Skinny and Tasty!

My absolute new favourite recipe site is www.skinnytaste.com. I am not kidding, I can, and have, spent hours browsing the recipes and looking at the fabulous photos that Gina, the site’s creator, posts of everything she cooks.

The premise of Skinnytaste.com is that Gina has “made over” recipes to be “skinnier” – less fat, less calories, etc. And I tell you, she has succeeded! You can find everything from soups to desserts and everything in between. Gina will also take requests from fans to make over their favourite recipes and she experiments till she gets it right.

I have made several of her recipes and have never been disappointed. Here are some of my favourites and my comments.

Skinny Baked Broccoli Macaroni and Cheese
I had never made my own mac and cheese before trying this recipe but I have made this three or four times and it is amazing. I think the really good 4-year-old aged cheddar we buy from the Farmer’s Market makes a difference. Make it gluten free by using gluten free flour, brown rice pasta and omitting the bread crumbs or using gluten free ones instead.


Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries
A fan of oatmeal I am not! But this, well, this could turn anyone onto oatmeal. It’s almost like a breakfast cake it is so good but there is no sugar and no flour. Agave, bananas and blueberries add sweetness and milk and eggs hold it together. It makes a great breakfast and although oats can have a bit of gluten (due to cross-contamination in processing), it is essentially gluten free.


Chicken and Mushrooms in a Garlic White Wine Sauce
Serve this to your guests and they’ll think you are a gourmet chef! They don’t have to know how easy and quick it was to make. I’ve made this one twice and boy is it good. Serve it with some roasted cauliflower and a salad and you have a fantastic meal.

Sicilian Rice Ball Casserole
This is a casserole version of those delicious Italian rice balls that you may have been fortunate to try (my sister’s mother-in-law, Rosa, makes amazing ones). This is a really hearty, filling dish that needs only a salad to make it a complete meal. I did not make my own tomato sauce for this recipe (although I do on occasion), I used a can of ‘tomato sauce’. Next time I would use a marinara-type pasta sauce.

Crock Pot Turkey White Bean Chili
My mother-in-law, Linda, gave me some pumpkin puree (she actually purees the jack-o-lantern after Halloween – who knew it had another use!?) so I went in search of pumpkin recipes. This recipe did not disappoint and is quite different than what you may traditionally know as chili. I probably quadrupled (or more) the spices (cumin, chili powder, oregano) the second time I made this as I found it not to be spicy enough for my taste (and by that I don’t mean hot).

As I said, I’ve made several more recipes and I will continue to try even more from this site. I have never been disappointed and they are all fairly easy and use ingredients that I typically buy (two of my criteria when trying a new recipe). If you’re looking for a healthier alternative to a favourite dish, have a search on skinnytaste.com… you’ll probably find what you’re looking for!

I'd Still Pin You Up On My Wall, Rob Lowe

If you are a contemporary of mine, you probably remember saving your allowance or babysitting money to buy the latest issue of Tiger Beat or BOP with dreamy guys on the cover like Rob Lowe. That chiselled chin, those sparkling eyes and that dazzling smile made Rob a favourite on my bedroom walls and those of my sister.

If you sought out Rob Lowe covers and pin-ups, or any of the so-called Brat Pack, then you must read his autobiography, Stories I Only Tell My Friends.



The book will surprise and enchant you with stories like the gruelling process of filming The Outsiders (and how most of Rob's character, Sodapop Curtis's scenes were cut), and how Rob and the Penn brothers (Sean and Chris) and the brothers Sheen (Emilio and Charlie) made home movies in their neighbourhood together before any of them were famous. As an aside, back then the only thing Charlie aspired to “winning” at was Major League Baseball, not acting. You’ll read about Rob’s once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the studio where special effects were being created for a little film called “Star Wars” with his step aunt and uncle, and then his transition to writing, directing and his forays into comedy (at which he excels, I might add!). The book is extremely well-written and poignant and well worth the read.


After reading it, I’m feeling nostalgic and find myself wanting to watch movies like The Outsiders, St. Elmo's Fire and About Last Night. Perhaps I’ll hit a video store this week and see what I can find.

I’d still pin your face up on my bedroom wall, Rob... but my husband probably wouldn’t like that!

Penne's Back!

Wow, I can’t believe it’s been over three years since I last blogged! Damn you, Facebook! With the ability to connect quickly with friends and family, give short updates and post photos, unfortunately Facebook has overshadowed my blog.

NO MORE, FRIENDS! Penne’s back to share her thoughts!

I can’t promise mind-blowing or ground-breaking posts, but I can promise a laugh once in awhile, some cooking inspiration and reviews and updates about me and the boys (men!) I share my life with.

A quick update since my last post... we moved to Hamilton from Oakville, bought our first house, got married, had baby boy O in July 2011 and B is about to turn 16 – oh my!

Stay tuned for more posts very soon. And if you forget why I’m called “Penne”, my very first blog post many moons ago explains it!

Lazy Days of Summer....and Fall??

I admit that I have neglected my blog lately, so here's a bit of an update. We had a great summer with two separate weeks at two different cottages and lots of other gatherings and get-togethers. It was truly a summer of family for me - both my mom's side (the Hayes family) and my dad's side (the Alger family). Luckily, my wonderful sister is a much more consistent blogger than I am and she has captured our family gatherings so well that I thought I'd post the link to her blog here. That way it kills two birds with one stone. haha!

http://www.thebevchronicles.blogspot.com/

To see our summer vacation photos, check out these links to my Facebook photo albums (you don't have to be a member to view the albums):

Rockwood Conservation Area, August 30, 2008.
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=151072&l=c27fb&id=784150264

Cottage on Sharbot Lake, July 26 to August 1, 2008.
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=140748&l=c057c&id=784150264

Cottage on Manitoulin Island, June 28 to July 5, 2008
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=131024&l=c6d03&id=784150264

In other news, we have a new addition to our family as of August 10, 2008. Finnegan O'Toole is a gorgeous two-year-old Turkish Van cat who we are so happy to have living with us. He's a real 'talker' and has a very funny personality. With fur as soft as silk and one blue eye, one green eye, he's quite unique looking. Finnegan and Gary have become friends and chase each other around and play quite a bit. Here are some photos of our newest addition:
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=144369&l=3ebc2&id=784150264

The fall is already in full swing and is going to be very busy. Brayden is in Grade 7 (OMG!) and seems to like it so far. I think rotating classes and not having the same teacher in the same room all day makes a big difference. He and I are starting skating lessons again in a couple of weeks and Jason and I are both enrolled in courses towards the certificates that we are pursuing. I have also started volunteering at the Humane Society in Burlington. Jason seems to think it might help with my obsession with cats and my desire for more and more.... we'll see if he's right about that. I have my doubts as after the training session it was torture to leave behind an extremely affectionate little boy who latched on to me instantly....

Kindred Spirits

Once upon a time there were two little girls whose literary loving Grandmother gave them their very own set of books by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

The two little girls became avid readers and eagerly and excitedly immersed themselves in life at Green Gables and the young orphan named Anne. Like a third sister, Anne became very real to them and their imaginative play.

Fast forward 28 years – the sisters plan their own adventure to Avonlea! Could it be that they would actually get to take in Green Gables, walk in the Haunted Wood, sip raspberry cordial and visit the Avonlea school for themselves? Would they get to meet Anne and Gilbert and bring all of their fantasies to life? Well, sort of……

“Bosom Buddies” that they are (not unlike Anne and Diana) the sisters stayed at a cottage by the sea and attempted to re-create the world of their childhood. Unfortunately Ms. Montgomery had never mentioned that the weather in PEI in June can be very cold and require a rain coat. And surely Anne didn’t have to pay a fee to the government to access Cavendish beach!

Much to the sisters dismay Anne was not at Avonlea when they arrived promptly at 10:00 am as the web site had instructed. Apparently she was still studying or rehearsing and wouldn’t be available to receive visitors for another week. Sadly, the sisters walked around the deserted town of Avonlea peeking in the windows of the schoolhouse, church and theatre. Would they ever get to see Anne???

Suddenly it came to them! They would don their own Anne hats and bring the village to life themselves! The sisters were always up for the challenge of creating their own fun – as long as they were together they were sure to enjoy themselves.

The sisters left the Island happy and with the sense that their Grandmother’s own kindred spirit was alive and laughing along with them.