Things are ramping up quickly for the Toronto 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games. And it’s only a few days until the Games begin! I’m excited to that some 10,000 of the best athletes from the Americas and the Caribbean compete right here in Toronto. And these Pan Am/Parapan Am Games will always be special to all of us from Toronto because it’s here in the 6. And for me, these games will always stand out even more so as I not only got to get a sneak peek of the Athletes’ Village, but I also was a torch bearer in the relay on behalf of Technogym. And, ahem, I was mistaken as a Pan Am athlete when I was at the Athletes’ Village (yes, totally bragging here).
Going to actually watch some of the Games will be so hugely inspiring, I encourage you to all try to go. Tickets start at $20 and 75 percent of tickets are priced under $45, so it’s a great opportunity to see your favourite sport live or, I also think it’s a fantastic opportunity to discover a new sport. You may just get inspired to add something new to your fitness routine!
If you’re amped up for Pan Am, surely you want to show that support! It’s high time for you to get your hands on some of the official Pan Am merchandise at the Toronto 2015 Official Store located at the north end of the Toronto Eaton Centre (on street level, near the Roots store). If you haven’opped in yet, I can assure you there are some great exclusive products and gear. From stylish tees (this Spadina tee above is one of the top sellers) and hoodies for everyone, to practical items such as reusable water bottles (I love the cute Pictogram one!) so you can stay hydrated as you enjoy the Games, and sunglasses and caps
to protect yourself from UV rays (buy them if you see a pair you like, because if you snooze you may lose — the shop was already sold out and waiting for another shipment when I popped in), useful items like this Cinch Bag (to tote your essentials like your water bottle, cell phone and snacks in as you go from one game to another) and just plain adorable items like the Pachi plush, this is where you’ll find that perfect Games item you can hold onto as a keepsake of this historic event.
I love that there’s something for whatever your budget is, whether you’re more in the market for a coffee mug or a weekender bag. You know that cheer, “We’ve got spirit, yes we do! We’ve got spirit, how about you?”? We bet with all of the great official merchandise at the store, you won’t be able to resist and there’ll be no questioning whether you’ve got Pan Am/Parapan Am spirit!
That’s not all, though. On Canada Day, the Toronto 2015 Superstore launched at Nathan Phillips Square. This store will be where you can get the nations collection so you can rep your country proudly. I’m cheering for Team Canada, of course! And besides shopping the Superstore, there are many other exciting reasons you’ll want to head to this location: the Nathan Phillips Square location is also where you can take in PANAMANIA, a mix of arts, music and cultural exhibits and performances. I’m talking about concerts from the likes of The Roots, Janelle Monae and The White Stripes. And it’s all free. Free! You can find more details about PANAMANIA here.
For more info on the Games, visit www.toronto2015.org.
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July 3, 2015
A couple of weeks ago, I went on a little road trip up north to the region of Headwaters. Never heard of it? Neither had I, but I learned on the trip (as I was invited and host by the tourism board) that it’s named after being the source of Ontario’s biggest rivers and encompasses the communities of Erin, Caledon, Dufferin County, Mono and Shelburne (most of which I had heard of, but had never had the chance to visit). It was great to get out of the city for a couple of days, and it’s incredible how it feels like a different world there, even though it’s just about an hour away by car from Toronto.
Loads more people are going to discover the Headwaters region, though, soon, as it is hosting the jumping and dressage equestrian events for the Pan Am games. We got a chance to take a tour of the Caledon Pan Am Equestrian Park and although I haven’t watched many equestrian events, I think it’d be incredible to attend some of these events and witness in person the skills of the athletes and the power and beauty of the horses. While there, we also saw the Headwaters Parade of Horses in the works: more than 25 life-size fibreglass horse sculptures will be transformed by artisans and then displayed around the Headwaters region during the months of June, July and August. Hello, Instagram opportunities! Haha
Tied into the Pan Am games is the Pan Am Taste Trail from June 13 until August 15th. The 20 participating restaurants and producers will be offering signature food or drink items. You can find the list of participants here.
There’s delicious food all the time here, of course, not just tied into the Pan Am games. We had dinner at Cabin at Hockley Valley and I’m pretty sure my new friend beside me at dinner was tired of hearing me exclaim with every bite how delicious the meal was. Everything was just right, the only thing I would’ve changed would be doubling the number of ravioli on my plate (not because the portion was small by any means, but because the dish was that good). It was lobster ravioli with fiddleheads (local, of course), asparagus, ramps and peas (and there was some ramp crema on the plate). So seasonal and fresh, I was in heaven…only to then be served a perfectly tender, juicy beef filet that I devoured with glee. I would make the trip to Headwaters just for dinner here.
While Cabin is quite upscale and chic in ambiance, for something casual but just as yummy, we enjoyed a lovely buffet lunch at Landman Gardens and Bakery. Charcuterie, salads, sandwiches, fresh veggies and fruit and cheese (including a phenomenal goat cheese Rebecca, our lovely host, had made) and with a dessert of raspberry crumble. All made even more delightful by enjoying it inside their charming blackhouse, where they host meals and events from May to October. I felt like I was in a fairytale.
It’s hard to say, though, if the meal was the best part of this visit to Landman, however, because I have two words for you: baby goats.
Yes, Landman Gardens and Bakery operates a goat farm and we got to get up close and personal with them, including some beyond adorable two-week-old goats. I had no idea baby goats were so affectionate but they were all vying for our attention and when I would pick one up, I could feel their heart beating so fast, but they’d soon calm down and just rest calmly in my arms, happy to be cuddled.
I wanted to bring a baby goat home, but left instead with six of the Landman meat pies. Which I’ve since dug into and they are as fantastic as the lunch (I picked up a variety, from shepherd’s pie to steak and farmer’s pie and the crust is flaky and the fillings are savoury hearty deliciousness).
Over at The Friendly Chef Adventures, though, it was our turn to have a hand at cooking the food we were to eat. Our class was a quick one given our time constraints, so Chef Pam taught us how to make cold spring rolls and we prepped ingredients for a Thai stir-fry. Most useful tip I gleaned from class? How to quickly and easily seed a pepper. I’ve got a video Chef Pam’s technique on my Instagram feed if you want to learn (sorry, you’ll have to scroll back to early May!).
Last but not least, a visit to Glen Williams Glass is a must when you’re in the region so you can try your hand at glassblowing (register online for a class). Even with our very quick stop here, I had time to be carefully lead through the process of making my own cup, from initially turning the hot glass, to blowing to make the glass shape, and finally opening it up to make the top of the glass. I can’t wait to see the finished product (we had to leave our masterpieces there to be baked in the oven)!
It was a whirlwind two days and there’s so much I feel I didn’t get to explore in the Headwaters region that I think I should plan another road trip soon. Although even just revisiting the sweet goats would make it worth it…
May 21, 2015
