Foodie trips I would like to do in the GTA!

I hate summer. There, I said it. But the summer is a ripe time for traveling around and trying some new spots I have yet to venture to. Perhaps you may like to travel too! So here is my list:

1. Plaza Latina

This pick comes from the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance.
Who knew there was such a thing?
For their foodie trips click here.

I first heard of this place through a co-worker. Within the same week, Sara Elton reported about it on CBC radio (coincidence???). Apparently a visit is like visiting South America and Mexico, with locals saying it is a "taste of home," with traditional foods and spices you cannot find elsewhere in Toronto. Will take pics when I go! I promise!

2. The Farmer's Market at the Evergreen Brick Works

This former industrial site has many treasures,
and no I haven't experienced a single one! So it is
on my to-do list. Check 'em out here. 

The Evergreen Brickworks has long been rumoured to be one of the best farmer's markets in Toronto. A nice little write up in Toronto Life introduced me to this old brick factory. My parent's have visited the Garlic Festival (they say it is wonderful though pricey) and I have been told parking is a nightmare (so use the TTC).

Just visiting the website, I see they have a Wild Blueberry Festival in August. Hmmm!!! That sounds pretty awesome to me!

3. The Danish Pastry House (Mississauga)

This pic comes from Mimi's Cake Tour Blog here.
Her review is pretty darn stunning!

Looking out of the window on the GO Train, I spotted this little Danish flag out of the corner of my eye. Another day, another chance to look at what the place was. Lucky me - what I saw was a bakery! Danishes come from Denmark and according to my friend, they are experts in the art of pastry. And WOW the website looks wonderful. Drool on over here.

4. Dim Sum at the Mississauga Chinese Centre

Uh, one day I got lost in T.O. and was living on a rural Dundas Road near Burlington. I landed on Dundas and took the looooong way home. What the hell, right? Just happened that an emerald wall with dragons on it threw me for a loop. A strip mall with a really beautiful wall? Huh?

I guess I missed the decorative gate leading to the driveway of the plaza, I was just so struck by the pretty wall. Doing research, I missed the fact that the mall is a large(?) 100, 000 square feet (according to the website).

While it seemed tiny to me, I think I must pay a visit back. I have asked around to find out details of this mall and have found out it is a great place for Dim Sum. Wanna try? check out the website here.

New Foodie Crush: The Little Paris Kitchen

I stumbled on The Little Paris Kitchen quite by accident. I love Paris. I love Amelie. I love food. Well, The Little Paris Kitchen is just all three things together. The program features Rachel Khoo, who is amazingly beautiful in her Amelie dark brown hair and red lipstick. She wears cute little sun dresses with polka dots. She cooks with large sticks of butter.

Moroccan tiles in her kitchen....the jealousy continues....

You can catch some episodes on YouTube and probably find some cute dresses like hers on ModCloth.com. The food is classic french cuisine. No big surprises but little twists. I think I like the show to reminisce about gay Paris.....oh, I must go back!

Little Paris Kitchen is relatively new and a cookbook probably is not in the forseeable future. As usual, it will be published in the UK (with those damned english weights - I don't own a scale!) and we Canadians will have to wait a year or two to have her cookbook in our hands.

It will probably take a year for Food Network Canada to pick it up too. As I do not have cable, that is no great loss. I just hope I can find all the episodes on youtube!

Car Commuter Tips (or how to live in front of a steering wheel)

Tending to work from contract to contract, I never seem to know where I will end up next. Sadly, I have to commute and while I do prefer public transportation (yay environment!) sometimes I don't have much of a choice. My current employment location is in a town that has a public bus come twice a day. That's right. Twice a day.
I have no choice but to drive.

Yah, I definitely do not drive a Peugeot. But this blog needed a pic.

Here are my suggestions to make your travel a little bit easier.

1. Always have Water in the Car
While I detest anyone even thinking of buying bottled water (seriously, buy a Britta and metal can it), you really should have a bottle within your driving reach just in case you are stuck in traffic congestion.
And if you are lucky to have that bottle of water in your car during the winter, you will be able to do this neat trick.

2. Emergency Car Snacks
I believe this is why your car has a glove compartment. It ain't for gloves. It's for snacks. I recommend choosing something that can last several months, something that can't melt and something that you will actually eat in an emergency. Granola bars? Seriously. They can turn into bricks. Try a soft baked cookie.

Emergency car food of choice: a soft baked cookie.

3. Car Shoes
Wha? you say. Something comfy on your feet works wonders. My shoes currently are sandals. I am not wearing my work boots in my car (that doesn't have air conditioning) during my commute. That is not going to happen. Tight work shoes or heels. Say no. Your feet will thank you and your drive will be much more pleasant. Where you stick your stinky socks when you are driving home is completely your choice.

4. & 5.  An Emergency Car Kit and CAA/AAA
If you don't have an Emergency Car Kit you shouldn't be on the road. Add mittens to your kit, you'll use them. CAA is a godsend too. They rock. And if you use particular gas stations, they can swipe your CAA card to save yourself membership fees next time it needs to be renewed.

6. & 7. Properly Filled Tires with Tire Gauge (and an aside on Winter Tires)
If I hear you whine about gas prices and you don't own a tire gadge, you deserve it. Properly inflated tires save you money on your car's gas usage. The pressure of your tires is listed in your car manual or on a sticker in the inside of your drivers door. If you don't know how to use a tire gauge or an air pressure pump, ask your mechanic. They will probably show you this info for free and this will definitely save you money. I am overly diligent about the air in my tires and criticize my neighbour's tires too.

You should have Winter Tires if you live in Canada. Don't give me that global warming excuse. It should be law and yes, I know they are expensive. But trust me, the first time you try them you will be shocked at the difference. Your car will drive through snow like a hot knife through butter. They are wonderful.

8. Pre-programmed Radio Stations
While radio is not what it used to me, you'll need it to combat your sanity. If you actually have the income to buy satellite radio, go ahead.

Additional Must Haves: Air conditioning in 40 degree weather would be nice (I can dream). Washer Fluid. Good wipers. Clean windows. A cellphone (turned off!!!).