marvelous in my monday + christmas (books, trees, gifts + cards)

Happy Monday me lovelies! I trust you're all feeling marvelous today (and everyday for that matter) #beyourself #loveyourself

It's been a little while since I've written a MIMM post and I must admit I miss my mimm's. It's time for a link-up party with the marvelous miss mimm Katie, The Healthy Diva.

Thanks for always being the perfect party hostess Katie!

Here are a few things that I'm feeling marvelous about today:

Marvelous Magical Movie - on Friday, my little "Taste Tester" and I went on an adventure together to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 3D.

Naturally drawn to such stories like The Hobbit and its sequel The Lord of the Rings, we love the adventure, the strange worlds, the facing of great odds, and the sweetness of victory. Tales like these enchant us because they are larger than life and they allow us to easily escape from our everyday existence.

Marvelous Meal - after the (almost) 3 hour movie, I ordered Greek food for the two of us.

Chicken souvlaki, Greek potatoes, Rice, Greek Salad & Tzatziki
I made wraps. Plenty of food for the both of us.

Marvelous Health Food Store Score:

Sunflower Sprouts, Seaweed snack, Goji/Cacao/Chia/Maca snack,
Vanilla Cacao Buckwheat snack bites, Coconut flour,
Coconut Jam, E3 Live, Hemp Hearts, Lentil Coucous Salad, Sweet Potato buckwheat pasta,
and a Vega Endurance bar,
all for Less than $50.00
SCORE!

Marvelous Mood - not sure if it's because it's beginning to look alot like Christmas, or because we are in the process of transitioning from one "world age" into another, but I am so grateful for whatever is happening. I am feeling a tremendous flow of grace and energy as a new doorway to the world opens.

Prepare your Body, Mind & Spirit for a Radical Shift

Marvelous Yoga/Meditation session - this weekend I combined these two practices in the comfort of my own home rather than running to do a class session. 

No matter how long it's been since my last practice, a simple Yoga and meditation session helps me to manage my own stress and confront life's pressures in a more positive way. It replenishes me and repairs my energy on every level. #namaste

Marvelous Music - lately, I've been listening to some incredible female artists. Listening to these ladies makes me feel like I can conquer the world!

A Fine Frenzy, Florence + The Machine, Kina Grannis,
Schuyler Fisk, and Taylor Swift

Marvelous ME - Yup, that's right. Why the heck not?! That's how I'm feeling about myself so why not express it? I feel good, I feel balanced, my energy level is good, my mood is uplifted, and my relationship with myself is going right in the direction where I want it to be.

You are enough!

More Marvelous-ness: 25 Days of Blogging Christmas Challenge

The creator behind this blogging challenge, miss Jenny, actually lives in Newton, Conneticut, just 2 minutes away from Sandy Hook Elementary School. Please take a moment to visit Jenny's page where she expresses her feelings about this tragic event and provides a link to a donation page for those who are interested in lending support.

My Favorite Christmas Book: since I was a wee little gal, I've loved the story T'was the Night Before Christmas . . . When all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse....

Real or Artificial Tree: Artificial. I wouldn't feel right having a real tree in my little apartment.

Standing just 4 feet tall, it may not be the biggest or the brightest...
but it's ours and we love it! 

Did you know...Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people today decorate their homes with pine, spruce, and fir trees, people used to hang evergreens over their doors and windows because, in many countries it was believed that evergreens would keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness.

Best Gift You've Given: I don't know what the best gift I've given has been. I love the idea of baking Christmas treats, and wrapping them up for others to enjoy.

Christmas Baking Recipe Round-up for Chocolate Lovers:
-Homemade Chocolate Bars with Almonds
-Raspberry Belgium Chocolates
-Raw Chocolate Nut Fudge with Sweet Strawberry Topping
-Chocolate Truffles
-Truffle Wrapped Cherries, Cream Cheese Brandy Cherry Balls, Magic Chocolate Balls + more
-Chocolate Almond Butter Cups with Raspberries, Roasted Almonds & Sea Salt
-Raw Chocolate Fudge
-Healthy Bites Smart Snickers, Vegan Marshmallow Bites, or Cherry Delights
*I made the Cherry Delights and added a little cocoa. Then I made them again with mini chocolate chips. YUM!

Other fun Christmas recipes I've found:
-Christmas Cake Pops
-Whole New Mom's 30 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipes Round-up
-Cravings of a Lunatic Recipe Round-up: pies, pastries, cookies, bars and more
-Chocolate Covered Katie: pretty much any of Katie's recipes will do!
-the Better Mom's 20 Healthy Christmas Cookie Recipe Round-up

Hardest Person(s) to Buy For: My sisters.

 #truth

Post a Picture of an old Christmas Card: I don't have any vintage Christmas cards but here's a few nice ones that I found online...

...as I finish writing this marvelous post, I'm ready to hit Publish. First, I glance at my Christmas Countdown 2012 Clock, and I notice that there's officially 7 days, 16 hours, 12 minutes, 10, 9, 8, 7 seconds...and the countdown continues...until Christmas! Yippee!

Have a marvelous Monday everyone!

favorite things i'm loving at the moment...

Hello Lovelies! Happy Wednesday!

Some randomness on Little Miss Cornucopia today. I thought it would be fun to share a few of my favorite things with you--it might just be fun for me, but I love all these things so much that I just can't help but share!

1- Favorite Things Christmas Swap 2012 - a fancy holiday gift exchange organized by these two gals.

This little package, from the lovely Miss Sara (blogger extraordinaire at Life in out of a lab coat) arrived in my mailbox the other day and immediately brought a smile to my face:


Packed full of holiday treats, no doubt! Here's what was inside:

-The Body Shop Cranberry Joy Hand Cream + Shea Lip Butter #smoothassilk
-Sephora Makeup Palette (my very 1st item from Sephora!) #howdoilivewithoutyou
-Sally Hansen -#440 In The Spotlight nail color #iheartglitter
-Handmade Soaps #smelldivine
-Absolut Vodka #perfectmix
-Chocolate - Bailey's + Reese Tree + Aero Peppermint Tree + Hershey's Candy Cane #love

Sara's package was absolutely perfect in every way! I love each and every single item.

2- The Nutcracker - Over the weekend, I took my little "Taste Tester" to the ballet for the first time. With our tickets in hand, cheeks rosy red from the cold and our coats buttoned up to our chins, we entered the theatre with a sense of wonder. We were both so enchanted by this magical holiday performance. #classic

Photo courtesy of the Alberta Ballet's online event listings page

3- Christmas Movies - My little "Taste Tester" and I have certainly enjoyed quite a variety of holiday movies so far this month:

Our list of movies, so far, has included: All I Want For Christmas, Elf, Miracle On 34th Street, The Polar Express, To Grandmother's House We Go, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Grinch, Home Alone, Unaccompanied Minors, and Christmas With The Cranks.

And, there's still 13 days left until Christmas! #imagine



4- Jenny's 25 Days of Blogging Christmas Challenge

Day 11: Favorite Christmas Tradition-on Day 7 of this challenge, I mentioned that my most memorable Christmas (es) involved my Uncle Dave dressing up as Santa Claus and passing out gifts to all the children.

Before the gifts were handed out, each of us children would have to perform a "special talent" on stage in front of everyone. I loved singing, yet I was always so nervous to perform in front of a crowd, even my own family.

This is how I imagined it!

This is what I really wanted to be doing instead:

Family, love, laughter, homegrown talent, gifts, music, and a delicious feast became the perfect Christmas tradition for the entire family, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa who made it all possible. #familyfirst #timeofmylife

Day 12: Wrapping Paper or Gift Bags - Personally, I love unwrapping gifts that are wrapped in paper. They're so much more fun to open (yes, I'm still a child when it comes to stuff like that :P)



On the otherhand, when gifting to an adult, or for large presents, I prefer using gift bags - plus, they can be reused #3R's - but for children, I usually always use wrapping paper.

-What's something you've been loving lately?
-What's your favorite Christmas movie?
-Have you ever been to the ballet?
-Choose a day from the Christmas blogging Challenge & share it with me

I love and appreciate all your thoughts :)

a thrill of hope...

When I first read about Jenny's 25 days of blogging Christmas Challenge on Sam's blog, I thought I'd have no problem whatsoever writing 25 Christmas-related posts in 25 days. Apparently I was wrong #sorrynotsorry

I obviously have some serious catching up to do considering today is December 8th (Day 8) and I've only completed days 1, 2, and 3 of this challenge so far.

On another note, can you believe there are only 16 more sleeps until Santa comes?! I'm still wondering if my little "Taste Tester" can go another 16 days believing in Santa. He still believes, yet he sometimes questions whether Santa is "real or not". He doesn't want to visit Santa at the mall this year because he's convinced that Santa already knows what he wants for Christmas. Uh oh! However, the one and only thing that he wants for Christmas is impossible to find anywhere (believe me I've searched everywhere). *If anyone knows where to find a 3D model of the entire City of Ottawa. please let me know asap.

Moving on ... here are a few all-things-Christmas that I need to catch up on..

My Favorite Christmas Song: I have so many favorites that I even created my own Christmas Song playlist on YouTube. Jingle Bells, Here Comes Santa Claus, Joy to the World, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Little Drummer Boy, Silent Night, Ding Dong Merrily On High, O Christmas Tree, Jingle Bell Rock, Deck the Halls, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town..

My very favorite Christmas song of all time though is O Holy Night:

I loooooove Glee! It's one of my favorite television shows #gleeks (Gossip Girl is a close second xoxo). If you're a gleek, like me, you'll agree that Rachel Berry can be quite annoying at times, yet her voice is simply magical in every way. I love the way she belts out each song and she really kicks somes serious butt with her version of O Holy Night.

Best Gift I've Ever Received: When I was 18 years old, my Mom and Dad bought me a gift certificate for Young Driver's of Canada driver's education course. I always had a fear of getting behind the wheel (they both knew it too). 

Still, I never did get over my fear of driving until about 10 years later, when I finally decided it was time to get my license. I was 28 years old by the time I was a fully licensed driver in Ontario.

Favorite Tree Ornament: all the ornaments that my little "Taste Tester" makes and brings home from school. I have ornaments that he made in Junior Kindergarten up to Grade 2. We haven't put up our Christmas tree yet but once we do, I will gladly share the photos of each ornament with you.

Most Memorable Christmas(es): year after year (for many years), my uncle Dave would dress up like Santa Claus and pass out Christmas gifts to all the grandchildren. Grandpa and Grandpa had 10 children and gifts for 20+ grandchildren. No one had a house big enough to suit that many people so a room in a local community centre was rented instead. Music was played, Christmas dinner was served, many laughs and gifts were exchanged. #timeofmylife. #bestchristmasever

Post a Picture of Christmas Decor: like I said, I haven't put up the Christmas tree yet but here are a few photos I pulled from Pinterest:



Source: lovefoxvintage.blogspot.com via em on Pinterest

Source: drhousecleaning.blogspot.co.uk via Fantastic Cleaners on Pinterest

Source: houseandhome.com via Torani 1925 on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Little Miss on Pinterest



My favorite outoor decorations: Christmas lights on Parliament Hill in Ottawa - a must see



What's your favorite Christmas song?
What's the best Christmas gift you ever received?
Most memorable Christmas? Why?
What's your favorite Christmas ornament or decoration? Why?

a letter to Santa + christmas cookies

Today is Day Two of the 25 Days of Blogging Christmas Challenge. If you'd like to read about what day one was like, head over here to check it out.

I don't usually ask for anything for Christmas but I wanted to put in a special request for the holidays. Instead of writing a Christmas wish list, I chose to write a letter to Santa:

My body has put up with alot from me - especially during the last two years: I've abused it and overused it. I've overfed it and underslept it. I tense it and twist it. Yet rarely do I appreciate it. Nonetheless, whenever I need it to, it's there for me and it still works for me.

I will continue to work on really loving, accepting, and approving myself EXACTLY AS I AM because when I do, everything in my life works that much better. I've already noticed that when I do this, it's as if little miracles appear everywhere. My health improves, I attract more money, my relationships with others become much more fulfilling, and I'm able to express myself in creatively fulfilling ways. All this seems to happen without even trying.

Loving and approving of myself, creating a space of safety, trusting and deserving and accepting, creates organization in my mind, creates more loving relationships in my life, has helped me attract a new and better place to live, and has even enabled my body weight to normalize.

When you love yourself and your body, you neither abuse yourself nor others.



Self-approval and self-acceptance in the now are my main keys to positive changes in every area of my life. I don't care what it is - poor health, lack of money, unfulfilling relationships, or the lack of creativity - when there is a problem, there is only one thing I ever need to work on, and that is LOVING MYSELF.

For me, loving myself begins with never ever criticizing myself for anything. Criticism locks me into the very pattern that I am trying to change. Understanding and being gentler with myself helps me move out of it. I criticized myself for years, and it never worked. When I finally started approving of myself, magical things started to happen (and will continue to happen) in my life.

**
Ginger Molasses Cookies
Grain-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Naturally Sweetened











Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups almond flour or almond meal

1/2 cup coconut flour

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp ginger

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2/3 cup coconut oil, melted

3/4 cup coconut palm sugar or cane sugar or 1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup + 1 TBSP molasses

2 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP chia seed/flax seed combined with 6 TBSP water (or use 1 egg)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together the coconut oil and sugar (or honey). Add chia, flax, or egg, molasses, and vanilla. Stir well.
4. Add the dry mix to the wet mix and stir, just until combined. It will be like batter at this point.
5. Chill in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes or until it's firm like regular cookie dough.
6. Form into 1 1/2" balls and place on a cookie sheet about 1 1/2" apart. *There's no need to flatten them.
7. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Check after 10 minutes. *They'll crack a little (that's good!) and will still be soft.
8. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool.
9. Place 3-4 cookies on a plate and leave them out for Santa.

What's on your Christmas Wish List this year?

Marvelous in My Monday #5

Today is Thanksgiving Day! What a wonderful time to celebrate all the little, yet so important things in our lives.

Why Canada celebrates Thanksgiving ‘early’…

Have you ever wondered why Canada’s Thanksgiving is celebrated before the American date?

Not many people (myself included) realize that Canadians actually began the tradition first! The Europeans had celebrated harvest in late October or early November for centuries. Then, when the English explorer Martin Frobisher arrived in Newfoundland in 1578, he wanted to give thanks for his safe arrival to the New World, so Thanksgiving began being celebrated on November 6th in Canada. That means the first Thanksgiving in Canada was celebrated more than 40 years before the pilgrims landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts!

Canadians changed the date for Thanksgiving, after the World Wars, because Remembrance Day (November 11th) kept falling on the same weekend. October suited us better too, as harvest arrives earlier with us being situated further North! Source

In this season of giving, I want to take this moment to let you know how much I truly appreciate all of you: for all of your kind words, your continued love and support, and encouragement. I am forever thankful!

In this little life of mine, I Am forever Grateful For:

My Life. My Son. My Family. My Extended Family. Traditions. My Friends. My Readers. The Gift of Life. The Air I Breathe. The Best Food Ever. Sunshine. The Light. Color. Rainbows. Raindrops. The Moon and Stars. Gardens. Dreams. Being Unconditionally Loved. Being A Nice Person. Nice People. Accomplishing Goals. Being Able to Laugh. The Seasons. Rain. Books. Giving Gifts. Tears of Joy. Tears of Release. Campfires. The Dark. Opinions. The Ocean. Positivity. Rivers. Lakes. Water. Wildlife. Hiking Trails. Acceptance. Hope. Animals. Planting A Seed. Generosity. Passion. Helping Others. Green Smoothies. Green Juice. Photos. People. Birds. Yoga. Honesty. Organization. Good News. Mother Earth. The Environment. Memories. Mistakes. Libraries. The Hard Times. Excitement. Falling Snow. Fun. Music. Patience. Inspirational Quotes. Recycling. Love. Synchronicity. Flowers. Exercise. Sunrises and Sunsets. Holidays. Trust. Being Myself. Today. Choice. Today. Smiles. Sleep. Creativity. Peace. Forgiveness. Travel. Organic Farmers. Learning New Things. Listening. Intuition. Meditation. Awareness. Freedom. Me.

Celebrate and Live Life!

Celebrating the holidays with family is always such a special time for me.

Is it just me or does time always seem to move more quickly when you finally have the chance to spend time with the people you love?

Perhaps, it's just the Universe's way of saying "Spend More Time"...

...almost as if it's asking us "What Are You Waiting For?"

A Canadian Thanksgiving Menu

According to The Food Network Canada, a Canadian Thanksgiving Menu consists of Classic and contemporary recipes that add homemade flair to your harvest feast!

This year's Thanksgiving menu featured Maple Syrup Glazed Smoked Ham, Plump and Juicy Turkey, Smoky Chorizo Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, Fresh Steamed Asparagus, Pumpkin Pie, and Layered Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Naturally, I contributed a few things to the mix:

Massaged Kale Salad with Carrots & Tahini Dream Dressing (recipe from Natasha Kyssa), Mint Chocolate Chip Macaroons (recipe adapted from purely twins Holiday Macaroons), Sweet Potato Casserole (recipe from In the Raw), and Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Cheezecake (recipe from Sweetly Raw).

So there you are. A Canadian Family Thanksgiving. Hope that all of my fellow Canadians had a marvelous Thanksgiving filled with good food, family, friends, and love. And a very Happy Columbus Day to all my American friends as well!

And that, my lovelies, is why I'm feeling soooooooo marvelous today!
Thank you and a big squeeze to the lovely miss Katie for this marvelous idea. Always a marvelous way to start my Monday!! XO

What's in your favorite Family Thanksgiving meal?
What are some of the things in your life that you're grateful for?
Share what you're feeling marvelous about today :]