A Review Just For You

Hello Sweets,

I hope y'all are having a better day than I am :(  I feel as though I was literally hit by a truck, even to the point I had to cancel my plans today.  I know I promised a sweet post today, but considering the way my body feels I figured a restaurant review would be suffice.  Then tomorrow I will get back into the swing of things, I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a better day :)

When Nathan came up to visit me a couple months ago we went to my favorite little Vietnamese restaurant here in town.  Ben Thanh's is a wonderful little restaurant located in Southwestern Ontario, and it is one of our go to dinner dates while here :)  The last time we went I decided to head there for dinner, I thought it would be fun to capture our meal and share with y'all :)

Date night!

Delicious Jasmine Tea

Deep fried wontons, filled with cream cheese and diced veggies

I love the sweet and spicy dipping sauce

My deluxe pad Thai, seafood and chicken mmmm

Nathans beef tenderloin cubes, with a spicy Thai BBQ sauce

There is nothing I love more than a dinner date with my soul mate, I have never been disappointed dining at Ben Thanh's.  The staff is friendly, efficient, and the food is amazing.  If you have one near you, check it out.  You won't be sorry :)  Until next time....

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo 

The End of The World?

Hello Sweets,

After all the hoopla about December 21st being the day the world ends, nothing happened.  Of course there are many people who will tell you the day is not over yet, and they are correct, but I'm not sure where I really stand on this whole situation.  Which is why I am choosing to do a small post today and why I didn't post one yesterday.

You see, if the world is really going to end I would like to spend my last bit of time with the ones I love.  So last night I made Nathan and his dad some tandoori chicken for dinner (one last meal cooked for him :p), and then I enjoyed a nice glass of expensive wine :)  Not to mention I probably told Nathan a million times that I love him more then anything in the world, yes I know I'm cheesy.
For those of you who are curious about my tandoori chicken, I use a tandoori sauce and add red pepper flakes and garlic powder to the chicken breasts :)

 Sorry no pics of the finished product

I think this whole ordeal makes you think about who and what are really important to you, and what you want them to know if it's really going to be the last time you speak to them.  Although this is really something we should be doing everyday already right?  Since this maybe the last day I can bake ;) lol I'm going to make shortbread from scratch :)  And if all goes right for the world, I'll share pictures and post with you tomorrow.  Until next time..........



Stay sweet,




Jennifer xoxoxoxo

Leftovers, but not left out

Hello Sweets!

I hope you all are enjoying the fact that it's the middle of the week.  I am having a very bad health day, but have decided to at least write a small post about the "misfits" of the refrigerator; the leftovers.

I am the kind of person that doesn't like to waste food, and since being taken off of work for health reasons, it is all the more important that I don't waste food. Yesterday being my first day back to Canadia, meant I had a doctors appointment, and that I'd being seeing my grandfather and going to the pharmacy in my local grocery store. When I took my prescriptions in, I was told it would be about forty five minutes (yikes just a bit of a wait lol), and having just gotten multiple shots, there was no way I'd be going home and walking back. I am fortunate enough to be a granddaughter to my loving wonderful grandparents, who would do anything for me and when it comes to my health, they don't skimp even when I say it's okay. Since my grandparents had just gotten back from a cruise, we sat down in the waiting area and chatted about both of our trips. While sitting there, the delicious smell of slow roasted chicken was wafting over our way and making my stomach growl, lol in typical Jennifer fashion I hadn't located my bank card yet, which meant I had not gone grocery shopping. My grandfather saw I was hungry from being at the doctors, and the near hour that had passed, so he asked me if I wanted a chicken (it was also on special that day).  That was an offer my stomach was not going to pass up! Needless to say, being one girl I obviously could not finish the chicken at all lol.

too much chicken for one little girl!

So earlier this afternoon I started thinking to myself; how was I going to eat the rest of the chicken?  As is? Shredded on a sandwich or salad?  I could even make it into a whole new dish :).  I love to have turkey sandwiches during Thanksgiving or Christmas, so I decided I would shred the rest of the chicken and have it on hand to create anything my heart desired with the scraps.

looks like I'll be eating chicken for a while

After breaking the chicken down and disposing of the bones, I had worked up quite the appetite, so I decided to have a simple yet delicious chicken sandwich. All I needed was some bread, whipped dressing, salt, pepper, and some sharp cheese to accompany the already delectable seasoned chicken.

nothing fancy, just simply flavor

Now there are plenty of ways to make chicken salad, but I chose to make more of a traditional sandwich.  Normally, I would add all sorts of different veggies, but since I still haven't made it to the grocery store I settled with what I had on hand. Now not everyone likes a warm or toasted sandwich, but when it comes to left over chicken or turkey, I do! So I start by toasting the bread, not very dark at all, and add a thin layer of whipped dressing.

boring lol

After warming the chicken up, I place a hearty layer of chicken and sprinkle a small amount of salt, and some pepper, then topped with some of the sharp cheddar cheese (maybe 2Tbs).

I'm starting to get hungry

I then place a very, very small amount of whipped dressing on the top slice of bread (just to help hold it in place), then close the sandwich, cut, and enjoy with veggies, chips, or salad.

yum!!

Now you can do this with any type of left over, maybe not a sandwich, but wraps, salads, soups, and so much more. Don't let generic options limit you(although mine sort of is lol), think outside the box and get creative, experiment with your pallet and enjoy what you eat. Try not to waste anything, but don't do the boring, have fun with your food (even if your mom told you not too ;)). I promise to have a longer post tomorrow, until next time........

Stay sweet,


Jennifer xoxoxo

Fun at 200mph or as fast as your electric beaters can go!

Hello Sweets,

Well now that I am finally settled back on Canadian soil again, which is more taxing than you would think.  When your energy is low, or non existent for that matter, unpacking is a nightmare.  I thought it would be a good time to do a recap of my weekend at the Texas Motor Speedway (it will be a little shorter but still great)!

I'm not sure of how many of you guys have ever been tailgating for any sport, but there is a lot of preparation that goes into it.  Making sure you have all the food and beverages, then the tent to protect you from the Texas sun, chairs, the grill, ice (lots of it), clothing options for the unpredictable Texas weather, and any thing else you think you might like (me for instance, I baked a whack of goodies to share with everyone).  But seriously it takes a couple of days to get everything together, and undoubtedly you'll forget something.  We forgot ice the first day, and the hot dogs on the second day lol.  But when you forget a couple of little things that are easy to replace, it's easier to just laugh it off.

So on my previous post about the race, I talked about how I came to love the sport and all that comes with it, and how even with my health, we have found ways to make it easier for me to enjoy it.  But today's post is all about the FOOD we had consumed over the weekend.  :)  Now I should give fair warning that there wasn't a whole lot of healthy food, but as long as you eat in moderation and stay active, you can indulge once in a while.

Nathan bought me my very own snack bag for tailgating and carrying into the speedway

Okay, so what we brought along with us could have probably fed a small army, but with three grown men I think bringing a little more is better than not enough lol.  On Friday we just brought some Doritos, hot dogs for grilling, an assortment of my baked goods (which included pecan pie muffins, pecan dreams, brownies, and the original pecan pie muffins), peanuts, and a Cajun trail mix for me (really need to make my own one day).  Now for anyone who knows Nathan, knows he doesn't like cheese so I don't really eat a whole lot of it when I'm around him, but when we go to the races he buys me nachos :D, so I had that during the race.  Saturday we pretty much had the same, but because Nathan's dad had joined us we brought some potato chips and El Fenix tostada chips and hot salsa (if you are in Texas find the restaurant and eat there, they're that good!!), but this time Nathan and I shared a funnel cake (note: do not go to the booth manned by high school students or be prepared to shake 1lb of powdered sugar off of it lol).  Sunday was by far the best food, but alas my health was against me near the end of the race and since I was feeling so awful I went to sleep in the truck until it was time to go home, but they boys got to enjoy some traditional southern food; BBQ chopped beef with spicy sauce (so upsetting that I could not partake :( )

                                                                                      

The boys at our tailgating area and my morning cup of special coffee ;) (our secret)

All in all it was a great weekend, we all had lots of fun and plenty of laughs.  Nathan, of course in his usual loving spoiling way, made it a great weekend for me and always goes out of his way to do whatever it takes to make sure I'm comfortable and happy :)  Oh and just like he did on  Saturday, we went back and got the second t-shirt which was still on sale (he spoils me so!).

My favorite part are the full length wings on the back :D

I am very excited because a few weeks back I won a giveaway that the lovely Sarah from My (mostly) Healthy life had put on for some allergen/gluten free mixes (bread, pancake/waffles, cakes too!) from Allergic Solutions and they arrived today in my Texas mail!!!

Eeekkk!!

So now I am going to do some research because I want to use these products in the most healthy way possible :)  If you have any suggestions please let me know, as you know I love to try new things.  Until next time......

Stay sweet,

Jennifer xoxoxo

What is Canuckette Creations?

Me!

Hey Sweets!! 

My name is Jennifer and I have a passion for baking and cooking, well maybe it's better to describe it as an obsession :p.  My goal one day is to do this as a career, working for myself either with a cute little shop or a catering business with the same title.  Now this will really be pursued once I am living in the great state of Texas with my love Nathan.  Until then I'll keep spoiling my family, friends, and co-workers, oh I should probably add I work for Canada's largest fitness company GoodLife fitness and yes I bring goodies both healthy and traditional to the office and you'll never hear a complaint!

My goal for this blog is to share my adventures as I explore my love of food and the prep that goes into it.  For as long as I can remember I have always been in the kitchen, whether helping my grandma with baking cookies, cakes, and everything in between to helping my mom prepare dinners.  I was fortunate enough to be gifted in both baking and cooking, my mom and grandma were not so fortunate lol it was only one for each.

Growing up in a single parent home and with a little sister, gave me that extra push to really step up my "kitchen game" early on.  Being mom's little helper went a long way back then, and now when it's Christmas baking season I'm the first she'll call.  Since my grandparents are getting older I will go over a few times a week to have a meal with them, and maybe even spice things up a bit with new seasonings.

Living with my friend and her son gives me the ultimate test kitchen, with two great taste pallets; 1) the picky eater and 2) the kid test.  I feel that these are the two hardest hurdles to pass when in the kitchen, and if you can get the green light from them you know you have an instant success.

So why did I decide to start a foodie blog you ask, well my good friend Sarah inspired me with her http://www.mymostlyhealthylife.com/.   She writes about healthy food choices (great paleo ideas), her love of fitness, and even a little fashion and fun now and then.  Definitely check it out she has a fun way of blogging and informing, plus she is awesome lol.  Why is my blog called Canuckette Creations? Well I was born and raised in Canada but most of my family is from the USA. Four years ago I met the love of my life, and ever since his family met me I was to be forever known as Canuckette (thanks to his dad). So in a homage to his father I thought of the clever name, plus I secretly love it haha but shhhh don't let him know.

Since it's Thanksgiving here in Canadia, I baked some yummy desserts for my grandparents dinner, but that was the same night I decided to start my foodie blog so sadly there is only one picture and no step by step pictures :(  But don't worry I will be baking my now newly famous Pumpkin Spice cupcakes with Brown Sugar Cinnamon Icing with graham crumble very soon, as in within weeks for my boyfriends family :) (they have seen and heard about them so there is no getting out of this haha).

Here's my homemade Eggnog and a delicious Pumpkin cupcake

For now I will wish my Canadian's a happy Thanksgiving and everyone else happy baking!  I promise my next post will include step by step pictures and a recipe of my next endeavour :)

Stay sweet!

Jennifer xoxoxo