Kick-start your morning!

During the dark and cold fall mornings it can be extremely hard to get out of bed and start your day, especially when you have a full eight hours of work ahead of you. Most people reach for the coffee pot to shake off the morning sleepiness but I’ve done my research and found four surprising ways you can get up and feel energized.

 1.)  Breathe deep

Before you get out of bed, stay lying down and take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your lungs with oxygen and then slowly release the air out through your mouth. Do this for three to five minutes, or until you feel relaxed. Sending high levels of oxygen to your brain can boost your energy level and your mental alertness.

2.) Have a hearty breakfast

Starting your morning off with a big breakfast can help you feel more satisfied throughout the day. When you don’t have to think about how hungry you are you free up your mind to focus on more important things. Studies have also shown that eating a big breakfast and smaller meals throughout the day can help you lose weight.  Try having steel cut oats with fresh fruit and honey, and a protein like turkey bacon on the side to fill you up and get you ready for a productive day.

3.) Work out your brain

While you’re having breakfast try doing a crossword or a Sudoku puzzle. This small amount of thinking can help you feel more alert and awake. Puzzles are also good for brain health, especially for older adults. So instead of turning on the TV in the morning, reach for the newspaper instead.

4.) Exercise

You don’t have to go for an hour run or have an intense workout to gain the benefits of exercising in the morning. Even just 15 minutes of light jogging, stretching, or walking can wake you up. Getting your muscles moving can make you feel more alert and can boost your mood in the morning.

So next time you feel like you are dragging in the morning, try these four easy steps and feel awake and ready for your day!

Green Goddess Salad Dressing

Over the summer I went out for lunch at Resto Gare in St. Boniface and I had the most amazing salad! It was just a mix of greens but the dressing was fantastic. It was called Green Goddess Salad Dressing and until then I had never heard of it.

The flavour was delicious and I wanted to have more of it. I googled it and found tons of recipes for the dressing so I decided to try making some myself!

The dressing is simple it contains:

1/4 cup pesto
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 tbsp mayo
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tsp lemon juice

The main flavour comes from the pesto and the yogurt makes it so creamy. The lemon adds a bit of acidity and a zingy flavour. To make the dressing you just combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and whisk them together.

This bright, flavourful salad dressing is the perfect way to break up all of the heavy comfort foods that we tend to eat in the fall and winter.

Try this dressing and let me know what you think!

Scary Movie Season!

Halloween is just around the corner which means it's scary movie season! I have a love/hate relationship with scary movies. Sometimes I get so terrified and I think "what on earth made me watch this?" But then when the terror is over and the sun comes up I forget how scared I was and everything seems fine. 

I have made a list of the top 5 Halloween movies/shows that you must watch. Some are scary, some are quirky, but all of them are entertaining!

1.) Sinister

This one is terrifying, I could barely sleep after watching it. But that's what scary movies are supposed to do right?

2.) Hocus Pocus

Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy star in this spooky yet funny film. It is the one movie I make sure to watch every Halloween!

3.) The Paranormal Activity Series

These films are bone chilling! They make me terrified that I have ghosts living in my house. I would never watch any of these movies alone. 

4.) The Shining

Jack Nicholson gives an amazing performance in this classic movie! Stephen King just released his sequel to the book The Shining so hopefully there will be a new movie out soon! 

5.) American Horror Story

This is a TV series not a movie so it offers hours and hours of terror! The first season is the best and I recommend you watch it if you are looking for a scare with a bit more of a plot. 

What are your favourite Halloween movies?

NFL Sunday Snack

I love spending my Sunday's watching the NFL with my boyfriend Jesse and his family for 3 reasons:

1.) I love cheering for the Detroit Lions
2.) I love spending time with Jesse and his family
3.) I love the snacks!

So sure the football is great but the snacks come in a pretty close second. Something about Sunday's just make me want to eat all day! I found this recipe for bean dip and it tastes delicious! It is perfect served warm with some taco chips and pairs perfectly with football.

Ingredients:
1 can of pork and beans with molasses
1 cup of velveeta cheese chopped into cubes
1 stick of pioneer farmers sausage (taken out of the casing)
1 cup of salsa

First you fry the sausage in a pan until it is cooked. Next you add the beans, cheese, and salsa to the pan. Stir occasionally until the mixture is warm and the cheese is melted. Pour into a bowl and serve with taco chips.

This recipe is fast and delicious! I highly recommend you serve it at your next party!

Start knitting now!

I started knitting last fall and I have loved it ever since! I have a huge tote in my room that is filled with yarn and knitting needles, and I am always looking for new projects that I can start.

My favourite source for free knitting patterns is www.ravelry.com. It is free to sign up and there is an unlimited number of projects to choose from.

You can search based on project, skill level, yarns, and more, so it is easy to find a pattern that is right for you! Most of the patterns are free and are available to download as a pdf. I usually browse the site and every time I see a future project I download it and save it to a folder on my computer.

For knitting supplies I go to Michaels, Ram Wools, and sometimes second hand stores like Value Village or The Salvation Army, they have tons of needles that you can get for just a couple dollars.

Knitting is such a fun thing to do, especially with friends! Plus now that Christmas is only a few months away you can start making some beautiful gifts! Last year I made my Grandpa a toque for Christmas and it has been the only one he has worn since. Homemade gifts are so thoughtful and show you really care.

I found this easy pattern for a cowl. It only takes a few hours to make and is perfect for keeping your neck warm in the fall and winter.

Check it out and give it a try!

http://www.knitandbake.com/2012/03/02/easy-garter-stitch-cowl-free-knitting-pattern/