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Hello my friends! It’s been a while since the last Potluck Party… Oh dear how I’ve missed the fun and happiness and the great food and great friends that come and visit.

What can I say, I needed the break. The last few months have been so busy with work and life that I just couldn’t pull myself to throw a party. There were either deadlines, or someone was sick or things got in the way. I think a little break helped me realize how I missed everyone and how I missed these lovely get togethers and seeing all this great food was pure joy!

So, please accept my apology for my 1 month absence, and let’s resume the fun! Shall we?

As a reminder, we’re focusing on mostly VEGAN and GLUTEN-FREE recipes, some exceptions are allowed for ancient grains such as spelt or kamut, or honey. No artificial or processed ingredients and no refined sugar or artificial sweeteners, ingredients etc. We’re striving for healthy and “pure” recipes!

This week also is Allergy Awareness Week. Which is just perfect because all the recipes here cater to allergen sensitive people.

I am very respectful of the special diets out there and do offer support and understanding when it comes to food allergies. My approach to food however is very positive, I do not dwell on what you can’t have, I enjoy all* good food to the fullest ~ there really is nothing missing! ;) (*allowed)

THANK YOU! DON’T FORGET TO SPREAD THE EXCITEMENT!

ps. If you are linking up, don’t forget to spread the word where your fantastic recipe has been shared!  Simply, click ‘like’ at the bottom of the post to tell your friends where your recipe has been! Everyone is invited… so if you have friends who you think might like to join the Party, please let them know.

I’m sure you have noticed, that I recently changed the name of my blog from Lifeologia to Pure Ella ~ this was a big decision that I’m very happy with. My life, especially in the last 5 years has really been all about pure living. From cooking to everyday products I use at home for cleaning to pampering are natural, chemically free. So, I think the name Pure Ella suits me so well that I love to share more tips and recipes on a journey of pure living.

Hello and Happy Friday!

Did you know that for a ‘health nut’ – I’m kind of obsessed about chocolate! No not in a junky way or the kind I would torture you for a piece… but I have my ways of getting a little chocolate fix almost daily.

Did you know that not all chocolate is the same either. No matter what my craving, I would never just stop by a gas station and pick up whatever I can get my hands on under the check-out counter. Those chocolate bars (the ones we already know the names of so well because so much money is fuelled into the advertising) those, are the bad chocolates. And no, I would never eat one (no names need to be mentioned) even if it was free and/or force fed. Bleh.

So what do I consider a good chocolate worthy of my personal enjoyment? Quality ingredients are key. The shorter the list the better. 70% or higher cacao. No dairy. No artificial ingredients or flavours. No preservatives. No artificial sweeteners of any kind and it cannot be over 8 grams of sugar per 30 grams (3 squares). Organic if possible. As pure as possible.

That said, I don’t think I’m that picky – I just always aim for the best food experience – and that goes for little pleasurable chocolate-cravings also. It’s not my fault there is is so much *crap* out there in the candy bar isle. Now a girl has to stand there, waste her time reading all the ingredients before she chooses the right chocolate fix. It’s a tough world out there. You need to master the skill of getting around these bad foods out there. With practice things do become easier and with so many options out there getting better because consumers are getting smarter and they will no longer get brain-washed by food advertisers – we are slowly changing the foods that are on the shelves by simply not buying poor-quality products.

Aside from breaking up a rich dark-chocolate bar and savouring a little piece… I do love to bake with chocolate, cacao or cocoa all the time and even using cacao nibs in my morning cereal or smoothie. Yum!

Finally I just want to admit how excited I am for a CHOCOLATE POTLUCK PARTY! I really really wish this was a real deal and we could all come together and have a fun potluck party with amazing chocolate desserts! If one day I win the lottery (hm… first I would have to start playing) but if I do, and if I win – that is what I would do – throw a Real Potluck Party and invite everyone! Pinky Swear! ;)

So my lovely friends, for now let’s have fun with a virtual party right here in blogland! ;)

Please share your best chocolate recipes!

(please note that we’re looking for healthy recipes that are :
dairy free, egg free, wheat free, refined sugar free, with no artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives).

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
♥ Ella 

Hello dear friends! It’s the 22nd of March – wow! This means it’s already Spring (NOT!), it’s a Friday (Yes!) and Easter is next week (Yes! Already!)

They moved it up – and spring is late – I personally don’t like this as it ruins my plans for eating dessert in the garden. But, what can you do…. We still love to celebrate Easter (although not religiously between me and my husband) but it is still an important Holiday for our families. So we do go all out with a slightly Eastern European flavour on the menu. But, in the last few years more and more vegan and gluten or wheat free recipes have been added.

I love this particular family meal because it’s a great way to bring in a hint of Spring (if not outdoors- than on the table). Fresh tulips, fresh veggies and light-tasting foods and desserts. I can’t wait.

It is a little tricky to plan a Healthy Easter Menu based on vegan recipes and wheat-free recipes or even gluten-free. These are the hardest times for me because mostly everyone in my family does eat meat – so I need to plan for protein-rich dishes that would make me happy and full and bring true potluck dishes that will make everyone happy.

I would love to hear some suggestions for dealing with different menus on one table. My personal biggest tip is to always plan ahead so you’re not disappointed later. Make something that you will and bring with you to a potluck so you don’t stress the cook as well. If you’re doing all the cooking, well than that’s easier (or is it? ;)) I’m sure these recipes below will help: ;)

Wishing you all a great weekend
and sending big wishes to Mother Earth to bring Spring sooner! ;)

Hello ladies, Happy International Women’s Day!

I am very excited to present this party because we ladies have come a long way! We are AWESOME, STRONG, WISE, BEAUTIFUL, POWERFUL…. and so much more – and WE should be celebrated! Yes?

What is Women’s Day to me? It’s not a celebration is a big fancy way — I don’t need gifts or even flowers (because I still have my yellow gerber daisies around the house), but it’s a celebration of all women in this entire world, present and past who have contributed so much to the people around them and the world.

It’s a reminder to celebrate and appreciate women in your life. A celebration of respect, appreciation and love they bring to our lives every day.

Women have come a long way. Just think that just a hundred years ago we couldn’t wear pants! We fought hard for equality and power and to be heard and not hurt.

I do my best every day to be a great person, friend, sister, daughter, wife and mom… And it’s great to hear my five year  declare “Mom, you are the best mom in the world!” ;) I still love it that I can be a career woman at the same time with my own business and following my own dreams… Although sometimes, reality is that we just can’t do it all.

So even though I feel that I have found that power of growing my own business the last 10 years — I find that I’m still a big traditional woman inside. I love being a mom and play housewife and make home cooked meals and set them on the table and call my family for dinner… But, although I know I’m lucky I can do both – it’s really hard to balance both career and stay-at-home mom life! Sometimes, I think the traditional ways are better when the roles are divided… and there’s a lot more focus on family life.

As a woman, what I love about myself the most is that I’m passionate, nurturing and stand up for myself.

Do share : What do you love about yourself? And what does Women’s Day mean to you?

Wishing you all a great weekend! It’s supposed to warm up a little – Yes! :) Spring, I can’t wait for you ;)

Today, we’re doing a little lady’s night at my sister’s with my mom and all us sisters – I know our mom will bring up stories of her childhood and I can’t wait to hear the wonderful stories weaned with struggles that she went through. Definitely makes you appreciate how times have changed for the better… and that’s only in 50 years ;)