Reviving our vegetable garden

I’ve been day dreaming about writing this post of weeks!  But with the current state of affairs, it’s been impossible for me to find the time to complete it. I’ve started this draft, added to it, left it for days and then back to it over the last several weeks!

Backyard Garden, Vegetable Garden, Ontario

This actually sounds very similar to the relationship I’ve had with our garden this year.

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It’s been even harder to give our garden the same amount of attention it has received in previous years.

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(That being because most of my energy is divided between the family in my home and myself. #PandemicLife)


I had big plans for last year.  I wanted to have a new layout and really try NEW things.  But that unfortunately just didn’t happen.

 

 

 

Thankfully, the girls and mister have really pulled through and kept up with the harvesting, watering, pest watch and overall love that a backyard garden requires.

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Before the weed clean up!

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After cleaning out the weeds, turning the soil and adding fresh earth.

Ontario, Start Your Own Garden, Backyard Garden

You may already know that we had planted garlic last fall and then at the beginning of April we made an order for several plants from a local nursery, we picked them up mid May and planted them May 20th!

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So initially we planted garlic in the fall.  Then in the spring, we planted: tomatoes (2), eggplant, cucumber, zucchini and sweet bell pepper in the garden bed.  Later in the summer we added long green beans and radish seeds!  In pots we have a celery, mint and green onion.  We received our plants from a nursery and planted them in our garden bed on May 20th.

The harvest was slow! We didn’t receive our first tomato until sometime in July (I think because we planted so early and because there was a few very cold days that happened between May and June.  But here we are and our garden is in full swing.

Garlic, Backyard Garden, Gardenbed Eggplant, Garden bed, Backyard Garden, Ontario Green Tomatoes, Green Thumb, Garden, Backyard Garden Cucumber, Zucchini, Sweet Pepper, Backyard Garden, Green Thumb


Read more about my gardening adventures! Starting tomatoes in pots, lessons learned and other herbs.

Our first ever garlic scapes

I am a HUGE fan of garlic.  The aroma and the smell and even how they look get me very excited.  I am definitely that person who sees a recipe asking for 2-3 cloves but add 8-10 instead LOL!

So last summer, after closing up the garden I realized that I wanted to expand into new herbs and veggies.  And on a whim, we received some backyard garden garlic from a co-worker and right before the 1st winter storm we planned 6 cloves!

So these cloves have been in the garden since NOVEMBER.  And we won’t actually know if the clove have turned into actual bulbs, but we’ve already reaped some harvest from the labour: scapes!

Now if you haven’t heard of scapes before it’s because they are very rare and hard to find at your regular garlic stores.  They are usually the first produce found at farmers market and aren’t in season for very long.

Garlic Scapes Backyard Garden Ontario

We only got 5 scapes at the first harvest, but they were ahamazing!  We grilled them with a little bit of EVOO and salt.  They tasted really fresh, consistency of asparagus and onion with a hint of garlic.

Garlic Scapes Ontario Backyard Garden

I will definitely plant more garlic next year just for the scapes!

Garlic Scapes Ontario Backyard Garden

Yet, another GUILT FREE Cookie Recipe (Vegan & Gluten Free)

I wish I could say that I didn’t let my cookie cravings get the better of me during the last 10 weeks – but I’ve been making cookies and eating them on… r  e  p  e  a  t!

Thankfully I have a few (here and here) that are on heavy rotation but I’ve also tried to make a regular butter/sugar cookie (which the girl gang prefer).

Delicious Cookies

I did come across another variation of a healthy cookie.  It’s vegan, gluten & refined sugar free.  Which by default makes it GUILT Free.

Cookie Recipe

Without further ado, here is the recipe/instructions.  Save the image or pin for later :)

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Easy healthy granola – that tastes like a cookie!

The other day the Mister said that this granola tastes like a cookie, and I couldn’t agree more.

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I started making it because I could no longer find my favourite Special K Dark Chocolate Coconut Popped Granola in ANY grocery store.

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I used to make a nut granola but really wanted something a little lighter (nuts can get heavy) so opted for a baked oatmeal instead.

This is super simple to make and quick enough that I can make it on a Sunday to use thoughtout the week.

Where is what you do:
1) roughly crush up a half cup of dry roasted almonds

2) measure 1 cup of quick oats, add to crushed almonds and lay flat on a sheet pan. Bake for 10-15 min at 400 degrees. Check often to prevent burning and turn the sheet pan to make sure everything cooks evenly.

3) in a small pot (using the lowest heat) melt 1/3 cup coconut oil, then add pure maple syrup, cinnamon, cacao powder to taste (careful it’s hot!). Add a tablespoon of chia seeds and a pinch of salt. Stir often and combine well. If you want the granola to be chewy, add more coconut oil, maple syrup and cacao.

4) remove the oats and almonds and let cool for 5 min then pour coconut oil mixture on top (it will sizzle). Mix to coat all the oats/almonds.

5) pack the mixture so it can get stuck together and be chunky! (instead of laying it flat on the pan). Put back in the oven for 3-5 min. Check frequently as it can burn easy.

6) remove from oven and let cool before enjoying with yogurt, almond milk or by itself.

Optional add ons: dark chocolate, another nut or seed or dried fruit!

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Try it out and let me know what you think in the comments below?  Better yet, share your healthy home made granola recipes for me to try!


More like this? Check out this other healthy cookie recipe.

A vegan chocolate chip cookies recipe worth trying

I have been on HUNT for an amazing HOMEMADE cookie recipe. (Read more about my cookie obsessions here, here and here).  I don’t really like using too much butter or flour in my baking – only because I love sweets and feel I should be conservative with my ingredients because I always indulge :)

I definitely think this VEGAN chocolate chip cookies are worth trying out.

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We had our first snow fall yesterday midday into this morning. To me, cold snowy days just   calls for gooey chocolate chip cookies.  These did not disappoint.  And the fact that they contain no refined sugar or flour makes them even more delectable & guilt free.  The Hubz and I easily ate 10 each!

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What you need:

1 can of chickpeas
4 tbsp flour of choice (I just grinded up some quick oats using my blender)
3 tbsp sweetener of choice (I used agave)
2 tbsp nut butter (this is the one I used)
1/2 cup of plant based milk (we use this one)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking powder
Chocolate chips (this is a good vegan one)

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What you do:

Preheat oven to 375
Blend up all the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) until smooth
Fold in chocolate chips
Place tbsp portions of the cookie mix on a parchment lined baking pan
(You may need to spread/flatten the cookie)
Bake for 6-8 minutes (shorter if you want it more gooey, longer if you like more of a cake like consistency).

Enjoy!!

3 Ingredient Breakfast Cookie Recipe

I am always on the look out for a healthy cookie!  (Here is one that I make a lot!)

The other day while searching pinterest I found yet another healthier option for my favourite sweet treat.  The best part? …there is no butter or eggs AND it only uses 3 ingredients (which includes the best one: CHOCOLATE CHIPS!).

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Here’s what you need:

  • 2 ripe bananas (the more ripe the better)
  • 1 cup of quick oats
  • dark chocolate chips (amount is up to you lol)

Here’s what you do:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Mash the bananas with a fork
  3. Add in the oats and mix well
  4. Fold in chocolate chips
  5. Scoop 1 tbsp cookie mix mounds onto a sheet pan lined with parchment
  6. Flatten / shape the cookies
  7. Bake for 15 min, remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes
  8. Enjoy with your coffee :)

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