Junk food is PB’s favorite food – he can eat cookies, ice cream, ice cream and vivo puffs to keep him going if he cannot find time to get dinner.   I’ve never tried it not because I won’t like it – I know I would but as a diabetic – I don’t even touch this anymore – because I’m saving my sugar for something I know I would enjoy – like noodles…!! or curry noodles.

So Chloe was recommended this today – at first she didn’t want it.. but after much persuading.. now she is hooked onto it.  This Viva Puffs are a treat to her – the puff consist of chocolate, marshmallows and cookie at the bottom and as you can see there are chocolate oozing outta the picture.   Junk food as darn cheap here – this big packet of Viva Puffs cost less than $3.50 and they come on sale so often – plus with airmiles given at times.

Phoebe’s Cafe located not too far from our store – was recently reopened – they were formerly the home of Maritime Pita who had moved to another location not too far away from its original place.  Anyhow – after having eaten so much wanton soup – and laksa compliments of Jen from Passion4food – I decided to try out the new business – afterall, we have to support our downtown businessmen right..??   Phoebe’s Cafe serves Lebanese food – the Friday’s special was Garlic Chicken & Potatoes.  Don’t be deceived by the plain looking box and uncolorful meal – the food was pretty good.  The today’s special goes for $7.95 + tax and the portion was big enough for 2 person if it was a wee bit more.  But nevertheless, good value for what we paid.

PB had the chicken and I ordered a beef pita – just because I didn’t wanna have the same kinda food.  The beef wasn’t wrapped into the pocket but laid on top of the pita and wrapped together.  Although the food was pretty good – the beef was a bit tough for my liking .. and as expected it all fell apart before i got to the rest of it.   A small pita was at $5.95 + tax – very good value for money because of the size of the pita.  I didn’t finished it of course and only ate half of the whole pita and the ingredients of the second half.

Phoebe’s Cafe is cozily decorated – I didn’t take any pictures because I left the camera since we closed the store to get lunch as it was raining. The inside was very nice indeed and definitely got potential – but the outside building didn’t compliment the inside – I had joked that they should get the landlord to paint the outside only to learn that the landlord’s wife was the one serving us – hahahha!!  but no i didn’t mean it in any disrespect.   Would I go back and try more food ..?? for sure.. !  I hope they continue to bring other dishes for their specials and maybe a wi-fi in the cafe would definitely encourage tourists and passerby to drop in.   A good coffee machine is definitely a plus too.

Jen Cheung from Toronto is someone I met online who became fast friend with myself and Chloe – not only is she talented with her hands  – she is very enterprising.  Jen has 2 blogs : www.charmoflove.ca and www.passion4food.ca – Jen has a charming personality – probably that’s why she chose Charm Of Love for her first blog – hehe!   Anyhow, Jen knew that Chinese New Year was round the corner and had offered to buy some CNY stuff for me and Chloe and as you can see – she bought more than just CNY stuff.

Jen had taken the trouble to look for stuff for Chloe and I and not only that even took time to meet up with PB’s cousin – Lynn who was on her way back for a short visit – weekend only – to hand over the goodies to Lynn for us – so that she can buy more stuff for us by saving on the postage. Look at how thrilled Chloe was..! that is Chloe’s favorite jello!

There were pork floss – lychee jello – ang pows – laksa, mee siam, candies and even Chinese noodles for Chloe.

A Hello Kitty toy – stickers – BBQ Pork.

Hello Kitty bowl, cup and a plate too – and some Chinese New Year’s couplets for the store and for Chloe’s room.  So thoughtful right?  Thank you .. so much Jen..!!  we don’t know how to repay your kindness..!  You surely outdid yourself here.

My Chloe is a very blessed girl  – not only did she recieved another ang pow all the way from Malaysia from Auntie Barb and Ashley – she also received an Winter Olympic Toque and a Valentine Chocolate from Auntie Macy & William from Vancouver.  This Auntie Barb is so tech savvy and sent her ang pow by paypal some more!  super tokong right ..??  Thank You .. Barb and Macy .. for your thoughtfulness..!

We rarely eat at our local McDonald’s because they really, really sux!  big time!   but since we were getting some free insurance quotes – we decided to head there first.  But the food is not only mediocre – they get your order wrong – don’t give you the proper condiments to go with your food  – charge you wrong and on top of it – no indoor or outdoor playground for the kids.  While other McDonald’s in the city would have renovated at least a few times since I’ve been in Canada – this one refuses to upgrade to a better environment.  But i can’t blame them – why spend more money when the ppl still come and eat and have their kid’s party there.

But we went anyways – because it was PB’s attempt to try and make my Sunday a good one – coz’ i complain A LOT!  that my Sundays are not fruitful.  And of course – they did all the above – as mentioned – Chloe entertained herself with the very little they had there – we ended up half full after spending like almost $9 on a pancake (no butter given) – 2 hashbrowns (that were not ready) – a sausage Mcmuffin (but turned out to be with eggs when we specifically told them no eggs please) and a large coffee because that was the deal they said (but i ended up paying more by $0.50)

While we were there – an employee was mopping the floor and i can understand why she did it at that time – since that was in between breakfast and lunch.  But boy! i wouldn’t want any old folks to be walking in or out because the floor was so wet – you could probably kill yourself if you slip on it.

We brought Chloe’s own milk as you can see – she finished like half a pancake and a bite of the hashbrown and that was it.  So pretty much a big waste.  No i don’t like going to Mcdonald’s in this town.

I took pictures of the baked Alfredo Chicken Bites and thought I should show you how they looked like after they are baked for 20 mins.  I usually leave them in the oven for another 5 mins .. but i turn off the oven – to let it cool down.  Like i said in my previous post – the bites are pretty good and can be eaten as a snack – good for an appetizer  or finger food if you are having a party.

I’m not really a cheese person but I do take them because of the calcium i need .. but like Chloe, I too, am attracted to anything pink although not as crazy as Chloe.  So this cheese is cheddar and come with vintage port too.   Very pretty looking if you asked me – and am so tempted to buy.  But alas, PB only takes cheddar plain – he is not into the arty farty things, he said cheese is cheese.

They are not very expensive either – about $5 a block – anyone tried it, please let me know what you think of it.  I prefer the creamy cheese but not too rich please.  What type do you take..??  I know, I know – to the cheese lovers it’s like asking them if the Ferrari parts are good for a Ferrari owners.

Not quite Valentine’s Day yet but since we were out getting a  doorbell button , the ang moh cannot helped but get a Valentine’s Day cake – not for me .. mind you .. but for himself – for you all know that i don’t fancy cake, plus being a diabetic it’s rather hard to get to like it that much.

Cakes are cheap here – and the ones you get from Sobey’s they are pretty good and it wouldn’t break your bank even if you get them for your friends and family.  The thing is this – this cake is gonna end up in the store because we are not gonna be able to finish it and it would go to waste if we don’t share it with our customers.   So why do the man still buy cakes..?? like i said..  it was cheap.

We were at M & Ms buying my pineapple chicken in a stick ( my version of satay in Canada)  and PB was also looking around and found these chicken Alfredo Bites.  It was on sale as you can see – so he bought it because I always want something different and looking out for foods that burn fat .  Being diabetic and all makes it harder to find the right food and since you all know that PB and Chloe are fussy eaters – one can only crossed one’s fingers and hope at least one would like it.

So how did it turned out ? pretty good  – in fact PB liked it – and would eat it again but you see – we found out later that they were on discount because they were phasing out this product ! what a bummer eh..!  it’s pretty easy to cook it – 400degree and 22 mins in the oven and eat it when it’s fresh outta the oven – don’t try to microwave it later – they tasted alright but not as good as when they were freshly outta the oven.

So we were invited for dinner to celebrate Chinese New Year with some friends – but it isn’t at the usual restaurant that we go to – but that’s alright – afterall, i haven’t eaten in Lotus Garden like in 6 yrs or maybe more.  Well, my verdict after eating the restaurant…??  Well, we had to wait for an hour and i even managed to finish reading up on the adipex reviews while waiting and when the food arrived – i had to pack 3/4 of it home and didn’t even managed to finish eating it after 2 days.   So yes ! it was that bad!  the buffet didn’t look as good as New Century restaurant and definitely the ingredients weren’t as fresh – i cannot fathom why they would be so packed.

Chloe is a very fussy eater who would love to have pond kits like any other kids.  I’m sure you all know by now but she never refuses mashed potatoes with ham and corn.  So this is what we give her on Sundays when we don’t have to work and the “ang moh” can cook for her.  I only cook lunch for her and dinner – “ang moh” gotta do it for himself and Chloe.  I wished i could give her this for lunch every day when she is in school but if we did, she wouldn’t eat them all – either she wouldn’t finish her potatoes or her corn.  I think it is because we have to dump everything into a thermos, therefore it probably doesn’t look as nice – and plus she is in a hurry to go out and play with her friends – so usually end up not finished – sometimes really hard to please that kid.  Most kids at this age eats just about everything right?  but nope .. not mind * roll eyes *

Jessy’s Pizza is new in town – they just opened last week.  I’ve seen Jessy’s pizza in the city before – so it isn’t really new to me.  So today, the “ang moh” decided to try it out .. he ordered some fish and chips  – i told yer .. the man eats lots of fish and chips.  It was a 20 mins wait – we ordered take out – when the “ang moh” went to pick up the food – there were 5 ppl working and one table – but it was late 3.30pm.

It came in a paper box and was staple together but would have made more sense just to slip the flipper into the box but it was no biggie lah.  So how was the fish ..??  well, the fries was not as good as another establishment that we frequent and the fish – it was ok.. but the batter the “ang moh” didn’t care for.  But we are not gonna cut them off of course just because one dish wasn’t good..  we’ll give them a chance and try some other things.  Price was almost the same as the other pizza place – so more reviews up soon.

President’s Choice has a new marinated tofu on the shelf last week – they usually have the ones marinated with teriyaki sauce but they have certainly become a lot more adventurous.   It wasn’t cheap for 2 pieces of tofu .. that I’ll have to say .. at about $ 4.99 – daylight robbery right..?

Back home where one can buy tofu for 0.20cents a piece, i had to debate with myself in the beginning when these tofus came out.  But i gave in to my craving, bit the bullet and never looked back and got hooked onto this kinda tofu.  I think it had been almost a year now.  But the tofu with coconut curry is new..  only a few weeks old.

And the taste .. i hear you asking..?? i must say it was pretty good.. but  more curry gravy would be better.  A little taste of home is better than nothing eh.

Yes..!  almost looks like we are only hanging out at Jungle Jim’s eh..??  well, if you want fast food .. and at reasonably priced and you don’t have to cook – with reasonably good service – this is where i recommend for Canadian food.  Chloe’s meal came with a sundae and even though she couldn’t finished it (everything in moderation) tis’ alright.

As usual, Chloe was well behaved but ate only very little food and in my opinion still a plain waste of money to bring her out to eat.  Well, unless this was a Japanese restaurant or a Chinese one – else no way was she gonna eat anything besides fish and chips and even then .. only a few bites.

And what did “ang moh” and I eat..??  the lunch special for 2 can eat for $12.95 – he had fish and chips and i had chicken fingers.  I find eating out quite a waste of money lor.. especially when we can eat this just about everyday.  What about you ..?? got problems a not.. eating with your kids and your spouse..??

As you all know Chloe had been sick for a few weeks now – from a cold to cough and then very bad sore throat – followed by suspected asthma and then this morning – diarrhea.  As all mothers would know – it is darn hard to feed a kid – and with a sick kid – it’s even harder.  Had we been in Asia – congee or porridge as we called it would be the ideal – but my kid doesn’t like to eat congee at all.   She wouldn’t eat anything – even the soup needs to be a certain kind of soup.  And I thought I was bad and choosy – when it comes to life insurance rates – the kid is much worst with food.

So they didn’t have any vegie soup at Tim Hortons – only chicken noodle soup – so what would you do..??  and nope.. she wouldn’t drink chicken noodle soup.. yes..! what a silly girl right..??  so what did i do to make her drink her soup..??  I LIED..!!!  YES ! I LIED!!  well, i make up a story – i told chloe that the gals at Tims heard that she was sick .. and scrambled around to get some “chinese noodles” into a soup for her.. but they don’t have the exact kinda noodles.. they had to make it in a special shape -butterfly – .. because Chloe is a princess you see.  And that the gals at Tim’s would be very sad .. if she didnt drink it up – so yes – she was trick.. and she drank the soup up and ate all the butterfly pastas.  And Chloe said.. the gals at Tim’s were so nice to her.. she would draw them a picture to thank them.. waahahhahahaha!!!  Mother’s are the GREATEST eh..??  they can cook up any kinda stories just to make their kid eat and drink .. muaahahhaha!!!  i’m evil ..!!  hahaha!!

So it was Grammie’s birthday last week or maybe a week and a half ago .. and since we will be at the store that day, I reminded the “ang moh” to go get a cake – not a huge one – since Grammie wasn’t going home after visiting Chloe at the store.   So we waited for Chloe to come home from school – so that she can sing her Grammie a Happy Birthday song .. and blow the candles – because she loves blowing candles.   Everyone ate the cake..and there was like a good half a piece left.  I didn’t eat it .. because i was trying to be good since i had to go for my blood test soon.

A week ago, I wrote about finding a somewhat like satay here in Canada – in fact – i found it at M & Ms – and those who lived in Canada would probably know what and where M & Ms is -  they aren’t cheap but when you are away from home for this long – you probably pay anything just to have a taste of home. Luckily, I found peanut sauce in a packet too.. from Asian Gourmet.  I think i liked the Canadian Satay because I can dipped them in peanut sauce.  So if you want a taste of home, try getting these from M & Ms and make your own peanut sauce – as for me.. i had rice with my satay – yums!

This is long overdue – like most of the things I need to post up here – hahah! busy lah!  anyhow, this was taken 2 weeks ago, when Chloe visited her grammie and grampie on a Sunday for sledding.  Grammie decided to bake some cupcakes with Chloe.

Yes! i believe in letting Chloe do as much as she can or comfortable with – but Grammie does all the preparation lah.  She didn’t like using the mixer at first but daddy got her a stool to stand on .. and she is good for a bit and mixing the flour and eggs.

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We were at M & Ms the other day and they recommended this to us because we couldn’t find anything to buy – so the minute i saw it .. gotta try lah.  Why?  don’t they look like satay from back home?  except without the certain marinate..??  well beggars cannot be choosers right?  So how did it taste..??  Well, lets just say .. i will be needing some slimming wraps.. hhahaha!!

For 20 pieces – it cost like $10.95 + taxes – so about $0.50 cents a stick – which is not too bad lah.  And it tasted pretty good – by itself – only needed to microwave for about 1.5 mins.

But of course, i made some peanut sauce for the Canadian Satay and it was awesome..!! i think i eat the chicken because of the peanut sauce – i put some Sambal Oelek  into the peanut sauce – so that it taste more like home.

This is what the satay looked like.

Canadians here goes to Chinese restaurant but not really eating Chinese food used to bother me a lot .. but it goes with the territory like  human growth hormone .  So now I don’t even blink an eye when the “ang moh” orders 5 chicken balls for Chinese food.  I myself have never heard of chicken balls till I came to Canada – when i traveled in the USA, i rarely eat Chinese – i mean afterall, i was traveling to try different food and different cuisine right?

Yes, so if you are in Canada or in USA – Chinese food means chicken balls and egg rolls – what is egg rolls ? well that’s another Canadian Chinese food -  it’s like spring rolls but flat – oh – of course the plum sauce too – can’t eat them without the plum sauce.