Cool gadget for fun walks: Fitbit

I love walking, so much so that I’ve written two Toronto walking guides, but do you know what really motivates me to stroll for kilometres? I choose a decadent destination far from home and invite friends to tag along. Do you know what is the source of my two techie friends’ motivation for walking? Fitbit.

Yannick is a programmer, and Lionel works as an Adobe teacher. As the two guys behind YummyBaguette.com, a website listing all the yummy shops where you can find chocolates, pastries, coffees, teas and other treats in Toronto, they are the ideal friends to bring along for a decent walk towards a decadent place!

Last spring, we decided to visit The Artisan Baker, located at 1423 Yonge, just south of St. Clair. Our starting point was the Novotel hotel on The Esplanade, about 5 km south of the restaurant and we resumed our walk after our brunch. (See Nathalie's walk around The Artisan Bakery.)

What’s that gadget?
We were making good progress on our stroll and our conversation, then I noticed that the guys were stopping from time to time to consult each other. I asked them if there was a problem. “Not at all”, they replied. They were simply comparing data from their respective Fitbits.

Yannick took out from his pocket a tiny gadget, no larger than a USB key, flashing the words “UCANDOIT”, then “YANN”. His goal was to walk 10,000 steps a day. His Fitbit was encouraging him! With their gadget, the guys could compare the number of strides that they had walked since the beginning of our stroll. 

My nerdy friends then had fun testing their instruments’ accuracy. Because Yannick’s legs are longer than Lionel’s, his Fitbit was indicating fewer steps for the same distance covered. When they swapped their Fitbits, the smart gadgets instantly adapted to their new owner.

Fitbit options 

Both tried to convince me to get a Fitbit. One of the appeals is that Fitbit allows you to follow (on your computer or smartphone) the progress of your friends who own one and have joined your group. This way, Lionel and Yannick always know which of the two is the most active. 

There’s nothing like finding out that your friend has walked 8,000 strides before lunchtime, while you’re still in your pajamas, to make you want to get moving! 

There are three types of Fitbit pedometers. Yannick had the Fitbit One, a clip-on model worth $100. (The Fitbit Flex bracelet also sells for $100.) Lionel had the Zip, a smaller clip-on model offered at $60. 

The three versions feature wireless communication with Mac or PC computers (and also with iPads, iPhones, and a few Samsung Galaxy models). The three of them can count the number of strides and distance walked, as well as the number of calories burned.

After our lovely brunch at The Artisan Baker, we strolled back to
the Novotel, our starting point. When I said I would walk back to my home, my friends decided they didn't want me in their Fitbit group after all. Bad sports!

Christmas shopping: Good spots to find treasures in Summerhill neighbourhood

When exploring the Summerhill neighbourhood between Rosedale and Summerhill Subway Stations for my research, I noticed a cluster of stores offering gorgeous home decor and lifestyle items in a wide range of prices. 

For gifts under $50, you might want to visit:

Dogfather & Co. (1007 Yonge). I don't even have a dog and I had a ball in this whimsical dog store.

Belle époque (1066 Yonge, one block north of Rosedale Subway Station). I was surprised to find so many interesting clothes amidst the home accessories!

Putti (1104 Yonge) taking the space of two stores, and overflowing with an eclectic assortment of beautiful objects.

Advice from a caterpilar (8 Price Street, just off the east side of Yonge), a very chic children's boutique with very chic toys (and staff with unaffected charm).

It is located near Terroni (1095 Yonge), the perfect urban spot for a late afternoon drink after a shopping session. But maybe you would rather start your shopping spree with a decadent pastry at Patachou (1120 Yonge)?

 

Beach Studio Tour 2013 and Fall colours

The best excuse for an urban walk 

(Click HERE for updated version for the Spring 2014 Tour)
A few years ago, I did the Beach Studio Tour with a couple of girlfriends, armed with a self-guided tour map. We had a wonderful time!

We didn't know what to expect. Would it be awkward to visit artists' private houses without buying anything? Would there be art within our budget? One thing for sure, going with a few girlfriends gave us all the courage to find out.

What's the verdict? The participating artists do everything in their power to make us feel at ease. Many join other fellow artists under a same roof to create more ambiance. Some even offer a little bite to welcome the visitors. All simply love to talk about their art and they understand the value of getting us better acquainted with their work even if we don't buy right away.

Beach Studio Tour 2010

Beach Studio Tour 2010

Beach Studio Tour 2013

The Beach Studio Tour is a free cultural tradition currently in its 20th year.  The locations change every year, which allows us to discover different streets of The Beach neighbourhood. 

This fall, the tour takes place from October 25 to October 27 (Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.). It includes twelve locations where we can admire the artwork from local 22 artists (you may check their map at the bottom of the Studio Guide section on beachstudiotour.ca). They're too dispersed to be seen all in a single walk (unless you're a keener!). Many will want to do part of the tour by car. 

To those who would like to kill two birds with one stone, combining art and exercise, I present a cool route, based on my research when working on the walking guides (for The Beach Quaint Stroll, Stroll 25 in Toronto Urban Strolls 1, and The Beach Soothing Stroll and Upper Beaches Steep Hill Stroll, respectively Strolls 12 and 24 in Toronto Urban Strolls 2.). It is 5.5 km long (which takes approximately 1 hour 30 to walk). 

"On parle français" at #5!

I recommend you start your walk at #5, just north of Kingston Road (395 Scarborough Road). You will easily find street parking in the area and you will get a chance to meet the charming Nathalie Vachon whom we met three years ago when we first did the tour (she speaks French0. She's teaming with Jen Tsuchida, who works with felt, and sculptor Noriko Yamamoto.

Two stops on Kingswood, #6 et #9

Walk north on Scarborough, east on Gerrard, and then back south on the next street to #6 where awaits Barb Ringer, an artist working with glass (456 Kingswood Road).

At #9, south of Kingston, are exhibited the artwork of painter Roderick Mayne and Zsuzsa Monostory, a ceramic artist (89 Kingswood Road).

Lovely dead-end street at #8

Go southbound on Kingswood to Queen Street, then turn left (eastbound) to reach Neville Park Blvd. As a bonus after visiting the talented Elizabeth Berry at #8 (133 Neville Park Blvd.), you will get to see one of the prettiest streets in the neighbourhood. Walk to the end of the dead-end to admire the properties on top of the sloped front yards.

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Back on Queen, turn right (westbound). You might be tempted by the scrumptious cupcakes of Life is Sweet (2328 Queen East). Note that a bit further west, at the corner of Beech and Queen, you will find more to tease you: the savoury salty muffins at Remarkable Bean (2242 Queen E.), artisanal (and affordable) chocolate at Wickerhead (2375 Queen E.) or hand-made gelato at Ed’s (2224 Queen E.).

Beach sight before # 10 et #11

You can access the beach at the foot of Beech Avenue. By walking left past the end of the boardwalk, you'll have a chance to see some great beach front houses. 

Back to the Studio Tour, turn west on Fir at the corner Beech and Fir Avenues. Looks like a small village, doesn't it? Two painters await on this street: Ruth Hayes with her watercolours at #10 (17 Fernwood Park Avenue) and Dianne Selton, another artist who loves to play with colours, in display with ceramic artist Karen Franzen at #11 (59 Fernwood Park Avenue).

Ravine sight after #12

Walk northbound on Fernwood, turn left on Hazel, then right on Balsam Avenue. A bit further west past Balsam, there's the really cute café Tori's Bakeshop (2188 Queen East) where you might want to rest before reaching the last location of the Beach Studio Tour. At #12, you will find the photographer John Dowing, the hand-woven designs of Lucille Crighton and Tod Waring, an artist who works with metal.

Glen Stewart Ravine at The Beach

For the big finish, keep going northbound on Balsam, beyond Pine. You will be able to access Glen Stewart Ravine from a little path hidden between two private houses (across from the school). It leads to the spectacular staircase recently built to enhance this ravine. It offers the best view in the whole park. At the foot the the stairs, turn right and you'll forget you're in the middle of the big city. At the fork, keep your right. The stairs will lead you to Beech Avenue, which meets Kingston Road further north. 

To reach your starting point, turn right on Kingston (eastbound) and go north on Scarborough Road.

Beach Studio Tour 2010

Beach Studio Tour 2010

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Post-Thanksgiving humour at Table 17

Table humour in Riverside

I was walking along Queen East in Riverside an hour ago and read Table 17's sidewalk sign. Too funny! I love this neighbourhood.

On one side, they wrote: "Tartare is the new turkey".
On the other: "White meat? Dark meat? How about read meat? Rib eye special!"

Toronto urban fall colours... in Rosedale (2)

Fall colours in the valley

My walk #11 in Toronto Urban Strolls 2 is called Rosedale Valley Fall Colours Stroll. Rosedale Valley Road is another gorgeous urban sight I came upon by chance a few years ago! This photo was taken from the pedestrian bridge off Sherbourne Subway Station when you exit into Glen Road (included in the walk #4 in the same guide, Sherbourne High & Low Mix Stroll).  

It took me a while to understand how to access Rosedale Valley road by foot. I came up with a 1 hour 40 min. long walk, with walking map and photo references. I've also included a suggestion for a shorter 50-minute stroll.

Related blog:
Toronto urban fall colours in Rosedale (1) about another hidden gem in Rosedale.

Toronto Urban Strolls 1 & 2 are sold on line on Amazon and Indigo as well as in the travel section of Indigo's and many other good bookstores. 

Note that Labour of Love, the lovely gift shop and jewelry store on 242 Carlton is always nicely stocked with my guides! (Call them at 416-923-8988 to hold a copy for you.)

Toronto urban fall colours... in Rosedale (1)

Fall colours all around
When I first came to Toronto, 20 years ago, I fell in love with Toronto mostly because of all the mature trees all around the city. In the fall, it gets even better! 

My walk #24 in Toronto Urban Strolls 1 is called Rosedale Meandering Stroll. I came upon a fantastic road in Rosedale by chance a few years ago and just had to create a circuit around it to make sure you can find this gem!

I came up with a 1 hour 1/2 long walk, with walking map and photo references. I've also included a suggestion for a shorter 30-minute stroll which won't disappoint you.

Related blog:
Toronto urban fall colours in Rosedale (2) about Rosedale Valley Fall Colours.

Cover of the 6-page walk #11 in Toronto Urban Strolls 2

Toronto Urban Strolls 1 & 2 are sold on line on Amazon and Indigo as well as in the travel section of Indigo's and many other good bookstores. 

Note that Labour of Love, the lovely gift shop and jewelry store on 242 Carlton is always nicely stocked with my guides! (Call them at 416-923-8988 to hold a copy for you.)

Belfountain: Great walk to enjoy fall colours and fresh air

Belfountain is open until October 27!

The loop trail in Belfountain Conservation Area hooks on to the Bruce Trail, which means you can get a nice workout beyond the small loop trail inside the conservation. See my Toronto Fun Places blog with plenty of photos and descriptions.

I was in the Kleinburg area this weekend. It is closer to Toronto than Belfountain but I'm sure it is a good indication of the state of the fall colours around Belfountain. It seems we still have a few good weeks ahead of us to enjoy the fall colours. There should be fewer people in Belfountain and its conservation area now that Thanksgiving is over.

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