Saturday, 11 February 2012

Alice : Dancing under the Gallows

Hey friends, lovers and live-ers.

Sorry about the lack of posts, I've been busy and I keep forgetting my camera!

I came across this beautiful, interesting and special video and wanted to share, well worth the 12 mins.  Alice, the longest standing holocaust survivor, she's now 106!

'everyday in life is beautiful'


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMfxU3fCobw&feature=related



Live your bliss

Saturday, 14 January 2012

GUU Garden : Vancouver, Canada

Sooo soo impressed.  So impressed.   Talk about thoughtful,  The dishes that came out were presented well, looked great and most importantly tasted divine.  GUU is part of the izakaya group and they do Japanese tapas, each restaurant has a different theme.  I believe there are 5 in Vancouver and they just recently opened 2 in Toronto.

The restaurant is located on the top floor of Nelson square ( Nelson and Hornby ) they have a huge balcony which they set up tables in the summer.  The waitress ( who was straight from Japan ) seated us in the back corner beside the window,  next to us outside was a very cute Japanese garden, what a view!  It really was a superb place to sit,  relax, catch up and eat like kings!

GUU garden I highly reccomend for anyone who is in Vancouver or coming for a visit. There are some weird things on the menu but dont shy away,  let your senses guide you because everything we tried on the menu tasted AMAZING!!!! I'll definitely be going back.

Here's a little photo trip through our meal, enjoy!!!!


Started off with Edemame, served warm with sea salt.



Then came the Agadashi MOZZARELLA!


Pan-friend beef udon with mushrooms, green onions and garlic served with seaweed and sesame.





Tuna tataki,  lightly seared tuna topped with green onions and garlic chips served w/ ponzu sauce




Chicken breast, cucumber and JELLY FISH served with sesame sauce.




Ginger pork and onions, cabbage and mayo


Sockeye salmon sushi with Cajun OSHI OSHI, yum!



Live your bliss.

Sunday, 8 January 2012

Cheese please! : Montreal, Quebec

I just returned from beautiful but COLD Quebec, it was a fantastic trip.  All we did was hang out in my good friend Pierre's country house, light fires, read, watch movies, take naps and most importantly EAT!

I had so much good cheese in and from Quebec that I wanted to write a little blog about them for all you cheese lovers.

The first 2 cheeses are both softer brie like cheese.  The price is right and the taste will knock you off your feet.  Fantastic with grapes or pears!!!




The next is Oka,  I believe its made by monks just outside of Montreal.  Its been around since 1893, I mean c'mon if something lasts more then a 100 years, they must be doing something right.
This cheese is a harder cheese and I'd compare it to a cheddar mixed with swiss!



The last cheese I have for ya is what they call "squeaky" cheese.  It's the cheese curds they use to make poutine ( poutine is a traditional Quebecois dish that is basically fries, curds and gravy, YUM! )  however the name comes from the fact that when you eat it on its own it actually squeaks on your teeth and almost feels like its cleaning your teeth.  My friend Pierre and I always used to get it when we were grocery shopping....and eat it as we do our shop :-) great snack!



I learnt a little trick about storing cheese this past week....... this is good only if you know you will eat the cheese within 4-5 days a week tops, but then its up to opinion as some people love old stinky cheese!
Get a cheese holder with a lid, almost like a butter holder and you leave the cheese out at room temperature.  It completely changes the experience from eating it from the fridge.  Try it!







much love and happy new year!

Live your bliss

Monday, 26 December 2011

YEW : Brunch, Vancouver B.C

YEW yes you need to eat brunch at YEW @ The Four seasons.  I'd been trying to get reservations for weeks but since a few months earlier they did a YEW groupon, it was always busy.  Christmas eve day my friend Paul and I decided to take a chance and go with no reservation and we had zero problem getting it. Although we didn't eat in the dinner room they have a beautiful, stunning lounge.  They seated us directly in front of the fire place, put 2 tables together and we both had the best view in the house. Thank you universe!!!

The food was amazing.....Once ordered, they surprisingly come out with a plate of mini donuts and a sweet fruit sauce, WOW.  To be honest that's the reason I was drawn to this place because I had seen a photo of them a few months before.  I ordered 2 oysters which came with all the fixings, Paul ordered and Bellini that looked delicious.  Our first plate came out, we both ordered the same thing : Pancakes, topped with Lemon ricotta cream with a raspberries/cranberries & a chocolate marscapone, YUM.  After happily eating the first dish, we paused, chilled out before the main course.  Again we both ordered YEW eggs Bene and it was a delicious choice.  Perfect hollandaise sauce as any Bene lover know can make or break the entire breakfast.  Perfectly cooked egg, roasted tomato, manchego cheese and serrano ham and a nicely toasted English muffin.
It was paired with roasted potatoes. We decided to order some bacon on the side which is AMAMAMAZING!!! Thick cut, cooking in maple syrup...and also bratwurst that came with some house-made mustard.

The price was no cheap, but also not crazy expensive.  Definitely a special occasion or a great date spot and i'll definitely be going back.  Enjoy the photos and happy holidays everyoneee!




 Live your bliss

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Sparkling Hill Resort - Kelowna B.C Canada

Everything about this place is amazing. From the drive up to the resort, the hills are rolling, and have cows strategically placed for your viewing pleasure.  As you roll up to the entrance, its shaped like a diamond and the lobby is stunning with Swarovski crystals dripping from the ceiling.  I love this place.  Not only do they have one of the best spa's I have ever been too, its literally 15 mins from my parents place. SCORE!

I have been many times and experience a lot of the treatments that they have to offer from FANGO which is a back mud bath, massages and facials.  I think the most special treatment they have at Sparkling hills is the COLD sauna @ -110C.  I did it a year ago around this time and I was so impressed with the results that I decided It was time to do it again.  Last year I did 13 sessions, this year I did 10 the price for 10 session is 333 tax incl.  Basically, the treatment only lasts 3 mins, you go in just wearing your underwear or bathing suit, walk around in a circle for 3 mins with a trained therapist and then you come out feeling AMAZING! Literally its the greatest feeling.  you know the feeling of having a brain freeze, and then the moment it goes away....something like that.  You entire body feels refreshed, perked up....boosted to the point you feel you could do anything.  Benefits to your health include, a kick start to your energy levels, fantastic for circulation.  Its great for people suffering from arthritis, work wonders for the skin, can boost your immune response, ease chronic pain, heal nerve damage, and even improve sporting performance. Helps with recovery of muscles....the list goes on and on.  If you ever have a chance to do it, DO IT!!! you might not like me anymore but the benefits with overcome. :-)


The Spa itself has many things to keep you busy, an amazing infinity pool over look such awesome views of the lake and the mountains.  A great hot tub and a indoor saltwater pool that they play music on under the water.  A gym with excellent equipment and a sauna area with 10 different saunas!!!!! 


I wouldn't recommend this place unless it was truly amazing.....so check it out if you can!  






Live your bliss.

Sunday, 20 November 2011

Introduction!

Born to a flight attendant mother, and a tour guide father,  naturally my passion for adventure is genetic.  I've lived all over British Columbia, Canada and also lived 5 years in Montreal, Canada.  One year in Asia ( Taiwan/Thailand ) and three years in Europe ( Hamburg, Germany, Barcelona, Spain ).  I've always loved to travel and explore new places, foods, people and experience.  I feel very fortunate with the cards I have been dealt, having a flight attendant mother has many benefits I've taken advantage of.  I took my first trip on my own at age 14 to NYC and was hooked, from there it quickly unfolded.  At 22 living in Montreal I was scouted to model, this only enhanced my travel abilities.  I can honestly say that I am living the life of my dreams, which is extremely exciting because I'm constantly creating more!

I have passion for thoughtful food+flavor, sport ( all boarding sports, fitness/gym ), music, dancing, photography and people.   I'm trained in Shiatsu massage, and an integral part of me is interested in self-exploration, health, healing and spirituality.

With this blog I hope to share with you worth while places, eats and ideas from around the world, that I feel should not be missed.


Many people have told me before I should be writing a blog, or a book.  The time is now....


Live your bliss!