Whole Happy

Like so many other things, my holiday baking lineup is looking a bit different this year. Instead of about a dozen very different recipes and creations I opted for something a bit more streamlined and simple to save time and effort with this new little cookie in my life making things a bit more unpredictable and my kitchen time slightly more scarce... The goodies here are all ones I’ve made many times and shared before - gluten-free shortbread, chocolate bark, maple spiced... nuts, and bliss balls - but I used a similar combination of nuts (Brazil, cashew, almond, pecan, walnut + macadamia), dried fruit (cranberries + cherries), and flavourings (orange zest, ground ginger, cinnamon + clove) for that classic Christmas flavour profile By chopping the nuts and dried fruit in my food processor (separately I should add, otherwise the nuts and fruit clump together) I saved mega time, and by making treats that either keep in the fridge or cupboard well I could chip away at it over the past few days and have an abundance of nibbles come this festive week I’ll share the recipes again throughout the week so stay tuned for that in my stories See more

Happy first night of Hannukah to everyone celebrating I had the honour of sharing three of my favourite latke recipes in my latest story for Boulevard Magazine ... There’s a spiced root veggie mix for all the adventurous types out there a kale + zucchini blend for the health nuts in the audience and of course a classic potato pancake for the traditionalists as well as some suggested toppings and garnishes to go with your creations ... Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, latkes are a wonderful additional to your holiday cooking rotation (and really all year long) as a satisfying side dish, eggs benny base, burger bun substitute, or simply just on there own Read more about how I like to enjoy them, some Shortt family traditions at this time of year, and the basic story of why we in fact eat latkes at Hanukkah-time in the holiday issue of Boulevard either in print or online (link below) *Photos by the talented and wonderful Lia Crowe @ Victoria, British Columbia https://issuu.com/boulevardlifestylesi//2020_12_blvdvic_lr

I’ve been seeing a lot of beautiful posts of folks putting up holiday decorations this weekend (we’re in fact going to do ours tonight) and thought I’d share an oldschool super easy cookie recipe of mine for anyone wanting a satisfying sweet treat to go along with the festive fun They’re easy, gluten/grain-free, plant-based and most of all just such chewy chocolatey heaven, I figured there might be a few of you interested in something like this Oh and if you have... a peanut butter allergy but can do other nut or seed butters, subs will work great as well Happy Sunday CHOCOLATE DIP PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES *gluten-free/grain-free/plant-based INGREDIENTS: 1 almond flour 1/2 tapioca or cassava flour 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (optional) 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup natural peanut butter (if unsalted add a little bit of salt, if salted leave salt out) 1 cup pure maple syrup 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 100-200g dark chocolate DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350F Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Whisk together the flour, xanthan gum, sea salt (if using) and baking powder together in a small bowl and set aside. In another, larger bowl combine peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract, mixing until combined. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, combining thoroughly. Spoon the dough onto prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart (any amount will work, but I usually do about 2 tbsp) Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 and allow them to cool. Meanwhile melt some dark chocolate in a saucepan or double boiler (I usually do about 200g so I have extra but you don’t really need that much). Stir throughout and make sure it doesn’t burn ;) Dip the cookies in the melted chocolate and place on a large piece of parchment paper. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts and a little bit more salt if you like, perhaps an additional drizzle of melted chocolate, and allow to set before serving! See more

Finding spaces of normalcy in this crazy new normal Sundays have traditionally been rather sacred for Donovan and I. He has worked 6 days a week for a long time now, often only taking a break on Sundays, so the ritual of enjoying a slow day together starting with a big breakfast set to the soundtrack of our favourite records is often our one shot at some quality together-time amidst a full week. While of course many things have changed since Desmond has arrived in ou...r lives, Sundays are still special. Desmond arrived on a Sunday (the most special Sunday of our lives). A week later we enjoyed our first family outing together (and my first walk in some much needed fresh air), and every Sunday since has been marked with some other triumphant milestones, often starting of course with that glorious morning tradition of food and music - two of our favourite things, and as it’s turning out, two of Desi’s favourite things Not every Sunday may feel like this, but when possible we’ll make this a priority, especially when the most perfect pumpkin pancakes are involved PUMPKIN PANCAKES *with gf/df options INGREDIENTS 2 eggs 1/3 cup pure pumpkin purée 1 tbsp maple syrup (or more if you like things on the sweeter side) 1 tbsp melted butter or coconut oil 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp almond flour 2 tbsp cassava flour 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice DIRECTIONS whisk together all ingredients in a medium sized bowl until well integrated. heat a large pan to medium heat, melting some butter or coconut oil to coat the bottom. spoon in pancake batter (I usually make them about 3-4 inches in diameter and spaced nicely apart so they’re easy to flip). once you start to see some bubbles form and the edges begin to brown, flip and fry until cooked (usually a couple minutes per side). top with butter, maple syrup, walnuts, cinnamon, whipped cream or yogurtwhatever makes you happy! See more

Until last night I hadn’t cooked a single dinner postpartum. The first week my amazing parents brought over a home-cooked meal every single night - our glorious first meal home from the hospital was burgers and baked potatoes and I’ll remember that heavenly feeling for the rest of my life Since then, we have been showered with the most exquisite food from friends and colleagues, many of which were homemade and some were delivered from a couple of our favourite restaur...ants. These gifts are priceless. They have allowed me to nourish my tired, depleted, and recovering body while reducing the stress of worrying about how to cook a meal with the new reality of a demanding little infant crying, pooping, or needing to feed 24/7 During the last few weeks of my pregnancy I also stashed away some freezer-friendly meals which have filled in the holes between those kind and generous deliveries. Chili, meatsauce, curry, tagine, soup etc. have been so satisfying to thaw, reheat and simply enjoy. Last night we devoured some apple, cranberry, walnut turkey meatballs with roasted butternut squash, sautéed mushrooms, and baby kale, pappardelle, and grated parmigiano-reggiano for an easy half-way-there pre-cooked meal as the meatballs were part of this pre-made freezer stashed lineup I can’t recommend enough having some easy go-to’s in the freezer for postpartum nourishment or just for busy weeks whether you’re a parent or not. I also can’t emphasize enough what an immense gift it is to bestow parents with nourishing food in those challenging first months of newborn life. Whether home-cooked or from a local restaurant, even a grocery delivery, it’s one of the best presents for a friend or family member who is juggling the challenges of a new babyor an illnessor is simply stressed to the max and needs some edible love And if these meatballs seem like something you’d like to try, the recipe is in my bio link See more

To those who fought for what they believed in, to those who made sacrifices for other’s freedom, to those who gave up so much for hope of a better world...thank you. Today and every day we have so much to reflect on, so much to learn from, so much to be grateful for and then grow from thanks to so many brave souls. Lest we forget

Thank heavens for power balls I somehow magically and preemptively made a massive batch of my very basic ball recipe hours before I went into labour and am SO grateful for it during those postpartum snack attacks. Yesterday while Des was all wrapped up on me in his Solly I made another batch bc they’re THAT easy and THAT essential these days The basic recipe is below, but I personally like to switch up and get creative based on what I have lying around the kitche...n and the mood I’m in Some of my fave combos include... *Almond butter|cranberry|walnut|ginger (pictured here) *Almond butter|prunes|almonds|clove (pictured here) *Tahini|apricot|pistachio|cardamom *Cashew butter|shaves coconut|mango|ginger BASIC POWER BALLS INGREDIENTS 2 loose cups soft dates 1/4 cup non-dairy milk (I usually do coconut) 1/2 cup nut or seed butter 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted 2 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 cup collagen powder or protein powder of choice 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp other spices 2 cups rolled oats 1/2 tsp sea salt 1 cup dried fruit 1 cup chopped nuts DIRECTIONS In a high powered food processor, combine the dates, milk, nut/seed butter, coconut oil, and vanilla until smooth. Add the collagen/protein powder, salt, and spices and blend until fully integrated. Blend in the oats until well combined. Pulse in the nuts and fruit until the bits are quite small and well integrated (it makes it easier to roll that way, but you can also leave it quite chunky if you prefer that texture). Allow it to set in the fridge for about 30 mins before rolling into balls. Optional to roll is crumbled nuts, shaved coconut, or any other garnish you like as pictured here. Store in fridge for freezer. See more

Because two desserts are always better than one This year serve up a spiced apple galette alongside your favourite pumpkin pie for a double dose of glory Best part of all, galettes are quite possibly one of the easiest desserts in the world, so it’s extra praise with minimal effort Full recipe along with this hearty gluten-free pastry dough here: http://www.wholehappy.com//spiced-apple-galette-gluten-free... Happy feasting See more

Our sweet little angel decided he just couldn’t wait to join us earthside and introduced himself a couple weeks early at around 1pm on Sunday, October 18th We are bursting with unimaginable amounts of joy, gratitude, and the most remarkable kind of love as we proudly introduce you to our darling Desmond William Ma, named after Donovan’s grandpa Desmond Hill and my grandpa William Shortt - two amazing men whose memories shine through in our Desi’s beautiful soul

F R I D A Y F E E L S I’ve been having fun experimenting with one of my favourite (and crazy easy) classic oat cookies recipes, originally spiced cranberry + walnut The base is essentially rolled oats, almond flour, maple syrup, apple sauce, and almond butter, and then I’ve been playing around with various different flavourings and iterations of that - a hearty breakfast cookies sort of dealio with shaved almonds, pecans, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, dried currant...s, etc., a salted chocolate chunk version, and a thumbprint jam vibe as shown here The original recipe is right here: http://www.wholehappy.com//cranberry-walnut-spiced-oat-coo ...all you have to do is sub out the walnuts, cranberries and spices for the other fillings and flavours you favour...or for the thumbprint jam style, leave out the chunky bits completely, shape the cookie with a little divot in the middle, and fill with your favourite jam They’re amazing for pre-prep and bake-as-you-need The pre-baked cookie dough keeps in the fridge for about a week (there’s not really anything that’s particularly perishable in these guys), and they also freeze really wellsomething I’ve been delighted in as I cram my freezer full of postpartum meals + snacks Happy fall baking and as always let me know if you have any questions

Thankful doesn’t even begin to cover it Soaking in this weekend, soaking in these last few weeks, soaking in each and every day with overflowing gratitude, immense appreciation, and abounding joy for every blessing, every meaningful moment, every outpouring of love, generosity, and kindness from all the many important people in my life, the magical place we call home, nature and all her many gifts, and of course this sweet little angel inside me who we get to meet so soon **Also thankful to the amazing @meganedelmanphotography for capturing this sweet moment of blissful gratitude