Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Food

Pizza on the Barbecue? Now that’s FRESH.

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If there’s one thing Canadians need to collectively do, it’s seize the summer. Especially *this* summer.

Okay, so we’ve had a slow start. But before we know it (fingers crossed), we’ll be well into the hot weather, the patio parties, and of course, the barbecues! Ah, barbecue.

(Spoiler Alert: Why yes, this IS a photo of me with celebrity Chef Corbin in front of a barbecue. What are we up to? Read on to find out!)
IMG_2730So, what’s on your menu this summer? I’ve planned for the usual suspects – burgers, ‘dogs and kabobs – and I’ll be grabbing all my mains and fixin’s at Walmart Canada. Hand on heart, it’s my preferred destination for fresh meat and produce!

Everyone knows Walmart as the place to get everyday supplies. But I’d love for you to discover another side of Walmart: great fresh food. Walmart offers a terrific selection of fresh produce, baked goods and meats. In fact, Walmart feels so strongly about their fresh food that they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Yep, you read that correctly – if you don’t absolutely love their triple 100% Canadian Angus beef, or their high-quality, locally sourced Maple Leaf Chicken, Canadian pork and salmon, simply present your receipt at the store for a full refund.

But how can we spread the word about Walmart’s delicious, high-quality ingredients and help families find easier, healthier and budget-friendly ways to feed their children? Tailgate parties of course! Hello! …

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Here’s Another Reason it’s So Good.

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One of the most wonderful things about being a parent, in Canada, in the year 2015, is the ability to offer my children a variety of food options. From goat’s cheese to poutine; blood sausage to naan, they are exposed to a multitude of cultures and cooking techniques that most kids from my generation missed out on.

(Case in point: as teens, we went to Lime Rickey’s for a quick bite. Today, teens hit up their nearest Thai noodle house. Insane, right?)

sogoodHence, with this in mind, I’ve recently started to diversify their palates further, offering protein-rich soy food to their diets, including So Good by Earth’s Own. In addition to allowing my boys to develop an appreciation for different tastes and textures, I also have their health (and the health of my husband and I) in mind – fortified soy beverages are considered the most complete dairy alternative and the only one recognized by Health Canada as a suitable alternative to dairy milk due to its nutritional benefits.

(I also have our taste buds in mind! Pictured right – So Good Kiwi Melon Smoothie.)

And here’s another reason to love soy: Health Canada recently approved a health claim linking the consumption of protein-rich soy food to lowering cholesterol levels. After an extensive review process by Health Canada, considered to be one of the most rigorous in the world, their scientific and regulatory teams made the decision based on scientific evidence that shows consumption of at least 25 grams of soy protein per day helps to reduce cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

So, where is all this cholesterol-lowering goodness? You can easily find it in soy beverages, tofu, miso, tempeh, natto, soy cheeses, soy nuts, isolated soy protein, soy protein concentrate, textured soy protein and soy flour. …

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We’re Ready for Fright Night with Cardinal Ready

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NOTE: The following sampling opportunity is open to residents of Ontario, Canada only.

Spoiler Alert: The recipe for my Hawaiian Pork Tacos follows. You may want to stick around.
DSC_0966aFright Night. Think I’m taking about that b-rated film? Think again. I’m talking about those weekday nights when my husband works late, the kids have sports or swimming, I’ve got a Twitter Party and there’s NOTHING TO EAT.

Apparently, there’s more than one Fright Night chez Lena.

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. And often, I’m on Twitter at night (I know you know what I’m up to then). Ryder has soccer on Mondays and Reid has soccer on Wednesdays and they both have swimming on Thursdays. And yet somehow, the expectation is that I’ll produce a delicious, healthy meal that the entire family will love.

*Checking to make sure I signed up for this. Sigh, apparently it’s indeed part of being a mom.*

I try my hardest to avoid the lure of the “dial-a-dinner”. Take-out is easy! One phone call, a few bucks for a tip, et voila! The whole family is fed. The trouble is, the only takeout the whole family can agree on is pizza, and families cannot live on pizza alone. …

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Wake Up to Your Favourite Beverage

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It was December 2005. I had spent the night – for the very first time, eek! – at my then-boyfriend’s place. In was an airy loft, with wall-to-wall windows and a homey setting that was unfamiliar and welcoming at the same time. In typical Lena fashion, I found myself wide awake at 6:00am. Next to me, my boyfriend slept soundly, no doubt enjoying a well-deserved Sunday morning sleep-in.

I tossed and turned. What time does he wake up? I wondered.

If it was say, 7:00am, I could deal. A quick bathroom break and a swish of mouthwash, and I could wait it out. But what if he was more like a 9:00am waker upper? Or – gasp – a nooner?

I mentally counted forward from our bedtime of 12:30am. 6 hours… 7 hours… surely I could bet he’d be awake in about an hour or two at the most…

8:15am. Still asleep.
8:56am. Oh! He scratched his cheek! And then turned over and resumed snoring.
9:32am. This. is. torture.

Inspiration struck. I could make coffee! I mean, who doesn’t wake up when the aroma of fresh coffee permeates the air, right? I tiptoed down the stairs (two-floor loft by the lake, ladies – yeah, there was a reason I reeled that fish in) and realized almost immediately that there was one flaw in my master plan: I had no idea how to make coffee.
So sue me! We had those K-Cup coffee things at the office, and my parents are tea drinkers, so I didn’t grow up with a coffee brewer. I considered the contraption on his countertop (which, looking back, was a very basic model compared to the rocket-science renderings today) and wondered if I could work it out based purely on a physical assessment.

1. Water reservoir: Easy enough. Just fill to the “fill line” indicator for 12 cups. Better safe than sorry!

2. Filter: Also, a piece of cake – except it took me 20 minutes to find them. WHO stores filters with their spices? Oh yeah, bachelor here.

3. Coffee grounds reservoir: Add 10 scoopfuls – that should be enough, right? Okay, add more. Going on the assumption that strong coffee is better than weak coffee. Press start. …

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Poutine at the Park? Alrighty Then.

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If you’ve never been particularly blown away by the food offerings at Canadian sports stadiums, here’s some great news for Rogers Centre attendees.

Elizabeth Rivasplata, who competed in Season 2 of Top Chef Canada, is the stadium’s new executive chef! The new menu is inspired by the city’s many cultures and neighbourhoods, and she’s keen on utilizing local ingredients and suppliers to the fullest extent.

So, what can we expect? How about the Hogtown Grill Peameal Bacon Sandwich, which is served on a cornmeal bun with optional honey mustard and caramelized onions, or the Distillery District Roast Beef Dip Sandwich (jus, roasted garlic aioli, horseradish mayo, crispy red onion and rocket greens on a herb baguette) available at Muddy York Market.

And my pick? The Liberty Village Poutine, available at Toronto Street Eats.
IMG_2568 (2)The Sausage Poutine features gravy, cheese curds, caramelized onions, sauteed peppers, smoked farmers sausage and peameal-bacon sausage. Go for a plain poutine for $8 (pictured above), or blow your diet with the fully loaded version for $13.95, taxes included. …

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Find Your Oasis

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10 years ago, I viewed the appearance of spring-like weather with nothing more than a renewed excitement for warmer days ahead. Coats became jackets; boots were swapped for ballet flats, and every pink lipstick in my beauty arsenal was moved to the top of my makeup bag.

Today, the promise of higher temps still brings about all those exciting changes, in addition to one more: revealing more of my “winter body”, once safely ensconced in bulky, cold-weather clothing.

Let’s just say that Dolman-sleeve sweaters are an upper arm’s best friend.

Alas, before we know it, Canadians will be treated to our long-awaited summer, and this year, I plan on being a few steps ahead of tank top season.

First and foremost, I’ve lost 20 pounds! (If you’re sick of me mentioning it, I apologize. But this is BIG news in my life, and I plan on gushing about it for a while… and then a little longer.)

Second, I’ve rediscovered physical activity. No, I haven’t joined the gym or signed up for a boot camp just yet… but I have decided that as long as I’m moving at least as often as I’m sitting, I’ve achieved a good physical balance in my life.
DSC_0740Finally, I’ve made breakfast a priority. Perhaps I should clarify: I’ve always enjoyed breakfast, but now, I ensure that I have a GOOD breakfast. Tons of fruit and whole grains. Low-fat dairy and lean protein. It keeps me going throughout the most hectic part of my day – morning – and gives me the fuel I need to think clearly and stay on plan.

And with almost every breakfast, I enjoy a low-calorie, low-fat and nutritionally-dense fruit smoothie.

This season, try my Cranberry Razz Smoothie. It’s made with Oasis Nutrisource, a great tasting cranberry juice cocktail that offers an alternative to sugar and sucrose (stevia) with no compromise on fruit taste – and only 40 calories per serving. What a refreshing way to get healthy! …

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Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies, Every Time

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I wouldn’t call myself an expert baker, but if I make a recipe often enough, I like to perfect it.

I can make perfect chocolate chip cookies. 

And I want you to make them, too! That’s why I’m sharing my tried-and-true tips for yielding a batch of delicious, chewy cookies that will make you famous at bake sales and family gatherings. (After all, life is all about street cred.)
IMG_2423 (2)Tip #1: Find the perfect recipe. My go-to recipe is Chocolate Chip Cookies a la Anna Olson. Says Anna: “Tried, tested and true. My secret ingredient is cornstarch to make chewy-centred cookies! If you want crispy cookies, omit the cornstarch and replace the baking soda with baking powder.” If I’m honest, I’d like you to throw away all your chocolate chip cookie recipes and simply make these ones going forward. Yes, they’re THAT good. …

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Cracker Crusted Salmon: Dinner Made Better

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Fair warning folks: there’s deliciousness ahead. The kind that comes when you combine a crispy, savoury coating with fresh Atlantic salmon. It’s gluten-free and guilt-free goodness.
DSC_0718Last year, a friend sent me one of those tongue-in-cheek eCards, which portrayed a profile of a woman crying, stating –

“I’d do anything to lose 10 pounds, except eat well and exercise.”

At the time, I chuckled – I mean, yeah, it pretty much summed up my life! – but when my clothes started to get a bit too snug, it was no longer a laughing matter.

So I changed things up. And I didn’t lose 10 pounds… I lost 20! And now, at my goal weight, there’s nothing I’d like to do more than keep it off.

Hint: I won’t be joining a gym any time soon.

Which means that I have to settle for what’s behind door number two: eating well. And you know what? Making healthy, better-for-me choices is not the hardship I thought it would be – especially with a wealth of waist-friendly and alternative-diet options on the market, including Breton Popped! Beans cracker chips.
DSC_0715Love Breton? Who doesn’t! It’s been a wholesome family choice since 1982. And now, even more people can enjoy the tender-crisp texture and wholesome taste of the original Breton. Introducing two NEW gluten-free options: Breton Bean crackers (in White Bean with Salt & Pepper and Black Bean with Onion & Garlic) which provides 3g of fibre and 2g protein per serving and Breton Popped! Beans cracker chips (in Sweet Chili Cheddar and Sea Salt & Pepper). Stamped with their ‘Made Better’ promise, these healthy snacks have no preservatives or artificial flavours/colours and beans are the #1 ingredient! …

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Are You a Cooking Nut? Health Nut? You’ll Love Your Coconut.

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It’s been called one of nature’s true superfoods. A health food that provides a great flavour option to many new cuisine recipes and old favourites. A healthy product that adds zest to the flavours of everyday life.

It’s the coconut, of course.

Growing up in a South Asian family, I have a longstanding relationship with this delicious fruit. From coconut milk in curries to flaked coconut in desserts, it is a dietary staple and offers a supporting role  in almost all of our meals. In fact, one of my fondest memories is watching my dad grind fresh coconut flesh, which my mom would freeze and later drop into soups and stews.

Today, I’m proud to continue our traditions with more options than ever before. Our planet’s “most nutritious food” is now in a wide range of products for everyday use: New Grace Organic All Natural Coconut Products are processed to the highest organic and natural standards, and conveniently packaged for use in your kitchen.

So, what can you do with Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, Organic Coconut Milk, Organic Coconut Sugar, All Natural Coconut Chips and Organic Coconut Vinegar? You can make Tomato Coconut Soup – a flavourful, comforting soup bursting with aromatic spices and seasonings.
DSC_0368aThis soup is perfect for cold winter nights when you want to snuggle up to comfort food. The classic tomato soup has been reinvented with the addition of coconut milk and pungent spices popular in Jamaican cookery – ground coriander, cumin, nutmeg, cinnamon and smoked paprika. …

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It’s Always a Party! Introducing the Kettle Style Popcorn Popper!

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Salty, savoury popcorn with a sharp burst of cheesy goodness and a mild, Italian herb flavour. Do not adjust your computer monitor. You HAVE just stumbled on the perfect popcorn, popped in the perfect popcorn popper.
DSC_0428Now I’m not one to mince words, so I’m just going to come out and say it. You need the Hamilton Beach Kettle Style Popcorn Popper in your life. You need it like meat needs salt. Like apple pie needs cinnamon. Like Kanye West needs an awards show. And once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Introducing… the very best small appliance for every popcorn lover you know.
DSC_0400Yeah, that’s it right there. Kind of looks space age, doesn’t it? But whether it’s a date night in or a movie-watching party with friends and family, this popper delivers. Enjoy hot and delicious theater-style popcorn that can be prepared and served right in the same bowl! Simply measure your oil and kernels into the popping chamber and turn it on. (I swear, that’s all there is to it.) When the popping slows down to two seconds between pops, your popcorn is ready to eat.

Even better? The Kettle Style Popcorn Popper is dishwasher safe, and the top and bottom nest for space-saving storage. Plus, you can pop up to 24 cups per cycle, so your family is never left waiting for more. It’s actually kind of perfect. …

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I’ve Found My Prince.

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A few months ago, if you told me there was a science to selecting produce, I would have laughed.

I mean, I’ve never given much thought into how I choose my fruits and veggies. To me, as long as they pass the “mom inspection” – firm, fragrant and preferably, from a local farm – they usually make it into my shopping cart. So I was intrigued to discover that there is so much more that goes into my purchase decision, and likely, yours too.

Take apples, for example. Based on a recent study of Ontario moms, here’s what we look for – in order of importance:

Freshness – Ability to Remain Crisp – The Variety of Apple – The Taste (Mix of Sweet & Tangy) – The Anti-Oxidant Properties – Locally Grown – Bright Red Colour – Good in Salads – Good in Baking
IMG_1788 (2)Who knew, right? For a long time, apples were just apples. However, I’ve finally found an apple that offers me everything I’m looking for, and more. You could say I’ve found my prince: my Red Prince.

Along the shores of Georgian Bay, Ontario, Red Prince apples are harvested in the fall and cellared until the new year – somewhat like a fine wine. While it sleeps, its flavour and texture are enhanced as the natural sugars and acids mature to elevate the eating experience of this premium apple. And when all is finished, the apple is left with a tangy-sweet taste and a rich, crisp red skin that is high in antioxidants. …

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BACON MANia, Huntington Beach: Because, Bacon.

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All I ever wanted… all I ever needed is here in my arms.
Words are very unnecessary… they can only do harm.

Enjoy the silence bacon.

Bacon MANia Food TruckPictured Above: Bacon MANia Food Truck’s “Jack Back Sammie” – Thick-sliced egg bread, crisped and stuffed with Sharp Cheddar Cheese and Hickory Smoked Bacon.

If you find yourself in the OC (Orange County, California), there are a few things you *need* to do. First, make your way down to Huntington Beach – Surf City USA. Then, take a leisurely stroll on the boardwalk, and seek out BACON MANia Surf City, just steps from The Waterfront Beach Resort, a Hilton Hotel. Here, you’ll dine on bacon, bacon and more bacon (with a side of bacon).

What’s on the Menu? Here are my picks of the bacon bunch:

STARTERS

Bacon Ball Trio: Three of our most delicious bacon-wrapped bites of brilliance – The Mac’n Bac’n (Cheddar Bacon Mac n’ Cheese), the Bacon Mignon (Petite Filet and Gorgonzola) and the PB&J (on crustless Wonder Bread). Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon and Deep Fried.

Speedy Gonzales: Arriba! Whole jalapeno stuffed w/ Sharp Cheddar Cheese and wrapped with Applewood Smoked Center Cut Bacon. Sauced with our Spicy Chipayo.

Dog Nuts: Always served in pairs, this occasionally featured ball is a Greek Pepperoncini wrapped in Carne Asada and then wrapped in Applewood Smoked Center Cut Bacon! …

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Revisited: The #UltimateSandwich

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*UPDATE* It’s a Winner! The Miami has just been announced Black & Decker’s #UltimateSandwich! I’ve won bragging rights – and a cool $1000!

Revisited: Because I first conceptualized this sandwich during the summer months, I must admit that I’ve always considered it a seasonal sammy. Not true! Short on inspiration for dinner last night, I assembled the sandwich and served it with a simple tomato soup. It was beyond delicious and perfect for a weeknight meal. Hope y’all revisit it too!

Original Post…

It’s a well known fact that I’m a sandwich junkie. Breakfast, lunch or dinner – just throw me two slices of bread and I’ll work my magic. There’s just something so comforting about eating fresh, yummy foods with your hands – uh oh, looks like a sandwich craving is coming on!

When I first heard about Black & Decker’s Ultimate Sandwich Contest, I crossed both my fingers and toes that I’d be selected as a contestant. Well, thanks to the awesome folks at Black & Decker and Mom Central Canada, I’m 1 of 20 Canadian bloggers participating in the first ever Ultimate Sandwich Contest.

Now before I get to my delicious creation, let’s talk about the hardware that made it possible – Black & Decker’s Convection Countertop Oven. Available at Wal-Mart in August 2011, the oven has tons of features to make cooking, broiling, baking, toasting and warming a snap! And, with it’s large capacity interior, you can make casseroles, cakes – even 9″ pizzas. Did I forget something? Oh yes: You can make scrumptious sandwiches too!

My inspiration for this sandwich was taken from a vacation to Miami Beach, Florida years ago. After spending most of the day lounging by the water, my girlfriends and I decided to break for a late lunch. There was a little cafe on the strip that made fresh salads (and, not that it mattered, but the waiters were pretty hot too), so we took a table and ordered light fare. I enjoyed a salad that incorporated chicken, tart green apple and a sweet honey mustard dressing, all over a bed of arugula – and an idea was born.

I started thinking about how I could turn this simple, delicious salad into a sandwich.

Unfortunately, once we touched back down in Toronto, I never did follow through with the transformation. Almost 10 years later, I’m making good on it; here is my official entry into the Ultimate Sandwich Contest – and my tribute to Miami Beach, circa 2002!

Why You’ll Love It: All of the flavours and textures are perfectly complementary to one another and work together to create a truly unique and delicious sandwich. The nutty, creamy brie pairs wonderfully with tart, crisp apple and punchy, peppery arugula. The turkey lends substance to the sandwich, and is rounded out with a spicy, sweet dressing on softly toasted bread. Yum!…

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Vodka Pasta, Blogging and the Dr.Oz Show

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*EDIT* It’s confirmed! My salute to Rachael Ray via The Dr.Oz Show will air on Monday, May 9th. Check your local listings… and cross your fingers for me! I’m hoping to have at least 3 seconds of face time, ha!

You may be wondering… what do those three things have in common?

I’ll rewind. A few weeks ago, I posted a recipe for Rachael Ray’s “You Won’t Be Single for Long” Vodka Pasta. Yes, I made this pasta for my man while we were dating… and yes, he put a ring on it.

I shared the recipe for all the single ladies out there, with hopes that you too could knock a man off his feet with your obvious culinary skills. Well, no one was more surprised than me when I received an e-mail from the producers of the Dr.Oz Show shortly after. They had seen my post and wanted to know if I’d like to appear on the show alongside Rachael Ray… who’d show my husband and I how to make an updated, healthier version of her famous recipe.

YES! I’M SERIOUS!!!

Well, this past week we were dealing with a few family issues (Ryder, being a boy, took a little tumble that required ongoing medical attention) so we had to take a pass on making an appearance. BUT, the producers did ask us to record a home video giving a shout out to Rachael, and telling the world how the pasta helped me reel in my hubby! We sent the video in on Thursday and our fingers are crossed the producers like what they see.

Now, if y’all recall, the last time I was filmed for the Rachael Ray show, after a ton of editing, I believe only my hand made it to the final cut… so I’m not calling an agent just yet. Hopefully this time I’ll get some face time – that would be sweet!

I’ll keep you posted on when the segment airs! Wish me luck!