Snack Time

The daughter and I just had a snack before her nap time, guacamole and chips, I love avocado.  Such a good for you food, a bit on the fatty side, but in moderation, yum.  We are big snackers in this house, I always have crackers of varying kind, cheeses, dips, popcorn, almonds, etc.  Costco sells these great Tamari flavoured almonds that we love, even our very picky son.  We also love almond butter, cashew butter and regular old peanut butter, as long as you don't buy the sugar filled crap, they are all good for you.


Other options for snacks I make sure to I have on hand is fruits.  I always have apples, bananas, pears, strawberries and blueberries.  The latter I have to wait until they are in season or they are very expensive.  I do buy frozen strawberries and blueberries for smoothies and freeze bananas that are about to turn bad.  I need to work on getting more vegetables into our family diet, for some reason that always seems to be a challenge.


Also, my mushroom risotto turned out fantastic, I think my husband even liked it.  I paired that with roasted root vegetables, sweet potatoes and carrots (all that was in the fridge).  Last night we had pasta with a cream sauce (I'm a sucker for cream sauces, much to my husband's dismay).  Tonight it's pizza night, I have some roasted red peppers, veggie salami, mushrooms, veggie chicken strips and cheese.  Load 'er up!


Here is a quick list of what we like to snack on:

• Almonds, regular and Tamari flavoured
• chips and dip (usually guacamole)
• cheese and crackers
• popcorn
• fruit
• sometimes veggies, I'm going to get on increasing that
• almond, cashew and peanut butter on crackers, apples, pears, wraps rolled up

Not too exciting, but if anyone has any suggestions for different, quick and easy snacks, please send them along.


Have a great day!

What's up for this week...maybe

Well here we are, another week. Time is going by so fast and it's almost Christmas. I wanted to write today about grocery shopping. I hate grocery shopping; we are a one income family now, so I have had to really pay attention to what I buy, how much and if we really eat it. I have done a lot of trimming in that department and now that I am vegetarian our meat purchases are significantly down. I do serve vegetarian dishes to the family about 3 times a week, and then the husband complains that he needs his meat.

I try to comparison shop, but sometimes going to one grocery store is more convenient then going to three to get a deal on bananas, but it must be done. A couple of things I have noticed is that Superstore, which everyone thinks is quite cheap, is not always the case. I add vital wheat gluten to my bread, at Superstore, Bob's Red Mill Vital Wheat Gluten is $10.99, Safeway $9.99. Yes a $1.00, but when on a budget that makes a difference. I also don't mind spending more on my produce if I know it's going to last. I have found that Superstore produce does not last. Safeway and Sobey's produce lasts longer and is better quality. Numerous times I have bought produce at Superstore (the last thing grapes) only to have them go bad in a couple of days, maybe, maybe last a week. I also find their dairy even with an expiry date, doesn't always last as long.

One thing Superstore does have is a great natural food section and vegetarian choices. I have found numerous great vegetarian foods with their Blue Label product. They carry great tofu choices and I always buy their Blue Label Teriyaki Marinated Tofu, as well as it's the only place I can find deep fried tofu.


On the menu so far this week is, in no particular order as some nights when I plan on having one thing, if it's been a busy day I'll make something else that is quick and easy.

Mushroom Risotto with roasted vegetables

Pizza, this will probably be on Wednesday night as it's just the kids and I


Vegetable Lasagna, my new favourite dish, there are so many varieties.


I am also experimenting with some different home made breads. Will keep you updated on how they turn out. And waiting impatiently for my juicer.


Have a great day, any comments, suggestions or questions, fire away.