Sunday, April 6, 2008

Spring to Life, Sunday 27 April, 2008


*We are pleased to announce that thanks to the generous donations from this workshop, we were able to donate $75 to the Venus Envy Bursary Fund.







Session 1 - 1:30- 3:00

a) Heal thy self: Herbal remedies
The workshop will cover herbal medicine and its uses, including how to use different plants - infusions, decoctions, tinctures, and oils. Participants will also learn about how an alcohol-based tincture is made.

Julie Allard has studied herbal medicine in Montreal and is currently a social work student at Carleton University. She is interested in alternative health within a social justice context.

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b) RAW: Putting dinner on the table - a Raw Asian dinner party
FULL

This workshop will teach you how to make raw appetizers, sides and an entrée. We’re going beyond making a basic salad here! By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to make a quick and healthy raw dinner consisting of tasty no-rice sushi, a marinated salad and a delicious Asian “noodle” dish. This workshop will also explain the health benefits of the raw lifestyle, the basic ‘rules’ and provide you with tips on how to incorporate more living foods into your diet.

*Allergy warning: Unfortunately there will be a large amount of nuts used in this workshop.

Ben Kaelan René is a Fine Arts graduate of the Ottawa School of Art whose creativity isn’t limited to the studio; it happens in the kitchen too! He became vegan 8 years ago and has been transitioning to raw-veganism over the course of the last year. His passion for veggie culinary arts prompted him to lead his own online cooking club on vegsource.com and start his own vegan cooking blog: A decadent conspiracy. His approach to the raw lifestyle focuses primarily on harnessing the healing power of raw-foods and promoting detoxification.

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c) Chains and grease: Softcore bike repair

FULL

The workshop will focus on the basics of keeping your bike clean and healthy. We will review the parts of a bike and the elements of a safe-bike check. Participants will learn how to clean their chain, fix a flat tire, and adjust their seat and handle height. No prior bike-repair knowledge is required, but bringing your bike is ideal!

Sam McGavin has been a dedicated urban cyclist for ten years, and started learning about bike repair shortly afterwards when she was too broke to visit a mechanic. She thinks fixing bikes is great for getting to know your bike better, being thrifty, being safe, and feeling like a sexy grease-monkey mama.

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Session 2 - 3:00 - 4:30


a) Catch your breath - Yoga at home
Although company is stronger than willpower, setting aside even a few minutes for personal practice at home can deepen your experience of yoga. We will start the workshop with a discussion of bandhas and breathing, as well as considerations for setting up a space. We'll then move through two sequences of postures, one energizing and one relaxing, with suggestions for modifications. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat (if you don't have a mat - let us know when you register and we can find you one)

Megan Butcher has been practicing yoga for just over two years, mostly in the Hatha and Ashtanga traditions. She is not a trained instructor; she just really wants to share the joy. When she's not breathing, she is also a librarian and a writer: you can read about her occasionally salacious life at: asteroideapress.com.

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b) RAW: Make me something sweet to eat - Raw decadent desserts
FULL
Leave your easy-bake ovens at home! We’re going to make decadent desserts that are also good for you. These desserts will be devoid of dairy, eggs, sugar, flour and heat but not devoid of taste. Recipes covered include raw-date squares, tasty chocolate-nutty cups, and a raw-some chocolate mousse dessert. We’ll also learn how to make a killer virgin chocolate martini!

*Allergy warning: Unfortunately there will be a large amount of nuts used in this workshop.

Ben Kaelan René is a Fine Arts graduate of the Ottawa School of Art whose creativity isn’t limited to the studio; it happens in the kitchen too! He became vegan 8 years ago and has been transitioning to raw-veganism over the course of the last year. His passion for veggie culinary arts prompted him to lead his own online cooking club on vegsource.com and start his own vegan cooking blog: A decadent conspiracy. His approach to the raw lifestyle focuses primarily on harnessing the healing power of raw-foods and promoting detoxification.

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C) Chains and grease - Hardcore bike repair
FULL

The workshop will focus on brakes and gears. Participants will learn how to tighten and adjust their brakes, replace brake pads, and make minor derailleur adjustments. Time permitting, we will touch on bottom brackets and cable replacement. Although this workshop will be "hardcore", there are no prerequisites besides a willingness to get your hands dirty. Bring your bike if you can.

Stefan Reinecke has been a four-season urban cyclist and periodic mountain biker since he was 14. He was an active member of Recycles Cycles in Kitchener-Waterloo, a community bike workshop where he fixed old abandoned bikes and helped people work on their own bikes. Stefan believes bicycles are: gorgeous, a tool of liberation, and a crapload of fun.

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