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I took the train down to Toronto to participate in the National Women’s Show which is taking place over the weekend. Held at the Convention Center, the Women’s show attracts thousands (and I mean thousands!) of women every day, promoting everything from food, skin care, “fat burners”, fitness equipment, bikinis, spa treatments, clothing, jewelery, makeup, botox (!), as well as lots of food demos and speakers. The lineups start early and wrap around the Convention Center hours before the doors open.
Out of the hundreds of booths, there are only a few healthy vendors and we tend to know each other: Manitoba Harvest, Vega, Lara Bar and Schinoussa Sea Vegetables – who I am so fortunate to be sharing space with. John – my very fun & charismatic friend and formulator of Schinoussa brings his large bags of algae (spirulina, AFA, chlorella, phycomin) and we all dip into his beautiful green stash, sipping his concentrated superfood concoctions throughout the day to keep us flying. Wow! Amazing stuff!
I’m staying at the lovely Harborfront Westin Hotel and after 12 hour days on my feet, it’s a real treat to come in, put my feet up and gaze out at the harbor below. My room is spacious and view spectacular —worth every hard-working penny! Especially since we got it at an amazingly low rate after hearing about Priceline from my good friend Ilze who frequently uses their services. Priceline auctions off unsold hotel rooms, and provided that you’re flexible, it’s s a great way to save $ when booking hotels. You select an area in which you’d like to stay, then chose a quality level (I chose 4 star) and then name your price! Priceline then lets you know whether your bid has been accepted by hotels that meet your criteria. This was the first time that we ever bid for a room (& our first bid was denied) but certainly not the last! I’m so enjoying my view (I’m on the 22nd floor overlooking Toronto island) and it’s a pleasure to just hang out in my hotel room!
With an upcoming recipe book, I’m spending less time on the computer and more time in the kitchen - preparing beautiful and delicious sweets – much to Mark’s content! 
My desserts have always been a huge hit – not only with Mark & Mischa, but with non-raw friends and family. When I recently posted a few cheesecake photos on Facebook, it created quite the frenzy, promting many emails and requests. And, although I personally avoid dense foods (& kitchens!) as much as possible, I’m recognizing the need for decadent but healthy (raw) desserts. So, if you’re in Ottawa, be on the lookout for SimplyRaw’s luscious, guilt-free desserts and be sure to try a piece! Limited quantities will be available at select health food stores (Market Organics, Rainbow Natural Foods, Herb & Spice) beginning next week!
today’s food log:
- 4 ozs e3live
- micro algae
- firewater
- Schinoussa Sea Vegetables
- 1 apple
- 1 banana
- fresh green smoothie (orange, Vitamineral green, chia, flax)
- soaked arame with sunflower & alfalfa sprouts
- chlorella tabs
- celery w/almond butter
- more algae!
yesterday’s food log:
- 4 ozs e3live
- micro algae
- chlorella
- firewater
- 2 TBSP Schinoussa Sea Vegetables (in water)
- chlorella/spirulina
- 2 apples
- 1 banana
- avocado with soaked arame and lots of sprouts
- chlorella tablets
- more Schinoussa
I’ve also been busy with various events around Ottawa and Montreal, and quite enjoyed socializing at the Wine Auction- of all things! Although there was the standard finger foods of smoked salmon, crackers and cheese, people loved my fresh, colorful raw appetizers – including Mayor O’Brien. Mr O & I met the week before and he is becoming familiar with the raw lifestyle and The SimplyRaw Detox Manual. As you may know, he picked up my book a few weeks back and promises to read it through. Perhaps he’ll take the leap and do my full program! Who knows? 
On Wednesday September 16th at 7pm we’ll be having our first planning meeting for the 2010 SimplyRaw Festival.
Many of you know by now that I recently broke my leg. It happened on a kid’s scooter – of all things – coming home from a family gathering late one night with my son. No, I wasn’t drunk but high (a natural one), having just launched my book and all pumped up for a tour across Canada and the U.S. To this day I’m unsure exactly what transpired that night except that I was babbling away when the scooter hit the curb.
Landing in the hospital was a new experience for me and to be honest, I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. Not to say that the hospital was incompetent, it just doesn’t feel empowering being confined to a bed in the orthopedic ward with dozens of other patients suffering from traumatic bone fractures. Sadly, most of them elderly, in pain and very vocal. (Another reason to take control of our health while we still can!) Fortunately, the staff warmed up to me after the initial shock about my diet, lifestyle and stance on things such as hospital food (jello!), meat, blood thinners and enemas - a whole new blog post altogether…Because I only drank the green juices and smoothies that Mark brought to me every day, this raised a lot of attention and before I knew it, a very concerned dietitian dropped by to discuss calories and nutrition with me. Yes, she got an earful 
Being out of commission can be isolating and quite humbling. Basic things we take for granted such as getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, bathing, answering the phone or making a simple smoothie (let alone fetching a glass of water!) suddenly becomes the impossible without the helping hand of a loved one. And it’s not easy having to ask for everything – especially for someone who’s independent and enjoys doing things their way! Nor is it easy to be sedentary, cooped up indoors day in, day out, alone with a hot water bottle and bed sores just as hiking season is at its peak. Or, for that matter, to be able to understand the lessons in such a difficult challenge. But really, there’s no choice other than to accept the situation as it is, surrender and see this experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. Of course, some days are easier than others.
I’m grateful to my boys Mischa & Mark for both being there and goofing off (see photo) during this time, as well as my loving 81 year young mother who insisted on moving in with us that first month, and who gave everything that special, female touch. I’m also blessed to have a few dear friends check in on me regularly to refill my hot water bottle, make green juice, chat, listen, and bring endless bouquets of fresh cut lilacs to my bed. Many thanks and blessings, I so appreciate it!
