GFR and Dr Wheat Belly

Hey all.  I've just come across this fantastic video via Good Food Revolution (I get their emails) and I really think you should watch it.  Dr. William Davis is a Cardiologist and he found so many benefits from eliminating wheat, or 'modern wheat' from our diets, and in the video he breaks down why it's unhealthy (including rise in obesity and Type II Diabetes since the 80's, etc).  He explains what happens to our bodies and brains with the consumption of wheat, it's Glycemic Index effects and where it rates (and what raises your blood sugar more!).    Thought of you, Bix :)

It's just short of 15 min, but an educational read.  Enjoy!

Dr Wheat Belly

The Weekend in the Big City

I thought I would try to write about last weekend before this weekend came up.

Went to Toronto with a friend to see the Roger Waters concert (Roger Waters performing The Wall, Live).  He performed the entire movie/disc.  It..was..FANTASTIC.  Wow.  Just.. wow.  Love.  Him.  He had an actual wall built, which served both as a screen and of course, pertaining to The Wall, symbolism (it was made out of large cardboard, or some sort of paper) and naturally, it came down at the end.  I was so mad at myself; I forgot my phone in the hotel room (stayed at the Delta Chelsea), so I couldn't take any pictures.  My friend did, though, so I'll grab them from her.  The music was fantastic, the sound was fantastic, Roger Waters doesn't sound any different and HE was fantastic.  You can easily see how much of an anarchist he is.  I couldn't say enough about the show.  It's probably fair to say it was close to being sold out.

So on the way out of the show back to the hotel, we stop at the Fairmont Royal York because I have to use the washroom, I wasn't feeling well.  We notice a wedding is going on (er.. the party afterwards).  Keep in mind this is like.. I don't know.. 11 or so at night.  So we walk up to the board outside the room that lists all the invitees, their table numbers, etc.. and what's the first thing we want to do?  Crash the wedding.  Oh yeah.  We look at each other in contemplation.  "If we weren't wearing jeans," I said.  Totally should have.  Would have made for a great story, getting kicked out of a wedding... AT the Royal York.  Pfft.. besides, they'd be half-pissed at that point, who would've noticed?  :P

We walked everywhere that weekend and I calculated we walked over 20km.  No kidding ("No wonder we were tired," she said).  Indeed.  But, we hit up a few places; The Cookbook Store (for me) and I got to visit my 'ol buddy Tom at the army surplus (we used to work together).  I got to show her Queen St. W. Sunday, so we walked there.  We walked down Queen as far as Niagara St (w of Bathurst) and we hit a restaurant, Edulis, that was suggested to me by my (restaurant) boss.  Please, if you're in the area and you can afford to go... go.  It's a really cute place with fantastic people and a fantastic menu (French, Spanish influence).  We walked back via King and hit up MEC; I haven't been in YEARS.  Felt really good to be in again, though we didn't get far as it wasn't my friend's kind of store.  As it was, she rushed me to choose a pack I was looking over (later purchased; so glad).  We wanted to hit up the ROM or AGO, but we were running out of money.  Keep in mind we were in Toronto for 2 full days; that's a lot of eating out.  

All in all it was a good weekend, but it was nice to be home.  I like visiting the city, but I'm usually just as happy to leave.

So.. it's going to heat up today and over the weekend.  I hope you keep cool.  Do you have any Canada Day plans?  I don't have much planned for the weekend at all.  Hit me up.

Oi!  Did all you local yokels know about Market being open for a trial period on Wednesday nights (3-7?).  Not as many vendors, but the essentials are there and it's nice not to have the crowds.

Oh, everything at the restaurant is going well!  It's foreign to work in a place where you're a) well-liked and b) appreciated.  I love the busy-ness, the energy.  Sorry I haven't been updating, but things have been hella busy.  It's an adjustment for me working two jobs, especially when they're at opposite hours.  On a good note?  I've already been offered full-time in the fall :)  There are pros and cons with it and I'm not going to make any rush decisions.  We'll see how the summer goes.

Stay cool, cats.

Quotes

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
~ Shakespeare, with Hamlet


Thanks LR ;)

A Topic of Interest

So.. I've always had an interest in Palliative Care; I just haven't been able to volunteer with one (busy, travelling being challenging, yada yada yada).  Anyways, I came across this article.  It may or may not be of interest to you, you'll be able to judge by the title.  If you think it is, please take a couple of minutes to look it over.  I thought it was a great read and I was smiling by the end.

See article, What Are Hospice Patients Asking of Chaplains?

Will write more about the restaurant later :)

"Yes, Chef!"

Okay, so I haven't been able to shout the inevitable words, "YES, CHEF!" yet, but it'll come.  I mean, I'm just a dishwasher; they don't have much need for me.  Yet.

The shift went very well.  I was told, "You kicked it" among other various accolades by the end of the night.  Right on.  Cause dude.. I fell behind a couple times (more than a couple).  I have a very small space to process a very large amount of dishes.  Keep in mind I'm working *in* the kitchen with everyone else - which means I'm surrounded by heat, fast movements and a lot of noise.  And I have to put away these dishes *while* they're working, dancing around them to get in and out to put something in place.  It's crazy.  Sometimes I couldn't get in to put things away and they had to pile up a bit.  #OCD

The people were fantastic and welcomed me on whole-heartedly.  We joked around a lot and they were completely open about letting me ask questions about what they were doing or letting me watch for a minute (at one point the executive chef was carving a veal heart - *so* interesting to watch, but I never got to ask what parts are served, go where, how prepared, etc.  Not my cup of tea, but interesting, nonetheless.).  And I was also served and offered absolutely fantastic food :)

Now, having said all that, I also have been forced very quickly to step out of my comfort zone (which, of course, is never comfortable).  I'm soft spoken by nature, but you can't survive like that in a restaurant kitchen.  If you don't tell someone, "Walking behind!", you or them are liable to get face-planted on a 500-degree burner and/or hotplate and/or open flame.  Not my idea of a good time.  The heat radiating off these surfaces is intense, just walking by.  So in the name of safety, for my protection and those around me, I got very used to, very quickly saying, "Behind!".  Also, there were times I had to re-direct dishes (from the servers, post-dinner consumption; when I have pans and hot items in the sink, we don't want dinner plates etc in there) and I had to tell them after a while to put them to the side.  I was letting them ALL pile up until someone suggested otherwise.

I did minor food prep and did plate a few desserts.  Easy.

I came home with an aching body.  I could barely move.  My feet sore, my hands aching from grabbing so many items.  I hadn't eaten in hours.  And I was absolutely giddy.  Despite the craziness, feeling a bit out of sorts because it was a new environment... I felt comfortable.  If I wasn't watching, I was listening.  After a while I could feel the flow and have an idea what would be called when (for pickup).  When I came home, I crashed.  Heck, I don't even think I remembered to brush my teeth last night.  I had a spoonful or two of yogurt and went to bed.  Random side note; do you know how depressing it is to come home to a fridge filled with a) barely anything and b) less-than-stellar items after spending a few hours surrounded by French cuisine?  I just stood at the fridge, door open and went, "Ugh."  Closed it and walked away.  I think I fell asleep before 1am.

I'm going to bake today; I've got some bananas to use up, so making bread.  I can't complain too much about my state today; my body is a bit sore, but not much.  Not used to all the work (I work hard at the hospital, but it's a different kind of work).  My feet on the other hand...sore.  I have a sensitive left ankle and I really should get orthotics.  Maybe someday when I get more money.

I'm back Friday and officially on staff :)

Anyways, I'm rambling.  Sorry.  Thanks for listening.  Wish me luck Friday - I'm going to have twice the amount of dishes and not a place to put them! :)

Random Bits

Details have been ironed out and the first shift will be Wed., not Tues. Wish me luck!

The apartment was reading 85 this afternoon so I gave in and put in the A/C.  When it gets that hot, I concede defeat and stop suffering.  I'm trying it in the living room this time (vs my bedroom).  I thought I would lose a bit of light, but it's not too bad, actually.  I have lost plant space and that makes me a bit sad, but you gotta do what you gotta do.  Besides, A/C means baking can happen!

We're done choir for the season now and will start back up in September.  We were told what pieces we're singing for Christmas and Easter though, and I'm ecstatic.  Christmas will be O Magnum Mysterium and Easter will be Allegri's Miserere.  So.  Excited.  I'm really going to have to get vocal lessons (as planned) if I'm going to sing those, geez.  On Sunday as a send-off we sang Ave Verum Corpus.  It's pretty.  Listen, if you feel so inclined.  The two previous pieces will be challenging at best.  A lot of work.

I've joined a committee at work; the Senior Friendly Hospital committee.  Trying to make our hospital, of course, more senior friendly.  June is our blitz month but we'll keep having meetings through the summer and do another push in the fall.  I guess it's lining up with other LHIN's in the system.  We'll even be converting a patient room to make it senior friendly.  When seniors enter hospital they often go on a downward spiral, instead of up.  We need to reassert their independence and get them on their way.  Hospitals are holding tanks for seniors waiting for long term care, and in that wait they often get worse, taxing an already taxed system.  We aren't ready for it.  We will be in time, though, through slow conversion.  

Well, best be off.  Due for dinner at a friend's, who does some pretty damn good BBQing, if I do say so myself.  

Stay cool, cats.

A New Beginning

I got a new job today!!

I was introduced (it's a long story how and through who; a couple people, in fact) to a kitchen manager of an upscale French restaurant in town that conveniently just relocated around the corner from me - literally a few steps.  We were introduced yesterday but agreed to meet to sit and talk today.  It was maybe a 10-15 minute conversation.  It all happened very fast.  We're doing a trial shift Tuesday and if that goes well I'll have my first real shift Friday night (as it happens, they're short and need the extra body).  I was shown the kitchen and she thinks she'll put me on once a week for now.  It's perfect because I don't want to get inundated too quickly also having the hospital job.

The owner also popped in and out of conversation and at one point asked me flat out, "Are you crazy?".... pauses, with a fairly straight face I might add.... "Only crazy people get in the business." And I answered back with direct eye contact, also a straight face (and a tinge of smile), "Yes."  :)

This man has learned and worked in Michelin-rated restaurants in Toronto, Montreal, the U.S and Europe.  Hell yeah I wanna learn from him.

So when I left I was pretty damn excited.  I might have shed a tear or two (happy tears) and when I got home I might have belted out a song... and maybe.. just maybe.. I might have screamed an emphatic, "Thank you, Jesus!" à la Sheldon Cooper :)  *THIS* starts my restaurant and food career.  Finally.

*sighs contently*

All Is Well

Made it to the dentist today for the permanent filling.  All is well.  Now I just owe them the remainder of the bill :/

Going to sit back with dinner soon, and a beer (this one's for you, EL EW) ;) and throw on An Affair to Remember (1957, Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr).

Hope your week is going well!

Quotes

"My mother told me never to enter a man's room when a month that ends in 'r'."
~ An Affair To Remember

Quotes

Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyways.
~ To Kill A Mockingbird