Tag Archives: “Canyon Ranch”

a few (of Oprah’s) favorite things

Favor…?  I need to “talk shop” here for the next couple of blogs….  I am part of a huge holiday show (Holiday Boutique) that starts tomorrow and runs through Sunday – so I am eating and breathing retail right now!  Hard to believe that it’s November already… but like it, or not, the retail holiday season is well under way!!  So today I invited a special guest, Oprah, to share a couple of her favorite things with all of you.  Well – OK; not really. But if I did ask, I’m sure that these are all things that she would choose to share with you!!
First of all, I have a new line at Trendz Boutique called Lollia.  Perfume, hand creme, bath salts and gels, candles… an absolutely fantastic fragrance line!!  I have four different fragrances – Breathe, Wish, Relax and In Love… and everyone seems to have a favorite!
Not only did these little indulgences make it on a “Favorite’s” show, they made it on her last  “Favorites of her favorites” show!!
And how about a little muchie…?  CANYON RANCH’S PUMPKIN CRUNCH, perhaps?  Gayle King (you know, Oprah’s BFF) was hooked on this sweet and salty trail mix alternative after trying it on a  hike along the Appalachian Trail.
Makes  10 (¼-cup) servings (hmmm… really?  I beg to differ.  Once you try it, you will know that 1/4 cup just isn’t gonna cut it – Ha!)

Ingredients

  • 1 cup raw, hulled pumpkin seeds
  • 1½ tsp. canola oil
  • ½ tsp. cinnamon
  • ½ tsp. nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp. allspice
  • ½ tsp. sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1¼ cups dried cranberries

Directions

Active time: 10  minutes Total time: 1½ hours
Preheat oven to 300°. In a small  bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with oil. Spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking  sheet. Roast until almost dry, about 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, mix cinnamon,  nutmeg, allspice, and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle maple syrup over pumpkin  seeds and stir with a wooden spoon. Transfer to spice mixture bowl and toss to  coat. Return pumpkin seeds to baking sheet and roast until dry, about 15  minutes, making sure not to let them burn. Set aside to let cool completely,  about 30 minutes.
In a large bowl, toss pumpkin seeds with dried  cranberries. Store in an airtight container in a dry, cool place.

For the full link to Oprah.com, click here

So let me just say that I kinda, sorta made this… and it is delish!  I didn’t actually have pumpkin seeds or dried cranberries.  I did, however, have plenty of pecans and some dried pomegranates… just not enough.  No problem.  Threw in some dark chocolate chips  to make up for it (teehee!  good excuse, huh??)

To close this post, I include one of Oprah’s favorite quotes, as well as a video clip from one of her Top 25 moments on the show.  Do you have a “Top 5” list of people that you would love to meet??  Well, this particular guest was definitely one of mine. Enough said.  Thanks for visiting with us today, Oprah!