just greek.

I love cooking. I love Greek. So when I get the chance to put both of those together, I am in heaven. To be honest I could literally just eat tzatziki out of the container and be content. But, when I am having people over I feel like I should have more on the table then tzatziki… My go to Greek feast is roasted chicken, potatoes with feta and Greek salad (with an extra large side of tzatziki).

When I cook, I tend to not go by the book and follow one exact recipe. And that is the reason why I enjoy cooking so much – I love not having to follow the instructions and instead just throwing in ingredients as I see fit. I am also constantly on Pinterest, reading and reposting different recipes – then combining multiple dishes together to my liking.

Above I mentioned my favourite Greek feast and below I included my recipie – enjoy !

& obviously serve with wine.

Greek Feast | Serves 4-5

 

Roasted Chicken

6 legs and 6 thighs

1 cup chicken broth

¼ cup olive oil

2 tsp lemon zest

2 tsp lemon juice

2 tbls chopped dill

2 tbls minced garlic

6 additional cloves (just peeled)

1 tbsp oregano

Pinch of salt & pepper

Set oven to 375. | Mix all ingredients (except chicken / additional cloves) in a bowl. | Place chicken in a deep casserole dish. | Pour half of the mixture evenly over the chicken. | Flip the chicken and repeat last step. | Cook for approx. 45 minutes (flipping once half way through) and serve hot.

Potatoes with Feta

5 large baking potatoes

¼ cup olive oil

2 tbsp minced garlic

3 tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp oregano

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp pepper

¼ cup diced feta

Oven can remain at 375, like chicken. | Wash, scrub, cube potatoes and spread on pan lined with parchment paper. | Mix the remainder of ingredients (except the feta and 1 tsp of lemon juice) in a bowl. | Evenly pour mixture over the potatoes. | While potatoes are in the oven, put feta in small bowl and let it soak in the remaining lemon juice. | Cook potatoes for approx. 40 minutes (flipping halfway through) and serve with the feta sprinkled on top.

Greek Salad Dressing

¼ cup of feta

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp lemon zest

1 tbsp chopped dill

1 tbsp minced garlic

2 tsp oregano

½ cup of olive oil

Pinch of salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients together in a blender. | Toss with your favourite veggies / lettuce.

ENJOY!

& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.

just spin.

About 6 months ago I became a member at GoodLife and even more recently I have been going to spin classes there. It has been one of the best things for me and has been a great motivator. Spin is 60 intense minutes of cycling, pushing your limits and sweating to near death. My instructor is the main reason I am able to last the full hour – not only does he push us to spin, he motivates us that anything is possible in life if we put our minds to it. At the end of every class I always feel so accomplished and ready to take on any challenge coming my way.

As I have mentioned in past posts, working out causes your body to release chemicals called endorphins – endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body – this is great for distressing and boosting your self-esteem. On top of feeling great, 60 minutes of spin also has amazing physical health benefits. Some of these health benefits include burning calories, improving cardiovascular efficiency and building muscles.

So if you are ready to sweat like you never have before and push your limits, all while burning calories, then you better start spinning!

& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.

just start fresh.

After a long hiatus from blogging and as we jump into 2016, I am ready for a fresh start. Looking back at a crazy (and amazing) year in 2015, I have learned so much about myself and I am ready to find my passion. I am ready to take chances. I am ready have a voice. I am ready for a fresh start and reaching new goals! And this is why I have decided to jump back into blogging – I will continue where I left off by sharing with you a few of my favourite things and how I stay positive.

& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.

just shop.

“A man will never love you or treat you as well as a store. If a man doesn’t fit, you can’t exchange him seven days later for a gorgeous cashmere sweater. And a store always smells good. A store can awaken a lust for things you never even knew you needed.”

This quote is from one of my favourite books, Confessions of a Shopaholic. They have come out with a movie now too, which also happens to be one of my favourites. The story was based on my life – okay not really, but I relate to the main character when it comes to her shopping habits. If you haven’t read this book already, I highly suggest you do – or at least watch the movie!

Anyone that knows me well, knows that I am a shopaholic. I have become better at managing this habit, but I still love to shop any chance I get, especially when I am stressed. Shopping is my way of coping with hard times and without a doubt turning to retail therapy ALWAYS puts me a much better mood.

Going shopping gives me something else to think about and pushes my anxious thoughts to the background. I love wandering through stores and finding new items that I can add to my wardrobe. Whether I find a new dress, a bag, or even something as simple as a lipstick, my mood is always instantly changed. And, there is just something so fulfilling about the moment where you stand at the checkout to pay, your purchase is handed to you wrapped up beautifully in a pretty paper bag, and then you walk out of the store feeling like a new person. 

& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.

just travel.

"The world is a book and those who 

do not travel read only one page."

Whether it’s jumping on a plane to fly half way across the world, relaxing on a tropical island, or even taking a mini road trip somewhere close by, travelling always seems to take the edge off for me. Being in a different setting from my everyday life distracts me from stresses and instantly puts me in a more positive state of mind. When I come home from my travels I always feel like a new person and ready to take on new challenges.

Less than a week ago I went on a trip to Jamaica with my mom and brother and this is exactly what I needed. My vacation mainly consisted of drinking Piña Coladas and relaxing on the beach, with next to nothing to worry about. Serotonin levels are increased in the presence of the sun and moods can therefore also be increased while outdoors. Lying on the beach while getting my daily dose of vitamin D from the natural sunlight was just what the doctor ordered.

On the other end of the spectrum, one of my best friends has packed up her life and moved to Austria for the next 5 months. There she has started a new chapter to her life and is constantly soaking in new culture. Everyday for her is a new journey and that alone takes her mind off of the reality back home in Canada. Even just seeing the beautiful pictures that she posts and hearing about her exciting new adventures helps me de-stress and stay positive. This goes to show that any form of travelling can do the body and mind good. 


& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.

just bake.

“Stressed is desserts spelled backwards.”

& therefore it’s only common sense to start baking treats when you are stressed out. Ever since I can even remember my mom always knew how to cheer me up by making yummy treats such as chocolate chip cookies or brownies. I always was her little helper, even if it meant just to stand near by to lick the bowl or be the taste tester. As I have grown up and been thrown into stressful situations, I still use my mom’s tactics and resort to baking to help calm me down.

Baking allows me be creative and keeps me distracted while releasing my negative energy that has been locked up. Instead of gravitating towards a stress ball, I fall to stirring, kneading, or mixing that can also help relieve built up tension. Although I can be a very impatient individual, especially while waiting for cookies in the oven, the comforting aromas relax me and arouse feelings of joy and warmth.

Not only does the full baking process help keep me relaxed, but in the end I have something to satisfy my sweet tooth. Baking also has helped me become a much more confident individual. When it comes to baking – & don’t mean to brag – I could possibly be the next “Martha Stewart.” I love seeing the final product and the smile others have when I share my treats.

My Top 5 Comforting Treats (with recipes)

• Red velvet cupcakes
• Red velvet cheesecake cookies
• Red velvet brownies  (if you haven’t guessed by now, yes I really like red velvet ANYTHING)
• Cinnamon buns
• S’mores pie

& if you are feeling EXTRA creative after baking, here is a quick and fun DIY by Lauren Conrad to display your yummy treats that you just baked:

& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.

just balance.

Na-ma-ste; [nuhm-uh-stey]; noun

“My soul honors your soul. I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides. I honor the light, love, truth, beauty & peace within you, because it is also within me. In sharing these things we are united, we are the same, we are one.”

Yoga is not something you can judge till you have given it a chance. I know of many individuals that just assume they won’t like it, but have yet to under take it. I have been trying to convince my mom for years to give yoga a chance. Finally in 2013, after some persuading, she gave yoga a shot and fell instantly inlove. She now practices on a regular basis at Waterdown’s newest yoga studio, YogaShala.

Yoga relates to my blog, in the sense that you can “just breathe.” One of my yoga instructors always says, “If you’re breathing, you’re doing yoga.” Yoga is about focusing on your breath, balance, and concentrating on you. There are many different types of yoga to meet the needs of every individual. Check out Women’s Health to find out what style is best for you.

To me, yoga is my happy place where I have a chance to forget about all of my stresses of reality – inhale the best, exhale the stress. Yoga helps keep you balanced within in your physical, emotional, and mental states. Not only does yoga help reduce stress, but it comes alongside many other benefits (see below).

YOGA BENEFITS 101

• Increases arm strength by 12% after only 16 classes
• Improves posture
• Increases flexibility
• Decreases risk of heart disease
• Increases lung capacity
• Increases metabolism & helps digestion
• Peace of mind

& if all else fails, JUST BREATHE.