Montreal

This day last week myself and Parker headed off to Montreal from Toronto, we both had a half day and got the 3.15 pm train. We arrived into Montreal around 8.30 pm and headed straight to our hotel. We stayed in the Hilton Garden Inn and I could not recommend it more. It was central, the room was very clean and the staff were attentive. They also have a pool on the top floor of the hotel. It was a great hangover cure on the Saturday morning.

On the Friday night we met my cousin (I have so many and it's great as they are spread out over the world) and we went for drinks. He took us to a few different bars on Bishops St and many drinks later we got back to our hotel. Saturday morning we woke up early and went to the pool and hot tub to help us start our day of adventures.

We headed out and went straight to Old Montreal, which was highly recommended by many people. If you're visiting from a big city like Toronto, downtown Montreal isn't that appealing as its just big buildings. Although I love that about Toronto, I was coming to Montreal to see something different. Different is certainly what I got. The whole time I was there I felt like I was in France or somewhere a million miles away.

We walked around Old Montreal admiring the beautiful architecture and stopped for lunch in a restaurant called Solmar on Rue St Paul, it looked cute and people were sitting outside so we decided to do the same. I got steak and frites and it was delicious. All the restaurants on Rue St Paul looked lovely and all were very busy so if you go there you have lots of choice on that street.

It was a beautiful day so after our lunch we walked around the old port. There was lots happening down there especially it being a long weekend. There was markets, street performers and activities for both children and adults like zip lining, adventure courses etc. It looks like a lovely place to just relax and enjoy the weather too.

After enjoying the sunshine and walking around we decided we needed a refreshment so we headed to a roof top bar called Terrasse Nelligan part of Hotel Nelligan. The atmosphere was great up there with everyone enjoying the beginning of the summer.

We went back to our hotel to get ready for dinner and drinks with my cousin. He brought us to a restaurant called Le Vin Papillon which is the same owners as Joe Beef a very well known restaurant in Montreal. It's a tapas style restaurant. The menu changes all the time and its written up on a blackboard (in french) so if you don't have someone with you that speaks french you might have fun guessing. They are very helpful though and recommend dishes to you. The food was incredible and the wine was great too.

After dinner we headed to The Drinkerie, they do cool cocktails there. So many to choose from! We then headed to The Burgundy Lion and were greeted with free shots of whiskey, the perks of having a cousin whose a bartender! Lastly we went to Le Bureau, a cosy tapas and cocktail bar. It opens until 3am... I am surprised I lasted until then.

We had a really fun night and it was great to catch up with my cousin. Sore heads in the morning as we got up and got ready to explore more and make the most of our last day in Montreal. Part 2 is to follow......

Talk soon xx

Zita J

                                                                     

Low fodmap diet

I mentioned last week on my Instagram and Facebook how I am on a special diet called FODMAP. FODMAPs is an abbreviation referring to Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides and Polyols. These are complex names for a collection of molecules found in food, that can be poorly absorbed by some people. So I am 10 days in and I wanted to fill you in on what it's all about. I haven't been feeling great for a number of years now and I have gotten tests done to see if I am celiac etc and it came back clear but I was advised about 4 or 5 years ago to limit the amount of gluten as it doesn't agree with me. I did that for awhile but as time passed I started to reintroduce it again.

However lately I have been feeling quite bad so I decided to go to a naturopathic doctor. My work benefits covered it too which is great. He recommended I go on a low fodmap diet for 3 weeks and then reassess and go from there. Low FODMAP diets are usually not a permanent diet, most of the time its about cutting lots of food such as gluten, cows milk, garlic, onion etc out of your diet and then reintroducing them to see what triggers you feeling unwell. That way you can figure out what food you should limit or avoid completely.

With the diet I am on  there are a lot of food that I cannot have anymore. Some I was very surprised by like certain vegetables i.e broccoli, although I am not complaining. The main foods that I have been advised to stay away from is foods containing gluten. Most dairy products expect hard cheeses which I also find odd.  I can’t have garlic, onions, sweet corn, apple, some juices. There is a big list!

I have also been advised to stop drinking tea and change to green tea as there is less caffeine in green tea. I usually drink three cups of tea a day and I am not going to lie I am finding it very hard to not have "real tea". What am I going to do with all my Barry’s Tea my mum has sent me? I may treat myself to one cup at the weekends but for now its green tea or decaffeinated orange pekoe. (This just isn’t the same) Must get the mother to send decaffeinated Barry’s Tea... Lol!

Along with the foods to avoid I have to take psyllium husk every day. I was told to drink it with water but after two times empty reaching into the sink trying to drink it, I decided to put it in my porridge in the morning instead. You wouldn't even notice the difference. Psyllium husk is a way of getting more fiber into you and has many benefits which included: 

• Health heart and improved cholesterol   
• Makes bowel movements easier, yes I am talking about poos on my blog.
• Weight management, as it makes you feel fuller for longer.
• It has also been said to help with diabetes.

I have also been advised to drink apple cider vinegar before my meals, I have started to do this before my dinner. It is like some form of torture to be honest but I am getting use to it. I was told to take it before meals as it helps in the process of digestion however its said to have many more benefits:

• Can treat acid reflux and heartburn
• Can kill yeast and boost probiotics
• Can help fight allergies 
• Cure colds and sore throats
• Lowers blood pressure
• Helps support weight loss
• Improves hair and skin 

To be honest it hasn't been the hardest thing ever. Some days are easier than other. With the support of my personal chef Parker, he has thought of so many great delicious dishes that are gluten, dairy free and low FODMAP friendly and you wouldn't even notice the difference. I have realised that I have to be more organised and super prepared so that I am not buying foods that I need to avoid.

Obviously at times it can be frustrating, especially for a big foodie like me who loves going out for food but I'll get there and more importantly I feel GREAT! Isn't that what it's all about.  It might not be forever and I may be able to introduce these foods again but for now I am living,learning and feeling good!

This diet isn't for everyone so if you feel unwell go to your doctor, Don't self diagnose yourself. But don't let it go on too long if your not feeling 100%. Your health is everything!

I can still enjoy my food and treat myself...just see below.

Peanut butter, sugar, egg, baking soda and vanilla with dairy free chocolate chips. Gluten and dairy free cookies and super simple to make.

 

Gluten free nachos, beef mince with passata (strained tomatoes), salt, pepper, paprika, chili and hard cheese(which I am allowed). Delicious!

I will put up more food related blogs in the coming weeks if people like and it might help some of you! For now I am off to pack and get ready for our trip to Montreal this weekend. Follow my trip on Instagram: zitajames.

Talk soon xx

Zita J