These muffins were a cinch to make and a huge hit this morning around these parts. Perfect for this time of year with the abundance of local apples. From yesterday's 24 Hours (and courtesy of the Dairy Farmers of Canada):
You will need:
1 1/4 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 1/2 cups milk (I used 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup regular milk and it worked great)
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar (I replaced w/ 1/4 cup brown sugar, not too packed and it was plenty sweet)
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 egg
1/4 butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla (in the throes of breaking up conflict between my two boys and thus avoiding an all out mutiny, I forgot to add this - oops!)
2 cups finely diced apples (peeled or unpeeled - I did peeled)
Topping: 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
Preheat oven to 400F. Lightly butter nonstick muffin pans or line with paper liners (I have a major aversion to cooking with nonstick, so I did paper liners in the spirit of saving time, and my muffins).
In bowl, combine oats and milk; let stand for 5 minutes. In separate large bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. Whisk sugar, maple syrup, egg, butter and vanilla (don't forget) into milk mixture. Pour over dry ingredients and sprinkle with apples. Stir until just moistened.
Spoon into prepared muffin pan. Bake for about 25 minutes or until tops are firm to the touch. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to rack.
Topping: Brush warm muffin tops with maple syrup. Let cool completely. Makes 12 muffins.
Enjoy!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Free Book Download
Starting at midnight tonight, until midnight Sunday night, you can download Philip Lee's new book, Bittersweet: Confessions of a Twice-Married Man at no cost. Go to: http://www.gooselane.com/.
From the publisher:
Philip Lee has survived "the dark year" - a year in which two newly divorced brothers rough it, with no running water or indoor plumbing and contend with a feisty band of squirrels that inhabit their kitchen. Dishes are washed in the rain, coffee is made with a can and a blowtorch, a bucket becomes a make-shift shower, and renovation projects are abandoned almost as soon as they are started.
But life never stands still, and Lee churns his way into new chapters of his life with the help of a therapist, and the new love of his life. Choice literary snippets gleam among his personal epiphanies, life's losses, and small victories. Slowly, enlightenment dawns, and with it, a second chance at love and happiness.
With wry wit, warmth, and sensitivity, Lee shares a personal journey that takes him from the rivers and coastlines of Eastern Canada to the cities of China and the Greek island of Naxos. He cuts to the heart of the matter - how it is that we might lift ourselves up through the great work of love.
From the publisher:
Philip Lee has survived "the dark year" - a year in which two newly divorced brothers rough it, with no running water or indoor plumbing and contend with a feisty band of squirrels that inhabit their kitchen. Dishes are washed in the rain, coffee is made with a can and a blowtorch, a bucket becomes a make-shift shower, and renovation projects are abandoned almost as soon as they are started.
But life never stands still, and Lee churns his way into new chapters of his life with the help of a therapist, and the new love of his life. Choice literary snippets gleam among his personal epiphanies, life's losses, and small victories. Slowly, enlightenment dawns, and with it, a second chance at love and happiness.
With wry wit, warmth, and sensitivity, Lee shares a personal journey that takes him from the rivers and coastlines of Eastern Canada to the cities of China and the Greek island of Naxos. He cuts to the heart of the matter - how it is that we might lift ourselves up through the great work of love.
Free Book Download
Starting at midnight tonight, until midnight Sunday night, you can download Philip Lee's new book, Bittersweet: Confessions of a Twice-Married Man at no cost. Go to: http://www.gooselane.com/.
From the publisher:
Philip Lee has survived "the dark year" - a year in which two newly divorced brothers rough it, with no running water or indoor plumbing and contend with a feisty band of squirrels that inhabit their kitchen. Dishes are washed in the rain, coffee is made with a can and a blowtorch, a bucket becomes a make-shift shower, and renovation projects are abandoned almost as soon as they are started.
But life never stands still, and Lee churns his way into new chapters of his life with the help of a therapist, and the new love of his life. Choice literary snippets gleam among his personal epiphanies, life's losses, and small victories. Slowly, enlightenment dawns, and with it, a second chance at love and happiness.
With wry wit, warmth, and sensitivity, Lee shares a personal journey that takes him from the rivers and coastlines of Eastern Canada to the cities of China and the Greek island of Naxos. He cuts to the heart of the matter - how it is that we might lift ourselves up through the great work of love.
From the publisher:
Philip Lee has survived "the dark year" - a year in which two newly divorced brothers rough it, with no running water or indoor plumbing and contend with a feisty band of squirrels that inhabit their kitchen. Dishes are washed in the rain, coffee is made with a can and a blowtorch, a bucket becomes a make-shift shower, and renovation projects are abandoned almost as soon as they are started.
But life never stands still, and Lee churns his way into new chapters of his life with the help of a therapist, and the new love of his life. Choice literary snippets gleam among his personal epiphanies, life's losses, and small victories. Slowly, enlightenment dawns, and with it, a second chance at love and happiness.
With wry wit, warmth, and sensitivity, Lee shares a personal journey that takes him from the rivers and coastlines of Eastern Canada to the cities of China and the Greek island of Naxos. He cuts to the heart of the matter - how it is that we might lift ourselves up through the great work of love.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
The Not-So-Soft on Fabric Softener
Seems everyone in my neighborhood does their laundry early on Saturday mornings. I was on my morning run and I noticed I couldn't run a hundred meters without being assaulted by the scent of "apple mango tango" or " fresh mountain breeze" or whatever they're called these days. It was enough to turn my sensitive morning stomach. It got me thinking to the days back when I had no idea how harmful these seemingly benign toxic chemical soups (or sheets) were. I stopped using them completely when I was pregnant and couldn't stand strong smells. While I was doing research on products safe and gentle enough to use on my babies I discovered the harsh truth about fabric softener. Needless to say, never again was a bottle or sheet of the stuff to cross the threshold of our house. These days for the most part I use nothing. When I throw some jeans in the dryer after they've been on the line, I use some dryer balls to beat the stiffness out of them. Our clothes usually come out of the laundry smelling mildly clean (we use Ecover laundry detergent and it has a very, very mild scent) and "outdoorsy" if they were line dried, but not much else.
If you're wondering if now is the time to ditch the softener, here's what you've got to lose (hint: they're harmful chemicals and their effect on the human body):
If you're wondering if now is the time to ditch the softener, here's what you've got to lose (hint: they're harmful chemicals and their effect on the human body):
- Benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer)
- Benzyl Alcohol (upper respiratory tract irritant)
- Ethanol: On the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Hazardous Waste list and can cause central nervous system disorders
- Limonene: Known carcinogen
- A-Terpineol: Can cause respiratory problems, including fatal edema, and central nervous system damage
- Ethyl Acetate: A narcotic on the EPA's Hazardous Waste list
- Camphor: Causes central nervous system disorders
- Chloroform: Neurotoxic, anesthetic and carcinogenic
- Linalool: A narcotic that causes central nervous system disorders
- Pentane: A chemical known to be harmful if inhaled
(source: sixwise.com)
Go ahead, ditch the softener. Your body will thank you for it. So will the environment. So will this early morning runner.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Add Your Voice
Add your voice to the growing masses who are demanding that true democracy be protected. You can urge the consortium of television networks to include the Green Party leader, Elizabeth May in the upcoming leaders' debate by signing this petition.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Where's the Democracy?
Sigh. Elizabeth May has been excluded from the Leaders' Debates on October 1 and 2. Once again the Greens are being excluded from participating. Regardless of where our votes lie, this exclusion is completely un-democratic.
Apparently, the big boys threatened to boycott the debate if she was included. How juvenile of them. Quite reminiscent of a five year-old refusing to play nicely in the sandbox, walking away stomping his feet. And how galling but unsurprising really, coming from (among others) a man who broke his own fixed election date law.
Good for you Elizabeth for hiring a lawyer and challenging the consortium of TV networks in the courts. Let's pray your case lands in front of a judge gifted with some common sense and a feel for true democracy. And while we're at it, I'd love to see good old Stephen be made accountable for breaking his own law. His last move as Canada's Prime Minister. Speaks volume doesn't it?
Apparently, the big boys threatened to boycott the debate if she was included. How juvenile of them. Quite reminiscent of a five year-old refusing to play nicely in the sandbox, walking away stomping his feet. And how galling but unsurprising really, coming from (among others) a man who broke his own fixed election date law.
Good for you Elizabeth for hiring a lawyer and challenging the consortium of TV networks in the courts. Let's pray your case lands in front of a judge gifted with some common sense and a feel for true democracy. And while we're at it, I'd love to see good old Stephen be made accountable for breaking his own law. His last move as Canada's Prime Minister. Speaks volume doesn't it?
Friday, September 5, 2008
New for Fall!
Just in time for Fall, we've received a shipment of these soft, gorgeous organic cotton scarves from Maggie's. They feature rich colours and inspiring prints. The perfect , guiltless accessory for your Fall wardrobe! They should be up on our web site within the week - so keep checking back. In the meantime, if you must have one right away, email us at customerservice at ecomama dot ca and we will be happy to oblige. :)
New for Fall!
Just in time for Fall, we've received a shipment of these soft, gorgeous organic cotton scarves from Maggie's. They feature rich colours and inspiring prints. The perfect , guiltless accessory for your Fall wardrobe! They should be up on our web site within the week - so keep checking back. In the meantime, if you must have one right away, email us at customerservice at ecomama dot ca and we will be happy to oblige. :)
Coming Clean with Green
Ever feel like some companies are trying to pull the wool over your eyes when it comes to claims of "greenness" for their product? At greenwashingindex.com users can submit and rate ads on a greenwashing scale of one to five, with five being the top measure, and greenwash sin indicator. There you'll find ads for mainstream products like Seventh Generation diapers, Starbucks coffee, the Ford Escape Hybrid and tons more. Our favorite: (of course!) Fiji bottled water with a rating 4.49 (uh huh).
Coming Clean with Green
Ever feel like some companies are trying to pull the wool over your eyes when it comes to claims of "greenness" for their product? At greenwashingindex.com users can submit and rate ads on a greenwashing scale of one to five, with five being the top measure, and greenwash sin indicator. There you'll find ads for mainstream products like Seventh Generation diapers, Starbucks coffee, the Ford Escape Hybrid and tons more. Our favorite: (of course!) Fiji bottled water with a rating 4.49 (uh huh).
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Election Primer
Well it looks like we Canadians will be going to the polls this Fall (thank you Stephen), along with our American friends. I'm not a huge political buff, but I have been keeping my ears perked. Frankly I find McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, with her ties to big oil, to be absolutely scary and bad news for the environment at best.
What about you?
Test your political views here.
What about you?
Test your political views here.
Election Primer
Well it looks like we Canadians will be going to the polls this Fall (thank you Stephen), along with our American friends. I'm not a huge political buff, but I have been keeping my ears perked. Frankly I find McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, with her ties to big oil, to be absolutely scary and bad news for the environment at best.
What about you?
Test your political views here.
What about you?
Test your political views here.
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