Toronto Real Estate Agents | Julie Kinnear

Fruit by Stephen Best

Today, we will introduce another controversial diet that got especially famous after being featured in Richard Curtis’s romantic comedy, Notting Hill. Do you remember Hugh Grant’s date who claimed to only be comfortable eating fruit that has fallen from the tree or bush and added that otherwise she would consider it murder? I bet you guessed right; today’s post will be all about fruitarianism. Although real fruitarianism is rarely that crazy and doesn’t require fruit to fall before being collected, this subset of raw veganism is still considered to be one of the most restrictive diets.

Gluten Sources
by Wikimedia Commons

Once considered to be the sad necessity for those suffering from celiac disease, over the past few years, the gluten-free diet has become one of the popular for anyone. Its followers have decided to exclude gluten from their menus, which is a protein found in most cereals, such as wheat, barley, and rye.

Vegetable stand
by Michael Cannon

It is getting more and more difficult to find Canadians who never went wild dieting to get shaped up or just to show how caring about their own bodies they are. In our youth- and beauty-oriented society, great looks became a must and a prerequisite of success in life, and people push the borders by inventing new and more innovative diets — up to the point where they become a bit… unusual.

Hakarl in Iceland
by Wikimedia Commons

We all hear stories from friends returning from Asian or African countries about varieties of deep fried insects or roasted rats sold on the streets of lively cities. We even realize that knowing everything about production processes of our supermarket food and all the chemicals used during its preparation could easily prevent us from eating virtually anything for quite a while. However, today’s post will show you that there is always a way to push what we call food beyond the boundaries most of us would tolerate… Check out the strangest meals of the world!

Frugality by Matthew Hunt

English Wiktionary defines the word “frugal” as follows:

frugal: from Latin frugalis “virtuous, thrifty” 1. Avoiding unnecessary expenditure either of money or of anything else which is to be used or consumed; avoiding waste.

In other words, a frugal lifestyle is one of sparseness and thrift, focusing on getting the most value from your resources. Frugality is avoiding waste and misuse of money, time, food, and really any personal assets. It is the opposite of lavishness and usually aims to achieve a certain goal.

Colourful Kites
by John Vetterli

Flying a kite is a great and easy outdoor activity for the whole family. All you need is a kite, a little practice, and a mild breeze and you can launch your kite to the sky. Kite flying has become very popular recently and parks are full of kiting enthusiasts who use their kites not only for flying but also for various different activities and stunts. Such activities are often potentially dangerous and therefore there are numerous restrictions regulating kite flying in Toronto.

Amron Exptl

Since 2007, Amron Experimental, a New-York-based engineering atelier, has been producing cool and innovative designs for households and everyday lives. Scott Amron, founding principal and spiritual father of the Amron Exptl, electrical engineer, designer, and conceptual artist, is only 31 years old and yet has succeeded in building a hip company capable of stirring attention. The company has been gathering awards and praise all around, as function, green thinking, and art have never been so intertwined. Amron is nicknamed “indie inventor.” Check out three of his coolest designs!

Grazing cows
by Alex Thomson

Animal treatment in mass farms and slaughter houses is often highly questionable not only from the moral point of view of animals’ suffering, but also considering the health effects it has on their meat and products, and consequently on our health. In the country, it may be possible to find a local farmer who eschews growth hormones and lets her animals out to graze, but in the city, different strategies must be pursued if you want to eat high-quality, healthy meat.

How you drive your car is important in saving fuel and reducing emmissions. Here are 10 ways the help:

1. Keep to the speed limit. Slowing from 120 to 100 km/hr reduces fuel consumption by 20%.

2. Keep calm. Screeching starts and hard braking can increase fuel consumption by 40%.

3. Look ahead. Anticipate stops so you slow down gradually.

4. Use cruise control... except in hilly terrain.

5. Empty the junk. Remove excess weight from your car, as well as exterior racks that can prevent aerodynamics.

6. Turn off the engine. Idling for more thatn 10 seconds consumes more fuel than a restart does.

7. Service your car regularly. A poorly tuned engine consumes up to 50% more fuel.

8. Check the cap. To reduce evaporation.

9. Use air conditioning sparingly. Except on the highway, keeping your windows ajar is often the better option.

10. Plan ahead. Combine trips to reduce the distance you drive...

 *excerpt from the Toronto Star

Soulmates by Lali Masriera

What if dogs could talk? Well, humans would have probably lost their best friends, as some people say while smirking maliciously. Luckily for us, dogs haven’t mastered the skill of speaking human language yet, and they still make great companions. But this does not only apply to reclusive people. Many families with children often make a choice to extend their “pack” after moving into a big house by adopting a four-legged buddy to live with them. Maybe you have similar thoughts; but have you truly considered all the pros and cons?

Volunteers
by vastateparksstaff

We’re living in a very fast age. Our lives are fast, the world around us is changing fast — and sometimes it’s very hard to pay attention to issues other than the ones we face ourselves. Nevertheless, there are some of us who are still able to find some time to do something to make this world a better place. Even if their contribution is small — even if there’s nothing to gain except the warm feeling of inner satisfaction you get from putting a smile on somebody’s face. What about you? Have you ever considered becoming a volunteer?