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

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My last blog post was called “My Bags Are Packed and I’m Ready to Go”. This blog post is called “A Week of Bliss” which means I had a SPECTACULAR vacation.

Here’s what I would like to share about Karisma Resorts and specifically El Dorado Maroma in  Mayan Riviera.

THE PROPERTY:

The words lush, manicured, and immaculate all come to my mind. The best thing about this property was the fact that there’s only 90 rooms so that means everything is close by. There is no such thing as a 10 minute walk to get to the pool or a restaurant or the lobby. It’s all just steps away from your room. Yes – I’m a sloth and I’m proud of it!!

THE ROOM:

The room was SPACIOUS, SPOTLESS and CONTEMPORARY. No outdated “Spanish” themed rooms! YAY.

THE FOOD:

I seriously never thought the word gourmet and all inclusive could be said in the same breath. Well, it’s possible. There were 6 restaurants to choose from and all of them were excellent. Presentation, quality of ingredients and freshness were evident in every dish. Plus each restaurant was tastefully decorated (modern and contemporary).

BOOZE:

Grey Goose Vodka was available EVERY DAY….ALL DAY. Do I need to say more? LOL. There was even a tequila tasting one afternoon by the pool. However I had this drink everyday (ok maybe twice a day). It’s called: MANGO JALAPENO, which included the following ingredients: Tequila anejo, lime, sugar, orange liquor, mango and jalapeno. OMG what a combo.

SERVICE:

I kept joking that there were more staff than guests! Every day our “Personal Concierge” found us by the pool to ensure we were satisfied guests and to answer any questions. Not to mention, the lobby has 4 desks where 4 agents SIT DOWN and check you in. (with a cool towel and a glass of bubbly as well). I was super impressed when a staff person called us the night before we were leaving to ask us if we wanted a wake up call and what time we needed assistance with our bags. They truly do anticipate your needs!!

CONCLUSION:

I would return to this property in a heart beat. However please note: There’s a solid line up of entertainment at at night but the week we were there it wasn’t well attended. Not sure if guests left the property (to visit Playa De Carmen) or just preferred to have dinner and relax in their rooms.

In the event you want to see some great photos, please head over to Instagram  and plug in the hashtag #KarismaExperience or #KarismaResorts

For more information:

Website: www.karismaresorts.com

Instagram: @karismaresorts @eldoradoresorts

Oh ya…I discovered one of my Instagram followers is a travel agent and has visited numerous Karisma Properties (and other properties in Mexico as well). Check out her photos as well: @lorirachelgold.

Hope you had a wonderful vacation as well. Already looking forward to my next vacation which will be either a cruise or another visit to El Dorado. Time will tell!!

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I’m off to the Mayan Riviera and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ve had enough of “grey” Toronto!

This trip involves a few “firsts for me”, that I thought I would share.

-It was my first time using Trip Central to book a trip and it won’t be my last time either. Many thanks to my vacation expert Lawrence Solomon, this trip was booked in a heart beat. Lawrence got my attention when he said: “I check out hotels, like you check out restaurants”.

-It’s my first “Air Transat” all inclusive package

-It’s my first time travelling to the Mayan Riviera.

-It’s my first time packing so “light”. I simply threw in a few dresses, bathing suits, and shoes. The second bag contains my computer, tablet and stuff for the plane!

So my bag is packed and of course it contains a few essentials:

-My Lululemon Vinyasa Scarf which I received on my 50th birthday gift and is the best gift-ever!! I wore it throughout my trip to Israel and Italy in April and will be travelling with it, once again.

-my Consonant travel size face wash and moisturizer. Love this brand so much that I must travel with it.

-My Samsung tablet which has a ton of books on it as well as I’ve downloaded all my favourite magazines on Texture (which is the re-branded: Next Issue). I will never buy a magazine every again and never have to carry one in my carry-on either.

Naturally I will be blogging about the property and the food, so make sure you come back and read my blog.

Happy Holidays!!

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The recipe for “Baked Apple Roses”  seems to be all over the internet these days.

I mean, the recipe was  e-v-e-r-y-where: on my facebook feed, on Pinterest, etc etc.

“Baked Apple Roses” appealed to me for these three reasons:

1. It didn’t require a lot of ingredients

2. It looked simple to assemble

3. The final results looked gorgeous

Here’s what you need to make this fast and simple dessert.

Ingredients:

-2 apples

-juice from half a lemon

-1 sheet of PC Butter Puff Pastry (my new fave)

-3 tbsp. Peach or Apricot Jam/Preserves mixed with a bit of water

Instructions: (taken from Tip Hero)

1. Preheat Oven to 375 degrees

– Put apple slices in microwave safe bowl. Fill bowl with a bit of water and juice from half a lemon. Use enough water to make sure apple slices are covered by water. Microwave for 3 minutes. This will soften the apple slices and make them more pliable for rolling up. (AN IMPORTANT STEP)

– Next. grab a sheet of puff pastry. Flour your board and roll out the puff pastry enough to make 4 strips at 3 inches wide. (I actually took out a measuring tape for this step. Seriously)

– In a bowl mix your favorite fruit preserves with a couple tablespoons of water. Then spoon out the preserves in the center of the strip of puff pastry.

– Next place the apple slices long ways halfway on the strip. Keep adding slices until you reach the end. Then fold the puff pastry over the bottom of the apple slices. (sorry for the crappy photo but it’s winter and I can’t always cook/bake before 4:30 pm. #foodbloggerproblems)

– Roll up the puff pastry and place in a greased muffin tin.

– Bake the apple roses for 35-45 minutes.

– Pull out of oven and let cool for 5 minutes.

FINAL RESULT!!

They didn’t come out exactly like the ones I’ve seen on Pinterest or Tip Hero (my new obsession), however I was pretty happy with the results!!

Happy Baking.

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I had the opportunity to visit the PC Insiders Collection Boutique last week, which is located at 363 King St. W (at the corner of Blue Jays Way and King St. W).  I had been following the hashtag #PCInsidersBoutique on Instagram so I had an idea what I was visiting but it was SO much better to experience it.

Here’s 5 Reasons You Should Visit the PC Insiders Boutique:

1. There are 4 rooms and one room is nicer than the other.  I actually heard that they’ve been decorating the space since August. There’s 4 rooms in total with a theme of Dine, Brunch, Mingle and Gift.

This “Gift” Room put a smile on my face in a nano-second.

2. You will be treated to yummy samples.  Specifically you will sample the PC® Insiders Collection™ line of products!!

The Boutique features more than 70 new and innovative products that have been launched for the holiday season.  Here’s an example of some of the treats you will sample:

Black Forest Stuffed French Toast made with PC® The Decadent® Chocolate Cherry Loaf and the indulgent PC® Poutine Pie, along with new treats like PC® Speculoos Cookie Butter. You won’t be left disappointed.

3. It’s FREE. #sweet

4. It’s a fun activity to put you in the mood for the holidays.

5. You will go home with a gift!!

So head on over to 363 King St. W (corner of King St. W and Blue Jays Way) to experience the PC® Insiders Collection™ line of products in person at the President’s Choice® Insiders Collection™ Boutique. Please note that the Boutique closes on Dec 18th. So Hurry!!

For more information:

Website: www.pc.ca, www.loblaws.ca

Facebook: President’s Choice

Twitter & Instagram: @PresChoice #PCInsidersCollection

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The other night I dined at 70 Down Restaurant and Lounge, which opened only 3 months ago. They are located at 70 Yorkville – which gave me the perfect opportunity to shop a bit before dining. Always a great combo!

My meal started off with the perfect cocktail that was refreshing and perfectly balanced!!

As soon as I saw the ingredients I knew I had to order it. I was not disappointed. It was so perfect that I had to use all my willpower not to order a second one.

70 Down has positioned itself as “Mediterranean Middle Eastern meets Modern Tapas” .  I kind of like that idea so we embraced it and started off the meal with Moosear (shallot pressed yogurt with Himalayan salt, dressed with micro arugula and thyme leaves). I must admit – I fell in love with this creamy goodness.

We also ordered  Turshy which is the cutest assortment of pickled cucumber gherkins, carrots, eggplant, cauliflower and garlic, garnished with a chili. Another great dish.

The meal continued with Bolani which is a crispy dough crust stuffed with smashed potato and caramelized onion. I was delighted to see that it came accompanied with more of the Moosear (that yummy pressed yogurt).

One of my favorite dishes of the evening was a simple charcoal broiled tomatoes. So simple and so good.

The waitress suggested we try her favourite dish which was The Moroccan Fish Tacos. I can see what it was her favourite.

Believe or not, we tried one more dish called Bontu. Who knew that beef and onion dumplings topped with a tomato beef sauce and topped with yoghurt, garlic and mint COULD BE SO GOOD. I MEAN – REALLY REALLY GOOD. (sorry to use caps and shout but I wanted to make a point. Forgive me?).

We finished the evening with Bistrani – a saffron pistachio ice cream with sprinkled with good quality pistachios. It was the perfect way to end the evening.

70 Down is an incredible place to EAT as well as a happening lounge on the weekend. I was more than impressed with the management and Chef Jimmy who took the time to chat with us about their passion for food.

Already looking forward to my next visit!!

For more information:

Website: www.70down.ca

Address: 70 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto

Phone: 416 323 3696

Twitter and Instagram: @70Down

Disclosure: The meal was complimentary however all opinions are my own.

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I love Egg Nog, but it’s not exactly the healthiest beverage. Therefore I found a few alternatives to help me with my obsession during the holiday season!

Here’s what was in my fridge last week: (used the past tense seeing as it’s all in my tummy now)

a) Harmony Premium Organic Egg Nog: Notice how I bought the small bottle? It was a hard decision but my waistline knows it was the right decision. This is not your average egg nog. Its ORGANIC and it’s local and it’s delicious. Add some Kraken Black Spiced Rum and your in business!! PS the one litre bottle of Harmony Egg Nog makes a great hostess gift over the next few weeks #justsayin’

b) So Delicious Chocolate Mint Coconut Beverage: This drink satisfies all my cravings for mint and chocolate. I finished it off in no time at all seeing as it’s great for my waistline. Full disclosure: sometimes it didn’t even make it into a glass. Bonus: I don’t need a lactose pill!! 

c) Earth’s Own Almond Fresh Noel Nog – This drink was light and refreshing. Once again I kept returning to the fridge for more!

Sadly all three beverages are only available during the holiday season so make sure you stock up!

Cheers for now,

Momwhoruns who runs for Egg Nog!!

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When I was a kid, I had a Barbie™ (or two) and I swear I have a Sun Tanned Barbie somewhere in a box in my storage unit. I also grew up with a message that “I Could Be Anything”. It was repeated to me over and over again, (at a very young age) that if I received good grades, I could attend a University overseas.

I was also active in a youth organization and again the message that “I Could Be Anything” helped me decide to run for International President when I was 17.  (I lost – in the event you want to know the outcome of that election).

I liked this message and took it seriously.  One summer, when I was a university student I wanted to see what it would be like to be a “cook”. So I worked in a hotel kitchen for free!! Yes – I could be anything. However I decided after 3 weeks that it was not going to be a life long profession.

When I found out that Barbie™ is encouraging little ones to be anything they want, with her new campaign: You Can Be Anything!…I knew that I wanted to share this important campaign!!

 With over 155 careers and counting, there isn’t a plastic ceiling Barbie hasn’t broken. From Mermaid to Movie Star, Pet Vet to Police Officer, Fashionista to Fairy Princess, there are countless choices for your little ones to let their imagination soar.

There’s no such thing as too wild a dream, too big a hope or too fantastic a wish when it comes to Barbie and the tradition continues this fall, as we bring this to life with the new “You Can be Anything” campaign!

Please look out for it and discuss with your kids that they “Can Be Anything”. It’s really true and it’s a really important message.

For more information:

Website: www.barbie.ca

Twitter: #YouCanBeAnything

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

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Oats & Ivy has you covered when it comes to health food and convenience!! They know that their customers have busy lives and have limited time to prepare healthy food, so they take care of that for you. Sweet eh?

It’s easy to find Oats & Ivy due to the bike cart (which is sponsored by Thorium Power Canada) that was located right in front of this take out kitchen and juice bar!

They take their cooking very (very) seriously and make everything from scratch. That’s right – the almond milk is made fresh daily and they even ferment their own sriracha. Their menu includes sandwiches, soups, lunch boxes and treats.

I’m impressed with this statement that I found on their well-designed website : “Quality is king in our kitchen! From free-run eggs to organic apples, grass-fed whey protein to hand-harvested sea salt, fair-trade coffee beans to compostable packaging. We use the best because you deserve the best!”

At the media event, we made delicious egg free, dairy free and wheat free cookies. If you want the recipe, please ask!! Happy to share.

Hope you get a chance to visit Oat & Ivy in the near future.

For more Information:

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It’s no secret that I love oysters. In fact, you will find me at the oyster bar at any event where oysters are served. While everyone else is grabbing drinks, I’m wolfing down oyster after oyster till I actually have to apologize. #truestory.

Therefore when I received an email inviting me to visit the Pearl Diver, I immediately said; YES.

When I walked into the restaurant, I quickly realized that it use to be the Starfish Oyster Bed & Grill. The space is still welcoming and cozy.

I started off my evening with an appetizers of calamari. The combination of a sesame and panko crust really made a difference.

I couldn’t resist ordering this appetizer too: Chicken Liver and Oyster Pate with Blackbird Toast. It was beyond good. Seriously.

Of course, I had to order a selection of oysters too!! Naturally I loved all of them. The oysters were tasty, fresh, plump and perfect!! How’s that for a description?

I also tried the mussels which were bathed in a coconut cream, ginger, chilli, garlic, lemongrass and cilantro sauce. #totallyum

Plus I HAD to try the dessert. One could say I tried four food groups that night…seafood, seafood, seafood and dessert. LOL.

I’m already planning my next visit as they offer 100 oysters for $100 every Thursday.  Im SO doing this!! (with others of course. LOL).

For more information:

Website: www.peardiver.com

Address: 100 Adelaide St. East, (416) 366-7827

Hours: Mon to Wed : Noon to 12am, Thurs & Fri: Noon to 1am., Sat: 4pm to 1am, Sun: 11am to 12am

Twitter and Instagram: @PearlDiverTO

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