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Chocolate Chip Muffins

I’ve been playing around with my basic muffin recipe lately and I’ve finally tweaked it to perfection! These muffins are quick, easy, soft on the inside with a little crunch on the outside! They can be dressed up with a streusel topping or left as is for a simple treat!

I’ve done these muffins with blueberries, raspberries and chocolate chips, all have turned out great. I’ve also played with the flour ratio (white and whole wheat) but this batch was for hubby so they are just white flour and jumbo!

Ingredients
2 cups flour
3/4 cup white sugar
Pinch of salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter (melted)
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
1 cup chocolate chips

Optional
1/8 teaspoon vanilla bean scrapings

Method
In a large bowl mix dry ingredients (flour, sugar, powder, salt)

In separate bowl whisk together milk, egg, vanilla, vanilla bean paste.

Stir melted butter into dry ingredients and then stir in wet ingredients, storing until just combine.

Gently fold in chocolate chips.

Divide evenly into 12 standard muffin tins or 6 jumbo which have been well greased

Bake in 400 degree oven for 18 -20 minutes for standard size and 25 minutes for jumbo. Muffins are done when tooth pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Fruit Salsa

Mar5

I seem to have developed this habit of buying strawberries in large quantities every time I go shopping. I have issues but that’s for another blog post!! Tonight I found myself with an abundance of strawberries and a bag of Trader joes cinnamon pita chips, so I decided to try fruit salsa!

I didn’t bother to take step by step photos of this recipe because I’m going out in a limb and assume most of you can chop fruit … Maybe sit this one out Katie! 😉

I added jalapeño and cilantro to my fruit salsa, it was delicious. It is optional, the recipe will be just as yummy without it.

Ingredients
1 apple
8 large strawberries
1 kiwi
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon agave (I used coconut flavor)
Juice and zest from 1/2 lime

optional
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/2 tablespoon finely chopped jalapeño

Method
Finely chop all fruit and toss with lime zest and juice.

Stir in agave and sugar

Serve with cinnamon pita chips!!

Garnier Fructis Damage Eraser

Feb18

A couple weeks ago I wrote about Influenster’s most recent Voxbox , the #Mysterybrand HERE

Today I received the full size product line unveiling the mystery brand!!

Turns out the amazing scented mystery brand is none other then Fructis Damage Repair by Garnier

I have been very pleased with the results after using the samples provided. I love the scent and would recommend the products on that alone! I’m a sucker for anything that smells good!!

The Fructis products left my hair smooth and shiny as well as healthy looking! So the results are a definite plus in addition to the fabulous scent!

Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for review and testing purposes. Opinions are my own.

Chocolate Prune Cake

Feb6

Looks can be deceiving! While this cake still contains some sugar, it’s much healthier then many other chocolate cakes! The secret ingredient to its moist texture is prunes!!

Yep prunes! But I promise you it’s delicious. It is also low in fat!! Give it a try, I promise you will be pleasantly surprised.

Ingredients

2 cups Pitted Prunes
3/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon almond extract
4 egg whites (1/4 cup if using cartoned egg whites)
1 cup flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Method

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Chop prunes into small chunks

Bring prunes and water to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Mixture will become very thick.

Remove from heat to cool.

Beat together wet ingredients.. sugar, butter, milk, extract, egg whites and prunes in a stand mixer for 3 minutes on medium/high.

Sift together dry ingredients and then slowly beat into wet ingredients. Once incorporated together beat mixture for a few minutes on high.

Spray a cake pan with nonstick cooking spray then coat with 2 tablespoons sugar, shaking out excess.

Place batter into prepared cake pan and bake for 40-45 minutes until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.

I like to serve this cake with a raspberry sauce, a dusting of powdered sugar and a touch of chocolate sauce!! So yummy!

#Mysterybrand via Influenster

Feb6

Today was a good mail day! I came home to find my most recent Voxbox from Influenster had been delivered! In case you are unfamiliar with Influenster or Voxboxes check out their website Here to learn more!

Influenster sends out products to bloggers, tweeters, face bookers, etc for free in exchange for review of these products.

The most recent Voxbox I’ve been asked to participate in is the #mysterybrand from L’oreal! It contains three secret hair care samples. A shampoo, a conditioner and a split end serum. The fun part is as of right now I have no clue which line of hair care these samples belong to. What I can tell you is they smell fantastic!

I will be giving them a try over the next few days before receiving full size bottles of each sample and learning which line of hair care they belong to!

Hopefully they work as good as they smell!! I’ll keep you all posted!

Honey Lime Dressing

Dec31

A few months ago Kevin and I decided to make halibut tacos and I’ve been craving them ever since! I think my craving was mostly for the honey lime dressing I whipped up to drizzle over them. Last night I gave in and made another batch of this delicious dressing. I used it to top my halibut tacos as well as to dress my slaw.

Ingredients
2 Large limes zested and juiced
-I always use organic fruit when using the zest.

(About 1 tablespoon zest and 1/2 cup to 3/4 fresh lime juice)

1 small clove of garlic
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
Small handful of cilantro (optional but suggested)
Tiny pinch of salt and pepper

Method
You can use a food processor or magic bullet to make this dressing or by hand your choice.

Juice and zest limes

Add all ingredients except salt and pepper into your processor and pulse

I like to whisk in the salt and pepper once the food processor has blended everything.

This dressing can be used on anything you like. As I said I use it on my halibut tacos and slaw. The slaw i make for fish tacos is simply shredded cabbage and avocados. So fresh and flavorful.

This recipe makes about 1 cup of dressing and left over dressing can be stored in a glass mason jar for a few days in the refrigerator.

Thankful Thursday ~ December 12

Dec12

I know I missed thankful Thursday last week! To be honest with you it took me a long time to figure out why. Then I remembered last Thursday Kevin and I got a start on our Christmas shopping! Then we took a few hours Friday and finished the shopping. We were a very efficient shopping team!

Yesterday we went out to Aldor acres and went tree hunting! I love Aldor Acres farm! Not only did we get the perfect little tree again this year we got to see all the adorable farm animals including day old baby goats and 6 week old kittens!! I didn’t want to leave! If you ever find yourself in Fort Langley check out the farm! It’s an amazing family run farm that has a huge pumpkins patch in the fall and u cut tree lot for that perfect christmas tree! It is also a working dairy farm! Lots to see and learn.

So back to what I am thankful for! Tonight I wrapped all the christmas gifts. I am thankful that this year christmas has zero stress attached to it for us. The tree is up, gifts are bought and wrapped, lights are up, the personalized advent calendar for Kevin has been a huge hit so far! It’s nice to know we can just sit back and enjoy the season.

We are going to make a trip to the local animal shelter and hopefully OWL this coming week to drop of a donation of supplies. Most shelters have their need listed on their website.

We are also going to pick up a couple toys and some groceries for our local food and toy bank. I am extremely thankful that we are able to do these things to help our community. It may not be much but every little bit helps.

Inspiration Comes When You Least Expect It

Dec11

Murdoch Mcivor house in Fort Langley BC Canada taken December 11 2013

December & Where I’m At

Dec11

Am I the only one who is having a hard time believing the calendar is down to just one page? I can’t fathom how quickly the year passed by! It seems like just yesterday I packing up the Christmas decorations from last year. I guess it’s true that the older you get the faster time flies.

So I’ve decided to try to do a little “Where I’m at” feature on the blog every couple week! A little insight into the here and now of my life! I know you’re all super excited about this! 😉

Anyways as I mentioned yesterday my morning routine right now involves getting up and searching the house for Elfonzo and the cracking open my advent calendar. My mornings are actually designated “me time”. It’s the time of the day I take things slow and enjoy the quiet. I watch the birds that visit my feeder, sip my coffee, cuddle with Muffin. I read blogs, check emails, scroll through Instagram and contemplate the day ahead! I think quiet time is one of the most valuable things a person can grant them self. In the mornings I also like to spread out my mat and get in some yoga and stretching. Not every single morning is like this but as many as possible.

It was this morning during my quiet time while reading some other blogs that I decided to try a new way of sharing where I’m at.

Making: I’m currently making the best of my quiet time this morning!

Thinking about: Tonight! Katie and I have a Lululemon shopping date! I’m pretty excited about this.

Cooking: Currently nothing but later I’m going to cook the Caribbean chicken breasts that the guy at our local Clancy’s location whipped up for me despite them being very out of season!

Drinking: Coffee cake tea from David’s tea. It was yesterday’s offering in the advent calendar and I really like the flavor.

Reading: I just started The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. I’m only a few pages in but so far so good.

Wanting: To feel better and to know if I’m pregnant this month. I’m extremely frustrated with how awful I’ve felt for the last month. It started with a bad cold which inevitably led to a Lupus flare. I then faced 2 weeks of almost non stop nausea followed by extreme stomach pain. Friday night got to the point that in all honesty I should have went to the hospital. I am stubborn, I’m working on it. After a mini family intervention I realized it wasn’t in my best interest to run the Santa shuffle last weekend.

Looking: I’m looking forward to Emma and I’s lunch date with Santa this weekend.

Wasting: half a loaf of cranberry pecan bread 😦 it went super hard within one day of buying it. I hate wasting food, it’s so hard on the environment and wallet.

Wishing: The rain would stay away and we could keep the uncomplicated dusting of snow all month long.

Enjoying: I’m enjoying the quiet and the simple sights and smells of christmas throughout my home. I’m also enjoying the lovely cuddles Muffin is smothering upon me!

Waiting: For Kevin to wake up so we can decide if its Christmas tree chopping day! And when he wakes up he gets to open another present from his personalized advent calendar I made this year.

Liking: The snowflake decorations and Christmas lights Kevin put up outside last weekend!

Wondering: If Muffin has any idea how much space she manages to take up for such a tiny dog! This morning she has decided my boobs are in fact pillows!

Loving: My life! Despite being sick I still love my life and everyone I share it with.

Hoping: That I can get back to the gym and a routine soon.

Marveling: at the variety of birds my feeders attract! My little friends visit from sun up to sundown everyday. They chirp and sing happily reminding me they are thankful for all the treats I provide them. The flock of tiny tits are my favorite! I find their social feeding flock intriguing!

Needing: a massage. I think I’m going to book one for this weekend. A couples massage in fact so I can spend more time with Kevin.

Smelling: the most amazing Bath and body works Christmas candle. It’s called “’tis the season”. It smells like that cinnamon christmas spicy scent that reminds me of christmas.

Wearing: my new fleece snowflake pj’s!!! So warm and soft!

Hearing: Jason Derulo The other side

Following/Pinning lately I’ve been searching Pinterest for new Muffin recipes. It inspired me to create my own raspberry orange muffin recipe. I will share that recipe very soon. So yummy.

Noticing: my lack of in person interaction. Lately I’ve drifted away from spending time with friends in person. Mostly because the effort it requires and the pain I’m in. I need to change this. I miss my girls!

Avoiding: folding laundry!

Knowing: I am missed.

Disliking: how fast December is flying by and that Kevin doesn’t get Thursdays off any more.

Thinking: How lucky I am to have the life I do. To have this quiet time to reflect, cuddle, and blog!

Feeling: warm! Thanks to the fleece pj’s, electric blanket, and Muffin!

Bookmarking: A friends new life blog and looking for new realistic healthy living blogs to follow!

Giggling: at Mr. Nutty who has once again precariously perched himself on the bird feeder for a snack! He’s quite the little acrobat. I adore his antics.

David’s Tea 24 Days Of Tea! The First 10!

Dec10

Hi friends! So as I mentioned a while back I was lucky enough to get my hands a highly sought after David’s tea 24 days of tea advent calendar back in November!

I have been enjoying my morning ritual all month of searching the house to see what sort of trouble Elfonzo is up to and then cracking open the little cardboard window to see what kind of tea treat awaits me! Later on in the day, usually after lunch I break into my Lindt advent to have a tasty chocolate!

The first 10 days of tea have been 80% delightful!

Day 1) White Chocolate Frost

A sweet slightly minty tea that definitely tastes like white chocolate! Loved it!

Day 2) Alpine punch

One of my favorite teas! I had tried this before and in fact own a large can of it! It reminds me of almond marzipan. It’s delightful cold as well!

Day 3) Blueberry Jam

I didn’t even have to taste it! It was love at first smell! Once I tasted it I knew it would become a staple. Such a perfect blueberry taste and slight sweetness!

Day 4) Forever Nuts

This delight was my first introduction to David’s tea thanks to my Candy swap partner earlier this year! It’s still one of my favorites. It’s sweet and has a nutty apple flavor! So good!

Day 5) Stormy night

Sadly not a fan of this tea. It wasn’t horrible but I couldn’t get into the chocolate cinnamon flavors. My sister in law loved it though so to each their own.

Day 6) Genmachia

Elfonzo took it upon himself to bust into my tea calendar! This is an interesting twist on normal green tea. It is slightly sweeter and more flavorful.

Day 7) Strawberry rhubarb parfait

I will be drinking a lot of this iced. A perfect combination of sweet strawberries and tart rhubarb with a touch of creaminess.

Day 8) Mango Madness

Another spectacular fruit tea. Also works well iced. The fruity citrus flavor was slightly pineapple infused. So good!

Day 9) Silk Dragon Jasmine

Not a fan, at all! The taste, the smell… Not my cup of tea! It isn’t David’s fault! It’s jasmines fault 😉 I cannot stand the taste or smell of that little flower. It was bound to happen, you can’t win them all.

Finally that brings us to today! Day 10) Coffee cake!

The name says it all. It tastes just like a sweet slice of coffee cake. I made myself a tea latte with almond nog and it was perfection.

I’m thoroughly enjoying trying all these new teas. Such a great way to discover new flavors without staring wide eyed and lost at the huge wall of tea in David’s!

Life With The McGavins

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