Archives for February 2018

22 Things To Do Before 22

February 27, 2018 | Leave a Comment

A few weeks ago I turned 21. Although I am very proud of myself for already accomplishing so much this early in my 20s, there are still so many things I want to do while I’m this young. Here are 22 things I aspire to do before I turn 22:

Travel solo. I’ve travelled by myself before, but only within Canada. I want to travel internationally on my own before I have too many commitments and responsibilities back home.
Take steps towards becoming bilingual. In our country, being able to speak both official languages opens so many doors (plus it sounds really cool!). I really want to learn to speak French fluently. I know this will be hard to tackle in one year, I can certainly take my first steps before my next birthday.
Work professionally in my field of study. I am currently studying Social Work and am eager to take on my first professional internship this year.
Take more risks. I’m not exactly sure what this means to me yet, but it just feels right. Skydiving, maybe?
Speak in public. I have yet to give a public speech and I think that is a challenge every young person should take on. It’s scary, but it really seems worthwhile.
Accomplish an overnight hike. I have always wanted to go backpacking in the wilderness, so this year I’m going to research some local 25-30km trails that I can do over 2 or 3 days with friends.
Become more financially literate. I know absolutely nothing about taxes, investments, savings, credit, or banks; and after watching a few episodes of The Financial Diet on YouTube, I realized I really should. I think it’s important to get your finances under control while you’re young so you can be secure when you’re older. I predict this will be boring but worth it.
Immerse myself in a new culture. I spend lots of time studying and reading about other cultures, but how much can I ever really know if I don’t experience it for myself?
Go wine tasting. Something I’ve never really done. But I love wine, and it looks glamorous!
Visit the USA. Although there are a lot of reasons I don’t want to visit the US right now (we won’t go there in this article!), I think it would be awesome to say I was in the States as a 21-year-old. Kinda lame, but I have no shame.
Watch the sunrise at Cape Spear. Cape Spear is the most Easterly Point in North America. I have always wanted to be the first person to see the sun come up over our continent and this year I am going to get my lazy ass out of bed and go do it.
Have a conversation with someone influential. Although I did get this opportunity through Youth In Office this past November, it was a pretty rushed day and I did not get to talk in depth with any of the ministers. I’d love to sit down over coffee with someone really influential and learn from them.
Try birth photography. Vulnerable, uncomfortable, and deeply personal. These are things I am getting better at dealing with as I get older. Birth photography is all of these things, and it is so beautiful and so special. I really want to capture this incredible moment for somebody.
Learn to say “no.” I have got to stop trying to please everyone and just learn to say “nope, I don’t want to do that” or “I’m sorry, I have too much on my plate.” This is a skill I have to learn while I’m young or I feel like I’ll never survive in my profession.
Take more candid photos. My photos always feel super posey, and I want to start capturing authentic moments more often.
Take an RV trip with friends. Who doesn’t want to do this?! It will happen this year.
Have professional photos taken. I’m usually behind the camera, so I want to try being in front of it for once.
Drink more water. Self-explanatory. Super important!
Get to the bottom of my reading list. I currently own a stack of books about the same height as me that I have been itching to read. Before my next birthday, I want to get through all of them.
Only shop at thrift stores. Save money, save the environment, look unique. Sounds like a fun challenge. (Obviously this doesn’t count gifts for others!)
Do more yoga. I’ve fallen off the Moksha bandwagon lately and I want to get back into it. I have poor core and upper-body strength and I want to improve it.
Be more aware of current world events. I think this is super important for my profession and my personal life. We should all be aware of what is happening politically in our own countries and internationally.

A little over-ambitious? Probably. But I don’t mind. Having goals keeps me motivated, and there is no feeling more satisfying than scratching items off a list! Wish me luck! Share in the comments what you would like to do before your next birthday. We would love to hear about it! We always find your comments so inspiring.

xoxo,
char

Newfoundland and Labrador Comfort Foods

February 22, 2018 | 2 Comments

Comfort food, to me, is food that makes my taste buds AND stomach happy. It is not food that tastes good but makes me feel like crap an hour later, and it is not food that makes me feel good but I don’t truly love. Sometimes, comfort foods aren’t the healthiest, but we all deserve to enjoy them now and again.

Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we have a number of traditional dishes that everyone seems to love and cherish. Most of these fall into my category of comfort foods. These are my favourites:

Jiggs Dinner. Every Newfoundlander and Labradorian knows what Jiggs Dinner is, although there might be some conflict about what exactly it consists of. For me and my family, Jiggs Dinner involves one-pot veggies and puddings and a turkey. Typically it includes turnip, potatoes, parsnip, carrots, cabbage, greens, pease pudding (made with split peas), bread pudding (basically boiled bread with sugar, I always skip this one), figgy duff (recipe here), and stuffing. Paired with a juicy turkey and gravy, it is one of the most satisfying meals you’ll ever enjoy.

Hash. The best hangover food you’ll ever have, hash is literally Jiggs Dinner leftovers mashed up together and fried up in a pan. It looks and sounds kind of gross, I’ll admit, but it tastes amazing. A comfort food for sure.

Knockers. The only person I’ve ever heard call these knockers is my Mom– most people call them hors-d’oeuvres even though they’re specifically referring to this dish. They’re Vienna sausages, cheddar cheese, baby sweet onions, and baby gherkin pickles shishkabob-ed on a toothpick. Certainly not healthy, but a Newfie finger food staple around the holidays.

Anything made by Purity. Purity is a Newfoundland owned and operated company that produces a variety of food products that have been loved by NLers for a hundred years. Their syrup is added to water for a sweet and refreshing drink, again often enjoyed around the holidays. They make candy such as peppermint knobs (pictured) and butterscotch bites. They also make cream crackers which are delicious with butter and a cup of tea.

Other Newfoundland and Labrador comfort foods include:

Bottled moose
Fisherman’s Brewis
Tetley Orange Pekoe tea
Pineapple Crush soda
Mustard pickles (often enjoyed with Jiggs Dinner!)

If you ever find yourself here in Newfoundland, you have to give these foods a try. Can you think of any other classic Newfoundland comfort foods that are missing from this list? Let us know by leaving a comment or reaching out on social media, @twowildtides.

Have a great week,
char

A Taste of History: Lunch at The Stone Jug

February 20, 2018 | Leave a Comment

The Stone Jug is a restaurant located in Carbonear, Newfoundland and Labrador. Carbonear is about a one-hour drive from St. John’s along the Trans Canada and Veteran’s Memorial highways. Housed in a world-class heritage building constructed in 1860, the Stone Jug has a rustic atmosphere and offers delicious and affordable gastropub-style meals with traditional Newfoundland flair. Fun fact: the Stone Jug is currently up for sale for a whopping near $7 million. Get out there to eat while you still can!

The first thing you will notice when you enter are dozens of exquisite chandeliers, every single one uniquely different. I heard a rumor that one of the owners personally collected them from different places around the world. They are breathtaking! The next thing you’ll probably notice is a grand bar with gorgeous brass and copper accents. I definitely recommend sitting at the bar for a few beer before your meal. Finally, you’ll notice a large wooden staircase which leads to two more floors of dining and event space. Needless to say, the Stone Jug has lots to offer.

I drove out with a few friends for an afternoon lunch. The lunch menu is fairly small but the options are varied, I think it is safe to say there is something for everyone. The only thing I noticed was the lack of a veggie burger option. I opted for the Rorke Burger without bacon, which is basically your classic burger (lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, red onion, and sauce) with wedgies. I can honestly say that the burger was up there with some of the best I’ve ever had! The meat was cooked to perfection and the toppings complemented each other perfectly– how can you go wrong? Unfortunately, we had to skip dessert because we were just too full. Maybe next time!

While we were there, we were lucky enough to take in a jam-sesh held by some local musicians. It made the casual and friendly atmosphere even more enjoyable and authentic. I highly recommend you head out to the Stone Jug when you get a chance. I’ll definitely be going out again when the weather is warm!

Some other sights to see while you’re in the area: Amelia Earhart’s plane and a visually fascinating shipwreck, both in Harbour Grace, and a small town called Freshwater which is just picture perfect. The Carbonear-Bay Robert’s area also offers stunning coastline views which alone could justify the drive.

We’d love to hear from you! Have you been to this restaurant? What are your favourite sights in the Carbonear area? What are your favourite restaurants in general?

xoxo,
char

P.S. Apologies for the poor image quality, they were shot with my iPhone!

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Being Alone Without Being Lonely

February 15, 2018 | Leave a Comment

There is a bold line between loneliness and being alone. Loneliness, in my opinion, is a feeling of sadness, of isolation beyond your control, and ultimately has a negative effect on your life.

Being alone, however, is healthy. It is good for your mental state; to recalibrate your emotions, to collect your thoughts, to learn about yourself and who you are, to assess your goals in an unbiased manner.

But how can you be alone without being lonely? I believe it starts in childhood. You have to learn to play by yourself and to preoccupy yourself without constant stimulation and attention of another person. Due to different life courses, however, sometimes we have to learn the skill of being alone at a later age. These are the ways I spend time alone without that nagging, gloomy feeling of loneliness.

Journaling & Reading. It works. There is no shame in keeping a journal or a diary, and it doesn’t have to be a typical “Dear Diary…” type of journal (but if that works for you, go for it!). I just like to have a notebook to dump all of the thoughts that have accumulated in my brain. Journaling lets you be alone without feeling lonely because you are accompanied by your thoughts. Reading is also a way to be with yourself and learn about yourself by immersing your thoughts in another era, lifestyle, culture, or even a whole other world. You’d be surprised how much you can get to know yourself through reading a story– you’d also be surprised how long you’ll be able to go without feeling alone.

Unplug. When you are constantly attached to your devices, you are never truly alone. Turn off, disconnect, silence. Try not to worry about what other people are doing. FOMO (fear of missing out) is a real thing, I know all too well how it feels and it can certainly lead to loneliness. I find the best way to avoid this nagging feeling that you’re missing out is to just forget that your devices exist. Silence them and put them in a drawer or another room and do something you enjoy.

Get Creative. Photography, painting, sketching, writing, DIY, dance, playing music– all things you can do alone yet have an end goal, something you’ll be proud of. Even if you don’t end up with a final product, you’ll still feel satisfied and like you’ve spent your valuable time well. No matter what result, you will have gotten lost in your thoughts, been productive, and had a little fun all on your own.

You’ll be amazed at how fulfilling it can be to be by yourself. You’ll feel a new sense of pride, self-sufficiency, and accomplishment. You will learn more about who you are and what you’re capable of. I admire people who travel solo– they have mastered the art of being alone. There are a bunch of great books out there on this topic that will give far better information, but this is what works for me. I encourage you to read up on the topic. I value my time alone, but I don’t think it’s healthy to be alone all of the time– there is definitely a balance. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

xoxo,
char

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Staycation with Atlantica Hotel Halifax

February 13, 2018 | Leave a Comment

As an ex-competitive figure skater, one of my favourite things about winter in Halifax is the Emera Oval. It’s a speed-skating track that is open to the public daily. It is the definition of Winter fun in Halifax. We recently had the opportunity to stay at the Atlantica Hotel which overlooks the oval. It was the perfect Winter city getaway.

The Atlantica Hotel is located on the corner of Robie and Quinpool. A hot-spot in the city. Close to the Oval, hospitals, downtown core and the north end – this destination is a great place to start your Halifax adventure.

We stayed in a lovely Platinum room on the 15th floor. We had stellar views overlooking the Commons and of course the Emera Oval (Talk about a wicked sunset). The room was clean and felt like home. We had a huge, comfortable king bed, great bathroom amenities and we even had robes laid out on the bed for us. There were a lot of perks that came along with the room that included free breakfast, one free appetizer at Seasons every day and VIP turn-down service daily to name a few. The hotel also features an indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness centre and 24-hour business centre.

The staff were superb and you can tell that customer service is their top priority. It was a lovely surprise to receive a card with some goodies at my door as well. It definitely didn’t feel like “work” and those are my favourite writing gigs.

Now the restaurant, Seasons, was absolutely incredible. We weren’t in the mood for a huge meal so instead, we sampled a couple appetizers. For someone with allergies, eating out is always a risk but they put my fears aside and were so accommodating. Plus the food was delicious — I don’t have words to describe how amazing it tasted. We had the Hummus Meze and the Bacon and Scallops. They were without a doubt the best scallops I’ve ever had. The plates were done up so attractively which made the entire experience incredible. The next morning, breakfast was great as well. We had access to the hot breakfast buffet but I was really worried about cross-contamination. The chef went out of their way to make me up a whole plate directly from the kitchen. I was able to enjoy my meal without any fear. Thank you.

Quinpool Road is just a few steps outside of the main hotel doors. There are so many great little spots to explore and grab a bite along that street, so be sure to take a little walk. We enjoyed some tea and cheesecake (gf/df) at Sweet Hearafter for dessert.

We also had a blast using the Emera Oval. The oval was originally built for the 2011 Canada Games’ speed skating event. It is free for the public to skate all winter. Don’t worry if you don’t have skates because you can rent them for FREE. It’s lovely to see the oval jam-packed with families, couples and individuals embracing a healthy, active lifestyle. It’s the perfect place to get outside and active this Winter.