Eating at the spa

I had a really great reading week, although I did tons of homework, as expected.

Since I’ve been working up a storm, my mom thought it would be nice to take me out for a day; she said to relax a little.

So here I am. Back from my day at the spa, and I feel gooooood!

Pretty cliché, but we went to check out Thermea spa. I’ve been to a few spas in Winnipeg, and I have to say, this one was quite unlike any other I’ve experienced!

Wow. I felt like I had stepped out of Winnipeg for a short impromptu vacation.

We arrived to the establishment, and I was pleasantly surprised about how secluded the spa felt.

It was very rustic, with deer antlers hanging amongst the hanging ceiling lamps at the top of the vaulted ceiling.

We were given robes and sandals, and directed to the fitting room.

When we were ready to go, we started off in a dry sauna, in which we sat for 15 minutes before going into an ice-cold pool called the “Polarer”.

Next, we went into a pool with medium temperature water – not too hot, but not too cold – and then into the hot tub for ten minutes.

After the hot tub, there is an aromatherapy sauna, one orange and the other eucalyptus.

The last step is the relaxation room. Tea and water are provided before lounging on heated stones with headphones that provide relaxing music.

Another room features several mats and pillows where you can lie down and take a nap or rest.

Of course, the spa has a very interesting restaurant called Restö. Guests of the spa are welcome to enter the restaurant with robes and sandals.

Obviously it follows a health theme, for example, they have an appetizer called a “restorative.”

The two restoratives include bison and barley broth, winter vegetables and caramelized carrot soup, rosemary oil, lemon.

For a lighter fare, you can enjoy a roasted seeds, cream cheese, beets, cucumber, sprouts sandwich.

My absolute favourite thing was the cheese and meat plate. You can choose 3 for $18 or 5 for $28, and options include smoked provolone, MB Trappis Monk Oka, garlic onion loaf and bison salami, to name a few.

It's a great deal to go to Thermea, Monday to Thursday the rates are $45. Weekends are only $4 more. There was different types of massages and facials as well, but they were all booked up.

Smoothie Up, Friends!

Everyone’s drinking smoothies!

This has been a huge deal in the last couple years. Everyone and their dog seem to be adding “mixologist” to their resumes.

So how do you know what to put into your cup?

I’ll let you know the certain benefits we can get from fruits and veggies and why it’s good for you to ingest!

Benefits to smoothies:

-Reduces inflammation which leads to clear skin

-Eliminating free radicals allows us to control anti-aging

-Boosts collagen

-Vitamin C

-Opportunities to heal dry skin

-Overall health

-Nourishes body and mind

TAHITI TREAT

BLEND:
3/4 cup orange juice

2 frozen bananas
1 cup of strawberries
1/2 cup of raspberries
5 peeled kiwis

STRAWBERRY KISS:
1 cup coconut water
1/2 cup plain yogurt or greek yogurt
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup rasberries

My favourite ingredient in a smoothie is coconut. I always keep a coconut extract in the cupboard to add an extra bit of flavour.

Coconut water is great after a workout since it's considered a natural sports drink that replaces potassium in your body. Here's a great post-workout smoothie recipe:

Orange fruits and veggies offer heaps of nutrients called carotenoids, which repair the cell damage that happens during workouts. Meanwhile, coconut water rebalances the electrolytes you’ve lost through perspiration.

POST-WORKOUT

2 cups spinach

1 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup baby carrots

1/2 ci[ coconut water

1/4 cup orange juice

2 mandarin oranges, peeled

1/2 cup greek yogurt

BLEND all ingredients until smooth.

NUTRITION (per serving) 364 cal, 12 g pro, 80g  carb, 12 g fiber, 62 g sugars, 2.5 g fat, 1.5 g sat fat, 321 mg sodium
Found on prevention.com

Good food, good beer, and good coffee—The Good Will

Winnipeg's known for its thriving hospitality business. Everywhere you look, new restaurants and new lounges are popping up in our multicultural city.

There’s nothing I hate more than going out with my friends, and then stopping at McDonald’s on the way home for a double big mac and large fries.

That’s a disgusting lie.

I love everything about going out with my friends, and then visiting Ronnie (McDonald's) at the end of the night.

But, this is clearly not a healthy habit to adopt. Lately, I’ve been trying to eat healthier, so McDonald’s doesn't quite fit in my meal plan.

So how do I solve the issue of eating better when going out dancing with my friends? And no, dancing doesn’t eliminate future McDonald’s calories….

There are several establishments introducing eateries. Not only do you get to go out and enjoy the entertainment and atmosphere, but also you get to sit down and order a hearty meal (healthy or non-healthy) of your choice.

Last week, I checked out a new place called The Good Will.

Located at 625 Portage Avenue, The Good Will is a "social club" that provides: music, coffee, pizza & beer. What else do you need to exist? NOTHING.

I think this is a pretty cool concept, considering these words are like antonyms, ie. coffee and beer. 

When I arrived, I noticed first and foremost the eatery. The business "A Little Slice of Heaven" provides an array of menu options, from pizza to nachos. Beside the eatery was a really cool rustic looking table that reminded me of a glorified cafeteria setting. 

An abundance of people were sitting at the benched tables, stuffing their faces, just as I would. On the other side of the wall, a large room housed the live bands, and an "L" shaped bar. 

In another tiny corner, a sitting area with board games and old throwback items were encouraged to bring out and use/play with. 

A pretty cool concept if you ask me. All these different activities: eating, board games, dancing, eating, drinking coffee, taking shots, drinking beer, stuffed all in one room.

Please don't ever make me leave.

So what did I have? Heres a few things from the menu;

-Kettle—Cooked chips with dip $4

-BBQ Chicken Pizza—Chicken breast lathered in tangy BBQ sauce with green peppers, red onions and mozzarella

ONE PIE
M – $18
L – $24

XL – $28

-Nachos—Tomatoes, onions, green peppers, jalapeños, black olives, cheddar and mozzarella $10

Another thing worth mentioning is Winnipeg's Bogosian's own creation, "#44 BOGO’S BUFFALO CHICKEN".

Pretty neat. 

Please sir, can I have some more?

I found myself combing through the cupboard last Friday night at approximately 11:30 p.m.

There was a box of opened crackers, and a few packets of hot chocolate. I cringed as I stuffed the stale cracker into my mouth.

I stood staring into the unfilled cupboards for a good ten minutes. I knew I had to do something to curb the hunger that growled deep inside. This was life or death.

I decided to become innovative and proceeded to check the baking cupboard. If I can't heat something up, I'm join to damn well bake something!

I feel like every has this one crucial ingredient that can save hungry people everywhere—peanut butter. I'm sure you can guess where this is going...

The peanut butter cookie – a delectable sweet that has one of Canada’s most popular ingredient – peanut butter.

The first public recipe was in 1916, according to a website called ProFlowers. More interestingly, the famous “fork marks” that have appeared on peanut butter cookies comes from a baking tradition, as well as an indicator for people who have allergies. Historically, the fork marks were first seen in 1936 in a Pillsbury cookbook.


I found a super easy recipe that consists of three ingredients. Once again, I pulled the recipe from one of my favourite recipe sites, www.allrecipes.com.

Here it is as follows:

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup white sugar

1 egg

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Combine the peanut butter, white sugar and egg. Mix until smooth.
• Drop spoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes. Do not overbake! These cookies are best when they are still soft and just barely brown on the bottoms.

I Heart Sushi

I’m a huge sushi fan.

I could quite literally eat sushi every single day. The great thing about sushi is that the last few years, they have put up restaurants at everywhere!

Of course, the quality of sushi is very different in each restaurant, as well as prices.

My favourite place to go for sushi is Wasabi on Broadway. Not only is their sushi phenomenal, but also their drink menu is great! I tried the Wasabi Caesar, and I was shocked—where and why haven’t I had this previously?

When I go to Wasabi, I always start with the "Honey Plum Tuna," which is tuna wrapped in nori, piled with tempura, and topped with honey sauce.

Next, I order my rolls! Here are some of my favourites from the Wasabi menu:

MAHALO ROLL $22
spicy steamed shrimp, pineapple, mango, red pepper and tempura crumbs wrapped with soy sheet topped with albacore tuna, drizzled with chili lime sauce and seaweed sprinkles


RAINBOW ROLL $12
crab meat, tobiko, mayo, avocado, sesame seeds topped with an assortment of seafood on the outside


MANGO TANGO $12
fresh slices of mango, avocado, tobiko and tempura shrimp dressed with wasabi mayo


As a student, I can’t go to Wasabi as much as I’d like. It is a tad pricey, although I have to stress that the quality is, in my opinion, the best.

                                                                             ....

When I find myself low on funds, I go to one of the two locations called Magic Sushi.

Magic Sushi first opened up in the North End on McPhillips Avenue as an all-you-can-eat restaurant. I think that people like to go and eat sushi here because it's cheap, but has quality.

The second location, Magic Sushi 2, opened up a little over two years ago, in Elmwood. When I visit this place, I barely ever have to wait more than 15 minutes to eat. The appetizers are included in the $12.95 price; for this reason I make sure to stock up on the teriyaki tofu and tempura. I also have a bowl of edamame beans as a little snack. If I'm feeling extra hungry, I get the wonton soup—delish!

For the main course, I have three or four favourite rolls that I always order (yes, you can tell I eat here a lot). Here's what I order from the Magic Sushi 2 menu:

Golden Boy: Shrimp inside with salmon and avocado on top

Red River: Chick inside with kani (crab) on top

Alaska: Scallop inside with smoke salmon on top

Baku Scallop Maki: Scallops with tempura crunches, and hot sauce on top

My only gripe? I once went to Magic Sushi 2 with a friend who had never been there before, and she ordered one-too-many rolls by accident. The restaurant charged her $1 for every piece she didn't eat. There was 10 leftover pieces, therefore she was charged an extra $10! This is why you may see random pieces of sushi hidden around the restaurant—almost like a scavenger hunt. But seriously, people don't want to pay the price. I can only imagine how many crushed sushi rolls end up wrapped up in kleenex and shoved down to the bottom of women's purses. Not saying I've never done this.....

Check out Wasabi and Magic Sushi 2, I guarantee you won't be upset. 

King + Bannantyne

Two of my girlfriends asked me to lunch yesterday. It was the perfect timing, because a.) my blog was due, and b.) I was starving!

They led me through the exchange district to a little place called King + Bannantyne.

Urbanspoon reviews say, “It’s the best sandwich place ever!” 

I must say, I’ve never been to a place like King + Bannantyne, I give them credit for being different—and it works!

Mostly, I was impressed with the restaurant's décor. It complimented the Exchange District. It was sleek and modern. The tables were DIY wood and a stainless steel tops, the perfect mix of rustic and contemporary. 

The walls bared white in colour, with some interesting animal art. I, for one, didn't love staring at the parts of a pig...while my friend across the table essentially ate it, but it was unlike anything I've seen before. 

I liked the ordering bar, no servers, a quick line to grab what you want, and than sit down where you can find a spot. There was at least ten people ahead of me when I stood in line to place my order, but it took mere moments to get my food.

The menu was pretty cool. There was a porchetta, brisket, or meatball sandwich to choose from.There was also the eggplant melt grilled cheese, which I chose. Lastly, the pulled pork graced the menu.

I would have usually went for the meat, but I opted out for the grilled cheese, since I've been obsessed with eggplant lately.

Side note, eggplant is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, and wow, is it ever spectacular steamed. I got the idea to make it like this when I went for Dim Sum a few weeks ago. The dish was steamed eggplant stuffed with shrimp in a teriyaki sauce...to be continued.

Not only was the food different than most of the lunch restaurants I've visited, but their drink selection was pretty sweet. I had black cherry soda in a glass bottle. So retro. Other soda flavours were available, selling for $3.50.

There was only two sides; soup and potato salad. The potato salad was pretty amazing, according to my friend, Vanessa. 

I really enjoyed seeing them make our lunch before our eyes; almost like The Keg of Subway. 

It was a tad pricey for my pitiful student budget. For my grilled cheese it was $7, and my drink was a whopping $3.50. I was still kind of hungry after my sandwich, but I couldn't comprehend paying another $4 for a side. Regardless, it's pretty comparable since most restaurant meals are $12.99 for a sandwich of some sort and fries.  

I will definitely go here again, except this time I will try the meat.