Today's Nutrition RX: Truly Good Friends

Yesterday was graduation day - Watch out world, up and coming savvy PR professionals are taking Toronto by storm with their smarts and sophistication!

A few of us got together for a 'Wine & Cheese' rendez-vous (Thank you Elizabeth for hosting such a fabulous night xoxo).

On my way home a quote I was sent earlier this month came to mind:

Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are.
If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl.
But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

A mirror reflects a man's face,
but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

The simple, but true fact of life is that you become like those with who you closely associate - 
for the good and the bad. 

Nelson Mandela

When I received it, I added in my two cents, naturally, and responded with:

It's easy to pick friends who feed the heart, lift your spirit, and distract you from the hardships of life.

It's hard to find friends that also keep your best interests in mind; love you through the good and the bad; fight for you, with you, and by your side; and never give up on you.

That's true friendship - and that friendship is what nourishes the body, mind, spirit, and of course, the heart.   

Friends

I stand by every one of these words.

Last night I was reminded of how important it is to stay in touch with good friends, and of how lucky I am to have such wonderful people in my life.

Its been an odd week: It rained, it stormed, and apparently we had a mini earthquake. On top of that, let's be honest, the G8/G20 has taken over way too much of our lives!

Make the remainder of this week about something else.

Make it about you and all those lovely people in your life.

Make it a point to reach out to all your truly good friends be it through phone, email, text, or over lunch, dinner, tea, or drinks.

Unfortunately, it's good friends that we tend to forget and sometimes take for granted. 

To all my remarkable friends: Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Congratulations to all my PR peers!

Stay Healthy! 

The RAW Truth

My heart's been set on visiting an authentic 'Raw' food restaurant for ages.

After numerous failed attempts at dinning 'Raw' Nour [my best friend] and I were convinced that experiencing a true 'raw' meal together was just not going to happen.

We decided to try one more time...

Determined, excited, and frankly, quite hungry, we finally made our way to 'Live.'

The restaurant is serene and welcoming, and the menu full of delicious options.

After our typical: "You pick," "No, No, you decide," and "Come on, just choose!" We finally settled on the 'Poutine,' Pecan 'Tempura' Sushi, Rainbow Kale and Walnut Salad, The Veggie 'Pounder,' and Chocolate Mousse Pie.  

The 'Poutine' came first and after the first bite we couldn't wait for the rest of our dinner.

The Pecan 'Tempura' Sushi was not only beautifully put together and a delightfully pleasing to the eyes, but also absolutely delicious. By far my favourite part of the meal. This dish is a must try!

[My stomach just grumbled at the thought of it!]

I found the Rainbow Kale and Walnut Salad a tad bland - this is only because I prefer my salads a little on the lemony side - But the raisins, walnuts and sun dried tomatoes were a fabulous touch that, I personally found, compliment the distinct taste of the kale.

The Veggie 'Pounder,' a cooked item, was at first site a little disappointing - "This is it?!?!? REALLY???" was Nour's reaction. The taste was a whole other story. The 'patty,' soft and full of flavour, is dressed with guacamole and BBQ sauce giving it the 'wow' factor.

Now Nour and I are advocates for trying new things, and believe that 'trying' means leaving room for at least one item from each course.

The Chocolate Mousse Pie was divine! Please excuse the half eaten pie in the picture, we were so excited and impressed by this portion of our meal that we forgot to take a picture when it arrived. I believe that this picture speaks a thousand words: IT WAS GOOD!

What is Raw food?
Raw foods are living foods that are eaten in their natural state. These foods are either not cooked or not heated above 118F. These are your typical vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and grains. For more information: Raw vs Cooked & Processed Foods By Rhio

The Health Benefits of a Raw Diet:

• Increased Energy
• Improved Skin Appearance
• Better Digestion - Raw foods contain high levels of enzymes, which assist in digestive processes and contribute to overall good health. 
• Weight Loss
• Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
• Better Nutritional Content - Fruits, Vegetables and plant foods are packed with nutrients. Heating destroys a fair bit of them.
• Dental Health - Cooked food reduces the need for use of one’s teeth, which reduces the  development of the jaw bones and teeth, and increases incidence of tooth decay.

For an in depth explanation: Raw Food Diet read raw Food Diet By Cathy Wong
 
If you're interested in giving Raw Food a try then give 'Live' a try. If you're up for a challenge, take the Raw Food Challenge!
 

Whatever it is you decide to do make sure you get outside and enjoy the weather, and, of course, always Stay Healthy!