Regardless of my health status, I had planned to make the Monday before Christmas a sick day. Over the weekend, a sore throat and sinus pain had crept up, then gradually subsided with diligent nasal rinsing. Meanwhile, the remainder of the household was engulfed with severe flu symptoms, ranging from fever to nausea and vomiting, and a persistent cough.
My once peaceful morning was consequently repurposed for doctor appointment drop-off, medication pick-up, and groceries.
My once peaceful morning was consequently repurposed for doctor appointment drop-off, medication pick-up, and groceries.
In spite of an early awakening, my eventual departure for the northeast end of the GTA was delayed.
I arrived at my first stop of Oomomo around 1:15 PM - approximately 1.25h behind schedule. Locating parking in the FMP plaza is perpetually a nightmare; thankful was I to have chanced across two vacancies during my second loop about the space.
The intent had been to purchase a holiday card and envelope set prior to seeing Sunday Baking at her pop-up. Alas, all Christmas-themed items had sold out. I resorted to the next best alternative of a wintry dove letter kit.
I arrived at my first stop of Oomomo around 1:15 PM - approximately 1.25h behind schedule. Locating parking in the FMP plaza is perpetually a nightmare; thankful was I to have chanced across two vacancies during my second loop about the space.
The intent had been to purchase a holiday card and envelope set prior to seeing Sunday Baking at her pop-up. Alas, all Christmas-themed items had sold out. I resorted to the next best alternative of a wintry dove letter kit.
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The pickup process was as swift as could be - it was my commentary that was not! Having been presented with the rare opportunity to relay my appreciation in the flesh, I couldn't help but excitedly express my gratitude and admiration for her creative masterpieces! The honour was truly mine. Sunday Baking was easily my baking role model, in addition to my mentor and teacher. She had, albeit unknowingly, enabled me to create by providing free, valuable content via her YouTube videos and remarkable troubleshooting. I was ecstatic, for since the end of the stay sweet phase, I hadn't been certain that I would see her again.
When ROYCE's Nama Chocolate had first risen to fame, I committed to a box at their Richmond Centre kiosk. After bringing the costly specimen back home though, I quickly discovered my aversion towards the dimensionless squares and their excessive dusting of cocoa powder.
But Sunday Baking's creations are different. Despite having reservations about certain treats, I've learned to trust in her formulas. The same theory was applied to the quad of Nama Chocolate on offer at the holiday pop-up.
But Sunday Baking's creations are different. Despite having reservations about certain treats, I've learned to trust in her formulas. The same theory was applied to the quad of Nama Chocolate on offer at the holiday pop-up.
Strawberry was fruity, refreshingly tart, and irresistibly creamy.
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Noir was roasted, refined, and indulgent.
Matcha was the stunner of the entire set - I essentially went to heaven and came back! The harmony of velvety chocolate with distinct and aromatic grassiness was unreal.
As an enjoyer of matcha, I instantly fell head over heels for this flavour!
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Black Sesame was a close second, exuding a magical profile that had me coming back for seconds, and even thirds! Nutty, delightful, and sophisticated, the concoction incorporated the complex properties of black sesame with the appropriate degree of astringency and sweetness.
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As the pop-up utilized the physical storefront of Hatch Coffee, all chocolate pre-orders were required to be picked up within the roaster's hours of operation: 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Naturally, I decided to take advantage of the long commute and populate the rest of my day's schedule with ̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ back-to-back activities.
I was quickly reminded that driving along Hwy 7 was no simple feat. Even 2 km routes somehow required upwards of twenty minutes! It was like Vancouver all over again...
I was quickly reminded that driving along Hwy 7 was no simple feat. Even 2 km routes somehow required upwards of twenty minutes! It was like Vancouver all over again...
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On the way to a friend's humble abode, I stopped by Lucullus for procurement of our household classics. Conveniently secured in a string of individually packaged buns were: Raisin Brown ($4.25), Cappuccino Roll Cake ($3.75), Pineapple Bun (2.75), and Vanilla Sponge Cake ($1.95). The transaction set me back $13.10 after applicable taxes, noting that the Raisin Brown was subject to none.
At the tardy hour of 2:30 PM, I finally arrived for a long-awaited hangout and baking session! Hurriedly compiled the night before were ingredients for a Brownie-Cookie hybrid - a Brookie.
As I would be working in an environment devoid of both common pantry items and baking tools, most were brought from home. With the exceptions of butter, eggs, and potentially contaminated granulated sugar, the balance of the required items found their way into my trusty cooler bag.
As I would be working in an environment devoid of both common pantry items and baking tools, most were brought from home. With the exceptions of butter, eggs, and potentially contaminated granulated sugar, the balance of the required items found their way into my trusty cooler bag.
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Both recipes had been developed from yours truly, and originate directly from this space. Unfortunately, the cookies spread far too thin, while the brownies fudgy but devoid of their signature wispy, crackly surface.
The Tim Hortons' style Brookie was a new attempt on my part. We had debated between the slab and individual editions the afternoon prior, but ultimately agreed on the latter. (My vote was cast firmly against the dimensionless monstrosity.) There wasn't a tremendous amount of thought invested into the process, for I reckoned my usual 1.5 tbsp portion would suffice in partially encasing an approximate 1 in x 1 in brownie square.
The Tim Hortons' style Brookie was a new attempt on my part. We had debated between the slab and individual editions the afternoon prior, but ultimately agreed on the latter. (My vote was cast firmly against the dimensionless monstrosity.) There wasn't a tremendous amount of thought invested into the process, for I reckoned my usual 1.5 tbsp portion would suffice in partially encasing an approximate 1 in x 1 in brownie square.
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Results were acceptable, for the creation bore visual similarities to that of the Canadian franchise.
My only gripe were the rigidity and crumbliness of the cookies. Airy and voluminous they were not; warm, decadent puddles couverture had not been dotted over the surface either. I was assured that all creations were tasty, even if they had fallen short of personal expectations.
All in all, it was a fun, entertaining time. A White Grape Slush from HERO Tea constituted a well-deserved post-baking treat.
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Around 6:20 PM, I arrived at Rehab Plus Pilates for my reserved trial session. Inclusive of card fees (?!), the group class had set me back a reasonable $23.58. In the absence of Reformer Level 2+, I had opted for Wunda Chair Level 2-3. My time at J Pilates had allowed me to align expectations with the difficulty levels associated with Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced classes.
The class comprised of five participants, all of which were regular attendees with the exception of myself. We commenced by sitting on the Chair and pushing down on the pedals with the feet either in straight and turnout positions. This mimicked the footwork of Reformer classes, which were conducted on medium to high spring tension and occasionally with the incorporation of the Cardio-Tramp.
Core exercises followed, first with Hundreds with alternating tabletop and extended legs, next with oblique curls, and finally oblique to teaser sequences. Consistent with the Level 2-3 classification, modifications were not used for any of these exercises. Hundreds commenced in pilates stance with the feet in tabletop position. At first, I was confused at how the Hundreds could be executed on the Chair, only to later learn that the platform of the Chair exclusively provided support for the trunk of the body, prompting the legs and upper back/head to remain in a lifted position for the duration of the exercise. Failure to keep these body parts elevated and maintain core engagement would result in near-immediate neck strain and toppling off the Chair.
Oblique exercises were somewhat familiar, given past experience in private sessions and matwork "prep" from Well + Good using the medium stability ball for enhanced range of motion. The first exercise was executed lying sideways on the Chair platform, legs extended in line with the hips. With two tension strings affixed to the pedals, the bottom hand pressed down on the inhale, while the torso curled upwards and upper arm lifted above the head on the exhale. Emphasis was placed on progressing through the full range of motion while keeping the legs lifted. Of course, maintain leg height grew more challenging with repetition. A subsequent exercise involved alternating between oblique curls and rotating onto the glutes to lift into a full teaser. To ensure adequate space on the Chair platform, participants were instructed to enter the side-lying position as close to handlebars of the apparatus as possible. My neighbours were not fond of the teaser variation whatsoever, though I found this routine oddly therapeutic and enjoyably challenging.
The class comprised of five participants, all of which were regular attendees with the exception of myself. We commenced by sitting on the Chair and pushing down on the pedals with the feet either in straight and turnout positions. This mimicked the footwork of Reformer classes, which were conducted on medium to high spring tension and occasionally with the incorporation of the Cardio-Tramp.
Core exercises followed, first with Hundreds with alternating tabletop and extended legs, next with oblique curls, and finally oblique to teaser sequences. Consistent with the Level 2-3 classification, modifications were not used for any of these exercises. Hundreds commenced in pilates stance with the feet in tabletop position. At first, I was confused at how the Hundreds could be executed on the Chair, only to later learn that the platform of the Chair exclusively provided support for the trunk of the body, prompting the legs and upper back/head to remain in a lifted position for the duration of the exercise. Failure to keep these body parts elevated and maintain core engagement would result in near-immediate neck strain and toppling off the Chair.
Oblique exercises were somewhat familiar, given past experience in private sessions and matwork "prep" from Well + Good using the medium stability ball for enhanced range of motion. The first exercise was executed lying sideways on the Chair platform, legs extended in line with the hips. With two tension strings affixed to the pedals, the bottom hand pressed down on the inhale, while the torso curled upwards and upper arm lifted above the head on the exhale. Emphasis was placed on progressing through the full range of motion while keeping the legs lifted. Of course, maintain leg height grew more challenging with repetition. A subsequent exercise involved alternating between oblique curls and rotating onto the glutes to lift into a full teaser. To ensure adequate space on the Chair platform, participants were instructed to enter the side-lying position as close to handlebars of the apparatus as possible. My neighbours were not fond of the teaser variation whatsoever, though I found this routine oddly therapeutic and enjoyably challenging.
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We rotated the Chair 180 deg several times afterwards, either to conduct leg exercises standing on the Chair platform or tricep dips with the feet placed in a turnout position on the pedals. With no more than two tension springs affixed to the pedals, single-legged lunges were undeniably easier than at Dal Pilates. That class had resulted in trembling inner thighs like never before!
My contemplations were premature though, as elevated curtsy lunges were up next. I struggled to place weight onto the pedals then extend the standing leg to return to the starting position, as did the other class participants. This variation was mentally noted as an area of improvement; I'd likely take to the foam roller to improve stability and range in the side glute.
In true pilates fashion, the instructor reserved the most challenging exercises for the final fifteen minutes of class. With frequent breaks requested by other class participants, I had assumed myself to be ready to dive into the next sequence. Alas, suspending the entirety of my body using the handlebars was hardly feasible with my minimal upper body strength.
All variations revolved around curling the body to tuck a leg (or both) into the chest then extending and lengthening. The single leg tucks were somewhat manageable, though my hands experienced tremendous pain from the handlebars. Double leg extensions with leg lifts were near impossible, even with the low rep count of five. When curling into a ball while suspended by both hands, I found it tragically difficult to maintain the contracted position with stillness. I began to sway front and back, quivering until I subconsciously surrendered and placed both feet on the platform for a well-deserved break. By the end of the sequence, my hands had become tingling and numb. My upper back, lats, and shoulders were unquestionably sore, though my quads and glutes at an acceptable tolerance of muscle fatigue.
My contemplations were premature though, as elevated curtsy lunges were up next. I struggled to place weight onto the pedals then extend the standing leg to return to the starting position, as did the other class participants. This variation was mentally noted as an area of improvement; I'd likely take to the foam roller to improve stability and range in the side glute.
In true pilates fashion, the instructor reserved the most challenging exercises for the final fifteen minutes of class. With frequent breaks requested by other class participants, I had assumed myself to be ready to dive into the next sequence. Alas, suspending the entirety of my body using the handlebars was hardly feasible with my minimal upper body strength.
All variations revolved around curling the body to tuck a leg (or both) into the chest then extending and lengthening. The single leg tucks were somewhat manageable, though my hands experienced tremendous pain from the handlebars. Double leg extensions with leg lifts were near impossible, even with the low rep count of five. When curling into a ball while suspended by both hands, I found it tragically difficult to maintain the contracted position with stillness. I began to sway front and back, quivering until I subconsciously surrendered and placed both feet on the platform for a well-deserved break. By the end of the sequence, my hands had become tingling and numb. My upper back, lats, and shoulders were unquestionably sore, though my quads and glutes at an acceptable tolerance of muscle fatigue.
A pigeon stretch with spine articulation concluded the session.
The Wunda Chair had been interesting: individual exercises were tough, but executed at low reps with frequent breaks. Compared to Reformer, which is easier to adapt to different skill levels, the configuration of the Chair demanded better body control overall. I enjoyed the core routines, especially the oblique to teaser sequence, and discovered motivation to conquer the elevated curtsy lunges.
It can be concluded that the Wunda Chair provides wonderful opportunities to strengthen the shoulders and upper body and improve range of motion across all limbs. Also worth noting was the ability to skip hair-washing as one did not need to lie down on the shared apparatus.
At the end of the class, I retreated to the cubbies to retrieve my belongings. The instructor approached me to commend my efforts. She had been excellent at keeping track of each participant's form, reminding me to relax the shoulders and clavicle. Another participant had raised concerns over elbow joint pain, which was addressed via demonstration of proper form.
"Do you do dance?" she asked me. I nodded in surprise, as I had not anticipated such a question. "I know since your core is strong."
In addition to choreography, I noted previous studio experience and regular undertaking of mat pialtes at home. "Mat pilates is hard!" she responded.
The Wunda Chair had been interesting: individual exercises were tough, but executed at low reps with frequent breaks. Compared to Reformer, which is easier to adapt to different skill levels, the configuration of the Chair demanded better body control overall. I enjoyed the core routines, especially the oblique to teaser sequence, and discovered motivation to conquer the elevated curtsy lunges.
It can be concluded that the Wunda Chair provides wonderful opportunities to strengthen the shoulders and upper body and improve range of motion across all limbs. Also worth noting was the ability to skip hair-washing as one did not need to lie down on the shared apparatus.
At the end of the class, I retreated to the cubbies to retrieve my belongings. The instructor approached me to commend my efforts. She had been excellent at keeping track of each participant's form, reminding me to relax the shoulders and clavicle. Another participant had raised concerns over elbow joint pain, which was addressed via demonstration of proper form.
"Do you do dance?" she asked me. I nodded in surprise, as I had not anticipated such a question. "I know since your core is strong."
In addition to choreography, I noted previous studio experience and regular undertaking of mat pialtes at home. "Mat pilates is hard!" she responded.
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As the next class began to file into the studio, I followed in the lead of other class participants in sanitizing my Chair. Then I made a beeline for the washroom and changing area. It was a stall far more spacious and pristine than anticipated, complete with cozy decor and a sensor-embedded mirror.
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Dinner plans with ochungg were cancelled abruptly on the account that neither of us had fully recovered from illness. I requested a brief meetup regardless, at which point it became evident that she was more ill than me.
I continued towards Millstone Rice Rolls after the exchange, for sustenance was non-negotiable at the late hour.
I continued towards Millstone Rice Rolls after the exchange, for sustenance was non-negotiable at the late hour.
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A trio of Millstone Special Minced Pork Rice Roll, Lettuce w/ Oyster Sauce, and Astarte with Pork Congee soothed my shivering soul.
The rice rolls adopted the format of wrinkled rice noodles, rather than soft, starch-based wraps encasing bits of protein. As a consequence, they were not only easier to digest, but readily assumed the flavours of sweet soy sauce. This dish was best consumed fresh, for the rice rolls had a tendency to disintegrate easily due to high porosity.
Scalding hot was the congee. While the bits of shellfish and seasoned pork strips contributed umami, the highlight was none other than the supple consistency of the congee itself. Freshly chopped scallions furthered its dimension, rendering the bowl delicious, hearty, and gratifying.
As for the $9.99 Lettuce with Oyster Sauce, it was a pricey but passable fix for greens.
Scalding hot was the congee. While the bits of shellfish and seasoned pork strips contributed umami, the highlight was none other than the supple consistency of the congee itself. Freshly chopped scallions furthered its dimension, rendering the bowl delicious, hearty, and gratifying.
As for the $9.99 Lettuce with Oyster Sauce, it was a pricey but passable fix for greens.
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I declared Millstone worthy of a revisit, especially for congee. For those that live in fear of filthy bathroom stalls (ahem, me), this RH outlet was outright startling in its secondary usage as a janitorial closet. Nevertheless, facilities were acceptable for their intended usage.
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Just prior to departing, I took to another order of Millstone Special Minced Pork Rice Roll to go. A request for Sliced Fish Congee somehow transformed into Slice Fish Rice Rolls, which I would not recommend over the eatery's signature congee. Orders over $30 enabled the Millstone Black Sesame Paste to obtained for just $1.99. The cashier assisted me in applying this promotion, as my cart had automatically cleared after placement of the dine-in orders.
Take note: Millstone only accepts payment in the form of cash or debit. Browser-based settlement is not available, despite their adoption of a QR-based ordering system.
105 km later, back home we came.
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