Food Books and Body Image

While browsing through Chapters book store the other day, I couldn't help but notice Kim Kardashian on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine. What struck my eye was the fact that she was not a typical stick thin woman grazing the cover with toned abs. Although her face was a little too airbrushed to pass for reality, I admired the fact that she has and embraces her curves.


It is evident that many people lose too much weight once they reach celebrity status. Is it because of the pressure? Or do they try to conform to the Hollywood 'norm'?

In other news, I purchased a book entitled "An Apple a Day" written by doctor Joe Schwarcz. The book examines the "myths, misconceptions and truths about the foods we eat". This book caught my interested because I am always googling so many topics/questions such as "is soy good or bad for women?" or "are artificial sweeteners bad for you? how about stevia?"

Although this book attempts to stand at a neutral position by taking a scientific unbiased approach to the studies and evidence, I still question the results. I have a feeling that a holistic doctor rather than a medical doctor, would disagree with many of the things that Schwarcz says.

If anyone picks this book up, please let me know what you think!

Off to enjoy the rest of my Sunday...Bridesmaids movie tonight! I heard it was hilarious! Have you seen it?

Colorful Eats

Variety is the spice of life!

During my move last month, my mom took me out for lunch at GINGER restaurant which is beyond delicious. We both ordered soups, along with these colorful rolls consisting of a load of veggies, and poached salmon. We gobbled them up in less than 5 minutes! They came with a lovely peanut dipping sauce as well.
I want to buy these every day! ... Or just make them myself ;)

After I moved in, my brother Matt made me a gorgeous bean salad with cut up onion, peppers, cucumber and cilantro (which I used to DESPISE, but have found a new place in my heart for). He also made a dressing of balsamic to add onto it, but left it on the side for me to use at my own discretion.
Fresh, whole foods are not only low in calories, but they provide optimal vitamins and minerals that your body requires...and...they taste delicious too!

Off to the gym now, I hope this rainy weather passes! Enjoy your day, wherever you are!

THE SPOKE CLUB - www.thespokeclub.com

Alright, so my BFF is pretty important, especially in the city of Toronto. To prove this, he is a member of "The Spoke Club." A no-bullshit members only club that gives you a plastic card with your name on it--just to prove that you're the shit. Long story short, after a hectic week (or two) he treated me of a bottle of organic white wine. When I first got to this place, we took a huge elevator the size of my apartment up to the third floor, the main restaurant. The doors opened and the place was looking pretty alright for my taste. The girls are the front desk stared me down a few times just to make me feel at home in this high-class place. As we sat down to our table and overlooked the wine menu (because we are clearly alcoholics), we noticed something called "bio-dynamic wine." Being health freaks, my BFF and I asked out waiter what "bio-dynamic" meant. The waiter clearly had no clue and proceeded to run to the back kitchen to google "bio-dynamic" on his blackberry. Five minutes later, a lovely Asian woman greeted us and fully explained "bio-dynamic:" (I think his blackberry didn't have service at the time.) Anyways, It's basically a step further then organic. The dictionary states it as: "a method of organic farming involving such factors as the observation of lunar phases and planetary cycles and the use of incantations and ritual substances." Ritual substances?!!? Is that like witchcraft? Whatever, the wine tasted like heaven, it was floral and just the perfect amount of sweetness.
As for the decoration and crowd? I would honestly say that one half of The Spoke Club's main level is beautiful, it has exposed bricks and natural colors, while the other half is trying too hard to look like The Mod Club with it's red walls and tacky chandeliers. If you feel like sitting next to large tables full of Thornhill, Gossip-Girl wannabes taking self-pics, then this sure is the place to hang out.
It's too bad that we couldn't eat anything on the limited menu because it is all meat-based. I guess those Thornhill folk need iron to get through long days at the office so they can pay for their wives plastic surgery and Gucci bags.
All-in-all, if I ever go back to The Spoke Club, I'm going up one level from the main restaurant and wearing a wig and sunglasses to fit into the superficial crowd.

I give the "bio-dynamic" wine 5/5 on my D+D scale, but be prepared to spend an arm and a leg to sip the sweetness...

Fressen- www.fressenrestaurant.com

After watching the new NOTORIOUS B.I.G movie that lasted 2 hours, my BFF and I were getting pretty hungry. It was 9pm on a Thursday, and we thought Fressen would be closed (due to the sensitive nature of the vegans who run the restaurant.) We decided to be adventurous and walk up to Queen West in the freezing cold and call to make a reservation so they wouldn't hate us, showing up late and unexpected.... we basically didn't want any vegan spit in our food. Long story short, we showed up, sat down, and got the service from a waitress that could have been taken straight from an SNL skit. She mumbled the daily specials as her head was down, lighting our candles, then and walked off before we could ask her anything. Needless to say, we burst out laughing in shock and eventually ended up being served by another woman who was slightly happier, yet looking like she'd had a long day putting up with asshole vegans. We decided to order 4 main dishes (to share) and one side of sauteed spinach sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds. The mushroom dish and veggie "pizza" tasted pretty good for the fact that everything was vegan. Flavourful, gracious portions and satisfactory prices, Fressen is a good place to go to if you want to knock faux leather boots with your ex yoga teacher who is now a singer, sipping red organic wine at the table next to you. I must say, it's a great place to over-hear conversations. When we first entered we saw a couple, the man was wearing a Velvet hat with a feather attached to the side and some cowboy attire, while the swooning lady he was with exclaimed: "Oh wow..you like...know everyone who's dated a famous person before!" I could practically see her drooling all over her tofu dish as I watched two up-tight ladies walk in with yoga mats on their backs.
Overall, I give Fressen a 2.5/5 on my D+D scale

Susur Lee - www.susur.com

Susur Lee is a fine chef. I was completely and overly impressed with the service and display at his King West restaurant. Located along a chain of clubs, bars and restaurants, Lee's is a noticeable hot spot to check out if you have money in your wallet and raging taste buds ready to eat flowers (literally.) I recommend the coleslaw salad. Sure it sounds boring and bland, but it is actually a vegans delight! The presentation of this salad is about a foot high and is prepared right before your eyes by a well-trained waiter who explains everything that is in the dish, ingredient by ingredient...monologue style. Dining at Lee's is like having food AND entertainment all tied up in one. Food that you would never have assumed goes well together is created by the talented Susur Lee. Lee's restaurant is an architect's dream. High ceilings that are held with wooden planks and bricks walls create a loft feeling. Anyone who is claustrophobic would love this spot. The one and only thing that could be changed is the plastic glass tables that resemble a strippers dancing table. If you plan on playing footsie with your date, do it elsewhere unless you want everyone to see.
Overall, the food is impeccable and the service is amazing.

I give Susur Lee's a "4.5/5" on my "D+D" scale

Kultura - www.kulturarestaurant.com

Kultura is best described as "New York chic." It's three layer restaurant and bar give your legs a workout and your eyes a feast on great exposed brick and glass tables. The crowd seen at Kultura is middle aged business men and women who work all day and party all night, with class of course. The boiled edemame beans covered in Miso is a must-order at Kultura. It is best to go on a weekend but week days are good if you want ultimate service and an empty, private setting. The UN-impressive garden salad is a no-go. If I want lettuce and tomatoes I will go to the grocery store and pay $4, rather than $15. I desire the setting rather than the food, so if you want a memorable place for post-dinner drinks, I suggest that Kultura is your place.

I give Kultura a "2.5/5" on the "D+D" scale

Cantine - www.cantine.ca

Cantine is a cute, semi-casual dining experience for those aged 25 and above. Large leather low seats or an intimate table tucked away are both available for diners. Fast service is key at Cantine. The Italian menu caters to all walks of life serving up just about anything you are hungry for. Local art is displayed on every wall of the restaurant which (depending on time of year and artist) can be a good or bad thing. If you are on a date the artwork on the wall is a KEY component of conversation, if you run out of things to say. The exceptional wine list allows the semi-alcoholics to buy half litres of wine and save a few dollars which is nice. The salmon salad paired with roasted red peppers is unforgettable. I ate at Cantine a year prior to Friday night and I could still remember how good that dish was.

I give Cantine "3.5/5" on the "D+D" scale