Balance, It’s a Lifestyle!

Balance, It’s a Lifestyle!

Yesterday I was rushing around after being in ‘cottage mode’ for the last few days. I have a bunch of work to get done and will be hustling into the night to get things done by tomorrow. Today is crunch time before Thursday. Tomorrow,  Embot and I are going to Vancouver for a shoot on Friday, then home Saturday. Next week I’ve got a big client presentation w/ 1188 and a speaking gig. Safe to say, I’ll be spending a lot of time at my computer until then.


I think one of the most important things I’ve learned to manage over the past few years of not having a ‘regular‘ full-time job is BALANCE. You can easily get caught up in doing all the work and/or going to all the things.

Before the start of this year, I knew I needed to make a change. I was feeling uninspired, unhealthy, and my brain was dull and clouded. I considered quitting my blog and whenever that happens, I KNOW it’s time for change. After my solo trip to LA in January, I came back feeling renewed and inspired. I mentioned the sound bath I went to and how it really made an impact on me. I started back at yoga end of January and have been averaging 3-4 times a week since. I book my classes at the start of the week and in order for me to miss a class, it has to be work or something I really want to go to.

I used to spend so much time going to events, sometimes more than 2  night but those days are few and far between lately. I’ve had to prioritize my time and that involves staying home, going to yoga, cooking, sitting on the couch, reading, drinking less, getting sleep. I think I’d tuckered myself out by the end of last year and it really got me down. Since January I’ve made planning my me-time a priority.

My happy place is laying here on my mat after a great yoga class.
BALANCE is getting ice cream after yoga!

I biked to yoga again this morning and feel super energized to kick some a$$ today. I’m really excited to take Emily to Vancouver tomorrow. It’s our first solo girls trip together. First, of many hopefully!

Remember to make time for yourself, you can’t just do work or else you won’t have room for inspiration.

Take a deep breath. Smile. Do something for YOU.

My New Fav Summer Meal + WE SAW A REAL MOOSE!

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In the last 24hours, Sean and I drove for nearly 12 hours. We were in Stoney Creek near Peterborough for the weekend, left there Monday morning to get to a meeting in Arnprior for 2, then across through Algonquin Park, up to Parry Sound, then back to Muskoka, and home to Toronto today.

Everyone stopped in Algonquin Park to see a moose & moose baby!

It was nice driving together and seeing the sights, but after all that time in the car, I couldn’t wait to get home, ride my bike, do laundry, and make something healthy. We’d been eating mostly roadside snacks (chipwagon, pizza, etc) so I was really craving vegetables.  Hopped on my bike when I got home and zipped over the new West Queen West Metro. Didn’t realise how hot it was out so I was pretty sweaty lol but it was so nice to be back on the road. ☀️??‍♀️

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WAIT, HOW DID THAT BUTTER TART GET IN THERE?

If you’ve seen my tweets you’ll know I got a spiralizer. I didn’t know I wanted one but now I am obsessed! I’ve been making zucchini noodles with avocado cream dressing topped with grilled chicken. It’s so light and delicious.

I made it today when I got home scroll done for deets, it’s so easy!

zuchinni pasta noodles, casie stewart, metro west queen west, toronto, rockit promo
These noodles are a thing of beauty!

What You Need to Make Perfect Summer Zucchini Avocado Pasta

  • Zucchini (for noodles)
  • Chicken breast (optional)
  • For Sauce
    • Avocado ?
    • Shallots
    • Cherry tomatoes ?
    • Garlic
    • Olive oil
    • Basil ?
  1. Cook chicken breast in the oven at 375 for 45 minutes/until cooked, or pop on a BBQ and grill to perfection.
  2. While the chicken is cooking, spiral those noodles. If you don’t have zucchini or a spiralizer, use regular noodles. The sauce is really the best part!
  3. Mix garlic, onion, avocado,? tomatoes, fresh basil, and olive oil in a Magic Bullet, Food Processor, or some other mixer thing. Set side for a minute. It’s time to make the noodles.
  4. Heat a bit of olive oil in frying pan until it’s very hot. Toss zucchini noodles in the pan for a 2-3 minutes moving them around the whole time. They will cook super fast and you don’t want to overcook or they will get soft/mushy. Think al dente!
  5. Throw in the sauce and chicken and mix it around for a minute until warm.
  6. Add salt & pepper to taste.
  7. ENJOY! 

Note how healthy this pasta is! Pop by Amazon to get a spiralizer


Pre-mixed sauce ingredients. Smells amazing!
The noodles look so pretty! This is pre-cook.
VOILA! Fresh homemade pasta perfect for a hot summer day!

I recommend eating outside and enjoying the weather. I was so hot after my ride and I decided to stay in and watch Young & the Restless! ?✌? Yes, after 35 years, I’m still watching!

 

All ingredients from my local West Queen West Metro!

Check out some other features of the store here on the blog.

 

West Queen West Has a Metro Now!

West Queen West Has a Metro Now!
Heaps of prepared food. Lots of fresh juice. Massive gluten free section. Huge bread assortment including pretzel croissants (??) and Italian bread with real Italian ingredients (might be made by a real nonna?). Huge meat selection that will do custom cuts and a cool female butcher. Fresh sustainable seafood. So much yogurt. Exotic snacks. Self-checkout. Starbucks and collective art space on the lower floor. I also rode my bike there.

A new grocery store in the hood is pretty exciting. Before I lived in the West End, I was at Cityplace when the new grocery store opened up. [I actually even set up a Twitter account based on the store which I then shut down]. Everyone was so excited and that might seem a little dorky but when a new food store opens in your neighbourhood with all your fav things and fresh prepped food, your life is instantly better. So, I  biked over to the new MetroWest Queen West for a tour on opening weekend (10mins bike from home!).

This location puts a focus on local and community with organic chicken from Yorkshire Valley Farms in Etobicoke, pastries from Dufflet in Toronto, and Portuguese products from Borges Foods Ltd. in Mississauga.


v cool lady butcher!
Massive beer selection

Thanks Metro, for inviting me to the opening and the pedicab ride! Make sure to stop by and order a ready-made pizza, pick up some beer for the weekend, and grab yourself a fresh juice.

For info about Metro in-store events and other happenings, follow them on Facebook at Metro Ontario.

YES! This post is sponsored by Metro Ontario.

Things That Are Distant Though Near ☀️

Sitting outside yoga and feeling happy. The sun is bright, air warm, I’m sipping coffee at a picnic table before biking home. 


Had a pretty magical day yesterday, took Steph to Drake Commissary before her flight. After, I walked Queen West and popped into the Trinity Bellwoods farmers market to pick up some stuff. What a gem that place is, there was a babe playing guitar and singing, lots of fresh flowers,  vegetables, fish. I got an organic chocolate fudge popsicle and sauntered down Dundas on my way home. I wasn’t listening to music but it was so lovely it was like there was a soundtrack playing. 

Went to yoga last night and this morning which makes me feel back on my game. ??  After so many days at the cottage I was really missing my vinyasa flow. We did yoga outside today and it was so nice. The sky was a bright blue and breeze warm. 

Fruit, veg, flowers from the market!
Haven’t been here for about a week so was great to get back!
Art on the wall at Drake Commissary

Finally replaced this little thing aka my personal photographer. It’s a Bluetooth remote for your phone. It works great and aside from photos you can use it for Snaps, Stories, or Boomerangs. Ordered on Amazon via Prime after I lost my other one. ???

In other news, Lauren and I are doing something crazy today for the new Spider-Man movie. Make sure you are following my Instagram for Stories as they happen! ?

With love, 

Long Live the Weekend – Love You Canada!

Been having a pretty relaxing weekend. Can’t believe it’s already Monday. Back to the city tonight or tomorrow. I love being up here but I’m looking forward to going home. Feels like I’ve had more time at the cottage than home lately!

Canada Day canoe out on the lake!

My friend Steph is here from New York City. Sean and I met her last year at Anamaya Resort in Costa Rica. [Read about it here!] The weather has been a bit meh but it’s finally nice and sunny today. We created a super tasty wine spritzer with Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc mixed with La Croix, strawberries, and a bit of juice.

So good! La Croix, Kim Crawford wine, strawberries, juice

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