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Special gifts for your favorite people

Time flies and I just realized that it’s the holiday season so I decided to post this article full of gift ideas . Here are some suggestions.

Gym subscription: What a funny idea to start this list with this! It’s unusual, what do you think? I think it’s super convenient as a gift. The ideal would be to offer a course or a small pack (three courses or five courses) of an activity to discover. Example: Hot Yoga, Trampofitness, HIIT, Dance, etc.

Vitamix: maybe you’ll think I’m crazy to put cooking stuff on my list, but my desires have changed. I prefer to walk on the kitchen side than the clothing side. Sometimes, I’m surprised! I recently tested the new Ascent line which has a timer that allows us to adjust it according to what we seek as a result. For example, I put what it takes to get a soup, I set the mode “soup” and presto, my soup is ready not even 5 minutes later and it comes out hot.

A relaxation package at the SPA: Our hectic lifestyles makes a day (or a few hours) of relaxation a luxury that we should be able to afford (or receive) from time to time. It is, in my opinion, a gift that we are always glad to receive. Moreover, I recently experienced the Aurora package at Bota Bota which includes a 60min massage, access to baths and a bathrobe that you can bring home. I offer you the opportunity to try it yourself (alone or accompanied). Watch my publications on Instagram, I will announce the contest soon.

A beauty / nail / care package: whether for a new mother who does not have time to take care of herself or for any woman around you, a little manicure is a good gift idea to put on your list.

Nespresso: in my family, we all love coffee. My father loves black and strong coffee, my mother drinks decaf, my husband prefer black coffee but not as intense as my father and I love lattes. When having a Nespresso machine, all tastes are satisfied. I have already offered Nespresso machines as a gift and I really think it is a beautiful present and a must to have at home.Here is some information about news and gift ideas:

The new Nespresso Expert machine has several settings to adjust to the needs of everyone: temperature, cup size and Bluetooth are among the innovations.
Nespresso coffee glasses are the perfect addition to your coffee cart (I really have a coffee cart at home that contains the essentials, thanks mom for the idea) .
Capsules: there are often new releases and limited editions (which I often share with you on my stories). Next month, you can find flavors like “snowflakes” (vanilla-coconut), licorice ($ 9 for 10 capsules) or banana (depending on the type of machine you have).

Activewear: If you follow me on social media, you know how much I’m a fan of sportswear. There are so many beautiful options that it would be a shame to just wear them for training. Here are some of my favorite stores : Louwana Creek on Laurier Street, Industry Active, Titika Active and FTO Fit are among my favorites of the moment.

New Phone: it’s the last of my list but not necessarily the last in terms of importance, especially for me! My cell phone has an important place in my life, I admit it. Not only it’s a work tool, but it allows me to immortalize all the little moments with Rania and let me keep in touch with my family (who lives far away, so far, sniff!). I am a Samsung user for some time now, I just made the change for the Samsung 8 and I find that the manufacturer is constantly improving the quality of photos (among others). I am in love!

24 November 2017 0 comment

Coconut and Nuts Granola Bites

There are recipes that I do once in a while and others that I do every week. My granola recipe is part of recipes I make every Monday (why Monday?): I like it to chunky and not in “flakes” and that’s what I tried to reproduce. I eat them as a snack, with yogurt, with my oats or with milk, quite simply.

Ingredients
1 1 \ 2 cup of oatmeal,
1/2 cup of coconut flakes,
1/2 cup frayed almonds (I buy whole almonds and I chop them),
1/2 cup cashew nuts,
1 tablespoon of coconut sugar,
1/4 teaspoon of salt,
3 Tbsp(45 ml) of coconut oil,
1/3 cup (80 mL) maple syrup,
1 Tsp of vanilla.

Preheat oven to 325F (162C).
In a bowl, mix oats, coconut flakes, almonds, coconut sugar and salt.
In a small saucepan, mix the coconut oil, the maple syrup. Heat the mixture for 3 minutes and add the vanilla.
Pour the mixture into the bowl that contains the oat mix and mix well.
Spread the mixture on a parchment paper that you placed on a oven plate. Flatten the layer with a spatula.
Put in oven until the outline becomes golden. (about 10min)
Let everything cool down, “break” your granola into pieces and store in a box.

17 November 2017 0 comment

Matcha Pancakes

A quick recipe that I made early this week: I was hungry, I was craving pancakes and a matcha. So I made matcha pancakes and here is the recipe that you have been many to ask.

1/3 cup of milk (I used almond milk),
2 tbsp (tablespoon) of vegetable oil (I used avocado oil),
2 Tbsp of maple syrup (or other such as honey or sugar),
1/2 tsp (teaspoon) of vanilla,
1/2 cup of flour (I made my own oat flour by mixing oats),
1 tbsp of matcha powder,
1 1/2 tsp of baking powder,
A pinch of salt.

I put everything in a bowl and I mix well with the whip.
Cook like regular pancakes: on a crepes or regular pan, pour a little 1/4 cup (approx) of your mixture. Cook until small bubbles appear on top of your pancake and turn over to cook on the other side.

I served with coconut flakes, bananas and maple syrup (a lot of maple syrup).

10 November 2017 0 comment

My first homemade bread

It’s been months that I want to start making bread at home. By the way, in my culture, we almost have bread at every meal. Of course, I do not eat it every day but there are pleasures that can not be eliminated. But I like to have toasts from time to time. A few days ago, the subject of homemade bread was discussed on the group Healthy Living with Bibouzi on Facebook (if you’re not part of the group yet, I strongly invite you to join us) so I thought hat it was a sign! I started looking for recipes that could fit my needs and I came across an amazing recipe (from my new roots). When I sent the picture to my dad saying it was my new homemade bread he said, “It’s not bread, it’s a mine of tonics.” So here it is, he summed up the recipe!

Ingredients
1 cup (135g) of sunflower seeds,
1/2 cup (90g) of flaxseed (not ground),
1/2 cup (65g) hazelnut or almonds,
1 1/2 cup (145g) oats,
2 tbsp (tablespoons) of chia seeds,
3 TBsp psyllium powder,
1 Tsp (teaspoon) salt,
1 Tbsp of maple syrup,
3 Tbsp of melted coconut oil,
1 1/2 (350mL) of water.

You need a silicone mold preferably.

Put all the dry ingredients in the mold. Mix well.
In a separate container, mix the rest (water + oil + maple syrup).
Pour this last mixture into the mold and mix well.
Let stand at least 2 hours (or all night, or all day). You will know that it is ready for the oven once the mixture is held alone (ie if you pull a part of the silicone mold towards you, the bread will keep its shape and will not move).
Put it in the oven for 20 min at 350F (175C).
Remove from the oven and gently remove the bread from the pan. Now put it on a baking sheet and put it in the oven for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove from oven and let stand. The bread must cool completely before it can be sliced (otherwise it will crumble).

The bread can be kept for up to 5 days. Otherwise, you can slice it and freeze it.

Personally, I loved this bread which is perfect for toasts at breakfast

2 November 2017 0 comment