a trip to oakville + meeting my mom = checking out the new raw food restaurant, nzyme http://www.nzyme.ca/ 

and it turned out to be so much more than a yummy raw lunch…we sat at the bar, ordered the sun burger and raw lasanga for the mains and coconut haystacks and mint choco cheesecake for dessert, the food was fantastic, the conversation priceless…we started chatting with the head chef steve and one of the owners angie about their greater vision of communtiy-building.    

and it made me think of how it feels to belong to a community, belong to a movement, belong to some sort of greater social action, of all of us working together towards a greater contribution in our world, and doing this with integrity, honesty, passion, goodwill and real desire to do real positive things.  to inspire more.  to create opportunites.  to give voice to possibilities.  to create space for gathering.  to just be real and compassionate towards each other.      

lots of people are spreading the word, living this lifestyle, making wise food choices, establishing businesses and blogs and connections and its awesome to think of all of us working together under similar and shared principles, and how we are each other’s supports and allies in creating positive change out into the world….our greater community is growing and things are happening all around us…

cassandra

We are asking these same questions at Five Shades of Green.  Our goal is to be as organic and as local (and/or locally sourced) as possible.  Our cinnamon, agave, and coconut butter all come from Chocosol.  We buy our greens from Everdale Organic Farm and Kind Organics; our sweet potatoes are obtained from Round Plains Plantation.  However, there are many ingredients that seem to be more challenging to source.  What about pumpkin seeds?  We sure have a lot of pumpkins in Ontario.  But, where are the organic, local pumpkin seeds?  Try raisins.  We definitely have Ontario grapes.  So, where are the Ontario raisins?

It’s an ongoing exploration.  While it can be frustrating sometimes, it’s incredibly rewarding.  Knowing more about where your food comes from means you’re more informed every time you eat.  How’s that for  food for thought?

So, please join us in this conversation.  Leave a comment below.  Share your thoughts about local, seasonal, organic, etc.

Let’s talk!

if you see us wandering around wychwood and brickworks farmer’s markets tomorrow morning, say hello!

http://twitter.com/5shadesofgreen

it was such a different experience being inside, all of us vendors seemed a little more connected in a way, really felt like we are one big team in creating such lively and lovely market energy together, all being a part of this hub of grassroots community-building and sharing. 

we had all of our regular food items, including some new creations!  we perfected our breakfast cookies, no longer using oats, now using sprouted organic buckwheat, making them gluten-free, even more hearty and nutritious.  our apple crumble kensington muffins also have a sprouted buckwheat crumble top, with layered crust and spiced apple filling.   and some new creations: sweet potato oatmeal cookies and cran-apple kensington muffins…whoa yummy!  

d

and of course our website is up!  it’ll be evolving over the next while, check up on us for updates and new additions

we’ll be inside the beautiful artscape building, its an incredible space for a winter market. 

we hope to see you there!

Please check out our “Food” tab when you get a chance.  You’ll find a link to our ordering/catering menu.  Let Five Shades of Green help you out this holiday season.  Heading to a friend’s party?  Bring a platter of raw desserts.  Everyone will love you!  :)  Hosting a party of your own?  We can help you make it an event to remember.  Contact us:  fiveshadesofgreen [at] gmail [dot] com.

Cheers!

an intense, eventful and highly invigorating weekend for us.  full of activity, full of hustle bustle…and all worth it.  we started our weekend preparation for wychwood and kensington markets as patrons, on thursday at dufferin grove farmer’s market, buying some local organic produce from our farmers to use in our prepared food  friday we picked up the rest of our produce and ingredients, buying organic and fair trade wherever possible, and then into preparation mode!…5am wake up call for wychwood farmer’s market and off we go to set up our vendor’s table, it was the last market day outside, chilly but the sun came out during the last half of our time spent there…and wow oh wow, our time spent was awesome…lisa, kari and i feeling so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the market community, selling our yummm food, and having uplifting, educational, and just plain awesome conversations with our customers, friends, farmers, vendors…

….awesome it was, and tons of hard work too!  sunday morning, 7am wake up call (seems like a treat to wake up this late! haha)  and headed off to kensington market for pedestrian sunday infront of 4 life natural food…okay, so its halloween and the last car free sunday of the year, which means the market was so alive and vibrating with festive, colourful and creative energy, wicked to be a part of it all!  the late morning started off with snow flurries (we couldn’t believe it either), and the weather slowly shifted to bright beautiful sunshine by the late afternoon.  we three spent the day bopping to the beat of drums and funky music, and flying high off of our own excited energy, as well as the energy of our customers, the market patrons, and our community of vendors: mathieu from chocosol and ali from fish shak and the lovely pots who owns 4 life, and rosie and others working with him…

all in all, it was magical and exhausting and exhilarating and affirming weekend, felt like a rockstar

this week coming up: we’re back at wychwood next weekend, november 6th from 8am-1pm, for the first indoor market of the season!  we’re updating our ordering menu, excited to put some savoury items on, including sprouted dips and incorporating some november harvest produce into our items.  our website is a work-in-progress, making some head-way on it, be sure to check in to see our updates! 

thanks again to all those who continue to support us…we see it as a beautiful extension of also supporting our food philosophy and ethics, building community in our amazing city, and simply tasting the goodness and wholeness of raw vegan food.  yum yum and all good things to celebrate.  happy halloween and happy weekend!

Have you had the chance to get to a

Five Shades of Green table for some treats?

No? Well, guess what?  You have two chances this weekend!

Yes? Well, guess what?  You have two chances to do it again this weekend!  ;)

Chance #1:

Where? Artscape Wychwood Barns for The Stop’s Green Barn.

When?  8am to 12pm (sometimes a little later)

Why?  This market is our “regular” location and we have a fantastic set-up!  The best parts of The Stop Green Barn are all of the amazing other vendors who we have the honour working alongside.  Some of our favourites include:  Chocosol, Everdale Farm, Kind Organics, and, Liz Foers Sprouts.  Check them out when you stop by to visit us!

Chance #2:

Where? Kensington Market, in front of 4 Life Natural Foods (Nassau and Augusta)

When?  10am to ???  (’til the party is over?)

Why?  Because it is the last Pedestrian Sunday of the year.  We will be joining the amazing party that happens the last Sunday of every month.  Plus, it’s Halloween, so we can only imagine how crazy fun it’s going to be!  :)

Either day, either way…we would LOVE to see you all this weekend.  Thanks!

Lisa, Kari, and Cassandra

Saturday we’ll be at Wychwood Farmer’s Market from 8am to 1pm, launching some of our new seasonal recipes along with the favourites, yum to peppermint frosted chocolate brownies!

Sunday we’ll be back at 4 Life in Kensington for the last Pedestrian Sunday of the year.  October 31st, guaranteed to be busy and lively and full of scary goolish costumes.  Excited for the busy and festive weekend ahead!