Look to the rainbow

Over the next couple weeks, we're going to be talking A LOT about the amazing benefits of fruits and vegetables in the meeting room and working towards getting in a minimum of 5 servings a day - are you up for the challenge??

Fruits and veggies are like mini superheroes packed with goodness! The antioxidants (like vitamin E, C & beta carotene) contained in fruits and veggies help your body to stave off various diseases and fight the free radicals. You can read more about the benefits of fruits & veggies here or in Ultimate Foods for Ultimate Health or 10 Steps to Healthy Eating. If you need a little more inspiration be sure to check out this post and if you are a visual person and want to track your progress in this challenge, be sure to check out Heather's chart.

This week we are focusing on COLOUR so I thought I would show you how I incorporated colour in my meals the last 2 weeks:

My yummy steamed greens from Fresh before the Fresh screening.

My favourite salad that you see all the time! This time with corn, salsa, avocado, cucumbers and marinated tofu. (I ate this like three times last week)

Red-lentil cauliflower curry (from Veganomican) with some kale chips and tortilla chips. This curry is AWESOME!! It has so much flavor and the ingredients are simple. Absolutely delicious and incredibly filling (and yellow!)

My beautiful produce from the farmers market on Thursday morning

I was bouncing around my office all day. I was so excited about everything I bought and couldn't wait to go home and make brown rice pasta with basil pesto, asparagus & baby zucchinis (in green and yellow)

Lemon lentil soup (with broccoli, kale, parsley, lemons, carrots and celery)

Leftover pasta with green beans, squash and tempeh.

A yummy snack of mango, banana & kiwi

Banana soft serve with agave mixed with cocoa powder. (Please tell me you've tried this because it's amazing!)

And a slice of my first homemade raw dessert - raw key lime pie!

Such a great recipe from Meals that Heal Inflammation (review coming this month!) It was really easy to make and absolutely delish!

What is your favourite way to add COLOUR to your meals and snacks?

Fresh - The Movie

Last night I was one of the many people who came out to Meghan & The Movement's screening of Fresh the Movie. It was fantastic. I highly recommend getting yourself to a screening or acquiring your own copy to show friends or family or anyone else who will watch.

It's funny because (pre-WW & Crohn's) I never used to think about what I was putting into my body. I didn't stop to think where my foods were coming from, what else was in them, in what conditions they were raised. I still have a lot to learn, but I like to think that I've come a long way.

Fresh is about the state of the food industry. The film contains some pretty disturbing images of the treatment of animals on conventional farms, but it isn't anti-meat. Rather than simply focusing on the negative aspects, it shows the viewers what amazing strides organic/natural farmers are taking on their own farms and in their communities.

I loved hearing Joel Salatin talk about the chickens playing their roles on the farm team and the "pig-ness" in allowing the animals to graze and roam in his pastures as nature intended them to do. I want to visit Will Allen and talk about worms. It was a joy to be "a part" of a tour of his amazing greenhouse where the fish help the soil which helps the plants to grow. It's such a simple concept, since it's the way that it used to be, but with all of the mass produced & processed foods that have become part of the North American tradition, we've really gotten away from that.

The film really solidified by desire to eat organic & local whenever possible. It also reinforced my choice to buy natural and organic meat products. I figure if I'm continuing to eat meat, they should be as good as it gets, rather than consume products filled with antibiotics and other such loveliness. The movie has also inspired me to be more adamant about getting to a farmer's market during each week. I often drop by the Withrow Park Market on Saturdays, but I usually miss out on a lot of the produce because I'm unable to get there early due to my meetings. I love the concept of actually meeting the people who grow your food!! It's something that is really missing from your local Loblaws Superstore.

I thought a lot about the movie as I made soup tonight with organic vegetables including some local, organic kale. There is such satisfaction that comes from putting together simple ingredients into something so comforting and nourishing and it made me really happy. I've come to find a lot of joy in food and Fresh really made me appreciate that.

There was something that Will Allen said at the end of the movie that really summed it all up for me:

Food is at the foundation, but it's really about life.

Isn't it though?

Be sure to check out the Fresh website for information on screenings or procuring your own copy to share this beautiful message.

All you need is love (or lunges depending on how you feel)

I am so proud of all the activity that I did this month!!

(Isn't Joey's little note super cute?!?)

My activity chart has 23 stickers which includes:

• 5 bellydance classes
• 1 2 hour bellydance workshop
• 1 bellydance recital
• 7 Booty Camp sessions
• 2 At home Booty Camp workouts
  
• A 5k walk

I am so proud!! So not only is my chart nice and full of stickers, but I'm super proud to post my 4 week progress measurements for Booty Camp!

Upper Arm (rt): 11 | 11 | No change
Upper Arm (lt): 11 | 11 | No change
Chest: 33 | 33.5 | +0.5 (Not complaining)
Waist: 27.5 | 27 | -0.5
Hips: 32.5 | 32 | -0.5
Butt: 36 | 36 | No change
Upper thigh (lf): 21 | 20 | -1
Upper thigh (rt): 21 | 20 | -1

Total Inches: 193 | 190.5 | -2.5
Body fat: 27% | 24.5% | -2.5%

How exciting!!! It's so great to be seeing this kind of progress!! Even more so when you check out my pictures...

Before:I am happy with my body here, but there are some areas that were in need of a little toning and love.

After 4 weeks:
I'm feeling awesome here!! Not only can I see a difference in my chest/shoulders, tummy, legs and butt, but I feel amazing and strong! All of the lunges, squats, push ups, and planks have definitely been making a difference and I'm really proud of my progress. I can't wait to see the end result at the end of July!!

I also wanted to showcase some of the accomplishments of some of my readers. Check out their June activity charts!

Nikki is a huge fan of the activity chart. It helped to kick her butt a few months ago and she hasn't looked back!! I love that she's added a picture of herself in a bikini for an extra little motivator.

Jocelyn really embraced activity this month! She said she worked out more this month than she ever has and was also able to try out some new things! She has developed a love of yoga and can now jog for 5 minutes without stopping. Awesome!!

Lindsay does something really cool with her activity chart. Rather than print off a big one and stick it on her fridge (like me), or post it electronically on her blog (like Nikki & Jocelyn) she prints a baby copy and puts it in her 3 month tracker!! I love that it's right there for her to see and access - what an amazing motivator!! Lindsay kicked some serious butt this month with lots of stickers which included rock climbing, zumba, bellydancing and thousands of steps on her pedometer.

Way to go gals!! You inspire me so much with your progress and I can't wait to see what everyone can get up to in July!! If you would like to be included next month, send me a picture/copy of your activity chart at the end of the month with a little blurb about what contributed to your stickers.

Keep up the amazing work!!!

Canada Day at the Calico Cafe

In Toronto, I find that people are generally very loyal to their "side" of Yonge Street.

Growing up, we always lived in the East end. I attended elementary school, junior high and high school in the east - even when we moved to the Junction halfway through my grade 11 year. Even though I resided in the West end for about 4-5 years, I was an East End girl at heart! I love the vibe of the east end, especially The Danforth. Everything is within walking distance. There are restaurants, yoga/dance/pilates studios, fruit & veggie markets and fantastic stores! I'm also a big fan of Leslieville and The Beach (or Beaches, depending on how you roll).

Joey has only lived in Toronto for about 9 years, and until I met him, he always lived on the West side of the city. When we decided that we were ready to start looking for an apartment of our own (rather than his tiny "junior 1 bedroom" apartment where we couldn't stand in the kitchen at the same time for fear of stepping on one another) I encouraged a search in the East End. We found an apartment in a fantastic neighborhood that met a lot of our needs for a decent price, yet he was still hesitant. "I don't know about the East Side" he said. Somehow I convinced him and we haven't looked back since!! We both love our neighborhood and everything is has to offer. That being said, we do travel to other parts of the city, even into the West End, which is exactly what we did on Canada Day.

My friend Lori had been telling me about this new restaurant some friends of hers were opening called The Calico Cafe. The Calico Cafe opened less than two weeks ago and boasts a menu of freshly made juices, fair trade coffee and espresso, salads, sandwiches, as well as treats and catering. Lori sent me a facebook message with their brunch menu with a note along the lines of "you could find lots of choices here!" (She's so thoughtful of my food needs) so we decided to check out their dinner service on Canada Day.

Located on Bloor between Dufferin & Lansdowne, the Calico Cafe's exterior brightens up a bit of a sketchy neighborhood. The decor is simple and fresh, with meals being prepared for all to see at the center of the restaurant.

I started off with a beet-pineapple juice.

I am really starting to like beet juice. It was cold, refreshing and "earthy", although I'm not sure that my mouth likes pineapple anymore (and that makes me sad because other than the burning feeling it tastes so good!)

For my main, I choose the pear walnut salad with apple parsley dressing

Lori & Dany both had the BBQ'd tofu sandwich with potatoes and salad

And Joey was feeling a bit adventurous and decided to go with the baked seitan sandwich with a creamy leek sauce.

My salad was lovely and refreshing. All of the components were yummy and everything came together nicely. It was a perfect portion for me and I enjoyed the addition of the walnuts. I only wish that it had contained some tofu or tempeh to up the protein a little, but overall I really liked it.

Lori, Dany (and Joey, who tried a bit of everything) really liked the tofu sandwich. Lori said it was similar to something she makes at home and everyone agreed that the potatoes were stellar! Presentation on all the dishes was fantastic.

Joey really enjoyed the seitan!! I was really proud of him for venturing out and trying something new (the chef did give him a sample of the seitan to try before committing to the sandwich) His only complaint was that there was too much bun for the sandwich, but otherwise he really enjoyed it.

I was hoping to end off my meal with some sort of vegan dessert, but none of the offerings were gluten free. I talked to the chef about this, and he said that they were experimenting with gluten free vegan baked goods (and breads for sandwiches) but hadn't found a winner yet. I look forward to heading back to the Calico Cafe and seeing how it fares and evolves in the coming months. They were working on a back patio, which should be opening soon. I foresee a brunch on the patio in the coming weeks!! It's a good excuse for me to cross over to the West side.

If you're in Toronto, be sure to check out Calico Cafe - 1226 Bloor Street West, 416-536-1883

WMR - Week of June 21

What a yummy (busy) week!!

The BBQ last Sunday feels like ages ago, especially now that it can't stop raining here in Toronto!

My favourite BBQ'd veggie burgers, balsamic brussel sprouts, & a sweet potato - classic!

and ginger pear amaranth crumble

Making dessert on Sunday is now one of my favourite things!! This recipe was incredibly yummy and Joey & I couldn't get enough! Stay tuned for more desserts on Sundays. It might become a regular blog feature!

Asparagus, kale & tofu stir fry over brown rice

I made it a little differently this time around. I marinated the tofu in tamari, apple cider vinegar, sunflower oil & water before frying them up. I added the yummy hoisin sauce along with the veggies and stir fried it all up. This is definitely one of my favourite, simple meals.

The black bean chili from Ultimate Foods for Ultimate Health was so good. Joey proclaimed it his favourite chili!! It was hearty and so easy. I've really enjoyed everything I've made from this book.

I was craving a snack before boot camp last Wednesday so I had a sliced kiwi, blueberries and a combination of pumpkin seeds, raisins, walnuts and sunflower seeds.

It was a great snack! I'm never super hungry after boot camp, so I enjoyed an Almond breeze-banana-almond butter smoothie when I came home.

I love the banana - almond butter combination. It was so hot, boot camp was *tough* and I was so sweaty that night.

I made a little trip to Whole Foods on Thursday...

There's only 1 in Toronto and I find it a little out of my way and a little pricey so my trips are limited! I picked up some soy milk, larabars (2/$3), coconut water, soy yogurt, rice crackers and Free POM. I enjoyed some of the coconut water on my way home from boot camp on Monday.

I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but decided to finish it and it got better as I went along! Coconut water is like nature's gatorade. It's full of 5 essential electrolytes: potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous. I felt good after drinking it and it definitely quenched my thirst. (Please note - boot camp isn't getting any easier!!)

On Saturday Joey and I grabbed some lunch after my meetings

My warm brown rice salad plate was perfect and beautiful with all its colours. Since it had been his birthday last week I treated him to some Indian food for dinner.

We shared a chicken dish and some aloo gobi with rice. When Indian food comes to the table, the dishes always look so small, yet there is always too much food and leftovers!! And we came home to find some visitors sifting through our garbage bin...

As cute as they are in the picture, I wouldn't have wanted to encounter them on my own!! I think they were a little sad that they didn't find any garbage...

Check back later this week for my June activity results, plus 4 week progress measurements from Boot Camp!

Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!!