Talking to British Columbians — Celia Chandler, Writer My west coast holiday began when I hauled myself out of a cab and into the vintage lobby of Vancouver’s Sylvia Hotel at 1 am, after an inexplicably delayed WestJet flight best left undiscussed (Vancou...

NEW CONTENT: Talking to British Columbians

Recounting a few conversations on my recent trip.

#travel #talktopeople

www.celiachandler.com/blog/british...

I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #40 — Celia Chandler, Writer This healthy eating business is ok, I’ve decided. Sure, I miss cheese (no, I really miss it) but I am having fun cooking again in a more serious way — pandemic-level, if you will. The New York ...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch #40

#dinesolo #diningsolo #eatwell #treatyourself

www.celiachandler.com/blog/eatreadwatch40

Distraction: a portrait of my mother YouTube video by celia chandler

Missed my morning blog? Here, let me read it to you!

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Distraction: a portrait of my mother — Celia Chandler, Writer She lifts the teatowel, revealing a bloom of wholewheat above the creamy lip of the flat-sided ceramic bowl and releasing a yeasty waft. “Nearly proofed.” Next she bends to peek through the couch-hei...

NEW CONTENT: Distraction: a portrait of my mother

This captures the struggles Mom had with winter. I'm so glad she missed this one, as I know she would have been.

#longwinter #dairyfarmlife #copingwithstress

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Weston Winterlicious #13 - Pelmo Family Restaurant YouTube video by celia chandler

Missed my morning blog? Let me read it to you.

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Weston Winterlicious #13 — Pelmo Family Restaurant Chinese Food — Celia Chandler, Writer Tucked on the plaza next to the gas station at Jane and Church is a Chinese restaurant that somehow escaped my attention. Pelmo Family Restaurant, 1898 Jane Street, has been there for longer than the ...

NEW CONTENT: Weston Winterlicious #13 - Pelmo Family Restaurant

#eatlocal #dinelocal #supportlocal #supportlocalrestaurants

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I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #39 — Celia Chandler, Writer Back in early December, before early snow made planning to move around Ontario uncertain, I invited out-of-towners for lunch the week before Christmas. Unlike so many in my life, they are “eat anythin...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch #39 - leftover lasagna

#dinesolo #treatyourself #eatwelllivewell
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Weston Winterlicious #12 - Crudo Pizza & Panuozzo — Celia Chandler, Writer Crudo occupies space at the back of an unassuming plaza at 1451 Royal York Road, just north of Eglinton. It’s technically out of Weston but it is walkable.* To be honest, while this series is intended...

NEW CONTENT: Weston Winterlicious #12 - Crudo Pizza and Panuozzo

Looking for something to eat today? Check out something local. Here's one from Weston where I live.

#eatlocal #dinelocal #supportlocalrestaurants

www.celiachandler.com/blog/winterl...

Weston Winterlicious #11 - Bellina Restaurant — Celia Chandler, Writer Bellina - it’s an Italian word for cute or lovely. But it’s also the name of a Somali restaurant on Lawrence just west of Weston Road.  It’s been open for two years already but I only just made m...

NEW CONTENT: Weston Winterlicious #11 - Bellina Restaurant
Another story about a restaurant in my community that needs our support. Don't live in Weston? Try something near you. Trust me: UberEatsdoesn't need you. They do.
#eatlocalsupportlocal #dinelocal

www.celiachandler.com/blog/winterl...

Lane Changer - Rosemary Sadlier, destination? social change — Celia Chandler, Writer Rosemary Sadlier’s lane crossed mine because she volunteers her time interviewing candidates for the Diversity Scholarship program offered at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto where I wor...

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Lane Changer - Rosemary Sadlier, destination? social change

First published last fall, I'm reposting this one to honour Rosemary Sadlier and #BlackHistoryMonth2026. 30 years of celebrating in Canada!

www.celiachandler.com/blog/lanecha...

I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #38 — Celia Chandler, Writer Last time I shared with you I’m trying to health-up my diet. It’s a work in progress for sure, especially as I work through the lovely creamy cholesterol heavy stuff my fridge usually contains. But I’...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch #38

#DineSolo #diningsolo #youreworthit #TreatYourselfWell

www.celiachandler.com/blog/eatreadwatch38

Weston Winterlicious #10 - Punta Cana Haus YouTube video by celia chandler

Missed this morning's blog? I don't mind reading it to you!

#weston #dinelocal #supportlocalrestaurants

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Weston Winterlicious #10 - Punta Cana Haus — Celia Chandler, Writer Have you ever been to Punta Cana? No, not the town in the Dominican that’s the holiday destination of so many at this time of year. I’m talking about Punta Cana Haus at Jane and Church. If you haven’t...

Ready for a good local meal out? Check out Punta Cana Haus on Jane.

#dinelocal #weston #eatlocal #eatlocalsupportlocal

www.celiachandler.com/blog/winterl...

Weston Winterlicious #9 - Old Nassau — Celia Chandler, Writer Nearly two years ago, Old Nassau, on Weston Road near King, became a hubbub of activity. You may remember why — Keith Lee, famous for his food reviews on TikTok, chose Toronto as his first destination...

NEW CONTENT: Weston Winterlicious #9 -- Old Nassau

Check out my latest Weston restaurant review. Not close to Weston? Try out something new in your own neighbourhood.

#eatlocal #supportlocalrestaurants

www.celiachandler.com/blog/winterl...

I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #37 YouTube video by celia chandler

Did you miss my morning blog? No problem. Let me read it to you, maybe while you're dining solo!

#dinesolo #diningsolo #treatyourself #youreworthit

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I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #37 — Celia Chandler, Writer I know it seems I eat healthy food. And I do! But when my new family doctor flagged a high cholesterol reading, he asked how’s your diet? Well, I was honest. I eat all the right things. And most of th...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch #37

Need a break from news? Check this out.

#dinesolo #diningsolo #treatyourselfwell #youreworthit

www.celiachandler.com/blog/eatreadwatch37

Weston Winterlicious #8 - El Meson del Charro — Celia Chandler, Writer In case you missed it, El Mesón Del Charro is the latest Mexican restaurant in Weston.  It advertises its food as authentic and homemade and so clearly it was on my list. When Christmas Eve dawne...

NEW CONTENT: Weston Winterlicious #8 - El Meson del Charro

Check out the next in my series of profiles of Weston's eateries.

#eatlocal #dinelocal #supportlocal #supportsmallbusinessowners

www.celiachandler.com/blog/winterl...

Weston Winterlicious #7 - Eggsmart YouTube video by celia chandler

Missed the morning blog? Here's the video version.

#weston #eatlocal #supportlocal

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Weston Winterlicious #7 - Eggsmart — Celia Chandler, Writer I’ve lived in Weston now for over 14 years and Eggsmart on Weston Road has been here most/all(?) of those years. Honestly, I don’t know. I’d never been. A couple of months ago, though, I planned to...

NEW CONTENT: Weston Winterlicious #7 - Eggsmart

Reviving my series from 2025 about Weston's local eateries. Restaurants suffer as we recover from the season of overeating, overdrinking, & overspending. Support local spots!

#eatlocal #supportlocal #Weston

www.celiachandler.com/blog/winterl...

Love the blue willow pattern bowl!

I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #36 — Celia Chandler, Writer You know sometimes there are veg in the fridge that need to be eaten. This time, four mushrooms, the inner core of a bok choy and some green beans cried out to be used before they succumbed to the gre...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch Dining Solo #36

#DineSolo #youreworthit #TreatYourselfWell

www.celiachandler.com/blog/eatreadwatch36

12 ways I protected my mental health in December YouTube video by celia chandler

Let me read you my blog: 12 ways I protected my mental health in December

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12 ways I protected my mental health in December — Celia Chandler, Writer One year ago, tears streamed onto the massage table as I shared the misery I felt during the 2024 holiday season. I vowed not to repeat that funk in December 2025. I first explored options to go away ...

NEW CONTENT: 12 ways I protected my mental health in December

I hope there's something in today's post that will help you next year if you're like me and you find the holidays tough. I know I'm not alone.

#holidaystress #mentalhealth #12tipsofChristmas

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Curious about tomorrow's blog?

I'm sharing the 12 ways I protected my mental health in December.

Stay tuned to Bluesky or better yet, subscribe at celiachandler.com

2025 Successes and 2026 Resolutions — Celia Chandler, Writer 2025 has been a good year for me as a writer. I was thrilled to be asked to write a regular column in the magazine of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario and also delighted to have the Toronto Star ...

NEW CONTENT: 2025 Successes and 2026 Resolutions

Thanks to readers for your continued support this year. Curious about how the writing year was for me? Check out my year-end report.

www.celiachandler.com/blog/yearend...

I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #35 — Celia Chandler, Writer Regular readers will know of my June asparagus pilgrimage to a Niagara Region farm owned by friends. I pack my car full of green gold and prepare it daily for a couple of weeks. To eat it at this time...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch #35

Something to whet your appetite for next June -- asparagus vichyssoise!

#diningsolo #youreworthit #treatyourself

www.celiachandler.com/blog/eatreadwatch35

Lane Changer - Celia Chandler, shoulder-checker — Celia Chandler, Writer This year, I was honoured to interview 25 lane changers. Last Sunday, I brunched with a handful of them. You can thank or blame them for today’s post because they encouraged me to write about my own l...

NEW CONTENT: Lane Changer - Celia Chandler, shoulder-checker

A few reflections on my own lane changing

#LaneChanger #LaneChange #newlife #reflection

www.celiachandler.com/blog/2025yea...

Baggage vs Memento - crossing lanes with you YouTube video by celia chandler

Missed my blog this morning? Lemme read it to you.

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Baggage vs Memento - crossing lanes with you — Celia Chandler, Writer I remember when I bought it for him. CBC sold branded merch in their HQ on Front Street and by then, Radio 1 was on not just in our house, but also kept Jack company as drove to fix fridges and assess...

NEW CONTENT: Baggage vs Memento - crossing lanes with you
Inspired by the #nuitblanche event at Crossroads Theatre in Weston!
Photo credit: Samantha Hurley.
with thanks to Michelle Urbano.
#LaneChanger #LaneChange

www.celiachandler.com/blog/lanecha...

I eat, I read, I watch — dining solo #34 — Celia Chandler, Writer Imagine my disappointment - I thought I’d pulled a piece of salmon from the freezer. Yes, I’ll grant you, I looked a little thicker and darker than normal, but the colour was sort of right and I could...

NEW CONTENT: I eat, I read, I watch 34

Squash mac and cheese. If it sounds gross to you, it did to me at first too. Read on!

#DineSolo #youreworthit #eatfromfreezer

www.celiachandler.com/blog/eatreadwatch34