Detoxing... The End Is Near

by Carmen Cruz


Ever done a cleanse before?
If you're like me, you hear people talking about how great they feel after doing a cleanse or detox, and you think to yourself, I'd like to do that...one day.
Then you think about how much discipline it requires, and how you'll (Gad forbid!) be deprived of your favourite foods (ie: sugar, bread, sugar, wine, chocolate, pasta, sugar, cheese, sugar). After that, the idea of doing a cleanse just tends to become less and less of a priority.

After much debate and delay, I finally decided to buckle down and give it a go. Even though I loves me my sugar, bread, cheese, etc., I decided it was time to give my body a break (when it comes to not-so-good foods). Enter the Wild Rose D-Tox. It's 12 days of extremely clean and healthy eating (absolutely no sugar, or dairy, amongst many other food restrictions), combined with 3 different herbal supplements and drops that you need to take twice a day.

Here's how my experience has been thus far:
Nothing says Fun & Sexy quite like the word 'Laxaherb'

Day 1: 
(Morning) What? I can't even put honey or Greek yoghurt in my steel-cut oats this morning? F this!
(Afternoon)What? No balsamic allowed in my salad? F this!
(Evening) What? I can't even have some grapes as a snack? WTF!!!


Day 2: 
So tired. Minimal energy. Starting to get irritable and brain is foggy. Why am I doing this again? I miss sugar... and cheese.


Day 3: 
Ridiculously tired. Minimal energy. Very irritable. Even my mother has decided to avoid me today. Seriously, why am I doing this again? I miss sugar.

Day 4: 
Energy is starting to pick up. Starting to enjoy using berries and fruit to sweeten food instead of sugar. Eating almonds till they come out of my ears, but it's not horrible. Ok. I think I can do this. I still miss sugar.

Day 5: 
Starting to feel really good. Getting some serious pep in my step. Feels like brain fog is completely gone and able to focus better than ever. Still miss sugar, but not as much. (Finally able to appreciate drinking black coffee. This is a first!).

Day 6: 
Practically bounced out of bed. Feeling amazing. So much energy. I like this. I like it a lot. Still not a major fan of the super restrictive diet though. It's really tough. On the plus side, I'm finally learning to cook. Miracles CAN happen!

Day 7: 
Feeling Good. REEEEEEEEEAL GOOD.

Day 8: 
Energy levels are through the roof. Skin is glowing. Feeling great, but getting tired of the restrictive diet. Seriously? I can't even eat bananas or oranges? :(

Day 9 (today):
Feeling awesome, but ready for this to be over now. Eating sushi without soya sauce just ain't cutting it anymore.

The end is near (thank Gad!), and even though I can't wait for this detox to be over, I can honestly say that my eating habits will definitely be changing for good. If you're thinking of trying this detox out, here are some tips for ya:
 
1) Buy raw almonds. LOTS of raw almonds. Bake them on a cookie sheet for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. They taste amazing and are perfect to snack on.
2) Invest in a Nutribullet (it'll change your life). Have it on hand to make yourself what I like to call a 'meal juice' (mixture of veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds. So tasty!). **Note: Nutribullets tend to sell out all over Vancouver (Canadian Tire carries them) but you can usually skip the waiting list and pick one up at Canadian Tire in North Van**
3) Lentils. Get lots.
4) There are tons of recipe's you can find online to help make this whole process more bearable. Do the research. It's worth it. 
Almost at the finish line now. Can't wait!!!!!!!!

Enjoy.

Besos,

CC.
*
**P.S: If you have any Wild Rose D-Tox friendly recipes you'd like to share, feel free to email them to carmen@carmencruz.ca (the easier the recipe, the better!)**










Best Perogy Dinner In Vancouver

by Carmen Cruz


All praise the almighty perogy!    

If you find yourself with a hankering for perogies like Baba used to make, it's time for you to get to
church - seriously.
On the first Friday of every month, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church puts together a good ol' fashioned homemade Ukrainian supper.  For anywhere between $8 - $12 (and depending on how hungry you are) you can dine on perogies, cabbage rolls, sauerkraut and Ukrainian sausage.
While the menu list isn't huge, they do offer a vegetarian option, as well as a take out menu is you prefer to munch at home.
The dinner runs from 5pm - 8pm and is extremely popular, so if you're wanting to get your hands on some piping hot perogies (and who doesn't really?!) make sure you show up early.

The perogy dinner will be taking place THIS Friday (April 5th, 2013) at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church (154 East 10th, just off Main Street).

Want more info? Go here.

Enjoy.

Besos,

CC.
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Vancouver Poutine Festival

by Carmen Cruz


Last years very first Vancouver Poutine Festival was such a huge success that La Belle Patate and Francouver.ca have once again joined forces to bring back the celebration of artery clogging goodness for yet another year.

The two day festival (Saturday March 9th and Sunday March 10th) showcases poutine (I'm talking the REAL stuff here -  squeaky cheese and all), poutine tastings, events for the kiddies (during the day), live music (in the evenings) and a celebration of all things Francophone.
It's all happening at the Heritage Hall (3102 Main Street), and sadly, the $10 pre-sale tickets are completely sold out... but no worries! There will be rush tickets available at the door at 1:30pm for the afternoon event, and 7:30pm for the evening event. Space is limited, so make sure you show up early.
Want more info? Go here.

Yum.

Enjoy!

Besos,

CC.
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The Bestest Of Vancouver ~ Vancouver says farewell to.....

by Carmen Cruz


It's the end of an era....


Section 3 is one of my favourite places to hang out at. Despite the fact that it's in Yaletown, the scene here is laid back and completely unpretentious. Arturo (my favourite bartender) makes the BEST mojito's in the city and J (the manager) gives amazing and friendly service - ALWAYS.
Their 'Nerd' sign has to be one of the most photographed bar signs in Vancouver (It's actually my wallpaper on my computer).
And their food! It's a little known fact that the food here is 'off the hizzle'.  They've got stuff like....

Pulled Pork and Goat Cheese Poutine
House-cut Kennebec Fries, Port Demi-Glace
$12.95

Ultimate Veggie Burger
Whole Wheat Bun, Alfalfa Sprouts, Cucumber, Avocado, Roasted Garlic Mayo, Goats cheese
$14.95

BBQ Baby Back Ribs
Four Cheese Macaroni and Coleslaw
$21.95

**They've also got gluten free options. Nice!**

 I've had my birthday, going away and welcome back parties, all at this lovely place. I've even spent a new years eve here.
Now... it's closing it's doors for good. The owners have decided to sell the place and move on to new adventures. You have about a month to head out to Section 3 and take advantage of their amazing drinks, yummy food and awesome atmosphere. I have to say that I'll genuinely miss this place.

Maybe, if you're lucky, one of the staff there will tell you the story behind their 'nerd' sign and how they decided to name the restaurant 'Section 3'. (Let's just say it involved being sued by Robert De Niro. True Story).

As of September 23, Section 3 will be no more.

Sad.
It truly was one of the Bestest Of Vancouver.

Besos,

CC.
*

P.S: For more info on Section 3, check out their facebook page

Japadog Hotdog Eating Contest at YVR

by Carmen Cruz


Believe it.
Japadog will be holding a hotdog eating contest at their YVR airport location. The goal is to scarf down as many hotdogs as possible in 10 minutes. Only 6 lucky (and hungry) people will be selected to compete. Wanna be a part of this? Here's the deal:
You've gotta visit the Japadog stand at YVR’s Chester Johnson Park (outside International Arrivals on Level 2) and enter your name in a draw. Deadline to enter is THIS Wednesday, August 8th.
The final 6 competitors will be randomly selected THIS Thursday, August 9th .

So whatcha gonna win?  All 6 participants will receive $15 YVR bucks (that should be enough to cover one hour of parking at the airport terminal) and a $10 Japadog gift certificate (nice!).
The BIG winner will receive $250 YVR bucks (enough to cover a solid day of parking at YVR... jk!) and a $50 Japadog gift certificate (SUPER nice!).

You can watch the hotdog eating action take place on Friday, August 17 from 12:30pm-1:00pm at International Departures, Level 3.

All this hotdog talk has me craving some street right now....

Enjoy!

Besos,

CC.
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