A place I could call home - Toronto

I am the type of woman with a strong set of beliefs. I feel people should treat one another with kindness, should strive to treat our environment with as much care as humanly possible, and all people should have the means and accessibility to good food, water and air in order to live a healthy life. Is that a lot to ask? Well, in the United States I seem to find these practices harder to come by – which I struggle with day in and day out. The fast pace world stimulates rude behavior, the unconscious tendency of being wasteful prevails in abundance in the US, and dreadfully bad food is the most marketable, cheapest, and accessible to the masses. Ugh!!! Who let’s these things happen? Yes, yes…. I am the idealist. However, as ideal of a woman I am, I do my best to practice my beliefs even when my environment doesn’t align with it. However, what I learned this last weekend is that there are places that do align with my beliefs! They exist!! They do exist!! (Such a happy Elana!) Of course no place is perfect (and let me repeat, I know no place is perfect) BUT I do feel like Toronto made its way closer to perfect than other places I have visited thus far. There is a sense of social and environmental consciousness in Canada. People on the streets are friendly, recycling cans are on every corner, the majority of people have composting bins on their countertops (amazing!!), there are numerous health food stores and restaurants and even conscious butchers with slogans of locally grown, antibiotic free meats (I wouldn’t be a vegetarian if I were Canadian!). Enough said – can you tell I liked it there?

Toronto reminded me of all of the good qualities of New York. Diverse cultures, great public transportation, lots of walkers and bikers, etc. But, it didn’t seem as fast paced and definitely earned points with all of my above mentioned remarks. And also earned points because two great women live there – Sarah and Erin. They showed me a great time in the city. I was reminded that the best way to visit a new city is to get locals to take you to the best spots in town. Saving Grace was one of the best places I have ever been for brunch with weekly menus changing based on the local produce available. I was taken to Kensington where my inner child came out to play as I walked by the fruit and vegetable markets! I just can’t help myself – I LOVE outdoor markets full of healthy foods! We cooked, we ate, we danced, we played games, we had great conversations, we ate even more, and best of all we enjoyed one another’s company. Oh how can I not include… I had my first ever experience with Poutine. The late night food choice of Canadians. French fries draped with gravy and cheese curds. Years prior I would not have touched this greasy snack. Now, I can happily say “bring it on!” And yes, I enjoyed it :)

Overall, Canada has a special place in my heart. How I love my annual ventures to Montreal with my “homeopathy family” to my college road trips to visit Vancouver, and now I can add warm memories of Toronto! I look forward to returning to this place that feels close to home. Thank you to Sarah and Erin for showing me an amazing time!

Next on my journey….. Sunday depart to Thailand!!!

*Some favorite shots I got from this weekend. Poutine included for those with a curious stomach ;)

For more pics try going on facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?id=1627865125&aid=93733