"find the shortest, simplest way between the earth, the hands, and the mouth" -Lanza del Vasto

visit
http://www.kitchengardeners.org/

support the slow food movement and
grow some veg or herbs this summer, whether you have your own yard, porch, or windowsill
I know I'm going to

Neglecting to add herbs in your cooking??

Obama Garden Watch II: 8 Culinary Herbs To Revitalize Your Health And Palate

Testimonial

Thank you, thank you, thank you urbanmaven and your wonderful organizational talents that helped make our move across country to Vancouver Island as seamless as possible. I cannot recommend your relocation services enough. From the inital selection of movers, dealing with insurance, the careful overview of the packing of our treasured pieces you made a potentially fraught move into an easy transition. And as we sat in our then empty condominium, you surprised us with a bottle of my favourite Okanagan red (how did you know?). You sent us off in style and worry free to start our new life in B.C.
You're not just a maven, you're a marvel.
Caroline & David Dvorchik

Diamonds - catch the final episode Sunday April 12 on cbc 9pm

Diamonds examines the devastating consequences of corrupt trading, regardless of the context. The story could equally be set in the oil, electronics or clothing industry with a similar theme. In the mini-series, a chain of intimate stories depict the larger picture. It is the childlike perspective of young soldiers abandoned to the world, the America-centric perspective of a Republican Senator learning about herself in the context of her government’s foreign policy, and a Shakespearean take on the father-son relationship in a family whose wealth is built on diamonds. It’s also about an affair between a white South African and a Black model who becomes ensnared in the family drama and the political implications of her actions. Lastly, it’s the ambiguous perspective of a young female geologist in Canada, who battles to reconcile her passion to find diamonds with the moral significance of her obsession. Each character, in their own way, becomes obsessed.
James Bawden (former television reviewer for The Globe and Mail and The Toronto Star) says of the series on his blog:
"Diamonds is worth your time. The narrative (David Vainola wrote it) effortlessly skips back and forth from Washington to London to South Africa and the piece is chock full of violent, disturbing incidents. But it's not just about diamond mining --it's about greed, the corruption of petty dictatorships, the ruthlessness of the diamond cartel. There are some romancing scenes but they are interspersed with chilling reminders of the cheapness of human lives when millions of dollars are at stake."


www.siennafilms.com

PROMISES TO BE A GREAT SHOW April 1 to 12

urbanmaven

with her 'acute eye' had the opportunity

to help hang this show for artist Chris Johnson
such a pleasure
Take a stroll down the ever-bustling Spadina Ave to Adelaide St, hang a right and just steps in from Spadina arrive at Launch Projects Gallery

You've not seen work like this, so refreshing, so talented

http://launchprojects.wordpress.com/

Earth Hour Saturday March 28

I will be participating in this important iniatiative on Saturday night
check it out

http://wwf.ca/earthhour/countdown_to_earth_hour.cfm

earth's energy and a good night's rest - update

well since moving my bed to a north/south longitude.........the room feels more restful.......i walk into the room and 'feel' relaxed ahhh........
but the true test was the quality of sleep
i hope I'm not counting my chickens but this is the second night of less tossing and turning, AND
uninterrupted sleep......oh sweet sleep
there really is something to this I think
if you have the capability in your bedroom to move your bed to sit on this north/south longitude........I seriously recommend it.

Earth's Energy and sleeping

I moved my bed today....
it is now situated in line with the Earth's Energy
meaning- my bed now sits on a north/south longitude line --instead of the old east/west latitude
According to Feng Shui experts this alignment (in line with the earth's energy meridians) will provide not only a more restful sleep, but in turn health and wellness.
will keep you informed........

Eating Organically and Locally

I'm a big advocate of eating organically and locally.

By doing so, you support not only local farmers :), the canadian economy:), the environment:), but your own health:) :)

Pesticide spraying of foods prohibit the plants from making the valuable phytochemicals we need to fight off disease.

DonValley Brickworks Farmers' Market, Friends of Riverdale Farm Farmers' Market, Dufferin Grove Farmers' Market
http://blogto.com/toronto/the_best_farmers_markets_in_toronto/
my fav
http://evergreen.ca/rethinkspace/?p=148

urbanmaven 'circa 2003'

'harvest the power of phyto foods'

I want to share this book/cookbook on whole foods or plant foods

so rich in phytochemicals--chemical compounds found in foods that help to fight off auto-immune diseases like: cancer, diabetes, osteo-arthritis.


A friend gave it to me last year

EVERY recipe I have tried has been not only EASY-minimal prep, but DELICIOUS (big exclamation mark)


Check it out! Protect your health.


The Enlightened Eater's Whole Foods Guide


by Rosie Schwartz

Onion Relish

1 white (organic) onion, quartered and very thinly sliced
1/2 tsp sea salt
Juice of 1/2 organic lemon
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne
2 Tbsp organic cilantro, chopped

-Deborah Madison, Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

*this is a great condiment to just about anything
** onions are a great source of vitamin C, and chock full of heart-healthy flaviniods

great studio

There is a gorgeous yoga studio in Toronto, one of the nicest, most zen studios where I practice alot.
Where?
The Roots Yoga Studio on Yonge St, in between Summerhill and Rosedale subway stations.
Go to
www.roots.com/yoga
I hope there is a class time that fits into your schedule.
Namaste

customer service

I do appreciate customer service, and experienced great service when I returned a cashmere scarf to the store of purchase-Club Monaco www.clubmonaco.com
Said scarf was not performing as promised even with all my perserverance. The manager at the Yorkdale store was professional, extremely curteous, and did all he could to obtain a full refund for me. His diligence to the matter was impressive; I received a full refund of purchase price back onto my credit card within a week, AND a note in the mail to apologize for my disappointment. I sent a handwritten note back to head office extolling my delight with the way in which the situation was handled.
Vive la customer service!!
Needless to say, I am a loyal Club Monaco shopper.

Press - Cabbagetown Newsletter November 2007

Think Jamie Oliver -- in Cabbagetown
Gabrielle at the Farmers’ Market - Riverdale Farm

We live in an age where all the advantages of the electronic age are supposed to simplify our lives. What they do is make us available 24/7 and turn us into multi-tasking octopi with time being the last thing on their tentacles – er… hands. Enter Gabrielle Osborne of urbanmaven who caters to time-starved professionals who value responsible assistance, good food and a casual elegance.
Two years ago Gabrielle and her husband Peter, packed their children Sam & Isobel off to university. The massive presence and exaggerated energy generated by teenagers had emptied their Beaches home, so they decided to move to the more centrally located Cabbagetown. As Gabrielle explains, “the architecture and community feel of the neighbourhood were a big drawing card for us.”

As a stay-at-home mother and garden designer, Gabrielle was actively involved in shopping, cooking and organizing –catering to the voracious appetites of teenagers and their friends and juggling schedules. Often her friends would call upon her to help them out as well. These friends and family members encouraged Gabrielle to start her own business assisting people, who were too busy with their own lives or unable for reasons of age or infirmity to perform the tasks that Gabrielle did with such ease and flair. And so urbanmaven was born.

“I love to cook with an emphasis on fresh and often organic ingredients,” Gabrielle explains, “I call myself a good bistro cook with an emphasis on lots of fresh herbs. Think Jamie Oliver.”

Gabrielle is a wonderful resource and respite for today’s over-extended families. Her services include personal errands such as shopping for groceries and collecting dry cleaning, or selecting the perfect gift for any occasion. Within the home she can organize that maddeningly cluttered closet, or sort out the dreaded basement. On the lighter side, her love of garden design makes her a perfect choice to design a spectacular garden arrangement for that special visual lift.

A thoughtful and resourceful husband recently surprised his full-time working wife with a gift of Gabrielle’s services. This included a 4-week meal plan for their busy family of five. One of Gabrielle’s favourite autumn meals is a bowl of homemade soup made from seasonal vegetables, a big chuck of artisan bread with a piece of cheese and an arugula salad with fresh vinaigrette, accompanied with a glass of wine.

Gabrielle explains, “I really believe in shopping locally wherever possible, whether it be for produce, a dress, or a piece of furniture. I believe there is a need for this service as time is an ever-decreasing commodity and we all strive to keep our lives in balance.” This is where urbanmaven can help you. Gabrielle can be reached via email: gosborne@urbanmaven.ca or t: 416 554-6943

urbanmaven loves to shop

How can one be good at shopping? It all comes down to having an 'eye' and efficiency of time.

just because I love this 'graffiti'? Notting Hill October 2006

urbanmaven hours

make a great gift :) purchase 2-3-4 hours of urbanmaven's time for a client gift or that special person in your life who is time starved and can use a hand.

Press-Gabrielle is urbanmaven, September 2007

"Gabrielle Osborne is urbanmaven. urbanmaven evolved quite naturally; Gabrielle often called an organic designer by friends and family has been cooking, designing, organizing and shopping as a daily routine since the birth of her fist child 22 years ago. Everyone always says 'you're such a great cook', 'such a great baker' 'your home is so lovely'-'you should market your skills'. Thus urbanmaven was born. Gabrielle can help individuals find more pleasure in being at home by taking care of the daily tasks that must get done, or the not so daily tasks. Offering concierge services to the time-starved individual. Essentially, helping individuals reclaim some freedom and time!Gabrielle is passionate about all aspects of home and garden keeping and believes homes need to be our refuges from the busyness of our working lives. Services range from designing the outdoor garden urn, shopping for groceries or that perfect gift, organizing the home office or linen closet."----North Toronto SNAP newspaper September 2007
15.10.07

pumpkin carving and pumpkin seeds

hi
when carving the pumpkin this year-don't forget to save the seeds to roast and eat as a delicious and nutritious snack. Pumpkin seeds = good source of zinc which is beneficial to the skin and bones.

To roast:
Place the seeds into large bowl, toss with olive oil, and sea or kosher salt.
Spread the seeds onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place into preheated 400 degree oven.
Roast until golden brown * at this high temperature about 5-8 minutes, keep your eye on them. (turn the seeds half way through roasting)