My HercuGlass Clear Mug is Virtually Unbreakable!

Recently I broke my one and only coffee mug.

It's not that we only have one mug, but it was the only one I used for coffee. I guess because I work from home (freelance writing) and every day is a little bit different, using the one mug brings a little bit of comfort and sanity to my often crazybusy workday.

So to prevent that from happening again, I looked to the glass experts HercuGlass and Santanoni Glass & Ceramics.

I got their best-selling Ultra-Break Resistant 13 oz. Clear Mug (pictured above), which holds enough coffee to get me through my harried mornings and is "thermal shock resistant." That means that it will stand up the usual bumps I put it through the day and won't fall apart at the drop of a hat like a reality show housewife.

Check out this amazing drop-test video and see just how much the Clear Mug can withstand!

And if your mug happens to fracture while pouring in a hot drink, HercuGlass will replace it. All you have to do is send it back to them. They will "analyze to see how it broke, so we can learn more about our process and how to improve it even more and send you a replacement." How awesome is that?!

At prices this low, you can afford to replace all your cups and glasses. I will not only do this at home, but when I open my restaurant, I'm using these almost unbreakable glasses and cups in the dining room. Why would you use anything else?

Shop the entire collection at HercuGlass and Santanoni Glass & Ceramics!

Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers Turns Your Dinner Party Into the Event of the Season

I love to entertain, but truthfully I'd rather spend my money on ingredients instead of the decorations. But I do like to spruce the place up a bit. It really needs a lift when company's coming by.

That's why my new favourite dinner party accessory is Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers.

This line of beautifully-styled vintage looking papers dresses up your table quickly and without a lot of expense. And you can choose to reuse or recycle them, meaning they'll take up less space than your Grandmother's linens.

Perfect Serving Placemats elevate your food so that everything has the feel of a fine French meal. Whether your tableware is handmade in Portugal or from Ikea, your guest will at least know where which fork goes where. And there's 50 of 'em, so that oughta get you through the summer.

And since doilies are so passe, update your look with 8" Serving Papers (pictured above).  This pad of 25 tear-off sheets means that you can use them under everything from your leek and cheese souffle appetizer to your homemade rhubarb crumble dessert.

For the food lover who's always dabbling in the kitchen, the Cook's Journal is a phenomenal gift. It has a table of contents and each recipe is numbered (space for 40-hand written dishes), with room for the ingredients and directions. With vintage images throughout, it is the most beautiful journal and an instant cookbook - just fill in the blanks and you've got your best-seller completed!

Using soy based inks & 30% recycled content, these are treasured items that make not only wonderful entertaining accompaniments, but incredibly memorable gifts too. 

Shop the entire Cake Vintage Kitchen Papers collection now. A portion of all of proceeds are donated to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Research Fund at Vanderbilt.

Celebrate William & Kate's Royal Visit with The Coaster Company!

The  Royal Couple: William & Catherine - Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting Canada. How will you celebrate and commemorate this epic event?

No one has better mementos than England's The Coaster Company!

These UK-made Royal Wedding Commemorative Products give you a wide range of photos and products to choose from.  

I think coasters are the way to go, because you get to not only see and enjoy the images, but they come in handy if you like to have a cuppa while you're at your desk or while you're watching the telly (writing about the UK has definitely brought out my English side, as you can see!).  But all of their designs are also available in placemats and mousemats as well.

And because they are so affordable, you can get a bunch for yourself and give the rest as gifts. Such a handsome couple should be displayed, shouldn't they?

The Balcony Kiss on Union Jack Background (pictured above) or without the background preserves that moment in time beautifully. Or perhaps you prefer them waving on the Palace Balcony. Leaving Westminster Abbey is a lovely shot, as is the close up of William & Kate in the Wedding Carriage.And the inclusion of the Crest on this Wedding Commemorative Coaster makes is a wonderful souvenir for Royal's fans.

For those of you who are history buffs, you'll know that according to history files, Keep Calm and Carry On was a poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of World War II.   It was intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion, but it never really caught on until its rediscovery in 2000. Since then, it's become a popular catch phrase that actually resonates well in our technologically-laden world.  So I recommend getting a Set of Six Keep Calm and Carry On Coasters  (I love that they come in a variety of colours) for yourself and then a bunch to keep on hand for gifts. You know your friends are going to love 'em as much as you do!

And for a fun take on that, be sure to get these amazing coasters: Calm Down You Can Still Marry Harry, Don't Panic There's Still One Prince Left, Don't Panic You Can Still Marry Pippa and I'm Just Wild About Harry.

Shop The Coaster Comapny's entire collection and commemorate the Royal Visit with something that you'll actually use and you can actually afford (take that, overpriced coins or plates). 

Obol Keeps Your Cereal From Getting Soggy

I am very sensitive to the texture of food. I don't like that stringy feeling of overcooked shrimp or anything that's mushy (you should see how hard the nectarines I buy are). 

So I can understand the desire to keep your crunchy cereal from turning into pudding. Especially if you eat like puffed wheat, that seems to soften as soon as it hits the milk.

That's why you've got to get yourself the Obol. It keeps everything separate until you're ready to pull it together. And nothing says you've got to use it only for cereal - soup and crackers, chips and dip, it works for so many things! In fact, why don't you send me a tweet or leave a comment here or on my facebook page to what you're going to use yours for?

If you're like most people, you'll be happy with the Obol in CreamWhite. But why not add a splash of colour with the new Lime & Tangerine Obols? Ooh, they're fun. And all are available as of June 1st at Brookstone.

As a restaurant reviewer and food writer, it's important to me that the textures of food be the way they're intended. And my Obol lets me blend the ingredients together at my leisure.

Now that's customized!

Get yourself some Obols now and put an end to soggy cereal once and for all.

Desperate for Vim, Vitality and Vigour? Get It All with EatStrong Snacks!

 

I am desperate need of some extra energy,

I know you feel the same. My to-do list is teetering with items yet to be crossed off, laundry is done but not put away and where did that new basket of dirty clothes come from? That's just the beginning, so I need to ramp things up and eat food that is full of energy to help get me through these frenetic days/weeks/months.

And something quick and easy and that doesn't taste like wallpaper would be great.

After months of searching, I am thrilled to have found EatStrong.

Founder Sophie Pachella created a fresh new line of "honestly healthy snacks." Yep, this is the real deal - good food that fills you up. 

Take the EatStrong Trail Mix, for instance. It is a surefire way to keep low blood sugar crashes at bay and to get you through those tough crunch times where you don't have time to eat, but you've got to have something. Vitamins, minerals, omega-3s and fiber abound in this delightful mix of almonds, cashews, flax seeds, pistachios, sunflower seeds and walnuts. Ooh, it's tasty and filling. Oh, and to keep your sweet tooth at bay, Sophie's popped in some organic cacao chocolate drops, so you won't have to give into the lunch room vending machine anymore. Phew!

And if I need a quick meal or snack on the go, I prefer EatStrong Energy Bars to those supermarket ones that are supposedly "healthy," but you and I both know how laden with fat and sugar they are.

This soft bar of  finely crushed flax, sunflower and hemp seeds is only 230 calories, but it will keep you going for hours on end.  Again, some organic chocolate drops have been added in to satiate you. According to Sophie, this blend of amino acids, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants will "increase metabolic function, fortify muscles and promote lean body mass."

 

It's practically a workout in a bar. Practically.

Life is sometimes too busy to stop and eat well. At least eat well on the run. 

 

Get EatStrong now.

Clancy's Fancy Hot Sauces are a Gourmand's Dream!

Hot sauces almost always deliver heat without much flavour.

It takes quite a bit of searching and tasting before you come across one that really stands out with flavours that penetrate your food and palate.

Created by Colleen Clancy, this sauce is like no other that you've ever had. It is fresh and full-bodied, savory with meaty, umami wickedness. It's no wonder, with ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, Michigan honey, wheat-free tamari, fresh garlic, cayenne peppers and molasses. I've had "gourmet" hot sauces before, but never anything with this kind of culinary pedigree.

There are 3 heat levels - Mild, Hot and Extra Hot - and I love each and every one equally. The Mild delivers a very mild heart but so much flavour that I've been covering much of my plates with it when I don't feel like anything spicy. When I'm in the mood for some heat, I turn it up a notch with Hot, which has some, but a very bearable amount of kick. The Extra Hot packs a wallop, but you still get so much flavour that it's just as addictive as the rest. I don't quite have my palate developed to handle the heat of this one, but I'm working on it!

I have to say that I want to carry a bottle around in my purse with me so that I'm never without it. It's making food without it seem like less than. Oh god, have I turned into one of those people who carries around her hot sauce like a crazy person?

Yes, I think I have folks.

And it's all Clancy's Fancy's fault.

Colleen, thank you so much for such a wonderful flavour journey each time I have one of your sauces. It is truly remarkable. It's also remarkable that I really don't like to have anything without a hit of your magic wonder in a bottle either. Bad news for someone that eats for a living.

p.s. If you're smart, you'll become a Clancy's Fan as I did.

Pack the Prettiest Lunch with Urban Harmonie's Reusable Lunchbags

For a short while, I actually went to an office instead of working here at my desk at the end of my bed.

Working outside the home has many challenges that don't occur here - there's the commute, people other than your cat to talk to and lunch options.

At home, I eat whenever and make whatever, depending upon my time and mood. When you work in an office, you have limited options. And where I was working, there wasn't much around to choose from, so I packed my lunch.

The problem I had was:

1. I could never find a bag cute enough to carry, so I ended up using ugly plastic bags

2. I could never find one big enough to hold my various containers of carrots, crackers, salads and whatever else I trucked in to hold me over for the day

So you can imagine my immense delight when I happened upon Urban Harmonie!

Made with the environment in mind, these delightful lunch bags and snack bags do not contain PVC, phthalates, BPA, lead or formaldehyde. Creator Vicki Davidson says, "The loops and handles on the lunch bags are made from our scrap fabric, we reuse old buttons  and we use only Kraft boxes and envelopes for shipping which can either be reused or recycled."

 

The fabric used are quality quilting cottons "coated to create a durable, water-resistant, easy to clean surface." The interior of the bags use Pro Care Barrier Fabric.  This makes it waterproof and extremely durable. And to clean your sweet l'il bag, you simply need only wipe it with a cloth and hang it to dry!

And let's talk about these fabrics, because you won't find anything cuter than In The City, Kittens and Fun Times. If you like patterns, you'll swoon for Avocado Damask, Lotus and Retro Wave.

The detail and care of these Canadian-made bags is extraordinary. Aside from the fun fabrics, you then have to think about what size you need. Do you want a strap, loop or both? Do you like it short, tall or bento shaped? There is so much to choose from!

I went with the truly awesome Pop Art Tall Boxed Lunch Bag (pictured above). I am a huge Roy Lichtenstein fan, so this bag makes me very, very happy. It also allows me to pack a whack of food (which let's face it, as a food writer, I'm not subsisting on grapes alone...). There is also an insert included, a little bamboo fibre tray that fits perfectly into the bottom, giving the bag a smidge more stability and strength. I also like that it gives a very flat bottom so that my various eats don't slip and slide while I'm navigating my way through subway crowds, etc. The insert is made without chemicals or fertilizers and does not absorb liquids or fibres. When you're done with it, place it in your compost. It will degrade 45-90 later.

I'll let you in on a little secret. Even though I'm back at home, I still pack my lunch in this cutie. And now I take food with me wherever I happen to go.

Because a bag this cute should not be left at home where no one can see or enjoy it.

Shop the entire Urban Harmonie Collection now.

Savory Baking by Mary Cech Satifies My Salt Tooth

I don't have a sweet tooth. In fact, I've always preferred pickles and chicken pot pies to cupcakes and candy bars.

So when I found Savory Baking: Warm and Inspiring Recipes for Crisp, Crumbly, Flaky Pastries, I was thrilled - finally a book of baked good recipes that I'll actually be able to eat!

Developed by Mary Cech, one of America's top pastry chefs, there are 75 recipes here that will work with whatever event you're planning:

- Quick breads that are actually quick (thank you!) such as Sour Cream and Dill Muffins and Shallot Crepe Rollups Filled with Fresh Carrot-Ginger Salad work as phenomenal brunch items as well as dinner party nibblies.

- For lunch or dinner, Seafood Strudel and Baked Pomodoro Dumplings on an Olive Salad from the Flaked Pastries section really rev up my usually boring workweek menus.

- The Rustic Section is one of my favourites. Comfort food gets a modern twist with dishes such as  Creamy Sweet Corn and Prosciutto Crisp and Chicken Dijon Brown Betty here. Mmm!

- Sesame Eclairs with Honey-Soy Asparagus and Smoked Bacon Beignets from Pastries with Puff are restaurant worthy offerings that will work in your teeny home kitchen too.

- There are also Cookies and The Side Show (condiments, etc.) sections.

And there is a comprehensive section at the front that includes all the tools and tricks you need to know about baking. Something I really appreciate, as I am still such a novice baker.

This cookbook fulfills a niche and need that caters to those of us who prefer pretzels to truffles. With these innovative recipes that fit into my ultra modern lifestyle, it was definitely worth the wait.

Order your copy now.

The Secret to Mouth-Watering Meals? Olivado Oils

This week, I took my 4 book clubs to a restaurant I'd chosen to go with the book we'd just read. The restaurant serves Southern Italian cuisine and the simplest foods were made extraordinary by their exquisite olive oil. Plain bread and sauteed kale were no longer plain.

And that's the difference great olive oil makes.

One of the best I've tried , and now my go-to brand, is Olivado.

The proof was dinner last week. I started a new project that I worked on all day and left me exhausted at night. As much as I wanted to make something memorable, I couldn't tend to anything too complicated. So I roasted chicken, made some rice and broiled some asparagus I'd tossed with Olivado Avocado Oil. Out of all the items, despite marinating the organic, free-run chicken and adding exotic spices to the rice, it was the asparagus that my fiance fell for. And it being January, the asparagus certainly wasn't in season or at its peak. The flavour came from the oil.

So when I made steak a few nights later and rubbed ------ on it, it was the oil that brought it to life.

Olivado Avocado Oil is excellent for high heat cooking (it has one of the highest smoke points at 250) and enhances your dishes instead of overpowering them. It is rich in chlorophylls that reduce your risk of cancer and all the vitamin E helps reduce incidences of cardiovascular disease.

It contains no trans fats or cholesterol and is high in monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

In case that's not exciting enough, consider that Olivado Avocado Oil meets the Heart & Stroke Fountain Health Check Criteria, has 10 times more chlorophyll than olive oil and has twice as much beta-sitosterol than olive oil, which reduces cholesterol absorption in the body.

I am hooked for life on Olivado Avocado Oil. Their Avocado Zest Oil too If you are on a raw diet or want another oil with a high smoke point (410), try their Macadamia Nut Oil. Olivado Omega Plus Oil is a great all-purpose oil that is a blend of cold-pressed, extra virgin avocado, olive and flaxseed oils.

These rich oils are so flavourful and fresh that you'll be looking for any excuse to have them. I'm making homemade dressings, marinades and roasting vegetables left, right and centre just to envelop myself in Olivado's fine flavours.

If you want to take your food to the next level, get yourself Olivado Oils.

The Emile Henry Lightweight Flame-Top Stewpot Is a Cook's Dream!

Cooking is one of my joys in life and how I relax, but thanks to carpal tunnel, it can be tough.

Chopping and tossing can really wreak havoc on my hands, but it's about the tools too. I've never had any ceramic cookware - what I deem essential in any cook's kitchen - because they are all way too heavy. I have spent the last 2 decades trying to find cookware that can go both on top of the stove and inside the oven and that I can actually lift. Each season, I truck on out to the kitchen supply stores, lifting various pots and brands, hoping for something can manage. Until now, I have been using 2 pots to cook one dish - a pot on the stove and then a pot in the oven.

That is, until I discovered Emile Henry's Flame-Top Stewpot.

It is a full 30% lighter than all cast iron, which makes it perfect for me or those with arthritis (46 million folks suffer from arthritis and related conditions) and other ailments.

Made from Burgundy Clay, it feels solid, but never unwieldy. And because it's easy to handle - lug handles are easy to grip, even if you're wearing BBQ/oven mitts - I use it all the time! Even with your ingredients filled up inside, it is still manageable to get from oven to tabletop with ease.

Ahhh.

You can make everything in it from soup to cornbread and even use it on the grill ("Unlike metal cookware, the flame-top pot can sit on a very hot open flame, empty, for an extended period of time and it won’t crack, discolor or break.").

As you may know, I love comfort dishes, such as One Pot Dinners. And this is the perfect dish for them. In addition to the clay offering a gentle, even cook, the raised dots on the lid's interior allow the juices to stay in with the food, so you get an exceptional roast, casserole, etc with tender, moist meat.

And just look at how much food I was able to get into the pot (pictured below) - there's 4 chicken legs in here, plus vegetables, wine and stock!

Other than how beautifully it cooks everything, I am thrilled with how easy it is to clean. It's naturally non-stick, so you don't have to scrub it, just simply wipe with soap and water. Or go ahead and throw it in the dishwasher, if you like.

You can use the Flame-Top on gas, electric, halogen, barbeque grills and in the microwave. And here's your holiday saving grace - you can take it from the freezer or fridge right into the oven! 

[Play celebratory angelic choral music here]

I had no idea such an amazing product existed. I can now live like regular folks, cooking up a storm, thanks to Emile Henry's Flame-Top Collection.

Shop it now.

Get Organized with Rubbermaid's NEW Modular Canisters

My kitchen is ram-jammed with so much stuff, I can barely move in there without knocking something over.

So when I heard about Rubbermaid's NEW Modular Canisters, I was over the moon - they provide 48% more storage in 31% less space vs. standard canisters!

Which means I can actually buy the pantry items I need and keep things on hand for cooking. 

And who wants everything in cardboard boxes? There was a recent magazine feature article and cover story about Jamie Lee Curtis and her organizing style - she takes as many things out of their boxes and containers and labels containers similar to these, which she feels gives an uncluttered look. I agree!

I got the 8 piece set - perfect for my tiny kitchen.

The canisters keep everything super fresh, so instead of clipping the top of your coffee bean bag or rolling down the cereal bag (we all know that doesn't help), you will never have stale food that you have to throw out. Ever.

 

I really like the size. You have a range from small to large to choose from, so you can store everything from spaghetti to tea bags and grains in bulk. 

I love that you can drop them and they won't break like glass canisters (we have ceramic tile floors in our kitchen!). And I love that finally my pantry looks good and I can see everything and find it in an instant.

Oh, and let's talk about how easy Rubbermaid makes it for you to stay organized:

• One lid fits all containers

• Lid snaps tight to base for a secure seal

• Space Efficient: Stack smartly (side by side), saving space in your pantry

• Clear base to easily see what is stored inside

• Comfortable grip allows you to handle container with ease

• Graduation Marks make measuring easy

• Rectangular, slim design maximizes shelf space

• Dishwasher Safe

Rubbermaid Modular Canisters are the best designed I've ever seen - and sooo affordable. 

If you've been looking for something to finally get that kitchen of yours organized, this might just be the thing that turns it around!

p.s. And who says you can only use them for the kitchen? I'm recommending them to my Mom for her sewing room and my father-in-law for his garage. I think they'd be great in every room actually. Oh, see what's happening here? Once you start seeing the simplicity of organizing like this, it's catching!

Create Beautiful, Memorable Meals with Heart of the Artichoke

You probably know David Tanis one of two ways:

- by his critically-acclaimed book A Platter of Figs and Other Recipes

- as the chef at Chez Panisse for over 25 years

His new book, Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys, takes you through the seasons in a very personal way. David gives you not just superb recipes, but the stories behind them. He also gives you help along the way - the squid lesson alone is invaluable.

There is much to love about this cookbook:

- For one, it is uncluttered. It has beautiful photos and lots of white space, so it is easy to read (and follow) the recipes within.    

- Secondly, his chapter on Rituals what many of us want in food writing - personal moments and stories that we'll remember and share with friends - except perhaps the tripe!  

- And as someone who loves to throw dinner parties, I have to thank David for creating wonderfully rich, yet simple seasonal menus that allow me to cook a fabulous meal without having to spend 85 hours pouring over cookbooks, my recipe binders and scrolling online trying to assemble a chic dinner for friends. 

- There are recipes for small, medium and large groups, so you can cook to the number of people, without having to quadruple recipes (that never works) or do hard math (how could you have forgotten how to add fractions at this young age?).

- You can actually make the stuff here. It's not the highfalutin dishes of a world-renowned celebrity chef, but down to earth plates that you can absolutely make. Even things that I would have considered hard to make like Italian Spice Cake and Flat-Roasted Chicken with Rosemary are easy here (p.s.I have 4 recipes for flat-roasted chicken and never has it been as easy as just removing the breastbone and pushing down on the breastbone. This is life-changing!).

Get the book and finally pull it together every night. You can, thanks to Heart of the Artichoke.

Which menu will you make tonight - Cooking for Tomorrow Today (terrine, duck confit, salad, homemade bread and spiced pears) or Dead-of-Winter Dinner from the Supermarket (salad, steak, potato gratin, broiled pineapple)?

Mmm...

Make Pizza & Other Baked Goods Just Like the Pros With Super Peel!

I am in a baking competition tomorrow night even though I am a complete novice when it comes to cookies, cakes and assorted baked goods (cooking, however, I can handle).

What I've learned about baking so far is that it is about the tools you use as much as the ingredients you use.

So when I saw the Super Peel, I knew I had to add it to my pantry.

The Super Peel allows you to move your dough - whether it's a pizza crust, olive foccacia or a loaf of cheddar cheese bread - easily to and from the oven.

As you know, dough can be extremely sticky, so why fumble on your own when the Super Peel can handle it like a pro for you?  As it states on the website, "It can pick up almost any dough, even if partially stuck to your preparation surface, transport it, and then put it down again, gently and precisely, exactly where you want it, all without sticking, distortion of shape, ripping, deflation or other common problem."

I am just starting to understand baking and I think it is difficult enough to just combine everything just right without having to worry about dropping the dough or getting it stuck on something.  Ugh.

Thanks to a solid board, a contoured handle for an easy grip and an easy finish that allows you to transport your baked goods with ease, you can become an expert home baker in no time!  

And plus, it so much fun to use (don't be surprised if you start singing, "Mamma Mia, Pizzeria, la, la, la, la la...Hey!")

If you bake at all, I highly recommend buying the Super Peel.  

Ooh, it makes a great gift too.

Mother's Best Cookbook - Comfort Food, Just Like Mom Used to Make

If I could only have one kind of food for the rest of my life, it would have to be comfort food.

So when I saw the new release, Mother's Best: Comfort Food That Takes You Home Again by Lisa Schroeder with Danielle Centoni, I knew this was my new go-to dinner bible.

Lisa is Chef/Owner of Mother's Bistro & Bar and Mama Mia Trattoria in Portland, Oregon. 

What I think is amazing about her story is that she switched careers at the age of 35 and enrolled at The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park (follow your dreams, people!). And it's clear this is what she is meant to do.

Not just the restaurants, but choosing to serve comfort food of all things.

And that's how the book was born, she says:

"I have gathered many of the best recipes from my two restaurants into this book and seasoned them generously with advice gleaned from all my years behind the stove. Like the restaurants from which it evolved, this book pays homage to mothers and their cuisine from around the world."

Lisa goes onto explain that she takes these classic recipes and adds the "love" - instead of a can of mushroom soups, she makes a mushroom sauce, instead of margarine, she uses butter.

Just like you'd do at home.

And while I can't wait to try all 150 recipes, I was so pleased to read through the "Love Notes," where Lisa tells how she does it up - canned garbanzo beans instead of dried (surprise!), choosing bones for stock (the meatier, the better) and why she prefers C&H brown sugar. There is so much education in these lovely sections. It will no doubt change the way you shop, prepare and cook dinner. It has for me!

So what do you feel like making? Appetizers, soups and salads, main courses, sides, breakfast, sandwiches, desserts and/or baked goods?

The 60 mouth-watering, full-color photographs will probably help sway you a bit.  

Mmm, how can you resist Mama's Italian Chopped Salad? And Salmon Chowder is perfect on chilly days such as this!

Pot Roast, Mother's Beef Brisket  Grandma Mary's Meatballs and Sunday Gravy are the ultimate Sunday dinners, and Coq Au Vin is one of my favourite meals of all time.

I can't wait to try the $15,000 Crab Cakes with Creole Mustard Sauce - how can they not be better than my current recipe?   And one of my favourite all-time restaurant meals was caribou and Spaetzle - I would love to create that at home! And for those of you mac & cheese fiends (I'm talking to you, Mum!), there's an entire section, including different variations. Ooh, that's going to be a fall and winter stand-by, I just know it!

And the Breakfast and Dessert sections are so decadent, I'll let you discover those on your own. I don't want to ruin the surprise...

Look, there are a ton of cookbooks out there. I know. I review 'em. But you've gotta make room for this one. 

Because every home deserves comfort food made with love.

It's as simple as that.

Buy Mother's Best.

Fuel Up the Healthy Way with Larabar

Like many of you, I strive to eat a balanced diet every day.

But truthfully, my schedule has been all over the place lately and so eating 3 solid home-cooked meals a day isn't working out so much.

Realistically, I am on the go a lot and so either I skip eating something until I get home (ooh, bad food writer!) or I stop and get something I don't want or isn't good for me (like a bowl of manufactured soup) or a sandwich (which I really only eat because you can consume it while walking - the worst kind of eating, no?!).

I want to eat better, but it's hard when you don't know when the next time you'll have a break in the day.

That's why my new go-to snack is LÄRABARS.

While they are not a meal replacement, these nutritious - and delicious - bars are a healthy snack that gets me through the day.

This blend of unsweetened fruits, nuts and spices is made from 100% whole food, so you don't have to worry about added sweeteners, fillers, supplements or flavours. The ingredients are all things that you know and can pronounce, and the bars are no only good for you, but they are gluten, dairy and soy free, as well as non-GMO, vegan and kosher.

And here's the best part - loading your body with vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, good carbs and healthy fats is actually really tasty, thanks to LÄRABAR's awesome ingredient combinations and flavours!

You don't have to consume energy bars that taste like sawdust or wet kleenex anymore, and you don't have to feel guilty about having Key Lime Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Lemon Bar or one of their new flavours such as Chocolate Chip Brownie.

Each bar contains less than 8 ingredients, so you can power up healthily whether you're running for your flight or trying to power through your to-do list.

LÄRABARs were made for you and I.

No guilt, just goodness.

Ahh, that's better.

Order a whack of 'em now and get on with your day.

Boost Your Energy With Super-Charged Smoothies!

As soon as the warm weather arrives, I cannot get enough of smoothies.

They are a delicious, filling way to not only cool down, but max out on fruits and vegetables.

I like them because it's an easy way to consume lots of fruit without having to do a lot of prep.

But buying them on the go can be awfully expensive. Sometimes it's almost $7 for just one.

Better to make them at home.

That's why you should get yourself a copy of Super-Charged Smoothies: More Than 60 Recipes for Energizing Smoothies.

And you need a guide, because although I'm sure you can make a basic blend of fruit, juice and ice, you'll want to know how to maximize your smoothies with "the nutrient-packed, disease-fighting, life-changing superfoods that promote energy and vitality," as authors (and twin sisters!) Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford illustrate.

You'll be able to cater your smoothies to your lifestyle and dietary needs. Want more energy but in a truly unique blend? Thai Bubble Tea Slush is a fun and exciting way to add zest and vigour to your day. Need more probiotics in your diet? Sippin' on Jasmine Honey Lassi oughtta do it!

I like that there's a whole section dedicated to ailments, so if you're suffering from nausea or arthritis, there's a smoothie that will help.

There is a section especially for kids and then for the adults only, alcoholic concoctions such as Cucumber Sake-Tinis and Orange Whiskey Sours that will delight your summer dinner party guests.

And a really comprehensive section on binders and ingredients shows you how to use and incorporate each into your smoothies. You'll learn about intriguing products such as agave nectar, Irish moss, cacao nibs and bee pollen. And use the hottest new items such as Kombucha, matcha powder and goji berries to give you the energy you need to get through your busy day.

Stop wasting your money on mass-made smoothies filled with sugars and fillers and make your own exciting blends at home!

Thanks to Mary Corpening Barber and Sara Corpening Whiteford, you can now get the energy you've been craving, in a healthy, convenient drink.

Just in time, too. We've still got a couple of months of hot weather ahead of us!

Green Mountain Coffee's Donut House Collection is the Perfect Way to Start Your Day

We looove our Keurig Coffee Maker. I wrote about ours back in 2008 and we still cherish it as much as the day it arrived.

Why?

Because it not only makes a damn good cuppa coffee, but the best tea in the world too. Whenever we have guests over, they remark at how delicious their drink is and almost always request a second cup.

Our Keurig Single-Cup Brewing System uses K-Cups and I've just discovered Green Mountain Coffee's Donut House Collection. It includes:

- Donut House Coffee
- Donut House Decaf
- Chocolate Glazed Donut
- Cinnamon Roll

Not only is the one of the most delicious cups of coffee you'll have, but you get the enjoyment of a donut and cinnamon roll without all the fat and added calories.

I told you it was a great way to start your day!

Be Super Stylin' in the Kitchen With Sugar Baby Aprons

Just because you've got your arms covered in flour and you're cooking up five splattering dishes all at once doesn't mean you don't still want to look pretty in the kitchen.

That's where Sugar Baby Aprons comes in!

Creator Marla Fortier wanted to honour the homemaker and her importance in our lives,
"Sugar Baby Aprons was created to help us remember just how important that person is." But it's not just that. Marla says, "[W]e want to put the fun back into cooking. We want to help put the sparkle back into housekeeping, the flare into entertaining and of course... the sexy back into the housewife..."

Well, it doesn't get any sexier than the Sugarbaby Classic (pictured above). This thick red beauty is Lucille Ball, Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor all in one! It's not only damn pretty, but the sturdy cloth soaks up spills as you go!

For those of you with a sweet tooth, I think you're going to want The Domestic Darling Pink Cupcakes - just look at the amazing detailing: jaunty bow in the front, heart-shaped top and scalloped-edged bottom. Too cute, right?

And I'm loving The French Maid Black Polka Dots number -I feel like a superstar diva and someone who can conquer a 7-layer cake in this baby!

It doesn't get much more feminine than The Party Girl Vintage Collection Pink Polka Dots with Black Sash. Frilly, frothy and oh-so-pretty, don't be surprised if you never want to take it off.

All Sugar Baby products are 100% Canadian made and 100% delicious, so you might just end up in the kitchen because you have a beautiful, fun and original apron awaiting you! And every apron comes with a pretty pink tote and a recipe card from their forthcoming cookbook for brides.

p.s. These aprons make fantastic gifts. I've already thought of 8 gals that I want to give them to...

The Potluck Survival Guide Comes to the Rescue

Cherie Kimmons' PotluckSurvival Guide: Care & Feeding of the Athletic Supporter is a most unusual cookbook indeed.

First of all, it's a collection of recipes to feed a hungry bunch, whether it's the church choir or your son's baseball team.

Secondly, the recipes are accessible, often relying on a box of cake mix or canned soup. In other words, they are made for real people with schedules that have us running off out feet but who still want to put a good dinner on the table.

Thirdly, the recipes don't contain 25 ingredients so that you have to constantly shop or spend money. You can whip up tasty meals with whole chapters dedicated to appetizers, breakfast, entrees, soups and sandwiches, side dishes, salads and desserts.

And lastly, the book is printed in orange and purple ink, which makes it fun and colourful, unlike your usual straight-ahead, boring cookbooks.

So toss together a quick meal tonight.

How about Healthy Taco Soup, Chicken Pot Pie, Mediterranean Couscous Salad and Chocolate Chip Treasure Cookies?

Order your copy now.

Put Pork on Yer Fork with Bacon Hot Sauce!

I think it's safe to say that bacon has taken over the food world.

And I have to say that as an extreme meat eater, this couldn't please me more!

So when I heard about Bacon Hot Sauce, I was pretty excited. I mean, now you can have bacon with your eggs without having to cook up bacon and deal with all that greasy mess. You can add a bacony heat to your homemade chili, meatloaf, potatoes, wings, whatever you've got goin' on in the kitchen.

It's got a smokiness that you won't get from bacon alone, and what's remarkable is not only that a little goes a long way, but there isn't actually any bacon in it, so vegetarians can enjoy the bacon flavours without compromising their values.

And for those of your watching your waistlines, you'd be please to know that a serving size (1 teaspoon) has 0 calories, 0g fat and 0g carbohydrates.

I have put it on my pasta, roast chicken, grilled vegetables and pretty much anything I make or bring home, and it always adds that extra oomph to my food that I crave.

I was thinking it would even be great on dark chocolate and in a Bloody Caesar!

If you love bacon as much as I do, you'll want to get yourself some Bacon Hot Sauce. While you're at it, get some for your friends as well.

After all, it's much too good to keep to yourself.