I had a really bad migraine this morning after breakfast – and normally it doesn’t bother me very much but once in a while my head hurts so much I wished I knew what causes the migraine.  Back home in Asia my mom would have insisted that I visit the good old neigbborhood medical hall to pick up some ginseng or various different kind of health food to help with my migraine.  Unfortunately, we don’t have medical hall here in the West.  My girlfriend who moved to Texas and married someone there talked about Lubbock migraine center – a specialist there – and we’ve discussed my migraine attacks in great length.  I don’t think mine is a chronic migraine, it just comes when it wants to come and even a tylenol with extra strength doesn’t help very much these days.  I’m just glad that it doesn’t happen everyday else I would be handicapped by it.

I know there are extensive studies on migraine and medical procedures one can take to help with chronic migraine and migraine treatments for children.  I can’t imagine any child having to suffer with the pain of migraine can caused and if Chloe ever had the same migraine as I – I would spare no cost to bring her to the best migraine center or treatment.  But for now, I’ll just have to rely on health food for my migraine like the good old fashion way that my mom had insisted on.  How do you treat migraine pain?  Do you have a specialist you see?  any recommendations?  any health food or soup you care to share?

I loved to use the oven to bake my food – from fish to garlic bread but you and I know that heating the oven up and then baking something for 10 -20mins is really a lot of electricity used.  So I try to use the steamer instead more often – because the charges for our electric bills during the winter are very expensive.  Unlike a friend who lives in NJ – they have nj electricity that promises savings for those signed up with them.   Here, we don’t have a competitive rate – therefore, I have no choice but to use my oven efficiently.

So you asked how do I do that?  well, if I wanted to use the oven that evening – I make sure that it’s not just one thing that I am going to bake.  I will bake my chicken wings or cookies or whatever I need for the next few days  – so that I don’t have to turn on my oven for just a 12 mins baking of a fish and then shut it right off.  These days, you really have to save as much as you can – when it’s over the roof when it comes to electric bills.  So like all others, we always asked ourselves – to keep the family warm or eat?  I say keeping warm is very important – wished we had a competitor here for Scotia Powers.

My htc buy must be the smartest investment as a food blogger.  Why?  you know how we food bloggers loved to take pictures of any kind of food we buy, eat or see right?  but what if you had forgotten to bring your camera along with you and/or if your camera doesn’t have enough battery juice for you to take that special food picture you found and needed to share it with your friends/fans.  That’s when you whip out your 8 MP camera phone with high definition with an LCD screen and take the picture you need for your next blog post.

Yes!  this was the crab meat I wanted to buy to make crab cake – but didn’t know if this was good enough – since they were frozen.  So I took a picture of it to show it to my friend – the one who taught me how to make crab cake and she replied instantly after seeing the picture.  So for those who don’t have a camera handy the next time – trust your HTC smartphone to give you the picture you need.

As a food blogger, we are constantly looking out for good food – and good food at a good price, so when a customer who moved into town from Germany asked me where can I get the best piece of steak – I show them the way to Emin’s Meat Market down on South end.  No one makes meat like Emin’s and you’ve gotta love the friendly and personalized service at the Emin’s.  So we headed to Emin’s but not before we went to check out some beauty stuff that we had read about – eyelash growth product reviews said that we could look out for them at our local pharmacy as well. So after we had done that – we headed to the best meat market in town.

Alas, Fred wasn’t there – but his staff working were just as friendly and knowledgeable – and we bought not only pieces of steak but Slovakia pork, sausages and stuffed pork as well.  My new found customer was really impressed with what Emin’s had to provide and she told me – the steak she bought – melted in her mouth and the apple cinnamon and the maple sausages that she had for breakfast the next morning  – were the best she had ever had.

Asked me anything about food – I’m the expert in it – but we did make out pretty well with the beauty department too – after all – which woman don’t know a bit about beauty products right?  I had a fruitful day !  food and beauty products – I’m a happy girl alright!

For those of you who are not aware of this – we’ve put Chloe into horse riding classes since last year – and we get all her equestrian apparel online but when it comes to getting the saddle and tack, we are always try and get them locally if the price is right.  So a few weeks ago, we headed to Shelburne to look for this. This is a FQHB 16 inch Stallion Tack – I loved that it has lots of silver it  – they were asking for $650 and it was a very good price – but alas, it was a little too big for Chloe – so we didn’t end up getting it.  Guess we will continue to look for it online.

It was an hour drive back, so we stopped at Austrain Inn to eat – and it always makes us hungry after sending her for horse riding classes but we get to go out and eat – which is our favorite.

The Austrain Inn looked small from the outside but it has a huge capacity inside as you can see.

It was very spacious and we went late for lunch – therefore, you don’t see many customers at this time.

The service was good and the food was good too.  We had a hard time deciding on what we wanted.

The soup that came with my meal wasn’t something i liked too much – so I didn’t drink it.

Chloe as you can see loved this place a lot.

Her chocolate milk came first.

Chloe had fish and chips – they dont have this in the kid’s menu – I think they don’t have a kid’s menu to be honest. But the next time I have to remember to ask them not to put the green stuff.  I think it was basil if I am not wrong.

I had the most wonderful BBQ schnitzel chicken with some buttered rice and carrots – they were such a healthy combination if you asked me.  By far the best meal I had here in Canada.

PB had the chicken cordon bleu – he likes it  – the chicken is good – but the ham and cheese inside were different from what he likes – but he said the chicken was really tender.  We always have a hearty meal after Chloe horse – riding and she enjoys it so much – we really want to get her the right apparel for classes next year.

We’ve been invited to several Christmas parties this year and Chloe and PB baked some sugar cookies to bring to our hosts – we thought it would be a nice gesture since most of our friends have everything and insist that we don’t bring anything except ourselves.  We had to turn down some parties because we were afraid that the weather may not permit us to travel to and fro for the parties – plus in previous years we’ve seen many accidents on the highway – even when the snow wasn’t so bad – it’s the ice on the road that causes these accidents.   Of course,  medical help would be there when the need arises but why court trouble when you don’t have to right – so we only attend parties right in town and the time has to be right too – because of Chloe’s food – she is a fussy eater.

PB always insist that he is a careful driver – and I always remind him that it’s not him I’m worried about on the road – it’s those that are drinking during their parties or those who’ve ate too much – and falling asleep on the road.  You can never be too careful – so this Christmas season – for those who drink – don’t drive and if the weather is bad – don’t go out – because you may be a cautious driver – but the person riding down the highway – may not be – or the road conditions just may not be the best.  Be safe this Christmas and always have an emergency kit with you in the car and a number to call for Medical Emergency Assistance.

Yes! it’s that time of year again – Christmas presents and ginger bread making and cookies and other treats for Christmas.  Have you put up your Christmas decoration yet?  or are you waiting for the eve of Christmas?   We’ve already started shopping for Christmas presents already – especially those we need to send overseas.  I bought some black & mild cigars that my ex-boss likes online and will be mailing it directly to him by the end of the month.   I also ordered popcorn for my favorite advertisers for Christmas – and of course presents for my princess but I don’t know what to get for her teachers.  Should I get spa tickets or a ticket for lunch?   I wished they were as easy to buy for as my ex-boss – for Mr Hernandez – he loves his cigars every year – and no matter what kind of cigar – he enjoys them as much – I’m just lucky with him.   But yes!  Christmas goodies are all over the place – and this year they have GingerBread Tree – something different but definitely just as good.

Located at Duke and Granville Street in Downtown Halifax – Boston Pizza wasn’t our first choice to eat but Chloe wasn’t feeling so good at that time when we were in the city – so we decided to just take a quick bite.   It was very near to the hotel we were staying at – The Westin at South End and I have to say the service was very good – the waitress was very nice.  We were out getting  Christmas invitations for Christmas – in downtown when it started to drizzle – so we decided to go into Boston Pizza for a meal and also to get out of the rain.

Chloe wasn’t up to eating the fish nor the french fries that was how we knew she wasn’t feeling good at all.  Poor kid – but she was kept occupied with the new Christmas invitations that we had bought from a gift store earlier in the afternoon while we were out shopping.

I had a bowl of french onion soup with some french loaf  – the onion soup was good.

PB had fish and chips – as you can see – it was a very small portion but good enough for PB as he doesn’t eat a lot.  Overall, our experience at Boston Pizza was good.  No fault of theirs that our kid was sick but they did try to make it as pleasant as possible for Chloe.  It was a bit chilly where we sat – the air-con was blowing directly on top of our head – so it was not so good for Chloe.   After a quick meal – we packed up all our Christmas invitations – and bolted out into the night – and quickly into the car and got back to the hotel.   Maybe, the next time when we are up in Halifax, we will give Boston Pizza another try.

52 days to Christmas – are you counting down yet?  I started early this year – so that I can get all my presents done before Christmas and I need to get the things I really need – not just  because.  Buying presents as gifts needs to be thoughtful ones – else I rather not buy.  Also I make use of those dropdowndeals coupon codes to get the best deals for all my Christmas shopping – after all, who doesn’t like to save money right?  I’m also on the look out for any coupon codes – from free shipping to a discount for things I buy.  Sometimes, I get as much as 25% in discount for a certain item I had been eying on for a long time – and 25% to me is a really great deal.  Some friends I know – are already wrapping up presents – now that’s what I called efficiency – so this year – I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I will stick to my countdown – and not lose count.

I have to admit that since coming to Canada – I haven’t been too concern about the dress code when I go out for dinner or lunch.  Quite the difference as compared when I was working in Singapore – that’s for sure.  Well, in such a small town – and also because of PB’s nonchalant attitude towards look – I too – dress down for the sake of matching up with him.   But that doesn’t mean that it is right – especially when casual smart is asked when you go into a restaurant or fast food like Jungle Jims or Boston Pizza & Pizza Hut.

But when we were invited for wine tasting a few months ago in Halifax by a well known food enthusiast – I made sure that PB dress up appropriately – not jacket and long sleeves but casual smart as expected.   He had some titanium accessories that he never used – and we decided he would use it this trip – to make him look more appropriate.  As for myself – I put on my nice suede jacket and my new fall boots and jeans for the wine tasting and for the wine tasting – i put on make up as well – not just lipsticks!

I don’t know how others dress for dinner or an event – but I think dress codes are given because you have to respect the restaurant the the people you are having dinner or drinks with.   Some people might not look dressing up – but some accessories can definitely make one’s look more formal than you think.  I love titanium accessories for man and I’m glad PB had some – so that whenever we need to attend something special – all I need for him to do – is put on his jeans – a simple long sleeve shirt – no ties – but definitely his titanium cufflink – now that’s the perfect casual smart for man.

Happy Halloween to everyone from Chloe!  but today Chloe has a special assignment – besides giving out cookies to her friends in school.   Halloween is a big thing for some people and to one couple – this Halloween will mark a really special day for them – because both of them met at a Halloween party – so Chloe’s cousin – is asking the hand of his girlfriend tonight and Chloe has a  diamond ring in one of the cookie treat bags.   Chloe’s cousin was looking at diamond engagement rings from Reeds for a long time now and finally bought one that is within his budget and since Chloe is so cute and adorable – his girlfriend is not going suspect anything when Chloe gives her a treat bag tonight.  Pretty cool if you asked me – so tonight – we are all going to gather at the cousin’s house where the Halloween party will be – and his girlfirend won’t suspect a thing – hahhaa!!  i’m so excited!   Happy Halloween everyone!

If you love to taste and try new and exciting foods, you may have enjoyed reading up on my Ice Cube Junkie site. I have packed it full of light hearted diary entries about all things edible which I love to eat here in Canada. But what is considered the most popular Canadian dish?

According to the former Canadian Prime Minister Joe Clark, ‘Canada has a cuisine of cuisines. Not a stew pot, but a smorgasbord’. The cuisine will vary depending on which region of the country you are in. However, its main routes trace back to British and French cuisine, as a result of immigration in the 18th to 19th century. There are also some Chinese and Eastern European influences, such as Ginger Beef, which is found in Western Canada . If your weekend breakfast treat is to lay in bed, playing Party Poker, with a pile of home-made pancakes with lashings of maple syrup, did you know that Canada is in fact the syrup capital of the world and produces the most amount of the sweet treat internationally? What other traditional dishes can you expect to find in Canada?

Poutine is a very popular dish in Quebec. It is a greasy fast food which consists of French fries, topped with cheese curds and covered in a meaty gravy. Other countries have taken the dish and made it their own; Mexico uses fries, guacamole, sour cream and grated cheese, whereas the Greeks enjoy shoestring fries, splashed with warm Mediterranean vinaigrette and feta cheese.

For those with a sweet tooth, the quintessential dessert of Canada is the Butter Tart. Made with butter, sugar, eggs and syrup, these ingredients combine to make a flaky sweet pastry which is molded into individual bite size cases. A sweet egg mixture is placed in the case and the dessert is baked until it produces a crunchy top. ?

Halloween is but a few weeks away  – are you ready for Halloween?  I think we are quite ready – this year – we have our store all dressed up and we even bought a special candy bowl for Halloween.  What so special about it?  watch the video below and you will see.   I’m thinking of wearing a  sexy red wig on Halloween day – when the kids come and get their candies at the store.  What do you think?  after all – not many Asian have red hair right ?  Chloe is gonna be a witch this year.   I think I will be a witch mama with red hair.

I’ve already tricked a few customers today – and not only the children but the big people too – hehehehe!! cheeky eh.

We didn’t really dress the window a lot – because Chloe doesn’t like it to be too spooky.

But we do have a freaky skeleton in the window.

And more skeleton heads at the front counter – I think I might get some pumpkins from Chloe’s grampie and decorate those with Chloe and put them at the entrance.

I love to go shopping with my girlfriends from Canada – but eating with those from home – now that is pretty awesome too – especially when they bring you presents like personal picture frames from the states and eat sashimi with you.  Speaking of which – I’ll have to remember to collect my California rolls from the Farmer’s market tomorrow – I ordered them last week.  Anyhow, I had friends from home who’ve migrated to United States who came to visit this week – so I was extra busy with showing them around and eating with them.

We went to the Farmer’s market and bought some bread pudding.

And we checked out the Halloween decorations at our local grocery stores.

And we drove them to the airport – to send them off and had some good Japanese food.

And yummy, yummy sashimi!

And yummy grilled and raw squids. It was but a short visit – but we had a great time and it was like only last week that we had left each other – and we just picked right up where we left.  Some friends are just passing thru’ while others stay around for a long time.  Thank you for visiting me even though your schedules were so tight.   Now I can’t wait for Fiona and Karen (my other long time friends from work) to come visit me next year.

Well, he isn’t my doctor now – but he was many years ago – till he moved away, definitely the town’s lost – and I liked him a lot that’s why we became friends.  He was in town for a short visit to do some paperwork on the closing of his house – yes! it finally sold after so many years and I was really happy to see him again.  While doctors are rare in this town – there are plenty to offer in the city and in Toronto – plus there are plenty of jobs available in the city even for his psychiatrist wife.  I guess the main reason why he re-settled was because his wife couldn’t find any Psychiatrist Jobs in this town – but now she is with a big medical facility in the city and doing well.

We played catch up at a local restaurant in town and had stuff pork – but the pork was darn tough, i had a hard time chewing it down – so the next time I better not order pork since my teeth isn’t so strong as they were when i was younger.  But service was great – and my doctor/friend loved the pork – so I guess it may just be me eh.   Our lunch lasted for 2 hrs and we had lots of coffee and we talked a lot about what’s going on in this town – he wants to know when I’m moving to the city – hahah! now only if it was so easy eh.  PB’s store is doing good, so to ask him to move and start all over again – that would not be right.  My job is easy – I can work just about anywhere I go – as long as they have high -speed internet – I’m good.  While my doctor/friend made the sacrifice to move to the city for his wife’s job and sanity – I am the one making the sacrifice in staying.

This summer we feel so loved because we have been invited to many BBQs and poolside parties and for those who knows me – I love the BBQ and if you tell me there is a BBQ at your home – I’ll be the first to be there.  It’s always nice to have the pool for the kids but you all know that it can get quite chilly here – so most of our friends put in the raypak heat pump great for heating up pools and spa.  Some may think it’s an investment – but if you can be using your pool and spa during the winter – I think it’s a small price to pay.

Lots of non-alcoholic drinks were provided during the poolside bbq – so that the kids can enjoy them as well – and the kids loved to see colorful fruits in their drinks.

Besides the burger – we had other dishes like salad, cheese and finger sandwiches for the kids.

As you can see – we had lots of meat – chloe called it the meat galore – muahahha!

The kids were in loved with the jello.  The bbq lasted till late at night and we even got to take a dip in the evening – thanks to the heat pump – we weren’t freezing like most times.

We all love our spouse – but how many of you out there who have spouse who cannot remember those special dates and anniversary?  Mine almost forgot my birthday one year – till his mother called to wish me “Happy birthday!”  – outta be shot right?  but seriously, won’t you be kinda disappointed?  in fact, in many years to come – when you disagree on something – all these forgotten anniversary and special dates are going to come out and blown outta proportion – so men ! out there !!   listen up – there is such thing as overnight anniversary gift option and if you had really forgotten – mannnn!! you better use this option – because spending a little money is going to save you lots of  nagging in the years to come.  Trust me – I’m one of those who loved nagging and remembering those days – hahaha!   And yes – it’s the thoughts that counts – you don’t need to buy the spouse a diamond ring – some cupcakes or chocolates and flowers would be sufficient – surely, that special woman in your life deserved at least a box of chocolates or cupcakes or flowers if not all 3?  if the answer is yes!  well – you know what to do – but if you think you love the nagging – then go ahead and not send anything but if you do – I bet you will be getting a lovely surprised when you get home.

So we had gone for an auto show up in the valley a few weeks ago – and then head back to town for my favorite crepe with Chez John.  I had a smoked salmon crepe at the Farmer’s market –  they were yummy of course but because the crepe was very hot – they became cooked salmon haha!  So next time I won’t order smoked salmon because i like my smoked salmon too much.  So this was lunch one saturday – for $7 – it was a very filling lunch and we had an awesome auto show – I was very impressed with the black wheels that I saw and thought of a young man from home immediately when I saw it !  I bet he would have gotten the black wheels immediately if he was at the auto show with me.  I have been to many auto shows and these wheels are so prettty !!  i’m so tempted to get PB to buy them too.

Anyhow, back to my crepe – I would prefer a sweet crepe but because I’m diabetic – so I had to choose a savory one instead.  But for those who loved sweet crepes – you should try a combination of fruits and chocolate sauce.  But an auto show and then crepe made my weekend a good one.

For someone who doesn’t like to eat birthday cakes nor eat anything sweet – I sure love to see and admire birthday cakes and any kind of confectioneries.  And every year – we received many birthday invitations from friends and customers – as well as the extended family – I loved those that are specially made – and those that are home made.  Home made cakes are made with love and professionally made cakes – are made with skills.  Therefore, whenever there is a birthday for us to attend – I’m most interested in the cake – in hope that one day – I will be able to bake one for Chloe’s birthday.

This year – we must have attended more than 20 birthdays thus far and the year is not even over yet.  But each invitation that we received – means someone cares enough for us to invite us and we try to go for each one – unless of course, we already have something planned for the week – or the invitation came too late for us to re-arrange our plans.  But nevertheless – there is a new cake store in town – called Goodies – and there are really lots of goodies in there – Lena Feven – who owns and bakes her own cakes and cookies – is new in downtown – so if you are downtown – don’t forget to go in and welcome her – and buy some goodies from Goodies.

As you all know – Chloe had been sick for 10 days – and we have been practically stuck at home the whole time – not able to go anywhere – and shopping for groceries had to be done by PB alone.  And he couldn’t go too long – because Chloe would start whining.  Having Chloe at home – with a fever come on and off – just was a bit terrifying for me.  Thank God for good friends – who came almost everyday bearing food for us to eat – so that we only have to worry about cooking for Chloe.   The sat and stayed with us – and read to chloe and when Chloe was sleeping – they helped me do some housework so that I can get some rest.   After 5 days with the same kind of food – our dear friend decided to make some pizza for us – and stayed for supper – so that Chloe and I can have some company.  We chatted about life – sick kids – school and  also insurance they found on http://www.wholesaleinsurance.net – it was good to have company – when PB wasn’t around at home.

Pizza was yummy!  and they had made the ones that PB liked pepperoni and cheese.

Good friends are hard to come by – but those who comes bearing food, help and good conversation – now those you have to treasure and keep.