OMG it's a sale!

Yes, there is another sale at the SAQ this weekend. It's pretty simple: you get a gift card worth 15% of your purchase when you spent $100 or more. I went to the one near Place Versailles and there was trouble at the register, so they gave me the discount right away instead of a card. Score! Either way, it's a good deal. I'm ready for the Holidays!

Wine and spirits at the SAQ - $273.18

Click on the picture for product details.

food log: Friday, november 20

Oatmeal from home, eaten at work

Tea from the bistro - free


The bistro lunch was smoked meat, one of the only things I can't eat. So Jessica and I went to Tokyo for some Japanese grub.

Miso soup

Tempura shrimp and veggies

Maki and sashimi lunch

The smallest carrot stick in the History of Ever


Lunch at Tokyo was $34 including tip

On our way back home, Jessica told me that at first, she tought this snow flag was street art. Can you tell she grew up under the Miami sun? Beach nerd!



In the afternoon, the bistro had my favorite snack

Popcorn and gummy bears from the bistro - free


Back home, I was in the mood for a cocktail and was inspired to create one in honour of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the neighbourhood I live in. This place has humble oginins and it's the land of "do what you can with what you have". I had clementines, so it was the base of my inspiration.

I called it the HoMartini!



3 parts Absolut Mandrin
2 parts clementine juice
1 part simple syrup
Cherry to garnish

The clementine juice was freshly squeezed.

Shake on ice

Pour in a martini glass

Garnish with a cherry



Dinner was lemon chicken, Brussel sprouts and carrots

I marinated the chicken all day in lemon oil, Herbes de Provence, pepper, balsamic vinegar and garlic.

I also had a nice cold beer from what Martin left behind last week. Thanks Martin!

London Pride beer - free

And here is the perfect pour.



Money spent on food: $34

Food log: Thursday, November 19

Eggs, bacon, toast, milk



Bouddha Bleu tea from Marriage Frères

Served in my favorite cup! I worked from home today and this tea is the perfect pick-me-up for added productivity. Also: tasty.

Crackers, cream cheese, vegetable cocktail



Sweet potato purée, Brussel sprouts and onion sautéed in duck fat with garlic and walnuts

I can't believe I used to hate Brussel sprouts when I was a kid. Cooked like this, it's a meal fit for a queen, both rustic and flavorful. You just cook the sprouts in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain, cut them in half, sautée some onions until caramelized in a pan, then add the sprouts to the pan and cook until golden. You then add chopped garlic and roasted nuts and give it a whirl for a few minutes. For a quicker version, you can do like I did and use homemade onion confit (I make mine with duck fat) instead of cooking the onions from scratch. The same recipe is very good with pecans and bacon.

I had this with a piece of chicken pot pie.


Money spent on food today: 0

Food log: Wednesday, November18

Cheese sandwich, toast


Pistachios from the bistro - free


Boeuf Bourguignon, salad, rice, clafoutis, orange juice - $6



Veggies, dips - free from the bistro


Crackers and goat cheese


Chicken pot pie, corn, yellow beans


Chocolate gaufrettes


Waffles with peanut butter and honey, milk (no pic)

Money spent on food today: $6

Food log: Tuesday, November 17

Toast with cream cheese


Banana from the bistro - free


Cabbage soup, veal roast, veggies, potatoes, mushroom sauce, chocolate mousse, lemonade
$6 from the Bistro


Italian chocolate, candy and nuts from the bistro - free




Steak-frites and yellow beans, Orangina


Waffles and milk 



Money spent on food today: $6

Yummy link

When foodies have kids: say hello to koodies 

Food log: Monday, November 16

Toasts with cream cheese



Clementine from the bistro at work - free



Almonds from home



Lots of water

I don't know if you have noticed, but I have reduced my Diet Coke intake by about 75%. Water helps. I had massive headaches for the first week, but it's getting better now.

Squash soup, cheese manicotti, bread, salad, fruit, lemonade
$6 from the bistro

This soup was one of the best thing I've had in a long time, full of wintery spices and extra-velvety.

Rice Krispy square from the bistro - free



Crackers and margarine

In honor of Twitter friend Le Nutritionniste, who keeps getting crappy promo documents from Becel. If you can read French, I highly recommend his blog !

Salad, broccoli turnovers, Orangina



Chocolate gaufrettes

These make me feel like I am a kid again.

Money spent on food today: $6