a peek inside the fishbowl

Archive for the ‘Publishing/writing/career stuff’ Category

06 Mar, 2026

The Mental Hygiene Challenge

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Publishing/writing/career stuff

It’s March, and I’m thinking about the Mental Hygiene Challenge my former workplace used to host every year at this time. What started as a simple community-wide challenge blossomed into a movement that extended beyond Ottawa. It still kind of thrills me. It was the first time the organization had done this type of community […]

09 Oct, 2023

A Thanksgiving surprise

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Publishing/writing/career stuff

Some of you are here because you saw the article on the Ottawa Citizen’s website, or maybe you saw the giant photo of me and the youngest on the cover of the Saturday paper. (!!) So, welcome! Can I also say, this is weird. If you were in my house we’d be standing awkwardly in […]

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21 Jul, 2019

Deep dish

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Ottawa|Publishing/writing/career stuff|Recipes and Food

Awhile back I posted a General Life Update in which I revealed a few big things coming down the pipeline for my family and I. In that post I wrote about my departure as managing editor of Kitchissippi Times but what I didn’t mention was how thrilled I was with my final issue. The theme […]

29 Mar, 2019

News from the shower

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: Oh! Things!|Publishing/writing/career stuff

I was having a little chuckle over the story of Forever 21’s new USPS fashion collection just now and I remembered that my post about my One Dress, Thirty Days challenge is still sitting in my drafts folder. I am still gathering my thoughts, but to be honest, I’m not sure if it’s coming out […]

07 Jun, 2018

What to pack kids for day camp

Posted by: andrea tomkins In: parenting|Publishing/writing/career stuff

This topic MIGHT be far from everyone’s mind at the moment, especially with the provincial elections happening today, but I wanted to plant this seed in your brain before it was too late. Once upon a time I was that parent, running around the night before camp begins, digging old sunscreens out from under the […]


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  • alex: For a classic Canadian treat for valentine day , try a BeaverTail (a fried dough pastry) there its yummy
  • Juliet Luiz: I was at this park today and saw the foundation and historical sign which got me curious and let me to your blog post! Great information:) too bad t
  • Rowyn Tape: Hello, I was sitting at Easter dinner with my grandmother and she was telling me this story. She is Herbert Lytles daughter who eventually bought the
  • Bernie: I freeze ball sizes of bread dough for beavertails each winter season.Easy to thaw, roll out and fry. Best winter treat!
  • Jen_nifer: I feel very much the same about my SUP. Floating with snacks is fantastic! When I go on water with some current, I make sure that I paddle into the cu
  • sam: Great article. This is very insightful. Thanks for sharing
  • Renee: I just saw one yesterday on a small patch of grassy land near the Mann Ave 417 exit near Lees Station, Ottawa, ON. I had no idea they came in black!

The Obligatory Blurb

My name is Andrea and I live in Ottawa with my husband Mark and our dog Sunny who is kind of a big deal on Instagram. During the day I work as a freelance writer. I am a longtime Ottawa blogger and I've occupied this little corner of the WWW since 1999. The Fishbowl is my whiteboard, water cooler, and journal, all rolled into one. I'm passionate about healthy living, arts and culture, travel, great gear, good food, and sharing the best of Ottawa. I also love vegetables, photography, gadgets, and great design.

If you'd like to contact me, please use this form. If you're so inclined, you can read more about me here. Thank you for visiting!