Tag Archives: local

Toronto gets tasty on Thursdays

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[Note: I wrote most of this on Thursday but got distracted and didn't post it until a couple of days later. The post wrote itself while I was there. I love when that happens. Unfortunately it won't type and post itself too.]

Evergreen farmer’s market

Last week Evergreen Brick Works opened a satellite location of their farmer’s market, located just east of Bay Street between Adelaide and Temperance, happening weekly through September 2.


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The first week (last week, July 8th) it was mostly artisans with few farmers selling produce. Executive Chef Brad Long from Veritas and My Place Pub – aka my west-end home that I don’t visit often enough – was there, playing sous chef to chef Kellen. They were making and serving two varieties of tostadas: Pulled pork and mixed mushroom, both topped with rhubarb salsa. With my fistful of change I bought the mushroom. I enjoyed the earthiness of mushrooms as well as the texture: Chewy, with bite. Mushrooms are actually one of my favourite meat “substitutes” for texture. Try it in chili.

It was great to see so many people there, most of them likely people who work in the Financial District. That first week two of my favourite women in food were there: Arlene Stein of Evergreen (formerly of Hart House), and Rebecca LeHeup from the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance.


This week there were a couple more farmers, more artisans and a bigger crowd. Veritas was gone (boo) but in its place were Buddah Dog and Hanks Wine Bar. Buddah was selling their grilled local hotdogs (it’s what they do) and Hanks was offering a pulled pork sandwich, smoked Ontario pickerel nicoise salad and a burger from Cumbrae Farms.  I bought  a container of peaches ($4) and a container of apricots ($5). I’m thinking that the peaches can go on the grill at the BBQ party that I’m attending this weekend, though I’m not sure if it’s a grilled fruit kind of crowd.

Suresh from Spotlight Toronto tweeted when it opened, noted the carrot beet quinoa salads, local apricots, peaches and cherries (oh my!), sweet treats, Hanks, mushrooms from Fun Guy Farm (he’s at all the markets), and prepared foods from provenance.

Joel blogged about his visit to the market this week within hours in his Market Diaries.

Tasty Thursdays

I opted not to eat at the farmer’s market this time, instead checking out the offerings at Nathan Phillip’s Square for week 1 of Tasty Thursdays, happening weekly from this week through August 26. Located two blocks from my office near University and Dundas, I’d walked through it on my way to Bay and Adelaide. Tasty Thursday is a collection of restaurants selling food at kiosks. It raises their profile and brings them a lot of lunch traffic on Thursdays.  Taste TO was there around noon. Suresh was there too, an hour earlier.

I bought two veggie burger sliders ($5 for 2 or $3 for 1) from Chuck and Co. It was refreshing to see vegetarian/vegan options, as most of the offerings in the square were meat with a number of restaurants selling pulled pork. Their vegetarian burger is a blend of black beans, mixed vegetables and spices on a ciabatta bun. I had lettuce and tomato, hold the onions), mustard and ketchup and was looking forward to eating it. I really wanted to like them, which I realize a strange thing to say because who eats something wanting to not like it? They were disappointingly dry, almost like saw dust but not quite, but I won’t judge the restaurant based on Tasty Thursdays. I don’t think that temporary kiosks are the ideal conditions for food. While inner devil’s advocate says that restaurants should make what works under those conditions, I did go closer to the end of the event. Maybe things were fresher closer to 11. Chuck and Co. gets points for offering the veggie sliders even if execution lacked. When I took a look at their menu (of which they had copies available as marketing material – points for that too, every restaurant should have takeaway promo material) I was impressed by their burger offerings. I definitely want to visit the restaurant and try the burgers on their home turf.

After walking away I found that La Cocina De Dona Luz was selling ceviche. I like ceviche and will have to check it out next week if they’re there or visit the restaurant, located mere blocks from my home.

Food… yum

With the Evergreen Brick Works Bay/Adelaide Market and Tasty Thursdays the options for downtown outdoor eating have gotten more numerous. I don’t think I’ll be packing a lunch on Thursdays for the rest of the summer.

See what Tasting Toronto said about both events.

CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) the GTA

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Despite the frosty week, we’re well into spring.  10 days into May already. This means two things: Outdoor farmer’s markets are opening soon (I have 3 within walking distance of work and home) and it’s almost CSA season. CSA = Community Supported Agriculture, aka harvest share, and each year Toronto’s options are growing.

Want help finding one near you? Here’s a guide to some CSAs in and just beyond Toronto.

The Cutting Veg

I’ve already blogged about The Cutting Veg’s new CSA, Park Road Organic Harvest, near Yonge and Bloor, with pick up on Wednesday from The Park Road Healing Arts clinic. For those farther north The Cutting Veg has two more: The Tikkun Adamah CSA (“Repairing of the Earth”) is located in the Bathurst and Rutherford Road area, in partnership with the Kavanah Garden, with pick-up taking place on Thursday afternoons. The Pri Adamah CSA (“Fruits of the Earth”) is located in the Wilson and Avenue Road area, in partnership with Temple Sinai, with pick-up taking place on Tuesday afternoons. All of The Cutting Veg CSA’s run weekly from the beginning of June to the end of October. Visit The Cutting Veg’s website and Kavanah Organic Community Teaching Garden’s website more information.

Mid town? Want more options? Summer produce, artisan goods and meat

Culinarium at Mt. Pleasant and Eglinton is hosting 3 Share Programs this year.

Summer Produce CSA

From June to October enjoy 19 weeks of farm fresh local organic produce from the Triple Cord Mennonite community in Aylmer Ontario. More information.

Ontario Artisan Share Program™: Summer program.

Every other Thursday for 18 weeks from June to October pick up your basket of Ontario Artisan food stuffs. A great way to sample the variety of wonderful foods produced here in our fine province. Shares include fresh fruit and veggies, artisan cheese, meats, legumes and various pantry staples such as flour, jam, syrup etc. Each week the basket will feature something different based on availability, harvest or seasonality. More information.

Meat Share Program

For the conscious carnivore, Culinarium offers Pork, Lamb and Beef shares plus a Mixed Meat Share for those with small freezers.

Culinarium™ has revived the ancient ritual of feeding our families with meat from a single animal, bred by passionate stewards of the land – local Ontario Farmers. Through Culinarium™ you can now buy a “share” of an LFP certified, pasture raised animal from a farmer you know and trust.

More information.

Everdale Organic Farm

Perhaps you’d like to join a CSA but The Annex/Harbord Village is a more convenient as a pick up location? Everdale Organic Farm and the First Narayever Congregation have been partnering for four years to bring farm-fresh produce to the community. This is the one that I’m directly involved with, as CSA member and committee member.

Qs and As about this CSA:

How does the Everdale/First Narayever program work?

Everdale Farm, an organic farm and environmental learning centre, and the First Narayever Congregation have partnered to bring this Community Shared Agriculture (CSA) program to the Annex.

A CSA strengthens the relationship between the people growing food, and those eating it.  Members pay in advance for the season based on the size of their weekly share (small, medium, or large).  Then, Every Tuesday from June 15 to October 26, members choose the produce that they want from a market set up at the Narayever, located at 187 Brunswick Avenue, just north of Harbord Street.

What happens if I can’t make it one week, or if I’m only around for part of the summer?

You pay for your share based on the number of weeks that you want to receive it.  The on-line registration form allows you to exclude the weeks you will be away.  You can even choose just a fall share (September and October).

If your plans change and there’s a week you can’t make it, you can cancel your order and receive a refund by sending an email to the farm as long as you provide two-weeks notice.  At any time, you can also choose to donate your weekly share to those in need.  Finally, we are flexible about who picks up your produce.  For times you can’t get there, we encourage you to send someone in your place.  We’ll show them how it all works when they come.

What if there are things I don’t like at the market?

Our CSA is unique in that you are able to choose what you want each week based on what’s in season.  We are not a box program.  Instead of prescribing what you must take, shares are based on a point system: you get a certain number of points every week and you can use them towards whatever produce you want.

Why should I join a CSA when I can go to a Farmer’s Market?

The CSA is about more than buying organic, local groceries that taste great.  A CSA is also about creating community.  Each week you have a chance to talk to the farmers and to meet other members of the CSA.  Our CSA organizes workshops to learn how to preserve the harvest – so you can eat locally throughout the year.  We also plan trips to Everdale farm to see firsthand where our food grows.

Our CSA has a social conscience.  Each year, we partner with an organization to which we donate any uncollected or donated shares.  Last year alone, we provided about 80 boxes of fresh, organic food to families in need.  This year, shares donated or not picked will be given to The STOP Community Food Centre for use in their community kitchen.

Finally, joining the CSA is a cost effective way to get local, organic, high quality produce.  A harvest share costs far less than the same produce purchased at a local farmers’ market.

[Andrea adds:  Why not join a CSA and shop a farmer's market?]

Is this a Jewish CSA?

While based at the First Narayever Congregation, the CSA is open to all members of the community.  The CSA is grounded in Jewish values of environmentalism and social justice, but is welcoming to anyone.  We do offer Jewish-themed activities, especially around the Jewish holidays, and our weekly newsletter includes commentaries on issues from a Jewish perspective, but we would welcome ideas and contributions from other perspectives as well.

For more information, please email TorontoCSA@gmail.com or Harvestshare@everdale.org

View map of 187 Brunswick.

Hungering for the outdoor markets?

If you’re wondering when your local farmer’s market opens up, The Cookbook Store posted some dates to their blog two days ago. Also check out Farmer’s Markets Ontario and the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network.

Now, whichever location or format is most convenient for you, go forth and join a CSA!

Eat well, be well.

Related post:

Slow Food Toronto – Community Shared Agriculture (CSA)

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Not Far From the Tree says, Sugar Off!

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I really wish I could go to this Not Far From the Tree event but have a scheduling conflict.

Scattered around the city right now are a dozen or so trees, lovingly tapped to collect their bountiful sap. We’d Tap That has been Not Far From the Tree’s pilot project in urban maple syrup production! But as the weather heats up, the sap stops flowing….which means it’s time to make maple syrup!

Let us bring the sugar bush to you, and join us for an afternoon of syrup tasting, fun, and learning this Sunday March 14th! We’ll be serving up tiny tastes of urban maple syrup in Dufferin Grove Park, graciously donated as sap by homeowners across the city. We’ll have activities and games for all ages, and information galore about the wonderful world of maple syrup. Come on out and chat with some of our amazing volunteers about their experiences, and what they’ve learned through the process.
There will also be live music (weather dependent) courtesy of Makita Hack and the Log Rollers, and a warm fire. The Zamboni Cafe will also be selling yummy maple-syrup-themed fare (pancakes, beans, and sausages!) for you to completely enjoy this experience. And, if you haven’t already ordered yours online, our T-shirts will be for sale.

Note: ** This event will go on, rain or shine!

What: The Great Sugaring Off
When: Sunday March 14th 1pm-4pm
Where: Dufferin Grove Park

I heart maple syrup. It might make up for my disinterest in NHL hockey (being Canadian and all).

Check out this sweet event!

Links for the week

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pomegranate seeds
  • The Best Bakeries in Toronto, selected by BlogTO readers. [BlogTO]
  • What’s Toronto Really Eating? Analysis of what’s inside that take out. [Post City Magazine]
  • As if I needed another reason to yearn for a food dehydrator (which is low on my list on gadgets for which I yearn): Ingredient Spotlight: Dried Pomegranate Seeds [The Kitchn]
  • Critics Slam Fast Food Franchises in U.K. Hospitals [Slashfood] The food they serve patients isn’t much better. Preservative and sugar laden fruit drinks (not even juice), Jello…  but I won’t rant.
  • McCain’s announces new line of frozen pizza and potato products, and remove ‘top 10 worst ingredients’ [National Post]
  • Q & A with Michael Pollan on his new book, “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual” [New York Times]
  • The (in)accuracy of calorie counts on fast food menus. You may be surprised. [Fooducate]
  • In this week’s “Hot Dog Of The Week”, Serious Eats looks at Toronto street meat. [Serious Eats]
  • How do food companies determine “serving size”? [Slate]
  • Fiesta Farms is looking for website content from grandmothers willing share their culinary traditions.  Maybe Sheryl will find her “kickass gefilte fish recipe” as a result. [Fiesta Farms, via TasteTO]
  • Before Meghan left to lead a retreat in St. Lucia she asked her Facebook friends for suggestions for blog entries to be written before she left and scheduled for while she was away. The result: “Purse (+ Briefcase) Food” [Making Love in the Kitchen]

Deliciousness at The Drake during Localicious

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A week ago three friends and I had dinner at The Drake Hotel. We went for the Localicious menu. It was delicious. To start I had the beet root caprese salad with buffalo mozzarella and olive tapenade. I don’t usually like olive but this wasn’t too salty. I followed it with the spaghetti and meatballs served with Kerr Farms tomato sauce, percorino and chili. The highlight of the meal: Sticky Toffee Pudding. Waiter Chris (a charming guy who bantered, knew the menu and knew how long particular items had been on the menu) said that some women have referred to it as “orgasmic”. I will say that a huge blissful smile crept across my face with the first mouthful. The spiced pecans prevented the pudding from being cloyingly sweet. They packed a nice kick.

I don’t usually remember details and I didn’t take notes, but I remember these as if I’d already blogged them, or written the details down, or typed them. I always say that I wouldn’t make a good restaurant reviewer because I don’t remember details and have trouble taking notes covertly. This meal made an impression if I remember a week later.

The photo gallery:

Finding My Place (A Canadian Pub)

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CanadianThey say that everything happens for a reason.

Every third Wednesday I see my chiropractor Bloor St. near Jane St. This past Wednesday I missed my regularly scheduled appointment. The office called me on Thursday morning to reschedule. After asking, dumbfounded, “Are you sure it’s been three weeks?!” I agreed to visit that afternoon.

Had I gone to my regularly scheduled appointment on Wednesday I would not have met Frazer and might have met Stan, or Nancy, or Romy, or the suited up guy who was drinking Prince Edward County Ice Cider and offered me a sniff. “Doesn’t it smell like baked apples?” he asked. I agreed and made a mental note to try it next time.

My Place – A Canadian Pub has been on my radar for a while. I read many food blogs. I know who chef Brad Long is, that a lifelong acquaintance works with him at Veritas (after working with him at the Air Canada Club, I think). I knew the location.

Thursday after my appointment, still giddy – kind of high – from my Sam James macchiato, I walked into My Place and told the hostesses “If you have free WiFi, I’ll stay for a beer.”

After I take a seat at the bar a nice man behind the bar (name escapes me) Romy shows me the taps. Great Lakes Brewery has made them a house lager and I am handed a sample. I ask for a half pint of Waterloo Dark, and am easily up-sold to a pint before my bartender moves downstairs to the sports bar which was opening for the first time that evening (tables and chairs were being moved in as I sat upstairs). Frazer becomes my bartender. My guy. He usually only works there for two days early in the week so had I been there on Wednesday I wouldn’t have met him, had some good conversation, learned that we know someone in common, and got a tip from him about a company that’s looking to hire someone with my expertise.

I end up staying for 4 hours or so. I don’t know where the time went, but I chat with patrons and staff.

Regular patron Nancy, sitting next to me at the bar, tells me that My Place focuses on local food.  I dig that. She tells me that chef Long has a relationship with all the suppliers – the farmers, for example. It’s a fact that I later overhear echoed by bartender Stan.

Nancy seems to be their biggest advocate. She tells me that the place is 100% sustainable: Cloth napkins, no straws unless you ask, biodegradable soap in the washrooms.  She repeatedly insists that I try the fries, hand cut as they should be.

Fleur de sel fills the salt shakers so when you tip the shaker a small amount of little flakes come out rather than the large amount of grains that usually pour out of salt shakers. Bartender Frazer  shows me a horseradish root that’s kept in a fridge behind the bar and tells me with enthusiasm that it is grated fresh. No bottled stuff. A ribbon of aioli is squeezed onto a swizzle stick for me to taste.

Enthusiasm is a common vibe there. Passion oozes from the patrons and the employees. I can tell that the guys behind the bar are advocates for what Long is doing. Some have worked with him at his other restaurants. I always say that sales is easier when you believe in what you’re selling and these guys are sellin’ it.

I pay for my pint of beer with the intention of leaving and then decide to stay for food. “It’s for the blog.” Really, I’m enjoying myself. I like to eat. There’s that natural time when you know it’s time to go, and that didn’t feel like it.

In the interest of space (the first draft of this post was almost 1200 words) I’m going to save the food review for another time. I will say this: You know it’s a locally focused menu when Kozlik’s mustard makes an appearance (regular, grainy, and horseradish).

The wine and beer is also mostly local. While they serve a few imported beers they favour Ontario breweries while venturing outside the province for only a few beers. See the menu on their website for a list.

My second beer pint is the result of loose arm twisting when my meal arrives. “You know what goes well with perch? A pint of Creemore.” Great up-sell. The bar staff goes 2 for 2 on that. I’m usually only that easily suggestible when already under the influence Blame the coffee?

Most of their wines come from the Niagara region. At the bar and on the menu I spot Malivoire Gamay, Henry of Pelham Cabernet Franc, Wildass Red and wines from Fielding Estate Winery, Flat Rock and Tawse.  Their sparkling wine list includes one from Fielding in Niagara. Less local, I spot a row of Ports that include 10 and 20 year old versions of Graham’s. I’m more of a Taylor Fladgate girl, but I wouldn’t go to MPP for the Port.

My Place staff make it a point to learn your name. Stan was calling me by my name before I knew his and I couldn’t remember if I’d offered it or if he knew it because he’d been paying attention when Frazer addressed me. I hear them both address other customers by their names, even the new customers. This, to me, is what a bar should be. I hate to compare it to Cheers, but it kind of is. It’s a community. Jane Jacobs would approve. I wonder where she drank.

Update: Three weeks later I returned and not only did Nancy and Romy remember me, Romy remembered what pants I’d been wearing on my first visit. Want memorable pants too? Check out my sister’s company.

Related posts:

  • Toronto Life previewed the restaurant in August.
  • The evening I was there, so was a writer from Toronto Life. I had no idea. Their piece ran on Friday.
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Vegetarian Food Fair: Loving the sunshine, avoiding the soy

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P1050610The weather in Toronto last weekend was beautiful, a great weekend for the 25th annual Vegetarian Food Fair at Harbourfront. I went on Saturday intending to catch Meghan’s demo and got there in plenty of time to get a seat but the lure of the sunshine pulled me out of the room in which she was presenting. Anyhow, I figured that my parents and I may as well leave seats to those who don’t already know Meghan’s ideology, right? Those who don’t already read her blog (or her column in National Post but I rather give her blog the traffic) or belong to her Facebook group or occasionally chat with her online.  I’d been interested in the demo prior to hers (Marni Wasserman’s) but didn’t make it.

Lured out, we checked out the various vendors and marketplace. Attempting to avoid the vast array of fake soy products I had only a nibble of fake soy when my father got a plate from King’s Cafe (vegetable dumplings, soy “drumsticks”). Instead I noshed on kiwi, dipped into hummus and babaghanouj from Sunflower Kitchen (it’s my favourite line of hummus for its lack of preservatives and I know the owner), sampled and bought gluten free granola from In the Raw and savored gluten free daily free raw “cheesecake” from Living Sweets.

In the corner of the Brigantine Room I found Vita-Mix Corp.’s booth and inquired about price (show discount? tax free?), stating that I’ve wanted one for years. The lady beside me had just finished saying the same thing. The booth staffer stated that she’d wanted one for years and finally realized that “saving up for it” wasn’t going to happen (we agreed that people don’t put money away for purchases even when intentioned) sucked it up and put it on the credit card. Months later she went to work for the company. I’d suck it up if I hadn’t just bought this MacBook. Oh priorities.

I also sampled Mrs. Beans coffee (their website URL results in a 404 error but maybe that’s just right now). They serve fresh roasted, fair trade and organic coffee grown by small scale farmers in Guatemala, Ethopia, Rwanda, Mexico, Peru and Columbia, roasting small batches in an eco friendly hot air roasting system. I’ve heard that once roasted, coffee goes stale within a few days – less than a week. Mrs Bean’s weekly delivery service guarantees one fresh cup for coffee for 7 days with each serving individually vacuum packaged. Check their URL again to see if it’s up and get more information. (Here is where I’m glad that I take promotional material with me if I think I might read it.)

Was the coffee good? YES! And, I realized, for those who drink coffee regularly (I don’t) it costs less than or about the same as a Starbucks habit. A 14 day supply costs $1.50 per day. Of course, if you drink more than one cup a day or pour your coffee into a huge mug that’s a whole other issue entirely.  The coffee was also good paired with New Moon Kitchen cookies (my dad bought three bags because the were 3 for $10 – or in other words, he let himself be manipulated :) ).

Other offerings that I didn’t try included vegan truffles,  ice cream and vegan cupcakes, tea and Jamaican patties.

P1050602

At last year’s event I discovered some cool products and found the fair to have a more diverse group of vendors. I also liked the selection of presenters better last year. Planning an event of this magnitude isn’t easy, though, and when you’re trying to please everyone you take your chances.

Photo credit: saguarostrength from 2009 Vegetarian Food Fair Flickr Pool

Whereas I only got a photo of the human pea but saw the human banana BlogTO‘s Jen Brailsford got photo of the pea, the banana and… whatever the heck that is. A carrot?

After wandering around I sat by the water watching the people and boats and the airplanes flying into the island airport. Then it was a quick stop back to the Sunflower Kitchen booth to buy our dips before going home.

Numerous people have criticized the festival saying that there was too much fake meat. I can understand that but here’s my take on it: There’s something to be said for playing it safe for the masses and trying to please more people. Usually, and despite the fact that I try to, I’m of the opinion that you shouldn’t try to please everyone. However, at an event like this  there can be something for everyone.

They could preach exclusively to the converted (the current vegetarians and vegans), potentially intimidating everyone else and giving off the vibe that the outdated notions of vegetarianism is true. Or, they can offer something challenging to those people AND also make it accessible to the rest.

If fake meat is what it takes to ease them in than it’s a start. That’s Vegetarianism 101. Vegetarianism 201, however, should be “Now that you’ve made the transition, let’s decrease the amount of soy and increase the amount of vegetables and grains”.  I admit – shamefully when I speak to some people – that I sometimes like soy meatballs on my salad. However, I cook a lot with my favourite grain, quinoa.

(I’ve also been eating vegan dinners all week because of the bounty of local produce and the fact that after a summer of letting vegetables from the CSA and farmer’s market go to waste I’m trying to make an effort to use them.)

An idea: Borrow from the conference model of presentations being rated beginner, intermediates and advanced.

What other bloggers are saying about the Vegetarian Food Fair:

Thursday's links

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  • In her new blog, Beer and Buttertarts, Sheryl goes into more detail about the recall as it applies to Canadians.
  • Due to the city workers’ strike in Toronto many of the farmer’s markets were closed. Well, not anymore! [Source: Toronto Star. Thanks to @TOFoodie for the tip.]
  • Good news for vegetarians: You’re less likely to develop blood, bladder and stomach cancer. According to the study, vegetarians had slightly higher, but not significantly so, rates of colon and rectum cancer. The study looked at vegetarians over 12 years. [Decision News Media]
  • “EU scraps ban on misshaped fruit and veg”. Odd that there was a ban to begin with. [Decision News Media]
  • Sometimes I read articles like this one from Europe and think that it’s unlikely this would ever happen in North America because of the influence that the food industry has over government: “Calls to curb meat consumption through labelling” [Decision News Media/Food Navigator]
  • mmmm…watermelon. Amazing that I’ve never thought of watermelon varieties. Instead, I think “seedless”, “with seeds”, “regular sized” and “small enough that I can carry it home”. I usually buy the last one. [Saveur]
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Tuesdays links on Thursday

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(Yes, I forgot to post them again.)

  • “From January to June 2009, at least 69 people from 29 states have gotten sick with E. coli O157:H7.  Many of them confessed to eating Nestlé’s raw cookie dough.” [Marion Nestle]
  • Fooducate’s 11 Quick Facts about Phosphoric Acid (Yes, that Chemical in Coca Cola) reminds me of Meghan’s recent post about Coca Cola titled “Coke Makes People Fat”. I read the update today, in which she printed an email response that she received from the Public Affairs Manager from Coca-Cola Canada defending the drink. I guess their PR people monitor mentions of their company online. It’s the right PR strategy. It’s what we do in government. (Media monitoring and now new media monitoring – blogs, Twitter, Facebook etc. -  thanks to me.)
  • No thanks to bland, mutant strawberries: Letters in Saturday’s Toronto Star respond to their strawberry story from the previous Saturday. Reading the first letter, I felt like telling her to go see Food Inc., or to stay away from it. It would break her heart. See video of original story here:

  • New national (Canadian) standards for organic food take effect today (June 30). [CBC]

Wednesday's links: Something for everyone

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  • Staying sober a challenge in the alchol-heavy hospitality industry. [New York Times] I found the personal stories in this article very interesting.
  • Treehugger proposes a weekday vegetarian diet [Treehugger]
  • Ever wonder why lemon makes milk curdle? It involves protein, negative charge and bondage (er, bonding). [The Kitchn]
  • Creating satisfying food is central to home cooks and chefs — as well as to companies that have produced foods that have helped lead to the obesity epidemic. Mark Bittman on Making Food Satisfying. [New York Times]
  • In his article Bittman links the article “How the Food Makers Captured Our Brains“. It’s fascinating. Quote: “[Kessler] offers descriptions of how restaurants and food makers manipulate ingredients to reach the aptly named ‘bliss point.’”
  • According to this newsletter, the average child gets 5+ servings of pesticides in their food and water each day and the pesticide Atrazine is so toxic it is banned in Europe, but it is used so widely in the U.S., that it is found in 71% of the U.S. drinking water. (Thanks to my mother for forwarding me the newsletter. I went to the online archive so that I could share it with you.)
  • One woman’s changing relationship with food and what she’s learned in the process of doing so while getting healthier. [In The Raw] There’s some great tips in there. The theme of conscious eating comes up (in my life) again and again I forget to exercise it, in part because I eat while doing other things. She touches on multitasking while eating.
  • Torontist on Toronto’s a la Carte food cart program. Not all good news.
  • Meghan weighs in on milk and advises you not to drink conventional milk. [Making Love in the Kitchen] Milk bad. I know this and yet I can’t seem to give up cheese even though avoiding cheese would fit the reason I rarely eat meat.
  • Food industry propaganda: New Organic Logo Will Provide More Opportunities For Organic Producers. [Canadian Food Inspection Agency] “Canada’s Organic Products Regulations (OPR)…set out rigourous standards for the certification of products as organic by accredited certification bodies. Products that meet the production requirements and contain at least 95 per cent organic content may be labelled as “organic” and feature the new Biologique Canada Organic Logo.

No links for tomorrow likely because I’ll be away from a computer all day. However, I do need to write a post about Food Share’s open house from last weekend. I’d forgotten.

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