Here is one delcious way to celebrate and spoil your mom this Mother's day!

Instead of waking Mom up with breakfast in bed, jump in bed with her and give her a memory worth savouring. Some extra cuddles and special time with you will truly make her day, and don't forget one of these deliciously moist chocolate banana muffins to sweeten the moment even more. Alternatively you can make a special box filled with muffins and tie with a special card and a pretty ribbon.

These muffins are super easy to make and are a healthy treat for the whole family to enjoy. Recipe here. 

Inspired by my own mother who taught me to savour and enjoy the sweet special moments with the ones you love the most! 

Enjoy and Happy Mother'sDay!

 
photography by: Nicholette von Reiche

I love these cookies! They are the perfect late afternoon pick me up on days when a piece of fresh fruit or a handful of nuts just won't do the trick. 

I often bake a batch, devour two (one warm) and then store what is left after hubby samples some in the freezer.  I often forget they are there and am pleasantly surprised when I re-discover them in the hopes of curbing my sweet tooth. They take 5-10 seconds to thaw and get gooey in the microwave. When I don't store them in the freezer, I give some to friends to brighten their day or bake a batch as a thank you hostess gift. These cookies literally take 10 minutes to assemble. 

Mine always seem to come out differently as I use what I feel like on that day or what I have on hand. Here is my basic recipe for chocolate and walnut oat cookies with delicious variations to make this recipe your own.  

I adapted the recipe from the wonderfully talented Bethenny Franklin's Oatmeal Banana Choc-chip cookies.

See recipe here.

Happy baking!

 
photography by: Niel Herman

The sun is out, the weather warming up, so invite over some friends. Linger over a glass of wine or two, languish over some simple, rustic dishes, throw in some fresh seasonal salads and don’t forget something sweet to nourish the soul.

Settle in, enjoy the company, take your feasts outdoors whenever possible, clink your glasses to a toast, because summer has just begun!

Cheers!

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Heaven! If heaven had a taste, it would taste like Georgetown Cupcake, cupcakes. Light and feathery, yet delicately sweet and perfect.  From the first time you lay your eyes on these flawless beauties, to the first bite and through to the last crumb, these cupcakes are simply heavenly.

I must be late in discovering this gem, as many people have tasted and reviewed Georgetown Cupcake’s petite little cakes. I see myself as quite the cupcake expert, I have been in many cupcakeries, baked too many to keep count and often find it very disappointing when I sink my teeth into the most beautiful looking cupcake, only to find an overly sweet, most disappointing ordinary cakelet.

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It might be cold outside, but there is a plenty to warm things up between you and your sweetheart.

I am lucky enough to be married to a very sweet, hopelessly romantic Pisces man (score!). I know the anti-Valentine peeps love to bicker how you should show people you love them everyday and at every opportunity you get and I agree whole heartedly.  But just think about it, on Saint Valentines Day everyone has one thing on their minds, their significant other or the one that makes their hearts beat a little faster.

Everyone is wandering what to do, what to buy, make or bake. We are all thinking about L-O-V-E! Gooooosebumps!

Here are some irresistible ideas to woo your Valentine.

When it comes to Valentines Day, Williams Sonoma knows exactly what makes us tick. Create your own Valentine's Day message with these fun "Message-in-a-Cookie" cutters or seduce your honey's tastebuds with these charming, Heart macaroons and deep red-hued, intense chocolate flavor, Red velvet cake.

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photography by:Nicholette von Reiche

Yesterday, I woke up to a beautiful snowy morning in NYC. Clutching my warm coffee whilst looking out at the beautiful powder falling effortlessly to the ground I suddenly craved something sweet and comforting. Something that would fill my home with its aroma.

I raided my pantry and within seconds I knew exactly what I was going to make. By noon most of the snow had already melted away, as it usually does in NYC, but I was biting into these heavenly Oat, cranberry and walnut cookies relishing in the fact that they will last a least a little longer than the snow.

Try them, they are super easy to make and release all kinds of crazy flavors in your mouth but, be aware these heavenly morsels are highly addictive.

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photography by: Louis Hiemstra

… and I’m feeling good. I know you were singing along.

Happy New Year to all! Thank you for your support and visits in 2009.  I look forward to sharing another year packed with exciting new recipe ideas, the latest in food, health and more.

This year has so many fun surprises in-store for us.  I have noticed that most people have ditched the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, but seem to be dead keen on taking better care of themselves. Body, soul and mind! I always feel that New Year’s resolutions put so much pressure on us, however vowing to take better care of ourselves, seems much easier and is a good thing to keep striving for. Simply making one change a week in your daily life to improve your health is already a step in the right direction.

Best of all is that we have also kicked fad diets to the curb (thank goodness), carbs are back on our plates, there is no more calorie counting or food weighing (who has time for that anyway?). We are thinking balance, sensible eating and real good honest food. Love it, love it, love it!!!

And with so much wonderful inspiration, there is no excuse for not eating well throughout the whole year. Here are some recipes that are simple to make, taste great, are perfectly balanced and best of all it’s good for your body, soul and thighs.

Here is to a wonderful 2010, full of happy, delicious memories in the making.

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photography by: Nicholette von Reiche

Yeah! It’s December!

Christmas always inspires me to bake up a storm and this year is no acception.  So don your apron, get out your mixing bowls and let’s get baking. Beautifully presented food gifts are what we are giving loved ones and colleagues this year. Hand made, tied with a pretty ribbon, accompanied with a handwritten message and given from the heart. Can you think of a more special way to say Merry Christmas? Home-made gifts are also a lot of fun to prepare, especially with kids, they are cost effective and show that you have put a lot of thought, time and love into your gift.

Delight and impress those shameless chocoholics in your life with cherry chocolate salami rolls. Quite a mouth-full to say but simply irresistible. These chocolate logs are the perfect Christmas gifts as they can be served as dessert to unexpected guests, as an after dinner treat or a teatime indulgence. Simply accompany these lovelies with a note to store in the fridge, cut into generous slices on serving and enjoy with good quality coffee. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

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photography and styling by: Kelly Cline

If you need some thanksgiving inspiration or you’re stuck with ample leftovers that you have no idea what to do with, you have come to the right place.

I have put together a super simple and elegant menu that will make your guests remember the scrumptious meal you put forward long after they have forgotten how much their stomachs ached from eating to much.

And if you are dreading having to eat turkey meat or any other leftovers for the next week then give your holiday leftovers a second life with these fun, light and delicious recipes. They are everything but dull.

While we are all gathering around the table, enjoying the scrumptious dishes and admiring the beautiful table settings, remember that the holiday is mainly about being grateful for what we have and for spending as much time as possible with the people who matters most to you.

I hope these recipes add a touch of special to your table.

Enjoy and happy thanksgiving.

I couldn’t help myself! I was busy editing an article for quick and easy desserts when this adorable email appeared in my inbox. The subject read  “how to make cupcakes” and per usual the word cupcake required my immediate attention. It was cute, adorable, messy and perfect. Right away I knew I would not be able to resist sharing it with you.  I am certain some of you will already have seen these pictures but still I thought it would fit perfectly with my dessert article and I had a feeling that all other fanatical cupcake followers will appreciate, adore and possibly get the exact same warm fuzzy feeling I got when I saw it.

photography by: Source unknown

And since I am in the sharing frame of mind and you are all probably wondering how the move went, I will share with you that I had my own cute mischievous helpers. They made bigger messes, had me running all over the place and stretched out the whole process, but they made me laugh hysterically through all of it. Here are some snaps of my four legged babies, aren’t they just adorable?  I am happy to say that all four of us are settled in nicely into our new home and I am even happier to report that I am back in the kitchen and into the swing of things. Yee-ha!

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