What Have You Done For Your Body Today?

Happy National Women’s Health & Fitness Day!

I do not normally blog about fitness because lets face it, these days everyone who lifts up a dumbbell occasionally feels the need to tweet, blog and Instagram their fitness exploits.

Honestly I try not to, it is just not me. If it keeps you in the gym and on the right track, right on! Keep it up! To each their own.

Today I celebrated National Women’s Health and Fitness Day by kicking it off with a big Canadian Protein order. It has been a long time coming and I am so excited for the Quest bars that I have treated myself to.

I woke up pretty sore and since we are being honest here I really did not want to go to the gym. Yesterday morning I worked back and biceps and then had my first ice time for hockey in well over a year so my body’s muscles were sore from all the skating.  I could have made excuses; my boyfriend stayed in bed (still sore from hockey) and I worked late last night and was on my feet until 9:30pm. But, I exercised my willpower and chugged my pre-workout and got in my car to head to the gym as quickly as possible. Sometimes as strong as our bodies are from working out our lazy minds can still win the battle to be active.

Today I pushed it. I trained legs and shoulders with intervals of intense cardio between supersets. To adjust to my soreness I cut my heavy lifts by one set and during my cardio intervals listened to my favourite gym tracks. I treated myself to half an infrared sauna session after to sweat a little more and relax with my book after my solid gym session.

Someone once told me that you will never regret getting up and going to the gym; you will regret not going. I really took that message to heart. It may sound silly buy my cookies and cream protein shake tastes better when I know I have had a successful workout.

I am now off to throw together a great reward lunch, a spicy chicken salad (you can see that below) with a FOLDit Chicken club sandwich.

Remember: Crap in, crap out! If you are expecting your body to perform physically fuel it properly! Just like at the gym you only get out what you put in!

Today marked my 28th week since I returned back to my training plan, today specifically was workout 156. 

Lay's Canada Chip Challenge 2014

Last year Lay’s Canada started an annual competition called “Do Us A Flavour”. Jenny Fines and I were pretty pumped up and tried the four chip flavours competing for the first championship title. Our (and our entire office’s) least favourite chip “Maple Moose” ended up winning the contest, before flopping in the real world potato chip market. You can check out the 2013 edition of the competition here.

“Do Us A Flavour” is back again this year as I am sure you have noticed if you frequent gas stations, pharmacies, grocery stores or well pretty much any place that sells food in Canada. This year at my Grandmother’s 72nd birthday party I thought it would be fun to throw the chips on the table and see what everyone thought of the four new flavours.

This year there is a new twist to the competition; two of the proposed new flavours are featured in different Lay’s textures (wavy and kettle cooked). Over a million flavours were suggested; here are the four that made it into production:

-Lay’s Wavy Jalapeno Mac’N’Cheese created by Randall Litman from Calgary, AB.

-Lay’s Kettle Cooked Tzatziki created by Denise Vella from Cambridge, ON

-Lay’s Cinnamon Bun created by Gloria Melanson from London, ON.

-Lay’s Bacon Poutine created by Guillaume Lorrain from Trois-Rivières, QC.

Last year everyone agreed that Maple Moose was the WORST. Maple Moose chips actually made it into the office garbage can. Clearly we were all surprised when it ended up winning the contest.

This year there is no clear worst chip. Honestly we all thought the Lay’s Cinnamon Bun bag of chips would be gross, but they actually were not that bad. They were more sweet than cinnamony and the balance between sweet and salty was not that bad. People had warned us against them, but they were not even close to being as gross as “Maple Moose”.

My favourite (because I cannot choose just one) are the “Lay’s Wavy Jalapeno Mac’N’Cheese” and the “Lay’s Kettle Cooked Tzatziki”. This may just be because I like the different textures. Honestly, I don’t think I would choose any of these chips over my go-to favourite simple ketchup chips. I think they could have done better with the flavouring for them all.

If the house votes say mean anything it will be a battle between “Lay’s Bacon Poutine” or “Lay’s Wavy Jalapeno Mac’N’Cheese”.

You can vote for your favourite in the 2014 “Do Us A Flavour” contest by clicking here. The winner will receive $50,000 and 1% of their chips sales.

Lay’s is all over Twitter and Instagram and you are able to use the following hashtags: #VoteBaconPoutine, #VoteCinnamonBun, #VoteJalapenoMacNCheese and #VoteTzatziki.

Or you can text your vote to 101010.

Voting closes October 12, 2014.

In case you are wondering, here are the finalists for the 2014 American version of the contest “Do Us A Flavor”:

Lay’s Cheddar Bacon Mac & Cheese

Lay’s Cappuccino

Lay’s Wavy Mango Salsa

Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger

Happy Moments: Idaylia's First Trip To The Element! :)

Extra special lobster tacos! 

I don’t want to start another blog trend for myself with a whole bunch of rules. I primarily started writing a blog a day about something that made me very happy lately to de-stress about moving across the country with less than two weeks’ notice and remember the little things in life that bring a smile to my face. Those happy moments often outweigh the crappy, stressful feelings and sometimes even distract me from my horrible nail beds that have been destroyed from scouring and cleaning an entire dusty old apartment. My heritage building has some dusty, messy flaws!

Today’s happy moment came when I took my lunch break and dined at the Element for Taco Tuesday. I love Taco Tuesday, without tacos Tuesday is my least favourite day of the week. Today for Taco Tuesday I got to take Miss. Idaylia Swanson from our GOAT/Juice Street Team to the Element for her first meal there! We dined on amazing lobster tacos. The food at the Element never fails to impress my taste buds, today was no different!

The Element’s Head Chef (who is absolutely amazing) Garnet Goode brought us out celebratory banana crème brûlée. It was amazing! I am a huge fan of the different spins he can put on such a classic dessert (click here to check out the Mexican Fiesta inspired edition)! Not only was it Idaylia’s first Element dining experience it was also her first taste of crème brûlée!

A big THANK YOU to Garnet and Idaylia for making one of my last meals here in the Koots special!

It is pretty early to be posting this happy moment, I’m really hoping when I get home my oven will have cleaned itself and saved me from boiling in my apartment in this 40 degree Interior BC heat. I’m not going to hold my breath on that and just be happy that I’m still so full that I will not need to cook supper! :)

Amazing banana creme brulee! 

Kootenay Festival 2014

I had an amazing time at Kootenay Festival Saturday! Unfortunately it took me a day to bounce back from all the sun and heat, but I can finally tell you all about it on this Monday afternoon!

What can I say; the Kootenays are home to amazing artists from all walks of life. Whether their craft is perfect wood oven fired pizza or creating amazing home décor woodworking, there is a place for it at Kootenay Festival!

On top of all of the physical art the stage was packed with incredible acts from the moment the festival kicked off at 10:30am (with the Scottie School of Highland Dance) to the closing act Cod Gone Wild who played until 7pm. All of the musical acts delivered and I was blown away by the dance troops that took the stage too.

One performer that really impressed me was Bobby Bovenzi; not only did he perform he instructed. His interactive drum and dance circle is not to be missed if you ever have the chance to see it and take part make sure you do! He had absolutely everyone involved cheering and chanting along with the pounding rhythm drums and noise-makers. It was a highlight of my day.

Bobby Bovenzi left the crowd in awe! 

Every festival I attend I break from my normal dietary habits and indulge like a person who has never seen food before; Kootenay Festival was no different. I had a little bit of everything. I always try to order up things that I am not skilled enough to make at home, that normally leads me to Kootenay Filipino food. Of course I had to order up their amazing pork rolls.

I added Gypsy Wagon Wood-Fired Catering to my festival menu for the first time with their incredible breakfast pizza (that is scrambled egg on the pizza). If you followed my blog while I visited La Jolla’s Open Aire Market earlier this year you know how much I love a good breakfast pizza! 

And, with the heat I HAD to hit up both JillyBean’s Ice Cream truck for a waffle cone and have a little breakfast gelato from Nelson’s Little Miss Gelato. How can you say no to bubblegum gelato? It was so hot that I sweat out all the calories throughout the day; that’s how that works right?

Good Ol' Goats

It was such a fabulous day, I spent it with the two people I am thankful for that made me smile (yes doubling up on a happy moment and event blog). Liam, for ordering a medium bag of kettle corn that was the size of a small child and Idaylia for being her always cheerful, helpful self.

I do have to just note a couple of talented musicians who took the stage during the festival that were remarkable. They guys from Roy Has Fire never fail to disappoint and rock every show they play. The Good Ol’ Goats were showstoppers and had everyone clapping, dancing and moving their feet. Last but not least Cod Gone Wild made me feel like I was back at home on the East Coast rocking out downtown Halifax at the Commons.

Cod Gone Wild!

Kootenay Festival 2014 was one for the books! To find out more about next year’s celebration click here.

One more thing, this photo snaps a moment in Castlegar’s history that is pretty cool. Castlegar’s sister city in Ebetsu, Japan sent representatives to help celebrate the 25^th Anniversary of the city’s twinning.

Happy Moments: A 5th Birthday After Pary With The LePages!

My happy moment yesterday turned out to be hours of happiness with the wonderful LePage family! I got to experience a child’s birthday for the first time, try full-on (real some would say) sushi for the first time and I even had my first cake-pop. I must admit it was amazing I loved the raw salmon and tuna and I totally get what the buzz is about with cake-pops!

Last minute as they were ordering sushi they invited me over, I was a little intimidated by going because I was still kind of gross from my workout and tan but we agreed it would be one of the last chances I would have to see them so I broke from my routine and spend the evening in their amazing company in Robson.

I am so thankful for the wonderful night, a little tired today because I stayed out way past my bedtime. I am going to miss the LePages so much; it was so special to me to be part of Audrey’s 5^th birthday after party!  We had such great chats well into the night, I can't wait to come back and see the girls all grown up and visit Dustin and Selena (hopefully in the not too distant future)!

My first taste Castlegar's Chopsticks! 

July 03, 2014- The Woman Only Eating Pet Food For 30 Days

This is crazy, gross and something I would never do. Not even a nibble!

This lady’s love for pet and human nutrition has me beat! I love animals, pets and most of all food but not enough to follow through with a crazy plan like this! After fumbling around her pet food store and starting to crave some of the pet food on her selves she started consuming it and has not stopped! She will be eating pet food for 30 days straight to raise awareness for better human and pet nutrition.

Better her than me!  

Trying Crocodile For The First Time!

Quick foodie note here:

I tried crocodile last night for the first time at the Element Club Bar and Grill in Castlegar and it was absolutely amazing. It actually reminded me a lot of chicken. I had totally overlooked it on the feature menu during Mardi Gras and I am so happy that it was brought back!

Yes, mom I had crocodile sirloin (you read that right). It is a great light dinner or appetizer option with rice and banana pepper aioli! 

My Awesome Day in Nelson featuring Kootenay Insurance Services and Fresh Tracks Cafe Express from Whitewater

I had a kick ass day in Nelson yesterday!

Yes, my humpday was a little different than a normal day. I was on-location at Kootenay Insurance Services for their first annual Community Appreciation Day. On top of all amazing presentations to Nelson's hard working first responders I got to hang out with the AWESOME staff at the Nelson branch of Kootenay Insurance Services. We have worked with Kootenay Insurance Services in the past, they are a huge supporter of community initiatives--- last fall they actually ran a contest with us where they gave a $1000 to the Kinnaird Youth Indoor Skate Park. 

Here are John and I holding the big ole' check with Kootenay Insurance Services CEO John Sullivan. 

On top of an inspiring day with with local heroes from Nelson & Beasley Fire Department, Search & Rescue, the Nelson Police and RCMP I had a killer day food wise. 

Our awesome Account Executive Dustin picked up lunch for us from the new Fresh Tracks Cafe Express from Whitewater Ski Resort. Honestly I am getting hungry again right now at 9 am writing about my amazing burger. 

I absolutely love it when a restaurant (or in this case a food-truck) can find a way to disguise or add incentive to eat foods that I would normally not eat. With burgers it is so easy to pick off things that are outside of your comfort-zone. But, even though I don't eat wheat or onions I found myself downing every last bit of my burger. 

I had the handmade pork and BBQ duck burger. I absolutely love duck, but unfortunately rarely see it featured on menus so I was ecstatic to see it on the Fresh Tracks Cafe Express menu. Worth every carb this burger features pineapple peanut slaw, sesame caramelized onions, tomato, spinach and honey miso mayo! Yes, it was cheat day for me and I will happily admit to you that before I touched my burger I ate every last fry. I don't normally eat fries, but these fries were incredible. Perfectly crisp I did not share; I kept them all for myself. 

I absolutely loved my burger; it is how I imagine summer tastes as a flavour. Like I said, I normally do pick onions off my burgers but the caramelized onions really added to the mixture with the honey miso mayo and pineapple peanut slaw. It was the perfect combination of flavours; light and balanced. I can't wait to have this again and try it with the spelt bun!

I try to hold off mentioning things I have not tried myself. Usually whenever I eat out I am with others and we all kind of share tastes of everything, but Dustin and I had the same thing so I have only gathered taste bud feedback from the handmade pork and BBQ duck burger with fries. But, everyone at our office in Nelson has been raving about the Glory Bowl from the Wild Side of the Fresh tracks menu. Featuring roasted tofu, candied almonds, spinach, grated beets and carrots on a brown rice bed with house made dressing; it has sparked my interest and may be the first meal I have had without meat ever. Yes, I can honestly tell you I cannot remember ever eating a meal without any meat! 

I did hold off ordering the Filipino Tacos because of my recent tirade of Mexican meals from Confusion Taco and the Element, I can guarantee that I will explore this dish this summer as well. 

You can check out Fresh Tracks Cafe Express from Whitewater Ski Resort in Nelson outside of the Whitewater offices on Lake Street. Tuesdays they make an appearance in my neck of the woods in Castlegar outside the Sandman Hotel and on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays they are on Baker Street in Nelson around the 200 Block.

For the full menu from Fresh Tracks Cafe Express click here. They also have a page for you to 'like' on Facebook too! 

On top of that awesome meal I got to wash it all down with Riva water--- from Nelson! A pretty cool story, my new friends from the Okinshaw Water Company were hydrating everyone who stopped by the Kootenay Insurance Services event. With bottled water straight from the mountains near Nelson it really added to my ultra-Nelson day! 

I had such a great time with the entire crew of people who made this awesome day possible. I really hope Kootenay Insurance Services puts this event on again next year! 

Confusion Taco is Back for Summer 2014

There is no need at this point in my blogging career to tell you how much I love food. I absolutely love cooking and eating the things other people have cooked for me, I hold no bias towards my own creations; my mouth welcomes all foods all the time. 

From our first trip of the season to Confusion Taco!

I do not discriminate when it comes to food. I would rather go out for a nice supper than have a night on the town and I have no qualms about eating the cheapest street food on vacation. In fact, it is my staunch belief that some of the cheapest food I have ever consumed has been better than some of the meals I have had at swanky restaurants. Fish tacos in So-Cal are a prime example of this. 

One absolute treat living in the Kootenays is the extensive list of impressive food establishments. I've told you about my love for the Element and their monthly feature menus and I have even featured the subject of today's blog on a previous blog... today we are talking Confusion Taco!

I am a BIG fan of Confusion Taco. To be honest with you I have already visited twice this month in celebration of their return to Castlegar. Jenny Fines and I have established Taco Tuesday at the office; this Taco Tuesday the highlight meal of my workweek (not like the Taco Tuesday in the Lego Movie). I actually look forward to Tuesdays now; previously Tuesdays had been my least favourite day of the week. 

Anyways, check out Confusion Taco Tuesdays and Thursdays in Castlegar on Columbia Avenue and you can check them out Wednesdays and Thursdays in Trail on Bay Avenue. They can get you a late breakfast, lunch and supper as they are open from 11am until 6pm at those stops! 

"The Great Canadian Taquito"

Let me stop you for a second before you head to check them out. I am slowly working my way through the entire Confusion Taco menu and recommend the Baja Fish taco, fish tacos are one of my favourite food items that I don't even try to make at home because they deserve perfection and someone amazing making them. I trust my fish taco experiences to both the Element and Confusion taco. I am debating my next order; it is between the Dy-No-Mite prawn tempura taco that is Jenny Fine's jam and the Maui Beef taco (beef… yum!). Decisions; decisions.

Actually, I am seriously considering cheating on the tacos with Confusion Taco's "Sloppy Jalopy”. I know you are thinking, “Kate what in God’s name is that?” Let me tell you my friend. The “Sloppy Jalopy” is one of those food items that you work your butt off at the gym to be able to eat. It is the ultimate breakfast sandwich; two buttermilk waffles with two pieces of bacon, cheddar cheese and two over easy eggs with maple mayo for just a little more Canadian flavor. Yum!

I love fusion foods, so for my first Confusion Taco of the season I chose the Bombay Chicken. It was popular; three other people in the late-lunch crowd ordered the same thing after I did. The butter chicken mixed with crispy rice, spicy cashews and mango salsa is a tasty combo. I am not normally a fan of cilantro but I did not even notice it in the cilantro slaw, it was an impressive fusion of Indian and Mexican food!  

My latest order from Confusion Taco was the Great Canadian Taquito--- pulled pork in a fried crispy tortilla wrapped in bacon with chipotle salsa. It was the perfect take on a Canadian Taquito, and it was filling! It was the perfect size for my hungry self; it was a nice median meal between the small 7 inch tacos and the large 12 inch tacos. 

Dy-No-Mite prawn tempura taco

I think this week I may have to branch out into the tasty world of Confusion Taco sides, I'm thinking the super creamy Mac & Cheese or kettle chips will have to be an addition to this week's Taco Tuesday! 

For the full Confusion Taco menu click here.

Check them out on Facebook as well :)

And to revisit my first Confusion Taco experience from last summer click here!

June 2014 Update:
I can now recommend the pulled pork taco and Dy-No-Mite prawn tempura taco too! The pulled pork taco is perfectly crisp with the amazing crispy onions and the Dy-No-Mite prawn tempura taco (pictured above) mixes the most amazing flavours together impressively. 

The amazing pulled pork taco! 

Mexican Fiesta All May at the Element!

If you have read this blog you have noticed that I am a massive fan of food. I hate the foodie label, but it is pretty appropriate. I have been off the restaurant blogs lately because there has been so much going on lately, but I could not resist a trip the Element for Mexican Fiesta. All May the Element is celebrating one of the most fun ethnic cuisine's with an entire menu of Mexican treats.

The fish tacos are my go to on the Element's standard menu so I branched out and was a little more adventurous and had the handmade braised pork corn tamales. I had never had tamales before and this was the perfect first occasion. Two salsas topped the tamales, one red (roja) and the other was my favourite... salsa verde . So good! If you are wondering what the tamales are photo’d sitting in that is a steamed corn husk. The team at the Element really does pay attention to detail and go out of the way to make every meal an experience.

The legendary fish tacos

My friend had the fish tacos by my recommendation and was not disappointed. As I have said before on the blog, the Element's fish tacos rival the best fish tacos I have had in Southern California. Try the lobster option too, they are my absolute favourite! Every Tuesday I have to fight the urge to go to Taco Tuesday--- they are just $2.99 on Tuesdays!

Make it a Mexican date night with the fajita for two special and have it all served up in front of you hot and ready for you to customize yourself! Take your pick steak between certified angus steak, chicken or jumbo black tiger prawns and get ready to fight over the last fajita with whoever you are sharing with!

After we sipped our afternoon mojitos that were on special and then topped it all off with two amazing desserts including the feature Mexican crème brûlée with tequila and lime. It was divine; you have got to feed your sweet tooth if you are visiting the Element for the May-long Mexican Fiesta.

My amazing crème brûlée! 

I am excited to take Jenny Fines for her birthday girl date to the Element to try the feature Mexican drink the "Spicy Jalisco Heat" made with reposado tequila, lime, muddled cucumber and jalapeños! I tried a Caesar for the first time on my birthday at the Element so I think I will continue down the spicy path for her birthday! Maybe we will skip lunch and go for supper for the more appropriate tequila taster plank to drink that is right up our alley and sounds like a fun decision.

I can’t wait to go back and be faced with the dilemma of what to order from the Mexican May menu again! I’m already thinking about the Cabo Mussels from PEI with coconut milk, tequila, lime and garlic toast. Maybe some Mexican bacon chips and dip too!

Check it out this weekend and get a seat on the patio, it is the perfect way to celebrate May long weekend! Make your reservation now by visiting www.clubelement.ca! 

To check out our last trip to the Element for Lobsterfest click here.