Category — Random thoughts

This past week was a bit of a whirlwind. Lots to do at home and at work. I’m hoping that this week goes by just as fast because I can’t wait to get to the long weekend part! Don’t you just love long weekends?

Since I have been extremely relaxed with my blogging over the past week (a.k.a. not posting!) I thought it may just be easier to do a few of my week’s loves and hates.

The “loves”:

• Making it through a tough 10km tempo run. I may not have loved this run while actually running it, but I was mighty proud that I made it through.
• Going to a boot camp class with a colleague. It was a fun way to pass an hour and to also incorporate some form of strength training into my life again!
• Checking out two Toronto restaurants which were participating in Summerlicious
• Making this smoked salmon concoction with wild rice:

• Getting to eat some delicious corn:

The “hates”:

• The two blisters on the sides of my big toes -I was a bit lazy with replacing my running shoes this time round and now am having an ongoing battle with blisters Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make blisters heal faster?
• Not having a favourite Pilates teacher around anymore – I have taken a membership at a studio which I love. Part of the reason I love it though was because of a certain teacher. Now she’s gone and I have lost some motivation to sign-up for classes there. Sigh. Sometimes I hate change.
• The fact that summer is coming to close in a month. Why does summer ever have to end?

Gwyneth Paltrow is definitely not helping my current cookbook addiction – I’m tempted to buy one cookbook a week. Must stop.

In this week’s GOOP she lists her must-have cookbooks for the summer and I want them all. A few of the ones she mentioned were already on my radar – Sophie Dahl’s Voluptuous Delights and Michael Pollan’s Food Rules (not really a cookbook, but kind of counts!).

One of my favourite places in Toronto to buy cookbooks and anything kitchen-related is Good Egg in Kensington Market.

“Good egg is a shop dedicated to those that like to eat.”

It’s a smallish shop, but it is packed with a lot of great books. Great selection and especially good for specific cuisines.

Definitely go check it out if you haven’t already. It is the perfect place to pick up a gift for the foodies in your life.

Like many other Torontonians I am leaving town for the weekend. Off to a place where one can walk free, not be disturbed by protests and not encounter 1000s of police/security fences.

One of things that I’m looking forward to do is learning more about this baby!

Apparently this lens is great for portraits and food photography! Can’t wait to try it out!

Happy weekend everyone! I’ll see you Monday.

Throughout the winter months I have started my weekends off with a midday Pilates class, but now that the weather is nicer I thought it may be fun to mix things up a bit. So, this morning B and I headed off for a lengthy stroll through the neighbourhood. I really love the area that I live in. While it may not be the most original/culturally exciting neighbourhood of Toronto I think that it is has a lot to offer. For me, everything that I need is within walking distance of my home.

My favourite place to buy tea.

Tons of great places to buy healthy and nutritious foods.

And the best bit? I am within walking distance of some beautiful trails and parks.

This week’s excitement?

I only have a few more days to go until I receive my first CSA share of the summer. I am so excited to see what I get – I saw Oh She Glows post about what she got in her first share and it look good! I have all these great cooking plans for the summer! Hopefully, this will pan out. While I do love my fresh produce I do have a habit of forgetting what I have in the fridge…I end up having to throw things out as I didn’t manage to incorporate them into a meal before they rotted

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things here. Thankfully this weekend’s warmer weather has inspired me to get out and do some things! This weekend’s theme seemed to be local food.

Fo the past three years I have attempted to go to the Evergreen Brickworks Farmers’ Market, but for some reason I always seem to go to the Brickworks area when the market isn’t open. Yesterday morning I finally made it! Was a great way to spend a sunny Saturday morning and pick up a few key ingredients for this week’s meals.

Some hot mango pepper sauce – perfect for drizzling over my salads:

Some Tatsoi Greens for a stir-fry. The lady selling these assured me they would be a great fit!

After the market I headed over to Culinarium to pick up some fish. I really enjoy the white fish they have. Reasonably priced, easy to cook and delicious.

Saturday evening headed over to Splendido to celebrate a friend’s birthday. The food was delicious. I had the Steel Head Trout and it was melt in your mouth good. I wish I could have taken some photos as the presentation was so beautiful. I will just have to go back! I highly recommend this restaurant for a special occasion – already thinking this is where B should take me for Valentine’s!

Sunday mornings are usually spent running, but because of the heat today I’m postponing my run til later this evening when it is a bit cooler. I also wanted to (finally!) unpack and do some the remainder of my trip’s laundry. Not something I enjoy!

Finally, to top off my food themed weekend I have gone out and bought a tomato plant and herbs to grow on my balcony. I have decided that even though I live in an urban dwelling I should still try my hand at some gardening! Will also be nice to add some fresh herbs to my meals!

I hope all your weekends are going well!