Flexletter Toronto Stats

HEALTHYRAMENBOWLS INGREDIENTS: 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 (3.5 oz) package of shiitake mushrooms, sliced

1/2 yellow onion, diced 10 cups vegetable broth salt to taste 2 packages ramen noodles (2 standard servings) 4 soft boiled eggs, cut in half (boil for 7 minutes, then add to ice water, peel) 2 cups beef, chicken, pork or tofu 1/2 cup shredded carrots 1/4 cup chopped green onions 1/2 cup sliced nori sheets Soy sauce, chilies, sriracha, hot sauce for serving (optional) DIRECTIONS: 1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add the onions and mushrooms, cooking until softened and the mushrooms have darkened. 2. Add the broth, and bring to a gentle simmer. Sample the broth, adding salt to taste. 3. Add the noodles to the broth. Cook until just before al dente (2-3 minutes). 4. Once the noodles have cooked, remove and add to a bowl or storage container. This will prevent the noodles from overcooking and becoming mushy. 5. Add the protein, carrots, and green onions to the broth. 6. Dole out noodles and eggs to each bowl. Top with the hot broth, protein and veggies. Add nori, soy sauce, chilies, sriracha or hot sauce if desired.

Courtesy of www.ehow.com

BRIDGEGENERATIONSWITHGARDENING Gardening is something that can be done by everyone from the very young to the very old. And it’s more fun when you do it together! A grandmother and granddaughter planting flowers. A father showing his son how to prepare soil for growing vegetables. If you’d love to get your children – or grandchildren – more involved in gardening, here are a few pointers on how kids like to garden. • Give them their own space. Even a small pot will do, but they need to feel ownership over their “garden.” • Start with easy to grow plants. Kids like to see quick results. Although, learning to wait for a seed to sprout is a great lesson in patience. • Let children eat carrots covered in dirt and apples straight from the tree. They’ll feel close to nature and get their fruits and veggies in to boot!

ARCHITECTURE ISHOPE Chinese architect Li Hu – founder of experimental design and research studio OPEN Architecture – believes architecture is a means of connecting with others and the world around us. And – more importantly – he believes architecture is hope. “No matter how angry we get about our world, when we work we express our hope. We inject it into everything we do.” He prefers to think of architecture as art rather than a business and feels that architects need to slow down and think before they design. He also admits he is idealistic, but that sometimes – idealism is what the world needs most.

Modular building system (HEX-SYS) by OPEN Architecture. Courtesy of www.dezeen.com