Diner en Blanc Vancouver
Last night Conny, our significant others and myself participated in the city’s first Diner en Blanc. Huh?
Diner en Blanc (dinner in white) is a flash mob dinner (they call it a pop-up picnic which is much more chic). It started in Paris, France over 24 years ago and this year Vancouver was added to the more than 15 cities around the world to host the event (Montréal, Québec, and Toronto are the only other Canadian locals). Participants of the event are required to come dressed in white and must bring their own white chairs, tables and picnic baskets containing table linens, stemware, dishes, cutlery and table centerpiece. Wine/champs are pre-ordered (this is not a byob type of event) and food may be pre-ordered or brought in individually. Last night there were three meeting locations for the 1200 participants and the best part, we didn’t know until the very last minute where the event would be held. Intrigued?
We arrived at our meeting location, Kitts Point, promptly at 6pm. Check-in was a little scattered, but once we found our table leader (who was dressed in a very elegant toga, really, it was a good choice for him) we loaded our table and chairs on the bus provided and made our way to the secret location.
Check in
Conny and I had our suspicions where the event would be held (we thought around Science World) and were more than pleasantly surprised when we made our way into the downtown core and came to a stop in front of the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre. After our section (200 people) had arrived and unloaded we made our way into the Jack Poole Plaza (home of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Cauldron) to set up.
Now this whole evening was Conny’s baby, she designed the menu, assigned the to-do list, I just did as I was told. We set up quickly, the boys went in search of our wine and within minutes we were settled and ready to take in the ambiance. What a sight to watch.
the view of the mountains
set-up
the wine has arrived
Conny putting the finishing touches on the table
Conny and I en blanc
bon appetit
On our menu:
Course 1: Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese, Brie, Baguette, Basil, Fruit
Course 2: Asian Coleslaw with Soy/Ginger Vinaigrette, Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Breasts, Freshly Baked Focaccia
Course 3: Chocolate brownie with Blackberry Coulis
Delish does not even cover it.
After dinner the people watching started as did the dancing (I missed the sparklers as I was in search of a friendly bathroom).
A truly remarkable and beautiful event. Will I attend next year? Absolutely. Well done everyone, until next year…
Salute
Last Chance Workout – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
This is it, one final workout to add to the challenge.
For me, it was a two hour domestic goddess bootcamp spit polishing my home to make it viewing ready. Fingers crossed.
So how did you spend this final day of August?
Day 30 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
This month has flown by!
It was an early 10km trail run with Conny this morning. With the blackberries out in full force we were a little worried about running into Mr. Bear. To make ourselves feel more at ease, we went with the concept that bears don’t like to climb hills. It sounded good to us, but our theory was proved null and void when we noticed the amount of bear scat on hill number 2.
I finished my workout with 2 cycles of body weight resistance and core exercises and a much needed full body stretch.
Well this is it, or is it? Day 30 of the challenge, but 31 days in the month…since it’s my challenge, I say tomorrow is a bonus day. Have a good look at your month, did you miss anything? Tomorrow is your last chance workout, or if you are confident you have covered all bases, take the day off.
How did you sweat today?
Day 29 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
Well it is down to the wire my friends, the final 2 days of our challenge.
It has been all work and no play for me today. I got my sweat on by creating training plans for 8 of my lucky (I guess it all depends on how you look at it, but they did volunteer) clients. My eyes are burning, my brain has turned to mush and I am exhausted.
How did you sweat?
Day 28 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge – I’m Aunt!
Judging by the world of hurt my body is in after yesterday’s Accumulator workout, it is painfully obvious that I have neglected a few muscle groups since starting my vacay.
It was a 10km golf course/trail run with Conny this morning for me. Check out the wall of blackberries conveniently located at our turn-back spot.
breakfast!
I am looking forward to the rest of the day, at 2:26 this morning my niece Mya made her long awaited entrance to the world. Congratulations G and J9, you are going to be fabulous parents, and I am FINALLY an Aunt!
Day 27 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
After logging some serious miles this weekend, this morning’s workout had to be completely run free. I opened the big Studio door, pulled out some equipment, cranked the music and Accumulated.
Step, 10lb weight, pull up bar (fits into door frame), weighted rope, mat and Bosu (base up).
Modifications/substitutions made:
- Side to side squats – done over step, with pulse on top
- Substituted skipping with weighted rope for jumping jacks
- Alternating lunges were done off the step, added 10lb weight from round 4 on for an overhead press
- Modified bicycle crunches to scissor leg crunches (instead of bent leg, used straight leg)
- Plank done with Bosu, prone position, hands on base of Bosu
- Added plyometric jump onto step to leap frogs
- Substituted pull-ups for dips (never made it a full 30 seconds, but I really tried)
- Used Bosu for push-ups (toes resting on base)
- Used Bosu for burpees, lifting the Bosu overhead at the end of each one
- Substituted wall squats for high knees (I felt like I was in grade 9 PE again)
So what was my final exercise? Oh yeah, burpees baby!
How did you sweat on this final Monday of August?
Day 26 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
I ran the big block with D and Chris this morning. Chris gave us the City Chase race recap, we sang a little Nelly, ate some blackberries, chatted about current happenings and I sweat BIG TIME!
What did you do?
Day 25 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
I hit the trails this morning with the gang. We ran from the UBC Research Forest to the top of Incline in Golden Ears Park. And hell yes, I ran Incline! What goes up, must come down and then back up a bit and then back down. 13.5km, 302m of elevation gain, by far my favourite run of the summer so far.
How did you sweat?
Day 24 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
Road trips are always fun, but it was so nice to return back to the country, my animals and my bed last night.
This morning I taught my final spin class before the annual Leisure Centre shutdown. 6 hills ranging from 2.5 minutes to 9.5 minutes, finishing with one of my favorite workout songs EVER…
Now back to vacay.
How did you sweat?
Day 23 – 30 Day Sweat Challenge
My apologies for the really late post.
I have made the most of my staycation and got out to do some of the things that I don’t normally have time to do. Today I got my sweat on with a 6km loop of the Shoreline Trail. I have walked, rode, ran and waddled this trail network more times than I can count over the years, it is also the home of my special place.
Those benches could tell the story of my life.
We all have one of these, a place that brings not only joy, but also comfort and a place where I have made many a life changing decision. Today’s visit was all about the workout not working something out, and I just stopped by to say hello.
How did you sweat?