Eat a Bit of Chocolate – Self Care Month Day 14

 

We have a tendency to confuse self care with “Treat Yo’Self!!” and so today’s advice comes with the disclaimer to pay close attention to the “bit” part.

It’s well known that chocolate contains chemicals that make us feel good. Many people, when surveyed, say they’d choose chocolate over sex. And a little something sweet, especially if it makes us feel grateful – for the treat, or for the person who gave it to us, or just the experience of eating it – is certainly a good thing to do for ourselves.

However (sorry…), sugar has been linked to inflammation in the body, plus cavities, weight gain (from the inflammation), and even depression. That’s right, the candy that makes us feel good when we eat it not only makes us crash an hour later but could be contributing to a bigger long-term funk.

So have your chocolate today (or tomorrow when all the V-day chocolate is half off!!), but do it in moderation, savouring each piece and feeling gratitude for the experience.

Lucky Dip – Friday, March 9th, 2012

In Toronto:

Bistro 990 (990 Bay Street) will shut its doors on March 17th.

Vegan chef Doug McNish‘s first book Eat Raw, Eat Well will be published on March 20th. It’s available for pre-order at various online booksellers already.

Tori’s Bakeshop opens today at 2188 Queen Street East offering vegan, organic and refined sugar-free goodies like pies, cakes, cookies, donuts and more to the folks in the Beach.

You should go:

Tonight at The Depanneur (1033 College Street) the drop-in dinner is tamales by Holy Tamale. Vegan-friendly corn tamales with sweet potato, apple, onion and spices. Plus “drunken beans” and green rice – all for $10. An extra $2 will keep the carnivores happy with some chorizo.

Continue reading “Lucky Dip – Friday, March 9th, 2012”

Lucky Dip – Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

The more warts, the better the flavour. Why you should be considering funky-looking heirloom pumpkins for your Thanksgiving cooking. [Toronto Star]

The two flavours of hogtown – might meaty and virtuously vegan. [NOW]

Could you eat for just $30  a week? That’s the equivalent that an American on food stamps is working with. [KETV Omaha]

How sweet it is. Mostly from amounts hidden in processed foods, Canadians consume 26 teaspoons of sugar every day. [Globe & Mail]

Foods that should be aphrodisiacs, but aren’t. [Funny or Die]

Continue reading “Lucky Dip – Thursday, September 22nd, 2011”

Lucky Dip – Monday, August 29th, 2011

“First you get the sugar, then you get the money…” I once passed up the opportunity to ride from Toronto to New Orleans on a molasses barge. Should have done it. Life aboard a boat full of sugar sounds pretty sweet. [National Post]

The hipster barista takes himself very, very seriously. Especially when you turn him into a meme. [Eater]

Just when you had your coffee to sugar to cream ration perfect – Tim’s goes and changes the cup sizes. Rather, they’re getting rid of the small 8 oz cup and adding a 24 oz cup. You people and your huge things of coffee freak my shit right out. Seriously. [Toronto Sun]

Remember the mess that was “new Coke”? Twinings is set to do the same with a “more wonderful” Earl Grey tea. Nobody is amused. [Telegraph]

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s Golden Tap Awards. [Canadian Beer News]

Continue reading “Lucky Dip – Monday, August 29th, 2011”