-
Preserved Lemons
Eight years ago, I travelled alone to Morocco and spent a month with no reservations or plans, moving from place to place as I liked and enjoying Moroccan culture, food, and affordable, comfortable railways. The first time I tried Preserved Lemons was in Meknes, in a restaurant overlooking the Place Hedim, opposite the Bab Mansour. I ordered Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemons, and I swear it came with at least one full preserved lemon and the most succulent chicken I’ve ever eaten (see picture below!). As I watched small crowds gather around musicians performing in the square and sipped mint tea, I remember thinking that it was one of the…
-
Cranberry Sauce
Is there an easier thing in the world than home made cranberry sauce? I mean, yes, opening a can is easier, but this recipe takes 20 minutes tops and tastes a million times better than whatever you get out of a can. Gorgeous, ruby-red cranberry sauce is perfect as is – you can certainly add all kinds of other things, but I think it’s best kept basic – sugar, water, cranberries. Cranberry sauce is one of my favourite things about any turkey dinner – I really just use turkey as a cranberry sauce delivery system – and I always make my own. I love the beautiful reds of the berries,…
-
Some ideas for women and allies on International Women’s Day
For International Women’s Day, I’d like to ask that you choose some of the following things from this list and try them on for size: – Never use the words ‘selfless’ or ‘tireless’ to describe any person ever again – If you’re on stage as an emcee introducing a woman-identified person, never use the words ‘lovely’ or ‘beautiful’ (Edited for clarity) – say to yourself “trans women are women.” If it’s a phrase that feels weird to say, think on that for a while. – If you’re an employer, take a look at what you pay your employees and recognize where the women are being paid less for their work.…
-
Rest is not Idleness
In the midst of a new year, setting new goals and looking ahead to a year full of hard work and promise, it’s important to remember that whatever you want out of life, and whatever the people in your life want out of you, it’s vital to take breaks, take time for yourself, and recharge for the work ahead. Remember that rest is not idleness. In a year which we’re all anticipating may be very difficult, it’s important to have reminders to stop, breathe, and rest so that you’re a the top of your game. It can be so tempting to push through, to ignore mental or physical weariness, to…
-
NXNE PRESENTS A SAUSAGE FEST
From a piece I wrote for Electric City Magazine: “The Canadian music industry is a diverse, varied place, but you wouldn’t know it from the endless parade of white guys with guitars wanking across the festival stages and conference panels of the nation. Over the past month, NXNE have been releasing the lineup for their Portlands festival, and the list, while appearing more racially diverse with the most recent release, is still very dude-heavy. With three women-fronted bands and one genderqueer artist out of 16 total acts released so far, I have to ask: where the fuck are the women, NorthBy?” Read the rest at Electric City Magazine.
-
So you want to make a difference: 7 Strategies for community organizers
A community's greatest asset is its skilled workers; protect yourself, and the important work you do, by avoiding the pitfalls. I've given this a lot of thought, having been involved in the community sector a long time, and often fallen into the traps described above. As paid staff, volunteer, and Board member, I've both asked too much and been asked too much. There's not a mistake on this list I haven't made myself, sometimes over and again. So, as much to remind myself as to educate anyone else, here are seven strategies for making a positive difference in both your own life, and that of the community!
