Here’s how I am preparing for the Royal Wedding.

a) Blo Dry Bar.

I had an appointment today at their newest location (130 King St. West) to get my curly hair looking straight and gorgeous. Love this franchise. It’s such a great concept. No cuts, no color, just wash blow and go!!.

b) I’m going to wear my Philip Treacy Hat.

This is a great story. I had a store on Avenue Road many years ago, next to Ex Toggery. I use to go in every once – why not? it was next door. One visit – I saw a Philip Treacy hat and I swear I couldnt give the sales clerk my visa fast enough. I think I bought it for $50.  Last time I saw a Philip Treacy hat in the States I think the price tag was closer to $600.

c) I’m going to eat a Red Prince Apple.

How appropriate. I love this apple and always buy it when I see it. I love that it’s local and I love the name too. Plus its one tasty apple.

I’m sure I will be getting up early to watch the BIG EVENT. I’m not exactly a morning person but something tells me it will be worth it.

Will you be watching the Royal Wedding too?

Last year I went to the Fancy Food Show in New York City. I loved eating my way thru New York City and eating my way thru the show.

I plan on going back to the show but this year it will take place in Washington D.C. (July 10-12). However I really want to go back to NYC and decided that I’m going to go the long weekend in May. Before the heat – before the major crowds.

On previous trips this is what I accomplished (ok – ate):

-attended a cheese and mixologist course at Murrays Cheese

-walked for hours thru the Union Square GreenMarket and Chelsea Market

-went on a food tour of Greenwich Village with Foods of New York

-went on a food cart tour with Urban Oyster.

-had drinks at the Spotted Pig and Blind Tiger

-ate at Momufuko, Nougat by Jean Georges (well kinda), Todd Englishs Food Hall, Shake Shack, Risotteria(a gluten free restaurant),The Donought Plant

-was lucky enough to stumble upon a jello competition with students from Parsons School of Design.

THIS YEAR: This is what’s on my hit list.

-attend Taste of Tribeca which is a culinary festival featuring great restaurants and wines.

-participate on a tour of Brooklyn brewerys with Urban Oysters

-attend a beer and cheese class at Murrays

-attend the opening weekend of  Smorgasburg in Brooklyn – described as a food flea market!!

I’ve been doing some research on the Manhattan chowhound board but havent made any final decision yet in regards to restaurants.  Ive also been using this website too. Nothing like finding out things to do in NYC for FREE. wwww.nycgo.com

What else should I do? Where else should I eat? What else should I visit? should I see a play? should I go shopping (ya think?..LOL)

Look forward to reading your comments.

I buy magazines once or twice a year, but one day I was in the mood and purchased the iPhone & iPad magazine.  After dropping $$$ on the magazine, I BETTER be downloading some new apps!! It’s certainly not a cheap magazine but I’m using it so it’s worth it. (well that’s what I tell myself).

A cheaper method of discovering new apps  would be to watch APP CENTRAL which is aired on CP24 every Sunday at 1030 a.m. This show is devoted to apps!! Brilliant. The PVR is helping me stay on top of the episodes or you can visit their website too. I’m so impressed with this show!  The hosts are fun, and the it’s not too techy.  P.S. I discovered this show while using the treadmill at GoodLife Fitness – I love when that happens.

So here’s a few app’s Ive downloaded lately:

1. Shop Savvy: This app allows me to compare prices by scanning the barcode. For someone like me, who is always looking for the best price…this is perfect. (thanks App Central)

2. GoodReads: This app allows me to find out what my friends are reading (thanks to my cousin for this suggestion)

3. Find iPhone: This app will make sure I dont lose my iPhone like I did in March (dont get me started).

4. GasBuddy: This app allows me to find the cheapest gas. (thanks @appcentralTV)

5. TipCalculator: Self explanatory.

6. The Best of New York City: This is such a gorgeous LOOKING app. Its actually stunning to navigate thru the options. Im planning a trip to NYC and I think Im going to be using this app A LOT.

7. GetGlue – just downloaded it. Will get back to you. But it got a rating of 9.10. (thanks to iPhone & iPad magazine)

8. AllSportsGPS – I spent serious $$$ (for me, anyways) on this app. It cam highly recommended (9/10) and I’m sure I will be loving it in the summer as I run and ride outdoors. Well atleast, thats the plan.

9. FlashBoom:, This app will tell me how far away the next lightening strike will be. I’m sure this will become a useful app in the summer.

10: Flipboard: This app received 10/10. It allows me to browse thru facebook, twitter, news and more in a magazine format. Me. Likey.

Now it’s your turn. What are your fav. apps?

Karbon puts on an awesome sale once a year. Naturally I have been every year, and would like to share this sale with my readers. (that’s you). This sale is relatively new, so you wont see long line ups snaking around the building. (in the event that you are wondering).

Karbon is a Canadian apparel line for those with an active lifestyle. If you ski, then you DEFINITELY want to go to this sale. The discounts are huge. For example the same snow suit I bought my daughter at Sporting Life at their 50% off sale was CHEAPER at the Karbon Warehouse Sale. Lesson Learned.

Not only are the prices FANTASTIC, but the quality is SPECTACULAR. My daughter now has worn 3 Karbon snowsuits and they are in perfect condition. No joke. I think it’s time that I get myself a Karbon ski jacket and I don’t even ski.

This sale will appeal to the whole family. Hope you get a chance to visit. It’s so worth it.

As you know, I drink beer and I drink scotch. But several times a year, I crave a cocktail and there is only one place I go – that place is – BarChef.

The first time I went there, I tweeted “I’m @barcheftoronto staring at the menu. What should I order? Can’t decide”. I had a reply from @charisegarcia that said “try the sailors mojito”. So I did. I was blown over. I had never had a drink that appealed to all my senses, like this drink did.

So what is it? Beach essence, Sailor Jerry rum, mint, fresh lime, vanilla syrup, and mojito ravioli.

The menu is divided into Punch Bowls, Sweet and Sour (think Strawberry&Lavender, Basil Daiquiri and more), Sipping (like, Balsamic Lavender) and Molecular. I happen to like being adventuous but don’t worry the menu is diverse and would appeal to everyone.

Generally, I hang out in the Molecular Section!! When I saw that they had a Black Truffle cocktail on the menu, I knew I HAD to try it. I love truffles and was curious how it would work in a cocktail.

Here’s the ingredients: Black truffle snow, smoked salt, coconut foam, fresh lime rind, gin, coconut liqueur, and elderflower liqueur. One word: BRILLIANT!

Besides the interesting, unique cocktails that Frankie Solarik (the owner) makes – I happen to also love the space. Its dark, classy, and well laid out.

I hope you get a chance to visit this awesome bar soon.

BarChef  472 Queen St. West,  Toronto.

A while ago I was introduced to PUR Gum and immediately I fell in love with the pomegranate mint flavor.

Not quite sure if there’s another pomegranate mint flavored gum on the market – but I think it’s a brilliant flavor. Not that I don’t like spearmint or peppermint (which PUR also carries) but sometimes change is good. I’m tired of fruity flavored gums and Pomegranate PUR gum has just the right amount of tart.

After I was intoduced to PUR gum, I started to see it everywhere!!  Due to the fact that I’m a sales rep and know a few store owners,  I asked a retailer why their customers preferred PUR over their competitor and they replied “our customers like the fact that it’s made in Switzerland”. I actually heard the same statement from two different retailers. Interesting, don’t you think?

As a consumer, I loved the clean packaging and the different flavors (you know me, it’s all about flavors). It also appeals to me because it’s aspartame and GMO free, vegetarian friendly, with no artificial colors or flavors. Pretty impressive.

I’m so Pomegranate crazy these days – that I’m going to give away ANOTHER pomegranate tool.

Here are the contest rules:

a) like MOM WHO RUNS on facebook. simple eh?)

b) the contest will run for two weeks and will close on Sunday May 8, 2011 at midnite. The winner will be selected using www.random.org and the winner will have one week to contact me otherwise I’m going to select another winner.

c) only residents in Ontario can enter (sorry about that).

Next week is Passover (April 18 -26) so our house will be free of bagels (see last post) and full of matza. I’m not exactly a fan of this holiday but that’s another post in itself.

Here’s a favorite meal that we make throughout the week. It’s simple to make and delicious too.

All you need is three ingredients:

For one portion –  1 egg, 2 pieces of matza and 1/4 cup of milk (you could add more if you wanted). I used skim milk as it’s all I had -but 2% or homo would probably be even better.

Step One:

Whisk the milk and the egg. (simple)

Step Two:

Crush the matza and immerse in the milk mixture.

Step Three:

Put the mixture into a heated frying pan (that has been coated with a little oil)

Step Four:

Move the pieces around every once in a while so the matza gets burnt-looking. Does that make sense?

End result with look like this:

Step Five:

Enjoy with sour cream, jam, or cream cheese. (which is why this dish is so yummy).

NOTE: The traditional name for this dish is MATZA BREI (pronounced br-i).

My friend tells me she has never ever used milk. She just wets the matza with water. We laughed as I had never  heard of just using water!!

As for finding matza: it’s in every grocery store from coast to coast.

To all my Jewish Readers…Happy Passover.

I grew up eating bagels in Ottawa (remember Bagel Bagel?). Infact we even had a cockapoo called “Bagel”. In my neighborhood in Toronto, bagels seem to be everywhere (I’m not complaining), so I decided to compare them. I know that I’m opening a can of worms as EVERYONE has a different opinion about their favorite bagels.

I bought bagels from Bagel World, Bagel House, What A Bagel, Gryfes, and St. Viateur (direct from Montreal – but stored in the freezer).

I put little pieces of paper under each one and then started to nibble away not knowing where the bagel was from.

Here’s my thoughts:

Bagel World: It was doughy, sweet and tasty. YUM.

Bagel House: It was yeasty, dense and chewy. A favorite – probably because I liked the chewy factor.

What a Bagel: Oily and bland.

Gryfes: I’m going to make a lot of people upset but I found this bagel to be oily and airy.

St. Viateur: very chewy, dense and very different than all the others. Hands down – my favorite.

Don’t get me wrong. I would never refuse a bagel – no matter where it’s from. A toasted bagel with butter, or jam or cream cheese IS SIMPLY DELICIOUS.

It was an interesting experiment but I was sorry that I didn’t include bagels from Harbord Bakery. Next time.

It’s no big secret. My eyes (or is it my tummy?) are always looking for delicious new products/restaurants/fruit/kitchen gadgets etc.

Here’s five good reasons to visit this great store called About Cheese that can be found at 483 Church St. in Toronto:

1. THE BLUE CHIP COOKIE

I’m in heaven. I found a cookie that combines my love for chocolate chips with my love for blue cheese. It’s the perfect combination of sweet, salty, tangy etc. I’m generally not interested in sweets as I prefer savoury, but this cookie ROCKS. My taste buds are flipping out when I have a bite of this cookie.

2. Truffles with liquid caramel and maledon fleur de sel.

Another awesome discovery. There are no words.

3. Bumpercrop Products

I bought the pickled celery a few weeks ago and brought it to my dad in Ottawa who is the ultimate pickle maven. He loved them. So I now have a small collection for my next trip:  pickled onions in beer, pickled cherries, pickled beans and pickled asparagus. I am thrilled to have discovered a new company that uses local produce and makes a superior product.

4. Grilled Cheese Sandwiches and Cheese

No photo but I can assure you that they make the cheesiest sandwiches in the city. It was the only time I couldn’t eat  a whole sandwich.

5. Cows Creamery Butter

This butter is from Prince Edward Island and it’s perfectly salted, and perfectly creamy. I tasted it at Grocery Showcase in the fall and was immediately in love with this butter. Pricey but worth it.

Can’t wait to find out what other goodies I will discover this week.!!

I have been training for the Mississauga half marathon since January. This means that I’ve been huffing and puffing on the treadmill at GoodLife Fitness 4-5 times a week. It also means that I’m more aware of what I’m drinking and eating. In particular I’m super aware of staying properly hydrated.

Please note, that plain tap water will always be my number one choice! But there are moments when I need a diversion. Do you know what I mean? So here’s a list of other beverages that I’m enjoying these days.

O.N.E Coconut Water:

I’m in love with this drink. Especially after a workout due the huge amounts of potassium in this beverage (19% for 670 g). It’s 100% coconut water and when it’s super cold – it’s delicious.

Metromint:

Talk about a refreshing drink!! As their website says “Pure Water. Real Mint”. There’s lots of different flavors – i.e spearmint, lemonmint, orangemint, and more – but I always seem to stick to the peppermint. On a side note:  I love the packaging.

Here’s a list of other drinks that I consume occasionally. Very occasionally.

Boylans:

This soft drink is made with pure cane sugar and not high fructose corn syrup – which means that it tastes WAY better. The rootbeer and the black cherry are my favorites but there’s lots of other great flavors too (grape, vanilla cream, orange, cola, birch, and gingerale). After you drink this brand it’s hard to reach for Crush.

Beer:

Look at these two gorgeous bottles!! (Im a sucker for packaging – have you noticed?)

Great Lakes Brewery makes a refreshing Orange Pale Ale and Beaus All Natural is grabbing my attention too.  I will open one bottle after the Sporting Life 10 and the other bottle will be opened after the half marathon. Nothing like being prepared!!

What are you drinking these days?