-->

Theme Layout

[Rightsidebar]

Boxed or Wide or Framed

Theme Translation

Display Featured Slider

Yes

Featured Slider Styles

[Framedwidth]

Display Grid Slider

No

Grid Slider Styles

Display Trending Posts

Yes

Display Author Bio

Display Instagram Footer

Blog Archive

5/recent posts
 New Foodie Spot: House of Donair in West End Kingston

New Foodie Spot: House of Donair in West End Kingston


Mixed plate of chicken shawarma and donair plate and House of Donair restaurant sign.

Congratulations to House of Donair for opening their fourth and newest location in the west end of Kingston on Bath Rd! Serving up Lebanese cuisine from tabouli, falafel, kibbeh, pitas and shawarma, as well as dishes with a twist from donair poutine and donair pizza! Bae and I stopped in recently for lunch for his and her meals. My absolute favourite was the intensity of the flavours of the chicken and sauces served on the potato aka you best like garlic. We enjoyed the below meals and will certainly be returning soon!

MIXED PLATE

Mixed plate of chicken shawarma & donair served with salad, rice, hummus, garlic paste, pickled turnips, pickles + pita bread.

CHICKEN SHAWARMA PLATE 

Chicken shawarma plate served with salad, rice, hummus, garlic paste, pickled turnips and pickles.

Where: 1755 Bath Rd, Kingston | Corner of Bath rd & McKewan Dr
Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
My Favourite Kingston West End Restaurants You Have To Try

My Favourite Kingston West End Restaurants You Have To Try


As we know, Kingston is a city that is renowned for its thriving culinary scene. While many have associated downtown Kingston with the city's most notable culinary offerings, the west end of Kingston is often overlooked when it comes to foodie destinations. However, those who have taken the time to explore Kingston's west end have discovered that it is truly a unique area with several hidden culinary gems and having moved to the area a few years ago, I've discovered quite a few special spots.

So whether you're in the mood for takeout, a special night out, authentic ethnic cuisine, or something in between, there are plenty of options to choose from. Below you'll find my list of favourite local drool-worthy spots:

Macaroni and cheese burger and iced latte beverage on table.

LUNCH & DINNER SPOTS

Bella Bistro

GO Italian Restaurant

Days on Front

Ottercreek Kitchen

The Pasta Shelf

Mesa Fresca

Red House West

Smoke N Barrel 

Golden Damrei

Shawarma El Mina

Pita Land

House Of Donair

Bustini’s Food Truck

Mozzarella cheese bites and fully loaded chimichanga.

GREEK FOOD

Greektown Grill & Takeout

Minos Take Out West

PIZZA

Mamma Mia Pizzeria

Riverhead Brewing Company

Score Pizza

Arancini rice balls and all dressed pizza.

BRUNCH & CAFÉ

Toast & Jam

Juniper Cafe

Patriam Coffee

Nora's Coffee + Sandwiches

Carmelinda's

FISH & CHIPS

Rose & Crown

Gourmet donuts and breakfast avocado croissant.

BAKERIES & DELI

Bread & Butter Bakery

MAC'S Chocolate & Bakeshop

Baltic Deli

SUSHI

Kino's Sushi

Akira Sushi

Sapporo Sushi


Chicken shawarma plate and a variety of sushi.

What are your favourite spots? Leave them in the comments.

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
Napanee Foodie Spot: Fool's Kitchen

Napanee Foodie Spot: Fool's Kitchen



Say hello to Fool's Kitchen - a new Asian fusion restaurant located just 30 minutes from Kingston in Napanee, Ontario and is an absolute must-try! It’s already booking up quite quickly so definitely call for reservations and takeout orders.

You won’t be disappointed as the dishes are so dang flavourful from dim sum, Vietnamese pho, Chinese bbq pork + chicken and so much more. Prep work starts as early as 3am in the morning and it certainly shows! So if you’re wanting to head out for a scenic foodie day trip, add Fool’s Kitchen to your foodie bucket list. Bae and I were thoroughly impressed and bellies full afterwards. Drool-worthy indeed!

Also, the service is just amazing and the staff are so friendly!

Scroll down to see a few of the dishes we sampled:

SUI MAI (PORK & SHRIMP DUMPLING)

Chinese canton-style open-wrapped dumpling with pork.

CHICKEN PHO

Vietnamese noodle soup with a homemade broth filled with spices like roasted star anise, noodles, grilled bbq chicken thigh and served with lots of mix-and-match toppings. A perfect dish to share.

SESAME MAPLE RIBS

Half rack of fall off the bone ribs marinated overnight, grilled, baked and glazed with the sweetest organic maple syrup. Served with house-made Japanese sweet potato chips with a spicy mayo and Japanese-style salad.

HAR GOW

Steamed translucent dumplings filled with shrimp.

Sesame maple ribs with har gow dumplings.

VIETNAMESE FRIED SPRING ROLLS

A crispy and crunchy entrée bursting with flavours. Minced pork, shrimp, wood ear mushrooms and vermicelli wrapped in rice paper and then fried to a golden brown.

Vietnamese fried spring rolls with tea.

SHANGHAI SOUP DUMPLINGS

This appetizer is bursting with deliciousness and is a must-try! It consists of a paper-thin steamed wrapper enveloping a dup of seasoned pork filling and hot flavourful soup. 

JAPANESE SWEET POTATO CHIPS

These housemade chips are a purely addictive snack!

Shanghai soup dumplings with Japanese sweet potato chips.

Open 11am-2pm for lunch and 4pm-7pm for dinner. Closed Sunday and Monday.

For reservations and takeout, call 613-354-9888

Where: 19A Market Square, Napanee, ON

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
New Winter Wellness Outdoor Experience: Stoked Sauna Co.

New Winter Wellness Outdoor Experience: Stoked Sauna Co.


Stoked Sauna Co. and cheese fondue.

There’s a new steamy winter wellness outdoor experience called Stoked Sauna Co. at the Frontenac Club! This gem of an oasis is the perfect wellness moment you need this season for your mind and body to unwind, and feel relaxed and refreshed. And it’s right in downtown Kingston.

Stoked Sauna Co in Kingston Ontario.

Each 75-minute guided session uses the natural nordic practice of sauna bathing. With three rounds within the sauna, while also enjoying time on the patio in between by the fire, you also have the opportunity to try the ice baths if you're brave enough!

 Did you know it offers so many health benefits from soothing sore muscles⁠⁣, to improving your heart health and boosting your mood⁣?!

 It’s a must-try experience whether you go solo, with a friend or as a group.

Non alcholic cocktail and Frontenac Club restaurant menu.

And once you’re all good to go, you can head inside the Bank Gastrobar at the Frontenac Club for an après spa menu to end your experience with an amazingly curated drink and a delicious meal from a cheesy fondue, split pea soup or candied salmon.

WHAT TO BRING?

Swimsuit, flip flops, water bottle and your favourite winter hat or headband.

Book your session online: www.stokedsaunaco.com

Where: 225 King St E, Kingston, ON

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
New Restaurant: Heist Restaurant and Wine Club in Downtown Kingston

New Restaurant: Heist Restaurant and Wine Club in Downtown Kingston


The wait is officially over!

📍: Kingston, Ontario

The brand new and most anticipated spot in downtown Kingston has officially opened its doors and I had the pleasure of being invited for a sneak peek of Heist Restaurant + Wine Club with bae and my mum. This foodie adventure was truly unique and a spectacular experience. From pasta, and pizzas to seafood and classic dishes, this restaurant is absolutely stunning - having been a bank before, the CaraCo Homes family ventured into the restaurant space to plan the most perfect culinary destination with the most beautiful space. It’s so warm and inviting.

p.s. online reservations are available, click here!

Tagliatelle bolognese and restaurant menu.

Scroll down to see a few of the dishes we sampled:

Beef carpaccio and arancini.

BEEF CARPACCIO

Baby arugula, grana padano, truffle aioli, crouton. Simply melts in your mouth!

ARANCINI 

Crispy saffron, lemon + sweet pea rice balls,  homemade tomato sauce + grated grana padano. The flavours are so complimentary of one another!

PAN SEARED DEEP SEA SCALLOPS

With grilled corn, leek crema + toasted pistachio. Highly recommend!

GRILLED LAMB SAUSAGE

Creamy polenta, charred rapini with a grainy mustard demi.

Pan seared deep sea scallops and grilled lamb sausages.

MEZZA RIGATONI VODKA

Made with pancetta, scallion, chillies in a vodka-tomato-cream sauce. You might have to wear your stretchy pants as portions are quite generous and the dish itself is so nice, especially in the winter.

TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE

Slowly braised ragout of pork, beef + veal with sweet onion, fresh basil, shaved grana padano, d.o.p. tomato sauce. 

Tagliatelle bolognese and mezza rigatoni vodka pasta.

CHICKEN PARMESAN

Pan-roasted chicken cutlet with tomato sauce + buffalo mozzarella. Such a perfect dish to share

DESSERT 

As our meal was coming to an end, our bellies were filled with so much goodness that we decided to share a tiramisu. The dessert menu aka the getaway included other wonderful options such as fruit + sorbet, banana toffee pudding, vanilla crème brûlée, flourless chocolate torte and vegan cheesecake. So many drool-worthy sweet treats to try! 🤤

Outdoor sign of Heist Restaurant + Wine Club in Downtown Kingston next to tiramisu cake

NEXT UP

I’m already thinking of my next visit - I’ll definitely be ordering the lobster and prawn dumplings, pan roasted potato gnocchi, and Australian lamb!

Congratulations to the entire HEIST team! Our dining experience was truly wonderful from the food, service and ambience. Kingston is so lucky to have this great new addition to its culinary scene! 🎉

Where: 168 Wellington St, Kingston, ON

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
Let Me Reintroduce Myself

Let Me Reintroduce Myself


Hi, I’m Rosalyn! 👋

Dozen donuts from Coffeeway and portrait of Rosalyn Gambhir smiling

For those of you who are new here, I thought I’d reintroduce myself. Originally from Montréal, Québec, I moved to Kingston to attend Queen's University as a Queen's Engineer back in 2008 and well, I’ve stayed ever since. 

I met my other half who completed me in every way possible. Together for over ten years now - this Kingston native, my partner-in-crime and foodie accomplice has brought out the best in me one day at a time. Our passion for cooking and trying new things led me to creating a foodie bucket list in 2012 of restaurants to try out in Kingston and document my experiences on my blog, which was well before Instagram was super popular. (I may have just aged myself LOL 🫣🤣)

Whether it's exploring the local food scene, going to amazing local events or taking foodie road trips to nearby towns, I'm all about being a tourist in my own city and beyond. This site and my social channels are all about allowing you to discover hidden gems in your own backyard and supporting our truly wonderful restaurants, businesses and passionate individuals behind the scenes, while also sharing who I am as a person, my likes, my life, my adorable pup Dakota and more.

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
How to Make An Easy Cheesy Egg Breakfast Sandwich

How to Make An Easy Cheesy Egg Breakfast Sandwich


If you've been following my Instagram Stories lately you'd know that I am slightly obsessed with starting my morning with my go-to cheesy egg sandwich on the weekends, which literally takes me less than 5 minutes to make, and if I'm feeling spicy, I'll cook up some bacon as well but not today.

How to Make An Easy Cheesy Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Here’s how to make it:

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

2 eggs 

A pinch of black pepper

A pinch of parsley

2 slices of cheddar cheese

English muffin, bun, or bread

A few stripes of bacon

Butter 

How to Make An Easy Cheesy Egg Breakfast Sandwich

HOW TO MAKE AN EASY EGG SANDWICH:

1. Pop your bread of choice in the toaster

2. Crack the eggs in a bowl, slightly whip, add pepper and parsley on top 

3. Microwave the egg mixture for 40-45 seconds and keep a close eye!

4. Once toasted, spread a generous amount of butter on the toast

5. Assemble your sandwich

👉🏼 cheese on the bottom then the eggs and then cheese again; it’s that easy! 

How to Make An Easy Cheesy Egg Breakfast Sandwich

Enjoy! 🤤

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
How To Make An Iced Chai Latte

How To Make An Iced Chai Latte


 Kicking it off this morning with a homemade iced chai latte because sometimes you just need a little extra oomph to get the day started! I have been obsessed with this drink because it’s so dang easy to make when I’m half awake. I’ve really been trying to step up my at home coffee and tea game during the lockdown and finding this Tazo chai concentrate just hit the spot!

How to make a homemade iced chai latte

HOW I MAKE AN ICED CHAI LATTE:

1. Start off with a glass half-filled with ice

2. Pour 1 cup of the Tazo chai concentrate

3. Add your desired amount of milk. I usually do a quarter cup of 1% regular milk

4. Stir to combine and enjoy!

Cheers! ☕️

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
Things I've Learned During the Pandemic

Things I've Learned During the Pandemic


It truly has been quite some time since I last posted on the blog - almost nine months. I cringe seeing that number - primarily because my blog has always been my creative outlet and for some reason, things changed. During my time off, I was busy with my day job where I was in an acting role, figuring out life, obviously dealing with the pandemic, and spending time with my partner and dog. It's hard to explain because every day, I'd have different emotions, moods, and thoughts. Now that I've reprioritized what is important to me, I'm officially back and wanted to share a few things I've learned.

Things I've Learned During the Pandemic

Time & Slow Living

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we lived in a fast-paced world that was obsessed with prioritizing productivity. But once the lockdowns hit, the pace of life slowed dramatically overnight for everyone. I'm not going to lie but it felt nice. Choosing to intentionally slow down and pausing allowed me to realize and re-evaluate what was truly important. Rather than having the mentality of being stuck at home, I was safe at home. Pausing from a full calendar and long to-do lists, taking a moment to simply be.

Bae and I didn't take this for granted but more so as a blessing. I reminded myself that this is life, right here and right now. Life is so precious and we sometimes forget about it being so caught up with our lives and careers that we miss what is right in front of us.

Thanks to the pandemic:

We redecorated our living room. We enjoyed our backyard a lot more in the summer. We lounged around in our backyard. Roasted marshmallows by the fire pit enjoying cool summer nights. Made a whole ton of pizzas using our Ooni Karu. Bae did phenomenal with this vegetable and flower garden. We had tons of adventures with the dog. And so much more!

  We created some awesome memories of being home together while being in the moment.

Validating Your Feelings

After almost a year and a half of living during a pandemic - it's safe to say that a lot of us are experiencing fatigue and burnout. We're emotionally exhausted. That adrenaline we all had at the beginning when working from home was amazing and then, well, it slowly faded. From uncertainty to stress to dealing with the never-ending changes to restrictions and news cycle, know that you aren't alone in your feelings. 

We all need to recognize that we dealt with are still dealing with some hard stuff. We are making things up as we go along. 

I know for myself as I write this even after all this time, I'm tired, have lost passion in things I once loved to do, I am disappointed in others, burnt out, and feeling meh. I know some people have bounced right back with the lowering of restrictions but we're all different in how we approach life from feeling lost, confused, anxious, or being worried.

With all that being said, we need to have patience and compassion for ourselves. We need to take care of ourselves - our feelings are valid and normal. 

Things I've Learned During the Pandemic

Be Kind To Yourself

Living through this pandemic has been tough and we all know it by now. So let's not try to push away our feelings to the side because facing the reality of our current experience is key to getting through this. A key item that I learned from this pandemic was to carve out some uninterrupted 'me time' to just be. Whether that was a simple morning enjoying tea and watching Netflix or sitting outside enjoying the sounds of nature, it brought a sense of calm. 

Self-care is a priority, not a privilege.

It helped me disconnect for a short period of time - it was a moment of peace especially in a time where we're all glued to our phones, endlessly scrolling and consumed by the digital sphere.

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
Hello 2021

Hello 2021


2020 was certainly a heck of a year and that's putting it lightly. These past few months have taught us to be even more grateful especially for our health and our families. This pandemic caused quite the disruption to our daily lives, while also adding uncertainty, fear, anxiety and lifestyle changes. Needless to say, this has been an extremely challenging year for us with lows and highlights.

While it's time to turn the page on 2020 and welcome 2021, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate all the significant moments we've accomplished and should be proud of - they certainly have brought us together in so many ways! On a global level, we developed a vaccine in record time, started to show more appreciation for local and small businesses, have put more of a focus on mental health and supporting those in need, learned to be grateful for those close to us and our health, spent more time at home and outdoors, witnessed incredible feats with social and racial injustice, found the silver lining in the little things and the list goes on!

While I didn't post as much as I had hoped for on my blog this year, I couldn’t let the year go by without publishing my annual end-of-year post where I share a recap on the year and my goals for the upcoming year. 

Hello 2021 By Rosalyn Gambhir The Staycationer

Recap

I wanted to share something I wrote on Instagram on March 22, 2020 - a week after we went into our first official full lockdown:

Truth: It’s been a long and tiring week staying up to date during these challenging times. This weekend I finally took a moment to let everything sink in and reflect. ❤ I've been avoiding talking about what's happening (publicly) as it adds to my anxiety and positive thinking lets me coast and avoids stress (I know I’m not alone).⠀

During this difficult time, my feed and stories will be a place of positivity for our community and I look forward (with you all!) to share practical yet inspiring ways to uphold our #YGK spirit in the face of this global challenge. As always, I’ll be continuing to share my love of local businesses/restaurants, recipes, bae and his gardening (@rootswithryan), our pup Dakota and more! And leave a comment below to let me know what YOU would like to see, hear and learn more about!

We will get through this together. 

The response I received from this post made my cheeks hurt from smiling as I do what I do online for the love of my community! The words I wrote above still ring true to the type of content I hope to share and the feelings still linger as well even as we welcome a new year. This emotional rollercoaster of a year had us feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, helpless and exhausted, but most importantly we persevered. We were hopeful, resilient and strong! Even though we were six feet apart, it brought us closer together as a community more than ever.

Personally, it definitely allowed me to spend more time with my fiancée and pups Dakota!

Rosalyn Gambhir, Dog, Fiancee, Home Sweet Home Doormat

2020 was filled with...

A global pandemic. A vaccine. Unprecedented times. Staying home. Quarantine. Face masks. Flattening the Curve. Social distancing. Endless amounts of hand sanitizer. Lockdowns. A new norm. Essential workers and front line staff. Unemployment. Chaos. Struggle. Black Lives Matter movement and racial reckoning. Grief. Climate change. A presidential impeachment. A monumental election. Transformation. Supporting local and small businesses. Work from home. Zoom calls. FaceTime. Microsoft Teams meetings. No makeup days. Loungewear. Baking bread.

Working from Home

On March 11th, the World Health Organization officially declared that COVID-19 was a pandemic and thus, the new norm of working from home was set upon my colleagues and I on March 16, 2020. While many thought this to be temporary, we were wrong. We're now almost 11 months in and no end in sight. Working, sleeping, eating, breathing and trying to decompress all in the same space has become exhausting. Pair all of that with an increase in screen time and well I don't need to tell you what that does to someone's mental health.

In 2020, the lines between home life and work were very much blended. While the luxury of working from home was appealing to many, what we’re forgetting is that, for most of us, an office wasn't just an office, it was a place where we spent most of our time. A place to eat lunch with our peers, vent about the frustrations of work and life. An office provided a routine, a structure and above all, a community.

But now, our computers and our screens act as barriers as we sit at home. We don't get to see our peers every day like we use to. We might have check-ins, team meetings and mental health resources but at the end of the day, there is no substitute for seeing and interacting with people. We no longer have the spur of the moment meetings or casual hallway chats that lead to creative ideas or to simply catch up.

Personally, the work from home process was fine and dandy at the start, but I did get into a major rut. I was feeling unmotivated, anxious, tired and unable to sleep well. I was groggy when I woke up. My mind was foggy. While I juggled pretty much two roles and gave 110% to my day job, my personal life was lacking. Work-life balance was non-existent some days. My workspace at home became my office for my day job when it was originally dedicated as my creative zone.

While I did have workplace flexibility with my work schedule, this also hindered me as I'd sometimes do work at night when I knew I'd get bursts of energy or sparks of motivation or have my creative juices going to get work done for the social media aspect of my role. I was more focused and present, primarily due to it being silent with no distractions of my dog barking (love Dakota but she can be loud!), notifications, video calls or meetings. 

Overall, this work from home situation is still an adjustment. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Social Media & Its Consumption

With news of lockdowns and measures to stay home, it's no surprise people took to social media to keep busy and entertained this year. But 2020 was no joke for communications and social media managers as the start of the new decade brought on a whole new set of challenges with trying to stay afloat with the overload of information.

The positive to 2020 was the incredible community on Twitter that came together! There are some true gems out there in the industry that simply shined the light on the hard work we do as professionals and it was refreshing. Go follow these amazing folks on Twitter: @jsstanse @AnthonyYepez @jenncrim @HashtagHeyAlexa @SippinSocialTea @chvrlesjr and introduce yourself using #MarketingTwitter.

I know for myself that friends and colleagues sometimes underestimate my responsibilities and assume my job in social is fun and easy. At the end of the day, we are digital bodyguards to a brand - we take all the hits and avoid situations from escalating up the chain. We know first hand the voice of the customer as we interact with our audiences on a daily basis, so we will certainly know how they'll react to information that is shared. We have crafted engaged and insightful communities where ultimately we have set a tone for the page. 

You might be asking yourself, why the heck is she going on about this stuff? The reason is that social media managers were online front line staff as well during 2020. Many suffered from burnout and were constantly exhausted by the bombardment of information, trolls, angry customers but also the consumption of evolving news while keeping up with the demand of their jobs.

One of the things I wanted to focus on during 2020 was to not have my work be my identity aka as a social media manager and communication lead, I am not the brand I work for aka I don't take anything personally when people comment, tweet or message. So when I finally close my laptop or put down my phone and disconnect from work at the end of the day, it’s my personal happiness, values and fulfillment that matter most.

Social & Racial Injustice

In June, I shared on the blog (read here) about how we need to use our voice with everything that still continues to happen even if it makes us uncomfortable. Taking the risk to speak up rather than staying silent. We showed that discomfort leads to bigger things. If we want to instill change, we need to do our part. We need to listen. We need to do our research. We need to start advocating for change in politics. We can't just plainly ignore what is happening. We need to have the willingness to learn. We need to open our hearts and our minds. If we have the capacity to speak out, respect boundaries and do so. I reminded people to have a conversation to “call-in” others rather than “calling out.” Our voices are powerful. We are a strong community that can make a difference. We need to be unified when it comes to injustices and continue this journey well into 2021 and further.

Supporting Local & Small Businesses

2020 allowed us to show our appreciation for local and small businesses more than ever! As we know, Kingston is a wonderful city and we know darn well the value and importance of community. With the news of the lockdown in Ontario, this year I focused on spreading the message of local love and supporting local, not just today but every day, as small businesses are the backbone of our community.

Remember that our community of passionate people keep our city alive and gives it its unique flavour. So by supporting those businesses, you also ensure that uniqueness is preserved as a part of our community. Also, in some shape, way, or form, we are personally invested as our friends, family and neighbours are local business owners or are employed by those owners. We celebrate when our favourite local business succeeds and we mourn when they're forced to shut their doors.

So please do me a favour. In 2021, let's continue to show our love for local! 💕

Supporting local and small businesses

Staying Home with Bae

If you asked my fiancée aka foodie partner in crime what he thought of 2020, he honestly would say that it had its silver lining. With all the chaos and disruption 2020 presented us with, he shifted his mindset to be more positive but in a manner where the tasks and projects he took on allowed him to have control in what seemed like an uncontrollable world. As he spent more time at home, he focused on our backyard, expanded his garden yield allowing us to be more self-sufficient in our eating habits, allowed us to become healthier (he's great in the kitchen!) and made our backyard a true zen zone.

Staying home brought about a newfound appreciation for the things that made us feel alive and finding joy in small things. While I was working from home, my escape from my desk was the outdoors and our backyard. Our evenings were filled with walking our dog Dakota, bonfires and roasting marshmallows, dinners on our deck, making homemade pizzas using our Ooni Karu (wood chip pizza oven!) and enjoying each other's company. Sounds cheesy and old couple like but we'd also bird watch as well! 😂

Lastly, along with the vegetables that Ryan grew this year, a highlight to each start of my work week was the fresh cut flowers from our garden on my desk along with my morning breakfast of toast with homemade jams that he made with the fresh black raspberries from our garden as well as local blueberries, strawberries and apples. Honestly, I think he needs to open his own shop!

p.s. go follow @RootsWithRyan on Instagram!

Backyard zen zone with tall trees and garden fresh tomatoes

In 2021, I hope to...

In an effort to try and end the year on a positive note, here are a few items I want to focus on in 2021:

1. Slow Down & Be Present

I'm committing to setting healthy boundaries in my life to prioritize and valuing my well-being. I've realized that I need to take moments to slow down, rest and recharge. It’s so easy to get caught up in the cycle of never sitting down, trying to cross off items on your to-do list and always feeling like you should be doing something. I’m quite guilty of this and taking a much-needed break is definitely needed if I want to perform and give my best to those around me.

Self-care is a priority, not a privilege.

As social media and communications professionals, we are part of an “always-on” culture. Always responsive. Always listening. Always plugged in 24/7/365 to our news feeds and consuming information even if we're not on the clock.

Like a pendulum, sometimes slowing down can feel like you’re moving backwards, but as I see it your stepping back to reflect so you can be pushed forward to grow even more. So today and moving forward, I'm going to allow myself to slow down a little. Remember that taking time for yourself is not selfish or lazy. We need to commend ourselves for getting through 2020 and knowing when I need to refocus to make space for mental breaks and protect my mental health is key to my well-being.

2. Stay Positive

Like I said in my post for 2020, this isn't a new goal whatsoever but a reminder. Having a positive mindset has played a huge role in my life for a few years now. Learning the ability to stay resilient when times are tough in life or work has held me together.  If you're struggling to shift your mindset, don't worry, honestly, it takes baby sets and doesn't happen overnight. Simply know and say to yourself that this is a moment in time that you will get through and get past it. Celebrating the small happy moments and the little joys in a day.

In a previous post, I said the following and it certainly still applies,

Staying positive leaves us more motivated, productive, improve our mood and of course likely to succeed. Remember to fuel your passion and go that extra mile - blogging and work can be quite demanding with struggles of burnouts and criticism. So keep your head held up high and rock what you've got!

We made it! Cheers to a new year!

Let’s look forward and hope for the day where we may see our loved ones who we have missed so much, travel again and not live in fear for our well-being.

Read more »
Rosalyn Gambhir
0 Comments
[name=Rosalyn Gambhir] [img=https://i.imgur.com/9rNiMGU.jpg] [description=Rosalyn Gambhir is the gal behind the blog The Staycationer. Whether it's exploring the local food scene with her foodie partner-in-crime or taking in the view from her favourite cafe, Rosalyn is always a tourist, looking for the next exciting adventure within Kingston, Ontario and beyond. The Staycationer allows you to rediscover hidden gems in your very own backyard.] (facebook=https://www.facebook.com/thestaycationer) (twitter=https://twitter.com/rosalyngambhir) (instagram=https://www.instagram.com/rosalyngambhir/)

Follow @rosalyngambhir