My friend is a huge fan of kefir, a probiotic bacteria similar to yogurt. So I asked myself what all the rave was about. Thus, I present with a blog! There are several benefits of using kefir that you probably don’t know about. Kefir is a source of probiotics. These help keep you healthy in…
It is hard balancing time, efficiency and health, especially when it comes to breakfast. The most important meal of the day is meant to send you on your way full of energy and ready to go. My go to for breakfast is yogurt. Full of antibiotics and milk protein, yogurt is a great way to…
I think we’ve all heard the phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While an apple may not necessarily be the thing preventing you from a doctor’s visit, it sure is a great source of vitamin C. Apples are enjoyable and healthy on their own, but sometimes we can indulge in delicious apple…
It’s the time of year again when you celebrate with your loved ones; whether your boyfriend/girlfriend, or immediate family. Many people take this opportunity to show their love and appreciation by baking something nice and sharing it with the people around them. So… what should you bake? Here are some ideas: Hidden Heart cake: Want…
The other day I was looking for a quick, easy, on-the-go sort of breakfast, and quite frankly, there’s only so many smoothies I can make until I get a little bored. So instead, I thought I’d do a little experiment. I wanted to make blueberry muffins, and at Annie’s Cafe where I used to work…
It’s almost Chinese New Year! This special Chinese holiday occurs on the first of every year in accordance to the lunar calender. This year, it happens to fall on Jan. 31 on our traditional calender. It is a festive celebration that involves meeting up with friends and relatives, lots of music, and cultural spirit. Of…
So you’ve made your fruitcake or your cookies, but they’re missing something, a bit of oomph, holiday cheer, that “wow” factor (or “aww” factor) that’ll light up the table more then the turkey dinner itself. For decorating I have two main “weapons:” royal icing and marzipan. Marzipan: In my family, marzipan has always meant Christmas,…
For how delicious fruitcake and gingerbread are, when baking for an event there will always be those fussy eaters who just don’t like the texture or spice-filled flavour. That’s when sugar cookies come in, an easy and delicious alternative or addition to one’s holiday spread. For my sugar cookies I used one of the many…
Gingerbread men. Simply put, these jolly little cookie creations are classic Christmastime. Its just not right without them. Gingerbread is so classic, Starbucks made a drink for it. And lets face it, gingerbread men are so classic for a reason, not only are they delicious, a great accompaniment for a hot cup of cocoa after…
Is it time for another bread post? Of course it’s time for another bread post, and thus, I present to you, the Concise and Incomprehensive Guide to Care and Maintenance of Your Sourdough Starter. Start! I used Peter Reinhart’s pineapple juice method, however, mixing together flour and water and setting it on the counter is…
Nothing says Christmas like fruitcake, or at least in my mind, as this classic holiday loaf has decorated my Christmas table since childhood Christmas dinners spend at my grandmother’s house, where the only thing I liked better was her shortbread (wait for it, that’ll be coming later!). Fruitcake is a cake made with chopped nuts,…
Nothing is better on a cold day then a hot bowl of soup, which is why during the snowy months of the year, soup becomes a pretty big staple in my diet. Hearty homemade soups are always a better choice then store-bought ones. Not only are they healthier, more nutritious, and contain less sodium, but…
In the back of the fridge, we have a jar. My parents ignore it, my sister avoids touching it, and my grandparents have continuously refused to store it in their fridge. Its name is Bartholomew and, as of last month, it is now four years old. Originally its name was Loxley, and apparently I had…
Chocolate Chip Cookies. Such an easy and simple cookie that many people don’t really think much about the recipe that they’re using when making this timeless treat. That’s a mistake. Your cookies are important. They must be magnificent. Really. Whats the point in making your own cookies if they’re no better then Chips Ahoy? No…
What to do with leftover Halloween pumpkins It’s the beginning of November and Halloween is officially over. Drooping jack-o-lanterns smirk from under piles of snow upon neighbouring doorsteps, before the $10-$15 dollars spent on that pumpkin is chucked into the compost. But wait, isn’t pumpkin used in all sorts of baking? Who doesn’t like pumpkin…