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GINGER LEMON & TURMERIC TEA
We all feel run down from time to time. Generally, we'll ignore the first weary signs of exhaustion and just push on through until we are suffering from illness and in need of repair. Knowing this, when I woke this morning and was feeling less than awesome, I asked myself, "what does my body need?". The answer was a Ginger, Lemon & Turmeric Tea. Made up of natural detoxifiers, anti-inflammatories and super foods, this concoction is jam packed with immune system boosting agents.
GINGER LEMON & TURMERIC TEA: a daily detox, stress reliever and/or cold remedy.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 1 serving)
- 1 ½ cup hot water
- ½ lemon, juiced
- ½ tsp grated ginger
- ½ tsp turmeric powder (or grated fresh turmeric root)
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- raw honey, to taste
While water is boiling, grate the ginger, and place in a small tea basket to keep the ginger from getting in the way while sipping the tea. Then add lemon, turmeric, cayenne, honey and ginger to mug and pour hot water in. Stir and enoy.
Turmeric will settle to the bottom, so ensure to continuously stir the tea to reap the full benefits of the turmeric.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
LEMON: a natural detoxifier, rich source of vitamin C, and contains limonene that promotes immunity and helps fight infection.
GINGER: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and clears microcirculatory channels of the body which include the sinuses and throat. Also, ginger is a warming agent and promotes sweating, which is healthy when sick.
HEALTH BENEFITS:
TURMERIC: antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and considered to be highly cleansing of the body especially in the liver.
CAYENNE: anti-irritant helping ease sore throats and coughs, and circulatory stimulant which aids in the detoxification process.
RAW HONEY: antioxidants, and a rich source of minerals and B vitamins that help support the function of the heart, muscles and nervous system.
Today was a refreshing reminder that a simple morning routine could help promote feeling better on the daily, not just from time to time, and after it's too late.
BIND CHAIR BY KLAER
Jessy Van Drume is a designer from Belgium who designed the Bind Chair for studio KLAER. Made up of only two materials, a lightweight birch for the frame and thin strips of unblemished pale pink leather that bind the structure together and make the woven seat, its beauty is in the simplicity. The lines, the spaces, the natural colours of the chair and leather are all things that have had me lusting over this chair for days now.
Jessy describes her approach in the design of the chair: "When designing the chair I was searching for a new material context for the use of crafts. Always taking into account a fair, simple construction, materials and a pure formality. This Rattan technique came forward, a simple inexpensive braid technique that has both structural and aesthetic properties. By using this approach, multiple components tied together and leather strings, this technique gets a new context."
CURRENTLY MUSING
Mara Hoffman's perfectly undone Desert Braid from NYFW 2014.
Caroline de Maigret's style and her 20 ways to be Parisian during fashion week. I may never frequent a Fashion Week in my life, but I dig Caroline's attitude on socializing, style and living. Like #3 on the list, "Don't brush your hair for the week" and #6 "Order wine at lunch".
Caroline also has a new book out that I'll be looking to get my hands on.
I'm a sucker for anything white including this record player.
This small space, with clean, multifunctional, design.
This by chair Fredrik Kayser.
This perfectly curated spacious walk-in closet/ dressing room.
And maybe these sleek boots to go in that sleek closet.
PEA AND RADISH TARTINE
This morning I picked, "Le Pain Quotidien" off the kitchen shelf. A beautiful cookbook and impulse purchase while paying for coffees and croissants at a cash register in New York.
Alain Courmont, chef turned baker, incorporates his belgian roots with organic and vegan influences from his time spent in California. I love the fusion of the two and his overall philosophy about bread, "it's much more than mere sustenance; it's a way of life. As our loaves emerge from the ovens, warm and fragrant, friends gather around our communal tables to share in the time-honoured tradition of breaking bread. The hum of the conversation fills the air, jam is passed around the table, and, ever so gracefully, time slows."
The page below caught my eye and with most of the ingredients handy, the result was a mixture of fresh peas hummus, radish, tahini and mint on organic, wood-oven, sourdough bread. We substituted poached eggs for the pancetta, and topped with sunflower sprouts, which made for a lovely brunch.
PEA HUMMUS RECIPE:
- 1 cup shelled fresh peas (or frozen peas defrosted)
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 pinches of sea salt
- cracked pepper to taste
Put the peas, tahini, olive oil, salt and pepper into a food processor or use a handheld blender to blend in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, until you have a smooth puree.
To serve, spread the hummus on a loaf of fresh bread (I used a sourdough), top with pancetta or substitute poached eggs, thinly sliced radish, and mint. The added sunflower sprouts made for a nice touch, but the dish would be equally lovely without them.
THE "IT" PLANTS OF HOME DECOR
When it comes to home decor and plants, there are a few bonafide hip (or "hipster") plants on the scene. These plants have earned their cred on blogs, Pinterest, and in the likes of various decor editorials. Along with macrame plant hangers, atriums, and other vessels, all things plants seem to be trending.
I jumped on the plant bandwagon a couple of years ago. Cheap and cheerful, they began to infiltrate our home, bringing a spot of colour and warmth to our glowing white backdrop. The intention to spruce up the place with a few plants here and there manifested itself into a full blown obsession. But now with a home that feels more complete, lively, and vibrant than ever - so be it!
Currently, these are The "IT" Plants Of Home Decor and some easy "how to" care tips, below:
Personality Trait: "Queen Bee", Luxurious
Care Tips: Light- Bright, indirect light (lot's of light, but no sunbeams on the plant). Water- Thoroughly water and allow top inch to dry before watering again.
2. Snake Plant:
Personality Trait: Strong, Independent
Care Tips: Light- Thrives in bright light, to full sun. Will tolerate low light. Water- Water and allow to dry before watering again. Water just enough to moisten the soil, do not drench. Water along the edged of the pot, away from the centre of plant to avoid rotting at the base.
3. Rubber Plant:
Personality Trait: Stylish, Elegant
Care Tips: Light- Bright, indirect light. Ideally by a window with sheer curtains. Water- Keep moist during it's growing season, Spring/Summer. Water very sparingly during it's dormant season, Winter. Otherwise, it will drop leaves.
4. String of Pearls:
Personality Trait: Conversation starter , Calming
Care Tips: Light- Thrives in bright light, to full sun. Water and allow to dry before watering again. This plant retains water in it's little beads. Be careful to over water, as this can lead to root rot. Mist weekly. NOTE: This plant is considered to be slightly toxic and should be hung out of children's and pets reach.
5. Cactus (any Cactus):
Personality Trait: Exotic, Daring
Care Tips: Light- Bright light, to full sun. Water- Water every other week and allow to dry before watering again. NOTE: light and watering tips vary from cactus to cactus. Read up on your chosen cactus for more accurate care tips.
6. ZZ Plant:
Personality Trait: Purifying, Energizing
Care Tips: Light- Bright, indirect light to low light. Water- Loves to be forgotten. Water and allow to dry before watering again.
Personality Trait: Quirky, Sweet, Charismatic
Care Tips: Light- Bright, indirect light. Water- Drench and allow to dry before watering again. Keep soil well drained. Mist weekly.
8. Cheese Plant: (on right)
Personality trait: Sexy, Confident
Care Tips: Light- Bight, indirect light. Water- Thoroughly water and allow to dry before watering again.
THE WEEKEND
I'm sure it goes without saying that I am not a photographer. However, I don't want the focus of this series of posts to be misinterpreted. So it had to be said. I simply love weekends as much as the next guy. The Weekend post will be a place to appreciate and reflect on the moments big, small, and past.
1. Making the most of what is left of patio season over brunch 2. Black and white, black and white 3. Spiralized zucchini for Zucchini & Soba Noodle Basil Spinach Pesto. Recipe post on this soon. 4. West enders lost in the east end 5. A new addition in the home: String of Pearls
COLLECTION: FOUTA DE VAL
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The fouta (pronounced foo-tah) is a multi-use towel that has been woven in Tunisia for centuries. Stockholm based company, Fouta De Val, designs foutas with traditional Tunisia handicraft and Scandinavian design in mind: functional, attractive and sustainable. This highly versatile product can be used as a towel, scarf, throw, tablecloth and/or blanket, which in my opinion now makes this beautiful piece of cotton an essential item to pack for any trip.
The new collection, Eliza & Maya, was inspired by an old travel journal with pictures of a journey through Mexico and the Kenyan savannah.
Visit foutadeval.se
A CABIN IN TOPANGA
I don't think there is anything I daydream about more than having my very own cabin on a lake. Naturally, when I stumbled across Designer Mason St. Peter's minimalist Californian cabin, I envisioned my own tiny, Canadian (winterized), interpretation of this. I'm in love with the rustic exterior, and modern plywood interior (from top to bottom), creating the illusion of space and a sense of seamless flow. Four walls, a great rug, a few shelves with curated goods, and a loft space for sleeping. Let the destination and the experience speak for itself.
Mason decribes how the cabin came into his life: "It all began when we were invited to see our friend's cabin in Topanga Canyon. We instantly fell in love with the place. There were a few day use studios on the property but none of them were available to rent. We started a dialogue with the owner and he encouraged us to build our own space with his materials. We initiated the task of clearing the site, cataloguing the materials and beginning the construction in the spring of 2011."
Found on masonstpeter.com
It's clear that Mason and his wife, Serena Mitnik-Miller, a photographer and artist, have style. Therefore it came as no surprise to me when I found their retail shop, General Store. A collective of Artisans featuring: jewellery, clothes, plants, furniture, household items and other small trinkets. A.) All things I love! and B.) Can this couple get any cooler?? I could write an entire post based on my wish list from this shop. Instead, I'll let you browse and make your own.
3 WATERMELON JUICE RECIPES
Watermelon brings me back to the summers of being a kid. To days when we'd run around all day long through sprinklers, tearing up the neighbourhood, riding bikes around the block until our mothers made us stop to eat. I remember plates of watermelon - grabbing a slice and running back out the door.
Back then, I definitely did not have the same appreciation for watermelon as I do now. This summer it found its way into salads, yogurt parfaits, popsicles, juices and smoothies. And whether or not my body craves it for nostalgic fulfilment or the rich source of vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes, I'm thankful to have found a new form of appreciation for this glorious fruit.
Here are three of my favourite ways to drink watermelon:
MORNING WATERMELON RISER
Start the day hydrating and cleansing your system with this fresh juice.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
Watermelon: hydration and electrolytes.
Ginger: clear your sinuses, aid digestion, and help the body absorb nutrients.
Lime: a morning shot of vitamin C, antioxidants and to fire up the appetite. Fun fact: just the scent of lime will cause your mouth to fill with digestive salivas and thus kickstart the entire digestive system.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings)
- 1/2 small watermelon (or 1/4 of a large watermelon)
- 1-2 inch (depending on your taste) ginger root
- 1 lime
Cut away the green of the watermelon, keeping the whites of the watermelon for juicing. (The white part is actually jam packed with vitamins and antioxidants.) Using a juicer, juice the above three ingredients. Stir and serve. If you do not have a juicer, you can also blend the watermelon until it's liquified, adding the juice of a lime and finely grated ginger. Blend well.
POST WORKOUT WATERMELON SHAKE:
This one is perfect for after a run, yoga class, or a workout.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
Watermelon: hydration and electrolytes.
Banana: potassium, B vitamins and fast burning carbs. Carbs are the main fuel your body uses during physical activity. After a workout you need to replenish these carbs so that your body can repair itself. Bananas contain five of the eight B vitamins that help support the function of your heart, muscles and nervous system.
Hemp seeds: an easily digested protein and all essential amino acids. Proteins are made up of these amino acids, and combined they help build, maintain and repair tissues in our bodies.
Coconut water: potassium and natural sugar replacement.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings)
- 1/2 small watermelon (or 1/4 of a large watermelon)
- 1 banana
- 2 tbsp hempseed
- 1/2 cup coconut water
Blend all ingredients until smooth.
WATERMELON COOLER:
A refreshing internal cooler. Perfect for a hot summer night.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS:
Watermelon: hydration and electrolytes.
Cucumber: natural cooling and hydrating properties.
Mint: cooling properties and digestive aid.
Ice: chill factor.
INGREDIENTS: (yields 2 servings)
- 1/2 small watermelon (or 1/4 of a large watermelon)
- 1/2 a cucumber
- 6 large mint leaves
- 4 ice cubes
- 1/4 cup of water (for blending purposes only)
Blend all ingredients until smooth.