EVERYDAY AJ

A collection of everyday moments from Calgary & Toronto

[everyday-aj]

Wilbur Mexicana

Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

The George Street Diner Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

The Corner Place St. Lawrence Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

Sanagan's Meat Locker Kensington Market Toronto, ON

Happy fifth anniversary!

[everyday-aj]

House-Maison Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

Yeah, you could say that I'm the Queen of #leftoversforbreakfast.

[everyday-aj]

The Big Chill Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

Raw Kale Caesar Salad 

(A recreation of UNA Calgary's version, adapted from Dr. Weil's Kale Salad)

Ingredients

4 slices prosciutto

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

juice of half a lemon

2 cloves garlic, mashed

pinch of coarse salt

pinch of red pepper flakes

1 bunch kale, ribs removed and leaves picked into 1/4 inches

eggs, boiled (I use the 6 minute method)

Pecorino Romano cheese, shaved

panko breadcrumbs, toasted

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a baking sheet with parchment paper, arrange prosciutto in a single layer. Place in the oven, and bake until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. (Keep a close eye because they can burn easily!) Remove from the oven, and crumble into pieces once cooled.

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper flakes. Add kale and toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature for 10 to 30 minutes.

When ready to serve, top salad with boiled egg, shaved cheese, toasted panko breadcrumbs, and crispy prosciutto bits.

[everyday-aj]

Le Gourmand Cafe Toronto, ON

Why yes, I do like pretty places with pastries and a good cup of caramel hot chocolate. :)

[everyday-aj]

Harbourfront Centre Toronto, ON

Photoset from yesterday’s 7 km run. Whether its around the hills of Calgary or within the streets of downtown Toronto, running never fails me. It cleared my mind for a good hour. I also saw this small crew gathered on the dock that reminded me of how working on a cruise ship was one of my dreams a few years ago. My mom wasn’t into the idea because I’d probably be away for months but I seriously didn’t mind. I wanted to be away. Life on land is too complicated and consuming. It's a race, and there are too many responsibilities. I prefer being out in the water. You are simply there, in the middle of something endless and unchangeable. It doesn’t judge, expect nor impose anything; you are who you’re supposed to be.

[everyday-aj]

Sliced Gourmet Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

School Bakery and Café Toronto, ON

[everyday-aj]

Via Cibo Calgary, AB

[everyday-aj]

Gluten-Free Vanilla Cupcakes with Cocoa-Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Vanilla Cupcake Recipe from Cloud9 Specialty Bakery

Cocoa-Vanilla Buttercream Frosting adapted from Add A Pinch's Classic Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

2-3 cups icing sugar, sifted

2-3 tbsp milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted

salt

In a bowl or a stand mixer, beat sugar and softened butter until it turns pale and into a cream-like texture (about 3 minutes). Add in milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder and a pinch of salt. Keep mixing until you get a frosting consistency. It should be smooth but if you were stubborn like me and didn't sift the powders, then you will get a lumpier frosting. :P

[everyday-aj]

It's all about that crisp. 

[everyday-aj]

Everyday details. 

[everyday-aj]

Herbert Lake Jasper, Alberta, Canada

The quote "It’s about the the journey, not the destination." has never been more true. We only stumbled upon this beauty in Jasper, passing by the right place at the right time, but it was the highlight of our trip.