I make a batch of banana muffins about twice a month. They are the perfect snack, freeze beautifully and the muffins are a nice addition to a lunch box as well.

Recently I was introduced to the Guiding Stars program which is now available at No Frills, Loblaws and Real Canadian Superstores. Next time you are shopping, look for these signs which indicates a “better choice”.

Here are two examples of Star Ingredients:

Egg
★★ White Eggs – Large
★★★ Omega-3 Eggs

Flour
★ White Flour
★★ Whole Wheat Flour
★★★ Whole Spelt Flour

Therefore you could take my amazing banana recipe and make it even healthier just by using an Omega-3 Egg or by adding a high-fibre cereal, flaxseeds, hemp hearts and/or your favourite nut to turn this snack into a healthy breakfast option!

See what I mean? It doesn’t take a lot to make an ordinary recipe a much healthier recipe!! Plus the Guiding Stars program is an easy way for you to accomplish this.

Once again, look out for these blue stars!

Not to mention, that certain Loblaws stores have In-Store Dieticians to assist you as well!!

Here’s my banana muffin recipe but feel free adapt it with Star Ingredients!

Ingredients

2 cups of mashed bananas (about 5) Note: the darker the better
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 egg (see options below with Star Ingredients)
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour (see options below with Star Ingredients)

Star Ingredients

Egg
★★ White Eggs – Large
★★★ Omega-3 Eggs

Flour
★ White Flour
★★ Whole Wheat Flour
★★★ Whole Spelt Flour

Note from In-Store Dietitian, Lauren Baker:
Add Ground Flaxseed
Add Hemp Hearts
Add Cinnamon + Vanilla
Add “crunch” with Bran Flakes or Quick Oats

I really do believe that homemade muffins are a convenient snack for on-the-go routines, and can be lower in saturated fat, sugar, and calories than store bought or fast-food alternatives! For improved portion control, try making mini-muffin and enjoying only one or two with your morning coffee. Its a win-win!!

Happy Baking!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post, however all opinions are my own

I recently went to a Loblaws event that identified Canadian Food Trends for 2017. Here are five themes that they believe will impact Canadian kitchens in the upcoming year.

Drum roll please….

1) The New Home Chef: There’s no question that people want to cook at home but always feel like there’s no time.  Chef Mark Russell believes: “Canadians want to feed their family great tasting quality food and are now more than ever willing to ask for help through recipes, new kitchen gadgets and meal kits.” I agree with this statement. I really do.

4. The New Conscious Consumer – Canadians are more interested than ever before about where their food comes from and how its’ grown. In 2017, Canadians will be “bugging” out as they increase consumption of alternative proteins, such as insects and plant-based proteins. I tried crickets at at event several years ago and found myself indulging in a hot dog laced with crickets this summer at the CNE. I’m all over this trend!!

3. The New Mindful Foodie– There’s no doubt that we Canadians have been placing  a greater emphasis on what we’re eating and how we’re eating it to improve our physical and mental health. The Loblaw Food Council also identified that Canadians will  also want to cook with simple ingredients to create great tasting food. See this photo? Well it’s not grated cheese. It’s …… grated cauliflower that Loblaws sells. BRILLIANT. I know multiple people personally who will be all over this product! (including myself).

4.  The New Canadian Cuisine: International flavours and spices, such as Za’atar, Turmeric and Togarashi will make their way into Canadian homes. I don’t know about you but I’m already on the Tumeric and Za’atar trend. A few months ago I picked up fresh tumeric and have been grating it into boiling water. As for Za’atar – i not only like the smell of it but I like the look of it too!

5. The New Connected Shopper: Canadians will opt to shop at retailers that offer enhanced digital experiences layered with personalization to make their shopping seamless, accessible and efficient. I also agree with this trend. I’m using my smart phone more and more and I’m also using apps to help me with EVERYTHING. Plus those cooking videos are also inspiring me that seem to appear on my faceboook feed a lot!

Throughout the year, the Loblaw 2017 Food Trends will come to life in many different ways in-store, online and in kitchens across the country. As the hub of food innovation, the Loblaws® store at Maple Leaf Gardens* will feature the trends at various times throughout the year and provide opportunities for customers to taste, learn, and understand new food experiences like never before. Loblaw invites food lovers from across the country to unite and taste what’s new in food in 2017.

I’m excited about Food Trends. Are you? Feel free to share if you think one more trend should be added.

For more information:

Website: www.Loblaws.com

Loblaws at Maple Leaf Gardens 60 Carlton St, Toronto ON

I had the opportunity last week to check out some innovative menu items made with Nutella® at the Loblaws® store at Maple Leaf Gardens.

How could I say no?

Once I walked into the store, it only took me a nano second to spot the Nutella® Cafe.

 Then my eyes went right to the menu!!

There’s  Nutella® Pizza with a variety of toppings: Strawberries, Cookies ‘n Creme, Berry Medley, Pretzel, Pear, Puffed Rice, Tortilla, Banana, Tropical and Fruit. So many choices and one is prettier than the next!

b) There’s Waffles as well. As you can see from the photo, I had a bite and it was DELICIOUS.

Theres Crepes (sorry no photo) and even Nutella® Milkshakes.

I took home a Nutella® Banana Panini which is one of my favourite combos. It was indeed a great choice.

Besides eating, I had a great conversation with Executive Chef Mark Russell who is behind this initiative.
So help “Spread the Word” about the Nutella ®Cafe at Loblaws®. It’s worth visiting. Promise.

I’m always happy to visit Loblaws® at Maple Leaf: underground parking (free for an hour when you spend $20), a gorgeous grocery store, Joe Fresh and an LCBO. What more could one want?

For more information:

Loblaws, Maple Leaf Gardens, 60 Carlton St, Toronto, ON
Phone: (416) 593-6154

Twitter: @LoblawsCarlton

Hashtag: #MorewithNutella

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own.

I’m not sure what the stats are but I know that many Canadians are lactose intolerant, gluten-free or have a peanut allergy. Myself included. I’ve been lactose free for about 8 years now and I carry around lactose pills with me everywhere (purse, kitchen, car, pockets) so that I can continue to enjoy dairy products (which I love).

Sometimes it can be hard to know where to shop and how to choose products and ingredients that have the quality and flavours you crave. For many Canadians, this means that meal-planning has become predictable, routine and, well, bland.

However, the President’s Choice® team is dedicated to helping all Canadians find freedom in “-free” products, by showing consumers they can explore new and unexpected flavours and embrace culinary trends, no matter their dietary needs.

I’m loving this initiative that President’s Choice® has launched and recently noticed this giant poster at Loblaws.

While grocery shopping, I picked up some PC® SKYR which is lactose free and has more protein in in than traditional greek yogurt. #fact.

Then I went home and made a delicious French Yogurt Cake using the PC® SKYR. Guess what? I can enjoy this cake WITHOUT taking a lactose pill. HOORAY. HOORAY.

Here’s the recipe for French Yogurt Cake (courtesy of BonAppetit)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest
3/4 cup whole-milk Greek yogurt
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Coat pan with vegetable oil spray. Dust with flour; tap out excess.
2.Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, and kosher salt in a medium bowl.
3. Using your fingers, rub sugar with lemon zest in a large bowl until sugar is moist. Add yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract; whisk to blend. Fold in dry ingredients just to blend.

4. Pour batter into prepared pan; smooth top. Bake until top of cake is golden brown and a tester inserted into center comes out clean, 50–55 minutes.

For more information;

Website: www.PresidentsChoice.ca

Hashtag: #CompromiseFree

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own  

There are a few events coming up in December that will bring a smile to my face and this is one of them.

Starting on November 8th, a life sized Holiday Gingerbread Village is opening at the Loblaws® Maple Leaf Gardens (60 Carlton) to bring the magic of the holidays alive.

The village will be open every weekend from November 28 until December 20 from 10 AM to 6 PM and on December 22^nd and 23^rd from 10 AM to 6 PM, with activities for the whole family. For a charitable donation of just $5 to President’s Choice® Children’s Charity, you can decorate a cookie and get a photo with Santa.

Of course, I went down to the Loblaws Maple Leaf Gardens store to check out this spectacular Gingerbread Village. This particular wall with all sorts of candy on it certainly did capture my attention!!

It’s not a secret that I’m Jewish and don’t celebrate Christmas but I have no problem enjoying everything about this holiday – the decor, the candy canes, the gingerbread homes, and the eggnog too!! (love the stuff).

Loblaws Maple Leaf Gardens and President’s Choice have done an exceptional job at this time of year. The store looks gorgeous!! By the way – don’t forget that there’s free parking underground when you purchase $20 worth of groceries.

Next week you will see another blog post about the PC Insiders Collection Boutique. (that’s code for “make sure you read next weeks blog post” K?).

Stay tuned for more events that will take place in December!!

Disclosure: I was compensated for this blog post however all opinions are my own.

Meal planning is a challenge! I admit that often when I’m running on a treadmill, I’m thinking about what I will be serving for dinner or making for lunch.

In particular I find breakfast can be challenging. Mostly cause I’m always running late!!

In fact, according to a recent survey from the Loblaws and President’s Choice® teams, 68 per cent of Canadian parents have less than 10 minutes to make their child’s breakfast on a weekday.

So here’s a suggestion, make this treat THE NIGHT before. Just like you might make lunches the night before too.

With just a few ingredients I discovered a fabulous breakfast idea:

Baked Granola Cups (taken from www.chocolatecoveredkate.com)

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup PC® applesauce or mashed banana (I used both)
• 1/4 cup agave or honey
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup rolled oats
• yogurt

Instructions

Final Result!!

Then take out your favorite yogurt, add some fruit and bingo – you have yourself a tasty and pretty healthy breakfast.  Seeing as I’m always late there’s a good chance I will be eating this in the car! As you can see from this stat, I’m one of the 28%!!

• Twenty-eight per cent even said that they eat on the go (stop at fast food restaurant, ate the meal in the car, etc.) to ensure their children have a proper meal.

If you are looking for more great recipe ideas, please click here.  Loblaws and President’s Choice have put together  some delicious and nutritious recipes Canadian parents can cook in the time they actually have.

Disclosure: I was compensated for this post, however all opinions are my own

I’ve just returned from the 2015 President’s Choice® Summer Retreat. To say that I was spoiled rotten would be an understatement. I was well fed and well taken care of!

To begin with the retreat took place in a spectacular 18,000 sqf “cottage” that was situated on Lake Rosseau. Yes – that’s right, 18,000 square feet!

When I walked into my room there were no fewer than 3 bags of goodies waiting for me:

1. a personalized outfit from Joe Fresh

2. Sun Bum Sun Care products from Shoppers Drug Mart

3. Products from Real Canadian Superstore® including some fun PC®  products (animal baking tray, waffle maker from Everyday Essentials, napkins and more)

When  I woke up in the morning there was an incredible spread that featured sweet AND savoury waffles, fruit and more. Chef Andrea Buckett ensured that we started off our day on the right foot with a solid breakfast.

I especially loved this PC®  Pineapple Kale Smoothie that I had never tried before.

After breakfast, we were treated to a relaxing yoga session on the lawn. My Bad…I only took a photo and didn’t participate!

For lunch, there was a tasty BBQ….seriously no one was hungry. I was in condiment heaven!!

Naturally in the afternoon, I relaxed on the dock with my favorite beer that I purchase all the time – the PC® 2.5 Carb beer.

There were certainly no shortage of magazines to read or snacks!! I must admit – I was in heaven!

Here’s one of the recipes that was used over the weekend that I really enjoyed:

RECIPE: Cauliflower and Sweet Pea Salad

1 bag PC® Frozen Cauliflower, thawed

2 cups PC® Frozen Peas

1 cup thinly sliced celery

1 cup thinly sliced radish

2 tbsp chopped tarragon or dill

2 tbsp chopped parsley

1 tsp pepper

1 tsp sea salt

Dressing:

1 tbsp PC® whole grain Dijon Mustard

3 tbsp PC ®black label Honey & Ginger Condiment

4 tbsp PC® New World EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl

2. Whisk the ingredients for the dressing together

2. Pour dressing over vegetables and serve.

As you know, I’ve been along time fan of PC® products and gravitate toward them for their unique flavours and quality. I’m actually going to be posting a dessert using a few PC® products later this week so stay tuned. It’s a winner!!

Many thanks to the entire team at Citizen Relations and the team from Loblaws who worked really (really) hard to put this fantastic retreat together. I am truly grateful.

For more information:

President’s Choice: Twitter: @PresChoice, Instagram; @PresChoice Facebook: PresidentsChoice

Joe Fresh: Twitter: @JoeFresh, Instagram: @JoeFresh, Facebook: JoeFresh

 

I think Spring is around the corner! 🙂  There’s evidence that the snow is melting and this makes me smile!!

I’m also happy to report that Spring has arrived at Loblaws too! Soon you will see these gorgeous Spring items on the shelves. I don’t know about you but I really think PC, Life at Home and Everyday Essential products, nail it when it comes to price point and design.

I have a feeling know I will be purchasing these items, very very soon!

Here’s a few items that are on my wish list:

a) Yes – these plates have my name on them!  Sooo pretty. Soooo colourful.

b) See this black table? Well it’s $69 and the perfect size for my balcony. Not to mention it will come in handy as a buffet when I entertain.

c) This water bottle is the perfect size for me to DRINK MORE WATER. I love the handle, the size of it, the giant straw and the fact that it will keep my water cool too.

d) Last but not least, I adore this platter. It’s perfect for taco night.  Each container will soon be filled with sour cream, chopped lettuce, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese and black beans.

Hope you have as much fun shopping for PC products or Life at Home products as I will.

See you at the Real Canadian Superstore!!

 

 

 

At one my point in my life I was a Food Sales Rep. This meant I was visiting 12-15 grocery stores a day. However my fridge was ALWAYS missing something.

I really do have a love/hate relationships with Grocery Stores. Thankfully Loblaws has introduced a program called Click & Collect, so I can “love” grocery shopping more than hating it!

Here’s my experience using it:

1. I sat on my couch one night and ordered my groceries online using this website: https://shop.loblaws.ca/

After a few clicks, my online cart was full of things I needed…ie Kale, Almond Milk, frozen spinach, and other goodies!

2.  I then clicked on a convenient time for me to pick up my groceries. Sweet.

3. The next day, I drove to Loblaws (there’s 3 locations that are offering this program). When I drove thru the parking lot I saw these “Click & Collect” signs so I parked and followed the instructions. i.e I made a phone call where a friendly customer service rep reviewed my bill.

For more information about substitutions, pricing, etc. please click here: https://shop.loblaws.ca/faq

4) The friendly customer service rep came out with my groceries and put them in my car.

5) See me smiling from the comfort of my car? I was SO happy with the service and the fact that I didn’t have to leave my car!!

Things you should know;

a) There is an additional service fee depending on the time slot you choose. I must have picked a great time, as I only had to pay an additional $3 for the service.

b) You need to spend a minimum of $50

c) There’s 3 locations in Toronto that are offering the  “Click & Collect” program.

Loblaws: 17 Leslie Street, Toronto

Loblaws: 11 Redway, Toronto

Loblaws: 301 High Tech Road, Richmond Hill

Would I use the Click & Collect program again?  YES. YES. YES!!

Happy Clicking and Collecting!!

Disclosure: I was compensated to try the Click & Collect program however all opinions are my own

 

 

Mother’s Day is around the corner!! If you haven’t bought a gift yet, here’ a few ideas.

1. FOR THE MOM WHO…….Who Loves To Be Pampered.

A getaway to Ste. Anne’s Spa is the answer! Please take a peek at their amazing website which now offers auctions (which I think is a really cool idea). I’ve never been there for an overnight however a day trip certainly does the trick for me!!

2. FOR THE MOM…Who Loves Yoga

Buy her the B Mat. Why? Because  its exceptionally grippy texture, its eco-friendly and its durable. Not to mention it’s NEW, NEW, NEW…it recently launched in February 2014!!

3. FOR THE MOM…Who Runs!!

The Samsung Gear Fit is the perfect gift.

Oh what a treat for someone who loves technology and running. I’m now the proud owner of this watch and can’t wait to get off the dreadmill and use it. I’ve already signed up for a one on one lesson with Telus to learn every possible feature about this watch.

4. FOR THE MOM…Who Has Everything

Head to the AGO Gift Store. I swear you will find SOMETHING. This store really does carry unique (and beautiful) products.

5. FOR THE MOM….Who Loves to Entertain.

I promise you will find something for her at Loblaws!. Once again,  President’s Choice has a STUNNING SPRING line! ps I’ve already bought the napkins (on the left) for my paper napkin collection. Yes – that’s right – I have a paper napkin. (yes..I’m normal)

6. FOR THE MOM…Who Loves Tea

Consider buying Tea from Lemon Lily which offers a beautiful range of organic teas!

7. FOR THE MOM….Who LOVES Handmade Creations.

Head over to ETSY.  Seriously.

8.FOR THE MOM…Who Loves to Read.

I would suggest buying her a Kobo. I’ve been a proud owner of a Kobo since 2010 and can’t say enough about their customer service.

9. FOR THE MOM…Who’s FOODIE

OMG..this is a hard one for me to answer!! In fact I don’t know where to start. A cookbook? a certificate to her favorite restaurant? a cheese box from Taste of Cheese? a cooking class? 18 kg gold chocolate bar from Baroness Chocolates? a food crawl to all her favorite spots? a fresh truffle?

Wishing everyone a Happy Mother’s Day!!

Disclosure: A variety of these companies provided me with product, however all opinions are my own.