Vancouver Restaurant: Ramen Butcher

R is for Ramen Butcher which is a Japanese comfort food restaurant in Chinatown on Georgia Street.  It is a lovely gem admist the hustle and bustle of the streets.  

The Ramen Butcher has its specialty menu which focuses on as the name suggest "ramen".  Since this Japanese Ramen restaurant makes fresh noodles and provides extra noodles as a part of their service.  This is a great way to ensure that people leave with happy with a full belly.  

I've tried ramen before but had never heard of Tsukemen so I had to give it a try.  Tsukemen is a dish where the noodles are served separately from the soup concentrate and instead of drinking the soup, it is enjoyed by dipping the noodles in the soup concentrate.  It's flavorful and fun to be dipping noodles.  After the plate of noodles, they provide "soup wari" which dilutes the conentrate so it can be consumed.  Those who wish may ask for rice to combine in the soup.  It was a fun experience and I was full without the rice.  

This might be because we started with Karrage and they were plump pieces of fried chicken served with sauce and is meant for sharing. 

One friend had the classic Tonkatsu (Pork Broth) Ramen with the marinated egg and thin noodles.

Another friend had the Tori Ramen (Chicken Ramen) served with medium thick noodles and after he finished the extra noodle ball with his leftover soup, that was enough to keep him full.

The Ramen Butcher was a great place to catch up with friends and enjoy the Japanese comfort food.  Everything on the menu was delicious!  They have monthly specials and at $10-$15 per bowl, this makes the Ramen Butcher worth returning for. 

#AtoZChallenge - D is for Done

D is for Done the #AtoZChallenge.  As you might have noticed I started to get behind in the daily blogging challenge.  It's weird because in November I do National Blog Posting Month and am able to finish writing daily blog posts everyday in November.  For some reason the added challenge of writing blog posts with specific letters makes it more difficult and harder for me to complete.  I gave it my best effort!  I give kudos to all of the participants who have survived or will survive the #AtoZChallenge!  It was fun while it lasted.  

What I have realized is that attempting the #AtoZChallenge during the beginning of my busy work season does not seem to work.  Last year I did well during my days off but when I was back working the regular Monday to Friday 9-5 schedule, it threw me off track.  

Guess the same thing happened this year!  But I did try the #AtoZChallenge!  Good luck to all of those who are carrying on!  I'll be thinking of you!  As for me, I will retire the #AtoZChallenge banner and say maybe next year....or someday....maybe.

#AtoZChallenge - B is for Beautiful British Columbia

Beautiful British Columbia - I live in British Columbia and I am amazed every day of the beauty that this province has to offer.  Explore B.C. to see all the natural scenery that surrounds us and all the beautiful cities and towns in B.C.  Here's a short list of different places that are a walk down memory lane for me.

Smithers, BC is childhood.  This quaint little town in Northen BC is a small tourist town with one Hudson Bay Mountain for skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer.  The population is still around 5,000 which is perfect for getting to know others in the community.  Even though I don't live there anymore, I love returning to the natural surroundings and beautiful scenery.

Victoria, BC is university life.  Victoria is where the students and seniors collide.  It is a small city of 80,000 people and has the University of Victoria.  Victoria is British Columbia's capital city where the Legislature Buildings are.  It has British heritage and the famous Empress Hotel in the Inner Harbour where you can have a cup of tea.  The Inner Harbour is bustling in the summer with buskers and activity.  

Victoria BC - The Legislature Building

Victoria BC - The Empress Hotel

  
Vancouver, BC is adulthood.  Vancouver and the Greater Lower Mainland has a population density of close to 2.5 million.  Vancouver is dense and full of activity.  It has the mountains and the water and beauty that surrounds it.  Even though I live in the city, I am still amazed every time I bring visitors around Vancouver to explore Gastown or walk along Coal Harbour.  There is always something new to explore.  

Vancouver BC - Vancouver Convention Center

Vancouver BC - Steamclock in Gastown

#AtoZChallenge - A is for Accountability

A is for Accountability 

Last year was when I discovered the A to Z Blog Challenge and I didn't really know what it entailed and did not make it very far.  So this year I wanted to try the challenge again with a more disciplined approach.  

So what is this challenge all about?  Almost everyday in April bloggers will post about a specific letter of the alphabet.  It is a good way to stay committed to blogging with a community and with a fun challenge.  

A to Z Blog Challenge is a good way to stay accountable and in this case it is for blogging but I find that having an Accountability Partner is a great way to stay motivated and inspired.  Here are the different ways to have an accountability partners for different areas of life. 

Minimalist Challenge - 30 days give away 1 item each day.  Share a photo of your daily item with your accountability partner.  (Variation of Minimalist Game)

Spa Buddy - Self care is important when anxiety and stress levels are on the rise.  Have a buddy who you can count on to have monthly spa dates.  

Fitbit Challenges - This is where a whole group of friends can get together and challenge each other to walk more and get those steps.  Everyone in the fitbit challenge can cheer each other's progress and chat with others during the challenge.  

Fitness Buddy - While training for the Sun Run my fitness buddy and I decided on a realistic goal.  Ours was to bit active for 20 minutes three times a week and then to email each other on our progress for accountability.  

Elle Luna 100 Day Project - To spark your creativity, choose a daily creative task that you want to do daily and create a #100daysof____ so others participating in the #100dayproject can follow.  There is strong community on Instagram.  In 2015 I had #100daysofnaturephotography.  What will yours be for 2017?

#AtoZChallenge E is for ENDED

E is for ENDED

#AtoZChallenge at first was a motivating way for me to blog.  Blogging as my hobby.  Blogging for fun.  After 5 days with most of the blogs written during my vacation days, I have to throw in the towel with the letter E.  This ENDS my journey through the #AtoZChallenge.  

It is fun and motivating but I realized that it is not for me.  When I start to think of blogging as work after a long day's work, it is when I have to stop.  

I hope the fellow #AtoZChallengers will continue on and write their alphabet blogs.  As for me, I am like Gizmo from the Gremlins.  DONE.

Gizmo from the Gremlins at the EMP Museum in Seattle

Deer Lake Park

Deer Lake Park is situated in Burnaby, BC and close to Metrotown.  It is a small lake where people can rent canoes and boats in the busy summer months.  There are walking trails that surround the lake and the Shadbolt Arts Center and Burnaby Art Gallery are nearby.  The walking trails are well maintained and it is well used.  They built a boardwalk so that a part of the trails is going across the lake.  There are herons and geese and dog walkers and runners.  

Some places are more populated than others but it is easy to find a quiet place.  Most who go there want to be in nature for awhile or to sit on a nearby park bench and enjoy the natural view in the middle of the city. It is great to visit on a sunny day or to go walk around right before sunset.  

Each time I go I find new scenery, flora and fauna, and views that capture my lens.  Enjoy the photos from my March visits to Deer Lake Park in Burnaby.

Deer Lake - Fish pond

Deer Lake Sunset

Deer Lake Boardwalk

Deer Lake at Sunset

Deer Lake Walking Trails

Cherry Blossom Festival 2016 #AtoZChallenge

 Cherry Blossom Festival is every Spring.  It is a beautiful time of year when the cherry blossom trees are in bloom and in Vancouver, they celebrate fully with a variety of different events over the spring time.  

Even though some events were in March, there are still a lot of Cherry Blossom Festival events around Vancouver for April.  

These include Tree Talks and Walks at local parks where you can see the cherry blossoms and learn more about them.  

There is also The Sakura Days Japan Fair which features Japanese festival food, demonstrations, art, trees and talks, music and more.  A weekend of exploring Japanese culture on April 9th and 10th.

This year they have a new event called the Blossom Barge where they will sail a barge along the waterways.  And of course you can also enter the Haiku or Photography contests.  

I love the pink bloomed trees and how they brighten up the landscape.  It is a beautiful time of year and the Cherry Blossom Festival helps you celebrate that whether you enjoy taking photos (like me), writing poetry, enjoying nature, or participating in festivals.  There is a little something for everyone.  That's why C is for Cherry Blossoms.

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Events:  http://www.vcbf.ca/community-events

Breakfast or Brunch in Burnaby #AtoZChallenge

Breakfast or Brunch

Breakfast is as many say the most important part of the day and it is the work day that we mostly refer to.  It is also the meal that can easily get skipped.  

I've made yogurt parfaits at home the night before to have a quick breakfast in the morning when I wake up at 6am.  As you can imagine on those busy weekday mornings, the last thing I want to do is make breakfast.  If I don't have breakfast at home, I eat breakfast at the cafeteria at work.  So I can literally get up and go.  Breakfast is rushed but fast and easy. 

Brunch is usually on the weekends and is a combination of breakfast and lunch.  It is the best of both worlds depending on your taste buds.  On the weekends, we sleep in and we don't need to have a quick breakfast on the go.  Instead we can take our time and luxuriate with coffee (for those who drink it) and enjoy brunch over a few hours.  There is no work week rush.  

Burnaby Trattoria opens at 11am for their weekend brunch.  Most of the time when we go, we are greeted at our table with a complimentary bread pudding with chantilly whipped cream.  Such a nice appetizer to start off the day before we order our meal.  They have a small select number of brunch items which I am slowing tasting through the menu with each visit.  

Breakfast Pizza

What's on the menu?  

Breakfast pizza as pictured is topped with double smoked bacon, egg, and tomatoes.  WOW!  It comes full size so I could only eat half.  If you want a savory meal and are hungry, order this one.

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict

Smoked Salmon Eggs Benedict or Traditional Eggs Benedict which comes with hashbrowns and a green salad.  Both are what you would expect from a morning brunch.  Eggs benedict as always are topped with hollandaise sauce.  

I'm curious to try their Truffled Mushroom Frittata next.



Trattoria Burnaby Brunch Menu 

April Challenge - YYoga 30 Day April Challenge #atozchallenge

Hello Vancity Girlfriends,

This is the year of health and fitness and I have fallen in love with YYoga again because of their holiday special.  Last year I bought a 10 class pass for $110 and the downfall is that YYoga is a little bit of a commute.  But I have tried to make it worthwhile.  I procrastinated until its expiry date of March 31st but through that time discovered Warm Yin Yoga, YRide, and Pilates Fusion.  

What is the April Challenge?  

In April YYoga is having a 30 Day Challenge where you can pay $135 for a one month pass and try to go to YYoga everyday for the entire month of April.  When you go to a class you get entered for prizes and this is a wonderful way to stay fit, motivated, and mindful.  I wish I lived across the street from a YYoga studio.  

If I did I would do it!  I'm sure it would be transformative.  One day....

YYoga Website:  http://www.yyoga.ca/


Or find a way to do your own Active April Challenge and find time for fitness, and health into your life.  It might be going to the gym or yoga studio, walking or running with a friend, stretching at home or meditating everyday.  It's good to mix it up to motivate yourself a bit more.  I know I would get bored of doing the same thing everyday.  

It's just a way to bring a bit of fitness into your life for 30 days and after that who knows, it just might end up becoming a healthy habit.

I'm joining the Blogging from A to Z for the first time this year in 2016.