Monday, December 29, 2014

Persimmon Recipe: Baby Kale and Persimon® Salad #persimonsays

I've always seen persimmons in grocery stores but never tried them because I didn't know anything about them.  Do you like persimmons?  Have you heard of Persimon®?  I didn't until just recently.  Persimon® is a special persimmon from Spain! They are always ready to eat and do not need to be ripened like other persimmons.  They are ripe when firm!  Persimon® persimmons are only available in Canada until mid-January. 


A Persimon® persimmon is so good for you! Here are some awesome facts about this tasty fruit: 
  • - Persimon® is high in fibre, with 6 grams per fruit
They are a source of vitamins C, K and folate, and an excellent source of vitamin A

  • - Persimon® contains the minerals potassium, magnesium and manganese, which are factors in the maintenance of good health 

  • - Persimon® contains the antioxidants beta carotene, lutein and lycopene. These antioxidants, along with vitamins A and C, may help protect human cells from the damaging action of free radicals, thus protecting against heart disease, cancer and aging

You can find some awesome recipes for Persimon® at http://persimonsays.com/delicious-recipes/.  Being a huge fan of salads I decided to make a Baby Kale and Persimon® Salad for my family to enjoy!  My husband asked for seconds and I just loved the sweet, delicate taste of the Persimon®.  I will definitely be making this again and again!



Baby Kale and Persimon® Salad


Persimon®, sliced crosswise
5 cups (1.25 L) baby kale
1/2 cup (125 ml) grated Spanish red wine goat cheese, like Drunken Goat
1/3 (75 ml) toasted chopped walnuts
1/4 cup (60 ml) thinly sliced red onion

Lemon vinaigrette
3 tbsp (45 ml) olive oil
2 tbsp (30 ml) finely chopped chives 
1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon
1/4 tsp (1 ml) each salt and pepper
1/3 cup (75 ml) lemon juice

For vinaigrette, whisk together lemon juice, oil, chives, Dijon and salt and pepper.
Place walnuts in frying pan over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes, until golden brown and fragrant.
Arrange 5-6 slices of Persimon® in a circle on 4 plates. In a large bowl, toss together kale, goat cheese, walnuts and red onion with half of vinaigrette. Place quarter of salad in centre of each plate. Drizzle remaining dressing on persimmon slices and serve.
Makes 4 servings
PER SERVING: 306 calories, 22 g fat, 5 g saturated fat, 13 mg cholesterol, 401 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrates, 5 g fibre, 12 g sugars, 6 g protein. % RDI: 20% calcium, 8% iron, 4% vitamin A, 100% vitamin C. tried them because I didn't know anything about them.  Do you like persimmons?  Have you heard of 
My 5 year old son who is a pretty picky eater even loved the taste of the Persimon® persimmon! 

To celebrate Persimon® season, Persimon® from Ribera del Xúquer is giving away a one week trip for two to Valencia, Spain!  Contest closes January 31st, 2015.  Enter here and GOOD LUCK!  http://persimonsays.com/contest/

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Our Elf Likes his Tim Hortons Coffee!

Our boys woke up to the Elf enjoying a cup of Tim Hortons coffee this morning. 


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Did someone say TRICK-OR-TREAT??? Let's all go to TARGET! #TargetTrickorTWEET

Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Halloween! I've loved it for as long as I can remember. 

This is me and my sister all dressed up for Halloween 1982. I'm ET and my sister is Little Orphan Annie.  Both movies were very popular that year.  Just look at those "old-time" costumes!


I love to decorate my home, shop for costumes for my boys and hand out treats to cutie pies who come trick-or-treating at my door.  And that is why I took my boys to our local Target to check out all their Halloween goodies!


My son and I were having a blast trying on Chris March's Big Fun foam wigs which are a Target Exclusive.  Too funny and so much fun!


We found some Halloween pumpkins and a BIG SCULL for outdoor decorating. So spooky!!!



There was tons of candy to stock up on for our trick-or-treaters. My son couldn't believe there was so much candy. 




We even found some Halloween Pinatas and ornaments. Sweet!



There were lots of costumes to choose from and I was happy to see there was a sale too!  Now that is awesome!




I am so #ThankFALL for my family and everything we have been blessed with this year. And I'm also very #ThankFALL to be able to make Halloween special for my boys this year.  I found so many amazing goodies at Target that will make my family's Halloween a very happy one.

And Target Canada wants to make your Halloween a very special one too!  They are having a Twitter Party to celebrate Halloween. 


Twitter Party Details Page:
http://trickortweettwitterparty.com/ 
Date: Thursday October 23, 2014
Time: 9:00pm – 10:00pm EST
Hosts: @TargetCanada @ShesConnected
Location: Twitter following hashtag #TargetTrickorTWEET
Platform: Twitter Party Newbies please join on TWUBS
http://twubs.com/trickortweet
Hashtag: #TargetTrickorTWEET 

Monday, October 6, 2014

Henley the Hedgehog's Home

There is a tree in a nearby park that has really caught the eye of all the neighbourhood children. You see, this is not any ordinary tree. This tree has a little door on it.  It also has a mini "Welcome" mat, mini garbage and recycling bins and tons of acorns children have left in front of the little door.  





New little objects appear all of the time. Every time my boys and I visit, something new is added to the quaint little dwelling. Some wonderful person has taken the time to brighten the days of the community.  Apparently, Henley the Hedgehog lives in the tree!  My son was lucky enough to meet Henley last week, before it got to cold for him to come out to visit. 





This week when we went to visit, we saw a Crime Stoppers posting with a photo of a chipmunk who was "Most Wanted" and a reward was offered. It seems that the chipmunk has been helping himself to Henley's acorns! When I saw this notice, it instantly made me smile. Absolutely adorable!


I can't wait until our next visit to Henley Hedgehog's house. I wonder if he will decorate for Halloween! Somehow, I think he will.