The Caribbean flavour of Toronto was spicy and hot this weekend. The experience of Caribbean peoples in Toronto was evident in three fun festivals that happened this past weekend: Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival, Harbourfront's Island Soul and the TD Irie Music Festival.
My adventures began with the King and Queen Contest at Lamport Stadium. I again said to my friend, "Next year, that will be me!" I still believe that the carnival costumes for the leaders of the band - namely the King and Queen of the band - should be costumes and not floats. I have an aversion to the float concept and I imagine that a costume can be made that is supported by a person. I imagine it and Peter Minshall has done it. Wikipedia said of Minshall's creations: "Each costume is designed with the motion of the performer in mind, so that performer and costume are one." I'm sure a few wheels are necessary but I'd like to see more human-supported great costumes. Toronto's carnival costumes have been described as "massive rolling costumes - showpieces on wheels for the masquerade bands that make them."
Even though I have criticisms of Toronto's carnival the part that I do like is that regular people can join in the fun near the end of the parade. At that point, the costumed masqueraders are tired from dancing since noon and the regular people join in several hours later. It is like a giant street party with everyone crowded around the trucks blasting their music. The carnivals I've experienced in Trinidad and Tobago and Brooklyn, New York are different and the masqueraders are in the "parade" and the regular people are spectators. Toronto does it differently! Even though I am one of those who have jumped fences to join in the parade, I do prefer the style of parade I've seen in Brooklyn or Trinidad. I would pay money in Toronto to be in the parade if there were some way to keep it strictly masqueraders.
My adventures in Caribbean flavour continued at Harbourfront Centre's Island Soul Festival. Listening to Caribbean music, sampling foods and dancing under the Toronto skyline was amazing. The festival included performances, dance classes, history and culture. Harbourfront is always a good time.
Where the twin-island nation of Trinidad is reflected in the Torontonian portrayal of Carnival, the island of Jamaica is reflected in the Irie Music Festival celebrating the best of reggae and soul. I watched Fab5 perform on Monday night and they were great!
It was an amazing recreation of the island experience in Toronto's hot summer heat. The whole weekend was hot, humid and the sounds, sights and tastes of the Caribbean were all over downtown Toronto - Queen's Park, Lakeshore and Exhibition Place, Ontario Place and Harbourfront.
Monday, August 1, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
Florida is hot in the summer - July 15, 2011
Southwest Florida is unbelievably hot and humid. I love it! I never imagined it would be this good. I'm here visiting with family and I am loving the people, the weather and the nature and scenery around Fort Myers, Florida.
The drive down through 6 or 7 states was great. Mountainous views of Virginia (regulary and West), both Carolinas (north and south), Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland were beautiful. We watched cows, goats and sheeps in pastures along the way, passing through small towns and along country roads. A back home Sunday drive was more than imagined on the road trip. There were hours on the highway also but the country roads were most appealing.
Little things excite on a long road trip such as this from Toronto, Ontario to Fort Myers, Florida. I saw the factory that makes apple chips, Seneca, and then bought a pack of their new sweet potato chips at the Publix grocery in Florida.
"Summertime, and the living is easy." So very true, it is hot here so you have to chill out and live easy. Everyone is so friendly and nice. The Southern atmosphere is refreshing. The beaches are so nice. White sand at Fort Myers, clear water at Naples and hot sun and green everywhere. Everyone chills and it is so great.
Lessons I'm learning while on vacation:
1. chill out - vacations are for relaxing and not for hustle and bustle.
2. wake up when you are ready - the sun can wait on you, not the other way around
3. the sun shines all day so take it easy - you have the time to do the things you need to
4. Go with the flow - plans change and you can do something, chill out or go out, but you should just be
5. eat - you will always need to eat and let that be the fun activity it is meant to be
6. relax - vacations are for relaxing
I'm enjoying myself here and I hope to take some of these learnings about vacations and relaxing into my daily life/grind and move to living rather than grinding out a living.
-MLG
The drive down through 6 or 7 states was great. Mountainous views of Virginia (regulary and West), both Carolinas (north and south), Pennsylvania, New York and Maryland were beautiful. We watched cows, goats and sheeps in pastures along the way, passing through small towns and along country roads. A back home Sunday drive was more than imagined on the road trip. There were hours on the highway also but the country roads were most appealing.
Little things excite on a long road trip such as this from Toronto, Ontario to Fort Myers, Florida. I saw the factory that makes apple chips, Seneca, and then bought a pack of their new sweet potato chips at the Publix grocery in Florida.
"Summertime, and the living is easy." So very true, it is hot here so you have to chill out and live easy. Everyone is so friendly and nice. The Southern atmosphere is refreshing. The beaches are so nice. White sand at Fort Myers, clear water at Naples and hot sun and green everywhere. Everyone chills and it is so great.
Lessons I'm learning while on vacation:
1. chill out - vacations are for relaxing and not for hustle and bustle.
2. wake up when you are ready - the sun can wait on you, not the other way around
3. the sun shines all day so take it easy - you have the time to do the things you need to
4. Go with the flow - plans change and you can do something, chill out or go out, but you should just be
5. eat - you will always need to eat and let that be the fun activity it is meant to be
6. relax - vacations are for relaxing
I'm enjoying myself here and I hope to take some of these learnings about vacations and relaxing into my daily life/grind and move to living rather than grinding out a living.
-MLG
Monday, May 2, 2011
My Review of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Cornbread Mix
Originally submitted at Bob's Red Mill
Stone ground, whole grain cornmeal and sorghum impart an unmatched flavor and texture from another era. After easy preparation, you will bake perfectly moist and light cornbread. Specially designed for those sensitive to wheat or gluten, this mix contains: whole grain cornmeal, potato starch, whole...
Wow, I found my new favourite loaf bread
By MLGregoire from Toronto, ON on 5/2/2011
Pros: Healthy, Delicious, Bready, Flavorful
Best Uses: Baking
Describe Yourself: Gluten-free, Foodie
This cornbread turned out fantastic. I've been searching for a gluten-free bread replacement and I think I've found it. The mix comes out light and fluffy but is also thick and holds together like gluten bread. I made it on a Sunday night and had a few slices with raspberry jam for breakfast on Monday. Tastes great too!
(legalese)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Cultural Carnival - not just B&B - March 28, 2011
Living the cultural Carnival experience in the country where it was born and where a year's worth of effort and energy culminates in three, four, five, six days of fun, frolicking and festivities (combined with the religious tradition of Lent and what happens before Lent) is an experience worth having at least once in a lifetime.
Listening to Machel Montano's (@machelmontanoHD) "Advantage" evokes memories of seeing his performance live on sta
ge at the Hasley Crawford stadium on Fantastic Friday, the Friday of Carnival. The song conjures emotions of love for the festival and the words resonate in hearts as memories of "chippin", jumping or marching along Port-of-Spain's city streets and through neighbourhoods resurface. Hearing the words in the song, feelings well up and catch in the throat as images, sounds and pictures of masqueraders on the stage flood the mind. It's not just the beat of the song but the story it tells of Carnival moving out the Savannah and onto the streets then coming back and reclaiming the Savannah stage, the Grand Stand and the North Stand.
ge at the Hasley Crawford stadium on Fantastic Friday, the Friday of Carnival. The song conjures emotions of love for the festival and the words resonate in hearts as memories of "chippin", jumping or marching along Port-of-Spain's city streets and through neighbourhoods resurface. Hearing the words in the song, feelings well up and catch in the throat as images, sounds and pictures of masqueraders on the stage flood the mind. It's not just the beat of the song but the story it tells of Carnival moving out the Savannah and onto the streets then coming back and reclaiming the Savannah stage, the Grand Stand and the North Stand. Playing Kes' (@kestheband) "Wotless" at any time of day reminds one of Carnival days and nights "chippin" down the street, chilling and dancing, swaying to the beat, and even lying on the beach the day after Carnival for the unofficial-official cool down at Maracas Bay. To evoke feelings of satisfaction, contentment or peace with oneself, play Kes' song and be taken away to a relaxing Caribbean lifestyle where what you make isn't as important as who you are. Hearing Kes' voice sing this song I also hear my brother singing this song for me to show me that Carnival is so much more than bumpin and grindin. Kes made a great feel good song that you can dance to but it transcends perceived notions of Carnival. I and my friends wore the b
eads and bikinis (B&B) costume that Trinidad's Carnival is most known for but we celebrated Carnival in true soca style dancing to every song and marching from morning till night. A day-long party is how I'll remember this experience more than the clothes (or lack of ) that I wore. Carnival and the feelings it evokes is so much more than costumes.
eads and bikinis (B&B) costume that Trinidad's Carnival is most known for but we celebrated Carnival in true soca style dancing to every song and marching from morning till night. A day-long party is how I'll remember this experience more than the clothes (or lack of ) that I wore. Carnival and the feelings it evokes is so much more than costumes. Only music like this over sounds of steelpan can carry Trinidadians onward to celebrate more than five days of Carnival. As a Canadian visiting and experiencing 'big people mas' for the first time, I can only imagine how real Trinis manage to celebrate Carnival in these five days. From the Soca Monarch competition on what is now known as Fabulous Fridays, Kiddies Carnival and Panorama on Carnival Saturday, Dimache Gras on Carnival Sunday, J'Ouvert at dawn and Day 1 of the Carnival parade on Carnival Monday to Day 2 of the parade on Carnival Tuesday as well as countless fetes and limes, it's no wonder everyone needs an unofficial-official Cool Down on Ash Wednesday.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Are doubles gluten-free? Sort of but not really - March 5, 2011
Having just filled up on a gluten-free, sea-moss drink that was great value for money, Poppa and I stopped for a doubles at the doubles vendors at Independence Square. I was still full from the sea-moss so I bought 3 doubles to go, no pepper, not even slight, and some tamarind sauce. I didn't even ask for mango but they have dat too!
Doubles can be gluten-free if they are made from chick pea flour alone, but many are a mix of wheat and chick pea flour. It takes really good and you might not notice the gluten if you have a mild gluten sensitivity. (If you have a serious allergy you may need a doubles maker who can make a special batch of chickpea flour only).
It was a busy Friday in Port-of-Spain and everyone was about getting last minute things before de Carnival weekend start. Walking about downtown on crowded streets full of people and traffic and the Carnival spirit was real nice.
Steelpans on trucks were playing in the street adding to the festive air. For me a prelude to Panorama on Saturday night at D'Savannah. Steelpan was at its best at Panorama Saturday night. My favourites were Despers (Desperadoes) and All Stars and All Stars won! The bands are more than 100 people and pans strong. Carrying and evolving a tradition of steelpan greatness.
Each band came on the stage with twice as many supports as players. They are needed to push the pans on the stage. Once the pans were in place the supporters stayed to the side until they were needed again. Despers had the best presentation with their pans making an old-fashioned house complete with filligree wood trim and everyone dressed in red and white and hats plus old-time dancers. Beautiful!
Sunday night is Dimache Gras. More beauty.
Doubles can be gluten-free if they are made from chick pea flour alone, but many are a mix of wheat and chick pea flour. It takes really good and you might not notice the gluten if you have a mild gluten sensitivity. (If you have a serious allergy you may need a doubles maker who can make a special batch of chickpea flour only).
It was a busy Friday in Port-of-Spain and everyone was about getting last minute things before de Carnival weekend start. Walking about downtown on crowded streets full of people and traffic and the Carnival spirit was real nice.
Steelpans on trucks were playing in the street adding to the festive air. For me a prelude to Panorama on Saturday night at D'Savannah. Steelpan was at its best at Panorama Saturday night. My favourites were Despers (Desperadoes) and All Stars and All Stars won! The bands are more than 100 people and pans strong. Carrying and evolving a tradition of steelpan greatness.
Each band came on the stage with twice as many supports as players. They are needed to push the pans on the stage. Once the pans were in place the supporters stayed to the side until they were needed again. Despers had the best presentation with their pans making an old-fashioned house complete with filligree wood trim and everyone dressed in red and white and hats plus old-time dancers. Beautiful!
Sunday night is Dimache Gras. More beauty.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It's Jet Day - I'm at the airport and on my way! Did I bring enuf gluten-free products?
Pearson International is a nice airport.Very friendly service people and they treat their customers right. I managed to pick up some gluten-free bars at the convenience store on my way in. I totally forgot to tell the airline - Caribbean Airlines - of my gluten allergy, as if they could do something about it.
It will be a wait and see kinda thing. Wait and see what foods they serve that gluten-free people could eat. I have my almonds, seeds and nuts, a bottle of water, and I bought 3 of those bars, just in case. They were $3 each, atch!, but I need them so its okay. www.break-a-waysnacks.com makes decent looking fruit and nut bars. My review of this snack will come later as I'm yet to eat them.
I'm looking forward to some good Trini-cooking and lots of fun street food. The kind you cannot find anywhere else. Here's hoping its gluten-free.
It will be a wait and see kinda thing. Wait and see what foods they serve that gluten-free people could eat. I have my almonds, seeds and nuts, a bottle of water, and I bought 3 of those bars, just in case. They were $3 each, atch!, but I need them so its okay. www.break-a-waysnacks.com makes decent looking fruit and nut bars. My review of this snack will come later as I'm yet to eat them.
I'm looking forward to some good Trini-cooking and lots of fun street food. The kind you cannot find anywhere else. Here's hoping its gluten-free.
Monday, February 28, 2011
3 days to go and I'm almost ready to wine, whine, whyne!
Three days to go before I get on the plane for an early morning 5-hour plane ride to Piarco International Airport. My bags are loosely packed and there is a mental list of all the things I still need to do.
First, the skirt was made a couple of weekends ago. While visiting my ma in Brantford, we made a trip to the Fabricland which happens to be closing and having amazing sales and deals. Gold mesh fabric caught my eye as it sparkled under the flourescent, warehouse lights. Imagine that fishnet pattern glistening in the sun! I imagine it will make a decent skirt and give me a little bit of modestly. Ma helped me make a short skirt to wear with my scanty costume. At least the costume at Brooklyn's Carnival had a tiny skirt made up of strings of sequins. The least I can do is add a little bit of fabric to this rather small gold costume.
Second, the menu items of gluten-free foods is increasing. While baking cakes for my Ma's, sister's and niece's birthday party on Saturday (Happy Birthdays!), I bought a gluten-free, dairy-free cheesecake at the St. Lawrence Market and found a recipe on-line for a flourless chocolate cake. Thanks to this website I found a delicious chocolate cake recipe that is gluten-free. It tasted amazing! I am encouraged to find more recipes and bake more gluten-free goodies. While in Trinidad, I will be sourcing tasty gluten alternatives for people like me. I know that 'doubles' is my favourite Trinidadian food at the moment. No worries about gluten, just chick pea flour and chick pea curry. (I would make it with chick pea flour anyways.) Yum!
Next stop in three more sleeps is Trinidad and Tobago.
First, the skirt was made a couple of weekends ago. While visiting my ma in Brantford, we made a trip to the Fabricland which happens to be closing and having amazing sales and deals. Gold mesh fabric caught my eye as it sparkled under the flourescent, warehouse lights. Imagine that fishnet pattern glistening in the sun! I imagine it will make a decent skirt and give me a little bit of modestly. Ma helped me make a short skirt to wear with my scanty costume. At least the costume at Brooklyn's Carnival had a tiny skirt made up of strings of sequins. The least I can do is add a little bit of fabric to this rather small gold costume.
Second, the menu items of gluten-free foods is increasing. While baking cakes for my Ma's, sister's and niece's birthday party on Saturday (Happy Birthdays!), I bought a gluten-free, dairy-free cheesecake at the St. Lawrence Market and found a recipe on-line for a flourless chocolate cake. Thanks to this website I found a delicious chocolate cake recipe that is gluten-free. It tasted amazing! I am encouraged to find more recipes and bake more gluten-free goodies. While in Trinidad, I will be sourcing tasty gluten alternatives for people like me. I know that 'doubles' is my favourite Trinidadian food at the moment. No worries about gluten, just chick pea flour and chick pea curry. (I would make it with chick pea flour anyways.) Yum!
Next stop in three more sleeps is Trinidad and Tobago.
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