November's Raw Pot Luck Pics

There were over 80 people who attended the Pot Luck on Saturday eve. It was great!!! So many incredible dishes! Here are some pics from it..










& a Durian!! : )

Cherie Soria's Northern Lights Tour 2008

Cherie Soria, Director of the Living Light Culinary Arts Institute will be giving a lecture at Toronto Sprouts on the Raw Food Revolution Diet, covering topics from her new book, on November 25 at Toronto Sprouts.

She will also be giving a 2 day workshop on The Science of Raw Food Nutrition with Drs Rick and Karen Dina on November 22-23 and a one-day intensive workshop on the FUNdamentals of Raw Living Foods with Martine Lussier on November 30th, at Toronto Sprouts.
The Living Light Institute is the top Raw Food Chef School in the world, and they will be taking their classes on the road this November. If you have ever wanted to take their classes but were unable to make it down to California, this is a perfect opportunity.

Cherie Soria the founder and director of Living Light Institute will be here for the class.

FUNdamentals of Raw Living Foods Intensive - In this introductory workshop, you will attend dozens of superb culinary presentations showing how to create a wide variety of delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes! Here is just a sampling of what you will see and taste: appetizers, fruit smoothies, soups, sauces, salad dressings, salads, simple entrees, pates, wraps and rolls, nut milks and luscious non-dairy cheese, crackers and other dehydrated goodies, amazing desserts, sprouting and kitchen gardening. Plus,essential equipment and supplies used in a raw food kitchen, and basic knife skills. FUNdamentals opens the door to a whole new world of fabulous raw organic cuisine...it''s the first step toward a new culinary awakening!

All students must take this course or the two-day FUNdamentals class before attending the Essentials of Raw Culinary Arts and Chef/Instructor training with Living Light.

And this is available at a special tuition price of $325. (This is regularly $475 at the LLI in Ft. Bragg. California, travel and accommodation there would be additional)

Register your spot now, Call Toronto Sprouts at 416-535-3111

Getting Ready for the Pot Luck

The making of the Tropical Fruit Crumble - which was a success, actually better than the Apple Crumble!! 2 huge trays and both were great ..and I made and brought a big jar of Cashew Cream topping and Raspberry sauce. There should always be lots of food at pot lucks! )


The beautiful song that is replaying in my head - Ana Mora Na Cacimba by Baiao de Princesas is not available on YouTube.. so here is a different wild tropical festival video.. ; )

Boi Da Floresta - MA (2a Parte)

Local and Organic.. mostly

Tomorrow there is a raw pot-luck at Toronto Sprouts and I am thinking about what to bring. Alana suggested an Apple Crumble and I haven't made that in a long time.. maybe with some berries in it. But now I am thinking of a Tropical Fruit Crumble and want to experiment with that! & I found these incredible Haitian mangoes, and great tropical fruit.. sometimes I feel a little bad about buying produce from so far away ..but I'd feel worse about buying carrots from China, (thats just crazy!!) at least mangoes don't grow here.. and it'll get my by once in awhile until I can get down there! ; ) Oh & I want to make a Raspberry Sauce and Cashew Cream toppings.. but time. Just a thought but hopefully I have time to make them after work tonight to bring to the pot luck after work tomorrow night - & I'll even get in a few minutes to post pics to you guys! cool.

Now. speaking of local food I went last night to a Local and Organic food event held at the Center for Social Innovation on Spadina - such an awesome space and concept. It's a convergence hub that sparks, connects and supports world changing people and ideas. They provide shared space and services to over 85 social mission groups & acts as a community center for social innovators & helps to launch new entrepreneurial and collaborative projects.
It's an amazing resource in Toronto that I have been hearing quite a bit about lately. Gotta look more into this place.

Some of the things going on and info..

Not Far From The Tree - loved this one!! Where I lived in the beaches there were lots of fruit trees which dropped fruit all over and got squished into sidewalks.. some of us would enjoy some of it, but there was lots!! & this is such a great idea. You can donate the fruit from trees on your property, which will go to shelters and local food banks - you get to keep 1/3 of the fruit and they will leave your yard clean from fallen fruit.
contact info@notfarfromthetree.org to register your fruit tree.

Book Release Party coming up at the Center for Edible Action - Food Activism and Alternative Choices by Sally Miller ISBN- 978 1552662809 on Fri, Nov 14th

Canada's Greenest Fashion and Beauty Events - Fashion Takes Action

Raindance Cosmetics

My Left Breast - Eco-Clean Living Products and After Breast Surgery Services
no website listed contact bridgetleslie@hotmail.com
Peterborough Clinic, 26 Hospital Drive, Suite 107, Peterborough On
ph# 705-876-3333, cel# 868-8534

Toronto Cyclists Union - Safe Streets, A Healthy City, A Vibrant Voice

Karma Co-Op in the Annex. This has been going strong for over 35 years. It's located at 739 Palmerston Ave. It's a great organic market!

Local Food Plus - is an award winning non-profit organization that brings farmers and consumers to the table to share in the benefits of environmentally and socially responsible food production. We are committed to building and fostering local sustainable food systems by certifying farmers and processors and linking them with local purchasers.

Local Food Plus's 10 Guiding Principles:

As part of LFP’s goal of helping to build local sustainable food systems, we have developed a set of overarching principles that guide our work, actions, and standards.

1. Link local food producers and eaters to boost community, health, and environmental benefits.
2. Reduce the distance between farmers and eaters to promote vibrant regional economies.
3. Reduce or eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.
4. Reduce agriculture pollution by protecting and conserving soil and water resources.
5. Promote safe and fair working conditions for farm workers and viable incomes for farmers.
6. Raise animals in humane conditions without the use of growth stimulating hormones, sub-therapeutic antibiotics, or animal by-products.
7. Conserve and enhance wildlife habitat and ecological diversity.
8. Reduce the use of fossil fuels throughout the entire food chain.
9. Produce crops and raise animals without the use of genetic engineering.
10. Encourage closed-looped systems that conserve and recycle nutrients.

Nautical Voyage

Transformational Breathing - it's what's inside that counts!

I keep forgetting to put on make up lately. Thats a pretty big deal for me.. I have always worn it, used to be a cosmetologist and taught in a modeling agency, long, long time ago, runway, photography, make-up! - always loved make-up. It's fun. & I have always appreciated little old ladies with blue hair and eye shadow and those people who totally over do it, like in the gym, lol and very dramatic people ..but really, to be honest I never used to even go to the corner store without it.. in my 20's, 30's and now I am in my 40's and not just intentionally not wearing it, but forgetting it.. and happy to look in the mirror and see a different, natural reflection. It's ok, better than that, it's good.

But I did color my hair red this morning, just a wash-out, nothing too toxic. I love my natural color, and my greys, I appreciate them.. but this is a fun change.. & temporary

but about the make up..?? Last weekend in Montreal, I left my makeup behind - & just thought "ok, so the universe wants nothing between me & the 'medicine'." Huge healing ceremony.. & I did a fair amount of crying, so no mascara was a good thing! But now, same thing.. I keep forgetting it..and even I went intentionally to go get it this morning and it fell out of the car , hmmm..

but thats just minor external stuff.. what has really been on my mind is Breathing.
I am so, so, so conscious of my breathing lately - & it seems like a very important thing to keep aware of. ..because often if you don't you end up with very shallow breathing.. and when you are more conscious of it your breath becomes deep.. breathing exercises are great..
I watched a video here - a discussion on breathing with Jim Self of Mastering Alchemy and Robert Winn, a breath expert. They talk about natural, circular and pranic breathing.

Respiration = our connection to Spirit

Most people breathe backwards and restrict their diaphragms.. the breath should be first going into the belly, then up into the chest.

Inhaling/Exhaling = yang, masculine, active vs yin, feminine, letting go - breathing is all about life..

We become more conscious and present when we are aware of the breathe. It connects us to our bodies. It allows us to move energy through the body.

Pranic brathing is the connection with the Creator, with all that is, (pranic is a vedic term, which means life force)
You breathe relates to how you live. If you breathe is full and strong you and your life will be full and strong. If it is shallow, jagged, not consistent, you life is likely not grounded and haphazard.

Breath is vibration.. and can connect you to deeper consciousness and awareness. Deep breathing aligns you with the Source and you become more fully yourself and enliven your unique expression of creation.

Robert Winns Spirit in Motion site is about Transformational Breathing and has free Breathing Lessons.

WOW!! - Wild Organic Way Cafe

It was Halloween and my friend & I made the trip to Guelph to eat at WOW - Wild Organic Way Cafe.. I had been wanting to come here for well over a year but it is quite a drive and life has been busy, what else.. But, I am so glad we went.. it was incredible!! Loved the food, the atmosphere, the people.. Corinne is sooo wonderful. & so interesting. We were so hungry when we got there and ordered 3 entrees: the Tacos, the Almond Cheeze Burger plate and the special of the day the Rohwurst, served with sauerkraut and carmelized onions (dehydrated of course!)
I loved the onions and ordered more ..and marinated mushrooms for the cheezeburger.

It was so great.. the pic below only captures a bit of the ambiance.. there were more beautiful mosaic tables behind us and many more beautiful paintings around the place. I loved it so much.. am hoping I can go back for my birthday in a few weeks!!! (I held off on the chocolate cake for that intention! ; )
The Almond Cheeze Burger plate (all entrees came with a beautiful, delicious sprout salad) This was my favorite entree I think (but all good!!):

The Tacos, this was my friends fav - a Corn-Flax Tortilla filled with refried beans (sunflower/sun-dried tomatoes), guacamole and salsa.

The Special of the day - the Rohwurst. We couldn't finish everything so we had this packed up and it was the perfect thing to come down with (grounding) after realy intensive spiritual journeying yesterday - All Saints Day.. had a plan and saved this and bought lots of treats for last night: hemp balls, macaroons, date bars - I can't even tell you how good the hemp balls and date bars are!! Exactly what we needed last night!

Dessert - we ordered their most delicious Lemon Poppyseed Cake - Incredible!!

Mmm... with Yerba Mate and White tea..

It was such a beautiful day and experience!! Much Thanks to Corinne and Shannon and all the staff and people who put the love into the food and made such an experience possible!!! xo, Coming back soon!!

God

"Physicians have discovered that the apparent solidity of matter is an illusion created by our senses. This includes the physical body, which we perceive and think of as form, but 99.99% of which is actually empty space. This is how vast the space is between the atoms compared to their size, and there is so much space again within each atom. The physical body is no more than a misperception of who you are. In many ways, it is a microcosmic version of outer space. To give you an idea of how vast the space is between celestial bodies, consider this:Light traveling at a constant speed of 186,000 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second takes just over one second to travel between the earth and the moon; light from the sun takes about eight minutes to reach the earth. Light from our nearest neighbor in space, a star called Proxima Centauri, which is the sun that is closest to our own sun, travels for 4-5 years before it reaches the earth. This is how vast the space is that surrounds us. And then there is the intergalactic space, whose vastness defies all comprehension. Light from the galaxy closest to our own, the Andromeda Galaxy, takes 2.4 million years to reach us. Isn't it amazing that your body is just as spacious as the universe?

So your physical body, which is form, reveals itself as essentially formless when you go deeper into it. It becomes a doorway into inner space. Although inner space has no form, it is intensely alive. That "empty space" is life in its fullness, the unmanifested Source out of which all manifestation flows. The traditional word for that Source is God.

pic of Jo with blue eyes from http://www.johnwehr.com/

Food for Thought: Friday Documentary Screenings

Shapards Pie & Gravy being plated for October's event:

Once a month Rawlicious is holding Documentary 'Food for Thought' Fridays hosted by Lara Marjerrison-Patel of Naked Lunch. We have had 2 already. The September event featured the film "The Future of Food" and in October we had a screening of "King Corn" and we featured a menu of Comfort Food which included:

Garlic Bread/Brushetta with Creamy Miso Soup
Waldorf Salad
Shepherd's Pie with Gravy and
Pecan Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream
(& the vanilla ice cream was absolutely incredible, it was made with fresh vanilla beans & tasted like marshmallows, even better!!) (& the pecan pie was incredible also.) (and the shepards pie.. etc.. Mmm.. it was so good.

The event takes place in our Zen Den around the communal table & features great food, an important film and discussion.The cost is $40per person and seating is limited so tickets must be bought in advance.

To reserve a place contact Lara: lara@naked-lunch.ca or 416-536-6845 or drop into Rawlicious @ 3092 Dundas St. W.


Plates of Brushetta, above and Pecan Pies, below

Our next 'Food for Thought Friday' event will be on Friday, November 14th from 7 to 10 pm and will feature the film Food Matters.

Food Matters Official Trailer


King Corn


The Future of Food - Introduction

Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso

I'm back. & in bed - astral doctors orders!
Intense and absolutely beautiful weekend. There was a sweatlodge waiting for us when we arrived in the Laurentians Saturday night.. and Sunday, well, Sunday is another story. - Incredible and awesome. (if it could posibly be described that way - sorry to be a mystery, but thats the way it is.

but for now.. while I sleep & for your listening pleasure:

Gilberto Gil - Esperando na Janela



Gilberto Gil left the Brazilian Ministry of Culture to return to his music. (more here) He was responsible for making the Daime part of the national cultural heritage of Brazil.

This is the song my daughter Kaiya was named after (Bob Marley's Kaya)..

Gilberto Gil - Kaya N' Gan Daya

Caetano Veloso - Jorge de Capadócia

Why KIds ..Why We Need Nature

Why Kids Need Nature

October 24, 2008

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."
Nelson Henderson

In the popular Exchange guidebook, Caring Spaces, Learning Places: Children's Environments that Work, Jim Greenman, observes, "Both at home and in child care, children are losing time, space, and the variety of experience outdoors that has been integral to the development of humankind. They are losing habitat... They are losing necessary experience and gaining weight." Greenman goes on to cite eight reasons children need to experience nature, including...

Nature is bountiful. There are shapes and sizes, colors and textures, smells and tastes; an enormous variety of substances. In a world of catalogs and consumable objects, designed spaces and programmed areas, sometimes it helps to remember that the natural world is full of multi-dimensional, unassailing educational experiences for children. Nature is hard, soft, fragile, heavy, light, smooth, and rough. Armed with our senses, we explore the world and call the adventure science, or if you prefer, cognitive development, classification, sensory development, or perceptual-motor learning.

Nature nourishes and heals. Human beings evolved outdoors. Our bodies need sunlight and fresh air. Our minds need the experience and challenges that nature presents. Our souls need the day-to-day appreciation for the miracle of the world and all its complexity. Without a deep sense of awe at the vastness and majesty of the nature world that humbles us, and a simultaneous ennobling sense that we are intrinsically a part of that world, we are diminished.

..ok, I am off on my white spiritual journey taking place in Mtl. Sorry I can't tell you more about this one. One day! xox, bb on Mon or Tues. Have a wonderful (hopefully nature-filled) weekend! Ciaooo..

Oxygen Spas

I am just getting in from an incredible intense total-package Oxygen therapy session at Lifesource O2 Oxygen Spa Bar at Bloor and Jane, Toronto's only oxygen bar. I had everything done!! ..and it was great!'': I inhaled concentrated oxygen through a nasal cannula, twice, at least 20 minutes before and after the other treatments. I had an oxygenated foot bath, a foot rub, a shiatsu treatment, then the best- the oxygen bath, you get immersed into this machine that you sit in with only your head out and it alternatively steams and oxygenizes you.. it was so great!! ..and then you can open the towels a bit around your neck to steam your face for an amazing feeling facial.

I am feeling so detoxified. ..actually feeling a deep shiver, and my nose is slightly dripping, and very slightly headachy sometimes.. but I have been having an intense green juice/E3Live day too. & I feel like sleeping..
But, I am going to Montreal tomorrow and want to make sure I post before going. Its an intense spiritual weekend that I am even a little nervous/excited about. Especially right after that last what I feel was an emotional/spiritual detox that I just went through.. and now here I am heading right back into it. Just how far can the soul progress in one lifetime.. how quickly can we peel the layers of the onion.. I am here to find out (& report back to you! )

Ahhh... It's a beautiful life!

Scientists now also agree that oxygen plays a powerful and primary role in our overall health and well-being. A growing number of researchers agree that the best way to improve health may be related to the optimum oxygenation of every cell.

All metabolic processes in the body are regulated by oxygen. Our brains process billions of bits of information each second. Our metabolic processes work to rid our bodies of waste and toxins. ..and 80% of all our metabolic energy production is created by oxygen! Our abilities to think, feel and act require oxygen-related energy production. Oxygen also plays a vital role in proper metabolic functions, blood circulation, the assimilation of nutrients, digestion and the elimination of cellular and metabolic wastes. Sufficient oxygen helps the body in its ability to rebuild itself and maintain a strong and healthy immune system.

The good news is that raw fruits and vegetables are high in oxygen with as much as 50% of the weight of these foods made up of oxygen. The percentage of oxygen in fats is less than 15% while the percentage of oxygen in protein is between 20% and 40%, depending on the protein's amino acid profile. Dense food compounds, such as fats and proteins, are not only low in oxygen content, but also require extra oxygen from the body to convert them into energy which further depletes the body's oxygen reserves. Other oxygen-robbing foods include processed sugar, white flour, alcohol and caffeinated drinks. The body has to divert needed oxygen from primary metabolic functions, such as heartbeat, blood flow, brain function and immune response, just to oxidize and metabolize these foods.

The more our cells are saturated with stabilized oxygen the lower is the wear and tear that occurs in the body. Hence, oxygen is one of the most important anti-aging substances.

Any excessive stress, including a heavy workload, traumatic or intense events in your life, prolonged depression and anxiety, can rob the body of huge amounts of its much-needed oxygen. Emotional stress produces adrenaline and adrenaline-related hormones, requiring the body to draw on its oxygen reserves for their production and eventual oxidation. Infection also depletes the body's oxygen, which is used to combat bacteria.

Individuals with chronically acidic systems also use up oxygen reserves. This can lead to a cycle of toxin accumulation and oxygen depletion. One way in which the body combats excess acidity is by trying to neutralize it with oxygen. To do so, it must continually divert oxygen away from its primary metabolic functions and direct it toward the acidic cells and tissues.

When body oxygen falls to extremely low levels for prolonged periods of time, the body can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and other infectious agents. When the oxygen content of the body is within a normal level, infectious microorganisms have a more difficult time breeding and multiplying.

Cancer attacks every organ in our body, except the heart because of its abnormal supply of oxygen.
"Cancer has only one prime cause. It is the replacement of normal oxygen respiration of the body's cells by an anaerobic (i.e., oxygen-deficient) cell respiration."
~Dr. Otto Warburg - Two-time Nobel Laureate & Winner of the Nobel Prize for Cancer Research

Studies have revealed that 200 years ago the oxygen levels in the atmosphere was about 36-38%. At Present the earth’s atmosphere is at a 19% concentration level of oxygen. In some areas that are heavily industrialized, which have high levels of pollution, the oxygen level is often as low as 9%.

The level of oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere has been seriously depleted due to various factors, such as: the industrial revolution; the carbon-based fuels we use; and the depletion of large tracts of oxygen generating forest areas. According to scientific studies, it has been shown that the concentration level of oxygen in the atmosphere is being depleted by 0.8% about every fifteen years or thereabouts.

Get Oxygenated - Eat Raw, Exercise lots and visit your local Oxygen Bar for an incredible detox/oxygenation/rejeuvenation session.

Pics by Zena Holloway