I’ve been in Canada for a month now.
How is it possible that I’ve been in Canada for a month now?
I don’t understand. I don’t understand how it can be four months since I left my job, and three and half months since I last saw my family.
And yet, at the same time, it makes perfect sense. For I have within my heart and soul a hundred-dozen-thousandty new travel-created shimmering memories of adventures and hugs and learning and wonder and yoga-by-the-fireplace and smiles and low-voiced-conversations and desserts and laughing-collapsed-on-the-floor-in-tears and friendship-beyond-friendship and all the glorious things, all the glorious things, all the glorious new dazzling things.
I still have much to catch you up on from these past few months. However, today I had lunch with three wonderful radiant women at Kale Eatery, one of Toronto’s vegan cafés, and I couldn’t help myself. I had to skip to the present.
On the left we have Lisa, whom you may remember from my Ode To Lisa How to Fall in Love with Toronto posts. She is wonder and light. On the right is Heather, who is gorgeously cheerful and adores traveling (which is always a good thing in a person). Oh, and the middle one is me, in case you’re visiting this blog for the first time. Yep.
The fourth friend-blogger-lady at our table was the amazing Ricki of Diet, Dessert, and Dogs, who made the long drive into Toronto just to meet us for lunch. I was thrilled beyond measure to finally meet my darling friend Ricki and, furthermore, give her the hug in person that I’ve longed to envelop her in throughout our years of gift swaps and emails. Ricki, thank you for your support, the words of wisdom you’ve bequeathed to me in so many emails, and your friendship most of all.
Kale Eatery is known for its self-serve-by-weight buffet of steamed and sautéed vegetables, stews, tofu, and grains. While the buffet was appealing, my heart longed for something piping hot and kale-including, and so I opted for the kale and quinoa soup. It was quite pleasant, with the fresh dill providing a nice pop of flavour.
Even more exciting, though, was Ricki’s gift bag of goodies from her upcoming cookbook, which we dove into after lunch with glee. Gluten-free and ACD-friendly, Ricki’s treats were delicious, completely avoiding the dense-crumbly-sadface texture that plagues many gluten-free products. The sweet potato chocolate chip muffins were fluffy and bright with spices, the goji and carob chip blondies sweet with a satisfying chew, and the macadamia sesame cookies crisp and nutty. There was also a zucchini and pineapple loaf, which I dream of slathering in almond butter. Thank you for sharing, Ricki!
Friendship, kale, and smiles. They make the world go round.
Sounds like a wonderful lunch Hannah … Love your stripey new top too.
It would not be a lie if I said that I wore this top particularly because it was brand new, I knew we’d take photos, and I knew you’d notice.
Big hearts of kale, too!
(And I’m so glad you wrote this up already–wow, fast!!–because I know I’ll dawdle until I finally get something up on the blog!). It was so, so lovely to finally meet YOU, too, and take part in that aforementioned hug! Such a joy to have lunch with all three of you today. Thank you for giving me a radiant two hours of smiles and great conversation as a very welcome break from cookbook-ing (and baking, baking baking, baking). I agree–nothing as awful as dense-crumbly-sadface textured baked goods! (And thanks for another laugh, there). xo
I’m so happy we managed to get you out if the house
sometimes a break can make you more efficient, especially when it’s as jam-packed wih awesomeness as that lunch was! SO glad we were able to get together finally xoxox again soon!!
In three years of blogging, I have never once written up something on the day it happened! But this lunch saved me from a paralysing bout of blog-writer’s block, so I thank you for that as well as your gorgeous company. I can’t wait to spend more time with you, Ricki. We have such deliciousness and such heartfelt conversations ahead of us, I’m sure. xoxo
Just about my ideal gathering. What a wonderful, radiant, kind, and generous group of women. I so wish I could have been there!!
I would’ve loved that so, so much, dear Gena.
Oh, they do (make the world go round) – and I bet your world was spinning on this day
Such wonderful times you’re having! I am so pleased and also love the idea of zucchini and pineapple loaf…
Looks like you may have to buy Ricki’s cookbook when it comes out, then!
You are so lovely!!! How have you posted this already? I’m so happy to be able to reminisce on such a wonderful lunch. There was such a positive vibe going on at our table, you summed it up perfectly! And I am SO happy to have met you, I hope we can get together again some time soon
Teehee! I swear, I’m *never* this fast with posting up events! But just that morning I’s said to Lisa that I had writer’s block for all my other backlogged posts/stories, so our lunch became the way to break the stalemate. How could I not let such happiness pour forth?
It was truly magnificent to meet you, and I’m sure we’ll be dancing together again soon!
Wow, so many awesome bloggers and amazing food all in one post. You’re quite the lucky duck, aren’t you!?
Quack.
a kale eatery sounds fantastic – why don’t we have one in melbourne (that’s right – because even in fruit and veg shops they don’t know what kale is)!!!!
And the chance to actually eat Ricki’s own cooking as well as spend time with her sounds wonderful. I wish I knew Lisa and Heather as well Sounds like a great bunch of bloggers and exciting to all be together at the kale eatery
Really? I thought Melbourne was quite up on the kale trend. I’ve almost never seen it in Canberra. In Toronto, it’s everywhere. Even the normal supermarkets have bundles of kale and packets of pre-washed baby kale.
I can’t believe it’s been a month! I’m glad you’re having such a good time and getting to meet so many people. Those goodies look fabulous!
Looks like you gals had a great visit! A month already?! Where does the time go! Good thing its a 2 year visa
Oh my gosh, only 23 months to go!
(But also… seriously. Eek!) And a week of that time went to the wonderland of you, of course! xo
so glad to hear how much fun you are having! Really love the name Kale Eatery – Got such a weakness for anything kale related hehe! The Kale and quinoa soup looks so hearty
– want to try
It actually wasn’t very hearty, I must admit. More brothy. But tasty!
Such radiant women, indeed! Do want the kale soup and ALL the delicious baked goodies.
Keep having a magnificent time my friend, I cannot believe it has been a month since we started hearing of your Canadian adventures!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
kale eatery is interesting – i like it! i miss travelling. canada was especially nice!
I love hearing positive things about Canada! I can’t wait to explore more of the country in warmer months
Wow, a month in Canada? Already? It feels like you’ve only just left Australia (well not really, but you know what I mean
). What a lovely group to dine with!
Time has no meaning; it’s crazy! My time in Canada has flown so quickly, but then, really, all the time time has. I want it to slow down!
I don’t know a thing about kale! I’m into red radish leaf at the moment – it is delish X
Ooooh, that sounds fancy! I want!
A can’t believe you’ve been in Canada a month already. That’s gone by so quickly. Where will you be spending Christmas? With all the eating you’ve been doing and all the chocolate sampling, you certainly haven’t put on any weight xx
I’m hoping Christmas won’t be spent curled in a ball in a corner of a barren room somewhere, crying, waiting for my family to Skype me. That’s my hope.
Cute outfit, and what a purty wurty kale heart. Awww:)
Work and housing issues aside, it looks like everything is in its right place for you. I’m so glad, xoxo.
Mmm. Say this again in a little while, maybe. I’m hoping so, but it’s hard to overlook the work/housing anxiety. They’re both fairly significant to living.
Girl, I’ve been stressing myself sick over work anxiety for exactly ten months now. I so understand. xo!
But look where you are now! Such magic! I fear slipping straight back into what I left to avoid.
Is there a temp agency you can find work through for immediate relief? It’s not an ideal situation, but it’s worked out great for me. Plus they are so happy to have qualified employees such as yizzou and mizzee.
Thanks darling, you’re swell. At present, that’s not the issue, but it is definitely in my mind as a possibility for the future. I wish there was a sublet agency!
Ricki’s treats look SO good. What a gorgeous catch up. All the glorious things xo
Sounds like you’re having a wonderful time…and it really flies, doesn’t it! Soak up each moment
Sounds like a wonderful gathering. I thought I had tracked most of Toronto’s vegan eats, but Kale Eatery is new to me!
My favourite is Belmonte Raw if you want a great meal. 
Belmonte Raw was the second Toronto restaurant I went to (and, even better, I got to hang out in the kitchen!). Thank you for commenting, Janet! I’m not sure whether I’d go out of my way to visit Kale Eatery again, but if in the area it’s a good one to know about
I love that you were able to meet Ricki! I can’t wait for her book so I can try those goodies, too. ;D