Eat It: Chickpea Salad

It's really really hot in Toronto right now. Crazy hot. 30 degrees Celsius by 9 am sort of hot. And I, sadly, am a girl without an air conditioner. Like Laura, I've been trying to find ways to keep cool that don't include living at the movies for the next two months, or setting up camp in my neighbourhood's 24-hour Loblaws.

But you need to cool off, and you need to eat. So you go to Loblaws, but it's too damn hot to cook, so what's a gal to choose? You should choose cold things, that's what. Cold things that you can chop lazily, throw together, mix and done. Bam. Cold goodness that will make sure you don't die as you're melting. Cold goodness that will provide your body with nutrients and fill you up because woman cannot live on popsicles alone (I found this out the hard way).

How To: Stay Cool on Hot Days

I haven't lived with an air conditioner for about four or five years, and until this year I've handled it quite well—the sweat situation was totally under control, same with the smell, and I was only slightly grumpy when I couldn't get a glass of water. This summer something changed for me. Maybe it's the more frequent working at home, maybe it's the lack of AC at work, or just something inside of me, but it's manifested in a complete intolerance for the heat, the humidity, and generally, the sunshine.

I just spent a beautiful weekend in Muskoka sitting by the lake, and got myself mighty burned for it. That burn has been the catalyst for something bigger—this list of ways to stay cool. It will not only help you, but also help me stay positive in my thinking, and not want to move home to my parents' house until October when it cools down.

me, pre burn. sunglasses from whitecrow

1. Get fans going. Place them beside open windows, but keep the curtains mostly drawn on these windows. You want to minimize the sunshine coming in and maximize the outside air being picked up by the fan to circulate around your sauna of an apartment.

2. Drink lots of water. I know it sounds cliche, but that Coke Zero aint gonna help you at all. Get a giant pitcher, fill it with water, and just keep on drinking. Limit your iced coffee and cold beer intake during the day, because though they taste more refreshing, you'll feel worse later. Staying hydrated is really important, so make sure your cat gets enough to drink as well. Don't assume that she is dying from heat just because she has started to sleep on her back in the dark bathroom.

3. Run freezing cold water on the inside of your wrists. This is a tip that I learned from my Grandpa when I was a kid. He told me that because your veins are more or less exposed, it will cool down the blood that travels around your body and cool you down quickly. I don't know enough about science or anatomy to know if he was putting me on, but nevertheless, the trick is really effective.

4. Wear the right clothes. I have been living in this super-thin cotton top that I bought years ago when it was an old lady's nighty (you've got to trust me that it's actually kind of cute). I've tried the not wearing much route, and there is too much sweat and rubbing going on for that to be comfortable for long. Thin cotton and boyshort underwear is usually a good bet.

5. Sit really still. Stop thinking about how hot it is, and look at pictures that your boyfriend took of you and your family up at the farm on Christmas. Remember how it felt to fall in the snow and get your pants all wet and have to walk home with frozen pants. Alternatively, try to embrace the heat but picture yourself in some exotic location, like Puerto Rico. I like to pretend that I'm in Greece again, where the heat was totally bearable because everything else was so beautiful.

cold vs. hot memories

5. Go outside. I know this sounds crazy, but if you can find a patch of grass in the shade and you bring a big hat, a book, and some of the super-important water, you'll cool down. Or take a walk to the nearest grocery store and wander the isles. Either way, put on some cutoffs over those boyshorts.

6. Take the bus. To get to work, the public pool, or your friend's air conditioned apartment building, take the bus. Street cars and subways are really stiflingly hot, but the buses usually are like those Juicy Fruit commercials, like falling backwards into a pool of cold water.

karaoke lyrics

7. Listen to some Stevie Nicks. Preferably The Wild Heart. It is an awesome album for the summer heat. Realize that no matter what you do, your hair is gonna look like hers, and you should just embrace it. Don't bother putting on makeup, it will just melt off. Get some bright lip stain and make your lips and your hair the main focus.

The Top 5 Albums of Right Now, At This Moment

How very High Fidelity, you must be thinking.

I like to do this periodically, create a playlist of my favourite albums from right now, and then reflect back on it later. It's interesting to hear, the music that thrills you again like no time has passed, that just sounds good in your ears, or the music you've outgrown, the songs that just remind you of what it feels like to be 18. It's like a diary entry from a former self, and it's revisiting the narratives and emotions that worked for you then.

So, a gift to my future self: my top 5 albums, on July 13, 2011, 11:13 pm, are as follows.

1. Teen Dream – Beach House
I feel like this choice dates me somehow, because it's modern and I think it's just past the point of anyone caring about it, but I'll be damned if this album doesn't still thrill me. Something in the emotion of Victoria Lagrande's voice, its vulnerability, its earthiness grounding the sweetness of the synthentic backgrounds. This lush dream pop feels like emotions feel, rolling over you in tides with crests and lows, and bringing you to a new understanding by the end. And everytime I listen, I hear something different – tonight, it was the little banjo line on "Used To Be" that reminded me of a favourite band of mine growing up, Travis (was anyone else out there a Travis fan? I always feel like such a dork about that).

Choice pick:

2. Death Proof Soundtrack
I've already mentioned this one to you before, but this is just to say, no really, it's the best thing your ears have never heard. Just believe me already.

Choice pick:

3. Astral Weeks – Van Morrison
This album makes me feel back in touch with nature. Is that weird? I listen to it, and it feels like I've spent time in the park, around green, growing things, which totally makes a difference to your physical well-being. The lyrics tumble like pebbles in a creek bed, the feeling is easy, soothing and filled with possibility. The lyrics aren't lyrics at all, just rolling words that follow the form, but they have their own logic somehow. Morrison has never sounded so generous, so open and so peaceful. This is my go-to album whenever things need to make sense, whenever my nerves need calming or I'm feeling in awe about the world. I remember Daniel playing it on a car ride when I felt nauseous to make me feel better, and it totally worked. This is powerful, Gravol-type shit.

Choice pick:

(How dreamy is that album cover?)

4. Beatles For Sale – The Beatles

This pick actually comes a bit out of left field for me. Have you ever tried to do it? Pick your favourite Beatles album? I mean, I love them all for such different reasons. Some have such insane standouts alongside the lowest of low (The White Album), some have really wonderfully conceived stretches (Abbey Road),  and if you'd asked me this a year ago, or even a week ago, I'd probably have answered differently. I'll probably answer differently a week from now. But this is July 13, 2011 at 11:31 pm, and I want to say Beatles For Sale. There are some really amazing vocal performances on this album, and overall, it's just a lot of fun. When, like me, you've been unpacking for the past two weeks, it matters to play albums that make you move. And oh man, that the first 5 seconds of 'Mr. Moonlight'? John Lennon's finest vocal performance ever. Seriously:

Boy has pipes.

Choice pick (two for the price of one!):

5. The Sun Sessions – Elvis Presley
This is Elvis at his best, in the first recordings he did for Sun Studios between 1954 and 55. They are just brimming with life, with nerve, with pure talent – this is a guy with music in his bones. I'm so amazed that these are considered some of the first recordings of rock n roll, because they sound so natural, so easy and exciting. Reading Priscilla Presley's memoir Elvis and Me may have shown me a different side of the King, but this is the beginning, before he became the sad, lonely man he would become. Ugh, god, just typing that made me feel sad about it. Nevermind. Just listen to the album – it's the cure for all that ails you.

Choice pick:

What are some of your favourite albums right now?

The Converted Carnivore

I should preface this post by letting you all know that I am a meat lover. I will eat any kind of meat, I even covet horse meat (controversially enough), and I think a life without bacon is a life not worth living. During one of my many freelance jobs, I copy edited an article about the Ying Ying Soyfood, a micro, family-owned tofu-producing company just outside the city. I was intrigued, and read a bit more about them on their site. But to be honest, it was the comment left by Robin Banks.

"Their tofu bacon is all kinds of amazing... crispy from the oven it's almost impossible to tell from the real thing (except it doesn't have those nasty fatty bulges)!"

Now I have no problem with bacon's fatty bulges, but the idea of a slightly healthier bacon substitute (and therefore one that I could eat on a more regular basis) got my mouth watering. Since we just moved near Dufferin Grove park, the Thursday farmers' market would be the perfect opportunity to pick up some facon and check out what else they had to offer. Boy, was I surprised.

They have so many delicious kinds of tofu! We couldn't resist, and bought about five different kinds. The Gourmet Tofu they make has six different flavours, and it is all pre-cooked. I especially loved the Curry and Miso flavour, and I'm snacking on the Tomato flavour right now. They have burgers and balls, but the most incredible is the Smokey Tofu Deli-Slices of tofu bacon. They are sliced super thin, and once you fry 'em up I swear you can't tell the difference. We've been putting them in sandwiches, salads, and having them with eggs and toast in the morning (not all on the same day, mind you).

Don't roll your eyes at me, fellow carnivores. You really won't believe it until you've tried it. So just go to Noah's, the Big Carrot, Fiesta Farms, or any farmers' market in the city, and buy a pack. I dare you.

A Few of My Favourite Things

I'm having one of those days, where I haven't quite woke up five hours after rolling out of bed, and all of my bills are hitting my inbox at the same time, and I'd just really rather hit snooze on this whole adulthood thing. So instead, let's take a look at some things that have been inspiring me of late.

Tattone

Internet wonder Swiss Miss launched a line of temporary tattoos this week at Tatt.ly. She paired up with a bunch great designers to offer smart, quirky temporary tattoos at a really great price (only $5 for a two pack, or an introductory offer of $35 for all 15 designs). My favourite is the Tattone colour chip above, but there are all kinds of clever picks.

You're Late

Knucks

My impeccable taste continues on its quest to make me a brokest bitch on the block. These Acne Pistol Short boots from Gargyle started taunting me this week, all $570 of them. They come in all black or all terracotta versions too, but why on earth would you choose those?

Acne Pistol Short boots from Gargyle

Miss Moss's recent pairings of Escher tessellation designs and recent menswear street style photos was truly inspired. Who says girls have all the fun?

All via Miss Moss

As a lover of all things galactic, I'd like to try these DIY space shoes...

via Goth Reform School

...Or maybe try making a sweater into the final frontier.

via Stockholm Street Style

I love marbled nails so much, and I plan on trying to DIY them this week. Don't worry! I'll document it all the way for you guys. My 14 year old cousin told me about the how-to while we were bonding over nail art last weekend, and then I saw the set below a day or two later, inspired by Stella McCartney's resort collection over at Move Slightly. My cousin is such a trendsetter.

Marbled Nails via Move Slightly

What are you loving this week?

More natural beauty advice

I am a sucker for any beauty advice I read about online, especially for products that you can make yourself and are not full of chemicals. I generally believe that the fewer ingredients beauty products have (and not just beauty products, food too!) the better. I briefly went the whole no shampoo route (I couldn't keep it up, though I was skeptical and didn't give it much of a chance), and I still use my homemade blush and diluted apple-cider vinegar as facial toner. I like knowing that the stuff I slather on my face is not going to do me any harm. I get lots of this advice from a great blog called the Velvet Bird. Vanessa is adorable (and makes me want to get married and have goats and lots of tattoos) and always shares great, natural products that are fun to make and share, and won't break the bank.

homemade blush by velvetbird

Enter my new facial-cleansing system:

the Oil Cleansing Method!!!

You can read here about how it actually works, but basically using good oil combats all the bad built-up oil from the day on your face. I have some pretty serious combination skin, oily in the T-zone and dry everywhere else, and lots of those super cleansers just dry out my skin. Using oil won't make you into a grease-ball, it will make your skin soft and luminous. At least that's what I'm hoping. Hurrah! Clear skin for all!