The beginning of school always seem to mark a new year for me, more so than an actual new year. Be it the fresh crisp air welcoming in Fall, the cumulative efforts of getting on the right track with classes- attending or instructing, getting the kids ship-shape ready and just that mind shift from holiday to go get 'em mode. And Yay, we survived the first week!
They say you can have it all, but just not all at once. Feeling blessed to truly realize my snowballing potential as a mother, educator and entrepreneur while pausing to give myself self care and love.
There's nothing I value more than time. with. myself.
I know some of my friends can't even fathom taking a walk, grabbing a bite or watching a movie alone. "There's no point." "It's boring!" "It's weird." For me, it's the ultimate pleasure dome. I've been meaning to explore the cool neighbourhoods in our great city. Never enough time in a day during the year, running or being constantly engaged with my school cooking programs, and so I naturally gravitate to my own hood for everything. Well, this summer with my kids in day camp, I did my bouts of #TONeighbourhood #discoverywalk. Call it stopping to smell the roses, taking in the sights, sounds and smells, I happily trek-immersed my way to a few, checking out the nuances that make that district uniquely its own. YAY!
I know some of my friends can't even fathom taking a walk, grabbing a bite or watching a movie alone. "There's no point." "It's boring!" "It's weird." For me, it's the ultimate pleasure dome. I've been meaning to explore the cool neighbourhoods in our great city. Never enough time in a day during the year, running or being constantly engaged with my school cooking programs, and so I naturally gravitate to my own hood for everything. Well, this summer with my kids in day camp, I did my bouts of #TONeighbourhood #discoverywalk. Call it stopping to smell the roses, taking in the sights, sounds and smells, I happily trek-immersed my way to a few, checking out the nuances that make that district uniquely its own. YAY!
Summer was simply AmaZing with my walks, The Neighbourhood Table, a charity BBQ and media Thai resto tasting events, an epic bucolic-style breakfast picnic, a fitness- and fuel-filled romp in Montreal visiting family before calling it the end of a great year, to start anew another... Here is a detailed recap.
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| When you truly don’t care what anyone thinks of you, you have reached a dangerously awesome level of freedom!! Be. True. Be. You. ðĪðĨðĪ |
What a prime view on the top floor of @charidise_to Baldwin Village's trendy Taiwanese eats hot spot. Having quite an eventful couple of weeks this summer interwoven with the good, bad and the ugly, this kind of end-of-week exploring was far more than welcomed, and met with a new friend on the TTC visiting from Singapore. What was suppose to be solo turned duo as I showed her around our great Baldwin 'hood into Chinatown ✌.
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| Taiwanese hot spot Charidise in Baldwin Village has the best patio view! |
All the warm fuzzies I could want on my trip down memory lane...
I am talking about my childhood 'hood in Leslieville. Before I began the nostalgic wanderlust walk I head over to friendly and inviting @hastingssnackbar for some homey Polish comfort fare. Boy did that hearty Hungry Tata's Lunch fuel.
Emotions get the best of me as I strolled the same streets I did as a kid, through my Leslieville Public School (formerly Leslie P.S.), past childhood friends' houses, the corner lib at Jones where we hung out, paths where we biked and towards my first home on Mallon Ave. Completely unrecognizable 'cept the old huge towering tree in the front- the one that gave me the creeps after watching Poltergeist ð§♀️ lol...
I wanted to discover TO neighbourhoods this summer, but this one was a rediscovery. So many changes, so many recollections, yet in the here and now, still so charming and lovely. In my heart, Leslieville will remain near and dear, no matter where I live, it's a neighbourhood I will always feel comfortable calling home. ðĄð.
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| Leslieville, my childhood 'hood! |
Ahh, the Hungry Tata's Lunch (I opted for both mushroom sauerkraut, and meat perogies served with sauteed onions and sour cream, a juicy Polish kielbasa sausage with a dollop of Polish mustard, a huge beef and pork cabbage roll slathered in tomato sauce, and a countering tangy sauerkraut with gherkin pickle)... them perogies and cabbage roll were hands-down ones of the best I've ever had, and lovely owner Ania handmakes and dishes them out with love ð. I rarely do a stand alone post on eating out, but this place is an outstanding must!! Do yourself a favour. And Go! ð♀️ð♂️. The cutest lunch counter ever. ð
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| Hastings Snack Bar |
The stretch west on St.Clair West station to Winona Drive, most noteable to me, are sprinkled with various bakeries on both sides from French to Greek. Finally made it to @bakerandscone to see the variety of sweet and savoury scones offered. My fave is lemon currant and too bad owner Sandra wasn't in. We worked two decades ago at a cooking studio together. Stopped for a coffee and an apricot danish next door at La Fayette, picked up a few lemon curd shortcake squares @mabelsbakery and a dozen spicy beef patties from Albert's Real Jamaican Foods. There is so much to discover in our own backyards, why travel elsewhere when a treasure trove right here awaits us to find them? #toronto
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| My first #toneighbourhood #discoverywalk |
Can't beat the heat... More like fire it up with Grand Daddy of the Q Chef @tedgrills at The Lionhead Golf Club and Conference Centre in Brampton #bbqfor180 #charitygolfevent
Always fun and entertaining bbqing with this great man and his- the best right hand ever Alex @rastacarebear.
Well over 60+ BBQs, Grills, Smokers and whatever else you can fire up, Chef Reader tells me he has lost count lol. When asked which one is his favourite-- he says without hesitation his fire pits, old school-style!. I'm looking forward to cookin' and hangin' with this man again. Stay tuned for more events.
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| I met Ted when I was a culinary student at George Brown College. |
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| Golf For Good Music Entertainment Charity Event |
"Work hard. Play hard. Eat harder." The exact words Chef Tim Chen @lannathai.to lives by. And I agree wholeheartedly ðĪðĨðĪ.
What a wonderful media tasting event hosted at three months new Lanna Thai. They bring the lively, bold and complex flavours of Northern Thai to Markham. The grand interior is accented with an even grander menu, ingredients sourced from the homeland or Southeast Asian neighbours and all sauces housemade. No stones left unturn to create with the best and traditional ingredients where possible.
Chef Chen was sent to cook and learn in Thailand for four months. Upon returning he designed the restaurant's menu. He's passionate about taking diners through a journey with their taste buds, like a story in a movie where emotions ride up and down like a roller coaster. You start with the refreshing pomelo salad (so much sweeter sourced from SE Asia) to whet the appetite, and a series of appetizers from turmeric fried shrimps to fish cakes to tempura morning glory with an innovative shrimp paste mayo, tom yum soup (oooh that kaffir lime leaf shreds) poured from a tea pot (exquisite). Pineapple fried rice (love the turmeric touch), roasted pork shoulder (tres flavourful), curry peanut beef shank (fall-off-bone tender), green coconut curry follows and finished with a fresh mango and coconut tapioca, ending the tasting- an impressive symphony of Thai flavours and textures.
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| Lanna Thai's Executive Chef Tim Chen. |
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| An appetizer tray of turmeric shrimps, fish cakes and sweet chicken. |
Lead with your ð. And the rest will follow. As it always does. Coupled with attentive and affable service, they got food and hospitality to a tee! Thank you to the lovely @lisaeats for the invite, @veronicawangco for organizing, my AmaZing friend (Lanna's consultant) Chef @chefsangkim for the entertaining presentation and Chef @timchen4485 for orchestrating an incredible meal! Lanna truly has the recipe for memorable- great gathering place, great aesthetics, delicious food and can-do service! With you at the heart, I have no doubt your contagious passion will pulsate to your staff and patrons! āļāļāļāļุāļ ð
Highly reco for a tasty night out or to celebrate a special occasion! ð Just. Go.
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| With Chef Sang Kim (Lanna's Consultant)- who has the looks, brains and brawn. |
This is what I call a picnic... And bucolic style too! ð
What a way to enjoy breakfast with friends basking in nature's finest to get the most out of the remaining days of summer- sunny blue skies, fresh air, lush grass under a large tree for shade, just like they do in the country. I even brought my fine feathered friends to join in the fun ðð .
As part of my lovely girlfriend Lisa Eats ad campaign for @Silk_Canada #BreakfastGang contest that ended Sept 12th, us ladies had a fabulous picnic concocting our own plant-based yogurt bowls using Silk Canada dairy-free yogurt. We topped it to our heart's desire with fresh berries, nuts and seeds, and savoured some other breakfast yummies too! Thanks Lisa for taking the great group shot! ð
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| Photo Credit: Lisa Eats |
How would you host an epic breakfast or brunch?
Congratulations to Neighbourhood Table kitchen crew for making the front page of SNAPD!
My proud news-worthy moment before heading off for a short fam trip in Montreal...
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| See here for the original Snapd Etobicoke article. |
Crispy fried frog legs... ðļ
What a fab dinner here with my husband's family upon arrival in Montreal at this awesome Viet & Cambodian hot spot. And I came here with frog legs on my taste buds radar ðĪĪ. Had these deliciousness two years ago, and they never left my mind. Crispy, light-battered fried, salt and pepper seasoning with a hint of spicy, yes tastes like chicken but also a touch of seafood... being both a land and water animal after all.
Can't find fried frog legs in Toronto, so gotta get my fix here with two big plates! Even my kids can't get enough knawing and chewing on the scrawny legs. Perfect also as a snack with beer ðŧ.
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| At Kim Hour Restaurant in Montreal |
Climb your way to the top... ð§♀️ð§♂️
Checked out two very different climbing attraction experiences in Montreal. We were first at Clip 'N Climb's altitude climb with 21 obstacle wall stairs in Laval then at an outdoor pirate ship at Voiles en Voiles in the old Port with moving planks, rope courses and zip lines. The family couldn't vote which one they loved best. Which one looks like your kind of climb?
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| Clip 'N Climb in Laval, Montreal |
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| Voiles En Voiles in Old Port, Montreal |
Founded by Michel Leclercq in Lille, France in 1976, now there are over 1100 stores in 38 countries. How lucky are we to have the premier Canadian store in Brossard, Montreal, and now a few more.
Decathlon's brilliant concept- the one we already love with other marketplaces such as food and cosmetics-- Try Before You Buy! Yass!!! More than 70 sports are available under one roof with economically-priced, quality material and made products, making activity accessible, affordable and attractive to everyone! Read more about it in my previous Post.
For those trying something new, you quickly see the spectrum of products and apparel as each sport is organized separately, and on top actually being able to test things out in the massive space. 60,000 sq.ft at their first in Brossard.
Spent three hours in the store, doing just that- trying and buying, and having some free fun recreation in between! Can't beat that!! They say Ottawa is next and there are plans in the works for Toronto too. But for now, happy to pay a visit here annually coming to Montreal to see fam and play for a while! Play together. Stay together. ð⚽️⛸
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| Decathlon Boisbriand |
Our last supper at old Montreal's at Maison du Magret with duck in every dish! ð―.
Having worked with duck and duck liver as a Product Developer for four years making meat pates & mousses, I have a deep appreciation for canard and foie ðĨ°.
We didn't opt for their specialty magret du canard- seared duck breast, but instead trio foie gras- foie torchon, foie torchon with cranberries and pan seared foie with quince chutney all on a toasted raisin brioche; duck rillette with pepper jelly comp starter; duck confit ravioli in foie sauce, duck tartare and duck confit! Even the kids' steaks with espelette pepper had a foie sauce dip. And did I mention that their home cut fries are cooked in pure duck fat? ðĪĪ Balanced with a Landaise style green salad or roasted mix veggies, each dish was a stand out on its own! ð―ðĨ
Duck brings back memories of my good ol' early food career days- in the development lab at Summersweet's pate plant ðĐðģ and eating romps in Quebec City after tv cooking show shoots with qu'est-ce qui mijote? ðđðŽ.
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| Top left clockwise: trio foie gras- foie torchon, foie torchon with cranberries and pan seared foie with quince chutney all on a toasted raisin brioche; duck rillette with pepper jelly; duck confit ravioli in foie sauce, duck tartare and duck confit! |
A trip to la belle province is never complete without a stop at artisanal bakery @premieremoisson (opened since 1992). A quick family breakfast of freshly made French viennoiseries, jambon et fromage baguette sammies and a hot cuppa' ðĨ☕, before heading in the car ride home, with a partial trunk full of bagels and cans of maple syrup, but of course.
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I use to categorize danishes and croissants as pastries, however these delectables are actually Viennoiseries. Baked goods made from a yeast-leavened dough similar to bread, or from puff pastry. The added ingredients gives them a richer, sweeter character, closer to pastry, and the dough is often laminated. So French! And my addictive fave is always abricotine- apricot danish ð!
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| Premiere Moisson |
Love me 'em cherries, but the season is almost over...
No way am I porting this white shirt when I go to town on this bowl ðĪĪðĪĪðĪĪ
Here are some fun tips to enjoy cherries from Produce Made Simple while you still can...
ð Fresh cherries are best consumed as they are, but they’re also great when used fresh in smoothies, salads, baked goods or frozen treats.
ð Use cherries as a replacement for ice if you freeze them ahead of time!
ð Be sure to wear an apron to protect your clothes from the deep red staining that cherries are known to produce!.
ð Have a little fun with the kids, let them pretend that cherries can be used like lipstick for a natural, luscious red stain.
How do you like 'em cherries?
When one season's bounty ends, another begins ð
Can't wait to enjoy the bounty of fall fruit, vegetables and herbs in my parent's backyard... What a beautiful panoramic sight from bartlett pears, kabocha squash, tomatoes, perilla leaves and wine grapes. ðð ððą
Yoga everywhere I go, until I can't yoga no mo'...
It's not about landing the perfect pose, but a pose in progression... says the girl who popped somethin' somethin' in her left inner thigh overstretching.
My goal of lengthening and elevating my standing extended fingers-to-big-toe pose while staying grounded has been halted with my injury (going on six weeks ðĢ).
I ain't gonna lie, it sucks when you've worked hard seeing good progress, to find yourself in the no-choice position of stepping backwards. I keep telling myself, "Be patient my ego, and honour thy body. You will come back stronger and better than ever before". You betcha' I willðĪðĨðĪ! #patienceandpersistence.
I am going to take advantage of this early back-to-school down-time with physio and get back on track with my body health before hitting my cooking programs. Again, it's all about practicing self care, self love ð. No matter how busy we are, there's no excuses. Always remember, we can not serve from an empty vessel.
Captivate life with purpose and you won't be distracted by comparison!
Give and you shall receive. Believe it! Achieve it!. ðĪðĨðĪ
"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." - Oscar Wilde ððļðŪ
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