Tag Archives: ottawa

Goat Cheese Guacamole

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Photos from Le Nordik

We spent the night rotating through the different pools, saunas and steam baths — venturing a couple times into the colder baths and under the frigid waterfall. We even got to experience the Aufguss ritual; which I almost giggled through since our “Sauna Meister” was working in time with some dramatic music, but it was definitely refreshing and relaxing.  While I wish I could incorporate a visit to le Nordik into my life regularly, that probably won’t be happening on my student budget (someday, someday!).

With that student budget in mind, we didn’t eat anything at the yummy looking spa restaurant so I was getting hungry by the time I was home.  A Facebook friend had posted this really tasty sounding snack (thanks, Robin!)  earlier in the day, and there happened to be ripe avocados at home — fate!
My love for avocados seems to be pretty well documented on this blog — there are now four avocado focussed recipes posted, out of 61 total.  That means that just over 6% of all my posted recipes star avocados. I guess it doesn’t really mean anything exciting statistically, but I do love avocado.
Goat Cheese Guacamole

A Vegetarian’s Nightmare: Ribs Fest

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With the city experiencing a bit of a heat wave this week, the official arrival of summer would be hard to miss, but you know summer has really arrived in Ottawa when Ribs Fest comes to town. 15 vendors from the United States and Canada take over five blocks in the pedestrian mall downtown to compete in the cook off with prizes for the best ribs, best chicken, and best sauces. They’ll be serving up smokey barbecue goodness from 11am-10pm until Sunday, so if you’re in Ottawa make sure you get a taste of the city’s meatiest festival.

With my office being right beside the smorgasbord it’s impossible to miss the line of barbecues and grills heating up Sparks Street…I can smell it all day! A few girlfriends and I met for pulled pork sandwiches and drinks on shady patio for lunch; a pretty great way to enjoy the first official day of summer.The only downside to enjoying pulled pork and beer at lunch? There’s no time for napping at work…fooooooood coma.
I had to tip….

Ribs and cornbread for dinner. A balanced meal…

 

Sprummer Simplicity –Strawberry Spinach Salad

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Is it crazy that I already feel the summer flying by? Between a summer job and trying to have as much fun as possible, I’m finding (as usual!) that there just aren’t enough hours in the day.  I just want to gallivant around town, read through the stack of novels that gets totally neglected during the school year, and play in the kitchen… meanwhile, my parents are quite concerned about my messy room (this may be a con to living at home when you’re twenty, but I love my parents.).

Ottawa has been getting some glorious weather lately, and to take advantage of this beautiful, fleeting sprummer (calendar says spring, feels like summer = sprummer. I didn’t invent this word, but I love it!) I’m a big fan of throwing together easy, fresh salads with seasonal produce.

A beautiful hike along the Luskville Falls trail in Gatineau Park. (Next time you’re making a smoothie, throw a little fresh mint in. It’s so refreshing!)

With the farmers markets that are popping up around the city, fresh produce is one of the best ways to celebrate the season.  The Locavore Artisan Food Fair that I talked about a couple weeks ago was a big hit!

Donuts from Suzy Q(spicy chocolate, raspberry white chocolate, and lemon meringue…so good!); people lined up for delicious takeaway from the Stone Soup Foodworks truck; the Flatbread Pizza Company’s exciting Locavore-day menu.

Another great thing about the sunny weather? Sunny weddings! Congrats, Josh & Maria! xo

With The Great Glebe Garage Sale, a potluck dinner, karaoke, more tennis, and sunshine on the horizon it looks like this weekend is shaping up to be another fun one. I’m such a lucky gal. Maybe I’ll even get to cleaning that messy room…
What are you up to this weekend?? Have fun!
Spinach and Strawberry Salad

Home Sweet Home

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I’m baaaack. Arrived home just in time to start back at my summer job — a two day work week, so very strenuous!

Ireland was great. Learned so much more about the country’s history and we also learned that my mum’s Irish last name derives from the Gaelic for “half leper” or “of the sick”…how lovely!
I can’t imagine that I would ever sign myself up to hike for more than a day (two max!), so I guess I’ve got to thank my Dad for throwing me out on to the trail! I was worried we wouldn’t be left with enough time in Dublin, but we managed to pack a lot in. What a cool city. We had a small window of opportunity when our whole family could travel together, so I’m really glad we had this trip. I’m a lucky gal!

Molly Malone: “The Tart With The Cart” on Grafton Street in Dublin

Now that I’m home I’m really looking forward to catching up with friends this weekend, some tennis in the sun, and celebrating my wonderful mum! Also pretty excited for the spring edition of the Ottawa Locavore Artisan Food Fair.  If you live in Ottawa you have to check this out! I went to their last one around Christmas time and it was great! I’m sure this one will only be more popular.  Stone Soup Foodworks, who I’ve raved about before, will be there as well as many, many other celebrated artisans. What a great first weekend back in  town, hope yours is too!

JUNO Awards 2012

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Canada rocks. (Terrible pun, but seriously!) This weekend the Juno Awards were in Ottawa (for those of you who don’t know, it’s our version of the Grammy’s…but a tad smaller) and it was awesome. There was music all over the city: baby grand pianos were scattered around town, concerts on downtown corners, almost every bar, pub and club had awesome live acts all weekend long, and then the big awards show on Sunday night.

Deadmau5 at the Juno Awards

My friend and I volunteered as “seat fillers” for the Junos, which meant we got to see the awards show for free — awesome! We were told we’d be sitting in areas that were going to be on TV during the live broadcast and that meant we might not get a great view of the stage…well they ended up putting us on the floor RIGHT beside the presenters’ stage, it was pretty cool! (Only downside, had we known we would be standing for such a long time, we wouldn’t have worn our killer heels!)

William Shatner, a Canadian also known as Captain Kirk, hosted the awards on Sunday night

William Shatner, a Canadian also known as Captain Kirk, hosted the awards on Sunday night

The bands got started on Friday night at Mavericks at 9 and didn't stop til the wee hours of the morning....so good.

After seeing more bands than I can actually remember in one weekend, and artists like Feist, Dallas Green, Hey Rosetta!, Blue Rodeo, Sarah McLachlan, Deadmau5, Lights, Dragonette, Oh Susanna, Jenn Grant, The Beauties, Simple Plan, The Good Lovelies and more, we were happy campers!

There's a little something for everyone at the Junos!

So I’ve been on a Canadiana music kick for a bit now — there really is an enormous amount of talent and it was amazing to see so much of it in town! Who are your favourites?

Hope April is off to a great start for everyone!

To Faith And Fish: Salmon Fishing In The Yemen

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I can’t think of another movie that so seamlessly connects fishing, politics, humour, romance and a little bit of environmentalism for good measure. Not to mention fabulous acting, sharp dialogue and a wonderfully quirky story…I was hooked on this lovely British film as soon as it started. A seemingly outrageous vision of a wealthy sheikh (Amr Waked) to bring the sport of fly-fishing to the Yemeni desert starts a project that brings together some unlikely people.  Ewan McGregor stars as Dr. Jones, the fisheries expert who is roped into the project by consultant Harriet (Emily Blunt) when the Prime Minister’s overzealous press secretary (the hilariously wry Kristin Scott Thomas) latches onto the project as a “feel good” story about Anglo-Arab relations.  Though there are a few dark moments in the film that seem somewhat underdeveloped, ultimately this is an optimistic movie that will leave you smiling  – and maybe even believing in the power of faith and fish.

We didn’t have salmon for our post-movie dinner, but the authentic Ethiopian cuisine at The Horn of Africa did not disappoint.  The place was hopping on a Saturday night and it was a fun place for a relaxed, inexpensive dinner.  Definitely worth trying if you’re in the mood for something a little different in downtown Ottawa.

Avocado Salad & A Serious Case of Spring Fever

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While talking about the weather can get old pretty fast and is usually relegated to small talk, Ottawa is buzzing about this glorious weather. It’s officially the first day of spring but it feels like midsummer here.  What big piles of snow were left are melting fast and except for the leafless trees, all signs of winter seem to have disappeared.  This early summer seems a little weird but no one’s complaining! I got on my bike for the first time this year and went to my yoga class with sandals on yesterday, it felt amazing. The tennis courts are open, people are talking about heading to the beach…it sure doesn’t feel like March!
I needed a sunny lunch to go with my sunny day, and was inspired (on Pinterest, where else?) by this fresh take on an avocado salad.

I didn’t have all their ingredients on hand, but I tossed mine together with a simple vinaigrette of red wine vinegar, olive oil, garlic and threw some chopped Kalamata olives on top…bright, fresh and super tasty.

I’m typing outside in the sun, but I think I’d better get to the library if I’m going to get any work done… this beautiful weather isn’t conducive to school work!
Hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

Cruising Through Winterlude

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I’m hoping a mojito or two and some sunshine get rid of this cold I have because my twin and I are off to the Caribbean for a week!

Rockin' the snorkel gear. Happy Spring Break!

I’m not the type who wishes to escape from winter weather…I personally love Ottawa winters, but it hasn’t been very cold this year. Winterlude, the annual festival of winter sports, culture, traditions and art in Ottawa is suffering from some rising temperatures this week — hopefully it will be able to get through this last weekend of February without totally melting. If you’re in Ottawa and the weather co-operates, check it out!

Fireworks at Winterlude's Opening Ceremonies

Maple taffy. Sugary goodness.

 

Ice sculptors at work

 

A sunny sunny day on the Rideau Canal, a world UNESCO site and the largest outdoor skating rink!

 

 

Weekend Wind Down

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Time flies when you’re having fun. It also flies when you are studying (and suddenly there’s never time to study enough!). I miss when weekends were more than just a prime time to get caught up on school work…I’m still working on finding that perfect balance between work and play…

Managed to drag myself out of bed earrrrly this morning to catch the last three sets of the epic men’s final at the Aussie Open — Dunlop was interested in the tennis ball, too!

Ottawa got all keyed up for the NHL All Star weekend in town. The ice sculptures for each team were lit up beautifully at night in Confederation Park.

Homemade pizza for family dinner

My lovely friend Christelle hosted a fun afternoon of card making; now I'm looking forward to sending out some snail mail!

Bright daisies for a sunny windowsill.

Hope the last weekend of January treated you well!

Jazz and Tapas

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The Bytowne Theatre lights up a cold night.

After hearing so much about the darling film of Cannes, The Artist, I finally saw it last week…twice. I enjoyed it so much that after seeing it with a couple of girlfriends I got my parents and grandmother out to the theatre as well. I may or may not have tap danced out the theatre (I totally did).What can I say, it’s a crowd pleaser!

The charming leads in the silent film "The Artist".

My parents took me out for post-movie drinks and a bite to eat (I love my parents!). So on that cold, snowy night we warmed up with some tapas at “Trio” a tiny, but great, place in Westboro. The food was inventive and delicious and there was good music to boot.

Chili Lime Toasted Peanuts at Trio

Make your own tapas!