Village Living Magazine Midtown

FREE
ISSUE NO.59 MAY 2019
villagelivingmagazine.ca
MIDTOWN
+
GIFT IDEAS
FOR MOM
PAGE 30

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How
do you
celebrate
Mom?
LIVING
STYLING
EATING
WELL-BEING
PARENTING
10
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Tell us on twitter
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ISSUE #59
VOLUME #7, ISSUE 5
PUBLISHER
ANDREW FISHMAN
CO-PUBLISHER
IRIS ZIMMER-
FISHMAN
ART DIRECTION
& DESIGN
LAURA
WEATHERSTON
PHOTOGRAPHY
ANDREW FISHMAN
COPY EDITOR
JENN REID
COVER PHOTO
LAURA
WEATHERSTON
Garden
Tips
SPRING PREP PAGE 12
DIANA AZIZ
DR. DEBRA TREVISAN
ELDEN FREEMAN
EZRA BRAVES
JAIME SLAVIN
JOANNE SALLAY
JOSH MATLOW
JON COHEN
REBECCA HAY
SAM BEDERMAN
SARA BEDERMAN
SARAH JEAN
HARRISON
CONTACT
1-866-933-1652
info@villageliving
magazine.ca
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VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 5

MAY 2019
Keeping you connected to your community.
FROM THE
PUBLISHERS
Spring is here, but there’s lot a more than
just our gardens that are growing this
month. Our May issue is about all kinds of
growth: in our community as it expands
and shifts to meet our changing needs,
in ourselves as we learn to take better care of our
bodies and minds, and in our families, however
conventional or not they may be.
City Councillor Josh Matlow outlines his vision for
a new community centre in the heart of Midtown,
a place that support our growing neighbourhood.
He’s not the only one supporting the hearts and
minds of Midtowners: in our Styling section we look
at a spa owner who’s giving back to the community
and uplifting underprivileged women.
Speaking of women — Happy Mother’s Day! We
celebrate moms of all kinds (Well-Being), keeping
“it takes a village” to heart. In ‘Diary of a
New Mama,’ a reminder for moms to take care of
themselves each and every day in the simplest, yet
most important way: nutrition.
If you’re looking for a last minute gift for mom,
we’ve got that covered too! A good book goes a long
way. (Parenting)
If the warm spring air is calling you outside and
into the garden, we have a guide to helpful bugs
(Living) that you’ll actually want crawling through
your plants. You can also try to bring the out-side in
with cottage decor fit for city living (Styling).
All this, plus eco-friendly bling (Styling), the
city’s best hummus (Eating) and the latest fitness
technology (Living)! It’s a jam-packed month full of
new ways to better yourself.
The weather changes, and so do we.
Village Living,
your community magazine
MAY 2 -12
Toronto Jewish
Film Festival
MAY 6 – 12
Canadian Music Week
www.net/Music/
MAY 10 – 12
Tastemaker Toronto
Evergreen Brickworks
550 Bayview Ave.
www.thetastemakertour.com
MAY 11 – 12
The Toronto Comic Arts
FREE
Festival 2019
Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge St.
www.torontocomics.com
MAY 11 – 20
Wee Festival
www.weefestival.ca
MAY 12
Casaloma –
Mothers’ Day Brunch
www.casaloma.ca
MAY 12
Mother’s Day Plant Café
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Toronto Botanical Garden
777 Lawrence Ave. E.
MAY 12
Mother’s Day Class –
Blend Your Own
Custom Scent
2:00 – 4:00 pm
Druxy’s Famous Deli
29 Queen St. E.
MAY 16 – 19
Rib & Craft
FREE
Beer Fest
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St. E.
www.northernheatribseries.ca
6 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

EVENTS
Farmers’
Markets
THURSDAYS
Dufferin Grove
Farmers’ Market
3:00 – 7:00 pm
Dufferin Grove Park
875 Dufferin Park Ave.
SATURDAYS
The Junction
Farmers’ Market
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Junction Train Platform
2960 Dundas St. W.
The Stop Farmers’ Market
8:00 am – 12:30 pm
Wychwood Artscape Barns
601 Christie St.
Evergreen Brickworks
Farmers’ Market
8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Evergreen Brickworks
550 Bayview Ave.
MAY 19
Spring Beerfest TO
12:00 – 7:00 pm
Fort York – Garrison Common
100 Garrison Rd.
www.beerfestival.ca
MAY 25 – 26
Woofstock Festival
Woodbine Park
1695 Queen St. E.
www.rove.me
MAY 23 – JUNE 2
Inside Out –
LGBT Film Festival
www.insideout.ca
MAY 24 – 26
FREE
Toronto
Poutine Fest
May 24/25 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
May 26 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Yonge-Dundas Square
1 Dundas St. E.
MAY 25
CBC Music Festival
1:30 pm
Cost: Passes - $39.50 (All Ages)
Echo Beach
909 Lakeshore Blvd. W.
VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 7

Creating Spaces
to Support Our
Community
Meeting Midtown Toronto’s
growing needs
BY COUNCILLOR JOSH MATLOW
When the provincial government designated the
Yonge and Eglinton area of Midtown Toronto
as a “Growth Centre” they unfortunately
only legislated one aspect – new condos. No
additional funding or direction was provided to build new
schools, affordable childcare centres, recreation spaces or the
social services necessary to build complete neighbourhoods.
That’s why I worked with local residents, parents, TDSB
Trustee Shelley Laskin and City of Toronto Staff for the last
seven years to ensure that a Community Hub would be part
of the Davisville school rebuild.
I am excited to announce that a final agreement has
been reached with the School Board for the City to fund
the Davisville Hub and Site Plan approval has been provided
by our Planning Division to begin construction on the
project, which will start with the school. The new public
facility will provide new and much-needed recreation
opportunities, including:
➔ A new double gymnasium within the school that will have
community access some evenings and on Saturdays for
City-run recreation programs
➔ An aquatic facility in a separate
City building on the Davisville PS site which will include
one 25 metre, 6 lane pool and a warm water teaching pool
with the appropriate ancillary spaces (i.e. change rooms,
administrative and mechanical spaces)
➔ Affordable Child Care Centre
➔ Multi-purpose rooms, including a community space of
approximately 5,000 square feet
➔ Roof top park/garden that will include a green roof, elevator
access, patio and walking path
Community Hubs can provide a central access point for
a range of needed social services, along with cultural,
recreational and educational opportunities that reflect the
needs of the surrounding residents.
As the new City Councillor for the Oakwood Vaughan &
St. Clair West communities, I am exploring the possibility of
creating a new hub to serve local residents.
This March, I moved a motion at Council to have City Staff
work with the School Board and community agencies to
assess the feasibility of establishing a hub at Vaughan Road
Academy (VRA), located at 529 Vaughan Road. While no
longer an operating school, the TDSB voted in February 2017
to retain the building as a “core holding” and put it to use for
purposes still to-be-negotiated. Currently, the school is being
used as an ‘overflow’ school to accommodate students from
schools that are under construction in other parts of the city.
A community-based organization, Oakwood
Vaughan Neighbourhood
Action Partnership (OVNAP), has been engaged in discussions
to add more community programs and services at
529 Vaughan Road.
Parks, Forestry and Recreation already offers swimming
lessons and basketball programs at VRA, and the Learning
Enrichment Foundation operates a child care centre on the site.
A community hub would help address the need for
programming and space in this community and would align
with the Oakwood Vaughan Strategic Plan to foster safe and
vibrant neighborhoods.
JOSH MATLOW was elected to Toronto City Council on October 25th, 2010, and is now serving his third term as City Councillor
for Toronto-St. Paul’s.
8 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

CONSTRUCTION
UNDERWAY!
“This is where we can enjoy the excitement
of the city and the familiarity of community
comforts... all in one place. This is my home.”
This is my
Upper East Side
A New Leaside Community
Sales Office Has Moved!
The new temporary Upper East Village Sales Office will be located at the
Johnson & Daniels office at 477 Mount Pleasant Road.
Now Accepting Appointments. Tour the designer model suite.
upper east village.com or Call 416.966.0047
Brokers Protected. Sales Representative: Kevin Crigger. Broker. Johnston & Daniel a division of Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd. Brokerage. Consultant: Barberry (DP) Inc. Prices and specifications are subject to change without notice. Illustrations are artist’s concept. E. & O.E.

LIVING
WHAT THE TECH!?!?
VS
MOTIV
mymotiv.com
OURA
ouraring.com
Ringing in the newest fitness tech
BY JON COHEN
About a year ago I wrote about fitness bands,
smartwatches and the whole fit-tech movement.
Names like Fitbit and Apple Watch are notorious
as brands that everyone wears. Today we move forward,
literally and figuratively. From the wrist to the finger: the
possible next big thing in fitness tech is smart rings.
I have had a chance to test out the two leaders in the
category. For the last few months I have been wearing a
ring on each hand that has been measuring stats like
steps, calories burnt, sleep and heart rate. Meet Motiv
(mymotiv.com) and Oura (ouraring.com), the leaders in
the smart ring evolution.
THE GOOD: Both rings work with a smartphone
app that allows you to sync via Bluetooth and gives
you details about your health and workouts, such
as active minutes and quality of sleep. You can
see if you got a good night sleep or not, plus you
can look at sleep by week or month to find trends
in your sleep pattern. Each ring will measure your
heart rate, both active and resting, which can be a
useful piece of info for you (or your doctor, trainer
or fitness guru).
THE BAD: You need to get a sizing kit first
before ordering your ring. The sizing kits is a
pack of plastic rings that you try on and wear for
a few days, and once you pick a finger you are
comfortable with, you order the real ring. Therefore
you really can’t change fingers or even give the
ring as a gift. Also, because a ring battery is smaller
then a watch, you need to charge it every 3 to 4
days. Lastly, it does not alert you to a phone call or
text message, so if that is a feature you need then
perhaps a smart ring alone is not enough.
Final Thoughts: While the two rings are priced similarly, the truth is I found one to be more useful for me.
The Oura ring has a better app, plus its ability to measure body temperature makes it a clear winner.
JON COHEN is the owner of All About Tech and a certified Apple Mac & iOS Technician; just your local, friendly tech superhero!
allabouttech.ca
10 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

BOBBY PASTERNAK CAN HELP YOU WITH YOUR NEXT MOVE.
bobby@batorigroup.com | (416) 844-7763 | www.batorigroup.com
NEW CUSTOM CONSTRUCTION | ADDITIONS/TOPUPS
RENOVATIONS DESIGN | BUILDER SUPPLIER/TRADE DISCOUNTS
RENOVATION FINANCING | PERSONABLE CUSTOMER SERVICE
VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 11

LIVING
Beneficial insects:
The bugs you
actually want
in your garden
Clearly, there are pests we don’t want in
our lawns and gardens such as mites and
aphids which do a great job at destroying plant
life and spreading disease. But there are plenty of
bugs that do good. They’re known as beneficial
insects. Using beneficial insects to control other
less garden-friendly bugs is a method known as
biological control. By using living organisms to
control malicious insects you create a garden that
is free of pesticides and other garden chemicals.
Essentially, you are creating an organic garden.
We’ve all heard about the shortage of bees
in recent years. These garden must-haves are
essential for pollinating vegetables, fruit trees
and other crops. To attract more bees and other
pollinators such as butterflies, plant a wide
variety of flowering plants as well as pollen and
nectar sources. Bees are especially attracted to
blue, purple, white, yellow and violet. Leave a
section of your garden free from mulch so as to
attract ground bees, and a dead tree or rotting log
will supply prime nesting. Provide them with a
shallow water source such as a birdbath or saucer
filled with water.
BY ELDEN FREEMAN
Beetles are another beneficial insect you should
welcome on your property. These nocturnal bugs
help to keep night-time pests at bay. They prey on
about 50 types of pests such as snails and slugs.
Attract beetles to your garden by using mulch and
planting perennials. They nest and lay their eggs
in decaying plant matter and will overwinter
there as well.
Ladybugs are another garden-friendly bug you
want to have. They enjoy munching on pests like
aphids, whiteflies, mites and mealy bugs. Their
larvae are equally important in your garden as
they are as ravenous, if not more so than their
parents. One thing to keep in mind is that ladybug
larva look remarkably different from the parents:
it looks like a tiny red and black alligator and
not at all like a grown ladybug, which is often
considered the darlings of the bug world.
Don’t let the large size and scary shape of a
praying mantis scare you: they are harmless to
humans! Not so much to other bugs, though. In
fact, a praying mantis will eat just about any
insect in the garden. They’ve been known to
catch small frogs and birds as well.
Sources: www.organiclesson.com, www.thespruce.com, www.care2.com
ELDEN FREEMAN M.E.S., AGB, is the founder of the non-profit organization, The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers
(NAGAB). Mr. Freeman is also Broker of Record at Freeman Real Estate Ltd. Freemanrealty.com
12 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

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VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 13

LIVING
New real estate
model is saving
mid-town home
buyers and
sellers thousands
A Cedarvale home sold in February for $1,890,000, costing the
sellers $94,500 in commission. It’s not unusual; with home
prices rising exponentially over the past 15 years, agent fees
have also risen dramatically.
Agents can provide an extremely valuable service to
their clients, whether representing buyers or sellers. Yet
with improvements to technology and increased access
to information, potential buyers and sellers are now more
personally involved in the real estate process. This is creating
a number of new players in the space, each seeking to help
their clients save money in a very expensive market.
Since last fall, several alternatives have entered the GTA
real estate market, aiming to improve upon an industry that
shows no signs of slowing down.
Justo Inc., Brokerage is the first to disrupt the industry with
a focus on fairness and transparency.
Sellers working with a Justo agent pay only 50% of the
standard listing fee (typically 2.5%) taken by most brokers*.
Justo also includes staging or virtual staging***, 3D Virtual
tours, professional photography and enhanced advertising for
their listings.
Similarly, when representing a buyer, they split their
commission 50/50. The brokerage also covers the cost of a
home inspection and lawyer fees.
This can prove invaluable for those buying and selling
in midtown Toronto, where the average cost of a home is
28% higher than the city as a whole, with prices averaging
$1,155,209.**
On that previously mentioned Cedarvale home, if the
seller had listed with Justo, they would have saved $23,625
in commission, plus several thousand dollars more on
marketing costs.
Had the buyer used an agent with the service, they would
have received that same amount — $23,625 — in cashback
on closing and would have also saved around $1500 on the
inspection and legal fees.
“Buyers and sellers are smarter and more savvy than ever
in today’s market, and they understand that they have a voice
in the process,” said Daphne de Groot, CEO and co-founder
of Justo. “We feel that we can offer superior service at lower
fees, and we’ve clearly hit on something with our new model
because demand is even stronger than we anticipated.”
Their website lets visitors view all MLS listings and
immediately see the amount of cash back they can expect for
each property.
Other brokerages are also trying to level the playing field.
The most recent entry into the Canadian market is US-run
Redfin, which offers low listing rates for sellers — between
1% and 1.5%, depending on the market — and some cashback
incentive for buyers.
UK-based Purplebricks is another option, mainly for sellers
seeking to list on their own, offering assistance and guidance
for an upfront flat fee, usually around $3000.
There’s a lot to learn about these new options. As with
other companies who’ve disrupted their markets like Amazon
or Uber, there will be some who embrace this new trend and
others who will take some time to adjust. But, as a result of so
many great new options, those in the residential real estate
market have more power in their hands than ever before.
*In addition to the listing fee, the seller also pays a buyer’s agent commission, set by the seller, but commonly 2.5% + HST. HST is applicable on all commissions.
All commissions are negotiable. **Based on MLS data for C03, C03, C09, C10 and C11 *** Staging offered for properties listed over $400k
SAMANTHA GOLDSILVER
14 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

MAKE YOUR LANEWAY HOME BUILD A REALITY
DESIGN - PERMITS - BUILD
1-844-LANEWAY
LANEWAYHOMEEXPERTS.COM

STYLING
Bling with
Benefit
HOW TO LOVE
JEWELRY
AND NOT KILL
THE PLANET
BY SARAH JEAN HARRISON
I
likely inherited my love for fun and
flashy jewelry from my Grannie
Lucy Bond, a grand English dame
who loved fuschia, feather hats and
anything that sparkled. While she
blithely embraced the costume jewelry
of the 50s and 60s without a care in the
world, I have to face down the realities
of mercury pollution and child labour
when looking at some silly bauble at
Ardene’s that would really jazz up my
cocktail dress.
The hard reality is that my love
of jewelry completely out strips the
resources I have to purchase ethically
mined gold and gemstones from the
likes of Chopard. What is the glam
loving, sustainably minded gal without a
billionaire’s bank account to do?
I’ve channeled my inner Grannie
Bond, imagining what a shopkeeper’s
wife like Lucy would do when faced
with limited resources, a desire to
be sustainable and a big bling-loving
imagination. Here’s what I’ve discovered:
Answer #1 Vintage, darlings, vintage.
I source cocktail rings and strands of
faux pearls from vintage shops, church
sales and every Value Village I can pop
into. I used to balk at “fakes” until I
learned that Coco Chanel was famous
for mixing fakes with the real thing. If it
worked for Coco, it’ll work for me.
Answer #2 Go for one-of-a-kind.
Toronto-based jewelry influencer
Katrina Myhal from @the.lost.earring
advises going for pieces from local
artists. “I can’t afford a lot of high-end
pieces so I try to source the unique and
unexpected. There are jewelry artists in
this city who are working with quality,
sustainably-sourced materials in small
batches. When someone stops me and
says where did you find that piece?! I
know I’ve got something great.” Katrina
suggests visiting all the art fairs and
pop-up shops you can because “you’ll
never know what unexpected is just
waiting for you”.
“I can’t
afford a
lot of highend
pieces
so I try to
source the
unique and
unexpected”
Answer #3
Find the sweet spot
between super cheap
and super pricey.
In between dollar
store necklaces and
diamond encrusted
emerald drop
earrings there is a
world of mid-priced pieces. I’m happy
to spend a little more on pieces that will
see me through the day and dress up an
office look. Ethical brands like Chic Made
Consciously, whose latest collection
works with artisans in Cambodia to
upcycle landmines into minimalist
“golden” pieces, are just the thing for
looking polished while meeting with
clients. I love it when bling combines
with benefit.
www.chicmadeconsciously.com
@chicmadeconsciously
@the.lost.earring
www.chopard.com
SARAH JEAN HARRISON is the co-founder of Peace Flag House and an eco-fashionista who specialises in sustainability-focused
public relations. peaceflaghouse.com, @peaceflaghouse
16 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

Do Good.
Feel Good.
Look Good.More
than
skin
deep
BY DIANA AZIZ
Do good. Feel good. Look good.
That is what Paula does
every day.
Step into Beauty Lounge Salon
and Spa at 1500 Bathurst St and leave
your stress at the door. Reminiscent
of old Hollywood glamour, the spa is
designed with a colour palette that
captures the calm of the ocean, making
you feel like a beautiful spring flower
emerging through the heavy, melting
snow.
It was Paula’s calm, reassuring voice
that propelled a local woman’s visit.
Julie had suffered a miscarriage and
subsequent depression; she couldn’t
bring herself to leave her house for four
long months. After speaking to Paula
on the phone, she felt confident enough
to emerge and travel to the salon. It
was there that she found solace in a
supportive, encouraging environment
and was able to feel “whole” again. Paula
innately sees the beauty from within
and pulls that beauty to the surface,
thus helping create one’s best self.
Paula is a hair and makeup stylist by
profession and an ordained minister and
chaplain by vocation. She has a passion
for the underdog and started mentoring
women years ago after observing a wellqualified
woman being turned down
for a job because of how she presented
herself. This is how Dress for Success was
born. With help from companies such
as Shopper’s Drug Mart and Holiday Inn,
Paula was able to provide sponsorships
and scholarships to help youth at risk
and those living in underprivileged
communities. She provided styling,
organized a clothing donation drive,
taught skills on managing finance,
health and grooming and how to present
in a job interview. Women were able
to access a free clothing bank to outfit
themselves in business attire that would
have been previously unattainable for
them. Paula helps them get a leg up
through connections and mentorship.
Presently Paula is mentoring five
young teens and adults and is involved
in many community programs such
as Clean Up the Don River and Hope
Worldwide.
Her passion for creating a caring,
responsible environment in the
community is very important to her
and is very apparent in how she runs
her salon.
As proprietor, Paula has created
an eco-friendly and family friendly
community hub in St. Clair West that
is an oasis for the mind, body and soul.
All are welcome, whether it’s a young
girl’s first spa experience or a caregiver’s
much needed pampering. Paula does
the same at her salon as she does in
her mentorship program: shine up the
diamond from within.
Beauty Lounge Salon and Spa is a
designated Green Circle Spa. Products
are sustainable and natural, and hair
clippings, foils and product containers
are repurposed and recycled. Most of
Paula’s extensive lines of product are
eco-friendly. Nail colour, hair colour and
skin care such as Sparitual and Calura are
all made with natural ingredients that
are not only good for the environment,
but also for the people who use it. Spa
treatments are environmentally friendly
and noninvasive. Oxygenated facials and
VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 17

DIANA AZIZ is
a consummate
traveler, water
lover, foodie, fashion
slave and adventure
seeker who loves to
experience people,
culture and life.
Then write about it.
radioactive anti-aging treatments offer
state of the art procedures at a minimal
risk to the client. Hair is donated for
environmental causes such as oil spills,
and products are properly recycled
rather than pitched onto landfills.
This is truly about giving back to the
community and to the planet.
18 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

Easy Ways to
Create Chic
Cottage Style
Bring the Cottage home
BY REBECCA HAY
The winter is finally gone, the
sun is out, birds are singing
and the trees are a fresh shade
of lime green. To me, May
brings the excitement that the cottage
season is about to begin. If I could live
the cottage life with my family all year
round, I would. But cottage life doesn’t
have to be restricted to a vacation home
outside the city. You can easily create
charming, relaxed cottage-style living
in your own home. Besides the obvious
attraction of relaxation, cottages warm
my soul and I LOVE designing cottages
and creating this style for our clients
here in the city.
Here are my five simple design ideas
to bring easy, breezy cottage design to
your own home this summer.
Light and Bright is Always Right
The best way to achieve the look of
a fresh summer retreat is with loads
of white paint. My go-to wall colour
is Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White. It’s
fresh but warm and works on every
wall as a great canvas for colour. By
painting all your walls white, you can
add pops of colour in any shade, and
it’s easy to switch up the look as the
seasons change.
Blue Is My Hue A shade of blue is hands
down the freshest way to create a crisp
cottage aesthetic. Many know that I love
nautical navy, but aqua or robin’s eggs
blue works well too. Have fun layering
in this colour with art, pillows and even
lighting: colour in lighting is a big new
trend that is popping up everywhere. It
can add a lot of visual interest and be a
great conversation starter.
Vintage Finds add a casual and comfortable
vibe. This is the perfect time of
year to go to local antique markets or
simply wander consignment stores for
the perfect vintage piece of furniture or
great light that speaks to you.
Natural Textiles such as cotton, wool
and jute add a relaxed feel. It’s okay if
they wrinkle or aren’t perfect: that’s
the idea! Jute rugs are fantastic and
can withstand a lot of wear, and they
also feel amazing underfoot. Summer
is a time for bare feet and bathing suits
so it’s always nice to have natural
materials to stand or sit on. A great
cotton slipcovered sofa will make your
guests feel so relaxed and at ease, they
may not want to leave.
When it comes to summer living
and cottage style, comfort is key. Keep
it fresh and remember not to get too
fussed. Whether you have a summer
home or simply want to make your city
dwelling feel like your summer escape,
these tips will get you there every time.
Now go get that glass of lemonade and
create your own cottage charm in your
own backyard or living area.
Natural Wood Tones are a must-have.
I always include a great warm wood
floor or table in my designs. This helps
to balance all those white walls! It also
adds an element of warmth and often
history. The classic pine furniture
creates a great cottage vibe. A vintage
or antique find is always the best, but
any warm wood will do the trick.
REBECCA HAY is a local Designer - principal of Rebecca Hay Designs Inc., Toronto based complete home design services.
Serving clients throughout Toronto, Muskoka and Canada. RebeccaHayDesigns.com
VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 19

EATING
Cooking Up
Some
Motherly Love
THE PERFECT GIFT FOR THE PERFECT MOM
BY SARA BEDERMAN
The modern mom is a woman
who seems to be doing a
million things at once (some
things never change), and a
good chunk of her time is often spent in
the kitchen. Whether she’s a gourmet
or a greenhorn in the culinary space,
give a gift this Mother’s Day that’s sure
to make her time in the kitchen a total
treat. From a designer and an admitted
kitchen connoisseur, here are five of my
favourite new kitchen essentials that
Mom’s sure to love.
For the “Smoothie Mom”
Spring and summer give us an
abundance of fresh fruits and veggies.
If your mom never leaves the house
in the morning without a smoothie in
hand, the Breville Super Q blender is
certain to be well-used and well-loved.
Two smoothie programs make for
silky dairy smoothies and smoother
green smoothies, and it’s also great for
whipping up healthy soups and salads.
This happens to be my favourite new
kitchen helper! The commercial-grade
blender is a total powerhouse — much
like Mom herself! It’s quick, quiet
and efficient, and looks stylish on the
countertop too.
For the “Chef Mom”
Rule #1 in the kitchen: every great
chef needs an awesome set of knives.
Henkels’ 5-piece knife set includes a
paring knife, prep knife, Santoku knife
and Nikiri knife, with high-quality
stainless steel blades and comfort
handles to tackle all the slicing and
dicing with ease. It’s all set in a bright
red knife block that can become a great
focal point on your countertop. When
you can outfit a utilitarian space with
some functional style, you’ve got a
winning combination!
For the “Coffee Mom”
For the coffee lovers in the house,
the Barista Touch espresso maker
is a perfect addition to a kitchen or
coffee bar. Boasting beauty and brawn,
this machine features commercialquality
performance, speedy threesecond
heat-up time (for the days you
need a little extra... motivation) and
is programmable with up to eight
customizable drink settings. This is
the next best thing to having your own
personal barista who knows exactly
how Mom likes her coffee and gets
her order right every time.
For the “Hostess Mom”
Keep the wine perfectly chilled and
always at the ready by outfitting Mom’s
kitchen with a wine fridge. Whether
she’s hosting a swanky soiree or having
a quiet and cozy evening in “Silhouette”
by Danby’s line of wine fridges will suit
her needs. It comes in a range of sizes
and bottle capacities to fit every space.
20 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

For the “Relaxed Mom”
Okay, this one might be more of a
“Mom goal” than an actual Mom type, but I digress! Some
mother’s might argue that nothing beats kicking back with
a soothing cup of tea after a long and trying day. Brew that
elusive “perfect” cup every time with the Breville Smart Tea
Infuser, which actually knows the right temperature and
steeping time. Bonus: it looks pretty on a
tabletop or counter.
Mother’s Day is an ideal opportunity to
show Mom you care and perhaps score
yourself an invitation to her next dinner
party! Whether it is a blender that stirs you
or kitchen decor that catches your eye, give
Mom the gift of culinary love — from your
heart to hers, for the heart of her home.
SARA BEDERMAN Over a decade this Toronto
bespoke design firm has become known for
creating stylish, thoughtfully curated, livable
interiors. sarabederman.com
Many Colours Available
VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 21

EATING
Hummus
YOURS IS STILL THE BEST
BY EZRA BRAVES
Hummus. Battle lines are drawn
whenever I mention the word.
There is always someone else
who makes it the “best.” Even my own
family has differing opinions. No tahini,
more lemon, less salt, extra garlic.
There are very few foods as ubiquitous
these days and as healthy. We eat a lot
of hummus in my house, it is a staple,
especially for the vegetarians at the
table, and super easy to make - and as
peanut butter is forbidden in school
lunches (sigh).
Although we were unanimous in
our final decision after a blind tasting
of the four dishes, we still continued
to debate the flavour – we just knew it
was great (and amusing to see my kids
sitting at the table reaching in the air for
imaginary spoons while blindfolded). I
still prefer to make it at home. For me
it is about control of the ingredients. If
I’m eating oil, I want it to be extra virgin
and not filler vegetable oil - all salts
are not created equal - real lemons to
bottled lemon juice and garlic cloves
to powder. Why go out if you can make
it better from scratch? I regularly use
hummus as a stage for fried mushrooms,
caramelized onions, or whatever is lying
around, drizzled in heated olive oil with
lemon zest, fried garlic, and za’atar.
The first time I went into Chamsine
(chhum’zeen – pronounce the ‘ch’ like
you are choking), corner of St. Clair and
Vaughan Rd, and ordered hummus, I was
surprised by how good it was – really
tasty – I’m wired for low expectations
so I can be astonished (or relieved)
experiencing a different outcome. So,
I went back thinking it wouldn’t be as
good the second time – still excellent.
Went back a third and fourth time – still
great, and no bullshit. Getting the flavour
of hummus to be consistent isn’t easy
– the same recipe can bring different
results depending on the maker or how
the ingredients are combined. In our
tasting, we also liked Aish Tanoor and
Jerusalem on Eglinton. Fat Pasha was good,
but with a smallish, yet adorned smear
of hummus at over $15 (including a takeout-guilt-tip),
there should really be a
shot of frozen vodka on the bar to drink
while I’m waiting. Hummus from Sababa
and Tabule, not in our blind tasting, is
also worth mentioning. Perhaps I was in
already in a bad mood when I went into a
much-hyped place on Geary, but I really
couldn’t bare any more disappointment
that day when I tried to order some, and
was informed, rather smugly, that they
don’t do take-out during brunch.
I like to eat hummus as a meal so my
overall favourite experience was at The
Hummussiah near Church and Dundas.
Hummus is the star of the show - go
there, nothing to fear travelling south of
Bloor. Very few things in life make me as
happy as a bowl of hummus with warm
chickpeas, olive oil, a huge spoonful of
homemade zhug/harif (middle eastern
chili paste), tons of tahini, fresh fried
eggplant, and a total lack of pretention.
The owner recommended I try the falafel
balls, which I will, as I plan to eat there
weekly.
EZRA BRAVES is the founder of Ezra’s Pound and the president of The Espresso Institute of North America.
22 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

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STEELES AVE W
BAYVIEW AVE
YONGE ST
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1 Sababa 390 Steeles Ave W
2 Aish Tanoor 994 Eglinton Ave W
3 Jerusalem 955 Eglinton Ave W
4 Tabule 2009 Yonge St
5 Chamsine 537 St Clair Ave W
6 Fat Pasha 414 Dupont St
7 The Hummussiah 113 Bond St
LAWRENCE AVE E
BATHURST ST
BAYVIEW AVE
YONGE ST
EGLINTON AVE E
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VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 23

WELL-BEING
It takes a Village to raise a child
How my mother figures taught me to be a better mother
BY SAMANTHA BEDERMAN
When I was three, I had a babysitter from
Switzerland. She was hired as a mother’s
helper. She cooked like a gourmet French
chef and didn’t speak a word of English. We
were left to fend for each other as the rest of my family went
to school or work. We became fast friends and each other’s
teachers of life. I taught her how to speak English and she
taught me about nature, European culture (mostly Swiss
chocolate), travel and art. Every day we would draw, cook,
read, walk the dog and genuinely keep each company. She
was the 18-year-old daughter of the Bern Chief of Police,
a survivor of sexual and child abuse and one of my soul
sisters. Even though her title was mother’s helper, (we
affectionately referred to her as our babysitter) she was
very much a part of my childhood fabric and impactful as a
mother’s imprint.
At nine, I watched my mother apply her lipstick with
perfection and precision. She would cat-walk down the
hallway of our bungalow in her chestnut-brown Italian
leather stilettos, tight fitting turtle neck and denim slacks
hugging her waist, while looking all buttoned down in her
blazer. I was in awe. Her beauty was classic and her style
on point. She was this perfect little package, all organized
and strategically placed like each file in her attaché. She
knew what was being served for dinner, who was going to
piano lessons and who to a swim meet. She grocery shopped
organic and local before it was a “thing.” I watched her hop
into her sports car and drive downtown every day to go to
work, and she sang me a lullaby every night before bed.
She is the framework of my liberation into womanhood.
My self-confidence is the greatest gift she ever gave me.
Once I actually became a mother, I began to comprehend
what a reward it is to be called Mom. Today when I parent,
I am ever aware of the other “mothers” that enter and touch
my children’s lives and I feel relief. If you had asked me in
the toddler years who I would need in my village to help
with my own mothering, I would have said no one. But as a
more mature mother, I am eternally grateful to have made
the roads smooth and trusting between my sister and me. I
can listen to my mother’s advice and hear her perspective,
absorbing it without always adopting it. In this messy life, I
am surrounded by ex-grandparents, step-parents, friendslike-family
and mentors, all who offer positive and loving
support around the institution of parenting, even if they are
unaware of their contribution.
This Mother’s Day, take stock of the mother-like figures in
your life and in your children’s lives. These are the people
that forgive your shortcomings, your greatest mistakes, and
unconditionally give you and your children their heart and
soul expecting nothing in return.
This is your village and those involved have likely been
imprinted upon by mothers, aunts, sisters, mentors and
friends themselves. All of these influences create that
drapery of lifelong soulful relationships. Happy Mother’s Day
to all you mothers, father-mothers, soul sisters and mentors.
As a mother, I am touched. Namaste.
SAMANTHA BEDERMAN is a Certified Yoga Instructor and Iyengar trained. Sam uses Yoga to assist with healing from injury, surgery,
as well as managing chronic pain and auto-immune symptoms. Visit yogabodii.com
24 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

BUILT ON TRUST,
NOT TRANSACTIONS
HARVEY KALLES
MARK ADELSON
sales representative
direct: 416.275.0773
BRANDON WEISS
sales representative
Direct: 647.782.2277
markandbrandon@harveykalles.com ● adelsonweiss.com
NOT INTENDED TO SOLICIT PROPERTIES CURRENTLY LISTED FOR SALE OR INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT WITH A BROKERAGE.
VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 25

Insomnia – Part 2 of 3
Separating Fact from Fiction:
Debunking Myths About Insomnia
BY DR. DEBRA TREVISAN,
PH.D., C.PSYCH.
In the last few decades, scientists have
begun to unravel the many mysteries
surrounding sleep. While there is still
so much we need to learn and many
questions regarding sleep still to be
answered, there are lots of things we
know for sure. It’s time we separate fact
from fiction by debunking some popular
myths about insomnia.
1. A Drink Will Help You Sleep
MYTH. Insomnia can leave you
desperate for a good night’s rest.
Think a glass or two of wine or a
cocktail before bed will offer relief?
Think again. This myth probably
persists because alcohol, being a
depressant with sedating effects,
can help you fall asleep. However,
as alcohol is broken down and
metabolized in the body, it may lead
to disturbed, restless sleep, or it may
make you wake much earlier than
usual.
2. You Can’t Train Yourself to Sleep
MYTH. You can successfully train
your body to associate certain restful
behaviours with sleep. The key, of
course, is consistency. Maintain a
consistent sleep schedule. Try read
for an hour or taking a warm bath
before bed, or maybe meditating or
daydreaming
will help you drop off
to sleep. Find what works for
you, and then make those rituals
a regular part of preparing for bed
every night.
3. Insomnia Is All In Your Head
MYTH. It’s true that psychological
issues can cause or worsen
insomnia. As a matter of fact, stress
is the number one reason people
report a lack of sleep. However,
it’s not the only insomnia trigger.
Many things can cause insomnia,
including poor sleep hygiene, illness,
medication side effects, chronic
pain, restless legs syndrome or
sleep apnea.
4. You Can Make Up For Lost Sleep
MYTH. It’s highly unlikely that you
can fully catch up on sleep you’ve
lost. Sleeping in over the weekend
may actually upset your natural
body clock and make it harder to get
to sleep the next time. The only way
to catch up on lost sleep is to get
back into a regular sleep schedule.
5. Stay in Bed If You Can’t Sleep
MYTH. Tossing and turning for a
half hour or more in bed? It’s okay
to get up to read or listen to relaxing
music. A quiet activity can help
you relax and feel sleepy. Staying
in bed can lead to frustration and
clock-watching and over time,
you may associate your bed with
wakefulness, not rest. Serious health
conditions have been associated
with chronic lack of sleep, including
obesity, hypertension, diabetes,
heart attack and stroke.
6. Sleep Problems Go Away on
Their Own
MYTH. Until you know what’s
causing your insomnia — whether
it’s stress, medication, illness or
another issue — don’t expect it to
disappear on its own. If you’ve had
problems getting to sleep or staying
asleep, or if you’re consistently tired,
you may have a sleep disorder. It’s
time to talk to your doctor about
treatment.
Stay tuned for my next article
where I cover treatment options
for insomnia.
DR. DEBRA TREVISAN is a Clinical Psychologist with special interests in mood and anxiety disorders, insomnia, and personality disorders.
www.drdebratrevisan.com, www.qwellness.ca
26 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

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VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 27

PARENTING
DIARY OF A NEW MAMA
Being
my own
dietitian
BY JAIME SLAVIN
It’s hard to practice what I preach
when I’m busy taking care of my
little one. When it comes to eating
nutritiously as a mother of a one-yearold,
I’ve had to come up with a few
strategies to keep me feeling healthy
and thriving (or surviving, depending on
the day).
Busy mom nutrition tips:
Don’t skip meals and then overeat at
night. Seems simple, but it’s actually
harder to achieve when you are busy
taking care of your babe during the day.
If you don’t fuel yourself, you will have
no energy to take care of your little one.
Being prepared is key, so make sure you
always have something in your fridge/
freezer/purse/diaper bag that is not just
for your baby but for you.
» Don’t meal prep, ingredient prep.
Have things on hand like hard-boiled
eggs, washed and sliced veggies, a
homemade salad dressing, roasted
sweet potatoes or cooked quinoa. Just
start with that. It’s a base for a meal
or snack that doesn’t involve much
time and guarantees that you have
something in the fridge when you
need something quick.
» If you are really pinched for time or
need something on the go, make a
big smoothie and try to put as many
healthy fats, protein and greens in
it as you can. This will help you feel
full for longer and will give you the
nutrients you are missing from not
sitting down to a meal.
» Speaking of sitting, this is one of my
poorest nutrition habits that I am
trying to correct: eating standing
up or in a rush. This is not only bad
for digestion, but it also takes away
the pleasure of eating. I’ve learned
to either choose the time my son is
napping to enjoy a meal, or fill his
pack and play with his favourite toys
so he can play and I can sit down to
eat.
» Stress levels and sleep deprivation
lead to more cravings. For some that
may be salt, but for me, it’s cookies
or chocolate. I always have dark
chocolate on hand and I make a
weekly batch of energy bites that are
oat based, which taste like oatmeal
cookies, so my cravings are satisfied
without the crash of a sugary
processed treat.
JAIME SLAVIN is a nutritionist, registered dietician, Masters of Public Health, food educator and advocate for your health and well-being.
jaimeslavin.com
28 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

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provides hands-on design activities to develop Science,
Technology, Engineering, Arts/Design, and Math (STEAM)
skills, creativity, and teamwork.
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday, June 25 - Friday, June 28
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Ages 8-16
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VILLAGELIVINGMAGAZINE.CA 29

PARENTING
HOOKED ON BOOKS
Gifts for Moms
who Love to Read
BY JOANNE SALLAY EDUCATION COLUMNIST
I
love May and celebrating Mother’s
Day with my family. What I don’t love
is looking for presents for the special
women in my life who are sometimes
challenging to shop for. If you have this
dilemma, I recommend shopping for
gifts connecting to reading.
With so many different categories to
choose from, a good book or reading
accessory is a perfect gift for any mom,
and it sets a great example at home.
Families who read inspire kids to read.
I say this as a self-proclaimed book nerd
raising two little bookworms to like
reading as much as I do.
These days, books aren’t the only
things you can pick up at the local bookstore!
Here are a few literary-inspired
gifts to consider for mom this May:
Cozy clothing, blankets and pillows
I hope my family is reading this
column, because this would be my ideal
gift. I like to get all cozy while reading
before bedtime. A throw blanket is a
must-have for me, and comfortable
pyjamas and a robe too, paired with a
good book I can’t put down. I have also
always wanted to try a pair of Indigo
reading socks, hint-hint.
Reading accessories and decor
Consider charming accessories
that literary lovers will appreciate
for decorating their desk or around
the home. I recently discovered the
Bibliophile line illustrated by Jane
Mount, comprised of artisanal vases,
stationary, agendas and journals, all
designed with the bookworm in mind.
They make a great gift year-round too!
Personalized labels
While many associate customized
name labels with children, they also
make a great gift item for adults. My
mother-in-law is incredibly generous
lending out her favourite books from
her personal collection to friends
and family (and Tupperware too).
Mabel’s Labels would ensure she gets
them back!
Books or gift cards
This idea is for the mom who is always
searching for a good title, takes her
time to read, brings a book on holiday
and does not have patience to wait for
the most popular picks to borrow. The
key here is to know the types of genres
she is into, but get a gift receipt just in
case. When in doubt, you can never go
wrong with a gift card to Indigo.
Reading retreat at the spa
For the ultimate of splurges, I
recommend sending mom away from
the hustle and bustle of her routine
for some rest and relaxation with a
luxurious day spa or overnight getaway.
Ste. Anne’s spa resort in Grafton, Ont.
is my happy place. What I love most
is that you can leave your electronics
behind to truly get away from it all and
get lost in a novel between lunch and a
massage. While this option can have a
higher price tag, it can be combined as a
Father’s Day gift. Double win!
What’s on your Mother’s Day wishlist?
JOANNE SALLAY is the President of Teachers on Call, an award-winning home tutoring service with over 30 years of experience providing
one-on-one instruction in all subjects and grades. Visit Teachers on Call at teachersoncall.ca
30 VILLAGE LIVING MIDTOWN

USE YOUR
HEAD.
TAKE ON THE WORLD!
Learn about the International Baccalaureate advantage.
CO-ED / JK-12
yorkschool.com