Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Food

Kids in the Kitchen: Make this Easter EGGcellent!

By Leave a Comment

Friends, read on for two simple ways to get the kids involved with Easter prep!
There comes a point in most children’s lives where they sincerely want to help out in the kitchen. (And let’s be honest: mini chefs are the best.) Whether it’s baking with mom or helping dad prepare breakfast in bed, the enthusiasm with which kids stretch their culinary expertise is downright precious.

So, what better time to let them shine than holidays? Involving kids in special occasion meal prep not only facilitates family bonding and expands picky palettes, it helps children hone a necessary life skill – cooking. …

Read More

Conquer “Fright Night” with Janes

By Leave a Comment

Before I became a parent, I often scoffed when the term “Fright Night” was used to describe a busy weeknight. I mean, get it together! How crazy could a random Tuesday or Wednesday evening actually be?

Friends, I humbly beg for forgiveness, for I have seen the light.

Our family’s dynamic has changed through the years. Whereas we used to enjoy casual, unhurried dinners (actually eaten at the dinner table), today our demanding jobs and activities pull us in different directions. My husband is in sales, so he’s often on the road or working late. My job has no set hours; I could be working at 5:30AM or 11:00PM, depending on the day. Ryder has karate twice a week, Reid has coding twice a week, and they both have skiing and skating once a week. And yet somehow, the expectation is that I’ll produce a delicious, healthy meal that the entire family will love.

So, what if I told you that I’ve found quick and delicious, fully cooked and, most importantly, KID FRIENDLY foods that are ready when I am?

Let me reintroduce you to Janes. …

Read More

This Holiday Season, Give a Priceless Experience

By 1 Comment

“Experiences, Not Things.” The saying was etched in sparkly red letters on a plush white throw pillow, carefully positioned on an elegant chair in a store window. I recall stopping in front of the small store, staring at the pillow while pondering the words before me.

Experiences, not things.

The moment was particularly poignant because just hours before, I had engaged in a discussion with my girlfriend about how travel is the perfect gift. You see,  it’s actually three gifts in one:

1) The gift of anticipation. Planning a trip with friends and family fosters closeness and offers a continuous build in excitement! From the moment you start thinking about booking a trip to the last-minute discussions about wardrobe, you’re on a happy high anticipating your great adventure.

2) The gift of experience. These include the sights you see, the foods you eat, and of course, the laughs you share with loved ones. Often, experiences also involve discovering a new country, culture or customs, which make them all the more enriching!

3) The gift of memories. Going through your camera roll; sharing an inside joke with a friend (“what happens in…”) or finding a ticket stub in your jacket pocket. You relive the moment all over again, hanging on to the good times until you start the cycle all over again.

This is why we choose experiences over things.

Of course, there are experiences, and then there are Priceless Experiences. Whether you’re booked to travel abroad or prefer to stay closer to home, Priceless Cities is available exclusively to Mastercard cardholders and provides access to unforgettable experiences around the world.
The best part is, there’s something for everyone! Enjoy a glass of prosecco and a behind-the-scenes kitchen tour at the hottest restaurant near you or play golf with a PGA pro while staying at a world-renowned resort and spa. You can even skip the line at a popular theatre show or take a hands-on donut workshop! …

Read More

Three Simple Ways to Pack in Protein at Thanksgiving

By Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving is the holiday that seems to sneak up on all of us. Barely after summer has ended and the kids are back in school, the influx of Pumpkin Spice EVERYTHING reminds us that the feast of Thanksgiving is right around the corner.
I’ve been focused on making healthier dietary choices, and I’d like to continue this pattern of “better for me” eating even during the holidays. Specifically, I’ve worked hard to reduce the amount of sugar and refined carbs that previously dominated my diet. Instead, I’ve been loading up on protein-rich foods that keep me fulfilled, satiated and not craving a cookie before bedtime. …

Read More

LG Kitchen Memory Rescue: My Mom’s Carrot Cake

By 5 Comments

To fully appreciate the depth of my excitement over my recent LG Kitchen Memory Rescue experience, I’ll have to share the following background information:

1. Growing up, my mom wasn’t the traditional “pleasantville”-type nurturer. She cooked, yes, and she kept a wonderful home, but baking was not her strength. For the first 20-some years of my life, she only baked one particular cake – semolina-based with raisins. (I disliked it.) Later, in the early 2000s, she expanded her repertoire to include a carrot cake and banana bread.

The good news? I really, really love carrot cake.

2. You know who else loves carrot cake? My childhood best friend, Victoria. In fact, in our early 20s, while everyone else was ordering slices of chocolate truffle and caramel crunch cakes, we were the “uncool” girls enjoying a slice of densely spiced, heavily frosted carrot cake. The combination of earthy carrots, crunchy walnuts and sweetened cream cheese was too irresistible to pass up. In fact, I went on to select carrot cake as my wedding cake and Victoria as my maid of honour.
3. At some point in my mid-twenties, inspired by Chef Anna Olson’s hit television show, “Sugar,” I decided to supplement my Bachelor of Commerce with a Pastry Arts Diploma. I know, polar opposites! But I was lacking motivation in my 9-5 job and decided that pursuing outside interests would be a great way to reinstate passion in my life. When I read in a local newspaper that Anna had opened an artisanal boutique in St. Catharines, Ontario, I was one of the first to visit her in-store and purchase a signed copy of her newest cookbook. …

Read More

This Christmas, Save on Energy!

By 3 Comments

There’s no doubt about it: the most wonderful time of year is usually the most expensive, too.

I originally started this blog post by listing all of my usual holiday expenses, but quickly abandoned the effort when I realized the list would be longer than my children’s combined holiday wish lists (and, trust me, they go on forever). However, while brainstorming some of the things I inevitably spend money on, I realized there are so many items I don’t normally budget for at the start of the season, like gift bags, impulse décor purchases, matching holiday pjs, etc. It made me all the more motivated to save money where I can, and that includes reducing my energy bill!

There are simply ways to save on energy costs over the holidays; you may already be employing some of the techniques without even realizing! Here are my top four tips for using less energy:

1. Switch to LED Christmas lights. LED Christmas lights use up to 90% less electricity than regular Christmas lights, and they usually retail for less than $10 a strand. There’s no better win-win!

2. Use the smallest appliance to get the job done. No need to use the main oven when a toaster oven or microwave will do – especially for cooking appetizers or reheating dishes.

3. Look for ENERGY STAR certified appliances and electronics. They use up to 60% less electricity than their non-certified counterparts, and during the busy holiday season, this can amount to significant savings!

4. Consider using no-bake recipes or baking in batches. Holiday baking is a tradition in most families, but there are smarter strategies, such as being mindful of off-peak hours or inviting your friends over for a Christmas cookie exchange.

I’ve been experimenting with no-bake treats this holiday season and am happy to share this simple recipe for Candy Cane Fudge!
It’s a little ambitious to call this a “recipe” because it only includes six ingredients and can be assembled in a jiffy. In fact, the first time I made this fudge, it was with my girlfriend relaying instructions to me over the phone! Yes, it’s that simple! …

Read More

Breville the Bambino Plus: We Be Frothin’

By 6 Comments

Confession: I called my husband and asked him if this title was “funny and cool”.
Further confession: His opinion matters, because he’s my personal barista.

I’m not sure when it happened, but it did: at some point in our relationship, I stopped making coffee. Morning after morning, it just became tradition for my husband to bring me a steaming, aromatic mug of much-needed caffeine. In fact, I became so accustomed to the arrangement that in the rare circumstance I was saddled with the task, I became flustered with even the most basic machines.

The good news? My husband is happy to accept the responsibility, so my life – in terms of my coffee consumption, especially- is actually perfect.

Of course, since he’s spent years honing and perfecting his craft, my husband loves to test out any and all of the coffee makers, espresso machines, and everything coffee-related in between, that he can get his hands on.
Therefore, when the Breville the Bambino Plus arrived at our door for review (and to give away! Read on for the link), I could tell that my husband had ascended to java nirvana. …

Read More

Precision Makes Perfect: the Breville Sous Chef 16 Peel & Dice

By 241 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Fast. Versatile. Precise. Exactly how I like my food prep – and exactly how I like the small appliances handling my food prep to perform. Because I am usually time-starved, often caught in a rut, always cooking in batches and mostly dying to get out of the kitchen. What I really need is a sous chef, or something that perfectly – no, precisely – mimics one.

Introducing the Breville Sous Chef 16 Peel & Dice.
The Breville Sous Chef 16 Peel & Dice is one of the most revolutionary machines I’ve ever had the pleasure of reviewing. It peels, dices, slices, mixes and chops in half the time of doing it by hand – and without any of the hassle. Its extra wide chute is designed for every shape of food, so you no longer need to chop your ingredients into smaller pieces before letting the appliance do the work. (I’ve always felt that pre-cutting foods completely defeats the purpose of using a food processor – wouldn’t you agree?) Aside from saving time and speeding up your meal preparation, the machine’s precise cut leads to even and consistent cooking and perfect textures. …

Read More

This Thanksgiving, Save Time AND Energy!

By 24 Comments

A few days ago, I came across a hilarious tweet in a list of “Dad Memes”. (Why I was looking at Dad Memes, I cannot fathom. The internet is a strange place!)

Anyways, giggling with glee, I showed it to my husband:
“My God!” my husband exclaimed, laughing. “You’ve turned into your dad!”

Yes, I replied. Yes I have.

It’s actually pretty simple: As an adult, a homeowner, and of course, a person who pays bills, I care about saving energy and saving money. And truthfully, it probably took all three for me to realize the importance of managing my electricity use. Not only can I monitor my energy consumption in an effort to reduce long-term energy costs, I can also increase the comfort, usability and market value of my home. …

Read More

Maple Leaf Foods: Deliciously Embracing the Real Food Movement!

By 221 Comments

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I’m here to make a confession. To stick my stake in the ground, as it were. To be completely and transparently honest about two things:

1. I often feel guilty about the foods I feed my children, and
2. 10/10 times, I prefer to choose food with ingredients I can pronounce.

Let’s tackle the first issue: guilt. If you’ve been following my life over the years, you’ll know that I work around the clock. In fact, I wear so many hats that no two days are the same; I’m a writer, photographer, host, traveller, reviewer, social media influencer, etc. Unfortunately, the lack of structure also means that meals are often last-minute decisions vs. carefully planned menus. Yes, I rely on convenience foods like hot dogs, cold cuts and frozen foods, more frequently than I’d like to admit.

However, even though I heavily rely on packaged food at mealtimes, I’d still like to be able to feed my kids food with real, natural ingredients. I’m less intrigued about the science behind a product and more concerned with being able to visualize, relate to and pronounce what I’m putting on the plate.

Until recently, I thought that I’d always be stuck in an endless cycle – 1. feeling guilty about the foods I’m serving, yet 2. serving the same foods anyways, while 3. having a desire to do better. Repeat.

Today, with the help of Maple Leaf Foods, I feel better about my choices.
I recently attended a media day at Maple Leaf Foods headquarters. The audience? Moms and dads in the social space, who were open to learning about the sweeping changes in the iconic brand. …

Read More

Colour Me Healthy: Colourful Eating, Deliciously Simple!

By 7 Comments

Heads up, friends: I’m so excited to offer my readers not one, but TWO amazing ways to WIN BIG with Breville Canada! Read on to find out how you can enter!

Sometimes, all you need is a little motivation. And sometimes, that motivation comes with three powerful stainless steel blades or a cutting disc surrounded by an Italian-made mesh filter.
A few weeks ago, I was challenged by Breville Canada to inject more colour into my diet. I mean, I’ve always had a pretty balanced approach to eating, but you know how they say it’s important to “eat a rainbow”? Well, previously… I suppose you could say my diet was a little more monochromatic.

Okay, a lot more monochromatic. …

Read More

The Allergy Friendly Kitchen

By

This post is sponsored by Pfizer Canada. All views and opinions are my own.

With summer just around the corner – as long as Mother Nature cooperates, fingers crossed! – I’m so looking forward to everything the season promises. Long days followed by lazy nights, ice cold drinks and hot dogs off the grill, and of course, the steady stream of traffic from neighbourhood children popping in to play.

Hands up if you run a restaurant from your kitchen – primary demographic, discerning 6-12 year olds? Yeah, me too.
The truth is, I’m a happy host. Our door is always open and our fridge is always full, so why not share the goodness? However, having an “everyone’s welcome” policy means that I have to take special care to ensure that my kitchen is allergy-friendly. Did you know that an estimated 2.6 million Canadians are impacted by food allergy, with almost 500,000 of them being children? Quite a few of our neighbourhood pals are affected (peanuts, tree nuts and shrimp are the most common) so I have to be extra careful when both preparing and serving snacks. …

Read More

Tea, Myself and I: Introducing the Breville Smart Tea Infuser

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I don’t just “pop in for a quick spot of tea.”

Growing up, I observed tea to be a ritual – never rushed. Tea leaves were selected by the season, the temperature, and sometimes, even the time of day. Aromatic spices were added for fragrance and flavour; the blends customized with cooling herbs or spicy roots. The focus was never on tea as a beverage – rather, a cup of tea was a means of achieving nourishment, comfort, and most of all, balance.

If you’re reading this, nodding your head, you may be a serious tea drinker – and you may need to be turned onto the Breville Smart Tea Infuser.
The raison d’être for this small appliance is quite simple: different teas need different degrees. The Breville Smart Tea Infuser knows the right temperature and steep time to bring out the best in your favourite teas – whether you brew green, white, oolong, herbal, black – or any combination in between. …

Read More

Beat the Morning Rush: It’s as Simple as #SteepSleepEat!

By

I’ll be honest: when my friends at Quaker reached out and asked me to take a “Hassle Free Morning” Challenge, I was a bit skeptical. I mean, mornings ‘round here are crazy. Between getting two (sometimes three, all non-morning) family members off for the day, prepping my to-do list, fitting in a quick workout (maybe), writing a witty and engaging blog post (that’s why you’re here, right?) and about a million other little things that are somehow the responsibility of the person who answers to “mom”, I didn’t need the added stress of a challenge, TYVM.

BUT WAIT! Upon further inspection, it appeared that the point of the challenge was to alleviate some of my morning stress; the NEW Quaker Overnight Oats with Quinoa and Flaxseed products are designed to deliver a tasty and nourishing addition to breakfast with MINIMAL FUSS!

Dear Quaker: I’m all in.
First things first – if you haven’t tried making overnight oats, you’re missing out. They’re one of the easiest ways to enjoy a comforting and satisfying serving of oatmeal in the morning, and the best part is, they’re made the night before! …

Read More

A Legendary Taste for Snacking Success

By

Some mothers raise math wizards. Others, future professional athletes. Me? I’m raising two snacking champions.

Oh yes, there is such a thing.

When the boys return home from school, they make a beeline to the pantry and refrigerator. They’re so ravenous, you’d swear they have hollow legs! I used to hover, helicopter-parent style, ensuring they were making healthy and satisfying choices. But over the years I’ve learned that if you make nutritious options easy to grab and readily available, it’s that much easier for kids to gravitate towards them.
Here are my tips for after school snacking success.

1. Create a squad of BFFs. Best Finger Foods, that is. There’s no doubt that little hands like to reach for little foods. I always have sliced vegetables, sweet berries, bite-size croissants and Mini Babybel on hand. The varying tastes and textures satisfy their need for crunchy, soft, salty and sweet. …

Read More

Good Vibes Only: That’s the Power of Protein

By

“You’re superwoman!” my girlfriend says every time we catch up. “What’s your secret – tell me, how do you do it all?”
I laugh, shaking my head. I don’t do it all – not even close. I’ve got about nine unfinished blog posts, seven loads of laundry, four dusty dressers and two little boys who are used to mommy saying “come back in five minutes, I just need five more minutes” on an hourly basis. Sigh. …

Read More

Food Diary: In-Room Dining at Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

By

Food diaries are my very favourite posts to write, like, ever. (I try not to write them on an empty stomach.) In my last post, I chatted about the benefits of breaking up long distance travel with an overnight stay. And, I may have teased you with the following photo –
One word: Om nom nom.

The in-room dining menu at Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel features fresh coastal cuisine from Harold’s Bistro, a casual dining restaurant located in the hotel lobby. Named after a customer who lunched in the restaurant every day for over 35 years (no kidding!), the Richmond hotspot welcomes guests with a warm, modern ambiance. …

Read More

Chocolats Favoris: Your New Obsession

By

Last year, after catching up with a long-distance friend, she slipped something in my handbag as we parted ways.

“Try this,” she said. “It’s my very favourite chocolate from Quebec.”

At the time, I hadn’t heard of Chocolats Favoris – but, being a bona fide chocoholic, of course I accepted the treat with gratitude.

It was the birth of an obsession.

Friends, I want to introduce you to my very favourite brand of chocolatey confections. Chocolats Favoris is a Quebec-based brand – soon to expand further into Ontario! – that has reinvented the traditional concept of a chocolate shop.

Why do I love them so much? Let me count the ways.

1. They’re pretty – almost too pretty to eat. (I said “almost”.) Everything from the whimsical, dreamy packaging to the artistically masterful fine chocolates lures you in. You’ve heard the adage “like a kid in a candy store”… at Chocolats Favoris, you’ll feel like an Instagrammer in a confectionary paradise.
2. They’re devastatingly delicious. I’ve often joked with my husband that death by chocolate would only be acceptable if the sweet treat was from Chocolats Favoris. Their fine chocolates are concocted by master chocolatiers and made with care. Their packaged fondue – both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious – makes the perfect dessert or gift.

And who can forget about their chocolate bars? Available in inspiring flavours such as Hazelnut Praline, Raspberry Burst, Maple Vanilla, Creamy Coffee and many more, you’ll have a hard time picking a favourite. My advice? Try them all. …

Read More

Grandma’s Apple Juice Cake

By

Fall, 1989. As the leaves turned a beautiful burnt orange and the cold-weather clothing was retrieved from storage, I’d hear a familiar warning as I reached into the refrigerator:

“Don’t drink all the apple juice!”

I can still hear my mom’s voice, issuing the command as I hurriedly selected a different beverage. Because in my childhood home, fall meant long walks, oversized hoodies and my mom’s special Apple Juice Cake. I’m not quite sure why it was only baked in those selected months; perhaps it’s because the cake paired well with strong, hot coffee and was the perfect comfort food on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Regardless, as soon as the weather cools and the days become shorter, I find myself thinking about that cake, made with simple ingredients that I always have on hand. Today, I continue the tradition during the autumn months with my own boys. To them, it’s Grandma’s Apple Juice Cake. To me, it’s a piece of my childhood. …

Read More

A Very Warm Welcome.

By

In Grade 6, I met a girl named Fatima. Her family had recently immigrated to Canada from Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. She had long, shiny black hair, expressive brown eyes and the most lovely, shapely eyebrows.

(My obsession with perfect brows began shortly after I met her. Whenever I hear the expression “eyebrows on fleek”, I can’t help but think of her, where she is today, and if her eyebrows are still fabulous. And somehow, I just know they are.)

Fatima’s family arrived in November, shortly after the first snowfall of the season. The timing of her arrival is perfectly preserved in my mind, mainly because I was tasked with walking her to and from the school office during recess.

You see, Fatima didn’t have a winter coat.
We didn’t speak during the short walks from our portable to the office, mutually overcome with embarrassment. But I recall feeling confused and irritated, thinking, who sends their kid to school in winter without a warm coat? Fatima’s jacket – what I’d consider to be a windbreaker – was thin and flimsy. …

Read More