FOOD ART LIFE

IDS 12 - Interior Design Show - Toronto Convention Centre

2012-01-27T23:23:00.016-05:00

This weekend, don't miss The Interior Design Show at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West. There are lots of interesting presentations going on this Saturday and Sunday, January 28 & 29, 2012.

Here are some of the goodies that caught my eye!

Questions About Plant-Based Eating? Here Are Answers!

2012-01-18T16:14:00.005-05:00

What is the number one question vegetarians and vegans get? I would venture to guess it would be, "Where do you get your protein?"

If you click here you can find answers to that question and a whole lot more, tons of resources for anyone interested in a plant-based diet at your fingertips!

Alma Natural Quick Spa for Non-Toxic Nails!

2012-01-13T18:37:00.007-05:00

Winter has finally arrived in Toronto and even though the weather was frightful outside this morning, with slush and sleet galore, calm and serenity prevailed inside this little gem of a salon.

This is not just any nail spa - Alma Natural Quick Spa specializes in everything eco-friendly, safe and natural. This beautifully decorated space immediately induces a relaxed state and there are no strong fumes or toxic ingredients to mar the experience.

My esthetician, Peggy, worked her magic on my ragged cuticles and I ended up with beautiful, glossy digits. All services make use of house made, all-natural scrubs, lotions and oils. My citrus manicure included a hand massage using essential oil infused cream. A couple of nice extra touches included the freshly brewed tea (the menu of flavor choices was extensive) and even a shoulder massage!

If you are in the mood to shop, there are all kinds of interesting, eco-conscious products, including: water-based nail polish, weighted eye pillows, organic soy candles, "Damn Heels" foldable flats, magnetic jewelry and books on environmentally friendly subjects. Making an appointment is also super easy with their online booking option.

If you want to relax, rejuvenate and glam up in a friendly and unpretentious environment, make sure to book a service at Alma Natural Quick Spa, 2105 Yonge Street in Toronto, just south of Eglinton Avenue. A fun time to stop by will be January 25-28, when they will be holding their grand opening event.

Don't Like Cats? Love Cats?

2012-01-12T09:44:00.004-05:00

Here are Theo and Oliver, my rescued babies. They are about 8 or 9 months old and are already huge. We have had them since August and already I can't imagine not having them in my life.

I photographed them in a moment where they actually seemed to be posing!

I never understand people who say they don't like animals or cats in particular. I just want to say to them, open your heart, visit a shelter and meet a few of the hundreds of kitties that are waiting there for a home. Animals are individual, just like we are. Some are definitely more friendly than others, but all deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.

The love, comfort and amusement you receive when you belong to a cat is priceless. On these chilly winter days, there is nothing better than a cup of tea, a roaring fire, a good book and a purring cat in your lap.

A story that will make you weep and make you think about what you eat . . .

2012-01-07T11:25:00.007-05:00

This account made me cry and also made me think a lot about our whole food system. Written by social activist and humanitarian, John Robbins (who gave up his Baskin-Robbins fortune for ethical reasons) this story of a pig farmer didn't turn out as I expected when I first started reading.

I ended up feeling greatly for the poor farmer, whose life circumstances led to doing things he hated in his heart and some of the tragic things that happened to him in childhood made me weep with sadness. The whole system of factory farming is so evil I don't think even the most carnivorous person would support it if they were aware of the suffering involved.

Please click here to read this important essay.

And The Winner of Strawesome Straw Is .....

2012-01-02T09:24:00.005-05:00

Comment Number 6: Nadia Harper

Congratulations, Nadia! I am sure you will love your new straw. Please let me know your mailing address - there is a contact form to the right on this blog.

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Contest to Win Strawesome Glass Straw - Art and Health Combined in One Cool Product!

2011-12-11T10:30:00.001-05:00

I am really excited to share this fun and environmentally friendly product - reusable Strawesome glass straws, which are decorated beautifully in a myriad of colors and designs. They are handmade from borosilicate glass, which is tough, virtually unbreakable and won't leach toxins into your drink!

I love how the creator of Strawesome glass straws, Daedra Surowiec (Architect by training. Mother by choice. Creator of Strawesome by pure passion.), has combined art and functionality in a healthy living product!

The straws are available in many different sizes to perfectly fit your favorite drinking container. The raised, colorful decorations help stop your straw from rolling off the counter or falling out of your lidded container (when you put the decorations in the bottom) and the unique, one of a kind designs also distinguish which drink belongs to you. They are dishwasher safe and cleaning brushes are also available on the Strawesome website.

The company offers 100% satisfaction guarantee including a lifetime guarantee against breakage!

These straws make a great gift for you or someone you love.

Here is the best part: You now have a chance to win your very own Strawesome straw right here at Food Art Life!

To enter your name for the draw, simply leave a comment on why you would like to try out this unique product. For a second and/or third chance to win, make a twitter or Facebook post directing people here and then make an additional comment (or two if you do both Facebook and Twitter) below saying that you have done that! So if you do all three, (first comment, twitter and Facebook posts) you get 3 chances to win!

Finally, you need to check back by January 9th to see if you won! Draw will happen on or around January 1, 2011.

*Note: This contest is only for residents of Canada and the United States. Winner will be chosen using random.org.

Top 20 Foods To Fight Cancer

2011-12-08T16:13:00.004-05:00

And here they are:

Green Tea, Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Oranges, Grapefruit, Lemons, Apples, Pineapple, Cherries, Red Grapes, Red Wine, Bok Choy, Kale, Soybeans (especially fermented soy like Nato), Ginseng, Maitake Mushroom, Licorice, Turmeric, Nutmeg, Artichokes, Lavender, Pumpkin, Sea Cucumber, Tuna, Parsley, Garlic, Tomato, Olive Oil, Grape seed Oil, Dark Chocolate, and Pomegranates.

The above list of anti-cancer foods is taken from a lecture about anti-angiogenic therapy entitled, "Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?" by Dr. William Li.

We are treating cancer too late in the game. We need to prevent angiogenesis in cancer by looking at the causes. Diet accounts for 30-35% of environmentally caused cancers. We often think about what we ought to strip away to improve our health, but instead, Dr. Li looks at what to ADD to the diet to starve cancer.

Take note that french fries, burgers and coke are not on that plant-based list - however, good news for some of us - CHOCOLATE is!
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The Art of Non-Conformity Re: Qualifications

2011-12-07T23:07:00.001-05:00

I loved this super funny and smart article re: Qualifications. You really don't need any, as the author has proven! I have noticed that many uber-successful people don't ask permission from anybody to create whatever they can dream up!

Having said that, I have been attending nutrition school to add to my "qualifications", which is a little ironic given the article I just quoted. I have been thoroughly enjoying being back in school. A lot of what I have studied so far has been a review of classes I took many moons ago at university but it has been so fun to hang out with other people of like mind and intention and immerse myself in a subject I love.

On a side note, it is getting pretty chilly here in Ontario, but no snow to speak of yet!

I have been immersed in studying anatomy & physiology this month but spent the late afternoon using up a half dozen very ripe bananas in a gluten-free muffin experiment. I haven't perfected the recipe yet, but it involves brown rice flour, almond pulp, mesquite and coconut oil with a few vegan chocolate chips thrown in for fun. Fortunately I live with a bunch of non-picky individuals who devour all my experiments regardless of the outcome. The only sweetener in the muffins, other than the fruit, is a teeny touch of stevia and a small amount of either coconut sugar or organic molasses. I have found that using 1/8 tsp. or less of stevia in a recipe in combination with another natural source of sweetness such as fruit tastes really fantastic - no bitter after taste at all. Bonus - the house smells amazing!

The Doctor of the Future Will Give No Medicine

2011-11-28T17:06:00.003-05:00

The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest their patients in the care of the human frame, in a proper diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease. ~Thomas Edison

Here is a link for Canadians who would like to see a better health care system in our country. We have a great trauma care system but we are failing miserably in preventing major killers such as diabetes and heart disease: Freedom Health Canada

Darko Prce at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T16:18:00.002-05:00

Okay, so this photo has nothing to do with the Whole Life Expo, but it does illustrate the exuberant joy and health you need to have that kind of energy!

Darko Prce (and no, that is not a typo, he has no vowel) of Biosis Healthcare Center, a nutritionist and instructor at The Institute of Holistic Nutrition, gave a very interesting and informative lecture entitled, "Disease, Illness & Suffering" at the Whole Life Expo.

He asked, "Are you interested in the cure for ALL diseases?" and gave us the answer: PREVENTION!

He went on t0 discuss several of the biggest killers in our society today, including diabetes, cancer, hypertension and heart disease, all of which are either lifestyle, environmental or nutritional in nature. He also addressed the increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression and ADD/ADHD. He mentioned some of the causes for each of these problems and things we can do to take responsibility and help ourselves with changes in our diet, supplementation and other suggestions about what we can do to correct the situation. Nutritional and detoxification protocols can restore our bodies back to health and help us become strong enough to resist disease in the first place.

Why spend billions of dollars searching for a "cure" when we know the root cause of these illnesses - nutritional deficiencies and internal toxicities?

Giddy YoYo - Mark and Bridgitte at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T15:59:00.008-05:00

Here is beautiful Bridgitte of Giddy YoYo (you can see a glimpse of Mark, her co-conspirator, deep in conversation in the background in our left) and sprout fame.

I first met Mark and Bridgitte at an event they organized in Barrie featuring Brian Clement, the raw food guru from Florida. At that time I found out that they delivered wheatgrass, sunflower sprouts and other super goodies right to your door and immediately signed up!

This gorgeous couple have grown their business quite a bit since then, with a focus on their amazing Giddy YoYo chocolate (although if you live in the GTA - Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada for those who are wondering what I am talking about - as I mentioned previously, they also deliver the best sprouts and other superfoods/supplements right to your door) and they can be found at pretty much every health event and trade show. Next up for them is the Toronto Raw Vegan Festival December 3-4, 2011. This event has free admission, so check it out if you can!

The Institute of Holistic Nutrition at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T14:00:00.004-05:00

Here we see two Certified Nutritional Practitioners (on our left is Jennifer Papaconstantinou) providing information about the superlative program at The Institute of Holistic Nutrition to an attendee at Whole Life Expo.

Garden Gate Farms at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T13:45:00.006-05:00

Garden Gate Farms sells raw organic wheatgrass and broccoli sprout juices full of live enzymes. They are cold pasteurized (see their website for more information on this process) and ready to drink!

Chocosol at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T13:42:00.003-05:00

Here are some yummy examples of raw chocolate available from Chocosol. This is just one of the myriads of companies dispensing all things raw at the Whole Life Expo this year. I saw lots of kale chips and dehydrated snack goodies as well.

The vendors (click here for more information about their socially responsible cacao) of this particular delight were particularly charming and enthusiastic about their product - apparently, their fudge balls are to "live" for (as opposed to "die" for since the chocolate is raw)! The little taste I experienced was certainly amazingly delicious and as soon as my adrenals allow me to indulge, I will definitely seek out this "beyond fair trade" company for some goodies.

Toronto Vegetarian Society at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T13:37:00.008-05:00

The Toronto Vegetarian Association has lots of resources that are available for anyone interested in improving their diet with plant-based foods. They provide support and information with a resource center, a website and a regular newsletter for members. They also publish a yearly Directory of restaurants, stores and other businesses that veg-friendly!

Organic Traditions at Whole Life Expo

2011-11-27T12:52:00.009-05:00

I just love the raw superfoods at Advantage Health Matters Inc. - goji berries, cacao nibs, sprouted ground chia, sprouted ground flax, camu camu berry (which is a super high, natural source of Vitamin C), maca, golden berries, green leaf stevia and so much more!

Whole Life Expo 2011 Starts Tomorrow!

2011-11-24T17:56:00.002-05:00

Tons of great vendors will be in attendance at this showcase of natural health, alternative medicine and green living. In addition, there is an extensive roster of speakers for those who would like in depth information on a variety of topics.

The show runs Friday, November 25 to November 27, 2011 at The Metro Toronto Convention Centre (2 blocks west of Union Station), 255 Front Street West. Show hours are Friday from 4 to 9 pm, Saturday 11am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

For more information, click here.

Downsizing - Letting Go of Your Stuff

2011-11-17T09:01:00.013-05:00

I am sure some of you will be able to identify with the daunting task of downsizing. I recently helped my parents move from their home of 40 years. This involved a trip across the country and time away from school (that is another story), work and my own family. As you can imagine, this was quite an extensive undertaking and the fact that we had less than 3 weeks in which to accomplish this feat was more than a little daunting.

My dad is 92 and my mom a decade younger. Up until recently, she has been very active and able to care for my dad. All that came to a screeching halt this fall (after a long period of severe pain with no explanation) when she was finally diagnosed with multiple fractured vertebrae in her spine. She is now in a wheelchair most of the time.

Sorting through and deciding what to do with the accumulated stuff in an accelerated fashion made it imperative to make quick decisions about what to keep (had to be minimal) and what had to go. It got me thinking that it would be good to let go of things that weigh us down before we are forced to do it. The stuff kept because it might be useful some day (and in our family, that was actually true, if you could find the item when you needed it, that is) filled a 3,000+ square foot house, 2 garages and two sheds on the 5 acre property. My mom also had not one, but two huge freezers, one actually full of aged foodstuffs, but the other was full of fabric and paper! We ended up chucking pretty much everything in both!

My parents lived through the Great Depression, and that experience colored not only their lives but also my own. I too have a stash of things that I have moved at least a couple of times, mostly things I am planning to use "someday" - for example, fabric to sew curtains and pillows and containers to organize things (which is kind of ironic) all still in boxes from the last move.

I wonder about all the people who keep stuff in those ginormous storage facilities that seem to dot the landscape even out in the country these days. Will that (mostly) junk stay there until the day they die, wracking up debt in the process? I tell myself that at least I haven't gone that far, but my situation right now is that I rent a place in the City and own in the country so in reality my storage unit is my house, a very expensive storage unit!

Going through this experience and realizing how little value is put on other people's stuff, I think I may finally be ready to open those boxes and let go of a good portion of the things I haven't had time to use for the past decade or more. I wonder if someone else could actually use and maybe even treasure some of my stuff if I were to give it away rather than have it sitting in storage, possibly becoming damaged, unused and unloved?

What motivates you to let go of stuff?

*Oh, and the picture? My kids, on their grandparent's property 6 years ago.

Strawesome Straw to Sip Healthy Chocolate Shake, Recipe Included!

2011-10-14T10:47:00.007-04:00

Here is my son, enjoying a delicious chocolate smoothie with a very cool, environmentally conscious Strawesome decorated glass reusable straw.

The chocolate shake is made by throwing into my Vita-Mix blender the following ingredients and blending until smooth:

1 T. raw cacao
1/2 organic banana
1 c. almond milk
1/2 c. coconut water
1 tsp. maca
2 T. sprouted powdered chia
1 T. NOW brand non-GMO lecithin
about 6-8 ice cubes

At the end, I add the following ingredients and gently blend:
1 scoop Sunwarrior rice protein powder
1 T. cacao nibs for crunch!

Make sure you do don't over-blend, as it will adversely affect the protein and make the cacao nibs disappear completely!

This is super delicious and nutritious, great for breakfast or a snack after a workout.

My Cat Can Open Doors!

2011-10-14T10:12:00.002-04:00

Can you see the intelligence in those eyes? This little guy has figured out how to open doors and escape from rooms he no longer wishes to inhabit! I wonder if that is how he and his brother ended up in an animal shelter? He jumps up to pull down on the handle until the door swings open.

Vegetarian Food Festival Friday Report Sept. 9, 2011

2011-09-10T14:55:00.001-04:00

The first day of the Toronto Vegetarian Food Fair turned out to be absolutely balmy with lots of sunshine to enjoy!

jae steele (not a typo, she uses lower case letters for her name) prepares for her demo.

Panel discussion, which was not without controversy!

The 27th annual Vegetarian Food Festival (put on by The Toronto Vegetarian Association) is on this weekend, September 9-11, at Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay West (just west of the base of York Street) in Toronto. Opening night brought perfect weather as summer made an encore appearance. I enjoyed browsing all the exhibits and trying a few delicious food products. I avoided many of the more processed items. There are so many tastes to try you need to be judicious in your choices.

After having my fill of probably too many assorted goodies, I sat in on a demo by jae steele, who prepared her delicious chocolate fudge (yes, we got a sample) made with black beans and only a touch of sweetener, a huge contrast to the usual pure sugar/fat combo that comprises traditional fudge. I am definitely going to be trying this one, but have a number of my own alterations in mind already, so stay posted!

Next was a presentation by Terry Hope Romero, author, former Post Punk Kitchen TV host and blogger, who talked about how to write a story for your blog.

Finally, I attended a panel discussion, moderated by raw chef, Lisa Pitman, which featured Dr. Michael Greger, Julieanna Hever, RD, Robert Cheeke, jae steele (holistic nutritionist, cookbook author, and midwife-in-training), and Doug McNish (vegan chef). The panelists engaged in a lively discussion about many topics, including their favorite plant-based foods, weight loss, bodybuilding, protein, fats, B12, food addiction and more. There was some disagreement, especially when it came to added fat in the diet unless the LDL score was perfect.

In the end, I picked up the Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness: The Complete Guide to Building Your Body on a Plant-Based Diet book by Robert Cheeke as I am very interested in learning how he managed to gain so much muscle when most say it can't be done on a vegan diet without tons of meat, eggs and other animal product.

More Cute Kitty Pix

2011-09-07T17:31:00.004-04:00

Our new babies are growing fast! They each get a raw egg yolk every morning (unfortunately, kitties can't be vegan) mixed with with kitty probiotics and lysine.

The holistic vet recommended the probiotics and lysine since they both had an upper respiratory infection when we adopted them. They look so much healthier now with shiny coats and they are filling out after escaping from their month in a cage at the shelter.

They also have wheat grass avilable to nibble on when the fancy strikes and I have seen both cats chewing away at the blades of grass. In the first week after we got them, Theo had an eye infection and it cleared up in a day and a half after we carefully put some wheat grass juice in the corner of his eye! It was quite amazing. We are gradually transitioning to more raw food.

Simple Living Ideas From Zen Habits

2011-09-06T22:51:00.008-04:00

If you are rushing around like a crazy person these days (hmm, surely I am not alone), making endless lists, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, here are some wonderful thoughts to ponder: Zen Habits has posted this article about tossing productivity advice out the window and from the same blog, some thoughts on slowing down, simplifying and living in the moment.

Make yourself a cup of herbal tea, take a deep breath and think about slowing down and actually enjoying every moment of your life.

Get Thee To Your Local Farmer's Market

2011-09-02T08:36:00.000-04:00

Fall's bounty is starting to pour in to farmer's markets so don't miss out! These markets are a feast for the senses and it is so much fun to enjoy all the sights, smells, sounds and tastes. There is a real sense of community, especially after a few visits when you get to know some of the vendors. You can also do a little people watching. In the end, you get to bring home loads of delicious, nutritious foods to get creative with in the kitchen.

At our local market, there was even free BBQ grilled corn on the cob available! Love that - it tasted like candy. Next week they are going to have grilled zucchini and veggie burgers in addition to the usual offerings!

I picked up some great organic goodies, including zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers and more. I am looking forward to coming up with some new ways to enjoy them!

Superb Omega-3 & Antioxidants: Prana Organic Raw Chia Oil

2011-09-01T12:07:00.000-04:00

When I stopped by Borden Communications yesterday, I picked up this bottle of Prana Chia Oil. I have mentioned this product before, after sampling it at a trade show, but I am happy to get the chance to try it out more extensively.

Chia seems to be the new "it" superfood. This great product provides 8.5 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids in just one Tablespoon! Among its many other virtues, Omega-3 has an anti-inflammatory effect that benefits your circulatory system for heart health. It is also a great source of antioxidants! There is no strong fishy taste and no risk of heavy metal toxicity.

I plan to add this oil to my salads, smoothies, sauces and soups (after cooking as the oil should never be heated).

Chemical Free Lunches with Wean Green Glass Containers

2011-08-31T08:34:00.006-04:00

Check out these cute and colorful glass containers from Wean Green that I just picked up from Borden Communications + Design!

I just love the idea of being able to pack food for school lunches without contamination from chemicals like BPA, PVC and Pthaltates.

The glass in this baby food bowl (on top, with pink lid) and sandwich cube is nonporous so great for freezing as well! The baby food bowls come in 4 "flavors" (with the lid color matching the particular food) for easy identification of raspberry, blueberry, carrot or pea, which I think is a brilliant concept.

Wean Green also partners with 1% for the Planet to donate to environmental organizations.

The "Heart Attack Proof" Diet

2011-08-23T15:15:00.000-04:00

Don't miss this CNN feature about the "heart attack proof" diet (7:30 ET) promoted by doctors Sanjay Gupta and Caldwell Esselstyn. Like President Clinton, now a vegan, the featured patient gave up butter and meat rather than undergoing radical surgery.

Theo and Oliver

2011-08-22T11:33:00.004-04:00

My new babies! They are super affectionate and gentle.

Kitten Adoption - And Here Is Theo

2011-08-22T11:31:00.001-04:00

Tired after subduing a piece of denim tied to rope.

Kitty Adoption!

2011-08-21T13:42:00.002-04:00

We just adopted two very sweet tabby kittens (4 months old) from the animal shelter.

Here is Oliver, the one who is constantly sneezing. He unfortunately has an upper respiratory infection, so the vet said to give 500 mg lysine and probiotics (who knew they had these for cats, and they are just as expensive as the human variety) to help him fight it naturally.

I will post a photo of Theo soon!

Free Admission for Goodlife Fitness Members!

2011-08-20T10:58:00.004-04:00

Anybody who has a Goodlife Fitness membership can attend the Can-Fit-Pro Consumer Fitness and Wellness Show today. There are lots of products to purchase, samples, demonstrations and lectures that are of interest to anyone who wants to live a healthier, fitter life.

Bubbie's Sauerkraut - Naturally Fermented Raw Deliciousness!

2011-08-10T22:09:00.002-04:00

I just had some fermented cabbage - better known as sauerkraut and was it ever good! There is no comparison between this yummy treat and the canned, vinegar doused, cooked variety, plus it contains healthy probiotics to keep your tummy happy.

I found my jar in a refrigerated case at Whole Foods for $4.99. I have made my own version of fermented/cultured vegetables in the past, but since I can never stick to a recipe, I threw in grated carrot, beet, garlic, onion, miso, and who knows what else, to my version. I enjoyed my cultured vegetables, but I am thinking I may just prefer the plain old cabbage version Bubbie's produces.

Click here to go the web page for Bubbie's and save yourself some work or go to my previous post and read all about the benefits and how to make your own!

Free Vegan Hotdogs and Cookies at Dundas Square Today!

2011-08-10T15:17:00.006-04:00

Still time to get yourself down there and participate in the fun! From 12-6 today there will be entertainment and samples of vegan food, including Daiya, Tofurkey, Sweets from the Earth and Vega. Gene Baur of Farm Sanctuary will be there, handing out the vegan dogs. There is also an evening event too - for more information go here.

I missed meeting Gene Baur this morning (sick son) at a Blogger's breakfast (thanks Kindfood for the invite!) but maybe some of you will be able to be part of 10,000 Tastes, 10 Billion Reasons.

Dehydrated Raw Burger Patties

2011-07-22T19:00:00.008-04:00

These delicious burger patties are full of healthy ingredients and enzymes. Don't let the somewhat lengthy list of ingredients deter you. You do need to plan ahead a bit to allow time for soaking the nuts and seeds to increase their nutritional value.

Raw Veggie Burger Patties - Makes 3 dozen patties

1 c. brazil nuts
1 c. walnuts
1 c. sesame seed
3/4 c. sunflower seed
1/4 c. pumpkin seed
1/2 c. almonds
10 sundried tomato halves - cover with water to soak 1 hour, then chop finely
3 c. cremini mushrooms, chopped
¼ c. tamari
juice of 1 lemon
½ tsp. toasted sesame oil
½ tsp. hot chili sauce (Siracha)
1 tsp. salt
a few grinds of pepper
2 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
4 stalks celery
1 c. parsley
1 medium sweet onion
1 medium zucchini
1 tsp. each oregano, poultry seasoning, rosemary
½ tsp. each thyme and celery seed
¾ c. sprouted and ground chia seed

1. Soak the brazil nuts, walnuts, sesame seed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed and almonds for 8-10 hours. Drain, rinse thoroughly and set aside to drain.

2. Cut the zucchini and onion into chunks that will fit down the tube of your juicer. Cut the celery into ½” pieces to minimize stringiness and roughly chop the parsley. Feed the vegetables and nuts through a homogenizing juicer with the blank plate attached, alternating chunks of vegetables with the nuts and seeds.

If you don't have a juicer, a food processor will work but the patties may be a bit more chunky. Process enough that the mixture will form into patties.

3. In a small bowl, put the tamari soy sauce, juice of 1 lemon, toasted sesame oil, hot chili sauce (Siracha), salt, pepper and garlic and whisk with a fork. Pour this sauce over the mushrooms in a pie plate and place in the dehydrator for a half hour or just let sit for 1 hour to soften, stirring occasionally.

4. Stir in finely chopped sundried tomato and chopped marinated mushrooms and the sauce.

5. Add marinated mushrooms to large bowl of homogenized nuts and vegetables, then stir in the spices plus chia seed and mix well.

6. Put level ¼ c. scoops into silicone egg form and flatten with rubber spatula. Each tray can hold 12 crowded patties or 9 spaced out.

7. Dehydrate at 105 degrees for 8-12 hours, depending on how chewy you want them to be.

8. Enjoy your burger patty with lettuce and condiments like mustard and pickle!

My best tip for making these is the silicone circle thingy I got from the dollar store, actually meant to corral an egg in a pan but I discovered the perfect use for said thingy - molding raw veggie mixtures easily into patties!

P.S. If you don't care about the patties being raw, you can also bake them in a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes, until the edges start to brown a bit, flipping them once about halfway through the cooking process.

Raw Food Retreat - Food as Art

2011-07-18T19:34:00.008-04:00

Fantastic and super healthy treats presented by holistic nutritionista Marni Wasserman on a recent raw food retreat included: fixings for making nori rolls, raw pancakes with blueberries and mango, exotic fruits with raw chocolate sauce, many varieties of salad, superfoods, raw cacao pudding, collard wraps, pesto kelp noodles, green juices and smoothies and much, much more!

Schools Kill Creativity!

2011-06-11T21:18:00.002-04:00

You must watch this speech by a very eloquent and funny British scholar who says that schools kill creativity. Very thought provoking!

What WIll You Regret?

2011-06-08T15:01:00.002-04:00

I recently came across this article about the regrets people have on their deathbeds and found it very enlightening. It was written by a woman who worked with people who were in their last days of life and it got me thinking about what I might regret and where I ought to change course before it is too late. You may be surprised by the list of regrets the dying had. The top 5 regrets included: living for the expectations of other people rather than what is truly important to you, working too hard, not expressing feelings, not staying in touch with friends and not choosing to be happy.

I know I often tend to focus on the negative side of situations. I have had a lot of difficult personal circumstances in the past number of years and that sometimes makes it difficult to choose happiness! The root cause may include not wanting to cause other people to feel envy if things are going too well. Also, I think I am afraid I will not be liked if I am too happy! I feel a little annoyed by people who are always beaming joy as that seems a bit phoney to me. How could they possibly be that positive all the time when there are so many problems to deal with? I realize now that we can choose to be happy, no matter what circumstances arise. We can control our thoughts, even if life seems less than ideal. So that is one regret I hope to address. What about you?

Mimi Kirk Shares Her Secrets to Longevity and Staying Young on Raw Food

2011-06-04T19:52:00.012-04:00

Yesterday, I walked for an hour while listening to this great interview with the lovely and inspirational Mimi Kirk, who will soon turn 73!

Some of her tips for staying young include: having a good attitude, starting the day with green juice and eating as much raw food as possible. She describes how she came from a family of 7 siblings, but only 3 remain. Her two sisters still both have suffered from cancer take lots of pills. Mimi did not want to go that route, so after beginning to experience some health issues, like arthritis and weight gain, she tried raw as an experiment with her daughter for one week and loved it so much she decided to continue. As a result, she lost all her excess weight and began to feel absolutely great with no more pain from arthritis. Her boyfriend and daughter also lost weight from adding more raw food to their diet.

She is also a foodie and loves to eat well, so no suffering is involved! If you would like to find out more about what Mimi likes to prepare, check out her new book, Live Raw. If you order it directly from her, she will personally sign your book and send you a really cool dogtag necklace, inscribed with words to remind you to live your best life.

Baby Shower

2011-05-29T12:37:00.014-04:00

Saturday was overcast, but the rain held off for this beautiful, garden baby shower for Rachel, brilliantly executed by Lisa, Sara and Natasha.

The fantastic cake, created by Lisa, was lemon flavor and absolutely delicious and the delicate, pastel french macarons, made by Natasha, were unbelievably good! I am still on sugar overload and need to detox, but it was worth every bite.

The girls made all the decorations themselves and can you believe those peonies are made of paper? The centerpieces featured decorated mason jars filled with foil-wrapped chocolates plus peonies, candles and a little bird on a silver tray - very cute!

Everything looked wonderful and Rachel received tons of cute and useful baby items for her daughter, Jade, due in three weeks.

Forks Over Knives - Trailer #2

2011-05-18T13:07:00.007-04:00

Toronto Preview tonight, opens May 20, 2011 at The Cumberland Theatre!

Kindfood - Vegan Restaurant Extraordinaire

2011-05-15T21:53:00.002-04:00

It was a sunny day - one of the first really nice days we have had during our rather miserable spring here in damp, grey, cold Toronto and I had an irresistible urge to get out of town and have an adventure. After catching a Tweet about lemon cupcakes by Kelly Childs, owner (with daughter, Erinn Weatherbie) of Kindfood, a fairly new vegan cafe in Burlington, Ontario, I decided today was the day I would finally check out this year old restaurant. With the price of gasoline being what it is these days, it was a rather expensive cupcake!

This place is absolutely charming, with colorful decor and an atmosphere overflowing with love of animals and our planet, but you don't need to be vegetarian or vegan to enjoy the delicious food. In addition to the lunch items and amazing baked goods, there is also a refrigerated case with healthful groceries to take home.

A couple of other patrons recommended the Happy Buddha Bowl and the OMG Grilled Cheeze! Sandwich, but I decided to order the scrumptious Tao Tempeh Reuben, made with Daiya vegan "cheese", for lunch. I guessed the secret marinade - you should go try one and see if you can figure it out too! I have to say, I think it was the best veg Reuben I have tasted!

Flourless and Sugar Free Baking - Chocolate Cupcakes

2011-05-09T09:41:00.011-04:00

Healthy Chocolate Cupcakes
No flour, no sugar, low glycemic index, lots of fibre and protein, no bad fats!

Inspired by a recipe at Healthy Indulgences for a layered chocolate cake.

You will not believe the secret ingredient in these yummy cupcakes - it is BEANS! Trust me, no one will ever know that these are such a healthy treat.

Ingredients:
5 large eggs
1 1/2 c. cooked beans, drained
½ teaspoon stevia (I use NuNaturals pure stevia)
1 T. apple cider vinegar
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. sea salt
6 T. cocoa powder
3/4 c. erythritol (all natural granulated sugar substitute - I used Z Sweet)
2 tsp. baking soda
6 T. coconut oil

Method:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
1. Put eggs, beans, stevia, apple cider vinegar, vanilla extract and sea salt in blender. Puree until smooth.
2. In medium size bowl, whisk together cocoa powder, erythritol and baking soda. Using hand held mixer, gradually add dry ingredients to coconut oil (which should be the texture of butter).
3. Add bean mixture to bowl and mix until smooth.
4. Fill paper or silicone muffin cups half full. This recipe makes 1 1/2 dozen cupcakes.
5. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
6. Let cool in pan 10 minutes then remove to cooling rack.
7. When cool frost (recipe below) and enjoy! I like to do this just before serving the cupcakes.

Frosting:
6 large, soft medjool dates and 2 T. flaked coconut soaked at least 1 hour in 1/2 c. water
1/2 c. agave nectar
2 T. raw cacao powder
1 T. vanilla extract
½ c. coconut oil
1/2 c. cashews, soaked several hours and rinsed

Method:
1. Put in blender cashews, dates plus coconut with the soaking water, 1/2 c. agave nectar and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
2. Add coconut oil and blend.
3. Gradually add cacao and mix until blended.
4. Pour into container and put in fridge to thicken, which will take several hours.

They didn't rise a lot, but they are delicate and light.

Batter filled the cups about half way.

Forks Over Knives Trailer

2011-05-08T13:51:00.012-04:00

This film is coming to Toronto May 20, at the Cumberland 4 Cinema near Bay and Bloor. The film addresses medical research done by notable physicians Dr. T Colin Campbell (author of The China Study), Dr. Caldwell B. Esselstyn (who was instrumental in Bill Clinton becoming vegan, losing weight and halting his heart disease) and many others.

Forks Over Knives presents evidence of the extremely detrimental health consequences of the standard American diet, especially the obsession with abundant animal protein. Meat is believed to be the only valid source of protein, dairy is equated with calcium and both are considered by most people as essential to our well-being. However, if that were the case, why is the general health of the people living in North America continuing to decline? Why are the countries with the highest intake of dairy products (with Canada being one of them) also the places where the rates of osteoporosis are the highest?

Most people would rather dig their own grave with their fork than change their diet. What we eat is so tied up in tradition, celebration, habit and wrong beliefs that it is hard for people to see any other way and to realize that there is a whole world of delicious food available to us when we stop thinking of a huge slab of meat as the centrepiece of our plate. The message of this film is that we have choices and can prevent and even reverse disease with plants, not pills. If you care about your health and the health of your family, make sure to go see this groundbreaking film!

Mizuno Wave Nirvana 6 - My New Kicks!

2011-05-06T13:42:00.004-04:00

We are now, finally experiencing gorgeous spring weather here in Toronto, so it is time to get out there and walk or run to get fresh air, exercise, enjoy all the gardens springing to life and clear out those winter cobwebs! I always come back from a long walk feeling refreshed, energized and with a much better perspective on any issues I am dealing with.

Despite my 80-odd pairs of shoes, it seems I have a need for running shoes this year as, unfortunately, even when they still look good on the outside, they lose cushioning and support over time, leading to potential injury. Fortunately, every May our local Running Room store has a big sale of last year's models and some really good deals on great shoes are available. My choice of shoe this year is Mizuno - I absolutely love my new Mizuno Wave Nirvana shoes. I love the pretty turquoise trim and they are the most spongy, comfortable shoes ever, with lots of support as well. If you have a need for new running shoes as well, get thee to a Running Room location posthaste!

Brian Clement of Hippocrates Health Institute Visits Toronto

2011-04-07T23:02:00.008-04:00

Many thanks to Jenny Berkeley of eating4eternity for inviting me to hear Dr. Brian Clement of Hippocrates Health Institute speak on April 7, 2011 at an event organized by Benjamin Stone of Raw Naturals.

Those in attendance had a chance to hear about Dr. Clement's latest book, Killer Clothes, and ask questions. Several vendors, including MB Alchemy, were on hand to offer some items, including raw coconuts.

Ikea - Model for Simplicity or Temptation to Clutter??

2011-04-06T08:31:00.010-04:00

Haven't we all spent countless hours in Ikea, wandering the aisles, wondering if we would ever find an exit? Then, finally emerging, dazed, into the light of day, find ourselves with more purchases than we can fit inside our vehicles?

Today, Unclutterer, inspired by the article here, stated that,

Ikea is a marvel at offering products that contain stuff instead of actually forcing their owners to purge.

The Swedish company sends an interestingly contradictory message, promoting a simple, uncluttered life, yet stocking thousands of items for us to take home. Maybe, instead of buying yet another container or bookshelf to hide our stuff we ought get rid of some of it instead.

The perfect showrooms in Ikea make us believe we can live a streamlined, modern existence, but it is easy to keep a room perfect when no one lives there. No food, dirty dishes, papers, crayons or clothing are strewn about in a model kitchen or living room. It is unrealistic to think that a real family can maintain the same idealized spaces, at least not without an extreme obsessive focus that would detract from more important things!

I love Ikea for their affordable design - just yesterday I was marveling at my perfect set of Ikea kitchen utensils with each pancake flipper and spoon formed out of a single piece of stainless steel. However, I still haven't gotten rid of my old utensils (with their unsanitary wooden handles) even though I told myself I would do so when I bought the shiny new Ikea set. I have some purging to do, and not only in the kitchen.

Since I live near an Ikea store, on a rainy day I sometimes enjoy a brisk walk through the store, to enjoy the aesthetic elements and come up with decorating ideas. The spare, modern rooms shown at Ikea can be an inspiration to lighten up and clear out unnecessary items we already own rather than stocking up on yet more manufactured goods. However, a warning - stay out of Ikea unless you are determined to only buy for a specific need and go there armed with a list and measurements! Pointless browsing only leads to spending money on items that are probably not needed. Instead of shopping, do some Spring cleaning and clearing. We can set a goal to edit and simplify our spaces for more a more enjoyable and stress-free existence and maybe end up with rooms that actually do look more like the Ikea models.

The Supercharged Hormone Diet by Natasha Turner

2011-03-23T09:44:00.005-04:00

Last winter, I joined a boot camp detox program run by Dr. Natasha Turner (who is a naturopath) at her Clear Medicine clinic in Toronto and found it very educational and inspirational.

Now Dr. Turner has come out with a new book, The Supercharged Hormone Diet, that simplifies her program for feeling better and losing excess body fat so you can do the boot camp on your own! The book tells you exactly what to do and makes it easy to implement the program. Once you are finished the 30-day plan, you can move on to see what personalized tweaks are required for your individual needs.

If you would like to see Dr. Turner talk about her new book and see some of the recommended foods and supplements, check out this video of her recent appearance on The Marilyn Denis Show.

(If you can't see the link for the book, disable your adblocker for this site)

Crazy Sexy Diet - New Book by Kris Carr

2010-12-11T20:31:00.008-05:00

I was browsing in my local bookstore this evening and spotted a great new book by Kris Carr, a young woman with incurable cancer who is living a wonderfully vibrant life. She has completely transformed her health with diet, exercise and attitude.

The book's subtitle is, "Eat Your VEGGIES, IGNITE Your Spark, and LIVE Like You MEAN IT!" and "INCLUDING A 21-DAY ADVENTURE CLEANSE". There is a foreword by Dr. Dean Ornish and Preface by Rory Freedman.

The book is made up of lots of essays by different authors. A lot of the Chapter headings made me smile - it looks like a lot of fun and very informative.

Kombucha - The Famous Living Tea

2010-11-27T12:23:00.010-05:00

Kombucha seems to be the new "it" drink for 2010.

The fizzy drink is known for strengthening the immune system, detoxification and balancing intestinal flora. It contains many vitamins (including B12), enzymes, organic acids, antioxidants and polyphenols and a teeny percentage (less than .5% in this case) of alcohol.

This brand is brewed by crudessence and comes in three flavors. I particularly liked the Symbiose - white tea and ginger.

The two young gentlemen manning the booth said that their kombucha can be found in health food stores and to request it if it is not there yet.

Goji Berries - Extraordinary Superfood

2010-11-27T11:34:00.008-05:00

Goji berries (also known as Chinese Wolfberry) are nutrient dense, alkalizing and boost your immune system. Other health claims include improving eyesight and stabilizing blood sugar. They contain polysaccharides, powerful free radical scavengers, which stimulate T-cell production and discourage tumor formation.

At their booth at The Whole Life Expo,
Sun Life Goji provided samples of their imported, certified organic goji berries. I found these particular dried berries to have the most appealing texture I have seen, containing 10-12% moisture. Some others I have tried seemed a bit too hard and dry.

These delightfully sweet and chewy little nuggets of nutrition make a great snack. I plan to keep a small container in my purse for future hunger emergencies. They are somewhat addictive!

Hemp Seed from Manitoba Harvest at The Whole Life Expo

2010-11-27T10:51:00.009-05:00

Manitoba Harvest generously provided lots of samples (with some to take away) of hemp seed, hemp oil, hemp seed butter and hemp milk in unsweetened, regular, vanilla and chocolate (this flavor was particularly tasty.) There were also several varieties of protein powder.

The hemp seed butter is a great alternative for kid's school lunches as a substitute for verboten peanut butter! Hemp is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids and rare gamma-linolenic acids.

Live Organic Food Bar - Burger with the Works!

2010-11-26T22:16:00.005-05:00

Oh my goodness, was this ever delicious - a raw burger with the works! All the deliciousness with none of the detrimental health effects of the real thing! This dehydrated patty is comprised of nuts, seeds and vegetables, and as you can see, it comes with ketchup and mustard, pickle and what tasted like caramelized onion plus some kale leaves to use as the "bun" when eating. I had several people ask what I was having as apparently the aroma was making them hungry! I sent them over to the booth to get their own.

It was really hard to decide which item to pick for dinner from the Live Organic Food Bar booth, as there were quite a few delicious choices, including a raw lasagne and 3 different "noodle" bowls, all being offered at $8. A definite must try at the show!

Universal Stone at The Whole Life Expo

2010-11-26T22:09:00.004-05:00

Here is a fabulous, non-toxic cleaner that you can use on almost anything, including metals, glass, vehicles, granite and pretty much anything else that needs cleaning. It is made from soap flakes, glycerine, vegetable oil and natural lemon oil. It is not cheap, but you don't need to use a lot - just rub a damp sponge over the surface of the product, squeeze until foamy, clean and rinse. It is safe for children and pets and is fully biodegradable. Great for people with allergies to conventional cleaning products!

http://www.universalstone.ca

PRANA Products

2010-11-26T21:58:00.004-05:00

I stopped by the PRANA booth to sample some crunchy nuts and a new, prize winning food item - PRANA cold-pressed chia oil, organic, raw and rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. It tasted quite similar to flax oil.

For more information about their products, go to http://www.pranana.com

2010-11-26T21:56:00.000-05:00

Raw Organic Kombucha

2010-11-26T21:39:00.004-05:00

This Canadian made drink is full of probiotics and enzymes. Kombucha's benefits include detoxification, improved digestion, metabolism and liver function. Other claims for the product include weight and appetite control, longevity and an alkalizing effect on the blood.

It tasted fizzy and a bit sour, sort of vinegary, but pleasant and can be found in many health food stores in the refrigerated section.

This particular brand of Kombucha can be found at http://www.thefairystonic.com

Whole Life Expo - November 26-28, 2010

2010-11-26T21:04:00.003-05:00

This weekend, you can investigate the latest from the field of alternative health. WHOLE LIFE EXPO 2010 is being held at the North Building of The Metro Toronto Convention Centre, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario from November 26-28, 2010.

In addition to enjoying samples of a plethora of healthy treats and new food and alternative health items, you can get a massage, purchase skincare or buy a sauna.

There will be a special workshop with Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez, MD entitled ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE TAKES ON CANCER - AND WINS on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 1 to 4 pm. The cost for this session, including admission to all other lectures and the exhibits is $50 at the ticket counter in the lobby and seating is limited. Dr. Gonzalez is a medical doctor who uses alternative protocols to help prevent and reverse disease. Many of his patients are now in recovery after utilizing his advice, which includes an individually tailored diet based on the specific and unique metabolic needs of each individual.

Hours of operation are:

Friday, November 26 from 4-9 pm
Saturday, November 27 from 11 am to 8 pm
Sunday, November 28 from 10 am to 6 pm

A weekend pass that includes all lectures (except Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez) is $15. A pass for just the exhibit floor is $8. As mentioned previously, the keynote lecture by Dr. Gonzalez is $50.

A "Really Useful" Banana Fork?!

2010-11-11T08:36:00.011-05:00

Bananas are such a nutritious snack, but just try to pack them anywhere and they always end up bruised, blackened and mushy. Not so appetizing. So when I ran into our local dollar store to pick up some office supplies and spotted this useful item, I grabbed it. Little did I know that it would provide hours of entertainment for our whole family - how is this for a ridiculous idea: A banana fork! Who on earth would ever use a tiny fork to eat their banana! I still think the actual banana holder is a great idea, but the fork? Not so much.

Holistic Nutritionist Issues Challenge!

2010-11-03T14:02:00.006-04:00

Meghan Telpner is a holistic nutritionist here in Toronto who enthusiastically promotes healthy eating. She is a really cool girl who runs cooking classes and retreats, rides a whimsically decorated bicycle and hands out apples to unsuspecting businessmen on Bay Street once a year. Go here to see her latest venture to improve our eating habits:

http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2010/10/29/appreciation-value-change-inspiration/

E3Live for energy!

2010-10-26T19:42:00.002-04:00

These days, this is the only type of shot I am doing.

E3Live is energy in a bottle! Upper Klamath Lake in Oregon is the source of this special blue-green algae which contains enzymes, easily absorbed protein and antioxidants. The website for the product states that E3Live, "contains more protein and chlorophyll than any other food source."

I started taking this supplement several years ago, when I was feeling really run down and have since gone through quite a few bottles. The biggest change I noticed was in my energy level.

It feels cool and pleasant going down and I even like the mild, grassy taste - very inoffensive, but you can disguise it with OJ or POM if you want!

Raw Apple Crisp

2010-10-25T22:57:00.001-04:00

This is so yummy, nutritious and worth the effort! The recipe makes lots to share with friends or family, but it also keeps well in the refrigerator. The apples tend to soften somewhat, which I find desirable for this recipe. I like to store the topping and apple layer separately in the fridge, to keep the topping from getting soggy.

Topping:
1 c. almonds
2 c. walnuts
2 c. honey dates, loosely packed
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 T. lucuma powder
3/4 c. ground chia
1/4 c. ground sesame
optional: 1 c. soaked and dehydrated buckwheat kernels (you need to have these on hand as they take many hours to dehydrate until crispy) to add crunch

First I should mention that it is always best to soak all grains, nuts and seeds for at least a few hours before using them, discarding the soaking liquid and rinsing. In my case, I had already soaked and dehydrated the buckwheat, walnuts and almonds, but I just ground up the sesame seed and chia seed in my Vita-Mix blender (a coffee grinder works well too) but they can be left whole too. If you don't have a dehydrator, you can soak, rinse and then dry the nuts in a clean kitchen towel or just use unsoaked nuts. The lucuma powder is also optional, but adds really great flavor and nutrition.

Chop the walnuts and almonds in a large food processor until you have the texture of bread crumbs. Add the dates and process until the mixture is combined evenly. Add the rest of the topping ingredients, except the buckwheat and process with the pulse button. Empty into a large bowl and combine well (adding the buckwheat if desired) using your hands, as the mixture may be too stiff for the food processor.

Apple layer:
10 organic apples, peeled, cored and sliced (set aside 1 c. sliced apple for sauce)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Juice from one lemon
1/2 c. honey or medjool dates, soaked 1 hr. in 1/2 c. water or to cover
2 tsp. cinnamon

In blender, put 1 c. sliced apple, vanilla, lemon juice, dates with soaking liquid and up to another 1/2 c. water to make blending easy. Puree until liquified. Pour over apples, shake cinnamon on top and stir.

To serve, put the apple mixture in the bottom of a nice bowl and then crumble the topping over the apples.

Enjoy!

Making raw food is really foolproof - sort of like playing with mud pies. You can add stuff until the food is to your taste. You really can't go wrong, so have fun and experiment with this recipe - make it your own!

Raw and Living Foods Expert: Brian Clement of The Hippocrates Health Institute

2010-10-24T15:10:00.000-04:00

If you are interested in the healing and anti-aging properties of raw food, Brian Clement of The Hippocrates Institute has a lot to say on the subject. I recently had the chance to hear him speak in Barrie, Ontario at an event sponsored by M&B Alchemy, a small company near Orangeville, Ontario that delivers raw foods to the Toronto area.

Brian Clement doesn't pull any punches and has strong opinions about conventional wisdom when it comes to nutrition. It is very apparent that he is passionate about the healing power of the the benefits of a raw and living food diet. The Hippocrates Institute program was initially developed by Ann Wigmore, a non-scientist who instinctively cured herself of stage 4 colon cancer by, among other initiatives, eating raw and living foods. Dr. Clement related several instances where people with late stage cancer have arrived at Hippocrates and later been given clean bill of health, astounding and amazing their doctors.

Some notes from this interesting and thought provoking speech:

For the first time in history, people under 35 are less healthy than people over 65
The #1 drug prescribed used to be antibiotics - it is now anti-depressants
If you think some institution is going to help you more than you can do for yourself, you are wrong
The food industry is evil - see the movies, Food Inc. and Monsanto
Fish oil is rancid and causes cancer; fish is crawling with parasites (he said that under a microscope it looks like a 70's disco) and full of heavy metals that are poisonous
Vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds heal much better than medicine
Pharmacists are trying to synthesize drugs to sell that duplicate the nutritional benefits of simply eating live raw foods
There is no such thing as raw agave syrup
Too much fructose is aging - so don't overdo the fruit
Type 2 diabetes is not a disease, it is a lifestyle choice!
68% of people, no matter what they eat, are deficient in B12
Sprouted chia is the best essential fatty acid source - sprout it by soaking, then rubbing over a terracotta pot and misting daily
Best whole food sources of protein are sprouted flax, sesame, mung bean sprouts, hemp, bee pollen, blue-green algae and wheatgrass juice
There is such a thing as non-soy tempeh (although I haven't seen it yet)
Apple cider vinegar is a good alkalizer, but don't put it on salad as a dressing as it destroys the enzymes!
Casein from dairy is the #1 cancer causing food
Drink your freshly made juice quickly, because after 15 minutes, most of the nutrition is dead
Blending green smoothies destroys the nutrients

I am sure there are lots of people who will take issue with one or more of the above statements, since there seems to be a lot of disagreement about nutrition even in the raw food community. I am not sure why discussions about nutrition feel kind of like talking politics or religion, but people seem to have very set opinions and I think we all need to be more open to different ideas about what is best for our health, especially given the horrendous state of the diet most people imbibe these days. The rates of illness and disease speak for themselves when it comes to the standard diet in North America. I never fail to be horrified by the non-nutritious junk in the lunchboxes of most kids at school, no wonder the disease rates for children have skyrocketed.

There were a number of vendors in attendance selling everything from raw coconuts (rather amusingly for me, prepared to be sipped by a guy with a big drill) to sprouted grain breads and there were also raw burgers and pizza from Pure restaurant in Collingwood that smelled amazing. There were also booths providing information about colon therapy, aromatherapy and lots of raw foods and whole food supplements.

Many thanks to Briana Southward, a very nice holistic nutritionist, without whom this post would not have been possible, for giving me a piece of paper on which I took some notes!

Upaya Naturals - Online Shopping for Raw Foodies

2010-10-23T11:11:00.008-04:00

Sale online this weekend at Upaya Naturals - get 10% off your entire order!

I have ordered hard to find stuff like raw ice cream (the mint cacao chip was awesome), truly raw almonds that will sprout and raw kelp noodles from this company. They even have a pick up location off the Danforth for those who live nearby and want to save shipping costs. They are also opening a new pickup location in Barrie soon.

I am going to get an automatic sprouter, a glass straw and some Vitamineral Greens - how about you?

If you want to take advantage of this 10% off customer appreciation sale, make sure to type in "UPAYA10" before submitting your order!

Dollar Store Find

2010-10-02T19:42:00.004-04:00

I love these stylish, square glass jars from the dollar store. Fill these glass, non-toxic (much healthier than plastic) storage containers with colorful beans, grains, spices or dried fruit for an attractive display on your kitchen counter or shelf.

Recycled Mustard Pot for Kitchen Tools

2010-10-02T19:37:00.003-04:00

I love finding new uses for objects I find attractive. In this case, I brought home a crock of fancy mustard from a big department store in Paris and now it holds some of my kitchen utensils. I just love how this looks and it was free - if you don't count the plane fare.

Stevia - Nature's Sugar

2010-09-30T09:05:00.004-04:00

Here is my aforementioned stevia plant. When I make a green smoothie or juice, I add a few leaves.

Since I live in Canada, with freezing winter temperatures soon to come, I will probably have to buy another plant next year. It is possible to do root cuttings to propogate more plants or, if you live in a warmer climate, you can plant this in the garden and enjoy it for a few seasons!

The leaves are not as super sweet as the processed white powder you buy in the store, but it is fun to have your own natural source of sweetness right outside your kitchen door. It is important to pinch out the tips to prevent flowering. Apparently the taste is best once cooler weather arrives, so if you are going to harvest and dry the plant before winter, wait until later in the autumn.

I purchased my plant at Humber Nurseries in Toronto, but I know that Richter's Herbs ships via courier across all of North America.

Pineapple Blueberry Coconut Smoothie

2010-09-27T08:52:00.004-04:00

1 c. unsweetened vanilla almond milk (you can use whichever milk you prefer)
1/2 c. fresh coconut water
1/4 c. fresh coconut meat from a young thai coconut
1" thick slice pineapple, with rind and core removed, cut into pieces
1 frozen banana
1/3 c. frozen blueberries
2 c. ice cubes
sweetener to taste

This drink is full of nutrition and antioxidants!

I like to blend the pineapple with the liquid and then add the other fruit gradually so everything is nice and smooth. I have also dumped everything in the blender at once, and that works too, especially if your blender has a strong motor (I have a Vita-Mix, which was probably my best kitchen purchase ever!)

With regard to the sweetener, I often use a couple of packets of stevia or a few leaves off my potted stevia plant, but you could use anything from honey or agave to brown rice, barley, maple or yacon syrup. If you like your drink a bit tart, you can skip the sweetener altogether!

You can vary this recipe to suit your taste and what you have on hand. I just happened to have recently paid a visit to Kensington Market and Chinatown in downtown Toronto and picked up a young thai coconut, which lends a rich tropical flavor to the drink, but you can substitute another cup of almond milk or water if you are out of thai coconuts!

Cruda Cafe at St. Lawrence Market in Toronto

2010-09-24T21:07:00.002-04:00

This rich, raw vegan dish featured raw gnocchi topped with a savory carbonara sauce over shredded yellow zucchini noodles with some sprouts and a creamy sauce.

In my opinion, it would have benefited from being warmed in a dehydrator but it was tasty, if perhaps a bit bland.

Raw Non-Dairy Ice Cream!

2010-09-19T12:59:00.003-04:00

This summer I tried an assortment of Blue Mountain Cashew Creamery frozen desserts and had fun sampling most the flavors - mango, strawberry, chocolate, vanilla and mint cacao chip (my favorite - couldn't keep away from it!) Cappuccino is also available, for those who are coffee fans.

This delicious, cool treat is organic, nut-free and agave sweetened, with no soy, gluten or GMO ingredients. It is very rich, so you don't need a lot at once and is a great non-dairy alternative when that craving for something cold and creamy hits.

House of Verona - Raw Food Retreat

2010-09-19T11:19:00.005-04:00

For anyone who has ever longed for a getaway that includes delicious raw food look no further - the House of Verona is a company that organizes retreats in the beautiful and scenic town of Blue Mountain, Ontario, Canada.

The varied retreats (some include cooked vegan fare as well) are held at chalets equipped with hot tubs and decks designed to take in the scenic views! Activities include hikes where edible wild plants are pointed out (enabling you to thereafter pick your own free organic produce), movie nights, and day trips including a soak in the pools at Le Scandinave and a visit to a Georgian Bay beach. If you have a group that wants to go, a custom retreat can also be arranged!

If you haven't got the time or the funds for The Hippocrates Institute, this sounds like a great, healthy and affordable alternative to me!

Tie Your Scarf Like a Parisian!

2010-09-14T19:59:00.011-04:00

Did you ever wonder how those chic French women always have such perfectly tied scarves? I just discovered this video on all the secrets of scarf tying, the french way, so you can look nonchalantly fabulous too!

Indian Cooking - Exotic and Delicious!

2010-09-09T13:33:00.003-04:00

I find it fascinating to investigate the varied cuisine of different cultures. Indian cooking can be healthful and delicious. Some ingredients, such as ghee, can be substituted with more healthy options, such as coconut oil. I am sure that a traditional chef would be horrified, but I like to experiment with changes such as that and also lessening the amount of fat in the dishes.

Beautiful stainless steel spice trays hold spices such as cardamom, tamarind, black peppercorns, cloves, nutmeg.

Legumes and beans (called dal) provide lots of fibre, protein and other valuable nutrients. There are a great variety such as lentils, split peas, mung, adzuki, garbanzo and more. The most important steps for preparing legumes and beans is soaking at least overnight and then discarding the water, which contains phytates that can block the absorption of minerals. This will lessen any potential problems with gas.

When cooking with spices, the most important step is to cook the spices in the fat before continuing with the recipe - this changes the flavors to improve the taste of the dish.

Little India, in the east end of Toronto, has shops where you can purchase a spice tray such as those pictured as well as the unusual fruits and vegetables that some recipes require.

She Will Be 72 in September!

2010-08-21T22:01:00.003-04:00

Mimi Kirk is great example of the benefits of eating a healthy vegetarian diet. She also has a wonderful, positive attitude! She is currently eating a mostly raw vegan diet. I think good genes are probably a big factor here too. She says the only cosmetic procedure she uses is bleach, so she is an all natural beauty and certainly looks at least a couple of decades younger than her age!

Hot Times - Summer In The City

2010-07-19T13:49:00.000-04:00

Summer in the city has been hot and sticky this year. The humidity and heat have been relentless and our first couple of weeks in our new abode, which has 4 levels, has been rather uncomfortable, since the air conditioning did not work and it took a couple of weeks to get anyone in to fix it.

In some ways, it was interesting to actually experience the season, rather than artificially blasting it away. The ice maker in our fridge (quite a novelty for the kids) has gotten a workout and we ate a lot of "uncooked" meals and wore as little we could get away with. I even resorted to sleeping on a mat on the lower level to escape the steamy top floor of our townhouse.

It is a great time of year to step away from the stove and enjoy lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in their natural state - raw and unprocessed. Some of my favorites are watermelon, blueberries and raspberries. I am also obsessed with a chiffonade of collard/kale salad with slivered red pepper or maybe some grated carrot and a dressing consisting of lemon or lime, olive oil, garlic, tamari and a dash of celtic salt. This is so delicious, full of nutrients and easy to make!

I hope everyone is having a lovely summer and making time to enjoy whatever makes you happiest!

Making A Move

2010-07-10T20:15:00.001-04:00

After way too many weeks of maintaining a pristine show home while going about our usual busy schedule with two active boys, we finally sold our home. It was then crunch time to declutter, pack and move in 30 days!

We are trying to simplify our lives and have gone from a sprawling bungalow with a sadly neglected huge yard to a 4 level townhouse with a tiny deck, which is almost brand new and absolutely gorgeous - dark hardwood, marble, granite, stainless steel, a gas fireplace and a huge master suite on the top floor. The interesting and rather unusual part about this move is we are renting. My husband is convinced that the real estate market here in Canada is overdue for a correction. Since we needed a new roof and a bunch of other work done on our bungalow, we decided it was time to move on. I will miss the serenity of our old location - it was on a dead end street across from a park yet close to transportation and shopping. We haven't gone far though - the new place is literally a few blocks west.

Some of my best tips for packing include:

1. Use your towels and other linens to wrap glasses and other fragile items rather than buying bubble wrap or using newspaper that leaves a dark residue on everything - environmentally friendly and saves on boxes!

2. Get rid of as much unused and unloved stuff as you possibly can. My kids made a little cash by selling a bed and credenza on Craigslist and Kijiji. We decided to forgo a garage sale (no time and too much hassle) and instead give lots of usable things in good condition to charity. A little known fact is that Goodwill will also recycle fabric that is not in wearable condition (see my previous post http://creativelifeskills.blogspot.com/2009/01/yes-you-can-recycle-fabric-scraps-and.html on the subject for more information); I just sort the unusable clothing and pieces of fabric into a separate bag labeled "to recycle". We also gave away some items through Freecycle. We had an unpleasant surprise when my husband took a load of furniture to Goodwill, as they were temporarily not accepting any large items. Here in Toronto, you can put items by the curb before garbage day and pretty much be guaranteed that someone else will adopt them before the day is through. If you can wait for their pickup date, there are also organizations that will come pick up your unwanted stuff, such as the Cerebral Palsy Association.

3. I like boxes from the liquor store for the cardboard dividers and strength - they are just about the right size for books in particular as a larger box would be unwieldy and too heavy. They are also free - always a good thing!

4. Start packing things you use less often first (like books) and leave your most used items to the end so you have what you need to function once you are in the new place. Right now, our home looks like an episode of Hoarders, since I have not had time to find homes for a lot of the stuff, but I CAN find the things I really need as they have been unpacked and put in place first. You definitely need towels, toilet paper, toothbrushes, bedding, essential toiletries, your kid's favorite toys and some dishes and utensils. Having shelving units to throw things onto temporarily while you figure out where to put the stuff is also helpful.

5. Try to avoid this whole thing if you can - it is terribly disruptive, but if you do have to move, try to look at all the positives about your new digs and celebrate your fresh start! If nothing else, you are forced to take a critical look at your collection of things and declutter, which can open up wonderful new opportunities in your life!

Contest to Win Ani Phyo's New Book!

2010-06-11T13:20:00.000-04:00

If you would like to own Ani Phyo's latest raw vegan un-cookbook, here is your chance!

http://nellywantstobevegan.blogspot.com/2010/06/when-life-gives-you-chocolate.html

Thinking About Simplifying

2010-05-26T22:39:00.000-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about how to be happier and I have come to the conclusion that one of the secrets of feeling good is having less stuff. Owning less things means more time to have fun and enjoy activities with your family. Just think of all the time we spend cleaning, repairing and hunting for items. Getting rid of all the things we neither use nor love will clear up space in our lives for people and activities that really do matter. We will also be able to find things much more easily, as the select items that remain after decluttering will all have their own place to be stored.

Letting go can be difficult. When I am sorting through items, trying to decide what stays and what goes, it helps to ask myself if I love said item. If I don't love it, do I at least use it? If not, then why not give it away? Why keep an item that makes you feel bad? Someone else can actually use your waffle iron or extra blender! For you creative types out there, just because you can come up with a possible future use for the item does not mean you should keep it. Maybe if you already have a definite plan to use it in the next 6 months - otherwise, out it goes. A possible exception might be rarely used and expensive items such as a tent for camping. However, if you haven't been camping in ten years, you might want to think twice!

I am going to be moving soon, and I am looking forward to paring back my possessions as much as possible. I am even casting a critical eye on somewhat sentimental items, such as my wedding crystal. Although I enjoy looking at the pretty wineglasses, when it comes time to use a drinking container, chances are I will choose a non-breakable beaker or dishwasher safe stemmed glass rather than cut crystal - too much work to do all that hand dish washing!

After decluttering, the key to keeping the house manageable and tidy is to curb the inflow. That means we need to stop buying stuff! If we want to have a simple, happy life we need to stay out of malls and stores - no browsing, no buying things because they are on sale when there is no current use for them, no impulsive decisions. We need to remove ourselves from temptation and quit wasting time and money. Buy only perishables and things that need replacing, such as holey socks and underwear with stretched out elastic - and make sure to get rid of the originals when you do buy the replacements. The reward for our vigilance will be serenity in our tidy and organized homes.

How Many Shoes Are Too Many?

2010-05-13T08:58:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I started counting my shoes. I didn't finish until this morning.

Okay, the situation is not quite as bad as that sounds - life intervened in my project - but I discovered I have been in denial about my packrat tendencies when it comes to footwear.

I knew I had a lot of shoes, but in reality my estimate was nowhere close to reality. My number is actually more than double what I originally thought. My idea was that I had around 30 pairs, but the real number is 79. There, I said it, I own close to 80 pairs of shoes. If I count the free terry towel sandals (4 pairs) my significant other and I got from a couple of fancy hotels (when my spouse was sponsored for some work events) the total would be 83. Okay, so the real number is over 80. Yikes!

I own:

6 pairs of exercise shoes (cross-trainers, runners, black ankle high aerobic shoes, older pairs to use for painting the house, etc.);
16 pairs of boots (I love boots and have beige suede, raspberry suede, black suede with fringe, pink suede with fun ratty fur at the top, black platform leather, Uggs in gold, brown, 2 shades of blue, pink - also, a couple of pairs of utilitarian snow boots, leopard print and tiger stripe rain boots, clunky ankle boots and so on;
13 pairs of thongs - an eclectic assortment including 3 pairs of Fitflops with soles promising a firmer butt, black patent and 2 types of leopard print Birkenstocks, platform cerise fabric with jewelled trim and dollar store thongs for the gym shower;
40 pairs of shoes and sandals of every imaginable shade, fabrication and heel height (most recent purchase were black faux snakeskin killer heels with a thick platform to make them more comfy) and, finally;
7 pairs of slippers, including the aforementioned terry slides, freebies from The Four Seasons.

I think I have accumulated so many because I am searching for the holy grail of shoes. I have problem feet and have trouble finding anything comfortable that is also cute, so when I find anything that approaches that ideal, I have to have them. For awhile there, I was buying Dansko clogs like there was no tomorrow and I have a huge collection, including 2 pairs of animal fur wooden clogs that were a fashion don't on Oprah, but I still like them! With so many baby boomers reaching the stage of their lives when they are refusing to suffer for fashion, there really ought to be more choice of attractive yet walkable shoes. Having said that, I probably never need to buy another pair of shoes.

I was reading the other day in the newspaper that a young woman has opened up a cobbler shop in Kensington Market, Toronto. I think that is a great idea for the environment. Why not fix the shoes you have? No more throw away fashion. I certainly cannot be accused of throwing shoes away, though, but I am going to think twice before I purchase another pair of shoes! Maybe make a rule that I need to give a pair up to Goodwill if I do at some distant point in the future. No shoes for a year, how about that?

How many shoes are reasonable to have on hand, wherein you actually use all of them? What if you are moving and want to simplify your life? How do you let go of them when, in your mind, you can see an occasion when they will be essential? How to let go of the thought of all that money down the drain if you do let them go? Anyone else out there with shoe issues? What's your number?

Pure Food and Wine - New York City's Top Raw Food Experience!

2010-04-30T17:38:00.000-04:00

I had the great privilege of eating dinner at Pure Food and Wine this week. The restaurant is just south of Gramercy Park and east of Union Square in the East Village. For anyone interested in gourmet food, this place is a must do. I don't care if you are vegan, vegetarian or a full on carnivore, if you love delicious food, beautifully presented in a cool environment, you really should stop by when you are next in NYC!

I was a little to surprised to see the location is actually in a basement space, as you have to go down some steps to enter the restaurant. There is a tiny patio at the front and even though it was a bit nippy out, there were some people sitting there, enjoying a drink and leaning back on the big, puffy red cushions. I was a little disappointed not to be able to dine al fresco on the back terrace, as it looked quite magical, with twinkling fairy lights all around, and is apparently one of the best patios in New York City.

The ambiance in Pure Food and Wine is very elegant, with glowing tea lights, dark wood and padded red chairs - although mine was rather wobbly, so I think it is time to take a look at refreshing the decor. The bathroom toiletries featured Mrs. Meyer's citrus scented soap. I was a little confused about which room to use as there was just a photo of a cow on the door and it was only on exiting that I figured out I had used the men's room - duh, BOY cows have horns. A lot of the tables, including ours, were in quite close quarters. If I had known, I would have reserved one of the booths along the wall where two people sit at an angle, as that looked a little less claustrophobic. The up side of being seated close to other diners is surreptitiously checking out their plates to see if you made the best menu choice! The restaurant is clearly very popular, as we were there on a Wednesday evening and it was packed, so reservations are probably a good idea.

We decided to share a bottle of organic Cabernet Sauvignon that was very nice, quite dry. I am not much of a drinker, so my significant other ended up having a very nice time indeed! There are also some intriguing cocktails on the menu, including a Master Cleanse Tini, which consists of maple syrup, lemon, cayenne pepper and sake.

The menu is divided into three courses, appetizer, main and desert. There is also a tasting menu for $69, but we were feeling choosy and decided to order from the menu. There was a young woman from Japan seated next to us who had the tasting menu and she said everything was perfection - it certainly looked good, I couldn't help sneaking a peak now and then. One of her courses was a beet soup and she also had a nice salad with raspberries as a garnish.

I was so disappointed that we somehow forgot the camera at the hotel, which is a real shame as this food is as much art as sustenance. I decided not to let it ruin the evening. The arrangements, colors and textures are truly beautiful, so you will just have to see for yourself someday!

We chose two different apps so we could sample more items. My favorite was the hazelnut crostinis. These creamy and crunchy delights consisted of a crispy cracker with caper bearnaise, caraway sauerkraut and garnish of crimini mushrooms. The three pieces sat on a swirl of sticky sweet apple cider reduction. So yummy!

We also had the nori rolls, which were supposed to contain Kim-Chee, Dr. Cow Creamy Tree Nut Cheese, watercress, baby bok choi, hijiki seaweed, avocado and scallions; however, I didn't taste any avocado and there seemed to be some other stuff in there I couldn't identify. The nori rolls were served with the usual dipping sauce of soy, pickled ginger and some super strong wasabi.

Next we partook of a tri-color beet ravioli, consisting of super thinly sliced beet stuffed with a delicious golden raisin and pistachio cheese. The plate was garnished with mint pistou, curry roasted cauliflower, harissa spiced candied cashew (oh, baby, so good) and chili oil.

The other main course was Drunken salsify noodles in a spicy almond buter sake sauce with chili marinated king oyster mushroom scallops (basically the stem), baby bok choi and almond crumble as a topping. I was a little underwhelmed by this one, as it was a little too spicy and not as picturesque as the other plates. The salsify noodles were crunchy and quite neutral in flavor, so I think it is a good choice for a raw noodle, but the dish really seems more like a salad than a noodle dish. I noticed someone at the next table having some croquettes that looked really good and were served with a big pile of greens.

Even though the savory dishes were amazing, I have to say, the desert menu was absolutely breathtaking. I am so irritated that I can't show you a picture! My choice was a Passionfruit Tart that is probably one of the best combinations of flavors I could have come up with for a desert - tart passionfruit curd in a crunchy chocolate crust with fresh raspberries, framboise pearls (little berry-like orbs with a firm, jelly consistency), vanilla cream and a tiny scoop of chocolate nib ice cream with some chocolate sauce drizzled underneath. Pure heaven!

Overall, a really great experience and the best thing about Pure Food and Wine is how wonderful you feel walking out - satisfied but not weighed down!

Spring is Here!

2010-04-07T15:13:00.000-04:00

Spring seems to have sprung here in southern Ontario. We really have had an unusually mild winter this year, so this comes as a nice surprise. This past weekend, the weather was positively balmy. If I didn't know better, I could have sworn it was August!

It is a bit rainy today, however, so Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke is great to visit if you would like to get a jump on seeing some beautiful spring flowers. This special place will leave you feeling calm and relaxed after even a brief visit. It is so soothing to view the colorful plants, birds and fish, listen to the trickle of the water and enjoy the sweet, fresh smell of the warm air.

There is a large white bird who has his own cage. He is really funny, often cawing loudly and jumping up and down for attention.

Toronto has another similar conservatory downtown (Allan Gardens) which I am sure is just as delightful.

Quick and Easy Chili Bean Stew

2010-04-06T10:35:00.000-04:00

Quick and Easy Chili Bean Stew

2 T. coconut oil
1 T. chili powder
1 tsp. curry powder
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 small onions, chopped
3 stalks of celery, thinly sliced
1 large red pepper, cubed
3 medium carrots, grated
3 cups of water or vegetable stock
4 540 ml (19 oz) cans of beans (I used pinto and black beans)
796 ml can organic tomatoes (that is a large can, about 28 oz in metric) or about 6 medium size fresh tomatoes, preferably with skin removed and roughly chopped (you may need to add more water than specified if you use fresh tomatoes)
1 tsp. roasted sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. prepared yellow mustard
1 1/2 tsp. tamari soy sauce

Melt the coconut oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chili powder, curry powder and red pepper flakes and cook a minute or two. Stir in the chopped onions and cook until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the sliced celery, chopped red pepper, grated carrots and 2 cups of vegetable stock or water. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Pour in your drained and rinsed beans plus 1 cup of water - use your judgment here, you may need to add more or less. I used 2 quart jars of leftover beans I had previously soaked and cooked myself and included the liquid, but if you don't have these on hand a quick solution is to use canned but it is very important to drain and rinse these before using. Also, add the can of tomatoes and chop them in the pot with the side of a spoon (or add your freshly chopped raw tomatoes). At this time of year I find good quality canned tomatoes have more flavor than fresh. Heat through for about 10 minutes.

Add the seasonings - sesame oil, balsamic vinegar, mustard and tamari soy sauce, and simmer another 5 minutes or so.

Enjoy! Delicious and nutritious, full of protein and fibre and so quick and easy to prepare!

I like to serve this garnished with sliced avocado and chopped fresh green onion and maybe a whole grain cracker or bread on the side. You may also like a grind of fresh pepper and some celtic sea salt.

Note: You can use any type of beans you have on hand or whatever you prefer. Using more than one variety will improve the amino acid profile for protein quality.

Restaurant Review: Raw Aura in Mississauga, Ontario

2010-03-28T16:16:00.000-04:00

First thing, I have to apologize for the horrendous quality of this photograph. It was taken with my cellphone in low light, but I thought you might like to see an example of the food we enjoyed a few days ago at Raw Aura, an organic, raw food restaurant in Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario.

If you go to their website you can peruse a sample menu and see some of the amazing choices for a delicious, raw lunch or dinner, although I think the menu we had was different.

Wm enjoyed a pasta bolognese, which consisted of spiralized zucchini with a rich tomato sauce. I had a burrito in a coconut flax wrapper with salsa on the side. We shared and both were very tasty. I loved the presentation on big square and rectangular white platters.

A lot of the patrons were enjoying big glasses of organic wine. They also have teas and smoothies that sounded really yummy, including one called "Creamsicle" that has hemp milk, coconut, orange and vanilla.

Of course, we had to sample some of the deserts. Shown here is a trio consisting of strawberry cheesecake, chocolate mint pie and pecan pie. All three were really delicious, but rather rich and filling after enjoying the main course. I think maybe splitting just one would have been a better idea in retrospect.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite cool, with tables made of varnished cross cut logs. It feels more like a downtown cafe than a suburban spot. It was pretty busy when we were there and seems quite popular, so call ahead for a reservation, especially if there are more than two in your party. If you have a big group, ask for the cozy window seat at the front.

The service was friendly and really quick - no cooking, just assembling, means no long waits for the food!

Next time I want to try the "macaroni and cheese" which is warmed in the dehydrator and sounds quite intriguing!

Heathy's Raw Chocolate and E-Book Giveaway

2010-03-05T07:50:00.000-05:00

The delightful and talented raw chef Heathy is having a really great giveaway over at her blog - a box of her homemade, raw chocolate turtles and her wonderful desert e-book. All you have to do is leave a comment about what your favorite chocolate was growing up and what your choice is now!

http://www.rawgoddessheathy.com

Raw Fudgy Chocolate Fruit and Nut Macaroons

2010-02-28T11:06:00.000-05:00

Here is a recipe for a super delicious yet nutritious treat. Keep in mind that despite their potent nutritional profile, these chocolates are still pretty calorific - they are not greens, so don't partake of unlimited quantities! I know I ended up tasting quite a bit of this mixture while testing the recipe. That is one great thing about raw food - you can eat it at any stage of preparation.

Raw Fudgy Chocolate Fruit and Nut Macaroons

1 c. coconut oil
1/2 c. agave nectar
3/4 c. raw cacao powder
4 dates
2 c. coconut
2 c. walnuts
2 c. almonds
1/2 c. raisins
1 tsp. vanilla
pinch salt

1. Whisk together the softened or melted coconut oil (I used the dehydrator to liquefy) with the agave nectar and the raw cacao powder. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

2. Soak the dates in the above mixture for at least 1/2 hour. Dates add sweetness and a chewy, fudgy texture to the recipe. I also soaked the almonds overnight in water (and the walnuts for a few hours), then drained and rinsed the nuts and dehydrated them so they would be crispy. You can just use the nuts as they are, but soaking improves their digestibility. You can also roast them in the oven - "raw" almonds in North America are not truly raw any more, sadly, unless you buy organic almonds (very expensive) specially imported from Spain, so you won't be destroying any enzymes by heating California almonds.

3. In the bowl of your food processor, chop the walnuts and almonds. Add the coconut and pulse to mix. Pour in the liquid chocolate mixture and the raisins and process until just combined.

4. Pour into a 8x8 pan (I used silicone) and use a spatula to level the mixture. Place your pan in the fridge or freezer. Once it solidifies, remove from pan and cut into 1" cubes. Store in a sealed container in the freezer or refrigerator.

Try to resist eating one every time you pass the fridge.

Raw Creamy Tomato Sauce for Zucchini Pasta

2010-02-28T10:37:00.000-05:00

As promised, I am posting the recipe I recently created for raw pasta sauce. I finally tidied up my messy desk and piles of paper and discovered the scribbled notes on ingredients:

Raw Creamy Tomato Sauce

1/4 c. pine nuts
1/4 c. almonds, soaked overnight, rinsed and peeled
3 small tomatoes plus 2 T. water (add more if you need more moisture for processing)
2 T. olive oil & 2 T. DHA oil (I use Flora DHA flax oil, which contains algae for easily absorbed omega-3 fatty acid)
Or, if you prefer, you can just use 1/4 c. olive oil for the total amount of oil.
10 Sundried tomatoes, soaked at least 1/2 hour before using to soften
1 tsp. tamari soy sauce
some fresh ground black pepper
a pinch of red pepper flakes, more if you like it spicy
1 tsp. each thyme and basil, dried or 1 T. each if fresh
1/2 tsp. lemon rind, preferably from an organic lemon
lemon juice from 1/2 lemon

1. In a food processor, grind the almonds and pine nuts until coarsely chopped.
2. Add everything else to the food processor and pulse until it is the texture you prefer - I like it slightly chunky, but you may prefer it smooth - either way it will taste delicious.
3. Spiralize some zucchini, or use a peeler that creates long strands. Place zucchini in a large bowl, pour the sauce over, mix and enjoy.

This tastes best when the zucchini and sauce are room temperature, rather than icy cold, so start your food prep early.

Healthy Sugarless Gum - New Packaging, Still Tastes Great!

2010-02-27T08:08:00.000-05:00

As I have previously mentioned here, it is very difficult to find sugar-free gum without aspartame here in Canada. After traveling in the U.S. I am realizing that the situation is similar south of the border. You have to read labels very carefully, even when purchasing gum with sugar, because they usually throw in some aspartame, a neurotoxin that I do not want myself or my kids ingesting.

Lately, I have found some gum sold over the counter in health food stores here, but the flavor lasts a few seconds and then you are left chewing a tasteless wad.

Zapp gum is available by mail order. They claim the highest percentage of Xylitol in their gum, which means more flavor and better dental health. It is amazing to me that a sweetener could actually be good for your teeth, but it is. In fact, they recommend at least 6 pieces per day.

If you would like to know more and see the new packaging, go to:

http://www.zappgum.com

All the flavors are really good, but my favorite is the fresh fruit one. If you are not sure what you would like best, I would recommend ordering a variety pack.

Happy chewing!

The Secret to Keeping Your Home Uncluttered

2010-02-22T09:39:00.001-05:00

Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful. (William Morris)

If you want to have a serene, uncluttered space, this is a brilliant mantra to keep in mind when you are thinking about bringing anything new home.

Before you decide to accumulate anything at all, stop and think whether you will truly treasure the item or whether it will be useful enough to earn a place in your environment.

Often we bring items home just because it was a great deal or a free giveaway. I cannot count how many canvas tote bags I now own for this very reason. Ditto with baseball caps. Most of these things I would never have chosen to buy. I have to think seriously about just how many are necessary and do some culling.

Without curbing the inflow of stuff, we will never be able to live in the kind of organized, calm and beautiful environment we crave.

Healthy Raw Chocolate!

2010-02-21T21:37:00.000-05:00

Healthy Chocolate Bark? Is it possible?

As it turns out, yes! This delicious concoction contains almonds and walnuts that have been soaked and then dehydrated. The chocolate is made from coconut oil, raw cacao and some agave nectar. The other ingredients are flaked coconut, vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.

I have also made chocolate with dates instead of the agave, but the texture is a little more grainy.

I think a combination of the two types of sweetener might be nice, so I will try that next. A lot of experimentation is in order - someone has to do it, might as well be me!

Book Review: Denise's Daily Dozen

2010-02-18T20:06:00.000-05:00

Oh no, not another diet book! Since I worked in the field of fitness for many years, I have read countless books about diet and exercise. Even though I am still interested in new ideas related to diet and exercise, my eyes begin to glaze over at the thought of yet another rehash of more of the same, which we all know is pretty much eat less and move more. So, the book sat on my bedside table for a few weeks until I finally picked it up.

The book contains a clever gimmick, which is the "daily dozen" idea that permeates the volume, from the number of minutes of exercise per day (something anyone can achieve, no excuses allowed) to numerous sidebars containing a "dozen": lunch ideas, must-have kitchen utensils, tips and tricks for healthy eating, ways to boost energy, ways to break a sweat and, well you get the idea. It is a little contrived, but the suggestions are good, if not necessarily super original.

There are some inspirational case studies included and, certainly, Denise at 53 is a good advertisement for her own methods, fit and glowing with health and energy.

The book subtitle claims you can lose up to 12 pounds in 2 weeks. That kind of annoys me, because you can't lose that much actual fat in that amount of time. This is a low calorie diet and exercise program, so not much new there, but if you don't have a lot of time to devote to getting in shape, this book will provide you with explicit exercises (fully illustrated for visual learners), nutritionally balanced menus and shopping lists to follow. If you tend to rebel against that sort of thing, you may still enjoy using some of the information.

All in all, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to people looking for a specific plan for losing a few pounds and kick starting a healthy lifestyle.

SprouTofu - More Digestible!

2010-02-12T22:20:00.000-05:00

I stopped by Whole Foods a few days ago to pick up a salad for lunch and saw this product - tofu that is made from organic, non-GMO, sprouted soybeans!

For those who are a little prejudiced against tofu, don't knock it until you have tried it - any recipe that features chicken can work with tofu. As a bonus, since tofu does not need as much cooking time, it will be quicker to make!

The texture of this product is a little softer than the usual extra-firm type of tofu, but it is otherwise very similar. I baked some 1/4" thick slices for about 15 minutes in a 400 degree oven, after a short time marinating in a few tablespoons of tamari soy sauce, a few drops of roasted sesame oil and some garlic chile sauce. It was really delicious!

The Extra Firm SprouTofu is sold in a double pack. A 3 oz. serving contains 80 calories, 9 g. protein, 5 g. fat and 1 g. carbohydrates. It also contains 15% of the RDA of calcium and 6% of the RDA of iron. The slightly bad news is that Sproutofu is higher in calories and fat than regular tofu, but it also contains almost twice the protein.

This sprouted tofu also comes in single packs of Silken and High-Protein Super Firm. The nutritional profile differs somewhat, so read the packaging before you decide which one to purchase.

Sprouted tofu is higher in nutrients such as calcium, iron, and protein, lower in phytates (so absorption of minerals is not hindered), is more alkaline and is much easier to digest than regular extra firm tofu. It also has less phytoestrogens.

It is nice to have a healthy alternative to Tempeh!

Food Combining and Green Smoothies

2010-02-08T19:44:00.000-05:00

Fruit should be eaten alone, according to food combining rules. But what about green smoothies - doesn't blending fruit with greens break that rule and invite digestive problems?

I was wondering about that myself, after someone left a comment here regarding just this question. I wasn't too worried about proper food combining when it came to green smoothies, since I had been drinking various combinations of fruit and greens with no discomfort at all. On the contrary, after drinking my mixture of greens and fruit, my stomach felt cool and soothed.

Recently, I got my answer when reading an article written by Frederic Patenaude. He states that greens don't count as vegetables.

According to Patenaude, greens such as lettuce, celery, spinach, and other green leaves are very versatile in food combining. They go well with anything, fruit as well as any other food.

Fun with a Dehydrator

2010-02-01T09:48:00.000-05:00

Here we have, from top to bottom:

Tamari almonds, Coconut " bacon" and two trays of Kale Chips. I don't have the Teflexx mats yet, so I use parchment paper and that works great.

If you don't have a dehydrator, you can set the oven at a low temperature and achieve similar results.

There are all kinds of recipe books for raw food enthusiasts that can be obtained from the library or purchased chock full of great ideas for delicious, nutritious foods.

Also, online there are also many recipes available to try or adapt to your own tastes.

Craving Chocolate?

2010-01-27T07:23:00.001-05:00

For those chocolate cravings, I have come up with a recipe that rivals Starbucks Chocolate Banana Vivanno in taste and definitely kills it with nutritional quality. This drink is sugar free. The sweetness comes from the banana and stevia in the protein powder.

Delicious Creamy Chocolate Banana Shake

1/2 cup almond milk
3/4 cup water
4 ice cubes
1/2 frozen banana
1 T. raw cacao (regular cocoa powder is okay too)
1 scoop protein powder (I used vanilla flavor - Dr. Turner recommends whey, but whatever you choose, make sure the sweetener is stevia)

Put all ingredients, except the protein powder, in your blender and blend until everything is pulverized. At the end, add the protein powder and just gently stir it in with a couple of pulses, as apparently the protein can be damaged by extensive blending.

Feel free to substitute your choice of milk and protein powder!

I am really sick and tired of feeling lousy because of chronic health problems, so I have decided to focus on looking after myself this year, put on my oxygen mask, so to speak, so I can be better able to fulfill all my responsibilities and care for others better.

I think most women can relate, especially when you have kids, work and complex schedules to coordinate. We often put ourselves at the bottom of the list. This isn't working for me any more. I am finally fed up and ready for change, so I have joined a bootcamp run by a Toronto Naturopath, Dr. Natasha Turner. I believe most of my current issues are related to hormonal imbalance.

For two weeks, as a group, we are doing a detox. Verboten foods are dairy, gluten containing grains, corn, many oils, alcohol and caffeine, peanuts, sugar, citrus (except for lemons and limes) and red meat. I am finding this diet very easy since I have eliminated most of these foods from my repertoire already.

For those interested in Dr. Turner's program, here is her book:

I have not been hanging out at Starbucks, since I have basically given up coffee and most prepared foods, but I saw this cup on sale for Boxing Day while visiting a book store and couldn't resist. It has double walls and a reusable straw and is the perfect size for this shake, containing 20 oz. of liquid. I debated with myself a little before purchasing it, because I am trying to get plastics out of my life, but this one is BHA free and is not for warm or hot liquids, so bad chemicals are much less likely to leach into what you are drinking. Much better than disposable cups with straws for sure!

My first ever completely raw sandwich!

2010-01-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

Here is my lunch - avocado, mixed greens, tomato, cucumber and some dijon mustard. It was absolutely fabulous!

About Food and Recipes

2010-01-06T09:25:00.000-05:00

This morning I set out trying to find the scrap of paper upon which I had scribbled the ingredients and measurements for the Raw Creamy Tomato Sauce I put together to serve over zucchini noodles. So far, the search has been fruitless, but I will keep you posted and put the recipe with the picture when I find it!

I have a bad habit of throwing things together without really keeping track of what I did and then, on the occasions when it turns out fabulous, I am left with no idea of how to duplicate the food. My recent solution is to keep a piece of paper on the counter to record my ingredients and the measurements.

When I first started preparing food, many moons ago (I think brownies might have been my first creation, when my age was still in the single digits) I was annoyed with vague directions, such as usually came from experienced cooks, a handful of this or that, and so on. I needed to be given absolute instructions and measurements. Now, with years of experience, I have found that with cooking in particular (baking can be a little trickier), you can be much looser and more creative. Now that I am entering a whole new world of dehydrating foods, I am excited to see that dehydrating something that you put a bit too much liquid into is not a problem - just leave it in the dehydrator a little longer!

Yesterday, I made Igor's Live Flatbread, from Raw Family Signature Dishes written by Victoria Boutenko. This flexible, wrap-like bread, which is essentially a raw food take on Russian Caraway bread, was so easy to make and the step-by-step directions and photographs were very helpful for a newbie. It was very helpful to know, for instance, that using a 2-cup measuring cup (heaping full) to scoop the batter will give you the right amount for each tray. The one change I would make to the recipe is to grind the flax seeds BEFORE starting the rest of the recipe as this will save having to wash and thoroughly dry the container before proceeding with the wet ingredients. You do need a very large bowl, as I made half the recipe (which filled 4 dehydrator trays) and that was a lot of batter!

I also made some crispy, super delicious Sour Cream and Onion Kale Chips and will post the recipe for that soon!

For now, here is a photograph of the peeler I used to make the zucchini noodles. It was surprisingly fast to do enough for a family of four. Kids really enjoy this task, so get some help in the kitchen!

Zucchini "pasta" with Raw Creamy Tomato Sauce

2010-01-05T22:08:00.000-05:00

This dish was really delicious!

I made the "pasta" with a peeler I bought at a trade show - 3 for $25. I purchased two regular peelers (one for my mom) and one that juliennes the vegetables.

Next purchase: A spiralizer - these nifty gadgets make a very long noodle!

Gourmet Raw Food and my new Excalibur Dehydrator

2009-12-14T16:57:00.000-05:00

Well, despite my best efforts, I came down with the flu, so I have been out of commission for awhile. I am also working against deadlines for some paintings I need to complete ASAP!

While recuperating, I got on a kick of looking at raw food cookbooks. I was always kind of leary of the whole idea of the raw food movement. It just seemed kind of extreme and I was skeptical of how beneficial going 100% raw really is. The idea of raw versions of cooked food didn't really appeal either.

However, reading testimonials of people who have cured their chronic and life threatening health problems by making drastic changes in their diets, including drinking a lot of green juices, have piqued my interest. Maybe if I had more greens in my diet I would have been able to fight off the flu. My theory is that, since my tonsils were removed when I was six years old, I have low immunity, but perhaps improving my diet could improve my inability to fight off viruses.

My eyes have been opened up to the possibilities for making amazing raw food after perusing the gorgeous pictures in Matthew Kenney's books, such as Everyday Raw and Matthew Kenney's Entertaining in the Raw.

The key item for really creative food preparation (where nothing is heated high enough that nutrients and enzymes are harmed) seems to be a food dehydrator and the cadillac of those is the Excalibur 9 tray. I am happy to say I am now the proud owner of this kitchen appliance and although it is big, black and noisy, I love it. I have already made Cheezy Kale Chips (no dairy involved), Coconut Vegetable Crisps, Candied Pecans and two kinds of cookies - Chewy Lemon Macaroons and Chocolate Macaroons.

I have also found a lot of inspiration from websites by fabulous raw food chefs such as Carmella Soleil and Heathy (who makes the most amazing deserts). I had no idea these kinds of interesting yet healthy culinary feats were possible. The food is good for you and tastes amazing! I feel like a whole new world has opened up and I am really excited to create some great stuff in the kitchen!

Limeade Green Smoothie - Really Delicious!

2009-11-29T14:58:00.001-05:00

I have been really ill with the flu the past week or so - high fever, chills, headache, cough, runny nose. I am just starting to recuperate and slowly start putting some nutrition in my body.

During my convalescence, I have been reading everything I can find on raw food. I have to say, I feel like a whole new world has opened up.

I had no idea what culinary delights were possible without cooking. Browsing through cookbooks by Matthew Kenney, for instance, has been a revelation - this is gourmet stuff! Also, reading blogs by a couple of my fellow Canadians, Heathy and Carmella (whose blog template choice is serendipitously the same as my own) has been truly inspirational! These people are artists and food is their medium. I can hardly wait to get a dehydrator and start creating myself.

Anyhow, before I got sick, I was already learning about and experimenting with green smoothies. I have to say, I was not crazy about the fruit/greens combo in the taste department. The banana was just okay and I had decided that I would stick to a savory version. However, I always like to get a little extra vitamin C when I have been fighting a virus and so I thought of lemonade. Then I thought, why not add greens to that?

So, I looked in the fridge - no lemons. But lots of limes! So here is my creation, which was really tasty - you really don't even notice any flavor other than lime with maybe a touch of apple!

Throw in Vita-Mix Blender:

1 lime, with skin cut off (a little white is okay)
1 small organic apple, seeded and quartered
1 organic celery stalk
3 leaves of organic kale (discard stem)
2 cups water
1 packet stevia or to taste

Blend and enjoy!

Manuka Honey - Flu Preventative

2009-11-18T12:49:00.000-05:00

Now that flu season is upon us, why not try a delicious tasting antidote? Don't be shocked when you see the price tag, but this little jar of deliciousness is also a potent immunity booster. This container of Manuka Honey has 400 UMF, which is one of the highest levels available. The antibacterial properties in Manuka Honey are even effective in killing h. pylori. Most other types of honey do not, so I regard it more as a medicine than a food. It also kills Streptococcus Pyogenes, a bacteria which causes sore throats and destroys other types of bacteria as well.

Since purchasing this recently, I have been dipping a teaspoon for a small taste a few times a day.

I don't use honey often, but upon learning of the huge medicinal benefits of this particular type, I decided to see whether I can avoid getting sick this winter.