It's one of those things, we all know what's good for us but we don't always make the effort. For me, being a good pesco-ovo-tarian is one of those things, and eating organic is another. I'm happy to report it is getting a little easier in TO with farmers markets sprouting up all over the city. Also, this weekend in particular, those who eschew animal and chemical food products can make their way down to the Vegetarian Food Fair at Harbourfront. It's a low-key affair with veggie booths selling their wares, from books and bracelets to bio-available snacks and supplements. Breezing by some stands may make you lose your appetite while others give the "live longer and stronger" soft-sell approach I think is more tactful.

Somehow I had hoped to come away a more enlightened individual, a better person, but that that doesn't happen overnight. Along the path I found some good snacks courtesy of Kensington's King's Cafe and bought some high protein breakfast bars. However, I was momentarily enticed by Merchants of Green Coffee. They've been selling fair trade organic fresh-roasted coffee in Toronto for the past 12 years (reality check: Starbucks just began selling it once a month). Someone handed me a delicious little sample while we discussed their members' home roasting program. $336 gets you 27lbs of coffee - can be a pound at a time - and a home roasting machine. If you're like me and can't live without the black gold it's worth some serious consideration.

For those whose path doesn't lead to Harbourfront this weekend a few other options exist. Organic produce is available Tuesdays at Riverdale Farm, Thursdays at Dufferin Grove or weekends in High Park behind The Grenadier. If you can't be convinced to turn your cheek to meat, and beef jerky is more your thing than tofurkey, head to Church Street's incredible little butcher shop Cumbrae's for (what I've been told is) an outstanding farm-to-table-fresh steak.

(image: Kim Denise)