Entertainment December 31, 2015

5 reasons New Year’s Eve sucks

New Year’s is an exciting, life-changing annual event, meant to remind us of the people we love in our lives and the potential future that awaits us all. Right? Wrong! It’s all a sham. The reality of New Year’s Eve is an evening full of failed resolutions. There will be a crappy party, which will inevitably result in an even crappier hangover. For all of those pessimists out there, read ahead. For all the optimists, read ahead and we will convert you to our ways.

Here are the five reasons why New Year’s eve sucks:

1. The New Year resolutions

On the night of December 31, people try to forget the mistakes of the past year and press the restart button. They do this by creating a long list of unattainable goals that they will then spend the next month madly working on before giving up entirely. This is an attempt to make ourselves feel better about all the terrible things we’ve done the past year (ate a dozen donuts in one sitting, laughed at a friend’s obvious discomfort, skipped work just because we felt like sleeping in), and honestly, it isn’t going to work.

Goals such as trying to lose 50 pounds in record time; promising to donate all of your coffee money to charity; or attempting to keep the deep recesses of the closet sparkly clean is not going to happen—and it will only make you miserable. Toss the resolutions out the door ladies and gents, and with it that overwrought expectations of your desired perfection. We are great how we are today, enjoy the present and be mindful of how your actual attributes can help you plan for a great future. And eat that chocolate cake! It won’t kill you.

2. The inability for any New Year plans to actually work out

Every year, people make amazing plans to attend some friend’s party at the uppermost northern tip of the city, with the thought that they will magically make it down to the innermost downtown core for the countdown, all while enjoying the company of several wonderful friends they see once a year. What actually ends up happening is one of the parties gets canceled and friends are late. The one commonality is that really drunk friend (or work colleague) spills red wine on our beautiful new dresses because they cannot hold their liquor. The epic plans made each and every year are often too over-the-top and are ridden with expectations of life-changing proportions. Instead, this year, we suggest attending ONE party with ONE group of friends. Sadly, the one person who gets too drunk and spills their drink is inevitable no matter the plans made—in fact, we hope it is you!

3. The glaring reflection of your relationship status

The most stressful aspect of New Year’s eve for singles worldwide is the midnight kiss. The thought of everyone kissing their significant others around you — you are left with just a bottle of wine and a face full of tears. It is a nightmare. Seriously, we’ve all dreamt about it. The entire New Year’s eve affair is a concoction made by coupledom to judge singles and leaves many choking down Chinese take-out crying at home when the ball drops.

The good news is that we can fight back! When the countdown arrives, here are a few suggestions to wreak a little midnight havoc. Options include running around topless hollering “down with the patriarchy!” Another choice is to quickly sneak up on your coupling friends and give them a look of irresistible pity so you get two lovely cheek kisses. My third and favorite option is to bring another single along with you and toast to your beautiful independence. This also gives you a pal to snicker with when all of the couples start to bicker after New Year’s when too many drinks have been consumed.

4. The commute

On New Year’s, everyone is out and about, trying to run from here to there. They will also be very, very drunk. Enough said. Hiring a taxi or an Uber will be out of the question (the wait can be up to two hours or longer!). Despite some transit systems offering free service that night, the commute will still suck. Busses and streetcars will be packed with screaming people drinking out of paper bags. You either have to embrace it with your own paper bag, or just stay home with Chinese take-out. Better yet, stay at ONE party like a normal person, and ask that friend to stay the night.

5. The wardrobe

The glitz of the New Year’s wardrobe is blinding. Short expensive dresses in the middle of winter that sparkle like a disco ball, paired with nine-inch heals to match. These are a hazard ladies! On the other hand, the glitz is a great road reflector and does help to protect against vehicles hitting you. Besides enhanced highway safety, the sparkles and short dresses have got to go. It’s not worth it to purchase an expensive cocktail dress you’ll only wear once, only to have some drunk stranger spill their cheap alcohol all over it. We would opt for a fun, casual outfit that we can move and groove in. Also something a bit warmer than a skimpy outfit — we live in Canada, please dress like it.

Overall, I hope you all take this advice seriously. New Year’s eve can be a great night. It really can. We are not completely pessimistic about the affair. If you remove the intense expectations, over-the-top plans, hope for an imaginary romance, and the glitzy dresses, it will be wonderful evening you will never remember. Because you will be drunk — that part we approve of. To quote the characters of Friends: “Cheers to a Lousy Christmas and A Crappy New Year!”

What's Hot December 29, 2015

10 reasons to avoid the gym

Happy New Year, folks!

This is probably the 94th article you’re reading about new year’s resolutions, but let me tell you the only resolution you’ll need to make this year. It involves the gym. But, I’m not here to tell you to start going to the gym, because you probably already promised yourself that you would. Instead, I am going to tell you the reasons why you shouldn’t go to the gym at any time of the year. So cross that cute ambition off your list because these 10 reasons will change your mind!

1. January brings forth the likes of many

Believe it or not, everyone’s New Year resolution is to start going to the gym. And like you, a lot of people attempt to accomplish this resolution, especially the first few weeks of the year. That’s why, during last year’s attempt to begin a healthy lifestyle, you might have noticed the large rush of people who do not look like they belong there. Men and women alike struggle to keep up on the treadmill, weights scattered across the studio, and confused folks trying to determine how to work their legs out of the complicated machines. It’s an absolute madhouse. Do yourself a favour and stay at home.

2. Money, money, money

The cheapest gym membership is roughly $30. That is, without the activation fees, maintenance fees, late fees, and other unnecessary, existing fees. Every month, whether you go regularly or not, money will be taken out of your account. There is no cash-only option or month-by-month payments. All gyms will require you to hand over credit card information to automatically withdraw money from your bank account. Instead of using this money toward a gym membership you won’t use, hand over that information to a children’s charity, women’s shelter, or buy yourself a really nice dinner.

3. Guilty until proven guilty

Eating is so much more fun when there are no weight commitments involved. Calorie counting is not only tedious, but it’s time consuming. Besides, no one needs the stress of overeating amongst the thousands of other first world problems we have. Gluten-free meals may seem like all the rage, but what is bread without the gluten? So just eat your cake and don’t think about the consequences. Chocolate is a great source of iron, especially during your time of month. And fries? Well, given the fact they were once potatoes, they technically qualify as vegetable, you know. Life is too short to not indulge in your favourite foods.

4. Instagram food, not your bod

And while you’re eating your favourite foods, go ahead and let your followers know. Don’t be that woman who posts a picture in front of the studio mirror with your workout ensemble on. Nobody likes that girl. We realize that with a gym membership comes great responsibility. You constantly have to prove you actually use it. Without a gym membership, the pressure is off! Besides, a beautifully plate of pasta is not only more like-worthy, it’s also more realistic. There’s no added pressure of making pasta look good, as there are with your body. Dimming the studio lights, standing with your chest out and sucking in your gut is just too much effort to demonstrate you are leading a healthy lifestyle. That plate of pasta, however, needs #nofilter.

5. Life is too short

There is probably a list of many other things you would rather be doing than going to the gym. Ending world hunger, knitting a sweater, reading a book, or Netflix binging all seem much more appealing than sweating and panting. If you’re life is busy enough, just keep telling yourself that you’re tired enough by the end of the day to skip going to the gym. The gym is for those people who have the ambition to take the time time and put in the effort to burn some calories. Calories that can be burnt doing something else– such as walking to the nearest bakery.

6. Home is where the heart is

Work out in the comfort of your own home. Merely watching a YouTube video of yogis and boot camp enthusiasts will have you feeling good as new. The next step will be to try out these moves one day. This way, you won’t have to spend time travelling, sharing equipment, or staring at people who are too fit to be at the gym in the first place. After your ‘workout,’ you have instant access to a fridge full of food so you can replenish those calories. Whether you’re doing crunches on your living room floor, doing leg lifts on your couch, or getting frisky with your loved one in the bedroom, burning calories at home is just more convenient.

7. Gym nuts are intimidating

They grunt, they sweat all over the equipment, and they make you feel less of a woman than you actually are. You don’t need to be exposed to that type of negativity! Gym nuts are people that have already accomplished their goals of attaining the perfect body, so the fact that they continue to take up space on the elliptical beside you is rather pretentious. While you’re struggling to keep up with the beginner level workout, the gym nut beside you is going at 100 km/h and doesn’t seem to be winded. Do yourself a favour and make friends in the same fitness level as you. That way, you can share stories about your late night walks to the fridge and your struggles to wake up in the morning. How romantic.

8. You’ll get your workout clothes sweaty

It’s difficult enough doing laundry — there’s only so many gym outfits you can buy to avoid washing the same set after each session. After an hour of cardio, the only thing you can think about is how to get your clothes off your body and into the hamper. Not only is dealing with clothes an added chore to your already hectic life, but it’s also a waste of water. They look better while you’re running errands, anyways. Create the illusion of a healthy lifestyle at the grocery store with some cute running shoes and a pair of yoga pants while you’re shopping for avocados and kale. People will look at you the same way they look at the Kardashians; a whole lot of envy with an added sense of judgment.

9. Love yourself

So what if you have a hard time going up two flights of stairs? At least you look good. Sure, your clothes might be a little more snug then usual, but curves are gorgeous! If stairs leave you winded, take the elevator. That’s why they’re there in the first place. It’s 2016; technology is advancing at the speed of light. Soon enough, we won’t even have to lift a finger. (We all know how difficult that is) These luxuries were invented with people like us in mind. The least we can do is be thankful for them.

10. Find alternatives

Maybe living a healthy lifestyle isn’t a bad thing. But I stand by my advice on avoiding the gym. Especially during the first few weeks of the year, where everyone will have the same mindset about shedding off their eggnog. Just know there are alternatives to getting fit, without the commitment of a gym membership. Like eating one slice of pizza instead of 10.

Progress.

Good luck and happy fitnessing!

What's Hot December 28, 2015

Oh so many leftovers! What to do with them?

My mother’s Christmas dinners are irreplaceable. They are also, much to the chagrin of the few of us on Weight Watchers, huge! My mom was born into a large family, and often was given the duty of preparing these large extravagant affairs. Even now that there are only four of us, she cooks for eight. And this was after the downsizing.

Suffice to say, we usually have a lot of leftovers. But, what to do with them? Here are a few suggestions for those with eyes bigger than their stomachs:

The sandwich: Because of the amount of food we cook for Christmas dinner, we usually don’t touch the rolls. Instead, we use them the next week for turkey sandwiches. We each have our own version — my dad and sister like theirs with mayo and bacon, while my personal favourite is the simple turkey and cranberry sauce (sometimes I add a bit of stuffing).

The Soup: After a while, even turkey sandwiches start tasting a little boring. Try making a soup out of your leftovers. Simply cook up some onions, carrots, celery, mushrooms, and whatever other vegetables you have in your fridge, put them in a pot with some chicken broth and turkey, and let simmer! Plus, it will keep you warm during this not-so-cold winter we’ve been having.

The pie: Another option is to cook a pie crust (homemade or pre-bought) and to stuff it with meaty goodness. The best turkey pies will include carrots, peas, celery, chicken broth, a little bit of milk, and some poultry seasoning. It may look complicated, but I ensure you a novice cook could do it — as long as they buy the pie crust.

The quesadilla: Instead of a sandwich, try a quesadilla. Inside a tortilla put a lot of cheese, some turkey, fried mushrooms, peppers, onions, and some spices. Fold over the tortilla or place another one on top of all the toppings. Then, place it in a frying pan. Flip when golden brown or the cheese begins to melt. You can even do this on a George Foreman grill.

The bowl: Or, just mix everything in a dish, pour gravy on it, and enjoy! It’s not new years yet — no need to count the calories.

How do you use your leftovers? Let us know in the comments below!

What's Hot December 24, 2015

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO OUR READERS!

**From the staff at Women’s Post, here’s wishing you a wonderful Christmas day!**

What's Hot December 22, 2015

Woman of the Week: Ann Kaplan

Think big — that’s Ann Kaplan’s biggest piece of advice for those wanting to succeed in business.

“I wish I had thought bigger,” she said. “Once I looked back and saw how big we had become, I thought ‘why didn’t I envision that when I was thinking of building the business?'”

Kaplan is president and CEO of iFinance Canada inc., a money-lending company that offers loans for elective surgeries, veterinary services, dental, and home improvement financing — items that would otherwise be difficult to get a loan from the bank. She built the corporation from nothing, relishing in the chance to pitch her ideas and grow.

Kaplan originally went to school for interior design, but once she opened up her own store, dealt with her own clients, and got a taste for the back room dealings of business, she was hooked. She now has an MBA in finance, a Masters of Science in Business, a Corporate Governance designation (ICD.d) and is completing her PhD thesis, which involves creating an algorithm that would determine whether a consumer would default on a loan.

All of her hard work has resulted in an influx of awards, the most recent being the PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship as part of the 23rd annual RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards. She said she cried when she found out she had won. “I was taken aback. I knew I was a finalist, but there were very qualified candidates.”

Kaplan was also recognized in 2000, a few years after the creation of Medicard Finance Inc., her first enterprise which is now under the iFinance umbrella, as Canadian Women Entrepreneur of the Year, Start-Up. In 2001, she won the Peak Award of Excellence in Finance. Kaplan has been on the Canada’s Profit Top 100 Companies nine times and has held a place on the Canadian W100 list eight times. She was inducted in the WXN Hall of Fame in 2014 after being named as one of Canada’s top three Female Business Leaders and as Canada’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women. If that isn’t enough, she has also written four books — and these are only some of her notable achievements.

Despite her success, Kaplan remains humble and modest, speaking with a dry sense of humour — “verbal volleyball” she calls it, a skill that makes her popular with bankers and businessmen. Her time is split between work and her large family of eight kids, which means the word ‘relax’ isn’t in her vocabulary. Kaplan gets her hair done three to four times a week, and schedules in time for manicures and pedicures, but even then she has her laptop on hand. “No time is wasted,” she says.

What’s unique about Kaplan is that after nearly 20 years building iFinance, she still sees the opportunity for growth and education. But, what else made her start-up a success? Kaplan spoke with Women’s Post over the phone to go through a few tips on pitching to investors or lenders. According to Kaplan, the first, and most important aspect of a pitch, is to have an idea. This idea must help solve a problem. “That’s what a good business model is. Whether that is an App or providing instant financing that’s unsecured.”

Kaplan explains that the internet is inundated with everything. An idea must stand out and it must be able to provide a service that solves a specific problem. This means that people will actually be motivated to use the product or service you are pitching.

The next step is preparedness — be prepared to demonstrate your market, competition, and uniqueness. Understanding how your business is going to grow and what investors are going to get in return is crucial to landing a pitch. “There are great things like crowd-funding, but even in that you need to be prepared and be able to display the vision.”

In addition to knowing the worth of your business endeavour and of the company you are pitching to, it’s also important to also understand your own worth. Don’t undersell.

Finally, it’s all about communication and confidence. If you are able to explain in a concise manner how investing in your idea will be mutually beneficial, how the idea will be a success, and how you plan on making it into a larger, bigger entity, there is no reason why the pitch shouldn’t be considered.

For Kaplan, the independence that comes from creating a business from scratch is empowering. “The first time someone besides your mother buys something — it’s exciting!” That’s why it’s so important to continue to grow and think of new ideas, expand, and adapt to the new technology available. Kaplan is in the middle of a new and exciting enterprise called Brix Exchange, a Canadian crowd-funding portal for real estate and technology start-ups. It will be the first regulated portal of its kind in Canada.

The biggest piece of advice Kaplan can give, besides thinking big, is to follow your dreams. You can have everything if you are organized.

“Young women … they come to talk about handling their boyfriend who are concerned they are not spending enough time with them. It sounds like I’m generalizing, but it’s very common,” she said. “Family will come, but you should set yourself for your future.”

“Being able to walk away and do what makes you happy is empowering.”

Ann Kaplan is currently reading “So Anyway” by John Cleese.

Living December 21, 2015

How to rock this year’s holiday fashion

It’s the week before Christmas, and that means last-minute parties and get-togethers with friends. But, what should you wear? It’s the typical dilemma: We don’t want to dress to casual, but we don’t want to overdress either. Yes, the ugly sweater may be all the rage, but for those of us who don’t want to look like a knitted nightmare, here are some festive options for your next work party or holiday smash:

The glittery shoe: It doesn’t matter if you wear a simple black dress or a pair of jeans — the shoes make the outfit. Dazzle your friends with a pair of silver or gold-studded heels and watch as all the attention is drawn towards you. The best part about the particular shoes pictured below is that they have mesh, which will give your feet a bit of extra support. The glittery shoe does not have to be ten-inch stilettos. As long as they sparkle, you are golden (pun intended).

The classic red dress: You can’t go wrong with the red dress — it’s sexy, flattering, and eye-catching. Most people would go the ‘little black dress’ route, but not you! You are daring, confident, and sexy. And you want the world to know you are here.

BTKA_14495192548311_1442e6beb5b369232d3522b0f24b69 — Rosie the Rebel, $95

The sleeveless party top: Sometimes, a dress is just too much. If you are heading to a semi-casual party with some friends, this top is the perfect festive attire. Pair with a pair of black dress pants or with a ripped pair of jeans. It’s perfect under a nice jacket or blazer as well.

The handbag: A purse is just too much during the holidays — people bump into it on the bus, crowded streets are a nightmare, and you have to weave in and out of stores holding it close to your chest so you don’t accidentally break a priceless item. We are all better off with a small handbag, especially in the evening. This bag is typically only big enough for the essentials: cell phone, money, ID, and emergency lipstick.

Knitwear: If you must wear something knitted, make it something unique and stylish. A knitted shirt or dress can be paired with funky tights for colder weather, or with boots as seen below. It’s a great casual outfit that just screams “I just threw something on, but look how fabulous I look.” Much better than the ugly sweater!

What’s your favourite holiday outfit? Let us know in the comments below!

Living December 18, 2015

Awesome Toronto holiday markets the weekend before Christmas

It may not snow this Christmas, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get in the holiday spirit! This is the last weekend before the holidays — a daunting fact for those of us who have not finished their Christmas shopping. It also means it is the last weekend to enjoy the wonderful holiday markets available throughout the city of Toronto! Here are five of the most popular winter markets open this weekend. Enjoy!

Toronto Christmas Market

The Historic Distillery District- 35 Lower Jarvis St.

The Toronto Christmas Market is a long standing annual tradition in Toronto and features a variety of holiday events for people young and old. The market is free from Tuesday to Friday and costs $5 on weekends — the money goes to the food bank. Festive holiday music is sung daily by carollers and multicultural and several activities including carnival rides, photos with Santa, and walking tours through the Distillery district. Vendors will be selling Christmas ornaments and other festive items, including some unique foods. We highly suggest the hot chocolate from Maisonnette, or as they call it, “the drink of the Gods.” Don’t forget to stop at the beer garden when you tired of shopping, or try some mulled wine near the bonfire.

Crown Flora Holiday Market

1233 Queen St. W

The Crown Flora Holiday Market is an annual event in Parkdale, and will be hosted this year on Dec.19 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Local artisans in the neighbourhood will gather together and offer Torontonians a variety of gifts for the holidays. There will be over 60 different vendors selling hand-made goods like paper cards, ornaments, and delicious treats. The event promotes neighbourhood solidarity and opposition to rising rental prices in the area — in addition to celebrating the holidays of course. Gift ideas include wooden ornaments and bowls for plants as well as salted caramels. The best part, free admission!

Union Station Holiday Market

65 Front St. W.,

The Union Station Holiday Market is a pop-up that appears at this busy commuter station from Nov. 30 to Dec. 20. This market is great for people who have limited time to shop. On weekdays, it is open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m and is open on the weekends from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. There are a collection of vendors at this market including OCAD students selling art pieces. Bath products, holiday socks, retro sweaters, and jewelry are good options in addition to several other items.

Trinity Bellwoods Flea

824 Dundas St. W.

The Trinity Bellwoods Flea is a market that runs this weekend only, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A collection of 75 vendors and artisans (over two days) will come together to provide one-of-a-kind gift options. Admission is free and gift wrapping is also free if customers spend over $50. Scented candles, scarves and handmade jewelry are among some of the fantastic items you can pick up from the Trinity Bellwoods Flea.

Evergreen Brickworks

550 Bayview Ave.

Evergreen Brickworks Winter Village has a plethora of events to celebrate the holidays that advocates in the spirit of sustainable Christmas shopping. This market is open until Dec. 23 and is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Local vendors, craft events, and a village skating event with a holiday D.J. are all included in the weekend festivities. Families can take part in nature walks (toured or self-guided) or watch a holiday-themed play. You can even learn how to make holiday preserves! The Winter Village goes above and beyond for the holidays and is worth a visit.

Do you have a favourite Christmas market that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Entertainment December 16, 2015

Female hip hop producers battle for their place

Battle of the Beatmakers is an annual competition in Toronto that showcases up-and-coming hip hop producers. Winners receive cash and prizes, as well as an opportunity to work with big names in the industry.

Thirty-two producers competed this year, including two women: LittleSister and EveKey. This was the same number, and the same producers, who competed in last year’s Battle of the Beatmakers. After the show, Women’s Post caught up with the two producers to see how they felt about being the only women in the competition, and to talk about the gender disparity that continues to persist in the hip hop industry.

Both women emphasized the need to support each other in competition because of their status as female producers. “She is a very genuine soul and a good person,” LittleSister said of EveKey. “I want to give her support and show her I’ve got her back. There aren’t too many of us [females] in the industry. When it comes to relating to each other, it is more comfortable for girls to talk to each other so it’s nice.”

LittleSister did very well in the competition, making it to the semifinals before being eliminated by fellow contestant, C-Sharp. The judges were very supportive of both female producers and the crowd was immensely excited to see the women on stage.

LittleSister Competing *By Kaeleigh Phillips*

At the same time, women are often marginalized in hip hop and it is challenging to climb the ladder to a position of power, such as the role of producer.

Despite the number of women within the music industry — artists, producers, engineers, songwriters, beat makers, managers, ect. — women are often still thought of as lesser than their male counterparts. “I think that across the board there are gender disparities in terms of the perception that the music industry and the hip hop industry is a ‘man’s world’ so women often have to work twice as hard to prove themselves,” says Priya Ramanujam, editor in chief of Urbanology, one of the lead sponsors of Battle of the Beatmakers.

Interestingly, both LittleSister and EveKey emphasized the positive support they receive in the industry as producers. “Working with male artists, they were more open to receiving female opinions,” EveKey said. “It seems they enjoy working with a female producer. It is a fresh perspective.” Oftentimes, being a producer puts a person in a position of power in hip hop and this dynamic helps to endow the two women with a sense of equality.

“Hip hop does marginalize, but it is changing,” LittleSister reiterated. “Women have power positions now. Women are on the forefront but behind the scenes as well. Other women like Wondergurl, Kid Sister, and Missy Elliot are helping to open up power positions. The business side is very different from the music side of the industry. If you want to make money, gender doesn’t matter.” She also noted there was one case where a male client made sexist remarks towards her, and let his pride get in the way or business. She chose not to work with him again.

A study by Rana Emerson, a professor at the University of Texas, called “Where My Girls At?’ Negotiating Black Womanhood in Music Videos”* suggests that it is much easier for a woman to enter the industry into hip hop music when sponsored or associated with a man who is already established within it. Often, women have to choose whether to take the necessary partnership or to embark solo.

This was the choice that both EveKey and LittleSister faced—and they both decided to take their chances alone in the industry. “In general, it is difficult for a producer to come out on their own. It has to be built from the bottom up. Having male mentorship is a part of the way it is. It is about whether you want to choose to be on your own or not,” said LittleSister.

LittleSister in First Round By Kaeleigh Phillips — LittleSister in First Round *By Kaeleigh Phillips*

The choice to be an independent female producer in hip hop is a daunting one, but women like LittleSister and EveKey pave the way for others.

For young women trying to get into the industry, Ramanujam encourages them not to be afraid of the work. The more women who take the leap into hip hop and music production, the more others will be inspired to do so.

“Be prepared to be doubted and second guessed, to always have to prove yourself,” she says. “Again, this is not necessarily unique to hip-hop. But also remember that by taking the leap of faith and doing it, whether you know it or not, another young woman on the come up is watching, and may decide to follow in your footsteps because she sees another woman doing it. For me, that alone is worth what I go through.”

*With Files from hip hop enthusiast, Holly Jane

Health & Fitness December 16, 2015

Vegan coconut curry butternut squash soup with a kick

This delicious soup is a great choice for the cold winter months, when sore throats and grey weather has taken over Toronto’s city skies.

LoveWildLiveFree is a vegan lifestyle blog founded by Avra Epstein, a local Toronto lawyer and vegan blogger enthusiast. Epstein is a passionate and powerful force in the vegan community and her recipes are scrumptious as well as healthy. Her website also provides insights into the nutritional value of the ingredients used, which is really helpful as a vegan and health conscious foodie.

This soup is fantastic because it will not only satisfy the spice lover’s taste pallet, but it will also fill you up at the same time. Butternut squash recipes can be tasteless without the right spices and LoveWildLiveFree goes above and beyond with a careful selection of red pepper flakes, curry powder, Himalayan salt, pepper and cinnamon. I also appreciate the quality of sweetness combined with the spice. The coconut milk is rich and sweet; yet, it is balanced well with a hint of heat, giving this wholesome dish a bit of a kick. Enjoy and visit www.lovewildlivefree.com for more great recipes and vegan tips!

You will need:

1 tbsp unrefined, extra virgin coconut oil

1 cup red onion, roughly diced

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, or a small hot pepper (diced)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 butternut squash (about 3.5 lbs)

2 Tbsp curry powder

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Himalayan salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

3 cups low sodium vegetable broth**

1 – 14-ounce (414 ml) can of full fat coconut milk

1 – 2 tbsp raw cane juice crystals from Giddy Yo Yo (or Coconut Sugar)

Topping suggestions:

Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts

Red Chilli Flakes

Raw Pumpkin Seeds

(Use organic ingredients)

Instructions:

Cut squash in half so that the top and bottom are separated (this will make it easier to handle). Carefully peel squash. Cut the bottom portion in half, remove and discard seeds. Chop squash into 1/2 inch pieces.
Heat oil in a large heavy soup pot. Add onions and red pepper flakes/diced hot pepper, sauté for about 2-3 minutes. Stir frequently.
Add garlic, and sauté for another minute, making sure not to burn the garlic.
Next, add the butternut squash, curry powder, cinnamon, Himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper. Cover and cook over low-medium heat for about 5 minutes.
Add vegetable broth, coconut milk and sugar, stirring to combine. Bring to a low boil and reduce heat. Simmer soup on low heat for about 15 minutes, or until the squash is soft.
Remove the pot from the heat. Working in small batches, carefully ladle the soup into a blender to puree. Alternatively, you can use a handheld emulsifier. Note: I prefer to use a glass blender when blending hot food as I am personally wary about placing hot food in plastic. If you’re using a blender with a plastic container you can always opt to allow the soup to cool before blending.
Place the pureed soup back in the pot and warm before serving. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed. Top each serving with hemp for a nutty source of plant-based protein and omega fats (I always use Manitoba Harvest Hemp). You can also add red pepper flakes for an added kick and raw pumpkin seeds for extra protein and crunch!

Original recipe can be found here: Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup with a Kick

Living December 15, 2015

196 countries pledge to try and save planet Earth

It was a momentous historical occasion in Le Bourget, Paris, earlier this week. On Dec. 11, 196 countries signed an agreement at the 21st Annual UN Climate Change Conference pledging to help slow down carbon emissions.

The central clause of the agreement vows to lower “the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change”. The necessity of a pledge such as this is blatant — if the temperature rises over 2 °C, it will cause more wildfires, flooding, crop failures, food shortages and diseases worldwide.

The agreement will determine which technologies, capacity building techniques, and finances will help mitigate climate change the most effectively. There is also is a pledge by developed countries to help developing countries gain access to appropriate resources to help in the lowering of emissions. The exact resources have yet to be determined.

Participating countries will determine their own personal emission targets by 2018, and by 2020 each participant should have created a concrete plan to carry out those targets. Countries will meet again in 2023 to determine if their plans have been effective. They will then meet every five years to report and review their progress.

There is an emphasis on transparency in the agreement. Each country is required to submit a bi-annual inventory report of relevant emissions and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases. The reports will be further assessed by the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA), which oversaw the Kyoto Protocol.

Developed countries will also work towards raising and providing $100 billion U.S. per year to help developing countries tackle carbon emissions.

The agreement to contribute $100 billion annually to help developing countries is a new strategy for climate change. It unites the countries in a collaborative effort to make a difference and allows developing countries to progress with the rest of the world in an eco-friendly manner. Many criticisms have arisen because the $100 billion term was only mentioned in the preamble to the agreement and the actual amount of global aid remains to be determined.

The focus on reducing climate emissions is a central focus in the accord, as is this new found emphasis on helping developing countries reach their target climate goals. Global citizenship has finally been put on the table and the sheer number of countries that signed the agreement reflects a growing change in international attitudes and growing diplomacy towards climate change.

The inclusion of 196 countries in the world highlights the fact that climate change is an issue that nullifies economic bias and world hierarchies. Instead, it unites every person on the planet and redefines the importance of global citizenship.

Canada has thrown its support behind the agreement. Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change said after the conference that she was encouraged to see so many Canadians in Paris. “This is the spirit we now need to bring back home so that we can tackle climate change together,” she said. “I cannot stress enough how important it is that every Canadian take part in this effort. Climate change is the challenge of our generation. Together we can do this.”

Understanding and acknowledging the connection between climate change and several globalized social issues is a step in the right direction, and recognizing these relations could lead to great change. And we can only hope that it isn’t too late to save the beautiful planet earth.

Featured image: Betrayal By Mario Sanchez Nevado

December 2015

From the staff at Women’s Post, here’s wishing you a wonderful Christmas day!

**From the staff at Women’s Post, here’s wishing you a wonderful Christmas day!**