Currently- June Edition

Another month, another 'Currently' list!

Watching

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I have been a Chelsea Handler fan since she was on Girls Behaving Badly. I am loving her show on Netflix. 

Reading

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 The Handmaid's Tale is the June selection for my Book Club. I read this book in high school, and I'm hoping- because I don't have to read it for school- that it'll be easier to read this time around.

Listening

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I have been on a podcast kick the past few months. This is one of my favourite podcast- so funny!

Drinking

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 I have been drinking a lot of water the past few weeks. I've always liked water, but I'm trying to be more aware of how much I drink- trying to stay super hydrated and make some lifestyle changes. 

Eating

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 I could eat breakfast foods all day. Eggs Benedict is one of my favourites and something I have been eating a lot of recently. So good!

Wanting

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The onset of Summer makes me nostalgic for my Summers spent in Muskoka. I am desperately wanting to spend some time with some of my favourite people in this beautiful part of Ontario. 

Loving

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 I am super late to the party on this, but I am totally loving coconut oil! Coconut is one of my favourite flavours, and we are all well aware of the benefits of coconut oil. I've started adding a teaspoon to my morning smoothie and using this in place of oil/butter in my cooking and baking. So good!

July // August // September // November // December // January // February // March // April // May

Currently- March Edition

It's always been fun to see what other bloggers were 'currently', so I thought I would join in. 

 

Watching

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Like everything on Netflix, I am late to the game. This show has been on my list for over a year, since my aunt recommended it for me, and I FINALLY got around to watching it. I'm about half way through the first season and I am liking it.    Reading

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As a Sophie Kinsella fan, I was excited that this was the March pick for my Book Club. 
Listening

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At work, I was getting tired of listening to the radio, so I thought I would listen to a Pod Cast instead. I literally googled 'good pod cast for 30 somethings'. I liked the description for Last Name Basis so I thought I would give it a listen. Franchesca and Patrick (who are married to each other) chat about their life together, as well as what's going on in the world. I've started listening from the beginning   Drinking

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I have a SodaStream, which I love, and I have been loving this flavour recently! Black Cherry Cola is so good...not too much cola, not too much black cherry- just the right balance.   Eating

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 .I have been seeing Mushroom Risotto everywhere recently. So, when I went out for dinner on the weekend and it was on the menu, I had to order it- delicious!   Wanting

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 I am in love with the Order's Up line from Kate Spade. I want it all...everything! I love the retro vibe and think everything is so cute- and would look perfect in my kitchen! I can't afford to buy the entire line...but a girl can dream.   Loving

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My friends! Things have been a bit of a roller coaster and my friends have been along for the ride. I appreciate their company and support...their encouragement and insight.     

July // August // September // November // December // January // February //

From The Archives: Pink Flamingo

For today's post, I thought I would head back into the archives and share this fantastic drink recipe- Pink Flamingo. 

We are fully into the summer season and one of my favourite summer activities is to socialize with friends- aka drinks on the patio/deck/balcony/outdoor space. Combine this activity with my favourite animal, flamingos, and you have one of my favourite summer drinks. I often serve this drink in the summer months when I have friends over. A great thing about this drink? It can easily be adjusted and made into a non-alcoholic drink so everyone can enjoy it!

Fave Five: Edition 1

 1. Vacation Spot: 

Cuba

2. Go to Cocktail

Amaretto Sour

3. Favourite Film

Empire Records

4. Beside Read

Prep: A Novel

5. Gourmet Fix

Thai food

Make With Me- Rum Punch

Rum Punch

Ingredients:

• Light rum
• Spiced rum
• Coconut rum
• Mango Juice
• Pineapple juice
• Pineapple chunks (optional)

To Make:

• Mix light, spiced and coconut rums together
• Add pineapple and mango juices
• Garnish with pineapple chunks, if desired
• Enjoy! 

Notes:

1. This recipe is from Megan.
2. With summer just around the corner and the warm weather already here, this is a great drink.
3. I have used orange juice in place of mango juice, when I haven't been able to find mango juice.
4. I have also added a splash of grenadine.

Make With Me- Fruit Smootie

Fruit Smootie

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of fruit juice
• 1/3 cup of yogurt
• 1/3 cup fruit
• 1 banana, sliced
• Please see notes (below)

To Make:

• Add all ingredients into a blender
• Blend until smooth (roughly 1 minute)
• Pour into a glass
• Enjoy! 

Notes:

1. A co-worker shared this recipe with me.
2. You can use the juice, yogurt and fruit of your choice. My co-worker used orange-mango juice, strawberry yogurt and frozen blueberries.
3. Do not use apple juice (the acid separates the yogurt) .
4. Makes two servings.

Make With Me- Mojito

 Mojito

Ingredients:

• 8 fresh mint leaves
• 1/4 lime, cut into 2 wedges
• 1 tablespoons of sugar
• 4-8 ice cubes
• 1 1/2 shots of white rum
• 1/2 cup of club soda

To Make:

• Place mint leaves, 1 lime wedge and sugar into glass
• Use a muddler to crush the ingredients to release the mint oils and lime juice
• Fill glass with ice
• Pour rum over ice
• Top with club soda
• Stir and garnish with remaining lime wedge
• Enjoy! 

Notes:

1. The back of a spoon can be used if you don't own a muddler.
2. After adding club soda, I sometimes add more sugar, depending on the taste.

Make With Me- Pink Flamingo & Vodka Gummy Bears

Pink Flamingo

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Mango Rum
• 2 oz grenadine
• 2 oz pineapple juice
• Sprite
• Ice 

To Make:

• Mix rum, pineapple juice and grenadine in a cocktail shaker
• Pour mixture over ice
• Top with Sprite
• Enjoy! 

Notes:

1. Makes one drink.
2. Also great as a blender drink.
3. This can also be made `virgin` for anyone who can`t or doesn`t drink. Replace mango rum with mango juice. or 4 oz of tropical fruit juice in place of rum and pineapple juice.  

Vodka Gummy Bears


Ingredients:

• Pack of gummy bears
  
• Bottle of vodka
  
• Container

To Make:

• Put the gummy bears in a container
• Add vodka until the gummy bears are covered
• Let sit at least over night, longer if possible
• Remove the gummy bears from vodka
• Enjoy! 

Notes:

1. If possible, do not use a plastic container (it does something to the vodka).
2. As the gummy bears absorb the vodka they will grow in size. If you leave them long enough...they will eventually absorb all of the vodka 4-5 days.
3. Super easy to make and just as fun as jello shooters!  

Make With Me- Caipirinha

Caipirinha


Ingredients:

• 1 1/2oz of Cachaca
• 1/2 a lime
• 2 tsp of cane sugar
• Ice

To Make:

• Cut the lime into wedges, removing the white bitter rind
• Use a muddler to crush limes 
• Add sugar and Cachaca to crushed limes and mix
• Serve over ice
• Enjoy!

Notes:

1. My cousin David did an exchange where he went to Brazil. When he came home, he was an expert in Caipirinha making. This is his recipe. 
2. White sugar can be used in place of cane sugar.
3. I have also made this drink in a blender, making a 'slushie' drink.
4. Perfect summer drink, best enjoyed on a patio, deck or near a body of water (including a pool)

 I've linked up with Neely at A Complete Waste of Makeup

Make With Me- One Minute To Midnight

With New Year's Eve just around the corner, why not make...

One Minute To Midnight

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Lindermans Frambois (Belgian raspberry lambic beer)
• 0.5 oz Creme du Mures
• Lemon juice
• Sparkling rose wine
• Blackberries

To make:

• Blend Lindemans Frambois, creme de mures and a dash of lemon juice
• Top with sparkling rose
• Serve in a chilled champagne glass
• Garnis
• Enjoy!

Notes:

1. Lindemans Frambois can be replaced with any raspberry beer or ale.
   
2. Creme du Mures can be replaced with any blackberry flavoured liqueur.
3. Being from the Niagara Region, I high recommend using a Niagara Wine.
4. If you can't find a sparkling rose, you can replace with sparkling white wine. You can also do half sparkling white (for the bubbles) and half rose (for colour).
5. Creme du Mures and blackberries can be replaced with anything you like with raspberries. I've made this using blueberry and it was also good.

Make With Me- Vanilla Macchiato

Vanilla Macchiato

Ingredients:

• Espresso
• Milk
• Vanilla syrup or flavour

To make:

• Add vanilla syrup (2 teaspoons, as per the bottle of syrup I used) and steamed milk (directions below) to mug.
• Top milk with foam and add freshly brewed espresso through the foam.
• Enjoy!

Steamed milk:

• Pour 1/2 cup of milk in a 16 ounce glass jar.
• Cover jar and shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds. Milk should double in volume due to bubbles.
• Remove cover and place jar in microwave. Microwave 30-45 seconds
• Pour milk into prepared drink and spoon on the milk foam

Notes:

1. I use coffee (instant or regular, depending on my mood and how much time I have) as I don't know how to make espresso.
2. Any kind of milk can be used, including soy or almond. I have also used chocolate milk for a different flavour.
3. I have substituted vanilla syrup for caramel syrup. I have also down one teaspoon of vanilla and one teaspoon of caramel.
4. For steamed milk, I've used a cocktail shaker and then poured contents into a microwave safe container.