We saw this sensational poster on a recent trip to Sudbury. Had to share it.

And I always thought that deep fried Mars bars were an urban myth! Seems they’ve hit the mainstream.

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Taking no credit for this at all, this was sent to me today. I had to share ….

“On her radio show, Dr Laura Schlesinger said that, as an observant
Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus
18:22, and cannot be condoned under any circumstance.

The following response is an open letter to Dr. Laura, written by a US man,
and posted on the Internet. It’s funny, as well as informative:

Dear Dr. Laura:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I
have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that
knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend
the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that
Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination … End of
debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other
elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and
female, provided they are from neighboring nations. A friend of mine
claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you
clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in
Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair
price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her
period of Menstrual uncleanliness – Lev.15: 19-24. The problem is how
do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors.
They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus
35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated
to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an
abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there
‘degrees’ of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I
have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading
glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room
here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev.
19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes
me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two
different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments
made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also
tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go
to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them?
Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family
affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy
considerable expertise in such matters, so I’m confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan.

James M. Kauffman, Ed.D. Professor Emeritus,
Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education
University of Virginia PS (It would be a damn shame if we couldn’t own a
Canadian)”

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Tempo Toronto reader and Member Margaret Imecs saw our contest by Namami Gallery to win one of renowned artist Salvatore Principe’s Signature Heart original, hand-painted, artworks – worth estimated at over $450 – and knew it would be a perfect wedding gift for her eldest son, to be married at the end of March.

If she could only win it!

Lucky Margaret. She visited the Namami Gallery website, and identified correctly the name of one of Salvatore Principe’s hearts featured there. Her correct entry was drawn randomly from hundreds of hopefuls. Now Margaret is the proud owner of an original artwork, and shares this privilege with celebs including Dr. Oz.

“I’m very happy with my prize and Namami Gallery. I love their website, they have a wide selection of art to choose from. I received great service from them, and when my prize arrived, it was beautifully wrapped. In in fact I’m keeping it in the original packaging because my eldest Son is going to get married on March 31, 2011 and I thought that this will be the perfect wedding gift for him.”

Thank you Margaret for being such an enthusiastic Tempo Toronto Member, and thank you to Namami Gallery for offering such a fabulous prize for our readers.

A REMINDER OF THE CONTEST DETAILS (now expired, but as it appeared in 2010)

Namami Gallery exclusively represents varied and extremely talented artists. Namami’s unique and inspiring artwork will complete any space, regardless of whether you are searching for one piece to enhance your home or a collection for your office.

Exclusively for Tempo Toronto members, Namami Gallery is offering the chance to win a 11×14 inch Salvatore Principe Signature Heart on canvas, ready to hang in your home. The value of this prize is $450. Join celebrities such as Dr. Oz, Adam Sandler, Gwen Stefani and Tony Bennett as owners of one of these sought-after original art works.

To Win

Visit Namami Gallery on line, www.namamigallery.com, and search for the name of the Salvatore Prinicipe Signature Heart shown on the left. Then use our CONTACT form (click to link directly from here, or go to Contact in the bottom menu) with Namami in the subject line, and tell us what title Salvatore Principe used for this artwork. (Note: this is NOT the artwork on offer as the prize.)

About Salvatore Principe, artist

Salvatore’s vibrant collections of both mixed media and hearts on canvas evoke sentiments of complexity and beauty that appeal to so many – his international acclaim and celebrity following support this. His Hearts are works of compassion and love, while his abstracts maintain a chic and funky sensibility.

Salvatore Principe was born in 1959 of Italian heritage and raised in Manhattan, where the brutal collides with the beautiful. Salvatore found himself inspired by juxstaposition and diversity, while influenced by the pop culture of the 70′s. For the past twenty-five years as an artist Salvatore’s quest has not wavered: A steadfast dedication to enriching peoples lives through his deeply abounding, expressive and affecting art. His work reflects a depth of emotion blind to racial division or language barrier. It is about the spirit of life, celebrated through human emotion. In kind, Salvatore is continually donating pieces for charitable auction, raising in excess of $300,000 in the past five years alone. With his art always current and influencing what’s chic and modern, Salvatore Principe’s talent has graced the walls of numerous New York City cultural relevant institutions, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bendel, Bergdorf Goodman and The Trump Towers.

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1. Exclusive contest – Salvatore Principe art
2. 50 Going on 15
3. Contest Winner – 50lbs (yes!) of Chocolate

Seamus O'Regan on the Canada AM set

Calm. Peaceful. Harmonious.

Not the atmosphere I expected when I was invited to the CTV Canada AM studio by Seamus O’Regan to watch Canada’s most popular morning show as it’s put together. We all witness a cornucopia of stories and presenters in each multi-hour show every weekday, I imagined frantic chaos.

“Wake up to the world of Canada AM, television’s morning star and Canada’s most watched national morning newsmagazine. Co-hosts Beverly Thomson and Seamus O’Regan along with Weather Anchor Jeff Hutcheson and News Anchor Marci Ien are currently celebrating the series’ 38th incredible broadcast year.” from CTV website

The studio is in zen-like calmness. With as many people behind the cameras and on the studio floor as there are presenters and guests, there’s a huge sense of teamwork. No yelling, no panicking – in fact very little talking. Each segment flows smoothly from one to the next, everyone knows exactly their part, their position, their timings, seemingly by osmosis with the production manager quietly directing the flow of content – Jeff in front of the green screen, Seamus interviewing a guest, Beverly presenting new fitness research, Marci calmly presenting the news: they are all impeccable.

What we don’t see are the writers that work through the night getting several hours of news stories together. What we do see – or get a sense of – is what a harmonious team those in front of the cameras are. You simply cannot fake that. They are, indeed, like family.

We’ll have a profile of Seamus O’Regan for you to read very soon.

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1. Seamus O’Regan

If it hadn’t been for being indecisive – what do you buy a BFF on her 61st birthday, right after Christmas, who has all the jewelry, handbags and scarves any well-accessorized woman could ever need? – we would never have gone to Body Blitz on Adelaide West. It was a completely spontaneous gift which required no gift-wrapping. You just show up and pamper yourself.

So happy we did.

This is indeed a unique experience, not like any other spa we’ve visited, in Toronto at least, even if not so much for the European and Asian trend-followers of spa life. Over 10,000 feet of cleansing, detoxifying relaxation in therapeutic waters for women only, and in the buff for 80% of us – all very comfortable and natural (and no gawking or judging going on). Not only am I still feeling relaxed 24 hours later, my skin feels amazingly silken.

The process:

Check in, order your refreshment (smoothies, teas, protein bars) and pay (under $40 for the spa pool experience). Take the tour, get naked (or put on a swimsuit), shower thoroughly. Wallow in the Dead Sea salt pool with jets and cascading waterfalls while your smoothie is delivered for leisurely sipping. Sweat it out in the aromatherapy steam room, then shower, visit the cool plunge pool,more detoxing in the infra-red sauna, shower again, brave the cool plunge pool. Then another wallow-ette in the Hot Green Tea pool, after which time you are so cleansed and detoxified you almost radiate white light!

We continued by trying a sampler 30-minute body scrub, the BFF had the relaxing oatmeal scrub, me – the invigorating minty one. It’s quiet there, and the steam room and sauna as well as the scrubs are all in complete, joyful, silence. There are other treatments available including massages, which we’ll just have to go back to try out.

The soothing effects were like being on holiday for a week, yet it all took only 150 minutes. The facilities are splendid, the staff are great, and the value is immense. Worth checking out, and soon. No tipping (great!) and you can often get a same-day appointment.

We grabbed this blurb from their website

Immerse yourself in body blitz ~ health by water, a spa that puts a modern twist on ancient restorative water practices. Situated in an 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse space in the heart of Toronto, body blitz boasts a 38 ft. Dead sea salt pool, hot green tea pool, cold plunging pool, aromatherapy steam, infrared sauna, and 20 treatment rooms. Relax in our therapeutic waters, detoxify in our steam and sauna or replenish in our mud, scrub, body or massage treatments. We make it easy – no waiting, no tipping, book in advance or call for same day booking, access the waters only or include them in your treatment, become a member or purchase a waters card. Body blitz ~ health by water because living well is a necessity.

Body Blitz Spa

www.bodyblitzspa.com

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It was a question of economics.

My winter wardrobe had clearly shrunk over the summer. The zippers wouldn’t fasten, and strange bulges appeared above and below my waistband, while my waist had all but disappeared.

I know it’s menopausal weight gain, or that was my excuse. But quite honestly, it was either spend thousands on new clothes in a bigger size, or make it so that my skinny jeans could get past my expanding thighs, and my pants and skirts would cease looking like I’d borrowed clothes from my (smaller) sister.

I embarked on a ‘cleanse’ that seemed to have some scientific merit; certainly the food I could eat was extremely healthy. To my astonishment I lost 16lbs in little more than three weeks, and had no cravings for ‘bad’ food.

Oh deep joy. My suede pants now zip up swiftly, with no muffin top hangover. All this with none of that haggard look I’d seen in my face the last time I lost some weight.

I have been on the ‘maintenance’ phase of this program for two weeks, and haven’t gained an ounce. When I return from my winter holiday in the sun , provided I can eat well and not gain weight, I will give you a full account of how the whole system worked – for me at least. That will be early January.

In the meantime, I bask in the knowledge that my swimsuits fit and my rear end does not require two seats on the flight to warmer climes.

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1. Keep Your New Resolutions
2. Feeling like Cinderella

So, I joined Autoshare. There are cars parked 400 metres from my home, I book on-line whenever I want, and whenever I show up at the appointed time a jaunty vehicle, clean and full of gas awaits me. Goodness me, the fun we’ve had. Quick shopping trips, visits to friends in Mississauga and Aurora, beetling off to business meetings, and driving around lawn signs for a political campaign … nothing is off limits.

It’s all good.

Well, mostly.

This is a car co-operative. And to work, all us members have to play by the rules. Pick up the car on time, return it on time (clean and full of gas), and pay about $10 an hour for the privilege. The wondrous thing is it includes gas and insurance. Calculations convinced me that using Autoshare once or twice a week costs me less than the capital depreciation, insurance, gas and maintenance costs of an owned car. Much less.

Here’s the rub. I have to declare myself Cinderella at all social functions. Just as things are getting into full swing, I check my watch. Lo and behold, I have to leave right then to return my carriage before it turns into a pumpkin.

Cinderella. That’s what I have become.

My friends are betting I won’t last the winter before cracking and buying a car. Let’s see …

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Congratulations to Larry and to Colleen, and thank you for spreading the word about Rose Reisman to all your friends in California.

Now they’re both getting ready to work on bringing Rose’s latest delicious recipes to their family tables.

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2. Announcing … Cooking With Rose
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Congratulations Abhishek Dugga. CD will wing its way to you via Canada Post in the next few days.

Thank you Marcus for sharing your talent with our readers.

Read our profile of Marcus.

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1. CONTEST: Win Marcus Nance’s new CD
2. Marcus Nance

The photo judged to be the best example of “50 going on 15″ by popular vote was selected as the lucky winner of a memorable prize. Yes, it really was 50lbs of chocolate.

The prize winner was Debbie Watson from Hamilton. The winning photo depicted Debbie at a fund-raiser all decked out in “Elton John” style glasses and looking completely silly (in a good way). She’s a critical care nurse, and had a tough time fitting in a drive to Toronto’s Chocolicks to collect her prize. We could hardly mail it! So we all – Rob Campbell from Lenzr (pictured right, holding all 50lbs), Cheryl from Chocolics, Debbie and Bill Watson from Hamilton, and Tina Rogers, Publisher of Tempo Toronto – gathered in one chocolate-y place.

Have you any idea what Over 50lbs of chocolate looks like? On the left is just one of the five 10lb bars we loaded into her car – Debbie was just fooling with us pretending to nibble off a corner. You really do need a hammer (rubber mallet) to break it.

All Tempo Toronto contests have great prizes. Lenzr helped us put together an attention-getting contest like no other – so thanks to Rob Campbell. And thanks to Debbie for being such a good sport.

What Debbie had to say when she’d recovered from the shock of seeing a mountain of chocolate …

“As a nurse I know the benefits of chocolate, but nothing could prepare me for the amazing sight of 50 pounds of chocolate. Immediately my mouth was drooling and the sweetness was filling my senses. I know all my favourite recipes will be chocolate enhanced. I’m talking about my fudge, cheesecake, cakes drizzled with chocolate, chocolate covered strawberries and candied fruits. Hey, why can’t I indulge in its decadence by itself?  I’m already pricing a chocolate fountain and I predict a chocolate party in the near future. Thank you to everyone involved in this contest. Sometimes contest prizes are described as “Sweet”, but this one is absolutely decadent!”

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