I grew up watching a lot of sports as my dad owned Ritchie’s Sports Shop in Ottawa for 43 years. I attended many live events and watched a lot of sports on TV, but had never been to an opening ceremony before. This all changed on Friday night.

I finally attended an Opening Ceremony. It was a big deal for me to attend on a Friday night but I made sure it happened as it was a once in a lifetime experience.

No matter how many photos I took, I simply could not capture the moment but I certainly did try.

It was inspirational to watch so many dedicated athletes walk into the venue! Of course, the ceremonies included spectacular performances as well. Sorry – no photos. Please forgive me!!

As mentioned in previous posts, I attended the opening ceremonies as a guest of McKesson Canada. At their cocktail party, (before the opening ceremony), I came across this sign and was impressed with this message: GET OUT THERE. GET ACTIVE.

atoma products help you get the most out of your day, even in the most demanding situations. Whether you’re on the field or at home, atoma products help you perform at your peak.That’s why atoma is proud to support athletes and be the Official Pharmacy to the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

See these atoma products? Well I will be using them throughout the summer. I know that these high quality products have the same ingredients as national brands but at lower prices. You gotta love it. They actually guarantee your satisfaction or you will get your money back.

Please visit this website to meet the athletes that atoma is supporting and to learn more about atoma products….www.teamatoma.ca.

Disclosure: This blog post was sponsored, however all opinions are my own

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I got tired of  making blueberry crisps, so I made a Blueberry Cobbler instead. (just like that) I searched online for a recipe and discovered that there’s LOTS of recipes out there….and they are all a little different!

After reading (err..scanning) thru many recipes I finally found one that suited my needs. This is code for …I had all the ingredients in the pantry/fridge.

It’s a winner. The blueberries become all goo-ey and the cobbler part was perfect.

Here’s the recipe:

Blueberry Cobbler (taken from www.wickedgoodkitchen.com)

Ingredients:

For the Blueberry Filling

6 cups of blueberries

1 cup of sugar (I used less)

2 teaspoons of grated lemon zest

3 tablespoons of all purpose flour

For the Buttery Biscuit Crumble Topping

1 cup plus 5 tablespoons of all purpose flour

6 tablespoons of sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons of baking powder

1/4 teaspoon of salt

6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, chilled and cut into bits

1 large egg, slightly beaten

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 tablespoon of sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly butter a pie plate, baking dish etc.

2. Prepare the blueberry filling: Place blueberries into the prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Add the flour and whisk until thoroughly combined. Sprinkle evenly over the berries and toss gently.

3. Prepare the buttery biscuit crumble: In a bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until well combined. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles a course meal with small pea-sized pieces of butter.  In a small bowl, whisk the vanilla into the beaten egg. Gently toss the egg and vanilla into the flour mixture until moistened and the dough starts to hold together.

4. Assemble the cobbler: Sprinkle the biscuit crumble evenly over the fruit filling. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon (if desired).

5. Bake for 40 minutes.

**I promise that your kitchen is going to smell delicious and the blueberries will be bubbling away.

This recipe was so good that I’ve made this cobbler twice in one week.

Sadly I never have ice cream in my freezer but I bet this blueberry cobbler would be absolutely perfect with a scoop of ice cream!!

Happy Baking.

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Yesterday, I had a once in a lifetime experience to be a Torch Bearer for the Pan Am Games. This was truly a cool experience that I will remember for a long long time.

I can’t describe what I was feeling as I ran the 200 meters down Gerrard St. E as I was too busy waving and smiling! (see photo below)

I certainly felt protected as there was a convoy of 12 cars/motorcycles behind me!! Plus 3 policeman running beside me.

I also had no idea that people would stop me on the street afterwards to take photos of me.  I must admit I felt very proud to be part of this Torch Relay.

Fact: The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay was a 41-day journey that shared the Pan Am spirit in more than 130 communities.

Now that my Torch Bearer experience is behind me, I can focus on attending the Pan Am Games Opening Ceremony.  It will be thrilling to witness Sprint Canoeist,  Mark Oldershaw carry the Canadian Flag into the Opening Ceremony. Honestly, it’s not every week that I get to experience these types of events.

I am extremely honoured to be a guest of McKesson Canada at the Opening Ceremony and will be definitely posting on Twitter and Instagram.  So feel free to follow my tweets and instagram posts as I will be using the hashtag #atomaPanAm.

Stay tuned for my report on the 2015 Pan Am Games Opening Ceremony K?

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Did you know that there’s dairy products where the cows are grass fed? Well, Rolling Meadow Dairy are proud to offer premium quality products made with Canadian Grass Fed Milk. They allow their cows to graze on pasture as long as the Canadian weather will allow. 

My kitchen has been “dairy” for over 2 decades so I really thought I was an ideal candidate to try their products. Sadly the butter was out of stock but I will be looking out for it on my next run to the grocery store.

It was natural for me to enjoy Rolling Meadow yogurt for breakfast along with a homemade strawberry/rhubarb jam.

I enjoyed it so much that later that night I decided to serve waffles for dinner, with a dollop of yogurt and homemade blueberry jam. (recipe to follow)

Then for an after dinner snack, I decided to make a Strawberry Milkshake (using the strawberries I had picked from Whittamore’s Farm).

In my opinion, the Rolling Meadow Yogurt and Milk tastes different than other brands, however I say that in a good way not in a bad way.

In the event you are wondering what’s the benefit of eating Grass Fed products? Here’s your answer: The primary benefit is that the ratio of  Omega 6 to Omega 3 is significantly improved (up to 300%) vs. non-grass fed milk. One could say it’s a healthier product in addition and that it makes it more digestible for some consumer who have had challenges with milk digestibility in the past. (um..like me, who has been suffering from lactose intolerance for 5 years now)

For those who are interested how to make the jam, here’s a not so precise recipe.

1. Take some strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or even a combo of rhubarb and strawberries….and place it in a pot with a bit of water.

2. Add a bit of sugar (a bit).

3. Let it boil and after a few minutes, you have some  homemade jam.

Perhaps one day I will actually use my measuring cups and measuring spoons!!

For More Information:

Website: www.rollingmeadow.com. On a side note: I think there website is so well designed with fantastic content. Please take a peek.

Store Locator: Click here

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

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There’s a festival for everyone – a Hot & Spicy Food Festival, a Rib Festival (or two or three), Toronto’s Festival of Beer,  a Night Market, and many many more. Seriously, there’s no shortage of festivals.

I try to attend as many as I can, seeing as food is a strong interest of mine. It seems as if I’m always on the prowl to eat something different or discover a new product!

Here’s a recap of two food events that I recently attended:

1. Taste of Toronto:

The 2nd annual celebration of everything we love about food, takes place July 2-5 at Fort York. Taste of Toronto features 70 artisanal producers, interactive classes by star chefs and 50 dishes from the some of Toronto’s hottest chefs and restaurants.

This festival should be on your radar as the weather is going to be picture perfect over the next few days.

The big draw for foodies this year is the appearance of Morimoto, Chef Morimoto is known to millions as the star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America—and the big news is the fact that he will be opening a restaurant in Toronto one day soon!

For more information about this event..(hours, admission prices etc) please click here.

2. Restaurantacular

This food festival that is located along Mount Pleasant Road, is a great chance to wander from restaurant to restaurant to enjoy the $2, $4 and $6 amuse bouche, appetizers and small bites they have prepared especially for this event.  Restaurantacular is a chance to try the many great restaurants in this neighbourhood, little bites at time.

I’ve gone two years in a row so I can “eat my way along Mount Pleasant”. It’s a fun, neighbourhood event on a street that is known for their fabulous restaurants and bakeries!

Curious to know if you will be going to any food festivals this coming summer! Please let me know.

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I’m pretty pumped about the upcoming Pan Am Games and would like to share my enthusiasm with a contest. Yes….a contest where you could win $200 worth of atoma products!

atoma, is actually the Official Pharmacy to the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. In addition to the partnership, atoma will be supporting ALL the athletes taking part in the Games. Through its four banners (Guardian, I.D.A., The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy and PROXIM), the brand will provide pharmacist services, prescription medications, first aid supplies and atoma over-the-counter medications to all athletes participating in the Games.

Here’s a bit more about atoma products:

atoma offers quality products with the same active ingredients as national brands, at everyday low prices*.

atoma products can be found in two categories:

Health and Wellness (such as first aid, foot care, medical care, skin care, sun care and more)

Hygiene (such as baby accessories, soap and bath products, hair care, shaving and grooming and more)

Clearly at this time of year I seem to go through more sunscreen and more pharmaceutical products in general!! Wouldn’t you agree?

When atoma was created, their goal was to bring you high-quality products with the same active ingredients as national brands, but at lower prices. They guarantee your satisfaction or your money back.

There’s something to be said about a pharmacy that is indeed a pharmacy. For example these stores don’t sell eggs, milk or bread.

OK back to the contest:

All you have to do to win this $200 gift card is leave a comment below and answer the following question:

Which level of SPF  protection do you choose, when purchasing sunscreen?

(SPF 30, SPF 60 etc)

This contest is open to all Canadians and will end on July 18th, 2015 at midnight.

My mom is so attached to her pharmacist that she was driving 20 minutes out of her way to go there even though there was a pharmacy 2 blocks from her condo. #truestory.

For more information: www.teamatoma.ca

Twitter: @McKesson_ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mckessonCA

Disclosure: I’m an ambassador for McKesson Canada, however all opinions are my own.

 

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Canada Day is soon approaching so here’s a few suggestions how to celebrate!

1. HOTEL TONIGHT
Cue the fireworks! This Canada Day, celebrate the nationwide party and then flop into bed, courtesy of Hotel Tonight. In honour of Canada’s 148th year, Hotel Tonight is offering hotel room deals at top hotels from $48 – $148 on June 30 and July 1. I just secured my room and I’m pumped. So download this app. Stat.

2. WHITTAMORE’S FARM

Nothing like going strawberry picking. Just make sure you don’t wear white. Trust me.

3. ATTEND A BASEBALL GAME

For baseball fans, the Toronto Blue Jays will be playing the Boston Red Sox at 1 p.m. July 1.

4. PLAY TOURIST.

Have you ever done this? Recently I went up the CN Tower…just for fun. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I went up the CN Tower.  PS. You can buy a Toronto CityPass that will allow you to access 5 Toronto attractions. Click here for more information.

5. HEAD OUT OF TOWN.

A few weeks ago, I went to Elora for the day. It’s such a charming small town and worth checking out.  Next time, I hope to stay over night and really explore this city!!

 6. HOST A BBQ:

T’is the the perfect opportunity to celebrate Canada Day with a BBQ. Head to Walmart for great value on  OurFinest hamburgers, chips and drinks (plus many other products).  Add a salad or two. plus dessert and bingo you have you the perfect BBQ. For a full list of OurFinest products, please click here.

Wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day!!

Disclosure: Parts of this blog post were compensated or complimentary, however all opinions are my own.

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It’s not every day that I drive to Mississauga to go check out a restaurant but I thought than an Indian Buffet with 150 delicious items, deserves a visit!!

Tandoori Flame is well recognized as North America’s Largest Indian Buffet & Restaurant with over 14,000 sq.ft. and with a capacity for more than 500 guests! As a result, there’s a lot of wedding parties, and celebrations held at Tandoori Flame. Not to mention that they have 11 food stations which means there is truly something for everyone!!

I ate, and ate, and ate and before you knew it…I was stuffed. I’m pretty sure I went up to the buffet three times, if not 4..but who’s counting. LOL

The food was fresh and flavourful. When I visit a buffet, I like to know that the food hasn’t been sitting out for hours and there’s no doubt that the food at Tandoori Flame is FRESH.

I’m also impressed that they “get” social media.

Tandoori Flame has two locations and I really believe that this concept will continue to expand!

For more information:

Website: www.tandooriflame.com

Twitter; @TandooriFlame

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tandooriflame

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

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The Stop’s Night Market is a feast for the eyes, belly and heart. The monies raised from this two day event (which was held last week), goes toward community-building programs such as: food banks, drop-in meals, community cooking and gardening, prenatal nutrition and more!

The Stop’s Night Market gets a lot of love as it’s sold out every year and for a good reason

The event is SO well organized plus there’s something special about an event that is held outdoors. Especially when the weather is ideal like it was this year.

The event features different vendors on both nights and I totally get why people would buy tickets for BOTH nights. Oh ya – your ticket includes all the booze and all the food you can eat. This map really helped me navigate my way thru all the different vendors.

Highlights of my evening included the Halibut Cakes from Sea Witch:

Plus I was digging the Smoked & Roasted Beets with Goat Cheese from FarmHouse Tavern.  Trust me, every vendor served something interesting.

Congratulations to all the vendors, the volunteers and the team at The Stop Community Centre for another incredible event. I hope you consider buying a ticket next year. You won’t be disappointed!

Disclosure: I was provided with a media ticket to attend the attend, however all opinions are my own.

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I recently went to Great Wolf Lodge with my mom and my daughter.  Instead of a “Girls Night Out” it was a “Girls Night Getaway”. ..which included spa treatments, CASUAL CLOTHING and tasty food.

Before we went away, I gave my mom strict instructions not to bring anything fancy as Great Wolf Lodge is all about comfort and convenience. This is the perfect get away where you don’t have to worry about bringing “the right” clothing (some people even go to breakfast in pyjamas).

I also loved the convenience of getting a wrist band.  It acted as my room key.  How convenient is that?    #LOVEIT.

We started off the getaway with a spa treatment. This was certainly a treat!

Take a peek at this little girl who allowed me to take a photo of her getting a spa pedicure!

Then we SLID into summer and took advantage of the water park, which is a whopping 100,000 square feet. Note: your admission ticket to the water park is included in your hotel fee. #morevalue

As for food: I can spot a fresh buffet a mile away and this buffet was indeed fresh and super tasty. Our personable (and funny) waiter Paul H. ensured that we also had a great laugh or two.

Great Wolf Lodge goes out of their way to accommodate guests with allergies or specific food requirements. When my daughter mentioned that she preferred a salad without cheese, they were quick to say “not a problem, we can make you one”.

Did I mention that I ordered a local beer to go along with my meal? Not only could I drink it with my meal but I was able to walk around with it too. #funfact

Great Wolf Lodge raises the bar to provide guests with a safe and exceptional vacation with plenty of value. As a mom (and a former life guard), I thought these t-shirts sent out a great message that Great Wolf Lodge takes safety seriously!

In the event that you are seeking a summer get away, Mom Who Runs would like to offer you a discount at Great Wolf Lodge of 20% off the best available rate. Please use this code when booking: MWRFUN

• Offer valid for stay dates between June 14, 2015 to July 24, 2015
• Booking cut-off date to make reservations is June 28, 2015
• Blackout dates may be added as availability decreases.

I have no doubt that you will have an exceptional vacation!!

For more information:

Website: www.greatwolflodge.com

Address: 3950 Victoria Avenue, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 7M8
Phone: (905) 354-4888

Twitter: @GreatWolfLodge

Instagram: @GreatWolfLodge

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GreatWolfLodge

Disclosure: My trip to Great Wolf Lodge was complimentary however all opinions are my own.

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