There was a guy...

Just farting around on YouTube on a Sunday morning.

Have you listened to this song today? You should.

Cooking up a storm

At the beginning of December, I discovered a delicious-looking quinoa-lentil-shiitake bake recipe posted on No Substitutions, a fantastic blog aimed at vegans, vegetarians, people with food allergies — anyone with "tricky eating habits," as they say. Friday night, feeling in an adventurous mood and ready to expand my culinary horizons, I printed off the recipe and headed out to gather up my supplies. 

This is my creation right before popping it into the oven:

And about 35 minutes later, viola! I was ready to eat my dinner. I paired it with my own version of a tomato and avocado salad, but, as No Substitutions says, it would go well with some crispy greens. I recommend this tasty bake to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Here is the recipe. Enjoy!

Photos by Laura Muir

Highly recommended

A couple of nights ago, I had the great honor of attending the dress rehearsal of Barrymore, starring Christopher Plummer, at Toronto's Elgin Theatre. Invited by a friend (hi Meg!) who was invited by a friend (hi Virginia!), I was one of a small crowd of lucky people who fit in the centre orchestra section (aka primo seats) to experience this once-in-a-lifetime "private screening."

Just so you know, Plummer's Toronto presentation is a reprise of his Tony award-winning tour de force and reunites the original Broadway team, including director Gene Saks and set and costume designer Santo Loquasto. I say run, don't walk, to get your tickets for an amazing night at the theatre. The show starts tonight!

Photos by Laura Muir

Maple Leaf Gardens

I was in the right place at the right time today and managed to get a peek inside the Maple Leaf Gardens, (which is being turned into a Loblaws and sports facility for Ryerson University). I was struck by its massive size. It reminded me of Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York, where the main character builds a city within a city.

Photos by Laura Muir

I hear ya man!

After spending the entire holiday season out west, I was greeted by a stack of Christmas cards when I just recently returned home to Toronto. Gotta love how my friend signed his annual family card. Makes me realize I'm not alone!

Photo by Laura Muir

Rises in the east...

In Cambodia, sunrises and sunsets are worth something — $5US to be exact. That's how much extra I paid my guide to pick me up at my guest house early (4:30 a.m.) to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. 

It's the thing to do. 

So is catching the sunset at Phnom Bakheng (that also costs $5US for a tuk-tuk driver)...

...and Pre Rup. 

Photos by Laura Muir

Craving blooms and the beach

Banteay Srei Temple, Cambodia

Phuket, Thailand

Photos by Laura Muir

Cold remedy

Since we're in the thick of winter, it's no surprise that I've come down with a nasty winter cold. But I'm not going to take this lying down! (Well, at least not figuratively.) I want to share with you this special treat I make that provides tons of cold-fighting nutrients in one big tasty glass of juice.

I start with one lemon and two or three Granny Smith apples (depending on their size). After washing them well, I slice the outer peel off the lemon, leaving the white bioflavinoid-rich pith intact.

Then I cut the lemon and apples into pieces and, lemon first, throw them all into my beloved Omega 4000 juicer.

What comes out is a frothy, refreshing glass of juice teeming with Vitamin C. And not to sound gross, but the juice from a lemon has an incredible mucus-dissolving ability. Cold begone!

Photos by Laura Muir

Highly recommended

Renting Winter's Bone was a good decision on my part. I loved the backwoods dialogue and the menacing characters (including Arkansas's Ozark Mountain area itself).

"Never ask for what oughta be offered." Mark my words, this scene is going to be shown at the Oscars. It's a pivotal moment when we discover what 17-year-old Ree Dolly is all about — tough and principled. On a side note: Jennifer Lawrence (who plays Ree) looks a lot like Renee Zellweger, without the weird facial expressions.
Photos by Laura Muir

Banff Springs Hotel

It's impossible to think of Banff without thinking of the palatial Banff Springs Hotel. On Boxing Day, we walked down the hill through the forest to visit the majestic site. Sort of a tradition.

Photos by Laura Muir

Welcome!

What better way to start off my blog than with a fantastic shot of my family. Here's the Muir clan in Banff, Alta. We visited over Christmastime and stayed at the Rimrock Hotel, where the views are spectacular and the eating is non-stop.
Photo by Laura Muir