Food

Cookies are my absolute favourite treat on earth.  When I was pregnant both times, every Saturday I would walk up to our local bakery and get myself my favourite Nutella biscotti.  To this day when I have them, I think of my belly and my babies.  I half joke that the girls were built on biscotti.  Foods hold such special memories, don’t they?

Second only to fall apple picking, spending the day in the strawberry field is my favourite harvest-y thing to do with my girls. The girls absolute love it, too. Goldie loves treating the patch like an all-you-can-eat buffet while Bea likes picking out the “perfect” berries for her basket.  We’ve been visiting Butt’s Berry Farm just outside of Guelph, ON for a few years now and I highly recommend them if you’re in the area. 

After 2 long years we’re finally able to gather (safely) with the ones we love and celebrate holidays, occasions and milestones. I missed gathering and hosting so much so these times together feel extra special. When I’m planning a get-together I always check-in with my friend and sommelier, Elizabeth Davies. She knows exactly what to pair with what I’m serving and always gives the best recommendations.

I’m not gonna lie, sharing the health and fitness journey I’ve been on gives me a little pang of panic. We’re all becoming more aware of diet culture, how it’s literally everywhere and how toxic it can be. And I think we’re all trying, truly trying, to rid ourselves of the programming that’s been engrained in us since before we could remember. I’m doing everything I can to keep those ideas and “ideals” as far away from my girls as possible.

As a kid, some of my favourite memories of the holidays involved making treats with my Mom. She was always in a festive apron. I snacked away on all of the ingredients. I still remember the sound of her rolling pin the first time I got to use it. Making those memories with Bea (and one day Marigold) has been so special for me. That’s why I’m really excited to partner with Kellogg’s* Rice Krispies* this holiday season, because I truly believe the best memories are rooted in the simple things.

I know you could be thinking (in your best Miranda Priestly tone) “Pumpkin muffins? For fall? Groundbreaking.” But trust me when I say this muffin is the stuff that dreams are made of. My Ma has been making a version of this muffin for as long as I can remember. Her OG recipe came from a well-loved book called “Muffin Mania.” I took the recipe and played around with it a bit to make it healthier and Oh My Pumpkin these are so good!! I pulled back the sugar and oil, added some different layers of flavours and the result is my family’s new favourite Sunday morning snack.

I’m sure it will come as no surprise that I LOVE traditions, especially around the holidays.  There are certain things I only enjoy at this time of year, and that makes them all the more special in my opinion.  Festive classics that take me back to my childhood and bring up all kinds of wonderful memories of holiday parties with family and friends and of course, helping out in the kitchen with my Ma. 

(by Randall)

I love hot sauce.

I love eating it, making it and talking about it. Like scary movies or roller coasters hot sauce is an acquired taste that I find fascinating. And here’s why…

I know it’s the first week of fall and everyone is living that Pumpkin Spice life, but I want to show some love to the unsung hero of the harvest season – zucchini!  It packs just as much moistness (ewe, but what other word is there?) for baking and because I planted them this summer, I have about 386 of them so I’m trying to use them in as many ways as I can.