Toronto Uncovered

Archive for the ‘Rec’ Category

A few months ago I wrote a post about the types and benefits of hot yoga and the different studios I have tried around Toronto.  As you might remember, I prefer Bikram’s style of hot yoga over Moksha because it pushes me to achieve higher levels of difficulty and fitness.  Since that post, one of my good friends has been urging me to try his hot yoga studio, iam yoga, which offers a number of different hot flow classes.  At first, I was reluctant because I thought, like Moksha,  it would be too light and fluffy for me.  Luckily, his persistence eventually paid off and I joined him for my first hot flow class on Saturday and my second last night.  These classes are 60 minutes, instead of the 90 minute Bikram, and are a mish mash of different yoga styles including: Hatha, traditional flow, Ashtanga, Bikram and some Pilates inspired movements as well (straight legged bicycles in a 100 degree heat is NOT easy). The main part of the flow class is that in between every major set of positions you come back to a flow, which is a transition from downward dog, into chaturanga followed by upward dog, ending back in downward dog.

I have to say that these classes to be a perfect middle ground between Bikram and traditional Moksha. They are definitely challenging and work towards improving your mental and physical strength, but they are not as intense as the Bikram and offer a variety of different movements each class.

The downtown location celebrates its 1 year anniversary in February and there is already such a huge sense of friendship and community among those who practice. The uptown location, Moksha Yoga Uptown, is more of a Moksha style, but also offers flow classes for anyone living further North.

I have to admit I’m a bit of a convert. Ill probably mix up practicing between Bikram and these flow classes depending on my mood and energy levels.

Where do you practice? Any other good hot yoga studios downtown?

Growing up, apple picking was an annual tradition in the Morrison household. I used to love running up and down the rows of blossoming apple trees, plucking only the shiniest and ripest apples to catch my eye.  My brothers and I used to climb the larger  trees to get to the best, sun-kissed apples at the top.

I am happy to admit that not much has changed. Last weekend, some friends and I took a short road trip to Chudleigh’s apple orchards. Luckily, the weather was on our side – sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. This made for a                                       great escape from the city. Almost immediately, we returned to our childhood, lowered our already questionable maturity levels, and ran around the orchard picking apples of every variety we could find. We eventually tired our selves out and found a spot to lay in the sun and enjoy our surroundings.

Everyone left with a few bags of gorgeous apples, and some jams and other baked goods from the Chudleigh’s store. The best part of having all of these perfectly ripe apples is the inevitable baking to follow. Below are some delicious apple recipes I plan on trying out this week!

Apple Crisp Recipe via Roberts Place

Apple Stuffed Chicken Breast

Other Apple Recipes via Ontario Apple Growers

If this week’s cool temperatures are an indication of anything, its that Torontonians will not be blessed with an Indian Summer. This time of year is always a little bit difficult for me – I don’t adjust well to the lack of sunlight and cold weather. Staying active and warm has always helped – hot yoga is the perfect remedy for my winter doldrums.

I first started practicing hot yoga while I was living in the Annex during University and recently picked it up again in the East end. I am no stranger to yoga, having taken some form for years.  Hot yoga, which is done at a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit, has certain benefits which I find are absent in other forms.

First, I am completely in ‘the moment’ for the entire 90 minutes of class. My mind is fully focused on the different movements and poses, never drifting to other topics. In other forms of yoga, I find my mind wanders and I am rarely in a truly meditative state. Clearing my head of daily distractions allows me to recharge and gives me a much better outlook and perspective.

Second, the physical benefits are unmatched by any other form I have taken. In one 90 minute class you can burn anywhere between 1000 and 1700 calories. The class is intense and challenging from beginning to end, providing a true sense of accomplishment when completed. Hot yoga also increases my metabolism, flexibility and overall strength more than any other form. I have even noticed improvements in the health of my skin and hair.

Third, because of the heat, you will sweat more than you ever believed possible – if you’re not dripping from head to toe within a few minutes, you’re not human! This provides an amazing detox and flush of your system, unparalleled in any other exercise I have encountered.

There are two main forms of hot yoga: Bikram and Moksha.  I have taken both and prefer Bikram. The main difference is that Bikram is the same every class. You go through 26 predefined poses, holding them for a specific amount of time each. Each pose has its place in the sequence for a reason. Good Bikram instructors will explain the different poses and their benefits as you go through them. Moksha is more flexible, with similar poses as Bikram, but not necessarily and any predefined order. I found Bikram to be more difficult, and therefore, I had a greater sense of achievement after class. It really comes down to your own personal preference.

If you’re looking for good studios to go in and around town check out the following – I have tried all of these, and find them to be clean, well priced, and above all else staffed with excellent instructors.

Bikram Yoga Centre (42 Colborne Lane)

Bikram Yoga Annex (720 Spadina Avenue)

Moksha Yoga Downtown (577 Wellington Street West)

Namaste!

I have often said that there are tons of amazing people doing amazing things in Toronto. Last weekend I was invited to participate in the 3rd Annual Koski Kup, a full day ball hockey tournament in support of Lupus Ontario. It is hosted and organized by Jordy and David Koski, who lost their dad to Lupus a few years ago.

Arriving at 9am on Saturday October 3rd, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I like to play sports and end up signing myself up for enough teams here and there, but I wouldn’t really call myself ‘naturally athletic’.  I had briefly grazed the website and looked at pictures of previous years: crazy outfits, lots of laughter and hilarious pictures were front and centre.  It was clear that fun and charity were top of mind, followed closely by a healthy dose of competition and trash talking.

Five teams, 8-10 players each, participated in the tournament.  The top four went on to playoff rounds. Our team, Les Tabernouches, went all the way to the finals, clinching first place bragging rights and the Koski Kup. Money was raised throughout the day byentry fees and selling raffle tickets, hamburgers and hot dogs to spectators who came out to support the cause – or maybe they were there to laugh at us as we attempted to play ball hockey on a soaked rink all dressed in wigs. Either way, the total amount surpassed the $2500.00 mark.

The entire event was well planned and a lot of fun. I laughed so hard my sides hurt, and could barely walk the next day from running so much. Many thanks to Jordy and Dave for an amazing day and for having such a great outlook on life.

I have always believed that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Since the time I was young, I would join my mom in garage sale hunting and spend hours pouring over other peoples unwanted goods. From these trips, I learned to negotiate, haggle with vendors, sniff out deals, and find diamonds in any ruff. Garage sales, yard sales and flea markets still excite me to this day, which is why on many Sundays I can be found wandering around the Sunday Antique Market at the St. Lawrence Market.

The SAM, open from 5am to 5pm,  is housed in the North building at Front St. and Jarvis St. During the warmer months there are  vendors along the sidewalks and also in the smaller fountain area just West of Jarvis.  I usually spend most of my time visiting with the outdoor vendors. They sell beautiful silks, jewellery, vintage designer items, and even some new designer items (like the Dior shades I got this weekend for half the” in-store” price).  The vendors are very friendly and love to chat with their customers, but don’t let that fool you, they are also fantastic sales people.

Aside from clothing and jewellery, you will also find an endless supply of household items: shelving units, antique glassware, fondue sets, pottery, and  collectibles like comic books, stamps and coins. There is no shortage of selection or diversity. Whatever you might be looking for, you will find some variation of it here – guaranteed!

All of the vendors are local to Toronto and the surrounding area, and many own shops around town as well. Most have a story to tell and will engage you as long as you are willing to listen. This is definitely one of my favourite Sunday morning or afternoon pastimes and I rarely leave empty handed.

With TIFF in full swing this weekend, Torontonians had tons of activities to choose from.  Those of us (myself included) looking to escape the TIFF madness were lucky to have some viable options. My escape’s name was the Junction, the stretch of Dundas Street West from Keele to Quebec, and the host of this weekend’s 17^th Annual Junction Arts Festival.

I have been to many street festivals in and around Toronto: Taste of Little Italy, Taste of the Danforth, Cabbagetown Festival and Buskerfest to name a few, however, the Junction Arts Fest was notably different from any of these.  It truly exhibited the artistic nature of the neighbourhood and its inhabitants.  Local artists, like Lavarius and The Fuzionists, displayed their work in booths and on the sidewalks, some creating their pieces of work as we watched. Professional and amateur street performers entertained by-passers with modern and expressive dance moves, using street benches, parking meters and window ledges to gain height and draw attention. Some bands set up on street corners to share their latest tunes with the crowds, while other musical acts like The Beauties and performers like Hip Kik were featured on the main stages. There seemed to be no restrictions on what counted as art or who was labeled as an artist. People were encouraged to express themselves and their art in any way they could.

Smash, a store filled top to bottom with salvage materials, vintage fixtures and other architectural pieces, featured work by Toronto artist Bruno Billio, who takes everyday objects and creates pieces of art by stacking them in intricate or different ways.

The Junction also has a strong eco-friendly “green” culture which is embodied in market shops like The Sweet Potato. The Toronto Hydro exhibit did a great job of marrying the artistic nature of the festival with the passion the community feels towards green initiatives and sustainability.  Their showcase, Straight From the Fridge, was an art exhibit of vintage fridge doors which were transformed by Canadian artists into pieces of modern art. The exhibit went to promote Toronto Hydro’s fridge pick up and recycling program which ensures these old and unwanted appliances are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.

Street festivals allow the real character of the community shine through.  As I wandered through the vendors, exhibits and food stands on the blocked off streets I could feel there was a strong sense of support and togetherness. Many of the people there live and/or work in the Junction and have watched the area transform since prohibition was banished in 2000.  The Junction Arts Fest gave store owners an opportunity to connect with their community and introduce themselves to visitors like myself.  It was a great introduction into this up-and-coming area of Toronto, highlighting the talent and inspiration the Junction embodies.

I was taking a step across the street making my way to St Clair West Subway station when I heard “bring bring”. Thinking it was a bike I turned my head, and sure enough, one was passing me by. At first glance all seemed normal until I noticed that the rider wasn’t peddling. My first thought: “Cool”. Second thought: “I want one!” . Third thought: “where do I get one?” Forth: “ How much would this set me back?”

Popping up all over the city streets of Toronto and Vancouver are electric bicycles, aka ‘E-bikes’. An E-bike is designed to be propelled primarily by muscular power and to travel on no more than three wheels.

This emerging subculture of electric and human powered bikes is gaining in both popularity and controversy. Some say it has added to the overall cycling community, spurring pressure for more bike lanes in  city centers. Others, namely hardcore cyclists and pedestrians, want them off of their bike lanes and sidewalks.  Regardless of which camp you belong to, it seems that these scooting and peddling doodads are becoming increasingly hot-ticket items.

Though all ages can ride E-bikes and no drivers license is required, most of the marketing done by retailers is aimed at the baby-boomer generation who may want an extra push to get over large hills or travel long distances. Since a reliable E-Bike  (and the fuel needed to run it) doesn’t come cheap, marketing  to a financially stable segment seems a likely choice.

There are a few things to consider if you are in the market for an E Bike:

First and foremost, be weary of green-washing, polluting and unethical labor practices! Eric Kamphof, General Manager of Toronto’s On the Fourth thinks very highly of well developed E-bikes but cautions that  “there are a large amount of e-bikes that are unsustainable” explaining that many E-bikes found at major department stores are “reliable for a while but not manufactured very well”. In some instances these bikes will not be accepted for repair by many bike stores because  they are difficult to repair, rust easily and have cheap lead-based batteries. According to Eric, “many people that buy e-bikes come in to our store expecting us to repair them…but, it is very difficult and they usually just end up in landfills after a year”

After speaking with some manufacturers, cyclists and shops, I traveled to my local Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart in search of  E-Bikes that fit this cheaply designed description. A number of models marked at less than $1000 were made of cheap, heavy metal and manufactured in countries with sub par labour practices. I couldn’t picture myself trying to pedal one of these puppies up a hill after my battery died. For a good E-bike you shouldn’t be paying less than $3000 CDN.

Second, include the following items on your list of non-negotiables:

1)    Weather proof
2)    Battery integrated into the frame
3)    Lithium-ion based or similar battery that quickly recharges
4)    Easy to ride with or without peddling
5)    Multiple gears for peddling
6)    Light weight
7)    Integrated software for multiple user settings
8)    Adjustable speed settings and gears
9)    Maintenance friendly

Interested in purchasing an E-Bike? Check this out! After considerable research, these puppies are pretty sweet and the best on the market, though it will cost you a pretty penny:

Tesla Series by Koga-Miyata

The award winning Tesla series has a ground breaking design. Finely detailed, light weight and powerful. Few rival this make and here is why:

•    Bikes are manufactured using 25% green energy
•    Top quality craftsmanship and design
•    Maintenance friendly
•    Shimano 21 Speed gears
•    Light weight aluminum frames (28.5 KG)
•    Adjustable software integrated into the bike to set riding speeds for types of terrain.
•    Batteries are integrated into the frames of the bike, yet easily removable for charging
•    First class Lithium-ion battery, aka ‘ION motor’, that is powerful and that quickly recharges with a simple plug in.
•    Maximum distance is noted at 55-90 km on flat surfaces; 45 to 60 on hilly terrain; and 35 to 50km on steep ascents (these depend on a number of factors).
•    Excellent handling with or without pedal assist
•    Handle bar display settings

In the final words of Eric: “imagine being my parents, they would love it!”. So would mine my friend, but at the moment, I’ll stick to my quads.

Stefan W Piech

Labour Day weekend blessed us with some of the most beautiful weather of the summer.  I spent most of the weekend outside, either at a pool, the beach, or on a patio. When Monday rolled around, bringing with it another spectacularly sunny, warm day, I took to the streets on my bike. I was in search of somewhere to wander and shop while I killed time – Kensington Market was calling.

My favourite area of Kensington is Baldwin St to Spadina and Kensington Avenue to Dundas. I feel like this L-Block embodies the real Kensington vibe: ridiculous costumes; great vintage finds; cowboy boots and sunglasses galore; and all the trinkets, jewellery and buttons you could ever ask for.

Baldwin provides necessary nourishment before you hit the shops on Kensington Avenue. Any street that has a chocolate shop (Chocolate Addict), cheese store (Cheese Magic) and bakery (Cobs Bread)  within a 50 foot radius of each other is good in my books.

Vintage Depot is at the top of Kenington Avenue, filled with racks and racks of clothing from all different eras and fashions. Whether you’re looking for tassels or jump suits you’re sure to find it here. Just South of Vintage Depot sits Exile. This store seems small from the outside, but is actually endlessly long. The best part of this store is that everything is somewhat organized: Glitter, Wigs, Printed Tees, Boas, Glamour and so on. For any homemade costume or themed outfit Exile is a great place to start – it really has everything. As you continue South down Kensington you’ll find Butterfly and Ego which are also great for those rare vintage clothing and jewellery finds. Clic Klak Fashion Studio is filled mainly with accessories – bracelets, leggings, hats, etc.  This vintage wonderland continues South until just before Dundas. By this point, if you have any room left in your hands to carry more items, you weren’t looking hard enough.

What are your favourite shops to hit in Kensington Market?

I still remember the moment I realized my days of summer vacations were over. When I say ‘vacation’ I am not referring to  the  couple of weeks us working folk take off here and there. No, I am talking about two full months of uninhibited, do what you want when you want, FREEDOM. While I am working towards attaining this type of freedom again, I try and take some time during the summer (even just for a day or two) to remember what it was like. On these days, I shed all responsibility and return to my childhood.

I took one such day a couple of weeks ago. The weather forecast was sunny and hot, and every inch of me was begging for a day off.  Below are a list of activities in and around Toronto that will make you feel like a kid again, staycation or vacation -

1. Find a Pool: Toronto is littered with more pools than meet the eye. That’s because most of them are hidden on roof tops of private condo buildings. I am lucky enough to have found a few of these to sneak into this summer, however, for the sake of preserving their sanctitude I cannot disclose them here. The Radisson will let you pay to play in their pool, but it’s a hefty charge of $35.00 for the day so you’re better off Holmseing out a private one.

2. Go for a bike ride: If you live in Toronto and you don’t have a bike, you’re missing out. It took me nearly seven years of living here to realize how amazing biking in Toronto is. GET A BIKE!

3. Find some playmates: I have at least eight or nine playmates to call upon on any given day, who either quit their jobs or have been downsized and are living off their pensions. If all of your friends are still employed, planned staycation days are a safe bet.

4. Enjoy drinks on a patio. Caesars! The only drink that you can order before noon and no one bats an eye.

5. Read a good book. Some to consider: The Futurist, Neuromancer, Outliers, Great Expectations, Kane and Abel,   and To Kill a Mockingbird.

6. Wander the streets: Queen St., Kensington Market, The Distillery, The Beaches, The Annex – no matter what time of day, or which day of the week, these areas are always bustling.

7. Buy yourself a delicious frozen treat. Ice cream, freezies and popsicles are all acceptable choices.

8. Watch an outdoor movie. Both Dundas Square and Harbourfront offered outdoor movies this summer. Unfortunately, the season is already over so you’ll have to wait till next year to take part.

9. Most importantly, don’t embark on anything that even resembles responsible behaviour. No running errands, no calling into work, no checking your emails or voice mails. Honestly, it is the most liberating feeling to disconnect for a day and live each moment as it comes. Do what you want, when you want.

What is your favourite thing to do on a summer staycation in Toronto?

Image by: Rick Loftus

Summer, summer, summer time! It looks as though summer has finally arrived in Toronto (better late than never I suppose).  Last year I discovered that if you owned a net, you could play beach volleyball  at Ashbridges Bay for free. This discovery, while it may not seem overly significant, changed my summers from here on out. I bought a net and quickly became a beach rat, playing every weekend without fail.

Beach volleyball is one of the most satisfying and rewarding ways to spend a Saturday or Sunday in Toronto.  The vibe of the Ashbridges volleyball community is awesome. I met a ton of great people last year who have since become good friends and weekend teammates.  We play pick-up most weekends, and our crew is growing each year.

If you like volleyball and are looking for a fun way to spend the day, stay in shape, and catch some sun all at the same time, Ashbridges is the way to go.  As the summer picks up you will need to arrive early if you have any hope of claiming a court. When I say ‘early’, I mean 8:00 or 8:30, especially if there is a tournament that weekend.  The best solution is to rotate the positions of ‘court squaters’, giving everyone a regular chance to sleep off their hangover.

I am always interested in meeting, and playing with, new people. If you have a net, or are just looking for some new players let me know!