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.

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.

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.

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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So what did you eat on New Year’s Day ..?? or rather.. what kinda treats..?? or junk food..??   As for us.. we had to work ..  yes..! first day of New Year.. also gotta work.. but it wasn’t for long.. only till 5pm.  So we had some friends and customers who came by the store.. and gave us chocolates.. and i just loved this one.. !! Kahlua filled chocolate.. yummy.. yummy….!! of course i can only eat one lah..   but one is better than none right..??  For your info.. i used to love Kahlua milk on the rocks.. !  those were the days.. when i would sipped on my glass of Kahlua milk.. and  try look sophisticated  while listening to some live music in a pub.  These days.. if i can get on my lip gloss i would be most happy.. hahhaa!!

The “ang moh” and our “princess” love the chocolates .. but the princess is hacking her lungs out.. so cannot eat.  Everything in moderation we taught her.. and she knows better.  But “ang moh” where can resist.. eat lah..!!  afterall, gifts mah.  What about you ..?? what did you eat for junk food..??

So what did you have for Christmas..??  we had the traditional turkey as you can see.. and ham as well.  Chloe’s grammie had to cook some ham too.. in case the brat wouldn’t eat turkey.  She did try it .. but she ate ham mostly .. with mashed potatoes.. and carrots.  Not overly too much.. but she had some of everything.

This year.. we had no time to get cake, dessert or ice cream..  because we were simply too busy at the store.  Even till the time we were closing.. there were ppl at the store.. buying stuff.  We can’t complained of course.. but it had been a really good Christmas season at the store for us.  We didn’t overstocked..  and the things we had .. were almost all gone for the season.  We had a lot for dinner.. but i still went home to have my spicy noodles.. hahahhaha!! what’s christmas.. without some chinese food eh..??

Christmas eve only means we have to open the store for less hours.  But this year, we opened an hour later than usual… because we had to finish shopping for Christmas.  We woke up early and left the house at 9.30am.. and got all our shopping done by 11.30am – FINALLY!  timing was great.. and the brat was well-behaved.. and didn’t fussed at all during the shopping time.   We even managed to get a gift for Chloe’s Kai Mah from Swaroski at Crescent’s Jewellery.   And lunch was for Macdonald’s .. at the store of course.. but the brat wants to eat it in her Spaceship.. that she and “ang moh” made together.

After lunch, “ang moh” went out to get the last of the groceries for Christmas.. because it would be a few days before any stores will be opened.  And what did the brat do..?? homework.. learning to spell and recognized the spellings of her colors.  And yes – we survived Christmas.. without any help.. but lots of friends.. who came by the store.. either to help with playing with Chloe or looking out the store for us.   We are indeed and truly blessed this year – we got all our gifts out for our friends and customers before Christmas Eve – this year.. i slack in the online and overseas frens department – but i know they will understand.

We had a quick lunch at Zellers Diner on Sunday – and you would think that at 2pm.. and the restaurant pretty much empty .. with only a few tables.. 2 waitresses .. and one cook – you should probably get your order taken.. fairly quickly.  But nope..  one of the waitress had left a few tables dirty.. and had gone back behind the counter to take a few sips of drinks..  in the few trip she made up and down .. i don’t know doing what .. before she got to us.  It was a good 15 mins … before she got to us with the menu.  I didn’t dare ask about the   free directory coz’ i don’t even know if she knows anything about it.

We ordered a platter to share.. but there were more decorative greens than food.. hahahah!!! but at $12.99 .. can’t really ask for a lot lah.  It was with onion rings, sweet potatoes, a crab cake, some mozarella sticks  and 2 chicken fingers.  If you are wondering where the food was .. i had forgotten to take pictures.. coz’ we were already so hungry.

Yes..! the lil’ brat of mine.. not wanting to eat her food at all.

What is she having.. baked sweet potatoes and a chicken finger.. and nope.. she refuses to eat the sweet potatoes.. and ate a bit of the chicken fingers.  And here we thought .. we didn’t have to carry food with us.. when she is older..  but she is still doing the same thing ..  *sigh*.

Nachos Supreme was the only thing i could eat when i was pregnant with Chloe .. but these days.. i eat it maybe.. once in every 3 months.  It’s mostly as an appetizer or something to fill me up.. when i’m in between meals.. and gets hungry..and have nothing else to eat.. because i don’t eat cakes.. or ice cream.  This is gotten from KFC .. and sometimes.. it’s pretty good.. and other times.. well, soggy.  What about you ..?? do you like Nachos Supreme..?? oh btw.. it’s pretty cheap.. i think less than $3 here in Canada.

We went hunting for Chloe’s birthday cake the other day.. and am in awe with what was displayed at the local grocery store.   These bakers are really very artistic donch you think..??  I don’t know how much something like that would cost ..but i can’t be sure.. i won’t wanna eat it.. if i bought it.. hahhahaha!! luckily chloe didn’t asked for this cake.. else how to chop it into pieces to be chomped down right..?

Cheap, cheap right..?? the cakes.. this one only $15 ..!!!  i think i’m getting this one for Chloe’s class for Christmas.   I bet the kids will be thrilled.

I really love going grocery shopping – truth be told,  i just love looking at different kinda food.. and different kinda ingredients.  I have always been this way.. especially if i was traveling.  But you and I know that supermarkets can be a fascinating place to be .. not only for kids.. but for adults.. especially for someone who loves food.

I haven’t had a good creme brulee for a long, long time.  The last time i had one was when i was at the Marco Polo Hotel at the Brasserie in Hong Kong.  But my favorite is still the ones from the Shangri-la Hotel in Singapore.. at the Coffee Garden.  I used to drive all the way there just to buy fresh creme brulee for lunch.  My bosses used to think i was crazy.. muahhaa!!

I’m sure if i looked hard enough here in Canada.. someone could probably make some good creme brulee  – the last time i had mine here in this town was from Chez Bruno and he charged like $10 a dessert – it was a special menu thing.. not done everyday .. at that time.  But i was very disappointed with his creme brulee because it was nothing like the ones I’ve eaten before – not even the ones from Paris – Le Terrazze or Le Vin Sobre ( a budget cafe).

So when i saw these at the local supermarket .. i had to try it.. and although i still needed to do some work and put it into the conventional oven for 5 – 8 mins.. it was worth it.. and it only cost $4.  So how does it taste.. ?? not bad.. not bad.. although mass produce like industrial products ,  i donch mind it at all.  So for those in Canada.. you can find this at Superstore.  I don’t know if it is seasonal or not..  but it’s there right now.

You all must be beginning to think that I only eat at Tim’s .. hahahha!!! but it’s not true lah.  Tim’s had this limited period Onion soup .. for a month now.. and i am trying it .. because i didn’t want it to end.. without trying it out.  So happily one morning..  or an early afternoon..  i decided to try it out.

So here is my bowl of onion soup and i guess you are wondering how does it taste right..?? or is it worth the money.. and so forth..??  Well, lets just say.. you didn’t missed anything.. if you didn’t try it.  It  wasn’t bad .. but it didn’t have the oommpp..! if you know what i mean.. but for $3 .. one can’t really complain lah.  It also comes with a huge roll – whole wheat if you choose too.  But i’ll have to say.. the gals at Tim’s are awesome, awesome. folks.. and if the Tim’s has anything.. it’s the gals there.

Sunday lunch is usually a quick affair for us.. at home.  We try to eat out.. but knowing that Chloe is quite fussy with what she eats.. it would really be a waste of money.. to eat out.  So we now end up cooking wholesome and fresh mashed potatoes.. with fresh ham.. and corn.

It’s easy .. quick.. .and nutritious .. and what’s best is she loves it.. chomps it down. And for me.. Sunday lunch means.. “ang moh” does the cooking.. i need not do anything.. except for dinner but i still gotta do the dishes.. bummer..!

I went out for breakfast with a good girlfriend of mine who is also working on my term life insurance when i ordered plain old oats for breakfast.  She was kinda shocked that i was only eating oats and offered other things in the menu.. hahah!!  Funny how some ppl can think oats is plain and boring.  What about you ..?? you eat oats..?? or only when you are ill..??

But it’s true lah..the Quaker Oats box can be quite deceiving hor..?? after nuking it.. it looks kinda plain and gross.. but it’s so healthy.. and really filling.  Whenever I eat oats in the morning.. i feel really good about myself – you know our body can only take so much junk.  I even have turkey bacon instead of regular one.. and of course.. if i can find ones with less salt.. i would eat that instead.

Some ppl think that it’s only because i’m diabetic.. i’m watching my diet.. but truth be told.. i never really like junk food.. except for my laksa and char kway teow.  And since i can’t find it anywheres here.. except for great online friends.. and family from home.. that sends me the paste for them.. i can’t get it.   But give me rojak .. i can eat it.. everyday with my rice.

Like many of you already know..  the lunch or meal part for me here in Canada.. or rather in this town can be quite challenging.  If i do not cook my own lunch or order food from Mr Zhu’s chinese restaurant across the road from us – i have to really think hard what i want to eat.  Many a times, I would end up eating something outta convenience.. and you know what happens when one does that eh..??  UNHEALTHY is the word.

I haven’t had cheese croissant for a long time.. because they didn’t have it huge enough to make sandwiches for the longest time.  So when i saw them today .. i just had to have to have it.  One thing that didn’t make it perfect was .. they cannot toast the croissant now.. because it catches on fire.. muahhahahaha!!!  but it’s true.. when we do it at home.. on our toaster.. we have to watch it.. else it catches on fire too.   The sandwich cost about $4.25+ tax . i think.. donch quote me…. because i usually give $10 .. and never count the change.  It was alright..  but mayo .. can lighten up a bit eh.

When you don’t know what to eat anymore..  what do you eat..?? Junke food..!!! what about you ..?? how often do you eat junke food..??  Two day during the week.. i ate home made sphagetties.. and another day.. i had wanton soup and egg rolls.   And another day .. i had home cooked rice .. and leftovers – and then I had home cooked noodles .. one day.  And baked fish another day.. with a little noodles.  Another day ..i had a sandwich from Tim Hortons. There really isn’t much choice .. of food .. to cook or buy that would keep me very healthy.. but I try very hard .. to either cook .. or eat healthy .. even when i am eating out. So finally i broke down yesterday.. and had a baked potato from Wendy’s.  Not the best.. but it was a meal.

So what did the ang moh eat..?? of course Wendy’s burger lah..!!!  he eats them like 3 times a week..  not really because he likes them… but because .. it’s the easiest.. and the thing he can stomach.  But i never liked them..  so he can eat all his want.. and i won’t really stop him.

Look at what is inside.. !!! eeeewwwkkkk..!!!  the mayo..!!!!! eeeewwwkkkk..!!!

The ang moh was getting some truck accessories this morning for his buddy and since i didn’t get any breakfast this morning.. because I didn’t get much sleep last nite .. and decided to sleep in .. after returning from sending Chloe to school.  I don’t usually eat Tim Hortons breakfast .. because it is very rich.  But having said that .. it’s much better than MacDonald if you asked me.. and more expensive too.  This biscuit breakfast was at $3.99 + tax wherelse at Macdonald it is less than $2 i think ( donch quote me.. i could be wrong).  Anyhow.. the breakfast came with the biscuit that holds the sausage and the eggs.. it was nice and warm.. very yummy..  but once again .. darn rich..!!  For those who haven’t been to Canada.. for the last year you wouldn’t have tried this .. because this is relatively new. So what did you have for breakfast..??  if i had a choice.. i would prefer Chee Cheong Fun.

How many of us can afford to eat Macdonald’s breakfast everyday ..?? not in terms of money.. i meant in terms of health.. and in terms of the extra pounds .. that comes with it.. hahahah!!  Indulging is good.. once in a bit .. afterall, one has gotta treat oneself right..??  so yes..  i haven’t had Macdonald’s big breakfast .. for many months now.. so we got up early on Saturday.. and went for some.

Happy, happy i ate my macdonald’s big breakfast.. even the eggs were moist. .and good..  but .. half way thru’ the breakfast.. chloe said.. she didn’t feel good.  So how to enjoy right..??  so i quickly finished up.. and went to be with her.. the rest of the day.  Well, the rest is in the next post.  So we’ll try again .. next week… there’s always next week.

I donch know about the rest of Canada.. but I find it really hard to eat healthy .. and not eat the same thing over and over again. I think it’s mostly because i don’t wanna spend so much just on food .. as i want a Kohler faucets badly at home. Is a sandwich like this healthy..??  Do I have to eat subway everyday..??  if i don’t cook..???  I love the gals at Tim Hortons.. they are very nice.. and very friendly.. it’s like going to visit your g/fs..  but with food.  And they do try to please.. and i’m not the most difficult customer..but I can tell you .. i have weird taste.  A sandwich like this cost like $3.99 but you see.. i eat chicken everyday.. and really could use something different.  But being a diabetic.. you and I know.. i cannot have so much of eggs and mayo.. so sometimes.. when it is not too busy .. after peak lunch hours.. i ask the gals if they can do half chicken salad and half egg salad for me.

I hate to put the gals in a bad position .. and tell them.. i won’t be upset.. if they can’t do it.. but most of them.. they aim to please.. and really i don’t mind paying extra.  So yes..  i think it’s as healthy as i can get.. and it’s cheap enough..  and it’s a quick lunch.. and i’m full after eating the whole piece of sandwich but it would be awesome if they have mushroom soup.. everyday..    So what did you have for lunch..??  when i have lunch or dinner .. at the store.. i have a real headache.. because i really donch know what to eat.