I went to three Food Trade Shows in one week!!. As I walked thru the aisles of the CHFA show, I realized that I’ve mastered the skill of “sampling”. I can now add that to my list of skills on my Linkedin profile. (ha). This is the annual trade show for the Canadian Health Food Association and a great opportunity for me to find more new products to share with my readers (that’s you).
Here’s a few items that I’d like to share with you:
MONKEY TOAST: These are flavour packed fruit crisps that are dairy free, and nut free. Ideal for kids and big kids too (like me). I also adore their packaging and the fact that they are a Canadian company. (B.C. to be exact)
MACKIE’S CRISPS: All their potato crisps are suitable for vegetarians and their line up includes flavours like Haggis & Cracked Black Pepper, Scotch Bonnet Chilli Pepper and Aberdeen Angus steak. On a side note: My mom is from Scotland and I have family there so I have a soft spot for any product that is Scottish.
OHMBARS; This date and seed bar is Dairy free, Gluten free and is made in Ottawa (where I grew up). Naturally this caught my attention too.
CAPLANSKY’S MUSTARD: I read on facebook about this new line of mustard and was delighted to see this new product at the Neal Brothers booth. I sampled all of them (of course). Today I read that there’s a new menu being launched at Caplansky’s which means I really need to visit so I can try the mustard on meat instead on a pretzel!!
(note: stole this photo from Facebook. Hope you don’t mind Peter).
As always, had a great time wandering the aisles of this show. No shortage of new products to try!!
I love trade shows and consumer shows. Especially if they are about FOOD. (My favourite subject. Did you know that?). Last week I walked thru Grocery Innovations looking for new food items, new flavour profiles and interesting packaging. This is an annual trade show for food companies, buyers, manufacturers, and distributors. Not to mention it’s a show that I’ve been attending for years as I was a food sales rep at one point in my career!! (fyi).
Here’s a few items that caught my attention:
ORANGE KIT KAT. I adore the combination of orange and chocolate and believe that this item will be a hit. Agreed?
LIVE HAPPY WATER. Water continues to be a huge trend and I’m happy just LOOKING at their booth!! Fact: This water contains naturally occurring lithia and other minerals. Plus it’s sourced from two ancient Canadian mountain springs.
QUINOA BARS: I love this concept and I think consumers will too. What do you think?
WHOLE WHEAT PANKO: What a great idea and will certainly be buying this in the future. The only comment I have for this company is “What took you so long”?.
Water without Sodium – called Aqua Carpatica.
SUNMAID ORANGE COVERED RAISINS:
There was also an abundance of coconut water and gluten free products at the show as well. But for some reason, the above products stood out. Stay tuned for a blog post about the Whole Wheat Panko as I went home and made a recipe with my sample box as soon as I got home!!
Happy Grocery Shopping!!
Last week, I attended a media dinner that introduced a new line of Gluten Free Pasta by Italpasta.
Even though I’m not gluten free I was curious to try it and I was curious to attend a dinner at 7 numbers which has a fantastic reputation but for some reason I have never been!
I was certainly impressed by the menu that we were presented with.
Julie Daniluk, a well known nutritionist, author and TV personality, spoke at the event as well. She also coincidentally sat beside me and we had a lot in common soon as I saw her lactose pills! (which I encouraged her to buy at Costco. That’s right Julie…120 lactose pills for $18.99)
The Italpasta Gluten Free Pasta is also dairy free and egg free. I am confident that this line is going to appeal to a lot of consumers who live with multiple allergies.
Congratulations to this amazing Canadian business who clearly understands their consumers needs.
.
I received an invite to attend a media dinner at Frida Restaurant that would feature Mexican Avocados. I replied “count me in”….right away!! I’ve always had a fondness for Avocados seeing as they are SO SO good for you. Not to mention I love the colour of an avocado once you slice it open. (I’m being honest!!). Am I shallow? Don’t answer that!!
The night started off with a photo of @missavacado and I. Not the best picture of me, but @missavacado is looking just fine!! If you don’t follow her on twitter…well you should!!
Then I sat down to find out that Frida Restaurant did a special tasting menu for this event. Impressive.
Here’s a lovely collage of some of the items I devoured from this menu. My favorite dish was the Ceviche. It was just outstanding.
If you are looking for recipes that use Mexican Avocados…..please visit www.missavacado.ca. I have no doubt that you will find a recipe that will appeal to you. Not to mention if you are looking for an authentic Mexican restaurant in Toronto then you should head to Frida Restaurant at 999 Eglinton Ave. West.!!
Cheers to Mexican Avocados!!
Contests October 1st, 2013
These days, I have been busy using my KitchenAid Diamond Blender. I simply can’t sop making smoothies and pureeing soups. Life is good.
One evening I got creative and put together a smoothie using some of my favorite ingredients; Chocolate, Banana and Peanut Butter.
In less than a minute I had a pretty satisfying snack. The list of smoothies I intend on making are endless and infact I have a list on my fridge as a reminder that I don’t have to make the same smoothie every day!!
I’m so excited about using my KitchenAid Diamond Blender on a regular basis that I’m running a contest to give away a KitchenAid Diamond Blender to one of my readers.
Here’s what you need to know about the KitchenAid Diamond blender!!
- Just became available in September
- Retails for $199.99
- 1 touch ice crush with auto stop
- 20 second smoothie
- Diamond-shaped pitcher that’s has a capacity of 1.77 L
- Available in 7 colours
Here’s what you need to know about the Contest:
-the contest is open to all Canadian Residents
-the contest will run from Oct 1 to Oct 15th at midnite. A winner will be selected using www.random.org.
-the winner will have 7 days to contact me otherwise I will be pick another winner.
-all you have to do is answer the following question: If you win the KitchenAid Diamond Blender,…..what will you be using it for? Leave a comment below.
Good Luck Everyone!!
Food September 27th, 2013
There’s a new toy in my kitchen and it’s called My KitchenAid Diamond Blender!! I mean, seriously…look how gorgeous it is!!
This beauty is available in 7 colours by the way!!
Besides the fact that this is one gorgeous looking blender, I want to point out other aspects of the blender that I’m loving!
Here’s five reasons why I’m loving’ this blender:
a) It does a great job crushing ice. Apparently this is the ultimate test for a blender and my KitchenAid Diamond Blender aces this test!!
b) I love the TALL container that is super light weight and easy to clean. I could be easily making smoothies or cocktails for a party of 8 in a nano-second!
c) It purees soup like a dream. This is super important to me as I will be making soups for the next 6 months solid. (it’s an obsession during the winter).
e) The engine is powerful. I know that when I pick up the base that I am picking up a well engineered piece of equipment that’s not going to fail on me in a year from now. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the KitchenAid Diamond Blender is a QUALITY appliance.
Stay tuned to find out exactly what I’ve been making in my new blender!! I’m having SO much fun using this blender – not to mention I’ve started to have breakfast again!!
Disclosure: I received this blender from KitchenAid, however all opinions are my own.
Shopping September 25th, 2013
I’ve been familiar with Lands’ End for decades, seeing as I had American cousins and travelled to the States as a kid for family vacations. Specifically I have memories of these particular bags.
One could always identify a Lands’ End canvas bag. There’s something about the quality of these bags, that you absolutely KNOW it’s from Lands’ End.
I also know that the backpacks and luggage are amazing gift for kids. Especially when their names are embroidered on it!!
There are no shortage of products to love!! There’s something for men, women, kids, and even your pets!! Something tells me that my foodie friends would love this as a gift!
This year, Lands’ End is celebrating their 50th anniversary! They are also making it super easy for Canadians to purchase online. Canadians can now view the website in Canadian currency which will make online shopping that much easier. (#happydance)
What I really want to share with you, is their Introductory Offer of 15% OFF and FREE SHIPPING (with a $50 minimum) if you use the promotion code: CANADA and PIN 1560. This offer is valid till November 30th!!
Plus they will welcome new customers with a no risk bonus of FREE RETURNS. Sounds good to me.
Ok gotta finish this blog. I’ve got some online shopping to do!!
For More Information:
Lands’ End: 1 800 800 5800
Website: www.Landsend.com
Twitter: @Landsend
Activities, Food September 22nd, 2013
There is something about the Toronto Garlic Festival that I love. Perhaps it’s the aroma that I can detect from the parking lot. HA HA. (sorry….but it’s true).
This is my third year that I’ve attended the Toronto Garlic Festival, and I swear each year it keeps getting better and better.
I had a ton of fun sampling a variety of delicious food, craft beer, and even managed to participate in a free garlic shot. Here’s proof!!
I ate the whole thing!!
I discovered a few new vendors as well. In particular, one called Smoked & Cracked. I had a spoon of their soup that will have me running to their restaurant in no time at all. (516 Mt. Pleasant Rd).
I also discovered some unique key chains that would make the perfect gift for foodies! I’m now the proud owner of one of these beautiful key chains. ps u can email your order to: uaddloveandstir@hotmail.com)
Another favourite event taking place in the near future is Soupalicious. Sadly I’m unable to attend but trust me I would be there the minute it opened if I was in town!!
More events that I would be trying to squeeze in next weekend include:
Toronto Underground Market for their two year Anniversary Party on Sept 28th. For more info, please click here
Abbey’s Kitchen Stadium for Battle Three on Sunday Sept 29th from 1-4 pm. For more info, please click here
Oktoberfest at the Bier Market (running until Oct 20) For more info, please click here. Nothing beats, drinking beer, eating great food, listening to live music with some friends!
(from left to right) @clickflickca @th3hungrycat @beachrockinc.
Enjoy!
Food September 20th, 2013
A few years ago, I was in love with Hot Balls at Table 17! Now I’m in love with Hot Bunzz! I mean seriously…what’s not to love about these buns that are the perfect texture and filled with fabulous flavours and then topped off with more goodness!!
The brains behind Hot Bunzz are these two guys. Mark (on the right) has been involved with the food business for years and Mitch (on the left) has been involved with marketing for years. They make a great team.
What I love about Hot Bunzz is their ability to join forces with other restaurants to create a unique bunzz. They have collaborated with Cheesewerks in the past and now they have joined forces with Rock Lobster Food Co, Fidel Gastro’s and La Carnita, to introduce the #TUMalumCOLLECTION. How brilliant? All three of these delicious creations will be launched at the upcoming TUM Event. (Toronto Underground Market)
The Spiced Sailor Bun
The B.L.T.O
However if you aren’t able to attend the TUM event, don’t worry – you can still grab a Hot Bunzz at their retail location which is located at 21 St. Clair West. (just west of Yonge St. on the south side of the street).
One last thing I should mention is that Hot Bunzz is doing an incredible job using social media to spread the word about their amazing product!! I love companies that “get it” and these guys “get it”.
For more information:
Hot Bunzz: 21 St. Clair Ave. West, Toronto (647) 748 5510
Twitter: @HotBunzzTO
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hotbunzz
Instagram: HotBunzz
Food September 19th, 2013
A few weeks ago, I was invited to check out Kanga Meat Pies at Sanagan’s Meat Locker. I honestly thought I was going to try Kangaroo Meat but I was oh so wrong!!
Infact I was introduced to four different Aussie meat pies! Kanga Meat Pies are best described as: an individually portioned, handheld, buttery pie filled with loads of meat, veg and gravy. Their pies are intended to be eaten with one hand only (the other is strictly reserved for the beverage of your choice)!
The two young woman behind Kanga had travelled to Australia and fell in love with the meat pie scene “down under”. So they came back to Toronto and started to recreate them. Kanga Meat Pies were first introduced at TUM (Toronto Underground Market) but now you can buy them at Sanagans too!!
I did not grow up with meat pies but something tells me there are two components to the “perfect” meat pie: the crust and the filling. Guess what? Kanga Pies nailed it! My friend also pointed out to me that there are no PEAS in these meat pies, so if you are allergic to peas or don’t like peas – then these pies are for you!!
Not only are they pretty….
But they are delicious too.
I was surrounded by foodie friends at this event, and was thankful that we could split each pie into quarters so I could get a chance to try all four varieties. Two flavours stood out as my favourites: the Steak and Bacon and the Butter Chicken.
Hope you get a chance to try Kanga Meat Pies soon. You won’t be disappointed.
For further information:
Kanga Meat Pies are now sold at:
Sanagan’s Meat Locker, 176 Baldwin St. In Kensington Market.
Hot Oven Bakery, 177 Roncesvalle, Toronto
Twitter: @eatkanga
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eatkanga
