A friend wrote me an email that said “why arent you blogging about food” I wrote back “you know me well!!”.

To be honest, I was saving the best for last.

Sadly my mom and I were sick for 3 days with bad colds so we didn’t venture out for 3 evenings but we made up for lost meals!! Here’s a few highlights.

Cimboco…A Caribbean Cafe.

We loved the airy caribbean decor and once we saw the menu we knew that we hit a winner of a restaurant.

I had the plantain wrapped callaloo – local callaloo seasoned with caribbean flavors, wrapped in ripe golden fried plantains and accompanied with a spicy cayman style sauce.

My taste buds (and tummy) also enjoyed the caribbean roti. – an island style sandwich on their fire roasted flat bread filled with traditional caribbean curried vegetables.

The Sunshine Grill

Another casual caribbean style restaurant known for the best fish tacos on the island. Guess what we ordered? (did you guess?) There was a 30 minute wait for a seat but it was SO worth it.

I had the coconut snapper tacos- snapper in a mild curry/coconut sauce with green onions and cilantro.

Michaels Genuine Food and Drink

This restaurant has a location in Miami (for those who like to go to Florida in the winter) and he opened up a restaurant in Cayman not long ago. We loved this restaurant. The atmosphere was hip, and the service was perfect but it was the food that had us oo-w-ing and aawing. (is that the correct spelling)?

We had lots of little dishes to fully experience the menu.  Our fav. dish was probably the crispy hominy. OH YUM.

Roasted Breadfruit salad with heirloom tomatoes, avocado, shaved red onion in a lemon meyer vinagrette.

B

Homemade organic ricotta with jam on crostini

Sauteed local thai eggplants with raisins and almonds

Each meal was fantastic. I was thrilled that we were able to enjoy some local flavors and can’t wait to return next year to enjoy these three restaurants again.

A while ago I blogged about movies I had seen. Now I’m going to blog about the books I have been reading on my Kobo for the past 5 days on the beach.  I have really enjoyed these books, to the point where I felt I needed to apologize to my mom for not talking to her. So here’s what I have read:

1. Sh*T My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

This book is positively HYSTERICAL. Thats all you need to know. I love when books make me giggle out loud. Infact I giggled more than once. My only complaint would be that it’s a quick read and I honestly didn’t want it to end. It was TOO funny. I hope this become a movie or I hope this guy writes another book (are you listening out there Justin?)

2. Loving Frank by Nancy Horan

This book is about an affair that Frank Lloyd Wright had in the early 1900’s. It’s historical fiction and I kinda like those types of books. The characters were captivating and the story line too. Not to mention that it’s inspired me to return to Chicago and see more architecture.

3.  Little Princes: One Man’s Promise to Bring Home the Children of Nepal by Conor Grennan

I love these types of books as it tell’s a personal journey that is so inpirational.  Conor Grennan is a great story teller and I hope there will be a sequel to this book one day soon.

4. Don’t be Afraid by Steven Hayward

I won this book recently by following @mountie9. She writes a a great blog – raymentsreadingsrantsandramblings . She told me I would like it and I did. It’s written thru the voice of a 17 year old boy and it’s about loss, grieving, and family dynamics. A great read for the beach.

5. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skoot

This book was selected by our book club and sadly I missed the book club meeting when they reviewed it. I had been struggling with this book before I left on vacation and I’m still struggling with it. It’s an important story but I’m not sure I’m ever going to finish it.

Part Two – Books I read while NOT on vacation

1. ROOM by Emily Donahue. This book is brilliant and I’m sure it will become a movie in the next few years. It’s written in the voice of a 5 year old who is raised in a ROOM with his mom. I know it sounds eery, sad, etc…but it’s brilliant.

2. Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda. I enjoyed this book too. Great characters, well written and and easy read

3. Ape House by Sara Gruen Again, I enjoyed this book. Again, great characters and a good story. Not as good as her first book Water for Elephants but perhaps that’s not fair for me to compare.

4. I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron. I laughed out loud more than once which means I loved this book. There is nothing like laughing out loud. Read. This. Book. Too.

OK..I need more books to read. Please send suggestions!!

I have friends who use to tell me that every time they went on vacation, they went to a different spa. I honestly didn’t “get it”. Well guess what? I’ve changed my mind. I get it now.

It’s been the YEAR OF THE SPA. Let’s review:

April 2010.  Mandarin Oriental Hotel – Las Vegas

The atmosphere is very “zen like” with Japanese inspirations  everywhere. I liked how all your treatments faced the strip so you could enjoy spactacular views while getting your treatments, relaxing, sitting in the jacuzzi etc.

November 2010 – Ritz Carlton Palm Beach

This spa was truly gorgeous. I loved the color schemes, the furniture, the wishing well…even the little cupcakes. They thought of everything and I was SO glad the weather was lousy that day and I chose to go to the spa instead of the mall (I’m so smart). LOL

March 2011 – Ritz Carlton Cayman Islands

This spa is one of the few spas in the world that is a La Prairie Spa…so I was intrigued. I had also hear that the caviar massage was well worth it but sadly my budget would only allow for a manicure. It was the first time I have ever had a manicure in a spa and indeed it was worth it. I took full advantage of the wet sauna, dry sauna and jacuzzi plus there were a few extra steps in the manicure that I really enjoyed.

Next on my list: The Russian Turkish Bathhouse in New York City. I know I know..its not a spa but you know what I mean.

Now I need to discover Spas in Toronto. I’ve only been to one!!

That’s right..I’m in Cayman Islands on a mother-daughter (much needed) vacation!

We had an awesome flight on WestJet, got groceries right away, and sat on the beach till the sun went down.

Not a bad day at all. Currently I’m at Cafe Del Sol blogging and it’s a lovely place to have a coffee, listen to some great music and take advantage of some free internet!! It’s a perfect way to end my day.

Here’s some photos that I captured between 4 and 6:30 p.m.

Tomorrow I’m going to World Gym to get a week membership and continue to run at least FOUR times this week.

Naturally I have decided to run in the mornings so I can take advantage of happy hour!! (shhh…I’m a planner – don’t tell anyone).

I have never exercised on vacation before but there is no excuse..I have the time and I have a goal!!

Here’s the plan for the next 6 days:  – go to the gym, sit on the beach, attend happy hour…repeat!!

Just kidding! I plan on going to the spa at the Ritz Carlton as I hear its STUNNING. Plus I really want to see the most unique car collection in the world at the Cayman Motor Museum. (think – batmobile, Ferraris, etc). Not sure I’m brave enough to go to Stingray city.

Sad but true. (fear?).

As for my eating adventures: Michael’s Genuine Food and Drinks sounds exactly like the place I want to eat at…so we are hoping to snag a reservation on Saturday nite.

Stay tuned for more adventures from Cayman Islands!!

We all know that spring is around the corner, despite the rain, the snow and the freezing rain that we have had over the weekend!! I’m pleased to announce that Taste of Cheese has offered to sponsor my next contest to get us ready for Spring!!

I’m thrilled…as CHEESE is a huge part of my life. I can pass an ice cream store, I can pass a chocolate store but I simply can’t pass a cheese store. I have even gone to  cheese classes!! (beer and cheese always being a fav. class)  and checked out a variety of grilled cheese sandwiches in Toronto.

Now let’s talk about Taste of Cheese!

Taste of Cheese is awesome for any cheese lover . Each month, they select 5 exciting and unique cheeses that are included in a Monthly Taster Box. Plus you will receive cheese descriptions and tasting notes! All this gets delivered right to your doorstep. Isn’t that the best?

When I saw that Taste of Cheese participated in Wagjag– I bought two coupons immediately.  This type of coupon will certainly come in handy as a birthday present for some friends I have who love cheese.

Please take a peek at their website by clicking here: Taste of Cheese. They have an awesome blog and you can read more about their fantastic corporate gift boxes, charcuterie, and more.  You can also follow them on twitter: @tasteofcheese.

Here’s the Contest Rules:

a) The contest is simple. All you have to do is answer the following question: what is your favorite cheese?

b) The winner will receive a custom designed taster box, which has 3 cheeses, a box of crackers and fig spread. YUM. (app. value..$50)

c) The contest will run from March 6th and will close at midnite on March 20th, 2011.  This contest is open to any Canadian resident and one lucky winner will be selected using www.random.org.

d) The winner has one week to reply to me with their complete name/address. If I don’t hear from the winner, another winner will be selected.

Hope this contest helps the next two weeks go by …till its actually Spring. Can’t wait.

It wasn’t suppose to become a cookie challenge, however after I posted “My Fav. Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe” on twitter, I received a tweet from @livwu that said the following:

@momwhoruns Anna Olson’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie is my fave http://bit.ly/9GU6Wc try it!

So I clicked on the link and said “hmm…I think I might try this recipe. Why not?”.

Here’s the recipe in the event you don’t feel like clicking on the link:

Anna Olson’s Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie:

3/4 cup butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp corn starch

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups flour

8 oz bittersweet chocolate cut into chunks

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Cream butter and sugars together untill smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract and blend in.

3. Stir in, flour, cornstarch, baking soda and chocolate chunks

4. Drop by tablespoons on to a greased baking sheet and bake 8 to 10 minutes and golden around the edges

5. Let cool

I gave one chocolate chip cookie from Recipe #1 and one chocolate chip cookie from recipe #2 – to my daughter, her friend and her friends dad (he picked up his daughter at exactly the right time). Everyone was happy – both cookies were delicious but indeed recipe #2 has a slight edge.

Thanks to my twitter friend for sharing this recipe for me. I hope I meet her IRL (in real life) one day soon.

Happy Baking – once again.

PS… Are there any other chocolate chip cookie recipes I should try. I’m ready for the challenge.

Dear Dannon and Yoplait.

My family loves yogurt. Its great to put in the kids lunches and its a quick and easy dessert at dinner with fresh fruit.

But it seems that we aren’t getting the same flavors as our friends south of the border!! Evertime we travel to the States we go “nuts” (well not really, but you know what I mean) when we see the HUGE variety of flavors that we can’t get in Toronto.

For example:

Danone: we love the strawberrry cheese cake and the banana cream pie!!

Yoplait: Triple Berry Torte, Black Forest Cake and Red Velvet Cake!! Isnt’ that just awesome?

Last week while shopping in Buffalo, I picked up a dozen assorted yogurts. Naturally they are gone now. What was I thinking? Why didnt I pick up two dozen?

Hopefully one day we will see these varieties in Canada. If Target is coming…then maybe I can get a red velvet cake yogurt at my local grocery store one day soon. Crossing my fingers.

I grew up in the east end of Ottawa and have many childhood memories of walking to Westgate Mall to get candy.

I remember pixie stixs, sponge toffee, black balls and more.

Naturally a store like Sugar Mountain is right up my alley. It’s so much fun to take the kids and show them what “mommy use to eat”.

Here’s a few photos of candy that I remember eating when I was a kid.

But the best part of my last trip to Sugar Mountain was to discover that COCONUT M&M’s are in Toronto. I no longer have to find them in the States. HOORAY.

I tweeted this picture immediately(cause I was so happy) and there was a flood of replies from other coconut m&m fans.

So tell me…whats your favorite candy from your childhood? was it a chocolate bar? or was it candy?

This is a story about GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE.

I went to Buffalo for Family Day and had made reservations to stay at the Hampton Inn (Galleria). When we arrived, we checked in and then proceeded to the elevators. But BOTH elevators were not in service. So we dragged our bags up 4 flights of stairs – not a huge deal – but inconvenient.  In the morning, we noticed BOTH elevators were still not working.

When we checked out, I kindly said “by the way – having both elevators not in service was not so acceptable for a hotel”. He quickly said “I know. We are sorry for the inconvenience”. Twenty seconds later, he hands me a statement and says “Could you please sign here. We have waived the fees”.

I said ” Excuse me..did I hear right? you waived the $149 hotel fee?  JUST LIKE THAT?.

The clerk replies: “Yes. If you are not 100 % then you don’t pay!!”.

I was in shock. This type of service has never happend to me before. However I can assure you – that I will return to the Hampton Inn Galleria in a nano-second.

P.S. the shopping was amazing. As always.