Posts filed under ‘Random Swellness’
Yes, I ate a foie gras ‘double down’
Last month, I ate dinner for the first time at Joe Beef in Montreal. I’d heard about the restaurant before, but it was the rave tweets from chefs David Chang of Momofuku (at Ko, ate one of my favourite meals of all time) and Anthony Bourdain (I adore this book of his) that got me (eye infection and all) to drag my butt there in February.
I split Joe Beef’s version of the double down with Janine of BeautyGeeks as an appetizer – the Joe Beef double down is two pieces of battered and fried foie gras, with cheese and bacon in the middle.
It was simply too rich. (Yes, there’s such a thing! Think of the richest things you’ve eaten and triple it)
For my main, I had the guinea hen (above) prepared two ways: confit and fried (sort of prepared like a schnitzel). Very tasty, but at that point after the double down plus we’d received a complimentary plate of smoke eel fritters, well, I’d had my fill of fried foods, so I ended up taking most of it back to my hotel minifridge.
This here is Lindsay of Sometimes Fancy‘s meal. I forget what it’s called but it arrived in a Le Creuset-type stockpot large enough to feed a family of SIX. No joke. That’s a lot of sausage, my friends. I’ve dubbed it the sausage fest.
There are only certain types of desserts I am fond of, and this is way up there on my favourites now: hazelnut soft-serve ice cream made on the premises. Incredible. It was actually a twist type of ice cream, but I forget the other flavour…Ate every last spoonful and then I rolled my very full self back to my hotel room.
Next trip to Montreal, I am so going back to Joe Beef if I can. Very chill atmosphere (I appreciated the 90s hip hop playing when we were there). Next time, I’ll just try to have more than just fried foods. Maybe even a vegetable or two.
Joe Beef, 2491 Notre Dame Ouest, Montreal.
What we wear can be a happiness booster
(Moto Coral Baxter jeans, Topshop)
Jeans are what we wear when we’re feeling down, says new research from the University of Hertfordshire.
The researchers found that what we choose to wear is very much influenced by the mood we’re in. We’re more likely to wear a baggy top when feeling blue, for example–that’s another finding from the study. And we’re more likely to wear our favourite shoes when we’re in a good mood.
“Happy clothes” tend to fit well, enhance our figures and made from bright, gorgeous fabrics.
All of that makes sense to me. The part I disagree with is where jeans are said to be worn by those who are down in the dumps because:
“Jeans don’t look great on everyone. They are often poorly cut and badly fitting. Jeans can signal that the wearer hasn’t bothered with their appearance.”
Um, hello, jeans have come a looooong way.
And how can these pretty coral jeans not bring about happiness?
Anyhow, since the study also found that wearing “happy clothes” has the power to influence your mood (ie. wear your happy clothes and it may help get you out of a funk), I’m pretty sure we all have a reason to go out and buy a new happy piece to add to our wardrobes, non?
Speaking of bright coloured denim, my Schick Quattro for Women Style Squadmate Niki of A Haute Mess wants to know if you’ll be wearing it this spring — weigh in on the Schick Facebook page!
Swellness Sundays — Chobani Crazy Love
(Anything I find swell. Posted on Sundays. Real scientific, I know…)
If you spot this Chobani Crazy Love billboard about Toronto, be sure to snap a picture of it and share it with Chobani on Twitter (their handle is @Chobani) or on Facebook — and they’ll send you some samples of their Greek yogurt as thanks!
(I *finally* spotted it this morning at the end of a long, long, long run — highlight of the run, actually.)
Be sure to pick up the April 2012 issue of Elle Canada
In August, I had the opportunity to participate on a trip of a lifetime to Rwanda with some amazing women: some team members from the non-profit Because I Am a Girl, Plan Canada and SmartWater, Olympian and Because I am a Girl Ambassador Jennifer Heil (who is the only reason I was able to get through a pretty terrifying chimpanzee tracking excursion — she kept me calm and helped me get through the treacherous hike even though my legs were shakin’ like jello, but that’s a story for ‘nother time) and three incredible Canadian women who won the title of SmartWater SmartGirls thanks to their work on helping to improve the lives of women. These three women — Kama Money, Caroline Smeenck and Christy Smith — continue to inspire me today.
The whole lot of us were in Rwanda to help celebrate the opening of a new school and to learn about and see Plan Canada’s projects in action. And you can read all about it in the April issue of Elle Canada on newsstands now!
