Disclosure: In the past, I’ve been known to buy imperfect fruit and vegetables. Yes – I’m that woman lurking around the stand for over ripe bananas and slightly bruised apples. You see, I really like using them when I bake.

Now Loblaws has made this easy for me as they have recently introduced no name® Naturally Imperfect™ line of fruits and vegetables.. Starting with apples and potatoes, no name Naturally Imperfect produce costs up to 30 per cent less than traditional produce options found in store. You gotta love it!!

Smaller misshapen produce that tastes great and is good for you, is now available at Real Canadian Superstore® and select no frills® locations in Ontario and select Maxi® stores in Quebec. Furthering its commitment to offer affordable, quality products to customers. YAY.

Please note that my bag contained smaller apples – not one was bruised – and they were delicious! Naturally I was excited to bake with them, so I pulled out my handy APPLE DAPPLE recipe that I’ve been making for years.  Notice where this recipe comes from? HOMEMAKERS! (see bottom of the recipe for proof). How funny is that?

APPLE DAPPLE CAKE (taken from HomeMakers)

1 cup sugar (I always use less)

6 tablespoons butter or margarine

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup of all purpose flavour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg (if you want)

2 cups of apples (of course, I used the Naturally Imperfect apples)..peeled and cored and cut up into pieces. I didn’t peel them but I think I will next time!!

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, beat together sugar, butter, egg and vanilla until well combined.

2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg.

3. Add dry ingredients to sugar mixture and stir until well combined.

4. Stir in Apples.

5. Lightly pat batter in a square baking pan.

6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40 minutes.

SERVE WITH ICE CREAM.

Happy Baking.

Disclosure: This was a compensated post however all opinions are my own

March 20th, 2015 is Macaron Day and naturally I will be at La Bamboche (1712 Avenue Road), eating Macarons and Tweeting  (in that order).  I really hope you will drop by to say hello.

In the meantime, please check out www.macarondayto.com to see a complete list of participating patisseries. Please feel free to drop by any of them to receive your complimentary macaron. Don’t forget that 25% of all additional macarons purchased will be donated to the Red Door Family Shelter.

Happy Macaron Day!!

What a great way to celebrate the first day of Spring!!

I had the good fortune to spend a day hanging out in a Land Rover. For some reason, I’ve never been inside one of these beautiful cars before but trust me, I was all too happy to spend a full day in one of these beautiful cars. Specifically I hung out in a Range Rover Evoque.

Here’s a few details about this stunning car:

• Choice of coupe and five-door models
• 240hp turbocharged, direct injected 2-litre 4-cylinder engine and 9-speed  automatic transmission
• Active Driveline 4WD with Torque Biasing and Torque Vectoring²
• All-weather, multi-terrain capability with Terrain Response^®, which features driver selectable programs to suit terrain conditions2
• Suspension configured for dynamic and agile handling across varied terrain, available with Adaptive Dynamics featuring MagneRide™ magneto- rheological damper technology
• Standard Meridian™ premium audio in all models

I was impressed to find out that anyone who buys a Land Lover is invited to participate in a driving school that’s located at Le Chateau Montebello. What a perk!

Land Rover has also launched a great campaign called #hibernot which encourages Canadians to “get out there” and enjoy winter activities. Therefore the day included a trip to Horseshoe Resort and an opportunity for me to snow shoe with fellow bloggers and writers.

Naturally we were spoiled with amazing food too! Take a peek at the elaborate table that we ate at.

What a fabulous day! The skies were blue, the roads were clear and the Range Rover allowed me to enjoy it thru this massive sunroof. #howawesome

Many thanks to the Land Rover for the invitation. I truly had a fantastic day and a unique experience.

For more information:

Website: www.landrover.ca

Twitter; @LandRoverCanada

Instagram: @LandRoverCanada

In another life I would like to be a florist. I truly love flowers. Therefore Canada Blooms is a show that I really appreciate and adore.

I think I like flowers as much as food! I simply could not stop taking photos even though I don’t have a backyard to landscape or furnish. It’s still good to dream, right?

Yes – I’m a dreamer. Just a wee bit of a dreamer.

I also dream about growing plants that survive. Believe it or not,  I do not own one green plant in my apartment. Why is that? Oh right – it won’t survive more than 2 months. However I’m convinced that this summer my patio will have multiple containers that will thrive. Stay tuned.

Seeing as I’m mostly a food blogger, it was only appropriate for me to pick up some delicious Ontario Honey with Lemon. (from the Toronto Botanical Garden booth) I swear this stuff isn’t even going to make it onto a piece of toast. Its going from the tablespoon – right into my mouth! Who needs toast?

I hope you consider visiting Canada Blooms. There are beautiful exhibits, speakers, workshops and more!!

For more information:

Website: www.canadablooms.com, March 13-22, 2015, Direct Energy Centre, Exhibiton Place

Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday, March 15 10am-6pm, Sunday, March 22 10am-5pm

Twitter: @CanadaBlooms

Instagram: @CanadaBlooms

I must have a super power for sourcing new products. Recently I attended the The Restaurants Canada Show  and   I consistently found new products with no effort at all.  Note:  I have a feeling this has something to do with the fact that I was once a food sales rep.

So here’s what I found at the show which featured over 1,000 exhibitors. Yes – I was there for HOURS. I shmoozed, sampled, and walked up and down aisles from noon to 4 pm. I can tell you one thing:  I did not need to eat lunch or dinner!!

1. NUBA…this is a naturally handcrafted hibiscus brewed tea. I think this beverage would be amazing in a cocktail  (Hey CocktailDeeva are you reading this?)

2. Natrel is launching a line of butter. What took them so long? This will be the only dairy cooperative to offer a butter with salt. Look out for it on shelves starting in May 2015.

3. M & M’s has introducted a chocolate bar. How sweet!

4. Primo has started to make Tomato Juice as well. I love how there’s a Canadian Flag on the packaging!

5. This stunning line of mustards, distributed by the Hungry Artisan. I’m a sucker for great packaging and mustards. In fact I once wrote a blog post called “how many mustards are in your fridge?”. LOL

6. Station Cold Brew Coffee Co: This is a smooth, fresh and easy way to customize, cold brewed coffee without compromising quality or flavour. Adore that this is a local company!

7. Ninettes …this delicious ice cream is low in carbs (yay) and so flavourful. On a side note: they were featured on Dragons Den!

 

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

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!!

 

 

 

Big changes are about to arrive at Starbucks. Starting today (March 3rd) you will notice an entire new line up of pastries from a bakery called La Boulange.

This is a bakery that’s iconic in  San Francisco and was founded by renowned chef and baker and cookbook author, Pascal Rigo.

Lucky me….I got the chance to meet him at a recent launch. I have to say that when he was talking about his childhood and his first adventures in the kitchen, I could sense his love for baking.

Of course, I also had the opportunity to sample croissants, cookies, and more. #HappyTummy

It’s interesting to note, that croissants can now be served warm. How awesome is that?

I have a feeling that Canadians are going to be delighted to see these changes at Starbucks and will be nibbling on more pastries while they enjoy their coffee.

I know I will be indulging!! (after I run – of course). LOL

For more information:

Website: www.starbucks.ca

Twitter: @StarbucksCanada

Actually there isn’t much in my fridge these days. Although I can’t say the same thing about my freezer. It’s packed. So what do you see in my fridge? hmm…lots of egg whites, dairy products, peanut butter and a Brita Pitcher.

I’m really trying hard to stick to a low carb diet these days – can you tell?

As for vegetables: I’ve got a goal to reduce the amount of vegetables that I seem to buy and then not use. (arghh). Therefore I seem to be eating more and more “prepared” salads and stir fries. Recently I tried Fresh Attitude Microwavable Ready to Eat Stir Frys. These kits allowed me to have flavourful stir frys in just minutes. Um  – to be exact, my meal was ready in about 4 minutes.  Flavours include: Sweet ‘n Sour, Thai, Teriyaki and General Tao. Bonus: no plates required as you can eat right out of the bowl.

I’m also trying to drink more water seeing as my Brita pitcher is providing me with tastier and cleaner water!! This brand has been in my kitchen for decades seeing as my friends husband worked at Brita back in the early 1990’s.

What I love about the Brita pitcher is the Filter Changer Indicator. How. Brilliant.

Seeing as I’m trying harder to drink more, I’m participating in #BritaBootcamp. There is no question that this statement is true: When water taste better then you drink more! Thanks to the Brita Water Filtration System, I’m now enjoying water that tastes better. Much better!

Tell me what’s in your fridge!!

Disclosure: I was provided with product and/or compensated however all my opinions are my own.

It’s not everyday that I receive an invite to attend a dinner party at the home of Jessica and Ben Mulroney. Of course, I replied…COUNT ME IN.

Naturally, they were super friendly and wonderful hosts!

The incredible food that was served, was prepared by Cafe Bar Pasta. (1588 Dundas St. W). Great choice Ben and Jessica!!

Even the table was spectacular. Notice the creative place cards? Love it.

Dessert was really the main “event”. You see, Danette from Danone was recently launched in Canada. Made from 75% Canadian milk, Danette is also a source of calcium, making it the perfect nutritious dessert.

 

A study from Danone Canada shows that nearly 2 out of 3 Canadians say they feel a desire to treat themselves after a meal. I’m one of those people!! Now I can indulge as it comes in 6 delciious flavours: Chocolate, Caramel, Choco-Coconut, Vanilla and Coffee.
Yes..I tried all of them. (of course).

Danette is a simple and enjoyable way to add more dairy into your diet.
Cheers to that!!

For more information:
Website: http://www.danone.ca/en/products/danette
Hashtag: #danettefordessert

A few years ago, I walked out of my doctors office with a list of supplements to take. I then found myself at the drug store buying Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium and Iron.

I also bought one of those storage containers. (which made me feel like a senior citizen but knew that it was the right thing to do…LOL).

I also did some research on why I needed to take these supplements:

For example I learned that Iron is essential to our health.  Iron has three important functions in the body including:

 • Assisting in the carrying of oxygen from our lungs to the rest of our body

  • Helping to produce energy

  • Keeping the immune system healthy

Iron Deficiency is caused when the body has an insufficient supply of iron. According to the Centres of Disease Control and Preventions (CDC), Iron Deficiency  is the most common nutritional deficit in the world. As well as the leading cause of anemia. Symptoms of Iron Deficiency are often brushed off or even go unnoticed. This is why I’m always tested when I visit my annual check up!!

FeraMAX® partnered with registered nurse and blood specialist, Leona Dove, to create The Iron Maiden, an online resource where you can learn more about Iron Deficiency, symptoms and treatment options.

I also discussed with my Doctor why patients preferred FeraMAX and she explained that it was easier on the stomach. #goodtoknow

Please note, that it’s really easy to mistake symptoms of Iron Deficiency with the winter blahs.  Therefore, I’m really happy that my doctor is on top of this and I’m regularly tested.

Here’s to your health!

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