Great Indian Food in White Rock January 6, 2008

If you are looking for the best Indian food you must head to the beach and try Little India located on Marine Drive in White Rock.  It is truly one of the best around.  Great variety, great service and a cozy atmosphere.  It is run by a husband and wife team (Peter and Nancy ) the flavour and spices are perfect!  I found some Indian restaurants are too overpowering and “hot” but here you can customize your “hottness” so you can actually taste and enjoy what you are eating.  The portions are very generous and the naans here are melt in your mouth, the best I have ever had!  If you are cruzin’ the strip any time soon and if you are looking for a fantastic restaurant, try Little India.  You will not be disappointed.  Happy eating!

LITTLE INDIA
15081 Marine Drive, White Rock
Tel:(604) 542 2038

Dine out Vancouver 2008 Reviews December 24, 2007

If you really want to experience some of what Vancouver has to offer we would recommend venturing out and experiencing the rich foods Vancouver has. This gives people from all over a chance to eat at amazing restaurants for extraordinarily cheap prices. This year Dine Out Vancouver has extended their time frame for your dining pleasure it will run an extra 19 days, so the dine out anytime between January 16 – February 3.
Last year I was fortunate to dine out at Delilah’s Restaurant & Bar located at 1789 Comox Street, Vancouver, BC {604- 687-3424}. The service was unbelievable, both waiters we had were hilarious. The food was amazing! I couldn’t stop raving about this place, and everyone who has gone has never been disappointed. I believe I had the smoked salmon salad for starters, lamb for dinner, and the chocolate mousse for dessert. Also, they are known for having the BEST martinis. They have a whole book devoted to Martinis, you name it they have it.  I also tried The Hamilton Street Grill.  This was one of the $35 per person dinner places.  I believe it should have been a $25.  The food was ok I had a pear salad to start which was good!  Then steak for my entree…the steak was tough it was nothing really “amazing”.  The waiter didn’t bring out our desert for a long time and forgot to ask us if we wanted coffee or tea with them!  This was not a $35 place in my opinion!  Delilah’s was BETTER!  If you are at all thinking of dining out in the New Year check out the http://www.tourismvancouver.com/visitors/dining/dine_out_vancouverwebsite, and either book online, or call to make a reservation. Hurry up though the amazing restaurants book up quickly.

Fun Holiday Event in Vancouver – Bright Nights in Stanley Park December 18, 2007

For years and years the Stanley Park Christmas Train has been a tradition in our fair city. It’s an experience all in itself. Millions of lights, roasted chestnuts, hot cocoa, live music, and of course the legendary train. Now don’t get me wrong, the train is uber tiny, and basically fits two people to a seat. If you are over the height of 4 foot 11 I guarantee your knees will be up under your chin, but for the 15-minute ride it’s worth it. You get to see how much work really goes into turning Stanley Park into a winter festival of lights. My sister and I are not very fond of the angel on stilts (must have been a childhood trauma of some sort… we can’t even look at it, so when we get close our heads go down and our hoods go up!) but other then that we have a blast. You may think this train is only meant for children, but quite the contrary, this train puts a smile on anyone’s face… whether its your grandmother, grumpy grandpa, or even your 6 foot 5 uncle (who we all feel so bad for because that train is seriously “uber tiny”). Wow… how huge and magical it felt when you were still young enough and believed in good ol’ St. Nick. But now that we are older we appreciate this tradition for much more, like the beauty…….not just of the lights but also of the Firemen awaiting you at the gate! They are there to collect for the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund. A great festive night out with magic, warmth and the gift of giving. Plus a bit of eye candy! Why wouldn’t the Bright Nights in Stanley Park be on your list of things to do this Holiday? Merry Christmas!
>
> All donations collected at the event, and partial proceeds from the sale of tickets for the train, go to the Burn Fund to help burn survivors and their families. As Bright Nights is one of its major fundraisers, the Burn Fund accepts donations at the front gate and suggests a minimum donation of $2.
> The BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund is a registered charity established in 1978 by the BC Professional Fire Fighters Association. Over 3,500 professional fire fighters throughout British Columbia dedicate their time and skills to help burn survivors in the province.
> To make a donation or for more information please visit www.burnfund.org

Canadians Purchasing UGG Boots From the States December 17, 2007

ugg.docugg.docThere is a reason for all the madness; UGG boots in Canada are about $100.00 more than those in the states. The tall UGG’s retail for about $250 here in Vancouver, and in the states are only $150. Both my sister and I ordered our UGG’s from www.shopbop.com {located in the States}. We shipped them to a mailbox, across the boarder in Blaine, and drove down and picked them up. We didn’t have to pay duty we had to pay the GST, which worked out to be roughly $20. (Did I mention it was FREE ground shipping to anywhere in the states?! So no need to factor in the shipping costs). The boots all together cost us $140 a piece. Mind you… they were on sale, since we bought two pairs we got a discount, but even if we bought one pair and paid the regular price we would have saved $70.00! A word to the wise… if you live in Canada and really want some warm UGG’s we highly recommend ordering them in the states, you will save a large chunk of money. And with the $70.00 you save go out and by yourself some tall socks and leggings to prepare for the arrival of the infamous UGGS! J

Bad skin after Microdermabrasion? Help it naturally! November 29, 2007

At the time, we thought microdermabrasion was the best idea to help our skin…….why?  My sister and I had no wrinkles, no scars {well we thought we did, but turns out they weren’t}.  But a family friend was opening a spa and said come and try microdermabrasion! We thought… Sure, why not?!!  Well it was not good.  7 sessions with ok skin in between.  It wasn’t until a few weeks later both of us ended up with horrible skin!  We have searched and searched for the best way to help this awful situation.  I had a training session at work with, Karen Bowers the owner of New Visage Advanced Skin Care and Anti – Aging, New Visage is a local company here in Vancouver.  Karen specializes in natural treatments, and she is against harsh lasers and injections in your skin.  Hello?!? Where was she before we had “the sandpaper” treatment done?  She explained to me what microdermabrasion really does to your skin.  It actually causes a layer of scar tissue all over your face.  Most people will break out after a treatment like this, as you have stimulated your oil glands in your skin but the oil can’t get out as the scar tissue is like glue and blocking it all!  This can last a whole year to work its way out… if you don’t treat it.  Eww!  The only way to help this is to use a sea mineral facewash or a facewash or mask with papaya enzymes.  I have been using Alba sea lettuce face milk with the Alba papaya enzyme mask.  It has been healing really well!  She also suggested using only a mineral based make up. The minerals will sooth and unglue the scar tissue and all the poisons that entered into the skin by the crystals that were used in the microdermabrasion.  Who knew??  You think you are helping your skin, but for most people you are creating a breading ground for disaster.  No way!!  Now we are not saying that this happens to every person who gets micro-derm. We are merely saying that if you have sensitive skin and still break out.. Please think twice. Learning from experience… and a years worth of almost severe acne at times… neither my sister nor I recommend it.

 If this harsh treatment is something you are thinking about, try checking out www.newvisage.ca to read what Karen can do naturally instead, with the same results.  We sure wish we did!

The Best Food in Coquitlam- Wilbur and Sebastians Bistro November 28, 2007

BEST FOOD in Coquitlam-Wilbur and Sebastian’s Bistro
How long have we been searching for the perfect tasting, healthy, mouth watering, FRESH, and reasonably priced restaurant in Coquitlam?  Well I can tell you, it has been a long time!  This special place of ours is not your typical “usual” Earls or Cactus Club.  Nope, this is good food and all the dishes taste different!  This little taste of Heaven is a cute bistro in the Austin Station called Wilbur and Sebastian’s Bistro!  The owner and chef Christina Sepidoza-Walter has been on the television show, City Cooks where she showcased a couple of her wonderful creations.  She has come in second place in the SHARE Just Desserts Gala. Her desserts are all made there at the bistro…A couple of my favourtes are the coconut cream pie, and if chocolate is your weakness, than you must try her five layer chocolate cake! It’s deathly delightful!  All of her dishes are her own recipe and made naturally {she even sneaks vegetables in your dishes without you even knowing}. I am one picky eater due to my lifestyle and darn food allergies, but you will find me at Wilbur and Sebastian’s at LEAST once a week.  I swear this is the best bistro in the lower mainland!  And its open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

5 out of 5 Belles from us!!

Wilbur and Sabastian’s Bistro
12-2662 Austin Avenue (at Mariner Way)
Coquitlam
604.931.5066
See the below recipe….my fav!
Caldo verde soup Ingredients:
2 lbs Yukon gold potatoes
3 litres water or vegetable stock
salt and pepper
chili flakes
1 bunch fresh kale leaves
1 large ham bone
10 oz chorizo (red wine cured preferably)
3-6 large roasted garlic cloves
1 sprig fresh thyme
1 large onion
vegetable oil
 
Directions:
1. Heat pan, add oil and chopped chorizo.
2. Once the chorizo has rendered most of its fat, it can be drained if needed.
3. Add garlic and onions and cook until translucent.
4. Add stock, thyme, ham bone, potatoes and water. Let simmer for at least 30 minutes.
5. Pull out ham bone, pick through any meat left on the bone and return meat to soup.
6. Chop kale into spoon size pieces, making sure that the tough ribs have been removed. Place into soup pot.
7. Bring to boil and simmer for about 5-8 minutes. Season to taste.

Celebrity Look A Likes in Vancouver November 27, 2007

Ever wonder what it would be like to have dinner with Robin Williams or Tom Seleck?  I sure did!  I was speachless when I got the phone call from 2 of our local radio station dj’s telling me I (Jennifer Aniston look a like) was #15 out of 20 and that I was voted in by Vancouver for a spot at dinner and the chance to win the celebrity look a like contest!  There was $10,000 up for grabs.  It was like we were at the Oscars…..red carpet and star treatment!  Celebrity look a likes were everywhere!  From Paris Hilton, Orlando Bloom to Ned Flanders (muscles and all).  Who knew Vancouver had so many look a likes?