Food Review: Heating Up The Kitchen With Club House Organic Spices!

I received complimentary packages of Club House's Organic Kung Pao and Taco Seasoning Mix from a great site that I belong to called Influenster.

These are the two packages I was sent in the mail.

I couldn't take the heat from the Kung Pao rice dish, so I enjoyed the tasty fries!

My honest thoughts: The packaging was okay, although I would love to have a re-sealable option so I don't need to transfer any leftover spice mix into another container for later use. The spice definitely packs a punch, so a little goes a long way for any recipe. I could smell it a mile away. lol The heat is very much present in each bite for the rice dish that I made but Bill found that despite the heat, it didn't have a lot of flavour. I wish there was less sodium in each package too because that is a bit of a deterrent. This won't be a staple spice product for our home, but it was good to try out.

The Taco mix though was really tasty! A lot of flavour and a great blend of spices. My baked fries turned out excellent. It had a bit of a zesty taste, but still tolerable. I would definitely make them again and we still have quite a bit left of the mix to enjoy!

So there you have it. These goodies that I got in the mail was a nice surprise and if you haven't already joined up, I would encourage you to check out Influenster (totally free to be a member!) so you can have an opportunity to test out all sorts of cool new products that launch.

Have you tried any of these organic spices out yet? If so, let me know your thoughts!

Flavour.ca  Influenster Canada #HelloFlavour #Complimentary

Chocolate Heaven with So Delicious & Social Nature

I've been mostly dairy-free now for a few months now (with the occasional, oops did I just eat something with milk in it moment!) and although I am not seeing huge changes in my digestive issues, I am really enjoying experimenting with non-dairy products that are making my tummy feel happy.

I belong to a great site called Social Nature and so I was very excited when I opened up my e-mail to get a note saying that I was chosen to receive a complimentary voucher to try out any of the So Delicious Non-Dairy Frozen Desserts!

Heading to the natural foods freezer section of our local Zehrs, there were several flavours to choose from, but the Dark Chocolate Truffle really caught my eye.

Being non-dairy, the cashew milk works well and it very subtle. I also love the organic tapioca starch that seems to be a staple in a lot of dairy-free products. The fair trade cocoa is extremely decadent, so you don't need to finish off the whole container (even though you probably want to - YES it's that good!) I also love the smooth and creamy-like texture, which makes you feel like you're eating regular ice cream. The bonus is without the digestive upset.

The only downside is that it is tough to scoop out right away. You need to wait a bit until it is thawed more and then just dive right in with your spoon. However, a small price to pay for such goodness!

Highly recommended and I cannot wait to try more products!

#frozengoodness #trynatural #gotitfree

Windsor Restaurant Review - Blooming inside and out: A look into the Sunflower Organic Cafe

Remember the days when you couldn't even order anything “on the side” because it just came prepared however the restaurant made it. Substituting was met with a sigh or “I'll have to ask if we can do that” reply. Choices were really limited and if you had any sort of allergy or special request, you'd have to phone up days in advance to figure out if they could arrange an alternative. I actually went through a time period when I just stopped eating out at restaurants because it was always a frustrating experience and slightly awkward, especially if I was the only one in the group with restrictions.

Now, a new way of thinking has sprouted for certain businesses, especially one that I recently had lunch at last week called Sunflower Organic Cafe, here in Windsor, Ontario.

I loved the vibrancy of the space with all the knick-knacks, neatly organized above the green trim. It kind of reminded me of entering into grandma's house, with a eco-hipster twist.

I was very impressed with how much this cafe caters to each individual and whatever circumstance you're dealing with. Celiac? No problem. Lactose intolerant? Many alternatives available.  Have another kind of auto-immune issue or follow a certain lifestyle, like vegetarian or vegan? Just let the waitress know and she'll figure out a way to make your meal completely customized to your liking. Oh and if you're into the whole organic movement, then you'll feel right at home.  Personally, I don't subscribe to one philosophy when it comes to food, I hold many beliefs that may align with yours, or perhaps be totally contradictory, so take my review with a grain of salt, if you wish and try it out for yourself.

Customer service was top notch. There's no two ways around that.  Our waitress was really friendly and offered to answer any questions that we had about the menu. Speaking of... the menu is large, so there is a lot of variety to choose from.  Start the day with an energizing breakfast, grab a salad, or just power up with one of their smoothies.

Another plus is how reasonably-priced everything is. Many items are under $10, like the Black Bean Wrap, Grilled Cheese, Baby Bella Mushroom and Cheese Omelette, and more.  Check out the menu here: http://www.sunflowerwindsor.com/cafe-menu/

I have to say that my Vegan Apple Cinnamon Buckwheat Pancakes rocked for only $8.95! I couldn't taste the cinnamon all that much, but the mixed berry compote, side of pure maple syrup, plus some refreshing apple splices hit the spot. 3 pancakes might seem stingy since we live in a society where quantity is valued far more than quality, but it was the right amount. I will say though that if you are not familiar with buckwheat, it is rather dense and a little bit on the heavy side, so it won't taste like your traditional pancake.

Vegan Apple Cinnamon Buckwheat Pancakes

On a personal note, I am also happy that there is a new place that I can take my parents. With all the major changes going on for my dad, eating healthy is a top priority. Having a nice customized meal that will give him lots of energy is important because he is so active. Oh and of course, this gives my mom a much-needed break, so she doesn't have to cook.

Thanks to my friend Gail for suggesting this spot for our lunch date! :)

Make sure to check out Sunflower Organic Cafe on Facebook!

Update as of Jan 2016: Sadly, it looks like they have closed their doors for good!!

An Urban Space Experience: Akron Art Museum

 Akron Art Museum
All photos by: Melissa Arditti

Running a little behind schedule, our next stop was the Akron Art Museum.

The architectural structure of the building is quite modern, broken into three sections (the Crystal, the Gallery Box and the Roof Cloud) with a combination of glass and steel and was designed by Viennese architectural firm, Coop Himmelb(l)au.

After admiring the outside, we met up with our guide, who reminded me of a really chic/bohemian-styled woman who hailed from the fashion district of New York City, with thick black-rimmed glasses. Her name was Carol Murphy, and she is currently the Chief External Affairs Officer. She was waiting for us by the i-Q Café, named after the museum’s sculpture; Inverted Q by renowned American Pop artist Claes Oldenburg.

The museum has a vast collection of over 5,000 works of art and you can walk through these beautiful loft-like galleries with 16-foot ceilings, and enjoy contemporary pieces, to sculptures, photography and much more. Here are some photos that I took for your viewing pleasure.

A lot of galleries can often feel pretentious, but there is a real free-spirited attitude and appreciation for all kinds of people who walk through the door. The best part about the art museum here in Akron is its adaptability and versatility to change. It is also wonderful to know about all the creative programs that they provide for inquisitive minds of all ages. I wish I was 5 again so I could take part in a Firefly Tea Party or perhaps some Shadow Dancing. :)

Before or after you tour the gallery and pop into the museum store, you can enjoy a delicious snack and beverage without even having to walk out the door. Carol also mentioned that they pride themselves on serving their patrons local and whenever possible, organic products.

So whether you’re a professor, a student of the arts, an art connoisseur, or simply just wandering downtown Akron, stop in and see all the unique galleries that makes Akron Art Museum a destination to further explore.

For more information, you can visit the gallery here: akronartmuseum.org

Windsor Restaurant Review: Il Cavallino: A Good Formula

 Il Cavallino
All photos by: Melissa Arditti

It’s been too long of a winter so, at the first real sign of Spring, it was time to head out to a restaurant here in Windsor. Il Cavallino, run by General Manager, Frank Gobbato, is a great little bistro located at 9420 Tecumseh Road East, inside the well-known Formula 1 Collision Centre.

The waiting area at Il Cavallino is fitted with sleek, modern furniture that was a comfortable to sit in as it was pleasant to look at. Photo by Melissa Arditti.

Stepping inside we were greeted by the day-time chef, Suzette. She was very bubbly with a huge smile on her face and ready to answer any questions we had about the menu. It was also nice that she told us in detail about the specials of the day. That is the start of good service.

We  also briefly met the Marketing Manager, Cristina Melnik, who was excited to have us in for lunch.

The decor is very modern, with sleek industrial-metallic and red accents. You could also have your choice to sit at a regular dining table, or get a bit higher with bistro tables and, surprisingly, very comfortable swivel chairs.

The restaurant is small but cozy, relying on ambient light from the windows during the daylight hours. Also, the kitchen has a classic diner feel and the chefs are always visible, so you can actually see what is being made and even smell the delicious aromas.

A modern decor with sleek industrial-metallic and red accents. Photo by Melissa Arditti

As well, there is a fair bit of car nostalgia, so while your meal is being prepared, you can take a stroll around and see some of the displays, including an adorably cute Jetta.

Diners at Il Cavallino can look at the Jetta on display. Photo by Melissa Arditti

Now onto our meals.

We both started out with a tall glass of fresh orange juice, while perusing the large and assorted menu.

Delicious O.J and Il Cavallino's plentiful menu. Photo by Melissa Arditti

I decided to go with a chicken Caesar wrap and a side of non-dairy broccoli soup. Huh? Non-dairy? Did I hear that correctly? I was kind of taken aback when I was told this.

The non-dairy broccoli soup was a surprise to find on the menu at Il Cavillino. Photo by Melissa Arditti

I will start off by saying that I have never had broccoli soup without dairy or cream. It hasn't been on a menu from any restaurant that I've gone to before, and I've been to plenty. So this was a new experience entirely and I knew I’d either love it or regret ordering soup.

Hurray. I was very pleased with the consistency and flavour. I found out that it was so simple to make by pureeing broccoli, adding chicken stock, onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. So goodbye heavy cream soups, hello deliciously light broccoli soup.

Next, my chicken Caesar wrap.

The restaurant offered a perfect chicken Caesar and even had the option of a whole wheat wrap.
Photo by Melissa Arditti.

The tortilla was fabulous and probably one of the best I've had in a long time. It wasn't overly starchy and another bonus is that I could substitute for whole-grain. This is one option that I was truly happy to see, as many other restaurants still haven’t caught on to offering customers the option of white vs whole wheat/whole grain. I realize it does come at a cost but I wish more places offered it.

The grilled chicken was cooked well and was very moist. There was enough of it to really satisfy my hunger. The romaine lettuce was crisp, not wilted, and the Caesar dressing was well balanced, so the tortilla wasn't drowning in a sea of sauce. On the side, you can expect an array of fresh, vibrant fruit which really brightened up the dish.

Bill had one of the specials, spaghetti marinara with garlic bread. The portion-size was great and the noodles were cooked well. The marinara sauce was mild in flavour, not overpowering, and the garlic bread really added a nice touch.

Healthy portions were on the menu at Il Cavallino, and entrees were accompanied
by a melange of fresh fruit.  Photo by Melissa Arditti.

One feature that Il Cavallino is known for is their use of fresh, organically-grown produce that is directly from their on-site garden. If you are searching the city for places that are organic-friendly, this should definitely be your next stop.

Once we were done our main course, Suzette came around with cannoli’s that were purchased on Erie Street; oh my.

Any room left for dessert? Photo by Melissa Arditti

They were absolutely phenomenal. Il Cavallino takes the time to pick out the freshest and most delicious varieties of baked goods on a regular basis.

Another cool thing is if you have an electric vehicle, you can plug your car in, grab a bite to eat, and be on your way. I have not seen this very often, so it’s a great addition for customers who do not use gasoline-based vehicles.

Parking for electric vehicles. Photo by Melissa Arditti

Overall, the combination of service, great food and décor is certainly the right formula to keep customers coming back for more.

Visit their website and like them on Facebook