btvancouver

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….

No, not talking about the holiday season…I am talking about Dine Out Vancouver!

Initially created to get people to go to support the restaurants at a time that is slow for business – it has become a great way to also try some great restaurants you have never tried before at 3 great pricing options – a chance to introduce yourself to some new favourites!

At the media dine around, we started off at The Bacchas Bistro at the Wedgewood Hotel for some tapas  – honestly, one of my favourite rooms in the city (we had our post wedding brunch there!)

I also had a chance to try Salmon n’ Bannock - which had the most AMAZING Elk (yes, it’s more than just Salmon) and a really great bannock dessert (who knew!).

I also had the privilege of trying the menu at Hawksworth Restaurant - Every dish was divine…but the buttermilk panettone was really unique.

The Glowbal Group also had their own dine around….so COAST,  Black + Blue and The Italian Kitchen …everything was excellent – but at Black + Blue, we had breakfast for dinner -”“Bacon ‘n’ Eggs” thick cut double smoked bacon, fried duck egg, spicy maple syrup, wild arugula” – super unique!

with Glowbal Group Executive Chef, Josh Wolfe

 Planning to take my dad to L’Abattoire this weekend….so lots of great options – and if you have guests in from out of town – there are some Hotels that you can add to your package as well! 

Either way…there’s never been a better time to Dine Out Vancouver!

Enjoy,

Dawn

 I recently had the pleasure of doing the live-eye from The Umbrella Shop - Great quality umbrella for certain, but I really loved that they have been around since 1935 and the family story behind it – check out their story on their website.

The brolly’s are beautiful and if you can’t find something you love (I can’t imagine this will be a problem…they can custom design something. They are true artists and the Owner Correy  (3rd Generation Umbrella Maker) is one of the loveliest and most passionate people I have ever met. It’s worth going there just to meet her.

Just one of the things I am loving right now and you’ll need it today!,

Dawn

I recently received this press release about a way you could combine fashion AND philanthropy…

How’s this for an anniversary gift? Given it’s the Space Needle’s 50th birthday, the owners of the iconic Seattle staple are giving away a free trip to outer space. I repeat, you may get to do what Lance Bass can only dream of.

So how is ‘Space Race 2012’ possible? Well thanks to Space Adventures, a suborbital flight on G-Force One could be yours for FREE. The prize is worth $110,000 and if you want a shot at the coveted title of space tourist, you need to sign up at the Space Needle website. If your submission is one of the 1000 randomly chosen entries, you will be asked to submit a short video telling everyone why you are the next Buzz Aldrin and the voting public will decide who makes the final cut. Then, the last hopefuls standing will undergo a series of fitness tests after which a panel of judges make the final decision, so be sure to keep up with your Bulgarian Split Squats.

Good luck!

RM

BT at Pride!

Breakfast Television is gearing up for the Vancouver Pride Parade this weekend!  Dawn, Riaz, Michel, Greg and I will be walking the route along with many others. And we can’t wait! Give us a wave! And Happy Pride!

K

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

Here we are. Almost a week after the riot in downtown Vancouver last Wednesday. What a night that will be in the history of our city.

I was downtown that night – at Georgia and Homer – right in the middle of the crowd. My crew and I were doing live hits into CityNews at 6 and 11 in Toronto. The crowd at 3pm (for the 6 o’clock show) was a great group. By the time we went up at 8pm (for the 11 o’clock news) — the crowd had turned. People were getting angry – and throwing bottles at the giant screen. I got hit in the back with a can. People were shoving, swearing — and getting really unruly.

Within moments — someone lit a car on fire right in front of the Canada Post building on Georgia Street. What really struck me, was how no one in the group appeared to be scared of fearful of the fact the car might explode at any moment. It was making really loud popping noises — a huge plume of black smoke was billowing high above the city — and people continued to pose for photos. Fires continued to be set in that particular block — and there was no room for emergency crews to show up and put them out. Little did we know, things would escalate across the downtown core — and very, very fast.

I got about two hours of sleep that night. Woke up at 1:30am and headed back downtown to do live cut-ins with our affiliates across the country. During the six hours of live TV we did, I had a chance to wander around the neighbourhood. Downtown Vancouver felt like a warzone. Abandoned. Smashed glass all over the sidewalks. Garbage, newspaper boxes and fecal matter thrown all over the streets. Cars overturned. Graffiti on windows and doors. This was NOT the Vancouver I live in. And to think it was done at the hands of people who call themselves Vancouverites makes it even worse.

Here are some photos I took on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Kudos to everyone who cleaned up the streets of Vancouver. We all appreciate you and your work.

Vancouver’s image has been tarnished by the ridiculously stupid actions of a group of people. Teenagers. Young men. Young women. And even grown men and women in their 30’s and 40’s. Many of them, caught on camera — running into stores, taking whatever they can, and walking out. Laughing about it. And scaring everyone who lives in the city. Shame. Shame. Shame. This is NOT a representation of the amazing people who live in this region. But seeing the volunteers who are rolling up their sleeves and getting this city back to normal — that is what true Vancouverites do.

K

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

The May long weekend is on the horizon! And it’s seen as the “unofficial” start to summer vacation for many families. I’m taking this opportunity for a friendly reminder — PLAN AHEAD if you’re taking BC Ferries between the island and the mainland. DON’T spend your coveted long weekend, sitting in a ferry lineup.
BC Ferries has released the busiest times of day to travel over the next few days. Check it out here. And enjoy your long weekend!
K

OK…so I have been in New York for over a week. How many times have you returned from vacation only to find that you gained 5 pounds?

Well, I am so happy to report that I DID NOT GAIN ANY WEIGHT!!! I must say, that it’s a lot easier to monitor what’s happening with the digital scales that they often put in the hotel rooms now, and I did bring (and use) my workout gear. I have done this before, but this is the only time that I actually WENT to the gym on vacation. Granted, I didn’t work as hard as I would have at home, but I did something. Yes, I am patting myself on the back – lol.

One of my focuses when it came to dining was to not eat too much and not drink too much. Yes, I know this sounds like common sense, but you’ve been on vacation – you know what it’s like!

I started every morning with my PGX soft gels (I take 4-6) and some plain yogurt with a bit of honey and a glass of water. I would bring a protein bar in my purse “just in case” I started to get too hungry while we were out sight seeing. Lunchtime, I maintained my normal eating habits, often a salad with protein and perhaps some bread (you know, from the basket I should be pushing away) .

Vacation will almost always mean we go for an afternoon coctail, but I did limit my consumption, often having tea following so I could still enjoy the atmosphere while not consuming all those empty calories. The nuts they put out are a killer. I ate as few as possible and justified the healthy fats and protein. PGX before dinner, always a salad followed by a main course that was balanced.  I’m not huge into desserts – I usually opted for a pre -dinner Cosmo and a glass of wine with dinner.

My Steak Tartare from 21 Club - no, I didn't eat it all!

Not perfect, but I didn’t gain and on vacation, that has to be a victory. I really think this was proof that the changes I am making are long term – if they weren’t sustainable, I would not have had any fun at all on vacation!

Feel free to share your own successes and tips and don’t forget to tune into CityLine on Wednesday for my next update (check local listings)

Thanks for all your support!