Election Day Tomorrow

So, we're heading to the polls tomorrow to vote. It's time again for a Federeral Election. We're at odds in our house. J teases and says I'm a hippie. I think he's just crazy. Let's keep our fingers crossed that things don't turn out too badly.

Oh My Aching Back

OK, I've just about had enough already! I twisted my back wrong on Christmas day and I'm still not better. I've been to the doctor and got some anti-inflammatories and some muscle relaxants. I might as well be taking tic tacs for all the good they're doing. I'm nearly at my wits end! I can usually bend over and put my palms flat on the floor. Right now I'm lucky to be able to touch my knees. And the pain!!! I've had so many fits of spasms I've lost count. Last Monday I was stuck on the floor for over an hour with the worst spasms I have ever had. It was excruciating.
My doctor gave me a referral to get some massage therapy/chiropractic treatment. I've got an appt. tomorrow morning with Dr. Heather Norman at Lakeshore Chiropractic Clinic. I pray she can help me. This is ridiculous. I haven't had a decent night's sleep in weeks. Everytime I move, I wake up. Dr. Heather, I'm counting on you.

Whole Foods Market

Yesterday, J & I went to the new Whole Foods Market in Oakville. What a nice store! It's not as big as the one in Toronto and it was pretty busy since it was a Sunday, but it was still fun. I found lots of great things. I really like Amy's Texas Burger and they had some! I've been having a really hard time finding those.
I also grabbed some of their own brand of Veggie and Vegan burgers to try. Got some tempeh, tofu, tahini, Kiss My Face lotion, a nice baguette to have with dinner, coffee, etc. etc. etc. I really like how they've taken the time to put labels on the shelves under the products stating if they are organic or vegan. Makes it much easier to shop.

Let's Have Indian!

I'm very new to cooking and eating Indian food. What I have tried I really like. To help with ease of preparation, especially on weeknights, I love the convenience of Patak's sauces and curry pastes. One of my favorites is a mild sauce called Balti. I've made it a few times using Quorn but I'm all out and haven't made it across the border for shopping in a while, so I used cubed tofu & it turned out great!

I also adapted a recipe from Cooking With Peta for curried chickpeas that was delicious! We had that over basmati rice along with some samosas that I had in the freezer. Man, was I stuffed! Here's the recipe for the chickpeas.


2 medium-sized onions, thinly sliced
2-3 tbsp. margarine
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 8-oz. can tomato sauce
2 tsp. tumeric
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp. ginger powder
dash of cayenne pepper, to taste
2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 green pepper, chopped into smallish pieces
salt to taste
1/2-1 cup water

Saute the onions in the margarine until golden brown. Add the garlic and spices and stir-fry for a minute or two. Add the tomato sauce and stir-fry for a further few minutes. Add chickpeas and green pepper and fry over fairly high heat until everything is browned, about 5-10 minutes. Add salt to taste. Turn the heat down and add 1/2 cup water and cover. Stir frequently and simmer for 20-30 minutes, adding more water if necessary.

Serves 2-3 (and tastes even better the next day.)

How To Order Wine In A Restaurant

I have linked to the right a blog called Waiter Rant. I work serving the public in both of my jobs, and can totally relate to a lot of the waiter's stories. He recently had a post dedicated to ordering wine in restaurants. You can read it here.

Happy News

Happy New Year!

The last day of 2005 ended up being one of the worst I'd had all year. It's done and past, so let's just leave it there.

Some good news to start 2006...my sister got engaged! I love her to death and miss her like crazy. I live in Ontario and she's in New Brunswick. She's had some pretty rough patches in the past couple of years and I'm glad that she's now truly happy. I wish her and Chris all the best and a long happy life together.