Gajar Matar Recipe aka The Carrot Peas Indian Dish I Love

Curry is a bit of a misnomer in the Western world. From where I am from in Northern India, curry is a specific dish that is bright yellow in colour, almost neon yellow, made from sour milk and always eaten with rice. In North America, "Curry" is used as an all-encompassing term for savoury Indian entrees with some sort of sauce. Instead of the word "curry," In India, we use the word "Sabzi" as the generic name for savoury dishes that make up our main dish. My favourite Indian sabzi is a dry carrots and peas dish. 

Called "Gajar Matar" which literally translates to Carrot Peas, the traditional dish is vegan and gluten-free. The natural sweetness of the carrots and peas is the main highlight of the dish. To this day, I had never made an Indian sabzi. It has always felt like a daunting task to me! 

Weird and Wonderful Wishlist 2021 Holidays

This is my Weird & Wonderful Wishlist and it features amazing local Vancouver brands and shops. It is my goal to support more slow fashion and smaller independent shops. My list does include bigger global brands, but the majority of the items can be purchased locally in Vancouver from local boutiques. 

I know not everyone lives in Vancouver, so I am also going to include links through which you can purchase the pieces internationally. Hopefully if you are local you are able to pop into one of my favourite shops and pick it up in person! Perhaps we will bump into one another there! 

The Butter Ornament

Lower Mainland Devastated by Floods and Mudslides from "Atmospheric River"

Brad Mueller/Facebook

This blog has always been a space to share fun discoveries with you. Today we are going to be taking a pause from the whimsy and food to acknowledge the events unfolding in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia. The property I purchased is in the Fraser Valley, but at this time I am living at my parent's house which is in Metro Vancouver, the region west of the Fraser Valley. 

I woke up on Monday, November 15th to harrowing winds and aggressive rainfall. Leaves and small twigs were being smashed up against my bedroom window by the ongoing storm. Rain is a normal part of Vancouver, so at no point did it phase me. It never even crossed my mind that things could get worse and I should not be going to work. By the time I was off from work, the sky had cleared in Vancouver and the pools of water were slowly draining away. 

The part of Vancouver that I grew up in has long been the butt of all flooding and sinking-related jokes. The highway bisecting my city and several major streets were flooded to my knees. Now simply imagine the relief that me, my family and everyone else that lives in the region felt when the city was able to get control of the flooding. 

Ça Marche Crêperie the newest addition to Vancouver House

Another day in Vancouver, another restaurant opened. This time, it is the long-awaited Ça Marche Crêperie, specializing in crêpes from Brittany, France. If there are crêpes involved, you know I will be there, so it should come as no surprise that opening night, I was knocking down their door to be let in already. 

Dinner service on Saturday November 6, 2021 marked the opening of Ça Marche Crêperie. The new eatery is located at the foot of Vancouver House, adjacent to another favourite of mine, Autostrada Osteria. The space is small; therefore limiting the number of diners Ça Marche Crêperie can accommodate at a given time. An eccentric neon sign shines a glow onto an interesting rusted exterior panelling. Guess we can call it industrial rust chic? Inside, emerald green, brass, white and greys make for an elegant upscale setting. The old me would have fawned all over the design, but I now know better than to be blinded by beauty. 

The Dorothy Motel is Banff, Alberta's first boutique motel

Roadside motels are a staple in North America. Often rundown, dingy, merely a place to catch some sleep before getting back on the road. But they are the affordable counterpart to hotels and hence why Super 8 Motels and such fill my own childhood memories of family road trips across Canada! The Dorothy Motel on the other hand is no ordinary motel. As Banff's very first boutique motel, The Dorothy Motel blends Banffs beautiful national forests with a retro 50s vibe, completely redefining what a motel is. The motel is beautiful and is a must stay when in Banff. 

The Dorothy Motel's wooden sign sets the tone for your stay with its asymmetrical shape, rounded corners and curvy bold text. A lovely rich teal blue paint exterior is accented by beautiful crisscrossing large wooden beams, a nod to traditional ski chalets that are sprinkled on the mountains. Nestled in the middle of the motel is a wonderful stone-paved courtyard with cute bistro tables, chairs and lush plants. An excellent place to sit back and sip on some drinks underneath the starry Banff night sky! 

Golden Skybridge including an Exhilarating Treetop Experience

Golden BC's newest attraction, the Golden Skybridge, was completed and opened for guests to visit just this past May of 2021. Still fresh from opening day, some of the attractions at Golden Skybridge are still under construction like the Giant Swing, but others are open for guests to enjoy. The moment I learned about Golden Skybridge, I was fixated on visiting and I was able to in the final week of September, just ahead of Golden Skybridge closure for the 2021 season. 

The two Skybridges officially boast the honour of Canada's highest suspension bridges and cross the Columbia Valley with phenomenal views of the Rocky and Purcell mountains. A 61-meter tall Hospital Creek Fall rushes into the river that flows beneath the bridges and into the mountainous forests. 

Flying Domestically in Canada during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Last week, I flew domestically to and from Calgary, Alberta. The flight barely exceeds an hour of flight time from Vancouver, British Columbia, so I could hardly take advantage of inflight entertainment. Not that there have been many movies released since the onset of the pandemic. Since returning, I have been fielding questions about what it was like to fly during the pandemic? 

Normal travel has resumed for domestic flights in Canada. I am a Canadian citizen and did not face any hurdles as one. I booked my tickets normally through the airline carrier's website. There is a small blurb on the website advising guests that are experiencing any flu-like symptoms to refrain from flying. Flying domestically within Canada does not require a negative COVID-19 test. I checked in remotely 24 hours in advance. Since I was not checking any luggage in, so after arriving at YVR airport, I proceeded directly to security. Again, nothing out of the ordinary. Did the normal security screening process at YVR airport after which strolled around the terminal until it was time to report to the gate for boarding. 

THREE COVID-19 related changes implemented by both Air Canada (YVR Airport) and WestJet (YYC Airport):