Coming clean

As in making a vow to remove certain things from my diet - i.e. overdosing on sugar and wheat -so, I'm try to eat more raw foods, green juices etc. etc. - so far, so good...of course part of this is wanting to lose weight but also actually to have more energy and feel better - especially during the depths of winter here in T.O. I have also been less than stellar about my vegan diet, so new incentive.

I now have a dehyrdator and so have been making kale chips constantly and have even tried my hand at crackers - next up - some cookies from Diana Stobo - I think they are double chocolate..oops maybe after I have been off sugar for a while.

I have kind of been hibernating of late - doing a lot of reading - both for pleasure and enlightenment - like "Why Meditate" and "Spirit Junkie" - plus the melancholy Swede  - one Kurt Wallender in "The Troubled Man" by Henning Mankell. It's the last book featuring that character. It was an ending for "Chuck" this week...sniff, sniff - I will miss everyone at the BuyMore...how cool is it that "Jeffster" saved the day? LOL.
I noticed they slipped in another Canadianism in a previous episode Lester (Vikay Patel - who IS Canadian)          was asked by Casey to do something for his country and he replied "Canada"? So then they showed him suited up with "O Canada" playing...too funny!

Jazzwise - there will be a "retirement" party on February 1st at the Rex for Katie Malloch - the much loved jazz host on CBC - the band looks incredible - Don Thompson, Mike Murley, Barry Elmes, Reg Schwager, Mark Eisenman and Diana Panton on vocals!

And it that wasn't enough in jazz riches - why the Daniel Jamieson Quintet is on at 9:30!

Oribe Hair Care

I am now hooked on Oribe hair care - thanks to my stylist Sandro at Pop Hair - the styling creme is wonderful! It gives great hold and body and definition without the crunchy texture of my old Deva Curl gel - even the next day - the hold is still there. I also am in love with the conditioner - my scalp feels hydrated and it gives enough conditioning without weighing my hair down - I can't way to try the shampoo. Aside from the the containers are elegant and gorgeous - the shampoo and conditioner bottles are also different shapes so no problem when you're fumbling for the right one in the shower.

I am also trying out Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate which is lovely. I adore their Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Products - delicious scent but not overpowering and very moisturizing. I like the scrub alot too, I love sugar scrubs but find alot of product is lost, i.e.seems to melt....Kiehl's has ingeniously but their  exfoliant in a cream base in a tube. Smart.

Last night was another great Toronto Arts and Culture meetup -with the Queen West Arts Crawl - starting at Twist Gallery - "New World Order" - I loved one of the paintings called "Pancakes" - a shiny acrylic and resin mix - a turquoise background and colourful circles - it made me very happy. Then onto Alison Milne's gallery on Walnut - a great new space with emerging artists, then onto Krumpler on Queen to check out some  heavy duty backpacks and luggage in fun colours - that will be a go to spot when I need a brand new bag.

We trekked down to St. Stanislau Catholic Church on Denison next and got a fascinating history lesson on the Polish community in Toronto - specifically its origins in what was known as "The Ward". The church was a former Presbyterian one and with declining attendance in the early 20th century was purchased by beer baron Mr. O'Keefe. Interestingly the Polish Credit Union had it's beginnings in the church as well...in the bad old days as recent as the 1950's it was pretty much impossible for new immigrants to get loans from banks - hence the need for their own financial institution. Eventually the Polish community has moved westward to Roncesvalles and further - Mississauga and Brampton.

The only low point was my veggie burger at Shanghai Cowgirl when we socialized afterwards - it was like cafeteria food - a lacklustre Yves burger on a white bread bun. I know you can do better...I guess I have been spoiled by good veg burgers at my fave veg restaurants and places like Craft Burger and Hero - which do good ones.

By the way, loving the new dehyrdator - making tamari almonds as I write. I have also made flax crackers and a couple of rounds of kale chips...it makes it difficult to comtemplate buying them again.

We have a new TV, a Toshiba 40" - and I'm enjoying some old sitcoms like "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Rhoda" - I love Rhoda's wardrobe so funky and colourful - I understand that raw cookbook author and icon Mimi Kirk had something to do with that look!

New Year's Eve at Rawlicious

This is my glass of champagne - and those are pomegranate seeds which provided some extra entertainment during the meal - they would sink to the bottom fill up with bubbles and bob back up again...

I neglected to take photos of all the menu items but they were delish - first up a Roasted  Red  Pepper Soup with Olive Sesame Bread sticks - a chili kick from that creaminess, then the Mixed Greens with Candied Pear Slices, Walnuts and Cranberry Vinagrette, next the Macadamia Cheese and Cherry Tomatoes on a Basil Blankette - would love to know how they make the "blankette" - so chewy and fun - there is a photo of that...

 Next on the menu AlmondRomesco Dumplings  with Lemon Relish....

And finally for dessert the decadent Maple Cream Cannoli with Candied Walnuts and Coconut Whipped Cream....

For the piece de resistance - the Paul Morrison Trio for some great jazz - Paul was one of our "Jazzology" guests when he attended Humber and a raw foodist - he works for "Rawlicious" - hopefully he tells me jazz will be a regular thing at this location - which is gorgeous - located at 2122 Bloor Street West - between High Park and Runnymede stations. I am always impressed by the quality of Rawlicious' menu items and kudos to the chef that night who rightfully came out for her acknowledgement. One of my intentions for the New Year is to go raw and what a great way to start. 

I should note that the Kirk MacDonald Jazz Orchestra is on at the Rex this week from Wednesday to Saturday at 9:30 and features the great P.J. Perry alongside many of Canada's finest musicians. 

Spring Fling

Yes, we can dream can't we.? And yes, that isn't a typo
that is my name on the poster with that illustrious group - I have committed to singing a number...gulp. Exciting stuff and I'm very grateful to Julie McGregor, the organizer and a fine vocalist and artist to boot.  As you can see on the bill are Maureen Kennedy (one of my fave people), Laura Marks, Neil Kristian Parent and jazz poet Chris Hercules - accompanied by the legendary Norm Amadio and bassist extraordinaire Duncan Hopkins...

Mark the date - March 10th at Trane Studio..8 p.m., $15 Cover - I believe I have the link to Trane on the right side of my blog..if not I will put it there.

Saw two wonderful movies over the season - the delightful "The Artist" a homage to the silent film era - it's a silent film and I bet you are saying "Subtitles? Is she kidding me"? Trust me you'll be totally engrossed - the leads are wonderful Jean Dujardin as Georges Valentin and Berenice Bejo as ingenue Peppy Miller. Charming.

The other movie selection was more traditional Hollywood seasonal blockbuster - the action packed "Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol"...will have you on the edge of your seat - particularly the scenes on the side of the hotel in Dubai..yikes.

What am I doing New Year's Eve? Well, there will be jazz involved and also delicious food at the new Rawlicious on Bloor (2122 Bloor Street West)...a great way to usher in the New Year, a five course meal and jazz...will post pics later.

New do

As the New Year approaches it is a time for resolutions and one of my lately was to return to my former hairstylist Sandro - proprietor of Pop Hair on Richmond..and I'm soooo glad I did...what was I thinking, flirting with all these other brief affairs all over town...many a good salon but nothing quite gelled...I don't know what made me leave in the first place....the grass is always greener I guess.

He is looking very trim, having taken the vegetarian plunge and as acerbic and funny as ever. Let this be a lesson to me...I had to look good to go into the holiday season and most importantly "Jingle Bones' tonight.!

Vegan Brunch at Windsor Arms and "Jingle Bones"

If you're looking for a new vegan brunch alternative and an elegant one at that - check out the latest one at the Windsor Arms, designed by vegan chef extraordinaire Doug McNish. The service is stellar, very old world graciousness and how great is it to have a separate vegan menu.

Ideal spot for those with visitors from out of town veg or not as they also have the standard brunch buffet.
We chose "The Works" - above, which features black bean chili, toast with a sunflower seed "butter", sauteed potatoes, tempeh bacon and one of the best tofu scrambles in the city - this one featured mushrooms and greens.

On the sweeter side we also tried the Stuffed French Toast, which to me was more like dessert - I'm a fan of french toast erring on the savory end of things..I would suggest the sauce on the side (a la "When Harry Men Sally") to tone down the sugar factor.



Would love to try the Vegan Benedict next time and also the bowls - Granola or Chia....kudos to the Windsor Arms for introducing this lovely option for weekend brunch.  I understand they also have a vegan menu for the evening?

Well, boys and girls it's also that festive time of year which means the annual "Jingle Bones" - featuring a stocking full of trombone players - playing your holiday favourites, a great gift for those who have been naughty or nice. This year it's at the Victory Cafe on 581 Markham Street starting at 7:30 p.m. Speaking of nice, contributions are appreciated in support of  Camp Oochigeas - where my niece Fran and countless others kids have enjoyed wonderful summers as victors over the dreaded "C" word.

Hey, it even got mentioned in "The Globe and Mail"...so you wouldn't want to seem uncool would you and aside from that if you don't attend we may have to send out the Sam cat to track you down and sit on you.

Cadence

Sorry, I was remiss in not telling you about this amazing free concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre today at noon - in a word, these guys are astounding - with selections ranging from Joni Mitchell's "River" to the jaunty opener "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps" to the closer "Ain't That a Kick in the Head" - the quartet delighted a packed house and we mere mortals were allowed to sing along on that Cab Calloway chestnut "Minnie the Moocher".

They have just released their fourth CD "Cool Yule" - just in time for holiday gifting...unless you decide to keep it for yourself....do go and hear them live when you get the chance....

www.cadence-unplugged.com



Also this morning some Christmas shopping was in order and some for moi, bien sur. I love the natural products from Vauxhall Gardens since I tried the soothing Comfrey Cream - great for your aches and pains (it's anti-inflammatory) at the Liberty Village Market. Adele, the creator is a bubbly dynamo of enthusiasm for herbs and natural skin and body care...what is even better of course is that the flowers and herbs are locally grown, harvested and whipped into sumptuous creations...I adore her "Crowning Glory" hair conditioner - it really nourishes your scalp and provides great body and volume plus today I purchased "Precious Elixir" a lovely day cream and a serum, plus a few gifts. I also love the fact that she wraps your purchase in a vintage printed toile tissue and includes an information sheet about the product.

You can next catch her at Sick Kids hospital on Tuesday February 13th in the atrium Farmer's Market. Her website is www.peaceloveand flowers.ca - sweet.