Updating ... starting with #the100dayproject

So today is the official start day of #the100dayproject 2019 
The 100 Day project Website  


Lindsay Jean Thomson says this about the project:
"All around the world, thousands of folks are picking up their paint brushes, sitting down to write, and committing other acts of creativity and bravery.

We believe that spending even five or ten minutes a day to do something just because it brings you joy or challenges you or moves you towards a goal is radical. By making something every day, you are doing your part to make the world a more loving and vibrant place." 


 Last year my attempt at the project was strictly art related - then my interest waned, life got busy, my creative drive took me in a different direction - and that was that. This year I wanted to open the box a bit more and give myself creative options so that I could join in the amazing connection I see from people all over the world, feeling like a part of it, a contributor to the idea - and at the same time enriching my life and learning along the way.

There are so many amazing challenges out there for people to take a part in - and it is fun to dip into this and that and play along. This year though I wanted to take this particular challenge and customize it to something that feeds my soul and passions. 

Learning about "Social Media"

I want to dedicate my #the100dayproject to learning more about how it can not only enrich our lives but open us up to a world of possibilities.

Learning about social platforms I already use - some I use much more - so to delve into what works for me "right now". How I can refresh my knowledge and find new ways to connect, promote, build.  

How I am going to track this progress on the project is still in the works - for now I am going to make a list of the platforms I want to improve upon and learn more about - dedicating the next 100 days to do so. 

1. Blogging
2. Instagram
3. Facebook
4. LinkedIn 

 This ties into my creative life passion - living life to the fullest - now and for future plans. And the best part is I can work all aspects of my creativity into this - food, art, gardening, business, and more. 

Excited to have settled on my path for this challenge.

Accent European Lounge YEG

Kevin and I attended the Broadway show "The Phantom of the Opera" at the Northern Jubilee Auditorium and afterwards I decided I wanted to make our date night complete by going for a nice supper.

Just off Whyte Avenue there is a cozy place called Accent European Lounge that we have been to on a few occasions and have always thoroughly enjoyed our meal. I would say it is a perfect date place - suited to couples or small groups of friends, the service is excellent and the food is delicious. For celiacs or gluten free diners the menu is somewhat limited but as we go for the excellent steak meals - we are always pleased with what we have.  

That evening we started with the Bacon Wrapped Lobster - our server was quick to let us know it might be a few minutes longer as they would make up fresh butter cream sauce so that it did not have any contamination or gluten ingredients. Being told this beforehand we were totally ok with this, as we were there for a relaxing meal.  

Also the Bacon Wrapped Lobster with butter cream sauce was served on gluten free bread, and it was so tasty. Very happy we ordered a double order of this to start.

We both had the NY Striploin with white wine demi glaze - with seasonal vegetables and potatoes. (we did order the thick cut fries but again the kitchen let us know the potatoes were the best option against any possibility of cross contamination) 

Delicious - the Accent European Lounge is one of our favourite date night dining places, we love the intimate cozy atmosphere and we have never been disappointed with the food and service.

Accent European Lounge
8223 - 104 Street
Edmonton, AB
780-431-0179
 

Sherwood Park's Gluten Free Cravings Event - reporting :)

Sherwood Park hosted their CRAVINGS Event this past weekend - and honestly if you have never been I would be watching for it for next year's event. This year they had 30 booths - that comprised of restaurants, food trucks, grocery stores, specialty stores, online markets, grocery delivery and also information booths like the Edmonton Chapter of the Canadian Celiac Society. 
 

We were delighted to not only find out more information about places we have shopped at, but also to find many new options. 

Though we only bought a handful of products to use and cook at home we tried to scoop information from the booths for future reference. The following is a  

If you love salmon Sgambaros Signature Seafood has some great products, the smoked salmon and salmon burgers that we had a taste of were fabulous - and the three mustard dill sauce was awesome, had to have some of that sauce to take home. 

We tried a sample of the WOW Factor Desserts Gluten Free Turtle cheesecake - mmmmmmmm - and I grabbed the sizeable menu they had on display. At first I was like - well they only have a handful of Gluten Free cake ideas then I was like AWESOME they do have a handful of Gluten Free ideas. Perfect for that family or friend event where we sometimes lose out when it comes to dessert - pick up one of these delicious specialty cakes or cheesecakes and you are set.   

Another amazing dessert company is Nabati Foods - all their products are ~ gluten free ~ dairy free ~ egg free ~ soy free ~ refined sugar free - making traditional desserts like cakes, cookies and brownies with high quality natural ingredients. 

Other great specialty dessert options that we sampled at the show:
~ Celebrate Gluten Free Bakery - desserts and breads  
~ Choclination - regular & sugar free handmade chocolates
~ Phil's Fudge Factory 
~ Screamin Brothers - Allergy friendly frozen delights

Product Information and samples from companies like: 
~ Young Living, Glow Juicery, KGW Enterprises - Kettle Corn, Arbonne, 4-Elementos - coffee distributor, Marge's Country Kitchen - delicious Ukrainian Gluten free cream and meat sauces, Urban Perogies
~ Thrive Life - Clean and simple freeze dried foods
~ Fruits of Sherbrooke - non for profit that collects Urban fruit
~ Save On Foods - were sampling the Range Road Meats Gluten Free sausage,
~ Kinnikinnick - gluten free facility
~ Epicure - All products now 100% gluten and nut free 
~ Torill's Table - Premium Waffle Mix Gluten Free - makes a thin crepe like waffle or pancake - yum. Also available at the Spinelli Italian Centre Shop :)
~  Spud.ca - a local & organic grocery delivery service

And the eateries:
~ Wild Wing - they had awesome Salt & Pepper, and Honey Garlic wings for samples - oh so good - we would travel to get these, and they gave us a sheet for the Sherwood Park location for what is gluten free, I will post as the site can be a bit hard to see what is. 

~ Fifendekel - Carries gluten free bread for sandwiches as well as at the moment they have one gluten free dessert item. 
~ Pasta Pantry & Trattoria - gluten free pasta, salads and even meatballs  
Food Trucks -
~ Preserve Food Truck - we did not get a lot of info about this truck.
~ Calle Mexico Restaurant - has a restaurant and also a food truck - we were informed there are many gluten free items.

All in all it was a great event and glad we made it out this year, we love having options as celiacs. :)