It's Easy Being Green

I have tried some organic foods and, most of time, I do not really notice a taste difference. With apples, they taste less waxy. I do not notice a difference with bananas. (I love bananas, especially with Nutella.) Recently, I heard to my dismay that there is a uncontrollable fungus killing banana crops and may lead to extinction of the banana. What was that sound? Was that all the monkeys in the world screaming in mass hysteria?

Yesterday, I tried an organic avocado. I just started eating avocados last year, with a spoon. I used to find avocados and guacamole vile. The smell, the texture, the colour--all disgusting. My boyfriend's friend's girlfriend is Pesco-vegetarian (eats fish). She eats an avid eater of avocados. I tried it on a salad she made. I started to learn to like them as guacamole with chips. Before you know it, I was coddling them myself.

However, I am worried about buying avocados year-round. Most fruits and vegetables do not naturally grow year-round (without some resource and human assistance). I read once that one should shop for produce seasonally to reduce his or her impact on natural, limited resources. Such as strawberries. They are ripe and in season in the summer, but you can generally get them year round. Buying them year round uses up unnecessary resources such as electricity, water, and gas to get them from the greenhouses to your fridge.


So, I was at Capers and I saw some organic avocados. I thought, I'll buy two and see how they do. I tried one last night and could not believe how tasty an organic avocado from Fresh Kampo of Mexico was. It is taking all my will power to not glance at the other avocado sitting on my kitchen counter. I will never go back to buying regular avocados.

It is tough to buy sustainable, organic and quality based products. (Not too mention I am now on a part-time/student income and actually price-compare while shopping.) The prices are higher when you compare them to mainstream, corporate products sold at grocery store chains.

Nonetheless, there is a growing trend for organic and sustainable products because of the aging baby boomers demand for eco-friendly products. I have realized that spending more of my disposable income on healthier products for me and the environment is worth it. It satisfies my marginial utility (consuming to the point of being perfectly happy). I figure I'd rather spend more on eat right (and tasty too) then on eating out, going out, and general consumption. Even buying something for lunch at Capers or Whole Foods is still cheaper (and healthier) than eating out at a restaurant chain.


Some people say you are what you eat. There may be some truth to that motto with all the concern about obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

When we were young, we ate mostly junk and crap. Our diets consisted of sugar cereal (with more white death poured on top), refined junk foods, starch, carbs, and fried and deep-fried meats. I did not really notice how unhealthy my basic food groups were until a close relative of mine passed away to cancer. It was as if I was racing for the edge of a clift in a car with no breaks.

I started reading labels on food products in the grocery store, I researched organic agriculture, Genetically Modified Foods (GMOs), industrial-farming practices, hormones added to meats, and the list goes on. I switched to soy milk, I stopped eating land animals every day, I started eating more soy products and tofu, and more fruits and veggies. My boyfriend also introduced me to the healthy habit of drinking water all day. Now I feel as if I cannot go an hour without having a refreshing tall glass of H20.

It's common sense (and science) to know that a healthy lifestyle of eating right and exercising often leads to a higher energy, less stressed and fatigued, healthier, happier, and longer life. I mean who really wants to loose one-third of their life by dying in their 50s instead of their 80s or 90s?

Some say changing your lifestyle to incorporate healthier habits will not make any difference. Your life will end when it will end. You could be hit by a car tomorrow. Research suggests that you, fully and completely, are made up of 50% of genetics and 50% of environmental factors. So, if my genes that I inherited are utter-crap (my line includes cancer, heart disease, diabetes, lupus, and obesity), then I better do a 180 degree lifestyle change to minimize the environmental factors that are steering me to a painful and short death before I even retire.

It took me a few years, but my eating habits have changed tremendously. It has been a difficult change of lifestyle to go from unhealthy eating habits to healthy ones. Mind you, the selection of healthy food items these days is so much better than when I was a kid. It actually tastes, smells and looks good. Some products I buy: Nature Path cereals, Muir Glen salsa, Liberte yogurt, So Good, Lifestream Flax Waffles, Amy's Kitchen soups, Sunrise dessert tofu snacks and Yves Soy hotdogs, and Endangered Species chocolate. The list goes on, although, I cringe whenever I find out my small, favourite brands have been bought up by multinational corporations.

I do still eat refined and processed foods once in awhile, but not on a weekly basis. I eat red meat maybe once or twice a month. I eat a fair amount of chicken and tofu. I eat a lot more fruits, vegetables and salads. Drink lots of water and juice.

Earlier on, our ancestors were more active as hunters and gatherers. They ate a diet based on fruits, vegetables and plants. They drank water and ate meat sparingly. Quite a constrast to a modern life of convenience and excessiveness.

I have realized that my body is a temple. I need to worship it and nourish it. Sacrifice and I will achieve serenity.

Whidbey Island Road Trip

This past weekend, a group of us went to Whidbey Island for the annual May long weekend camping trip. We stay in South Whidbey State Park in Washington. The campground is surrounded by old growth forest off a bay on the ocean. The weather was cool, cloudy and rain (chilly at night). We broke in a new five-person tent from Fred Meyer. Our new favourite Fred Meyer is the one in Bellingham (it is only three years old). Cheap quality goods with decent value. With the low American dollar, the exchange rate for Canuck bucks is the highest it has been in decades.

The campground was mostly filled with Canadians. I love the fact we were able to reserve our campsites in advance online and even choose the individual sites we wanted. Campgrounds in Washington and Oregon usually have Park Hosts. Park Hosts are available for additional brochures, pamphlets, and fire wood. The Park Host usually cleans and cares for the restrooms. The only drawback from this campground was there was only one shower stall for our loop. Luckily, the campground was not that busy and there were usually no shower lineups early morning.

Overall, it was a good trip. We explored the island a bit. On Saturday, we went to the Bayview Farmers Market. It was small because it was early in the season. But the public restroom was fully sustainable. Then we drove around the west coast back towards our campground. We stopped at Double Bluff and the Port Townsend Ferry Terminal, where we encountered some local wild life. We drove past Fort Casey.

On Sunday, the boys went to play golf at Island Greens. The girls went to Langley to window shop and have lunch. We were definitely bringing the age rang down. We went to Cafe Langley for grub. We dined on tasty pita, hummus and baba ganoush, and mini spanakopitas. We met Bob the cat. We had linner at the Beachfire Grill on Harbor Hills Drive. Lynn was a fantastic server and the food was good. It was a nice change to dine out and have someone else cook and clean for us. Back at our campground, we hiked the Wilbert Trail (a mere .8 of a mile) and played badminton on the beach.

Every night included grilled meat (yes, even hotdogs), wine and s'mores. On the way back we shopped at the Premium Outlets and snacked on barbecued hotdogs and salad in the parking lot. Finished it all off with another trip to the Fred Meyer in Burlington (under renovations though) where I bought a nice purse for a mere $20. The border lineup was minimal and we had no delay crossing back to Canadaland. It is always a good feeling to be back in your own country. Dirty, tired, and looking forward to a warm shower and a comfy bed.

Love Something, Set It Free

The other day while grocery shopping, we had a bum cart. (I usually say " wagon ", but I always get harassed for saying this word. Although, I do not know what the big deal is.)

Anyways, we had to switch the cart for another one. Later, when we were putting my grocery items on the mover at the cashier, I noticed I was missing the plastic bags I brought and my last two canvas bags.

I had several canvas bags from my mum. Over the years, I have left these canvas bags here and there at various places during potlucks and trips. I was down to my last two bags, which I left in the old cart we switched.

It is strange how we create emotional attachments to inanimate objects. Some items have negative energy and some have positive energy. We keep so much clutter over time and cannot bear to part with any of it. Some say, just throw it out. But they do not understand that some items harbour old energy of people we love or who are gone.

I felt so upset and guilty for loosing those bags. To my dismay, the bags were not in the old cart. I know it was a accident, I cannot hold on to this distress. Hopefully, someone somewhere is utilizing them to their full potential.

Sinja the Basenji

Apparently, I share the same nick as a Basenji dog.

Currently, I smell like chlorine.

Crash-Test Mommy

I child minded my five year old niece this weekend. I picked her up Friday after work. I will never commute in regular rush-hour traffic ever. Once I travelled to suburbia to pick her up, we went to Connaught Park next to Kitsilano Community Centre.

Up early on Saturday, we went to breakfast at Cafe Zen. Then it was off to Science World for a few hours, her favourite kids destintation in Vancouver. In the lobby, there was a statue of a Pharaoh sitting on a throne made out of Lego! I was excited to see a new Lego exhibit LEGO: Secrets of the Pharaohs coming May 20th featuring an Egyptian theme. Ever since I was a child, I have been excited and facinated about Egyptian history and culture.

Later, we went to Douglas Park to have a picnic and enjoy the large playground. The place was busy, but the children were friendly. Read her two stories before her bed time, including Dr. Seuss, and then I chatted a few friends before bed.

Watching a child, nevermind more than one, 24/7 is quite a job. That is even before adding the financial responsibilities. It's a bit of work. Now that she's past preschool, she does not have been monitored all the time. I can rest or do chores without keeping an eye on her constantly. In the early days, she'd easily get into trouble or make a mess.

I was trying to find some day camp weekly sessions to enroll her in for the summer. Then I could care for her for a week. But it is difficult to find ones that are on when I am at work and have an overlap until I get off work. I think swimming lessons would be great for her. I guess I will just keep trying to find something.

Today, will consist of more playground fun at Kitsilano Beach. In the afternoon, we will be going to Watermania in Richmond. It has a small children's area with a jungle gym and a wave pool. There is also a larger pool and a waterslide. Most likely we will finish off with the traditional Pirate Pak at White Spot.

Not a bad weekend with my niece. I really enjoy spending time with her. It allows me to be a kid again. I am looking forward to taking her to Playland with other kids. I wish she had children her own age to play with on evenings and weekends.

I am a little rundown with a cold, although, I think I am at the final stage of it.

Whole Foods wins with neo-hippies and aging baby-boomers

I just finished watching a profile on Whole Foods and co-founder and CEO John Mackey on CNBC's new show American Made (touted as a show profiling Entrepeneurs).


I remember first learning about Whole Foods when it was profiled in the Globe and Mail's business magazine Report On Business a few years ago. I read it in my doctor's office.

I instantly thought, an Texas based grocery chain that specializes in natural and organic foods... and believes in ethical principles for employees, the environment and the consumer? Impossible!

I did some initial research on the grocery chain (mainly through its web site). Sure, they can publicize the ideal of a profitable corporation that gives back to the employees, the community and the environment, but how much of it is true?

I was enthusiastic about the building of a Whole Foods in West Vancouver, British Columbia. I would be able to see a store for myself. Most grassroots companies' ideals, dreams, visions, and philosophies get sweep out the door when they are bought by larger corporations.


I am always impressed by the selection of fresh, healthy natural and organic food selection in the store. What made my jaw drop instantly was the fresh, ready to order take-out section, soup bar, salad bar, hot entree bar, stir-fry bar, pizza bar, and the shelves of prepared food. I have tried the fresh soups, salads, and entrees such as salmon with rice and vegetables.

People always gripe at how expensive the prepared items are. However, I think it is far cheaper and healthier than eating out every day at fast-food places for lunch or dinner. Even eating frozen pre-packaged foods from the cheaper grocery chain that is chalk full of 1300 mg of sodium, numerous calories and chemical additives. Some people want to spend their dispoable income on other priorities; I would rather spend it on what I am putting in my body.

The employees are always friendly, happy, smiling and laughing while working at Whole Foods. I never notice that at any other grocery store chain except Capers in Vancouver which is owned by Wild Oats.


What I learned from the show:

The natural and organic grocery chain has come a long way from the original local store run by hippies in Austin, Texas.

Seems the management and executives must not be paid more than 14 times more than the
lowest paid employee in a store. 93% of all stock is given to non-executive employees.

5% of all profits (after taxes) are given to charitible causes.

The company now sponsors two foundations. One includes the World Planet foundation that helps alleviate poverty in Bangledesh by providing fair-trade wages for products
and services.

There is another program to provide fair-trade for bananas and coffee in Costa Rica.

Another project is the Animal Compassion Foundation, which researched agricultural livestock practices in the American farming industry. The project wants to start encouraging better animal welfare and care for livestock animals.


North Americans spend little of their disposable income on groceries, whereas,
Europeans and Japanese spend a large amount of their disposable income on groceries.
In the 1950s, Americans used to spend about 20% of their disposable income on
groceries. This has been reduced substantially during the end of the 20st century.



When you are young, you can take your health for granted. As you get older you realize you have to take a more active part in practicing good health, feeling better, and changing your lifestyle for longevity.


I am noticing more and more chains starting to carry additional natural and organic
foods. Suddenly, there are natural food aisles in major chain grocery stores.


I am so concerned about what I put in my body now. I was so fearful of loosing a third of my life when a close relative died of cancer in her 50s. I stopped drinking milk and switched to soy milk. I started reading labels religiously. I started cooking for myself more and eating more well balanced diet, incorporated yoga and meditation in my lifestyle, even walking more and driving less.

I feel I can cut down in other areas of my life to incorporate a higher quality and value of groceries in my diet--eating out less, consuming less, and driving less.

Tiësto

Last night, we went to see Tiësto at the Commodore Ballroom. What a show! I have seen him perform before and he delivered full force as expected. I love the fact that he is usually focused completely on his mixing, prepping the next track, or waving to the crowd. He's one of the hardest, modest, and appreciative working DJs in the world. I missed Tiësto at Burning Man last year, so I was happy to see him last night.

I can recall another uber-DJ I saw in Las Vegas one New Year's Eve at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay, and all he did was put on a record and pump his fists in the air. He had giant video screens beside him promoting his record lablel and his signed artists. He did not mix any tracks, did a one-hour set (same set every show on tour to the T), and the put on U2's When the Streets Have No Name until it ended and there was silence. I also heard he cleared the floor last year at Burning Man.

The show was filled with a variety of freaky types wacked beyond belief. Why anyone would want to make their night so excessive, they cannot even focus or enjoy the show is beyond me. The place smelled like sweat, barf, cigarettes and cologne. Lots of people twitching with sunglasses on, swaying, standing and sitting. Night of the living dead.

Pyrohy Heaven

Went back to the Soho pub for wings a few days ago and was happy to not be sitting in the whiny waitress' section. We sat upstairs. An old friend came. I have known him the longest out of all my circle of friends. He is kind of like a big brother to me. He is house sitting for a friend on Main and 2nd Avenue.

Funny how Main Street has become the new hub of trendiness. The rent has skyrocketed in that area. New condos are fencing it in on Kingsway, Main and Broadway. New coffee shops, artsy places, trendy bistros, vinyl shops, and boutiques. Lots of nice hertiage houses and bungalows still surround Main Street. It is now being called SoMa: South of Main Area.

Recently, the Beatty Street area boarding the drug addicted poverty stricken area downtown is not being hailed as Crosstown. Crosstown is only six or eight blocks long. Maybe it is encompassing the additional areas on the other side of the Stadium Skytrain Station consisting of Tinsletown, new condo towers, T&T Market and the upcoming Costco. I am wondering if this neighbourhood trendy name was started by a new restaurant on Beatty Street. Funny how marketing gurus and cool hippsters give neighbourhoods their own personalities to get consumers flocking.


Yesterday, a group of friends and I went to the Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Main and 10th Avenue for their monthly Ukrainian food night. I have always wanted to go and finally did. (Thanks to Squishelle for organizing the gathering!) Great deal at $10 for a regular perogy dinner, including perogies, cabbage rolls, sausage, and salad or sauerkraut. I skipped the Borshch (beet soup). I am partial Ukrainian and it felt neat to eat some real Ukrainian food. Good thing we went mid-way because they ran out of perogies. The members who served us were so friendly and warm.

After dinner, we sat outside in the sun relishing the last remnants of the rays (weekend called for gray and rain). I petted an English Pointer named Cleo that whined a lot for her family. She seemed to have abandonment issues.

We decided on gelato for dessert. It seems that a new gelato place is popping up on every block in major districts of Vancouver. I think the gelato trend is beating the coffee trend. I have been to this new gelato place on Main and 14th twice in one week. Unfortuately, my partner was severely disappointed with the lemon gelato. It tasted like cardboard. Last time, I enjoyed Banana and Coffee Crunch. This time I was equally happy with Apple and French Vanilla. The ice cream bar looks like a space pod. The Coke gelato looked funky with the gummy coke bottles on top.