I sincerely hope, friends and readers, that if you are interested in ideas for enjoying a conscious, creative life in the County – or elsewhere -  as well as thoughts on sustainable living, delicious recipes, parenting, and creative pursuits, you’ll visit me at http://thereasonablelife.wordpress.com

Happy New Year, Christine

In this post, prompted by a recent request, I just thought I’d give you a sample of a day of vegan eating and list some things I eat, as well as what I eat at restaurants. It might be helpful if you have friends or family who are veg and you want to feed them at some point.

I’ll start with last Sunday. I had coffee (organic, fair trade) with soya milk. If you’re going to eat or drink anything soy, I advise organic. I try to buy organic versions of food whenever possible, so just assume that when I say “peanut butter”, I mean organic.  That’s not to say I don’t ever eat non-organic food, but I try to search out organic versions of stuff, especially if locally available.

With my second cup of coffee, I had a piece of toast with peanut butter and a banana. Also that day I had some homemade tomato soup (sadly, the last of our tomatoes from the garden other than those I canned into sauce or froze), and later, scrambled tofu with onion, celery and red pepper, and home fried potatoes. I had chili I’d made, too, later on for dinner, as well a few yummy oatmeal cookies from a recipe in the new Veganomicon cookbook I got through interlibrary loan at the library. Oh yes, interlibrary loans from the public library. Again, another post for later. If you’re looking for great vegan recipes, check out Vegan with a Vengeance and this new Veganomicon cookbook. You can get recipes at the  author’s website at postpunkkitchen.

Other than that I eat probably everything you eat except animal products. For example, all kinds of soups (watching for meat broth), vegetarian shepherd’s pie made with Yves ground soy, vegetable casseroles, curries with rice, samosas, pasta with tomato sauce or homemade pesto (no cheese), fried rice, homemade muffins, cakes, cookies, apple crisp, coleslaw, baked beans, crepes – both sweet and savory – hummus and pita, olive tapenade, Thai noodle salad, etc. I could go on, but you get the idea.

The biggest change is eliminating cheese. Cheese seems to be the big hurdle for most people who say they could give up everything but cheese. I thought that too for a long time, but now that I don’t eat it, I have to say I don’t miss it at all. And while I can’t remember the change of no meat in my diet – my memory doesn’t work well that far back – I do know that removing dairy has really made me feel much better.

Restaurants are a bit of a challenge, I admit, yet I always manage to find something (if fries are made in vegetable oil, I can always eat those). Many vegetarian things can be made vegan just by eliminating the cheese, so I just ask. That’s the key, I think – not to be afraid to ask, “what do you have that’s vegan on the menu?”. If people are lactose intolerant or allergic to certain foods, no one thinks twice, but for some reason, if you choose not to eat meat products as a personal choice, you often get looks like you’re from Mars. You get used to it.

In my town, two restaurants I recommend are The Painted Peppercorn that serves a great lentil dhal (just don’t get the yogurt on the side) and Pinch, a shop that makes up fresh sandwiches. I get their “vegetarian” but ask for no cheese. It’s a delicious hummus, roasted red pepper, cucumber and sprout combo on either baguette or whole grain. They also have hearty salads. Across the street, Miss Lily’s has the best coffee in town in my opinion, also tasty salads and no doubt the only place for miles and miles that has vegan cookies. I think I already blogged about this a couple of posts back…but worth mentioning again.
That’s it. If you have any questions or want ideas for vegetarian or vegan friends coming over for a meal, just post a comment/question and I can get back to you. If there is enough interest, I might post some recipes. Let me know.
Only a few more days ‘till Christmas!
Warmest wishes of the season to all in case I don’t post again before the 25th!

Christine

Here’s a little video to give those who might not have attended a peak at the atmosphere, and those in attendance a chance to see it again.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu5U9jjxjPc

If you are on the video and have any objection to it being posted, just let me know and I will take it down or edit your portion from it.

‘Till the next post, keep warm, Christine

And on Friday, December 11, everyone is invited to  join in a candlelight vigil and walk for the earth. The event is in support for strong action on climate change in Copenhagen. Meet at the Picton United Church (10 Chapel Street across from Tim Horton’s) parking lot at 4:30 and please bring candle lanterns or flashlights.   “Carrying signs and lights,  we will walk along Main Street and show that Canada does care about the future of this earth!” says one of the organizers, Paula Walker.  This is part of a 350.org <http://350.org> global action and has been organised by Milford’s  St. Philip’s outreach committee.

till next post, stay warm,

Christine

When I saw the documentary Food Inc., I immediately wanted to suggest that it be shown by Cinefest. Of course, the smart folks who run our great alt movie circuit in Picton had already thought of that, so it’s on the screen at the Regent this Monday, December 7th at 7:30pm. Here’s a bit of the review that I clipped from the e-blast sent by Cinefest’s Peter Blendell…

“The voice in the opening belongs to the ethical epicurean and locavore champion Michael Pollan, author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore’s Dilemma. Mr. Pollan, who periodically appears on screen seated at a homey-looking table, is a great strength of Food, Inc., as is one of its co-producers, Eric Schlosser, the author of  Fast Food Nation. These two embodiments of conscience, together with Mr. Kenner, chart how and why the villains not only outnumber the heroes in contemporary food production, but also how and why they outbluff, outmuscle and outspend their opponents by billions of subsidized dollars.”

On Tuesday, Dec. 8th, A Taste of Peace, a presentation by author Michael Riordon is being held at the Picton branch of the public library. In autumn 2008 and 2009, Michael visited with olive farmers in the Jenin region of the West Bank.  He went there in two capacities, as a volunteer with Zatoun in Canada, and as a writer, working on a new book about peace-activists in Israel and Palestine.
Zatoun is a Canadian grass-roots initiative to bring fair trade olive oil from family farms in Palestine to Canada and the United States.  (Zatoun means olive in Arabic.)
At 6:30 pm on Tuesday, Michael will speak about these journeys, and the challenges of getting this wonderful food from the silver-leafed trees to us.
There will be opportunity to taste the extra virgin olive oil, and za’atar, a traditional condiment made of Mediterranean sumach, wild mountain thyme and sesame.  These two products will be available for purchase, along with olive oil soap made by a women’s cooperative in the West Bank.

Hope to see you at both of these events, Christine

I’m over half finished reading the tale and thoroughly enjoying it. I plan on posting a review when I’m done, so I won’t elaborate now, but let me say that if you like a good story that’s well written, and if you are interested in County lore, pick up this book. I’m thinking Christmas gifts…

Speaking of Christmas, we had our annual Christmas tree cutting ritual on Monday. We always cut our tree from the forest on our land and our son Kevin has been the official tree cutter for many years now.

Also on the topic of Christmas (and our kids), if you drive by Tim Horton’s in Picton, have a look at the window on the right side. The part that says “Happy Holidays” with a cup in the background was painted by our daughter Sarah.

I’m looking forward to the next few weeks when we’ll enjoy all of our wonderful Christmas rituals. Many involve events around the County, so please visit the blog again soon and feel free to post a comment. I’d love to hear what you think of the blog and welcome questions and suggestion.

Till next time, stay warm, Christine

My daughter  Sarah and I will be taking part in the upcoming Busy Hands sale, which I’ve mentioned here before, being held on December 12th and 13th upstairs at Books & Co. in Picton. Here’s a painting she worked on last night for a friend, and also a pic of the kind of things I’m making from recycled wool and needlefelting.

And as I promised I would do in the last blog, I’m recommending a couple of places I’ve been frequenting for lunch lately. I only get a half hour so I have to hustle to get something quickly but, NO, that does not mean you have to get something at some fast food joint (considering I’m vegan, that would be impossible anyway). Also, I like delicious stuff that is also good for me, and I like to support independents.

So thanks to both Pinch and, right across the street, Miss Lily’s for keeping me fed. Pinch makes a super vegetarian sandwich, and also makes it without cheese, especially for me. It’s a fabulous combo of sweet roasted red peppers, alfalfa sprouts, cucumbers and flavourful homemade hummus on always fresh multigrain bread, and it’s very filling. Reasonably priced too at $5.25. There’s also a good selection of delicious salads.

Across the street at Miss Lily’s you’ll also find a daily selection of hearty salads – usually one of the three is vegan. And they have super vegan cookies and a new date square too. This is also my daily stop for what I think is the best coffee in town. I get the french roast – fair trade and organic. Because I take soya milk in my coffee, there are only three places that I know of in town that I can have coffee unless I want it black, which is what I do if I end up without the option. The three places are Pinch, Miss Lily’s and The Bean Counter, which also has very good coffee. So thanks for the soya – especially if it’s organic. Of course, these places also serve lots of food for non-vegetarians, too.

You can visit Pinch on facebook and check out Miss Lily’s video

I’m going for lunch with a friend this Saturday before I go to Janet Kellough’s book launch at Books & Co. and will report on that meal and on the book launch on Sunday night.

till then, keep warm, Christine

This post is also to tell you about my other blog. I’ve wanted to write about what some might consider controversial issues for a long time but I could not seem to choose which topic to begin with until now. What inspired me was  something that happened to my daughter at school this past week. The event made me realize how misinformed people can make prejudiced assumptions.

As I want to keep this “UPFRONT”  blog focused on the County, book reviews, and articles similar to those you would have found in issues of “UPFRONT” magazine in the past, my essays will be posted at www.kindradical.wordpress.com. This is where those interested can read my writings on a number of subjects. Some pieces are short and others long, some serious and some humourous, but I hope you will find them all thought-provoking and informative.

As well, please continue to visit the  UPFRONT blog where later this week I’ll cover my favourite places to eat lunch in town and show some things I’m making for the upcoming Busy Hands Sale (that I always refer to as Vicki’s and Bay’s sale) upstairs at Books & Co. the weekend of December 12th. Speaking of Bay Woodyard, check out the new website for Honey Pie Hives and Herbals at www.honeypie.ca

Until next time, be well. Christine

We’re in rehearsals for the Marysburgh Mummers’ production – A Christmas Cinderella – and it’s a ton of fun! PECI’s Peter Johnson looks awesome in a dress as the mean stepmother. He’s also my mom (I’m one of the ugly, and I mean UGLY stepsisters, along with Debra Bullis).

There’s an absolutely lovely Cinderella (Emma Woodward) and a handsome Prince Charming (Duncan White), lots of adorable mice, great singers and well, you’ll just have to come out and see! Scroll down for more photos.

The show opens next Thursday, the 19th and continues Nov. 20th, and 21st, with a wrap up matinee on the 22nd. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids and available at Books & Co. in Picton and Hicks in Milford. Hope to see you there and visit the blog again soon! Christine

If the shoe fits...

The Makers Hand, kayaking, a sneak peek at Janet Kellough’s yet-to-be-released novel, a bit of crafting and  fabulous weather – what more can you ask for from a fall weekend? Kudos to Peta Hall and friends for bringing us another fine show at The Makers Hand.  I dropped in while in Picton on Saturday afternoon. What gorgeous stuff to be had! It was great to see new works by familiar artists and to check out artists from away as well. If you didn’t make it, mark your calendar for next November. In the meantime, many of these talented folks are right in our own neighbourhood. There were some smaller, very funky and quite reasonably priced pieces offered, so consider stopping by a local artist studio if you’re looking for something unique this gift giving season.

We’re a bit “artsy-crafty” at our house, too, and we’re already in the creating mood in anticipation of the holidays. My daughter is an artist.  That’s one of her pieces at right. Check out more of her work at www.sarah-miichelle.deviantart.com/gallery/

silk screening in the kitchen

I  silkscreened t-shirts a while back and I’ll divulge what I’ve been making lately in a future post. Hint – I’m buying up all the pure wool sweaters and blankets I can find at thrift stores in town.

The summer-like weather this weekend meant my  husband, who built himself a Greenland kayak this summer, could get his boat in the water one more time.

Autumn Paddling at Black River

My brother came to visit from the city and the two of them paddled from Black River out to the bay.

Then today,  Sunday, well known local author Janet Kellough gave me an advance copy of her soon-to-be-released novel On the head of a pin. I’m pretty happy about that!  Look for my review in an upcoming post and mark the 28th of November on your calendar. That’s the day of the book launch at Books & Co.

Coming…favourite places for great eats and coffee in town, a review of a couple of must see  films, a short rant, and a behind the scene look at the upcoming Mummers’ production of A Christmas Cinderella, exclusively from one of the ugly stepsisters.

And finally, thanks so much to all of you who have posted comments or sent e-mails about this new blog. Please carry on and I will too. 

Please leave a comment, bookmark the site and visit again soon. Until next time, be well. Christine