btvancouver

Wanted to pass on the information about an event I am participating in next week – I will have the pleasure of introducing Dr. Suzuki!

Here’s the official press release :

SUZUKI DINNER FOCUSSES ON WATER, CELEBRATES RESTORATION OF FIRST NATIONS FISHERY

On Thursday, November 10th, C Restaurant is throwing a dinner hosted by sustainability titan David Suzuki. The evening is a fundraiser for the DSF and C’s burgeoning not-for-profit, the C Blue Foundation, a grassroots initiative by Harry Kambolis and Chef Robert Clark to raise essential funds to protect lakes, rivers, streams, beaches and oceans.

The DSF and C Restaurant collaboration has netted an exceptional partner, the Lake Babine First Nation reserve fishery. Back when Rome was a mere village, the Lake Babine people operated traditional salmon weirs on their lake and river, harvesting hundreds of thousands of sockeye a year. Tragically, their traditional fishery was extinguished in 1906 by the Canadian government, to make room for an industrial coastal fishery. It devastated an entire way of life. This past summer, the Nation recreated their fishery, in partnership with Skeena Wild Conservation Trust, Raincoast Trading of Vancouver, and RiverWild Seafoods of Terrace. It has become the second largest sustainable sockeye fishery in British Columbia. Chef Lee’s menu will feature the Nation’s sockeye prominently.
“We are honoured to serve the salmon caught with great care and pride by the Lake Babine Nation,” says Kambolis. “The rebirth of their fishery is monumental and their story and achievements are synergistic with the mandate and dreams of our new foundation.”
Also a featured player at the dinner: Summerhill Pyramid Winery,  Ezra Cipes of the Kelowna winery and C sommelier Kim Cyr will compose the wine pairings to complement Chef Lee’s menu. About 80% of the total grapes used in Summerhill’s production are certified organic, and the rest are in a transitional organic status on their way to being certified.
To reserve your seat at this multi-course dinner with wine pairings, please telephone the restaurant at 604-681-1164 or email info1@crestaurant.com with “Suzuki” in the subject line.

Dawn

Looking forward to emceeing the 4th Annual Scene- a fundraiser for the Pacific Cinematheque. Guests will embrace the golden age for one night with:

• mai tais at the Waldorf Hotel, a creative compound that has played host to celebrities such as Jack Nicholson.
• a canapés supper catered by Nuba.
• an extensive Silent Auction, which will include Liam Neeson’s working script for The Grey, exclusive artwork, and tickets to many of the city’s finest arts organizations.
• “mystery film cans” that hold a variety of prizes.
• a tiki themed photo booth.

Should be a fun night to be SCENE…hope to see you there tomorrow!

Dawn

The month of November marks Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and thus, the month of MOVEMBER!

I had the pleasure of kicking off Movember at the Granville Island Brewing CO. - they have a number of ways you can help their team if you go to their website.

with Walter and Vern from GIB

Yes ladies, this means your men may appear more “scruffy” but it’s all for an important cause…the ultimate goal is for the men to GET CHECKED Us women go for exams every year (and no, they aren’t pleasant for us either)….so suck it up gentlemen and go for yours. There are NO symptoms so the only way to catch it is to go to your Doctor. The great news, if you catch it early…the better your chance of beating it!

I will also be on location on November 30 (location TBA) to wrap up the month and would love to have you join us to “Show us you Mo” but we’re also looking for your pictures – email your pics to contests@btvancouver.ca for a chance to win a pair of tickets to a Vancouver Canucks Game.

Get checked. If not for yourself, at least do it for the people who love you

Dawn

FACEBOOK : http://www.facebook.com/dawn.chubai

TWITTER : http://www.twitter.com/dawn_chubai

A couple of weeks ago, Perseus Winery in Penticton sold 2, 3L bottles of wine for $4000 each with proceeds benefiting the BC Hockey Hall of Fame ! Might be out of range for what most of us can afford, but you can purchase a special release of the Collector Series Invictus 2009 from the winery for $39.50 (750ml bottle) with $5 from each bottle going to the  BC Hockey Hall of Fame.

Some other interesting bits to note:

• Inducted in to the BCHHF this year were Joe Sakic, Jack McIlhargey, Rob Shick, Dr. Duncan Wray and the first BCHL team to win a national championship, the 1986 Penticton Knights.
• Larry Lund, one of Perseus’ founders, is a local hockey legend. A former player, Lund also founded the Okanagan Hockey School. With Lund’s dual passion of wine and hockey, it was a logical connection for Perseus to support the BCHHF.

 If you are in the Penticton area, Perseus is located at 134 Lower Bench Road-

Have a great weekend,

Dawn

I can hardly believe I am in the home stretch of the Transformation Project!   My body composition results/ weight loss will be revealed on July 11 when Dr. Michael Lyon comes on the show. As I needed to get rid of fat and increase my lean muscle mass, I also needed to improve my fitness. For the last 2 months, I had a weekly workout with Tommy Europe, but most of my exercise happened at home with a DVD and at the gym solo…just like many of you in the midst of your own transformation.

5 months ago, I was put through the following set of exercises…Things he focused on where form and time.  This is something you can do anytime to track improvement in your own fitness: 7 exercises, 30 Reps each!

1. Skipping
2. Prisoner Squats
3. Crunches
4. Lunges
5. Lat Pull Down (using resistance Band, on a door works!)
6. Plie Squats
7. Push-Ups

6 months ago, my time was  6 min 58 sec…a decent time, but we always have room for improvement right?

With less weight, more muscle and more energy because I am eating properly by regulating my Blood Sugars, at week 25, my new time was 4 minutes – 54 secs!

Tune into CityLine for another Transformation Project Update on Wednesday and Breakfast Television on July 11 for the FINAL RESULTS!!!

Thanks everyone for joining me on this journey!

Dawn

Hard to believe we are 23 weeks into the Transformation Project. Funny thing is, in 3 weeks and a day, I will still be doing everything I have been for the last 5 months – this REALLY has become a lifestyle…so let’s talk about the fitness side of things because although much of my change has been because of nutrition and regulating those blood sugar levels – for me, fitness is a necessary component. So, how to stay motivated?

I have had the good fortune of working with Tommy Europe once a week for the last few months – you can work with him for even cheaper through his newest book – and I am telling you, this is EXACTLY like working with him, it’s how he talks and it’s how he motivates.

Just like working out with him!

I also like to mix it up and so once in a while I “Shake” and “Tuck” with The Bar Method in Yaletown – way harder than you could imagine and NO you do not have to be a dancer or flexible.  A neat way to mix it up. Former Bachelorette and Interior Designer Jillian Harris is also a proclaimed fan according to her Tweets!

Be prepared to SHAKE!

But the one workout that I have been really impressed with is the locally created Ugi Workout. You get a ball that resembles a squishy medicine ball that is weighted at 6, 8 or 12 lbs as well as a DVD, an exercise book with too many versions to mention and a meal plan for under $200. You only need a space as big as a yoga mat and you only need 3o minutes. It’s crazy, but I have been doing the DVD at home and not only have a sweat as much as a Tommy Europe Workout, but my waist is becoming whittled!  Singer Chantal Kreviazuk sung it’s praises during an interview on BT last year.

Good Bang for your Buck (and butt!)

So there you have it…options. No excuses…it’s working for me and I look forward to hearing what works for you. It’s a battle for all of us to fit it in, I know, but I am learning more and more it’s about changing attitudes- more  time is not necessarily better…being consistent is key as is working smarter.

Thanks for your support and know that I am rooting for you as well!

Tune into CityLine Wednesday for the next update!

Dawn

With my early starts on BT, I am definitely concerned about the amount of sleep (or lack of) that I get each night.  Well, the amount of sleep you should get should also be of concern to you if you are trying to shed the pounds!

Click HERE for a great article on how everything from the hours you get to how bright the lights are in your room could affect your ability to lose weight.

Be sure to tune in to Cityline Wednesday for my next Transformation Project Update.

Thanks for your support, we’re in the home stretch!

Dawn

Had the honour of competing against Miss 604, (popular Tweeter and Blogger/ Columnist  Rebecca Bollwit) and Peak Morning Host Chris Coburn in the Celebrity Sandwich Competition at the newly re-branded BG Urban Cafe.

all were yummy!

The winner would, for a limited time – have their sandwich available on the menu at ALL LOCATIONS of the BG Urban Cafe. Happy to report, mine will be on the menu! (although I have to admit, the competition was fierce and all were delicious! I’ll let you know when it will all be on the menu, but in the meantime – my recipe is below!

The Dawn Chubai “BT”

you can grill it, or not

Bread (I used potato and rosemary, but pick your fave)

Roast Beef and Turkey (the B and the T)

Mayo with horseradish (my secret ingredient) to taste

Carmelized Onions

Tomato

Cheddar Cheese

Enjoy my creation!

Dawn

Fabulous time this morning on BT on location at Pink Elephant Thai !

Learning to dance with the Thai Cultural Association

I you missed the segments watch them HERE.  As promised – the recipes for what we made…both dishes were good…and good for you!!! Enjoy!

Dawn

Salmon with Apple-Sauce

2 TBSP EACH of Fish Sauce, Lime Juice and Sugar

1 TBSP chopped fresh chili

2 TBSP chopped fresh apple

1 TBSP sliced shallots

1 TBSP Chopped green onion

Mix together the sauce….place on top of seared salmon!

Tom Kah Goong (Thai Hot and Sour Soup with Coconut Milk and Tiger Prawn

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk

1/4 cup chicken stock

2 TBSP EACH Lime Juice and Fish Sauce

1 TBSP sugar

2 TBSP cut lime leaves, galangar and lemongrass

1 TBSP chopped cilantro

5 Tiger Prawns and 2 TBSP mushrooms

Boil liquids, add prawns and then everything else!

So Good!

Dawn

Before embarking on this 26 Week Transformation Project , I would consider eating out a bit of a “time out” from healthy eating (somehow justified), giving myself a treat and not worrying so much about stying on plan.

Problem is, with my job and the events I attend, I could easily be off track more than I am on it. Does that mean I can never eat out? NO WAY! You can eat out and stay with the program – but some planning is involved. Check out the suggestions below courtesy of  Dr. Joyce Johnson.

SELECTING THE PLACE:

•       Plan ahead and Google it! Many restaurant chains and franchises now have nutritional information available either in a pamphlet or on their online website. Reviewing the nutrient breakdown of common fast foods can be an eye-opening experience.

•       Avoid places that encourage eating to get your money’s worth, such as “all-you-can-eat” buffet or menu, or “two for the price of one” food discounts.

 CHOOSING MENU ITEMS:

•       Choosing healthier foods involves a change in tastes, since healthier items usually have less salt, sugar and fat than your mouth may be used to.

•       If the portions are big, have part of the meal packed up for lunch or dinner the next day, share your meal, order from the kid’s menu or ask for half or smaller portions if available.

•       Empower yourself, be assertive, and order what you want, the way you want it.

 KNOWING HOW THE FOOD IS PREPARED:

•       Choose water or other low-calorie beverages such as mineral water, tea, low fat or skim milk. If you drink alcohol, limit it to one or two drinks for the day.

•       Choose foods that are roasted, grilled, steamed, broiled, baked or poached.

•       Choose lean meats such as ham, grilled or roasted skinless chicken or turkey, steamed or broiled fish, and steam or pork trimmed of fat.

•       Choose baked potato, rice, salad or soup instead of French fries, or creamy pasta.

•       Always have vegetables with your entrées. If vegetables aren’t included order a salad, vegetable soup, or a vegetable side dish.

•       Fibre-it-up if you can. Many restaurants now offer whole wheat or whole grain buns, tortilla wraps, pasta or pizza crust if requested.

One more thing (and I have really had to focus on this), if you do enjoy an evening and your eating goes completely off the rails – don’t starve yourself the next day. Dust yourself off and get back on track the very next day.

Until we eat again!

Dawn