Throughout the Covid-19 lockdown, I had the time to learn some new recipes, pick up some cooking and baking tips from the internet, and come up with some completely new creations. One of my favourite creations was a combination of my favourite salted caramel balls (original blog post here) and cheesecake crust. I had to work with what I had left in my cupboards, ok? I know you can relate.
For the crust: in a food processor, combine 1/3 cup almonds, 1/3 cup walnuts, 1/3 cup pecans, 1 cup pitted medjool dates, and a generous dash of sea salt. Press the mixture into a rectangular cake pan lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate.
For the caramel: soak 1 cup pitted dates in boiling water for about 20 minutes. Drain the water and in your food processor, combine the dates with 1 teaspoon of vanilla and blend until you get a creamy consistency. Layer this on top of the crust and poke it back in the fridge.
For the chocolate topping: I just melted some milk chocolate chips in a double boiler because I can’t resist! To keep it completely healthy, you could melt down dark chocolate, combine coconut oil and cocoa powder, or sprinkle the top with cacao nibs.
And that’s it! Simple, hey? It helps to keep them in the freezer so they’ll get really firm, but it isn’t necessary. The ‘caramel’ squares are gluten-free (refined sugar-free and dairy-free too if you skip the milk chocolate!) and are packed with healthy fats and protein from the nuts. Enjoy with a cup of tea or your morning coffee (or whenever– you do you!!)
Recently, I had the pleasure of staying at 
The room had stunning views of the harbour and the city. With an entire wall of windows – I could have spent days simply admiring the view. I was struck by how clean, fresh and modern the rooms felt. Cleanliness is a big thing for me and I could tell how important it was for the staff as well because the room was spotless. The floors in every room are hardwood – how awesome is that?! My room was also fully equipped with a Keurig coffee machine, mini fridge, flat screen television, safety deposit box and Aveda amenities in the bathroom.
With 3 meeting rooms, 2 exterior terraces, the 
I would also like to highlight that the hotel is absolutely bursting with beautiful artwork including stunning pieces highlighting all of the beauty that Prince Edward Island has to offer. Be sure to check out the artwork in your room as well as in the common spaces around the hotel. There’s also a 7-storey atrium that provides some pretty cool architectural views while beautifully displaying 3 colourful paintings from a 4 piece set by renowned visual artist Caroline Vis from Amsterdam. The hotel owns the entire 4 piece collections but 3 of the 4 pieces are displayed in the atrium. Be sure to check them out!
I just graduated from the Acting Program at the Fountain School of Performing Arts and one of my classmates has a summer gig in Charlottetown in Anne & Gilbert at 
Exploring the streets of this cute little city led to a lot of delicious food. This started with a delicious meal at 
A trip to PEI wouldn’t be complete without a drive to Cavendish and a walk along the beach. Admiring the red sand dunes and touching the cold waters of the Atlantic ocean are a must on a trip to the island.
I’m sending a huge, heartfelt, thank you to 
I’m very conscious about what fuel I put into my body. I’m living with an autoimmune disease and every day what I put into my body is absolutely crucial to my well-being. I often opt for healthier options and I’m always on the hunt for new snacks and quick doses of energy. I recently tried NOMZ (I found them at Pete’s in Halifax) and immediately fell in love with them. When the opportunity presented itself to partner with the company – I literally jumped for joy!
I love sharing products that I use in my every day life and these have become a staple. I log long hours in rehearsals and at the gym. My schedule is non-stop and these have become my new favourite “pick-me-up”. GUYS!! They taste so good – it’s like dessert. They’re vegan, paleo, gluten free, peanut free and don’t have any refined sugars. How amazing is that? Plus, the ingredients are all simple, natural and you can pronounce them all (I promise).
It’s rare for me to not have one on hand in my gym bag or purse as an emergency snack. They’re hands down the best energy bites I’ve ever had. This might sound weird but they just have this super satisfying, filling texture. From coconut to almond, to hazelnut, to pistachio – you’ve got choices. I’m a big fan of the variety but my go-to is definitely the almond.
These energy bites are not only delicious but super convenient. They’re small and each package contains two bites. It’s super quick to refuel and they sustains you when you need that boost. These tasty bites are the only thing that can make a run by the ocean even better. Whether I’m in rehearsal or finishing a killer workout at the gym, the choice has become quite simple – NOMZ.
What are your go-to snacks? Do you always have one snack in your gym bag or purse? Let us know in the comments below!
You scream, I scream, we all scream for NOMZ. For real. So good.
