2-4 Deliciousness

Oh how I love the two four! The summer is without question my favourite time of year, and taking a long weekend to celebrate its unofficial beginning (along with Queen Victoria's birthday, of course!) is one of our country's finest traditions. 

I know that most people like to barbeque to celebrate the holiday, but such a task is impossible when one lives a building, as we do. Instead, Steve and I decided to try and emulate one of our favourite foods in the world -  the good ol' Urban Herbivore grain bowl!

It was a lot of work preparing all the toppings, etc, but wow was it ever worth it! The bowls included: quinoa, tomatoes, kale, artichokes, hummus, roasted petters, tempeh, grilled zucchini and eggplant, and lemon tahini dressing. Yum!

Here's Steve's....

My slightly less full but equally beautiful bowl...

Steve in an awkward but oh so endearing pose...

Of course we had to have wine!

All in all it's been a great weekend...and it's not even over yet!!! I'm off to enjoy some of this beautiful weather :)

Review: Skinny Bitch

In my review of Eating Animals, I mentioned something about how books on veg'nism need to be a little on the deceptive side if anyone other than those with veg tendencies can ever be expected to pick them up. Thus a friend recommended that I check out the book Skinny Bitch, which is just that.

I'll admit that I already had an idea of what this book was about. I've been known to stick my nose into it from time to time at Chapters, and have seen it mentioned countless times on vegan food blogs. I was always a bit turned off by the abrasive title, fearing that the book would make me feel even worse than I usually do about not being the picture of skinniness. The fact that Skinny Bitch rose to fame when Posh Spice was spotted with a copy only added to this impression.

As a result, it didn't really surprise me that the authors lay in on readers from the first page, claiming that one has to use her head about food and stay away from crap. Ok. Crap constitutes meat, dairy, and refined sugar. Sure, I'm with you. In the end, though, Skinny Bitch turns into yet another "eat less calories and exercise" routine, with a few unsettling factory farm images thrown in. Of course, I thought, since that's really the only way one can succeed at becoming a skinny bitch. 

I mean honestly, if a woman eats a thousand more calories per day than she needs, she will most certainly gain weight, even if all she eats is vegan food. Last time I checked vegan food still includes evils like sugar, chocolate, peanut butter, and french fries. Sure they tell you not to eat these things too, but then how does this diet really differ from any other? (Aside from the further restricting principle of abstaining from meat and dairy. But then most of those foods contain a lot of fat and calories too.) All these restrictions advocated for apparently different reasons render the book more than a little disjointed. Is it a diet book, or a book on veganism?

So, you need to eat fewer calories to lose weight, and factory farms are terrible places. Who could dispute those points? But then Freedman and Barnouin go and throw in all these "facts" about the evils of caffein, synthetic sweetners, etc, claiming that such foods will inadvertently make you fat. Hmmm. Maybe I just objected to this part because I know I will never, ever be able to give up coffee, and I will never, ever believe that it makes people fat.

Kudos to that authors for slamming low-no carb diets, but then they turn around and advocate fasting which to me does nothing for their credibility. True, it may turn you into a skinny bitch. (The bitch part manifesting as a result of the fact that YOU'RE STARVING.) I hate it when people claim that the headaches, nausea, etc they experience while fasting are simply their bodies detoxifying. Clearly you're sick because YOU'RE STARVING!!! 

Obviously, the content of Skinny Bitch annoyed me. I quite enjoyed the sassy, tough love writing style, but advocating common sense only to repeatedly break your own rule does not an effective book make. For a book that does a much better job of marrying veganism with a weight loss plan, see Alicia Silverstone's The Kind Diet. 

I Succumbed.

For some reason I thought Bensimon sneakers (which I've been obsessed with for some time now) were not available in Canada. Then today I was walking through the Eaton Centre, and there they were in the display window of Little Burgundy!  Well of course I just HAD to pick up a pair!! This fabulous find, together with the beautiful weather, made today the best day I've spent in a long time :)

P.S. No regrets so far!

Wall Inspiration

I love our new place, but am really displeased with the lack of any sort of decorating scheme in the bedroom. Steve and I have been discussing what we want to do with it, and were sort of leaning toward a wall of personal photos - not necessarily of people, but anything that looks nice or brings back fond memories. Then I saw this photo at Design Sponge, and realized I absolutely love the idea of mixing personal and purchased/professional pics. The randomness of sizes, colours, and layout is fabulous!

An Afternoon at Kensington

Kensington Market is one of my favourite places in all of Toronto. On a bright, sunny day like today it just BEGS to be photographed...so that's what I did :)

One Eighty

Last week, something happened to yours truly that sparked a momentous life change. You see, since I was about sixteen, I have been ADDICTED to Tim Horton's coffee. Not the stuff that you can buy in the big red tin and make at home. I mean the real brew that you get when you order in the restaurant itself.

Hence I was thrilled to see that there is a Tim Horton's located a handy five minute walk from our new place in Toronto, and have been frequenting this fine establishment for the past few weeks. The other day I didn't have any change on me, so I brought my Mastercard instead. (Tim Horton's only accepts cash or Mastercard. Yeah. Figure that one out.) Sleepy and caffeine-deprived, I stumbled up to the cash and ordered my large black with Splenda on the side. Just as I was about to pick up my cup from the counter, I here:

"Excuse me - your card was declined."

"What?"

"Declined, your card was declined."

"Oh, well, can you try it again?"

She tried again, and again it was declined. I briefly considered asking if I could have the coffee for free. Lord knows I've given them enough business over the past decade to count for three normal people. The idea was discarded as quickly as it was conceived, however, as I remembered that there is a Starbucks only about a three minute walk from Tim's, where my debit card would gladly be accepted.

Don't get me wrong - I have always been a huge fan of Starbucks too. It's just that usually when I go there I'll order some sort of speciality drink. (Tall sugar free vanilla soy latte is my fav.) I had tried the plain coffee in the past, but its strong flavour never really appealed to me. At 8:30 in the morning, however, I all I was craving was a plain old coffee. 

I asked the friendly, animated young man behind the counter for a tall cup of their mildest brew, and handed him my debit card.

"No need for that," he said with a smile. "One of our lovely customers would like to buy you a coffee today."

"Oh, that's nice, who?" I said, looking around.

"They wish to remain anonymous."

"Ok, tell them I said thank you."

Not wanting to remove myself from the good vibes right away, I went out to the patio, pulled out a book, and sipped my (really quite good) cup of coffee. It was one of the nicest half hours I've spent in a long time. 

I've returned to Starbucks to engage in the same ritual for the past four days. Unfortunately, my secret admirer has not been there - or at least has not offered to buy me any more coffees. Either way, I think the whole experience was a sign of good things to come, and why mess with something that seems to bring such good vibes/luck? Plus, the coffee itself is kind of beginning to grow on me...

Simple Pleasures

...cause that's what life's all about, right?

Eat Your Veggies!

Lately I've been really into vegetables - as snacks, in stir fries...

...even in juices! (Please don't hate me - the fact that I enjoy eating veggies is about the only thing I have going in my life right now!) Today I had a beat, carrot, apple, and lemon juice from Kale. I had never had a vegetable juice before, but have been hearing about them everywhere lately. Wow, was this thing ever good! I think next time I may even venture into green juice territory!

Oh for the love of Krishna

I watched the Eat Pray Love trailer for the first time today, and didn't know what to do first: throw up or pee myself laughing. Either seemed like an apt choice, given my reaction to the book. Throw in Julia Roberts (don't get me wrong - she really can be quite lovely when she wants to be,) some cheese ball music, and a few overly-idealized shots of impoverished countries, and you've got yourself a film version of what has got to be the most self indulgent book ever published.

The thing that bugs me the most is that (honest to god) the first thing that went through my head when I finished the book was: this bitch is just itching for a movie deal. Of course, she got it. Just like she gets to live everyone else's (ok, my) dream life on the fuel of her own "misery."

I know that this jealous, negative energy will get me no where when it comes to achieving my own dreams, but I think I can at least allow myself an afternoon of wallowing in self pity. I know, I know, I know. How Elizabeth Gilbert-esq.

Wish I Was Here

Have you ever had one of those days when nothing is really wrong, but nothing is particularly right either? Today was kind of like that for me. 

It all started when I woke up with a sore throat after a horrible night's sleep. Then I spent the next six hours applying for four jobs. Then I made my way to the dollar store to pick up some measuring spoons because I forgot to bring my good ones from our place in Kingston. It was freezing outside, and very windy. Seriously, it's May 11 and I was in my winter jacket - not cool. (Or should I say too cool?) The walk took a lot longer than I anticipated, and it started to rain on the way home. A cold, piercing rain. Finally I arrived home and, in an attempt to comfort myself on such yucky day, made some cornbread that didn't turn out at all.

All I can say is, thank GOD for fond memories. Most people tell me I'm crazy when I say that if I had to choose between the two I'd rather spend my money traveling than purchase a home. Days like today, however, allow me to perfectly illustrate my case. Somehow looking at photos from past vacations brings me comfort and hope, and allows me to fall asleep to happy thoughts. And that, my dears, is priceless.

Review: The Book of Negroes

It feels like it's been a long, long time since I have reviewed a work of fiction on my blog - and even longer since I've reviewed one positively. In a dramatic turn of character, I have found myself much more into non-fiction and chic lit (the latter of which which I never usually review.) Thanks to Lawrence Hill's fantastic novel The Book of Negroes, however, I think I may have just re-kindled the old flame with my first literary love.

The Book of Negroes sat on my shelf for a little over a year before I finally decided to pick it up. It's one of those novels that has generated a lot of buzz. I was really excited to read it, but then, well, life happened and time slipped through my fingers like a slippery fish.

The novel tells of an African woman, Aminata Diallo, who is taken from her village as a child and sold into slavery. Thanks to her intelligence and perseverance, she is able to win back her freedom - but not without encountering countless hurdles and heartbreaks along the way. The Book of Negroes is entertaining in the 19th century novel way - engaging, but not destructively addictive like so many of the books I've been devouring lately. It's like the difference between malt sweetened carob chips and M&Ms: not quite as sweet to taste, but still hits the spot the without inducing a nasty sugar hangover.

This is the first time in a long time I have genuinely cared about a character in a novel, and it feels great. The Book of Negroes is something I will think of often, and recommend to many people. Including you - go to the library and check it out as soon as possible!

Mother's Day Brunch

Today Steve and I made a Mother's Day brunch for my mom, with her two favourite foods in the world: blueberry pie and mushroom crepes.

We also had some delicious mimosas!

It felt good to get back into the pie making swing of things. I even experimented with star cut outs of the top crust. I'm not sure if I'd do it again, as they made the pies look a bit ridiculous.

I also made an apple pie for my aunt Linda...

Steve helped a lot with the crepes.

My beautiful mom!

Backwards...

Ok, so the next two posts were supposed to be...the other way around. I actually wrote a couple drafts before figuring out how best to organize them. Somehow it messed up the order and blogger doesn't seem to want to let me set it right. Just in case it's important enough to you to read the posts in the intended order. Which it probably isn't, so maybe I should just shut up now.

Review: Eating Animals

Recently, I read the book Eating Animals by Jonathan Safran Foer. I've tried several times to review it here, but anything I wrote seemed so fragmented and long-winded that I ended up abandoning the post for fear of boring you to death with my endless personal ramblings and asides. I've come to the conclusion that this is a subject best addressed in two separate but related posts: one that deals with the book itself, and another that gets into my personal opinions on food choices.

I get the feeling that anyone who would even consider reading a book called "Eating Animals" already holds certain opinions on factory farming, vegetarianism, and the larger implications of the choices we as a society make every day when we prepare or order our meals. Certainly, I am one of these people. Yes, it is true that when I picked this book up I WANTED, once again, to be told the truth about animal products and further discouraged from eating them.

Eating Animals presents a compelling, sound argument that is so full of unsettling facts and statistics it literally made me sick to my stomach at times. For example, the fact that it's nearly impossible to eat a conventional piece of chicken without consuming fecal matter is more than a little disturbing. The downright cruel, sadistic behaviour displayed by many factory farm employees toward the animals makes one want to break down and cry. (I did.) 

Reading this book, I also learned that Safran Foer is a gifted writer. I have not read either of his novels, but intend to do so very soon. I enjoyed the way the book is structured, in that the birth of the author's son inspires him to examine in detail where food comes from and what is in it so he can make an informed decision on what to feed his little one. This approach seems very genuine, and more than succeeds in holding the interest of people like me who enjoy some element of human emotion and/or vulnerability in non-fiction.

I'm really not sure what else I can say in this first segment of the two part post. I liked this book a lot, and can't think of anything too negative to say about it, other than that I might have named or marketed it differently to try and reach a broader audience. Such an important topic is allowed to be a little sneaky.

Eating Animals

The following photos are from Sugar Hill Farms near Battersea. I took them for a Kingston This Week article.

I am one of the few people from my generation who had regular access to an old fashioned family farm as a child. (Not this farm, but one like it.)

My dad grew up on a farm, and I'd like to think that in a way I did too, considering I spent a good deal of time at my Nan's house growing up, and, by association, my Uncle Grenville's farm next door. (Nan moved in beside us I was 11, but the farm is still maintained by members of my family.) 

I went back to the farm today for the first time in about 15 years. In a way it was a timely trip, although entirely unrelated to the crisis of conscience I've been experiencing for more than a year now.

On my Uncle Grenville's farm, the animals were always treated with a reasonable amount of respect. The cows had ample room to graze, and were certainly never beaten or abused. The chickens' beaks were not chopped off; the birds were free to wander outdoors at their own will, and engage in behaviour natural to the species. Etc.

I guess being exposed to this relatively idyllic picture of agriculture in early childhood led me to assume that all animal products are produced in like conditions. I had heard of the term "factory farm," but never really thought too much about it. I guess I always pictured something that resembled a really, really big version of my uncle's farm, and assumed there were regulations in place to make sure that the animals were not tortured, and that the products that came out of the farms were healthy and safe for human consumption. Books like Eating Animals, The Face on Your Plate, and The Omnivore's Dilemma suggest that this is not the case. 

In a nut shell, reading such literature has led me to question whether or not I should be eating conventionally produced meat - let alone any animal products at all. This led to a whole other set of questions, related to the notion of whether it is ethical to kill animals for food in the first place, even if they are given a good life.

Working for several local papers gave me the opportunity to meet many farmers who, like my uncle, make an effort to put out quality, sustainable products. Talking to them further strengthened my opinion that something needs to be done about the way we as a society view food. 

Yet these experiences also raised further questions: Maybe it IS ok to eat meat, if it is only viewed as a 'treat' for special occasions -(as it was a hundred years ago)? If everyone did so, maybe the demand for animal products and the amount that can sustainably be produced would even out a little. 

Furthermore, all these publications deal exclusively with American factory farms - is it really that bad in Canada? I've certainly never heard of any such farms in Southern Ontario. Are people just really good at covering up up the fact that they are here, or are we really that much better?

And what about traditions and social situations? Nearly every major form of social interaction involves food in some way. To what extent would permanently adopting a vegan diet damage my relationships with those I love - or would it at all? Why am I so scared to approach this subject directly with my friends and family? (As opposed to doing so indirectly here, I suppose.)

This is a very important issue to me, but I won't ramble on too much longer because I know I'm not going to come to any real conclusions this evening. If you have read this far already, I applaud you. Maybe I can make a difference simply by reducing the amount of animal products I consume. Then again, maybe my supporting this system in any capacity is hypocritical given how I know I feel deep down.

Cloth Sneaker Love

I DESPERATELY want a pair of these Bensimon shoes Joanna from A Cup of Jo has blogged about a couple of times. It's weird because I'm usually not a cloth sneaker sort of girl. I have a pair of Converse but rarely wear them, unless I'm walking the dog and don't give a shit, or going to a rock concert and want to look all indie or punk or whatever.

Seriously though, I fell in love with these so-ugly-they're-cute shoes when I first saw this photo of them last summer, and they've kind of been in the back of my mind ever since. I guess the whole Parisian vibe is attractive to me in the most superficial of ways. (Because everything French automatically has to be better than anything produced on this lowly continent.) I think I might order a pair...and then very likely regret it later...

California Dreaming

I realize how weird this is going to sound, but lately I've been a little obsessed with the state of California. I keep thinking that if I could only make it out that way, life would be much more fulfilling. Eating a healthy diet, living an active lifestyle, and - well - happiness in general would all just come so easily if only...

I found this awesome photo of the Santa Monica Beach boardwalk here.

Misguided Mallards

Every year in early spring, this adorable couple takes up residence in my parents' pool. They drove Nan right batty when she was alive. The poor things would glide down gracefully from the sky, and she'd be after them with a broom before they could say "quack." Still, they persisted, and have returned every year without fail for the better part of a decade.

The ducks have been on my mind lately because the pool is being opened for the summer this week, forcing them to relocate. For obvious reasons, the chlorine seems to turn them off. I've often wondered where they go, and why they haven't caught on to the fact that the pool cannot serve as a long term home. Surely these (apparently monogamous?) birds would be looking for something a little more permanent. 

I try not to picture the ducks arriving for the first time after the pool has been opened to find their life giving, swamp-like water has been replaced by what must to them seem like poisonous liquid. Having grown quite fond of these birds, it breaks my heart to force them out like that. I just hope they don't take it as a personal rejection. 

Sunsets

It's after 11 p.m. on day one of my 31 posts in 31 days thinger. It was an exhausting day, in which I realized that I have allowed myself to acquire way too much stuff over the years. Getting rid of it is never easy on several levels. Instead of stressing you out vicariously by explaining the details, I will instead share what has brought me serenity so late in the evening: photos of some of the beautiful sunsets I have enjoyed over the last couple years.

One west coast...

One east coast....

And one Caribbean...

Wow, I feel better already!!!