Green Lavender

Rated this place:

2842 Dundas St West, Toronto, ON

Eco Store AND Yoga Studio: Green Lavender is aiming to be a local eco store and yoga studio that brings their community inspiration and awareness in making our world well beyond the neighbourhood a positive place. The eco store is calm and beautiful and offers a great selection of eco pampering products as well as necessities, including products to eco-fy your pets! Check out their schedule and stretch your dollars and your body!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• yoga studio
• great service
• eco store

Fiesta Farms

Rated this place:

200 Christie St, Toronto, ON, M6G3B6

Largest Independent Grocery Store in Toronto: Fiesta Farms is Toronto's largest independent grocery store, and if you believe like I do that our greatest power lies in our wallet, shop here! It's not a farmer's market, or a small specialty shop, but they carry a huge selection of LFP (Local Food Plus) certified produce/foods and you'll find plenty of organic and "eco" choice products from condiments, dairy, meat and cleaning products too. The staff are friendly and very helpful...enjoy the aisles!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic
• independant grocery store
• LFP

Kai Kids

Rated this place:

177 Fulton Ave, Toronto, ON, M4K1Y2

Gentle on your Family, Gentle on the Earth: Kai Kids offers mostly online shopping, but if you signup on their site tyou'll be notified of their pop-up store they host every two months at 1390 Danforth Avenue. The owners, married parents of young children only offer products that they themselves would use...products that are not only safe for their family and the environments, but must-have items also. They carry many name brands including Klean Kanteen, Little Soles (canadian toxin-free footwear) and Eco-Me. Go have a browse and keep it local even when online!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Klean Kanteen
• Eco-Me Kits
• eco kids
• eco baby
• organic bedding
• toxin-free shoes
• toronto online store

World Salon

Rated this place:

132 Adelaide St E, Toronto, ON, M5C1K9

A World Apart!: This award-winning, beauty hot spot styles film celebrities, TV stars and supermodels, but the atmosphere is accessible, comfortable, inviting and down to earth. Brian Phillips, owner, opened worldSALON in 1989 in the historically designated William Rennie building and proudly makes huge effort to provide all clientele with a healthy space, healthier products and great style. worldSALON is the first and only salon in Canada to use solar thermal technology to heat its water (there are three solar panels installed on the salon’s roof). The Salon has also proved that they can simplify glamour - they have developed 3 outstanding core products called worldPRODUCTS that may be used interchangeably on both skin and hair, minimizing the number of products necessary for everyday products (and think of the money you save and packaging not wasted by reducing the number beauty products you buy). All in all, enjoy a great style that's all your own without compromising your eco-standards, or even learning a thing or 3.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• hairstylists
• friendly
• eco products
• plenty of parking
• solar heated

Panacea

Rated this place:

588 Bloor St. W, Toronto, Ontario, M6G1K4

Eco-Shopping Oasis?: Panacea is a great little store with lots to offer inside. If you are vegan, you'll be very happy...all the basics for your pantry plus beauty and personal care at very good prices. If you are not vegan, and just interested in a healthier lifestyle, you'll learn a lot in their few aisles, especially since their staff were extremely helpful, well informed and enthusiastic. It's nice to shop at a different store once and a while because, I find it's how you discover new "stuff"! Organic Kamut Lasagna Noodles and a t-shirt that says "eat like you give a damn" were favourite buys. Keep in mind there is no produce at all at Panacea. It's worth a visit if you are out of their area, but if you live near Bathurst and Bloor, you'll be happy it's in your hood.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• helpful staff
• vegan shopping

Fresh Wood Grill

Rated this place:

293 Roncesvalles, Toronto

A fresher neighbourhood grill: Fresh Wood Grill offers a small menu but if you like burgers and fries, there is definitely something for you. Beretta Farms meat is using and the claim is that there is a commitment to using fresh, local and organic ingredients. I have never understood why then, the same establishment that makes a claim about their dedication to better choices still has Heinz Ketchup, white buns and Coke without alternative. The guacamole appetizer was delicious, and it was clear that the avocado was mashed to order. The veggie burgers was excellent...mostly vegetables without a lot of heavy grains which was great. Also on the menu was beef, bison and a special turkey burger. All burgers come with a choice of soup, salad, yukon gold or sweet potato fries...and huge quantities of them! There are currently another 2 locations (one in kensignton with bike delivery service), and it looks like they are going to go after more. Great value, even better if they ban High Fructose Corn Syrup from their menu as they did with pesticides and hormones! :)

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic veggie burger
• organic burgers

Karma Food Co-Op Inc

Rated this place:

739 Palmerston Ave, Toronto, ON, M6G2R3

Member since...: Membership has it's privileges! Karma Co-op is a non-profit, member-owned and operated co-operative store - members contribute 2 hours of work per month and this keeps costs close to wholesale prices. It's tucked away in a precious spot in the Annex and the people who work there and shop there are by nature very pleasant. It is definitely the food shop in Toronto with the largest commitment to carrying as many local and organic products as possible, and the result is daily farmer's market crossed with an eco-shopper and eaters heaven!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• health food
• organics
• locally grown
• bulk food
• raw and vegan selection
• great prices

Planet Organic

Rated this place:

8020 Bathurst Street, Vaughan, ON, L4J0B8

More than organic groceries: Aside from the fact that Planet Organic will convince you quickly that eating Organic is much more expensive, the store offers a fabulous shopping experience. Small enough that it feels like a specialty store, but large enough that it offers everything you need, you'll fill your cart up quickly. You always need to read labels, but at Planet Organic you can ask the staff for help, and chances are they will actually be able to help you. Their produce section is quite well labelled so you can make informed decisions about supporting local and organic. Their bakery section carries a most extensive offering including Sweets from the Earth, New Moon Kitchen and Sha Sha as well as many raw, vegan and gluten-free options. Their Natural Living section offers, vitamins, remedies, organic body care products, make up and more...the nicest part (aside from the staff working the area who knows what they are talking about...bonus!), is the fact that they encourage you to try new things to get you hooked onto healthier options, so they offer a no-risk money back guarantee. So, save up and walk the aisles at Planet Organic...you'll learn a lot, try new things and will get your errands done under their roof!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Knowledgeable Staff
• organic bakery
• well labeled produce

Good Egg

Rated this place:

267 Augusta Avenue, Toronto, ON

Definitely a Good Egg!: It's part gallery, part store, part activity! Even when Kensington Market seems quiet, this store is bustling with singles, pairs and groups of friends. It's a beautiful little store with great groupings of books, gifts, kitchenwares and more...you can tell everything was carefully chosen and creatively displayed. It's great to find a independent and local shop that offers well designed, functional products that we can use!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• gifts
• cookbooks
• local artists work

Lola's Commissary

Rated this place:

634 Church Street, Toronto, ON

Great space with a good concept...: It was very exciting to learn about Lola's...no gmos, local and organic a priority, and heathier fare. Walking in the first thing that we noticed (besides the bottle of toxic blue window cleaner sitting on the bar) was the casual charm of the space. The menu seemed promising, with plenty of vegetarian and even vegan options. The service was extremely poor, but could be overcome easily if any of the wait staff made eye contact or smiled! The presentation of our food was lovely, although there definitely room for improvement in the quality of the food and the ingredients - there was only white bread available?!?!

Green Gardeners Group

Rated this place:

81 Glen Rd., Toronto, ON, M4W 2V5

The best crop, year after year is hope.: The team at Green Gardeners provides organic garden and lawn services for your home, your community group or even your commercial properties. It is absolutely worth the free consultation they offer to have them come and inspire and educate you on what a healthy (and beautiful) garden could be...msot exciting is their ability to turn your urban yard into your own "farm" - eating fruits and vegetables from your own garden doesn't get more organic or local than that! Green Gardeners are reliable, kind (to the planet too) and deliver on their promises.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic gardening
• edible gardens
• eco landscaping

Chez Vous Dining

Rated this place:

167 Rushton, Toronto, ON

Chez Vous, or Chez Wychwood Market: With Ezra Title, you can rest assured to enjoy dishes made with the freshest, locally grown produce with a strong commitment to organic and artisanal ingredients. Chez Vous will cater meals for your event based on seasonal ingredients and your palette. On Saturday mornings enjoy Ezra's popular creations at the Green Barns market...delicious oatmeal with local syrup, scrambled egg sandwiches and decadent polenta creations.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• organic menu
• organic catering
• local foods
• artisanal cheese

Kale Eatery

Rated this place:

2366 Yonge Street, ON

Vegan, Organic, Macrobiotic: Kale Eatery is what Yonge and Eglinton needs...healthy food, fast! Kale offers sandwiches, salads, juices, smoothies, sweet treats and self-serve meals sold by weight for eat-in or take-out (in compostable containers of course). We would have expected a friendlier staff inside this bright and clean space especially so close to their opening. The Apple Spelt muffin made with real maple syrup and cinnamon and green juice made the stop more than worth it. And, in their open cooler was of all things Nestle water, which, they only carry because "their customers ask for it", so, please don't buy it, bring your own water, or ask for some tap to go and that issue should be solved for them, and for us too!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• smoothies
• Vegan
• organic
• raw
• macrobiotic
• juicing

My Place: A Canadian Pub

Rated this place:

2448 Bloor St. W., ON

My Place isn't necessarily Your Place: Executive chef Brad Long is behind My Place...there is something on the menu for everyone, and considering it's supposed to be celebrating local and organic fare, it's very well priced. The space is gigantic...3 floors of tables, booths, bars and open spaces, but it can feel intimate enough. It's noisy enough to be family friendly, there are enough tvs to make it sports friendly, and if you ahve a nut allergic, so does Brad Long, so you should be safe here. (always talk to your server of course). The service was mediocre at best, our server couldn't tell us about the ingredients in the menu items, out of 7 dinners, there were 2 minor changes and neither were not done and went unnoticed by the server. The food was underwhelming across the board and was the consensus amogst 7 people typically easy to please. If you live nearby, it's certainly worth trying and supporting, and I personally hope that it becomes good enough to be a destination, since on paper, it's a great concept!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local menu

Art Gallery of Ontario

Rated this place:

317 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON, M5T1G4

Art and Inspiration: The newly renovated AGO, is a fabulous destination for a date, an afternoon walk, time for thought or a family afternoon. Yes, there are beautiful galleries of old and new art plus quiet space, but also plenty of interactive exhibits, modern works and gorgeous architecture. Both the cafe and Frank restaurant offer fresh, clean, local menus for every palette and the gift shop supports many local artists and is great for browsing!

Royal Ontario Museum

Rated this place:

100 Queens Pk, Toronto, ON, M5S2C6

History, Culture + Fun: A great place to go with the entire family or all by yourself! Even after frequenting this beautiful building over my whole life, I still elarn each time I return. The interactive kids areas are great (just beware that unless your baby is sleeping in the stroller, they won't let strollers in, so plan accordingly!). The newer C5 restaurant is beautiful and celebrates local and organic cuisine, and the Food Studio (read: cafeteria) is trying to be more eco - compostable disposables and some healthier menu choices also. So learn about our past, and realize how important the history we are creating now for future generations is!

LCBO

Rated this place:

446 Summerhill Av, Toronto, ON, M4W2E4

Healthy Drinking?: The LCBO Summerhill location is so large that they have now thankfully created an Organic "department" for wine (small but will expand as we demand!) including many well priced bottles, both local and from afar. The staff were most helpful with all questions, and knew exactly where the organic bottles of vodka and beer could be found also. If you haven't tried Beau's or Mill Street Organic Beer, Square One Organic Vodka, or something from Southbrook, Malivoire or Frogpond, find a reason to raise your glass and enjoy those healthier drinks!

Dufferin Grove Park

Rated this place:

875 Dufferin St., Toronto, ON, M5H2N2

Now THIS is FOOD!: The Dufferin Grove Farmers Market is one of the original and one of the most vibrant organic markets in Toronto. Every Thursday, year round this is where to go to get your grocery shopping done, spend time with your own family and friends, connect with others who connect with their food and even have a snack or full dinner. Organic and nut-free ice cream by Mapleton's scooped and smiles abound! (try mint chip - no, it's NOT green ice cream...phewff!). And, don't forget to take your reusable bags, bottles to fill with organic olive oil, and recycle and bring back your produce and egg cartons...they can be used over and over again!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• family outing
• Dinner
• organic market
• organic + nut-free ice cream

Nota Bene Restaurant

Rated this place:

180 Queen St. W, Toronto, ON, M5V 3L7

Eat and be seen!: Nota Bene is an absolutely beautiful and large space, but it's not easy to get a reservation. For good reason at least. The service is outstanding, the menu offers something to every palette and lifestyle. The hot and sour soup with gogi berries was delicious and the rapini was prepared to perfection. At our table, 4 full meals and everyone was very pleased (no one ordered the VERY expensive read meat...never understood how anyone could!) They do support local and organic ingredients, but could do much better...but then, we all can. If you are lucky enough to be going to the theatre, try their very reasonable Theatre Prix Fixe Menu.

Ontario Science Centre

Rated this place:

770 Don Mills Rd., Toronto, ON, M3C1T3

Edutainment in Toronto: Your family will love the Ontario Science Centre! There are days and days worth of exhibits, and kids of all ages (and adults alike) are able to enjoy them regardless of their interest or ability. Even the multi levels in this building make it fun...the escalators are a "ride" in itself as your family can peer outside into the forest outside. Check for special exhibits, and their IMAX film schedule...lots about the earth, healthy eating, energy conservation and lots of other eco-ed, all delivered in an entertaining way that will keep you wanting to return often. (hint: get the family yearly membership).

JK at the Gardiner

Rated this place:

111 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON

Worth putting on display!: The Gardiner Cafe on the third floor of the beautiful Gardiner Museum, is a bright and beautiful space. It's slow, fast food menu features simple sandwiches, salads and sides (and of course Jamie Kennedy's famous fries) featuring local and seasonal ingredients. It's open only during the days for lunch, and is the exclusive catering outlet for private entertainments at the Gardiner Museum. Although the food can be kid friendly (including delicious cupcakes and squares for dessert, and there is plenty of space for strollers, they do not have highchairs). In the nice weather, enjoy a quick bite, linger with friends, or get respite from the shopping on bloor street on the terrace facing the ROM.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• local and organic ingredients
• bright, clean space
• fast and friendly

Inquisitive Kid

Rated this place:

178 Davenport Road, Toronto, ON

Simple fun makes for happy kids: In a world full of plastic, battery operated, branded and noisy toys, it's so calming to enter this store just steps from Yorkville and discover, simple, pure, quality objects that are critical to accelerating children's development and inspiring and stretching their minds and imagination! Do you remember corking? They have lots of the simpler (and therefore not expensive items). Try dustless chalk, beeswax crayons, or their larger, modern beautiful dollhouse. Regardless, don't expect to find BPA or lead in this store. Do expect to find Peter, the owner to share his passion with you, and of course be able to answer your questions.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• safe toys
• dollhouse
• beeswax crayons
• bedframes

Earth Child

Rated this place:

501 Eglinton AVE W, Toronto, ON

Clothing that's just out of this Earth!: If you want comfortable, healthy and stylish clothes for your kids (birth to size 8), this is the place to start. Considering that it's organic and made "fairly", it's fairly priced. Like anywhere, some things are more expensive than others, but it's certainly as affordable if not more than the Gap. And, it's great looking clothing. Make sure you ask for their two piece shirt/pant sets, which are a great deal. All of their clothing washes so well and lasts...so you can happily hand-me-down! BONUS: Earth Addict, their clothing label for adults is in the same store. Best. Sweatshirts. Ever. So, wear naturally beautiful clothes and do right by you and the earth!

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• kids organic clothing
• sun hats
• adult organic clothing

Lile Design

Rated this place:

2-46 Dupont Street, Toronto, ON

Eco-Happy in Toronto: Lilë’s eco-happy line of scarves are made in Toronto with eco materials and are simply gorgeous and comfortable! It's so fabulous to learn of great people full of inspiration creating local eco fashion that suits everyone. Melanie Kushner, the passionate designer behind the line, knows that although scarves are not going to save the world, accessories can be lighter on our world AND be luxurious. We found Lile Scarves at www.goneshopping.ca , and their website lists their current retailers.

Raw Aura

Rated this place:

94 Lakeshore Road East, Mississauga, ON

Eat, Drink and be Raw: If you are raw, you would like to try raw, or you have no idea what raw food is about, THIS is the restaurant for you. The space is mellow and beautifully charming. (If you are a big party, request the banquette/tables by the window). Clearly built on passion, they have mastered the art of uncooking at Raw Aura. The entire kitchen is plant based - fresh, organic, fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and sprouts. This review cannot be long enough to inform you why raw food is phenomenal in taste and look and the ultimate for you! (check out their website for more details). Enjoy teas, fresh juices, smoothies before, alongside or after your meal...and their team will (with enthusiasm) inform you what is good and why. Savour some appetizers including bruschetta, raviloli (parsnip noodles) or a Caesar salad which was a special (fresh dressing and eggplant "bacon"). The lo-mein in a spicy sesame dressing was absolutely out of this world - colourful and fresh veggie noodles with the most delicious celery based dressing (took an extra order for take-out - in a compostable container, of course). We also thoroughly enjoyed the "burgers", the un-grilled cheese, the mac n cheese and the manicotti (the cheese is cashew based...really...it's fantastic). It was fun eating tapas style and thrilling to enjoy so many different dishes. The desserts, especially the chocolate banana cookie cake, were also worth indulging in! We were told that they are giving their compost (all food "leftovers") to a farmer less than 3km away who will use it to grow organics for them in the spring - love it! Bonus points for beautiful presentation and friendliness. Raw-Aura is really proud of what they are doing...rightfully so. See Full Post

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Raw Food
• smoothies
• organic
• eco eating
• jucies
• lo-mein