Thought I might jot down some “reflections” regarding 2010. I’m a pretty positive person so naturally I only think of the “GOOD TIMES’.

I even have a napkin that reflects this positive outlook:

Here’s my list of some “good times” that occurred in 2010.

-completed the Niagara Sprint Triathlon and ran the Sporting Life 10K too.

-worked as a food sales rep for DSM Foods and opened up many  new accounts (double digits).

-enjoyed a variety of tweets ups in Toronto and in Ottawa as well.

-travelled to New York to attend the Speciality Fine Food Show in June.

-went skating on the canal in Ottawa for the first time in decades and had a blast.

-discovered new coffee shops and restaurants like a good foodie. (ha)

-2010 could be called “the year of twitter”. I’m addicted. It’s official

-bought an Ipad and a Macbook in 2010 and loving both. (i hope my iphone isnt jealous).

-read some great books (Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman) and saw some great movies too (Black Swan).

-blogged for Urbanmoms for almost a year and then created momwhoruns in October. Blogging, for sure was a huge part of 2010.

-was introduced to Zumba at GoodLife Fitness and now I’m hooked.

-tried hard to eat breakfast. (think egg whites or quinoa flakes)

-enjoyed the summer by travelling to Kingston, Cobourg, Elora, Stratford and Niagara on the Lake. We live in a great province. Really.

-Continued to be surrounded by awesome family and friends!!

Looks like 2010 was a good year. I’m certainly looking forward to 2011.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

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A few weeks ago, I was reading the Toronto Star and came across an article about a new skating trail that opened up in Etobicoke. I immediately cut out the article and pinned it on the fridge.

Source: City of Toronto, Jim Melvin, PMA Architects

I was kinda spoiled growing up, skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.  However, an outdoor 250 metre figure eight loop, certainly piqued my interest.

So I told my daughter that on Saturday nite, we would be checking it out. She was thrilled!!

It took 20 minutes and 3 major roads (Hwy 401, Hwy 427, and the Gardiner)..but like I said, it was only 20 minutes and CERTAINLY WORTH IT. The skating trail is located at Colonel Sam Smith Park and can be found  south of Lakeshore Blvd, off of Kipling and is open daily from 9 a.m to 10 p.m

We loved the new skating trail.  The ice was perfect, the trail was well designed and it was great to be outside enjoying a winter activity. I kept asking the kids “is it time to leave?” and I kept hearing “no we are having fun”. So..we skated more.

Having a great time!!

There is lighting throughout the park and it’s got a state of the art sound system too. Plus there is  an indoor washroom and changing facilities.

We gave it a thumbs up and will be returning on another Saturday nite soon. The kids had a blast and even I was smiling as can be seen in the next photo.

Smiling on Skates...It can be done!!

Hope you get a chance to visit this new skating trail soon.

Happy Skating.

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My last post was about baking assistance.

This post is about fashion assistance.

I need both!!

How timely that I received an invitation to get “BETTER STYLED“. How could I say no?  I always need help when it comes to fashion coz Im overwhelmed by choices, have no time to get to the malls, and cant seem to focus once Im in a store.

Better Styled offers:

• individual attention
• parking..(which isnt so easy these days..have you noticed?)
• appointments according to your schedule..weekends, nites, mornings, etc.

I made an appointment to meet Erin recently, and was immediately impressed when I walked thru the doors of her office. We sat down in a beautifully decorated room and she asked me a few questions about my “style”. (style? whats that?).

Erin asks me a few questions about my style? what style? LOL

Then she disappeared into her back room..and came out with exactly what I needed.

Erin was awesome..she listened to my fashion problems and then came up with solutions. (like a fashion magician).

I walked out with 2 scarves and a piece of jewellery to compliment a dress I own. I really needed those three pieces but would have never bought them without the guidance of a professional like Erin.

For woman like me (i.e. have no time, and cant seem to make choices once Im in a store)…Erins’ service is invaluable.

For further information, please visit her website at BetterStyled or just call her and make an appointment like I did….416 485 5100 x225 . She can also be reached by email at erin@betterstyled.com.

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I read a blog entry by a fellow foodie about Cake Pops and was inspired immediately to give it a try. Click on the link to see the blog entry by  boneats. (her post was on Dec 3rd..you will have to scroll down a bit)..then the rest of my blog entry will make sense to you.

Her blog entry made it sound so simple (please note: I’m not blaming her.  All I needed was:

1. Betty Crocker Cake Mix (any flavor)
2. Betty Crocker Frosting (any flavor)
3. popsicle sticks (well not really, they are more like lollipop sticks. Available at Bulk Barn
4. chocolate melts and sprinkles (also from Bulk Barn)

• So I made the cake. (easy).
• I put the cake after it had cooled into the Cuisinart to make cake crumbs. (easy)
• I added the frosting to the cake crumbs (easy).
• I made little balls. .not SO  easy…my hands were a gloppy mess. It was not a pretty site. However the tray looks lovely.

• I put the cake balls into the fridge to cool..(easy).

I melted the chocolate melts on a double broiler and this is where the disaster took place.

We took the cake balls, inserted the stick, and then dipped…but it did not come out  smooth. By the time we did a second coat, the chocolate had hardened and I was cursing. I was not happy. Then when I went to put on the sprinkles, they didnt adhere so easily either. I was not happy.

I managed to make a few successful cake pops and then gave up.

not so pretty...but I tried.

I emailed a young woman in our neighborhood who has taken some professional baking courses for some advice and she emailed me this website that has an instructional video by bakerella!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpIifr0VOxY

If any one else makes these cake balls (in your spare time of course), can you let me know how it turns out.

I will attempt to try this again..(Im determined). I will read more about tempering chocolate and try to get it right so that my cake pops look like those from the websites: boneats and bakerella

PS I was telling this story at an event today, only to find out that bakeralla was at Williams-Sonomo recently. GRRR. ..wish I would have known. I would love to meet her.

Happy Baking!!

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Snakes and Lattes opened up a few months ago and received a TON of press.  All good.

It’s a genius concept: Hang out and play board games while drinking lattes!! Sounds good to me. They even have a liquor licence. (added bonus)

Notice there are no MacBooks in the picture. People are actually TALKING to each other. Just like in the old days.

When I received an email from LivingSocial for an opportunity to buy $30 for $15 of food and drink at Snakes and Lattes Board Game Cafe, I immediately  scooped up two certificates. One for my daughter (who is 11) and one for my son (who is 15).

What a great place for them to hang out with their friends on a Sunday!!  They have tons of board games to select from i.e 1,500 board games.

While the kids played, I had a chance to chat with the owner Ben. He told me this type of concept is popular in France and he thought that Toronto should have a similar place too. (smart guy). We even played boggle. Just Kidding!!

The concept is so popular that they are already expanding and adding more seats.

If you are looking for something to do over the holdiays, please visit Snakes and Lattes, 600 Bloor West. You will have a great time. Promise.

One more thing: sign up on their facebook page for lots of  inside information. (hours, special events, announcements, etc) They have 3,281 facebook fans which I think is pretty neat seeing as they just opened up.

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I was strolling through Loblaws and noticed a pomegranate machine that helps de-seed that beautiful (but annoying) fruit.

I took a photo and tweeted…”has anyone seen this machine? does it work?”.

To my surprise, a handful of people responded.

So guess who went running back to The Superstore in my neighborhood later that nite? ME.

I bought the pomegranate machine ($5.99)  and two pomegranates and  ran home to test it out. (I know  I know, I have too much time on my hands).

I got home and followed the simple and easy instructions.

a) take off the crown and slice the pomegranate in half.

b) place the pomegranate on the plastic gizmo with holes (flat side down)

c) put the rubber dome on top.

How Simple!!

d) get a spoon and bang bang bang a few times

e) VOILA – pomegranate without the MESS.

OH HOW I LOVE Kitchen Gadgets.

So Good For You!!

Especially ones that cost $5.99 and WORK.

I went back to Loblaws to buy 5 more (I have a few foodie freinds..LOL) and sadly they didnt have it in that particular store. Will need to return to the store in my neighborhood to grab them before they are out of stock.

Happy Kitchen Gadgets!!

For further info: Check out the Pomegranate Tool website

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I was introduced to Body Pump at GoodLife Fitness several years ago. I immediately loved it. What’s not to love?

It’s an hour long class that has you lifting weights for each muscle group (tricep, back, bicep, legs, and abs). Of course, its all choreographed to music and of course, it’s fun. (probably because of the great music and the great instructors)

me strong!!

I started off with small weights and then gradually increased the weights. At the begininng, it was rough. (ie those muscles clearly hadn’t been used before). But I kept going back even though I was kinda stiff. The key is to keep stretching in between sets and to really start off with low weights.

For someone who doesnt like to get up before 7:45 a.m…I am now getting up at 6:00a.m. so I can be at the 6:15 a.m. body pump class at my local GoodLife Fitness.Everyone in my house is in shock that I am so committed to pumping weight three times a week.

I can see results (think biceps…think strong legs) and I know I love how pumping iron makes me feel.

It’s a great way to start off the day. Try it…you are going to love it. I promise.

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True story: I didn’t drink in high school nor did I drink in university. NOTHING. When I was 25 years old,  I started to go to synagogue and got introduced to scotch at the kiddush (kinda like an after-service reception). I tried it, and I liked it. Needless to say, I’m still drinking scotch 20 years later.

One year, we received 12 different bottles of scotch and that’s when my knowledge was really elevated. It was the best gift E-V-E-R. Seriously. We obviously made a few friends that year.

Even after the 12 bottles were finished up (which took a year, by the way) we continued to have scotch in our liquor cabinet. (we didn’t want to lose friends…Ha)

A few weeks ago, I was invited by Matchstick to attend a Macallan tasting. Actually, I missed the deadline  by an hour but thanks to @JonGauthier I was able to squeeze in. (Thanks to Twitter too)

It was held at the lovely event space at 99 Sudbury and the event was first class.

See how happy I am? this is before I had a drink...

The presentation was informative and entertaining and I adored all 5 types of scotch that were served (naturally). I learned a few things about Scotch that evening (how to smell it properly, drink it properly, the differerence between a scotch and a whiskey etc) and loved the presentation.

Several days later, while browsing at Dana Jordans in Bayview Village Shopping Centre, I came across this product (see photo). You pop these rocks into your freezer and when you serve the scotch, you will have SCOTCH ON THE ROCKS. You can now enjoy a cold scotch without the hassle of ice melting (big no no).

A perfect gift for a scotch lover

What I liked best about the evening was this business card. (I mean I loved the scotch too, don’t get me wrong) but I love that they knew that everyone (ok maybe not everyone) would be tweeting about the event and that they provided you with the twitter hashtag. HOW SMART. Clearly the publicist and Matchstick thought of everything.

What a great evening.

Must go now – my Macallan is waiting for me.

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Yes, my addiction to food continues. This time …in Ottawa.

I went with my foodie friend @pronosher, who was all to happy to join me on this adventure. (which is why we are friends).

This is the condensed version:

a) Kettleman’s Bagel Co.- to buy Cochrane’s Dairy Milk in a glass bottle. Naturally I did a taste test and naturally Cochrane’s milk won. Creamy and delicious. Also, we stopped by to buy bagels cause that’s what they are famous for.

When was the last time you had milk out a glass bottle?

b) Shiraz (608 Somerset Ave W) – to buy lemon salted pistachios.

c) Coconut Lagoon – for an Ottawa Foodie Tweet Up. Ottawa foodies that attended: @cestboncooking @michaelsdolce @ryan_short  @sforzley @pronosher @OttawaCake @ceoteenjobz.

The food and the company was perfect!!

d) Fraser Cafe – for homemade donuts and an excellent coffee. Loved this restaurant and hope to return for a proper brunch one day soon. There is a reason why they won a bronze at the Gold Medal Plates Competition.

e) The Sustainable Oyster & Fish Supply – for a haddock fish sandwich that was incredibly tasty. Here’s more info about the sandwich…it came with carmelized onion, caper garlic aioli and a mango spice sauce. One word: YUM

I love Ottawa. I grew up there and every time I visit I discover great food, meet great people and have an awesome time.

Looking forward to my next trip already!!

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