Home-grown San Marzano tomatoes ripening

If you know me, you will know why I have not been writing many posts for my blog lately.

It’s Summer and like the bumper-sticker says, I’d rather be … sowing, harvesting, tending, pruning, walking, meeting friends and generally enjoying the extra joy that comes to me each day from beautiful blue skies and sunshine.

Each morning, I enjoy my espresso while I catch up on emails and tend to client files.  Later, I catch up with the tasks and errands that we all have and (here’s the best part)  wherever I am and whatever I am doing, my clients are still able to reach me.  I was a willing victim of Apple’s brilliant marketing a couple of years back and switched my Blackberry for an iPhone and my notebook computer works almost anywhere and sits inside my handbag allowing me to contact company databases etc. in the drop of a hat.  My wireless account enables me to stay in touch with everybody;  family, friends and clients.

Years ago, my market research firm was agency of record for market research for BC Mobility (latterly Telus Mobility)  and I can remember talking to Autotel and Mobiltel Users about the introduction of cellular technology into Canada and their propensity to switch to the new technology.  I conducted focus groups with consumers who found the concept interesting, but difficult to fathom.  Well … some years later, and many research studies later, here we are – totally mobile wherever in the world we may be.  I like it.  It really talks to the sense of freedom that early adopters of the technology were anxious to experience.

I love wireless technology and how it facilitates individual expressions of freedom.  If you, on the other hand,  prefer to be “wired” for your communications, that’s fine too.  Just let me know so that I communicate with you in a way that is comfortable with you.

Enjoy your Summer, whatever you will be doing and remember I am just an email, phone call or tweet away!

The Hamam at Sumahan

When I was in Istanbul last month, staying at my favourite resting place, luxury hotel Sumahan-on-the-Water, I decided to unwind after a particularly hectic schedule and to experience one of my favourite forms of relaxation, the hamam.  The hamam at Sumahan is spotlessly clean, particularly beautiful and sets the scene for an amazing meditative experience.  So, when I read that our local Istitute Italiano di Cultura will present the movie Steam by Turkish-Italian director Ferzan Ozpetek in a couple of weeks, I made a note to that this will be a date evening with hubby!

The publicity for the film describes the story:  Francesco is a successful designer from Rome, who arrives in Istanbul to dispose of an inheritance left him by an aunt he never knew.  The property is a hamam, a traditional Turkish steam bath.  Smitten with the hamam and the family that runs it, Francesco soon decides to remain in Turkey …

When I think about how much Turkey has changed in the last five years, this movie will surely help me to gain even more perspective on how this increasily popular travel destination has changed … and perhaps provide a hint as to why …

Here are the details:

when:  Wednesday, June 16 at 6.15pm

where: IstituteoItaliano di Cultura, 500-510 West Hastings Street, Vancouver

There is no admission charge and pre-registration is not required.  Please note that this is intended for an adult audience.

Last year, I wrote about the benefits of a homeopathic remedy from Boiron called Histaminum.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t so helpful to me this year and as my sneezes multiplied per session, my eyes reddened and my nose plugged, I sought another alternative to over-the-counter antihistamines.

AOR Brand Quercetin

Quercetin, by AOR, is my saviour this year.   I spoke to a woman I know who has worked in alternative health for the past 30 years and she had told me that this is the product – and brand – to try.  I found the product at a local health-food store, and gladly paid the $32 for 100 capsules.  Religiously, I took a capsule each night with dinner, and was starting to despair when my allergy symptoms lifted … after two weeks.  Relief was consistent and much welcomed!

I understand that this is a supplement based upon turmeric, the merits of which are well reported.  However, as with any supplement, you should do your research first to check that this is the product for you.  From my perspective, anything natural is better than chemicals, providing it’s effective.