The sound from an outside camera facing downtown Vancouver a few minutes before Sidney Crosby scored the overtime goal to seal the GOLD medal victory for Canada at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.
For Haiti
Here's a short post on how to give. With the Canadian Government matching each donation dollar for dollar, please give generously.
CALL:
1.877.51.HAITI (42484)
CLICK:
TEXT MESSAGE:
· NGO group Canada for Haiti: Text Aid to 45678 ($5)
· The Salvation Army in Canada: Text HAITI to 45678($5), or text "ASTRAL" to 45678 ($10)
· Plan Canada: Text HAITI to 30333 ($5)
· World Vision Canada: Text WORLD to 45678 ($5)
· Clinton Giustra Sustainable Growth Initiative: Text HAITIto 20222 ($5), or text "QUAKE" to 20222 ($5)
· UNICEF CANADA: Text GIVE to 45678 ($5)
· The Canadian Red Cross Society: Text REDCROSS to30333 ($5)
· UN World Food Programme: Text RELIEF to 45678 to donate ($5)
could you...Kill it, Cook it, Eat it?
...now that's not to say that this is a show for the faint at heart. I'll be blunt about this, if the thought of seeing animals being slaughtered and butchered (albeit humanely), makes you a bit queasy, this show might not be one for you. I hesitate and say might because I'd actually like you to challenge yourself and try to sit through an episode so that you might have a better understanding and appreciation of how your meats end up on your plate - which coincidentally is the premise of the show.
The show's participants are normal individuals from London who are placed on a farm and with each passing episode, they are exposed to the animals that they are later challenged to consume. They see each aspect of the animal's production, from the farm, to the slaughter, to the butcher and finally to their plate.
As mentioned, the show is quite educational. After the first "Burger" episode I watched, it definitely opened my eyes about beef quality and other interesting facts about small farms compared to large scale "meat factories". However, one thing that strikes me as a bit awkward is that a couple of the participants are vegan/vegetarian. Umm...hello? Did the director/producers think that decision out? It definitely lends itself to a couple awkward moments of tension between some obvious carnivores in the group, but in my opinion, the show would have been better without them.
Either way, this is definitely worth a look at. On the menu for Season 1:
Burgers, Kebabs, Sausages, Nuggets, Offal Fests, & Choice Cuts.
Bon appetit!
The Gourmet Burger Co. - not so "gourmet"
Headed to Gourmet Burger Co. (www.thegourmentburgerco.com) 482 Parliament St., with my cousin last night for dinner.
The appeal of this franchise is in its philosophy of using local ingredients, 100% Canadian farm raised beef and the use of 100% biodegradable packaging.
This location is smaller than most joints I've been in with limited seating and with no apparent washroom facilities (so make a trip before you head out if need be). Seemed more like a "grab-&-go" type of place anyway. The counter staff was friendly and courteous, and our orders came up in no time.
My cousin opted for the Aussie Burger ($8.50); a 6oz beef patty topped with lettuce, tomatoes, a fried egg, pineapple, bacon, beets, cheddar & "GBC sauce". I chose the Spicy Cajun Burger ($5.95); 6oz beef, avocado, jalapeños, lettuce, Jalapeño Havarti, tomatoes, Cajun spice & Smokey chipotle & honey mayo. Combo's are available (+$3.95) for any side and pop/water. We both opted for the combo and added a side of Beer Battered Onion Rings w/ a pop.
When our orders were called up, the presentation of the food was actually impressive on the circular food trays with dark wrap, but unfortunately that's where the momentum stopped. My burger itself was dry, flavourless and overdone. The seasoning and toppings were spread unevenly on the burger, so the first half of my meal seemed completely bland while the second half was blaring with spice.
Intrigued about how well the sweetness of the pineapple complimented the savoury flavour of the meat, I asked my cousin how it tasted and he couldn't even distinguish the flavour of the pineapple from the rest of the toppings, which seemed a bit odd and disappointing.
The onion rings were decent. The batter was quite flavourful and not as greasy as expected, however a couple of the onions I had were a bit old and dried out. Normally I wouldn't make a quip about it from any other franchised burger joint, but considering "gourmet" is in its title and the higher prices, there was a certain quality that was just not met.
Maybe the cooks were a little off this time. I might give this place a go one more time, but it just did not meet the mark compared to other places I've tried, and especially for the price point.
The Gourmet Burger Co.
428 Parliament St
647-344-5103
Happy New Year!
Cheers to an amazing 2009 and hopefully an even better 2010.Looking back on 2009 for me personally seems like it was a personal best so far. A couple of highlights to share:
- discovering, applying, interviewing, and getting accepted for Radiation Therapy @ The Michener Institute
- visiting my Sister and Bro-in-law in Vancouver (and stuffing my face even though I got sick)
- taking a break from one hobby (DB) and picking up a new one (MTB)
- breaking from DB allowing myself one final summer of insanity before school
- Miguel and Michelle's Wedding
- Europe - Contiki style, period.
- quitting my job to return to school after a 4 year "hiatus"
- Samson and Kerry's Wedding
- my annual pumpkin carving
- the return of final exams :(
- Dinner Club all over T.O.
- Threadless Xmas and Ridiculous Santa Steal!
- Annual Christmas Dinner prepared by us kids
- the return of Boxing Day Shopping
- tipping off 2009 and welcoming 2010 with a night of Olympic propotions
Though I'm not one for resolutions, here are some goals I have in mind for 2010:
- Keeping on top of school
- Make an effort to hit the gym at least once a week during school
- Be in good condition for Storm the Trent 2010 - moving up to TREK?
- Knowing my limits in spreading myself too thin and being underappreciated
- Posting a little more frequently
- Getting a 4G iPhone?!?!?!
- Save enough cash to see Sean and Sheri get married in Jamaica!!!
Hope you all had a safe holiday and all the best for the new year.
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