The Dessert Smoothie

Let’s explore the wonders of the sweet potato.

The sweet potato offers loads of antioxidants, high doses of vitamin A, vitamin C, magnese, B vitamins, potassium and iron. This tasty superfood helps prevent heart disease and cancer, helps maintain blood pressure, controls muscle and nerve function, bolsters the immune system and even slows aging by promoting good vision, strong bones, and healthy skin. All of which reinforce why we should make sweet potatoes part of our daily diet.

I for one, am impatient when it comes to the cooking time that comes along with sweet potatoes, that I will often stray away from using this sweet veg on a regular basis…until now! Why not add them into a smoothie- Genius, right?  I am definitely going to experiment more with this one, but  for now will leave you with this combination.

The Dessert Smoothie, is for when you are looking for something sweet, something quick to hit the craving, while still providing loads of nutrients. It is a combination that is sweet, nutty and delectably delicious.

Blend the following, yields 4 servings:

  • 3 peaches
  • 1 large raw sweet potato
  • 1 apple
  • 1 cup of frozen blueberries
  • 5 cups of water or until desired consistency
  • Dash of Cinnamon

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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth. xx

Spicy Lime Quinoa Salad

There is nothing I love more than a big bowl of fresh vegetables. Especially when it’s an easy throw together kind of dish that can last you a few days. This is one of my favourite go to recipes, as it keeps for several days and can be used in a variety of ways.  I particularly enjoy this spicy lime quinoa salad on its own, stuffed in an avocado, tossed on a bed of greens, or as a side to grilled fish. You can really enjoy it however you please, as it is so versatile. Here’s the dish-

Spicy Lime Quinoa Salad

  • 1 19 oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 a red onion, diced
  • 1 red pepper, diced
  • 3 stalks of celery, diced
  • 3 carrots, shredded
  • 1 cup corn (I prefer straight off the cob, but frozen or canned will do)
  • 1.5 cups cooked quinoa
  • handful of chopped cilantro

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Spicy Lime Vinaigrette:

  • 3 limes, juiced
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • dash of cayenne, cumin, chili powder, salt, pepper and sugar

Combine diced vegetables, beans, and quinoa in a large bowl. Drizzle with the spicy lime vinaigrette  and toss until evenly mixed.

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Dig in. xx

Designer Duo to Watch: Sons of Ódin

Toronto Men’s Fashion Week made its debut this past August at the Fairmont Royal York showcasing Spring Summer 2015 collections. It’s great to see menswear finally getting a show of their own, as the interest in menswear is on the rise. While there were many fantastic designers that showcased, there is one designer duo that I am quite enthused about, Toronto-based Sons of Ódin, Zakariah Milana and Charlene Martin.

I have known Char for the last 6 years and have excitedly followed her and Zakariah’s success of Sons of Ódin over the last 2 years. Not only am I a huge fan, but since their runway debut at TOM*, there has been a ton of buzz around the pair and the strong show that they delivered.

Sons of Ódin delivered “a reinvention of the modern day man”, a collection that is edgy and noir. The S/S15 collection “Deserted” shows inspirations of:  New Orleans, the U.S. military, Marrakech, Egypt, and armour. The collection has the perfect combination of monochromatic basics, patterns (the rose and rope print-ah-mazing!), rich textures, and zipper and leather detailing. This duo hit practical ready to wear menswear bang on. I can’t wait to see this brand evolve in the years to come.

Be sure to follow them socially via Facebook SONS OF ÓDIN, Twitter SONSOFODIN_ or Instagram @SONOFODIN_

Here is one of my favourite looks from the show, photo courtesy of Jonathan Lapada:

Sons of Odin

 

Shop online here or check out their store list here

Happy Shopping. xx

Sweet Zing


Ok I may be a bit obsessed with beets, but please bare with me, as this is a must try that you will not regret.

Beets, strawberries, grapefruit and coconut water unite to make one delicious wake up call. This smoothie is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s sweet to taste with a nice punch to awaken the tastebuds and your body. It’s a great jumpstart to my morning and with the added coconut water it replenishes electrolytes needed after my morning run.

Here’s the recipe, (yields 3-4 servings): Add ingredients together and blend. Keep adding water until you find the consistency you like.

  • Juice of 2 grapefruits
  • 2 cups of coconut water
  • 1 cup strawberries
  • 3 raw beets
  • 1 cup iceIMG_3703IMG_3716

Be Sweet. xx

Toronto Women’s Set the Pace 10K

Even though I have been clocking 10K’s for a while now, today was my first official race, Toronto Women’s Set the Pace 10K. It was a Women’s only race which was inspiring to see 4,000 strong women all out to get active and have fun. It was a perfectly cool morning and I had my dear friend Vanessa join me, which added fun and motivation. There is always a mix of nerves and excitement the morning of a race, so it is important to keep focused and having a run buddy makes it that much easier. I kept Vanessa in sight for the majority of the run, to help set my pace, as I knew I wanted to finish strong and within an hour. Vanessa is a speedy one (finished at 52:33) and I lost her around the 6K mark, but I kept on trekking and finished strong at 55:16! Finishing a race like today, helps put things back into focus and reminds you what you are capable of. Can’t wait to the next one!

Here are some shots from today’s race. Special shout out to Natalie who was our motivator, cheer squad, photographer, and always our runspiration 🙂

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photo 1(2)  photo 3(2)

Go Get Your Run On. xx