There are two times each year when I feel an intense yearning to set things right, to align myself with my higher being and really go for the gusto, grab the brass ring, elevate the bar and live the life I’m meant to live.  The first occurs in early September when school starts again (even though its been ages since I’ve been in school) and of course, the more calendar-correct time of year, that being New Year’s Day.

I long ago decided to stop making resolutions because I was often filled with anxiety about creating exactly the right ones – it’s hard to kick things off on a positive note when you’re full of dread. I opted instead to choose one word to frame my new year – words such as fearless, possibility, alignment, to name a few.  A single word served as a wonderful anchor, almost a rubber band-snapping reminder of what I wanted more of and where my focus should be.  But then even trying to come up with exactly the right word for the New Year started causing me angst.  So this year, I decided to let go of finding a word and instead I will say YES to all of the things that interest me.

I guess on some level, Yes could be my word for 2012 but it’s about more than that.  It’s about paying attention to what I like and making sure I spend time doing it each and every day.  Just knowing that I’ve essentially written myself a big, fat permission slip has me giddy with expectation – I’m looking forward to what’s coming next.

Here’s how I normally hold the bottle–

Here’s the new improved approach–

This got me thinking about how many other areas of my life I toil and struggle with – going along as I also have because, quite simply that’s what I’ve also done.  Even when faced with something truly daunting, something seemingly insurmountable or intractable — sometimes it’s the smallest change that yields the biggest reward.

It’s a great mindfulness practice to take a step back from the tolerations in your life and see if there’s a little tweak, a turn, a switch, a tightening or loosening that will make whatever you’re facing better, smoother, easier, and more enjoyable.  If nothing else, I will never waste another drop of wiper fluid again.

One of the biggest reveals was the fact that large manufacturers such as Green Giant, H.J. Heinz, Unico and Alymers (to name a few) use locally grown goods harvested and packaged right here in Ontario.  So supporting them by purchasing their canned  kidney beans, tomatoes, ketchups, soups, etc., is also a wonderfully easy way to support our local economy.

Lynn has taken on the role of fresh food activist  and created the $10 challenge.  She states that if every Ontario family spent $10 a week on food and wine, we would add billions to our local economy and 10,000 jobs!  $10 a week is so easy to do — I could achieve that with my Harmony Organic chocolate milk addiction alone!  In fact, that was really the beauty of Lynn’s interview, she made shopping for local foods seem effortless — little changes each week that add up to big changes over the course of year.  No seismic shift in how you normally shop, tiny tweaks that happen organically (pardon the pun.)

Here’s a link to her $10 challenge — http://ontariotable.com/$10_Challenge.html and here’s the link for her book.  http://ontariotable.com/The_Book.html

Every so often though an item will come along that is well worth the hype and will even surpass all  expectations. Case in point, Fennel Pollen.  I have been trying to track down this elusive seasoning for months.  Honestly, it would have been easier to purchase the tears of a unicorn.  I read countless blog posts singing the praises of this spice mixture. No one could quite describe the flavor but I was guaranteed to wow my dinner guests by adding a pinch of it to my pasta sauce, my pizza would sparkle with a sprinkle of it, a light dusting on steak or pork chops would produce incredible depth, and a dash to roasted vegetables was sure to have people clamoring for seconds.  It could even enhance baked items such as breads and muffins!  Everyone had a similar experience — it was beyond yummy and highly addicting!

Here are some direct quotes:

“Fennel Pollen… a magic spice that enhances the flavour of everything from pears to pork.”

“ Often referred to as the Spice of Angels, Fennel Pollen makes any ordinary dish extraordinary. “

Peggy Knickerbocker of Saveur magazine wrote, “If angels sprinkled a spice from their wings, this would be it.”

How could this rare and multifaceted spice make such a difference especially when added to such a disparate offering of foods and goodies?  I didn’t know but was dying to find out.

This stuff isn’t easy to locate here in Ontario and my usual source for all things food related, Chowhound, though promising at first glance, turned up nothing once I started making calls and inquiries.  Finally, I managed to connect with The Spice Trader in Toronto and though I was initially turned away with a “sorry we just sold out of our last tin.”   I was determined and followed up diligently two weeks later.  I am happy to report that I am the proud owner of a tin of fennel pollen and equally happy to report that this stuff doesn’t disappoint.  It’s every bit as lovely and delectable as I had read and equally indescribable.  It’s got a certain sweetness and smokiness and hmm, what exactly is that flavor?  The poverty of my speech prevents me from properly describing FP in all its varied and delicious essence but I can wholeheartedly say, that if you pick it up and give it a whirl, I’m certain it will quickly become your most favorite spice in the entire rack!

The Spice Trader and Olive Pit is well worth the visit for their many other offerings too, so if you do venture in for the fennel pollen be sure to check out their other herbs, spices, salts and organic blends.

The Spice Trader

877 Queen Street W.

Toronto, ON  M6J 1G5

(p) 647-430-7085

www.thespicetrader.ca

If your castle feels more like a dungeon and you spend more time scouring and scrubbing than you do relaxing and enjoying your space, then it’s time to call Sherry Ensing at Clean.Works.

Sherry and her team don’t just tidy up – they clean in, around, on-top-of, behind and under — total white-glove treatment! Sherry’s also partnered with local businesses such as The Flower Merchant (click here to see a previous post about them) and Melissa Martin, a rep for Epicure Selections, a Canadian company focused on easy meals, seasonings, treats and entertaining.  So not will you find your home sparkling, gleaming, fresh and clean — you will also find a wonderful treat such as beautiful flowers, decadent hand lotions or tasty samples of some variety. In fact, with the holidays fast approaching, Clean. Works., The Flower Merchant and Epicure will have you set to entertain like a pro.

All it takes is making a phone call to Sherry – as she likes to say “Because a clean home…works!”

Sherry Ensing, Owner

CLEAN. WORKS

Residential Cleaning Specialists

905-715-3457

sherry@cleanworksservices.com

The Flower Merchant

22 Barrie Street

Bradford, ON

905-778-8818

www.theflowermerchant.ca

Melissa Martin

Independent Epicure Consultant

905-867-9907

Melissa.epicure@yahoo.com

www.epicureselections.com

What better way to enjoy nature’s panorama than on a lovely hike through the woods!  Mayor Doug White is teaming up again with BWG’s Trails Day for The Mayor’s Hike for Health this Saturday, October 1, 2011. Kick off time for the 2 km hike is 10:00 am at the beautiful Scanlon Creek Conservation Area.

Happy trails to everyone!

http://www.yorkregion.com/community/article/1077856–top-burger-coated-with-cheese

P.S.  I would also add Tatlow’s (380 Queensville Side Road, Holland Landing) to this list — their burgers are superb!

Elsie Silva Kniff is once again coordinating this year’s Bradford run — It’s a wonderfully organized local event perfectly suited to the entire family. This Sunday, September 18, 2011 head on over to Bradford District High School located at 70 Professor Day Drive. Registration opens at 9:30 am and the run starts at 10:30 am followed by a BBQ at 11:00 am.

Please support this event – raise some dough, raise some awareness, raise your good levels of cholesterol by running, walking or cycling and most important of all, raise the bar and help the Terry Fox Foundation exceed last year’s donation total!!!

Contact Elsie Silva Kniff at 905-251-3214 or email at elsie_greg@yahoo.ca for Corporate participation, volunteers or an questions relating to the run.

When you pull into the parking lot you won’t believe your fine dining adventure is about to begin in a mini-mall but the moment you step inside Tatlow’s, the uninspiring plaza-exterior quickly falls away and you are transported into a cozy and intimate dining room.

Chef Gee (pronounced just like the letter “G”) of Sri Lankan heritage, serves up well-known dishes such a lamb shanks, prime rib, pastas, soups and stir-fries and punches them up with exotic flavors and spices from his homeland – chilies, lemon grass, cardamom, in thrilling combinations to tempt even the most sophisticated palate.

Chef Gee’s creativity in the kitchen extends to his lunch and brunch menus as well.  You’ll want to try all of his versions of eggs benedict and his french toast with cardamom whipped cream is truly habit forming!

The portions are plentiful and the prices are so reasonable – you’ll want to dine here all the time!

Tatlows

380 Queensville Sdrd

Holland Landing, ON  L9N 1A1

(p) 905-953-9992

This state of the art location certainly doesn’t have the warmth or charm of the old library but it’s terrific in its own way — it has more of a modern feel with clean lines, an open concept and tons of natural light.

And there is so much space – so many great reading areas, from quiet rooms for solo studying/working to the bright and delightful kids nook. There are ample workstations sprinkled throughout the two levels complete with electrical outlets in each table to keep laptops charged!!

The periodical room has floor to ceiling (and by ceiling I mean two stories high) windows.  There’s also a nice gas fireplace in this room, not necessary at the moment but will be perfect for those chilly fall and winter days ahead.

The grand opening is Friday, June 3 at 2:00 pm followed by all sorts of fun family activities from 5:00pm till 9:00pm — I urge everyone to check out the new digs, and check out some books while you’re at it.

Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library

425 Holland Street West

Bradford, ON L3Z 0J2

(p)  905-775-3328

www.bradford.library.on.ca/index.htm