Wednesday, May 14, 2008

From gelato to poutine...fine healthy food!


Up to Monday, I was 34 years, 11 months, and 12 days gelato free. I have never had gelato in my life, or at least that I recall until this Monday; when, for FHE we headed to get a hamburger and to this gelato place just a few kilometers from our home. Isn't it cute? I picked a flavor that was chocolate with marshmallows and chocolate chips, in a waffle cone. It was very good, but I think I'll stick to a smaller serving or regular ice cream. Ice cream isn't my favorite dessert and the egg yokes in gelato were a bit rich for me. Do you like gelato or ice cream or both?
This is not my idea, but certainly one of the cutest onesis creations I've ever seen! So cute! I mentioned on a previous post that I had made an appointment from an old spa gift certificate for a Vichy Massage. Wow! I took the train downtown since it was only two stops to downtown Montreal up through the Gare Centrale metro station at the Queen's Hotel. It was very nice to not have to fight traffic and parking meters. The massage was amazing! I didn't like the fact I was completely buff and a bit exposed, but the bonus is that I forgot all about it. It was my first massage where I came out with a smile instead of tears. My muscles are really sensitive, crazy I know, but I've never had a massage that did what a massage was supposed to do - relax me
This photo I took after walking through the metro station, waiting for the train, and then finally after I took my seat on the way back from my massage and a pedicure. I forgot to wear open toed shoes and was going to miss my train home to get the girls. The woman gave me those foam temporary shoes that I used to catch my train!
Cici bogarting the poutine
And finally, this is Cici. She's developed a bad case of "keep your hands of my poutine". For anyone who isn't familiar with the Quebec culture, there is a large need to consume french fries; and an even larger need to put cheese curd and gravy on the fries. The savory dish is called poutine. I turned my nose up to this vehemently for years, but now it's one of my favorite dishes! And, Cici's too!


Do you like gelato?
Do you use public transportation?
Have you ever tried poutine?

14 comments:

Chrissy, said...

I have never heard of gelato. I have used public transporation before I had kids and on trips. I have never heard of poutine or tried it. LOve hearing about you little adventures. Glad you had a great massage.

crystal said...

Poutine sounds like mashed potatoes, only BETTER. I love public transit. And cute toes!

Monica M said...

I love Gelato, I make it myself. In Rome they have this place called Della Palma, it is next to the pantheon, and it puts Baskin Robbins to shame. They have every flavor you could dream of. We just got a new Harmons and they have fresh gelato. It's not bad, it is much better in Italy. In Provo they have a place on Center street called Maestros, It's awesome. The blood orange is really good. My favorite is stracciatella, bacio and blood orange.

Monica M said...

Marshmallow and chocolate chips in a waffle cone doesn't really sound like Gelato?

Jennfer said...

ok monica m, we need your gelato recipe.
I love gelato AND icecream. They both have their place in my diet.
As far as poutine...
What's a cheese curd? It that like cottage cheese on your FFs?

Nicole said...

You've lost me on the gravy & cheese curd thing on FF's! Not a mashed potatoe fan & being veg. I don't think gravy falls in that category either. But I do remember getting cheese curds in Utah. They are to die for! Hard to find in Ca. though.
Never had Gelato but heard of it. I have a friend who lives in Italy most of the year and she raves about it. Sounds good.

Justin said...

I'm glad you finally came to your senses about poutine. I wish we could get it down here, but for now I have to wait for my trips to Canada.

As for gelato, I'm sorry to hear you've been missing out. Monica is right about Della Palma in Rome, it's fantastic. When we're in Italy, gelato is a necessity a few times per day. I fear I'm going to drop a lot of cash at the new Harmon's.

Laura said...

Gelato, Ice Cream...it's all delicious. I couldn't live without either one. They are my serious weakness! Monica's right though...chocolate and marshmallow in a waffle cone doesn't sound much like gelato.

As for poutine...Matt raves about it. The only poutine I've had is when Justin brought back a mix from a trip to Quebec. We used frozen fries, cheese curds and the gravy mix. I couldn't stomach it, but Matt said it was fairly like the Quebecois version. In any case it's an bizarre combo don't you agree? Guess I'll have to try the real thing.

Carolee said...

I have actually never had gelato, I will have to give it a try so that I can decide what I like best:)

I have had 1 massage and loved it. That was about 8 years ago and ironically it was for extra credit in a health science class.

Poutine Im not sure about that one but I would be willing to give it a try. If I am ever in Quebec I will be sure to give it a shot!!

Marie said...

Poutine is seriously the best thing to come out of Quebec. Oh yum.

I've never had gelato either. Is it much different than icecream?

Elise said...

I'm a fan of gelato and ice cream. We have a few gelati bars around where we live so we like to go and sample all of the different flavours.

I am so happy to see that the Vichy shower lived up to the advertisement. A relaxing massage really is one of lifes pleasures.

Love
Elise

Laurie said...

For one thing, I know I would love montreal! I'm a huge fan of public transport, but it's not very efficient around here. The only time I've had gelato was in Italy and it was quite divine. I've had poutine in Ontario and it also had to grow on me. So glad you enjoyed your massage! Love the photo of your feet in the metro station too!!

Claudissima said...

oh DO I LOVE GELATO? the first time i went to italy i totally missed it...i couldn't even believe it, but the consecutive trips i made sure i did...DELICIOUS! I love public trans...except that here were i live is not easily accesible. From time to time, I take the bus just for fun.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

I've never tried gelato. We don't have much for public transportation in our tiny hick town. I'll have to say no to having tried poutine..... but I think I would try it given the chance, as I like french fries and I like gravy.....
I'm so jealous that you got to have a nice relaxing massage.... oh I would love that! :)