This post is sponsored by  JW Twist-In Treats but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

We just finished building an outdoor covered patio structure to enjoy this summer, so we are ready to start entertaining! While everyone loves my big hairy rescue dog Tonga, (I mean, she is the sweetest, happiest dog on the planet) sometimes it’s nice to be able to relax without fuzz face demanding pets and hugs.

I love the new Petmate JW Twist-In Treats pet toy. Not only is it super durable, but it comes with a tasty treat (available in chicken or beef) in a twist in design to keep the treat ‘locked inside’. The treat is accessible to taste, so it keeps my dog very engaged while she tries to get at it.

We had some guests over last night, and she entertained herself with the Petmate JW Twist-In Treats pet toy while we watched the sunset. She would even take it over to our grassy area and throw it around, and then take it back to the patio to lick and chew on.

Instead of Tonga wanting to be entertained, we were entertained by her! Watch the video:

This is what we call the ‘ice cream pose’ as she’ll turn it upright and then just lick it like an ice cream cone! It’s super cute and she looks so happy!

As a Tijuana rescue dog, Tonga had a rough start in life. So we’ve provided a ‘cushy’ lifestyle for her – she has a huge fluffy bed in my bedroom for the nighttime and resting pads around the house. She has the best food, toys, treats, and attention around the clock.

No one wants to see their pet bored. Treats are a fun way to get Tonga excited, but as an older dog, too many make her a round Tonga. That’s why I love that the Petmate JW Twist-In Treats pet toy keeps her engaged with a tasty treat, but she’s not scarfing down a bunch of unnecessary calories.

Tonga really likes to lick and cuddle her  Petmate JW Twist-In Treats pet toy. She even takes it to her different beds around the house when it’s time to rest.

If you want to make treat time last longer for your pupster, check out the toy!

My family loves salmon, so I was excited to learn about this gourmet pre-planked salmon.  Located in a tiny South Shore hamlet of Blandford, Nova Scotia, Cedar Bay Grilling Company is an award-winning producer of frozen Salmon products that bring the best of Atlantic Canada to homes around the world. Cedar Bay Grilling Company’s Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon products are easy to prepare, yet have a “gourmet” appeal to suit all lifestyles and tastes. I was sent two planked salmons to try out – Sugar & Spice 24 oz Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon, and one 24 oz Applewood with Orange & Ginger Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon.

As we are going into the summer season, I decided to create a fun and easy recipe to pair with this beautiful salmon that is perfect for entertaining. As the Cedar Bay Grilling Company Orange & Ginger Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon is simply delicious the way it is hot off the grill, I decided to pair it with my Blood Orange BBQ Air Fryer Potatoes. The sweet tangy spicy flavor of the deliciously seasoned salmon pairs perfectly with these potatoes. Best of all, this dinner is so easy to put together!

As the salmon is already prepped with seasoning and placed on a 14″ pre-soaked cedar plank, there is no prep work – just thaw, remove from packaging and place on the grill or in the oven. The result is an eye-catching, upscale presentation in less than 20 minutes. It looks great, delivers a unique cedar smoked aroma and tastes delicious!

After a batch of my easy Blood Orange BBQ sauce is made, simply coat the baby potatoes ( I used multi-colored ones) and put in the airfryer for 18 minutes at 375 degrees.

Blood Orange BBQ Sauce

You Will Need:

• One, 13-ounce can of plain tomato sauce
• 2 blood oranges – juice and zest
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon clove powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon ground fresh black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

How to Prepare:

Add all ingredients to a small stock pot and heat for about 15 minutes stirring occasionally until mixture thickens.

Store in a clean mason jar, and it will last in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

BBQ Air Fryer Potatoes

You will need:

1 lb., 8oz – baby potatoes (any variety)

1 tablespoon olive oil

4-5 tablespoons of the Blood Orange BBQ Sauce

How to Prepare:

Clean and halve potatoes.

Toss oil and BBQ sauce with the potatoes in a mixing bowl.

Put the potatoes in the air fryer, set at 375 degrees and cook for 18 minutes.

I put my beautiful Cedar Bay Grilling Company Orange & Ginger Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon on the grill at 425 degrees and closed the lid. I then popped my potatoes in the air-fryer, as they only take 18 minutes.

I did check on the salmon twice to make sure the plank wood didn’t catch fire, but all cooked perfectly and it too was done in 18 minutes. The salmon will still cook a bit when the grill is turned off (called ‘resting’), so I simply opened the grill lid and let it sit for a few minutes as I popped my hot potatoes out of the air fryer.

I served asparagus with my dish as it only takes a few minutes to steam, add lemon juice, salt and a sprinkling of parmesan.  You may serve any green or colorful veggie with this dish that is easy for you! I put a jar of the BBQ sauce out on the table should anyway like to sauce up their potatoes a bit more with the tangy orangey goodness.

Enjoy summer grilling season and look for the Cedar Bay Grilling Company salmon products the following store:  Kroger, Publix, Hannaford, Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Ralph’s, Giant, Giant eagle, Stop n Shop and Roche Bros

Visit Cedar Bay Grilling Company on Social Media: (Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter)

(more…)

If you’re stopping through London and only have a day or two to see the sights, here are my top five picks to experience a variety of what London has to offer.

Walk through a Park

I’m not doing to include walking in a park as a specific thing to do because you can walk in ROUTE to other places. Instead of taking a street, please walk through a park when you can!

The parks are all beautiful and well maintained in London. It’s peaceful and depending on the time of year, very green, loaded with blooms and wildlife abounds. I recommend walking through the gardens at Kensington Palace.

Even if you don’t have enough time to do the tour inside, the gardens on the outside and surrounding park are free and gorgeous. Other notable parks: Hyde Park (millions of daffodils in Spring) and Green Park.

The Boroughs Market

If you’re a foodie, this is THE market to go to. This gorgeous bustling farmers market has quality vendors and a huge selection of International ‘street food’.

Go hungry and eat everything! There are also many take away items you may want to grab to take back to your hotel (cheeses, meats, olives, pastries, truffles, sauces and more) Get hours here. 

Forget the London Eye

The SHARD is where it’s at! Typically no lines or minimal lines, this is the TALLEST building in all of Europe at the whopping 95 stories high.

The floor to ceiling glass panoramic view is outstanding and there is no rush to leave. Enjoy a glass of champagne and try to forget how high you actually are above the ground. The Shard is located across the Thames River in the Southwark neighborhood across from the Tower of London.

Fish & Chips

There are many excellent places to get Fish & Chips in London, but the best ones we had were at Poppie’s in Camden. Camden itself is an exciting neighborhood to walk around in chock full of hip shops and interesting food. You may spot some youngin’s sporting a mohawk or two (yeah, that’s still a thing).

Poppie’s is a great place to settle in for a beer and fish and chips after meandering around the crowded streets of Camden. Poppie’s offers cod and haddock as choices for your fish and chips – cod being juicier and haddock firmer. Both excellent, just a matter of preference. You’ll get thick hot potato ‘chips’ or fries with your platter as well. For fun – ask for a side of mushy peas! Take advantage of the bathroom stop (as there are few ‘free’ ones around town). Poppie’s has fun toilets that are legit old fashioned ‘crappers’.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is super touristy, but still worth it. This medieval set of buildings has something for everyone! From glitzy crown jewels and ginormous gold punch bowls (must be nice to be a Royal) to a torture device museum. Lots of history (self-guided tours & guided tours) and you can do a couple hours here, or all day – they even have guards pacing and doing their bit.

You could visit the Tower and then walk across the London Bridge to the Shard (about .6 mile walk) and then to Boroughs Market nearby to eat a hearty lunch.

See Mousetrap

Mousetrap has been playing in London’s West end since 1952. Other plays come and go, but Mousetrap, by Agatha Cristie is so perfectly British, funny and witty. I was on the edge of my antiquated seat the entire time!

They also have a little bar in this theater, so grab a glass of wine during intermission. The bathrooms are limited, so make sure to go early. Definitely see this play! It runs most nights and sometimes there are matinee showings. Check out tickets here.

Many of the theater district restaurants stay open late, so plan on eating after dinner and avoid the crowds. China town is also a couple of blocks over, so make sure to venture over there as well.