The New Year is a good time to reflect on our past performance, our present considerations and how we see them fitting into our dreams for the future.

As we take leave of another holiday season, a time of year often marked by excess, we should turn our thoughts to ways in which happiness and contentment fill our hearts not by how much we consume but by what we save and spare.

As a realtor, your role as a trusted advisor in the lives of your clients cannot be undermined and that’s why it’s vital that you use your position to spread the word about saving the planet. We’re not talking about getting self-righteous and preachy, but sharing your know-how from a place of compassion and practicality. Besides, in this day and age, it’s the socially responsible thing to do. You’ll be surprised at how influential you really are.

So when you consider how you’d like to make 2015 better, think about the ways you can help the environment and, by turn, your clients. Know also that they’ll appreciate your tips, advice and recommendations. After all, you’re helping them save money.  In the end, their estimation of you is elevated and that’s good for everyone.

Raising your green IQ might be a good place to start.  Generally speaking, green real estate has less impact on the environment in its construction and its day-to-day operation when compared to its less environmentally friendly and conventional neighbours.

Do you know about efficient ways of using energy and water? How’s your knowledge on environmentally sustainable materials?  What constitutes a healthy house in your mind?

So that your clients can take advantage of government-sponsored rebates and incentives on eco-friendly upgrades, get acquainted with whom they should talk to about obtaining energy audits in their market area. The audit essentially pre-qualifies them for the grants. It’s probably also a good idea to find out what rebates are available in your province and, if applicable, in your municipality.

But don’t let your heightened awareness stop there. Find out about ways your clients can save on their energy bills. What types of insulation are best suited for mid-century homes? Are tankless water heaters really worth the investment? Is it worth replacing your older appliances with Energy Star ones? What renovators and builders in your market take into account green principles when plying their trade?

Take a look at your own eco footprint. As a real estate professional, do you burn through fuel, paper and energy as though there were a limitless supply? You might want to think of better, cleaner ways to run your business.

Consider the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB), a national non-profit professional association that aims to educate real estate professionals about energy conservation and environmental awareness.  NAGAB offers designations that help realtors gain more clients and increase profitability, protect the natural environment, fight climate change, access new markets and create a positive, long-term impact on their community.

As January begins a shiny new year filled with hope and optimism, we’re eager to earn more money, mend ailing relationships, lose weight, and go to the gym more often. But why not do our earth a favour and add the environment to your list of resolutions for 2015? The world will be glad you did.

In 2015, we will begin to see changes in the way consumers spend their money and how they approach buying real estate.

Because consumers will grow even more green, value-conscious and mobile, expect those traits to penetrate the housing industry more deeply than ever.

Renovate is the fourth R when it comes to the environment –
More people will turn to makeovers when it comes to changing the space in which they live. This is good news for their pocketbook and for the environment.

Expect homeowners to invest in energy-efficient upgrades that reduce the draw on a home’s heating and cooling.

Footprints Shrink — When people build new homes, more will be doing so with smaller as opposed to bigger footprints.  According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the average size of a new home in 1978 was 1,750 square feet, a figure that had grown to 2,520 square feet by 2008. In 2010, that figure fell to 2,480 square feet. The decreasing trend is expected to continue with square footage estimated to fall to 2,152 by 2015.

Net Zero – A net zero home generates as much energy as it consumes. To achieve this, homeowners need to combine passive and active design strategies. Passive energy includes such methods as strategically placed windows that maximize or deter heat or shrubs and trees planted to help cool your home. Solar panels and wind turbines, on the other hand, produce energy.

While investing in a renewable energy system such as a geothermal well can be costly, perhaps the net result is worth it in the long run.

Energy Monitoring Systems — Keep track of your minute-by-minute energy
usage. Find out what it costs to wash a load of laundry or to cook a meal. The point, of course, is for you to learn how and when you use the most and to figure out ways to cut back.

LEDs – These lights use less energy than compact fluorescents (CFL) and have much longer life spans. Prices are dropping  with LEDs so more and more consumers will adopt this lighting especially once they learn how much more they can save on their energy bills.

Nothing warms the heart and soul come winter’s cold quite like a creamy, steamy cup of hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate or cocoa, if you prefer, usually consists of shaved or melted chocolate or cocoa powder mixed with heated milk or water and sugar. Some like to sprinkle their chocolate with cinnamon. Others prefer a dollop of whipped cream on top, a handful of marshmallows or a drop of vanilla for added flavour. For a peppermint taste, add two mint candies. If you like your chocolate spiced up a bit add a pinch of cayenne pepper or ground chili pepper.

As you hustle and bustle throughout the city at this hectic time of year, don’t forget to take time out for yourself by sitting down to a comforting warm beverage of chocolate. While just about any restaurant can offer hot chocolate, some really know how to do it up right. Here’s a look:

ChocoSol, at 1131 St. Clair West, is a social enterprise that focuses on making the food of the gods – otherwise known as cocoa – right here in Toronto. The chocolate is made without dairy, gluten, soy and nuts, and are also vegan. ChocoSol specializes in both eating chocolate and drinking chocolate (xocolatl).

At 361 Roncesvalles, The Chocolateria makes its in-store hot chocolate using German cocoa and Callebaut chocolate, a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon for a frothy warm dark chocolate bevy. On weekends the store offers a milk chocolate flavoured hot drink and another variation such as peppermint hot chocolate. Yum.

Nestled within Yorkville, MoRoCo Chocolat is a chocolate lover’s nirvana located at 99 Yorkville Ave. Its sipping chocolates come in three flavours: 66 % dark chocolate, milk chocolate with chai, or blond chocolate with espresso beans. They’re presented in little pots with shot glasses from which to sip and enjoy.

The Junction’s Delight Chocolate at 3040 Dundas West offers customers a sip of heaven with its mouth-watering choice of hot chocolate. Regular is on tap alongside a hot chocolate that is spiced with ginger, cayenne, cinnamon and coriander, then there is a peanut-butter flavoured drink and finally bittersweet orange.

Nadege Patisserie at 780 Queen West offers two different hot chocolates in house: its signature 70 % hot chocolate and a Peruvian chocolate known as Illanka. Either choice comes with a house-made Guimauve (French for marshmallow). Hot chocolate flavours in the store’s gift-box sampler include bourbon vanilla, spice (including cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and nutmeg) and dark chocolate. Made-from-scratch marshmallows include raspberry, strawberry, cotton candy, gin and tonic and rose and litchi fruit, among others.

The weather outside might be frightful and that’s why there’s no better time than December to boost spirits and celebrate our jolly festive season.

Whether your mark the holidays in piety or in more material ways or perhaps, like many of us, a combination of the two, Toronto has a bountiful assortment of ways to make merry. Let’s take a look:

The Distillery District’s Christmas Market is a throwback to the street markets that originated in Germany in the 1400s. Offering traditional sights, sounds and scents of Christmas, this seven-day-week market runs until Dec. 21. Dozens of live entertainers, craftspeople, artists and artisans, seasonal food and drink offerings and merchandise are on hand. This event has something for every age.

The One-of-a-Kind Christmas Show and Sale marks 40 years this year with more than 800 artisans selling their wares at the Direct Energy Centre until December 7. Known as a flagship destination for Canadian handmade designs and merchandise, the event will be attended by more than 140,000 who come to buy, browse and appreciate quality craftsmanship and design.

Longing for a Christmas straight out of an Osmond family TV special? You’re in luck because Donny and Marie Osmond will be tra-la-la-la-laing at the Princess of Wales Theatre from December 9 — 21. Expect plenty of holiday faves with a review of hits from their lengthy careers in Donny & Marie Christmas in Toronto.

If the Osmonds don’t rock your boat, you may want to try homegrown talent in the form of the Barenaked Ladies, performing Hits & Holiday Songs at Roy Thomson Hall December 11 and 12^th.

Get a photo of you and the team at Purina PawsWay (245 Queens Quay West). The real team of dog sledders are on hand December 13 & 14 and 20 & 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The canine fun takes place during Winterfest and lets you see up close and personal what equipment is used in dog sledding. Sneak a quick puppy pat or brief chat with Tanya Hawley and her authentic sledding dogs.

Don’t miss Santa in the Junction on Sunday, December 7 beginning at 11 a.m.  A Dundas Street West winter market, a visit from Santa and his elves, live holiday music, a Reindeer Scavenger Hunt, various workshops and demonstrations plus plenty of holiday-themed refreshments for everyone.

If you’re in the neighbourhood, visit the Global News Toy Drive Live event at the Shops at Don Mills on December 4. Donate a new, unwrapped toy in exchange for free food and drink from on-site vendors. Children are encouraged to bring their letters to Santa, take photos with Santa and his reindeer and visit the Global News and Spin Master seasonal booths. The Toy Drive Live event will also feature a selection of holiday carols sung by the Crestwood Choir and an official tree lighting ceremony, taking place during the live broadcast from 5 to 8 p.m.

There’s nothing like a spin around an open-air ice rink come winter’s cold. Whether you’re gliding mitten-to-mitten with your sweetheart or teaching your wee ones how to balance on blades, nothing says wintertime fun quite like an outdoor ice rink.

That’s one of the reasons Freeman Real Estate is sponsoring a free community skate from 5 to 6 p.m. o n December 13 at the Bill Bolton Arena, 40 Rossmore Road. Everyone is welcome to join in the festive fun but space is limited so please RSVP to frontdesk@freemanrealty.com or call 416-535-3103. Refreshments will be served.

Did you know Torontonians are quite enamoured of al fresco skating? We must be because the city has 51 open-air ice rinks. Here, in no particular order, is a peek at a few of the finest:

Christie Pits Park is an 8.9 hectare park located at 750 Bloor Street West and Christie Street, across from the Christie subway station. The park features the Alex Duff Memorial Pool, three baseball diamonds, a multi-sport field, basketball and volleyball courts, a community garden and an artificial ice rink. The sides of the pits are highly sloped and are used in winter for tobogganing and related activities. There’s street parking on the outskirts.

Founded in 1954, the Phil White Arena at 443 Arlington Ave. in Cedarvale has an outdoor rink for free skates adjacent to the Cedarvale Park Ravine system. The City of Toronto offers various Learn-to-Skate programs as well as Drop-in Skating for Older Adults, Drop-in Skating for All Ages and Drop-in Hockey.

At 875 Dufferin Street just south of Bloor St. W.  is the 5.3-hectare Dufferin Grove Park. It features a multipurpose sports field, a basketball court, a picnic area, a wading pool and a children’s playground. At the north end of the park is the Dufferin Grove Park Artificial Ice Rink and Clubhouse. Don’t forget delicious fresh, local foods for sale and its Friday-night community dinners.

The city’s grand dame of outdoor skate rinks is probably Nathan Phillips Square, a high-profile space that is enjoyed by the public all year long. Enjoy the tranquil sights and sounds of the outdoor water fountain in summer, then lace up during winter and coast to your heart’s content. Skating is free here. Skate rentals are not.

Trinity Bellwoods Park is located on Queen St. W. at Strachan Ave. The 14.6 hectare park features three ball diamonds, eight tennis courts, an off-leash area for dogs and owners, a picnic area and an artificial ice rink. The southwest section of the park houses the Trinity Community Recreation Centre.

Two artificial ice rinks are featured at Wallace Emerson, a 2.7 hectare park on Dufferin south of Dupont St. The ice rink offers changing facilities. In addition to skating there is a children’s playground, three bocce courses and a motocross bike area.

The Evergreen Brick Works at 550 Bayview Ave is a new kid on the skating block with skate rentals available and a green conscience that donates all of its rental fees back to its free skate program. Thanks to its trees, this spot feels like a winter oasis.

At 76 Wychwood Ave., you’ll find a natural ice rink that is maintained by volunteers. Known as Wychwood Barns Park, the rink’s conditions can vary depending on weather and the availability of volunteers. While the city offers support by providing access to water and shovels, community-made rinks such as this one shoulder no liability so use at your own risk.

The Colonel Sam Smith Skating Trailat 3131 Lakeshore Blvd W. is a unique outdoor rink shaped in a figure eight and covering 250 metres of chilly adventure. The facility features a rink change area which includes a large change room with benches and washrooms.

At the foot of Lower Sherbourne Street between the Gardiner and Lakeshore East near Sugar Beach is the city’s newest ice rink at Sherbourne Common Park.

At 235 Queens Quay W. is the Natrel Rink at Harbourfront, which is located on Toronto’s harbour. Admission is free. Skate rentals are on hand as is sharpening.

Enjoy and don’t forget the hot chocolate afterwards!

Just as the name suggests, Insomnia is the kind of restaurant you can lose yourself in day or night, no matter what your appetite or state of being.

If you’re more of an early bird, you’re sure to love the seven varieties of eggs benny, including pulled pork or perhaps you’d prefer the waffles or the pancakes? The 17-year-old restaurant has had plenty of time to perfect its cuisine and brunch seems to be a big hit with locals. Just witness the line-ups to get in. In fact, NOW magazine readers named it the city’s best brunch in a 2014 poll.

Located at 563 Bloor West, Insomnia is the kind of restaurant that is perfect day or night for family get togethers, intimate conversations or business pow wows. The beauty of the space is that it’s not overly loud so guests can easily hear each other and engage in conversation that is all manner of silly, strange and serious.

The 96-seat restaurant offers patrons a wide selection of gluten-free dining in addition to accommodating numerous allergies.
“Our brunch is executed very well,” says Insomnia general manager Ainsley Sinclair. “We produce things fast so people aren’t left waiting around forever. There is a lot of choice and customization on our
menu.”

Insomnia started out in the late ‘90s as a cyber café. Thanks to its loyal following, staff have witnessed customers grow up over the years and are now watching one-time children and teens coming into the restaurant with their own families in tow.

If you’re more of a night owl, Insomnia also has you covered.  Its wide-ranging dinner menu will take you late into the night with international comfort foods that are sure to satisfy any palate. Start your visit off with a selection of the establishment’s seasonal and classic cocktails or an imported or domestic beer. If vino is more your taste, the restaurant offers a nice choice of reds and whites. The full menu is available until 2 a.m. seven days a week.

Here’s a glowing endorsement on Yelp from one very happy customer:

“Why I love this place – they put cucumber in their water overnight, they make their delicious drip coffee with cinnamon, wait staff have always been rock stars. This place is a lean mean brunch making
machine.”

Visit the website at insomniacafe.com.

July can be a busy month in the garden, whether you’re tending to flowers, vegetables or fruit or a mishmash of all three.

Whether you have an avid green thumb or are just starting out in the garden consider the following pointers to keep your garden pretty and perky throughout the month of July and beyond:

Flower Power

Remove old blossoms on roses, perennials and annuals so that blooms will continue with a strong showing. Because many annuals such as petunias get leggy with long leaf-less stems by this time, you’re best to cut them back to encourage new growth and flowering.

Frequent pruning will keep most annuals full. Consider pruning back to a set of leaves on one stem per week per plant. Or prune all stems by one third which will leave you without flowers for a few weeks.

Don’t forget to pinch mums to encourage a full, colorful fall flower display. Give late-blooming perennials, such as sedum and aster a quick trim by cutting plants back by one-third.

Early-season bloomers, like delphinium, daisy, and campanula should be trimmed by one-half to one-third. You may be rewarded with a second blooming.

Be sure to keep an eye each day on the water needs of your containers as they tend to dry out sooner than flowers and plants in the ground.

Let it Flow

If you can, replace your sprinkler with a soaker hose or drip tube system as these do a better job of bringing water directly to the soil.

Keep an eye on your water. Watch automatic irrigation systems while they’re doing their job. You want to ensure that you’re not wasting water by watering sidewalks or driveways.

Rain barrels are great because they catch water runoff from your roof. Make sure yours has a cover to avoid little ones and animals from falling in.

Consider using a timer on sprinklers and automatic irrigation systems. Buy one with a rainfall shut-off device. These newer gizmos actually adjust watering frequency based on weather intel gathered from the local weather observation stations.

Edgy Veggies

Your vegetable garden should be thoroughly watered during the hot dry weather July often brings. Try not to water in the later afternoon or evening. Avoid wetting the undergrowth of plants, especially those that are disease prone such as tomatoes and squash.

If your veggies and fruit has rotted and fallen to the ground, pick them up and toss in your composter as rotting vegetables and fruit attracts pests and can encourage disease.

Control your weeds otherwise they will take over your plants and use up space, nutrients and water from your plants. Don’t add weeds to your compost. Try to mulch between your rows of plants. Try to mow away from your garden so that seeds don’t get a chance to invade your garden.

Think about extending our short garden season by preserving food. Root vegetables, potatoes and onions can be stored in a cool, dry spot. Try canning or drying.

July can be a busy month in your garden. If you’re not up to it, you can always try hammock gardening, the low-maintenance kind for lazy gardeners. More on that next month.

Known as the city of neighbourhoods, Toronto today could easily be dubbed the city of farmers’ markets.

From Willowdale to Liberty Village and Etobicoke to Scarborough, the city is dotted with an assortment of farmer’s markets that cover off each day of the week with a wide variety of locally produced seasonal products.

Summer is the time of year when we swarm outdoors because, well frankly, everything is better in the fresh warm summer air. Farmers’ markets allow us to indulge two of our favourite pastimes, shopping and eating, in an al fresco setting.

Let’s take a look at a few:

The Stop’s Farmers’ Market at Wychwood Barns offers sustainable organic products along with great music, community information booths and a café where shoppers can stop for a sandwich or bowl of soup. Open every Saturday from 8 to noon, this market was named the city’s best by NOW readers.

The Trinity Bellwoods Farmers’ Market runs from 3 to 7 pm every Tuesday in Trinity Bellwoods Park at Shaw and Dundas. This food-only market supports local food producers and there is very little turnover among vendors.

The Dufferin Grove Farmers’ Market is on rain or shine every Thursday from 3 to 7 pm at Dufferin Grove Park across from Dufferin Mall. From fish to sheep’s milk, from native plants to VQA wineries this market has something for even the fussiest foodie.

The Bloor/Borden Farmers’ Market, located in the parking lot at Bloor and Lippincott is going full force every Wednesday from 3pm-7pm. This market has been running since 2008.

Liberty Village Farmers’ Market runs each Sunday from 9 to 2 until October. This market is one of five certified markets featuring real farmers selling their wares. Bloor Borden, North York, East Lynn Park and CityPlace are the other four.

Sorauren Farmers’ Market is a one-stop shop in Sorauren Park on Mondays from 3 to 7 pm. Artisanal bakers, cheese makers and organic growers are on hand to sell their products and spread the word on sustainable eating.

The Junction Farmers’ Market goes from 9 to 1 on Saturdays at 2960 Dundas St. W. This small cozy market has everything you need from produce and pulled-pork sandwiches to preserves.

The Evergreen Brick Works Farmers Market 65 to 85 vendors at its Saturday market which runs from 8 am to 1 pm. On-site parking is available for a fee but free shuttle buses are offered regularly. See www.evergreen.ca for more info.

For more on the city’s farmers’ markets visit www.tfmn.ca, a website of the Toronto Farmers’ Market Network.

Here’s to a Mild and Eventful March

We can only pray that March will go out like a lamb so in the meantime let’s consider fun distractions to take our mind off the impossibly cold and icy Toronto weather.

International Home and Garden Show – On from March 6 to 9 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, this event will get you ready for spring and summer with expert advice on gardening and home renos from more than 400 exhibitors.

The line-up of musicians set to perform in the city this month is impressive with Billy Joel at the Air Canada Centre on March 9, and Canada’s Arcade Fire at ACC on March 13. New Zealand singing
sensation Lorde will belt it out at the Sound Academy on March 15, while oldies fans can groove to Randy Bachman on March 15 at Massey Hall. For those with more classical tastes take in Swan Lake at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Art from March 8–16. Or legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman and renowned tenor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot at Roy Thomson Hall on March 31. If pop is where it’s at try Miley Cyrus, at the ACC March 31.

If laughter is more your medicine, try the ninth annual Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. With over 40 scheduled performances, this live and scripted comedy show features yuks from Canadian and American comics including the troupe from CBC’s The Irrelevant Show, which tapes two new episodes. The festival
runs from March 6 to 16.

Sugarbush Maple Syrup Festival offers all ages demonstrations, wagon rides and delicious pancakes with maple syrup. On until April 6, head out to the Kortright Centre for Conservation in Vaughan for a taste of Canada’s best sweet stuff.

Family-friendly entertainment abounds at this time of year. Check out Where the Wild Things Are or Disney on Ice at the Rogers Centre. Learn all about anatomy thanks to Sesame Street’s The Body, an interactive exhibit taking place at the Ontario Science Centre until May 5. Take in a good clean classic film such as E.T. or The Black Stallion at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, where matinees play throughout March break.

Toronto Comicon is a great way to meet your celebrity faves? Running from March 7—9 at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event features autograph sessions, Q&As, workshops and a large retail area selling comic books and costumes. Celebrity guests include Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito otherwise known as Gus Fring and Sean Astin and Billy Boyd of Lord of the Rings.

For those of you who love winter sports there are plenty of activities to keep you moderately warm. Try skating at an outdoor rink or hitting the hills to go tobogganing and skiing. The High Park Ski Club has snowshoeing day trips for beginners and experts. The club also offers snowshoeing by moonlight on Tuesday nights.

Toronto Fashion Week takes place from March 17 to 21 at David Pecaut Square where you can check out the latest and greatest in Canadian fashion. Ooh and aah as designers show off their 2014 collections.

Remember you can always warm yourself with a steamy sweet cup of hot chocolate at one of the city’s many coffee bars or bake shops.

Garden sharing is a truly great way to interact with your neighbourhood either as a gardener pulling weeds or turning over soil or as the homeowner supplying a green space for someone to nurture and tend to.

The Stop Community Food Centre, a non-profit organization targeting the issues of hunger and poverty, is introducing YIMBY, a program that connects people who love to garden but don’t have the space with those who have space but no time or inclination.

YIMBY stands for Yes In My Back Yard, which is a pointed example of how The Stop brings people together around food in an environment that’s positive and inclusive.

“What the stop does well is demonstrate how being around food can be transformational in terms of health and in terms of relationships with other people,” says Kathe Rogers, The Stop’s communications manager.  “Whatever the motivation for participating, YIMBY is working to build community and strengthen relationships between people who might not have otherwise met.”

As one of Canada’s most popular outdoor recreational activities, backyard gardening allows you:

• access to fresh, organic produce at a much-reduced cost than retail
• to reduce harmful chemicals and pollution in the environment
• to grow rare and unusual plants that are difficult to find elsewhere
• satisfaction knowing you’re getting fresh air, exercise and doing something good for your community

Unfortunately, in big cities such as Toronto and Vancouver gardening can be a tough row to hoe for many.  Think about the many Torontonians who don’t have access to available land for growing fruits and veggies. Or on the flip side, how about those who have access to a yard but are restricted by time, physical ability or lack of interest.

For some, participating in a garden sharing program is simply about sharing the love – being neighbourly and concerned about fellow citizens enough to want to donate their backyard or, conversely, their time to garden.

The Stop acts as a connector, helping to set up garden-sharing matches. The Stop offers a tool-lending library, free gardening workshops to enhance your skills, some free seedlings, a community seed exchange, and opportunities to meet and learn from other gardeners.

YIMBY connects people to garden in the neighbourhoods around The Stop’s two locations, The Green Barn at Christie and St. Clair, and its second site at Davenport and Symington. This area extends roughly from Bloor up to Rogers/Vaughan Rd, and from Bathurst over to Dundas W./Old Weston Rd.

For more info on YIMBY or to get involved contact Mik at 416-651-7867, ext. 27 or email mik@thestop.org.