My recent trip to Buffalo included:

-attending the Bruce Springsteen concert

-and eating. (this doesn’t surprise you, right?)

The day went like this:

2 pm – Anchor Bar…no need for an explanation.

 

3 pm – Teds’ Hot Dogs. It was customer appreciation day and I couldn’t resist a bargain ($1 a hot dog). Despite the HUGE line up, it was well worth it.

 

4 pm. – Andersons Frozen Custard. Guess what? It was snowing when we walked in. #scored

730 pm – Bruce Springsteen Concert….who played for 3 hours straight. What a performance.

Midnite – Gabriel’s Gate. In my humble opinion, this was the perfect post concert snack.

 

The following day included one more restaurant. We went to this cool bakery/cafe for some wicked toast and coffee. I fell in love with the building …and the bread.

Five Points Bakery 

Can’t wait to go back to Buffalo!

When I went to the Bruce Springsteen concert in Buffalo, I knew that the trip would include a visit to Trader Joe’s.  A trip to Buffalo would simply not feel complete without stopping at a grocery store. (in my humble opinion)

I bought a mixture of old Trader Joe favourites and some new products that I’ve never bought before.

For example…these dried baby bananas caught my attention.

I have no idea what I will be doing with them but something tells me I will be incorporating them into a brunch dish one day soon!

Here’s what they look like on a plate. Can’t decide if it looks pretty or if it looks creepy!!

There was a section at the back of the store with a sign over it that said “new product”. How brilliant. I couldn’t resist buying these Preserved Lemon Slices even though I have no idea what I will be doing with them. But for $1.99 I couldn’t resist.

 I’m a huge fan of Trader Joe’s chocolate and this time I bought a PB & J chocolate bar.  As you can see from the photo, most of the bar is now gone. Why oh why did I only buy one bar?

 

I’m already looking forward to my next trip to Buffalo.

Website; www.traderjoes.com

Address: 1565 Niagara Falls Blvd, Buffalo, NY
Phone:+1 716-833-4687

 

 

I swear I left the resort to go to Playa Del Carmen for one reason only. That reason was to go to the Grocery Store. No…. I did not have a fever. LOL. I simply adore discovering new food products.

Here’s a few items that caught my attention:

Campbell’s Soup – Chile Poblano: Not very happy that I didn’t buy one of these! #arghhh

TANG – Tamarind Flavour: Bring it on. I bought a packet but haven’t tried it yet. Will keep you posted.

Motor Bikes: Ok it’s not a food item but I thought it was cool to see that one could buy a motor bike in a grocery store.

These Drinks.

THE CEVICHE BAR – you know how we have an Olive Bar? Well they have a Ceviche Bar with no fewer than 6 different styles of Ceviche.

When I walked thru customs I was asked what I bought: I replied a souvenir and some groceries. She asked me “what type of groceries”. I whipped out the bag of Tang and she smiled.

Walking thru a grocery store makes me happy! Go figure.

Speaking of grocery stores, looks like it’s time to visit Buffalo for a trip to Trader Joe’s and Wegmans. Haven’t been in a while. #roadtripforgroceries

 

 

 

 

Last week, I woke up on Saturday and decided it would be a great day to head to Buffalo. Just like that. I swear I crossed the border around noon and was home by 6 pm!! You see….I only visit two stores: Target and Wegmans.

Here’s what I bought at Wegmans.

a)  Blue Hill Beet Yogurt! I probably should have bought all three flavours (sweet potato and carrot) but it was kind of pricey so I only bought one.

When I got home I tried it and decided that it would be great it if I paired it with something. So I took out a piece of salmon and bingo – I had myself a pretty beautiful lookin’ dinner.

b) CHIA POD: Again….I only bought one and now Im kicking myself. I picked up the banana flavour and it is BEYOND DELICIOUS. The banana flavour is INTENSE. I also noticed that ingredients: chia, coconut milk and banana.   Talk about a pure product.

c) BOILED PEANUTS: I brought back these peanuts from a trip to Detroit a few years ago and was thrilled to see that Wegmans was carrying them in Buffalo. Sadly I keep serving them to guests and no one else likes it besides me!!

I bought a few more goodies (naturally) but only wanted to share a few items with you!

On a different note: I want to give a shout out to the store manager, Jim. He approached my friend and I to let us know that there was a “suspicious” person following us in the store. JIm assured us that the security staff were on alert and just wanted to give us a heads up and make sure that our purses were secure etc. When we ready to head to the car in the parking lot, we had TWO escorts with us. Thank you Jim and his amazing security staff for ensuring that my friend and I had a safe shopping experience.

Trader Joe’s recently opened in Buffalo!!  This is great news for foodies like me. Naturally I had to stop enroute back to Toronto from Greenwich Conn last week.

I’ve been a fan of Trader Joe’s ever since I went to visit their store in Detroit. Lot’s of amazing products with pretty good prices too. Definitely not your average grocery store.

When you walk into the new Buffalo location, you are greeted by this mascot!!

Then the fun begins as you walk thru the aisles looking for goodies to buy!! Here are a few items that went into my grocery cart.

1. Ginger Miso Broth: at $1.99 a box! So I bought two. The other night I used it and now I’m kicking myself that I didn’t buy 6. Arghhhh.

2. Dried Kimchi: Haven’t tried it yet but it intrigued me.

3. Milk Chocolate Covered Toffee Popcorn: I served this the other night with on a cheese platter and they were inhaled.

4. Speculoos Cookie Butter: Described as “A deliciously unusual spread reminiscnet of gingerbread and made with crushed biscuits”  I spread some of this on a cracker and even though it was sweet – I enjoyed it. Basically, I’m a sucker for anything with the word gingerbread in it.

5. Soap. ..that’s right..Soap!!  I bought one bottle on my last trip to Trader Joe’s in May and this time I bought 3 bottles. I’m getting smart!!

Definitely worth visiting!!

For More Information:

Trader Joe’s (Amherst) 1565 Niagara Falls Blvd. 716 833 4687

Hours : Monday to Sunday 8 am to 9 pm.

 

I’ve decided NOT to post about a recipe or a restaurant or even what I ate in Buffalo. I know you are in shock. But you see…I’m fed up with the rain. I have a bunch of outfits that I bought in November that I really, really, really, want to wear! However the weather is SIMPLY not cooperating.

Remember that sample sale that I go to twice a year for the last 8 years? Well these outfits are from that famous sample sale!!

So allow me to be a fashion blogger …just this once. LOL.

More..

And more…

There’s more outfits  but I didn’t want to bore you. Plus it was exhausting trying on all these outfits.

The May sample sale will soon be coming up in May and of course I will let you know the dates K?

Must sign off. I need to study the weather patterns for the next week in the event I can wear one of the above outfits!!

I took advantage of the clear skies and the holiday Monday to go to Buffalo. It was time for some good old fashioned RETAIL THERAPY.

My definition of retail therapy combines my love of two stores in Buffalo: Target  and Wegmans. I actually spent just as much money at the grocer store as I did at Target. The customs guy thought I was crazy to go to Buffalo for TWO stores. Ps he didn’t pull me over even though I spent more than what I was suppose to when you visit for FOUR hours.

Here’s what I bought at Wegmans. (it’s all about the food – not the shoes I bought – hee hee).

1 Lesser Evil Brand Chia Crisps…Baked Crunchy Black Bean Chips. I picked out the Zesty-fresh, herb infused CRUNCHY DILL PICKLE because that’s my favorite flavor! (how did they know).

I opened up the bag (even though they are a gift for my friend) to sample a few. A “few” turned into a “few dozens”. I LOVE them and now I’m kicking myself that I only bought one bag! Story of my life.

Let’s review what’s in these chips: Omega 3’s (ALA), Powerful Antioxidants, EC Free, Good Source of Fiber and 4 g of protein per serving. Take a look at all the info thats on the back of the bag!!

2. Prometheus Springs Lychee Wasabi Capsaicin Spiced Elixir. Once again – opened it up when I got back to Toronto and the stuff is WICKED. It’s USDA organic and kosher! Whats in it: Filtered water, organic evaporated cane juice, organic lemon juice concentrate, natural lychee wasabi flavor, sea salt, capsaicin extract. Would love for some bartender to create a cocktail with this stuff!

 

3. Siggi’s Icelandic Sytle Skyr – 0% milk fat, strained non fat yogurt. Again – all natural, milk from grass fed cows, no aspartame, no sucralose, no gelatin, no artificial colorings, no preservatives, no high fructose corn syrup. YUM.

 

3. Lord Nut Levington Rebel Mary Peanuts (spicy bloody mary). Had to buy this and guess what? Scored once again. Will be serving this the next time friends come by for drinks.

5.. This item I bought at the DOLLAR TREE  – Tasty Tortilla Non Stick Steel Tortilla Pan. Not that I NEED this but it was A DOLLAR. How could I not buy it? Will let you know if it works in a future blog post k?

It certainly was a great trip to Buffalo. Naturally I will be going back soon as I’ve heard rumours that Trader Joes is opening in Buffalo. Too excited for words.

Road trip anyone?

Summer is officially over. It’s sad. As much as I like the Spring and the Fall…there is nothing like sunny skies and warm temperatures. Not to mention there is just so much to do in the summer.

When I look back, I made the most of my summer and travelled to the following places:

-Niagara on the Lake, Pillar and Post

–Westin Trillium House, Blue Mountain

–Arowhon Pines

-Canada Day in Ottawa

– Visiting Sandbacks Provincial Park

-Camping at Island Spirits

-Montreal

-Buffalo

-Cobourg Beach (twice)

-Glen Kelso Conservation; (sadly I only went once this summer)

I also took advantage of “summer in the city” and went to use the pool at the Sheraton Centre three times!! I seriously can’t complain about Summer 2012.

But now I can start to look forward to all the wonderful things Fall represents:, the leaves changing, visiting Chudleighs, fall clothes, baking apple crisps, and making fall soups.

Here’s to an amazing FALL.

p.s I was suppose to post this on the last day of summer (which was on Friday Sept 21st but silly me…got distracted, for a change)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Well it’s that time of year again…it’s called “Getting Ready for Camp” . For some reason, I find it more relaxing to buy 15 pairs of socks, 14 pairs of underwear, 4 bathing suits etc etc etc…in Buffalo than in Toronto. This year, I decided to stay overnite in Buffalo to make the trip even more relaxing. (I’m a smart mom).

We booked a mother/daughter trip along with another mother/daughter team!! Another smart move.

SCHEDULE:

8:00 – Left Toronto

11:00 a.m Arrived at the Walden Galleria

11:00 – 12:00 The kids shop while the Moms drink!! er….sample!!

We started off at Taps for a lovely line up of Wood Chuck Cider, Magic Hat #9, Edmund from Great Lakes Brewery, Flying Dog Snake Dog IPA (from Colorado), Holy Moses White Ale from Great Lakes Brewery, Rusty Chain from Flying Bison Brewery, and Blue Pointe Long Island Summer Lager.

12:00 p.m to 1:00 p.m – Bar #2: Gordon Biersch for another line up of beers: Marzen, Golden Export, Czech Pilsner, Hefewerzen and more!!

1:00 p.m – The Cheesecake Factory; We were 4 people so we HAD to try 4 cheesecakes right? We decided on OREO, Original, Ultimate Red Velet and Adam’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge Ripple. Ps this was not an easy decision to make!!

We were happy, happy, happy.

3:00 -5:00 p.m More shopping at Target

5:00 pm Check into the lovely Embassy Suites in Downtown Buffalo. We were thrilled to find  out that our spacious 900 sqf room, included a pullout sofa with a TV, 2 Queen beds with a TV, and a room with a wet bar, microwave and  fridge.  Can you say “HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY”.

5:30 -6:30 p.m Managers’ Reception: This was a total bonus. Complimentary drinks and snacks. What a nice treat.

7:00 p.m Went to Chipotle for dinner. (my friends had never been before). Everyone inhaled their burritos.

8:30 p.m. Back to the hotel to swim.

10:00 p.m Everyone is EXHAUSTED but HAPPY and finally in pyjamas and in bed.

Next Day:

9:00 am Complimentary Cook to Order Breakfast (oh how I love this feature).

10:00 am Bye Bye Buffalo

12:30 p.m Hello Toronto

ps The Walden Galleria has lots of dining options: The Melting Pot, PF Changs, Johnny Rockets, Yogen Fruz and more. No shortage of great shopping OR dining options at this mall.