I Gave Up Meat and Dessert for Canada’s Gold – Hockey Fury Video!

Yes, this post is about hockey. Don’t turn away just yet, food comes into play.

I’m so – freakin’ – proud to not only be Canadian, but to live in the 2010 Winter Olympics host city. If you didn’t know, you have some reading to catch up on!

Melody Fury Loves Canada!!

Canada’s victory over the U.S. in men’s gold medal hockey was the single most significant event in all of the Olympics for Canadians. To many, it was the most anticipated and memorable day of the year, and even their life time. I exaggerate not.

Here, hockey is LIFE to much of Vancouver. I’ve literally seen grown men cry when the Canucks lost. I’ve also seen a very ugly riot break out when we lost the Stanley Cup.

Whenever we do win a game, the city erupts into honking, screaming, and outrageous celebrations that continues throughout the night.

Here’s my video to prove it!

Back to the gold medal game and why I gave up meat and dessert. Yesterday morning, the streets were eerily quiet as everyone piled into a bars, restaurants, or a friend’s house all decked in red and hockey gear. All eyes were glued to TV screens.

My friends and I congregated at a neighbourhood bar and I was painfully nervous. I knew we must win this game or all hell would break lose. This game would make or break the entire Olympics because we must:

break the record for the most number of Winter Olympic gold medals.
claim hockey back as OUR game. (Sure, we invented basketball, take it).
step up to our big bros down south.
avoid potential mass destruction, mayhem, and horror.

The anticipation was maddening. I’ve never screamed or tweeted IN CAPS so much in my life! Here is my play by play through twitter.

Our first goal

Our second goal.
We were all chanting and feeling strong.

US scores their first goal.
Our spirits were dampened a bit but we’re still in the lead.

NO!! 24.4 seconds left in the 3rd period and US team’s Zach Parise scored.
The bar went silent. Jaws dropped. Tears welled up. Very anti-climatic.

Overtime! I wanted us to win sooo desperately that I tweeted this:

AND IT WORKED!! I couldn’t believe it!

Our very own Sidney Crosby scored the winning shot 7:40 into overtime!! The place exploded into ballistic celebration, hugs, screaming, and rounds of O CANADA!

When I was exhausted from cheering, I remembered:

and you responded:

Now, I’m not taking any credit for our victory but I really believed in Team Canada so in support, I made that promise. I almost swore off wine but thank goodness my senses kicked in.

No regrets though, it was definitely worth it. I LOVE CANADA !

Have fun taunting me this month.

Where were you when Canada seized gold? More importantly, how else can I satiate my sweet tooth?

« Previous Post | Next Post »

http://www.sense-serendipity.com Divina

I have never watched hockey live in Vancouver during my two years stay there but I did experience their excitement and aliveness whenever I see people walking down the streets cheering for the Canucks. A fried of my mine promised that he will take me to a hockey one day.You made me really missed my second home. Vancouver means a lot to me.
http://breadplusbutter.blogspot.com/ jenn (Bread + Butter)

I was at home glued to the tv. I’m not much of a hockey fan, but I was literally on the verge of a heart attack just watching the game. It was awesome though. Congrats to you neighbors to the north. ;-D
http://www.thecattylife.com catty

Well, all I can say is, that’s LOVE, girl. And congratulations again! *yay*
http://amyblogschow.com Amy Blogs Chow

First – congratulations, miss! Second – aiyyah. FOUR meat and sweet-free weeks? Of course you can do it! Just make sure you make up for the iron you’re not getting from meat from elsewhere! But being the creative food master you are, I know you’ll come up with tasty substitutes that won’t require flesh or sugar! Sushi?
http://tamarindandthyme.wordpress.com Su-Lin

:D I’m impressed that you’re sticking with it! Looking forward to seeing what you eat this next month!
http://www.bitemekitchen.blogspot.com Rose

Congrats to Canada! It was a hell of a game!
http://sagecuisine.blogspot.com/ Rita

I am Canadian and so Proud; what an Olympic; what a Game. I am from Ontario, but now on your side of Canada; arrived yesterday in Victoria for the month of March.
Good luck with that promise.
Rita
http://www.sugarbar.org diva

Melody, you are such fun to read! And woa, that’s dedication but congrats Canada :D x
http://lifesafeast.blogspot.com Jamie

I woke up to this exciting news and I am so happy for you guys! Congratulations!
http://wasabiprime.blogspot.com wasabi prime

ELATION!! Is it funny that when I was watching all the fantastic success of Canada’s athletes, I was thinking of Canadian food bloggers like you who were committing both mind and body to the cause? I honestly don’t know what was more inspiring, seeing the Olympic spirit of the competitions, or seeing how totally STOKED and openly happy all of Vancouver was to be hostess with the mostess for the Games! Seeing huge crowds of happy people, watching videos of locals just watching the Games and cheering — I wish I could bottle that joy and keep it with me.
http://boneats.blogspot.com Bonita

The hockey gods were smiling on us. Thanks for helping out with that win Mel! ;)

Good on ya! Meat isn’t hard. Sweets is a killer for me as well, but I’ve been off desserts/sweets for 11 days and counting!
http://mikelok.spaces.live.com/ Mike Lok

Brilliant, great video, I was right, you did go mental over there! Great game, best outcome and well deserved. You kicked a**!
http://robinsaylor.blogspot.com Robin Saylor

I must fully admit that I needed distraction during the game – something to keep me from a stroke and my dad from a heart attack. So we distracted ourselves by the intermittent reading of your blog – we’d read a little, watch a little, read a little more. It worked! We won. We’re all alive. And we read a cool blog!
DesertLorelei

I was sitting in my living room (in Austin, Texas), cheering my head off and annoying the crap out of my neighbors. Go Canada! Your team absolutely deserved the gold, and I’m so glad they were able to take it home.
Ken

Ya know, the USA beat Canada 5-3 in pool play. How about best 2 out of 3? Seriously, though, Canada stepped up and won the game that they had to win. They earned that gold medal the hard way. Congratulations to Team Canada!

And Mel, good luck with the no meat and no dessert thing! IDK how you’re gonna do it. :)
http://chefsnightout.wordpress.com Alex Tung

As my pappy once told me; “you’re only as good as your word.” Good luck with meat and dessert free March. To give up meat and dessert for 1 month is going to be a real test. I once ate vegan for 2 weeks and it almost killed me. Bacon withdrawl set in early and I barely got through it. My question is; (I hope this doesn’t gross anyone out) if you chew meat and dessert this month, simply to taste and don’t swallow it, does it count?
http://www.eatlivetravelwrite.com Mardi @eatlivetravelwrite

Mel I have absolutely loved reading your tweets throughout the Olympics! Good luck on the no meat or desserts!
http://pieceofcakeblog.blogspot.com Shauna from Piece of Cake

You are too adorable. I implore you to get in touch if you ever find yourself in San Francisco. I was so thrilled for Canada–what a perfect moment!
http://www.highlowfooddrink.com High/Low

Hailing from Toronto, now living in NYC, and being the lone Canadian watching the final minutes of the big game in Phily (even rushing through a swanky early dinner), I was glued to the screen and so excited when we won! (My American husband, not so much…but agreed I would be easier to live with given the Cdn win). Wished I could have been in Vancouver instead of quietly singing the anthem here in the States…Good luck with your month of savory vegetarian dishes – I’m sure you’ll come up with some great meals!
http://zencancook.com zenchef

mmmm… this chocolate cake is AMAZING!!
Want some? ;)
Pingback: Starfruit in Quick Chilli Plum Dip | Gourmet Fury