Tag Archives: travel

Canmore/Banff Recap – Day 1

Court and I are back from our mini vacay. I always dread coming home from holidays and getting back into the swing of things. Good times fly by way too fast, hey?

To celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary, we headed off to Canmore and Banff, Alberta. There’s nothing like a long weekend trip to kick off summer! Courts aunt and uncle lent us their house while they were away – a gorgeous home along the Bow River. They’re nice.

Canmore is such a vibrant, fun community – there’s a ton of trails for walking, running and biking, tours, yoga & pilates studios and a brand new rec centre called Elevation Place. It has a climbing wall, pool, gym, library, art gallery, etc. Everyone who lives and vacations there (mostly Calgarians, I presume) is so fit! It’s definitely a wonderland for active living, thats for sure. For those who aren’t familiar with the area, Canmore is located in Kananaskis country – about 40 minutes east of Calgary. (You’ll pass it on the way to Banff.) We prefer Canmore over Banff, actually. It terms of the community’s vibe, it’s more laid back – less touristy and better dining options with a seemingly greater emphasis on local businesses. In Canmore, you feel like you live there. Banff is more like a spectacle.

We rolled into town mid-afternoon on Friday. After unpacking the car, Court set up shop on the patio, and I unrolled my yoga mat for some restoration.

Bendy.

Afterwards, we headed out for a walk along the Bow River before making a detour into downtown to pick up a few goodies.

We were surprised by how warm it was in the Rockies – the temperatures were in the low-mid twenties all weekend! No jackets required.

Our first order of business was Mountain Mercato, a specialty market and cafe. They sell organic raw cheese, pate, seasonal produce, bread, quality olive oil, vinegar, etc. We sampled a few different kinds of oil from Greece and New Zealand, all of which had a spicy kick at the finish.
That’s how you can determine the quality of olive oil! If it’s not peppery, it’s probably no good.

Our next stop was a wine store for a bottle of pinot grigio. We sampled some wine, too. I think It was good? I don’t know much about wine tasting, but it seems like such a serious sport. I always just smile and nod politely when I’m given the backstory about a particular bottle. And then I select one based on the label.

Court and I share a theory that wine connoisseurs are liars. When you can go into detail about 50 different flavours, notes, etc. NO ONE is going to disagree. Really, you can just say whatever you want because you’re the “expert”. Right?!

We had a sushi date scheduled for Chef Studio Japan that night, so we headed back to the house to get ready. And by getting ready, I mean drinking wine on the deck.

It tasted light and crisp with notes of honey and lavender. I detected a subtle vanilla flavour too, which balanced the overall bright and fruity aroma… See what I just did there? Something to think about next time you’re at a wine tasting.

Dinner was, in a word, heaven. Court and I love sushi, and we always make a point of dining at Chef Studio whenever we’re in Canmore. They make an insane yam tempura roll, unlike any other yam roll we’ve experienced. It’s definitely a “treat” – I felt like I’d downed an entire bag of potato chips after two pieces, but it’s worth the splurge.

My favorite part of our meal was a piece of crab claw meat sushi. Real crab is such a rarity in these parts! So good.

After dinner, Court and I waddled back to the house where we changed into our pjs and fell into a black hole: Season 1 of Homeland. OH MY GOODNESS. I’ve been hearing about how awesome this show is, but I didn’t think I’d love it this much. We basically turned into the Battlestar Galactica skit from Portlandia.

Have you been to Canmore or Banff? Which one do you prefer?

What’s your ‘black hole’ TV show? Do you watch Homeland?

5 Things: Summer Stuff

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Oh hey!
How was your weekend? Mine was… meh. There was a massive Great Depression wind & dust storm (you can’t make this stuff up!) and I was trapped inside on Saturday. I caught up on all my stories though, so that was good. Stories = Real Housewives of Miami/OC, Vanderpump Rules. I also went on a few nature walks, lifted weights, did some pushups, drank wine and dry-brushed my skin. In that exact order.

Some recent happenings:

1. I took last Thursday off to catch up on homework and set aside some mental health time. I’ve been feeling run down lately – emotionally and physically. No, I’m not dying and nothing bad happened, I’m just burnt out. I’m in desperate need of restoration! Court and I have a mini-vacay planned next weekend in Canmore and Banff and WE CANNOT WAIT. It’s been over a year since we’ve been away, and it can’t come soon enough. We’re celebrating our 3 year wedding anniversary, too!

Early morning sunbeams – and yes, the window has since been spring-cleaned.

Ok, so about my ‘relaxation’ day. I went on three walks. It felt so good to just relax and stroll around the neighbourhood taking in the sights ~~of people in their homes~~ and sounds of Spring. I have a deep appreciation for the sound of lawnmowers, Robins, sprinklers and the smell of BBQs and freshly cut grass. Ahhhh…. I walked and walked until my body ached.

I rounded out the day with a hot shower then climbed into bed with my ereader. I’m reading How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue. It’s a relaxing “girly” read – I’m enjoying it! {It’s a welcomed mental break from anatomy, physiology and nutrition textbooks}

2. I need new swimwear. I’m starting to think there may be such a thing as too many squats and lunges because my butt is on a mission to join the Kardashian family.

{Bruce is my favorite Kardashian. Who’s yours?}

How do we feel about these suits?

For lounging:

(Roxy)

For actual swimming (love the criss cross straps! I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve lost my top in the ocean)

(Roxy)

I always feel slightly depressed after viewing the Victorias Secret catalogue. You too?

(Victorias Secret) – also comes in pink!

3. Snacks I can’t stop eating:

-10% greek yogurt (Olympic Organic and The Greek Gods are my favorite brands)
-strawberries
-raw macadamia nuts
-coconut butter (are you supposed to do anything special with this aside from eating it straight from the jar with a fork?)
-frozen cherries (!!!!!)

4. Saturday morning breakfast doesn’t get much better than this:

Can you think of a better food combo? NO. Not possible! We bought Silver Hills gluten free flax-chia bread (wow, what a mouthful!) from Costco. It was just ok.. aka I wouldn’t buy it again. Too spongey.

5. We received these Yukon travel guides in the mail from Courts aunt Pam.

We’re heading up there in July but we don’t know what activities to do yet. She suggested taking the train to Skagway, Alaska, camping and of course, lots of hiking… and eating. I’ve been scoping out Whitehorse’s dining scene and there seems to be an emphasis on game meat, Alaskan salmon, Arctic Char and KING CRAB. I am beyond excited for the seafood feasts that are about to ensue. King Crab, friends! (1 leg costs like, $20 in southern Alberta)

If you have any recommendations on what to see/do/eat in and around Whitehorse, let me know!

Where are you going this summer?
We like hanging out in Whitefish, Montana. 90% of Montanas population are Albertans. Haha.

What snacks are you loving lately?

Most importantly, WHERE SHOULD WE EAT IN CANMORE/BANFF THIS WEEKEND?

(We’re doing a lunch at Chef Studio Japan & dinner at Crazy Weed <– my fav!)

Weekend Getaway: Whats Happening In The Crowsnest Pass?

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Now that we’ve established where to stay in the Crowsnest Pass, what activities or events are available during the winter months? The obvious answer would be snowboarding or skiing at Castle Mountain, but lets look beyond the ski hill for a moment.

Without the typical hustle and bustle of a trendy resort town, it may appear that there isn’t much activity happening. That couldn’t be further from the truth – the locals don’t mind if you submerse yourself in the their culture. In fact, they welcome it.

You could….

Stop by the Crowsnest Cafe & Fly Shop for a bite to eat or warm up with a hot beverage. Susie Douglas-Murray and Al Brice serve homemade soups, salads and sandwiches, and if you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet Winston, their beloved golden retriever. I’m fairly certain Winston is a local celebrity. Their reputation among those ‘in the know’: “They make the best food in the Pass.” This is a fact. Court and I had the pleasure of celebrating Thanksgiving them a couple of years ago, and we’re still talking about it.

During the summer months, Al and Winston serve as fly-fishing guides throughout the Crowsnest Pass. You can read more details about their customized guide services here.

You could go cross country skiing or snowmobiling near Allison creek…

Have you ever been cross country skiing? It looks a lot like this:

The sport burns at least 900 calories a minute from laughing so hard.

Once you’ve worked up a dinner appetite, head on over to the Highwood Motel & Restaurant in Blairmore for an authentic East Indian feast. You need to eat there. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing the food is. Have you ever seen the movie Julie & Julia? There’s a scene where Julia Childs and her husband take their first bite of food in a French restaurant and she sits there dumbfounded and speechless. Her husbands reaction: “I know, I know..” THAT WAS US.

I know what you’re thinking. “But Jo, you always say I need to eat here or there; I’m getting confused about where to go.” Here’s what to do: eat at the Crowsnest Cafe for lunch, and the Highwood Motel for dinner. Problem solved. The owner, Major Randhawa was so sweet and he took the time to go over the menu with us in detail and provided insight into their food philosophy: fresh ingredients, made to order, and local as often as possible.

He had fun mustache, too.

You could….

Take in some live music at the Blackbird Cafe in Coleman. Vancouver based band, Bocephus King were playing the night we were there. The acoustics in the Blackbird are unreal; it’s no wonder it’s a preferred venue for independent artists.

I found a big bowl of hummus in the Blackbird. I think it was a sign from the universe that I was meant to be there.

And lastly, no trip to the Crowsnest Pass is complete without a mandatory trip to Cinnamon Bear Bakery & Cafe for a sweet treat and a cup of Kicking Horse coffee. Good luck trying to decide what to order. (Go with a cinnamon bun.)

Where is your favorite mountain town or getaway?
Have you been to the Rockies?

Weekend Getaway: Country Encounters

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Court and I recently spent a fun-filled weekend in the Crowsnest Pass, Alberta taking part in winter sports, dining, the local music scene and some much needed R&R at Country Encounters, a bed and breakfast located in the heart of Coleman, Alberta. It’s owned and operated by Dawn and Mark Rigby, who have transformed the once general store into a year round B&B and home base for their catering business.

Some interesting facts about the building and neighbourhood:

-Built in 1904 and operated as a general store until 1939; the upstairs housed three apartments
-Operated as barber shop until 1944, which then transitioned into a hardware store
-Most of the framework, counters and countertops throughout the home are made with recycled wood
-Yoga & fitness studio located across the street

B&Bs are my preferred travel accommodation: it’s a nice middle ground between renting your own home and staying in a boutique hotel. You receive warm, welcoming and attentive service while in the comfort of a home. We stayed in ‘The 20s Room’, which features a large bay window and sitting area – the perfect setting for enjoying a glass of wine and taking in the mountain scenery. I was delighted that the was room spacious enough for my yoga practice and 800 suitcases.

Country Encounters serves the best food I’ve ever experienced in a B&B setting. Dawn and Mark are both chefs, formally trained in French cooking. The food alone is worth the visit!

During our stay, our first breakfast was arguably the best. “After the feast we ate last night, I didn’t think it was possible to wake up hungry” I said to Dawn, as she set a plate of vegetable quiche and roasted cheesy potatoes in front of me. ”Oh, it’s the mountain air. It has that effect.” It’s true. I hardly took a breather during the entire weekend.

Between bites of warm croissant and homemade strawberry jam, we chatted with Dawn about the buildings history, travel, and of course, food. We were blown away by her cooking, and we couldn’t stop raving about the croissants and jam all weekend. Court and I warned her that we’re going to start randomly showing up for breakfast. She thinks we’re joking.

Dawn also shared some cooking tips with us, teaching us how to recreate her dishes at home. I can’t wait to try out the savoury vegetable crepes that were served during our second breakfast.

The best part of the trip was that we visited in the off-season, which meant we didn’t have to worry about sharing the baked goods with any other guests. I highly recommend a visit during the off-season so you can have Dawns cooking all to yourself. During the summer months, Country Encounters is usually booked solid, and trust me, you do not want to share the croissants with anyone.

Have you ever stayed in a B&B? Whereabouts?

Aside from this one, I’ve stayed at The Garden Wall Inn in Whitefish, Montana and Ka’awa Loa in south Kona, Hawaii.

Currently….

Nanton Lights The Way

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Bustling. Crowded. Limited parking. Shopping.

When you think of Nanton, that probably isn’t the description that comes to mind. However, the day we visited, it was all of the above. My husband Court and I grew up in southern Alberta, and neither of us have ever taken the time to thoroughly explore the southwest corner of the province. It’s usually trips to the Rockies, or day trips to Calgary, but nothing in between. One of the goals I made last year was to become a tourist in my own backyard by taking advantage of Alberta’s culture. Now that the winter season is approaching and we have more free time on our hands, we set out on a day-adventure… to Nanton.

I discovered the town was celebrating the beginning of the holiday season with, ‘Nanton Lights The Way’, a community-wide Christmas market. Local businesses were featuring special pricing on everything from antiques, baked goods, clothing, home decor and more. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to get started on our Christmas shopping while supporting local businesses.

If you’ve ever driven through Nanton, you’ve likely noticed ‘The Candy Store’ on Main Street. Visiting this store alone will make it worth the visit – it’s like stepping back into your childhood and reminiscing over long-forgotten treats.

Astro Pops! Remember those? Did you ever unintentionally end up eating the wax? Funny how the wax flavor is what I remember most about them.

I had a hard time deciding on a treat – I almost went with chocolate jalapeno fudge, but decided on salted caramel and spicy jalapeño lollipops instead. Court got mango ginger chews and assorted 5 cent candies.

After completing our candy purchases, we strolled around Main Street, listening to Christmas music, and stopping at various art galleries, gift and antique shops.

One store that immediately caught our attention was the Willow Creek Forge Shop, a blacksmith iron shop. Everything inside was so beautiful- the architecture, home decor, hardware and antiques. I noticed quite a few pieces were made with recycled train tracks.

They’ve recently been featured on Dragons Den, but the owners said we’ll have to watch the episode to see what happens, as it hasn’t aired yet.

Our last stop in Nanton was the community center, which was featuring a large craft and bake sale by local vendors. Sampling Cowboy Crunch popcorn was the highlight!

Before we knew it, over three hours had passed and we had only just begun making a dent in the towns sights and attractions. They have a train museum, a miniature museum, and a few cozy-looking cafes. Court and I have added those to our ‘next-time’ bucket list.

Tell me…

What were some of your favourite childhood treats?
I liked Punx, Runts, Nerds, Ring Pops & Smarties.

Mountain Detox – photos from the weekend

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Last weekend was filled with so many great things. Fresh mountain air. Girl talk. Tons of great eats: Dinner at crazyweed. Lunch at Nourish. An exciting internship meeting in Banff. Wine and homemade appetizers. Long sleeps. Yoga. Walks. More wine. An impromptu road trip to Lake Louise (I’d never been before!) A crackling fire.

Cherry tomatoes + basil + olive oil + salt, along with dates + honey goat cheese

Here’s an easy lunch I’m currently loving: Ultra thin crust margarita pizza. Using a (brown rice) wrap as the ‘crust’, I topped it with homemade pizza sauce, fresh spinach and basil, cheddar, sliced tomato and goat cheese. Pop it in the oven for about 10 minutes at 400F until cheese is bubbly and the crust is crisp. Steamed asparagus on the side.

Make this.

Where’s your favorite place to ‘detox’ and unwind?

Big Island Love

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Well… we’re back in Canada. Coming home from a trip is always bittersweet. I thought I’d be devastated after leaving Hawaii, but it’s nice to see our families, house and pets again. Living out of a suitcase becomes tiring after a while.

Court and I booked a hotel room at the Marriott in Kailua a couple days before flying home. For a ‘basic’ hotel, it was actually really nice! Newly renovated, very comfortable beds and a great breakfast buffet. We were all over the omelete bar and um… oatmeal. I’ve been craving oats like mad lately! You know your vacation is coming to an end when oatmeal sounds more appealing than a Mai Tai.

Kailua reminded me a lot of Puerto Vallarta. Just smaller and without a ton of resorts. It’s a great choice for families or travelers looking for hosted tours. I’m glad we only stayed there for two nights – the dining options are limited, unless you’re into pub-style eats. Plus there are so.many.people. Instead of hanging around tourist shops, we lounged by the pool, and squeezed in a few much needed gym sessions.

Our last full day in Hawaii was spent swimming at Hapuna Beach (I swam with turtles again!) and lazing in the sun. It was hard to say goodbye, but I know we’ll be back. I cried when the plane began it’s taxi down the runway and all of the airport employees were waving goodbye. And then again when I went grocery shopping at home and spotted a sad looking pineapple. Did anyone see a distraught looking blonde lady in Save On Foods recently? That was probably me.

Court and I were fortunate enough to be able to explore the island thoroughly, taking our time and compiling a list of ‘the best’ of Hawaii. For the most part, we went beyond the main tourist attractions, avoiding overpriced tourist traps, and letting our sense of adventure guide us.

What we loved about the Big Island:

The eco-diversity – the island has 11 of the earth’s 13 micro-climates!
Kohala Coasts white sand beaches; especially Makalawena and Mauna Kea beach. Hot, sunny and dry conditions along the South Kohala coast were a welcomed relief from unpredictable weather on other parts of the island.
Lush rainforest valleys, gulches and coastal views along the Hamakua coast.
Warm, welcoming locals. Everyone was so nice!
The old Kalapana-Kapoho highway aka The Red Road in Puna.
Fresh produce and farmers markets, specifically on the east coast. More variety and better prices.
The Kings Trail in McKenzie State Park, which leads into a coconut palm forest.
Tide pool snorkeling in Kapoho.
Waimea, a cool sub-tropical ‘western’ town located among cinder cones.
Waipio Valley- on foot. The walk down the steep 4×4 road is worth the effort – you get to enjoy multiple views of the valley and coast on the way down, with a rewarding grey sand beach at the end of the trail.
The Aloha. You can feel it. Everywhere.The Big Island has it all, and we often forgot we were on an island. It’s large enough that you can take a lengthy vacation without becoming bored.

The only aspect we didn’t like was the vog, which typically hovers around Kona when the volcanoes are very active. Some days were clearer than others, but it became hazy with cloud overcast everyday in Kona. On the bright side, it’s not difficult to get away from. A half hour drive north usually took us to bright blue skies and clean air. And white sand beaches.

We left with Aloha in our hearts, a lifetimes worth of memories and some pretty impressive tans. Hawaii nurtures the soul, and we learned that even though we can’t stay in paradise forever (maybe one day?!) you can create your own paradise within. I left the island feeling re-energized, grateful and determined to focus on ‘the little things’ that make life great.

So… who wants to come to Maui and Molokai with us?

We Found The Mangoes

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Mango-fans, have you ever noticed that finding a decent mango is like chasing the dragon? A good mango is hard to come by – even in Hawaii. They’re either under-ripe and piney tasting, or over-ripe and piney tasting. In Kona this past week, the markets were overflowing with organic mangoes which sent Court into euphoria. They’re his favourite fruit. I love them as long as they don’t taste like a Christmas tree.

The farmers markets on the Kona coast are geared towards tourists – with crafts, clothing, jewelry, and less fruit and veggie stands. Meh. Give me veggies. Lots of fresh leis for sale which I can’t resist burying my nose into every time I pass them. Plumerias are my favourite scent -they’re like lilacs… but better.

We had lunch at a wonderful burger place called Annie’s a few days ago. It’s conveniently located next to Island Naturals (our favourite Hawaiian health food store) in Kainaliu. Some guests we met at Ka’awa Loa recommended it, and we weren’t disappointed! The atmosphere was unexpected for a burger restaurant. It’s a partial open-air setting with a casual-contemporary cafe vibe. When we walked in, Tiesto was was blaring throughout the restaurant, and at that moment I knew I was going to love our meal.

We ordered Longboard beers and a bowl of tomato-basil soup to start.

I’d been told the ‘Mala’ burger was amazing, so I had to try it. Chickpea patty seasoned with herbs, topped with tzatziki sauce and lime coleslaw. Purple potato salad on the side. Sounded promising! Someone in the kitchen went a little crazy with the sauce in both my burger and salad, which was disappointing. All I could taste was tzatziki. It was still good and I’d order it again – minus the gallon of dressing.

Court had the ‘South Point’ burger with a side of fries that I helped him devour. His burger was outstanding!

To balance out the salt, we stopped by Gia’s Gelato next door for a scoop of strawberry-lillikoi and mint chocolate.

My gelato was sickeningly sweet and I could only tolerate a few bites. Serious sugar burn in my throat. Lilikoi is already such a naturally sweet nectar that it doesn’t need extra sugar added to it.

Gelato, ice cream or frozen yogurt – what’s your favourite? Fro-yo, hands down! (Yogurtland… taro… mmmm)

Living Mint Green

a holistic living blog

Tag Archives: travel

Canmore/Banff Recap – Day 1

5 Things: Summer Stuff

Weekend Getaway: Whats Happening In The Crowsnest Pass?

Weekend Getaway: Country Encounters

Currently….

Nanton Lights The Way

Mountain Detox – photos from the weekend

Big Island Love

We Found The Mangoes

Easter In Hawaii

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