I went to the Green Living Show last year and knew that I would be returning. No question, the environment has becoming more and more important in our every day lives. Infact, I just got rid of my gas guzzling mini van and can’t wait to drive my far more fuel efficient Nissan Versa. But let’s get back to the Green Living Show – it’s a show you don’t want to miss. They have it all.

• a green beauty bar
• an electric vehicle show
• live bird demonstrations
• an eco music movie swap
• a farmers market
• the sweaty equity  yoga pavilion
• the organic council of Ontario pavillion
• Toronto Fair Trade Town
• and lots more!!

Naturally I spent a lot of time at the FARM FRESH FARE. (perhaps too much time) It didn’t take me too long to find a few salads to take pictures of. I mean how gorgeous are these salads?

Chef Christopher Palk of L’Eat Catering created this beauty of a salad:

Ontario Chopped Salad with Pickled Ramp Buttermilk Ranch, House Made Red Wine Vinegar and Mustard Vinaigrette or Green Apple, Herb and Cider Vinegar Dressing

The chef was happy to show me the list of ingredients that went into this “All Ontario Chopped Salad”. I was blown away.

This salad created by Chef John from Table 17 also caught my attention. He created a pea shoot and peanut salad with an Ontario Peanut Dressing.

Here’s another stunning salad that was created by the Garbardine Restaurant: Smoked and cured Ontario Pickerel with red fife bagels, baby lettuce and creme fraiche .

I also made a point of visiting my favorite exhibitor….Island Spirits. I met Trudy last year, and went up to stay at her fantastic, unique property in May 2011. I actually told her that next year, I would volunteer in her booth to give a “live testimonial”. (by the way, Trudy…I am serious about that offer)

I strongly encourage  you to head down to the Direct Energy Centre this weekend and check out this great consumer show.

Hours: Saturday April 14 from 10- 9 and Sunday April 15 from 10-5.

Hint: If you bring e-waste you can receive FREE admission, compliments of Samsung.

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The Perfect Sunday Breakfast

Temperatures have been skyrocketing and there is no better way to take advantage of these warm temperatures than to visit the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival. I have been going to a maple syrup festival since I was a kid and have continued the tradition. (I’m now just a big kid). This weekend, Toronto will see WARM temperatures once again…so why not take a drive out of the city.

I swear, in no time at all (i.e 20 minutes with no traffic) you can be at either Kortright Centre or Bruce’s Mills Conservation area to enjoy pancakes, a nature walk, bird watching, maple syrup, and wagon rides.

Things I have learned over the years:

a) go early to avoid line ups. Seriously.

b) wear rainboots. I can assure you that it will be muddy

c) visit with an empty stomach. You don’t want to miss the opportunity to eat pancakes at these festivals (see the photo of the pancakes on the top left? do I need to explain?)

d) take advantage of the wagon rides (like I said, I’m a big kid).

e) bring a camera and take pictures of the great outdoors.

What a great way to TAP into Spring !! (I stole this line from the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority – they should get the credit).

P.S the Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival takes place this year from March 3 to April 9th.

Bruce’s Mill Conservation Area, 3291 Stouffville Rd, Stouffville ON (3 kms east of Highway 404)

Kortright Centre for Conservation, 9550 Pine Valley Drive, Vaughan ON (south of Major Mackenzie Drive)

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A few years ago, I had a doughnut at the Doughnut Plant in New York City. I then came to the realization that not all doughnuts are created equal!!

i.e there’s a HUGE difference between a commercially made doughnut and one that is made in house in small batches.

I also have been lucky enough to have discovered Suzi Q Doughnuts in Ottawa as well as doughnuts from Fraser Cafe.Therefore my quest for “really good doughnuts” continues.

Thanks to twitter I discovered  Thor Espresso Bar was serving  Glory Hole Doughnuts…..which means, I HAD TO GO. (like a good foodie)

Here was the Doughnut Menu:

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

I decided to order the lemon meringue doughnut and I wasn’t disappointed at all. The curd and the meringue were perfect which resulted in an awesome doughnut experience.

YUM. ME.

Clearly the donughnut required a coffee so here’s a picture of a perfect cup of coffee:

Doughnut + Coffee = Happiness

The owner of Glory Hole Doughnuts took time out of her busy schedule to chat with me one day. I found out more about her background (she’s a trained pastry chef) and why she opened up this business. (she simply loves doughnuts). I also found out that there’s a rotation of 11 flavours. I really think I should organize a Doughnut Tweet Up so we can try all the flavors!!

Who’s in?

These doughnuts are really really popular so go early!! It was worth the drive downtown on a Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.!

Glory Hole Doughnuts can be found at the following locations on an ALMOST daily basis (best to call first)

Thor Espresso Bar: 35 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON (416) 451 8736

The Burger  Bar 319 Augusta Avenue, Toronto ON (416) 922 7423…SATURDAYS ONLY

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Can't stop staring at my eyelashes!!

I was introduced to Flirt Custom Lash Studio via twitter last week. I’m sure you are tired of me endlessly telling you how many great people I  meet on twitter – but it’s TRUE.

She tweeted that Flirt Custom Lash Studio was offering Eyelash Extensions to women who lived in the GTA on Sunday Jan 22nd. I replied back within seconds. Before I knew it, I was booked for a 4 p.m appointment. She has asked me to review their website for “pre appointment” instructions and of course I peeked around the website, seeing as I had no previous experience with eyelash extensions.

What’s ironic – is that two weeks ago at a dinner party, one of the guests mentioned how she had eyelash extensions before her wedding and even showed me the photos. I was super impressed so I knew that this was something I wanted to try.

Here’s my experience: I arrived promptly at 4 p.m at Blush Pretty Studio (313 Queen West..2nd floor). I took off my contact lenses and Sommer (the owner of Flirt Custom Lash Studio)  proceeded to do her magic with my eyelashes.

I was so relaxed that I could have fallen asleep but I was too busy talking to Sommer about twitter, social media, Xtreme Lashes, and more. The 45 minutes seemed to zip by.

Here is a great photo of Sommer doing her magic.

Sommer was extremely professional (ps she is Xtreme Lashes certified) and asked me if I was OK – if I had any questions – if I had any expectations – etc. Before I knew it ..I looked like this.

OMG

I honestly can’t believe how awesome this product is. I honestly don’t know why I havent done this before either.

All I know, is that I can’t stop staring in the mirror.

Oh yeah – I came home with a “after care packet”..so that I keep my eyelash extensions looking their best for as long as possible. (which I plan on doing, by the way)

My After Care Package!

Thanks to Flirt Custom Lash Studio for my beautiful eyelash extensions!!

For further info about Flirt Custom Lash Studio, please visit their website or call Sommer at 647 402 8894.

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If you like Crate and Barrel then you are going to LOVE CB2!!

CB2 has 10 stores throughout the United States, but as of Saturday, CB2 will have opened their first International store in Toronto!!

The cover of their catalogue reads: hello toronto and hello affordable mordern for apartment, loft and home.

They are right!!

I had a sneak preview today (lucky me) and I walked around saying to myself “I want”…”I want”…I want”!! Whether “I need”…is a different story!! Truth be told, my good friend gave me a $100 gift card for Crate and Barrel and now I know exactly where to go and what I want.

Want. In. A. Big. Way.

Want!

Want!

I. Want. This. Too!

No question this store will be popular amongst those who live in condos, homes, lofts and apartments!!  Plus, it will appeal to those seeking a great price point for FABULOUS home furnishings. I was super impressed and quickly called a few good friends who are ‘design mavens’ to encourage them to visit the store STAT.

Love.

This week, I am  in “design heaven” as not only did I get a chance to go to CB2 today, but I’m heading to the Interior Design Show on Thursday for my 3rd row in a row. I can’t say enough about this show. There’s aisles and aisles of the latest in design for appliances, furniture, fireplaces and more. It’s a show I won’t miss. So much eye candy – it’s not even funny.

If you like design: this is a show you should attend. I promise you, you won’t be disappointed. It features about 4,000 individual designers, studios, firms and companies and is Canada’s largest contemporary design show.

CB2…651 Queen St. West (south east corner of Bathurst and Queen)

Interior Design Show: Jan 26th – opening party. Jan 27th Professional Trade Day. Jan 28 General Admission (10-7 pm). Jan 29 General Admission (10 – 6 p.m). Metro Convention Centre.

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Coconut Cream Pie

I wrote a blog post entry in early December, called My Bucket List for 2012 ,and I’m pleased to announce that I can cross off one of the items. This week, I finally went to Scaramouche to try their famous coconut cream pie. Yay for Vicky!

I went with some twitter friends who are also foodies: @TorontoEats @candicebest @alyssaschwartz @nearafar. Turns out that  3 out of 5 of us, had not tried the coconut cream pie before. #interestingfact

Sadly I did not plan this evening very strategically as I had just had oral surgery at 3:30 and we were meeting at 630 p.m!! This means, that I could not enjoy  an appetizer or a main course or even a glass of wine, however I was permitted to eat coconut cream pie – seeing as it was a really soft food. Me. Smart.

The ever-so-professional, Dr. Jonathan Adam, who performed the procedure, knew that I was panicked about being able to eat the pie at 630 p.m. i.e would the freezing be gone? would I be able to chew? I had a few questions LOL. He was right – I managed a few forkfuls of the coconut cream pie with NO PROBLEM whats-so-ever. I practically shovelled it in. That’s how good the pie was.

Now, there is more that I want to share with you about the coconut cream pie. Here’s a cute story: When I was 13, I went to a camp called Wabikon (on Lake Temagami) and I had three great counsellors that year. One of those counsellors was Joanne Yolles. I had read a few years ago, that Joanne was a pastry chef who had created the EPIC COCONUT CREAM PIE AT SCARAMOUCHE. What a small world.

I wanted to track her down and sure enough one of my foodie friends connected the two of us. She was kind enough to meet  me last summer for a cup of coffee at Ezras Pound. I had not seen here in over 3 decades yet she looked exactly the same. Joanne walked me thru her career and I was just fascinated. What a career and what an incredible legacy she has created with this epic coconut cream pie that has been on the menu at Scaramouche for years and years and years and will continue to be on the menu for years and years and years.

Congratulations Joanne. You were a great camp counsellor and you are a phenomenal pastry chef.

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When I went to Dr. Laffa in August, I drove by the following sign.

I thought to myself that it would a great place to check out in the winter when it’s -30 and we have 20 cms of snow. Neither happend and I couldn’t wait much longer so I went!!

Of course I checked out the Korean Family Sauna website first so I could learn what to expect. After reviewing it, I knew that I wanted to go. So I did.

When you walk in…this is what you see.

When you pay ($20), you receive a locker key, a pair of cotton shorts and a cotton tshirt, and 2 very small towels. (um, I should be specific – the towels were the size of handtowels)

Cotton Shorts/Cotton Shirt, Locker Key and Two VERY SMALL towels

When you get dressed in their cotton tshirt and the cotton shorts – this is what I looked like. Pretty site eh? Felt like prison clothes.

Can't believe I am posting this photo!

The change room is huge, and clean. Infact the whole place is absolutely spotless with gleaming hardwood floors.

The games room is also huge. I mean HUGE. There’s a pool table, numerous leather couches, several flat screen tv’s, and a cafeteria that is licensed. That’s right – licensed.

The main room is also huge and you can call this the “warm up room”. There are bamboo mats to lie on (with wooden blocks to rest your head)  and people just relax here.

You simply just relax in this room, which is surrounded by 8 saunas

I brought a magazine, my Iphone and a pair of ear phones. The other people in this room with me, included a Korean family of 4. i.e mom, dad and their two kids (10 and 12?).

There’s 8 different doors that lead you into the saunas. Some are warmer than others but whats important is the rocks on the wall. Each room have different rocks that have different health benefits. I went to each and every sauna.

One sauna had these lovely colored rocks on the wall.

What I found interesting in these saunas was the fact that there were no benches in them. You simply lay on your bamboo mat.

In between visiting each sauna room, I hung out in the cold room.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to go back into the games room to enjoy a Sapporo ($9) and a maki roll. ($4.50)

My visit to the Korean Family spa cost me $20 (food and alcohol separate) and I swear I was there for close to three hours. Pretty good value, in my humble opinion.

Definitely worth visiting if you like saunas!! I know I will be returning. I have no doubt in my mind.

Things I learned:

-bring a 1.5 litre of water with you. I promise you, you will drink the whole thing (you can refill it there).

-bring shower shoes for the shower

-bring a book, magazine, earphones, music and earphones

-bring a towel incase you want something larger than the towel they give you, which is the size of a kitchen towel. It makes GoodLife’s towels look like bathsheets.

Korean Family Spa – 382 Magenetic Drive (416) 514-1965 Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!!

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After following CHEESEWERKS on Facebook and Twitter for many months, I was delighted to get an invitation to attend the opening of this new ‘artisinal” grilled cheese restaurant.

Here’s what I like:

1) The space is gorgeous. Its bright, colorful, and well laid out.

2) The menu: lots of delicious choices with really really cute names.

3) There is an alcohol menu: Brilliant!!

4) The sandwich itself. Everything works  – the bread, the combination of flavors and it’s grilled to perfection as well.

5) The owners are nice nice nice.

6) This brochure (it makes me smile). Please note, that one day soon they will soon have options for those who are lactose intolerant and for those who require gluten free bread.

This made me smile.

7) They ‘get” social media and have actively been using twitter and facebook for months.

9) Their website is fantastic. It’s clean, it’s fun and it’s easy to navigate.

10) I know I am repeating myself, but their grilled cheese sandwiches really are DELICIOUS.

You can find CHEESWERKS at 56 Bathurst St (at Wellingston St. West) Toronto, 416-243-3327.

Hoping to put together a tweet up at this restaurant as soon as possible. It would be the perfect spot.

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Once again, I went to an event as a result of a tweet I saw on twitter between @redhunttravel and @InnisGunnCanada.  The event was an Innis & Gunn Beer Dinner at Fynns Temple Bar. (489 King West). What’s not to like?  I was SO going to this event.

Here was the menu that was presented by Chef Patrick Narain:

One: Mulligatawny Soup and a Mango Chutney Crostini

Two: Dark Chocolate Chicken Wings served with a Roasted Corn, Jicama and Mango Salad

Three: Tender Lamb Stew with Root Vegetables, wrapped in an Arugula Boxty

Four: Cranberry Bread Pudding topped with El Dorado Rum Custard

The above dishes were paired with the following beers (note: I did not eat at this event – I was strictly interested in the beer)

-Innis & Gunn Original

-Innis & Gunn Rum Cask

-Innis & Gunn Spiced Rum – a new beer for me to taste

-Innis & Gunn Winter Beer 2011 – another new beer for me to taste

-Innis & Gunn Highland Cask – yet another new beer for me to taste. (which is why I wanted to attend this event).

Each beer was described ….color, nose, palate, finish and food suggestion. Naturally I enjoyed all of them (in moderation of course, I’m not even sure I consumed 8 oz in total last nite). There is something so unique about this beer – I must admit, I really do like it.

As a result of last nites great event, I ran to the LCBO to buy 3 gift packs. I can’t think of a better gift for my beer loving friends.

3 gifts for 3 beer loving friends

Cheers!!

P.S A special thank you to the team at Innis & Gunn for accommodating me as a last minute guest.

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