The first half of the weekend had been allocated towards chores, including cleaning until nearly midnight. Perpetually perplexing to me is how even the grandest efforts appear to bring about few physical improvements to the area, but I digress!
Alternating at-home recovery and errand-running has proven somewhat sustainable for my Sunday schedule, particularly since sleeping early always seems ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶q̶u̶e̶s̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ to be denied. The first half of the weekend had been allocated towards chores, including cleaning until nearly midnight. Perpetually perplexing to me is how even the grandest efforts appear to bring about few physical improvements to the area, but I digress! My forever helper is not attuned to operating on EST, which usually results in delayed arrivals, and further delays due to my lack of punctuality. Shops at Don Mills had been designated as the first destination on the itinerary. We arrived at the asphalt lot just before 2:30 PM, at which point I exited from the vehicle to find surprisingly mild conditions and close to no residual ice masses after the previous day's heavy snowfall. The two objectives of the visit had been The Body Shop's liquidation sale and Hazukido x Daan Go's collaboration space. When the fair trade beauty giant was discovered shuttered and vacated, we ventured along the other corridors within the retail plaza, noting new openings and persistent presences. Hazukido and Daan Go's collaboration space was discovered far more compact than envisioned. The location was supposedly a dedicated facility for workshops and special events, though the limited number of tables, stacks of boxes along the perimeter of the seating area, and nonexistent selection of exclusive items deterred from a longer stay. With little else of interest, we continued on our way following use of their indoor plumbing services. Although a logistically odd choice, the Barber Greene Plaza had intentionally been planned as the second stop, in fear that my browsing partner would exceed my anticipated browsing period.
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There seems to be some misconception that those that enjoy food can also eat copious amounts of it. This is not true. I've always been equipped with a fairly small appetite. As the years go on, the capacity has diminished further, with difficulty consuming liquids and solids at once without feelings of discomfort. Hence, the traditional breakfast layouts have always perplexed me: a platter of eggs, bacon or sausage, toast, fruit, and coffee is an extravagant North American take often viewed as the equivalent of two meals. Needless to say, there appears no need to dine out for the first meal of the day: Why relinquish hard-earned funds to be served sustenance I could cook myself with ease and in bulk? A single slice of toasted Challah from COBS Bread dressed with homemade pineapple jam and a cup of cold brew is more than sufficient to start the day. Wrist pain has been undeniable (985) as of the past week. That said, the desire to bake is also one that cannot be stifled, simply due to physical setbacks. Braving the persistent discomfort, I powered through to re-purpose eight spotty bananas into banana bread. Two loaves could be constructed from the medium-sized fruit. 1) Marbled and Jacked-Up Banana Bread The marble is no newcomer to the household, however my coworker's introduction to Jacked-Up marked a banana bread revolution. Additions of salted butter and rum contribute impressive complexity, boasting an entirely different unique profile from its marbled neighbour. Remnants of the toasted, finely chopped pecans from the Carrot Pound Cake were utilized to differentiate the loaves, simultaneously bestowing an element of crunch to the alcohol-infused treat. Another aspect of note was the use of Kirkland vanilla extract in the Marble and homemade vodka-based vanilla extract in Jacked-Up, which, if you ask me, were absolutely appropriate decisions. Although less concentrated in hue, the DIYed edition was far more aromatic in comparison. Both loaves were savoured with glee and shared with those in proximity. About four slices of each were then frozen for later enjoyment. 2) Steamed Red Bean Buns The impromptu encounter with Bao House's Red Bean Buns had my mind whirring. In short, I hadn't been pleased with their $3.99 trio. For an establishment priding themselves in Chinese baos, the order had drawn disgrace; the buns could have been fluffier, but the filling was, without a doubt, the worst part of it all. And perhaps the average person would have sampled the texture-less monstrosity, reviewed the associated the price tag, and deemed it passable. Well, suffice to say, I cannot classify as "average" in my quest for good food. Homemade red bean buns would constitute a two-part project that, unfortunately, would not commence until the early afternoon hours due to schedule conflicts. First up was the red bean filling. In order to speed up the process, I turned to the Instant Pot. It was neither an appliance I had ever used previously, nor was it mine to start.
Diving in head first, I'd skim Just One Cookbook's advertisement-laden recipe page instead of reading the manual. She would categorize red bean paste into two categories: tsubu-an and koshi-an, respectively referring to chunky and smooth variations as well as their applications. My heart yearned for a textured rendition, thus I adhered to the formula for tsubu-an. The pressure cooker edition specified the following:
My attempt would involve 325 g of red beans instead, for I had been keen to empty the second-last container in my inventory. Other ingredient amounts of scaled up accordingly. It wasn't until that the unwashed beans and water had been inserted and locked within the Instant Pot that I realized the omission of dried tangerine peel, 陳皮. It was a pivotal ingredient in accentuating the profile of Chinese Red Bean Soup (紅豆沙) that I wished not to exclude. Consequently, I'd run the Instant Pot on the Bean/Chili setting for an additional fifteen minutes after the prescribed twenty-five minute first round. Leading up to the third session at Dal Pilates, I wasn't in a very content disposition. Fiery and full of fury, it was in the best interest of others to keep their distance until the tasks at hand had all been completed. As a consequence of my seemingly endless to-do list (and dwindling budget for leisure funds), our departure for North York was not made until well into the evening hours. Our fourth visit to the studio would, coincidentally, be met with another instructor swap. Jin from the previous week had been wonderful, exuding a gentleness amidst her strict, educational presence. This week, I had been informed that scheduling conflicts would hand us over to Min, a face I had been acquainted with briefly while fangirling with the receptionist. With our belongings stuffed into the cubbies, she gestured us towards the exercise space, introducing herself as well as asking of my condition. She was the first of all Dal Pilates instructors encountered thus far that had introduced herself with her name, and the only one which had inquired of possible pain or injuries. (Though, I had been informed that a few had also asked during my washroom-visiting absence.) I relayed my concern of stomach pains to her, attempting to hint at biological causes rather than stress- or strain-induced sources. Whether the message had been interpreted correctly was unknown, however the entire class proceeded without lying on the Carriage whatsoever, much to my relief. Beyond removing inverted inclines from the picture, I was also spared of hair-washing duties later that evening. Placing both hands and one foot on the footbar and the other against the shoulder rest, we commenced with hamstring stretches on the Carriage. We then transitioned to a kneeling position facing away from footbar, gripping the top of the tension straps with the hands to execute pullbacks. The exercise isolated muscles in the upper back as well as the triceps. Throughout the routine, frequent reminders were extended to "relax our shoulders", "engage the core" by drawing the ribs "down" and "back towards the spine", and "keep the spine tall"/body straight. Having mirrors placed at either side of the space assisted with regular form checks. The instructor also touched the backs of arms to make sure correct muscles were being engaged, and interjected to confirm that the spring tension was still acceptable after a few reps. One blue spring and one white spring supplied enough resistance for a challenge, yet still enabled me to maintain correct form throughout. Rotating to face the footbar, we maintained the kneeling position with hands thread through the tension straps. The starting position involved bending the arms such that the elbows were tucked into the sides of the ribs and the palms faced upwards. The arms would be extended forward to about shoulder height with an exhale, where the position would be held momentarily with an inhale, then arms retracted to the starting position with an exhale. Variations of this move involved:
Needless to say, this portion of the class was the most difficult upper body routine I had undertaken in a while. Min had, impressively, remembered both of our names and gave directed form reminders throughout the exercises. Her frequent encouragement, regulation of speed for rep consistency, rep countdowns were also greatly appreciated. Few breaks were included as part of the class, which is my preferred format, especially in consideration of the sessions' fifty-minute duration. The next exercise blended core work with lower body isolations. With the Short Box placed across the back of the Reformer, we sat on the box facing the footbar, rolled down into a C-curve, and hooked both heels onto the shoulder rests. The Carriage was to be drawn close while bending the knees, engaging the hamstrings and glutes. Constantly reminded was I to keep my core engaged and prevent my right knee from rolling inward, an indicator of a weak righ inner thigh. The instructor was quick to rectify when any alignment changes were observed, with her tone of voice being much more encouraging and insightful than the second instructor (980). Mirror checks also incredibly helpful as it alowed me to be more mindful when undertaking mat practice at home. Variations of this exercise involved keeping one leg lifted and drawing the Carriage close with the other foot. The lifted foot was pointed, as to work the inner thigh, while the other leg continued to draw the Carriage inward using the hamstring. Before transitioning to the next segment, we rotated parallel to the Reformer for inner thigh drag-ins. In this exercise, it was very important to prevent the pelvis from shifting and keeping both sitbones on the Short Box while continuing to isolate the thigh. Min also introduced/brought back some of my favourite thigh exercises on the Reformer. Standing parallel to the Reformer with one foot placed on the frame and the other on the Carriage, we would push the Carriage out, forming an inverted V-shape with the legs, then return to the starting position, summoning strength from the inner and outer thighs. Despite wearing grip socks, both of us admitted to feeling unsafe while exerting force on the contraption; as such, sticky mats were derived from the prop shelf and slipped underneath our feet to increase friction. While helpful, it did not remove the hazard completely, for I lost my footing on one instance of the exercise, causing the Carriage to slam into the frame. Thankfully, my balance was maintained - a result of consistent core conditioning efforts, and regular GO train commutes. The second exercise was a side scooter, which involved hinging the upper body to a 45-degree incline, bending the supporting leg, and dragging the Carriage in and out using the other leg. Being deeply familiar with the exercise, both on and off the Reformer, I was well aware of its alignment needs. I received a few reminders to "relax the shoulders" and "keep the core engaged", while my pilates partner was urged to maintain steadiness in the standing leg and keep the knee directly over the heel. The class concluded with inner thigh external rotation and thigh openers with oblique stretch to provide release of the hip flexors. Overall, the session had been extremely satisfying, with tremendous soreness experienced in the upper back, shoulders, and lats for days onward. The series also demanded stability from the core in unpredictable ways: two-part movements had been instructed with an inhale to prepare, exhale to "go", inhale to hold, and exhale to return. Occasionally woven into the routine were a handful of holds, but no pulses whatsoever. Each exercise was very focused and intentional, yet delivered in an undeniably cheery, supportive manner. Form reminders and being urged to take note of one's alignment in the mirror was especially helpful for personal practice. Following the session, I advocated for a stopover at Tavazo Nuts, knowing that the store may be closed after sustenance was obtained.
Few things are more enthralling than good food and a well-executed exercise session, except, of course, a GOT7 comeback or world tour maybe. The Mini Stability Ball has proven a wonderful addition to my roster of pilates props, exceeding usage rate of the pilates ring significantly. Acquisition of a proper cloth resistance band was also fruitful, for it yielded soreness like never before - and at just $0.99 plus tax! On my first office day, I ventured downtown with a breakfast of oatmeal and banana in tow. A few packaged snacks were also slipped into my container, though I hadn't bothered with defrosting my existing freezer stash. (I'll blame the inconsistent spring-summer-winter climate for this decision.) The chilly morning was expected to transition to balmy conditions in the low teens in the afternoon, making clothing choice a travesty. Eventually, I settled on my go-to look of black pants, black sneakers, and long-sleeved shirt and Taiga zip-up vest While searching for budget-friendly finds on the World Wide Web, I chanced across a Reddit thread. Embedded within the comments, I discovered Mystic Muffin. Its location at Richmond and Jarvis was deemed feasible for the lunchtime walk - after all, I've made it Third Wave Coffee a handful of times without issues. Advertised - not once, but twice! - on its storefront as a business in its 30th year of operation, the long-time diner had somehow went unnoticed despite my passing through the Y-configuration intersection of Richmond East and Jarvis many times. The interior was as Google Reviews had depicted: a cozy space with checkered tiling, casual seating, and ample space for circulation of takeout customers.
During my brief visit, I was definitely not alone in the store. A few middle-aged patrons, nearby office workers in their early thirties, and even a good number of young faces joined me. The younger crowd, along with myself (whom I do not really consider youthful enough to file into this category), must have seemed perplexed, for the couple manning the counter clarified the different sections of the counter for all in presence: Baked goods to the left and meal items, such as hummus, falafel, and salads, to the right. The "spring forward" portion of Daylight Savings is not one many anticipate, sheerly on the basis on losing one hour of sleep in the process. Notwithstanding this inconvenience is the gradual gain of natural illumination during waking hours, which is usually appreciated by most, if not all, of the working class - natural night owls excluded, of course. My browsing companion was running late and arrived nearly thirty minutes later than scheduled, a rare occurrence given our prominent differences in punctuality. Our arrival at First Markham Place was delayed by roughly the same duration, extended even later by an impromptu stopover at LCBO. Hailing from yours truly, the proposal had, surprisingly, resulted in a brief visit devoid of purchases. For once, the assortment before me failed to spark curiosity. Moreover, my sake stash had been replenished not too long ago. With flurries flittering about First Markham Place, we braved the gusty trek across the asphalt lot and dove into Oomomo. My roster of to-buy items was limited: a coffee filter case, plastic pouch, and compartmentalized jewellery case were the primary items of interest. Instead, I walked out with a far grander amount than the aforementioned trio. Cookie rolling rulers of 5 mm thickness, piping bags of various sizes, piping tips, a lavender storage bin, noodle ladle, and silica gel packets had also made their way into my basket. Asahi Dry Zero Free was nowhere to be spotted. Meanwhile, my browsing companion had a blast roaming the aisles, also acquiring a handful of unplanned purchases. Navigating between the kitchen and craft sections, we bumped into my Birthday Buddy on the hunt for a "bag strap". The encounter marked my second instance of chancing across a highly familiar face far from home. Our second session at Dal Pilates had been scheduled for 5 PM as opposed to the 7 PM slot of the previous weeks. As such, we were required to make haste and depart York Region within minutes of the clock hitting 4 PM. Naturally, this meant that desires for egg waffles, HK Milk Tea, and claw machines would be postponed till a later date to prioritize my companion's browsing needs. The earlier slot also meant relinquishing slightly pricier parking fees (as the day maximum rate wouldn't persist until 6 PM) and laying eyes on the studio surroundings during daylight hours.
Spring cleaning is often an ambitious declaration that doesn't go well. For the past few years, as my access paths grow progressively narrower, I've recognized the need to clean. However, recognition of an issue not necessarily synonymous with getting started. Since the start of the year, I've cited active assistance (ie. not emotional support) as the main driving factor in commencing a process. While sorting through nearly thirty years of neglect - perhaps with sporadic periods of re-organization weaved within - cannot be completed overnight, I can, at the very least, declare subtle improvements. In spite of not noticing drastic changes, I was informed that "The floor has improved greatly." Categorization of electronic waste, expired food and medication, and paper products such as merchandise packaging and instruction manuals are amongst the easier tasks. Less straightforward is the handling of forgotten childhood toys and knickknacks. The concept of re-selling was proposed to me, inciting a convoluted procedure comparable to selecting medium-term accommodations. The plethora of re-sale platforms has expanded remarkably in the name of environmental sustainability and the three Rs. Beyond the cult classic of ebay comes Facebook Marketplace for direct sales of standalone goods (no admin-monitored group needed), Poshmark for closet and fashion items, as well as consignment stores for gently used preloved products. Distinguishing the online platforms and secondhand retail shops is the degree of user involvement: While the seller is responsible for preparing individual item listings, uploading product images, managing correspondence, and packing/shipping of items for the digital realm, consignment stores will review items in bulk, then price accordingly or return the entire lot. Albeit considerably more time-consuming, the former approach summons the fundamentals of entrepreneurship in exchange for the potential to increase disposable income. Meanwhile, the latter is a quicker, fuss-free method of earning additional funds before sending the remnants off to a donation centre. Posting cosplay wigs and Tsum Tsums have earned me minimal success thus far. Though, a 1999 Cardcaptor doll, entirely unopened, saw interest in under 24 hours of listing. That said, simultaneously listing on ebay and Facebook marketplace had been a poor choice, for I was doubled the amount following agreement of a legally-binding low bid price on ebay. The incident merely confirms the risks and background knowledge required for a self-led undertaking: Assessment of market conditions was non-negotiable, as is time commitment for coordination with potential buyers - be it for price, transaction specifics, or logistics. I had allocated a portion of my weekend for the exploration of consignment stores. Located within decently close proximity were Once Upon A Child, Plato's Closet, and Style Encore, which catered to children, teens, and middle-aged women respectively. The trio fell within the same chain, much like Old Navy, Gap, and Banana Republic. Following a chaotic morning of cooking, I set out for my first stop of Once Upon A Child in Streetsville. Drizzly conditions had facilitated the commute; similarly low traffic volumes were witnessed in the asphalt lot. My two bags' worth of "fluffy" toys were dismissed instantly on the basis of being without tags. The cashier pointed towards glittery cats by the checkout, confirming that small toys, such as ty beanie babies, would likely be priced at $1, and medium ones at a maximum of $2, be they ty or not. Strollers, clothing, books, and educational workbooks were also observed lining the shelves. Out of curiosity, I also inquired of their selling price. The cashier admitted that, since the books usually retailed at $1.50 each, the most I'd receive in exchange for the drop-off would be fifty cents, if even. Although fruitless, the visit was completed swiftly in a friendly manner and advised on the pertinent details for my objective. Lugging my two bags back to the car, I briefly contemplated conduct a photoshoot for each individual stuffed plush, only to conclude that I was neither particularly keen to recover profit nor possessed the luxury of free time to dedicate to the venture. Style Encore was my next stop. Located at Hurontario and Bristol, the plaza was admittedly difficult to navigate towards in the face of LRT construction and restricted maneuvers. All-moves driveways had been converted to right-in-right-out accesses only, and annoyingly obstructed by construction fences which reduced visibility further on the already rainy afternoon. About nine bags of clothing, handbags, and five pairs of shoes (four of which still in their original box) were handed over to the cashier for pricing. First-time sellers were required to complete a Google Form as part of a condensed registration process. Afterwards, a text message would be received to confirm enrollment, then later used to advise on the pick-up period. Five to six ladies began sorting the spread promptly, labelling my items accordingly with my name and bin count.
Sometimes, we are ambitious. At other times, we embrace the mundane, whether by will or by obligation. More often than not, I tend to lean towards the ambitious side when it comes to productivity and task completion, leading those around me to point out the schedules as being "impractical", "unsustainable", or both. The week commenced with my last slice of Whole Wheat Tangzhong smothered with Nutella and eaten with a side of banana. Once the carby stash was depleted, I turned to either All Bran cereal (with or without milk) and oatmeal. Partial recovery of the bread maker insert enabled the formation of a watery pineapple jam. Lunchtime saw the creation of Homemade Cha Siu - not made by yours truly, while afternoon snack time a bag of Thai Honey Mango featuring Ferra. For the first time since the start of my sake sampling days, I picked up a bottle of Nigori Sake from Izumi. Despite having visited their Distillery District brewery on a multitude of occasions, the weighty glass bottles had always deterred me from acquiring a piece from their classic lineup for the commute home. The "cloudy" formula was delicious; milkier by visuals over taste, the brew was slightly sweet but nevertheless brimming with flavour. Moreover, the bottle design was delightful: edged with pink sakura blossoms and a snowy, sky blue-turquoise silhouette of the CN tower and surrounding buildings. On my non-drinking days, I also began to test suitable mix-ins for Asahi Super Dry 0.0%. While T&T's Citron Drink with Passionfruit failed to sustain a sense of harmony, orange juice was successful in yielding a zesty, alcoholic-free radler. Meals of the week included: Braised Daikon with Preserved Chinese Sausage (Lap Cheong), Pan-Fried Pork & Leek Postickers (from frozen), and a trio of homemade dishes constructed in under three hours. The latter three items were constructed in just under three hours, inclusive of dishwashing. 1) Roasted Tomato & Garlic Soup
Based off one of SK's many tomato soups, my rendition involved cutting vine tomatoes into sections (rather than halves) and tossing them in olive oil, parsley, and sage (since rosemary not popular in our household) for roasting. Whatever few cloves of garlic hadn't turned mouldy were also smashed and added into the bowl. The tray would then be subject to 425 F for about one hour, until the edges were charred and tomato skin shriveled. The entire lot would then be transferred to a pot with chicken stock, umeshu brandy, and water and loosely puréed using an immersion blender. When the flavours weren't as pronounced as desired, a generous swig of balsamic vinegar, salt, and sugar were used to amplify the relatively mild notes of tomato and not-so-fresh garlic. A squeeze of ketchup was also used to alter the hue from a modest orange to saturated satsuma, however only minimal payoff was achieved. Out & About #980 | Weekend Errands Feat. IKEA Etobicoke, Dal Pilates Session #1 + Petit Potato Again3/3/2024 When my coworkers outright ask about the recent lack of "treats", I don't exactly have an office-appropriate straightforward answer for them. Had my freezer not been at capacity, had my stomach not churned at the lack of fibre in my diet, and had I not been stressed out of my mind due to recent household happenings, I'd likely be more inclined to undertake trickier projects. But, as of late, the priority has resided with survival and strictly survival. Weekday downtime was spent catching up on chores and errands, while weekends have been purposed towards residual housekeeping. Yet another IKEA run was planned on the weekend for the procurement of RYKTA bins. In advance of the trip, I'd venture to Mimico to pick up the ever-eager browser. Traffic leading to the GO station was annoyingly slow despite low traffic volumes, for weekend drivers were rampant on the Gardiner off ramps and already narrow Toronto streets. Nearby was the physical store of Hadrien Verrier Patisserie, a name I hadn't encountered since Third Wave Coffee's transition to Noctua Bakery, I wasn't a fan of Ninetails, thus proposed to detour to quench my curiosity surrounding the standalone bakeshop. The space wasn't particularly large, but appeared quite spacious at first glance. A retail counter and wall-mounted shelving units for product display filled the front third of the shop; the back would adopt the format of an open concept preparation area. There wasn't a door in sight, allowing customers to take a gander at the pastry shop's operations from afar and absorb the delightfully buttery essence of croissants and bread in the oven - the one food smell I don't mind! I sampled my Hazelnut Financier from the driver's seat. Enthralled I was to confirm its unwavering delectability: a moist, speckled pastry with crunchy edges, a snappy chocolate coating, and nutty caramel inclusion for textural variance. Navigating next to IKEA along Queensway, I was pointed in the direction of the covered parking area, a portion of which was closed for construction. The Etobicoke location offered a comprehensive collection of the storage bins of my desires, but in a distinctly more predictable layout than the North York outpost. We skipped the showroom altogether as to reduce the total time spent undertaking the task. Unfortunately, I wasn't entirely spared of browsing and slow treks about the store. By the 3 PM mark, when hunger was no longer deniable, two hot dogs and one Nordic Fruit Water were obtained from the lower level Marketplace. Coffee was, unfortunately, not complimentary in this section of the establishment. The medium-sized cup incurred a cost of $1.50, while the hot dogs a mere loonie each. Having just sampled my own Whole Wheat Tangzhong loaf earlier, the hot dog bun paled in comparison. Albeit soft and compatible with the sodium-laden ball park sausage, the cross-section was noticeably friable. Loose crumbs were visible upon closer inspection. Moreover, the bread was barren of depth: a spongy, bland mass devoid of toothsomeness.
It suffices to say that sudden developments can cause strategically scheduled activities to come to a screeching halt. Baking has been postponed on the bases of fatigue and comparatively higher-priority issues. My ingredients are observed to wither with time, as does my soul and once non-exhaustible source of energy. Collapsing into bed after a late Friday night, I resurrected some nine hours later and commenced chores. About the mid-day mark, I took to constructing an Espresso Martini as a pick-me-up. Equal parts vodka, cold brew, and Kahlua were instructed, prompting 1 oz. of each component to be poured into my go-to pint glass. The resulting concentrate was obnoxiously sweet - likely intended for sipping as a post-supper dessert, but surely not for the average weekend afternoon. Not even a copious amount of ice, a greater proportion of cold brew (my own, of course), nor water could salvage the formula. A fellow coffee fiend recommended a shot of espresso, which I mentally slotted away for testing on the next opportunity. The following day came errands. Over the span of one week, I'd make my third Walmart visit. Broken storage bins had led me to the department store's outpost in Oakville, the nicer area of Uptown Core. Customer service had been friendly and reasonable, albeit not particularly efficient. Upon concluding my mission, I retreated back to the parking lot, where an altercation over a stolen bicycle was witnessed. A middle-aged man and sweats-donning teenager tugged away at the red frame, eventually taking the brawl beyond the store entrance and onto the asphalt access path. Walmart security followed closely behind the duo. One of the teenager's two backpacks hit the ground with an audible clang, yet he batted not an eyelash and sped off with the bike. It was an admittedly shocking scene to witness given the time of day, and even more so the neighbourhood reputation. The scene led me to recall the woes of a long-time, low-income resident: continual development of the GTA meant a gradual transition from the calm suburbs to the clamour of an urban city. Departing the area, I continued with errands at BTrust and, upon confirmation of cash on hand, Akko Cake House. The early hour ensured a wide assortment of buns for my plucking, in addition to fresh trays of egg tarts emerging during my brief stay. I emerged with a decent-sized haul, all for just $11.30. Take note: Any paper boxes now incur additional charges. For commuters or careless consumers, one may wish to bring along a reusable container to ensure structural integrity, or risk dented buns and smashed egg tarts. My picks included the following:
Devoured over the next few hours were the Butter Egg Tart, half of the Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun, and half of the Pineapple Pastry. The Egg Tart was silky, scrumptious, and gratifying, as expected of Akko. The Pineapple BBQ Pork Bun would earn similar commentary, surpassing the low bar set forth by Hong Kong Island Bakery's miserable oniony concoction and replacing the gustatory experience with delight.
Over the past decade, I've embarked on countless "Journey to Health"s. Some spurred from an overdose of Lindt truffles, while others negligence of red meat. In all cases, a balanced diet had failed to be maintained, and my body suffered in an attempt to combat while attempting to operate at full productivity. Low iron levels led to increased intake of lean pork and dark, leafy greens like kale and spinach. For my most recent disaster, low fibre intake seemed to constitute the culprit. As such, I've been working tirelessly at incorporating natural sources of the constipation-relieving component into my diet, as well as seeking assistance from OTC medication and supplements. My former diet of bran cereal and oatmeal quickly grew tiring, even when accented with toasted pecans, ripe banana, and a sprinkle of dried fruit. Coffee, in any form, is usually welcomed with open arms, however. (The occasional slice of banana bread was not uncommon either to assist in a gradual transition.) The long weekend comprised primarily of at-home activities: recovery from the constipation catastrophe, sporadic bursts of dust removal, and Family Day errands - the only day where weather conditions and physical wellness aligned. Eight days after the arrival of Lunar New Year, I finally made it to Square One's yearly exhibit outside Holt Renfrew. It was, essentially, my last opportunity to observe the installation before the scrolls would be taken down at the end of the week. Having arrived at the mall in advance of 12 PM, I expected a relatively vacant space - an area permitting effortless flow from store to store and breezy checkouts. This was hardly the case, for the corridors had already filled with an atrocious number of shoppers. That said, the worst of all was definitely Walmart. Renovations entailed obstructions, partial closures, re-arrangement of products, and, most horrifically, reduced floor area and aisle widths. Increased customer volumes paired with unhurried attitudes already make for a despicable retail experience. When the venture was supplemented with narrowed aisles and uncertainty towards product placement, errand-running took a steep downward turn. My items of interest were procured after roaming aisles of jaggery, overpriced Large Flake Oats, and discounts on Lunar New Year serving plates. Then came the chaos of the Self Checkout section: About half of the machines were out of service.
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Who Am I?Formerly an avid owner of several interest-based portals, Random Thoughts of a Quirky Blogger presents precisely the elements expected. From experiments in the kitchen to miscellaneous musings, from IGOT7 reflections to developments in transportation infrastructure, it's all consolidated here. Welcome to the raw, unfiltered side of Quirky Aesthetics. Archives
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