Tips Appreciated. A podcast by Nomtrips Inc.

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we brought on Fred Thompson, a huge Toronto Blue Jays fan to share stories from his travels, following the Blue Jays across the US and Canada. Having been to 99 baseball games at 13 different ballparks, Fred has some great pro tips and recommendations to share with you. Fred highlights his 12-day baseball trip down the west coast, how his family inspired his love for baseball, and the amazing story of how he met his wife. Plus, it wouldn't be Tips Appreciated without food recommendations… Fred shares his top 3 ballparks and the best food and beer you can find there! What's your favorite ballpark food? How many baseball games have you been to? Comment below! If you're a fan of good food and candid conversations about business, travel, and of course, food… SUBSCRIBE to our channel: www.youtube.com/nomtrips Connect with Fred! Follow him on Twitter: www.twitter.com/yourbestfred Businesses + Resources Mentioned: Petco Park in San Diego: https://www.mlb.com/padres/ballpark Wrigley Field in Chicago: https://www.mlb.com/cubs/ballpark Yankee Stadium in NYC: https://www.mlb.com/yankees/ballpark Dodger Stadium in LA: https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/ballpark Oracle Park in San Francisco (Home of the crab sandwiches): https://www.mlb.com/giants/ballpark American Family Field in Milwaukee (Home of the hotdogs, sausages, and beer): https://www.mlb.com/brewers/ballpark Hit it Here Café in Seattle: https://www.mlb.com/mariners/tickets/hit-it-here-cafe StubHub: www.stubhub.com Edmonton Riverhawks: www.riverhawksbaseball.com Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Skip ahead: [00:00] Intro [00:18] About Fred Thompson + How he got into baseball [03:15] Why are you a fan of the Blue Jays? [04:11] The best parts of going to baseball games [04:52] How Fred met his wife [08:42] Fred's favorite player [10:21] His baseball travel experiences and goals [11:39] Fred's top 3 baseball parks [13:52] The 12-day Blue Jays mega trip [19:17] Pro tips for planning trips to baseball games [21:59] The best ballpark food in the US [23:38] Fred's custom Edmonton jerseys + Edmonton's new baseball team, the Riverhawks [26:25] Final two questions [27:59] Outro

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Leo, an accounting professional who is focused on using his data and analytical skills to help small businesses in the Los Angeles area. We talk about his love for accounting, dogs, travel, food and then we rank his favorite boba. Overall a fun and inspiring episode just talking about life. Are you a window opener or a door knocker? Also, listen to the whole episode and let us know your excel problems! 0:00 - Intro 1:50 - Reddit is a magical place 4:00 - Tips for long distance relationships work! 5:10 - Focusing on career 7:54 - Best asian foods in San Diego; Convoy District 10:23 - Advice for you younger self; put yourself out there 11:11 - Window opener vs door knocker? 13:25 - Love for accounting 15:43 - How accounting can help small businesses 19:00 - Spreadsheet and data analytics love 23:00 - We even talk about GPUs! 24:00 - The entrepreneur side 26:45 - Love for travel and favourite national park 28:20 - Camping with Spam 29:53 - Talking about the Channel Islands National Park 32:47 - Tips for the Philippines 35:50 - KBBQ in Koreatown, LA 36:44 - Must have boba 40:40 - If you won the lottery… 43:00 - Closing Connect with Leo! https://www.linkedin.com/in/leodelimajr Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tipsappreciatedpod

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Jeremy, who is a wilderness kayak guide and an animal handler. He also runs Teeth Podcast, where he interviews animal attack survivors from the United States and around the world. Hear his stories including how animals outsmart us as HOOMANS. Check out his podcast on Instagram. Link below. NOTE: We filmed in April, expected to release in May, but the release date for this episode is June! Teeth Podcast launching soon! 0:00 - Intro 00:45 - Welcome Jeremy! 2:49 - Catching squirrels as a kid 3:19 - Being a kayak guide - Channel Islands National Park 4:17 - Favorite experience/bioluminescence 8:29 - Love for nature 9:20 - Catching, cleaning and prepping food 11:00 - Urchin or uni stories 15:23 - Tips to visit Channel Islands 18:00 - Overpopulation of urchins 20:14 - Rock scallops 21:40 - Dwarf fox and ravens 24:42 - Food scene in LA 28:56 - Teeth Podcast 31:23 - SHARKS + Humboldt squid 37:15 - Whales and kayakers 40:30 - Stingray sting survival 48:29 - Wrap up & closing YT Video - https://youtu.be/3Vg_qiWH1wk Connect with Jeremy Teeth Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/teethpodcast/ https://www.theteethpod.com/ Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tipsappreciatedpod

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Brian, who travelled with his father to Europe to ride their bikes through France and the Black Sea using the Eurovelo 6 route. We chat about their adventures including buying a bike from Craigslist, tips on planning a bike trip, and of course, the great stories from their adventure. Brian also is an avid runner and loves TV and movie trivia. Check out his podcast on Instagram. Link below. Connect with Brian Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tvtriviapod 0:00 - Intro 1:17 - Welcome Brian and his love for podcasts 2:50 - Passion for bike tours and trips 3:43 - Eurovelo 6 from France to the Black Sea 4:30 - Buying a bike on Craigslist 5:30 - Shipping the bike to Europe 7:29 - Day 1 of Eurovelo 6 9:00 - Bike problems - cracks in the rim 11:52 - Another bike trip - Philly to St. Louis, Niagara Falls detour 13:45 - Favorite memory from Eurovelo 6 15:01 - People from Eurovelo 6 17:56 - Haricot Vert 18:40 - TV Trivia Podcast 20:13 - Favorite TV Show 22:13 - Tips for bike tours 25:00 - Bonding with dad 26:15 - Top items to pack 29:34 - Wrap up

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Nora, an avid traveller and foodie from Morocco. Born and raised in Germany, attending a French school gives us a multicultural view of her experiences. From attending university in Paris, and now living in Rabat. We chat about the food scene, must-eats, travel tips, and her love for Reese's. Come experience Paris and Morocco through the eyes of Nora. Enjoy episode 2! 0:00 - Intro 1:24 - Welcome Nora 2:49 - Origins of her account @nonothefoodie 4:09 - Food scene in Rabat 6:02 - Proper Moroccan food 7:30 - Traveling to Morocco as a tourist 9:00 - Schooling and living in Paris 11:15 - Nora's sweet tooth 13:04 - Her number one choice for pastry in Paris 15:35 - Culture in Paris as a traveller 16:50 - The Parisian lifestyle 18:00 - Chinese food in Paris 20:10 - Wish list for travel - Dubai 22:00 - Love for Reese's 26:35 - Partnership with Jumia 30:14 - Wrap up Connect with Nora Nono the Foodie - https://www.instagram.com/nonothefoodie/ Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/tipsappreciatedpod

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have David, a former Albertan who moved to Japan 5 years ago to teach English. He shares his journey on moving, teaching, and living in Japan. We chat about food, housing, working, and day-to-day life. He also helps dispel the mystiques of Japan, gives some great tips for visiting, and of course, our favorite, his perspective on 7-Eleven. There's so much good stuff in this episode. REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES. That's season 3. He also shares his journey in creating his coffee roasting company and what the coffee roasting community is like in Alaska. Then, he speaks on what it's been like to do business online during the pandemic and the challenges he faces in expanding his physical locations for roasting. Connect with David Tokyo Fresh Podcast - https://www.instagram.com/tokyofreshpodcast/?hl=en Will he ever move back to Alberta? Listen or watch the full episode. WATCH this full episode on YouTube - www.youtube.com/nomtrips

Welcome to season 3 of Tips Appreciated Podcast! As you probably noticed we took a little mental break to recharge and we’re sure glad we did. BUT WE’RE BACK. Tune in and make sure you subscribe as we chat with REAL GUESTS with REAL STORIES. Season 3 line up: What it’s like living and teaching in Japan? Studying in Paris and living in Morocco? Taking a bike trip through the Eurovelo 6? Being a kayak guide off the Channel Islands? Travel tips from a former pro scout for the San Jose Sharks? Why you shouldn’t fear accounting for your small business? Taking a baseball trip through the West Coast in 12 days? Well, we got you covered. Thank you to our guests and we can’t wait to share their stories with you. Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips

March 3, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we take a look at one of the most creative ways of smuggling drugs through food! In February of 2021, US Border Agents seized 44 pounds of cocaine frosted Corn Flakes. That’s right, the smugglers frosted your favorite cereal in cocaine. The estimated worth of the seize was almost $3 million. Congrats to K-9 Bico for sniffing this one out. ***** Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Subscribe to YouTube: www.youtube.com/nomtrips

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we review what we learned from Season 2! All the great marketing, social media and content tips for small businesses! We share our top 3 favorite tips and apply what we’ve learned during the season. Thank you to all our wonderful guests for their time. Tune in and see you on season 3! Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Subscribe to YouTube: www.youtube.com/nomtrips

February 24, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we take a look at McDonald’s Happy Meals featuring Pokémon TCG Cards! For a limited time, McDonald’s is featuring Pokémon TCG Cards in their Happy Meals to help celebrate 25 years of Pokémon! Each pack will have 4 exclusive cards, with a total of 50 cards in the collection. Hear our thoughts!

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Makeda Waterman of Top Writing Services Inc., a branding and marketing agency focused on helping you attract more customers through storytelling and content creation. Makeda shares insights and tips on social media, how to get started, getting your voice and story out there and engaging with your customers.She also shares tips on being accessible to your customers and how to show authenticity before product and service. Join us today as we dive into some great marketing tips and advice! Connect with Makeda! Visit Makeda’s website: www.freelancewriteredmonton.com/ Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/yegmarketer/ Subscribe on YouTube Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/YegWriter Connect with her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YegWriter/ Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancewriteredmonton/ Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Subscribe to YouTube: www.youtube.com/nomtrips Skip ahead: [00:00] Intro [00:49] About Makeda and motivation to start her own business [01:26] Moving from Toronto to Edmonton [02:18] Failure is not an option [02:57] Why should you use social media as a small business owner? [3:43] Tips on growing your social media following and engagement [5:09] Tips on how to start to tell your story [6:02] Tips on having fun on social media; internet challenges on TikTok [7:33] Using TikTok for education content; Learning TikTok [9:05] Tips on understanding your audience [10:30] Testing different mediums and content; data and insight [13:13] What Makeda means by “Your content needs to be a daily gift to your audience” [14:40] Three big tips on getting your personality out there [16:25] About Top Writing Services Inc. and how to engage with Makeda [17:38] New YouTube channel! [19:24] Coffee date when the pandemic is over! [20:04] Outro

February 17, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we take a look at FromTo, a food delivery app developed in Vancouver, Canada. FromTo is a food delivery service founded in 2020 by a group of restaurateurs and software engineers. Their focus is to keep more money in the pockets of restaurants through zero commissions and one flat fee of $6.50 for the driver plus your chosen tips amount. If you are in the Vancouver area, check them out. Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips

In this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Stacey Watts, a social media coach and content creation strategist who helps business owners master their content creation to connect and grow on social media. Stacey shares insights on why video works so well on social media, how to communicate and present yourself effectively and authentically, and how to leverage your social media presence for networking and marketing. She also shares tips on repurposing your story to broaden your reach, as well as disconnecting and detoxing from social media without losing your followers’ engagement. Stacey says social media is a tool in the marketing toolbox. It’s not the only way to do business. Are you using social media as a tool? Comment your favorite social media platform below! If you’re a fan of good food and candid conversations about business, travel, and of course, food… SUBSCRIBE to our channel: www.youtube.com/nomtrips Connect with Stacey! Visit Stacey’s website: www.staceyonsocial.com Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/staceyonsocial Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/staceyonsocial Connect with her on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StaceyonSocial Sign up for her course, Social in Six: www.staceyonsocial.com/social-in-six-course Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Skip ahead: [00:00] Intro [00:33] About Stacey + How she got into social media content creation [01:51] What is social media? + What businesses should be on social media? [05:00] Where to start with building a presence on social media: Networking [07:22] Tips on repurposing your story + The 4 R’s of social media [10:11] Perfection vs. Authenticity on social media + The pillars of Stacey’s strategy [13:31] Communication on social media: What to say and what not to say + Handling negative comments [21:17] The worst thing you can do on social media as a business [23:41] How to know who your ideal client is + What is the social media algorithm and how do you utilize it? [27:09] How to disconnect and detox from social media without losing your following [37:43] The reality of living in the age of social media [42:09] EMFs from electronic devices [42:59] Thinking holistically with a social media strategy [43:28] How to connect with Stacey [44:23] How to start real conversations over social media [46:42] Is “Done For You” content good for social media? [47:12] About Stacey’s Course: Social in Six: Master Your Content Creation [51:54] Who is the best person to sign up for your course? [52:45] Future plans for collaboration! [1:00:09] Outro

February 10, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss Ikea Canada and their takeout service! Swedish Meatballs to go? yes, please. As of November 2020, you can now get Ikea’s Restaurant food to go! Simply head to the cafeteria by the check out, look for the self serve kiosk and start your order. Before you head out to your nearest Ikea, check to see participating locations. Our menu favorite? The Swedish Family Meal. Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Earnest Rawlins, a Golden Bean Winner and Founder/Owner of E’s World Coffee located in Alaska. Earnest shares how he got into coffee roasting after learning how to repair espresso machines and gives great tips and advice for beginners on making a great cup of coffee, including equipment recommendations! He also shares his entrepreneurial journey in creating his coffee roasting company and what the coffee roasting community is like in Alaska. Then, he speaks on what it’s been like to do business online during the pandemic and the challenges he faces in expanding his physical locations for roasting. If you’re a fan of good food and candid conversations about travel, business, and of course, food… SUBSCRIBE to our channel: www.youtube.com/nomtrips Connect with Earnest! Visit the E’s World Coffee website: www.esworldcoffee.com Follow him on Instagram: www.instagram.com/esworldcoffee Connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Es-World-Coffee-519794771754745 Skip ahead: [00:00] Intro [01:17] About Earnest Rawlins + How he got into coffee roasting [05:03] Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs [05:31] Starting and growing E’s World Coffee [10:37] What it was like to find out he’s a Golden Bean Winner [11:29] Expanding into selling at farmer’s markets + Dealing with burnout [13:49] Winning Golden Bean again! [14:47] The best way to make a good coffee blend [15:35] Earnest’s current secret project [16:34] Did you know? There are 6 ways to roast coffee beans! [17:48] Our reactions to tasting E’s World Coffee [18:44] Suggested coffee making equipment for beginners [20:54] Tips for grinding coffee and pouring your kettle correctly [26:54] Are you on a mission to win first place in Golden Bean? + His challenges with expansion [31:32] The micro-roasting community in Alaska [39:05] How his online coffee business is doing during the pandemic [44:33] The story behind E’s World Coffee’s new merch [49:44] How E’s World does shipping [51:13] What to expect in the next episode with Earnest [52:00] Do you remember the first time you ever had coffee? [53:18] Outro

February 3,2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss Super Bowl foods and snacks! Well, Tom Brady has done it again. This time leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Super Bowl LV (55) against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. While you’re probably not in Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay to watch the game, you’ll at least be home enjoying some great food and snacks. We share some of our favourites, but also let us know yours. The game starts at 6:30ET. -------------------------------------

On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we have Michelle and Amanda of @Eat.Shop.Love.AB on Instagram to talk about marketing tips and strategies for small businesses, how to best use social media as a marketing tactic, and how to tell your story authentically. They speak on the many benefits of using social media to grow awareness of your small business and how to maximize the impact of your marketing budget so that you get the most bang for your buck! Michelle and Amanda also share their thoughts on how social media influencers and micro influencers are being used as a marketing tactic, as well as the main challenges small businesses face in marketing and branding. Did you know? If every Calgary household spent $10 a month buying local, the Calgary economy would get a GDP boost of $52 million and that would generate an additional 823 jobs in the city! Like Michelle and Amanda say, don’t pressure yourself too much to buy local, it should be a feel-good act of contribution and support for your community. If you’re a fan of good food and candid conversations about travel, business, and of course, food… SUBSCRIBE to our channel: www.youtube.com/nomtrips Skip ahead: [00:00] Intro [01:24] About Michelle, Amanda, and why they started @Eat.Shop.Love.AB [03:28] About A2 Marketing [05:18] Why small businesses struggle with marketing [07:43] What does “local business” mean to you? + Misconceptions with franchises [10:38] How do you find local small businesses? [12:58] The importance of social media to businesses: Should social media be the primary marketing tactic for small businesses? [16:54] Tips for authentic storytelling and copywriting for small businesses [20:59] Candid thoughts on social media influencers + What makes a good influencer [22:59] Benefits of utilizing micro influencers [23:45] The personal impacts of supporting small businesses [25:30] How to make small changes towards shopping local + Calgary economy stat [30:53] Finding balance in supporting big and small businesses + The importance of tipping curbside and delivery drivers [33:36] How to reach out to Amanda and A2 Marketing [34:28] How to reach out to and work with @Eat.Shop.Love.AB [36:17] Changing your branding and voice [37:40] Explaining their first Instagram post [39:53] Outro Connect with Michelle and Amanda! Follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/eat.shop.love.ab Visit A2 Marketing’s website: www.a2mktg.com Follow A2 Marketing on Instagram: www.instagram.com/a2mktg Small Businesses Mentioned: Oodle Noodle: www.oodlenoodle.ca Famoso: www.famoso.ca Boston Pizza: www.bostonpizza.com Whistle & Flute: www.whistleandflute.com Skip the Dishes: www.skipthedishes.com H&W Produce: www.handwproduce.com Sea Change Brewing Co.: www.seachangebeer.com Situation Brewing: www.situationbeer.com Crum Coffee Bar: www.crumcoffeebar.com El Gringo Foods: www.elgringofoods.com Lulu Cookies: www.lulucookies.com Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips

January 27, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss Burger King’s new logo! It’s been 20 YEARS since Burger King redesigned their logo and we must say we are digging the new look. It has a nice retro look, a custom font with new packaging. Our favorite though? It has to be their uniforms. Let us know what you think of Burger King’s new logo and branding.

We attended (virtually) TechTable Summit 2020 on December 15, 2020, presented by Zagat. One of our favourite session was: Social Media: Reviving The Restaurant Industry Adapting to new strategies around social media, data, guest relations, and how restaurants can leverage digital platforms to grow their businesses. The panel included: Ellen Bennet - Founder of Hedley & Bennett @ellenmariebennett Nick Tran - Head of Global Marketing, Tiktok @atsignnick Lila King - Head of News and Publishing at Instagram @lilacina Rachel Karten - Social Media Consultant, formerly with Bon Appetit @milkkarten What a panel! Part of our mission on Tips Appreciated is to provide useful advice and tips on everything food-related. Today, we start with the restaurant industry, which we all know is taking a huge hit because of the pandemic of 2020. In today’s episode, we’ve summarized what we learned for you, our listeners, and viewers with the hopes that you can take some of these social media marketing tips and advice and immediately apply them to your business. Timeline 0:00 Intro 1:14 Tips Appreciated’s mission 2:01 What Restaurants can do first 3:44 So now what? 5:30 Posting perfect food pictures are fading away 6:11 Use video as the new content 7:45 Using Technology 9:45 Having Content 11:07 Community

January 20, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss David Chang, the founder of Momofuku, winning Who Wants to be a Millionaire and donating the $1 million dollar grand prize to a worthy foundation. We know the restaurant service industry has been hit hard by this pandemic. David Chang’s focus was to donate his winnings to the Southern Smoke Foundation, which is a crisis relief foundation for people in the food and beverage industry. What was the final question? “Although he and his wife never toughed a light switch for fear of being shocked, who was the first president to have electricity in the White House?” His final and correct answer: “Benjamin Harrison” Congrats to David and the Southern Smoke Foundation! ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

In today’s episode of Tips Appreciated, we’ll be discussing Anthony Bourdain – his life, his works, and his legacy. To say that Anthony Bourdain was an iconic figure would be an understatement. More than that, though, his legacy isn’t limited to just the industries that he worked in; rather, he inspired people of all ages, of all backgrounds, and from all walks of life. But how exactly did he become this extraordinary, larger than life man? We wanted to learn more about him and wanted to hear his life story, so we did some research on things that shaped him into the person he is and the legacy he created. Timestamp 0:00 Intro 1:35 Anthony’s Childhood 2:23 College years 2:51 Career after College 3:40 Anthony’s start in journalism 4:25 A Cook’s tour - In Search of the Perfect Meal 5:06 Travel Channel’s series Anthony Bourdain No Reservation 5:40 Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown on CNN 6:36 Focusing on the food and the people behind it 8:37 Anthony’s advice 12:50 Rival Chefs 14:34 His Death 15:36 Conclusion 16:13 Our thoughts ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

January 13, 2021 – In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss Shake Shack’s Korean-inspired menu. Available now until April 5, 2021. The menu features a chicken sandwich with gochujang sauce and kimchi slaw. The kimchi is made by Choi’s Kimchi Co., a company based out of the Pacific Northwest in the United States. We encourage you to try the slaw as we learned it’s founder, Matt Choi, lost his life saving his girlfriend in October of 2020. Let us know what you think of Shake Shack’s Korean-inspired menu. --------

In today’s episode, we wrap up season 1 of Tips Appreciated Podcast! We discuss what we’ve learned, what was most surprising, and where we’re headed. Since November 18th, we’ve released 8 full episodes and 10 short Food in the news where we talk about food, travel, and limited releases/collabs like Hot Ones and Reebok. What will season 2 bring? Well, make sure to tune in and subscribe as we’ll talk to some great marketers, small business owners, and people who have great stories that inspire us. Last but not least, thank you to our family and friends for all the support. We’re truly excited to see where Nomtrips and Tips Appreciated is headed. Timestamp 0:00 Intro 1:17 Favourite Episode 3:52 Top Ah Ha Moment 5:50 Most Viewed/Listened to Episode 7:03 What’s to come in Season 2 Videos mentioned Vic’s Favourite Episode Our 3 food conspiracy theories. Fact or fiction. https://youtu.be/W8tvJnPNxd4 Eddie’s Favourite Episode FITN: Excitement over Hot Ones x Reebok Collab - https://youtu.be/MWN-iWzRZP4 Most Viewed/Listened Episode Disneyland vs Disney World - Our candid thoughts - https://youtu.be/PWnY1W7SucU Talking Japan, Jiro Dreams of Sushi with Anthony. Was It WORTH IT? - https://youtu.be/MwwIBw6LOVs -------

January 6, 2020 - In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss McDonald’s U.K. Curry Chicken McNuggets! We're truly excited for this Japanese inspired limited-edition menu item. Available for 6 weeks after December 30, 2020 launch. Instead of the crispy coating, the Katsu McNuggets uses panko crumbs and is served with a side of Sweet Curry Sauce. Let us know what you think of this limited-edition item from McDonald's!

In today’s episode, Anthony is back! Today he shares his McDonald’s experiences from around the world. Ever been to a “fancy” sit down McDonald’s? Well, there’s one in Hong Kong. He shares his experiences from multiple McDonald’s including Egypt, Japan, and Australia. Remember Pokemon Happy Meal toys? Well, Anthony has some cool stories around his quests for McDonald’s merch. Do you have McDonald’s stories to share? Tell us! Timestamp 0:00 Introduction 1:36 McDonald’s in Hong Kong 3:34 McDonald’s in Japan 5:18 McDonald’s in Egypt 8:41 Eddie’s experience in Hawaii’s McDonald’s 9:02 McDonald’s in Australia 10:50 Cool McDonald’s Merch 15:38 Items we miss from McDonald’s 19:48 Make your own burger 22:13 What is our go-to at McDonald’s? 27:07 Triple Filet o’ fish 28:51 Vic Remembering Big Mac had a paper ring holding the burger 33:15 Anthony running around McDonald’s finding the Pokemon toys 35:00 Nomtip: What should travellers looks for at other McDonald’s

December 30, 2020 - In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss McDonald’s China odd combination. Spam and Oreos. That’s right, bringing together two of the world’s most famous foods into the limited time Oreo and Spam burger. Imagine, two buns and in between two slices of spam, crumbled up Oreos and mayonnaise! What does it taste like, watch today’s episode on YouTube as we react to a few fans who have already had it. Would you try the Oreo and Spam Burger from McDonald’s? Eddie would.

In today’s episode, we discuss one of our favourite drinks, bubble tea! Also known as boba, we look at the history behind this popular drink. Where did it come from? How was it created? What does the bubble actually mean? Sit back and relax as we chat through all these questions over our own favourite bubble tea drinks. If you want to go ahead and get your favorite drink, please do. Also, guess how many times Vic visited Boba Guys in one day? HINT: She LOVES Boba Guys. 0:00 - Intro 1:00 - What’s Bubble Tea/Boba? 2:00 - Boba Guys 2:32 - When was Bubble Tea invented 2:55 - Traditional Tea Houses in Taiwan 4:52 - How was Boba discovered? 8:28 - Customizing Boba 9:47 - Vic’s Love for Boba Guys 11:06 - What does Bubble mean in Bubble Tea? 12:38 - When did Boba move to North America? 13:16 - What are the Tapioca balls? 15:52 - Is Boba Healthy? -----------

December 23, 2020 - CNN recently published an article on fast-food breakfast winners and losers. In today’s Food in the news, we give our own opinion on whether we agree with the article and share our favourite places to eat. Is McDonald's still the ultimate winner? How does Tim Horton's compare to quality and value? Also, we didn't realize Wendy's served breakfast. Watch or listen to the full episode and let us know your own winners and losers!

In episode 6, we look at one of Eddie’s favourite places to visit, Hawaii! Vic asks Eddie about the best places to eat and do. Eddie talks about Waikiki, favourite places to eat on the North Shore, and some hidden local favourites in Helena’s Hawaiian food! Hawaiian short ribs, yes, please. 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - How many times has Eddie been to Hawaii 1:26 - Which Cities did Eddie go visit 2:08 - Favourite City in Hawaii 2:45 - City for first-timers to go to 3:00 - The best time to go 5:13 - Top 3 Places to Eat 5:23 - Shrimp Truck - Giovannis 6:17 - Matsumoto Shave Ice 7:24 - Leonard's Bakery 8:43 - What food should first-timers try 9:53 - Try different types of Spam in Hawaii 10:28 - Great Hawaiian breakfast 11:05 - Fun Group Activity to do in Hawaii 12:35 - Hike up Diamond Head 13:26 - How long should you stay? 14:32 - Should people island-hop? 15:21 - Accommodation in Hawaii 15:59 - Aston at the Waikiki Banyan 16:34 - Getting Around Hawaii 17:26 - Any local secrets - Hidden gems 17:45 - Spam Musubi 18:43 - Short ribs at Helena's Hawaiian Food 20:51 - What would you do if you didn’t have the kids with you?

December 16, 2020 - On November 2, 2020 McDonald’s tweeted “remember when we sold McPizza” The tweet generated over 2,500 comments from people who remember, people who wished they had it in their hometown and memories of bringing back the McRib. In today’s Food in the news, we share our own experience with the McPizza, including memories, how it tasted and the different sizes. Eddie argues it came in a family size, while Vic only remembers the individual size. Listeners, and viewers, would YOU want the McPizza back? Imagine a McPizza and McRib combo in 2020. Add a coffee for $1 and you have yourself a meal.

In episode 5, we look at one of Vic’s favourite cities, New York! Eddie asks Vic about the best places to eat and do. Vic talks about her top 3 eats, adventures and shares some great tips and advice for the first-time visitor. Bonus content includes her hilarious experience attending the Sleep No More show. Final question: If you had 1 hour to visit NY, where would you eat? Check out Vic’s full answer in this episode. 0:00 Intro 1:09 Vic’s top 3 places to eat 1:18 #1 Ippudo NYC 1:27 Tip: Go to Ippudo at lunchtime 2:25 Tip: Go line up before the restaurant opens to get a seat 4:07 #2 Shake Shack 5:59 #3 Halal Guys 6:27 Which Halal Guys cart to go to 6:44 Tip: Ask for the red and white sauce 7:40 Vic’s top activities to do in New York City 7:47 Broadway in New York City 8:47 Tip: Buy Broadway tickets in advance 9:32 World of Nintendo 10:32 Top of the Rock for the best views of the city 10:47 Tip: Reserve your spot ahead of time 11:19 One thing you wished you’ve done but never did 12:20 What is the one thing you wish you haven’t done 14:25 Dollar Pizza at 2 Bro Pizza 15:06 Where should you stay 15:34 Herald Square 16:23 If you only had one hour in New York, where would you eat? 18:00 Family Activities 18:08 Natural History Museum 18:48 Transportation 19:31 When is the best time to go 20:17 Which airport to go to? 20:56 How long should you stay 21:16 Accomplice the show 22:57 Sleep No More Places Vic Mentioned Ippudo NYC: https://www.ippudony.com/ Shake Shack: https://www.shakeshack.com/ Halal Guys: https://g.page/the-halal-guys-long-island-city?share World of Nintendo: https://www.nintendonyc.com/ Top of the Rock: https://www.topoftherocknyc.com/ 2 Bro Pizza: https://www.2brospizza.com/ Natural History Museum: https://www.amnh.org/ Accomplice the show: https://www.accomplicetheshow.com/ Sleep No More: https://mckittrickhotel.com/sleep-no-more/

December 10, 2020 - In this episode of Food in the News, Eddie reacts to the mini-movie “A Recipe for Seduction” - KFC and Lifetime’s collab! Show Notes: Well, 2020 has definitely been unexpected. Perhaps a nice break from the craziness of it all, Lifetime and KFC is releasing a mini-movie this Sunday, December 13, 2020, at Noon ET. That’s right, a movie about Colonel Sanders himself but with some drama! The premise is that an heiress falls in love with a head chef, Sanders (played by Mario Lopez), and during this journey, it unravels some twists and turns. Will his 11 herbs and spices win over? A must watch in our opinion. When does A Recipe for Seduction air? Sunday, December 13, 2020. Only on Lifetime.

We’re excited to welcome the newest member of our team, Anthony - @saieii! He’s been to over 22 countries, loves to explore and try new things. A genuinely cool person. On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we chat with Anthony, our newest member of the @nomtrips team. We talk in detail about his trip to Japan with useful advice and tips along the way. Remember @netflix Jiro Dreams of Sushi? Well, he ate there and told us all about it including how to make reservations, the total cost, and of course, about the sushi. Was it worth it? Also, he talks about Piss Alley, pork vagina, and whale. Tune in as he takes us on this epic 1-month vacation in Japan. Text: 0:16 - Meet Anthony, our Brand Ambassador. @saieii 3:08 - Anthony has been to 22 countries 6:10 - Pick up an IC card - prepaid card to pay for public transportation 7:23 - Use Google Translate to help with the language barrier 8:14 - Look for data plan or pocket wifi to help you stay connected 9:41 - There are 2 major airports in Japan 11:53 - 7-Eleven sushi is pretty darn good in Japan 12:22 - Piss Alley 12:50 - Some unique food in Piss Alley, including pork vagina 15:30 - Theme restaurants are popular in Japan 17:55 - Japan is a pretty safe country for families 19:07 – It’s actually 47 Tokyo Neighborhoods 19:40 – Closing hours range from 11pm – 1am depending on the train 21:21 - Jiro Dreams of Sushi 23:32 - www.govayagin.com 25:13 – Takashi Ono 30:33 - Arcades are awesome in Japan 31:25 – Akihabara, shopping central for electronics, small retailers to department stores 41:06 - Don’t be afraid to reach out to people and ask for advice 42:49: Connect with @saieii 43:40 – This is the Lafarge Exshaw Cement Plant

Food conspiracies - real or fake? We all love a good conspiracy theory, especially here on Tips Appreciated. On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we take a look at 3 well-known conspiracy theories from Starbucks, McDonald’s and Chuck E Cheese. Does Starbucks purposely misname your drinks? Are McDonald’s ice cream and smoothie machines really “broken” and does Chuck E Cheese recycle their pizza? We take a fun dive into these 3 questions. Tune in as Eddie shares his support for Mr Cheese himself (hint: he WAS Mr Cheese) and Vic discovers the funniest versions of her name on a Starbucks cup. Episode Timeline: [0:00] Intro [0:52] Conspiracy 1: Starbucks - Do they misname your drinks on purpose? [4:17] Are they doing this for marketing? Tell us your opinion. [8:21] Conspiracy 2: McDonald’s - Are their ice cream or smoothie machines really “broken”? [12:23] Does it really take 3 hours to clean? Let us know! [13:54] Conspiracy 3: Chuck E Cheese - Do they recycle their pizza? [16:59] But why is the shape of the pizza so messed up? What’s your take? [24:11] Tell us your Chuck E Cheese experiences below! [25:37] Closing tip: Reviews aren’t everything. Go experience it for yourself.

December 2, 2020 - In this episode of Food in the news, we discuss In-N-Out’s Colorado opening, how long we’ll wait for food and Eddie discovers that Vic has never had Popeyes new chicken sandwich. Whether you’re an In-N-Out or Shake Shack loyalist, if you don’t have a location where you live, it can be pure torture. For those Californians who now live in Colorado, you’ve been waiting patiently for a while to get your Double Double Animal Style, or extra crispy fries at your convenience. Well on Friday November 20, 2020, this became a reality. The only catch? Drive thru wait was nearly 14 hours. That’s right 14 full hours! As expected, hangry fans became a little irritated and a fight even broke out. The good news? It gives you lots of time to decide what you want, including items from their not-so-secret, secret menu. Would you wait 14 hours for that In-N-Out fix?

In today’s episode, we highlight our top 12 favourite Canadian treats and snacks! From ketchup chips, coffee crisp, to Kinder Surprise and the iconic Hawkins Cheezies, we sample them all.. We also discuss the infamous hot pink Cream Soda and the demand for them across the border. Included are tips on where to find them at the best price and just the right size so you can sample them all yourself. Don’t forget to tune into Youtube and watch the full experience What’s your favourite Canadian snack? Timestamp [1:48] 1. Crush Cream Soda (hot pink version) [4:38] Tip: You can get it for $1 at the Dollar Store [5:20] Nomtip: Add vanilla ice cream to make a float [7:51] 2. Coffee Crisp [9:12] 3. Smarties [10:25] 4. Aero bars [11:04] Nomtip: Aero bars are perfect for making S’mores [11:25] 5. Mars bars [14:04] 6. Caramilk [14:54] 7. Wunderbar [16:28] 8. Kinder Surprise [22:35] 9. Ruffles - All Dressed [26:57] 10. Ketchup chips [29:49] 11. Hickory Sticks [30:50] 12. Cheezies Watch this episode on our Youtube Channel

November 25, 2020 - Well Arby’s might have won the turkey merch war. In today’s episode of Food in the news, we hilariously take a look at Arby’s Turkey Pillow. That’s right, a turkey shaped pillow that you literally stuff your head into and have a nap right after your Thanksgiving dinner. Is the Arby’s Deep-Fried Turkey Pillow real? Yes this is real and not a joke. Second, absolute genius marketing by Arby’s to introduce their turkey line of sandwiches (they’re known for their roast beef sandwiches). How do I order one? Unfortunately, this has sold out. However, you can get the full details on their site and virtually try one one using Instagram and Snapchat filters. We tried it, and it’s super fun. You should too and tag us on IG #nomtrips so we can see. For those lucky enough to get one, shipping starts November 26, 2020. Happy (US) Thanksgiving everyone! Canadian Thanksgiving is in October.

YouTube videos are a great way to help plan for your travel. Famous foodie YouTubers give practical advice and tips that focus on local experiences. YouTube videos are a great way to help plan for your travel. Famous foodie YouTubers give practical advice and tips that focus on local experiences. On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we take a look at our favorite YouTubers in Mark Wiens (Migrationology) and Mikey Chen (Strictly Dumpling). They’ve both inspired us in different ways with their enthusiasm for food, family and travel. We take a look at our favorite episodes for each one and do a few reactions to their eating adventures including getting the best Japanese food from 7-Eleven. Exciting merch will also be shown off as our co-host Vic got a hold of a few goodies, including the infamous Dumpling Plushie. Tune in to experience these great foodies and inspire your travel planning and dream eating destinations. Episode Timeline: [00:00] Intro Skip to: 01:33 Mark Wiens (Migrationology) is my favorite Skip to: 04:38 Tip: Get the giant rib at Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix Skip to: 05:15 Tip: Don’t forget about the journey and experience Skip to: 05:53 Tip: Check out his Thailand videos Skip to: 16:59 Tip: Videos are helpful in planning a trip Skip to: 17:31 Mikey Chen (Strictly Dumpling) is my favorite Skip to: 19:06 Tip: A great way to support is to buy merchandise (or merch) Skip to: 20:21 Nomtip: 7-Eleven's in Japan is a great way to try local food Skip to: 32:44 Closing Tip: Don’t be afraid to try new places or things. Skip to: 33:43 Closing Tip: Enjoy the moments. Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Subscribe to our YouTube channel: Go to channel Episodes mentioned: Thai Street Food - EXTREME BBQ MEAT TOUR in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand | Thai Sausage and Laap! Trying NEW ITEMS at JAPAN 7-ELEVEN! 24 Hour Eating Only 7-Eleven in Tokyo Japan Follow Mark Wiens: https://www.instagram.com/migrationology Follow Mikey Chen: https://www.instagram.com/mikexingchen/

November 20, 2020 - Earlier this month, Japan kicked off it’s mandarin orange season and a crate of 100 mandarin oranges sold for 1 million yen, or $9,600. Yes, that’s $96 a mandarin. "Fruit purchase and consumption are tied to social and cultural practices. It is not only an important part of their diet, but, perhaps more importantly, fruit is considered a luxury item and plays an important and elaborate ritual part in Japan's extensive gift-giving practices," Soyeon Shim, via interview with CNN What’s so special about these mandarins? Culture Fruit plays a special role in asian cultures. They are often gifted by family members as a sign of respect, appreciation and gratitude. It holds special meaning. Rarity Only about 100 farmers produce these special mandarin oranges (also called mikan) in the Japanese region of Nishiuwa. Process The process is truly a special one. During the growth period of the mikans, the sun hits it in 3 different ways - the sun itself, the reflection off stone walls and reflection off the sea resulting in a juicy, easy to peel mandarin. Pretty amazing. Who bought the crate of oranges? It is currently unknown who purchased these special mikans. In the past, it was a grocery store that used it for marketing purposes. Tell us, would you buy one of these oranges for $96?

November 19, 2020 – About 2 weeks ago, Burger King UK did something a bit unexpected. They asked people to go eat at their competitors including McDonalds, Subway and KFC. Tune in to today’s Food in the news to hear our thoughts. Is it a marketing tactic? Sure, but we genuinely believe they’ve done a good thing. Why might you ask? Let’s face it, the COVID-19 pandemic has hit economies hard. Businesses are often forced to downsize or even shut down. Lockdowns along with stricter restrictions have become the norm for cities and countries, especially England. Knowing this, Burger King UK asked people to support ANY business including their competitors to keep people employed. Pretty commendable. Good job Burger King UK.

In this episode of Food in the News, we share our thoughts and excitement on the collab between Hot Ones and Reebok. The Hot Ones x Reebok collection includes 3 shoes (Club C, Classic Leather and Shaqnosis) and 2 shirts. The collection drops on November 19, 2020. Show Notes: Hot Ones and Reebok has done the ultimate Scoville level sneaker/t-shirt collab and it’s hot. Releasing November 19, 2020, the drop will include 3 unisex sneakers and 2 t-shirts. Highlights: Sneaker 1: Club C - Scoville level 1,985. Considered mild with classic styling colorway. This clean design is for the minimalist collector that likes subtle hints of the collab colors and logos. Note: In our podcast, we kept calling it the “Classic C”. To be fair, it does look like their classic sneaker. Let’s not get picky. Sneaker 2: Classic Leather - Scoville level 198,300. Moving up a level, the classic leather goes into the hot range. With images of chicken wings on the sole, indeed this has become our favorite out of the three. Sneaker 3: Shaqnosis - Scoville level 1,995,000. This is the ultimate on hotness scale of the 3 sneakers. Like Shaq, you have to go big and this shoe goes definitely goes big. We might has as well call this “The Big Hotness”. Notes: Here’s the Shaq one chip challenge we talked about aired on TNT. The shirts come in black and orange with the collab logo. HOT! Source: https://www.complex.com/sneakers/2020/11/hot-ones-reebok-collection-release-date

Have you always wanted to go to Disney but feel overwhelmed by planning your trip? Are you a Disney lover and want to learn more of Disney’s best-kept secrets and money-saving hacks? You’re in the right place! On this episode of Tips Appreciated, we take a deep dive into our candid thoughts on Disneyland and Disneyworld, sharing the best restaurants, lodging recommendations, and must-try allergy-friendly food options both inside and outside the parks. We answer some FAQ about each park, such as how long you should stay, and reminisce on some of the most memorable activities we’ve done in the parks. Come hear us nerd out about these classic vacation destinations that are suitable for all ages! Tune in for tips on travelling to Disney with kids, how to get the most out of your time and money, and what attractions you just can’t miss. Episode Timeline: [00:00] Intro Disneyland [01:10] What age should you bring your kids to Disneyland? [02:51] What’s the optimal length of time to go to Disney for? [04:12] When was the last time you went to Disneyland? [05:27] Where should I stay when visiting Disney? + Advantages of stay outside of the park [08:36] Gear + Snacks to bring [11:06] Food Recommendations: Does Disney have allergy-friendly options? [13:28] Weird Disney foods: Giant pickles + Turkey legs [15:06] Favorite Restaurants [16:34] More must-have Disney park foods [18:03] Best food outside the park [20:44] Candid thoughts on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique [23:00] One last California must-have staple Disneyworld [24:43] Vic has been to Disney quite a lot! [25:35] The scale of Disneyworld vs. Disneyland + How long to spend at Disneyworld [28:06] Where to stay [29:55] Money-saving tip: Book a hotel with a kitchenette and bring your own water [32:48] Hotel recommendation + The Cosco package [34:44] Convenience + Time-saving tips [37:03] Favorite foods at Disneyworld [37:19] Go to the fireworks and water show! [40:01] Other Disney restaurants to go to + Reservation tips [42:09] Taking photos with characters + The magic of Dole Whip [44:33] Nom Tip: Watch for food carts! [45:40] Favorite ride + activity at Disney [46:48] Avatar park at Disney [49:45] Star Wars park: Hit or Miss? [51:00] Vic favorite park at Disneyworld [52:49] Let us know your Disney favorites! [53:46] Most Valuable Nom Tips for Disney [55:08] Outro Connect with us! Visit our website: www.nomtrips.com Follow us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomtrips Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/nomtrips Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/nomtrips Subscribe to our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/nomtrips

Hey everyone! It’s Vic here from Nomtrips. Over the past year since Nomtrips launched, we’ve learned a great deal about our foodie audience – what they like, don’t like and what matters to them the most. We’ve learned so much in our first year of business so thank you for all of your engagement and feedback. We want to especially thank our friends who wrote articles for us to help get us going, early contributors and family for their support. With any business, it has to evolve. So after coming up with MANY ideas, today, we’re excited to launch our very first podcast, Tips Appreciated by Nomtrips! We’ll focus on travel and food tips, well researched topics, latest bite-sized news and most importantly, the stories and people behind the food. If you’re a fan of food, casual, candid and fun conversations, Tips Appreciated is for you. Why a podcast you might ask? Because real and authentic conversations matter. It’s that simple. We’ll release weekly episodes, co-hosted with my co-founder Eddie. We would love for you to join us on this journey together. Simply subscribe and follow @nomtrips and you’ll get notified once a new episode launches. Thanks again everyone! We’re truly excited to start this next chapter of Nomtrips.