I’d like to tell you about Valentine’s Day 2013. I wasn’t dating anyone but knew that I wanted to celebrate the “day” and not just sit on my couch in my apartment!  So I did something brilliant. I booked a massage at Body Blitz late in the afternoon. I remember walking in and immediately noticed how quiet it was – as everyone was ON A DATE!! I didn’t mind the peace and quiet. ….TRUST ME. It was like having the whole place to myself! After the massage, I took advantage of the water therapy, showered and changed.

Then I walked around the block and went to Scotiabank Theatre. I can’t remember what I saw -but I do remember that the movie theatre was pretty empty. Again, everyone was probably out having Valentine’s Day Dinner.

After the movie, I proceeded to celebrate Valentine’s Day and went Bar Chef to have a molecular mojito. Again – Bar Chef was pretty empty!! I got home around 11 pm . I have to admit that I felt pretty relaxed and loved the choices I made.

Now let’s talk about Valentine’s Day 2014. I’m dating someone so Valentine’s Day is going to be different than 2013. We are going to celebrate with a special dinner at home and I’ve got a special gift to give to him as well. I can’t reveal anymore details cause he reads my blog!!

What inspired me in 2014 for Valentine’s Day….. is the stuff I’m finding on Pinterest!!  Here’s some of my favorites.

Love this simple idea too…

Wishing everyone a happy Valentine’s Day!!

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As you know, Valentines Day is in just a few days. It’s one of those holidays where  you celebrate it in a “big way” (ie cards and gifts), celebrate it in a “medium way” (ie a card with flowers or chocolates) or celebrate it in a little way (ie a card).

In the event you celebrate this day in a “big” way – here are some suggestions:

1. What about a gift certificate for some pampering at Body Blitz. I’ve been a huge fan of their water therapy for many many years.

2.  Head to Bar Chef for unbelievable unique cocktails. My personal fav is the molecular mojito. No one in the city makes a drink like this.

3. Valentines Dinner and Nature Walk at Kortright Centre on Saturday Feb 16th from 7 – pm

This event sounds divine.  Think candlelit dinner and then a twilight stroll through the beautiful and pristine forest at Kortright. Advance tickets are required  416-667-6295

5.  Give a Samba Days Gift Experience: a unique gift experience that allows the recipient to choose from a huge range of experiences (gourmet getaways to helicopter rides…no shortage of options)

6.  Pick up some lobster at City Fish (they will cook it for you for the same price). Then light some candles, pop open a bottle of wine and bingo you have yourself a pretty fab Valentines Day meal. ps no website – but they are located at 2929 Duferin St. 416 256 7373

7. Um, what about Dirty Bingo on Saturday Feb 16th at the Paintbox Bistro. Bingo starts at 9 pm. #justanidea

8. May I suggest a heart shaped pizza from Boston Pizza, followed by some skating?
$1 from each pizza sold goes to support the Boston Pizza Foundation – I totally love this idea.

9. Head to the Korean Family Sauna – which is open 24 hours a day/7 days a week.

$20 gives you 8 different saunas to chose from!

10. Visit Moroco Chocolat in Yorkville for some heavenly chocolate fondue.

Happy Valentines Day!!

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I’ve been a fan of Body Blitz for as long as I can remember. The first time I went to Body Blitz was DIRECTLY after completing the Mississauga Half Marathon (many years ago.) In fact after each half marathon that I have completed (4)..I went right there, all dressed in my shvitzy clothes with my Visa in my pocket. It was the best move, as I was never sore the next day and I give credit to Body Blitz for helping my body recover after running for 2 plus plus hours.

On Wednesday nite, I got a sneak preview of their new location that will soon be opening at 497 King St. East. (lucky lucky me)

I’m in love with their water therapy, which consiits of a Dead Sea salt pool, an epsom salt pool, a cold plunge pool, an infrared sauna and a eucalyptus sauna.

Dead Sea Salt Pool

You do a circuit, (see photo below) and then you can simply chill while reading a magazine and sipping a juice/protein shake/tea. Then you do the circuit again and again. It’s bliss to go there on a cold winter day. TRUST ME. I should mention that there are spa services available at Body Blitz too not just water therapy!

The Circuit!!

Congratulations to Rena and Laura on opening a second location. This is great news for women in Toronto!!

Rena (on the left) and Laura (on the right) surrounded by Synchronized Swimmers at the Opening Party

For further info:

Body Blitz – 471 Adelaide St. w (416) 364 0400

Body Blitz East – 497 King St. East (which isn’t open yet -but is now taking reservations!!)

Follow them on Twitter: @BodyBlitzSpa or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bodyblitzspa

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I got over my fear of running in the rain!!

I ran the GoodLife Toronto Half Marathon in the rain today and I have a lot of people to thank!! I am normally a pretty decisive person but when it comes to “races” ..I procrastinate. I’m always signing up for them at the LAST MINUTE.

Case and point this past Friday which was the last day to sign up and pick up your race kit.

After studying weather patterns like a mad woman, I realized the weather was going to be lousy. I called up a buddy who said “think positive”. I replied “I cant”. I then asked him if he ever ran a race in the rain. He replied “I raced a half ironman in the rain for 7 full hours”. That answer certainly put things in perspective for me.

Then I tweeted “looks like rain on Sunday…cant decide if I should register. So nervous”! The words of encouragement came pouring in:

@aurorameyer…a half marathon in the rain means no sweat stinging in your eyes. It also means investing in more Body Glide, wet clothes rub.

@karmasdogma….I did a 20km training run in rain. Wear a hat to keep rain off face. Use good (not cotton) running socks. Good luck.

@Ontario Culinary…it’s refreshing. You’ll do great.

@Botdenlrma….go Vicky. It smells great outside when its raining maybe that keeps you going

@KiddingAround…Perhaps the rain will be refreshing. Best of luck

@MichaelNus..the rain will cool you down

@CookTrainEatRce rain or no rain, it’s still 13.1 miles and you have trained for it. You will be golden.

@HorriblePeanut..Ive done a 32 k training run in the pouring rain. Just concentrate on the the feeling of WIN you will get and a hot shower

@HorriblePeanut..YOU CAN DO IT

After all those great tweets…I went down to the CNE grounds and registered!!

So how did it go? I had a terrible sleep (which is what happens every time before a race)..woke up at 7 a.m., got dressed, make an egg white omlette and a piece of toast and at 7:20 a.m. I was picked up by my buddy’s friend. We got to Mel Lastman Square and before we knew it, it was 8:00 a.m

By 5 km…I didnt notice the weather anymore!! I put one foot infront of the other and kept going. The last few kilometres up University were brutal. I was stopping more then I wanted to.

Finally after 2 hours and 16 minutes I crossed the finish line. I felt great!! I walked to grab a taxi and treated my muscles to the best spa ever…Body Blitz!

I dipped into the sea salt pool, the green tea pool, the cold plunge pool, and also took advantage of the infrared sauna and the eucalyptus sauna. I rested. I drank an ice tea and left feeling AWESOME.

I will actually be able to climb down the stairs tomorrow AND sit in a chair thanks to the water therapy at Body Blitz.

I really had a great day. Thanks again to everyone for all the words of encouragement. It really made a difference.

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