Type Archives - Foodology

In British Columbia

Family Road Trip to Victoria, BC with the 2024 BMW X5

August 23, 2023

When it comes to finding the perfect family car, safety, comfort, and practicality are of utmost importance for us. Combining the elegance and luxury of a premium SUV with family-friendly features, the BMW X5 stands out as a versatile and reliable choice for families of all sizes.

We worked with BMW Canada to craft a beautiful getaway through Victoria, BC and enjoy family-time together while having a smooth ride. We spent a few days testing why the BMW X5 is great for families and how it delivers an unmatched driving experience that caters to both parents and children alike.

We started off our journey leaving Vancouver, BC and heading off to Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal to make our way to Victoria. We got on the ferry and it was a smooth ride.

Spacious and Versatile Interior

With 3 adults and a toddler in the car, we felt like there was plenty of space for our luggage as well as personal bags to keep beside us. As we are only about 5’7, there was plenty of leg and head room.

Driving long distances, it was great to have the driver seat with power adjustable lumbar support as the lower back can get tired.

Ease of Parking and Getting into Tight Spaces

The front and rear parking sensors as well as the rear view camera are essential features for our family especially getting into tight spots like the ferry or narrower parking stalls. We were always able to make sure we had enough space to get in and out of the car. Especially with my round pregnant belly. I needed some extra space to get in and out of the car.

Right off the ferry, we headed to The Butchart Gardens as that’s were I really wanted to see as I haven’t been back since I was a kid. It’s an exquisite garden, which you can spend hours adoring through all the different seasons. It has over 100 years of history and it’s a must for locals and tourists.

We spent a good amount of time at The Butchart Gardens, so it was time to head to Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke, BC. Traffic on the highway was pretty bad during rush hour, so Google Maps too us on some smaller side roads and we loved how the BMW X5 handled on high turns through the forest. It was very smooth and even our toddler fell asleep.

We picked Prestige Oceanfront Resort because it was very affordable and was away from the city, so we could relax and enjoy the views of the water. Our toddler loved seeing the seals basking in the sun on the rocks without a care in the world.

We had dinner close by at Stoked Pizzeria and wow, their pizza was so crispy and flavourful. The place was bumping in the evening. For breakfast, we checked out the new cafe inside Prestige Oceanfront Resort called Island Tarts Cafe & Catering, which is a local small business selling the most amazing coffee and treats.

As we checked out, we packed up our bags and put everything in the trunk. We loved the 2 piece tailgate was great to quickly grab items from the trunk, but if there was something that started rolling around in the back, nothing would fall out.

The rear window sunshades were fantastic for the kiddo in the backseat as it would be very sunny and having it up would help her relax and take longer naps on this road trip.

For the second day of our trip, we focused more of kid friendly activities since the kiddo wanted to get out of the car to see some animals. First stop was Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. It’s by donation and there’s even lots of goats to pet and brush. We stayed about 30 minutes and then headed off to brunch at Eva for some German cuisine.

We needed to get a bit closer to the Ferry, so we stopped at Sydney, BC which was a few minutes away from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. We all made sure we did something a little different so we can enjoy the sights and sounds of Sydney. My husband went to visit Victoria Distillers for a gin tasting and they are best known for their Empress Gin. The kiddo spent some time at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Seas to learn more about the local animals in the area. The rest of the time, we spent wandering the pier before it was time to head to the ferry.

Getting to all these locations was easy because of the Apple CarPlay feature. We just connect our iPhones and we have our music and maps all ready with a touch of a button.

Final Thoughts

A family road trip with the 2024 BMW X5 is an exciting and comfortable adventure to help us get to our different destinations with ease. It’s known for it’s performance, spacious interior, and advanced features. Our family had a great little getaway and felt very safe. Definitely check out the vehicle if you and your family go on local getaways throughout the year.

This blog post was sponsored by BMW Canada but the opinions are all my own.

In Recipes

Spot Prawns and Seafood Available Year Round by Skipper Otto + Coupon Code

May 9, 2023

May is typically the start of the Spot Prawn season in British Columbia. This is when local fishermen start harvesting from the cold, clean waters of BC. Spot Prawns are highly prized for their sweet, delicate flavour and firm texture.

But, did you know you can actually get Spot Prawns year round? Skipper Otto has flash frozen spot prawns with easy and convenient pick-up at 90+ locations across Canada from Victoria to Ottawa.

Skipper Otto Coupon Code: FOODOLOGY

If you use our code ‘FOODOLOGY‘ for a $50 off coupon (includes a free membership and $20 share credit towards your first seafood order). You must purchase a minimum $200 share size to sign up (this can be applied to ANY seafood order until the end of the year.Deadline for the offer and to become a member is May 31st, 2023.

Become a member now.

Skipper Otto: Access to a wide-range of high quality, wild and sustainably caught Canadian seafood.

Skipper Otto allows their members to purchase sustainably harvested seafood directly from independent Canadian fishing families.

When you sign up for a membership with Skipper Otto, rest assured, the seafood is 100% traceable, caught by independent Canadian fishing families – versus industry wide issues around mislabelling and poor quality.

Skipper Otto has a unique business model where you need to become a member and decide what size share you will need for the year before the fishing season begins (Deadline May 31). This helps to ensure fair prices for the fishermen and gives consumers access to fresh sustainable seafood year round.

The local, independent fishing families love working with Skipper Otto because they treat them with the dignity and humanity they deserve, paying timely, a living wage, and helping with the steep upfront costs of fishing. Thus in turn, giving members seafood that is the highest quality, and is harvested in a way that minimises its impact on the environment.

Each product comes with labels that have the face and name of the fisherman who caught it, when, where and how the seafood was caught. As a member, you can order what you want, when you want it.

Flash frozen spot prawn

Flash frozen spot prawns are a great option for enjoying the delicious taste outside of the traditional May spot prawn season.

Flash freezing is a process where the spot prawns are frozen quickly at a very low temperature, usually within hours of being caught. This helps to preserve the quality, flavour, and texture of the spot prawns. They can be cooked in the same way as fresh spot prawns and can be eaten raw.

To prepare them, simply thaw the prawns in the refrigerator overnight or by placing them in a bowl of cold water for about 30 minutes. Then, you can grill, boil, sauté, or steam them to your liking.

This year’s spot prawns will be available for Skipper Otto members by the end of May. Other items in season this month are halibut and lingcod.

Here is a recipe inspiration below!

Foodolody’s Easy Ceviche

My personal preference is to enjoy spot prawns raw or turn them into a ceviche. Skipper Otto provides home cook members with access to lots of easy to follow recipe ideas with the

seafood they order, but I’ve adapted their ceviche recipe to make it simpler and full of spot prawn flavour.

Ingredients:

1 lb spot prawns from Skipper Otto, peeled
1 lemon, juiced
4 limes, juiced
2 roma tomatoes, diced
1 avocado, diced
½ cucumber, diced
¼ red onion, diced
½ jalapeno, diced
¼ bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

In a bowl, mix spot prawns, lemon and lime juices and marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes.
After the spot prawns marinate, add tomatoes, cucumber, avocado, red onion, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, salt and pepper. Gently stir to combine.
Chill in fridge for another 30 minutes.
Serve it up in your favourite individual glasses, on a plate, or with crunchy tortilla chips.
Enjoy!

Final Thoughts

Skipper Otto is a great option for individuals and families who want to support sustainable fishing practices, local families, and enjoy delicious, fresh seafood from Canadian coastal waters.

The seafood products are incredible and you can really taste the difference in quality.

This blog post is sponsored by Skipper Otto but the opinions are all my own.

In Meal Kits

Fresh Prep x Anh and Chi: New Lemongrass Vermicelli Bowl + Up to 90% off Promo Code

January 20, 2023

Fresh Prep, Western Canada’s top-rated meal kit delivery service is teaming up with Anh and Chi, an award winning Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant through an exclusive chef collaboration until April 1, 2023.

We have personally used Fresh Prep for 7 years and they are the largest meal prep and grocer based out of Vancouver, BC. There is no delivery free with your order, they are a certified B corp and use Ocean wise certified products. They definitely stand out and try their best to do better and be better compared to their competitors.

Award-winning Anh and Chi dishes made at home

There are two limited-edition meal kits available – the Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli Bowl and the Lemongrass Tofu Vermicelli Bowl (Vegan).

Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli Bowl
Lemongrass Tofu Vermicelli Bowl (Vegan)

Those who purchase the kit will also have exclusive access to a special cook-along video with Anh and Chi Co-owner and Creative Director Amelie Nguyen.

Fresh Prep Discount Code: Up to 90% Off

You can get up to 90% off your first order (applicable to 2-meal/2-person plans, or a value of $49). New users only and code is valid until January 31, 2023.

Use code INFDIANA90 or visit www.freshprep.ca/INFDIANA90

What’s inside the bag

The Fresh Prep x Anh and Chi vermicelli bowl kits come with pre-portioned ingredients for the dish and all plastic and paper bags are recyclable. Inside the bag, you’ll find fresh vegetables, aromantic lemongrass and garlic, and the protein of your choice – either the chicken or the tofu.

Each kit includes either the award-winning Me’s Chilli Fish Sauce (included in the Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli Bowl) or the plant-based Me’s Sweet Soy Sauce (included in the Lemongrass Tofu Vermicelli Bowl). They are both developed and handcrafted by Anh and Chi head chef and family matriarch Ly Nguyen to bring a great blend of flavour for the dishes.

Cooking process

The Lemongrass Chicken Vermicelli Bowl and Lemongrass Tofu Vermicelli Bowl (Vegan) take approximately 30 minutes to put together and are easy to prepare. I didn’t have any issues as the directions are very straight forward, plus it comes with a video from the co-owner of Anh and Chi.

It’s rated as an ‘easy’ dish to prepare, so it has some light cooking and assembly. Perfect for novice home cooks.

Website: freshprep.ca

This blog post is sponsored by Fresh Prep but the opinions are all my own.

In Oliver

Phantom Creek Estates: Enjoying an exclusive winery experience in Oliver, BC

July 14, 2022

When we previously visited the Okanagan, we would do several tastings in a day. As we make more trips to the Okanagan, we really find a lot of value in having an immersed experience to really understand the unique wine making methods, the architecture, and of course tasty dishes.

Phantom Creek Estates has 25 years of rich history in Oliver, BC on the famed Black Sage Bench of British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, specializing in single-vineyard Bordeaux reds, Alsatian whites, and the Okanagan’s benchmark varieties of Viognier and Syrah from storied vineyard sites. The winery was established in 1996 by Richard Cleave, a pioneering viticulturist and found by the Bai family in 2016 to further develop the estate.

Phantom Creek Vineyard is consistently recognized for producing some of the best red wines in Canada, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. They strive to be one of the best in Okanagan and it shows through the wine, restaurant, and amazing staff.

Tour and Wine Tasting

Phantom Creek Estates offer 6 different tour and tasting options from $20 to $475 per person. Good options depending on how much time you have during your trip to learn about Phantom Creek Estates.

A popular option is their Estate Tour & Tasting for $60 per person where a Senior Brand Ambassador will guide you on a 90 minute tour around the estate. It begins in the History Room, where you’ll get an overview of the historic vineyards on the Black Sage Bench. From there, you’ll see the curated art installations and learn about their commitment to natural farming. Then, venture into the winery to see the winemaking process. The tour will end with a one-of-a-kind tasting in an exclusive private tasting room with unobstructed views of the South Okanagan. The tasting features their premium selection of wines.

Their Founder’s Cellar Experience is highly recommended as you get the extended tour and access into the Founder’s Cellar, plus a curated five-course menu paired with library and exclusive wines from their cellar. The underground cellars make for some amazing photos to capture memories with your friends and family. A great way to see it all.

The Restaurant

The restaurant is a must and have 2 and 3 course menu with optional wine pairings. It opened in 2021 and Chef Alessa Valdez brings her skills to elevate the seasonal menu that pairs so well with their exclusive wine selection. Plus, the view from the dining room and patio are stunning.

Lunch service offered from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Do inquire about any features of the day as we were surprised they offered a seafood tower and had the options of substituting our appetizers or main.

Seafood Tower
This seafood tower has shrimp, oysters, mussels, ahi tuna on crisps, and mini crab claws. Paired with the rosé. It was fresh and naturally sweet and delicious. I love how everything is cracked for you so it’s seamless to eat and enjoy.

Duck Confit
The duck confit has puffed red quinoa, beets, fiddlehead, red and green sorel, and hoisin. It is paired with the 2019 Cabernet Franc. Duck was rendered nicely and always a great pairing with red wines.

Prairie Ranchers Pork
This fun plate has pork shoulder croquette, pork tenderloin, jerusalem artichoke, pickled mustard seed, and harissa. It is paired with their 2018 Merlot. The pork shoulder croquette was a joy to eat and bursting with flavour.

Spring Risotto
The morel & oyster mushrooms, asparagus, sous-vide farm fresh egg, and grana padano in the risotto is pure magic. The earthy notes from the mushrooms pairs so well with the 2020 chardonnay

Strawberry Pavlova
The pavlova has house made granola, coconut cream, and basil. It is paired with the exclusive 2016 Riesling Ice Wine only available at The Restaurant. Guests have tried bribing the staff to purchase bottles, but no luck.

Rum Baba
This dessert was surprisingly moist even though it didn’t look like it. It has cardamom diplomat, crepe dentelle, poached rhubarb, rhubarb purée, and nasturtium. It is paired with the 2016 Chardonnay. Very enjoyable.

Pecan Éclair
My favourite dessert was this eclair and it has mousseline, praline, candied pecan, and pickled Saskatoon berry. It is paired with their exclusive 2016 Cabernet Franc Ice Wine only available at The Restaurant. Just a joy to eat.

Reservations is a must and it can be booked up fast. They have inside and patio seating available. The Restaurant was the highlight of our trip at Phantom Creek Estates and even our whole trip to the Okanagan.

Summer events

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of Phantom Creek Vineyards, the winery is hosting a series of celebratory events this year and will take place through September, including a monthly Phantom Creek Vineyard-focused dinner series.

Soirée en Rouge
The Soirée en Rouge event happened earlier this month and kicked off the 25^th anniversary with more Summer events to come. The estate is gorgeous and is a perfect backdrop for any event. Absolutely STUNNING.

Summer Picnic
The winery is also debuting a new Summer Picnic offering which is available daily and is BYO (bring your own) blanket. Reservations are required for the Summer Picnic, and wine bottles and charcuterie trays are available for purchase to enjoy in the winery’s outdoor lounge and amphitheater.

Summer Music Series
The winery will also be hosting a Summer Music Series every Friday, through September 16 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with live music in the amphitheater featuring local musicians. Tickets can be purchased here.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there are a lot of ways to enjoy Phantom Creek Estate through the tours, tastings, restaurant, or special events. Plan accordingly and make reservations as it will get busy through the Summer.

Phantom Creek is a newer brand in the Okanagan, but don’t overlook them as they have 25 years of rich history and continually giving back to the land to make it better. Add Phantom Creek Estate to your next visit to Oliver, BC!

Website: https://phantomcreekestates.com/

In Cafe

McCafe Canada thanks health care workers, emergency and military personnel with free coffee and tea

January 7, 2022

At McDonald’s Canada we want to show our appreciation and say thanks to those frontline healthcare workers who are working tirelessly to treat those in need, serve our communities and help keep us safe with further rapid scaling of vaccinations. Starting today, we are offering all frontline healthcare workers, vaccine volunteers, medical testing centre and pharmacy workers as well as emergency services and military personnel a complimentary medium McCafé Premium Roast Coffee or Tea at participating restaurants across Canada for the month of January, available at the front counter or in drive-thru with their valid work ID.

“Our purpose at McDonald’s is to feed and foster communities and this effort is aimed at acknowledging those who are doing so much to care for our communities right now,” said Gemma Pryor, Senior Director, Canada Impact Team. “Throughout the pandemic we saw our franchisees finding creative ways to support their communities in times of need and that’s what we’re seeing again here today with the free coffee offer.”

In March 2020, McDonald’s Canada partnered with its independent franchisees from coast to coast to coast, giving away more than one million complimentary cups of McCafé Premium Roast Coffee and Tea. Since then, our franchisees have continued to show their support within their local communities, on many occasions providing coffee or breakfast to local healthcare workers and volunteers.

Now, we are bringing back the offer for a limited time amid the continued push for Canadians to get their vaccine or booster, alongside the ongoing challenges of treating and testing patients in the pandemic. It’s a simple gesture of appreciation for those who continue to be on the frontline, protecting and caring for our communities across the country.

In Cafe

Starbucks Canada: Spring 2022 New and Returning Food and Beverages

January 4, 2022

Starbucks is kicking off the new year with the launch of its winter menu, arriving in stores today (Tuesday, January 4th), featuring the returning Pistachio Latte, back by popular demand for its second year, and new bottled cold pressed juices, perfect for a January reset.

Winter Food Menu

Beyond Meat®, Cheddar & Egg Sandwich: With 25g of protein, this sandwich delivers a meatless breakfast option without compromising on flavour; made with cage-free eggs, Cheddar and a Moroccan-inspired English muffin.
Spinach, Feta and Cage-Free Egg White Wrap: Vegetarian and protein-rich, this wrap combines cage-free egg whites, spinach, feta cheese and tomatoes inside a whole-wheat wrap, toasted to perfection.
Egg White & Roasted Red Pepper Egg Bites: Perfectly cooked cage-free egg whites prepared using the French “sous vide” technique resulting in a velvety texture bursting with creamy Monterey Jack cheese, spinach and fire-roasted red peppers.
Protein Boxes: With delicious and nutritious offerings like Cheese and Fruit or Eggs and Cheese, Starbucks Protein Boxes are perfect for Canadians looking to grab a balanced snack or meal on the go.
Apples, PB and Trail Mix Snack Box: A portable plant-based snack box including apple slices, Justin’s Peanut Butter and a premium fruit & nut mix makes for a satisfying snack or small meal.

Well Cold Pressed Juices (New)

Starbucks welcomes Well’s Cold Pressed Juices to its line-up of ready to drink bottled juices for customers when they’re on the go. Proudly made in Canada, Well’s cold pressed juices are available to purchase at participating Starbucks stores in Canada in three flavours.

Be Well Cold Pressed Juice – An earthy, tangy, and sweet juice is packed with deep red beets, sweet apples, and bright orange carrots
Well OJ Cold Pressed Juice – A citrusy and bright juice is made with oranges, picked and squeezed at the peak of sweet flavour and is packed with vitamin C
Well Greens Cold Pressed Juice – An earthy, bold, and sweet juice is made with a variety of leafy greens, sweet apples, bright lemons and ginger

Pistachio Latte

Back for its second year, the Pistachio Latte features cozy flavours of sweet pistachio and rich brown butter paired with espresso and steamed milk, specially crafted to keep coffee lovers comforted in the new year.

The Pistachio Latte can be ordered hot or iced at stores in Canada for a limited time while supplies last. Learn more about the inspiration behind this returning fan-favourite beverage.

In Cafe

Starbucks Canada: Pistachio Latte is Back + Review

January 4, 2022

Starbucks is kicking off the new year with the launch of its winter menu, arriving in stores today (Tuesday, January 4th), featuring the returning Pistachio Latte, back by popular demand for its second year.

Pistachio Latte

The Pistachio Latte features cozy flavours of sweet pistachio and rich brown butter paired with espresso and steamed milk, specially crafted to keep coffee lovers comforted in the new year.

The Pistachio Latte can be ordered hot or iced at stores in Canada for a limited time while supplies last. Learn more about the inspiration behind this returning fan-favourite beverage.

Taste Test

We tried out the Pistachio Latte and it was ok. I would suggest adding an extra shot of espresso so the coffee can shine through the sweeteners. You get a lot more flavours when it’s hot

You can enjoy the brink hot, iced, or blended. Also modifying the drink to have oat milk instead of milk is another good option.

Website: https://www.starbucks.ca/

In Fast Food

Mary Brown’s Chicken x Lightlife: New Plant-based Tenders and Sidekick Snack Sandwiches

January 4, 2022

Mary Brown’s will offer Lightlife plant-based Tenders on its menu as well as Lightlife plant-based Sidekick Snack Sandwiches in two flavour profiles.

The new plant-based menu is comprised of:

Original Sidekick Sandwich
Sweet Heat Sidekick Sandwich
Tenders (3 pieces)
Tenders (5 pieces)

A growing segment of Canadians are choosing a flexitarian diet – they eat meat and poultry, but are increasing their intake of plant-based food. Mary Brown’s wanted to provide menu choices for this emerging demographic. Hadi Chahin, Mary Brown’s President and COO, explains, “We’re listening to what Canadians are saying and how their food tastes are changing. So while chicken is at the heart of our menu, we also want to satisfy the cravings of Guests who are looking for delicious plant-based choices.”

Jeff Barlow, Mary Brown’s VP of Marketing, adds, “We chose to partner with Lightlife because it means everything to us as a brand to serve our Guests plant-based food that meets our extremely high standards for quality and taste.”

“Lightlife is committed to making plant-based eating more accessible and is excited to partner with Mary Brown’s to now offer their Guests something they can enjoy without compromise: delicious and satisfying breaded plant-based menu options made with simple ingredients they can feel good about,” said Dan Curtin, President of Greenleaf Foods, SPC.

Chahin summarizes, “Plant-based options open the door to more people enjoying Mary Brown’s – and at the end of the day, sharing great food with family and friends is what we’re all about.”

In Meal Kits

Fresh Prep: Revitalizing Meals for a Busy Family + Coupon Code

December 5, 2021

Fresh Prep is your one stop shop for making meal times easier. They have an assortment of convenient and flexible meal options beyond just meal kits.

We tried Fresh Prep for 4 weeks to infuse more flavour and inspiration to our family lunch, dinners, and snacks. This is all made in-house by their culinary team or locally-sourced from food producers. I really loved browsing the ‘Add-on’ section and discovering more local small businesses and seeing that quality and freshness is a priority.

We chose to use Fresh Prep to revitalize our weekly meal routine as I was tired of the same old dishes I was making. I needed an infusion of flavours and pairings.

Fresh Prep was voted best meal kit service in Vancouver by the readers of the Georgia Straight. We absolutely love how they are committed to making meals convenient, delicious, and sustainable.

Fresh Prep Discount Code: 75% Off

You can get 75% off your first order (applicable to 2-meal/2-person plans, or a value of $36.75 on other plans).

Use code INFDIANA21 or visit freshprep.ca/INFDIANA21.

Safety

Their Zero Waste meals is a game changer and they ensure their customer and staff health and safety is #1. They ensure the cleaning process is separate from their food prep and packaging facility. This helps them better monitor and control the cleaning process. The process is contactless and automated to limit the amount of human contact.

Fresh Prep ensures the cooler bags, components, and ice packs are disinfected and tested regularly.

Delivery

3 hours before the delivery, you will get a text message from Fresh Prep with the tracking link and estimated arrival time. They use their own fleet of local drivers instead of the postal service. Once your order arrives in the cooler bag, you’ll get one more text message.

Inside the cooler bag are all your meals and add-ons. I love how they use reusable packaging and have a recycling program.

Meal Kit Options

Every week, you can put in your order for their different meal kits. I love how there are many options for those with dietary restrictions or cooking skill level. I’ve never felt too limited by any of their options. You can filter the recipes too by vegetarian, vegan, dairy aware, and gluten aware.

It’s easy to navigate between the meal to get more information.

Add Ons

Outside of the meal kits, you can add other products into your order for the week. Best of all, these are local small businesses they help support. I discovered some new brands and enjoyed some favourites as well.

Here are a few of my personal favourites:

Tayybeh Hummus and Pita Chips
Barakah Eats – Channa Masala
Organic Ocean – Candied Pink Salmon
Earth’s Own – Barista Oat Milk
Loop – All their drinks are great
Nelson the Seagull – Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
Polly Fox – Brownie

Stand Out

Fresh Prep is one of the largest meal prep and grocer based out of Vancouver, BC. There is no delivery free with your order, they are a certified B corp and use Ocean wise certified products. They definitely stand out and try their best to do better and be better compared to their competitors.

Returning cooler bag

Upon your next delivery, return the cooler bag, ice pack, rinsed soft plastics, and zero waste kits to the delivery driver that’s dropping the next delivery. It was that easy.

Final Thoughts

After 4 weeks of revitalizing my lunch and dinners with Fresh Prep, I was impressed with the service and food offerings. Just getting 2 – 3 meals delivered a week really helped me diversify the types of dishes we had as a family. I quickly learned what style of dishes we enjoyed as a family while still discovering new flavour combinations in our meals. I like how I can skip certain weeks if none of the dishes appeal to me or if I get busy.

It’s definitely worth a try to fit it into your weekly meal plans.

Website: freshprep.ca

This blog post was sponsored by Fresh Prep but the opinions are all my own.

In Cafe

Starbucks Canada: Apple Crisp Macchiato Review

August 24, 2021

This year, autumn gets anew beverage with the Apple Crisp Macchiato, available at Starbucks stores across Canada and the U.S. starting Tuesday, August 24 for a limited time, while supplies last.

For nearly 20 years, Starbucks beverage teams have created new autumn flavours for customers to enjoy. Whether it’s the returning hit and companion to the Pumpkin Spice Latte, the Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew, or past favourites like the Apple Oat Flat White and Salted Caramel Mocha, Starbucks fall beverages have always been the perfect companion for crunchy leaves and sweater weather.

Apple Crisp Macchiato

Building on the popularity of fall flavour at Starbucks, the NEW Apple Crisp Macchiato, available hot or iced, offers customers comfort to the core with layered flavours of apple and brown sugar melding like the filling of a gooey apple pie in harmony with espresso, steamed milk and a caramelized-spiced-apple drizzle for a nostalgic autumn pick-me-up.

Taste Test

We gave the Apple Crisp Macchiato a try and we felt there was too much syrup, so I would recommend cutting it in half so it’s not too sweet. The syrup does pool at the bottom, so make sure to mix it up or else it gets really sweet at the bottom. The flavours are nice as you do get the tang of the apples, cinnamon notes, and cloves that reminded me of the Fall.

Website: https://www.starbucks.ca/

In Fast Food

McDonalds Canada: Space Jam 20-Piece McNuggets

July 7, 2021

Enjoying a 20 piece Chicken McNuggets sharing box is a bit more fun with a Space Jam twist at McDonalds. The box converts into a table-top basketball game so you and a friend can slam dunk all the nuggets into the saucy hoop.

That it comes in is branded with Space Jam characters Lebron James and Bugs Bunny. There are instructions behind the box to show you how to assemble the net. There are 4 steps:

Push hoop tab and inner tab outward facing.
Fold box cover in half inward facing.
Tear off top perforated piece around box.
Add you sauce and bunk.

If you find the instructions complicated, that’s ok. There are pictures to assist you.

This is what the assembled box looks like. For a limited time only, you can try this out too.

In Fast Food

McDonalds Canada: Chocolate Chip Cookie Milkshake Review

July 7, 2021

McDonalds Canada has a new limited time only milkshake to celebrate the release of Space Jam – Chocolate Chip Cookie Milkshake. It has smooth, creamy soft serve and chocolate chip cookie syrup are blended together in this delicious milkshake.

It comes in Snack Size, Small, Medium, and Large.

Taste Test

We went with the snack size as it can be quite big. It’s pretty sweet and mostly tastes like the cookie syrup. I really wasn’t a fan of that. It was lacking a richer chocolate taste. No matter how much your mix it, it didn’t help.

Final Thoughts

You can skip on this one. It’s not good at all.

Website:
https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/chocolate-chip-cookie-triple-thick-milkshake-medium.html

In Fast Food

McDonalds Canada: Slam Dunk Cookie McFlurry Review

July 7, 2021

McDonalds Canada just launched the Slam Dunk Cookie McFlurry for a limited time only. It has smooth vanilla soft serve blended with chocolate chip cookie pieces and colourful candy-coated chocolate drops, swirled together with decadent hot fudge sauce for a cool and creamy dessert.

It is available in Snack Size and Regular Size.

Taste Test

I went with a snack size as I never know if new limited edition treats are good. Once I took the first few bites, I really enjoyed it! I wish I got a regular. The judge sauce and the vanilla ice cream pairs so well like their parfaits. Then you add the cookies and Smarties to give it a great crunch of texture.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed it and so did my partner. I would highly recommend this. Make sure to mix it around as it can get sweet.

Website:
https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca/product/slam-dunk-cookie-mcflurry-regular-size.html

In Fast Food

McDonalds Canada: Spicy Habanero Chicken McMuffin and Spicy Habanero Bacon ‘N Egg McMuffin Review

July 5, 2021

If you love your spice, McDonalds Canada is introducing the Spicy Habanero Chicken McMuffin and Spicy Habanero Bacon ‘N Egg McMuffin starting today. They also have their Spicy Habanero McChicken if you don’t want breakfast, but love Spicy Habanero sauce.

Spicy Habanero Chicken McMuffin

Spicy Habanero Chicken McMuffin is a combination of spicy habanero sauce, a breaded seasoned chicken patty, a slice of tasty processed cheddar cheese sitting on a toasted English muffin. This is only available in the AM only .

Spicy Habanero Bacon ‘N Egg McMuffin

Spicy Habanero Bacon ‘N Egg McMuffin is a combination of a Canada Grade A freshly cracked egg with a spicy habanero sauce, crisp bacon and a slice of tasty processed cheddar cheese sitting on a toasted English muffin. You can find this at McDonalds All Day.

Taste Test

Taste test coming soon. We will update this soon.

Website:
https://www.mcdonalds.com/ca/en-ca

In Japanese

Mauna Sushi: Aburi Oshi and Sushi Rolls in Surrey

July 3, 2021

Mauna Sushi is serving up Aburi Oshi in Surrey and it’s great to have more options in the area. Sean Ma is behind Mauna Sushi and has worked at Minami, Wasabi, and his own catering company prior to starting Sushi Mauna.

They are currently open for take out and delivery, but once the pandemic restrictions ease up, dine in will resume. Best to double check and give them a call. In the meantime, they are ready for you for your next party, picnic, or potluck.

Right now, they have 10% off takeout orders and free Mauna Aburi Tart if you order Tray D, E, F, G, H or the Aburi tray for a limited time only.

Taste Test

The Tray D features Salmon Oshi, Ebi Oshi, Saba Oshi, Explosion Roll and Hawaiian Roll. A good assortment of items in this tray and it is their most popular tray on the menu. Great item for get togethers with many people.

Mauna Aburi Tart is good for an individual person or if you are keen, you can share it with another person to have a taste. Good flavours and I like the crunchy bits from the fried tempura.

Tamago Maki, Avocado Maki, and Cucumber Maki for our little toddler. It’s solid and our daughter ate them up.

Final Thoughts

It’s great to have aburi oshi in this area a few minutes away from Guildford Town Centre, so you don’t have to travel all the way to Downtown Vancouver for it. Prices are very fair and affordable too.

Address:
14839 108 Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 1W2

Website:
https://maunasushi.ca/

In Coquitlam

Sushi Tree: Inari Bar in Henderson Mall, Coquitlam

July 3, 2021

Sushi Tree Restaurant just opened in Henderson Place Mall in Coquitlam. They are specifically located between the library and the north side of Henderson Mall near the parkade entrance. It is quick serve, so there are no tables inside. Just order at the counter and grab your order. As the inari are made ahead of time, there isn’t a wait unless you’re getting the other rice bowls or salads on the menu.

They specialize in Inari, Japanese sushi with rice and ingredients inside of tofu pocket. It’s very affordable as each piece is around $2.65.

Taste Test

We grabbed 6 inari per adult and it was really filling, but we enjoyed the variety. It’s makes for a nice lunch or something to bring to a picnic or a friend’s place. The size of each inari was a good portion size. The ratio of the rice and topping are very great too.

Of all the inari, our favourites were – spam, teriyaki beef, spicy pork, cooked tuna, and unagi. If you want kid-friendly inari, we recommend the egg and the cooked tuna.

Just grab a bunch and you won’t be disappointed.

Final Thoughts

We do recommend them as it’s a good potion, tasty, and affordable. It gave us Japanese vibes even thought the inari do have Korean influences.

Address:
1163 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam, BC

Website: https://sushi-tree-mordern-izakaya-restaurants.business.site/

In Fast Food

McDonalds Canada: $1 Vanilla Soft Serve Cone is Back

June 16, 2021

Vanilla Cones are back at McDonalds Canada for $1 through their app until September 6. With the hot Summer ahead, you’ll want to cool down with this classic treat for yourself of the kids.

You will need to download their app to get in on this deal and it’s available on Android and iOS devices. If you’re not into ice cream, they still have their $1 Summer Drink Days deals.

In Fast Food

Tim Hortons: New Tims Real Fruit Quenchers in Strawberry Watermelon and Peach flavours

June 15, 2021

Tim Hortons launches new Tims Real Fruit Quenchers in Strawberry Watermelon and Peach flavours to keep Canadians refreshed all summer long! (CNW Group/Tim Hortons)

The official start of summer may still be a week away, but Tim Hortons is ready to satisfy Canadians’ cold beverage cravings with the new Tims Real Fruit Quenchers, available in Strawberry Watermelon or Peach flavours.

Paired perfectly with one of Tim Hortons lunch wraps or enjoyed on its own, Tims Real Fruit Quenchers are made from real fruit juice from concentrate.

“We wanted to kick off the season by launching two new everyday drinks for guests who are looking to cool down with a refreshing beverage that tastes like summer,” says Hope Bagozzi, Tim Hortons Chief Marketing Officer.

“The two new Real Fruit Quenchers are also part of our commitment to providing guests with menu items that are made without artificial colours or flavours, giving them a refreshing drink they can enjoy all summer long!”

The new Real Fruit Quenchers are available for $2.49* plus tax at participating restaurants across Canada.

*Prices may vary by region and beverage size