london

12 Months in Review

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1000+ – # of people I’ve met in the last year from everywhere
60+ – # of hours I’ve spent dancing since January w/ Swing Patrol
35+ – # shows I saw in London over 9 months
8 – # number of countries I visited (mostly in a 30 day period, oy vey)
5 – # of times I rehearsed my routine for LBF in Saul and Selene’s living room
3 – # of bank accounts I have on two continents
2 – # of international cabaret festivals I debuted in
1 – # of hearts I got filled with love for you, my friends, my chosen family

The late night time zone-ignored phone calls, supportive photos, FB posts, quiet emails, coffee dates, posted valentines and innumerable hugs.

Friday, I graduate from my masters program (with distinction bitches!) and I am infinitely grateful. For my visionary parents, the chance to align with you, my wildly talented friends, and newfound room in my heart place. I didn’t know I could feel love like this. Thank you.

Breaking bread…

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My favourite place in any apartment/flat/house is the kitchen. You can deduce a lot about a person on what’s in their kitchen. I spent many days chopping, rolling, stirring and baking up recipes. Every party would inevitably end up with 20+ people in my tiny kitchen when I had a sizeable and comfortable living room. Maybe it has something to do with out primal self wanting to gather around a fire together, maybe it’s because that’s where the cold drinks are? Whatever the reason, I miss those moments.

I was lucky enough to be invited to a get together a few weeks ago with a group of diverse and remarkable women. We crammed ourselves around a kitchen table and over delicious food, drinks and copious cups of tea, we chatted away. Topics included (in no particular order): sex (obviously), friendship, gender sensitivity, species of chicken and science!

London is a remarkable city, with incredible people from all over the world. I often wish there were more places where you could sit, relax and make a meal. I’ve started inviting myself over to people’s house to make dinner and create more of those moments. I can’t wait until I have a proper kitchen again and a kitchen table that seats 4 – 6. Just you wait!

Keep calm

Recipe: Cinnamon Rolls WF and DF

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Cinnamon RollFor those that don’t know, I’m allergic to wheat and dairy. I have been for 9 years. I thought I’d throw up some tasty treat tonight. Living in London – they have everyday bread products covered. English muffins, baguettes, bread, scones – all a wheat and dairy free (often not vegan so keep your eyes peeled on the label). But one of the things I miss from Toronto is the decadent sweets. Bunners incredible muffins, donuts, cinnamon rolls and cupcakes, Sweet from the Earth chocolate caramel bars and date squares. I will definitely be making a Bunners run when I come to town in a few weeks.

I recently adapted a Michael Smith Food Network recipe to rustle up some spelt dairy free cinnamon rolls. I definitely cheated and used vegan Betty Crocker icing. Don’t judge me. I can feel your judging eyes!

I refuse to buy baking utensils since I’ll have to move in a few months and own all that shit anyway in a bin in Toronto, but here’s the original recipe in case you’d like to rock and roll – get it?! (I love a good pun.)

Cinnamon Rolls

I substituted the butter for coconut oil, flour for spelt flour and halved the whole thing. I used a pot for a bowl, a water bottle for a rolling pin and they turned out mighty delicious.

If you’re looking for tasty treats here in London in the meantime, I highly recommend the Free From bakery at the Borough Market for vegan GF DF rocky road squares, the polenta cake at Look Mum No Hands on Old Street and the chocolate chip mandarin loaf readily available at many retailers/cafes and markets. It’s very moist! I often buy it at the farmers market every Thursday at Torrington Place near UCL.