Category Archives: Healthy Living

Jun
09
2013

Got Something to Give?

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I’ve written about this project before but it’s so mind boggling, and I’m so proud of my dear friend, I have to mention it again. It’s a project about a little ‘ol 2100 nautical mile ocean voyage- powered by 2 amazing ladies ROWING from Monterey Bay, CA to Honolulu, HI. Yeah. Just a little trip, right? It’s officially called The Great Pacific Race. Visit their site and take a few minutes to watch them on Global TV’s AM/BC! They’re stars! They’re sensational!

Friday night saw their ONE YEAR launch party and it really put things into perspective for me. I watched my friend Rebecca introduce herself to everyone, give a fantastic speech and open up the audiences eyes to what is actually involved in this dream journey. I guess until now it just seemed something in the distance- this cool unbelievable thing somebody I knew, was going to do. Now it’s reality and as that sets in, I get more proud every day to know such an amazing woman. If this strikes a chord in you, or you want to help them get a step closer to their dream- every bit helps. No matter what you give- it will be welcomed AND appreciated.

PS If you want to know how they’re going to go to the bathroom on a 22 foot row boat over the course of 60+ days (it’s the #1 question they get asked….) visit their site.

berger

Jun
05
2013

Paws for a Cause

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paws for causeIt’s that time of year. The BCSPCA Paws for a Cause Walk is coming up in September. I’ll be walking in Aslan’s memory, and for my sweet Little Ben still by my side. Please donate what you can to this organization that fights tirelessly for animal rights and welfare, and for the simple love a fur-friend brings to our lives.

DONATE HERE.

Much love and thanks,

Chere & Benny

RIP Aslan :-)

Jun
04
2013

Things I’m Excited About #19

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I may have already sung the praises of coconut oil but I’m doing it again. This stuff is bloody amazing. Aside from smelling like a REAL coconut, it’s a wonder oil because you can use it not only in cooking, but on your body and in your hair! Eat a few tablespoons a day, use in your cooking, makes a great lube for sex (I’ve yet to find out if sperm-friendly so if you’re TTC, hold off until you ask your doc),  and attacks yeast and other beasties living ‘down there’. Of course coconut oil isn’t to take the place of regular medical care, yadda-yadda, BUT it’s a great all-purpose NATURAL product to have on hand. I use right after the shower when skin is slightly damp and it absorbs a bit slower than a body butter, but trust me, you’ll be left with no oily residue. Great for cuts and burns too- I did a number on my ear from my flat iron and coconut oil is healing it up nicely.

I'm in heaven....

I’m in heaven….

Do NOT get anything but organic, virgin coconut oil. Yes, there is a difference. It should be a lovely white color and slightly translucent on edges. It will mold well to any container you put it in and is creamy; instantly turning to oil on your skin. It will have a light, fresh coconut scent that is nothing like a mass-produced coconut smell you may be used to. I love Nutiva stuff, and their coconut oil is no exception! **TIP: Get a good amount in your hair, work through it, all to the ends, twist hair up, or stick a shower cap on and apply heat. Shampoo out. Wow. You’re beautiful**

Something else I’m excited about? Vancouver’s got a new thing going: GREEN BIN PROGRAM. I received my bin the other day and tore through all the literature provided. This means my ‘hood in East Van will have garbage pick up every 2 weeks and Green Bin (including yard waste) and recyclables EVERY WEEK. It’s about time Vancouver! I’m not blessed with a yard now to compost, so this is the next best thing. I learned, while reading the pamphlet, “food scraps make up approximately 40% of our city’s residential garbage.” That’s huge. There’s really no reason for citizens to not embrace this. With garbage pick up every 2 weeks now, and the fact you need a sticker that costs money for an EXTRA bag of garbage, people really have no choice. This is a program long overdue. Am I a geek for being this excited?

I’m doing No Junk June. There’s no link to that cause it’s made up :-) Thank you Nickel for tossing the name at me as I mused, “OK you had Meatless May, what can I do for June?” as we drove over the bridge one day. It’s perfect. I’m not a huge junk-food eater BUT I have been known to say indulge in some chips (like a whole bag in one sitting) or a few too many chocolates at work from a wonderful Client…It’s time for me to eat more fruits & veggies. I am a vegetarian after all. Wait, I’m a damn good one….but there’s always room for improvement, right?

Love, CM

May
29
2013

I LOVE being a Vegetarian!

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A couple of days ago I posted a recipe on Facebook for Tofu Meatballs. I had all the ingredients, surprisingly, and decided to make them as soon as I got home tonight. I’ve been needing a meatball in my life since The Worlds Best Meatless Meatball (PC) can’t get their act together, and had high hopes for this recipe.

The recipe DID NOT disappoint. There is definitely some tweaking I personally need to do as I found the recipe just a tad too bland and dry, but I believe the base ingredients of walnuts, tofu and bread crumbs is absolutely perfect! I followed the recipe exactly but found I needed more moisture to actually form the mixture into balls. I added extra Braggs and H2O. Next time I will up the sage, oregano and basil as I barely got a hint with each bite. It made me want MORE.

The meatballs not yet cooked...

The meatballs not yet cooked…

Now I was in a rush to eat so I basically did not simmer the balls in a sauce, but quickly tossed in a sweet marinara I had on hand and served over rice, thus I got a kinda dry ball feeling. I highly recommend making the balls ahead of time and allowing them to simmer a bit in the sauce of your choosing.

...and cooked....

…and cooked….

I loved the texture though and found them amazingly filling. I used the food processor for the walnuts so they were very fine, as well as the bread crumbs (toasted and seasoned bread I made into crumbs). I think this is a really great BASE for a nutritious “meat”ball and I plan to tweak the recipe until I’m totally satisfied. For a first go though? Damn tasty.

Perhaps a red dish wasn't the best choice...

Perhaps a red dish wasn’t the best choice…

For those that want the recipe, I’ll also write it on the Recipes page! Thanks for sharing “Healthier Steps!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apr
29
2013

Who Says You Can’t Go Back?

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So I took a week off. Nickel and I hopped in his jeep, and headed for the Island….OK, nothing so exotic as the Caribbean and Hawaiian Islands, but it IS a desirable location by many! We were off to visit my folks on the Wild, Wet Coast of Vancouver Island in a small village named Gold River. If you’ve followed me for a while now, the place won’t be unfamiliar to you as I’ve blogged about it before. I don’t think Nickel really believed me when I said there was no cell phone reception…luckily however, iMessage works to a fellow iPhone so I wasn’t cut off completely! *phew* (Hey, I had important stuff to do like keep up to date on friends lives and check on my little man Ben).

The enchanting forest that makes up Peppercorn Park

The enchanting forest that makes up Peppercorn Park

There isn’t much to do in GR but relax….sleep in until 9 am…sit in the glorious sun, eat great food, bask in even better company and battle it out in the evenings playing Saskatchewan Rummy. Yeah. Good times.

I noticed something while I was at my folks house however- about nutrition. I’ve stopped eating anything with the additive ‘carageenan‘ in it. I found it in my soy milk of the past and because of not being able to find a palatable carageenan-free replacement, I opted to go to Almond Milk. Now, at the time, little did I know finding an almond milk without this nasty little ingredient would prove to be JUST AS TOUGH! Anyway, I finally did but at my parents place, they had Almond Breeze in the fridge. (Now Mom, I know you’re reading this and DO NOT FEEL BAD- you didn’t know!) Almond Breeze has carageenan and without realizing it, I began to ingest it again and immediately felt the effects. It wreaks havoc on my digestive system. Maybe there isn’t a whole lot of data to back it up quite yet, but the studies that are out there, and using my own elimination trial- I firmly believe there is no place for this in my personal diet. I’m shocked at all the milk replacements that have it in it, and am saddened by the lack of choice. I’m not alone in this either- there are a ton of other blogs out there talking about the problems carageenan  causes. With so many people not being able to tolerate lactose, and the switch to dairy replacements, something really needs to be done to ensure we’re getting the best possible product. Really, making your own almond milk is the way to go….And contrary to what you may think you DO NOT need a barrel full of almonds! (I like the above recipe best. It’s simple and simple is good).

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Kickin’ back…

Check out what’s in YOUR fridge. If you have any kind of sensitivities or bowel/tummy problems what have you got to lose by simply eliminating carageenan? You might just thank me for it.

I’m afraid that’s it for me. I have a ton of stuff on my mind, unfortunately I need to de-stress from my 1st day back to work and dig deep to remember why exactly I’m fighting the solidarity fight again….

Until next time. Love with all your heart.

 

 

 

Apr
09
2013

It’s Been A Long Time, baby…

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It’s been ages since I wrote a post and yes. I’m feeling a bit bad about that. Emails are coming in and people are asking ‘what’s up?’ As usual, I have no real, concrete answer. Wondering how long I can use the excuse that life is what’s happening…and I’m a procrastinator. What can I say?

Some things have me thinking and excited at the moment though and of course I need to share. Do I have enough stuff to call it a “Things I’m Excited About” post? I don’t know….some are merely observations.

Number one thing I’m stoked about? A weekend getaway to Rock Water Secret Cove Resort this weekend! I didn’t even know this little gem existed- but I’m so glad to have found it. I don’t care if it rains- I’m still walking on the beach in my rubber boots and sitting on the veranda of our own little cabin with a glass of wine in hand. Nothing can take the pleasure of a weekend away in a NEW place at a time when I need it…fabulous company, a new experience and memories to last. Sounds divine. (and we’ll be discovering Sechelt too!) This is an early birthday present for me- and this year, 2013, is a year I’ve decided to acknowledge my age and my birthday and hopefully embrace the moment.

I made a decision a while back to make 2013 The Year of Chere. Through positive thinking, affirmations and keeping myself surrounded with those I love, I’m looking forward to great things happening. I still have moments of sadness, twinges…but I think we all do, in some way- I look back on where I’ve come from, what’s shaped me to be who I am, and what I hope to have happen down the road. Anything is possible isn’t it? Be what you want, see what you need and enjoy. “God” knows I’m trying to accept I deserve good things to happen to me…and with the love I have in my life- I can feel the change.

A very good friend told me yesterday to get back into “seeing” and believing what I want. To picture your life, as you want it, before you go to bed…hold the images tight, use all your senses and feel the images…Affirmations. Positive Energy. Whatever you want to call it. I used to do this on a regular basis and for whatever reasons, I stopped. No more stopping dammit- I’m STARTING AGAIN.

Next up? I’m going home. Home is on Vancouver Island….I’ve blogged about Gold River before. For those readers who were fortunate to grow up in a small town, you know it never really gets out of your system. No matter how far you run, or how fast….where you live….you never can replace “home”. I’m looking forward to sharing the experience with someone new.

More to come…sooner, rather than later, promise….

 

 

Mar
01
2013

Things I’m Excited About #18

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I’m really excited about Polenta these days. I hope I don’t get so excited I get sick of it and never want to see it in my life anymore. Oh sure I’m only buying the pre-made stuff in the tube, but I love it! It’s handy, healthy and ….damn, I can’t think of a cool “H” word. I’ve only been playing with it in my diet for a short time, and I know I have so much else to learn but so far so good! Takes to tomato well, bread crumbs….cheese….and is GREAT the next day for lunch. It’s economical too and won’t break the bank.

I’m done buying veggie ground round. My new thing? Using the Presidents Choice Worlds Best Meatless Burger for whatever I would have used ground round in…chili, spaghetti sauce and tacos for instance. The flavor is 10 x better! One burger is more than enough for me, and when I use it in sauce, it makes 2 servings and is very “meaty”. I wish I could tell you I’m enjoying the meatballs but they’re still off the shelf getting new packaging so I was told. Sure takes PC a loooooooong time to do that. The product better not have changed. Hmmph.

Know what a Growler is? It’s an environmentally focused, refillable, large ‘jug ‘ o beer’ as brought upon by the Craft Beer industry. Sure it’s roots go way back when bottles weren’t so readily available, but bottom line now, is it’s a great way for people to enjoy their fave beer from a local brewer and just keep refilling. The BC government wants to tax them higher now….more pressure on the local, indie businesses….sign the petition here. New kids to the craft brew scene here in Vancouver, Powell Street Craft Brewery, say they won’t be raising Growler prices. I’m sure others will agree…

I have too much on my mind tonight to finish this post. I had intended it to be much longer but recent events have suddenly filled my head with other stuff. No, not visions of sugar plums and fairies either! Just “stuff”.

xo

 

 

Feb
19
2013

Everything is Better in Crumbs

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I love my toast and PB every morning. The more grains and nuts the bread has, all the better. I also admit to enjoying the crusts; but sometimes I confess, I let them pile up in the freezer. Why it NEVER once occurred to me to make my own bread crumbs I’ll never know. Its seems so bloody obvious. And what doesn’t taste better breaded and baked or fried? NOTHING! Everything is better in crumbs…

So I toasted up all my end slices in a 300 degree F oven, about 7-8 minutes a side. Then I broke them up, tossed in my trusty food processor and pulsed away. I spiced things up a bit too with Parmesan cheese, S & P and Italian seasoning….yeah, it got pretty wild in the kitchen you might say.

Then I had about 2 cups of amazingly flavorful toasted bread crumb goodness and fairly bare cupboards. Before I had embarked on this culinary odyssey I neglected to see if I had anything to bread and cook. Lo and behold: the mighty tube o’ Polenta greeted me when I opened the fridge. OK, OK so it’s not home-made polenta; I’m not ready for that sort of thing yet…I need to ease into it, maybe find myself a nice little Italian lady to take me under her wing and show me how it’s made…

Anyway, I sliced up some fairly decent sized pieces, coated them in my delicious crumbs and put in a hot oven. Once the crumbs had started to brown I topped them with a good dollop of tomato and veggie sauce, and a heaping of good ‘ol mozza cheese…

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I baked another little bit (sorry I don’t really time this stuff. I just watch it like a hawk through the oven window, salivating) until cheese was nice and melted…

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Bloody hell if this wasn’t a damn tasty little thing. Only thing missing? Fresh basil on top. Serve with a salad, cold beer and you’re good to go. My belly was so happy :-)

And to make this Tuesday even better- had a great run with NO PAIN from my knee. Of course I know when to stop now and don’t overdo things, but usually I feel some twinges. Tonight was great. The air was clear, I could see the stars and I was alone with my thoughts. Worked out some frustrations and rejoiced in the quiet…

It’s good.

 

 

Feb
13
2013

Behold the Chickpea Fry…

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There is one little pub in Vancouver I go to for their chickpea fries…OK, I also go there ’cause it’s not pretentious and it’s called a “nerd” bar. And, I’m kinda a nerd….

Point is, I can’t keep going there when I want chickpea fries. It’s not only expensive but not so good for my waistline too since those bad boys are deep fried! I decided to look online and attempted the first recipe I found. I have two little requirements in a chickpea fry: preferably done in the oven and EASY. This recipe is basic and the good thing is, you can add spices to tailor them to whatever your tastes are. I went with basic garlic, S & P and some seasoning salt…

The first step involves adding the chana (chickpea) flour mixed into COLD water and whisked over medium heat…warning: keep stirring because as it heats up the flour mixture will become thick- FAST.

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After coming to a gentle boil for 1 minute…

Then, as the recipe states, pour the mixture into a pan, and put in the fridge….the longer the better. I chose overnight. I came home today and flipped it out…

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Turned out, nice and firm….

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Cut and ready to go…

At this point you could fry, bake, deep fry or freeze to use later. I opted to try both pan-frying and baking in the oven. Something to take note- these fries STICK BADLY….so if you have parchment paper for the oven I highly recommend it. I didn’t and it resulted in not-so-attractive fries but damn, did they taste fine! If you’re frying, make sure and not fiddle with them; let them develop a ‘crust’- if you move them too soon that yummy part will get ripped off and you’ll be crying.

While I gobbled up the pan fried ones, I loved the oven-baked ones even more. They almost “puff’ up in the oven and I was in pure food heaven.

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A quick pesto-mayo dip completed the plate…

This recipe is basic but that’s what I like about it. There is room to play and experiment with flavor. I’m pretty damn excited about this discovery and looking forward to the possibilities. Storm Crow, does this mean I won’t be by anymore? HELL NO. It means I’ll have a little bit of you, here at home with me…and maybe a little more room for another beer there :-) Besides, the chickpea fries at Storm Crow are a million times better than mine….

 

 

 

Jan
31
2013

She Has a Dream

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berger rowingNo, not me. Well I HAVE a dream yes, many of them but this post isn’t actually about me…it’s about my lovely and amazing friend Rebecca.

She, alongside fellow rower Leanne, have entered a race to row from Monterey Bay, California to Hawaii. Yes, Hawaii. They are ROWING THE PACIFIC. The distance you ask? Just 2400 nautical miles…

As you can imagine, a feat like this takes tons of special people to make come alive.

If you would like to support this dream, click here. Every bit helps.

Everyone has a dream.

Much love.