Fashion Takes Action At The Green Living Show

I have a whole new mindset about eco-fashion after attending the Fashion Takes Action event at The Green Living Show. I had no idea that these clothes were so stylish and beautiful, with the added bonus of being environmentally friendly. Here are a few highlights from the show:

Spring makes an entrance with these bright coloured dresses

Looking bold as brass in this outfit

This outfit is perfect for a day at the office or a night out for drinks

Farm Fresh Fare At The Green Living Show

There was a ton to do and see at this year’s Green Living Show, held at Exhibition Place.  Over three days, the GLS showcased thousands of eco products and services, live presentations by eco-icons and celebs and more than 400 exhibits.

But for me, the highlight was the food! This year’s GLS hosted Farm Fresh Fare – 18 food stations of delectable offerings created by dynamic Producer and Chef partnerships.  Here are my top 5 favourite dishes out of the bunch:

1) Porchetta on Wood Fired Bread
By Chef Mario Pingue and Fernando Pingue of Niagara Specialty Foods and producers: DuBreton and Ravine Bakery. Holy sandwich, batman!  This delicacy was overflowing with sumptuous meat on freshly baked bread, bringing a new level to the sub sandwich.

2) Hearty Buckwheat Apple Crisp
Chef: Evelyne Gharbirian of Hearty Catering and producers: Lincoln Line Orchards Harmony Organic. You can’t go wrong with baked apples topped with honey and organic whipped cream. I wanted to devour the whole tray. Check out Hearty Catering’s veggielicious spread at the Riverdale Farmers’ Market on Tuesdays from 3-7pm (May to October) and at Evergreen Brick Works on Saturdays from 8am-2pm (May to November).

Tasty Bites at The Delicious Food Show, Toronto

The first annual Delicious Food Show rolled into Toronto this past weekend and it brought along 'Julia Child' with it (above). Miss Conception greeted hungry guests at the entrance with a, "Helloooooo!" as people snapped food photos and snapped up samples in every which direction. At the Thursday opening night party, the entrance line funnelled right into the Rickard's beer line - just to make sure you kicked it off right. 

Chef Corbin of Dinner Party Wars and Crash My Kitchen is all smiles 

Part street food festival, trade show and food lovers paradise, the event was held inside the dolled up Better Living Centre with booths scattered throughout. Mobile ice cream, cupcakes and popcorn trucks drove themselves right inside. Restaurants, catering companies, food products, kitchen tools, cafes and bakeries were all in the mix. A separate area hosted liquor, wine and beer companies, but the food was the real star here. 

Juicy jumbo shrimp

Urban Eats: Donut Cheeseburger and Fried Cola

The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) or The Ex opened last weekend - a bittersweet reminder that summer is officially coming to an end. As a kid, it was all about the midway rides and games but now, food seems to be the main attraction. This year the guilty indulgence comes fried in a 16 oz cup and an epic salty and sweet sensation.

If you survived your heart attack from last year's deep fried butter and chocolate dipped bacon, this year you can get your hands on the Krispy Kreme doughnut cheeseburger: a thick slice of meat patty and cheese wedged snuggly between glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts. And if the calorie count doesn't impress you enough, you can toss in an extra toonie and top it off with crispy bacon and a fried egg for a whooping 1500 calories of fun!


Thirsty? Down some deep fried cola! Now that one I had to really think about... seriously who thought up the idea of a cup of heaping little squiggy sticks of batter filled with Coke syrup and then finished off with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry of course. Can you say self-induced sugar coma?!

I'm going to be heading to The Ex later this week but think I'll take a pass on these treats. If you do try them, let me know what you think!

The Canadian National Exhibition is Canada’s largest annual community event. Taking place over the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day, the CNE offers a wide variety of entertainment and events, midway rides and games, a working farm, parades and sports, international food and shopping, Kids’ World, and a three-day air show.

Photo credits: Yahoo Canada (Epic Krispy Kreme Burger) and Toronto Star (Fried Cola).

The Delicious Food Show is Coming to Toronto

Save the date! The Delicious Food Show is coming to Toronto from October 20 - 23, 2011 at the Better Living Centre at the CNE. Bring your appetite as world-class chefs such as Lynn Crawford and Mark McEwan share their secrets on the Delicious Celebrity Kitchen Stage.

"Like an onion, The Delicious Food Show Toronto will have many layers; from the ingredients, the hands on food, the what's new in the gadgets, design and all lifestyle around food. We have planned three and a half pleasure-packed days of food, kitchen, cooking and entertaining, with a plethora of cutting edge lifestyle items to enhance the culinary experience," says show director Nadine Spencer.

The Show will also feature “Loving Local” a farmers market showcasing the best in a 200-mile radius. Things we're looking forward to - the hands on classes, the how-to seminars, the champagne tasting lounge, learning food & wine pairings and snapping pics of all the designer cakes that will be on display.

For show details visit: www.deliciousfoodshow.com

Shopping @ The CNE, Toronto

The Arts, Crafts & Hobbies Building at The CNE is one of our favourite spots to shop.  We love all the homemade goodies and specialty foods.  We found colourful chunks of pretty, scented soap from one vendor and couldn't resist sampling all the body butters.  Here's a look inside some of things we came across...  

The CNE 2010, Toronto

The opening of The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE or The Ex) is always so bittersweet.  Yes, the end of summer is here but the normally dormant Exhibition Grounds come alive with a midway, farm exhibit, shopping, shows and lots to eat.  The CNE is part urban carnival meets country fair.  
My favourite memory as a kid was report card day at the end of June, when tucked inside that yellow envelope was a free kids pass to The Ex.  I have been every year since I was little.

Deep-Fried Butter @ The CNE, Toronto

Deep-Fried Butter has been all the talk amongst Torontonians ever since its debut at The CNE this summer.  You are either really grossed out by the idea, or definitely want to try it.  I love butter, don't get me wrong - but I am a little weirded out by it all.  I ask myself, "How could you eat deep-fried butter?  It's so unhealthy!" as I wolf down a corn dog, candy apple, curly fries and some Tiny Tom Donuts that day.  Everywhere you turn, someone is eating something deep-fried and it's a beautiful thing.  The CNE is a mandatory cheat day.  Don't even try to look for a salad, unless it is sandwiched in a burger.  Here are some pics we snapped of the Deep-Fried Butter at The Sweet Treats Booth in The Midway, near Princes' Gates.

Sweet Treats even serves up other deep-fried goodies like twinkies and chocolate bars.  So did you try the Deep-Fried Butter?  If so, how was it?  Would you eat it again?

The CNE runs until September 6th, 2010

For more info, visit: www.TheEx.com

Read more posts from our visit to The Ex HERE.

Flowrider at The CNE, Toronto

Hip + Urban Husband (huh?) tries out the Flowrider Surf Machine at The Canadian National Exhibition (The Ex) in Toronto.  All I can do is offer a couple 'woos!' for encouragement.  The CNE runs until September 6th, 2010 - so you still have a chance to get on this crazy thing!  $20 gets you 30 minutes of play, don't forget your bathing suit and sense of adventure.

For more information visit: www.TheEx.com