Ive decided to share it with you!

Your friends, family and kids will love these fluffy carmel covered donuts.  Your going to love knowing that they are jam packed with vitamins and minerals and the kids are begging you for more!

2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup of pumpkin puree 
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

Additionally you will need the following for the topping once they are cooled
~2 tablespoons of icing sugar
~1/3 cup caramel sauce

~preheat the oven to 350 degrees
~In a bowl sift the dry ingredients together
~beat the eggs and sugar together until pale and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes on high)
~beat in the oil
~Add the pumpkin puree and blend just until combined
~add the dry ingredients in 2 additions mixing well after each addition
~Spray your donut pan with non stick cooking spray
~fill each cavity 1/2 the way up
~bake in the oven 10-12 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
~empty donuts onto cooling rack-cool for 10 minutes
~dust the tops of the donuts with icing sugar then drizzle with caramel sauce and ENJOY!


Natalie

FoodSaver

FoodSaver The #1 Vacuum Sealing System

I have to be honest when I tell you that I'm not much of a "kitchen gadget" hog.  Don't get me wrong, I have well over 150 cookie cutters but my counters are not piled high, nor are my cupboards with gadgets.

I guess part of the reason is I catch myself asking myself "Did my mother use it? Did my grandmother use it?"  Nine out of ten times the answer is NO! Therefore, I feel like I shouldn't need it either.  The second reason is everything is so expensive, and I find unless you're willing to spend $49.99 on a vegetable peeler chances are the one you're thinking about buying is going to break after the third or fourth time you use it or cause you nothing but grief while using it. So I gotta be honest, it's just not worth it for me sometimes.

Now, this week...I've had the pleasure of testing out the FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System.

I was hesitant to take on the challenge, thinking about everything I just mentioned about gadgets but this is different...sooo different it has changed the way I look at meal prepping, grocery shopping, food waste and the cost of food.

Feeding a family of five is NOT cheap.  Especially when you're heath conscious and your meals consist of a meat, a veg and a starch...and sometimes a salad to follow.  Food costs are through the roof, higher than Id say they've ever been.  I can't tell you how many people I see "meal prepping" until the cows come home...They make 10 meals all at once and freeze it. Which is great....I've prepared meals and frozen them many times. Especially when I was pregnant, before the baby came my freezer was jam packed with casseroles, lasagna, pot pies and the list goes on.  Freezing your meals is not my problem...in fact I'm all for it.  My issue is that 99% of us are not storing the food properly in the freezer or don't have enough freezer space for pre-made meals.

I can guarantee we've all said to ourselves or out loud "I have no idea what to make tonight?" or "I have nothing in the fridge for lunches tomorrow!" 

The easiest way to avoid these issues was buying in bulk...taking a monthly trip to Costco or my local market and buying more than enough for more than a weeks worth.  The problem I have is that even though I feel like I'm buying more, I'm actually in most cases wasting more.  For example,  I frequently buy the biggest block of cheese I can find...my kids loveeee cheese!  However, one of them goes in the fridge, grabs the cheese and forgets to wrap it properly leaving hard crusty edges on the block for the next person.  

The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System machine is the most practical, cost efficient, easy and food saving machine I've come across.  With promising to keep food fresh 5x longer and the easy 1, 2, 3 steps I have to say this is definitely a must have in your home.  It removes the air from surrounding the food which normally cause food to not only lose flavour and turn brown but it also keeps the food nutrient rich so you're not losing any valuable vitamins or minerals from your food.

I've used this machine after every big grocery day and over the last month I've been able to cut out one grocery day per month with the FoodSaver.  I can marinade my meats and store them in the freezer knowing they will last up to 3 years without freezer burn! I can cut my block of cheese in half and store the remaining half in the fridge where it now can stay fresh for 8 months!  Also, I can store my pre-made salads in the storage bags and they are fridge fresh for up to 2 weeks! 

I love taking advantage of the seasonal fruits and vegetables the market has to offer, but sometimes I wish the season would last longer...now with my FoodSaver I can do that! I can now store my favourite Fall fruits in the freezer for up to 3 years...not that they would last that long in my house with a family of 5, but knowing that it won't result in freezer burn, or they won't lose any taste, I'm happy to store them and use them as the kids crave them without having to throw uneaten fruit or veggies in the waste. Not to mention I can now take advantage of the sales in the produce isles...knowing I can properly store and save my favourites and enjoy them whenever I wish.  No more waiting for peach season in my house...we've got more than enough stored to keep the kids smiling!

Also, if you have kids, you know snack time can be frustrating when one child wants an orange, the other child wants an apple and the other wants an avocado.  I can't tell you how many times I find myself negotiating with them to all have the same snack...of course, as you can imagine I never win.  I get stuck cling wrapping the heck out of half the orange, half the apple and the other half of the avocado.  Only to find out the next day that they are brown...and nooo kids want a brown apple...or avocado!  The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System machine has given us the chance to drop the negotiation and let everyone have what they please knowing that it will take less than a few minutes to seal, wrap and refrigerate the leftovers.  Again, cutting down on waste and wasting money!

This truly is a machine to help the modern day family...helping to keep down food cost, food waste and giving your kids the opportunity to eat the fruits and veggies they love all year round! Say goodbye to freezer burnt foods and hello to crisp, nutrient rich and hassle free food! 

I am a fan...I invite you to visit the link below to read more reviews and receive information on where you can purchase your own FoodSaver Vacuum Sealing System.  With plenty of options available for which one will best suit your family and kitchen and where you can receive a coupon for your purchase!

http://www.foodsaver.ca

The FoodSaver is also available at major retailers such as Costco and Walmart.  

Natalie

Feel Good 5 Grain Salad

After literally being stuffed myself from all the turkey, Its time to get back on track.  Its hard after you've eaten such hearty meals for an entire week.  But before the cold weather comes and I start craving all that yummy, high calorie comfort food I have to at least try...

This recipe does just that...its satisfying, flavourful and low calorie. Which lets all be honest, we may have all had a little too much dessert over the weekend.  So, chances are we could all use a low calorie meal this week.

GoGo Quinoa has been stocking the shelves of grocery stores for years, they never disappoint with their line of products.  With the Granissimo, its 5 grains; quinoa, amaranth, long brown rice, green split peas and wild rice.  With 3g of fibre and 7 g of protein you have everything you need to feel good and satisfied. Not to mention that its Vegan, Organic and Gluten Free.

I love to add this recipe to the top of my salads for lunch, that extra protein and flavourful salad leaves me actually wanting a salad for lunch and dinner!

1 cup of Granissimo (or Quinoa)
2 cups of Chicken Stock or Water
5 Sprigs of Asparagus
1/2 yellow pepper
1/2 orange pepper
1 zucchini
1/2 onion
1/2 cup tomato sauce
Salt 
Pepper
1 tsp dried oregano


~Cook the Granissimo:
Bring Chicken stock OR water to a simmer
Add the Granissimo
~Cook 8 minutes on high, or 5 minutes on low

~Grill the all the veggies (asparagus, peppers, zucchini and onion) for a few minutes on each side until tender
~Chop the grilled veggies into bite sizes pieces and set aside
~In a large bowl, toss the Granissimo, veggies, sauce and oregano together until combined
~Season with Salt and Pepper

This side tastes divine warm or chilled.  It stores well in the fridge for up to 3 days and compliments any protein.  Double the recipe to have extra leftovers for lunches, or tomorrow's dinner!

This is also a great recipe to make with leftover grilled veggies! Anything you have leftover from the grill the day before, chop up (keeping the ratios the same as the recipe calls for) and you have 2 dishes from one meal!



Natalie

Fingerling Potato and Squash Salad

This is my favourite time of the year!  Not only is the sun still shining but there is something about that September breeze thats makes me smile.  Even though the weather is still so beautiful, I can't help but notice the grocery stores are already stocked with Squash and Pumpkin.

It puts me in the mood for comfort food, but I still feel like taking advantage of the weather and don't feel like a warm fuzzy meal yet.

This salad is the perfect way to combine the seasons.  Its light, fresh, simple and of course delish!
It covers all the bases...warm, light and still filling enough to be a meal but light enough to ease myself into the Fall habit of comfort food.

Not to mention, Its a chance for you to use Fingerling potatoes in a different way, instead of traditionally roasting them and serving them aside your meat.  They are creamy, light and so full of flavour and make themselves the star of this dish.

6-8 EarthFresh Fingerling Potatoes
1 Acorn Squash
2 tablespoons of Canola Oil
4 cups of Arugula
1 Lemon
1 teaspoon of mustard
2 Sprigs of Fresh Basil
3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon of White Wine Vinegar
Pinch of Salt
Pinch of Pepper
Pinch of Parsley



~Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
~Slice each fingerling potato in half lengthwise
~Cut the squash in half and remove the seeds
~Thinly slice one half of the squash
~Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
~In a bowl, toss the potatoes, squash slices and squash seeds with the canola oil and season with  a pinch of salt, pepper and parsley
~Place the potatoes, squash and the seeds on the baking sheet
~Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes and squash are golden brown
~In a large bowl, toss the arugula, potatoes and squash together with the dressing and top with the toasted squash seeds

Dressing
~Finely chop the basil
~Zest of half the lemon
~1 teaspoon of mustard
~pinch of salt
~pinch of pepper
~In a bowl combine the Olive oil, Vinegar, Zest and whisk in the mustard until combined.  Add the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper


This a perfect combination with any hearty greens.  If your looking for an alternative to the Arugula, Spinach is another great option for this salad.  

Natalie

Dill Pickles

Making your own Dill Pickles

If you have your own garden and plant cucumbers I'm sure by now your summer fetish with Cucumber Salad has come to an end.  But with all this warm weather your still left with a few.  Here is a great Dill Pickle canning recipe to use up all those extras.

Even if you don't have a garden, the grocery stores are filled with pickling cucumbers for you to purchase and its definitely worth it to make them yourself. This is cost efficient and fresh.  No additives or preservatives and you will have your own cans to share with friends and family and store for the Fall.

Prepare your cans by ensuring they are cleaned thoroughly and dried.  Bring your canning pot or large pot of water to a boil while preparing the recipe.

This recipe makes 4-6 Jars

20-30 Small Pickling cucumbers or a small bushel from the grocery store or market
4 Cups of White Vinegar
4 Cups of Water
8 tablespoons of pickling salt
12-18 Heads of Fresh Dill
4-6 Cloves of Garlic

~Fill a large stock pot with water...one thats large enough to fit your Mason Jars for the boiling process
~Wash and dry your cucumbers
~Trim the stems (if there are any) off each cucumber and slice in long strips (the size is up to you...however big or small you prefer your pickles)
~In another large pot combine the vinegar, water and salt in a pot and bring it to a boil
~Place three heads of Dill and one head of Garlic in each jar and pack the sliced cucumbers into the jars
~Gently pour the hot mixture evenly into each jar. Make sure you leave ample space so that it doesn't overflow.  I like to leave an inch or so from the rim. Place the seals and lids on each jar and gently lower into the pot of boiling water.  Make sure each jar is submerged
~Sometimes the garlic can alter its colour, that's just the reaction from the vinegar.  It won't change the flavour in any way.  Ive tried this recipe with a few different salts and I highly recommend you use pickling salt.  The others didn't have enough flavour and turned the liquid cloudy.
~Jars should boil for a minimum of ten minutes then can be cooled to room temperature and stored in the fridge or cellar


If your thinking how can I make these my "own" version then don't be afraid to experiment.  I like to throw a hot chili pepper (seeds and all) into one or two jars for the adults.  Its the perfect accompaniment to your cheese or meat platters and makes the perfect touch to your next burger!



Natalie