Instructional &
Informational Posts
From athletes to musicians and moviemakers - these busy game changers dish on their favourite family recipes, health secrets and what foods keep 'em going. Find out how they avoid hanger, what they're craving and how to stay healthy on the run.
Two-time Olympian and bronze medalist Emily Zurrer is one of two Canadian soccer sensations creating somethin’ sweet in Vancity.
Emily, along with Canadian National Soccer teammate and former Vancouver Whitecaps player Selenia Iacchelli, started the Sweet Ride FroYo n’ Waffles - Canada’s first frozen yogurt food truck – which also happens to put an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.
We tujis love a little sweet stuff now and then - ‘specially when it’s local. So we got a hold of Emily to find out what keeps her fuelled on the field and running her cool new business.
Do you ever get hangry? What’s the cure?
Yes! I try to not be held responsible for anything I say or do when I'm hangry. The only cure is food.
Food pet peeves and faux-pas:
Hmm. Pickles on anything. I love pickles, but only on their own!
What’s the most important part of your health and wellness regimen?
I try to have snacks handy throughout the day so I don't get hangry and binge on a bunch of junk food (although once in a while it's ok, I'm a firm believer that you should never fully deprive yourself).
And never, I repeat never, go grocery shopping when you're hungry!
Food discovery you're shocked you enjoy:
Popcorn with Frank's hot sauce and cheddar cheese seasoning. One of my best friends introduced it to me and I thought she was a bit crazy, but I've been addicted ever since.
The best piece of health advice you’ve ever received?
Drink lots of water. Find something active that you love - it's much easier to stay fit when you're doing something you love to do! Working out with friends is a good way to keep each other motivated.
Favourite family recipe (if you’re allowed to share!):
My mom lived in Greece for a few years when she was in her 20’s, so we grew up on a lot of Greek food. I still think my mom's Greek salad is the best I've ever had, and it's the simplest. She cuts the veg into huge chunks (fresh tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, red onion), TONS of un-pitted kalamata olives (we love our olives), a generous amount of fresh olive oil and Greek feta cheese, sprinkled dried oregano and ground salt and cracked pepper. So easy, yet so delicious!
What do you look for when selecting your FroYo ingredients?
We try to stick to as many local and organic ingredients as possible. All of our fruit toppings are local and organic when we can get it, and the dairy products in our frozen yogurt are from local farmers.
Where do you get inspiration for your Froyo recipes?
Well, one of the best parts of owning a frozen yogurt company is the taste testing! We have tried so many combinations of froyo, waffles and toppings you would think that we’d be sick of it by now (we aren't). A lot of our recipes stem from our favourite flavour combinations, but we always test it on a group of people or our friends before we put it on the menu.
What’s the craziest/ most elaborate FroYo you ever would or could serve?
We've had some crazy ideas. Everyone suggests a bacon froyo. We’re definitely open to suggestions!
Which is your favourite FroYo?
My favourite FroYo flavour is our Signature Sweet Ride Tart. I also love our 'Goji Bowl', which is our healthiest option on the menu. It consists of tart FroYo, fresh berries, vegan gluten-free granola, goji berries, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and is drizzled with organic coconut nectar, which we get from a local company, Naked Coconuts. So delicious and packed full of antioxidant goodness!
The sun is here to stay as we head into fall so track down these girls and their Sweet Ride. Any new crazy concoctions to suggest? Tweet ‘em here.
Psst - If you’re not out for their healthiest option, we hear the “Sweet Monkey” (think waffle meets froyo plus nutella, bananas, peanut butter, and skor bits) is preeetty popular!
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Nicole Boileau is a Vancouver-based RHN who loves spending time outdoors and dreaming up as many healthy porridge recipes as possible. Get in touch to talk all things food and health and check out her website for more recipe inspiration!
