Brunch is reason enough to get out of bed in the morning.

Venturing out of the house for that midday meal is a gratifying ritual that deserves to be celebrated – preferably over mimosas. It’s the perfect remedy for hangovers and weekday woes, an indulgent wake-up call ready to be devoured.

Here’s a short list of our favourite classic brunches, because who doesn’t crave the simplicity of eggs, bacon or perhaps some pancakes or waffles?  It’s simply inexcusable to mess up.

1. Eggs Benedict

A dish traditionally comprised of English muffins topped with poached eggs, peameal bacon and doused in lusciously buttery hollandaise, eggs benny are hands down a pleasure to dig into and guaranteed to be oozing with golden yolks. Let’s not forget the sides of perfectly seasoned potatoes to complete the dish for an extra satisfying result.

Feeling a tad adventurous? How about adding some lobster or salmon?

2. French Toast

A true staple on brunch menus, French toast appeals to those with a sweet tooth looking to satisfy morning cravings with thick slabs of bread soaked in crème anglaise, browned golden in butter and then dressed in a sweet finish of Canada’s most prized and essential local commodity, maple syrup. Sounds decadent right?

This is a brunch dish so classic, it’s no wonder that kitchens like to get creative with combinations with berry coulis, apple butter and dollops of goodness and…the options are endless.

3. Pancakes

There’s just something so comforting about a big ol’ stack of flapjacks – they’re the perfect weekend pick me up. Slather on a little butter and douse them with good maple syrup and you’re good to go. These fluffy sweet or savoury delights of various thickness, fillings and toppings are as classic as it gets.

After being cooked in a pan they arrive on your plate to fulfill their glorious life purpose as the classic brunch food.

4. Waffles

Waffles are no longer exclusively for those looking to fulfill their sweet indulgence. Sure, you’ll find waffles loaded with maple syrup, powdered sugar, fruits and whipped cream, but welcome to 2015 and you can now order waffles paired with crispy fried chicken, doused in hollandaise sauce, or infused with pumpkin spice – add some syrup and goodness gracious this classic brunch meal is complete.

5. Sunny Side Up

A decision that is unique to every individual and a dream order for any chef. Topped with freshly ground pepper, fresh herbs and a side of hash, the moment the yolk is poked is the defining moment that brunch has officially commenced.

This blog was originally posted on Gusto TV.

Craving a rich and creamy milkshake?

Well, you're in luck and using just a few ingredients, you can whip up peanut buttery goodness to treat yourself using Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Spread. Say what? You heard me, it's like a match made in heaven. (Bonus: it can now be found at your local grocery store.) Take that Nutella - sorry but this gal is allergic to hazelnuts and as good as hazelnuts are with chocolate, they can never overcome chocolate’s true counterpart - peanut butter.


So a big thank you to Reese for adding a twist and introducing this sweet and salty delight in which I may have already had numerous spoonfuls of and 100% reliving my childhood (you only live once right!).

Reese's lovers rejoice and spread the love with this luscious, frosty peanut butter chocolate milkshake recipe:

Thank you Hershey Canada for sponsoring this post!

While I have been compensated monetarily and with a product - this recipe and review are all my own honest opinions and experiences.

Check out my recent adventure to the County and snapshots of my go-to spots:

{Barley Days Brewery}

Where:

Rosehall Run Winery | 1243 Greer Rd, Wellington, ON
Norman Hardie Vineyard & Winery | 1152 Greer Rd, Wellington, ON
Drake Devonshire | 24 Wharf St, Wellington, ON
Barley Days Brewery | 13730 Loyalist Pkwy, Picton, ON

Other Favourite Stops in Prince Edward County:

Ice Cream at Slickers
Cooking Class at From the Farm Cooking School
Great Canadian Cheese Festival in June
Apple Cider at The County County Cider
Treat yourself at The Pink Lunch Pail Bakery
Barn searching at Hinterland Winery, Closson Chase and Karlo Estates.
Picnic with local elements at Grange of Prince Edward County
Dogs, live music, wine and wood fire meals at Three Dog Winery

A long standing tradition, the relationship between the Marines from Marine Barracks Washington,  D.C., and the Fort Henry Guard dates back to 1954. The two units have paraded together countless times both at the Fort and at Marine Barracks Washington, D.C. It was a pleasure to have them back in Kingston, Ontario this past summer!

A few snap shots from the night's performance:

To view more images, visit The Staycationer on Facebook here!

-xoxo

I'm all about supporting my adoptive hometown of Kingston, especially when it comes to locally grown products and this past weekend I discovered the Memorial Centre Farmers' Market. The question I ask myself now is - why did I wait this long? Goodness gracious I should have been all over this market from day one especially since it is all producer-run. What does that mean? All products are grown and produced in the Kingston 'foodshed' – within about 100km of the market.

This hidden gem in the heart of Kingston is filled with excitement, friendly faces and a sense of belonging. It is such a quaint market that brings the community together with fresh local products as well as live music, yoga, food demos and kid activities. It's a Sunday adventure for everyone to enjoy!

p.s. you have to try the hot sticky buns from Long Road Eco Farm!

Snapshots from my market adventure:

It's hard to believe that the month of August is right around the corner which ultimately means that the end of summer is drawing closer. I've come to realize that weekends have come and gone and thus so have the weeks. It is with this in mind that I have created once again a bucket list of items to do within my adoptive city of Kingston. I'm one who very much enjoys staycation experiences and having the opportunity to embrace my surroundings as they have made me who I am today. Kingston is filled with hidden gems and thanks to my adventurous self, I'm always on the hunt to excite my curiosity.

As a workaholic who works full-time, blogs and does freelance writing as well as social media management, I am quite the busy bee. So unplugging for a few hours (okay with the exception of snapping photos!) is quite pleasurable and relaxing.

Snapshots of my Kingston moments:

{Sip on the best cafe lattes in town at the Common Market - a hidden gem in downtown Kingston}

{Visit Salt of the Earth Farm Stand on Highway 2}

"The sweetest memories are made of good friends, good food, and a little slice of time to be together."

Le Petit Bar

Where: 399 Water St, Peterborough, ON

Le Petit Bar is a wine and charcuterie bar inspired by the wine bars in Paris. From the zinc counter top to an extensive wine list, this cozy yet intimate atmosphere brings to the table a seasonally-inspired menu featuring small plates and boards of house-made charcuterie and artisanal cheeses selected from Chasing The Cheese.

Smoke’s Poutinerie World Famous Great Canadian Cross Country Plaid Gravy Train Fries Curd & Gravy Weird Wild and Wacky Poutine Eating Tour is coming to Kingston, Ontario on Friday, July 17th - it will offer free poutine and amateur speed eating poutine competition for locals!

Are you ready? How do you like your poutine?

Who: 

Master of Ceremonies, Tim 'Gravy' Brown, famed international competitive eating champion; and the SPWFGCCCPGTFCGWWWPET2015 tour team.

When: 

Friday, July 17th, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Where: 

Smoke’s Poutinerie, 183 Division St., Kingston, ON

Cost:

Free

What: 

Smoke Poutinerie goes across the country this summer with SPWFGCCCPGTFCGWWWPET2015 which kicked off in Dartmouth on July 13, 2015 and will stop in 18 cities before concluding in Vancouver on August 6, 2015. At every tour destination, the public is invited for free poutine, chances to win Smoke’s Poutinerie swag and prizes, and best of all, can enter an amateur speed eating competition for the chance to win an all-expense paid trip to compete in the 6th annual World Poutine Eating Championship to be held in Toronto on October 3, 2015.

See ya there!