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gin cocktail

Entertain, Flowers, Giveaways, Local Love, Occasions, Spring, Wine & Cocktails, Winter

ROSE INFUSED CHERRY GIN FIZZ


Remember the summer I acquired a taste for gin? It’s since become my favourite spirit. In fact, around this time last year I even ventured to Vancouver Island to track down an infamous local gin unavailable in Alberta (I also made a cocktail with that one!). Although the gin I brought home from my coastal travels is long gone, late last year I stumbled on Eau Claire Distillery via Instagram (their bottles are gorgeous and totally drew me in!). Imagine my surprise to find out we have an incredible, award winning distillery less than an hour from home! Over the holidays I took a trip to the visit their distillery in Turner Valley with my Mom (who loves gin) and my brother (who was home from New York and loves cocktails) for a tour and tasting — and we were all completely blown away by the quality of Eau Claire’s hand crafted offerings and their farm to glass approach. Now that I know they exist (and they’re local!) I actually can’t fathom using anything else in my cocktails! Over the last couple of months, we’ve padded our bar with several of Eau Claire’s artisinal spirits — including their most recent offering, Cherry Gin.

In honour of love day, I’m so excited to share my Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz! This feminine, fruity and lightly floral cocktail combines Eau Claire’s stunning Cherry Gin with my favourite Prosecco, a splash of fresh lemon juice and a Rose & Pink Peppercorn Infused Honey Simple Syrup for a contemporary spin on the classic French 75. My Rose Infused Cherry Gin Fizz is a beautiful addition to your Valentine’s Day menu, but can be enjoyed anytime you want to indulge in a gourmet craft cocktail at home! As always, it’s free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar — and bursting with fruity flavours, floral undertones, unique botanicals and a refreshing effervescence. The best part? Eau Claire is helping me share the love this Valentine’s Day by giving away a Cherry Gin Cocktail Caddy valued at $99 to one of my Canadian friends — check out the bottom of the post for details on how to enter!

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Blueberry Lemon and Cucumber Gin Mojitos // JustineCelina.com
Entertain, Flowers, Guest Posts & Features, Summer, Wine & Cocktails

BLUEBERRY LEMON AND CUCUMBER GIN MOJITOS


I hope you guys aren’t getting sick of collaborative content, because today’s post is a collaboration with a good blogging chum of mine, Dana over at  Killing Thyme. Dana’s blog may sound familiar because I’ve mentioned it a few times here at JustineCelina! Dana and I met last year through The Food Bloggers of Canada and you could say we became fast blogging friends — we clicked right away. I love Dana’s zest for life that’s wildly apparent in her content, her voice and authenticity, her generosity, and of course, her fantastic recipes and culinary knowledge! You see, Dana has been at this whole blogging thing a lot longer than I have and she’s always been so supportive of what I’m doing. In short, she’s a an absolute gem and I’m sure you’ll love her content and her blog just as much as I do! Pop over to check out my guest post and grab the recipe for my Blueberry Lemon and Cucumber Gin Mojitos.

So, when she asked if I’d be up for a guest post on her site, I jumped at the opportunity! You see, we both love a great cocktail, so I knew my Blueberry Lemon and Cucumber Gin Mojitos would be a perfect fit! They combine sweet blueberries with refreshing lemon, cucumber and mint with a healthy dose of gin and a splash of soda water for just the right amount of sparkle. These late summer sipper are free of refined sugars and made with all natural ingredients — so the next time you’re craving a cooling summer cocktail, indulge yourself with a fresh twist on the classic mojito! Cheers to sharing the love, to new blogs and new friends!

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My 1st Blogiversary + 10 Things I Learned in my First Year of Blogging // JustineCelina.com
Business, Create, Creative Process, Dessert & Treats, DIY, Entertain, Flowers, Goals, Inspiration, Life, Occasions, Pantone, Planning, Wellness, Wine & Cocktails

MY 1ST BLOGIVERSARY + 10 THINGS I LEARNED IN MY FIRST YEAR OF BLOGGING


Imagine a place where you could go to totally unleash your creativity. That’s what this blog has been for me for almost exactly 1 year. JustineCelina is my ultimate creative outlet and my happy place. I started my blog 1 year ago with an iPhone and an idea — and never could have imagined that it would grow and evolve into what it is today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single one of you reading this post. Your support in the largest creative endeavor of my life truly means the world to me!

I wasn’t going to make it a big deal, but I decided to throw JustineCelina a birthday party to celebrate this milestone! Today’s post is a very special 1st Blogiversary Party and collaborative shoot that I’ve invited some of Calgary’s very best makers, artists and creative professionals to be a part of — including Milton Photography, Rebecca Dawn Design, and Crave Cookies & Cupcakes. I’m also sharing ten things I learned during my first year of blogging. This is a very long post — so grab a cupcake and a glass of bubbly (or whatever you’re toasting with), get comfy and let’s celebrate! Cheers to going your own way and making your own magic!

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20+ Favourite Plant Based Spring Recipes | The Best Healthy, Plant Based Recipes for Spring 2021 | Plant Based Recipes on a Budget | Plant Based Dinner Recipes for Beginners | Whole Food Plant Based Recipes | Vegan Spring Recipe Ideas | The Best Refined Sugar Free Spring Cocktails | Spring Recipes Vegetarian | Vegan Gluten-Free Spring Recipes | Spring Meatless Recipes | Easy Vegan Recipes for Spring | Extensively Tested Plant Based Recipes | Calgary Plant Based Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Appies & Sides, Baking, Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dessert & Treats, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Lunch, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Smoothies & Juices, Soups, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine & Cocktails

20+ PLANT BASED SPRING RECIPES


Spring is definitely in the air… can you feel it?! The weather is absolutely beautiful here in Calgary as we approach Spring Equinox — and I couldn’t be more thrilled! I’ve been taking every opportunity to get outside to enjoy long walks, runs and hikes as I work towards my health and wellness goals. Each year as we transition into spring, I also find myself  lightening up our meals and incorporating lots of fresh, seasonal produce, edible flowers and bright, herbaceous flavours! Over the last couple of years I’ve begun publishing seasonal recipe roundups here at JustineCelina — and in reviewing my archives, was surprised to discover that I hadn’t yet created a spring version. So, I’ve scoured my virtual recipe box to compile my favourite 20+ Plant Based Spring Recipes across culinary categories, from breakfast through happy hour! If you’re looking for some healthy, veggie-centric (and largely vegan), spring meal ideas utilizing all the gorgeous seasonal produce available to us from March though June, you’ve come to the right place!

While I’m perpetually testing new recipes, I’ve also published a solid repertoire of spring-inspired eats over the past 6 years (some of which are Wild Rose D-Tox Friendly!). Today I’m excited to share them all with you in this convenient, easy-to-browse format that you can come back to again and again. As always, my recipes are simple, seasonal, free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar and packed full of  fresh, nourishing ingredients — perfect to make after a weekend grocery run or trip to the farmer’s market! These whole food dishes are also budget friendly, with many yielding large batches (perfect for families, spring meal prep or batch cooking and freezing!).  From my kitchen to yours, I hope this roundup of tested-till-perfect, plant based eats and drinks inspires you enjoy and experiment with seasonal produce, herbs and blooms this spring!

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4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes to Try This Summer + Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta | Vegan Gingered Saskatoon Peach Crumble | Wild Saskatoon Berry Crumble | Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet | Summer Bounty Salad with Saskatoon Cider Vinaigrette | Gluten Free Saskatoon Citrus Banana Bread | Plant Based Serviceberry and Prairie Berry Recipes | Dairy Free, Gluten Free and Refined Sugar Saskatoon Recipes | Calgary Lifestyle and Food Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Breakfast, Dairy Free, Dinner, Food, Gluten Free, Local Love, Lunch, Paleo, Roundups, Salads & Bowls, Summer, Travel, Vegan, Vegetarian

4 HEALTHY SASKATOON BERRY RECIPES + WHERE TO PICK SASKATOONS IN ALBERTA


It’s the height of summer here on the Alberta prairies — which means our saskatoon berries are ripe and ready for picking! Longtime readers will know I have quite an affection for this quintessentially Albertan berry, and every August, my saskatoon recipes become the most viewed pieces of content here at JustineCelina. Today I’m compiling them all for you in one convenient location with this 4 Healthy Saskatoon Berry Recipes roundup, as well as sharing Where to Pick Saskatoons in Alberta! If you’ve always been intrigued by these antioxidant-packed berries but have never known what to do with them (or where to find them!), you’ve come to the right place! Consider this post your one-stop resource for everything you’ve ever wanted to know about saskatoon berries as I share my favourite saskatoon berry picking spots and tips along with 4 plant based saskatoon recipes incorporating them into seasonal breakfast, baking, salad, cocktails and dessert!  

Have you ever tried a saskatoon? While they’re sometimes called Serviceberries, Juneberries or Prairie Berries and resemble blueberries, they actually taste quite different. Believe it or not, Saskatoons are actually more closely related to roses (hailing from the Rosaceae family) and have a deeper, richer, nuttier flavour that’s somehow wilder than blueberries — it’s very distinct and difficult to describe! Saskatoon berries also pack a nutritional punch, containing high levels of protein, calcium, iron, and antioxidants — making them a wonderful addition to a balanced diet. If you live in an area where saskatoons grow, I highly recommend getting out to sample them for yourself while crops are at their peak. With the intense heatwave we’ve been experiencing lately, this year’s crop will likely fade before mid August — so there’s no time like the present! Since the season is fleeting, I was eager to publish this roundup for those of you looking for extensively tested saskatoon recipes that utilize local, seasonal ingredients and are free of dairy, gluten and refined sugar. If you’re picking saskatoons this summer and are looking for some fresh ideas (or details on my favourite saskatoon u-pick locations), I’ve totally got you covered! 

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A Simple Easter Dinner for Two | JustineCelina’s Mid Century Modern Bohemian Dining Room Set for Easter | Brunette Woman Wearing a Seamfoam Green Midi Dress Sitting on Dining Room Table set for Easter with a Glass of Prosecco | Easter 2020 | Easter Entertaining at Home | Easter Floral Centrepieces | Easy Easter Decor Ideas | Mid Century Modern Easter Decor | Modern Easter Table Settings | Simple Mid Century Modern Easter Dinner Party | Calgary Lifestyle and Decor Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Baking, Bar, Create, Dessert & Treats, Dining Room, Dwell, Entertain, Fashion, Flowers, Food, Gluten Free, Inspiration, Local Love, Occasions, Spring, Vegan, Wine & Cocktails

A SIMPLE EASTER DINNER FOR TWO


Remember when I mentioned over the holidays that I wanted to bring more ENTERTAIN content to JustineCelina this year? Although these weren’t quite the circumstances I envisioned (now that’s an understatement!), I’m thrilled to share A Simple Easter Dinner For Two with you today! While Easter certainly looked a lot different for everyone this year given the current global situation, we decided to make the most of it and celebrate here in our home in Calgary — just the two of us. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine we’d spend an Easter without the large family gatherings in the country we’ve become accustomed to over the years — but rather than mourning the loss of our cherished traditions, we resolved to stay home and create a few of our own!

In over a decade together, this was the first Easter dinner we’ve celebrated in our home — and I wanted to mark the occasion by capturing these memories to look back on. I put on a dress, ordered flowers, made some nostalgic family recipes along with my first ever carrot cake — then we popped some Prosecco and enjoyed A Simple Easter Dinner For Two (Adam was actually peeling potatoes in the kitchen to my left as I snapped these photos from my tripod!). I was reminded of my ability to find beauty in uncertainty and create amongst chaos — these are things I find very cathartic and truly bring me joy. While it wasn’t a traditional Easter, it was still a lovely weekend — gifting us with lessons in resiliency, enjoying life’s simple pleasures and doing the best you can with what you have, where you are! Whether you’ve stopped by today for details on our Easter in quarantine, are planning a more intimate Easter gathering of your own, or are visiting years in the future once this is all behind us in search of some easy Easter entertaining ideas, I’ve got you covered!

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Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet | A 4 ingredient craft cocktail made with Eau Claire Distillery’s Saskatoon Honey Gin | Refined Sugar Free Gin Cocktail | A simple gimlet made with artisanal gin, Saskatoon berries, Alberta honey, Fee Brothers Cherry Bitters and fresh lime juice | The Best Easy Gin Cocktails | Simple Spring Gin Cocktail | Pink gin cocktails in gold rimmed coupe glasses garnished with Saskatoon berries and pink roses | Calgary Cocktail and Lifestyle Blogger // JustineCelina.com
Entertain, Flowers, Giveaways, Local Love, Pantone, Spring, Wine & Cocktails

HONEYED SASKATOON CHERRY GIMLET


After what has undoubtedly been the longest month of my life, I know one thing for sure… I need a stiff drink! Who’s with me?! Each March, I eagerly await Spring Equinox and typically celebrate its arrival with the publication of a fresh, seasonally inspired cocktail — but March 2020’s events really threw my editorial calendar for a loop. Although this recipe is publishing a bit later than I had originally intended, I can assure you it’s been tested to perfection — in fact, there was rarely an evening that passed this month when I didn’t find myself shaking up a Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet (if you follow along with my Instagram Stories, you can attest to this!). This cocktail highlights Eau Claire Distillery’s recently re-released Saskatoon Honey Gin — and I’ve teamed up with them give away a full sized bottle (along with a few other goodies!) to one of my Canadian friends to help lift your spirits and keep your home bars stocked!

Gin lovers, I’m thrilled to share my Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet recipe with you today — a refreshingly spirited, 4 ingredient spring cocktail inspired by doing the best you can with what you have, where you are. The best part? If you have a well-stocked bar, you likely already have all of the ingredients on hand (and if not, I’ve included links to where you can purchase them to help support local businesses during this challenging time)! This simple but perfectly balanced craft cocktail combines Saskatoon Honey Gin with Honey Simple Syrup, cherry bitters and freshly squeezed lime juice shaken over ice — and can be prepared with ease by home bar beginners and skilled mixologists alike. Bring the cocktail bar to the comfort of your own home this spring with my Honeyed Saskatoon Cherry Gimlet — a quintessentially Albertan twist on a classic gin cocktail! Cheers, friends — and best of luck to those entering the giveaway!

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