Category: Elmwood Spa Blog

Banana bread is a comforting treat, and delicious for breakfast, or as a snack. Enjoy it with coffee, and sit back, sip, and snack with this recipe from our very own Terrace Restaurant Chef Erica Karbelnik. INGREDIENTS: 1 3/4 cup flour 1 1/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder 2 tsp cinnamon 2/3 cup brown sugar 115 g unsalted butter 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp sour cream 1.2 cup pecans 1/4 cup rum soaked raisins 2 super ripe bananas INSTRUCTIONS: 1.Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 2. Cream the butter, and sugar together 3. In a separate bowl, whisk your dry ingredients 4.Once your butter and sugar are combined, add the sour cream and eggs. Then, once all that is incorporated, add in the bananas 5.Then add in your run-soaked raisins, pecans, and other goodies you like like chocolate chips. 6. Pour […]

Our Instagram Live sessions are the perfect way to learn something new. If you couldn’t tune in or just want to revisit your favourites, here’s a recap of what you missed. Check our upcoming schedule here, and don’t forget to join us on Instagram for the latest. Monday, April 27: One Pot Curried Chicken with Rice and Kale  One pot meals are THE best –no sink full of dishes in the aftermath, so you can focus on enjoying the meal instead. This week’s Instagram Live recipe is a one-pot curried chicken that is bursting with flavour, and has rice and kale to make it hearty AND healthy. For the full recipe, head over to Louisa’s website > Friday, May 1:  A habit tracker is a simple way to measure whether you did a habit or are working towards reaching a goal you set out to achieve. The most common format of this is […]

A new week means a new round-up of goodies for you to leaf through, listen to, laugh at, and watch! Check out our latest recommendations from books, to podcasts: BOOK The Book of Ichigo Ichie: The Art of Making the Most of Every Moment, the Japanese Way PODCAST Cautionary Tales ACTIVITY Mealime TV SHOW Little Fires Everywhere MOVIE Far From Heaven SPOTIFY PLAYLIST The Essential Bill Withers  

A new week means a new round-up of goodies for you to leaf through, listen to, laugh at, and watch! Check out our latest recommendations from books, to podcasts: BOOK Reader Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World by Maryanne Wolf PODCAST Motherhood Sessions ACTIVITY Fitify Weekly Health and Wellness Newsletter TV SHOW Insecure MOVIE The Laundromat SPOTIFY PLAYLIST This is Charlotte Day Wilson  

Our Instagram Live sessions are the perfect way to learn something new. If you couldn’t tune in or just want to revisit your favourites, here’s a recap of what you missed. Check our upcoming schedule here, and don’t forget to join us on Instagram for the latest. Monday, April 20: Asparagus Fried Rice with Louisa Clements  Looking for an extremely quick dinner that is also great to eat the next day, and the next, and the one after? This asparagus fried rice will be your go-to. PRO TIP: to peel your ginger with ease, use a spoon to scrape it off. For the full recipe, head over to Louisa’s website > Wednesday, April 22: Self-Care with Kaitlyn Dinner Self-care always has been, and always will be important. We should all take a couple of moments a day to do something just for us whether it’s listening to a favourite track, […]

Peanut butter cookies are a classic. They’re sweet, comforting, and delicious. Our Terrace Restaurant Chef Erica Karbelnik has added something a little extra to make them even more special –a bit of cinnamon and a glaze that’s rgeat for dipping. INGREDIENTS: 1 cup butter 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar (if you don’t have white works fine) 2 2/3 cups AP flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp corn starch 1 tsp salt 2 tsp ground cinnamon (Whisk all together) Pre heat your oven to 350 degrees In a mixing bowl with the paddle attachment 1 cup butter 1 cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar (if you don’t have white works fine) 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 eggs For the glaze 1/2 cup maple syrup 1 cup peanut butter 1 tbs vanilla 1.5 cups cream Mix all together till smooth (in a mixer […]

This Mother’s Day, we want to know what makes your mom (or maternal figure) spectacular! We’ve collected stories and photographs of moms from all over the city and beyond so we can celebrate these amazing women together, virtually. Explore our blog to read our favourite #momstories and find out how to get your mom featured! Then, shop our E-Gift Cards (that never expire) and online Beauty Shop to find the perfect gift delivered straight to her inbox or doorstep! “My grandmother was a war bride. She came to Canada from England and married my grandfather in 1918. Together they lived and worked in Toronto raising 11 children. She managed through the depression to provide for her growing family. She cared for sons who returned home from the Second World War, broken. She was humorous, direct and frugal! She found time to teach all of her 6 daughters how to sew, on a little sewing […]

Our Instagram Live sessions are the perfect way to learn something new. If you couldn’t tune in or just want to revisit your favourites, here’s a recap of what you missed. Check our upcoming schedule here, and don’t forget to join us on Instagram for the latest. Monday, April 13: 5 Ingredient Parchment Salmon Looking for an extremely quick dinner that doesn’t lack flavour or sophistication? This 5 ingredient miso salmon is oven-baked to perfection. PRO TIP: don’t want skin on your salmon? Pop it in the freezer for up to 10 minutes and you should easily be able to slice it off. For the full recipe, head over to Louisa’s website > Tuesday, April 14: The Basics of Foundation Foundation is a basic of make-up, but with so many options, it can be tricky choosing the right one for your skin type. Make-up expert & educator Melanie Deighton breaks […]

Treat yourself to something sweet! Whip up this wonderful carrot cake, the perfect taste of spring. Plus, did you know that baking has many benefits (besides the indulgence) that include increased mindfulness and satisfaction? Chef Erica Karbelnik has a personal connection to this recipe, and it’s one that she’s excited to share: “Every apprentice, cook , chef will all tell you they have a certain smell or taste memory from a kitchen.The usual (which are 2 of my favourites) are chicken stock, and sautéeing onions and garlic. One memory in-particular for me was carrot cake. When I was a young apprentice, I remember walking into the kitchen one morning and smelling something amazing. I walked past the pastry section and asked what the pastry chef was baking. He poured me a cup of coffee. Sliced me a piece of carrot cake still warm out of the oven and told me […]

Our Instagram Live sessions are the perfect way to learn something new. If you couldn’t tune in or just want to revisit your favourites, here’s a recap of what you missed. Check our upcoming schedule here, and don’t forget to join us on Instagram for the latest. Monday, April 6: Kale White Bean Salad with Tuna with Louisa Clements Spring, in a salad! With kale, crisp apple, white beans, notes of citrus, and a tasty tahini dressing, this is the perfect addition to your meal (or a meal on its own) It’s also a pantry-friendly recipe that you can make with few ingredients. PRO TIP: kale can be tough to chew. Be sure to massage with fresh lemon juice for up to 2 minutes so that it becomes tender and salad-ready. For the full recipe, head over to Louisa’s website > Wednesday, April 8: Dealing with Discomfort During Uncertain Times […]

Look on the bright side with sunny-side eggs in this hearty, warm one-pot recipe that’s great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Brought to you with love from our Terrace Restaurant Chef, Erica Karbelnik. Serves 2| Prep time: 15 mins | Cooking time: 45 mins INGREDIENTS: 4 Cremini mushrooms 1/2 onion, sliced 3 cloves garlic 300 g sausage (optional) 3 Tbs paprika 2 Tbs ground fresh cumin 2 Tbs Chili flakes 2 tbs cayenne INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Sear the sliced Cremini mushrooms in a hot cast iron pan then add your onions, garlic, and sausage meat. Let it brown. 2. Toast your spices then add 1 large can diced tomatoes, followed by 1 can’s worth of water and a teaspoon of sugar 3. Add 2 bay leafs, 2 finger chilies (or any spicy chili you have) 4. Cook down until thick and saucy! Add cracked eggs over top. Wait till they cook […]

Our new Instagram Live sessions are the perfect way to learn something new. If you couldn’t tune in or just want to revisit your favourites, here’s a recap of what you missed. Check our upcoming schedule here, and don’t forget to join us on Instagram for the latest. Monday, March 30: Summer Quinoa Salad with Louisa Clements A light, fresh salad with hearty grains is always a great make-ahead meal. Bursting with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, herbs, and a tangy balsamic vinaigrette, this will become your new favourite. It’s also a pantry-friendly recipe that you can make with few ingredients. PRO TIP: store your herbs wrapped in a damp paper towel and sealed in a ziploc bag to prolong freshness. For the full recipe, head over to Louisa’s website >   Tuesday, March 31: Skincare Routine with Susan Dawson A skincare routine is a moment for you to pause […]