Summer is coming and I am thinking of Montreal and a summer holiday there.  I wrote this blog when I first came back from Montreal but never posted it.  So here are my good memories of a city of life- “Vive Montreal”.

My first visit to Montreal in 2006 did not leave me yearning for the city as did my second visit in 2011. In fact, on my first visit I certainly appreciated all the beauty, architecture and old  churches however, I preferred Quebec city. I thought at the time  it was  a much cleaner city than Montreal.  And that is what appealed to me at the time.
My second visit to Montreal brought me an unexpected cascade of emotions while I was there.  I  still feel these emotions at the memory of this city.
It all began on our second day in Montreal, we went to Mount Royal where people gather every Sunday for a free day of drumming and dancing. This was the beginning of these waves of indescribable emotion that I couldn’t choke down as much as I tried.
It is the people of Montreal. The melding of color, culture, age and social class. People can be their own unique self in this city.  The venue of the drumming gathering just allowed that acceptance to be seen in a tangible way. It was spontaneity, expressions of joy, being free and being included if you wanted to join in. A young boy, about 16 years dancing with his brightly colored striped belt, holding half a watermelon in one hand and a spoon in his other hand managing to dance and eat at the same time.  A very large black man feeling the music and just needing to dance.  His jeans hung low and his underwear was visible and his dancing was certainly to his own rhythm but I could feel the freedom in his dance.  My heart tells me it is the feeling of acceptance and lack of judgement that I am experiencing causing this unexpected burst of feelings.  Here in Montreal, unusual is the norm.  So if you hold any strong prejudices or careful itineraries of how people should be, you will need to let this go.

I went to Montreal with my partner, who lived here for 20 years until I pulled him away to live in Edmonton , AB of all places.   We have since moved to British Columbia however, he likes to remind me that he never would  have made a planned move to Edmonton and leave his beloved Montreal for any other reason except pour l’amour.   He would tell me about his city and the uniqueness of having this mix of class and culture of people somehow all fitting together being life.  He would sit outside eating his lunch at Phillips Square in downtown Montreal.   Dressed in his suit and watching all walks of life as he says the square belongs “to everybody”.   He described this feeling of belonging and respect for all individuals whether you lived in a house or on the street.  I did not understand it at the time, but now that I have experienced Montreal a second time,  I know.   I love you Montreal for opening up my heart in a way that has now become a part of me.  Je t’aime Montreal et tout le monde de la ville.

QUICK TO GO

If you always loved Tabbouleh and you are Gluten free, then couscous has been off limits. Thanks to the quinoa grain, we can now enjoy this delicious and nutritious dish.

Ingredients

Instructions

Boil water with quinoa and salt. Turn heat to low once boiled and cook with lid on for 20 minutes. Take off heat once done and let cool. Add the rest of the ingredients. Put in the refrigerator and let ingredients marinate, then serve.  Add or remove the fresh ingredients according to your own tastes and preferences.  Quick and easy salad that is great to pack up for lunch.  Doesn’t need heating;  eat as is!

Healthy treat your family will love

I got this great recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks, ”The Gluten Free Vegan” by Susan O’Brien.  They have sugar in them, but perhaps for your friends and family who have not yet embraced a completely healthy lifestyle- you can still tell them there are very healthy ingredients.   These cookies  have that quality homemade taste you cannot get from the store.   I found that I needed to adjust the original recipe and I used only 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips instead of 2 cups chocolate chips.  There was too much chocolate and not enough taste of the other ingredients with the 2 cups.   I also discovered Cocoa Camino organic chocolate chips.  The quality is worth it.  You will not want  to go back to ordinary chocolate chips after tasting these.

Ingredients

1/2 cup coconut
1 1/2 cups cocoa camino chocolate chips
1/2 cup pitted, finely chopped medjool dates
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 cup almond, cashew or macadamia/cashew butter
2 Tablespoons agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Preparation

• Prepare a large platter by lining it with baking parchment
• Toast the coconut:  Heat a small skillet on the burner over medium-high heat.  when the skillet is hot, add the coconut  and, with a wooden spoon or spatula,  stir it around in the pan until it starts to brown.  Don’t let it burn,  just toast it lightly.  Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Meanwhile,  melt the chocolate in a double boiler and,  when it has melted,  place it in a large bowl to cool slightly.  Add the rest of the ingredients including the coconut, and mix until thoroughly blended.
• Drop by spoonfuls on the prepared platter,  and refrigerate until completely cooled.

Your family and friends will love it!

Summer party hit!

We just had our first summer party.   I tried this new recipe with my own adjustment of removing the sugar and it was a hit.   Everyone kept asking for more and wanting to know how it was made.    It is very refreshing.  The original recipe asked for 2 Tablespoons honey.   I replaced that with 1/4 teaspoon powdered  stevia.   The recipe is as follows:

• 1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
• 4  green tea bags
• 1/8 – 1/4  teaspoon powdered stevia according to your taste
• 8 cups boiling water
• Stalks of lemongrass for garnish

Try it!

Combine mint leaves, tea bags, stevia and boiling water in a glass container.  Let steep for 5 minutes; remove tea bags.  Refrigerate until chilled.    I couldn’t find lemongrass but if you can it may make an attractive garnish.   Healthy and delicious!

Thanks visiting Holistic Freedom

Stay tune for my new website.

Susan