Breakfast in Bed

I love lounging!

Even better when I'm enjoying a coffee and a good book in bed. Bonus points - breakfast is delivered to me in bed.

I always thought that everyone felt this way, but apparently not.
My man is one of them. He had many reasons why he wouldn't enjoy breakfast in bed, but has yet to experience it.

I asked him why he doesn't think he would like it, and I have to admit, he had some good points, but I don't care and I yearn to loung and be cozy as often as possible.

The Boyfriend's pretty good points:

• Crumbs in the bed (so, breakfast in bed on laundry day only?)
• Who has time to just...stay in bed? (You MUST find time to chill)
• Spills and slips. (With the right tools and prep it's easier than you think)  
• I'll possibly be too hung over to enjoy breakfast (I know he's heard of hair of the dog...)

So, below is a guide on Breakfast in Bed'ing.

When and/or Why.
    It could be for a special occasion, or no special reason at all. Just make sure to clear the schedule for the morning. Mother or Father's day, Valentines, anniversary, birthday, thank you, I'm sorry, or no reason at all.

The Breakfast Tray.
    I had trouble finding a decent tray in my area but found these cheap and very easy to clean trays at the dollar store.

I strongly recommend a tray with a stand or feet. But this will do, and I would consider making a DIY stand to fit the trays I already picked up.

If you want to go all out most trays are built exactly for lazy and clumsy people like me and they included pockets for books or newspapers and holders for the glasses, mugs and utensils.

My Grandmother was a pro at breakfast in bed, and she always had the Bedrest cushions ready. I have not invested in any yet. But we have a good collection of pillows we can stack up if we need.

Put down an old sheet or blanket above your duvet if you're worried about a mess.

Think it out.
    What are you going to serve? Will it be a surprise? Will there be a movie, or some music? Any special touches you can add?

Breakfast ideas.
It's the thought and coziness that counts!

   Some mornings...oh some mornings can be tough. That's when I wouldn't attempt anything more than something I can fit in the toaster. Then, there are other days where I wake up bright eyed and bushy tail ready to whip up French Toast, freshly squeezed juice and Eggs Benny from scratch.

Serve any of these items on their own or in combination with any other items on the list and enjoy breakfast!


Beverages to serve. Depends on the kind of morning you're looking for.

• Coffee(obviously); black, iced, with steamed milk, with cinnamon or vanilla...or with irish cream 

•  Tea; Earl grey with vanilla and steamed milk, green tea, iced tea, herbal tea, mmm lemon ginger

•  Juice; orange, grapefruit, grape, apple, berry. Freshly squeezed or frozen 

• Orange juice and sparkling wine 

• Kahlua in your coffee, Spanish coffee 

• A Ceasar(yes please.) or Bloody Mary   

(but seriously, someone bring me bacon... please)

food to make.

                                    

• Toast with jams, butters and spreads
• Fresh fruit and yogurt
• Granola 
• Half a grapefruit
• Cinnamon Bun(even if its from that Cinnabon at the mall
• Banana bread
• Fast food breaky(sneak out quietly) 
• Bagels...with cream cheese... and lox(or bacon.)
• Oatmeal with seeds and nuts
• Leftovers(for the very lazy mornings)
• A stack of pancakes with maple syrup and fresh fruit (...and/or bacon)
• French Toast. I do stuffed ones, with thick French bread slices. Then I add berries with cream cheese(you can substitute with Nutella), or Bananas and peanut butter(or...Nutella).
• Bacon or turkey bacon.
• Scrambled eggs or omelets, add cheeses, herbs, fresh veggies, mushrooms. I love asparagus and feta, or chives and goat cheese. 
• Avocado and/or tomato
• Breakfast sausage. Our local butcher offers a bison and blueberry breakfast sausage. Yum.
• A light salad with a bright citrus dressing.
• Smoked salmon or fresh shrimp(and maybe hollandaise?) 
• A lumberjack's breakfast
• Home fries, potatoes, hashbrowns, sweet potatoes, garlic.onions.
• My special hash...no not that kind. I make a leftover hash with poached eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and usually left over roast with fresh tomatoes and corn, but that lucky moment when its left over prime rib or pulled pork I'll whip up a hollandaise to top it.
• One dish breakfast casserole, french toast or frittata?
• Breakfast wraps with spinach and feta or a spicy sauce with sausage
•  Eggs Benedict with lobster, bacon, tomatoes, spinach, ham, or avocado. 
• Fried eggs on a bagel with cheese and veggies. Love adding guacamole. 

  

   

You don't need to go all out but a flower or bouquet of flowers adds a special something.

Entertainment.

What kind of mood are you trying to set? 

Reading materials

• The newspaper
• Magazines
• News stories on tablet or phone(though I highly suggest hiding your devices while loung)
• A good book

Audio options 

• Calm acoustic guitar, jazz, classical, bright and happy pick me ups, oldies but goodies.
• A podcast series
• The News
• Book on tape

On the TV. 

• Nostalgic morning cartoons
• A YouTube Playlist
• The News
• Bing watch a TV show on Netflix
• A good movie (Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Princess Bride are my favorites) pick a favourite or two.
• A video game? (Maybe someone still has duck hunt)

Playing around

• Bring a deck of cards and play blackjack, crazy eights, or crib.
• Have some sudoku or crossword puzzles 
• Board games
• Couple "getting to know each other" questions.
• Ehum *clears throat* sexy time?
• Pillow fight!

Cleaning up

• Enjoy breakfast and take your time, but don't forget to clean up. Try cleaning the kitchen as much as you can before you bring breakfast to the bedroom.
• Clear nightstand and other surfaces 
• Have a waste basket ready in the bedroom
• Napkins and damp cloth close by 
• Paper plates?
• Clean your bedding that afternoon or the next day.

Well, I guess that's all I gotta say about that... Please have a wonderful day!

Don't forget to post a comment about your favorite breakfast in bed stories, meals, movies...and share or like.

My Favourite Banana Bread

Banana bread is a quick and easy treat, a great way to use up those very ripe bananas and great aroma therapy.

I discovered my favourite banana bread when I was a little girl learning to bake in my mother's kitchen. 

Learning to cook with my mom was learning to play it by ear. Her variations and substitutes made me nervous, but always turned out amazing in the end. So when she "accidentally" snuck in some plain yogurt to my banana bread recipe from my children's cook book. I had a melt down. Tossed my apron on the Floor and stomped off to my room. 

"That's not the recipe mom! You ruined it!" I protested. 

Well she baked it and served it to my brother, his friends and my grand parents calling it Stevie's new secret recipe and winked at me. 

"Don't call it that mom, I will not put my name on that bread. It's not mine I did not poison you all!" I was a very dramatic child.

To my surprise they all loved it.

The next time we had very ripe bananas , I asked her to hand me the yogurt.

 Ladies and Gents. Listen to your mothers.

My favourite Banana Bread

2 cups of all purpose flour

3/4 cup of sugar

1 teaspoon of baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of salt 

3 or 4 very ripe bananas, mashed

6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1/4 cup plain yogurt ( or my favourite supermarket has a really nice banana yogurt for that extra banana flavour)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Additionally you can fold in walnuts, seeds, fruit or chocolate chips. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, and generously grease a loaf pan.

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Stir together the mashed bananas, eggs, butter, yogurt and vanilla in anorthern bowl. Fold the banana mixtures into the dry ingredients gently, do not overmix. At this point add in nuts, seeds or chocolate chips. It will be barely combined, thick and chunky. 

Transfer the batter into the pan, smooth the top and bake about 50 - 55 minutes. It will be golden brown on top, and a toothpick pierced through will come out clear of batter. 

Let stand for 10 - 15 min. 

Enjoy.

Homemade Soap Treats!

Honey Oat Chamomile?
Goji Berry Lemon?
Chocolate Honey Peppermint?

Nope, not edible, its...Its Soap!

So I was not able to make my own soap base (that will come eventually), but I did find Clear Glycerin Soap, and an organic goats milk soap at my local craft shop that I could melt down and add my own natural ingredients to.

My trial run went smoothly and I can't wait to make more!

While you're at the craft shop you can also pick up molds of your choice, or you can use empty frozen juice containers or something similar.

Melt the soap in the microwave 45 seconds at first then 10 seconds until melted, or use a double boilers.

Add desired aroma's, herbs and fruits pour into the mold and allow to set (about 45 minutes).

Stevie's Combinations:Honey Oat Bar:

• Organic Honey 
• Honey has humectants characteristics; its ability to absorb and retain moisture deeply hydrates the skin. Honey’s natural antioxidant and anti microbial properties refreshes, rejuvenates and helps protect your skin. 
• Oats 
• Soothes and heals the skin, while reducing inflammation. It also acts as a mild exfoliate
• Chamomile tea 
• Chamomile has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. 
• Almond Oil 
• Prevents and treats acne and blackheads, and makes it less prone to acne. It smoothes the skin and lessens any irritation and inflammation. Almond oil helps to moisturize dry skin. It is good for dry and itching skin. It helps to prevent and smooth wrinkles, soften the skin and make it more supple. 

Goji Berry & Lemon:

• Goji Berries (finely and coarse ground, dehydrated) 
• Combats inflammations and is a powerful antioxidant to help fight against damaged skin. Calms irritated, sensitive skin, while moisturizing with anti-aging properties. 
• Lemon Juice 
• Brighten up and soften your skin, also fades freckles and age spots. anti bacterial and smells lovely. 
• Lemongrass oil 

Chocolate, Honey Peppermint Bar: 

• 100% natural cocoa 
• Cell repair, cell damage prevention, hydration, calms and soothes skin. 
• Organic honey 
• Deeply hydrates the skin 
• Peppermint oil and Peppermint tea 
• Cooling, refreshing and toning... helps with wrinkles and relieves headaches.

Wash, Rinse, Repeat... Naturally!

This weekend, I ventured into the world of Homemade Shampoo.

There are so many natural hair beauty tricks out there, here are only a few...

My Grand-Mother always tried to get me to rinse my hair with vinegar, I was always just a little too scared to try. BUT once I got passed the idea of possibly smelling like vinegar for the day, I gave it a go!

I was more than happy to notice, smooth and shiny hair. And thankfully, there was no lingering vinegar smell at all.

Give it a try!

Vinegar Rinse:

Using a vinegar rinse will help balance the pH of your hair, remove build up (from every day shampoos), and closes hair cuticles allowing the hair to be smoother and shiner.

·         Mix 1 part Vinegar (white or apple cider) with 3 parts water. You can add your favourite essential oils for fragrance.

Add the vinegar and water mix to your hair, and then rinse it out.

You will notice your hair will be smoother and shiner in no time.
I try to do the vinegar rinse once a month or so.

For extra Hydration try the Avocado Hair Mask.

Making a shampoo taught me a little lesson; RESEARCH FIRST. I always knew that Chamomile was good, for hair, I just temporarily forgot that it also lightens you’re hair. 

So after slightly lightning my hair the first time around I set out to try different ingredients to suite everyone’s needs!

Base Shampoo:

• 4 tablespoons of distilled water (you can use tap water, the shelf life may not be as long)
• 4 tablespoons of liquid castile soap
• ½ teaspoon of light veggie, grapeseed, or jojoba oil

ADD INS:

Herbs, Teas and Spices help.

• Strong brewed Chamomile tea (soothes and lightens hair)
• Strong Brewed coffee(darkens & Shines)
• Strong Brewed Black Tea ( darkens hair, Shine and reduces shedding)
• Tea tree oil (dry scalp attention)
• Peppermint oil (Refreshing and fragrance)
• Eucalyptus oil (fragrance and strength)
•  Avocado Oil (hydration)
• Lemongrass or lemongrass oil
•  Dried rosemary ( for Dandruff, fragrance and strength)
•  Dried sage (darkens hair)

Mix all the ingredients and store in a bottle. Shake before using, wash as usual.

***

Day Two After Shampooing; My hair is soft, Clean and still kind if smells like peppermint :)

Have Fun!

Coffee Body Scrub

My cupboards are overflowing with specialty teas and coffees. I drink enough day in and day out, and I needed to use up some coffee ASAP to make space.

Someone, a long time ago told me that coarse ground coffee makes for a great body scrub; So I experimented.

Its actually the caffeine that provides most of the added benefits. However the grounds help exfoliate old skin cells, while the caffeine provides antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits. The Caffeine also helps minimize the appearance of cellulite and varicose veins.

SCRUB! (follow loosely, experiment with added ingredients)

• 2 cups of coarse ground coffee
• 1/2 cup of sea salt or raw sugar (or both)
• 3 tablespoons of Almond oil
• 3 drops of Almond or Vanilla extract for aroma

Mix all the ingredients together, in the shower gently scrub your skin with the mixture( avoid your neck and face), rinse and wash with a gentle soap.

Applying the mixture at first was a little intimidating... Until I rinsed with soap; I thought I might have stained my skin!

Once I rinsed thoroughly, and dried off; I was in awe as to how soft and clean my skin felt!

Please excuse the pale skin, i was kind of hoping it would stain it slightly *blush*

MAY I SUGGEST BEFORE STARTING?

• Use Old or Dark towels you don't mind staining
• Put down a hair catcher in the drain of your shower
• Have a poof or face cloth handy, it really does rid of old skin cells. 
• Keep remaining scrub in an airtight container for a quick scrub next time.

Treating Myself: All Natural Home Spa Day!

Home products for Home Spa

I love Avocados!








They have nearly 20 essential vitamins and minerals. This emollient fruit is rich in potassium, Vitamins B, E and K.  Avocado oils and proteins provide hydration and strength for your hair.
Have you ever had an avocado get a little too ripe to eat? Mash it up and Slather it on!

Avocado hair Mask:
1 avocado
1 egg yolk
½ teaspoon of olive oil

Mash all the ingredients together.
Wet hair with warm water, then massage mixture into your scalp and work your way down until your hair is coated.
Allow the mask to set, about 30 minutes. Then rinse out. Shampoo after if you’d like.

Sugar and Spice, makes everything nice!

Most people have many of these ingredients in their pantry. Combine these spices and sugars for a clean, bright, rejuvenated, and soft complexion!

1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/3 cup of almond oil
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal
1 teaspoon of nutmeg

Scrub your face in a circular gentile motion for about 2 minutes. Rinse and pat your face dry.
You can store the remaining Scrub mixture in an airtight container for another scrub another day.

Don't be scared to try other ingredients in this scrub. I added honey (which deeply hydrates the skin), and a pinch of cinnamon (for aroma). you can add fruits, herbs, or even ground coffee.

So that was my homemade spa day, I didn't even have to spend a penny.

Momma's Day Pizza!

Happy Mothers Day!!!
Kelowna could not have asked for a nicer day to celebrate the day of Moms!
We started by packing the Pup in the car and making out way to the Doggy beach.
With a quick pit stop for coffee and small breakfast.
At the Doggy Beach Maya went swimming in the water and was a sweet thing the whole way!
THEN took another walk downtown to enjoy lunch by the water.

By 2pm we were home and pooped and decided to lounge in the sun!

After lounging I decided it was time to start on Momma's Day Dinner...

On the Menu Grilled Pizza With Fresh Toppings!


Pizza Margherita: The Basics - Tomato, Fresh Mozz, & Fresh Basil

The Experimental Pizza: Asparagus, Avocado, Feta & Garlic Shrimp

Basic Pizza Dough
1 cup of warm water
1 packet of dry yeast
1 tbsp of sugar
2 tbsp of Olive oil
2 1/4 cups of flour
1/2 tsp of salt

Mix dry ingredients that add warm water, then oil and mix until it comes together.
Place in a greased bowl covered with a tea towel. Place the dough in a dry draft free place for about 45 minutes. Kneed and roll.

On the BBQ - Preheat at hottest. Once ready turn down the fire and oil the grill (and a little on one side of the rolled out dough). Place the dough oil side down and grill until the top is puffy.
Oil the top of the crust and then Flip.
On the grilled side add Toppings of your choice, close the lid for about 5-10 minutes and Enjoy!