Where's Da Beef?

Some of you may already know that I'm a guest blogger on the Canadian Beef Blog.  I was not born into a farming family, but I married into one.  I blog about life as a city girl living on a working beef farm.  Hopefully, I can offer a unique perspective by linking city and country (coming from both worlds), let people know more about the beef farming industry (like debunk certain myths about beef farming!), and just share our adventures on the farm. Not only am I a city girl living in the country, but I'm also a Chinese-Caribbean-Filipina-Torontonian-Montrealer living on an island in Northern Ontario! This all makes for some interesting (and often comedic) blog fodder!

Here's my latest post - Not Yo' Standard Meat and Potatoes!

Pssst! If you read the post, you'll see that I've included Hubby's favourite beef recipe! It's not just your standard steak and potatoes either!

Follow Canadian Beef on their blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook too!

#CBias and #EqualCanada - The Search for Equal Continues

 My husband wanted to take me to a new place for my birthday.  Little did I know, he and my friends had planned a surprise birthday party for me.  Spruce Glen Bakery and Café is a new coffee shop on Manitoulin Island.  They are currently closed on weekends in the Winter months, so I had no idea that we’d be heading there.  My friend’s father and his wife own the café and agreed to open it for my birthday.  

Many of my favourite people were there to celebrate my birthday. My Dad even showed up, when he told me in the morning that he was going fishing! Everyone was in on the surprise party. 

It totally took me by surprise!  

 

Spruce Glen is a quaint and cozy spot for a nice cup of gourmet  coffee, specialty tea, and a bite to eat.  The owners start their day very early in the morning to make sure all the baking is fresh for their customers.

I had a Soy Chai Latte, my husband had an Americano, and Little One had *gasp* a Jones Soda.  We don’t usually give her soda, but it was a treat. There were tons of scrumptious baked goods to feast on. Spruce Glen, though a new establishment, has already built a reputation for having delectible freshly baked breads, flat breads, turnovers, and other pastries.

While we were there, I took the opportunity to check whether Spruce Glen Bakery Café offered Equal Sweetener. I looked, and only found sugar and one other sweetener.  This was the third time I set out to find Equal and I guess the third time was not the charm. 

My father uses low calorie sweeteners for health reasons. It's nice for him to have alternatives to sugar when he's out and about.

I asked the owner if he carried Equal and if he would consider it. He said it was not something they really thought of and that they served the other sweetener because it seemed to be the one most people wanted.

 

Because this is a new establishment, they do not have any comment cards or online comment section to fill out. They don’t have a website yet, but they do  have a Facebook page. I was not able to fill out a comment card, but I did have a chance to talk to the owner.

Here's the owner with his adorable granddaughter.

Much to my dismay, I have to report that no Equal sweetener was found at this location. Overall, the experience was amazing. Perhaps a few options to choose from in the sweetener area would be a good idea later down the road. This is a very new venue, and they are doing a smashing job! Also, comment cards would be a good idea. Mainly so I can tell them over and over how great their coffee shop/bakery is!

If you find yourself on Manitoulin Island, please stop by Spruce Glen.  Their coffees, teas and treats are fabulous and the service is always great.

SPRUCE GLEN BAKERY CAFE

2392 WIKWEMIKONG WAY, WIKWEMIKONG
ONTARIO, P0P 2J0
Phone: (705) 859-3638

For more information about Equal Sweetener, please visit:  the Equal website, @EqualCanada twitter page and Equal Canada on Facebook.


Disclosure - This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias. #CBias. All opinions expressed on this blog are my own.

Bibiray's Organic Kids' Couture - Giveaway Winner!

Want to know who won the Bibiray's Giveaway?

Congratulations to SJB (entry #73)! You have won a Bibiray's Adjustable Organic Knots Dress! Please check your inbox, as an e-mail has been sent to you.

Your little one is going to love her new dress! Mine wants to wear hers all the time! She loves the neat design and all the colours. There's also a huge pocket sewn into the dress that Little One loves toting all her special little toys in.

I love the fact that the dress is made of organic cotton and that it grows with my child. Adjustable organic clothing is such an amazing idea!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! Wishing you all a Happy New Year!

Spruce Glen Bakery & Cafe: A New Place in Town

For my birthday today, my husband and some friends planned a surprise party for me at the Spruce Glen Bakery and Cafe in Wikwemikong, Ontario.

If you haven't stopped in yet, you should!  Spruce Glen serves up fabulous gourmet coffees and specialty teas at very reasonable prices! They also serve freshly baked treats like apple strudels, flat breads, cherry-filled treats, etc.  I am a fan of their Soy Chai Latte and my husband really likes their Wiky Wake Up (also known as the Red Eye)! It's a great coffee with a shot of Espresso!

Though the shop is not open on weekends, Spruce Glen (at the urging of my party-planning friends) opened to host this small event. Some of my favourite people on the planet were there. It was a lovely gathering and just makes me even more aware of how fortunate I am to have some very special people in my life. I actually almost didn't even attend my own party. My friend, ArtsyTeacherMom told me we were going to the Santa Claus Parade in Wiky and I said I didn't feel like going and that I had laundry to do! Not taking no for an answer, she told me to get into the vehicle! Good thing, because a surprise gathering was being cooked up...along with the most decadent cake. Thank you to Ultimately Chocolate for my mint chocolate birthday cake. We've tried pretty much all of Ultimately Chocolate's cakes and love them all!

What a wonderful day.  Thanks to everyone for making my birthday a very special one.

Spruce Glen Bakery Cafe is open on Mondays to Fridays from 6AM to 5PM.

Bibiray's Organic Kids' Couture - Review and Giveaway!

One of the things I find most difficult about having as little one is the fact that she grow so quickly.  Clothing and shoes don't last long because she outgrows them in no time!  Kids' clothing and kids' shoes are quite costly...especially if you have to get a bigger size in a few months!  Little One has been lucky to be the smallest out of all her friends. She always gets everyone's hand-me-downs!

Bibirays.ca has the perfect solution to the problem of having to buy new clothes all the time because your kids outgrow them so quickly. Their clothing has snaps to make it last! Everything is 3 sizes in 1 and it's all made with 100% organic cotton.

I was given the opportunity to review one of the items on the Bibirays.ca website. I let Little One choose, since ultimately, she would be the one to wear the Bibiray's item. She chose the Knots Dress in Red.

Like all of the clothing items on the website, the Knots Dress grows with your child. One size will fit up to 3 sizes and will last for many seasons. Adjustable knots at the shoulders and snaps in between the bottom layers make it easy to change the length and fit of the dress.

My 3 year old is in love with her dress and refuses to take it off. Sadly, we're on day 2 of her not wanting to remove it! She says "it's so comfy" and she loves the colours and patterns. What she loves most is the big, deep pocket that she can store her treasures in. She's been lugging around her "pet" (a stuffed hamster named Nibbles) in there and telling people that "Nibbles is in a baby carrier".

The dress is very versatile and can be worn as is, with a top underneath, with tights, leggings, one of Bibiray's peasant tops...the possibilities are endless.

I think it's pure genius to create kids' clothing that lasts a few years and sizes...especially when that item of clothing happens to be your child's favourite.

FYI: Little One dressed herself. Don't mind the mixed patterns (striped leggings)! She's got her own sense of style, which I sometimes don't quite understand. The photo below is of Little One's reaction when I asked her if she could change out of her Bibiray's Knot Dress. She has been wearing it for the past two days.

Bibirays.ca has organic cotton kids' wear for boys and girls.


WIN IT!
Clothing that lasts, is organic, and that grows with your child = great!  Oh, don't just take our word for it.  Bibirays.ca is generously giving one lucky reader of mine a Bibiray's Knot Dress of their own! The winner gets to choose colour and size.

To enter, please fill out the Rafflecopter form below. Make sure you leave a comment in the comments section here, letting me know either A) Why you like Bibiray's or B) Why you like organics. If you are having difficulty viewing the Rafflecopter form, please refresh and it should load.

* Ends December 27, 2011. Open to Canadian residents only.*

Disclosure - To facilitate this review, I was given a Knots Dress in Red by Bibiray's. All the opinions on this blog are honest and my own.

Posterjack.ca for Your Special Christmas Photo Gift Ideas

Now that we have a little one, photo gifts have been one of our favourite gift items.  We give framed photos, photobooks, and personalized photo calendars to loved ones for special occasions.  With the holidays mere weeks away, why not take a look at Posterjack.ca's website for some great gift ideas?

For those of you who haven't heard about Posterjack.ca, it is an online company that transforms Canadians' digital photos into big, bold, vibrant artwork. Posterjack.ca has a wide variety of products from posters to
canvases, peel n' sticks and metal prints!

 Here are but a few Personalized Holiday Gift ideas from Posterjack.ca:

• What Mom and Dad wouldn't love a Gallery Framed Family Portrait?


•How about a blow up a picture of your favourite vacation spot on Canvas for your partner?
•Impress your teen or college kid with a cool Metal or Acrylic Print for their pad
•Stuff your kids’ stockings with fun Peel N’ Stick Posters featuring your favourite family photo memories
•Got a shutterbug in your family? A Posterjack.ca gift certificate will help them show off
their art in style!




The ideas are endless!

*To ensure you receive your holiday order in time, Posterjack.ca recommends placing your order by
December 14th.

We wish you all a happy and memorable holiday season.  

Some Great CANADIAN Holiday Gift Ideas!

We love supporting Canadian businesses and we try to buy Canadian whenever we can. For the special people on your list this season, we've found some fabulous gift ideas.


Today I Ate A Rainbow is the perfect tool for getting kids to eat a rainbow every day. A fun, interactive chart keeps them excited about adding some colour to their meals! It's a great present for kids and parents alike!

Simply on Board has great toy straps that are great for preventing your tiny tots favourite toys, teething items, or even sippy cup from falling on the ground. The straps attach with velcro and are machine washable. There's nothing that grosses me out more than Little One's belongings falling on the floor in busy malls or restaurants. Okay, I'm only slightly paranoid about where people's feet/shoes have been!

KIOKKO Bebe Couture is easily recognizable amidst all the other baby/toddler/kid blankets, bibs, etc. Each piece is made with lots of attention and care. I've been known to give KIOKKO Bebe Couture blankets, washcloths, and bibs to expectant mothers or for welcoming home a new baby. I absolutely love the mitten clips and have not only gotten some for Little One, but for some of her friends too!

Mabel's Labels is perfect for all your labeling needs! We use Mabel's Labels on all of Little One's favourite items. They're great in case we leave her things behind at play group or elsewhere or  just so friends don't accidentally take them home with them! I'm known here as the Mabel's Labels giver! I've given labels to all my nieces and nephews and to Little One's friends for their birthdays or at Christmas.

 

Jet Baby has a fantastic variety of cool clothes for cool kids. Little One had her first John Deere outfit from Jet Baby and has since gotten a Poison onesie and Bob Marley onesie. There are so many adorable outfits and tees to choose from. Not your run of the mill, boring, generic, cookie cutter clothing. Jet Baby also sells books, CDs, DVDs...and toys from when I was a kid! I'd love to get Little One the Snoopy Sno Cone maker or Fisher Price phone that I had when I was a kid. Jet Baby is definitely a must if you're looking for the perfect gift!

 

Wean Green has an assortment of glass containers for your child's needs. We have the Wean Cubes and have stored all of Little One's snacks in them. They're the perfect size to just pop into your diaper bag or purse and pull out for your wee one to snack from.

Orkids.ca Sustainable Stainless Steel Mealtime Combo WINNER!

I know, I know. Many of you will be upset with me. Sadly, there could only be one winner for this very popular giveaway.  It makes me really happy to know that A) Many of you are concerned about the environment and are considering litter-less lunches/sustainable products for your families and B) You love supporting new, up and coming Canadian businesses like Orkids.ca!

Thank you to all who entered this giveaway. Cheers to Orkids.ca for sponsoring this giveaway. We really love working with you!

Without further ado, the lucky winner of the Orkids.ca Sustainable Stainless Steel Mealtime Combo is...

264 Tara Elias Follow via GFC

• Name: Tara Elias
• Email: tXXXX@excite.com 
• Option: Follow via GFC

The winner has been sent an e-mail. Please reply with your address so Orkids.ca can send you your amazing prize! Just in time for the Holidays!

Holiday Gift Ideas

On Manitoulin Island, we are fortunate to have Ultimately Chocolate for delectable gourmet chocolate treats. It's always a pleasure to chat with Lisabeth Flanagan, the owner of Ultimately Chocolate. Her effervescent personality and her passion for creating stunning, rich, and delicious treats really shine in each and every piece she creates. She uses only the finest ingredients, and makes sure to only use real ingredients. No hydrogenated oils or preservatives!

We have made it a tradition to buy treats and cakes from Ultimately Chocolate for our special occasions. Birthdays, dinner parties, Girls' Nights...Whatever you're celebrating, Ultimately Chocolate has the perfect cake or treat for you.

Local residents can purchase her cakes, tarts, chocolate croissants (and more!) by placing an order with her at info@ultimatelychocolate.com or by calling 705.282.3535.

Non-Island residents can  enjoy Ultimately Chocolate  TOFFLES. The TOFFLE is the perfect mixture of organic dark chocolate toffee and a milk chocolate truffle centre. It's the perfect gift for all the chocolate connoisseurs on your Holiday list!


Order online here.

Ultimately Chocolate TOFFLES made it on our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

Even Pooches Love PresentsToo!

Our precious pooch, Chance was my first baby. My canine baby. It's amazing how our furry friends can become such an important part of our lives and our family.

Don't deny it. If you're a pet lover, you've probably bought your pup a birthday present or a special treat for their birthday. You get them stocking stuffers for the Holidays. I know because I've done it too!

Introducing CANADA POOCH - A new line of pet apparel designed to help your pooch brave the Canadian Winter.

Toronto pet parent, Jacqueline Prehogan designed the jackets and vests. They're made with extra warm faux-down stuffing and are fleece-lined, waterproof, and machine-washable. They also do not contain any animal products.

While Chance is not one for wearing any accoutrements, we did have a Jack Russell who loved wearing outdoor gear! He was so tiny and got cold really quickly, that this would have been perfect for him!

Canada Pooch apparel would be a great gift for pet lovers and pets alike! Do you have a special pet on your list who would love this?

Canada Pooch has made it onto our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide. Canada Pooch apparel retails from $37.99 - $54.99 and is NOW available in pet specialty stores across Canada and online at www.canadapooch.com.