Passion that persuades: Female Camaraderie

May
30

The year was 1994 and I was 16. I was acne-prone, insecure and I would have done just about anything to fit in.  But despite my efforts, I was still surrounded by the TBP (also known by me as the Teenage Bitch Pack): Kathy, Andrea and Helen.  Through verbal gang ups and bets on who would beat me up by the end of the year (which by the way, they never did), I would run my sorrows all the way to the closest fast food joint and stuff colossal commercial burgers in my pie hole as I drowned my tears in an jumbo gingerale.   My skin got worse, I struggled even more to control my emotions and while I was still rake-thin, I noticed the birth of pinches on my upper thighs.

The year was 2005 and I was 27. My acne took residence of a new location – my cheeks. And despite being like the tiny ones which graced my forehead, these were monster-bullet-hole zits. I was bitter, determined and competitive. I was also an Ad Chick who emotionally ate pizza and burgers and then washed them down with wine. I couldn’t digest my food properly and I was tired, depressed and angry at the world. But I still pushed on and worked hard and played even harder caring less if people liked me. I was running up that corporate ladder and I had a fiancé who loved me. Who needed friends when I had him?

The year is 2011 and I’m 30 **cough**. My skin is completely clear (well except the occasional little pain the **whistle**). I’ve realized that female camaraderie does matter. That what you put out is what you get back. And food isn’t much different, except it’s all about what you put in is what you get out on every level. And while I’m still an emotional creature who makes mistakes, I’ve discovered a kick-ass crew of like-minded women who by the way fed me. Now that’s love.

(For all recipes below, please visit Nicki’s kiss ass site, View the Vibe)

*All photos were taken by yours truly. For food photography inquiries, please contact me: [email protected]

VEGETARIAN SPRING KALE SALAD

GARLIC SHRIMP WITH MANGO AVOCADO SALAD

SESAME-SEARED TUNA OVER BROCCOLI TAMARI STIRFRY

There would be Nicki Laborie, restaurant reviewer extraordinaire from View the Vibe who offers a look into Toronto’s restaurant vibe – all by video which is a first. Her sweet demeanour isn’t to be walked on. She’s a tough cookie who knows what she wants, has a strong business mind and is downright beautiful.

Then there’s Jill Clark, a social media hospitality guru who saves restaurants from making critical mistakes in brand awareness and promotion, plus she brings them in the mulla. Her intensity is something I can relate to, she never stops and ya, she’s also a knock out.

These women are a part of my new edition to the long line of women (including my sister who’s now my best friend) that inspire me every day. And while I’m still an emotional creature like many of you, I’m finding nourishment through friends and finally my food that helps me deal with what life might throw at me. Because at the end of the day, the only ladder we should climb up is one of self-assurance, passion that persuades and for a ruthless compassion for the people we want in our lives and the person we know we were meant to be.

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