I just had to continue the theme!! Hope you don't mind. All I could think of after I posted "March=Maple Syrup" is...PANCAKES. Which is what I made for dinner tonite and what I'm now writing about. The pancake recipe is taken from a cookbook my mom sent to me while in University, when I realized I needed some help cooking. (well before anyone had computers..LOL) It was the only recipe I used from that cookbook. So one day, I threw out the cookbook and only saved the pancake recipe, so I'm unable to credit anyone. Here's the recipe for the most delicious... More »

Dear Tim Hortons... I am rolling up and NOT winning. I am drinking coffee more than usual and STILL not winning. I like winning. Don't you? I am aspiring to win ANYTHING..coffee, donut, cookie...doesn't even need to be a big prize. I just want to WIN. I am whining...I know!! But I want to win atleast once. I follow twitter friends who post: Tim Hortons 12, Me 0. I look forward to your roll up and win contest coz generally I WIN (something). I have been a faithful fan for 14 years...Why can't I win just one free coffee?... More »

This week, I worked at the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association Trade Show. It was held at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto and it's a pretty major show for those who own restaurants, cafeterias, golf courses, camps, cafes, etc. Lots of booths, means lots of FOOD. I regularly left my booth (I have a nice boss), to go sample coffees, teas, smoothies, french fries, yoghurts, soya drinks, pizza, rice, curries, cheese, pastries, etc. etc. etc. We are talking 1000 booths!!  As I was strolling around (thanks boss), I saw a few familiar faces. Naturally I had my camera with me. The camera seems to... More »

It's now March and the finally the snow is melting and the sun is shining. This means - MAPLE SYRUP time. My parents took me to the sugar bush (shack?), my entire childhood and now it's my turn to take my children to eat pancakes and tour the maple trees. I have been taking them to Mountsberg Conservation Area since they were little.  Every year..without fail. We go early in the morning to avoid the lineups (for the pancakes of course). I truly think it's due to these pancakes that we make the annual visit. (there I go again,... More »

I will admit, that I have my name on a a lot of email lists....and as a result I receive invitations to attend fun events, sample sales, lectures, parties etc. I don't attend everything however I will go to events that interest me. For example: a beer tasting indeed interests me. Strange - but true. Here is a brief history of my relationship with beer: I never touched beer till I was 25. I didn't even see a bottle of beer while attending university and living in a dorm for 4 years. I certainly am making up for lost time!!... More »

So how do you relax? T'is an important question. (for us, busy moms and dads) Do you go to the gym? Do you find baking/cooking relaxing? Do you find playing games with your kids relaxing? Do you read a book and relax? Lots of choices, non? Personally, if I had to answer that question, the answer would be: BODY BLITZ. I discovered Body Blitz when they first opened (they had tons of press in Toronto). After my first half marathon I decided I would go directly from the finish line RIGHT to Body Blitz. I thought that it would... More »

Things you didn't know about me and my relationships with cars: a) I didn't drive till I was 26 b) I can barely recall my licence plate number c) I basically press the pedal and drive. I will NEVER hear a clunking sound, or rattling sound c) I will never remember a manufactures name, model name, except a Dodge Caravan (coz I drove one for years). d) My car looks like a war zone but I keep a pretty tidy house. e) I really want a Smart Car.... BUT...when I was at the National Home Show I saw a van,... More »

I went to the National Home Show for the first time in years. I forgot what a fun show it was. I had the opportunity to watch Ty Pennington from Extreme Makeover on stage and dazzle a huge audience plus I had time to stroll around the aisles. I was admiring hot tubs, patio furniture, landscaping, and then I came across this one booth and I said to myself "wow ..now that is kewl". So what am I referring to? Actually it wasn't a booth. It  was a hockey rink with a guy skating on it with a hockey stick. I... More »

Well it seems I'm not the only one out there who loves cheese. Apparently many of you have the same passion for cheese as I do. I feel less alone now...so thanks for leaving all those comments for me on a blog post I wrote a few weeks ago regarding my love for cheese. Due to all those wonderful comments, I am now running a contest and the lucky winner will win: A SELECTION OF FIVE CHEESES (app. 1 kg...app. value $80)...DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR. How cool is that? Taste of Cheese (www.tasteofcheese.ca), who is the providing the... More »

I bake muffins and cookies. That's it. I do not bake cakes, squares, cupcakes, bars or even brownies. Frankly, baking kinda scares me. So complicated. So exact!! On the rare occasion I have made fancier things like sticky rice pudding with mango, or chocolate pudding from scratch, or tiramisu a few times!! But I really enjoy making muffins, especially banana muffins. My daughter now helps me to gather the ingredients and she knows the beater has her name on it afterwards. It really is a fun activity to do together. Here is the official recipe: BEST EVER BANANA MUFFINS 2 cups mashed bananas... More »