I have been more diligent with my exercise regime ever since I got a digital scale back in March. It turned out the decades-old spring scale in the bathroom was off by 10 lbs. Yikes! I knew I was no spring chicken but I thought I was in better shape. So it was Yoga every morning and then a 45-minute walk around the neighbourhood in the afternoon.
The weight slowly came off and that had a second benefit. The insurance company called to arrange a medical check-up because whole-life insurance had stricter requirements. Despite my friend's skepticism of permanent insurance, I decided to at least go through with the exam. Since there was 3 vials worth of blood-work, I didn't want a personal nurse visit. I guess applicants didn't usually make a fuss about this because they struggled to find a clinic as an alternative.
The one they finally found cost a pretty penny according to my phone contact. But I supposed the prospect of getting those huge, yearly premiums was too tempting to pass up. I wasn't sure why it was more expensive until I stepped inside La Vie Health two weeks ago. Apparently when people can afford a private "executive health" clinic, they get access to half a dozen doctors as well as a plethora of nurses and other specialists. This couldn't be more different than my mom's experience over the last few years at walk-in clinics ever since her family doctor retired.
On Saturday, after printing tickets for my upcoming trip to Toronto at the library, I passed by Frys Guy. This chip wagon closed for the winter but I didn't realized that they re-open this early. So I grabbed a small poutine ($7) for lunch. After all, nobody will be measuring my waist anytime soon.
The next day, I was back in Toronto. This was my 3rd stay at this East End AirBnB. Like last time, I walked to Little India and then to Gerrard Square. After a bit of shopping, I went to see if any of the new shops had opened. But Montreal Smoked Meat and Nutmento (Caribbean Grill) was still under renovation. I made my way back up to Danforth Avenue via Logan. Despite my 2-month sublet in 2022 and walking everywhere, there were still pockets of the East End that I missed. This road was a mix of modest homes, modest homes modernized with trendy construction, and larger houses. The latter dominated the street across from Withrow Park. Even a decade ago, a friend couldn't afford a house in this neighbourhood and settled for Donlands. They have since upgraded to the rarified airs of Cedarvale.
Walking along Danforth back to my rental near Coxwell, I passed by many businesses. I haven't visited enough to tell if they were new or long-time shops except the ones that had "established in 1989" or "opened since 1985". For younger folks, that must seem ancient. But how could they be considered old if I was already alive back then? I was surprised that the basement restaurant Le Plato was still around.
Famished after my long walk in the sunshine, I stepped inside the modest Ethiopian restaurant Abugida. I had a wonderful veggie combo ($17) last time and this time round the beet, lentils, berbere sauce, and collard greens were just as tasty. I did switch to genuine Ethiopian injera for an extra $3.25. As it is made from teff and not wheat, sometimes a restaurant will advertised them as gluten-free. I wouldn't recommend teff injera to first-timers because the fermentation makes the flatbread a bit sour. This can be off-putting if you aren't used to the flavour. Wheat-based "Canadian injera" would be an easier entry point.
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