Organic Farming Experiential Program at YMCA...

I was thrilled to accompany Northview Heights Secondary School's grade 12 culinary program teachers and students on their field trip to YMCA Cedar Glen in Schomberg (one hour north from downtown Toronto), to enjoy one of YMCA's outdoor experiential programs of organic farming. Ministry of Education's Student's Success/Learning to 18 Strategic Policy branch has mandated a toolkit for Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) enrolled students, called I.C.E. - innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. Northview chose Cedar Glen as the community partner and worked with them to come up with solutions to a problem. As the practical activity to the class theory on growing food to complete Gear 3 of the I.C.E. toolkit, program head Chef Dimitra K. organized for her students to get hands-on at a real farm for a 360 experience. They've already come in October to help in the harvest and to enjoy the farm-to-fork produce for lunch in the centre's cafeteria. Now, they're returning in the spring to see the front end- to be part of how it all starts and grows. Connecting with nature and mother earth, and planting seeds for the food future is beyond exhilarating! 

Teaching kids cooking and life skills at Northview, making everything from scratch right down to pastry and ketchup, their culinary program is a poster child for everything Food Revolution stands for (two years ago, they held my massive event of 1500 participants with Jamie Oliver joining in via video-conf). Their 400 + enrolled grades 10 to 12 students along with teachers, program assistants and student volunteers cook everything from scratch every day to make the lunch meals served in the school cafeteria — now up to 1700 students! And their culinary program is hands-down amazing with a frequently updated student food blog to showcase all the great work! I have a continual relationship with their culinary curriculum and I am always excited to be there to capture their amazing advocacy for "real" field education beyond the classroom. Props to the incredible department of dedicated teachers!

Northview's SHSM is partnered with Food Share and the community HUB to work on the school grounds garden connected with the HUB space. They partner to teach youth how to start a garden, grow and manage their garden, and then benefit from the produce!

HUB Space adjacent to Northview School.

Getting the low down on the exercise out on the field today.

Grabbing our farming tools of rakes and shovels and off we march to the field.

It was a beautiful but extremely windy day out there... Hang on to our hats!

Preparing the seed bed for growing.

Turning the soil for aeration with a rake.

Planting oats!

Farming is a lot of work. A great work out for your muscles! 

Digging deeper to prepare for planting onions and potatoes. Then over goes some compost.

Onions are planted from bulbs!

Can you guess what these are?

Banana Fingerling Potatoes!

Russet Potatoes!

Peas!

Getting instructions to plant kale.

Balmy in the greenhouse!

Culinary Program Instructors Chef Dimitra K. and Janet.

Preparing the soil for seedling planters. We've got cucumbers and zucchini.

Plant pointy seed side down!

The dynamic culinary program of students graduating this year! More than half are going to pursue a food career and continuing their studies at a college. I wish you all the best of luck!

The breathtaking panoramic view from the YMCA cafeteria during lunch.
In the fall, the colours and foliage is even more exquisite!

Located in beautiful surroundings, YMCA Outdoor Centres create meaningful group experiences fostering personal growth, skill development and teamwork especially to support youth, educational and community organizations. Leaving the classroom behind and getting outdoors allows students to learn, strengthen and create memories that will last a lifetime with experiential learning activities! With farming, its the best kind of real food education ever!

Commemoration of Bob Marley-- A Legend and A Revolutionary...

Inspiration can come at you any time, from anywhere and from anyone. It often happens when you're not looking. It can come at you with full force or lay dormant, planting a seed, quietly nourishing until the moment is right for an evolution in you to take place. When it does strike a chord, it can change your ideas, uplift your creativity and give you a new periscope on life. For me, that is Bob Marley. As long as I remember, I've always enjoyed reggae's hypnotic beats and Marley's ingenious lyrics to time-honoured classics seem to roll off my tongue. I never gave him too much thought until artwork inspired me to know his full life story. My artist pal Alvin @alvincustomportrait converts digital images into acrylic paintings on canvas and Marley is a subject favourite. It propelled me to watch Marley documentaries, really listen to the meanings behind his music, read his words of wisdom and tap into his Rastafari religion. Learning what I have, I can't begin to express how much I adore this great honourable man. He was wise beyond his years having struggled to belong growing up in Trenchtown hardship being born part black and part white. When he spoke, even in dark moments, it was like verses in a poem that made every sentence a song. Marley was not only a world ambassador for reggae music but it was said he proudly represented the ghetto people. He was seen as a prophet, a philosopher, a humanitarian and a revolutionary. He didn't just write music, he lived and witnessed his lyrics and he sung about thought-provoking issues and political injustices. He shared his wealth to help poor fellow Jamaicans and when he sadly passed, he took away that lifeline to many with him.

I bought Alvin's earlier awesome piece of Marley. Not only was l drawn to the earthy rustic colours but this to me represented passion. Inspired by a rare photo taken during one of his last photoshoots, Marley's famous quote, "Love the life you live. Live the life you love" resonates so deeply in this image. Here he was smoking his beloved herb and behind was a hanging picture of African art (a country where he wanted to live, roam free and to grow old). Two things he very much loved in his life. Africa was not only a dream; it symbolized a place where the black man could live in dignity and prosperity. 

Alvin Custom Portrait

I relate to Marley with my own revolution fight for good food and food education for all, along with Food Revolution global ambassadors. Marley didn't have a big ambition. He always said, "Me only have one ambition, y'know. I only have one thing I really like to see happen. I like to see mankind live together - black, white, Chinese, everyone - that's all." For me, I feel the same with my hope and vision for the present and the future. When it comes to food, that access to good, fresh, nutritious food is every human right no matter your background, race, religion and status. With better food education, people can make better choices with what is available to them, wherever they are in the world. That everyone from around the world-- individuals, parents, policymakers, communities and businesses – come together to make solutions that will be sustainable for generations to come. That is my hope. One Love!

Today commemorates Marley's 36th death anniversary and this post is dedicated to him. He would have been 72. His larger-than-life-and-beyond persona continue to live on in his words and music. He is still here to uplift us all and encourages everyone, "don't worry about a thing. Everything, is going to be alright." In this crazy upside-down world we live in, we need Marley, his philosophy, his spirit, his music now more than ever. May you rest in peace! 💞

Alvin Custom Portrait

I wish things would change without hurt. I wish righteousness would reign forever. Let righteousness cover the earth like the water cover the sea.- Bob Marley

You see me here? The first thing you must know about me is that I always stand for what I stand for. The second thing you must know about yourself listening to me is that words are very tricky. So when you know what me stand for, when me explain a thing to you, you must never try to look upon it in a different way than what me stand for. - Bob Marley 

A gift from the artist... Thank you!

Alvin Custom Portrait

I just returned from vacation in Mexico, and my heart is already jet set on Jamaica :D

Excited my post landed on What's Good Network (WGN)- a radio station and entertainment site in Kenya, Nairobi featuring arts, events and music. My friend and events promoter Embukane Vincent Libosso authored the intro and published: Over to You – Commemoration of Bob Marley: A Legend and A Revolutionary… Thank you! :D

Unplugged And Blissed Out Under The Mayan Sun...

Ola... just back from Mexico.

Blogging about the magnificient experience once I collate the photos...

My daily morning salutation to the Mayan sun. Namaste!

Food Revolution Toronto May Contest-- Mexican Omelette Wrap

Resharing from Food Revolution Toronto:

Happy May! This month's #CookwithFoodRevTOchallenge is all about healthy #breakfast! How do you like to start off your day right? Each week we'll be showcasing a healthy breakfast idea from Jamie Oliver right here to give you some inspiration - this week it's Mexican-style omelette wrap.

Jamie says, “Zingy with a bit of a kick, this silky omelette will really get you going in the morning. Plus it’s packed with good stuff: tomatoes are a source of Vitamin C, which we need to keep our teeth and gums healthy. Delicious! ”

My Smoked Salmon Capers Omelette inspired by Jamie Oliver's simple omelette 

And hey, just by showing us your healthy breakfast ideas, you could win a Jamie Oliver cookbook thanks to HarperCollins Canada

How to Enter:

Show us your breakfast! Snap a photo of your healthy breakfast and tell us a little bit about it (how you made it, what makes it healthy).

You MUST use the hashtag #CookwithFoodRevTO AND tag us on Facebook, or at @FoodRevToronto on Twitter or Instagram. That's it! Then you'll be entered to win a cookbook!

Eligibility and Contest Rules:

– Contest begins on May 1st 2017 at 6am EST on and closes May 31st 2017 at 6pm EST.
– Prize consists of one (1) Jamie Oliver cookbook
– Open to readers of the age of majority with a Canadian mailing address.
– No purchase of any product necessary for entry.
– Winner will be chosen randomly (usingrandom.org) from all qualified entries on May 31st 2017 after 6pm EST.
– Winner will be notified via email June 1st 2017 and will have 48 hours to respond to the email.
– Winner will be required to answer a skill testing question.

Sakura Fever in Toronto and Tokyo...

Sakuras are one of Japan's defining hallmarks and marks the entrance of Spring. From the end of March to mid-April, Tokyo's cherry blossom trees burst into the scene with puffy bloom and sweet colour. I've been lucky to visit Japan three times when my brother lived there, and twice I went during high blossom season. Flowers lace and dot the trees and their branches like fluffy cotton balls of whites and pinks. Laying down staring up a tree, it's an incredible feeling to witness the clusters of delicate clouds that seem to romance the sky, knowing that they last a mere two to three weeks in spring. As the flowers unfold, large parks and rivers are flooded with visitors for hanami or cherry viewing parties. Groups and couples would set out blankets, picnicking with snacks and beer, while some play and sing music, snap keepsake photos and take in the surrounding beauty. To say it's a feverish time sounds about right, as festivals take place all over the city, and the roll-out of sakura-themed foods, products and art come to a climax. As the season come to a close, we can only dream of these celebratory times to be had the next year. We are reminded of how precious and short life is and how we need to live and savour every moment.

Toronto is very fortunate to have these very trees line one of our major parks- High Park. In 1959, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 2000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese-Canadians following the Second World War. Many of these trees were planted on the hillside overlooking Grenadier Pond (southwest of the Grenadier Café) and around the east shore of the pond. See map. On a very happy note, it was announced two days ago, that sakura trees will be installed at Woodbine Beach Park similar manner to Japan's popular cherry blossom tunnels thanks to a Japanese donor. Some of the trees could even arrive by the end of this week. It's going to be incredibly stunning next year.... can't wait!

Believe it or not, this was my first time viewing the trees at High Park. I knew they existed here but for some reason, I never went. Perhaps, I thought the experience would pale in comparison to what I seen in its birthplace Japan, but as I will soon find out, these beauties have no borders. My brother invited the families down for a picnic and how could I not but happily oblige. Traffic and parking was bound to be chaotic on a forecasted peak bloom weekend so taking the metro with the fam was indeed a smart and better way. Blossoms in High Park usually reach peak bloom between late April and early May. The date varies year by year as it is a temperature dependent process.

Photo Credit: Lisa Kaffenbaum

Doing what the Japanese do-- group lunch picnic minus the alcohol.

We had a simple make-our-own sandwiches with cold cuts and vegetables, snacks and fruit... 

A nice popular Japanese snack I recommend to port and eat for hanami is onigiri-- it's like the equivalent of our hamburger! Rice balls or "musubi", literally means "grip" such as holdable rice. We call it triangle rice in my household and my kids love them! In Japan, you can get onigiri filled with anything from grilled salmon, to natto (fermented soy beans) to premium ingredients such as uni (sea urchin) or snow crab... my favourite ones are simply filled with umeboshi (a salted plum preserve).

Try my Onigiri recipe.

We ventured out to another area for the kids to play and where people were enjoying the balmy weather.

The blooming period begins when 20% of the cherry blossoms are open and ends when the petals fall. “Peak bloom” starts when at least 70% of the blossoms are open. Once open, flowers last from 4-10 days, depending on the weather conditions. Cool, calm weather can extend the bloom period, while warm, unsettled weather can shorten it.

Approximately 12 days before peak bloom, the florets (deep pink at this stage) start to extend out of the buds. 6-10 days before peak bloom, the peduncles (flower stems) get longer and the individual blossoms can be clearly seen. Blossoms are very vulnerable to frost at this stage.

Sakuras taken in Japan at the middle of bud-to-bloom process. 

The sakuras at High Park were at 70% bloom and with so many people gathered to make the best of the beautiful day viewing and taking selfies and photos, I vowed I must come back during the week to enjoy a closer-to-full bloom and photo-taking with less crowds.

Photo Credit: Narcity.com. High Park Brewery recently announced the launch of their 
latest beer Under the Sakura, a light cherry blossom lager.

Instead of heading all the way to High Park from where I was with grey skies, wind and cool in the air, I heard that the Japanese Cultural Community Centre (JCCC) had a dozen of trees that were fully bloomed. I made my way over and pretty much had the fluffy trees to myself with nary a person to contend with. They are just as gorgeous as the sakuras I seen in various parts of Japan. I was just so delighted today :).

So Pretty in Pink!

As the flowers bloom, in Japan anything that can be made with sakura flavour and/or with a pink hue, it surely will be done. From lattes to sakura sakes, to pink and chewy mochi rice cakes to sakura-flavoured chips and chocolate.

Sakura-flavoured beer!

Sakura-flavoured tea beverages and snacks!

Sakura sweet bread! These were so good :D

Sakura mochi red bean rice cakes for gift-giving!

More sakura sweets, treats and desserts!

Sakura-decorated rice crackers!

This is one of my all-time favourite beauty shots of cherry blossoms in Japan.
Sharing with you a gallery of my best snaps in sakura season 2005-2006.
Sit back and enjoy the breathtaking views...

In Izu Peninsula in 2006

In Asakusa Senso-ji Buddhist Temple 2005

Sakura tunnels in the streets of Ikebukuro, Tokyo 2006 

"As the season comes to a close, the Japanese pray for good weather. Spring rain or strong winds will wash the petals away early and everyone wants the blossoms to hang on just a while longer. As everything has its season, and as the last of the flowers fall away people flock to the parks for one last stroll among the trees. Now most of the petals dust the ground and those that remain slowly fall whirling from above, the saddest and yet the most beautiful part of cherry blossom season."-- Bento Box Magazine.

 Here's looking at you kid, until next year this time again... so long for now...