Feel Good Guru

If you’ve been meditating in a cave in the Himalayas and haven’t heard about the new doc “Forks Over Knives” now playing in theatres across North America, it’s safe to come out. The plant-strong message has hit the mainstream, and pretty soon, those friends and family members who call you the Crazy Hippy will be asking for your recipe for those veggie burgers you brought to the family bbq last summer.

Forks Over Knives examines the claim that we can reverse degenerative diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer simply by eating a whole foods plant-based diet — and it makes a powerful case for animal protein being the cause of most cancers and cardiovascular diseases. (more…)

Local. Organic. Vegan. Evolutionary. The L.O.V.E. Cafe hit the Toronto underground dining scene last week with a celebration of fiddleheads and farmers! The first Toronto version of L.O.V.E. Cafe was an invitation-only 10-person gathering featuring guest of honor, Jorge DeAndrade, who regaled diners with stories from the farm over fiddleheads-done-four-ways. Jorge, a passionate advocate for sustainable farming, has been the main supplier of local organic veggies to Feel Good Guru’s Food since its launch in February. I wanted to honor him for his work and introduce some of my best customers to their farmer.

The evening began with a glass of Ontario Biodynamic wine while people arrived and introduced themselves. In the mix were two TV producers, a flight attendant, an actor and author, a health industry professional, a couple of ad execs, a holistic nutritionist, and myself, host and chef – a diverse group of singles and couples bonding over the common interest in healthy eating. (more…)

I was asked last night at the L.O.V.E. cafe, over fiddleheads done four ways, “What are you?” as in “Are you vegan?”

My response is not simple. Many of my friends are ethical vegans and animal activists whom I love and respect for their tireless work to help end the horrible suffering most farmed animals endure.

I can’t officially call myself a vegan though, because every summer when I embark on my solo motorcycle adventures, I don my 20-year-old leathers…very grateful for the protection they provide. (more…)

…at 50 (because 50 is the new 40). That’s chapter 2 in Carol Leifer’s new book “When You Lie About Your Age, the Terrorists Win” and it had me laughing out loud from number 1 ~ “the people who frequent nude beaches are never the people you want to see naked.”

When you’ve been on the planet long enough that sharing your best story of seeing The Beatles live at Shea Stadium in the summer of 1966 causes people to exclaim, “Jesus Christ!…How old are you?” you’ve probably gleaned a gem or two of wisdom, and if you’re Carol Leifer, you’re able to give the whole not-for-sissies aging process a humorous twist that makes all of us, no matter how young or old, fear it a little less. (more…)

Had I not been staying, several years ago, in a 17th century French “magnanerie” or silk production workshop, now a gorgeous Provencal vacation home, I may never have been awakened to the dark secrets of sericulture and the plight of the industrious little silkworm…

“For centuries, the walls in here were covered in mulberry leaves,” said our charming host, Bernard Cay-Maubuisson, indicating the thick stone walls of his rustic and cozy living room. I imagine a lush interior garden with climbing vines and ripened berries hanging just so over the frames of his beautifully restored antique art. “And tens of thousands of silkworms munched on the mulberry leaves,” he added with a smile. My thoughts of an indoor Eden are replaced with visions of slimy larvae slithering over the furniture.  (more…)

It’s Earth Day, fellow Earthlings, and I find myself wondering what’s a CHUPPIE (Conscious Healthy Urbanite with Passion & Power to Inspire Evolution) to do beyond turning out the lights, turning off the tap while brushing, and turning up the eco megaphone…What are YOU doing to honor your home planet?

Despite staggering statistics and overwhelming evidence that we are destroying all life on Earth, we’re still, for the most part, acting as if we can somehow give back all we’ve “borrowed” at a later, less inconvenient date. But let’s face it. Just like the world banks, we’re greedy and we have no intention of paying our debt to the planet. At least the banks get to restructure. Unfortunately, humanity doesn’t get a bailout… (more…)

If you can build a fire in your backyard fire pit, or have your favorite nature-loving camper pal to do it for you, you’ve got the beginnings of a magical meal to be shared outdoors with a bunch of your best friends.

Fire, Earth, Water and Air are infused in this communal, beautifully-balanced traditional Spanish dish with an animal-friendly twist your guests won’t soon forget. If you’re a vegan, it’s probably been awhile since you’ve tasted something “smoky” in flavor. Make sure you use untreated wood, something aromatic like pine, and you’ll get the most amazingly rich, Smokin’ Vegan Fire Pit Paella. Read through the recipe, then check the vid! (more…)