Daily Dish

Lavender Soy Candles

For the love of lavender – I am in heaven! This weekend’s market haul included some amazing dried bunches and sachets of lavender + some essential oils (lavender included of course!).Lavender

I am always on the hunt for beautiful all-natural soy candles and am often floored by the cost of one single candle. Soy candles are non-toxic, made up of natural vegetables, generally burn longer and cleaner – releasing very little soot and no carcinogens.Lavender Soy CandlesThe lovely lavender man at the Guelph Farmer’s Market, inspired me to finally make my own soy candles. Off I went to collect supplies and give it a shot.  And let me tell you it couldn’t have been any easier! Do note: supplies aren’t on the cheap side but I also didn’t bargain shop (bought wax, wicks and twine at Michaels). However, supplies are much cheaper than buying 6 soy candles at your local retailer.

For 5-6 candles (depending on size) here is what you need:

  • 4 lbs of soy wax flakes
  • glass measuring cup
  • essential oils
  • 6 candle wicks
  • 6 jars (I used mason jars)
  • 6 wood skewers
  • glue gun
  • dried lavender (in this particular case)
  • ribbon or twine to decorate jar

Candle Supplies

  1. Centre and glue the wick to the bottom of the jar. (Minimal glue is needed but if you wanted to keep these all-natural, you could secure the wick with melted wax and letting it dry. I thought of this after the fact and was trying to be as quick as possible with this project).
  2. Microwave wax flakes on high in for 8-10 minutes, keep an eye on them and give them a stir if needed. Add an extra minute or two if needed. (Timing will vary on the size of measuring cup + amount of wax used).
  3. While wax is melting, wrap the wick around a wood skewer to help keep it centred and straight.
  4. Once the wax is completely melted, add 20-40 drops of essential oil and stir. (add more or less depending on how strong you like your scents)
  5. Stir in dried lavender.
  6. Pour into jars, keeping wick straight.
  7. Once partially cooled, top with additional dried lavender.
  8. Let cool for 10-12 hours, before use.

Soy Candle Making

Soy Candle MakingLavender Soy Candles

Heavenly. xx

Orange is the New Black

I love a good cup of java and all the cute coffee shops and feelings that come with each cup! This really is one of life’s simple joys. And as the Fall season sets in, I love to indulge in a good ol’ Pumpkin Spice Latte. Lately though, I have been reluctant to regularly indulge in the PSL we all know and love and find that often I am choosing this option more so for the convenience aspect and here’s why….  Homemade PSL’s!

These are so much better than and pumpkin syrup just does not compare. You control the sweetness, the spice and know exactly what goes into each cup. Plus, the $5+ spent on each cup is much more welcomed in my pocket!

So this Thanksgiving weekend, cuddle up on the couch with this homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte and enjoy yourself and all the things we have to be thankful for: 🙂

Pumpkin Spice Latte (yields 2 cups)

  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 4 tbsp pumpkin purée
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp of maple syrup (you can add this in as you go to suit your sweet tooth)
  • 1/8 tsp salt (optional)
  • 4 oz brewed espresso or strong coffee
  • 2 cups almond milk (or milk of choice)

PSL Ingredients

  1. Mix spices with vanilla and maple syrup to create a paste.
  2. Heat milk on low, add in pumpkin puree, and spice mixture. Whisk until smooth. (don’t be afraid to add more sweetness or spice if you prefer)
  3. Brew Espresso.
  4. Pour Espresso and top with pumpkin spice milk mixture.
  5. If you are feeling fancy, top with whip or frothy milk.


Sip & Enjoy. xx

All Things Pumpkin Spice

It’s October! Which means we’ve entered the blitz of pumpkin everything and there are no complaints here.

As new products hit the shelves, I am easily intrigued by all the new variations of Fall. Pumpkin has literally taken over the grocery aisles and I’m suddenly set for all things Fall. I’ll be perfectly honest when I say that I love me some good ol’ pumpkin spice – the famous PSL, tasty pumpkin ales (or not so tasty lol), and every type of pumpkin dessert imaginable. I do my best in keeping up with the pumpkins. 🙂 And best yet, I have been experimenting at home, which usually brings an even better version of the things we love without the fake pumpkin flavour and extra sugar!

You’ll see in past some of my pumpkin go-to’s (energy balls, raw pie, and savoury risotto). And this weekend I am sharing the ultimate pumpkin spice smoothie and latte!

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie (yields 4 cups)

  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 3 pitted medjool dates
  • 1 frozen ripe banana
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cloves
  • 1.5-2 tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 1.5 tsp pure vanilla

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie Ingredients

  1. In a medium-sized bowl whisk together the milk, oats, and chia seeds. Place in fridge for 1 hour or overnight.
  2.  Add soaked oat mixture to blender along with the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
  3. Add ice to make it more refreshing and top it with your favourite whip to make it extra fancy and sweet!

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

The PSS works great for breaky or dessert and is a quick way to satisfy that pumpkin craving!

Pumpkin On! xx

 

Float Therapy

Complete solitude, exploration of the mind, therapy of the body and soul.

Float Therapy was invented by John Lily to isolate your senses. ~900 lbs of Epsom salt added to body temperature water in a dark tank. Allowing for no distractions – objectively, just your mind to meditate and explore.

If you have yet to try Float therapy, it’s time for you to give it a go. Take the moment to fall into a blissful state of awareness; I promise you it’ll be the best decision you’ve made in a while. 🙂

Life can become overly distracting with a constant input coming in, which takes away the resources of our minds. This quietness and weightless feeling of floating is the perfect way to shut off. I’ve yet to find another outlet that gives this type of relaxation.

Don’t be discouraged on your first go, as it can take a few times to get comfortable with the experience and really appreciate the state of being in a pod of darkness. It’s hard for us as humans to completely shut off with no input, which can be hard for the mind to manage. However, once you do it a few times you will get used to it and that 1-2 hours  of solitude will be life changing.

I remember my first time was relaxing but also a bit distracting, trying to get it all right. However, every time since has been complete solitude, drifting in and out of consciousness. It is an other worldly experience, as if you are floating through space. When you have no signals coming in from the body, no sensory input – your mind really becomes superpower.

Floating is great for stress relief, clearing the mind to gain objective thinking, reasoning and creativity.  It’s known for it’s benefits with athletic performance and recovery. Which I can personally confirm that a post-race float is favourable in recovery and I try to take advantage of a float after combating those longer distances whenever I can.

Float Tank

In addition, floating supports healing, strengthens our immune system, increases the body’s ability to detoxify and reduces inflammation. Not to mention evoking a feeling of overall well-being. It really is complete bliss! (For more information – check out Float Toronto).

Float On. xx

 

 

Grilled Peaches

Peaches are a summer favourite when it comes to fruit, especially Niagara peaches; nothing else quite compares. And every so often I like to spice things up by throwing peach halves right on to the grill – which is a real treat! Grilled peaches are the perfect way to jazz up a weekend brunch/breaky or if you want to impress guests with a sweet and smoky dessert.

I like to keep mine simple with a light drizzle of pure maple syrup as the peaches are the real winning treat already. However, if you are looking for something super delicious and indulgent, grilled peaches  topped with your favourite type of ice or whip cream is the way to go! I personally love them topped with Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss “Naked Coconut” – YUM!

Also, another favourite dish for grilled peaches when looking to use them as part of your main dish, is to pair your grilled peaches with ricotta, basil and a drizzle of EVO and your favourite balsamic vinegar (see here my spin on the classic Caprese).

Grilled Peaches

For more of my favourite items to grill – check out my post Grill On and please share what you’re grilling up this summer! #delsdish #delsgrill

Happy Long Weekend! xx