I Like His Style: Blake Mycoskie

It's been a while, but I finally found another person worthy of a feature in one of my style posts ...

Last year I came across hottie humanitarian, Blake Mycoskie's book and I gotta say ...

I like his style! 

While traveling in Argentina, Blake was shocked to see many children without shoes.  Not a stranger to business (he already had started several), he began to brainstorm ways to help.  Helping children in under developed countries is not exactly a novel idea, so Blake knew it had to be different while still keeping a connection to the idea's Argentinian roots.  When he realized there may be a market back home for the unique and simple shoes worn in Argentina, TOMS was born.  For each and every shoe purchased another shoe is given to a child in need, a philosophy Blake calls One for One.   

That was back in 2006, and oh how far has TOMS come now.  I remember seeing the black, red or dark blue shoes all over college/universities campuses.  But now I am seeing all kinds of fun patterns, sparkly glitters and even VEGAN styles (no leather!!)

Of course Blake himself is frequently seen around town wearing his TOMS.  Wearing them both stylishly and cleverly, I think.  Wearing two different shoes to showcase two different styles.  Smart.

Actually I think his entire business concept is smart, and so do a lot of others.  Among TOMS' many other accomplishments, in 2011 Blake was named as one of the top entrepreneurs in Fortune Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 list.

How many products do we hear about or see where only a portion of the profits go to charity, or a measly $1 from a $40 bottle of shampoo goes to the endangered species of the month?  Too often.  What I like about TOMS (and so do others) is that when I buy a pair of shoes I know that the exact same shoe will be donated to someone who needs it (well ... actually I am not sure if he donates the sparkly glitter shoes, but you know what I mean).   

What I love even more about Blake is that he was photographed with my first style post muse, Lauren Bush, and they are each posing with their iconic style pieces.

I can see Blake Mycoskie's future and boy is it bright.  So bright he's going to need sunglasses.  Good thing TOMS has also started an eyewear line.

Blogger Absence, Raw Food & Peace One Day

Happy Peace One Day! (see end of post ...)

Things have gotten a bit hectic these past few weeks and alas, I haven't been posting my raw food Tuesday recipes. I'm still eating lots of fresh, living raw food - I just haven't posted any of them. Here are a few of the goodies I've been feasting on in my absence ...

Raw Chia Pudding 

• 1 part chia seeds
• 3 parts nut "milk" (or 1 banana mixed in the blender with water)
• dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, etc ... (whatever strikes your fancy)
• chopped fruit (if desired)
• raw sweetener (if desired)

My breakfast for the past few weeks. Very versatile, quick and easy. Mix the nut milk with the spices. Add in the chia seeds and mix with a spoon in a large bowl. Make sure all the chia seeds are covered in the "milk". Place the mixture in the refrigerator. After about 20 minutes stir it again to make sure all the seeds are incorporated - sometimes the seeds can clump together. Place it back in the fridge over night (or at least 10 hours). The chia seeds will soak up the liquid and gradually get thicker.

In the morning add chopped fruit and mix to combine. You can add a squirt of raw sweetener if you'd like. Or just eat the chia pudding by itself. Okay granted this isn't the most visually appealing dish. Grey pudding - yum! Ultimately the pudding ends up tasting like the liquid you soaked the chia in. This is also a very filling breakfast that is sure to give you the energy you need throughout the day.

Raw Rocket Rainbow

Across the pond they call arugula leaves rocket. Pretty cool name eh? This simple salad has been my lunch side salad almost everyday. I tried to combine all the colours I possibly could: rocket, baby spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, radish, yellow pepper and julienned carrots.

When I took this salad to work EVERYONE who walked by was heard saying, "That looks so good". It is.

Raw Cuke Noodles


A switch up from my usual zuke noodles, this time I used the julienne peeler on a cucumber. I tossed the noodles with a pinch of sea salt and cold pressed olive oil, and served them on a bed of baby spinach.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Brownies

BROWNIE -

Remember when I posted about my first raw food class?? Well this was one of the dishes we made that night in class. Definitely worth the class fee for just this recipe alone - who knows why it took me so long to make it!! I ended up taking these to a get together (no I didn't eat all these brownies myself).

• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 2 cups pecans
• 20-25 dates
• pinch salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg

Grind the pecans in a food processor (careful not to over process). Place the rest of the ingredients (except the dates) in the food processor and mix well. Add dates one at a time until the mixture starts to clump together. Press the mixture into a square (or rectangular) pan and place in freezer. While the brownies firm up, make the icing.

CHOCOLATE ICING -

• 1/3 cup agave, maple syrup or raw honey
• ¼ cup cacao powder
• 1 ½ tablespoon coconut oil
• dash of vanilla extract (alcohol free)

Mix everything in a bowl. Pour the icing over the brownies and place back in the freezer for 1 – 2 hours. Remove from the freezer and cut into squares. Serve immediately or place in the fridge to keep firm before serving.

In another note, do you know about Peace One Day? Humanitarian, Jeremy Gilley started an international day of peace to create peace between nations, governments and people. Every year on September 21st participants celebrate in union with a day of non-violence and ceasefire. If you haven't seen the incredible, passionate and award winning documentary of Jeremy's journey, then buy, rent or attend a screening today. My local library is hosting a free screening, and I'm wagering yours is too!

Why is Earth Hour So Important?

The topic of Earth Hour came up during a conversation with a friend, and to my dismay, she said she wasn't planning on participating. She couldn't see how her participation in this one event would impact our growing climate crisis. Unfortunately I hear this a lot - people getting discouraged that using travel mugs, re-usable grocery bags, or buying organic products can make a significant difference for our global environmental woes. "Don't you know that you are a dazzling jewel interwoven in Indra's Net?" is my usual reply ...

Indra's Net is a Vedic metaphor used to show how everything and everyone in the universe is tied together. In order to understand how this metaphor works, imagine a large fishnet; large enough to cover our earth and the entire universe. The net is infinite, crisscrossing into every plane of space. At each node (where the lines intersect) imagine a dazzling sparkling jewel. This jewel represents every being, tree, river and every organism in the universe. The source of light for each jewel is the reflection of light from every other jewel.

You are a magnificent jewel in this glorious net! You are connected to all things in this universe and all things are connected to you. When you chose to use a piece of scrap paper, you allow a tree to live and it's jewel continues to shine. Its light makes your jewel and all others shine a little brighter. When you chose to use a disposable single use paper plate, a tree must be cut down and destroyed. Consequently it's jewel becomes tarnished and all other jewels become dimmer.

As John Muir said, "When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe". Don't let the media, environmental naysayers or pessimistic friends convince you that the small things don't make a difference, because it absolutely does! There aren't any small efforts, just small people who try to make you feel small by diminishing your efforts.

So on Saturday March 28, 2009 at 8:30 PM turn out those lights! Your jewel is so bright that you won't need them anyway.

World Water Week 2009

If you've ever travelled to developing or under developed countries, then you know how scarce clean, safe drinking water can be. UNICEF reports that more than 2.5 billion people lack basic sanitation, and almost 890 million people do not have access to safe water sources. Without this basic necessity, thousand of people worldwide are suffering from malnourishment, chronic diseases and even death.

In celebration of World Water Week (March 22-29, 2009), UNICEF's annual Tap Project asks restaurant goers to donate $1 each time they order tap water that they would normally receive for free. With more than $300, 000 raised in Canada alone, participating restaurants are hoping to increase their donations in 2009.

When I travelled to Asia last year, it took me quite a while to get used to the dirty water that was used for bathing, cooking and drinking everyday. Often the only alternative was purchasing expensive bottled water that was financially out of reach for many. The equipment needed to boil unhygienic water is also not accessible to everyone.

According to UNICEF your donation of $1 CDN will buy clean, safe water for 40 children! So enjoy a tall, cool glass of clean tap water today and help a child enjoy one too!

Obama Loves Canada

The amount of Obama themed merchandise is off the chart. A quick search on Google will yield Obama purses, chia heads, underwear and comics. Well it appears as though the Obama mania has migrated north. In honour of Obama's first visit to Canada, a beavertail stand in Ottawa has started selling Obama tails, a fried pastry topped with a chocolatey O. There's no word yet on whether Obama himself likes the dessert, but Obama did say today at the Ottawa press conference today that he "loves this [Canada] country," and that's good enough for me! Enjoy your visit, Barack!