As the days grow longer and the sun warms our spirits, we cross the threshold into that season when Mother Nature begins to show off her bounty in full glory.

As Canadians who have endured a wickedly cold winter, we need to honour that bounty and one sure-fire way to do so is to minimize the amount of food waste we generate.

We might be inclined to point fingers at food manufacturers or restaurants or grocery stores, those big food consumers, but the truth is that 51 per cent of the estimated $27-billion of wasted food in Canada comes from the leftovers we toss in the trash at home.

Each Canadian family throws out more than $1,000 per year in kitchen waste. To go one further, once the scraps hit the landfill site they become a major contributor to the production of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane.

A sad yet alarming fact according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is that one-third of food produced to feed people is lost as it moves from field to plate. According to the World Bank, the value of the food waste in Canada is greater than the combined Gross Domestic Product of the 32 poorest countries in the world.
When we discard food we are wasting more than just food. Think about all the resources that go into growing, shipping and producing. Think about all the water that is wasted in the process – that’s all down the drain, too.

But there are things you can do to lessen your food loss and help the environment. Start by taking the produce you buy out of its plastic bag. Might sounds counter-intuitive but airtight wrapping only suffocates your fruits and veggies and speeds up spoilage.
Wait before washing your produce. Moisture promotes the growth of mould and decay so wash just before you plan to eat it.

Don’t hull strawberries or discard fruit stems. This will keep the produce whole as long as possible. Once living cells are broken bacteria starts growing and that’s something you want to avoid.
Plan out your shopping, menus and meals. A lot of times we buy on impulse or out of habit and that doesn’t always serve us well. Will you use up two heads of cauliflower before they start turning black? When you do buy make a point of eating the most perishable items first.

Don’t get roped in to buying a flat of blueberries or two litres of yogurt because the price is right. Unless you’ve got specific plans for those items, some or all may go to waste.

Best-before dates aren’t always carved in stone. Eggs, yogurt and some meats are fine past their dates. Do a sniff test to be sure and if still in doubt throw it out. Time deadlines on more finicky foods such as sushi, cold cuts and soft cheeses are important to follow, though. And bear in mind, that use-by dates don’t usually indicate the safety of the product often refer to how long a food product is able to retain its freshness, taste or nutritional value.

Use up bits and pieces of food items. Find ways to incorporate wilted produce into soup, stew or a casserole. Use blackened bananas to make banana bread. Old bread can be ground into bread crumbs or baked and then cut up into croutons.

Most of us have been guilty of having eyes bigger than our stomachs at one time or another. Maybe it’s time we become more mindful of what we consume, from our in-store purchases to restaurant meals and take-out to the food waste we heap in our garbage and compost bins. And don’t forget to observe Earth Day April 22. Celebrate it with food. Just don’t buy more than you need.

The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) provide a Greenbroker and Greenagent certification program to Realtors across Canada. To get more information or to sign up for a course, visit www.nagab.org. Elden Freeman M.E.S., AGB, broker is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization. 1-877-524-9494 Email elden@nagab.org.

Ask Martyn Balsky why he’s working in real estate and he’ll tell you it’s because he enjoys helping people.

Dig a little deeper and you’ll learn that all his experience have led to this career, beginning in his early days at a family business that manufactured menswear to working as a commercial real estate agent and recently in the remediation business.

In one form or another – from residential and commercial real estate to land development and remediation related to brownfields — he’s been putting together deals, scoping out sites and trying to find value for his clients.

The difference between what he’s done and what he’s doing is that now his energies are directed at finding the right fit for clients within an increasingly feverish real estate market.

“To be good at real estate you need to be a bartender, a wet nurse, a psychiatrist,” says the 51-year-old married father who is one of Freeman Real Estate’s newest agents. “You need to listen really well and to read between the lines as to what people really want. Sometimes clients can’t articulate their wants and needs. Our job is to ferret it out through profound questioning. You have to be able to articulate what most people can’t visualize.”

The Toronto native is skilled at reading people thanks in part to a vast and varied educational background that started with a philosophy degree from the University of Toronto, followed by a business degree program in management and administration (CIM), and a diploma in construction engineering.

What clients can expect with Balsky is a cool head, experience and a deep understanding of the dynamics of the real estate marketplace.

“I’m brutally honest if someone asks me for their opinion,” he says. “I will tell them what I think regardless of how gung-ho they might be. I think candour and truthfulness and integrity are values my clients appreciate and eventually warm to. This business is often fuelled by a lot of emotion and not a lot of reality. You need to have a clear head and a clear mind.”

Because his name and reputation are of paramount importance, Balsky rolls in a way that might be considered different than his colleagues. He worries that people are over leveraging themselves by buying houses that are over inflated. “People are buying on fairy dust they are so over leveraged.” If there is a significant correction it will be because those buyers who chose to purchase with mostly borrowed funds, could pull the market downwards.

A vocal critic of multiple offers for his clients, Balsky is the first to tell clients to steer clear whenever possible and have a maximum in mind that they are willing to pay regardless of the amount of offers.

“I always tell my clients it’s not preferable to engage in bidding-war scenarios,” he says. “It’s too emotionally charged and precarious and I think at the end of the day people may be over paying. I’m in this for the long run and I don’t want my clients to get burned.”

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.

When realtors and business media go on and on about there being a hot real estate market in which bidding wars on homes are the norm do you, as someone who’s been out of the real estate market for some time, think it’s all a bunch of hooey designed to provoke people into a flurry of buying and selling?

We understand your suspicion. But truthfully, the upcoming spring real estate market may simply be the best time to sell your house thanks to the swelling fervour of Toronto buyers.

Recently, one of our listings for a single-family home near the AGO generated 28 offers to purchase. In the end, the home sold for $500,000 over what the owners were asking.

That’s right, we said $500,000 over the asking price.

With that many buyers and so few sellers, prices are being pushed through the roof. Selling your house now may be as good as it’s going to get.

At Freeman, you’re sure to get an intelligent sales strategy for selling your property thanks to our 40-plus years of experience in the Toronto housing market. That know-how permeates everything we do, from offering free evaluations and a plan of action as to how we’ll execute your sale, to getting the greatest value for your house and doing so in a fashion that creates the least amount of worry and hassle for the seller.

Our track record from the number of days it takes to sell a property to the average sales price to how much over asking we typically receive beat the Toronto Real Estate Board’s numbers every time during 2012 and 2013.

“We want it to be easy for you,” says Elden Freeman, “and we want you to feel comfortable especially now when you can get caught up in a frenzy or excitement of the current marketplace.”

According to the Toronto Real Estate Board’s Jason Mercer, the outlook for sales for this year is positive with 89,000 transactions forecasted for the Toronto MLS system.

While house prices will grow by about six per cent with an average price set at $555,000 for 2014, the competition for those houses is expected to heat up even more. That’s because the number of listings on the market will remain limited.

We understand that it’s natural to be doubtful about the real estate market as it is today with record sales figures and multiple bids. Selling your home is a big step, whether you’re planning to downsize, move up or make a lateral move.

As realtors with an outstanding track record, we’re here to help you through the process each step of the way.

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.

With Spring (hopefully!) around the corner, here are some tips from the National Association of Green Agents and Brokers to follow when you start your spring cleaning!

The skies might be bluer, the water more clean, the air much purer and our plant life more green if we could only minimize the heaps of household garbage we produce.

It’s been a long time since we talked about garbage. It’s not a particularly appealing or sexy topic, that’s for sure, but it is a blight on our lives that we must continue to tackle. Canadians throw out nearly 1,700 pounds – much more than other countries of the same size and means — of waste per person each year. That’s the weight of eight adult men. When you picture eight guys heaped in a pile at the foot of your driveway it drives home the message more clearly and much more dramatically.

Let’s pay more attention to the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle, and hopefully we can work toward bringing our numbers down.

For starters, we need to rethink what we purchase and what we dispose of. Does it really pay to purchase products that come packaged in ridiculous quantities of plastic, foil and cardboard? Choose products that use minimal packaging or packaging that can be reused or recycled. Try to buy unpackaged goods in bulk.

Certain hardware items can be bought this way and that cuts your packaging waste. It’s better to buy one large jar of peanut butter than two small jars so keep that in mind when writing out your grocery list. And finally, don’t be afraid to voice your opinion about over packaging by complaining to the manufacturer or the retailer.

Start by reducing the stuff you buy, not just the quantity but the kinds of things you buy. Consider buying quality products that tend to last longer rather than cheap items that are more easily tossed out. Think twice before purchasing disposable items such as cups, diapers and lighters. What price does our environment pay for the throwaway items we buy? Think of reusable facsimiles. They’re out there.

Try not to use shopping as therapy or as a pastime. While this can be very difficult in our brand-driven, consumer society, the less time you spend in stores, the less junk you’ll accumulate. Try to buy only what you need. Make a list and follow it and try your hardest not to deviate from it.

Try to simplify your life. When was the last time you used that foot massager or hands-free hair dryer? The avocado slicer and talking cookie jar haven’t been used in years so pack them up and give them away. If you don’t use it, don’t need it or don’t absolutely love it, toss it out. If there is a sentimental attachment to something know that you always have your memories.

Reusing household items is what our grandmothers did. Well, guess what? The trend is back in fashion but not as much out of economic need. It has to do with green concerns of a different kind — saving resources, preventing pollution and using less energy.
Pass along magazines and books to friends and neighbours or donate them to women’s shelters, doctor’s offices or nursing homes. Perhaps your local thrift store will take them off your hands? Eyeglasses can be donated to Operation Eyesight Universal.

Don’t forget pre-schools and daycare centres. They’re often looking for simple household items such as egg cartons, buttons and toilet paper rolls that their mini Picassos can transform into masterpieces. Become the resident expert on recycling and where to dispose of odd items such as electronics, cell phones, dentures and old trophies. (Yes, there is a heaven for just about all earthly things).

Don’t forget the beauty of yard and garage sales. You can recycle a lot of items and makes a few quarters while you’re at it. For an online version of a yard sale check out Kijiji, a website that lets you donate or sell items for free. Freecycle.org also allows you to post items you’d like to get rid of.

Our pursuit of stuff often means we burn through too much waste in our quest to amass. Learn to be happy with less and you’ll be giving and getting so much more.

The National Association of Green Agents and Brokers (NAGAB) provide a Greenbroker and Greenagent certification program to Realtors across Canada. To get more information or to sign up for a course, visit www.nagab.org. Elden Freeman M.E.S., AGB, broker is the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization. 1-877-524-9494 Email elden@nagab.org.

The building blocks that form the foundation of Catharine MacIntosh’s professional life are at first glance a seemingly dissimilar array of disciplines.

But on closer inspection, her political background in combination with her know-how in sustainable design and technology and her experience with business innovation all contribute to making Freeman Real Estate’s newest realtor an extremely  well-rounded one.

“I love being involved in opportunities that ignite change,” says the 43-year-old. “Owning Real Estate can give you the real power to do some

thing. With a property, you have invested in your future and compared to other investment vehicles it can provide constant leverage for growth.”

As a four-year-old growing up in Calgary Catharine would tell her grandmother that she wanted to be the prime minister of Canada. Ambitious and industrious, she obtained a political science degree from the University of Calgary and would go on to work at the Canadian embassy in Washington, DC, starting in the press office and winding her way throughout the embassy working in several departments such as finance and defence procurement.

In 2001, she returned to Canada to seek a degree in environmental design from OCAD University. A Toronto architecture firm hired Catharine upon graduation. While there, she became a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) accredited professional, the 83rd person to do so in the province of Ontario.

Catharine then moved to a business innovation think tank and helped Dutch-based Philips Corporation secure a U.S. patent for pioneering work done within the corporation’s hotel sector.

She then worked on a highly original project at Dundas and Bathurst. The space included commercial space, would ultimately house a Starbucks and was unique in that she developed a co-working space on the ground level called “The Foundery”.

It was thanks to one of the Foundery owners who suggested Catharine consider a career in real estate that she pursued her license.  She interviewed at a number of brokerages – discount, mainstream franchises and couture – when she happened upon Freeman.

“I was immediately impressed,” she says. “I had a list of wants and they met them all – they’re family owned, they’re Canadian, they’re accessible with their expertise, experience, intelligent and sound advice, caring mentorship and support. They’re down-to-earth and they treat everyone in a professional manner. And they love dogs and have a ‘dog-friendly’ office—how great is that!?”

Catharine finds much value in the weekly staff get togethers otherwise known as the Freeman Café in which realtors discuss topics, share ideas, brainstorm and problem solve.

As a resident of Kensington Market, Catharine feels she has a special expertise in the downtown core and that’s something she plans to capitalize on as she hones her real estate career. It’s the convergence of her knowledge and expertise in design, technology and business innovation that add up to quite an impressive backdrop for a career in real estate.

“My personal motto is simply, be magnificent,” says Catharine. “Just go and try and do it.
”

June 20th might be Take Your Dog to Work Day around the world, but at Freeman Real Estate pooches are as much a part of the workplace as the furniture.

The Freemans have a long and illustrious reputation as serious canine lovers beginning with their father, Barry Freeman who introduced his beloved pooch Olly to the Bathurst Street office in its early days back in the 1970s.
The tradition has continued with his sons, Elden and Daniel, who each enjoy walking to the office with their furry friends in tow. Elden is often seen accompanied by his three dogs, two Bichons Frise, Yappa and Dopey, and a mutt named Shuli, who hails from Israel. Daniel’s best friend is a hound dog named Babe.

The newest member of the Freeman Team, Babe.

Admin staff is also encouraged to bring in their pups, meaning the fur can fly with as many as seven dogs in the office. All of the dogs are naturally well behaved and socialized. The Freemans guarantee petiquiette of the highest standard, ensuring that vaccinations are up to date and that plenty of dog toys and treats are provided.

The Freemans truly believe a dog presence at work enhances productivity, improves the mood of staff and clients, and increases efficiency because everybody is happier. Animals in the workplace, they say, actually serve to keep stress levels down.

“If I’ve had a difficult meeting or phone conversation, I go see a couple of the dogs for a quick pet and it just takes all that stress away,” says Elden. “Having dogs here makes it comfortable. It’s like good therapy for people. They see we’re not stuffy and uptight. I think it shows that we’re more family oriented, laid back and flexible.”

The merits of having dogs in the workplace are a phenomenon that has been debated for years. Now researchers are studying its effects. A U.S. based study in 2012 found there to be less stress and more job satisfaction, organizational commitment and support in work environments in which dogs were present.

The Freemans have such ardent affection for friends of the four-legged kind that they’ve dedicated a special page on their website to pet-friendly Toronto condos for sale, a feature you won’t find on Realtor.ca. That way, Freeman clients never have to part with their beloved pets.

Visit our Pet Friendly Condo page http://www.freemanrealty.com/pet-friendly-toronto-condos. There you’ll see a variety of dwellings in different price ranges starting at $300,000. Be sure to check out the gallery of photos and accompanying bios of those furry friends who call the office home.

Golden Girls, Moxy and Hanna.They are both 8 years old. Moxy, the alpha of the two, came to her owner at 7 weeks old. Hanna was found through Golden Rescue. Hanna was a foster dog who came to her current owner a mere 45 lbs, skin & bones with rib cage protruding, very sparse fur – a mere shell of herself. She was afraid of everything and everyone and you could barely tell that she was a Golden. With love, patience and a good raw diet, she over time fattened up to 65 pounds and has learned to smile (yes, she actually does have a hilarious smile). The Golden Girls are wonderful companions.