Spots that will make being vegan tempting!

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7 places recommended by LisaBorden

Expert Eco-Friendly

Created on Jul 16 2009

These spots can tempt anyone into living a raw and vegan lifestyle. ANYONE. Once you've tried lasagna at Rawlicious, Marni Wasserman's desserts, nachos at Live, sipped raw chocolate at a market, stared into the dessert display at LPK and considered planting your own garden with help from Urban Harvest, you'll be impressed. Warning, NOT for those with nut allergies!

Brickworks Farmer's Market

550 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, ON

Rated this place:

posted Apr 12 2009

Saturday Special!: The only negative about the market at Brickwork's is that it's not year round (there are other markets around Toronto all year, check www.greenbeltfresh.ca ). Going myself or with my family on Saturday mornings to enjoy breakfast and shop for the seasonal delights (faves include Cookstown tomatoes + garlic scapes, Sosnicki's garlic, greens and potatoes, asparagus and strawberries for their limited run, Monforte Cheeses, Kozlik's mustards, oh, the list is endless..the smoked fish, crackers, cheeses, eggs!). If you pair this up with one monthly shop for the few things you won't find here like sugar (except maple), you can live off your weekly shop. Make sure you introduce yourself to Farmer Chris...he can help you grow your own edible garden (shiitake mushrooms included). Once you taste real food, you will understand that the "hype" over lcoal AND organic makes perfect sense!

Green Barn Farmers' Market

601 Christie St (Studio 181), Toronto, ON, M6G4C7

Rated this place:

posted Apr 12 2009

New and Neighbourhoodly!: This market recently moved to its permanent home at the Artscape Wychwood TTC Barns, in the covered street barn...what a fabulous space, indoors and out! You will find local, mostly organic and seasonal food here. You'll find the delicious flavours and rainbow of colours of local and organic produce here plus, honey, bread, cheese, fish and meats, grains, jams, syrup, wildcrafted foods, mushrooms, and lots of people to talk to! There is an area for kids to play and keep busy, although I encourage you to elt yur kids shop with you too...it's amazing that when they choose the foods, they will like to eat it...even kale!

Urban Harvest

59 Elm Grove Ave, Toronto, ON, M6K2J2

Rated this place:

posted May 11 2009

SAFE SEEDS!: Why plant flowers that have been sprayed and just look pretty when you can have an edible garden looks great also? Collette Murphy of Urban Harvest works at many of the markets around Toronto, supplying people and gardeners with seeds and plants...and she will ship across Canada too. The Urban Harvest Safe Seed Pledge: "All of our plants and seeds are certified organic. Urban Harvest does not knowingly buy, sell or use genetically modified plants or seeds. Saving and protecting our plant diversity inspires what we do and is and was the motivation for starting the business. It informs all our choices." I spent hours going through her catalogue (available online also), and the only negative is there aren't pictures and taste tests. But the descriptions make me excited for what is to come in my garden this season. It doesn't get more cost effective, organic and local than this!

LPK’s Culinary Groove

718 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4M1H2

Rated this place:

posted Jun 10 2009

ECO YUM!: The trademarked claim of LPK is "beautifully cultivated desserts", but I think that's a shame because there are many desserts out there that look phenomenal and don't live up to expectation when they hit your taste buds. Well, it's worth the drive and the price at LPK. If you appreciate good food (they use organic, seasonal and local ingredients), you will overwhelmingly appreciate their desserts. Their lemon tart was the best lemon tart I have ever eaten, I enjoyed a phenomenal pecan caramel tart, delicious chocolate sandwich cookies aka myloreos(ate all 3 in the car ride home, oops) and I'm thrilled that I sampled the Spicy Chèvre Noir Shortbread Cookies to know that I needed a bag. Although, I may have to return quickly for more, and to argue that they need not be termed a "cookie" and should fall under an entirely new category of their own. LPK Culinary Groove is inventive and beautiful, yes, but also delicious and deserving of your palate.

Live Organic Food Bar

264 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON, M5R1V7

Rated this place:

posted Jul 5 2009

Long Live LIVE: Clean, Colourful and Casual...that's a description of both the food and the restaurant itself. Live is a pleasure to eat at whether you are grabbing a quick bite or out for a family meal. You can't imagine how delicious their raw pizza is, and you can't imagine how long it takes them to prepare it (happily not while you wait, but in advance in dehydration). The nachos are great for a shared appetizer, and the sushi is fantastic. The raw lasagna is great (noodles out of veggies and cheese out of nuts - yum!), as are any of their burger choices. They do offer some cooked items, and there is absolutely something for everyone on this menu, even if you are accustomed to steak and potatoes (then you really should eat here more often anyways). Order a smoothie or fresh juice...add a shot of E3 and learn what a natural high is about. Sample one of their raw, veagn desserts, but really, make sure to grab some of their kale chips from the take out area - these are unreal! Service is quick, but there can sometimes be a lineup, so call ahead if waiting isn't for you.

Rawlicious

3092 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M6P 1Z8

Rated this place:

posted Jul 8 2009

A Raw High: Whether you are a raw foodie, or someone who could not imagine what raw food even could be, you must try this small spot in the Junction. The Nori Rolls (read: sushi without the rice) are fantastic, the nachos (dehydrated carrot, flax and buckwheat) served with 3 little bowls of guacamole, salsa and "sour cream" (made from nuts and not dairy) and sides of green onions, hot peppers (but not too hot, just fresh) and olives are great for sharing. The zucchetti as an entree is wonderful - if I describe it and you are not used to raw food, you might not try it, but i'll tell you that it's the best bowl of not-pasta! (you have the choice of 3 sauces) Make sure you try the desserts...each is better than the next, but the maple Walnut Ice "Cream" will wow you (remember, nothing served at Rawlicious has refined sugars or dairy...including their cheesecake...seriously). The team at rawlicious is certainly passionate about what they offer and strive to do the best they can with supporting local and organic. They run documentary nights, private parties, manage take-out and catering, and are honest when they say that they are there to inspire and serve great tasting, healthy food. Go enjoy, and then take a friend back. Rah Rah for Raw!

Marni Wasserman

26 Lauderdale Drive, Toronto, ON, M2L 2A9

Rated this place:

posted May 11 2009

A REAL PERSON INSPIRING US TO EAT REAL FOOD!: Thanks to Marni Wasserman, we can all get great food and advice, without any pretense. She is offering cooking classes, private consultations, kitchen makeovers...from food to appliances, and personal makeovers, workshops and even grocery store tutorial/tours – she shares her knowledge (and passion...boy does she have passion!)about whole foods and healthy eating. Just look at her website for her classes and workshops. Her space isn't big enough for large groups unfortunately, and space fills up quickly, but hopefully more classes will be added soon. Sometimes I read a book, and I really connect with all the person communciates, but I just have a couple questions...Marni doesn't have a book (yet), but she's live in front of me and has all of the answers I could ever want. And, I'm one tough customer.

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