Limited Edition McDonald's Boombox

We've all been there before. We're out with a group of friends at the beach ready to have a good time and everything seems to be going right. Except for one thing. There's no music because no one brought the speakers! I think we can all agree that a party without music is really no party at all. McDonald's gets it and wants to make sure that problem never happens again by introducing something truly unique yet practical at the same time. Canadians will have a fun way to enjoy the summer tunes thanks to the limited edition McDonald's Boombox - an innovation on the recyclable drink tray that enables it to double as a portable speaker! Yes you read that right. McDonald's just went all Transformers on us and I'm lovin' it!

The McDonald's Boombox was developed in partnership with the University of Waterloo's Audio Research Group and also the industrial design group Stacklab. It may seem low tech but the McDonald's Boombox incorporates plenty of high tech thinking including foil-embossed double cone speakers that help raise sound volume and quality while minimizing sound leakage to effectively double your phone's built-in maximum volume.

Check out a behind the scenes video of how the McDonald's Boombox came to life!

So how do you use this 100% recyclable McDonald's Boombox? You simply just flip your drink tray over and pop out the two metallic red speakers on each side with your fingers. You then just insert your phone in a special slot in the middle designed for phone stability and easy menu control. Turn up the music on your phone and listen as the beats from your tunes get amplified to everyone around you!

The McDonald's Boombox will be produced in extremely limited quantities and only available while supplies last as part of a one-time promotion for McFlurry desserts at Woodbine Beach in Toronto on July 28th from 2pm to 7pm. They will be handed out at no cost in conjunction with celebrating the McFlurry dessert's 22nd birthday in Canada, (which is another made in Canada innovation proudly made with milk and cream from Canadian dairy farms). You can trust me that this is one collector's item you are going to want to get your hands on!

Shawarma Frenzy - A Hidden Gem on the Danforth (Special Discounted Offer)

One of the most satisfying things a food blogger can do is supporting local businesses and restaurants that you feel passionate about, but may not be that well known yet to the general public. I've recently stumbled upon literally a hidden gem in this city that serves one of the best shawarma platters I have ever eaten, and I just couldn't pass up the chance to share it with you all here!

The restaurant is called Shawarma Frenzy and is located on the Danforth (1011 Pape Ave, Toronto, Ontario, M4K 3V7. Being surrounded by Greek restaurants left and right, Shawarma Frenzy really leaves a mark on the neighbourhood by serving up authentic and incredibly delicious Middle Eastern food all for a very affordable price. 

When I first walked into the restaurant my first impression was just how clean the place was. Not a speck of dust to be seen! It's a small but very cozy restaurant with many potted plants lined up at the front to really give you a relaxing environment to eat in. There are also two big screen TVs hung up on the wall to provide you with some entertainment while you eat and unwind. My absolute go-to dish here is their "Small Shawarma Platter." The portion size is very generous for only being a small, and on an empty stomach you will be sure to leave with a full belly.

The meats here are well seasoned and they give very generous portions. The platters are served with a side of salad and what I love about the salad here is it's comprised of mixed greens instead of your generic iceberg lettuce you come to find at other places. Their pickled vegetables are perfectly sliced and has the perfect balance of sourness and sweetness that I love. Other suggestions of things to get here are their shawarma wraps, lentil soup, and falafels.

If you are ever in this area I highly, highly recommend coming to Shawarma Frenzy. You are going to get absolutely the best service, the best food, and most of all the best price you will find anywhere.

As a special offer, I would love for you all to give their signature "Small Shawarma Platter" a try and really experience first hand just how good the food is here. As loyal readers to The Everyday Foodie, I want to share with you this hidden gem and give each of you a chance to try this dish at a discounted price of only $5.99! To obtain this deal all you have to do is email [email protected] to claim it. Limited quantities available as only the first 50 people to email in will receive this special discount, so make sure you redeem this fast before it's all gone! This restaurant is definitely The Everyday Foodie approved!

Curati - A Curated Food Shopping Experience

A food shopping experience curated by an expert. That's exactly what Curati is, a one-stop shop for the world's best small batch artisanal goods where the products you pick out are delivered straight to your door! I recently went on a little shopping spree of my own and here are my favourite finds!

1) Ancient Ocean Himalayan Pink Salt (Fine Grain) - curated by California based writer, chef, and radio host Michelle Anna Jordan

2) Blue Grass Soy Sauce - curated by celebrated Toronto chef Nick Liu of Dai Lo

3) Momotea Usucha Matcha - curated by tea expert and author Linda Gaylard

4) Maui Upcountry Pineapple Mustard - curated by California based writer, chef, and radio host Michelle Anna Jordan

So many unique finds for your kitchen you won't find at your local grocery store. These items are sourced from all around the globe. Head on over to www.curati.co to check it all out!

Canadian Cheese - Crafted with Creativity

Canada is known for many things. Cold winters, ketchup chips, our politeness, milk from bags, poutine, hockey, the 'Biebs', and the list goes on and on and on. However, one of our hidden treasures that not many people may be aware about is our rich history in cheese making! Canadian cheese is creative, expressive, and as diverse as the Canadians who make it, so as we are about to celebrate our nation's 150th birthday I have partnered with the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) to highlight three distinct Canadian cheeses from our country's cheese makers.

I am personally a huge fan of cheese and is probably one of the few food items I could not live without. Cheese is used in so many aspects of my favourite dishes such as on pastas, dips, dessert, and of course pizza! As it's become so intertwined into my daily life and consumption, it's also good to know a little bit more about its history and how Canadian cheese making came to be.

Historically speaking, Canadian cheese making is woven from our country's rich French and English heritage. Cheese making in Canada can be traced back to the early 1600s when French explorer and founder of the Quebec settlements, Samuel de Champlain first introduced cattle to the region. However, it wasn't until 1864 when American immigrant Harvey Farrington employed new technology to set up the very first Canadian cheese factory, "The Pioneer" in Norwich, Ontario. By the year of Confederation in 1867, over 200 cheese factories were now established in Ontario alone and the foundation for crafting distinctly Canadian cheese was set.

Fast forward to 2017, Canada's cheese industry is as vibrant as ever from coast to coast. Our great Canadian cheeses start with 100% Canadian quality milk that are produced by passionate Canadian dairy farmers in a sustainable way. To commemorate Canada's 150th birthday, I celebrated with a custom designed Canada cheese board with the best of the best in Canadian cheese that are highly-awarded varieties. Pair them off with some crackers and cherry tomatoes and you have the perfect snack ready to serve in minutes. Below you can learn some more on the three types of Canadian cheeses I had on my cheese board.

Avonlea Clothbound Cheddar, Cows Creamery, Prince Edward Island

Aged for 14 months in a carefully monitored temperature and humidity conditions, this cheddar is firm in texture and has a rich full-bodied flavour. Made by Cows Creamery in Prince Edward Island, this cheese is made with milk from local Prince Edward Island farms. Since no point on the island is more than 20 miles or so from the ocean, the salt air and iron-rich red soil add to the flavour and quality of this cheddar cheese which has received accolades since 2008.

Devil's Rock, Thornloe Cheese Inc, Ontario

Devil's Rock is a creamy blue cheese in a uniquely shaped pyramid and encased in black wax. Devil's Rock itself is an iconic rock surface overlooking Lake Temiskaming and onward into Quebec. This award winning cheese represents the rugged Canadian terrain of the Canadian Shield. Thornloe Cheese Inc. is farmer owned, sourcing daily from the region of Northern Ontario where the air is fresh, the waters are clean, and pastures are green. You can taste the difference in their hand making cheese practices here.

Comox Brie, Natural Pastures, British Columbia

Comox Brie is a soft bloomy rind cheese. It has a thin and moist downy white rind, a traditional, gentle yet slightly buttery taste, pungent mushroom aromas and a delightful, creamy texture that becomes runny over time as the cheese ripens from outside in. It's named after Comox, a small town near Courtenay, Vancouver Island, where Natural Pastures, the cheese maker is located. Natural Pastures is committed to making sustainable farming a priority every step of the way, including choosing milk suppliers on the island.

As Canada celebrates it's 150th birthday this weekend, there is no better time to support our Canadian dairy farmers. Canadian cheese is the perfect complement to celebrate this momentous occasion, so whether you may be hosting a backyard barbecue, going out on the town and dining at your favourite restaurant, or just staying home and watching a movie, make sure you put some Canadian cheese on the table. It's going to be the most delicously Canadian thing you can do.

Happy Birthday Canada!! EH!