Bahmi Chicken

Foodie

Allia made amazing chicken. It was a frenzy of chopping and marinating and pickling.

I am a lucky girl! This was worth every bit of the prep time, the multiple knives, cutting boards, bowls and cleanup. Put it on your ‘make for dinner’ list.

The Beverley Hotel

Foodie, Indulge

the company that I dance with in Toronto spends hours together in the studio… Outside our day jobs as consultants, crown attorneys, teachers, pharmacists and designers

So when it’s time to unwind, we enjoy a good social. Most recently we headed to The Beverley Hotel on Queen Street West, where the staff was friendly, the vibe was relaxed and the food was outstanding.

I had wild mushroom soup, and a perfectly sized peanut butter and chocolate mouse topped with pecan brittle. Guacamole and tortillas, great mixed drinks and house wine from Niagara were popular picks.



Cheers to dancing like EVERYONE is watching. And no one. And continuing to do the thing you love, even and especially when. Life gets busy.

Fit Girl Challenge: End of Week Three

Foodie

So, like most things, the momentum starts strong. Out of the gate we were both so psyched and motivated. The endurance is the problem. We got a little derailed when we went home to visit my parents for a weekend (wine country will do that). I also struggled when Allia was back at work and I was left to my own devices – and by devices I mean a jar of Nutella, and all the other odds and ends of delicious things that are definitely NOT on our clean eating list.

Remember, ME: get back on the band wagon and keep going. I was especially tested when I went up to a cottage for a few lazy gorgeous days at the lake (see the INDULGE tab for more on that in a few days).

But I have found that going to classes at the gym keeps me accountable. There is a group of super buff moms who seem to want to take me under their wing (they like that I’m flexible, but not as strong as they are… I think). When Tatiana asked if I’d stay for the next class, too, (like… a second hour of cardio) I admitted (trying to sound as non-judgmental as I could that I was just plainly too lazy. She replied, in a really cute, but slightly scary accent, “Suck it up, Princess!”

I guess that’s what gets you arms like sexy ropes and a butt that is half way up your back: sucking it up.

I’m re-motivated. Still on board and probably going to extend our 28 day challenge to a fifth week, just to make sure I see the full extent that a change of habits can accomplish.

Really, it’s about will power. I should be able to kick my sugar cravings. I can do this. Can I? I will try. Behold the gallery of delicious, clean eating:

Grilled chicken, roasted veggies (zucchini, carrot, potato), sun dried tomato and a dollop of hummus.

Sweet potato burrito in a corn tortilla with grilled kale, mushrooms and cheddar cheese, fresh salsa and cilantro… with a side of tempeh.

Mini pizza party: apple slices, green pepper, marinated tempeh and pizza topped with olives, spinach and artichoke hearts.

Prepping my morning egg and English muffin with avocado and tomato.

Et voila! A yummy, balanced breakfast. Pair with lots of water!

Deconstructed Nicoise Salad: tuna with yogurt dressing and green onion, fresh lettuce, boiled potato with pepper, green beans and cherry tomatoes, lightly sprinkled with citrus and balsamic.

Roasting veggies is my jam.

Pork with rosemary and parsley, roasted with cherry tomatoes. A new protein for my power bowl.

Yumm. Rosemary pork, grilled veggies and hummus.

I know that photos of food that are not styled by food stylists and photographed by professionals rarely look as tasty to an objective viewer as they do to the person who ate or made it; but I’m just a regular person with an Iphone. I promise, these dishes were so yummy that I licked the plate. Figuratively. Or maybe literally.

Sigh. How can I stray when the food is so tasty? I need a witness to keep me honest. Thank you internet.

Fit Girl Challenge: Day 7

Foodie

So, the tortilla chips won. It was too much for me. I caved and ate more than a handful; fortunately the guide prepares you for this and advises that if you get off track, the whole day isn’t a write off. Basically, you’re already doing great, so allow yourself some slip ups and congratulate yourself for being human.

The food has been delicious and we’ve overcome some serious hurdles, namely a visit to my parents’ house (in wine country), a trip to the theatre, and a baby shower. Phewf! Success. And we spent last night (by we I mean my amazing wife) getting our food ready for today, day 8, week two.

The past few days have seen no end to my enjoyment of Cherry Pie Fridge Oats. Seriously, yummm.

Cherry Fridge Oats, with fresh Ontario cherries.

The food we’ve enjoyed has had colour, variety and lots of great textures. Here is a sampling of some of the yummy lunches and dinners.

Pizza Party and Tempeh on the side. I’m LOVING this. Mini pizzas with cheese, artichoke and olive, spinach, a side of apple and green peppers.

I joined Allia at work, taking our lunch and dinner for a full day of activites: Film screening in the morning (of Mistress America – very funny and well-written). Herbal tea with a friend. (Hi, Katey!)

We went to browse the books at Indigo/Chapters. Here are some of our faves. There is a lot more time for reading when you don’t have to worry about what’s in your fridge. Now that we spend less time looking in the fridge there is more time a lot of things. wink wink.

At work, Allia got some stuff done while I read a book and drank my water. We ate our delicious lunch on the patio, located on the Much Music Roof.

Downtown Toronto, skyline from the Much Music rooftop garden.

Patio picnic.

Studio's in Bell's building - E-Talk, The Social and the Marilyn Dennis Show, Breakfast Television - they all film here.

Studios in Bell’s building (the Much Music building) – E-Talk, The Social and the Marilyn Dennis Show, Breakfast Television – all film here.

The Marilyn Dennis Set.

The empty set.

It was easy enough to travel with our pre-prepared food and to enjoy taking time to eat slowly.

We had a similar approach for the time we spent in Niagara on the Lake with my family. We treated it like a restaurant, choosing protein and grains carefully and eating lots of greens. I had one of my two servings of alcohol for the week in the afternoon, sitting by the pool. How can you come to wine country and not partake? (I can think of a few ways, but that’s not very appealing). Then I gave myself a pass and had a second glass at dinner, before we headed to the theatre to see The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Guide to the Scriptures at The Shaw Festival http://www.shawfest.com/playbill/the-intelligent-homosexual/story/ . The play, by Tony Kushner, was brilliantly acted and intense. We enjoyed tea at intermission and a stroll in the gardens.

Shaw Festival’s IHO (Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide…)

The Shaw is one of Canada’s premiere theatre companies and always has a wide variety of beautifully rendered drama.

The Shaw gardens are perfect for stretching your legs at intermission.

This week’s reward was a mani-pedi in a style/colour you don’t usually get. I did my own nails, but chose a shade from my mom’s collection. At the end of week two, we get to treat ourselves to a new workout outfit. I have my eye on Titika’s Dip Crop (which is on sale!), and one of these stylin’ workout tops or bras.

Dip Crop

Titika Workout Top

Titika Workout Bra

Titika Workout Bra – not your average sports bra.

Wish us luck!

Fit Girl Day 3: Definite Cravings and Some Sore Muscles

Foodie

I sidle by the fridge. I peek into the pantry.

I’m having a really hard time staying away from the half finished bag of chia seed tortilla chips on top of the fridge. The meal plan is satisfying, yes, but my snack habit is hard to break. I had a delicious breakfast of cherry parfait oatmeal. Definitely not tired of that, yet.

Lunch is looming, but so is my desire to eat. I can feel some soreness from yesterday’s hike and glute-focused targeted toning exercises. Drink more water. Ask if you’re hungry or… bored.

I’ve been keeping busy, going through my KonMari purging, very systematically. It happens every year once summer starts. I want to get all my projects done, and I’m super motivated, but part of me also wants to sit on my butt binge-watching Netflix. Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?

Our pizza party dinner of veggie-pizza was super yummy. Tonight, we have soft corn tortillas with grilled veggies and chicken, black beans, avocado, etc.

To busy myself I’m heading to the gym; off to sell all our old purses, or donate them; planning a clothing swap; re-hanging pictures on the walls; filling holes and touching up paint. Maybe I’ll clean all the baseboards…

Maybe I’ll take up my friend’s offer to go tubing down the Credit River. Wink. Summer is here.

Fit Girl Challenge: Day 2

Foodie

Day 1 was a breeze. We really enjoyed preparing and eating the delicious meals. Breakfast was cherry oatmeal with yogurt and chia. We had a snack. I felt satisfied and full. Lunch was a tremendously yummy roast veggie, hummus and grilled chicken.

Roasted vegetables with herbs from the garden. We prepared enough for several meals for the two of us.

Very satisfying and lots of variety in our lunchtime meal. We opted to skip the rice and used up some potatoes we had in the house. Steamed kale with garlic, roasted potato, sweet potato, zucchini, green pepper, grilled chicken and hummus.

Plate clean and hunger sated. Water in hand. I think we are on to something good!

For dinner we had avocado and sweet potato corn tortillas with mozzarella and salsa. Best tips, eat slowly. Chew. Chew. Chew. And drink lots of water.

Fit Girl Challenge: Day 1

Foodie

Fit Girl Challenge, as proposed, starts today. Key ideas: get serious, and enjoy the process.

I have drank about two liters of water (I’m ahead of the game). The cherry oatmeal and yogurt parfait with chia seeds that I had for breakfast was SERIOUSLY delicious. If things are this yummy, I think I will be happy to stay focused.

Biggest challenge that I foresee? 2 servings of alcohol … per week.

Fit Girl Challenge: A Mediterranean Vacation Inspires a Summer Overhaul

Foodie

Fresh off the plane from a week-long Greek island vacation, so many stories to tell. More on that later, though. Allia and I are embarking on a new journey, a new challenge: Fit Girl. Three months of lifestyle, diet and exercise inspiration. We are going to try it, full-tilt, and see what kind of results we get. We are inspired.

We had a beautiful time on our vacation (more on that later). But, we are two girls who don’t like to say no – to baklava, to wine, to second helpings, to walking up moonlit cobblestone streets, to streetside vendors and to jumping in the ocean. We are looking for a plan and some balance. Right now we eat great food, with excellent ingredients and great taste, but with little mind to conscious portioning and calories. I never met a gelato I didn’t like.

Ready to hit the grocery store, fridge empty since we just got back from Greece. Let’s do this!

I’ve never considered myself to be a ‘skinny’ girl. Except in my tween years, when I ate whatever I wanted and danced 14 hours a week, played sports and did theatre after school. I was overscheduled and had the metabolism of a teeny bopper. So, given that lots has changed, I’ve broadened my horizons (and the horizon of my hips is now broad enough). I know more than most about proper diet and exercise. I have all the tools to get into great shape; I’ve never really believed, however, that the body I could have and the shape I could get into would truly be worth the sacrifices I’d have to make to get there.

Apparently, we’ll look like this!

Without sacrificing pleasure and taste, we are pumped up to get into our best adult shape yet. We signed on for Fit Girl’s Guide- The Girly-Girl’s Guide to Getting Fit ( https://fitgirlsguide.com/ ). The program is a PDF you purchase and it’s recommended that you try it with a friend. Community and a goal. I love it already. Stay tuned for success (and hurdle) updates. Here is a picture of our first week’s groceries, approximately $120 (Canadian) for two people and we still need to head to the organic butcher to get some chicken.

A moderately full cart. Mostly greens and whole grains. Lots of re-usable shopping bags.

Whole wheat pita, corn tortillas, brown rice, kale, lettuce, mushrooms, tomato, green peppers, apple, strawberries, zucchini, sweet potato, olives, sundried tomato, artichoke, olives, dark chocolate, cooking spray, Greek yogurt, eggs, goat cheese, sea salt, smoked salmon (a few of our own faves)… we are ready.

We are starting with the July 6th Group Challenge:

The FIT GIRLS program includes …
* 40 all new recipes
* 400 calories and under
* Fit Girl Desserts
* Meal Planning charts
* Tips for weekly Meal Prepping and grocery lists
* Substitution lists
* Vegan, vegetarian & gluten-free options!”

Support Local. Move Your Body And Eat Well, Too.

Foodie

I started this morning started off by drinking a huge glass of water. Usually, time is of the essence, so I’m moving towards leaving the house rather than waking up my system lovingly.

Today my wife convinced me to partake of her morning routine – a 40 minute Yoga session. Right here in our living room. Usually she starts her days this way, then makes her way to work, while I caffeinate myself into my usual peppy self and go straight to a day on my feet, non-stop.

What a lovely way to wake-up. The yoga, I mean. I used to do this all the time (my summer routine). I didn’t realize how much I missed it.

Also on our summer-is-almost-here list: a visit to Cristan Farms – a local farm that has a roadside stand. They sell all the produce straight from the fields and only have what is in season. Summer is here, officially, almost-officially.

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Cristan Farms on Winston Churchill Boulevard.

I’m not one to get excited over an onion, but seriously, their white onions are worth blogging about. And it’s definitely worth getting excited about food that was grown a meter from where you buy it, and being able to put money in the hands of local farmers directly.

Happy Summer!

Body Blitz and L’Unita

Foodie, Indulge

It’s always a good time with Lindsay; now a globe-trotting sommelier, she and I have been friends since high school. We had a summer ritual of weekly visits to Body Blitz https://bodyblitzspa.com/ where, for $300, you could have an unlimited pass for the summer months to visit as often as you want. For us, this meant Wednesday spa visits to soak in the epsom salt and Dead Sea salt pools, cold plunge, eucalyptus steam room and sauna. We always followed this up with wine tasting, her day job/my pass time.

Body Blitz West Location

Yesterday we cashed in on a blog interview that I did for Body Blitz. (see article here: http://blog.bodyblitzspa.com/2014/09/in-waters-with-alison-carson.html)

As a thank you for the interview I got to try an incredibly luxurious sweet ginger + milk body glow. The treatment included a citrus-mint body wash, ginger body scrub, warm milk with sweet orange oil and almond treatment, and massage to finish, working in a warm grape seed body oil. It was an hour of heaven.

Ginger and Milk Body Scrub

After you get past the part where you realize you haven’t been ‘washed’ like this since you were a baby, and the fact that the plastic apron worn by the spa attendant is vaguely reminiscent of Dexter in body-disposal-mode, it is so amazing to be under a heat lamp having a sweet, soft-spoken angel pamper you for sixty minutes.

Dexter

Spartacus: Pampered and Luxurious, without the problematic power dynamics and violence

At one point I found myself imagining that this must be what ancient rich housewives must have felt like (without the slavery, obviously), but that if every person on Earth received this treatment we could probably solve every global conflict known to man. It was that good. I was blissed-out and elated for the rest of the day.

I joked with my wife about how delicious I smelled; “smell me!”

She told me I smelled like a white person, then smiled and said, “Vanilla.”

Day turns into night as we move on to a late dinner. We started with some bubbly, then shared an Amarone.

Huge thanks to the wonderful staff for a beautiful night of delicious flavours! L’Unita’s website: http://lunita.ca/

L’Unita at night.

We carried on our food theme as we headed to L’Unita, a decadent Italian restaurant at Avenue and Davenport (Toronto, Ontario) with beautiful ambiance and some of the best service in the city.