Fresh Healthy Salad For The Summer Time!

The summer time always makes me want to eat healthy. The heat plays a huge factor–I have cravings for salads and fruits. Because of this, I figured I would share with you some of my favorite add-ons you can use as dressing and toppings on your salad to add an extra kick in your step and make it filling. I am going to share with you my favorite ingredients to make the perfect summertime salad. Very easy to do and delicious.

Bye Bye Lettuce, Hello Spinach!

Instead of the basic base of lettuce for your salad, try spinach. When I was a child, I really disliked spinach, I think it was partly because I associated it with the gross looking canned kind you see on Popeye. Spinach is very high in iron and calcium. If you are a vegetarian then spinach should become your new best friend. Iron is usually the number one vitamin that vegetarians are lacking because it is largely found in meat. Also, calcium is very important for the health of your bones. The warm weather is also very dehydrating and tiring so it’s good to feel light and weightless. So, for your salad, add the nutritious value of spinach.

No Need for Tomatoes, Think Strawberries!

Substitute tomatoes for strawberries. Since strawberries are sweeter, I find that they complement the spinach base better. Strawberries are also a great source of Vitamin C. Vitamin C is incredible for the skin because it kills its bacteria and also helps brighten and even skin tone. Its antioxidant character is also great for the body because it helps the body with its necessary enzymatic reactions. Vitamin C is also needed for the production of collagen. Lack of collagen will cause your skin to produce more visible brown spots directly connected with aging. Collagen is necessary for the anti aging properties and preservation of the body’s youth.

Walnuts on Top!

Walnuts have high levels of antioxidants. They also have been proven to increase fat oxidation and reduce carbohydrate oxidation. This means that they will help fill you up while at the same time making sure that you are digesting your food properly. Walnuts improve the use of body fat, making them a healthy and light add on to a salad. It also doesn’t hurt that they are delicious. It is best to keep the walnuts raw because roasting them takes away some of their antioxidant values.

Bonjour Brie Cheese!

Brie is made from whole or semi skimmed milk. It adds an exquisite flavor and it’s a nice change from the regular cheese you find on a salad. The French love eating this for breakfast, but I simply enjoy it any time of day. Brie is light and rich in flavor. Meaning, it doesn’t weigh down the meal but it is rich in flavor and ties the whole salad together.

Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing!

Best and final add-on to your salad. The mixture of olive oil and vinegar is perfect because it gives the salad the spice it needs and the benefits. Olive oil is great for the skin because of it’s strengthening values. but it is also wonderful because of it properties to displaces Omega 6 Fatty Acids. This means that olive oil has the ability to build a balanced Omega 6 fatty acid content. Olive oil is also known to lover blood sugar levels and blood pressure.

So what do you think of my choice of meal this season? I love this salad because every ingredient has its incredible benefit for the body. Summer is all about putting your best food forward, so make sure you are being taken care of, from the inside and out.

Lavish Thursdays at Ultra

Our article on the best patios in Toronto a couple of weeks ago didn’t even do this spot justice.

Thursday nights at Ultra invite you to get luxe. Toronto’s hottest nightspot opens its patio tomorrow night, combining a breathtaking Toronto evening with delectabe drinks, sweet music, and incredible people.

Hosted by our very own Deb Lewis, as well as Thomas Neary, Ultra invites you to come and spoil yourself and reach a new level of luxurious.

Ultra Supper Club

314 Queen St. W.
www.ultratoronto.com

For beer lovers everywhere! Introducing The Beer Boutique!

Introducing a new way to love beer: The Beer Boutique!

Brought to you by Canada’s very own, The Beer Store is launching its newest retail venture in Liberty Village later in the month of June. Not only will patrons have the same wide range of beer to choose from, but they’ll also be able to purchase beer in smaller packs, and even mix and match with custom cardboard carriers.

And if that isn’t reason enough to check it out, The Beer Boutique will feature regular tasting and pairing events. We all know that food and drink go together, and The Beer Boutique will let you discover new brands and match great foods with each one. And because the store is all self-serve, you’ll have the opportunity to browse to your heart’s content.

The entire objective of this great new concept store is to be a beer lover’s dream, to enhance a greater beer experience, and to learn more about the brews everyone loves so much.

Beer lovers: get excited. Just in time for summer, The Beer Boutique promises to be an incredible experience.

Toronto’s Finest Auction

Auctioning off eligible bachelors and bachelorettes for a charitable cause has always been a popular past time. Maison Mercer was the scene for yet another great fundraising event on Thursday night in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Created by IntriKate, this is the sixth annual auction that has seen nothing but great faces and success since its creation.

All of the women in the office got a chance to check out this year’s auction, and I can honestly say that we it was a perfect night out.

This year’s hosts, Wes Hayden and Jessie Sulidis, brought a higher level of entertainment to the event, offering quirky and hilarious commentary. And they were further complemented by the beautiful list of bachelors and bachelorettes, who ranged from professional athletes to models to corporate leaders to world travelers. When each bachelor or bachelorette came on stage, it was exciting to hear about each one’s story and what kind of date they had planned for the lucky winner. This was the first auction that I had been to which featured high-profile bachelors and bachelorettes, so to gain even a little insight into the life each one was great!

And what’s an event without a silent auction and a gift bag? Guests saw no disappointment in this area. Sponsors for the silent auction and ‘swag bag’ included MAC Cosmetics, Politica, Notable, Luxe Travel Company, CMC Entertainment, Dell, Danier, Elle Canada and Steamwhistle.

Overall, the auction raised quite a bit of money (with some eligible singles going for literally thousands of dollars!) for the Canadian Cancer Society. And it truly was an event with fabulous entertainment, incredible date packages, and great food at the perfect venue.

And as I mentioned before, the swag bag brought no disappointment. Complete with MAC make-up (which I love!), discounts on spa packages, and chocolates, the bag was perfect.

This auction was unlike any other bachelor/bachelorette auction I’ve ever seen. Congratulations IntriKate on a fabulous event!

August 9, 2011: Fastlane Patio Party

FastLane offers a unique approach to connecting urban professionals who have backgrounds in a variety of industries and providing the opportunity for professionals to meet new people, trade tips and make beneficial contacts.

Don’t miss out on this easy way to expand your network by connecting with other businessmen and women. Since it will be on a patio, you won’t feel the pressure of a work meeting and have to deal with all of the usual formalities. Attendees will feel at ease, as this event will be taking place at a relaxing environment, and won’t find it hard to start up conversations with others.

Date:  Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Time:  6:00pm – 9:30pm

Location:  TBC

Theme:  Patio Party

Here are some photos of the event : http://www.flickr.com/photos/cityeventstoronto/sets/72157627513069770/

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