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12 Kingston Foodie Spots to Beat the Cold


Winter is pretty in theory, but we all feel a little down when the world outside is covered with a layer snow (and ice lately). Seriously, this frigid weather isn't my friend and I'm constantly asking when spring will make an appearance. On the bright side, though the love of carbs might have increased,  I know my foodie cravings are also at an all-time high this season.

Thankfully, Kingston is a foodie destination that appeals to all taste buds and why shouldn't we all treat ourselves once and awhile especially when it's freezing outside? From the cutest coffee shops with amazing flat whites to locally owned restaurants with flair, get ready to make your Instagram feed #goals. You'll be the instant envy of all your foodie-obsessed followers.

12 Kingston Foodie Spots to Beat the Cold

Load up the carbs (in moderation of course), the delicious goodness and let's beat the winter blues with these amazing Kingston hot spots:

COFFEE WAY KINGSTON

The best donuts in town!

NORTHSIDE ESPRESSO + KITCHEN

Best spot to indulge in our caffeine craving.

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CACAO 70

Chocolate lovers rejoice!

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BELLA MARKET

Grab a cup of tea and warm up with a sweet cinnamon bun.

LE CHEIN NOIR

Sometimes all we need is a good drink in hand and our fav gal pals.

OLIVEA

Look no further for fresh pasta after a skate at Springer Market Square!

STONE CITY ALE

Ooey gooey cheesy goodness with a bit of a jalapeno kick to warm you up!

SAKA

This new addition to the foodie scene is a must to escape the cold.

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ROYAL ANGKOR

What better to warm up than with a flavourful curry!

TOAST & JAM

Weekend brunch? You best arrive early to avoid lineups! You won't regret the visit.

MEMORIAL FARMERS MARKET

Did someone say perogies and dim sum? I guess I know what you're doing this Sunday!

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BUBBA'S

Late night cravings in the downtown core? That's an easy one - poutine of course.

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CHEESECAKERY BAKERY

Netflix and chill anyone? Grab your cheesecake in a jar and enjoy.

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What are your go-to spots on a chilly day?

Rosalyn Gambhir
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Grilled Jerk Shrimp with Pineapple Rice


As the days get shorter and the months get colder (especially with the freezing rain), I simply dread coming home and thinking about what to make for dinner. What ingredients do I have? How long will it take? I'm a 30-minute prep dinner type of gal during the week or else I get 'hangry' and it ain't pretty. My foodie partner-in-crime can vouch for that.

So while I wish it was sunny and above 20 degrees, what better way to bring a little bit of Caribbean flavour to my kitchen than with jerk seasoning.

Are you ready to dial up the heat for dinner tonight?

Whether you're planning a Caribbean feast or just want to snack, fire up the grill and get ready to enjoy some great mouthwatering jerk shrimp with pineapple rice thanks to Grace Foods.

Not only will jerk provide a punch of flavour to your meal, but it will also give you an extra boost during these colder months and perk up your palate.  The heat of the jerk marinade complements the freshness and sweetness of pineapples in this dish with just the right amount of spice and happy tingle.

Scroll down to learn how to keep the spice alive with island sizzle!

Jerk Shrimp Pineapple Rice

Jerk Shrimp Pineapple Rice

JERK SHRIMP WITH PINEAPPLE RICE

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 30 min

Ingredients

Shrimp
1 pound large shrimp, tail on, deveined and cleaned
1 tablespoon of Olive Oil
1 cup of Grace Jerk Marinade
1 cup of cubed pineapple
1/2 cup pepper diced
1/2 cup baby tomato diced
1/2 lime

Pineapple Rice
1 cup of Basmati rice
2 cups of water
1/2 cup of diced pineapple
1/2 lime

Instructions

Step 1 - Shrimp

Combine Grace Jerk Marinade and shrimp in a large bowl. Toss well to coat and let marinate for a few hours to overnight. Prepare grill to medium-high heat (350° to 400°) and oil the grill once it's preheated with your choice of oil. Olive oil was used here.

While the grill heats up, thread shrimp evenly onto metal skewers along with tomatoes, pepper and cubed pineapple. Then squeeze lime over top for extra flavouring. Set aside.

Step 2 - Pineapple Rice 

In a medium-sized pot add water, diced pineapple and lime juice. Bring a pot to a boil. Add the rice, stir, and wait until the water comes back to a full boil. When it does, reduce to a simmer and then cover. Cook rice for 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed and rice is soft. Remove from heat and let rice sit for 2-3 minutes covered.

Step 3 

As the rice is being prepared, place shrimp skewers on the grill for 8 minutes and then turn once for 4-6 minutes or desired tenderness.

Place rice in a bowl and top with grilled jerk shrimp, pineapple and tomatos!

Jerk Shrimp Pineapple Rice

Jerk Shrimp Pineapple Rice

Jerk Shrimp Pineapple Rice

Thank you to Grace Foods for sponsoring this post!
Rosalyn Gambhir
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A New Me


I'll be honest I don't do resolutions or goals and that's because I never stick with them. Raise your hand if you're like me - we all have good intentions at the beginning, but then the inconveniences of life get in the way and obviously the excuses which we all know too well.

This year, I've made a commitment to myself:

Be the best you. Eat well and indulge in moderation, continue on your self-care journey and make time for those you cherish the most.

With the holidays officially over and all that glutenous food out of way, it’s time to get back to reality. To get back on track and to stick to my new intentions, I have decided to make a change to my morning routine (goodbye cheesy egg sandwiches and coffee) and find a way to enjoy something that will bring joy but also fire up my metabolism to get my brain and muscles going in the morning. Starting the day in the best way possible to start fresh and let the creative juices flowing is now a focus and priority in my life. My diet was by no means perfect so restoring my digestive health is important.

The Fix

I'll be starting my morning with a healthy coconut water kale beet berry smoothie loaded with fruits and veggies. The best part? I purchased a Vitamix last year and it has been truly amazing. My morning routine is getting a kick in the butt and what better way than to start on a positive note while savouring a tasty drink.

Tip

Make the smoothie on a Sunday and pour into sealable mason jars or upright plastic containers with twist tops for easy grab and go on busy mornings.

Kale Beet Blueberry Smoothie

 KALE BEET BERRY SMOOTHIE

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 10 min

Ingredients 

1 cup Grace Foods Pure Coconut Water
1 cup orange juice
2 medium-sized raw carrots, peeled and shredded
2 small to medium-sized raw purple beets, peeled and shredded
1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries/blueberries
1/2 cup diced kale
1/2 cup grapes

Other Optional Ingredients

1/2 cup sliced apples as berry substitute
1/2 cup of avocado or 1 banana to provide additional thickness and nutrients

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

If too thick, add ice water to thin out.

Kale Beet Blueberry Smoothie

Kale Beet Blueberry Smoothie

Thank you to Grace Foods for sponsoring this post!
Rosalyn Gambhir
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Hello 2018


2017 was a year that flew by, I blinked my eyes and woosh, 365 days later, 2018 is here. What a year! It has been unreal, in so many ways - it was one of closure, acceptance, joy and celebrations. I celebrated a year at my job, formed amazing new friendships and the year ended with a bang (you'll just have to read further to find out!).

As I look towards 2018 - I hope to find new ways to channel my creativity as I prosper in my blogging adventures but also daily life. With that being said, I'm sharing how I have grown this year, what has changed, a few lessons and simply reflect. 

1. Growth through Self-Care

Taking care of my well-being was a priority and commitment to myself this past year. Whether it was taking Sundays off to spend time with my partner, saying no to events or choosing to sleep in, I focused my energy on quality friendships, loved ones and my passions. This stemmed from shifting my mindset to resonate with positivity and it ultimately fueled my growth as well as my inner worth. I relished in daily goals and highlights. The funny thing is that as I focused on myself, everything else seemed to fall into place too. I think by bringing my absolute best self to the table, I was able to get by remarkably better, which affects every aspect of my life.  

2. New Adventures and Friendships

Some grew distant, some bonds strengthened and I realized that having a few handful of quality friends was key. This year, I made more time for friends despite a busy schedule - best part? Thanks to the power of social media. I also realized that letting go of all the toxic people was beneficial - I didn't want to surround myself with people who would question my choices or workplace negatively but also gossip about others. Simply staying in tune with those who resonate positive energy was my goal and am extremely grateful for those friendships.

3. Stepping Out of my Comfort Zone

Blogging has changed tremendously, where it once used to be a creative outlet for many, it is now a trend. If you've been a reader for a few years, you'll know that I choose to settle down in Kingston, Ontario. I truly fell in love with the city, it's people (and a boy) and food (obviously). I started blogging to escape the campus bubble, journey through the many restaurants and discovered Twitter through blogging, where I met some truly amazing people. Though as the years past and I opened myself to Instagram (I was hesitant as Twitter was my jam). I discovered a new community, one that spoke of collaboration over competition and used phrases such as finding your tribe. BUT I soon realized this platform was toxic. Whether it was the comparison game or dealing with negativity from other creators - there's a reason I never felt fully comfortable getting too personal.

But 2018 will be the year where I will be more open and honest with my readers and put myself forward without giving a care of what people think.

4. Let's Get Personal  

2017 was crucial as I took a step back from blogging slightly and focused on my full-time job. I wanted to refuel my passion and give my writing a refresh as blogging can be quite demanding with struggles of burnouts and criticism. It's all about work-life balance baby and I love it all but sometimes we all need a bit of a break! On the other hand, it was also an amazing year personally. Bae (foodie partner-in-crime, boyfriend, partner haha) and I became homeowners, adopted a new dog and the big news was that we got ENGAGED over the holidays (woo hoo!).

5. In 2018, I want...

To keep it short and sweet - I would like to still put me first, be more present, create more content and explore way more. The list of exciting opportunities and places has already started and I can't wait to see what 2018 has in store.

Cheers to a new year!
Rosalyn Gambhir
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[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/)

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