I am not a morning person. Regardless of when I went to sleep the previous night, 8pm, 2am, my natural waking time is 9:00am and I often don’t feel awake until 10am. This, of course, isn’t functional for most of day-to-day life, which is why my cup of morning coffee is a necessity. When I went to work, I would alternate between splurging at coffee shops and using the kitchen coffee machine. At home, I’ve gone through a handful of coffee making methods from drip to single-use pods to instant. Now with Alivia in the mix, and often less than optimal sleep, my coffee ritual has become even more sacred.

Our newest appliance is the Melitta Heritage Series Pour-Over™ Coffeemaker in pastel pink, which comes with a porcelain Pour-Over™ Coffeemaker and a 20oz carafe. Stephen and I have been using the set on weekends for a while now and it brews the perfect amount for two.

Although I’ve been making coffee at home for years, I never knew the importance the filter played in the process. Since inventing coffee filters in 1908, Melitta has only improved over time. Their filters are made from a bamboo pulp that absorbs the bitter oils and acids during the brewing process resulting in a smoother, richer cup of coffee. The cone filters also have micro-perforations that help extract more flavour and are guaranteed never to burst with double crimped edges. Brewing with the Pour-Over method and Melitta filters will help any brand of coffee taste better.

I loved how quick and easy the Pour-Over™ method was to use, great in my current sleep-deprived state, and with minimal cleanup, amazing when Alivia’s calling for attention. Just put in a filter, add fresh coffee grinds, and pour hot water. I’m sure Stephen and I still have a ways to go before we perfect our pour, but even with our amateur technique, the result is a solid cup of joe. The design of the carafe spout also helps prevent dribbles and the pastel pink colour is so pretty.

Melitta has been in Canada since 1960 and has just launched their new online shop, which contains all the #MelittaPourOver equipment and beans needed to brew a perfect cup of coffee at home. The new website has more information about the Pour-Over method, tips on how to brew a better cup of coffee at home, and even coupons. There is also a subscription program that allows subscribers to save up to 7.5% on Melitta coffee products and delivered right to their doorstep.

Visit https://shop.melitta.ca/ today and use promo code Xiao15% to save 15% on your purchase! #pouroverisbetter

At the beginning of September, Stephen and I took some time off for a quick vacation in the US to visit family and friends. The 10 day trip took us to St. Paul in Minneapolis and across the country to Seattle. We were super excited to attend the Minnesota State Fair again and indulge in some deep fried cheese curds (which Stephen has been dreaming about for the past 2 years) and deep fried pickles. I was also looking forward to visiting Seattle for the first time and catching up with friends who had moved there recently.

Usually before a trip, I try to queue up 1 blog post per week while I’m gone and often for the week after I’m back while I get back into routine. Before our last vacation I was consistently posting 2-3 posts a week. Lately though, I’ve been struggling to juggle the priorities of spending time with family, my day job, sleep, and giving myself enough down time to recharge.

Writing blog posts had always been an activity I loved and it kept me busy during the week while Stephen traveled for work. I prided myself in my consistent content quality and quantity, often sacrificing sleep during the week to write. Stephen stopped travelling in May and I quickly found my schedule changing. After a day at work, I much preferred spending my evening watching TV with him and getting to bed at a reasonable hour, instead of blogging late into the night.

I struggled with finding the motivation I used to have for blogging and beat myself up for slacking at creating content. My hobby started to feel like a relationship I no longer wanted to be in. It took my energy and time only to give back a lot of guilt.

It wasn’t until August that I became okay with bringing my post frequency down to once a week, halving my commitment and reducing my stress 100%. I wasn’t tied anymore to ridiculous deadlines I gave myself, I didn’t feel pressured anymore to constantly churn out word count. Writing became easier again.

I also learned to value my time more. I didn’t have to blog about every single event, restaurant or experience, only those that I wanted to share and remember. Writing became enjoyable again.

So before this vacation, I didn’t worry about building up a backlog of posts. Now that I’m back, the gap in my post history doesn’t bother me either, at one point this would’ve been unheard of. The time away actually was refreshing and now I itch to blog again, a feeling I haven’t felt in awhile.

Today, I’m not sure if I’ll ever get back to posting as often as I used to, but I’m hoping the posts that do make it will be worthwhile to read.

My hope for 2017, visit more restaurants on my ever growing wishlist (Canis, Doma, Le Banane) and get up early for brunch (The Commodore, Tabule Souk, White Lily Diner).

1. Shoushin

Rating/Price: 5.0 $$$$
Why? Indulgent, splurge worthy, high quality ingredients
Must Order: Omakase at the sushi bar
Good For? Special occasions, couples

 

2. Canoe

Rating/Price: 4.5 $$$$
Why? Classic Toronto restaurant, stunning view, beautiful plates
Must Order: Anything on special
Good For? Date night, special occasions, couples or small groups

 

3. Kookminhakgyo

Rating/Price: 4.5 $$
Why? Fun, unique decor, delicious authentic Korean BBQ
Must Order: Pork belly with skin
Good For? Small groups, carnivores

 

4. Branca

Rating/Price: 5.0 $$$
Why? Great service, fire roasted meats, the fries
Must Order: Short rib, ocotpus, fries
Good For? Groups, celebrations, birthday dinners

 

5. Aoyama

Rating/Price: 4.5 $$$
Why? High quality sushi at great value
Must Order: Omakase sushi set
Good For? Special occasions, sushi lovers, families, date night

 

6. Tendou Matcha & Dessert

Rating/Price: 4.5 $
Why? High quality matcha drinks and delicious desserts
Must Order: Cream puffs, houjicha latte
Good For? Dessert, small groups, takeout

 

7. Fishman Lobster Clubhouse

Rating/Price: 4.5 $$$
Why? Extravagant, interactive, high quality seafood
Must Order: Lobster tower
Good For? Big groups, family events, celebrations

 

Honorable Mentions:
Shinobu – 4.5 $$$
Kub Khao Thai Eatery – 4.5 $$
Mymy Chicken – 4.5 $
Pomegranate – 4.5 $$
Qin Tang Taste – 4.5 $
Szechuan Legend – 4.5 $$
Le Baratin – 4.5 $$

Did I miss your favourite restaurant? Let me know in the comments.

Last Updated: 02/17/2017

Staying hydrated isn’t only good for chapped lips and dry skin, but helps with weight loss, body temperature regulation, energy levels and headaches. Dehydration can even affect your mood and make you more vulnerable to colds.

Some tips on staying hydrated through the colder months include:

• Reusable Water Bottles: Since I’m often away from my desk, having a water bottle to tote around the office is key. Indigo has an awesome selection of stylish water bottles, turning the container into a cute accessory. I’ve also been known to re-use 1L Evian bottles, which are sturdy and easy to carry.
• Fill up at the start of the day: Sometimes, I forget to drink water until I realize I’m parched at the end of the day. To fight this, I try to fill up a 1L water bottle at the start of the day and again at lunch so I always have water on hand, even if I don’t leave my desk for hours at a time.
• Get your water content from fruit: If you’re The Hubby, who hates drinking plain water, try eating fruit that’s high in water content like watermelon.
• Infuse water with flavours or try coconut water: An option for those who get bored with just water is to add a squeeze of lemon or lime to their glass. Coconut water’s also a great option that’s also a great source of vitamins and electrolytes. Thirsty Buddha’s new All-Natural Coconut Water with Watermelon adds a touch of sweetness to each sip.
• Tea: If cold drinks aren’t your thing, switch to tea. I am in love with all the berry flavoured teas from David’s Tea.

However you do it, staying hydrated in the cooler seasons is just as important as the hotter ones. I even have calendar reminders to keep me drinking throughout the day.

Disclaimer: A sample of Thirsty Buddha All-Natural Coconut Water with Watermelon was provided complimentary by Buddha Brands Co. All opinions expressed below are wholly mine and not indicative of the opinions or positions held by Buddha Brands Co.

Disclaimer: Products reviewed below were provided complimentary by Ely Products. All opinions expressed below are wholly mine and not indicative of the opinions or positions held by Ely Products.

The Basics:
Made from ingredients sourced from Ontario farmers, Fudi offers a healthy alternative to frozen dinners. Using an all-natural, preservative-free sous-vide cooking process, Fudi maximizes flavour while maintaining the nutrition of their ingredients. Each entree comes with pouches of kale, pearl barley and a quarter chicken (de-boned) seasoned with one of the Fudi spice mixes. To prepare, the pouches are reheated in boiling water for 15-17 minutes. There are 5 Fudi entrees available and 6 spice mixes, which may be purchased online through their website or in store at Whole Foods and select Foodland locations.

Fudi is currently running a contest on their Facebook page, featuring photos of their product taken by bloggers, including my photo of their Santa Fe Chicken. Find out more about their products and vote for your favourite photo here!

My Experience:
I have a soft spot for frozen dinners. Often I’ll grab one for lunch at work for the convenience and knowing the calorie count if I’m trying trim the waistline. While healthier options have emerged, frozen dinners generally still have low protein content and high grain. Preparing one of the Fudi entrees may be slightly more work than throwing it in the microwave, I found the ingredients healthy (often more so than my home cooked meals), and the portion size filling. While testing out Fudi, I ate way more kale, whole grains and lean white meat than I would have on my own.

• What I liked:
  Each entree was a balanced meal and only 400 calories
  The chicken in all 5 entree flavours were well seasoned with a mix of dark and white meat
  My favourite flavour was the Santa Fe while The Hubby favoured the Cacciatora
  The convenience, even though preparing the meals took 15-20 minutes, this was still quicker than making a similar dish from scratch
  Minimal clean up! All that was needed to prepare Fudi was a pot (and some tongs)
  I was surprised at how filling each entree was. With a ¼ cup of pearl barley and 1 cup of kale I often ended up passing scoops of barley from my plate to The Hubby’s

• What could use work:
  Distribution of kale leaves – in some entrees, my kale was only ends of leaves while others only had tips. This meant even re-heated for the same amount of time, some packages my kale became a boiled down clump
  When reheating the bags in boiling water, they kind of float, which sometimes meant uneven re-heating. I followed the preparation instructions to the tee and I’m not sure what could be done to fix this. Is a rolling boil needed for the entire reheating time?
  After reheating, the bags are super hot to handle, larger print of this warning would be helpful.
  The kale is unseasoned and needs to be seasoned after, maybe a small seasoning packet for the kale could be included?

TL;DR: Full of high quality and healthy ingredients, Fudi offers a quick, convenient and unique frozen meal solution that doesn’t involve the microwave.

What this means for xiaoEats, is that I’ll be away from blogging for the next 5 weeks. Here on out, all posts have been scheduled and written ahead of time.

The hubby and I will be travelling around Asia for the next 5 weeks, eating and celebrating with our families. If you’d like to come along (there will be lots of food), follow me on Twitter or Instagram. 

We’ll be hitting up 7 countries:

• Suzhou / Shanghai
• Hong Kong
• Bali
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Thailand

The Basics:
Founded in 2008, Zomato is an online and mobile restaurant search and discovery service that originated in India. Users are able to search for restaurants, add their own review, rating and pictures. Today, Zomato employs 800 people across 17 countries and provides detailed information about over 270,000 restaurants. Toronto is Zomato’s first foray into North America and the company has invested a substantial dollar amount into their Canadian expansion.

My Experience:
With both the website and app, Zomato is beautifully designed with drool worthy images and simple to use navigation. I’ve been using the app to “check in” to restaurants over the past month on my phone and the app has found every location so far. Their database is impressive in it’s breadth and depth of coverage. There are franchises, mom and pop shops and all the trendy new spots around town. Adding reviews have also been easy and there is still so much functionality in the works like conversations directly with restaurants and easy payments through the app. Integration between Zomato and all other social media networks to allow for easy sharing.

• Collections – Zomato uses themes and curates a collection of restaurants in the city to fit that theme. For example “Achin for Bacon” or “Healthy Eating”. Looking through the collections, restaurants included are all ones that I would recommend or want to try and fit each theme perfectly. This is a great way to discover new restaurants.
• Instagram integration – Including the hashtag #zomato in an Instagram post automatically pulls your picture into the Zomato food porn stream that’s featured on the front page
• Menus – This is huge! I love that Zomato actually has a team in each city that goes to each restaurant, takes pictures of the menu and updates them regularly. When choosing a restaurant, the menu is always the first piece of information I look for and Zomato does the research and leg work for their users.
• Again, the fact that Zomato made the investment to have a team in Toronto that organizes community events, physically visits restaurants themselves (not just relying on their user base) is a huge plus for me and makes me buy in to the app.

• There are still a few bugs. When rating a restaurant, even when disabling the send to Twitter function, a tweet is generated with your rating. This causes me to spam my Twitter every now and then when I’m writing reviews.
• The feedback form for editing a restaurant information is very general.
• Currently the homepage feed only shows reviews and activity from people I’m connected to, I’d love an option to read/see reviews in general from all users.
• A page highlighting new restaurants would be great.

TL;DR: Zomato is a restaurant discovery and review service that has launched in Toronto with a slick design, the resources and potential to win over users.

Disclaimer: Products reviewed below were provided complimentary by Ely Products. All opinions expressed below are wholly mine and not indicative of the opinions or positions held by Ely Products.

The Basics:
Imported from Latin America, Natural Sins is a baked, dried fruit snack that is 100% natural with no preservatives or dyes. The fruit is sliced very thin and each re-sealable package contains 1oz of the snack. There are 6 fruits available; mango, coconut, apple, orange, beetroot and pineapple. Each package of Natural Sins is 100 calories or less, with the exception of coconut at 168 calories.

My Experience:
When I’m bored at home or work, I look for a snack. While I love to eat fruit naturally, I will also gravitate towards fruits that are easily accessible. It’s why I have to pre-peel my oranges, and pre-slice my apples in the mornings. Otherwise they’ll sit untouched on my desk for days. With Natural Sins, it was super easy to throw a package into my purse or leave them at my desk and have a healthy snack ready with no preparation required. Natural Sins can be purchased online through Ely Product’s website or at a wide variety of stores in the GTA, including Rabba’s fine foods and Starsky.

What I liked:

• I liked 4/6 of the flavours. Coconut, mango and beetroot were amazing.
  • I assumed I would like mango but I was surprised at how sweet beetroot was.
  • I’ve never been a fan of coconut and again was surprised at how good the Natural Sins version was. Each package of coconut also provides 8g of natural fiber, which is amazing.
• The ease of having a healthy snack that’s ready to eat, tasty and needs no clean up.
• The idea of the re-sealable package was great. The execution needed some work.
• Beetroot, seriously I wouldn’t have thought of it as a fruit but it was one of my favourites.
• The texture of each fruit slice was super crispy. The mango slices were reminiscent of chips.

What could use work:

• The apple thins were only ok, I found the slices weren’t as crispy as the other fruit.
• I really didn’t like the orange thins. The entire fruit was used in each slice, including the peel and albedo (the white stuff) making each crisp quite bitter. I’m sure it’s healthier but not so tasty.
• As mentioned above, each bag has a re-sealable zip stripe. However, some of the packages were sealed very close to the zip stripe. Therefore using the tear away indent didn’t actually open the bag.
• At over $3/bag, it is more expensive than buying fruit.

TL;DR: Conveniently packaged, Natural Sins fruit thins offers a quick, delicious, accessible, healthy snack choice at a gourmet price point.

Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Chekplate. All opinions expressed below are wholly mine and not indicative of the opinions or positions held by Chekplate.

The Basics:
Chekplate is a mobile app, currently available only for iPhones, launched in September 2013 that aims to provide users with restaurant reviews from their social network. Users can add friends, write quick reviews and search for restaurants nearby and read existing reviews.

• The app is responsive and quick to load with a clean user interface and easy to read icons, it’s not crowded
• Searching for “Nearby” restaurants provides a list of results within seconds
• There’s a section on each restaurant page for “Deals”, this has great potential
• Simple rating system out of 5 for Food, Service and Price
• As wordy as I can be, I’m a big fan of concise information. I like that the rating is broken out into three factors with a straight forward approach.
• Being able to flip back and forth between list and map view in the restaurant search results

• There are still bugs, right now there’s no way to delete a review so if you accidently click submit twice (which I did), both reviews show up. The developers are working on a way to prevent duplicate reviews.
• This feature is to prevent restaurants from enticing users to remove poor reviews, a great move to maintain the integrity of the app
• Better integration with Facebook and Twitter
• The framework to integrate is built into the “Settings” section of the app, but toggling the “On/Off” didn’t do anything
• More data, like any new app that relies on user input, Chekplate’s restaurant database is just starting to be built up. Right now, there’s a great baseline of restaurants but there’s a lot missing. As a user, It is easy to add a new restaurant if you’re at the location. If you’re not though, you need the exact address, which can be a bit more effort than users are willing to put in for a mobile only app.

TL;DR: With an increase in usership, Chekplate has the potential to provide users with restaurant recommendations on the fly by being a well-thought out and responsive app.

It’s always worrisome to start a week looking forward to the weekend for free time to catch up on life. My coping method has always been to compulsively schedule my day, which usually takes up more time than I can afford but it’s a calming process. Once I have a plan, with buffer built in, I know what’s possible and what I have to cut. Last week, I ended up cancelling a Winterlicious reservation because I knew I was trying to squeeze in too many things.

I still over extend myself and fill my calendar back to back. I’m still learning my limitations and how to say no to family and friends without feeling guilty.

I know I can do everything, but for the sake of sanity and sleep, I should plan for 80%. To do this I try to follow these steps:

• Put everything into the calendar and keep it up to date
• Figure out your priorities for the week
• Make sure there’s white space in the calendar, that’s precious downtime!
• Account for travel/prep time for events
• Don’t worry about the Curse of the Blitz

My priorities this week:

1. Finish up Winterlicious blog posts
2. Get 8 hours of sleep
3. Spend some quality couch time with my kitty watching the Olympics

Couch Potato Cat