Veggie & Cream Cheese Bagel

This one is hardly a recipe, but it's oh so yummy!  I had this sandwich at a tea house with my mom when I was a teenager, and I have frequently made it ever since:

Ingredients

- 1 whole grain bagel

- 2 tbsp cream cheese

- 4-8 slices english cucumber

- 2-3 slices of tomato

- 1 leaf of lettuce

- 1/4 cup alfalfa sprouts

Directions

Toast your bagel and spread 1 tbsp of cream cheese per side.  Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and lettuce; top with alfalfa sprouts

Enjoy!

- Nutritional Info (entire recipe - i.e one sandwich) -

Calories - 358    Fat - 13     Carbs - 48     Protein - 11     Iron - 22    Fibre - 5

Pina Colada Popsicles

Pina Colada's are one of my favourite alcoholic beverages.  This recipe can be used for the beverage as well, just add a few shots of white rum and you'll be good to go!  :)

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh pineapple

1/2 cup coconut milk (fresh is best, but you can used canned)

2 tbsp sugar (I use evaporated organic cane juice)

1/2 cup almond milk

Blend ingredients (a magic bullet works awesome for this).   Pour into 4 of your favourite popsicle molds, freeze until set (a few hours) and enjoy! 

- Nutritional Info (per popsicle) -

Calories - 93    Fat - 4     Carbs - 15     Protein - 1     Iron - 2    Fibre - 1

Cheddar Bacon Breakfast Sandwich

I love making homemade breakfast sandwiches.  Not only are they delicious, but they are really easy to make!  I discovered Lilydale Daystarters a few years ago and haven't gone back to regular bacon since.  Not only are they delicious, but they are only a mere 25 calories and 1 gram of fat per slice (beating out Oscar Myers turkey bacon by 10 calories and 2 grams of fat, and regular bacon by a whopping 70 calories 8 grams of fat).

Ingredients

- 2 large eggs

- 2 whole wheat english muffins

- 1 tbsp butter

- 4 slices of Lilydale Daystarters (turkey bacon)

- 30 g medium or old cheddar cheese

Directions

- Slice or grate cheese and set aside.

I like to use medium to old cheddar as it gives a much deeper flavour.   You can get nice thin slices of cheese using a potato peeler (as pictured below):

Prehead a medium sized pan on medium heat.  Once the pan is preheated melt 1/4 tsp of butter and add the turkey bacon and cook as usual. 

The addition of butter will give the turkey bacon a nice golden color and a bit of crispness (as pictured below). 

Melt 1/4 tsp butter in a medium saucepan preheated on high heat. Fry eggs making sure the yolk cooks through (makes for a less messy sandwich).   I like to make sure my eggs get nice and bubbly before flipping.

If re-using the same pan, be sure to wipe out all of the old oil with a papertowel first. 

Toast your english muffins and butter each side with the remaining butter.   Assemble sandwich and enjoy!

- Nutritional Info (per sandwich) w/ butter -

Calories - 363    Fat - 20     Carbs - 24     Protein - 25     Iron - 18    Fibre - 2

- Nutritional Info (per sandwich) w/o butter -

Calories - 310    Fat - 14     Carbs - 24     Protein - 25     Iron - 18    Fibre - 2

London Fog

London Fogs are one of my all time favourite drinks.  They are made with Earl Grey tea (hence the name) and very easy to make with basic kitchen utensils.  No need to pay $5+ at a coffee shop anymore!

Ingredients
- 2-3 Earl Grey tea bags or 3-4 tbsp loose (depending on how strong you like it)
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups water
- 3-4 tbsp vanilla syrup

Directions

Combine milk and water and bring to a boil in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly (you want to be careful as to not burn the milk).  Add tea and reduce heat to medium, steeping for about 2 minutes. 

Remove tea bags/strain tea and mix in vanilla syrup.  Pour into your favourite mug and enjoy!