G! Gets Zesty: Start Your Engines!

Breakfast you’ll jump out of bed for (seriously delicious morning fuel!)

By Cory Gallant aka zestycook

Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason – it gives you the energy you need so you can make it through the day without crashing and burning.

With summer just around the corner, you’re going to need all the energy you can get your hands on so you can get started on that long-awaited yard work and those projects you’ve been putting off until the weather gets nicer…oh wait, that’s now!

Here are three dazzling breakfast selections that are sure to satisfy the masses and their growling bellies first thing in the morning. They’re easy to make and can easily be customized to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.

Super Star Toast: A slice of heaven

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toast is just toast until you kick it up a notch and make it super! This flavour-loaded breakfast powerhouse offers up everything you’ll need to start your day – protein, carbs, fibre and a serving of fruit. Pair with a glass of milk and you’ve got your food groups covered until lunch. But don’t feel limited to only having this tasty creation in the morning – eat like a super star anytime of day!
Ingredients
* 1 Kaiser roll, or bread of your choice
* 1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter
* 1 tablespoon Nutella hazelnut spread
* 1 banana, mashed
* 1 tablespoon granola
* Drizzle of honey

Method
1. Toast Kaiser roll or bread for a warm, crispy base.
2. Spread on the peanut or almond butter.
3. Top with Nutella.
4. Add mashed banana, then top with granola.
5. Drizzle with honey
6. ENJOY!

Zesty Tip: If you’re planning on having more than one piece of this tasty creation (which is totally acceptable and encouraged), I recommend preparing one piece at a time to prevent the bread from getting soggy. Also, this recipe is a great excuse to use up those over-ripe bananas sitting on the counter – use ‘em before you lose ‘em!

Ridiculously Raspberry Baguette French Toast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anyone up for some French toast, baguette-style?

You may have noticed from reading my column or on zestycook.com, I am not a fan of throwing out food. Every now and then, we end up with left over bread that just never seems to get devoured, which is weird because bread is a favourite of the Zesty household.

A little while ago, I noticed a half a loaf of baguette just hanging out on the counter so I had the thought that French toast would bring this bread back to life. This was the birth of baguette French toast, topped with a fragrant raspberry sauce, fresh raspberries and a dusting of powdered sugar. A few slices will have you singing all morning long.

The Ultimate Breakfast Sandwich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn’t very well talk about breakfast without including one of my all-time favourite foods and the cornerstone of any traditional breakfast fare – the egg (or as I like to it, the “hen fart”).

When you’re pressed for time and on the go, a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, ham, bacon or sausage can easily satisfy your need to nosh. Most restaurants have their own variation of this hand-held breakfast treat, but you can easily make your own with all of your favourite fixings.

For mine, I like to use a croissant, real cheddar cheese, some fresh ham and, of course, eggs. This may not be the best choice of breakfast if you’re counting calories, but it’s definitely one to eat in moderation. I like to toast the croissant to add a little crunch and help melt the cheese a little more.

Are you drooling yet?

Why stick to the breakfast basics when you’ve got easy to make, delicious dishes like these to start your day? Give them a try and guaranteed, you’ll be starting your day with a smile on your face and some pep in your step!

For these tantalizing breakfast recipes plus much, much more, come on over and check out www.zestycook.com.

Thanks so much for reading,

zesty

Cory Gallant aka zestycook loves food and everything about it. Since 2008, zesty has been sharing his love of all things culinary on his food blog zestycook.com. When he’s not whipping up something in the kitchen, zesty spends his days with the lovely Mrs. Zesty and their two junior zesties-in-training.

Breakfast you’ll jump out of bed for (seriously delicious morning fuel!) By Cory Gallant aka zestycook Breakfast has long been touted as the most important meal of the day, and for good reason – it gives you the energy you need so you can make it through the day without crashing and burning. With summer [...]

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Technicolour Dreams

The hottest spring trends you need in your closet!

Photography and Story by Kimberly Rashed

Rise and shine!

It’s finally time to come out of hibernation. And guess what? Fabrics DO exist in colours other than black and grey!

 

 

Coral, emerald, purple, fuchsia, sapphire blue, citrus yellow and aquamarine…have I forgotten anything? We’ve been cooped up for far too long and it’s time to break out in a big way. So many bright and beautiful hues are making their mark on spring fashions, and bold is definitely the word of the season. The key to making bold work for you is having the courage to play around with colour – it’s all about mixing, not matching.

Yeah, I said it!

Have fun. Don’t be scared to experiment – you’ll look fabulous, I promise! Bright colours will perk up your mood and energize your spirit. I’m not saying you need to cover the spectrum in one look, but try to work two or three vibrant shades together.

Not all of spring’s vibrant colours will flatter every skin tone or hair colour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun with them. You can still work them into your wardrobe as an accessory piece, such as a bag, shoe or even a long necklace.

Remember when women used to have their “colours” done? My Mom would come home and say she was only allowed to wear “these” shades and thus, anything that didn’t fit in line was exiled from her closet. Whatever! I’m not going to let someone tell me what colours work for me and what doesn’t. If I like it and I feel good in it, I’m going to wear it. I think “wearing it well” is an attitude, and ladies; we are not short on attitude!
Seeing white?

 

We may have had our fair share of white of a different variety this season (I believe my deck is still covered), but white for spring takes on a fresh new turn with head-to-toe ensembles. White is a colour, right? I won’t get into that debate right now, but I think we can all agree it certainly does brighten up the wardrobe.

However, exercise caution in your fabric choices and be sure to try items on. Have a trusted friend let you know if you’re sharing TMI…you know where I’m going with this. Undergarments (or lack there of) can cause a major wardrobe malfunction if you’re not too careful.

 

Modern twists on old classics

It’s true – all trends make their way back around eventually. Merging trends is a great way to add a modern twist. Here’s a list of great options to play with:

Bohemian chic
Need to mellow out? Romantic flowing silhouettes and fabrics show your carefree spirit in a relaxed breezy look. Pairing a soft, flowing blouse with a more refined short or pant is a great way to mix it up and give it an updated look.

Wide-leg pants
This trend never stays away too long. Dare to try it in one of the season’s fresh shades for a playful and exciting look. A pant in a colour other than black or grey, you say? Though neutrals make sense for mixing and matching, there are a few choice pieces you can surely splurge on.

Florals, stripes and graphic prints
Make a statement in a lady-like floral maxi dress. Prints are a sure-fire way to make a major statement this season.

Layered oversized accessories
You don’t have to be a hip-hop star to pull this look off. More is more with this look.

Spring-cleaning means closet purge, right? Someone’s got to make room for all of these new looks and something tells me it’s not at the top of hubby’s to-do list. I’m sure he’ll be busy tending to yard work. No biggie – this is one task I’ll be happy to manage on my own.

 

Fashion, photography, motherhood…Kimberly Rashed does it all in a pair of five-inch heels! You can find Kimberly each month in G! giving us her take on fashion, relationships and how to get through life…looking fabulous, of course!

The hottest spring trends you need in your closet! Photography and Story by Kimberly Rashed Rise and shine! It’s finally time to come out of hibernation. And guess what? Fabrics DO exist in colours other than black and grey!     Coral, emerald, purple, fuchsia, sapphire blue, citrus yellow and aquamarine…have I forgotten anything? We’ve [...]

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G! Whiz: Let’s Get Physical

 

 

As I’m sure you all know, with the exception of most people, May is National Fitness Month. Shocker, I know – it’s like May is nationally recognized as the month to dedicate something to; National Fitness Month, National Bike Month, National “It’s May” Month.

It just so happens that this year, National Fitness Month coincides with the emergence of coloured denim jean shorts as the new “must-have” item for summer (I’d like to smack whichever “Ghostwriter” cast member-turned-fashion designer decided that). This is basically all the motivation I needed to jump back into the fitness routine I’d abandoned like an unwanted baby on the doorstep of three bachelors (Yes, I will take any and every opportunity to drop a “Three Men and a Baby” reference). I promptly signed up for membership at my local YMCA (it’s not just for young men!) and as an enthusiastic new member, I’ve decided to take you though the inaugural week of my new fitness regime:

Friday, April 8: Day 1 of a newer, healthier me. Enter gym armed with fortitude and motivation. Have forgotten sneakers. Vow to make up for it tomorrow.

Saturday, April 9: Hungover. Vow to make up for it tomorrow.

Sunday, April 10: See Saturday.

Monday, April 11: Rejoice! Have come to gym armed with fortitude, motivation, and appropriate gym attire! Whoops, have forgotten lock. Almost abort mission before realizing that credit card is maxed out and it is unlikely anyone wishes to steal purse full of gum wrappers, receipts, and old bank statements.

Glance around change room. Experience shock at the evidence of a strict dress code. Feel uneasy surrounded by gym-goers adorned in the flattering sheen of black Nike sports bra-tops and stretchy cropped pants. Regret own wardrobe selection of Diadora soccer shorts and No Fear T-shirt from 1997.

Find treadmill. Minutes 1 through 10 of 30-minute workout spent flipping through channels on television. Bliss! A repeat episode of “Hot in Cleveland”!

Glance over at perfectly coiffed, tan/toned immaculately dressed blonde beside me. Secretly nickname her “Lulu” for obvious reasons. Spot my own red faced/frizzy-haired reflection in the mirror; am filled with self-loathing. Sneak a peek at Lulu’s running speed: 6.0 at a 2.0 incline. Triumphantly speed up own treadmill to 7.0 at a 3.0 incline. Die.

Dismount treadmill. Head onward and upward to muscle firming/toning! Carefully observe circuit-training section of gym. Immediately coin new term: Perspirritation: (Definition) The annoyance experienced when sweaty people neglect to wipe their drippings off the machines. I might as well work out in the area between my dog’s tongue and his water dish.

Opt instead to head back into ladies change room to re-coif frizzy ponytail. Will resume intense fat-melting workout post-coif. Smooth ponytail. Conclude that there are no good songs left on iPod. Will purchase new music and make up for lost time tomorrow. Change. Exit gym.

Tuesday, April 12: Am sore. Deserve break.*
*Break = M&Ms for lunch, fajitas & beer for dinner. Vow to make up for it tomorrow.

Week #1 Results: +1 lb. They say muscle weighs more than fat!

Heidi Brander is a writer and producer with YTV, a stand-up comedian and wig connoisseur with big dreams of big hair. Read what’s on Heidi’s mind each month is G! For daily Heidi-ism, follow her on Twitter: @HeidiBrander.

    As I’m sure you all know, with the exception of most people, May is National Fitness Month. Shocker, I know – it’s like May is nationally recognized as the month to dedicate something to; National Fitness Month, National Bike Month, National “It’s May” Month. It just so happens that this year, National Fitness [...]

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