I went to three Food Trade Shows in one week!!. As I walked thru the aisles of the CHFA show, I realized that I’ve mastered the skill of “sampling”. I can now add that to my list of skills on my Linkedin profile. (ha). This is the annual trade show for the Canadian Health Food Association and a great opportunity for me to find more new products to share with my readers (that’s you).

Here’s a few items that I’d like to share with you:

MONKEY TOAST:  These are flavour packed fruit crisps that are dairy free, and nut free. Ideal for kids and big kids too (like me).  I also adore their packaging and the fact that they are a Canadian company. (B.C. to be exact)

MACKIE’S CRISPS: All their potato crisps are suitable for vegetarians and their line up includes flavours like Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper, Scotch Bonnet Chilli Pepper and Aberdeen Angus steak. On a side note: My mom is from Scotland and I have family there so I have a soft spot for any product that is Scottish.

OHMBARS; This date and seed bar is Dairy free, Gluten free and is made in Ottawa (where I grew up). Naturally this caught my attention too.

CAPLANSKY’S MUSTARD:  I read on facebook about this new line of mustard and was delighted to see this new product at the Neal Brothers  booth. I sampled all of them (of course). Today I read that there’s a new menu being launched at Caplansky’s which means I really need to visit so I can try the mustard on meat instead on a pretzel!!

(note: stole this photo from Facebook. Hope you don’t mind Peter).

As always, had a great time wandering the aisles of this show. No shortage of new products to try!!

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I love trade shows and consumer shows. Especially if they are about FOOD. (My favourite subject. Did you know that?). Last week I walked thru Grocery Innovations looking for new food items, new flavour profiles and interesting packaging. This is an annual trade show for food companies, buyers, manufacturers, and distributors. Not to mention it’s a show that I’ve been attending for years as I was a food sales rep at one point in my career!! (fyi).

Here’s a few items that caught my attention:

ORANGE KIT KAT. I adore the combination of orange and chocolate and believe that this item will be a hit. Agreed?

LIVE HAPPY WATER. Water continues to be a huge trend and I’m happy just LOOKING at their booth!! Fact: This water contains naturally occurring lithia and other minerals. Plus it’s sourced from two ancient Canadian mountain springs.

QUINOA BARS: I love this concept and I think consumers will too. What do you think?

WHOLE WHEAT PANKO: What a great idea and will certainly be buying this in the future. The only comment I have for this company is “What took you so long”?.

Water without Sodium – called Aqua Carpatica. 

SUNMAID ORANGE COVERED RAISINS:

There was also an abundance of coconut water and gluten free products at the show as well. But for some reason, the above products stood out. Stay tuned for a blog post about the Whole Wheat Panko as I went home and made a recipe with my sample box as soon as I got home!!

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

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Last week, I attended a media dinner that introduced a new line of Gluten Free Pasta by Italpasta.

Even though I’m not gluten free I was curious to try it and I was curious to attend a dinner at 7 numbers which has a fantastic reputation but for some reason I have never been!

I was certainly impressed by the menu that we were presented with.

Julie Daniluk, a well known nutritionist, author and TV personality, spoke at the event as well. She also coincidentally sat beside me and we had  a lot in common soon as I saw her lactose pills! (which I encouraged her to buy at Costco. That’s right Julie…120 lactose pills for $18.99)

The Italpasta Gluten Free Pasta is also dairy free and egg free. I am confident that this line is going to appeal to a lot of consumers who live with multiple allergies.

Congratulations to this amazing Canadian business who clearly understands their consumers needs.

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I received an invite to attend a media dinner at Frida Restaurant that would feature Mexican Avocados.   I replied “count me in”….right away!! I’ve always had a fondness for Avocados seeing as they are SO SO good for you. Not to mention I love the colour of an avocado once you slice it open.  (I’m being honest!!). Am I shallow? Don’t answer that!!

The night started off with a photo of @missavacado and I. Not the best picture of me, but @missavacado is looking just fine!! If you don’t follow her on twitter…well you should!!

Then I sat down to find out that Frida Restaurant did a special tasting menu for this event. Impressive.

Here’s a lovely collage of some of the items I devoured from this menu. My favorite dish was the Ceviche. It was just outstanding.

If you are looking for recipes that use Mexican Avocados…..please visit www.missavacado.ca. I have no doubt that you will find a recipe that will appeal to you.   Not to mention if you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant in Toronto then you should head to Frida Restaurant at 999 Eglinton Ave. West.!!

Cheers to Mexican Avocados!!

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These days, I have been busy using my KitchenAid Diamond Blender. I simply can’t sop making smoothies and pureeing soups. Life is good.

One evening I got creative and put together a smoothie using some of my favorite ingredients; Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter.

 In less than a minute I had a pretty satisfying snack. The list of smoothies I intend on making are endless and infact I have a list on my fridge as a reminder that I don’t have to make the same smoothie every day!!

I’m so excited about using my KitchenAid Diamond Blender on a regular basis that I’m running a contest to give away a KitchenAid Diamond Blender to one of my readers.

 Here’s what you need to know about the KitchenAid Diamond blender!!

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