Weekend Link Love

Mission Beach, San Diego.

There’s tons of great content out there and I come across it quite often. Sometimes even though I mean to share them with others, I forget because there’s too much to keep up with. Can you relate? I decided it was time to start sharing on the blog while I still remember. Unless there’s a link that makes me think of a particular person, then I’ll quickly send it their way before I forget. Moving on, here’s some weekend link love for goodies I’ve come across in recent weeks.

1. What Your Work Lunch Says About You by The Shy Comedian. LaLa did a great job highlighting the different lunches people have and what it means. It’s true that people flock to the kitchen for free food, spending their mornings talking about what to eat and where to eat. I also am impressed when people bring meals from home, but mostly when they’ve made it themselves.
2. Why Do People Open Up And Eat Before Paying For It While Shopping For Other Groceries? by JDawg182. I was relieved to hear someone else was just as bothered about this as me. I was thinking about this issue the same day I came across this post on Freshly Pressed.
3. What Did You Give Up To Get What You Got by Truth and Cake. This was a good reminder that we prioritize our lives according to what’s important for us, to not get bogged down in trying to achieving all our goals and to not forget to enjoy the journey.
4. Instagram Tips & Tricks by Her New Leaf. This was such an informative post with great pictures. Who knew that we could set our phones to airplane mode and have the photo saved to our phone without having to push it to Twitter or Facebook? Well, I didn’t. I was also happy to learn about the Lux (sun icon) light feature for outdoor pictures. I was glad to be reminded about toggle off frame feature. Hope you instagram lovers dig this.
5. How to Remove a Mildew Smell From Towels by Small Notebook. One of my all time favourite blogs. There are so many practical posts here that have inspired me. This one gives tips on possible reasons for the source of the odour and solutions to banish it. Couldn’t we all go without funky smelling towels? Let’s say goodbye to mildewy towels.
6. Stretching with a Foam Roller by Lipstick Powder N Paint’s Karen Kwan and featuring Eva Redpath. What else to roll out on than a foam roller. Ever wonder why people use these things and what it actually does? Not sure what exercises you can do? Check it out.
7. My Year in A Cubicle by A Serene Scribe. If you’ve ever worked in a cubicle, you’ll relate to this. I had no idea how universal the experiences are in Cubicle Land. I was laughing out loud reading this. I particularly enjoyed the bit on cubical etiquette where you pretend you didn’t hear the drama your co-worker just had in the next cube. I also love the quote: “They put you in a cube and expect you to think outside of the box”. Sidenote: I watched Office Space recently and it is definitely funnier a second time around after actually working in a cubicle office environment.
8. Chicken Tostada Bites by Kelsey’s Apple A Day. These look delicious and fun for a party appetizer or snack. A friend of mine sent this to me after I posted about guacamole and thought I’d like it.  I do!
9. 7 Money Mistakes That Can Keep You From Achieving Your Goals by Free From Broke. When it comes to personal finance, there’s always more to learn. I liked this summary. I especially agree with the first point that this subject is not covered well in schools and we are left with learning from our parents or on our own. Hoping you don’t have to make any of these mistakes to learn from them.
10. Hazelnut Chocolate Gelato by Kelsey’s Apple A Day. Need I say more? This is one of my favourite flavour combinations. The picture and the gorgeous weather we’ve been having makes me want to RUSH to the nearest gelato shop and eat to my heart’s content. Too bad I already have plans.

Hope you enjoy these reads! If you read any of these, let me know what you think in the comments.

How To Make Your Own Yoga Mat Spray

DIY Yoga Spray

Several years ago, I bought my yoga mat when I enrolled in Pilates classes.  I ended up doing it on and off for two years. Since then, I’ve used it for my body conditioning class and yoga classes. In most instances, I would just use the spray at the studio to wipe down my mat after use. For heavy duty washing, I would wash it in the tub with vinegar and a bit of dish detergent.

Our mats get a lot of use but we don’t always have time for a heavy duty wash in the tub. I wanted to try my hand at making my own spray though so I could wipe it down between uses and heavy duty washes. I knew it must be easy to do and would probably be better value then buying those bottled yoga mat sprays. And it’s just cool to know I made it myself. I didn’t actually take any action to find out how people make these sprays until last year. I have a tendency to get really excited about something – buy all the ingredients or tools, then put it on the backburner b/c life gets busy and I get distracted by new ideas.  Anyone else guilty of this?

Last year, I searched online for a recipe and came across this Apartment Therapy post (love this site!!). This past winter, I bought a dollar store plastic spray bottle and filled it with water and a few drops of tea tree oil. I also purchased lavender oil and peppermint oil with intentions of making this spray but I decided I’d hold off until I tried the plain tea tree first.

This past weekend, I decided to finally make the first recipe (peppermint, lavender, tea tree and water) on Apartment Therapy.  I just filled the spray bottle with the oils, filled it with water and gave it a shake. It only took about a minute and smells pretty amazing too.

If you’re interested in the recipe, hop over to this Apartment Therapy post, there are two recipes but I made Recipe #1.

Do you make your own yoga mat spray? How do you make yours?

Easy Guacamole Recipe

Guacamole with blue corn tortilla chips

So what makes the Avocado so special?

I love the versatility of it and the creamy texture (which lends itself well as a substitute sour cream/mayo). You can use it in savoury and sweet dishes. Make a sauce/dressing, avocado chocolate pudding, avocado chocolate smoothie, add it to salads, add it to wraps, sandwiches, seaweed rice rolls (maki), and my favourite guacamole. And if you can’t be bothered with any of that, I also like eating it straight straight out of the shell. My boyfriend loves to just slice it in half, remove the pit and pour a bit of olive oil and sea salt (Yes, double good fats). It makes for a quick breakfast or snack. It might sound strange at first (it did to me), but try it. Yum!

I really like guacamole but I didn’t know how much until recently. During my Mexico trip, I had guacamole at every meal if it was available. It was so delicious I had to have it every day. And it left such an impression that when I came back from the trip, I made guacamole every week (and had it most days) for about three weeks. I only stopped because I got a cold and so I switched gears to making big batch of soups instead. The weekend I got better, I had guacamole and blue corn chips. Yum!

I think it was over a year ago when I first tried making guacamole. I didn’t have a recipe and wasn’t comfortable with winging it, so I turned to the food blogosphere for help. I came across Elise’s Perfect Guacamole recipe from Simply Recipes. I adapted her recipe and made the following modifications: I omitted the cilantro, chili’s, cut down on red onions and omitted tomatoes. As I’m not a fan of cilantro (I’ll eat the guac if cilantro is in it though because it’s kind of hard to pick it out), when I make it, I omit that. I omitted chilis because I wanted to keep them out and make a non-spicy version. I also cut down on the red onions because my red onion was ginormous and I am not a big fan of raw onions. Although, I have to say it has grown on me – as long as it’s diced finely. I tried it with tomato’s but I didn’t like it as much as when I left it out.

Below is my easy guacamole recipe. I think it would make a good base for other guacamole variations. One day, I’d like to try the addition of chilis and I’ll give the tomatoes another shot too.

Easy Guacamole Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons of diced red onion (dice as fine as possible).***
• 2 ripe avocados (pitted)
• 1/2 wedge of lime or 1/4 wedge of lemon (I use either of these depending on what I have on hand and sometimes both). Adjust the amount of lime or lemon to taste.
• sea salt to taste

Steps

1. Slice two thin slices of red onion, then dice finely to get about two tablespoons worth. Depending on the size of your red onion and the thickness of your slices, you might need more or less slices.
2. Slice avocados in half and remove the pits.
3. Scoop out avocado from the shell and put it into a bowl. I also like to just use a knife and make a criss cross pattern of the avocado in the shell then just flip it into the bowl so I have small cubes to work with.
4. Mash the avocado/onion mixture using a fork until you reach a consistency you like.  I like mine creamy with small chunks.
5. Add some sea salt to taste.
6. Slice a wedge of lemon or lime and squeeze the juice into the mixture.
7. Mix well, quick taste to see if there’s enough sea salt and adjust if needed, then serve.

I like making this and adding a big scoop to my salad. I also enjoy snacking on it with blue corn tortilla chips or brown rice crackers.

Other Variations

• Adding garlic: Sometimes I also add 1-2 cloves of finely minced garlic.
• Adding tomatoes: I’ve added tomatoes into my guacamole in the past but I don’t like it as much as when I leave it out (perhaps my cubes of tomatoes were too large.

***Update 05/02/2012: Today, as I prepared guacamole, I realized I made two mistakes when I typed up the recipe.  I’ve made the following changes: 1) 4 tablespoons worth of finely diced red onion (about 2 slices thin). 2) Adjust lime/lemon juice amounts to taste. I found today I needed a whole lime for 2 avocado’s worth of guacamole (as per the recipe).

How do you like your guacamole? What do you eat it with?

Cafe Polonez

My favourite comfort foods include borscht, cabbage rolls and perogies. I mostly have these foods in the winter to warm me up and because that’s when I need a belly full of goodness to march outside in the cold. With the cold weather we’re having these past two days it definitely feels like winter to me. I put out a post last year that included a visit to Amber. I love the delicious cabbage roll (perfect rice/meat ratio and incredible tomato sauce) and the pan-fried cheese perogies topped with caramelized onions. They are just perfect.

This past January, on a cold winter day, I had plans for lunch with friends and I had comfort food in mind. Specifically, perogies. Naturally, I thought of Amber. But I wanted to try something new.  It’s too easy to just always go to the same place and I was feeling like taking a chance. I had seen Cafe Polonez when I researched “Best Perogies in Toronto” and “Polish Food in Toronto” a few years ago.

Aside: it’s completely normal to search stuff like this right??  I thought so, until recently when I explained to someone how I find places to eat. lol! They thought it was funny how I made it sound completely normal to search blogs and discussion forums on what to eat in Toronto.

I quickly looked it up again (made sure it was still around) and I pitched the idea to my friends and we were off.

The place was more spacious than Amber but the lighting was dimmer.  We took a look at the menus and my friends said they were cool with whatever I wanted (They knew I already had favourites in mind).  So, here’s what I decided on.

Golabki (Cabbage Rolls)

Cafe Polonez: Cabbage rolls

Cafe Polonez: Cabbage Roll

I really wanted to love these cabbage rolls. The stuffing and cabbage was fine, it was the sauce that I found was too sweet.  I love when the sauce tastes like home made tomato sauce instead of ketchup.  This one tasted more like ketchup. Perhaps too much sugar was used for my liking.

Borscht (Beet Soup) with Mushroom Dumplings

Borscht: Beet Soup

Mushroom Dumpling

This borscht was fantastic.  I loved the fresh dill. The addition of mushroom dumplings was wonderful. The dumpling skin tasted chewy and the mushroom flavour was intense (love!). I had two of them but could’ve had way more.

Goulash: Beef Stew  

I saw this dish on Food Network a couple of years ago and always wanted to try it. This was my first time having goulash and I really enjoyed how simple it was (beef, tomatoes, and potatoes).  It reminds me of a beef stew my mom would make when I was growing up (Only we would use bay leaf and omit the potatoes)

Perogies: My fave, pan fried cheese and potato perogies covered in caramelized onions, bacon, and sour cream.

Cafe Polonez: Cheddar Perogies with Caramelized Onions, Bacon and Sour Cream

The perogies were wonderful.  I think I could just eat a plate of this myself. But I’d probably feel pretty crappy, so I’m glad I had guests to share with. Ah, sharing - most important lesson I learned from kindergarten. Sticks with you for life.

I had a wonderful time at Cafe Polonez. Other than the cabbage rolls, I think everything else was fantastic.

What are your favourite comfort foods? What are your favourite Polish restaurants?

I’d love to hear your favourites and suggestions.

Signs of Spring

Tulips

Brr.. it is cold outside, we’re talking 4 degrees celsius kind of cold. I’m writing this post and remembering that just this past week I shot the below photos. Hence, the title “Signs Of Spring”, as flowers make me think of spring. I can’t wait for things to get warmer, but in the mean time I’m going to try to hang on to these photos as a reminder that sunnier and warmer days are just around the corner.

Pretty Pink Flowers

It’s funny, I don’t think I’ve ever paid so much attention to flowers as in recent years. When I was a kid, I’d think it was soo silly that people obsessed about their gardens. I hated garden work (too many long stretches of childhood summers spent crouched over in the backyard pulling weeds, laying grass, and mowing the lawn). I remember thinking there are so many other things I’d rather do and I’ll be happy if I never pull a weed ever again. LOL!

Yellow Flowers

Purple: Can you spot the bee?

What do you usually think of when you think of spring?

Hope these photos brighten up your day. They make me happy just looking at them.

Healthy Comfort Food: Camros Eatery

A few years ago, a good friend and I discovered Camros. Tucked away on Hayden street (near Yonge/Bloor) lay this oasis of organic healthy food.  I had many firsts at Camros. It was probably where I had my first kale salad, millet, quinoa, lemon/tahini dressing, and found comfort in bean stews. Pure comforting healthy food. I try to prepare my own meals but for those times when I don’t have the time or energy but want a healthy meal with variety, I go to Camros.  I also go there when I’ve had a bad streak of eating and need to just reset my ways. I always leave inspired to cook and eat better.

Camros is a 100% organic eatery that carries vegan/vegetarian foods. I find it interesting that Camros doesn’t describe it self outright as vegetarian restaurant on their website. They do however emphasize that they are 100% organic and wholesome. I love that all the dishes have the ingredients listed out. This helps if you are on a special diet and/or are steering clear of specific ingredients. When I was on my elimination diet, this was one of the few places I could eat at. Seeing all the ingredients helped me make my decision about what I could eat and I liked not having to ask what they put inside and whether it was free of gluten, soy, dairy, sugar. I remember feeling really sad at times b/c of how restrictive my diet was (it can make you feel alone). It took a lot of time to prepare all my meals and to give up dining out.  I was afraid that I might learn I was intolerant to foods I loved but eating here made me happy knowing that if I had to go gluten-free/dairy-free/soy-free/sugar-free, well, I could still enjoy delicious foods and eat out.

Camros: Hot Foods & Salads

Camros: Juices

The first time I came to Camros, I fell in love with bean stews. I had no idea they could be so flavourful. Their foods are made daily and made with love. The service is wonderful as the staff are always friendly.  My favourites are the Kale salad with creamy tahini dressing, quinoa salad, lima bean stew, green stew, borscht, yellow lentil/potato patty and my most recent discovery (this past fall) the Gheyme stew. Everytime I go on a wednesday, I hope they have it.  It’s hard to describe the Gheyme stew. I know the first time I had it, I couldn’t stop raving about it at work. The flavour is sweet and sour (t reminded me a bit of Pad Thai) and I love the addition of potatoes cut up in match sticks (like little fries). During my last visit, it was a wednesday and when I got there I was soo delighted it was Gheyme stew day. The next customer that walked in ordered two servings and also raved about how it’s her favourite. Ah ha! I’m not the only one.

Camros: Yellow lentil/potato patty, Kale Salad, Millet Salad, Red Kidney/Spinach stew

Camros Plate: Kale/Beet Salad, Red Rice Ball, Red Rice & Millet Salad with Tahini Dressing

Camros: Borscht (Beet Soup) with Kale Salad. I loved the borscht! The dill was wonderful.

The desserts are heavenly.  I love the raw cheesecakes. I have tried so many and all of them have been wonderful.  The brownie is also a must.  I’d recommend having it with one of their lovely teas or coffees.

Camros: Raw Goji/Cacao "Cheese"cake

Camros: Occupy My Heart Raw "Cheese" Cake

Camros: Occupy My Heart Raw "Cheese" Cake

Eating here usually does a few things for me. It gives me a filling tasty meal with healthy favourites that makes me feel good and reminds me that healthy doesn’t mean bland or complicated. Eating here inspires me to cook better for myself. The dishes have often inspired me to create exciting colourful dishes at home. I like that there are a variety of hot offerings, bean salads, grain salads and veggie salads to choose from to make your meal.  They also have lots of desserts (cookies, brownies, vegan fudge, squares, and “cheese” cake). Camros also offers freshly squeezed juices, coffee and teas too. The only thing on my dream list… cooking classes. I’d love to learn how they make their lovely rice balls, the lentil/potato patties, their Gheyme stew.

Have you been to Camros? If so,what are your favourite dishes? If not, GO! The pictures alone should be enough of a reason to. Did I mention the staff are friendly too?

What are your favourite vegetarian restaurants?

Yesterday, Camro’s posted on Facebook/Twitter that it was their six year anniversary. I am sooo happy that you are around and I hope you stick around for many years to come. I’m hoping the Camro’s team is celebrating. 

Fun Find: How To Curl Your Hair Without Heat

I was on facebook the other night and one of the updates that popped up in my feed referred to something called a “Digital Perm”. It contained a listing for places in the city that offered this service. I felt like I had heard of this term but had no idea what it entailed. So I googled it.

A Digital Perm is… a hot perm, where the rollers are connected to a big machine where only the ends of your hair get curled. It looks hilarious. The things we put ourselves through for beauty. lol!

In my search, I came across examples of what the perm can look like. Notice the one where the girl is just in her underwear next to the bed post?  I love the hair in that one. One more series of examples.  I almost forgot that I had just chopped off a lot of my hair about 2 months ago. At this point, I was already contemplating the perm. LOL!

Then I scrolled down on the Digital Perms blog and noticed this post including a youtube video on how to get wavy hair with the sock bun. Watch the sock bun secret first. I’ve posted both below. Incredible!!

Incredible for many reasons:

1. It’s a great way to use up all those spare socks you have. You know the ones I’m talking about. The ones that lose their partner mysteriously after washing or wearing. Ugh! So many spares.
2. No chemicals (environmentally friendly!). It’s just your hair, a bit of water, and the sock.
3. No curling iron/straightener OR perm required. The curls were so defined it reminded me of when people actually get their hair curled or permed. I have tried using a curling iron in the past and I could never get it to curl the way I wanted it too. Plus, my arm would ache and I’d always fear burning myself.
4. Money saver. Couldn’t we all use a little more in our pocket?
5. Time saver. No need to sit in the salon chair for +2 hours while your butt falls asleep. Ohh yeah. Since the magic happens while you sleep, you get to sleep comfortably and get your hair set at the same time. Multi-tasking while you sleep.
6. No long term commitment necessary. So you feel like going curly tomorrow. Just spend a few minutes the night before doing this prep and in the morning you can be a beautiful wavy haired princess.

I wish I had longer hair to try this out. I got my hair cut and thinned (thinned a lot) a couple months ago and it’s going to be a while until I have it in all it’s full/thick gloryness.

Since I have straight hair, I sometimes want some curl to change things up a little. I’ve tried using buns, braids and french braiding as more natural ways to achieve curls but this video looks like it would be less time, better curls, and more comfortable to sleep in.

A few years ago, this was what I wanted, curly hair on my ends. I thought the only way to achieve it without buying a curling iron was to get a perm. And I did. The chemicals made me want to wretch while I was in the chair.  Then, gradually the smell became less strong as I washed my hair overtime.  I think I actually got the look I wanted (curls from my cheekbones down) 6-7 months after my perm grew out.

Have you ever gotten a digital perm before? How did it work out?

If anyone tries the above method of curling, please let me know how it goes. I’d recommend trying it out on a night when you don’t have to be anywhere the next morning (just in case it isn’t to your liking so you still have time to master it before showcasing it to the world). I am hoping to try it out when my hair gets longer.

Enjoy!