Friday, March 22, 2013

Pretty Flower Sugar Cookies!

After the smashing success of my last batch of Thank You sugar cookies, I was asked to make some more! What better way to show appreciation than with a box of gourmet, beautifully decorated sugar cookies?!

I was given carte-blanche except that I should incorporate purple and pink. Easy Peasy!




I decided to add some blue flowers as well, I was feeling very Spring-inspired!

Instead of doing the teeny tiny flowers that I did on the last set of cookies, I wanted these cookies to be allllllllll flower! So I made giant colourful flowers that really pop against the white background!



All packaged and ready to go :)

The cookies were a hit! I really really really really love doing sugar cookies. The possibilities are just endless and the outcome is always fab! They are just always so fun to make!

Can't wait for the next batch!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Peabutter Cookies!

I may not have previously mentioned this, but unfortunately, I have a nut allergy that I developped a few years ago! I dont exactly know the extent of the allergy, but I've never really been much of a nut person so it doesn't bother me too much. Except for the fact that I used to loooooooove Nutella and Ferrero Rocher, yummmmm, and now I can only watch others enjoy such delicious treats! 

Luckily I'm not allergic to peanuts, but I must admit, I've also never really enjoyed them either. I never even liked the taste of peanut butter!

Last week, I was working at this amazing place that offers healthy cooking and nutrition classes to kids! They had a special March break cooking camp so all day everyday we made yummy and nutritious foods. That is where I was introduced to PEABUTTER!



It's nut free, peanut free, gluten free, trans fat free and soooooooo delicious! It's peanut butter LIKE, but not quite the same! It's everything that I like about peanut butter, but BETTER!

Last week we used this peabutter to make golden peabutter cookies. After I had a bite of those, I knew I needed to a) buy this stuff for the house, and b) make those cookies ASAP!

So after I found this yummy stuff in the grocery store, I went home and got busy!


My delicious cookie dough.



Ready to bake.



Yummy yummy scrumptious cookies ready to eat!

After I first tried these peabutter cookies/peabutter in general, I was hooked immediately. Trying to explain it to others, however, is a challenge. "Does it taste like Hummus??" I was asked after expressing my new found love for peabutter. No, no it does not taste like Hummus!!

Anyone who questions peabutter will quickly understand after tasting these bad boys. It's my new mission! :)


Thursday, March 7, 2013

Thank You Sugar Cookies!

As I've mentioned before, I moved to Toronto a few months ago. Right after I moved, I noticed I wasn't really feeling quite like myself! I brushed it off and assumed that I was just acclimating to this new big change in my life!

A few weeks ago, I finally decided that it was time to get medical attention. After my blood test showed inflammation, I was referred to a gastroenterologist and scheduled for a colonoscopy. Finally, On February 14th, 2013, after months of suffering, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. It was certainly not the finest Valentine's Day I had experienced in my life, but I was glad to finally know the cause of my symptoms!

I was immediately prescribed several different medications to help get my symptoms under control and to get me into remission!

Yesterday was my follow-up appointment with my doctor and feeling so relieved to finally have answers and to finally be feeling better, I wanted to show my appreciation. What better way to say thanks than with delicious and beautiful sugar cookies?!


After the smashing success of my boyfriend's grandmother's birthday cake, I just had to see how these colours would look on elegant and dainty sugar cookies! They were perfect!



I believe that presentation is very important! So I packaged the cookies in a clear top-box with taupe stuffing and tied it all up with a coral ribbon to match the flowers!

My doctor was very appreciative, but not nearly as appreciative as I am! I feel so lucky to have such a great doctor in my corner and with her care and guidance, I am sure that remission is just around the corner for me!

For information on my newly diagnosed chronic disease, please visit www.ccfc.ca and most importantly, if you are experiencing any symptoms listed, please please PLEASE don't let the shame stop you from seeking medical attention! Life is nothing without health so take care of yours! :)