70s flashback

I think it may have something to do with turning 50 but I find I am reverting a bit to my teen years - to what I find fun to listen to musically and even a kind of 70's shag haircut! So in that spirit some great 70's music - the iconic "Saturday Night Fever"...of course I was reminded of this fab soundtrack after watching "Glee"'s wonderful tribute show last week...but hey, there's a reason why this music still resonates..it's good! Particularly the gorgeous ballad "How Deep is Your Love".

I have been doing some soul searching as well of late, seeking forgiveness for my rash actions of a couple of years ago...when I was behaving like a teenager. Fortunately I have been doing some spiritual homework and becoming a better person each and every day - thanks to Dr. Dyer, Marcia Shimoff, Louise Hay, Esther and Jerry Hicks and countless others.

Jazzwise - tonight is "Jazz Lives" our big fundraiser for the station and tomorrow night Melissa Lauren is at the Winchester from 7 - 10 p.m. 51 Winchester Street, on Friday at Fuzion - 580 Church Street  and on Saturday - Ori Dagan's "Less than 3" CD release at the Al Green Theatre - 750 Spadina Avenue at 8 p.m. Special guest: Jane Bunnett - and his band consisting of Mark Kieswetter, Ross McIntyre, Nick Fraser and Chris Gale.

 http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Falgreentheatre.ca%2Fevents%2F1-all-events%2F152-cd-release&h=pAQGw7e75



I can't tell you how often I sang into my hairbrush to this great tune...:)


Going to New York a week from tomorrow - woo hoo - lots of shopping great shopping and jazz - particularly Daryl Sherman at Knickerbocker's in the Village.

Great Birthday

How much better can it get than a jazz concert on my birthday - especially with someone I have been longing to hear since I did a phone interview last year...yup, Halie Loren in the house - Jazz Fm Live to Air...

Even better - I got a Hurom juicer - which I tried out this morning - awesome. Carrot, apple, kale and some lemon...can't wait to try more concoctions...pretty quiet too for a juicer. I enjoyed lunch with my brothers and niece yesterday at Fresh - a green juice and their monthly wrap special - the Caesar. Then for dinner - Magic Oven pizza...tropical - yes pineapple...delish.

I also have a new favourite shower gel - Yves Rocher's "Vervaine de Haiti" - a vetiver scent - with $1.00 from each sale going to support Haitians...so smell good and feel good. The fragrance is woody/spicy and a little addictive...perhaps I am looking forward to my showers a little too much now?

Treated myself to a facial at Pure and Simple downstairs - a hydrating one and of course using the new Holistic Vanity products - which I adore!

I'm listening to Melissa Stylianou's lovely new album, "Silent Movie" and wearing her t-shirt - which is a pretty burgundy colour and so soft - American Apparel.  The album features a wistful "Smile" - the great Charlie Chaplin tune and James Taylor's "Something in the Way She Moves"...the touching "First Impressions" - an original and a sweet version of "The Folks Who Live on the Hill"...I am so privileged to have been part of making this happen through Kickstarter.

Countdown to the big 5 oh

Or I could still say I'm 49...but really the birthday doesn't scare me..I think the best is yet to come. No real celebration plans other than going to hear Halie Loren at Jazz FM for a Live to Air...more celebrating will happen with friends in New York in May...

Finished up the Fab Detox and yesterday had wine and chocolate...and coffee...I don't think my system liked the introduction of these back into my diet...so will go easy on these foods as well as still avoiding gluten and acidic things...

I received the new Halie Loren CD "Heart First" in the mail and it's a wonderful recording - I especially like "A Woman's Way" - that's one she wrote. Her sultry vocals are always appealing...there are a few standards in there - the gorgeous "My One and Only Love" and "Feeling Good" as well as the charming Bob Marley "Waiting In Vain" and 70's radio hit "Lotta Love". Looking forward to hearing her live.

Looking to the future - the brothers Gray - Derek and Justin have a killer band at the Rex on April 23rd for the 9:30 show - featuring Kelly Jefferson and Todd Pentney  - paying homage to the music of Herbie Hancock...

This week at Musideum catch Melissa Lauren on April 12th - unfortunately I will be otherwise occupied.

Eat Raw, Eat Well

I am thrilled to have in my hot little hands the latest raw recipe book - and this is by Doug McNish - famed vegan chef of such places as Raw Aura and creator of the vegan menu at the Windsor Arms. The book was launched last night at Eco Existence a great little shop on St. Clair near Christie and featured drinks and nibbles from the book - the brownies were divine!

Doug is a regular fixture here on the vegan dining scene and has twice won the Vegan Iron Chef competition a the Vegetarian Food Festival. He is also his best advertisement for the vegan and particularly raw lifestyle - having shed some 100 pounds when he chose a veg path and through cooking demos, workshops and classes..

I have already tried out the smoothie recipe "Lemon Meringue " and am making the Herbed Mushroom Duxelles later today. I am already salivating over the other recipe descriptions : "Cake Batter Smoothie", "Almond Butter and Jelly Smoothie"..."Electrifying Electrolyte Drink", breads such as Cinnamon Raisin Flax Bagels and Banana Pecan French Toast for breakfast and for soups : "Cauliflower Gumbo", Avgolomeno and Sweet and Sour Broth with Kelp Noodles for Salads: Kale Waldorf, Mango Jicima and Pumpkin Seed with Fresh Herbs, Lemony Shredded Beet and Carrot Cream Slaw....and for entrees how about "Barbecue Pulled Burdock Sandwich" or "Shaved Asparagus and Squash Fettucine", "Zucchini Manicotti" - maybe some Sweet Potato Chips or Cauliflowers Popcorn to snack on with one of the many dip recipes included...then for dessert maybe a "Pecan Pie" or  simple 3 ingredient Chocolate Walnut Brownies.

With over 400 recipes in the book and lots of helpful tips and suggested substitutions and additions you too will want to get to work in the kitchen and fire up your dehydrator and Vitamix. Best of all this book is Canadian! Way to go Doug!

Published by Robert Rose - www.robertrose.ca - the book is also available on Amazon.ca and I'm sure will be stocked at the TVA resource centre.

Halie Loren Live to Air

Yes you read that right...Halie is coming to Jazz FM for a Live to Air with Ross Porter on April 12th, 7 p.m....what a great birthday present - that's the big 5-0 for me...woo hoo.

Still pre-cleanse and am feeling pretty good except a little tired today. I am contemplating the retreat with Meghan in Costa Rica next February which sounds amazing...

Halie Loren is Number 1 !!!!

Hooray - one of the great little secrets in jazz is not so secret anymore and really she was number one a long time ago for me. Halie Loren's latest release "Heart First" is NUMBER 1 on iTunes in Canada...I can't tell you how excited I am about this... her album also entered the Top 10 on Amazon.com. This tune is "AWoman's Way".

I have been singing (to make a very bad but apropos pun) the praises of this very wonderful vocalist based in Oregon for some time.

I think it's high time Halie was booked here in Toronto...don't you? Maybe a Live to Air at Jazz Fm?? Hmmmm....

On another note, I went to the Fab Detox Workshop on Saturday with Meghan Telpner and am on day one of the Detox - no gluten, no caffeine, sugar...I already eliminated the meat and dairy some years ago...Yesterday I made a Falafel Bread, Marinated Bean Salad, Kale and Lemon Pesto and on Saturday I was so inspired I made the superpowered Chocolates (which have mint flavouring and maca plus goji berries, cocoa, coconut, cacao butter.....delish)...visit www.meghantelpner.com - she is very fun and inspiring!

Farewell Andrea

My dear friend Andrea Lukawiecki passed away on Sunday night at University of Alberta hospital - gone too soon...

I first met Andrea at the University of Alberta Mixed Chorus - she was a kind, quiet soul who loved her Orange Crush and in times past her "Kentucky Yucky chicken"....I have many fond remembrances of her including trying on her aunt's many hats ( bequeathed? ) at a tea party at her place. For many years she worked in the pharmacy of Shoppers Drug Marts in Edmonton and later for a pharmacy in Red Deer - her new residence. She also enjoyed folk dancing and the Edmonton Folk Festival every year.

This gentle soul shared my birthday of April 12th and I'm so sad to know she won't reach this one. For a Ukrainian girl she sure loved her bagpipes and often went to the Robbie Burns dinner in Ponoka...perhaps that's how we knew each other - another life in Scotland...so it's only fitting that I post this video here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euWfTiYwRB0



I might also remind you of the importance of organ donation - you could save the life of someone like Andrea.