family day

I have a fascination with the Tim Horton’s brand.  I’m not sure if the coffee is that great (I swear there most be something in it that makes people go crazy…), or if people go to Tim Horton’s because it has become synonymous with being Canadian.

Tim Hortons Coffee

I think the branding has worked.  After dropping off TheG at a classmate’s birthday party, I spent my time waiting  (and writing) at a local Tim Hortons.  For three hours, I saw the inflow of people coming in and out for a coffee.  Long line-ups at the drive through were continuous, and lineups inside were equally long.  People on a weekend grabbing something warm before they go outside (or inside a cold hockey rink) with the kids.

I know the line ups will be equally long this weekend.  This Monday is a government created holiday…Family Day.  (it coincides with President’s Day in the US).  It was created because the government felt that the public didn’t have enough “breaks” in between Christmas and March Break, so a statutory holiday was created to honour time with the family.  I’m not sure if it is something that is celebrated worldwide (or if any other country calls that particular day “Family Day”), but it speaks volumes for what kind of society I think (or hope) we Canadians represent.

It’s about coming back to our roots (a national clothing brand, ROOTS, has also been synonymous with Canada and caters to the cottage-bound set, with flannel, leather and sportswear).  It’s about family.  Maybe that’s what Tim Horton’s coffee evokes in people ….the warm comforting feeling of a hot coffee in our hands, after spending time together ice skating or skiing in the cold Canadian weather.


I love what it represents.  And although I think it’s sad that the government had to sanction a holiday to “force” people to spend time together as a family, it’s a message that I fully support.  So...taking a break from cooking, here’s a very easy recipe that cooks itself, so you can spend time together, as a Canadian family.

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Ingredients

• 3 pieces of chicken breast
• 1 jar of organic tomato sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella 
• 1/2 cup parmesan
• 500g box of spaghetti noodles.

Directions

• Put all (but the cheese and noodles) in the slow cooker.
• Set on low for 8 hours.  
• When done, stir in parmesan.  
• Cook noodles, toss with chicken and sauce, then top with mozzarella.

Enjoy time with your family.