btvancouver

When you fly, do you pay attention to the opening safety announcements from the flight crew? Not a lot of people do. So, Air New Zealand has come up with another clever way of getting passengers to pay attention to the important information.
Check out their safety video here. It stars the one and only Richard Simmons.
What do you think? Is it an effective way of getting people to pay attention? Or is it an annoying waste of time?
K

Earth Hour is tomorrow between 8:30 and 9:30pm and to recognize that, many restaurants will dim the lights (McDonald’s Canada is doing the same, anticipating an energy savings in one hour that would amount to the estimated annual energy usuage of an average household!)

Here are a few of the participating hotels you may wish to check out!

Yew at the Four Seasons - Chef Oliver has created a special menu for this occasion – btw: this is my favourtite place ever

All Fairmont Hotels ( 4 in Vancouver!)

100 Nights at the Opus -To compliment Earth Hour, the restaurant is offering a $45 set menu titled “Beyond the Hour” with 15% of food revenue being donated to the Japan Relief Fund.

Lights out!

Dawn

As I approach the mid-way mark for my 26 Week Transformation Project - one of the major factors in regulating my blood sugars (thereby losing weight) has been upping my fiber intake.

There was a great article in the Calgary Herald that talks about the relationship between having enough fiber when you are younger to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Yay Fibre!

Dawn

The New York Times has created a great before/after interactive demonstration to demonstrate just how powerful the earthquake and tsunami have been on a number of communities in Japan.

Find it here.

And don’t forget — if you’re a Rogers or Fido customer, you can donate $5 to the Red Cross by texting ASIA to 30333.

K

Do you ever watch a game show on television and yell at the contestants from your couch, for not getting something that’s super easy? That’s probably what a lot of people were doing during a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune. Check out this link and how long it took the contestants to solve the puzzle.
K

Dawn and I had an awesome time in Whistler for WinterPride!  And we got a chance to talk with our friends Rob and Karen from the morning show on Mountain FM in Squamish.  Here’s our chat from this morning!
K

BT in Whistler - January 31st!

Dawn and I are heading up to Whistler on Sunday afternoon to help kick off WinterPRIDE!  It’s the 19th year of the event and stretches over 8 days at Whistler.  It’s one of the largest gay and lesbian ski weeks in the entire world, attracting more than 2500 people each and every year.

If you’re interested in taking part — check out gaywhistler.com

We’re live in Whistler Village on Monday morning from 6-9 with lots of fun things planned!  See you then!

K

The Year of the Rabbit  is upon us as Chinese New Year begins on February 3rd (with the big Parade on February 6, 2011).

Lots of great options food wise to celebrate (through Chinese New Year and beyond!) ….not sure who has the best of the best? Check out the winners and the categories of the  HSBC Chinese Restaurant Awards 2011. I had the pleasure of Co-emceeing the Awards at the River Rock Show Theatre in Richmond with Johann Chang from Omni Television. Many places are filling up so check out the list and make your reservations.

How will I celebrate? I am very much looking forward to attending dinner with a group of friends to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit at Dynasty Seafood Restaurant on February 9th!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Dawn

Alright all you cross-border shoppers.  You can all chill out and relax…the days of sitting in long lines at the border are about to come to an end, because Target is coming to Canada! 

This morning, the company announced a $1.8 billion deal, to purchase 220 Zellers locations from the Hudson’s Bay Company.  If all things go according to plan, the first Target stores should be up and running in Canada by 2013.

This is a massive business deal.  And while there are a lot of people happy with news Target is coming to Canada, it also raises some concerns.  A big box American chain, is taking over a well known Canadian company.  But what many people don’t know, is Zellers (which is owned by HBC) is already owned by an American organization.  That’s because the Hudson’s Bay Company was purchased by a U.S. group a few years ago — called NRDC Equity Partners (it owns a department chain called Lord & Taylor).

What do you think?  Are you happy or upset about Target’s move into Canada? 

K

I love that just moments after I embark on a journey of health, wellness and hopefully a little weight-loss that one of the largest food and restaurant events take place! Oh well, this is 26 Week Transformation is  about sustainability right? I may have to create more of an awareness of what I am eating, but I still have to live life and Dine Out Vancouver would be a tough one to ignore!   3 price points and several options for you to consider! This is a GREAT opportunity to try new restaurants at set prices (often a “good deal” depending on the restaurant). For this preview, I had a chance to experience 3 participating restaurants -

We kicked off the night at O’Douls – Always a favourite (especially since I am a Jazzy Girl!) - price points at all three levels.

2nd stop was Maenam- Owner and Chef Angus An served up a sampling of appetizers – my favourites were the Hot and Sour Soup of Sablefish and Turmeric as well as  the Dry Curry of Crispy Ling Cod – outstanding! This sits at the $28 price point for 5 items.

Angus explaining his Dine Out Vancouver Menu

3rd on the list was Coast where enjoyed a couple of main course options – Wild Haida Gwaii Coho Salmon and my favourite main, Confit Veal Breast – the herbed potato gnocchi was melt in your mouth good. $38 for 3 courses.

Confit Veal Breast

 For a complete listing of your options, check out the Tourism Vancouver website and be sure to tune into Breakfast  Television on January 19th when I take you inside 2 of Dine Out’s participating restaurants – Goldfish Kitchen and Society.

I think I need a daily meditation…

Dawn