News Flash…News Flash….EQ3 in Liberty Village has opened their flagship store. Exclusive to this store is the Marimekko line.  Yes..that’s right, that gorgeous, stunning, vibrant textile company from Finland. Disclosure: I was able to get a sneak preview but the official date that this store opens is Saturday September 1st!

If you don’t recognize the name perhaps you will recognize the fabrics that they are famous for.

Want. Now.

The store has a dedicated section for Marimekko and I seriously stood there for a long time saying to myself “I want this..I want that…I wish I could have that…”.

There is nothing not to like.

This will be the flagship store for EQ3 and there is something for everyone. Wheather you are looking for napkins, a clock, an end table or a cushion…this store should certainly be on your radar. There is something for everyone and something for everyones budgets too!!

Stunning.

I was so impressed and so grateful that I hung around to see the opening of the second floor which had even more gorgeous items to stare at.  Infact, there is a total of 9,000 sqf of space in this flagship store.

I  have now been in my apartment for a year and I’m sure a little “shopping therapy” at EQ3 would be a perfect way to celebrate this occasion.

Only one small problem: I can never make a decision. Does anyone else have this problem?

For more information:

EQ3 Liberty Village, 315 Hanna Avenue Unit 3, Toronto Ontario (416) 533-9090

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Once again, I was introduced to another business while on Twitter. No it’s not a restaurant (surprise surprise). The Colour Lab is perfect for people like me. Women who need their hair coloured (err,,,my roots done), every 4 weeks and often have no time to make an appointment. Dyeing your roots is not a new concept but The Colour Lab uses new techniques, new technology and Goldwell products that are impressive. I can actually make the claim that my scalp didn’t have that “burning sensation”.  The Colour Lab is so passionate about colour that this is all they do here.

Don’t get me started!!

I was immediately attracted to the fact that I didn’t need an appointment, the convenient location, and the fact that Goldwell products  do not contain any harsh chemicals. (SCORE).

Better yet, I loved the space. Call me shallow – but this is important to me.

See what I mean?

There are only 4 chairs and in front of each chair is an iPAD. That’s right an iPAD. You won’t be reading  magazines from 2005 at this salon! In the photo below you can see each iPad conveniently located in front of each chair. Brilliant.

Black and White. (and spotless)

I was so thrilled with the service and the colour, that I decided to try out Jean Charles Hair Salon for a much needed hair cut.  I loved the fact that the Colour Lab and Jean Charles are owned by one family. Everyone is involved..the kids, and the parents. Pretty neat. I walked in looking like this (see photo below)

Way too much hair

Jean Charles did his magic with his scissors and before I knew it…Voila…a new look.

After

Here’s the info you need to know:

Colour Lab, 1013 Yonge Street (one block north of the Rosedale Subway stop)

Hours; Monday – closed, Tuesday to Friday 11-7, Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5

Phone: 416 933 7676

Jean Charles Hair Salon: 1761 Avenue Road, Phone: 416 481 3131

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I can’t seem to visit Ottawa without visiting the Ottawa Farmer’s Market and discovering new products.

Here’s a few examples.

Product #1: Huckleberry: I don’t know about you but I’ve never seen it or heard of it. All I know is that I had to buy it. I also know that I need a recipe. If anyone can help me out, please let me know. I’m sure there will be a future blog post about what I make with them. Warning you now!

Need a recipe. Stat.

Product #2: Carrots. These little gems came from the Perth Farmers Market. I didn’t see them in Ottawa but had to include them in this post. I was told that this variety are grown in window sills in Paris. Can anyone verify that this is true? I couldn’t resist buying them.

Cute Carrots

Product #3: Lemon Cucumbers. At 50 cents a cucumber, I had to buy these too. No – they don’t taste like lemons. Yes – they do taste different than an english cucumber. I not only bought them last week but returned the following week to buy them again.

This will be a nice addition to my salad this week.

Product #3: Hummingbird Chocolate.  I have been reading tweets about this company from @AMWATERS and was eager to say drop by and find out more about their chocolate. While chatting with one of the partners, I discovered that they got into this business as a result of their work in Haiti. I had a sample and it only took one nibble to find out that this chocolate is no ordinary chocolate. Please take a look at the Hummingbird Chocolate website to learn more about this Artisan, Bean-to-Bar Goodness.

WOW.

Product #4: Pascales All Natural Icecream. My adventures thru the market got even better when I dropped by Pascales All Natural Ice Cream who said  “Hey Girl – I have something special for you”. She was not wrong. Pascale gave me a sample of her HUMMINGBIRD CHOCOLATE SORBET that was too good for words. I truly hope that both Hummingbird Chocolate and Pascales All Natural Ice creaml find distribution in Toronto one day!!

Pascale with her awesome ice cream!!

As always, I had a great time visiting the Ottawa Farmer’s Market and discovering new products. Have you discovered anything interesting at a Farmers Market lately? Do share.

P.S. The Ottawa Farmer’s Market can be found every Sunday from May 6 to October 28th, from 8 a.m to 3 p.m, at Brewer Park

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I’ve made a ton of blueberry crisps, mixed fruit crumbles but have never made a peach cobbler before. So I decided to try a recipe and it was so good that I made it two times in one week. That’s how easy it was to make and that’s how delicious it was.

I don’t know about you but I kind of like recipes that don’t require any heavy duty equipment. This recipe is one of them. You just need a few bowls…one for the topping and one for the flour mixture. I didn’t even have buttermilk on hand but made my own and the recipe worked!! Yay for the internet.

Here’s a winning recipe from the Food Network.

Ingredients

 Filling:

• 4 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches (blanch in boiling water for 30 seconds to remove the skins)
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon flour

Cobbler

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, for topping
• Whipped cream (which would have been nice but I didn’t have it…nor did I have ice cream which also would have been nice)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Generously butter a 1 1/2-quart shallow baking dish. (I sprayed it with Pam)

Place the sliced peaches in the dish.

Sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and flour. Mix gently and spread over the peaches. Bake for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle this on top of the peaches!!

Meanwhile combine all dry ingredients for cobbler crust in a bowl. Cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers, to make the texture like coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk and stir to form a soft dough.

Soft Dough

Remove fruit from oven and drop rounded spoonfuls of dough on top. Sprinkle with last tablespoon of brown sugar and return to oven.

Right before it went into the oven – it looked like this!

Bake until fruit is bubbly and crust topping is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Serve warm with whipped cream (which I didn’t have nor did I have icecream. Don’t sweat – everyone will still love it).

FINAL PRODUCT

Peach Cobbler.

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Quite regularly I stumble upon new businesses/restaurants/services while on Twitter. My latest find is a start up called Spinzo.

I started to chat with them via twitter and liked what they were all about. Now I want to share with you, (dear readers) what Spinzo is all about. I am also going to run a contest today with Spinzo!! What’s super cool about this contest is the fact that I could pick any prize I wanted for my readers!!

They originally offered me an iPad as a gift but I said “hmmm…my readers are mostly foodies so what about a gift to KITCHEN STUFF PLUS. Thats right…you could win a $250 gift certificate to Kitchen Stuff Plus to buy anything you want.

Love. This. Store.

When I went to visit my local Kitchen Stuff Plus, I was eyeing this piece of kitchen equipment. Now who wouldn’t want to  win a $250 Gift Certificate towards a purchase of one of these beauties?

One of my favorite appliances in my kitchen!!

Ok..back to Spinzo. Who are they? They are a Canadian Startup dedicated to offering dynamic pricing on great local experiences.

Want to know how to participate in this amazing contest?

All contestants have to do is post their purchase requests to the Spinzo Facebook page or Spinzo Twitter page.

These purchase requests can be about anything!

Important: (really important) Please use @momwhoruns in these requests: i.e : “I heard about #SpinzoSavesTO from @MomWhoRuns and I really want a new Kitchen Aid” (or another request like pots, cutlery etc)

Post requests to: Facebook.com/SpinzoToronto  OR on Twitter.com: @spinzotoronto) 

No need to leave a comment below…just head over to the Spinzo Facebook page or onto Twitter!!

So what do you think? Easy peazy contest non? Not to mention, a gift certificate to Kitchen Stuff Plus is SWEET. The contest will run from Tuesday Aug 21st to Tuesday September 4th at midnite. This contest is open to anyone in Toronto and the gift certificate can be used at any of the Kitchen Stuff Plus locations. Random.org will used to select the winner and that winner has two weeks to get in touch with me. Otherwise a new winner will be selected.

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Collingwood is one of my favorite places to visit.  Here’s a few reasons why:

1.  The Westin Trillium House: For the last 10 years, I have preferred to stay at a Westin Hotel.  Probably because of their Heavenly Bed! Infact  I was given a Heavenly Bed as a gift about 8 years ago. ( the mattress and the box spring). Besides the Heavenly Bed…I’m also a huge fan of their customer service, the over all feel of each property and those little “things” that make a difference. Remind me to share with you the collection of ducks I have from another Westin hotel.

I’m always guaranteed a great nites sleep at a Westin.

2.  The Plunge Aquatic Centre: Perfect for the inner kid in me that I got to unleash.

Me. Jane.

3  The Apple Pie Trail: For a Foodie like me, this activity is ideal!  We visited a few bakeries on Monday morning in Meaford and Thornbury! Not a bad way to spend your morning.

Having fun while visiting Grandma Lambe’s bakery in Meaford!!

4.  Blue Mountain Activity Central; We loved the friendly staff (ie Barb) who set us up on bikes so we could bike along the Georgian Trail with the intention of getting to the beach. This was a great idea and way more fun than taking the car.

5. The Gondola Ride: Nothing beats a quick ride up Blue Mountain so that we could enjoy a picnic lunch and a small hike.

A gorgeous spot to enjoy our picnic!

6. Ridge Runner: My BF had so much fun on this ride that he did it twice!!

7.  Maple Syrup: Everytime I visit Collingwood I have to stop at this store to enjoy this treat. It reminds me of my childhood and always brings back great memories.

Who else loves this treat?

8. The fact that we didn’t have to use our car to go anywhere….all our needs were met right in the Village. Sweet.

9.  I also love the fact that Blue Mountain is a 4 season resort and can be enjoyed in ANY season. I’ve visited during the Spring, Summer, and Winter but have yet to go there during the Fall. Hmm…something for me to put on my to-do list!!

10. Collingwood is small enough but has all the right amenities. This means, that there is plenty to do if the weather is less than perfect…bowling, movie theatres, shopping etc.

10. Georgian Bay: the beach that we went to was absolutely stunning, with clear warm water! I was a happy camper. Speaking of camping, we stopped by the Craigleith Provincial Park to get some info about camping there in 2013. Nothing like planning ahead, right?

Stunning day at the beach!!

Clearly I think Collingwood is an ideal vacation spot.  I really hope you get to visit soon. You won’t regret it.

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As you know, I try to eat “healthy”  (see previous blog posts about Kale Chips and Peanut-y Tofu). However that doesn’t mean that I can’t dream about eating deep fried fudge or deep fried marshmallow treats. Well, all my dreams came true as I was invited to the the CNE media preview on Wednesday. Here is proof!!

Thats an AUTHENTIC smile!!

In the above photo, I am about to bite into deep fried fudge from the Northwest Fudge Factory. In fact I am so proud of this photo that I submitted it to GastroPost!

I also took a bite (or two) of these deep fried marshmallow treats by Sweet Treats.

More Deep Fried Goodness!

There is no question that food is a major attraction attraction at the CNE.  One might think that unique means “deep fried” but that’s not necessarily true.  It could be triple layer red velvet pancakes loaded with slow roasted and smoked pork, and topped with Jack Daniels infused maple syrup. Now that is unique….in a big way!!

You can find this at: PULL’D

Or what about this idea by the good people at Just Cone It.…CONES filled with Nutella bacon, or pizza or philly steak or shepherds pie!

Love the name of this vendor!

Clearly there is an abundance of “unique’ and there is those items that will always be around like candy floss, candy apples, Tiny Tims and fresh squeezed lemonade.

I am definitely attracted to “unique” food items but I certainly wouldn’t say no to a candy apple either!!

What will you be eating when you visit the Ex?

Here’s more info about the 2012 CNE:

1. 2012 CNE runs from Aug 17 to Sept 3
2. The CNE is located at the Toronto Exhibition Place
3. To learn more about the Xx and special discount prices please visit THEEX.COM or call 416 393 6300

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Fall is around the corner! Sad but true. Therefore I wanted to go to Buffalo to see the Fall Fashions and of course, to go grocery shopping. I sent out an email to a few a friends, asking them if they wanted to join me. I promised them that we would leave on a Sunday at 8 a.m and return by 5 p.m. I felt confident saying this as I now use this fabulous BORDER CROSSING HOTLINE that saves me 45 minutes of waiting at the wrong bridge. Here’s the number…1 800 715 6722. Use it!!

I’m going to start by sharing what I bought at Wegmans and then write a second blog post about what I bought at Target. K?

Here’s what I bought at Wegmans:

1. Olivio Coconut Spread:  This product is USDA organic, dairy free, gluten free, soy free and kosher. I have visions of using it with salmon or in a stir fry.

Coconut is definitely a trend these days!!

2. Blue Diamond Breeze – Almond Milk Coconut Blend: Again, Soy Free, Lactose Free, Unsweetened and has 50% more calcium than milk. I bought 3 as I’m sure this is going to go fast.

This is going to taste amazing in my morning smoothie!!

3. Chobani Champions: Vanilla Chocolate Chunk Greek Yogurt. It’s hard to tell from the photo but it’s a tray of 3.5 oz (100g) containers. I knew that this product would make my daughter happy and it makes me happy to know that it’s low fat, made with only natural ingredients and  kosher too.

Perfect for my daughters lunch box

4. Kozy Shack Bread Pudding: I usually make my own bread pudding but this product is for my mom who lives in Ottawa and adores bread pudding. She’s going to love the convenience!

I bought a whole bunch of other items as well but these are the products that really stood out for me.  In fact my bill was close to $80!! I also decided to become a Wegmans member again as I go shopping there so often that it was time for me to save a few bucks here and there!! Yay for savings…Yay for new products.

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I love Festivals (see previous blog post) and I love events too. This one came to my attention last week and I immediately knew that I wanted to blog about it.

So here’s the scoop:

On Sunday, August 19, Piola will be hosting a Gnocchi-Eating Competition at their  Toronto location (1165 Queen St. W.). Hosted by Furious Pete, the inaugural contest will kick off at 3 p.m. Contestants will have ten minutes to eat as many bowls of gnocchi.

Gnocchi Anyone?

Over $5,000 in prizes will be awarded, with the champion eater winning a vintage 1963 Vespa. (not just any Vespa)

What a great prize!!

The Gnocchi-Eating Competition is open to amateur contestants 19 years and older. To enter, contestants must “like” Piola’s Facebook page and complete the contest form. Deadline for registration is Friday, August 17 at noon EST. (errr…hurry up and enter) For those with a voracious appetite and love of Italian food, this event is not to be missed.

If you aren’t in the mood to compete…then why not watch the competition while enjoying a drink or two or perhaps a pizza. (or a salad if you are on a no carb diet like me)

A few months ago, my boyfriend and I enjoyed a delicious salad, a pizza and dessert. Here’s a few photos:

Roka Cabana Salad

Roka Cababan Salad: Arugula, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella fior de latte, yellow sweet peppers, pistachio nuts and pomegranate dressing. Not only did this salad look gorgeous but it had all the right elements of a perfect salad.

The Perfect Pizza

Torta Nera & Gelato

Torta Nera & Gelato: Chocolate cake and vanilla gelato. More like a brownie..it was so dense and so chocolate-y and SO PERFECT!! Our waiter suggested it and he selected a winner.

Finally, don’t forget about Piola’s Lucky Gnocchi Day, which takes place on the 29^th of each month. All-you-can-eat gnocchi is offered in a variety of sauces like four cheese or tomato sauce for $14.99 per person. . Reservations are recommended.

www.piolatoronto.com/gnocchicontestrules

Website:         www.piola.it
Twitter:           @PiolaToronto
Hastag:           #piolagnocchicontest
Facebook:      www.facebook.com/piolatoronto

Wish I could go to this event but I will be out of town. I will be following it on twitter though.

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There are certain recipes that I have been using for decades. This is one of them. Infact I have never  buy ready-made pesto because this recipe is SO good and is SO easy to make. Not to mention that I’m sure many of you have been growing your own basil. (Right?).  This will be a  great recipe to use so you could take advantage of the fresh basil that is available right now.

The recipe is called Pesto Genovese and it’s taken from New Recipes from Moosewood Restaurant (which has been used so much that it has broken in half). If you like this Pesto Genovese recipe, I might even blog about Pesto Di Nocce next!!

Here’s what you need:

You need: 5 ingredients.

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 cups firmly packed fresh basil leaves, chopped

2 large garlic cloves, pressed

1/3 cup chopped walnuts, almonds or pine nuts (pine nuts are the best but they are $$$…I used almonds this time)

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup olive oil

salt to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Whirl the basil, garlic, nuts and Paremesan in a blender or food processor (I use my Cuisinart) until well mixed.

Step One

2. Then add the olive oil in a slow, steamy stream until a smooth paste is formed.

Step 2

3. Drop a dollop of Pesto on each serving of hot pasta and bingo you have a wonderful aromatic meal.

FINAL RESULT:

Goodness.

The recipe states that you may refrigerate the Pesto for several weeks in an airtight jar. Cover the sauce with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent from discolouring.

Serve this with a mixed green salad and some bruschetta and you’ve got yourself a lovely meal.

Happy Cooking!

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