Through the eyes of Joshua...

While popular chains, such as Chipotle, have started to take over the restaurant business, I happened to stumble across a great self-owned and run burrito place close to my house. Looking for a snack closer to midnight, I saw the lights of this little restaurant still on. Inside, the joint was quiet- a few TTC employees huddled over some burritos in the corner. I approached the counter and ordered a steak burrito. I was amazed by their meat selection as they also had chicken, pork and, oddly enough, haddock and shrimp. They also offered beans (I chose black instead of pinto), rice, and, to my delight, free guacamole! Now, if free guacamole doesn't scream A+ customer service, then I don't know what does.

I watched as the floury tortilla was wrapped around the yummy filling and tossed on the grille to fry. As I waited, the owner talked to me from behind the grille. He explained that the meat he served was fresh and several grades above the processed meat found at the chain burrito places. I really appreciated the amount of care that he took in choosing where his meats come from.

While I did have to wait for my burrito, the wait was well worth it. The heartiness of the guacamole, rice, and lettuce was most excellent and I was well sated by the last bite. Not to mention, it was made to order- unlike some of the other burrito places that I have visited. I also decided to add some hot sauce served in a little cup. Wondering why the hot sauce serving was so small, I put a dab on my tongue – ouch! Hot was certainly the right word to describe it! 

The convenient hours, taste of the freshly grilled burrito, and excellent customer service will definitely have me coming back. I think I may have found my new favorite burrito joint!

Through the eyes of Amy…

Located in the core of downtown Toronto is a music shop that values both its music-related products and music-loving customers. Whether it's punk, rock, metal, pop, or a mix of everything that you're into, the shop provides products for all types of music-lovers, including the newest designs of band t-shirts, albums, and accessories. The excellent products, coupled with friendly and accommodating sales associates, plays a tune that's hard to beat.

Recently, I went to the shop looking for one of my favorite band's t-shirts. As I entered the store I was immediately greeted by a friendly employee and hit with a wave of nostalgia as some music from my childhood was playing in the background. A large section of the store is dedicated to mainstream music, but there are sections commemorative to the influential movements of punk and rock.

The employee who greeted me was accommodating and friendly, taking the time to help me decide on the best design for the t-shirt, find the correct size, and inform me about their current sales and offers. Along with his attentiveness and great customer service, the employee revealed their music chops by speaking with me about my favorite band and giving me music recommendations.

I left the shop with a new top, an album featuring the nu-metal genre, and the unwavering decision to make all future music purchases here.

Through the eyes of Joshua…

Summer is here and you can expect the temperature to rise and the humidity to settle in. Here are a few tips to stay cool without relying too much on electricity:

1. Drink plenty of water: Our body is composed of about 60% water. We sweat more when the temperature is hot - especially if you’re working or exercising in the heat. Drinking water helps replenish the fluids lost by excessive sweating.
2. Keep still and quiet: It is important to maintain a calm and relaxed posture. Save the exercising and kinetic activities for the evening when the sun goes down and the air becomes cooler.
3. Stay in the shade: You can read a book, sit down, or take a nap. When you move around, it makes your body temperature rise.
4. Open the windows to let in a breeze: This allows the air inside to circulate and cool down. If insects are a problem, use screens to keep them out.
5. Go swimming: Going swimming on a hot day is a great way to cool off. Head over to your nearest public swimming pool for a cool splash.
6. Have a cold shower or bath: A cold shower or bath will instantly cool you off. You can also wrap damp towels around your body to help bring your temperature down.
7. Use fans: Fans keep the air circulating and don't use as much energy as air conditioners. You can also produce a mini air-conditioning effect by placing a wet face cloth over the outer cage of the fan.
8. Chew on ice cubes: It’s just like drinking water, only colder!
9. Use a bag of ice: Place the bag on your forehead for approximately 30 minutes.
10. Water spray bottle: If you go outside frequently, spray yourself with cold water from a spray bottle. It helps you stay cool and it feels good.

Through the eyes of Kevin…

Our beaches may not rival the beaches of Spain or the South of France, but they are definitely a good substitute for people that want to get away from the city and enjoy some sand, water, and sunshine. Here are my picks for the best beaches to visit in Toronto:

1. Woodbine Beach: Woodbine Beach is located at the bottom of Woodbine Avenue, near Ashbridge’s Bay Park. Looking out over the sprawling waters of Lake Ontario, this beach is spacious and sociable. If you're looking for something more than lounging on the sand and taking a dip in the water, Woodbine has over 90 beach volleyball courts owned by the Ontario Volleyball Association, designated for public use. The water quality meets all standards and has been recognized for its safety and community engagement since 2005.
2. Hanlan’s Point: Hanlan’s Point, located on the Toronto Islands, is well known for it’s clothing optional area. However, don't be discouraged to bring the family. There are clothing mandatory sections and nearby is one of Toronto’s first amusement parks, which causes the beach to get awfully busy on hot weekends. The water quality is pristine, having received a Blue Flag label, and you'll have trouble finding softer sand anywhere in the city.
3. Sunnyside Beach: Just West of the Exhibition grounds, Sunnyside Beach spans a long stretch of sand along Lake Ontario. It is not the ideal place to swim, being the closest beach to the downtown core, but it makes up for it with its view, being able to see all the way to Hamilton on a clear day. The Gus Ryder Pool is also located directly next to the beach which draws in lots of overheated families looking to cool off. The beach is great on summer evenings and weekends, sitting on the beach or grassy area and enjoying the scenery.
4. Cherry Beach: Located at the bottom of Cherry Street, Cherry Beach is a popular spot for kite boarding and surfboarding. The beach atmosphere is laid back and lacks the showy 'beach body' patrons who prowl some of the other beaches looking for attention. The water quality has also received a Blue Flag label and is great for swimming.
5. Bluffer’s Park: Bluffer’s Park is located at the bottom of Brimley Road. The beach itself at Bluffer's Park is one of the nicest in the city. With the Scarborough Bluffs to the north, the park is both scenic and well tended. It is also an excellent place for a nighttime bonfire and hiking. The beach offers great water and sand quality.

Through the eyes of Amy…

Canada Day isn't just about celebrating our country, it's also about spending time with family, friends, neighbors, and, of course, your fellow Canadians. Here are five great ways to enjoy and celebrate Canada Day:

1. Organize a Cookout: Enjoy the outdoors by eating outside with family, friends, and neighbors. And why not celebrate Canada's multiculturalism by having a potluck and asking everyone to bring a dish from their ethnic background.
2. Attend a Parade: Watch or participate in a Canada Day parade. Put on the red and white face-paint and wave your flags with pride while enjoying the radiant company of other Canadians.
3. Visit a Museum: For a quieter celebration, visit a museum to learn about Canadian history. The insight into Canada's founding and development might make you appreciate how far we've come.
4. Gather at Canada Place: Plan ahead and book some tickets to Canada Place, located in Vancouver. Enjoy the music, performances, and ceremonies. Enter a contest that tests your Canadian knowledge, or show the nation your artistic skills, and have fun with your loved ones.
5. Go to the Beach: There is something so charming about the beach at night. With the fading warm glow of the sun, fireworks burning across the night sky, and laughter all around, ending Canada Day at the beach is a surefire way create fond memories.

Through the eyes of Amy…

Summer is here, and its a great time to indulge in some delicious ice cream. However, what makes ice cream even more delicious is being able to enjoy it with a friend at a joint that serves up great customer service!

My friend and I recently visited an ice cream shop we'd had our eye on for a while. Upon entering the shop, we were greeted warmly by an employee standing behind a display of vibrantly colored ice cream. There were so many different flavors, from the classic vanilla or chocolate, to the more unusual strawberry-rhubarb or mango. As we tried to make up our minds, the employee informed us that all of their ice cream was homemade with the freshest dairy products, and that even their waffle cones were homemade.

Still indecisive about which flavor to purchase, the employee asked us if we wanted to try out a few samples. I have commitment issues, so the employee really had the customer service aspect nailed down when she let us try it before we bought it.  We tried the black licorice, toffee butter brittle, and cherry cheesecake. They all tasted delicious, which only made our decision tougher. In the end, my friend decided on the toffee butter brittle while I chose the strawberry.

The fresh, homemade ice cream served on a hot waffle cone did not disappoint. Whether toffee butter brittle or strawberry flavored, the texture of the ice-cream was consistent, creamy, and deliciously authentic. The excellent customer service and assortment of flavors will have my friend and I returning for this sweet treat!

Through the eyes of Amy…

Summer is here and what better time to really get to know our beautiful city of Toronto. Here are the top five Toronto cultural institutes that get us really excited about history and culture:

1. Art Gallery of Ontario: Founded in 1900, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in Canada and has a collection of over 80,000 works. It's a great place to see Canadian heritage pieces, European masterpieces, and contemporary art. The Art Gallery of Ontario also hosts exclusive exhibitions such as the art work of Ancient Egypt and the masterpieces of Picasso.
2. Royal Ontario Museum: For a better understanding of how nature and humanity are intertwined, take a look around the Royal Ontario Museum. Here you see exhibits from all over the world, such as the Forbidden City Exhibit, giving insight into different cultures and histories. There are also family activities such as arts and crafts which make the Royal Ontario Museum an amazing place to learn and be inspired.
3. Gardiner Museum: Clay workshops are offered to all ages at the Gardiner Museum. With upcoming exhibitions such as the “The Queer Baroque of Léopold L. Foulem, Paul Mathieu and Richard Milette” and “Clare Twomey: Piece by Piece,” the Gardiner Museum reveals some of the most innovative and inspirational clay art work in the world.
4. Museum of Inuit Art: Officially opened in 2007, the Museum of Inuit Art displays both past and present artistic expressions of the Inuit. Current exhibitions include the “New Acquisitions: Drawings from the Kivalliq” and the “The Matchbox Gallery: A Retrospective.” Coupled with an atmosphere inspired by the Arctic landscape, one can become fully emerged in Inuit history and art.
5. Textile Museum of Canada: Located in the core of downtown Toronto and open seven days a week, the Textile Museum of Canada is home to 12,000 objects from more than 200 regions, displaying different clothing, fabrics, and textiles. The Textile Museum of Canada is currently hosting three exhibits: “From Geisha to Diva: The Kimonos of Ichimaru,” “Fashioning the Intangible: the conceptual clothing of Ying Gao,” and “Telling Stories.”

Through the eyes of Joshua…

The downtown core is the place to shop if you want to keep up with new trends. Unfortunately, it's also the place to shop if you want to go bankrupt. However, there are other ways to shop for your favorite designer brands without exhausting your wallet. Outlet malls, often located closer to residential areas around the city limits, offer a variety of stores selling their products at more affordable prices.
   
You may not always be able to find the latest pair of jeans or designer shoes, but outlet malls are a great place to shop for out-of-season or excess stock at an affordable price. The savvy customer may also be able to find further deals through marked down sales or by using a coupon book. Typically, coupon books can be found at an information kiosk in the mall. While coupon books may need to be purchased (though they can sometimes be offered for free), for those expecting to make some major shopping purchases, the resulting savings will certainly be worth the cost.
 
Despite the fact that outlet malls are located outside of the downtown core, they are neither small nor lacking in variety. Beyond the designer clothing and shoe stores, you can also find confectioneries, kitchenware, and book shops, among a variety of other stores.

Nearly every major fashion brand will have a store at an outlet mall, ensuring that one is rarely disappointed when looking for their favorite brand. Outlet malls are a great place to carve out your style while ensuring your wallet feels full from all the savings!

Through the eyes of Joshua…

With Toronto's diverse multiculturalism, the classic fast food burger and fries are being pushed out by new ethnic restaurants and more up-scale, health-conscious establishments. We'd like to introduce you to a few new emerging restaurant trends making their way into the mainstream:

1. Burger joints: Burgers have become associated with two things: low cost and lots of grease. However, this might be a dying cliché as restaurants are beginning to create gourmet burgers- a meal you can take pride in eating. These restaurants are focusing on promoting higher-quality ingredients (particularly the meat), and forgoing the plastic booths and kiddie playgrounds for a more sophisticated dining experience.
2. Health foods: With the growing awareness of our society's obesity issue, new, health-conscious restaurants are beginning to emerge in an attempt to fight our fat and sugar-fueled diets. Alongside the growing popularity of vegetarian restaurants, many cafés are finding their niche with lunch meals, selling foods like paninis with organic ingredients, pasta salads, and a mind-warping range of free-trade coffees and organic teas.
3. Burrito places: Mexican food is no longer limited to hard and soft shell tacos, but have branched out into alternatives like burritos. Served in wraps or bowls with meat such as steak, chicken, pork or sometimes fish, and packed with rice, beans, lettuce, and guacamole, the burrito is a great way to fill your stomach. 
4. Middle Eastern food: Middle Eastern cuisine has taken off in Toronto. Moving beyond the subcategory of “Mediterranean cuisine” appropriated by Greek restaurants, the Middle Eastern food market has grown so much that chain restaurants are opening. These are great places to try something new, like stuffed grape leaves, hummus, or—an Iranian specialty—grilled tomatoes. 
5. Asian food: While Chinese food is still a big draw and has certainly evolved past the fortune cookie, many other Asian countries are grabbing a piece of the restaurant market. Japanese ramen shops are ending the stereotype of ramen as only cheap college cuisine and instead are pairing them with quality soup broths, which is what ramen was originally known for. Another development has been the rise of Korean restaurants which has made kimchi a household name and recipe.

Moving day can be a hectic, tiring, and stressful experience. Still, there are many ways to prepare for moving day that can help to ensure that the least amount of problems occur and allow for a smooth transition into your new home.

First, comes the preparation before the big day. You should always remember to make everything as easy as you can on yourself. One way of doing this is labeling all of your boxes and furniture with the appropriate rooms that they will be placed in. This makes your life easier because all of the heavy boxes and furniture will be carried over to their respective places, therefore ensuring that you don't have to lift these items again at a later time.

Now, you're probably staring at all of those boxes and furniture, wondering how you'll be able to carry them over to their respective places. Well, that's what friends and family are for... and moving companies, of course! Make sure you have made contact with everyone involved in the big day. This includes your friends and family members who will be helping you, moving companies, and of course, your real estate agent. Also remember to have your fully-charged cell phone handy, so that you can contact any extra hands that may be needed for the big move.

Secondly, when moving day comes, you need to be able to get up early. Be sure to leave the necessities out that are needed for the day. That means that you shouldn't pack up your toiletries and clothes just yet! Keep some cash handy for snacks to keep you and your movers (friends) happy. While full tummies keep everyone happy and energetic, it's also important to have a first aid kit handy to patch anybody up if it's needed.

Lastly, conduct a final inspection of the old place and ensure that you have not left anything behind! Make note of any items that become misplaced or damaged during the move and inform the insurance company of such losses. Also, remember to personally handle any confidential documents or valuables. Do not leave these in the hands of others- even if they're your friends.

Lastly, keep in mind that patience is a virtue. As long as you have the right attitude, the process should go smoothly.