Lunch with Eduardo

I had lunch today with Eduardo at Island Foods.

Eduardo and I worked together for nine months in 1998 and still get together every couple of months for lunch.

Eduardo had oxtail and rice.


I had what I always have ... boneless chicken roti. Yum!

Eduardo

Trip to the vet

KC's annual check-up was this afternoon. The vet said she's in great shape for her age (she's 13).

She's been having problems with her eyes and a test showed that she isn't producing tears anymore. So I've got ointment to trick her tear ducts.

She's not fond of the vet at all ... so I took her across the street to Trinity Bellwoods Park afterwards and she was very happy!

Book ~ "Eat, Drink, and Be Gorgeous" (2007) Esther Blum

From Amazon.com ~It's quite possible to have your cake and eat it too, argues dietitian-nutritionist Blum in this bubbly, vivacious approach to living well the healthy way. Avoiding dietary absolutes and encouraging readers to make gradual changes in their eating habits rather than drastic ones (which are often hard to keep up), Blum's sensible guide is sure to resonate with young women. She makes compelling arguments for choosing organic foods, going so far as to list the top 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables, and extols the virtues of grass-fed meat and dairy. An informative chapter detailing alcohol's specific effects on women (including calorie counts for a long list of beers and cocktails) enable readers to make the most of their nights out without paying for it later. Troubleshooting suggestions offer relief from the symptoms of everything from hangovers and herpes to smoking cessation and premenstrual discomfort. Rounded out with chapters on dietary supplements and depression, as well as a Q&A for frequently asked queries, "What kind of prepared foods (i.e., frozen dinners) are actually good for me?", Blum's guidebook complete guide to women's health is an encouraging, smart and sisterly volume that deserves a place alongside other trusted go-to resources.

A quick entertaining read. I thought it would be focused on just on diet but it covered a wide variety of topics and ailments and how to deal with them nutritionally.

This is a good book to have handy.

Taste of Little Italy, Toronto, ON

This weekend is the Taste of Little Italy. It's just north of us so we walked up this afternoon. Every year in Little Italy, they close down College Street from Shaw to Bathurst. There are lots of patios that spill out onto the street, bands on various corners, food vendors, etc. It attracts tons of people. It's become an annual event for Gord and I.

Italians have enjoyed its rich and affluent culture for centuries, with a way of life admired by all. This year you don’t need a plane ticket to experience Italy, we are bringing Italy it to you! The Taste of Little Italy will be held from Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15, and we invite you to enjoy a “taste” of our unique College Street ambiance and culture.
Gord was attracted right away by the jambalaya being served on the patio of the Vogue Room.

He enjoyed it so much that we stopped in on our way home and he bought some for his lunch on Monday. Their draft was a microbrew called Golden Horseshoe Pale Ale ... it was good! And a great deal at $3.75!

There was lots of music. Here are just a few bands ...





As we did last year, we had a 15 minute shiatsu treatment ($15). Very nice!


There were lots of food vendors serving souvlaki, hot dogs, jambalaya, sandwiches, ice cream, BBQed sardines and lots more. Though I'm sure the meat was delicious, I didn't need to see this pig.



There was lots of stuff for families.





I had honey garlic wings at Duff's, which were good.



A Taste of Little Italy attracts a lot of people!



We watched Ben Mercer interview Frank Ferrari on Talk 1010 about his wine, Voga, a pinot grigio. We were intrigued enough to go try it. And it was tasty!



Gord loves mojitos so we tried one at the Sutra Tiki Bar. I'm not a fan of mojitos but I liked theirs.

Then we tried them at Souz Dal. I liked theirs better ... it was limier.




It was late and we were getting hungry so got burritos at Burro Burrito. We love burritos so like trying new places. This one was okay, not great. I won't be rushing back. Burrito Boyz is still my fav!

No Kids: 40 Reasons Not to Have Children

You know I don't have children. I chose not to.

There was an article in today's Toronto Star called Je regrette . . . French mother argues that having children ruins romance and relationships. It was an interview with author Corinne Maier.

When it was first published in France last summer, Corinne Maier's No Kids: 40 Reasons Not to Have Children caused a sensation. Not only did it chide the nation for its birth rate, the highest in Europe, it also lectured readers on how it wasn't green to add people to the planet – and how green with envy she was of childless people. ...

I found Maier's view rather harsh considering she is a mom of two. Especially the last question in the interview:

Q: So why did you have children?

A: I was optimistic. I had no idea that I would become a prisoner for 20 years.

Ouch!

Crop update

We've had a lot of rain and sun lately ... and my crops are loving it!

Red bell peppers

Sweet pepper

Cherry tomatoes

Peppermint

Book ~ "The Power of Nice" (2006) Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval

From Amazon.com ~ Coauthors Thaler and Koval submit their own success in the cutthroat world of advertising as evidence that nice girls can finish first while taking home more than a dozen Clio awards along the way. Following up their bestselling look at creating compelling marketing strategies—Bang!—they turn most truisms about business inside out, arguing that good deeds are returned, not punished. Warning against a me vs. you mentality, they even suggest helping opponents as a good way to boost a career. Game face on? Thaler and Koval say, take it off. Being genuine, they explain, produces much better results. From crediting their friendly building security guard for helping them sign new clients to recommending chocolate as an accompaniment to presentation materials and invoices, they build their case for using little gestures to get you what you want. Though a lively and pleasant read, this is not a cutesy little bonbon of a book. Well thought-out and crisply presented, it offers key principles, case studies and exercises to help make niceness habitual. Some exercises, like turning personal disappointment into positive energy, are even quite therapeutic.

A nice reminder to be nice!

Chllin' Chicks' weekend - Sunday

I took Taffy and Misty for a walk to the lake (Lake Sturgeon), which is about a five minute walk. The path was really muddy and slippery ...

... but worth the walk!

We walked into the water and it was surprisingly not that cold (Misty swam for a bit and Taffy went up to her belly).

When we got back, Smitty (Ron and Deb's friend) was making breakfast.

Breakfast is served ... Franca, Liz, Teena and Deb


Melon wrapped in prosciutto along with French toast (made with jalepeno corn bread) stuffed with peaches ... yum!

I love this swing! So comfy and relaxing.

Chillin' Chicks weekend

It's the annual Chillin' Chicks weekend away when we head to Deb and Ron's place in Dunsford (a couple hours NE of Toronto). Deb lives just outside of Toronto during the week and goes home on the weekends.

It was my turn to drive and Liz and Franca were my navigators. We missed a turnoff and ended up in Peterborough (about 50 kms east off the mark). We were starving so stopped at McDonalds for a late lunch.

Franca and Liz

We got back on the road and found our way.

Liz made muffins ... er, I mean, cupcakes for dessert.


Ron and Deb's place is on Sturgeon Lake ... here's the view from their deck. The lake is just down the street.


Looks like Franca enjoyed herself catching some rays! It was sunny and hot.

Ron, Deb and Liz chillaxed too.


Ron BBQed a delicious pork roast for supper.

Deb and Liz were looking ... er, stylish.


The sun set on the lake.

Brazen Head Pub, Toronto, ON

It was such a gorgeous day that I met Gord after work on the patio of the Brazen Head Pub.

Here's looking eastward towards downtown. The red building in front of the CN Tower is the chapel of the former women's prison (from the 1800s).


Gord on the patio

Gord's beer (he took this pic)


Cead Mile Failte ... a hundred thousand welcomes!