Recipe for Change-Foodshare

Last night Susan and I went to this amazing event hosted by Foodshare called Recipe for Change. It was fantastic! Gathered in their warehouse (across the street from Dufferin Mall) were an amazing assortment of chefs and gastronomes (their words not mine!)

You walked in, checked your coat, it was a blustery evening last night, to say the least! You then picked up a wine glass and a fork, spoon and napkin. You kept these all evening in an effort to save the enviroment, nice touch I thought.
Then you headed off to the main room. It was unbelievable! It was beautifully lite with fantastic huge photographs that really captured the essense of what Foodshare is trying to do! We then went from station to station of fabulous food and drink options. I don't even know where to start. There wasn't a dud in the bunch. Here just a few examples of the offerings.

Cheese Boutique/Bernardin were having a blast, they had this amazing Ontario cheese fig jam concoction in a dixie cup! It was to die for!

Ryan Gustafson and David Garcelon from the Fairmont Royal York served this mushroom chowder with cream and grains and froth OMG, it was fantastic!

Fabio from the Local Kitchen dished out a moon shaped pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese, beets and mint (I know who would have thought!) and toasted breadcrumbs. I thought I hated beets until last night! I LOVE beets!

The empanadas from Torito were delicious! Gracious amigos!

There where shucked oysters from Oyster Boy! Adam  was so friendly and informative.

The Framboise from Southbrook Vineyards, beautiful!

I tried the coffee beer from Mill St. brewery, loved it!

The Chardonnay from Lailey, gorgeous!

Henry of Pelham's Cuvee Catherine Brut started my evening off beautifully.

Job well done! I was amazed to hear that this was the first year for the event. Everything seemed to go off without a hitch! Congratulations to all those involved. I can't wait for next year!

Big News in the local Cheese World!

I gotta say I was a late adopter to Facebook. I swore I'd never join, I joined kicking and screaming and I always say I'd have never joined unless it was for the good of 100 mile finds. Having said all that, I love Facebook. It is a great way to get in touch with past acquaintances, and what a great tool for small businesses, and big ones too!
I'm a "friend" of Gurth Pretty's of Cheese lovers of Canada and he sent out an announcement today!

Great news everyone, Upper Canada Cheese in Jordan Station has finally realeased their new curds made from Guernsey cow's milk! He's got some at the Regional 'N' Artisanal Food Market at the CBC (250 Front St. W. T.O.)
Other cheese news! There was a great article in the Toronto Star! I heard about it on Facebook too! Check it out, it makes for great dinner conversation, Ontario farmers embrace water buffalo by Jenniver Bain
Have a great day!

Double Take joins www.100milefinds.com

Double Take is a used clothing store run by the Yonge Street Mission. Not only are there great vintage finds at low prices but the proceeds go to helping low-income youth and families. What's not to like about that?! The store is located at 310 Gerrard St. E., Toronto, check them out.

The Yonge Street Mission has been around for over 100 years, "meeting the needs of people living in poverty in our city." They have a ton of different programs including a food bank and meal programs, employment and computer training, school readiness programs and counselling to daycare and post-secondary scholarship funds. There are lots of volunteer oppurtunites too. You can get in touch with them at volunteers@ysm.ca

Have a great in TO! Be careful, it's slippery out there.

Cover Fx, BellaBalm, Balmshell, Dalish, Pink Beauty!

Can you believe it?! All the above mentioned cosmetic companies are local, and there's more! I love it! Toronto is the best place in the whole wide world.

Let me tell you a little bit about each one of our fabulous finds!

Cover Fx has an great story. Lee Graff is the founder and co-creator. She was a camouflage specialist (I didn't even know there was such a thing) for over 20 years. She has created this amazing line of products that help people with skin imperfections forget about that and move on with their busy days. How great is that?! Pretty Great!

Balmshell has lipglosses, and lip and cheek stains. I bought one of the lipglosses on Friday! I am officially a Yummy Mummy now! They have some other great names for their colors, Confessions of a Call Girl, Curse of the Purse, Hair-Apy, the list goes on! I can happily report, I love it! They are sooo cool! You get this great lipgloss and then there is one of those things, they come on pens, where there is a scene and it's all in some kind of gel and then one part of it moves up and down! Wow, I bet I could have explained that in allot less words, Holy Cow! Please tell me you know what I mean!! Well, the best news is that when you finish your lipgloss they give you an attachment so you can turn that thingme-whats-it into a keychain! Oh but I love to reuse, I really do!

I've mentioned Dalish before. I love it! It's a full cosmetic line that is designed and manufactured here in TO. Melanie jokes that it's the 100 mile face! I just checked out their website and they seem to have a bunch of new offerings. Well worth a look!

Now lets chat about Pink Beauty designed by makeup artist April Jacob. Another great local find! There are lipsticks, glosses, rouge and powder blushes, velvet and satin eye shadows and mascara! I haven't had a chance to try it, YET! I can't wait though. I love all these adventures. I will keep you posted on all the details about these and more local finds.

I can not leave without mentioning BellaBalm it is made from all natural and organic plant based ingredients. As I may have mentioned, I ski, and if you don't have a great lip balm, it can be a rather uncomfortable day! BellaBalm is amazing!


Do you know of any great local finds? Let us know, we love to hear about them and share them with everyone!

Local shoppers are the best!

I'm always looking for things to blog about. It's not easy to come up with stuff to yak about day after day. If you know me, you know that if it's hard for me, it must be a nightmare for the average citizen! In an effort to keep you on the edge of your seat with my facinating ramblings, I have searched the internet for fodder and this is what I came up with for today.

It is really good to shop local!!!!!

I knew it!

I found this at http://www.localfirst.com/ a great website out of Greater Grand Rapids.

Here are their Top Ten reasons to shop local

1. Significantly More Money Re-circulates In Toronto (I changed Greater Grand Rapids to Toronto, it only makes sense in this context). =) Please insert your own home town if you're not from TO.


When you purchase at locally owned businesses rather than nationally owned, more money is kept in the community because locally-owned businesses often purchase from other local businesses, service providers and farms. Purchasing local helps grow other businesses as well as the Toronto tax base.



2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.

Local business owners donate more to local charities than non-local owners.



3. Unique Businesses Create Character & Prosperity

The unique character of Toronto is what brought us here and keeps us here. Our tourism businesses also benefit.



4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.

Local businesses make more local purchases requiring less transportation and usually set up shop in town centers rather than on the fringe. This generally means contributing less to sprawl, congestion, habitat loss and pollution.



5. Most New Jobs Are Provided By Local Businesses.

Small local businesses are the largest employers nationally.



6. Customer Service Is Better.

Local businesses often hire people with more specific product expertise for better customer service.



7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.

Local businesses are owned by people who live in this community, are less likely to leave, and are more invested in the community's future.



8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public Costs.

Local businesses require comparatively little infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public services relative to chain stores.



9. Competition And Diversity Leads To More Consumer Choices.

A marketplace of thousands of small businesses is the best way to ensure innovation and low prices over the long-term.



10. Investment In Toronto Is Encouraged.



A growing body of economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character.

Shopping local rocks! Now get out there and buy something and feel good about what you are doing! Wow, this really works for me!!
Have a great day!

GO CANADA!

Foxy Originals lets you show your support in an oh so pretty way!

Gold for Canada! Did you see it?! Congratulations to Alexandre Bilodeau and his family, amazing! Did you see the battle for gold in the Men's snowboard cross event?! OMG! We are so proud of you, Mike Robertson, congratulations on your silver.
It's Men's hockey tonight at 7:30pm. Can't wait, and I'm not a hockey fan by any stretch of the imagination!

The summer games used to be my favorite, I always thought I would compete as a runner. Didn't we all fantastize about standing on that podium, Oh Canada! playing, the whole country wiping tears of joy...

Now that I ski, I'm all over the winter Olympics!

GO CANADA!

Well count on Foxy Originals to figure out a way to show your support for the Canadian team and look pretty while doing it!

LOVE IT!

What is even better, a portion of the proceeds of the sales from this necklace will go to the Canadian Association for Advancement of Women and Sport. http://www.caaws.ca/ 

Have a great day! 

...3 more sleeps - flowers anyone?

But not just any old flowers.  We have some unique florists at 100 Mile Finds.

Eco Stems is an 'environmentally and socially sustainable flower shop located in downtown Toronto'.  Eco-stems uses only local or fair-trade flowers to create their arrangements.  Located at 267 Queen Street, and on-line.

Eco Flora is similarly inclined, searching both locally and internationally for fair-trade flowers to create their contemporary designs.  Not sending flowers for Valentines Day?  Consider Eco Flora for your next event or special occasion.
Studio by appointment only - contact on-line.

One of our local favourites is The Flower Room.  Independently owned shop located in Bloor West Village.  Beautiful arrangements with a conscience.  International fair trade suppliers and deliveries (weather permitting) are made via motorcycle to cut down on emissions.

February could use a little brightening up.

Susan

5 More Sleeps 'til Valentines Day

We thought since Valentine's Day is so close that we would give you some more gift ideas.  And if you think that maybe you would like one of these items as a gift, forwarding the blog can serve as a 'virtual hint'.  On that note, I would be thrilled to receive any of the below (Brian are you following??)

Chunky Chain earrings by glamjulz  

       Here's hoping Fergie and I are not photographed with the same pair.

Tamara Kronis of tamara designs            
has created this incredible birthstone circle pendant

Customizable family jewellery in your choice of precious metals and with as many gemstones as you'd like.

You might need something to carry your valuables.  This classic and beautifully crafted bag by Christine Vonburn of Morris B fits the bill (pun intended).

Perhaps there should be some guy's gifts on here - I'll look into that.

susan

FoodShare's Recipe for Change

Here is a great event coming up!

Foodshare is an amazing local organization! They've got so many great things going I don't know where to start. I bought a bunch of gift baskets from them this Christmas. They were a big hit! They do Food Boxes, there is a learning centre, they cater, the list goes on, and on. You really have to check them out! Susan and I will be attending their "Recipe for Change" event. I can't wait!

Join FoodShare for Recipe for Change, an unforgettable evening of fine food, beer and wine featuring top Toronto chefs.

Tickets are selling fast!

When: Thursday, February 25, 2010, 6-9pm

Where: FoodShare, 90 Croatia St, Toronto, ON M6H 1K9

(just below Bloor/Brock)

A fun and fabulous night out!

Mingle with local gastronomes and chefs.

Great food for all; vegetarians and vegans welcome.
Savour a spectacular meal composed of over a dozen tasting plates and accompanied by fine local beer and wine.

Click here for more details including chef bios and the meals they will present!

Tickets just $100 for a full meal and accompanying beverages.

Online: http://www.foodshare.net/RFC/RFC-tickets.htm
By phone: Adrienne De Francesco, 416.363.6441 ext 226
In person: FoodShare 90 Croatia Street (Administrative Office, Room 102)

This event brings together for one event an incredible number (25!) of top Toronto chefs, all of whom share FoodShare’s vision of returning food education to schools. We are talking with them about ways in which we will continue to work together through both concrete action in classrooms and toward transformative educational change in Ontario.

Find out more and buy tickets at: http://www.foodshare.net/RFC/RFC-tickets.htm
Or email Adrienne De Francesco: adrienne@foodshare.net

Doesn't it sound like so much fun?!

Winter Farmers Markets in TO

Did you know that there are a bunch of Winter Farmers markets going on in Toronto? Me neither! You have to check out  Toronto Farmers Markets Network They are an amazing resource. They've got a list of markets, maps to get you there. Their resource list is amazing and there is a page on seasonal eating and the page called Vendor Stories, it's inspiring!

Here's a list of what I could come up with. Guaranteed there are more out there. Let me know if you find any!

Mondays

• Sorauren Farmers’ Market, 40 Wabash Ave. at Sorauren on February 15, March 15th and April 19th.

Wednesdays

• U of T Framers' Market, University College, 15 King's College Circle, in the rotunda 2:30-5:30pm

Thursdays

• Appletree Market, 200 Eglinton Ave. W. (North Toronto Memorial Community Centre, 2nd floor) February 4th is the next one, then the 18th, March 4th and 18th, and April 1st, seriously, and the 15th. They boost new hours 4pm-7pm
• Dufferin Grove Organic Farmers' Market, 873 Dufferin St., in Dufferin Grove Park, from 3-7pm

Saturdays

• St.Lawrence North Farmers' Market, 92 Front St. E. at Jarvis 5am-5pm
• The Stop's Green Barn Farmers' Market at The Green Arts Barn, 601 Christie Ave. (Wychwood entrance) 8am-noon
• The Village Organic Farmers' Market, Toronto Waldorf School, 9100 Bathurst, 8:30am-1:30pm

Support a local Farmers' Market this winter! There's gotta be markets going on, on Tuesdays and Fridays too, right? Let me know if you find any info@100milefinds.com
Have a great day!

Great local read: The Summer before the Storm

In December my Dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I had to give it some thought. I mean really, anything I really want I just go out and get! What I really wanted, and still want is for 100 mile finds to be a huge sucess.
"Something from 100 mile finds!" Every little bit helps, right? The author Gabriele Wills had just signed on so I asked for her book "Summer Before the Storm"

It is fantastic!

It is set in the Muskoka's just as the first world war is breaking out. I love historical fiction. You get a real sense of what people were thinking at the time. There are tons of Canadiana references throughout the whole  book, I love that! It is one of those epic adventures with characters that you think about while you are out leading your daily life! I had to put it away to finish my bookclub book. It's bookclub tonight! I can't wait to see how Chas and Victoria are doing...
What's even better?! It's book 1, now don't have to slow down as I get to the end, I know my new friends will be waiting for me in book 2!

Have a great day!
Shirl